Shippin' Out March 7-13: Final Fantasy XIII

Square Enix's long-awaited multiplatform role-playing game arrives in stores alongside Yakuza 3, Resident Evil 5 Gold, and Dawn of War II: Chaos Rising.

March Madness doesn't tip off for another week, but the nickname for the NCAA basketball tournament is equally appropriate to describe the month's barrage of big game releases. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 deployed to retailers last week, and next week sees a one-two punch of God of War III and Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight.

Retail tsunami incoming?

Those release lists bookend one that is no less impressive, as this week sees the US release for Final Fantasy XIII on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. This will mark the first time a major installment in the long-running franchise will receive a multiplatform release at launch. (Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time arrived on the DS and the Wii on the same day last March.) For more on the game, check out GameSpot's review or scroll down to watch the video review.

Another Japanese import is set to arrive stateside this week, as Sega's PS3-exclusive Yakuza 3 bullies its way into stores. The open-world crime drama picks back up with former gangster Kiryu Kazuma, who had abandoned Tokyo's underground to establish an orphanage in Okinawa at the end of the last game.

For PC gamers, THQ has the first stand-alone expansion to its Warhammer 40,000 real-time strategy game Dawn of War II. As its name implies, the Chaos Rising expansion will insert Chaos Space Marines into the far-flung futuristic conflict, adding new single-player and co-op campaigns for hardened veterans. The expansion will also be available bundled with the original game in the Dawn of War II Gold Edition.

That's not the only double-dip in the wings this week, as a number of hits are finding themselves in new release sections for the second time this week. Capcom reloads with Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition, which includes the 2009 survival horror hit and its various downloadable add-ons. The publisher will also be bringing retro revival Mega Man 10 to the PlayStation 3 as a downloadable title, a week and change after the Wii version's debut, but still ahead of the scheduled Xbox Live Arcade launch later this month.

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 8, 2010
Max & the Magic Marker--WiiWare--TGC

MARCH 9, 2010
Final Fantasy XIII--360, PS3--Square Enix
Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition--360, PS3--Capcom
Yakuza 3--PS3--Sega
Foto Showdown--DSi--Konami
Racquet Sports--Wii--Ubisoft
Assassin's Creed 2--PC--Ubisoft
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger--PSP--Aksys Games
Sam and Max 2: Beyond Time and Space--Wii--Atari
Calling--Wii
The Daring Game for Girls--DS--Majesco

MARCH 10, 2010
Scrap Metal--360--Slick Entertainment

MARCH 11, 2010
Mega Man 10--PS3--Capcom
Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War II: Chaos Rising--PC--THQ
Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War II: Gold Edition--PC--THQ
Spectral Force Genesis--DS--Ignition

178 Comments

  • jaykho213

    Posted Mar 9, 2010 3:41 pm PT

    Yay for Yakuza 3

  • youngjoker17

    Posted Mar 9, 2010 12:53 pm PT

    i agree with u kimchee thumbs up for u

  • paranormalnut

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 5:46 pm PT

    I find it funny that no one can grow up and be big boys and girls over this stupid PS3 360 thing. I have got a lot of thumbs down over my PS3 getting the yellow light of death an how I will not hold off for 4 weeks for them to fix the PS3 just to play one game I can get on 360. I find it sad. As of today, the PS3 slim has a 20% death rate and no one will talk about it? Would any one with a dead PS3 hold off for 4 weeks for a game when they can just get the game on a another systems? None of you would. The game will be the same on both systems. I will not miss out on anything. Now I'm off to buy the game. @KimCheeWarriorX. I give you a thumbs up.

  • KimCheeWarriorX

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 5:26 pm PT

    I know I'll probably get a bunch of thumbs down for this but this is the truth. Nobody wants to hear about the earnings of certain game companies and how one is richer than the other. I was hoping to see some posts on how people can't wait for FFXIII and talking about the other games on this week's list in general but all I see are fanboy wars. Seriously guys, the reason why most people don't say anything against this is because they honestly don't wanna get caught up in all the drama and don't need the added stress from childish fanboy bickering. Leave me all the thumbs down you want but most of you know this to be true. For one I'm stoke about FFXIII and how awesome it's going to be and I really wish people would actually talk about the games instead of making this a big 'ol testosterone contest. I mean, how old are most of you, seriously?

  • KimCheeWarriorX

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 5:21 pm PT

    Man, so many games to get this month. I wanna get Final Fantasy XIII, God of War 3, and Resonance of Fate but unfortunately I'll only be able to afford one and it'll probably be Final Fantasy XIII. Looks like God of War 3 and Resonance of Fate are going to have to wait until next month.

