Saints Row: Drive By launching with 3DS, unlocks content in Saints Row 3

One of the most surprising additions to the list of upcoming 3DS games, tucked neatly between franchises like Metal Gear Solid and Kingdom Hearts, was THQ’s crime sim Saints Row. It received a pretty snarky giggle from the crowd, at least.

THQ has announced that the game will be called Saints Row: Drive By, and will be joined by a similar release on Xbox 360 download service, Xbox Live Arcade.

Both digital and pint size versions of the Stilwater gangster game will unlock content in the main console game, Saints Row 3, and visa versa.

The publisher told CVG that, “Nintendo particularly wanted an 'M' rated game for 3DS's launch.” THQ’s Danny Bilson revealed that Nintendo is going to push the console towards core gamers harder than before, meaning that “This isn't a big risk like [Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto:] Chinatown Wars for us.”

The 3DS will launch next year, and it looks like it will be joined at its debut by Saints Row: Drive By.