Release This!: Sequels, Icons, Console Launches

"Release This!" is a weekly overview, specially compiled for Gamasutra, of every new video game released at retail, world-wide. The week of November 21, 2005 sees a good number of sequels released in Japan, an annoying marketing icon in Europe and, oh yes, a console launch in the U.S. Games Released in the United States: Game Boy Advance: Elf Bowling 1 & 2, Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World, Zatch Bell! Electric Arena Gamecube: American Chopper 2: Full Throttle, Peter Jackson's King Kong Nintendo DS: Peter Jackson's King Kong, Real Time Conflict: Shogun Empires, SBK: Snowboard Kids PlayStation 2: College Hoops 2K6, Combat Elite: World War II Paratroopers, EyeToy: Kinetic, Peter Jackson's King Kong Xbox: College Hoops 2K6, Combat Elite: World War II Paratroopers, Crime Life: Gang Wars, Peter Jackson's King Kong Xbox 360: Amped 3, Call of Duty 2, Condemned, FIFA 06, GUN, Kameo, Madden 06, NBA 2k6, NBA Live 06, Need for Speed Most Wanted, NHL 2k6, Perfect Dark Zero, Peter Jackson's King Kong, Project Gotham Racing 3, Quake 4, Ridge Racer 6, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland PC: 80 Days, Ancient SuDoKu, Cabela's Dangerous Hunt 2, Chrome SpecForce, Peter Jackson's King Kong, Space Hack, Wild Life! DVD-ROM: Thayer's Quest The obvious news here is the premiere of the Xbox 360, though discussing the launch in detail would be an exercise in tedium. Combat Elite: World War II Paratroopers is developed by Reno, Nevada-based Battleborne Entertainment. The game, an overhead shooter akin to Konami's Neo Contra and set during World War II, was unfortunately hampered when Acclaim Entertainment filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and went out of business. but we're told that this new version, to be published by SouthPeak Interactive, is significantly enhanced. Sony Computer Entertainment's EyeToy: Kinetic for the PlayStation 2 is a full-fledged cardiovascular workout routine, developed in coordination with Nike Motionworks. Early reviews can't help but stress what an extreme workout the software provides. And finally, Peter Jackson's King Kong, based on the movie of the same name, is a fairly interesting blend of first-person shooter and third-person beast-pummeling envisioned by Jackson's hand-picked game designer, Beyond Good & Evil creator Michel Ancel. Games Released in Europe: Game Boy Advance: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Dr. Mario & Tetris Attack Double Pack, Ms. Pac-Man/Pac-Man World, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, Scrabble Scramble, Tootuf Mission Nadia, Totally Spies Adventure, World Poker Tour Gamecube: Gun, The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, True Crime: New York City Nintendo DS: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer, Kirby Power Paintbrush, Mario Kart DS, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Yellow Advenger, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: Mutant Nightmare, Touch Golf PlayStation 2: 50 Cent: Bulletproof, Crazy Frog Racer, Dancing Stage Max, Ed, Edd & Eddy, NBA 2K6, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, NHL 2K6, Red Baron, Ski Racing 2006, True Crime: New York City, World Poker Tour PlayStation Portable: Crash Tag Team Racing, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, Pro Evolution Soccer 5, X-Men Legends II: Rise of the Apocalypse Xbox: 50 Cent: Bulletproof, Advent Rising, Ed, Edd & Eddy, NBA 2K6, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, NHL 2K6, Psychonauts, Ski Racing 2006, True Crime: New York City, World Poker Tour PC: Advent Rising, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, Psychonauts, Rugby Challenge 2006, Ski Racing 2006, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe As usual, the majority of Europe's line-up consists of a game of catch-up with the United States, with the biggest latecoming offender here being the long-awaited premiere of Double Fine's Psychonauts, which was first released in the United States well over seven months ago! Kirby: Canvas Curse for the DS, renamed Kirby: Power Paintbrush also overcomes massive delays this week. Oh, and let us not forget Crazy Frog Racer, based on the irritating European marketing icon that America somehow avoided entirely. Games Released in Japan: Game Boy Advance: Konjiki no Gashbell!! Yuujou no Dengeki Dream Tag Tournament, RockMan EXE 6: Faltzer Version, RockMan EXE 6: Grega Version Gamecube: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, One Piece: Pirates Carnival, SSX On Tour with Mario Nintendo DS: Animal Crossing: Wild World, Appare! Shogi Jisan, Bubble Bobble DS, Croket! DS: Tenkuu no Yuusha tachi, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Professional Mahjong DS, Puyo Puyo Fever 2, Simple DS Series Vol. 5: The Tennis, Simple DS Series Vol. 6: The Party Game, Snowboard Kids Party, Sonic Rush, Super Black Bass: Dynamic Shot, Tottoko Hamtaro: Nazo Nazo Q Kumonoue no ? Jou, Unou Tanren Unotan DS Shun Kan Shoubu! Handanryoku, Unou Tanren Unotan DS Shun Kan Shoubu! Kiokuryoku, Unou Tanren Unotan DS Shun Kan Shoubu! Shuuchuuryoku PlayStation 2: 24: The Game, Akumajo Dracula: Yami no Juin, Asutoro Kyudan Kessen, Girls Mahjong for Adult 2, Ikusagami, Izumo 2, Little Aid, Matantei Loki Ragnarok: King of Chiisa wa Shiawase, One Piece Pirate Carnival, Otome Hao Anesama ni Koi Shiteru, Pachi Para 12, Puyo Puyo Fever 2, Ratchet & Clank 4th Girigiri Gingano Giga-battle, Rebirth Moon, Rune Princess, Soul Calibur III, SSX On Tour, Star Wars: Battlefront II, SuperLite 2000: Love Adventure Monochrome PlayStation Portable: Bokujou Monogatari: Harvest Moon Boy and Girl, FIFA 2006, Puyo Puyo Fever 2, SSX On Tour, Star Wars: Battlefront II, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006 Animal Crossing: Wild World for the DS, compatible with the system's WiFi internet service, should see a good number of sales this week from those with eager shovels. Other notable releases include Akumajo Dracula: Yami no Juin (better known as Castlevania: Curse of Darkness) for the PS2, a sudden explosion of Electronic Arts localizations for the PSP, and Isukagami, by Tokyo Xtreme Racing developer Genki, an action/war strategy game that promises to render up to 65,535 3D fighters in-game simultaneously. Yes, that figure is exact.