God of War III shipping out on March 14 to 20

Posted by John as Shmups

It’s a huge week at retail back to back with the launches of Command & Conquer 4, Metro 2033, Dragon Age expansion, new Pokémon for DS, and Resonance of Fate.

After a long time of yelling about vengeance, Kratos is finally on the verge of getting it. God of War III hits Playstation 3 this week after years of anticipation. However, the Ghost of Sparta isn’t the only draw in what is shaping up to be a huge week at retailers.

Just before God of War III debuts, retailers will welcome the latest extension in Nintendo’s Pokémon franchise. The new DS game launches Sunday, and will be available in HeartGold and SoulSilver versions. Each edition comes with a Pokewalker pedometer, allowing players to level up their combative pets even when they’re not playing.

Another renowned franchise receiving a new installment this week is Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight as it launches for the PC. Billed as the conclusion to the series’ “Tiberium Saga,” the game features different campaigns for the Global Defense Initiative and Brotherhood of Nod factions, with each faction playable in solo or cooperative modes. It also features a five-versus-five, objective-based online multiplayer mode.

Other familiar franchises with releases this week include Dragon Age and Perfect Dark. Last year’s hit Dragon Age: Origins will receive its first retail expansion in the form of Awakening, while Rare’s original Nintendo 64 shooter is being re-released on Xbox Live Arcade with a high-definition facelift courtesy of 4J Studios.

Not every major game launch of the week comes from an established series. THQ and 4a Games are launching the post-apocalyptic survival shooter role-playing game Metro 2033 on the PC and Xbox 360. Also, Sega is rolling the dice with new RPG and strategy titles, as Resonance of Fate heads to the Xbox 360 and PS3, while Infinite Space comes to the DS. The former is set in a steam punk world and developed by Star Ocean studio Tri-Ace, while the latter is the latest fruit of Sega’s partnership with Bayonetta and MadWorld developer PlatinumGames.

The full list of downloadable games on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Marketplace, and Wii Shop Channel will be revealed later in the week. Release dates are based on retailer listings and are subject to change.

March 14, 2010

Pokemon HeartGold–DS–Nintendo Pokemon SoulSilver–DS–Nintendo

March 15, 2010

Rage of the Gladiator–Wii–Ghostfire Games Triple Shot Sports–Wii–The Code Monkeys 101 MiniGolf World–DS–Teyon

March 16, 2010

God of War III–PS3–Sony Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight–PC–Electronic Arts Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening–360,PS3, PC–Electronic Arts Metro 2033–360PC–THQ Resonance of Fate–360, PS3–Sega Infinite Space–DS–Sega Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon–WII–Xseed Games T.A.C. Heroes: Big Red One–DS–Storm City Games Hidden Mysteries: Buckingham Palace–DS–Activision Sonny With a Chance–DS–Disney Family Gameshow–WII–Zushi Games Ltd

March 17, 2010

Perfect Dark–360–Microsoft Hall of Fame Ultimate Hoops Challenge–Wii–Zoo Games

March 19, 2010

Mount & Blade: Warband–PC–Paradox Interactive

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