Release This: U.S., UK Get R6 Vegas 2, SimCity DS 2 Makes Japan Debut

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. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 and Sega Superstars Tennis highlight this week's release outlook for North America and the UK. Japan prepares for the release of Armored Core: For Answer on consoles, while portables receive Tales of Rebirth, SimCity DS 2, and Time Hollow. The following list covers all of the game software we know to be available -- across all platforms and regions -- for the week ending March 22nd, 2008. Games Released in the United States: Ubisoft's anticipated squad-based shooter sequel Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is set to arrive in North America and Europe this week on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Gamers in the U.S. will additionally receive Konami's budget-priced Metal Gear Solid series compilation Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection, which online retailer Amazon reports as being one of this week's most-preordered titles across all platforms. Other releases of interest among this week's offerings include a new entry in Sony's SingStar series and the PS3 release of Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds, which topped regional sales for several weeks upon its initial release last year in Japan. Games Released in Europe: The United States and Europe share this week's multiplatform release of Sega Superstars Tennis, an awaited tennis sim featuring many of Sega's mascot characters. The UK will additionally receive localizations of recent U.S. releases like Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates, Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer, and Dancing Stage Hottest Party. Games Released in Japan: This week's Japanese console lineup is headed by the release of Armored Core: For Answer, the latest entry in From Software's popular Armored Core mech combat series. Amazon.co.jp also reports a recent jump in preorder sales for the upcoming Nintendo Wii title Deca Sporta and Army of Two on the Xbox 360. On portables, the PSP will receive a remake of Namco's Tales of Rebirth, while the Nintendo DS hosts a number of awaited releases, including SimCity DS 2, Time Hollow, and Pokemon Ranger: Batonnage.