Handmark has announced the release of Platypus for the iPhone. The game can be found in the Apple App Store. Platypus is a claymation shooter game and the game creator built each ship, explosion and tree out of clay and then photographed the scene to create digital graphics for the game.

Platypus was originally released on the Mac and PC and has now made it’s way to the iPhone. The iPhone version uses different controls, as would be expected. Players have the option to pick the controls they would like to use and can opt to use the accelerometer to control the planes.

“Platypus is a game that feels so real you just want to touch it – and now on the iPhone and iPod touch you can!” said Howard Tomlinson, Director of Game Development, Astraware. “It’s arcade blasting fun at your fingertips!”

Platypus will set you back $4.99.

Press Release Follows:

KANSAS CITY, MO  Dec. 8th, 2008  Handmark(R) today announced the release of Platypus, its cult side-scrolling shooter game for iPhoneTM and iPod(R) touch, on the Apple App Store.

The award-winning game, based on the highly-acclaimed Mac and PC game from Idigicon and developed by Astraware(R) – the Handmark Games StudioTM, is a unique arcade game based off of characters and scenes made from modelling clay.

The original creator hand built every ship, tree, and explosion using clay art, photographed them and created digital graphics for the game. Explosions within the game “splat” instead of “bang”, and the fruit bonuses make the game graphics seem almost tangible.

“We are so pleased to see one of our most successful titles make its way onto this new and exciting platform,” said Giles Hunter, Managing Director, Idigicon.

Using a choice of control methods including the iPhone’s built-in accelerometer, players pilot the venerable F-27 ‘Platypus’ across squashy fields and trees, avoiding the snowy mountains to defend peaceful Mungola from invasion. Enemy ships disappear in a splat, and several different power-ups are available to assist with the 20-level mission across 4 huge clay scenarios.

“Platypus is a game that feels so real you just want to touch it – and now on the iPhone and iPod touch you can!” said Howard Tomlinson, Director of Game Development, Astraware. “It’s arcade blasting fun at your fingertips!”

Platypus is available for $4.99 from Apple’s App Store on iPhone or iPod touch or at http://www.itunes.com/appstore.

For more information and to view a demo video, visit http://www.astraware.com/iphone/platypus.