  • tmorri603

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 4:03 pm PT

    @drummerdickens

    Sorry for calling you a fanboy but the statement you made makes you sound like one. This big idea that MS has these deep pockets to pay companies off is bogus. I looked it up. As of 2009 Sony has more total equity than MS Sony: $50 billion MS: $39.558 billion. That adds up to Sony being richer than MS.

    Publisher put DLC on the 360 first because the PS3 is hard to program for. If you have ever did programming before,it can take the PS3 2 or 3 times as much code as the 360 for the same game to run. That just adds up to lower overhead higher returns for the 360's DLC. I am not naive. I do know what companies like MS and Sony are capable of doing to get what they want.

  • earlthecannibal posted Mar 8, 2010 3:50 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    earlthecannibal

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 3:50 pm PT (hide)

    Why play with barbie dolls? I need a dominate western rpg asap!

  • xMAVx

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 3:25 pm PT

    2 things missing for Final Fantasy XIII, collectors edition and Japanese Dialogue option. =[. Other than that, I cant wait to uncover and complete the game in all its entirety like all the other previous games. 90+ hours of gameplay time here i come!

  • guertt

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 2:56 pm PT

    Can't wait for scrap metal, hopes is some kind of micro machine ...

  • oneligas posted Mar 8, 2010 2:09 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    oneligas

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 2:09 pm PT (hide)

    just say no to JRPGs

  • dukerav

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 2:05 pm PT

    I haven't played a JRPG in years (my last was Final Fantasy X), so I am really debating whether or not to give FF XIII a go.

  • drummerdickens

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 1:38 pm PT

    @tmorri603

    Dude, I'm no fan boy. I only own a ps3 but I'm thinking of getting an Xbox. It doesn't change the fact that Xbox pay off companies to get content exclusively. Publishers don't just decide to get DLC content put on the xbox first for no reason. It's because they get paid for it in the same way Britain at least only see's xbox adverts for games. Don't be so naive; Microsoft is rich and they pay a ton of money to keep themselves at the forefront like any good business would.

  • sagameister3

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 1:27 pm PT

    Just came from gamestop and paid in full for FFXIII, picking it up first thing in the morning .

  • ANumber1

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 1:13 pm PT

    Looking forward to picking up Final Fantasy XIII tonight. Have to be at work at 5 am tomorrow, but what the hell, I can sleep at work.

  • paranormalnut

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 12:45 pm PT

    @@CHOASXIII. told you.. I never even posted what I thought was better. LOL. I really don't care because I have both and I wont even miss out on good games for both. My PS3 has the yellow light of death. Like I'm going to hold off 4 weeks to play this.

  • W-zup

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 12:36 pm PT

    Got FF13 today, played like 7 hours already Yakuza 3 and GoW3, damn i think i need to do more jobs around the house

  • HonorOfGod

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 11:49 am PT

    @ grasshopper6
    same here. Whats taking them so long with the taxes this year? i want something to do i am bored.

  • Quietpower09

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 11:38 am PT

    12 hours and 26 minutes (Pacific time ) until the midnight release of Final Fantasy XIII.

  • Kcube

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 11:11 am PT

    I want Mega Man 10 and FF13.

  • angelGP32

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 10:13 am PT

    all i can say is remember GTAIV, 10 out of 10, how can anybody ever trust a review from this site again.

  • mederyt posted Mar 8, 2010 10:11 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    mederyt

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 10:11 am PT (hide)

    i thought that gamespot was gonna rate this game a 9.0..it deserves that score atleast

  • Richardthe3rd

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 9:49 am PT

    My GF is gonna want FFXIII... might have to treat her. In addition to playing what looks like a good game, there could be added benefits for me.

  • paranormalnut

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 9:48 am PT

    @CHOASXIII. It happens. Over look it. some people need to grow up. What I'm about to post will get a few thumbs down. I getting FF13 on 360. My PS3 gave me the yellow light of death and I'm not going to hold off on this game just to play it on a PS3 that is never used any ways. Here comes the thumbs down... But what they wont read, We have more games for 360.. 40 grade a games.. PS3, 4 grade a games.

  • Memoryitis

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 9:47 am PT

    I havent played an FF game in such a longtime, its good to play one again

  • CHOASXIII posted Mar 8, 2010 9:34 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    CHOASXIII

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 9:34 am PT (hide)

    I love how I got a million thumbs down earlier for saying that I am not interested in these games and I will wait for other games later this year that I'd rather get...

  • QuatrixJ

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 9:11 am PT

    Tax refunds aren't some kind of extra bonus money that appears out of thin air. That's YOUR money that you let the government hold a while. If you get refunds, you're not adjusting your withholding properly.

