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.
After a successful debut last week in Japan, Devil May Cry 4 makes its way to the United States and Europe this week on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Other U.S. standouts include Culdcept Saga, Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore, and a Nintendo DS-exclusive spinoff of Assassin's Creed.
The following list covers all of the game software we know to be available -- across all platforms and regions -- for the week ending February 9th, 2008.
Games Released in the United States:
Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 owners can expect to find Capcom's awaited sequel Devil May Cry 4 on store shelves in North America and the UK this week. Devil May Cry 4 heads a lineup of several multiplatform releases debuting this week, including the Karaoke Revolution series expansion American Idol Encore and the upcoming film-based The Spiderwick Chronicles.
A variety of notable platform exclusives are set for release this week as well. Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles promises a unique Nintendo DS expansion of the franchise's recent console debut. On the Xbox 360, Culdcept Saga serves as sequel to the fantasy-themed board game Culdcept, a well-regarded cult hit that first saw U.S. release on the PlayStation 2 in 2003.
Elsewhere, the PSP is set to receive the Lemmings-like puzzler Downstream Panic, while the PS2 gets a Koei-published strategy sequel in Nobunaga's Ambition: Rise to Power.
Next week should offer another strong U.S. lineup, with highlights including the Mistwalker-developed RPG Lost Odyssey for the Xbox 360 and a localization of the acclaimed Nintendo DS adventure title Professor Layton and the Curious Village.
Games Released in Europe:
While many of this week's biggest UK debuts have previously been seen in other regions, gamers in Europe can also expect to find a variety of interesting exclusives in the coming days. Some of this week's more intriguing Europe-first localizations include the Nintendo-published edutainment title Professor Kageyama's Maths Training and Pic Pic, a puzzle title released in Japan early last year as Pic Pic: Toku to E ni Naru 3-tsu no Puzzle.
The week will also see early UK releases for the Bizarre Creations-developed arcade-style shooter The Club and the Nintendo Wii adventure title Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None, neither of which will hit U.S. consoles until later this month.
Games Released in Japan:
Japan scales back its multiplatform offerings in the wake of the previous week, which saw major releases like Devil May Cry 4 and Dairantou Smash Brothers X. The bulk of this week's Japanese lineup consists of license-based releases and sequels, with few standouts.
On the Wii, Oneechanbara Revolution represents the latest leap D3's budget-priced Simple Series lineup has made to the current generation of consoles, preceded by last year's Earth Defense Force 2017 on the Xbox 360. Elsewhere, Princess Maker 5 is an anticipated PS2 port of the PC-born simulation title, while L: The Prologue to Death Note and Kidou Senshi Gundam: Giren no Yabou - Axis no Kyoui will likely appeal to fans of the Death Note and Gundam anime and manga franchises.
Nintendo Wii: - Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore - My Horse & Me - The Spiderwick Chronicles Xbox 360: - Culdcept Saga - Devil May Cry 4 - Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore - The Spiderwick Chronicles - Turok PlayStation 3: - Devil May Cry 4 - Turok PlayStation 2: - Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore - Nobunaga's Ambition: Rise to Power - The Spiderwick Chronicles - Twisted Metal: Head On | Nintendo DS: - Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles - My Horse & Me - Paws & Claws: Pet Resort - Puppy Palace - Real Soccer 2008 - The Spiderwick Chronicles - Zoo Tycoon 2 PlayStation Portable: - Downstream Panic! PC: - 20 Questions - Medieval II Total War: Gold Pack - Merv Griffin's Crosswords - Sins of a Solar Empire - Spaceforce: Captains - The Spiderwick Chronicles |
Nintendo Wii: - Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None - Arctic Tale - Cars: Mater-National - Medal of Honor Heroes 2 - Nitrobike - PDC World Championship Darts - Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure - Showtime Championship Boxing Xbox 360: - The Club - Conflict: Denied Ops - Devil May Cry 4 - Turok PlayStation 3: - The Club - Conflict: Denied Ops - Devil May Cry 4 - NFL Tour - Turok PlayStation 2: - Art of Fighting Anthology | Nintendo DS: - Arctic Tale - Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: Imagination Invaders - Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games - Pic Pic - Professor Kageyama's Maths Training - Tangram Mania PlayStation Portable: - Final Fantasy - Final Fantasy II PC: - The Command & Conquer Saga - Conflict: Denied Ops - Democracy - Medieval II Total War: Gold Pack - Speedball 2 |
Nintendo Wii: - Major Wii Nagero! Gyroball - Oneechanbara Revolution Xbox 360: - Battlestations: Midway PlayStation 3: - Transformers: The Game PlayStation 2: - Dengeki SP: Shakugan no Shana - Princess Maker 5 - Transformers: The Game | Nintendo DS: - L: The Prologue to Death Note - Rasen no Wana - Patto Tokueru: Indo Suugaku Drill PlayStation Portable: - Coded Soul: Uke Keigareshi Idea - Kidou Senshi Gundam: Giren no Yabou - Axis no Kyoui PC: - Sega Rally Revo |