Release This: Tales of Vesperia, Fire Emblem DS Launch in Japan

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 gamers in the U.S. and the UK prepare for another quiet release week, Japan finds Tales of Vesperia and a Wii port of Imabikisou debuting alongside awaited portable offerings like Fire Emblem: Shin Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Ken and Summon Night 2. The following list covers all of the game software we know to be available -- across all platforms and regions -- for the week ending August 9th, 2008. Games Released in the United States:

As was the case last week, license-based titles and previously delayed releases make up the majority of this week's North American lineup. Activision's Little League World Series 2008 and the PSP breakdancing sim B-Boy stand out in what could turn out to be a sparse release week, as many of this week's featured titles are likely to see further delays before final release. Next week is expected to end the weeks-long U.S. release drought, with EA's Madden NFL 09 slated to hit store shelves alongside Line Rider 2: Unbound, Bangai-O Spirits, and Mazes of Fate DS. Games Released in Europe:

Nintendo DS owners in the UK have a handful of new titles to look forward to in the upcoming week, while console and PC gamers are set to receive one game apiece. Next week should offer the region a bigger multiplatform lineup, with highlights including Madden NFL 09, Baroque, and Summer Athletics. Games Released in Japan:

As other regions continue to feel the effects of a pre-Madden release drought, Japan surges ahead with a varied and robust multiplatform lineup. The week's Japanese console offerings include awaited titles like Tales of Vesperia on the Xbox 360 and a Wii port of ChunSoft's previously PS3-only Imabikisou. The Wii will additionally receive an update of Konami's Survival Kids series (known elsewhere as Lost in Blue), while Xbox 360 and PS3 owners get a localized version of NBA 2K8. On portables, the Nintendo DS sees Summon Night 2, a remake of Marl Oukoku no Ningyou Hime: Tenshi ga Kanaderu Ai no Uta (previously released in the U.S. as Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure) and a new entry in Nintendo's long-running Fire Emblem series, while PSP owners receive the adventure series sequel Hayarigami 2 Portable: Keishichou Kaijiken File.