Spring Tech Preview: Games and gear

Tee off once again with Tiger in the latest iteration of the venerable golf sim. New for this year is full compatibility with Xbox 360 Kinect and the ability to play as Tiger through his various milestone accomplishments. (March 27, $60)

The most popular franchise in comics right now has hit your home console and computer. A digital-only adventure game based on the iconic series is due in April, which follows the story of a new character in the Walking Dead universe. First-look right here. (April 2012, price: $5 an episode)

One of our favorite games of 2011 is making its way to Sony's powerful new gaming platform. Mortal Kombat for the Vita looks to bring all the fast-paced bloody action to the small screen, introducing lethal touch controls along the way. (May 2, $40)

The third iteration of the immensely popular RPG is finally upon us. Diablo III is shaping up to deliver on multiple levels, with improvements to the game's narrative, gameplay, and more. (May 15, $50)

Many years after The Fall of Max Payne, our shattered ex-cop antihero returns, now with a new story to tell hunkered down in Brazil. For a franchise credited with bringing bullet-time into the mainstream, Max Payne 3 looks to wow gamers in not just the graphics department, but with compelling storytelling and action as well. (May 15, $60)

One of our favorite Mario-branded sports series finally makes its way to the 3D portable in May. Mario Tennis Open will give 3DS owners a chance to play off or online as their own Mii character or one of many classic Nintendo characters. (May 20, $35)

Ubisoft's now-infamous squad-based shooter series returns after going dark for quite some time. Players will take advantage of prototype weapons and gadgets in a brand new campaign as well as multiplayer modes. (May 22, $60)

Inversion's play with gravity effects will surely have your head spinning when the third-person-shooter hits consoles and the PC on June 5. Players can control the force of gravity in-game, causing items and enemies to spiral out of control simply on a whim. (June 5, $60)

Another game that puts the power of gravity in the hands of the player, Gravity Rush is an action title for the Vita that relies on the manipulation of gravity to progress. (June 12, $40)

From the demented minds that brought us last year's Shadows of the Damned comes Lollipop Chainsaw, the story of a cheerleader who must fight off a zombie invasion. If you're a gamer who can think outside of the box, Chainsaw is for you. (June 12, $60)