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Gamasutra's latest "Release This!" examines the cross-platform UK debut of Konami's Perfect Evolution Soccer 2008, as long-awaited titles like Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction and Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles make the

Danny Cowan, Blogger

October 22, 2007

6 Min Read

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. This week will see the highly anticipated Perfect Evolution Soccer 2008 debut across all platforms in Europe. The United States will enjoy awaited releases like Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction and Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles, meanwhile, as Japan prepares for Ar tonelico II and Final Fantasy Tactics A2. The following list covers all of the game software we know to be available -- across all platforms and regions -- for the week ending October 27th, 2007. Games Released in the United States:

Nintendo Wii:
- Dancing with the Stars
- EA Playground
- Namco Museum Remix
- Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution
- Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots
- The Sims 2: Castaway
- SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis
- Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure

Xbox 360:
- Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
- Battlestar Galactica
- Clive Barker's Jericho
- Conan
- Tomb Raider: Anniversary

PlayStation 3:
- Clive Barker's Jericho
- Conan
- The Eye of Judgment
- Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights
- Ratatouille
- Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

PlayStation 2:
- Dancing with the Stars
- High School Musical: Sing It!
- The King of Fighters XI
- MotoGP 07
- Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots
- The Sims 2: Castaway
- SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis

PlayStation Portable:
- Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles
- The Sims 2: Castaway
- Warriors of the Lost Empire

Nintendo DS:
- Chessmaster: The Art of Learning
- EA Playground
- Ed, Edd & Eddy: Scam of the Century
- Front Mission
- Hannah Montana: Music Jam
- Imagine Animal Doctor
- Imagine Babyz
- Imagine Fashion Designer
- Imagine Master Chef
- Mega Man ZX Advent
- Naruto: Path of the Ninja
- Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots
- Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations
- Power Rangers: Super Legends
- The Sims 2: Castaway
- Solitaire Overload
- Spanish for Everyone
- SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis
- Super Collapse 3
- Zoo Hospital

Game Boy Advance:
- Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots

PC:
- Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties
- Battlestar Galactica
- Cake Mania 2
- Clive Barker's Jericho
- Culpa Innata
- Escape From Paradise City
- Flight Simulator X: Acceleration
- Imagine Fashion Designer
- Painkiller: Overdose
- Panzer Killer
- World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the Bracelets
- Worldwide Soccer Manager 2008

This week marks a sudden ramping up of new releases in anticipation of the holiday season, with nearly 60 titles debuting across all platforms in North America in the coming days. Among these, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction ranks as this week's most-preordered console title at Amazon, while Flight Simulator X: Acceleration and Worldwide Soccer Manager 2008 pull in big presales on the PC. Nearly every platform is set to see its share of major releases this week. Castlevania fans are currently awaiting the release of the Dracula X subseries compilation Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles for the PSP, while on the Nintendo DS, two of Capcom's most popular franchises receive sequels in Mega Man ZX Advent and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations. Elsewhere, Sony's card-based The Eye of Judgment promises innovative gameplay via a bundled camera peripheral, as potential hits like The Sims 2: Castaway and Clive Barker's Jericho set their sights on multiple platforms. Games Released in Europe:

Nintendo Wii:
- Avatar: The Legend of Aang -- The Burning Earth
- Big Catch Bass Fishing
- The BIGS
- Escape from Bug Island
- Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
- Monster Trux: Arenas
- NBA Live 08
- The Sims 2: Castaway

Xbox 360:
- Clive Barker's Jericho
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
- Tomb Raider: Anniversary
- Virtua Fighter 5

PlayStation 3:
- Clive Barker's Jericho
- The Eye of Judgement
- Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2008

PlayStation 2:
- Alan Hansen's Sports Challenge
- Avatar: The Legend of Aang -- The Burning Earth
- Cheggers' Party Quiz
- Garfield: Lasagne World Tour
- MotoGP 07
- Pippa Funnell 2: Ranch Rescue
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
- The Sims 2: Castaway
- SingStar R&B

PlayStation Portable:
- Dead Head Fred
- Freak Out - Extreme Freeride
- NBA Live 08
- SWAT: Target Liberty
- Tomb Raider: Anniversary

