Release This: Super Robot Taisen, Call of Duty 4 Clash in Solid Japanese Release Week

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. As retailers in the U.S. and the UK enjoy a respite from the holiday crowds with a week entirely free of new releases, Japan once again boasts a substantial release lineup. Super Robot Taisen OG: Original Generation Gaiden will likely arrive as the week's most popular release, while a localized version of Call of Duty 4 should meet with an enthusiastic reception among Japan's small but dedicated FPS fanbase. The following list covers all of the game software we know to be available -- across all platforms and regions -- for the week ending December 29th, 2007. Games Released in the United States: Retailers show no new titles scheduled for North American release this week. A selection of budget-priced Nintendo Wii offerings are marked as having tentative release dates at the end of the month, but otherwise, no other titles will find their way to stores until 2008. Games Released in Europe: As is the case with the United States, there are no releases scheduled for the UK until January. Games Released in Japan:

As new releases dry up in other regions, Japan is prepared to pick up the slack with a healthy selection of titles debuting across all platforms. Amazon.co.jp reports that the Super Robot Taisen series sequel Super Robot Taisen OG: Original Generation Gaiden is currently the most popular preorder choice among this week's offerings, while both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 editions of Call of Duty 4 trail close behind. The PSP will also receive awaited releases in the classic RPG remake Star Ocean 1: First Departure and the anime-licensed Suzumiya Haruhi no Yakusoku, which has remained a top preorder item at Amazon's Japanese site for many months. Next month's PlayStation 2 take on the Haruhi license is currently generating high amounts of prerelease interest as well, and should prove to be popular among both Japanese gamers and importers in the days following its upcoming release.