Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3
Developer: CyberConnect2 > Publisher: Namco Bandai Games America > Systems: PS3, Xbox 360 > Rating: T > Release Date: March 5, 2013

Forecasts say this coming Storm is going to bring a brand new story mode, an expanded cast of characters, the return of oversized boss battles, and more interactive fighting arenas. Please remain in the ring for button-punching ninja justice.

© 2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO / 2007 SHIPPUDEN  All Rights Reserved.
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™: Ultimate Ninja STORM® 3 © 2012 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
©BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION are trademarks of Shueisha Inc.

Naruto: Powerful Shippuden
Developer: Inti Creates, CyberConnect2 > Publisher: Namco Bandai > System: 3DS > Rating: E10+ > Release Date: March 5

That Ninja Storm must have been powerful, because it's raining Naruto games! Hope you brought your "funbrella!" 

NARUTO Spin-Off: Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals artwork and elements © K.TAIRA. M.KISHIMOTO/SHUEISHA, TV TOKYO, PIERROT

Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk
Developer: Gust Co. > Publisher: NIS America > System: PS3 > Rating: T > Release Date: March 5

A rogue apothecary seeks her lost sister and finds her true power in this fine-looking RPG adventure. With a collection of new alchemic abilities and a cast of big-eyed cuties, you'll have an Atelier motive to mix things up.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Mirror of Fate
Developer: MercurySteam > Publisher: Konami Digital Entertainment > System: 3DS > Rating: M > Release Date: March 5

MercuryStream whips up some classic side-scrolling combat in this 3DS prequel to the series-reboot sequel. If Grampa Gabe's undead legacy is allowed to live on, it's sure to reflect badly on Trevor, Simon, and the rest of the Belmont clan.

God of War: Ascension
Developer: SCE Santa Monica > Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America > System: PS3 > Rating: M > Release Date: March 12

He had a heck of a time in those first six games, but now Kratos is movin' on up—and he's bringing his friends. PlayStation faithful can battle through the new origin-story adventure, or commune with up to seven other online gladiators in combo-driven combat.

SimCity
Developer: Maxis > Publisher: Electronic Arts > Systems: Mac, PC > Rating: E10+ > Release Date: March 5

New ways to play the original city-building game: Use the designer-friendly interface to create the skyline of your dreams, or compete for civic resources across the region in the new multiplayer mode. But listen up—your Sim citizens are going to want to have their say, too.

StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment > Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment > System: PC/Mac > Rating: T > Release Date: March 12

Kerrigan is there again. It's the moment that millions of SC fans around the world have been waiting for, so we expect a full-on Zerg rush at retailers and download providers when this next evolution of real-time strategy hatches on March 12.

Tomb Raider
Developer: Crystal Dynamics > Publisher: Square Enix > Systems: PC, PS3, Xbox 360 > Rating: M > Release Date: March 5, 2013

Lara's back! (And her front, too!)

by T.J. Deci