Shippin' Out 3/27-3/31: New Kingdom Hearts, quartet for 360

With immigration demonstrations popping up around the US and promised reforms on the way, fruit-on-fruit friction as the Beatles' Apple Records takes iPod manufacturer Apple to court, and a full work week until the NCAA's Final Four tip-off, it's a good time to find some diversions.

For instance, one could pass the days celebrating a banner week for creepy-people birthdays, as Kill Bill director Quentin Tarantino turns 43, Highlander and Mortal Kombat star Christopher Lambert turns 49, Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Ferrell celebrates his 47th, Oscar-winning True Crime voice actor Christopher Walken hits 63, and funky headhunter MC Hammer turns 44. Or maybe it would be more advisable to drop some coin on a new game.

There are plenty of new titles to choose from this week, with the PlayStation 2 Disney-Square Enix crossover Kingdom Hearts II leading the pack of anticipated releases, followed closely by a quartet of Xbox 360 titles. There's Konami's all-girl grappler Rumble Roses XX, Koei's budget-priced Dynasty Warriors 5 Empires (also on PS2), Far Cry Instincts Predator (not to be confused with the Xbox's Far Cry Instincts Evolution), and 2K Sports first next-gen tennis offering, Top Spin 2 (also on GBA and DS).

GameCube owners can expect Harvest Moon: Magical Melody to play on their systems. Over on the PC, Cinemaware is shipping out a trio of titles in Space Rangers 2: Rise of the Dominators, Buccaneer's Bounty, and Neighbors From Hell: On Vacation, while the last few week's wealth of PSP offerings tapers off a little, with Untold Legends: The Warrior's Code being the biggest fish in that portable's pond this week.

For a complete rundown of all the week's new releases, including video reviews, trailers, and other offerings, check out GameSpot's New Releases page.

MARCH 27, 2006
Space Rangers 2: Rise of the Dominators (PC)
Buccaneer's Bounty (PC)
NBA Ballers: Phenom (Xbox)
Neighbors From Hell: On Vacation (PC)
American Conquest: Divided Nation (PC)


MARCH 28, 2006
Harvest Moon: Magical Melody (GC)
Untold Legends: The Warrior's Code (PSP)
Rumble Roses XX (Xbox 360)
Dynasty Warriors 5 Empires (Xbox 360, PS2)
River King: A Wonderful Journey (PS2)
Super Black Bass Fishing (DS)
Far Cry Instincts Predator (Xbox 360)
Far Cry Instincts Evolution (Xbox)
Kingdom Hearts II (PS2)
Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers (PS2, Xbox, PC)
Daemonica (PC)
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (PS2)

MARCH 29, 2006
UberSoldier (PC)
Dragon Ball: Buu and Transformation 2 Pack (GBA)
Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII (PC)
Kao the Kangaroo Round 2 (PS2, GC)
7 Wonders of the Ancient World (PC)
Kao Challengers (PSP)
Top Spin 2 (Xbox 360, GBA, DS)

MARCH 30, 2006
Beatmania (PS2)