Release This: Phantasy Star Zero, White Knight Chronicles Debut in Japan

Author: en-us

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 bulk of this week's worldwide release activity centers around Japan, where Nintendo DS owners will receive the awaited Phantasy Star Online sidestory Phantasy Star Zero. Meanwhile, the Japanese Wii hosts remakes of BioHazard and Pikmin, as the PlayStation 3 receives Level 5's Shirokishi Monogatari (White Knight Chronicles). The following list covers all of the game software we know to be available -- across all platforms and regions -- for the week ending December 27th, 2008. Games Released in the United States:

No console games are set for release in North America this week, though the Nintendo DS will see five new titles that missed their original ship dates last week. PC platforms will receive two new releases, meanwhile -- PopCap's Mystery P.I.: Portrait of a Thief and the Spore Comic Book Creator toolkit. Games Released in Europe:

Only one new title will see release in Europe during the holiday week -- 100 Classic Book Collection, a Nintendo-published compilation of 100 classic novels from various authors. Games Released in Japan:

A number of western-developed titles will find their way to Japanese consoles this week, including Far Cry 2, Civilization Revolution, and BioShock's PlayStation 3 port. The PS3 will also host the Level 5-developed action-RPG Shirokishi Monogatari (White Knight Chronicles) in the coming week. The Nintendo Wii will receive remakes of BioHazard (Resident Evil) and Pikmin this week, while Nintendo DS owners can expect to see a selection of titles including RIZ-ZOAWD and the Phantasy Star Online spinoff title Phantasy Star Zero.