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 an exclusively compiled list.
A worldwide release slowdown follows in the wake of the recent release of Grand Theft Auto IV. The U.S. and the UK are set to see a trickle of new releases highlighted by Boom Blox and Speed Racer, while business is halted in Japan in celebration of Golden Week.
The following list covers all of the game software we know to be available -- across all platforms and regions -- for the week ending May 10th, 2008.
Games Released in the United States:
Few titles debut in the U.S. in the week following the release of Grand Theft Auto IV and Mario Kart Wii, though gamers can still expect to see a small selection of new releases hit retail shelves in the coming days. The Nintendo Wii boasts what may be the week's most varied lineup, featuring the adventure title The Dog Island, puzzler Boom Blox and movie tie-in Speed Racer.
Elsewhere, PS3 owners can expect to see a port of the Game of the Year Edition of Call of Duty 4, while R-Type Command receives a PSP localization courtesy of Atlus. The Nintendo DS and PC platforms are slated to receive a batch of previously delayed releases, meanwhile, many of which could see further reschedulings before their final debut.
Games Released in Europe:
Boom Blox and Speed Racer also find their way to Europe this week alongside a localization of Square Enix's Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors for the Nintendo Wii. The Nintendo DS receives a port of the Phoenix Wright series sequel Apollo Justice, meanwhile, as UK Xbox 360s see a region-exclusive release in Crash Time.
Games Released in Japan:
No titles are scheduled for release in Japan this week as the nation celebrates the holiday period of Golden Week. Regular release activity will resume in the region next week, which will bring titles like Aoishiro to the PlayStation 2 and Bleach: Heat the Soul 5 to the PlayStation Portable.
Nintendo Wii: - Boom Blox - The Dog Island - Speed Racer PlayStation 3: - Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Game of the Year Edition) Nintendo DS: - Brain Voyage - Crosswords DS - Speed Racer | PlayStation Portable: - R-Type Command PC: - Baseball Mogul 2009 - Great War Nations: The Spartans - Iron Man - Neverwinter Nights 2 Gold |
Nintendo Wii: - Boom Blox - Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors - Speed Racer Xbox 360: - Crash Time Nintendo DS: - Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney - High School Musical 2: Work This Out! - Speed Racer | PlayStation Portable: - Iron Man PC: - Bus Simulator |