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Release This: As U.S. Slows, Wii Fit, Layton Headline Japan
by Danny Cowan [PC, Console/PC, Mobile Console]
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November 26, 2007
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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 the United States' accelerated holiday release schedule grinds to a near-halt, Japan and Europe are expected to see one of the busiest release weeks in the past several months. Gamers in the UK can expect to find Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles and The Golden Compass on store shelves in the coming week, while Japan will see the release of highly anticipated titles like Wii Fit, SD Gundam G Generation Spirits, and Layton Kyouju to Akuma no Hako.
The following list covers all of the game software we know to be available -- across all platforms and regions -- for the week ending December 1st, 2007.
Games Released in the United States:
Nintendo Wii:
- Cranium Kabookii
- Cruis'n
- Game Party
- The History Channel: Battle for the Pacific
- Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
Xbox 360:
- The History Channel: Battle for the Pacific | Nintendo DS:
- Boogie
- Geometry Wars Galaxies
- Master of Illusion
PC:
- Deal or No Deal: Secret Vault Games
- Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey
- The History Channel: Battle for the Pacific
- Speedball 2 - Tournament |
This week's North American lineup barely cracks double digits in quantity, in comparison to the dozens of new releases that flooded retailers throughout November. Wii owners will find a decent selection of potential holiday gifts -- including the budget-priced minigame compilation Game Party and a Wii port of the popular puzzle/RPG hybrid Puzzle Quest -- but pickings are slim on other platforms.
Future weeks are expected to see a similar lack of new releases, though upcoming titles like NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams, the PlayStation 2 version of Rock Band, and Unreal Tournament III for the PS3 will provide ample incentive for gamers to return to retailers during the holiday sales rush.
Games Released in Europe:
Nintendo Wii:
- Ben 10: Protector of Earth
- Big Catch: Bass Fishing
- Bratz: The Movie
- The Golden Compass
- Looney Tunes: ACME Arsenal
- My French Coach
- My Horse and Me
- My Spanish Coach
- Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
Xbox 360:
- BlackSite: Area 51
- The Golden Compass
- Looney Tunes: ACME Arsenal
- World Championship Poker 2: All In
PlayStation 3:
- Blazing Angels: Secret Missions of World War II
- Cars: Mater-National
- The Golden Compass
- Stranglehold
PlayStation 2:
- Bob the Builder: Festival of Fun
- Boogie
- Garfield: Lasagne World Tour
- The Golden Compass
- Hot Wheels: Beat That!
- Looney Tunes: ACME Arsenal
- Mr. Bean
- Paddington Bear
- Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
- RealPlay Pool
- RealPlay Puzzlesphere
- Telly Addicts
- Wild ARMs 5
- World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the Bracelets | Nintendo DS:
- Big Catch: Bass Fishing
- Boogie
- Bratz: 4 Real
- Crazy Pig
- Ed, Edd & Eddy: Scam of the Century
- The Golden Compass
- Jenga
- Looney Toons: Duck Amuck
PlayStation Portable:
- Football Manager Handheld 2008
- Medal of Honor Heroes 2
- Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow
PC:
- BlackSite: Area 51
- The Golden Compass
- Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
- My Horse and Me
- Spaceforce: Captains
- The Stranger |
Despite the size of this week's European lineup, few titles stand out among a glut of licensed releases timed to debut prior to the upcoming holidays. Amazon.co.uk reports high presale numbers for Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, and the Wii port of My Horse and Me ranks as a popular preorder choice as well.
The UK will also find a particularly healthy lineup of region-exclusive releases this week. The multiplatform release of The Golden Compass will hit Europe several days prior to its debut in any other region, and titles like My French Coach, Crazy Pig, and the motion-controlled RealPlay Pool and RealPlay Puzzlesphere are not currently scheduled for release elsewhere in the world.
Games Released in Japan:
Nintendo Wii:
- Naruto Shippuuden: Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX 2
- Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes (Double Pack)
- Swing Golf Pangya 2nd Shot!
- Wii Fit
Xbox 360:
- Apocalypse: Desire Next
- Assassin's Creed
- Guilty Gear 2: Overture
- Tony Hawk's Project 8
PlayStation 3:
- Tony Hawk's Project 8
PlayStation 2:
- A.C.E. Another Century's Episode 2 Special Vocal Version
- SD Gundam G Generation Spirits
- Sengoku Basara 2 Heroes
- Simple 2000 Series Vol. 121: The Boku no Machidzukuri 2 - Machi-ing Maker 2.1
- Simple 2000 Series Vol. 122: The Ningyo Hime Monogatari - Mermaid Prism
- StarTRain: Your Past Makes Your Future
- Zero no Tsukaima: Muma ga Tsumugu Yokaze no Gensoukyoku
PlayStation Portable:
- Makai Senki Disgaea Portable: Tsuushin Taisen Hajime Mashita | Nintendo DS:
- Catz 2: Daisuki Nyan Nyan Pack
- Disney Princess: Mahou no Jewel
- Fukoumori: Moririi no Unhappy Project
- Gouma Reifu Den Izuna Ni
- Kabushiki Baibai Trainer Kabutore! Next
- Kageyama Method: Tadashii Kanji Kakitori-Kun - Kondo wa Kanken Taidaku Dayo!
- Layton Kyouju to Akuma no Hako
- Mainichi Shinbun 1000 Dai-News
- Nounai Aesthe: IQ Suppli DS 2: Sukkiri King Ketteisen
- Rekishi Gunsou Presents: Monoshiri Sengoku Ou
- Rika-Chan DS: Onna no Ko Lesson -- Oshare mo Oshigoto mo Omakase!
- Simple DS Series Vol. 23: The Puzzle Quest: Agaria no Kishi
- Simple DS Series Vol. 27: The Misshitsukara no Dasshutsu
- Simple DS Series Vol. 28: The Illust Puzzle & Suuji Puzzle 2
- Tank Beat 2 Gekitotsu! Deutsch-gun vs. Rengou-gun
- Yes! PreCure 5
- Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters: World Championship 2008
PC:
- Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword
- Crysis
- Demon Parasite: Akuma no Youna Tenshi no Kanojo |
Japan boasts what is perhaps the most significant release lineup of any region this week, as several of its offerings rank among the year's most anticipated titles. Nintendo's peripheral-bundled exercise program Wii Fit promises a similar experience to the Wii's previous casual hits Wii Play and Wii Sports. Judging by its consistently strong preorder sales over the last several months at Amazon.co.jp, Wii Fit should also meet with the kind of success Nintendo has seen with Wii Sports and Wii Play, and the title is expected to remain a strong seller throughout December.
Other big debuts for this week include SD Gundam G Generation Spirits and the Level 5-developed Layton Kyouju to Akuma no Hako, which serves as sequel to an adventure title that will see U.S. release early next year as Professor Layton and the Curious Village.
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