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.
Only a handful of games will see release in any region this week, though several significant titles among these are currently generating great amounts of positive buzz and anticipation. RTS fans in the United States and Europe will soon have an Xbox 360 port of Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars, while titles like .hack//G.U. vol. 2//Reminisce, Picross DS, and Final Fantasy Tactics: Shishi Sensou will find eager audiences worldwide.
The following list covers all of the game software we know to be available -- across all platforms and regions -- for the week ending May 12, 2007.
Games Released in the United States:
It's a somewhat quiet week in new releases in the United States, though a number of the week's debuting titles could end up being fast sellers. The new Xbox 360 port of the PC hit Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars is expected to make a big splash upon its release, and RPG fans will likely be enthralled by the .hack series' latest sequel, .hack//G.U. vol. 2//Reminisce.
Retrogamers have a lot to like in this week as well, as the retro compilations Taito Legends 2 and Taito Legends Power Up will soon find their way to the PlayStation 2 and PSP platforms. The PSP will also receive anticipated releases like Driver '76 and Heatseeker, both of which aim to bring needed variety to the PSP's software library.
Games Released in Europe:
The Xbox 360 port of Command & Conquer 3 also comes to Europe this week, and will likely arrive to an enthusiastic reception, if the rush of preorders reported at Amazon.co.uk is of any indication. Europe will additionally receive a batch of titles that have met with previous success in the U.S. and elsewhere, with Bust-A-Move (Bust-A-Move Bash! in the U.S.), Cooking Mama (aka Cooking Mama: Cook Off), and Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters being among the most prominent.
The UK also boasts a unique and noteworthy release this week in the Nintendo-published Picross DS. The grid-based puzzler was previously released in Japan in January, and this new English-language version is not currently slated for release in the United States or anywhere else in the world.
Games Released in Japan:
It's a slow week of recovery for Japan in the wake of the Golden Week holiday, with only four new titles debuting across all platforms in the next few days.
This week holds special significance for Final Fantasy fans, however, as the much-anticipated Final Fantasy Tactics: Shishi Sensou will soon make its way to stores. This newest PSP entry in the Final Fantasy Tactics subseries is a remake of the popular strategy RPG Final Fantasy Tactics, originally released for the PlayStation in 1997. Given its current status as the top-preordered game among all upcoming software at Amazon.co.jp, Shishi Sensou is expected to top PSP software sales in its debut week, and should remain a strong seller in the weeks thereafter.
Xbox 360: - Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars - Shrek the Third PlayStation Portable: - Driver '76 - Heatseeker - Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing - Taito Legends Power Up - Winx Club: Join the Club | PlayStation 2: - .hack//G.U. vol. 2//Reminisce - Legend of the Dragon - Taito Legends 2 - Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam PC: - CellFactor: Revolution - Circus Empire - Loco Mania |
Nintendo DS: - Lost in Blue 2 - Picross DS PlayStation Portable: - Driver '76 - Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters - Xiaolin Showdown | Nintendo Wii: - Bust-A-Move - Cooking Mama Xbox 360: - Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars |
Nintendo DS: - Saikyou Toudai Shougi DS PlayStation Portable: - Final Fantasy Tactics: Shishi Sensou | PlayStation 2: - Simple 2000 Series Vol. 117: The Zerosen - Wrestle Kingdom 2: Pro Wrestling Sekai Taisen |