Release This: Phantasy Canis Training DS

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 United States prepares itself for an MMORPG onslaught, with both Phantasy Star Universe and Guild Wars: Nightfall threatening to suck up many hours of online playtime this week. Europe, meanwhile, can expect a bullying from Canis Canem Edit, while Otona no Joushikiryoku Training DS will teach Japan some manners. The following list covers all of the game software we know to be available -- across all platforms and regions -- for the week ending October 28, 2006. Games Released in the United States:

Next month's launch of the PS3 and Wii has never seemed closer. Wii and PS3 versions of this week's Marvel: Ultimate Alliance are scheduled to launch alongside both consoles in November, and the upcoming Wii release of Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam will be preceded by GBA and DS versions, both of which are debuting in the next several days. Many of the week's biggest titles, however, are new MMORPG releases. Guild Wars: Nightfall in particular is currently burning up preorder charts, and many fans of the genre are anticipating the multiplatform release of Phantasy Star Universe, which serves as sequel to the Sega Dreamcast-born Phantasy Star Online. .hack//G.U. Vol. 1//Rebirth is also one of the bigger releases of the week, and should appeal to those who are in the market for an MMO-like RPG that doesn't require online play. The title was a top seller in Japan for several weeks following its release in May, and should find similar success among RPG fans in the United States. Games Released in Europe:

Europe will get its first shot at Rockstar's Bully this week, though its new European title (Canis Canem Edit) has done little to dispel its surrounding controversy. With the game already being banned from the shelves at one retail chain in the UK, Bully faces a potentially tougher reception in Europe than the warm welcome it has received in the United States. In terms of region-exclusive titles, the retro compilation Activision Hits Remixed for the PSP will make its worldwide debut in Europe this week, with a U.S. release slated for November. Sony's UK-exclusive karaoke series Singstar is also expected to be released Stateside at some point in the near future, though Europe will get to enjoy its newest entry, Singstar Legends, by the end of the week. Games Released in Japan:

Import-savvy gamers eagerly await this week's release of the DS port of Gyakuten Saiban 2, otherwise known as the upcoming Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Justice for All. Gyakuten Saiban 2's release is significant, as the title features an option to render all in-game text in English -- effectively granting gamers access to the anticipated sequel to Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney several months in advance of its planned U.S. release. Nippon Joushikiryoku Kenteikau Kanshuu: Imasara Jin ni wa Kikienai - Otona no Joushikiryoku Training DS also appears to be leading preorders in Japanese software this week. In the vein of other self-improvement DS titles like Nintendo's Brain Age, Joushikiryoku Training DS focuses on the teaching of proper etiquette and manners in business and social situations. Given the game's cultural exclusivity, a U.S. release is unlikely.