  • QuatrixJ

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 9:10 am PT

    Come on, guys. There hasn't been a Final Fantasy game on the PC since 8. And no, MMO garbage doesn't count.

  • Ladiesman17

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 8:53 am PT

    when "The Witcher 2" released??? dammmiittt.... not "delay" again!!

  • acsam12304

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 8:29 am PT

    @grasshopper6
    Said:
    "oh man can't wait to get my tax refund so I can get me FF III, Yakuza 3, Unchared 2, and couple more"

    why the hell did he got a thumb down? hes going to buy games with his tax rufund whats so wrong with that? ill do the same if im getting good money coming back. to bad im only getting $24 back from taxes

  • tmorri603

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 8:18 am PT

    @drummerdickens

    Every genertion their is a system that 3rd parties favor. Right now that is the 360. The last 2 gen it was the PS1 and PS2. 3rd parties will always favor the system that is making them the most money. MS has paid for DLC, as reported with GTA, but whenever it has happened it has been reported. This "MS is paying off everybody" talk is the stuff of ranting fanboys who are upset that MS is getting 3rd party love.

  • CharonEX

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 8:16 am PT

    Finally! After so many years of waiting just one more day till Final Fantasy XIII comes out! It's about time!!

  • CharonEX

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 8:16 am PT

    Finally! After so many years of waiting just one more day till Final Fantasy XIII comes out! It's about time!!

  • grasshopper6

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 8:01 am PT

    oh man can't wait to get my tax refund so I can get me FF III, Yakuza 3, Unchared 2, and couple more

  • Sephalon

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 7:59 am PT

    Well I've been playing FF13 on PS3 since March 5th. The game deserves what the review score got. I didn't expect this game to be a 9+ rating so... But anyways I'm loving it so far. About 13 hours into the game.

  • Dantethayer1

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 7:41 am PT

    For me its FFXIII(PS3) and Yakuza 3 awesome week!

  • WR_Platinum

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 7:23 am PT

    Finally, another reason why I got a PS3, FFXIII.

  • NYCityREP

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 7:23 am PT

    atopp399 Posted Mar 8, 2010 9:39 am ET Can a game ever live up to the hype ffXIII has right now?
    ****************************************************************
    I sure hope it can.

  • darkraiders

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 7:01 am PT

    last days of wait to get FF13 after more then 3 years of wait damn time never seemed to go so slow before lol

  • Khadaj32 posted Mar 8, 2010 6:44 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Khadaj32

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 6:44 am PT (hide)

    Can March be anymore awesome?

    No...no it can't.

  • atopp399

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 6:39 am PT

    Can a game ever live up to the hype ffXIII has right now?

  • slainta

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 6:24 am PT

    @Black_Adder_ : www.zavvi.com

    41,60 euro. It takes a while to receive it, arounf 7-10 days but the price is the best in Internet Town.

  • ahpuck

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 6:19 am PT

    bad timing for Yakuza 3, it's just going to have to wait for the summer months.

  • Trogeton

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 6:14 am PT

    another good reason to have a console, they always come first

  • AnelZukic

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 5:37 am PT

    can't wait tomorrows day FF XIII finally in the console after a wait of 5-6 years finally a new Final Fantasy also RE 5: GE will be a good purchase for the one who hasn't played it and the same goes for Yakuza 3, it sure is a great game. I'm glad Assassin's Creed II is coming to PC and BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger on the PSP

  • snipergimp

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 5:18 am PT

    FF XIII soon to be in my hands WOOT

  • KillerWabbit23

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 5:14 am PT

    It's almost here... WOOOO!!!!
    and btw, mega man 10's trophies are ridiculous.

  • killing_spree20

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 5:08 am PT

    @ehuman, don't know why people are so against PC. If you want to play on a console, thats fine. If I want to play on a PC, that should also be fine. Some people...we're all gamers, get over the silly PS3/X360/PC argument. It really doesn't matter what system you play games on. Just play the games how you want.

  • Manram010

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 5:06 am PT

    FINALLY for all assassins creed 2 on pc but but but with the DRM.......

  • Manram010

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 5:06 am PT

    FINALLY for all assassins creed 2 on pc but but but with the DRM.......

  • drummerdickens

    Posted Mar 8, 2010 5:03 am PT

    @Kou-Nurasaka

    No, publishers rarely show preference for a platform. Microsoft PAYS them to restrict PS3 adverts and highlight the Xbox version. Same goes with downloadable content for multiplatform games. Modern Warfare 2 and Fallout3 DLC goes to Xbox first because microsoft forks out money.

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