Korean-based developer Nexon has announced that Maple Story on the Nintendo DS will be released in Korea in the middle of next year, with western markets following much later.

“We’re aggressively developing it,” said Jamie Kang, general manager of Nexon Korea’s international business division. “It’s under development currently, and it’s in very good shape.”

Unlike the PC counterpart, Maple Story for the Nintendo DS is not an MMO, but rather a typical action role-playing game which focuses very heavily on single player. The DS version will adapt different gameplay to befit the portable system. Friends can jump on with you through Wi-Fi.

Koreans can enjoy their action-chibi goodness around Q2-Q3 2008 while western markets may not receive Maple Story DS till after 2008.