Shippin' Out Feb. 1-7: Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box

The first full week of February 2008 was a particularly strong one for the gaming industry as it ushered in the release of such top-name games as Devil May Cry 4, Turok, Culdcept Saga, Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles, and Sins of a Solar Empire. Gamers hoping for a repeat performance this year are, unfortunately, in for a disappointment.

Headlining this week of sparse releases is Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box, the long-awaited PC edition of Criterion Games' highly regarded Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 racer. The Ultimate Box includes all previously released game updates made to the console editions, which debuted in January 2008. The PC game also includes the Party Pack, which adds a variety of multiplayer-centric minigame challenges, brighter visuals, and a race-restart option. Xbox 360 and PS3 gamers can download the Party Pack for a fee through Xbox Live and PlayStation Network beginning February 5.

One other retail release worth a mention this week is My World, My Way for the DS. Created by Japanese game maker Global A (Master of the Monster Lair) and delivered to the US by way of Atlus, My World, My Way is a decidedly female-oriented role-playing game that follows the travails of a petulant princess on her quest to find a boyfriend that has a "level 99 in handsomeness." For more on the off-kilter game, check out GameSpot's recent hands-on with My World, My Way.

Tozai Games and Microsoft are teaming this week to release R-Type Dimensions for Xbox Live Arcade. The classic 2D shoot-'em-up has been updated with 3D graphics, and will be available this Wednesday for 1,200 Microsoft points ($15).

Nintendo's Wii has a trio of new games coming to its respective online platforms this week. For WiiWare, Hudson has delivered Snowboard Riot, an action racer where gamers attempt to be the first to reach the bottom of a hill while fending off competitors with a range of power-ups. The game accommodates up to four players, features support for the Wii Balance Board, and will cost 1,000 Wii points ($10).

The WiiWare Channel will also see the release of Lonpos, a logic-based puzzle game where players must use a variety of puzzle pieces to perfectly fill a rectangular playing field. The game features four-way multiplayer and costs 800 Wii points ($8). Lastly, Sega's Master System classic Sonic Chaos will be added to the Virtual Console this week for 500 Wii points ($5).

For a full listing of the week's games, check out GameSpot's New Releases page. Check back later today for a video trailer of this week's releases.