New release slate championed by Nintendo’s new handheld and software for it; EA Sports’ latest golf game, Shift 2: Unleashed, WWE All Stars, Dynasty Warriors 7 also out.
It’s a bustling week at retail this week, but one product screams louder than the rest.
Today, Nintendo released the 3DS, its latest portable in the DS family. The system is already available in Japan and the United Kingdom, and sells for $250 in North America. Gamers can choose from two color options: cosmic black or aqua blue.
In addition to the system, a slew of new 3DS titles make their debut this week. Gamers looking to take take their 3D gaming on the go can grab Pilotwings Resort, Super Street Fight IV: 3D Edition, Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars, Super Monkey Ball 3D, Steel Diver, Nintendogs + Cats, Face Raiders, and others.
Hitting the green this week is Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters. The game is the first in the series to include the famed Augusta National golf course, home of the exclusive Masters tournament. The Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game will feature 16 courses, with Sony’s system also receiving a Collector’s Edition of the game, which includes an extra five courses at a $10 premium over the standard edition. As in previous years, the Wii edition offers the most holes in one game, with Augusta National and 23 additional courses to play. PGA Tour 12 will also let players relive memorable shots from the Masters’ storied history, including Woods’ four Green Jacket wins at the tournament.
Racing fans have two new options this week: Shift 2 Unleashed: Need for Speed and NASCAR 2011: The Game. As for EA’s game, Slightly Mad Studios developed Shift 2, and the game will be available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. Within the package, gamers will find a number of different modes, including 40 single-type race events, where the playing field is leveled and gamers compete in the same make of car.
Gamers looking for a new NASCAR game can grab NASCAR 2011: The Game this Tuesday. The game will be a fully licensed NASCAR entry with over 22 real-world tracks. It will also support up to 16 players and have an experience system, which will unlock cars, decals, and sponsors in career mode.
Beat-em-up fans looking for a fix this week can grab Dynasty Warriors 7. The game introduces a new clan to the long-running series, allowing players to rewrite the history of ancient China with the Jin kingdom in addition to the Shu, Wu, and Wei factions. In another break from the series’ tried-and-true formula, the game also lets characters wield multiple weapon types, switching between them on the fly in the middle of combat.
Those who prefer wrestling can pick up THQ’s WWE All Stars this week for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP, and Wii. The fast paced, over-the-top wrestling game bundles a number of game modes including standard 1 vs. 1, Triple Threat, Fatal 4 Way, Tornado Tag, Elimination, Extreme Rules, and Steel Cage. In addition, the game offers deeper play in the form of Path of Champions and Fantasy Warfare.
Gamers looking to revisit a decade-old franchise can pick up The 3rd Birthday this week for the PSP. Although it doesn’t carry the Parasite Eve name, The 3rd Birthday stars franchise protagonist Aya Brea, who once again is put in the position of saving mankind from a monstrous biological menace. Set in Manhattan in 2012, the game sees the city beset by the monstrous creatures known as The Twisted, and Aya is once again tasked with saving the day.
For further details on the week’s games, visit GameSpot’s New Releases page. The full list of downloadable games on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Marketplace, and Wii Shop Channel will be revealed later this week. Release dates are based on retailer listings and are subject to change.
SUNDAY, MARCH 27
AR Games–3DS–Nintendo
Bust-A-Move Universe–3DS–Square Enix
Face Raiders–3DS–Nintendo
Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars–3DS–LucasArts
Nintendo 3DS–Aqua Blue or Cosmic Black–Nintendo
Nintendogs + Cats: French Bulldog & New Friends
Nintendogs + Cats: Golden Retriever & New Friends–3DS–Nintendo
Nintendogs + Cats: Toy Poodle & New Friends–3DS–Nintendo
Pilotwings Resort–3DS–Nintendo
Samurai Warrior Chronicles–3DS–Koei Tecmo Games
Steel Diver–3DS–Nintendo
Super Monkey Ball 3D–3DS–Sega
Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition–3DS–Capcom
TUESDAY, MARCH 29
Darkest Hour–PC–Paradox Interactive
Dynasty Warriors 7–X360, PS3–Koei Tecmo Games
Free Realms–PS3–Sony Online Entertainment
Hop: The Movie Game–DS–505 Games
Johnny Test–DS–505 Games
Mass Effect 2: Arrival–PS3, X360, PC–EA Games
Moon Diver–PS3, X360–Square Enix
NASCAR 2011: The Video Game–X360, PS3–Activision
Secret Files 2: Puritas Cordis–Wii–Koch Media
Sequence–X360–Microsoft Game Studios
Shift 2 Unleahsed: Need for Speed–X360, PC, PS3–Electronic Arts
The 3rd Birthday–PSP–Square Enix
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky–PSP–Xseed Games
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters–X360, Wii, PS3–Electronic Arts
WRC: FIA World Rally Championship–PC–Deep Silver
WWE All Stars–X360, PS3, PSP, PS2, Wii–THQ
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30
Islands of Wakfu–X360–Microsoft
Rush ‘N Attack Ex Patriot–X360–Microsoft
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