Release This: Pro Evolution Diddy Kong

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 latest entry in Konami's popular Winning Eleven series makes its way to the United States this week, along with other anticipated releases like Final Fantasy VI Advance and Diddy Kong Racing DS. Europe, meanwhile, will finally have its shot at Capcom's Okami, while Japan gears itself up for Virtua Fighter 5, an arcade port that many are calling the PS3's first must-have title. The following list covers all of the game software we know to be available -- across all platforms and regions -- for the week ending February 10, 2007. Games Released in the United States:

After fighting a close battle with EA's FIFA 07 for soccer sim dominance in Europe late last year, Konami's Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 will soon see release in the United States, where it currently ranks as the week's most anticipated title across all platforms. Other awaited games making their debut this week are the ported-from-N64 racer Diddy Kong Racing DS, 16-bit RPG remake Final Fantasy VI Advance, and Konami's Lunar Knights, a spiritual successor to the Boktai series on GBA. GamerMetrics gives special attention to Final Fantasy VI Advance's prominence in this week's charts, noting its example in proving that quality, appealing software has the potential to extend a platform's lifespan beyond what is expected. Games Released in Europe:

Still reeling from last week's sudden torrent of new releases, Europe now readies itself for the more than three dozen titles that are set to see store shelves this week. Chief among these is the long-awaited European localization of Capcom's Okami, a critically acclaimed adventure title released in the United States last year that many ranked among the best releases of 2006. Other interesting releases this week include a trio of exclusive PSP localizations -- Metal Slug Anthology, Rainbow Islands Evolution, Shinobido: Tales of the Ninja -- and a solid variety of new Nintendo DS titles previously seen in other regions. Games Released in Japan:

The biggest news in Japanese releases this week is the debut of Virtua Fighter 5 for the PlayStation 3. Virtua Fighter 5 -- which promises to be a perfect port of the popular arcade title -- has single-handedly driven many gamers to an early PS3 purchase prior to its release, despite the console's lack of variety in available software. Virtua Fighter 5's release is expected to spur a resurgence of interest in the PlayStation 3, and should result in a sharp increase in hardware sales. Other titles seeing Japanese release this week may lack the widespread appeal of Virtua Fighter 5, but could find their niche with hardcore fans. The two latest Oretachi Geasen releases offer revivals of obscure arcade classics, while OutRun2 SP gives Japanese gamers their first shot at a title that Americans received several months ago as OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast. [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.]