Nintendo DS:
- Avatar: The Legend of Aang -- The Burning Earth
- The Sims 2: Castaway
- World Snooker Championship: Season 2007-08

PC:
- Alan Hansen's Sports Challenge
- Cheggers' Party Quiz
- Clive Barker's Jericho
- Escape From Paradise City
- Fury
- NBA Live 08
- Pippa Funnell 4: Secrets Of The Ranch
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
- The Witcher
- Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals

Though it was beaten to release by EA's FIFA Soccer 08 by nearly a month, Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 is nevertheless picking up significant preorder steam in the days prior to its release in Europe. Amazon.co.uk reports that the title shows promising preorder sales across all platforms, with the PlayStation 3, PS2, and Xbox 360 versions currently ranking as the most popular. The week will also bring a number of titles to Europe several days in advance of their release in other regions. The Witcher and the Xbox 360 port of Virtua Fighter 5 in particular are gathering high amounts of prerelease interest, while the UK-exclusive SingStar R&B is likely to emerge as one of this week's biggest-selling PS2 debuts. Games Released in Japan:

Nintendo Wii:
- Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party
- Ghost Squad
- Gintama: Banji Oku Chuubu
- Simple Wii Series Vol. 1: The Minna de Kart Race
- Simple Wii Series Vol. 2: The Minna de Bass Tsuri Taikai
- Takarjima Z: Barbaros no Hihou

Xbox 360:
- Blade Storm: Hyakunen Sensou

PlayStation 3:
- The Eye of Judgment
- Imabi Kisou

PlayStation 2:
- Ar tonelico II: Sekai ni Hibiku Shoujo Tachi no Souzoushi
- Baldr Bullet: Equilibrium
- God of War II: Shuuen No Jokyoku
- Itsuka, Todoku, Ano Sora ni
- Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn!! Let's Ansatsu!? Nerawareta 10 Daime!
- Nettai Teikiatsu Otome
- Sega Ages 2500: Vol. 31 Dennou Senki Virtual On
- Taka Reet Ura Mahjong Retsuden: Mukoubushi
- Volleyball World Cup: Venus Evolution

PlayStation Portable:
- Kaitou Apricot Portable

Nintendo DS:
- Code Gears: Hangyaku no Lelouch
- Crossword DS + Sekai 1-Shuu Cross
- DS Dengeki Bunko: Iria no Sora, UFO no Natsu I-II (Complete Box)
- DS Dengeki Bunko: Iria no Sora, UFO no Natsu II
- Dungeon Maker: Mahou no Shovel to Chiisa na Yuusha
- Eigo o Taberu Fushigi na Ikimono Marsh
- ESSE Shikkari Kakeibo DS
- Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Fuuketsu no Grimoire
- The Frogman Show: DS Datte, Shouganaijanai.
- Illust Logic DS + Colorful Logic
- Iria no Sora, UFO no Natsu I-II (Complete Box)
- Mainichi ga Tanoshii! Ayanokouji Kimimaro no Happy Techo
- Mensetsu no Tatsujin: Tenshoku-Hen
- Sekai no Shougi
- Simple DS Series Vol. 24: The Sensha
- Simple DS Series Vol. 25: The Koushounin
- Sugar Bunnies DS: Yume no Sweets Koubou
- Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann
- World Soccer Winning Eleven DS: Goal x Goal!

Japan's offerings for this week offer a much more robust selection than previous weeks, with the Nintendo DS accounting for half of this week's new releases alone. Ar tonelico II: Sekai ni Hibiku Shoujo Tachi no Souzoushi currently garners the most preorders of any of this week's releases at Amazon.co.jp, though the Final Fantasy Tactics Advance sequel Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Fuuketsu no Grimoire promises a strong retail showing as well. Importers are likely to find interest in Sega's anticipated arcade shooter Ghost Squad, which will make its Japanese Wii debut nearly a full month prior to its scheduled U.S. release date. The budget-priced remake Sega Ages 2500: Vol. 31 Dennou Senki Virtual On should also prove to be a popular import, given the series' small but dedicated fanbase overseas.

About the Author(s)

Danny Cowan

Blogger

Danny Cowan is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist for Gamasutra and its subsites. Previously, he has written reviews and feature articles for gaming publications including 1UP.com, GamePro, and Hardcore Gamer Magazine.

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