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.
As gamers in the U.S. and the UK prepare for another quiet release week, Japan finds
Tales of Vesperia and a Wii port of
Imabikisou debuting alongside awaited portable offerings like
Fire Emblem: Shin Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Ken and
Summon Night 2.
The following list covers all of the game software we know to be available -- across all platforms and regions -- for the week ending August 9th, 2008.
Games Released in the United States:
| Nintendo Wii:
- King of Clubs
- Little League World Series 2008
- Summer Athletics
Xbox 360:
- Crash Time: Autobahn Pursuit
PlayStation 3:
- Monster Madness: Grave Danger
PlayStation 2:
- Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour | Nintendo DS:
- The Cheetah Girls: Passport to Stardom
- GRID
- Little League World Series 2008
- Quick Yoga Training
- Rock Blast
PlayStation Portable:
- B-Boy
PC:
- Beijing 2008
- Ford Racing: Off Road |
As was the case last week, license-based titles and previously delayed releases make up the majority of this week's North American lineup. Activision's
Little League World Series 2008 and the PSP breakdancing sim
B-Boy stand out in what could turn out to be a sparse release week, as many of this week's featured titles are likely to see further delays before final release.
Next week is expected to end the weeks-long U.S. release drought, with EA's
Madden NFL 09 slated to hit store shelves alongside
Line Rider 2: Unbound, Bangai-O Spirits, and
Mazes of Fate DS.
Games Released in Europe:
| Nintendo DS:
- Imagine: Girl Band
- The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
- Race Driver: GRID
- Shining Star Super Starcade | PlayStation 2:
- Growlanser: Heritage of War
PC:
- Beijing 2008 |
Nintendo DS owners in the UK have a handful of new titles to look forward to in the upcoming week, while console and PC gamers are set to receive one game apiece. Next week should offer the region a bigger multiplatform lineup, with highlights including
Madden NFL 09, Baroque, and
Summer Athletics.
Games Released in Japan:
| Nintendo Wii:
- Imabikisou: Kaimei Hen
- Survival Kids Wii
Xbox 360:
- NBA 2K8
- Tales of Vesperia
PlayStation 3:
- NBA 2K8
PlayStation 2:
- Aoikuro no Kusabi: Hiiro no Kakera 3
- True Tears
PlayStation Portable:
- Hayarigami 2 Portable: Keishichou Kaijiken File | Nintendo DS:
- Chou Shittou Caduceus 2
- Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch R2 - Banjou no Geass Gekijou
- DS Pico Series: Sanrio no Party e Ikou! Oryouri - Oshare - Okaimono
- Fire Emblem: Shin Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Ken
- Gakkou no Kowai Uwasa: Hanako-San Gakita!!
- Marl Oukoku no Ningyou Hime: Tenshi ga Kanaderu Ai no Uta
- Mite wa Ikenai
- Monster Farm DS 2: Yomigaeru! Master Breeder Densetsu
- Nazo Nazo & Quiz Ichi Kotae Jikkon Q Mate!
- Ron-Q! Highland in DS
- Sangokushi Taisen Ten
- Summon Night 2
- Wantame Variety Channel |
As other regions continue to feel the effects of a pre-Madden release drought, Japan surges ahead with a varied and robust multiplatform lineup. The week's Japanese console offerings include awaited titles like
Tales of Vesperia on the Xbox 360 and a Wii port of ChunSoft's previously PS3-only
Imabikisou. The Wii will additionally receive an update of Konami's
Survival Kids series (known elsewhere as
Lost in Blue), while Xbox 360 and PS3 owners get a localized version of
NBA 2K8.
On portables, the Nintendo DS sees
Summon Night 2, a remake of
Marl Oukoku no Ningyou Hime: Tenshi ga Kanaderu Ai no Uta (previously released in the U.S. as
Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure) and a new entry in Nintendo's long-running
Fire Emblem series, while PSP owners receive the adventure series sequel
Hayarigami 2 Portable: Keishichou Kaijiken File.
