It seems the ScummVM team isn't leaving any device untouched. Following versions for Nintendo DS and PDAs, the utility program now allows you to play many classic adventure games on the Apple iPhone and the iPod Touch.

While not official yet, the latest ScummVM port is currently in its early beta stages. ScummVM supported games can indeed be played on the iPod Touch or iPhone using their touch screen. For instance, you tap the screen with your index finger to left click, while pressing and holding your index finger and then tapping with another finger to right click. Gadget blog Gizmodo calls it "absolutely perfect", and after trying it on a friend's iPhone I have to agree.

Monkey Island creator Ron Gilbert, who is an iPhone user, also seems to be rather pleased with it. (That's him in the picture.)

Of course, while ScummVM makes it easy to run existing PC copies of the classic LucasArts adventure games on a variety of devices, the big question is why LucasArts aren't making direct ports themselves and charging for them. Everyone agrees that putting the classic adventures on Steam, Xbox Live Arcade, Nintendo DS or advanced mobile phones would be fantastic. It appears however that the current LucasArts is not interested in your money.

As much as I'd like to believe that every ScummVM user still has obscure legal copies of all the games from years ago, a lot of people are probably using pirated copies simply because it's too difficult or inconvenient to find legal copies at the moment. ScummVM was never designed for piracy, and its makers have worked hard to completely distance themselves from it, but there's no denying that some people are doing it.

Alas, LucasArts are probably too busy working on their Star Wars games to see this blisteringly obvious business opportunity, letting their valuable properties gradually slip into perceived abandonware status. Hopefully LucasArts' management will finally come to their senses and gives their games the proper ports and reissues they deserve, so they can once again be enjoyed by the mainstream masses.