The "Star Wars Pinball" Episode V table. Photo: AFP
Worldwide: February 26
Commander Video returns, filled with boundless energy and accompanied by an infectious soundtrack, ready to leap over and duck under all manner of objects in a bid to save the world through the power of running, complete with voiceovers from Mr. Mario himself, Charles Martinet. Also due on 360, PS3, and Wii U.
Price: $14.99 / €13.99 / £11.99 / $AUD 14.99
Star Wars Pinball (Android 360 iOS Mac PS3)
Release dates: February 26 on North American PlayStation Store; February 27 worldwide
The creator of "Pinball FX," "Zen Pinball," and the themed "Marvel Pinball" returns with another tie-in that promises to be just as compelling and compulsive as Zen Studio's previous work, with tables featuring "The Empire Strikes Back," "The Clone Wars," and bounty hunter Boba Fett.
Price: $10 (€10 / ~£7) for a Star Wars table pack on 360 and PS3, $1.99 per table on Android and iOS, $2.99 per table on Mac
Real Racing 3 (iOS)
Released Feb 28 worldwide (from February 13 in Australia, New Zealand and Canada)
Continuing the "Real Racing" effort to bring gorgeous-looking motor racing to smartphone and tablet, "Real Racing 3" crams in licensed courses and cars, adding a clever AI-orchestrated multiplayer element, and forgoes an upfront charge in favor of free-to-play and the sort of in-app purchases that could prove even more lucrative for developer Firemonkeys.
Price: Free to play with optional micro-transactions
Tomb Raider (360 PS3 Win)
North America and European regions: March 5
Age ratings: NA, M17+. EU, 18+. AUS, MA15+
Japan: April 25, rated Z (18+)
Touted as a series reboot, this might not be as heavy on the puzzles as previous "Tomb Raider" editions, but it's Lara Croft's origin story, which finds her shipwrecked upon a remote island near Japan, crew in disarray, an ancient curse to be investigated, and in need of personal transformation from vulnerable castaway to tough-as-nails survivor.
Price: $59 / €59 / £39 / $AUD 89 / ¥7,980
Less on PC
SimCity (PC; Mac version to follow)
North America: March 5, rated Everyone 10+
Australia and Japan: March 7, rated G in AUS
European regions: March 8, rated 7+
On the one hand, this iteration of SimCity lacks land deformation, requires an online connection even in solo play, and has smaller limits on city size; on the other, it offers elegance in road and town planning, elegance and spectacle, almost unfeasably deep levels of data presented simply and accessibly, online multiplayer and multiple cities.
Price: $59 / €59 / £35 / $AUD 79 / ¥6,980
MLB 13: The Show (PS3, Vita)
North America: March 5, rated E for Everyone
With fan vote winner Andrew McCutchen adorning the cover, this year's version of "MLB: The Show" incorporates a new The Show Live mode, which can update in sync with the real 2013 MLB season, along with tweaked batting dynamics, revised rosters, and the return of Franchise Mode and Diamond Dynasty.
Price: $59 on PS3 (inc. Vita code), $39 Vita only