Release This: Dissidia: Final Fantasy, Gundam Musou 2 Headline Japanese Lineup

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. Rock Band 2 is set to make its North American debut on the Wii and PlayStation 2 in the days leading up to the Christmas holiday. Japan hosts a multiconsole lineup that includes beatmania IIDX 15: DJ Troopers and Gundam Musou 2, meanwhile, as portables receive Gensou Suikoden Tierkreis and Dissidia: Final Fantasy. The following list covers all of the game software we know to be available -- across all platforms and regions -- for the week ending December 20th, 2008. Games Released in the United States:

As Christmas approaches, North America's console release schedule slows to a crawl. Codemasters' Rise of the Argonauts debuts as this week's only release for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, while Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 2 owners will receive a long-delayed port of Harmonix's Rock Band 2. Holiday shoppers will have more options on the portable console front, as the Nintendo DS will soon receive a handful of educational releases, pet simulations, and a port of PopCap's Mystery P.I.: Portrait of a Thief. Games Released in Europe:

Europe's release lineup also suffers the effects of the holiday doldrums. AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band Track Pack and a PlayStation 3 port of Sonic Unleashed are this week's only UK premieres, with few other titles planned for release in upcoming weeks. Games Released in Japan:

While other regions slow their release schedules in preparation for the holidays, Japan's multiplatform lineup boasts a number of new titles across all platforms this week. Fable II and Prince of Persia highlight this week's Xbox 360-exclusive offerings, while PlayStation 3, PS2, and 360 owners will receive a sequel to last year's hit beat-em-up Gundam Musou (Dynasty Warriors Gundam). The PlayStation 2 is also set to see a sequel in Konami's DJ simulation series beatmania IIDX, along with a home port of Capcom's 2D fighter Fate/Unlimited Codes. Nintendo Wii gamers can expect to see Let's Tap and Hudson's anticipated karaoke sim Karaoke Joysound Wii, while Gensou Suikoden Tierkreis, Tales of Hearts, and Dissidia: Final Fantasy headline this week's portable lineup.