Shippin' Out March 18-24: Kid Icarus 3DS

It has been more than 20 years since the last original Kid Icarus game was released. That drought ends this week, as Nintendo's cherubic mascot Pit makes his 3DS debut in Kid Icarus: Uprising on the 3DS. However, Kid Icarus is by no means flying solo on the new release shelves this week, as new installments in the Resident Evil and Ninja Gaiden series lead up a deep slate of notable debuts.

The Kid is back.

As with previous Kid Icarus games, Uprising sees Pit taking on the evil Medusa, although this new iteration will feature him fighting the forces of evil in the skies as well as on land. Additionally, the game features a multiplayer mode where up to six 3DS owners can take each other on in teams of three. The game will also come bundled with a 3DS stand to let players focus on playing the system without worrying about holding it up.

Pit isn't the only gaming celebrity receiving a new title, as Ryu Hayabusa returns in Ninja Gaiden 3. The latest entry in Team Ninja's action series adds a few new elements to the formula, including competitive and cooperative online multiplayer for up to eight players. The PS3 version of the game will also feature PlayStation Move support, which Team Ninja head Yosuke Hayashi has said is intended to "bring players closer to" Hayabusa.

Capcom has another zombie hunting game on tap for consumers in the form of Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City. Developed by Slant Six, Operation Raccoon City offers a squad-based shooter take on Capcom's seminal survival horror series. The game puts players in control of a half-dozen special commandos employed by The Umbrella Corporation, the sinister pharmaceutical company whose unethical experiments caused the series' rash of zombie outbreaks in the first place.

Another long-running Japanese series returns this week as From Software and Namco Bandai launch Armored Core V. The game maintains the franchise's focus on high-octane mech combat and comprehensive customization options, although this installment features smaller mechs to encourage tactical gameplay. From Software has focused on delivering more content this time around by incorporating new environments and enhancing the game's offline mode. Online modes will also be available, and they'll emphasize large-scale, team-based battles.

For further details, 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.

TUESDAY, MARCH 20
Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City--X360, PS3--Capcom
Ninja Gaiden 3--X360, PS3--Tecmo Koei
Silent Hill HD--X360, PS3--Konami
Armored Core V--X360, PS3--Namco Bandai
Sumioni: Demon Arts--PS Vita--Xseed Games
Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc HD--PS3--Ubisoft
Kinect Rush: A Disney-Pixar Adventure--X360--Microsoft
Warriors Orochi 3--X360, PS3--Tecmo Koei
Dirt 3: Complete Edition--X360, PS3--Codemasters
Gogo's Crazy Bones--DS--Game Mill
Let's Ride: Best of Breed--DS--THQ
Paws & Claws Pampered Pets Resort--DS--THQ

THURSDAY, MARCH 22
Angry Birds Space--iOS, AND, PC, MAC--Rovio

FRIDAY, MARCH 23
Kid Icarus: Uprising--3DS--Nintendo
Total War: Shogun 2 - Fall of the Samurai--PC--Sega