Shippin' Out March 14-20: God of War III, Command & Conquer 4

Kratos has been yelling about vengeance since he first appeared in 2005, and he's finally on the verge of getting it. After years of anticipation, God of War III hits the PlayStation 3 this week, its arrival preceded by critical acclaim. However, the Ghost of Sparta isn't the only draw in what is shaping up to be a huge week at retailers.

Before God of War III debuts, retailers will welcome the latest extension in Nintendo's Pokemon franchise. The new DS game launches Sunday and will be available in (mostly similar) 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.

There's a third renowned franchise receiving a new installment this week, as Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight launches for the PC. Billed as the conclusion to the series' "Tiberium saga," the game features different campaigns for the Global Defence Initiative and Brotherhood of Nod factions, with each faction playable in solo or cooperative modes. It will also have 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 rereleased on Xbox Live Arcade with a high-definition face-lift courtesy of 4J Studios.

Not every major game launch of the week comes from an established series. THQ and 4A Games are launching the postapocalyptic 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 PlayStation 3, while Infinite Space comes to the DS. The former is set in a steampunk world and is developed by Star Ocean studio Tri-Ace, while the latter is the latest fruit of Sega's partnership with Bayonetta and MadWorld developer PlatinumGames.

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 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