Release This: Final Fantasy XIII Premieres in Japan

Gamasutra's regular round-up of worldwide video game releases, "Release This!", takes a look at every game title we know to be shipping to stores this week, in a custom compiled list. This week brings Final Fantasy XIII and Daikoukai Jidai Online to Japan, while North America gets EverQuest Underfoot. The following list covers all of the game software we know to be available -- across all platforms and regions -- for the week ending December 19th, 2009. Games Released in the United States: Nintendo Wii: - Diatomic (online) - Playmobil Circus - Rubik's Puzzle Galaxy: RUSH (online) Xbox 360: - Konami Classics Vol. 1 - Konami Classics Vol. 2 Nintendo DS: - Playmobil Pirates - Reader Rabbit Kindergarten PC: - Brukkon (online) - Europa Universalis III: Heir to the Throne - EverQuest Underfoot - Manga Fighter Season 2 - Twin Sector Few titles are set to debut in the United States throughout the month of December. This week brings a pair of Xbox Live Arcade compilation packs from Konami, two Playmobil-licensed children's titles for the Nintendo DS and Wii, and the EverQuest expansion pack Underfoot. Games Released in Europe: Nintendo DS: - Nintendo Presents: Crossword Collection PlayStation Portable: - Buzz! Quiz World Nintendo Presents: Crossword Collection and the PSP trivia title Buzz! Quiz World are the only titles scheduled for release in Europe this week. Games Released in Japan: Nintendo Wii: - Formula 1 2009 - Minna ga Shuyaku no NHK Kouhaku Quiz Kassen - Need for Speed: Nitro PlayStation 3: - Daikoukai Jidai Online: El Oriente - Final Fantasy XIII PlayStation 2: - Death Connection Nintendo DS: - Anpanman to Asobu: Aiueo Kyoushitsu DX - Dear Girl: Stories Hibiki -- Hibiki Tokkun Daisakusen! - Deca Sporta: DS de Sports 10 Shumoku - Jewel Pet 2: Mahou no DS Kirapi Kariin - Katekyoo Hitman Reborn! Ore ga Boss! Saikyou Family Taisen - Koushounin DS - Mini Yonkyu DS - Need for Speed: Nitro - Pen 1 Grand Prix: Penguin no Mondai Special - Poupee Girl DS PlayStation Portable: - Akane Iro ni Somaru Saka Portable - Dice Dice Fantasia - Formula 1 2009 - Naraku no Shiro Portable - Queen's Blade: Spiral Chaos PC: - Daikoukai Jidai Online: El Oriente - Hearts of Iron III - Ragnarok Online 7th Anniversary Package Square Enix's anticipated RPG sequel Final Fantasy XIII headlines this week's Japanese release lineup. PS3 owners will also receive Daikoukai Jidai Online: El Oriente, an online multiplayer edition of Koei's Uncharted Waters strategy series. Wii owners can expect to see Japanese-language versions of Codemasters' Formula 1 2009 and EA's Need for Speed: Nitro, while the Nintendo DS gets Deca Sporta: DS de Sports 10 Shumoku and Katekyoo Hitman Reborn! Ore ga Boss! Saikyou Family Taisen.