Metal Gear Solid 4? Big deal, right? Look at the Xbox 360 line-up for 2008; it contains titles like Ninja Gaiden 2, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, Gears of War 2, and Splinter Cell Conviction. Oh, wait, one of those titles won't be hitting this year after all. It appears that 360 owners won't be enjoying an espionage experience this year with Splinter Cell Conviction because the title is being taken "back to the drawing board" by Ubisoft Montreal.

Well, this is according to a report in the latest issue of Xbox World 360 magazine anyways. As of now, Ubisoft hasn't officially released word on the state of the latest installment of the Splinter Cell title; however, the magazine is saying that it heard the title will now be ready for holiday season 2009 or as late as Spring 2010.

Splinter Cell Conviction has been development for a number of years, and was supposed to be the Metal Gear killer for Microsoft. According to XBW 360, it's probable that Conviction has simply become outdated by more recent Ubisoft titles, namely Assassin's Creed.

Luckily, Ubisoft's UbiDays event is due to take place in Paris next week, so we can hope for some concrete details surrounding this missing gem. Until then, get jealous of PS3 owners and Metal Gear Solid 4, because you're in for a long wait.