Release This: Mario Strikers Takes U.S. Wiis Online

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. The Nintendo Wii's first online multiplayer game, Mario Strikers Charged, captures the majority of gamer interest in the United States this week. Europe, meanwhile, will enjoy a first look at MotoGP '07 and a reissued Mario Party 8, while Japan gets Forever Blue and Otona no DS Kao Training, among several other potential hits. The following list covers all of the game software we know to be available -- across all platforms and regions -- for the week ending August 4th, 2007. Games Released in the United States:

After finding overseas success with its UK debut in May, Mario Strikers Charged comes Stateside to an overwhelming majority of demand among gamers surveyed by IGN's Gamermetrics. This high level of anticipation likely stems from the title's status as the first Nintendo Wii game to offer online multiplayer, and judging by its European reception, Mario Strikers Charged is likely to remain a top seller for weeks to come. Another of the week's more popular choices is Nintendo's Picross DS, which was long thought to never see a U.S. release, given the long space of time between its initial releases in Japan and the UK. The RPG Brave Story: New Traveler and PlayStation to PSP port Harvest Moon: Boy & Girl are also generating healthy amounts of interest, and should find a warm welcome in their respective niches. Games Released in Europe:

With a series-spanning history of strong European sales performance, MotoGP '07 will make its worldwide debut in the UK this week, with U.S. and Japanese releases planned for late August and September. Also headlining Europe's release lineup is a reissued Mario Party 8, which will find its way back on store shelves after a voluntary recall issued earlier this month. Later in the week, region-exclusive debuts like Silverfall, The Settlers, and SingStar '90s will offer some additional variety to what is, overall, a particularly strong week of releases for the UK. Games Released in Japan:

A moderate-sized release list awaits Japan this week, with the Nintendo-published Forever Blue and Otona no DS Kao Training currently pulling in big preorder sales at Amazon.co.jp. J.League Winning Eleven 2007 Club Championship ranks among the week's most popular presale items as well, and could prove to be a hit among importers, as no U.S. or European release date has yet been announced. Importers are also drawing their attention toward the PSP this week, as the portable will be offering another Japan-exclusive entry in the Hot Shots Golf series with Minna no Golf Jou Vol. 2, along with Goku Makaimura Kai, an upgraded version of Ultimate Ghosts'n Goblins. Neither game is currently planned for U.S. or UK release. [About IGN GamerMetrics: IGN GamerMetrics is an interactive tool designed to report the real-time behavior and interests of visitors to IGN Entertainment's network of gaming enthusiast web sites. Using data collected from IGN's readers, GamerMetrics shows the levels of consumer awareness, engagement, and purchase intent in every video game title released in the U.S. market.]