On Shelves This Week: March 10 to March 16, 2008

The big one just exploded and many gamers are probably still busy trying to unlock new characters and discover all the final smashes in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. But the rest who remain on their feet can look forward to promising releases this week. Condemned 2: Bloodshot has its own share of fisticuff finishers, while lighthearted violence can be found in Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates. The crowd is also ready to roar with Pro Evolution Soccer 2008‘s launch right around the corner. All you have to do to know more about these is hit that jump!

*originally posted Mar 10, 2008 at 12:36AM

Compared to last week’s releases, we’ll be facing a more discreet batch this time. Surely, it’s difficult to look away from Super Smash Bros. Brawl now that it’s out in the market. If you can resist the charms of the Nintendo all-star fighting game, Condemned 2: Bloodshot can quench your thirst for hurting someone. It’s not all about melees, however, since there’s a good dose of lighthearted fantasy in the mix, thanks to Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates.

Level-headed gamers who want to put their strategic thinking to the test have numerous prospects highlighted by Wild Arms XF. Sports fans won’t be left behind with the release of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, the latest entry in the popular football series. Still not enough games? We’ve got a chunky list right here.

Condemned 2: Bloodshot. Like its predecessor, Condemned 2 has close ties with the unexplainable. Taking the shoes of former Serial Crimes Unit investigator Ethan Thomas, players will face the horrors of a mysterious city littered with murder crimes while utilizing the game’s new hand-to-hand combat mechanic when guns are not enough.

• Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 – March 11, 2008
• US$ 59.99
• ESRB M (Mature)
• Sega and Monolith Productions

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates. Fans of the previous iteration of this action RPG can find everything they loved about Square Enix’ multiplayer affair in its sequel. Four player mode is intact, coupled with unique controls made possible by the Nintendo DS’ touch screen.

• Nintendo DS – March 11, 2008
• US$ 39.99
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• Square Enix

FlatOut: Head On. What can only be defined as pure destruction is racing its way to the PSP for some serious devastating car crashes across Carnage Race, Deathmatch Derby, and Ragdoll Stunts modes. Wi-Fi support promises you won’t be alone during your savage trips.

• Sony PlayStation Portable – March 11, 2008
• US$ 29.99
• ESRB T (Teen)
• Warner Bros. and Empire Interactive

House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return. Sega’s classic arcade shooter series which was insane enough to turn a typing spin-off into something fun has finally come back from the grave to haunt the family friendly Wii. Zombies attempt to prove the undead is as cool as they were a few decades ago using motion sensing controls.

• Nintendo Wii – March 11, 2008
• US$ 29.99
• ESRB M (Mature)
• Sega

Insecticide. Yes, Gamecock’s handheld offering is buggy, but not in a bad way. If you thought killing insects is fun without feeling guilty, try playing the snazzy detective Chrys Liszt and you’ll know how those bugs you love to squash have their own problems to take care of, too. Insecticide is said to be a cinematic experience which progresses through fast-paced shooting in finely crafted environments.

• Nintendo DS – March 11, 2008
• US$ 29.99
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• Gamecock and Crackpot

Lost Empire: Immortals. Can’t get enough of 4X games set in space? Meet Lost Empire: Immortals, a PC game cooked up with the immortal formula of pitting various races against each other as they explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate. A solid number of 150 scientific advances and ten-player multiplayer mode ensure you’ll take hours to colonize every single star in the game’s universe.

• PC – March 11, 2008
• US$ 29.99
• Paradox Interactive and Pollux Gamelabs

Nanostray 2. It’s been a while since we first heard of this title, but it looks like the sequel to a solid top-down shooter is finally coming. Nanostray 2 has an array of new features with six game modes, multiple control schemes, and 16 bad bosses – definitely a leg up from the first Nanostray.

• Nintendo DS – January 15, 2008
• US$ 29.99
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• Majesco Games and Shin’en

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008. From its humble beginnings as Winning Eleven, Konami’s football franchise has exploded to stardom and now constantly scores goals across several platforms. This season, it will strike North America on the PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, and DS.

• Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS – March 11, 2008
• US$ 59.99 (Xbox 360, PS3), US$29.99 (PSP, DS)
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• Konami

Sam and Max Season 2: Episode 204. It’s episodic content at its best, as Telltale Games is releasing yet another entry in Sam and Max‘ animalistic adventures. The latest episode has all the improvements added to Season 2, such as more lively neighborhoods and the introduction of mini-games in every installment.

• PC – March 13, 2008
• US$ 8.99
• Telltale Games

Sudden Strike 3: Arms for Victory. Despite its title, Sudden Strike won’t take you by surprise. It’s too massive to strike quickly, what with the overwhelming number of available units on air, land, and sea, all rendered by a powerful 3D engine. The wait is over, soldier.

• PC – March 10, 2008
• US$ 29.99
• ESRB T (Teen)
• cdv Software Entertainment and Fireglow Games

Wild ARMs XF. The long-running RPG series by Media Vision is ready for a shoot-out on a handheld for the first time, featuring a heavily modified HEX battle system. As one of the many turn-based strategy games for the PSP, Wild ARMs XF sets itself apart by providing deep combat backed by Formation Arts, Combination Arts, and 20 unique job classes.

• Sony PlayStation Portable – March 11, 2008
• US$ 39.99
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• XSEED Games and Media Vision

World Championship Cards. If you need card games on the go, Crave has an expansive collection of over 30 different card games in one PSP title. To top it all, there’s character creation and eight-player online play or via AD HOC.

• Sony PlayStation Portable – March 11, 2008
• US$ 19.99
• ESRB E (Everyone)
• Crave

XIII Century: Death or Glory. Epic battles between thousands of soldiers in 13th century Europe is the name of the game. Before joining the fray, military leaders are allowed to enter strategy mode in which they’ll be assessing economic, diplomatic, and political aspects of an invasion. When battle is inevitable, it’s time to customize troops and charge into battle!

• PC – March 12, 2008
• US$ 19.99
• GamersGate

*originally posted Mar 10, 2008 at 12:36AM

Buy: [Condemned 2: Bloodshot (Xbox 360), (PS3)]
Buy: [Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates (DS)]
Buy: [FlatOut: Head On (PSP)]
Buy: [House of the Dead 2&3 Return (Wii)]
Buy: [Insecticide (DS)]
Buy: [Lost Empire: Immortals (PC)]
Buy: [Nanostray 2 (DS)]
Buy: [Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (Xbox 360), (PS3), (PSP), (DS)
Buy: [Wild ARMs XF (PSP)]
Buy: [World Championship Cards (PSP)]