SEGA Europe has announced the development of The House of the Dead: Overkill, a pulp-horror reinvention of the classic SEGA light-gun shooter franchise.

Overkill takes the player back to when Special Agent G was fresh out of the academy. Teamed up with hard-boiled Detective Washington, he is sent to investigate stories of mysterious disappearances in small-town Louisiana, where hordes of zombies await.

Created by London-based studio Headstrong Games, The House of the Dead: Overkill is set to feature the franchise's over-the-top action coupled with Wii-specific controls and contextual moves, including pistol-whipping the jaws off zombies.

"We wanted to do something really different with The House of the Dead: Overkill," commented Bradley Crooks, Studio Head at Headstrong Games. "With SEGA we've been able to create a fresh look for the franchise. I think you'll agree it's like nothing you've seen before on Wii."

"Paying homage to the pulp horror comics and films that inspired generations of gore fans, The House of the Dead: Overkill will expose gamers to a brand-new fleshy rollercoaster ride of revolting dismemberment," commented Gary Knight, European Marketing Director at SEGA Europe. "This is the hardcore Wii title you've been waiting for."

The House of the Dead: Overkill will be released in early 2009, exclusively for Nintendo Wii.