Here's the first in a (hopefully) regular series that details what's going on overseas in gaming. All of the titles listed in this feature are based off information received mostly for video games in Japan or Europe.

This Crosses the Line
Fortunately for European players, though, they will be pleased to know they will be receiving a quality first-party title that marks the DS entry into a long-running Japanese series.

Recently, Nintendo announced it would be releasing Picross DS in Europe, making a U.S. release the only territory in question. Some players may remember the series' only entry into the U.S., when the debut title, Mario's Picross hit the Game Boy. Overseas in Japan, however, the series has enjoyed a much higher number of entries.

Picross puts players to the task of using lineups of numbers to fill in squares on a grid to reveal a picture. Each puzzle features a time limit with errors deducting from the time left to finish the puzzle. The title features 300 different puzzles that range from a five by five grid to massive 20 by 20 mind-busters.

The DS version allows players to create their own puzzles that can be used to challenge friends or uploaded to the Nintendo Wi-Fi service. A calendar mode throws a daily picross puzzle at players with results being charted to show a player's logical progression over time. By participating in the mode, new game modes including no xs, error search and memory will be unlocked by players.

Even more unlockables include new skins, touch-screen mini games and more. The title will also allow for online multiplayer battles as well as local matches when the title hits shelves May 11.

Here's hoping for a U.S. release of one of my favorite Game Boy titles.

OUENDAN!!!!
Along with Jump Super Stars, Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! was the most-imported title for the Nintendo DS thanks to its unique and quirky game play.

The success brought the title to the U.S. in the totally re-made form of Elite Beat Agents and it's no surprise that iNiS is back to the drawing board with an Osu! sequel: Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2. Yeah. That's a mouthful. According to Keiichi Yano of iNiS, the new bits of the title translate to "Burn! Hot Rhythm Soul!"

Currently the title is still in development with a targeted release date sometime in 2007. Recently, a small number of screen captures were released, detailing a level that takes place in space and features one of the title's new characters in an organization rivaling Ouendan. The screen captures feature Kikuchi, who is lead under the tutelage of the flowing blonde locks of Saionji.

As of right now, nothing has been noted whether or not a sequel of any form will be released in the United States, but the Ouendan! sequel has already had confirmation of a multiplayer mode for up to four players. Unfortunately for our friends in Europe, the original Elite Beat Agents has yet to hit DS systems, so news of a PAL sequel is even further down the road.