If you’re a fan of Konami’s Silent Hill you need to prepare yourself (and your wallet) for March 2012 when the publisher will see 3 new releases on PS3, 360 and Vita.

We’re quite sure Konami didn’t plan for it to be this way. Several delays hurt production of Silent Hill: Downpour (the eight scheduled release in the franchise) while delays derailed the launch for Silent Hill HD Collection. Silent Hill: Book of Memories for PlayStation Vita has also been reported to have suffered a slight delay which now aligns that release in the same time frame as the 2 console releases.

For a timeline on when to expect your next fix(es) for Silent Hill, it goes as follows:

1. March 6, 2012 – Silent Hill HD Collection
2. March 13, 2012 – Silent Hill: Downpour
3. March 27, 2012 – Silent Hill: Book of Memories

Konami can hopefully stick to these dates, but it’s a very risky gamble for so many titles in a franchise to release when big name titles are gonna hit shelves (Mass Effect 3, anyone?) in March as well. Let’s hope this works out for Konami or Silent Hill may go the fate of other games that get left behind during major gaming release cycles — cancelled.

Konami has officially backed up the rather confusing chain of notices that the upcoming Silent Hill HD Collection has been delayed.

The series of rumors started off when Amazon sent notifications out to customers that the release date for Silent Hill HD Collection had been changed to March 6. Eventually, Gamefly and GameStop also got in on the act adjusting their own release schedule to show the same thing. Konami finally broke silence informing everyone that the game would be pushed back to March 6, 2012.

Originally, the HD collection which consisted of both Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill 3 was scheduled for release January 24, 2012 after having originally been schedule for release November 2011.

PSN is really getting some love with all the recent announcements (Chrono Trigger/Cross, Final Fantasy I, II and VI…) lately. Another heavy-hitter is on the way with Konami’s Castlevania: Harmony of Despair.

On the upcoming September 27 PSN update, PlayStation 3 owners will finally have their crack at the multiplayer action game that was released on Xbox Live Arcade back in August of last year. Harmony of Despair will be brought to PSN with some added extras including couch co-op (4 player versus the 6-player original online mode), additional characters Julius Belmont and Yoko Belnades (featured originally as paid DLC on Xbox Live Arcade) and the Pyramid of Ruin extra map.

In Castlevania: Lords of Shadow players take on the role of Gabriel Belmont, voiced by Robert Carlyle, the hero of the game and part of the legendary Belmont clan from Castlevania lore. Gabriel is a member of the Brotherhood of Light, an elite group of holy knights who protect and defend the innocent against the supernatural. His beloved wife was brutally murdered by the evil forces of darkness and her soul trapped for eternity. Neither living nor dead she realizes the horrific truth of what is at stake and guides her husband to his destiny – and hopefully salvation for the world. While demonic creatures of the night wreak havoc on the land, the souls of the dead are trapped on Earth and unable to find peace. Gabriel must track down the mysterious Lords of Shadow in order to unite the pieces of a relic called “The God Mask” that can purify the world and has the power to bring the dead back to life. Thus, Gabriel must travel the destroyed world, defeating the evil tyrants in order to use their powers to bring balance back to the world. Armed with the versatile Combat Cross™ – the world’s last hope must encounter the three factions of the Lords of Shadow and end their unholy rule.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is available now across both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

The items that are now available for purchase for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow are Gabriel Belmont’s Brotherhood of Light Armor, Cyclone Boots, Combat Cross, and Dark Gauntlet. On the Contra side, fans can purchase some of the fabled series’ most iconic items, including the blue and red bandanas that Lance Bean and Bill Rizer don, as well as the famed cargo camo pants and combat boots.

Taking place in Majorca, Spain on September 25, 2010, the gala event will see 40 players from twenty-three countries go head-to-head to find the ultimate champion.

The competition will be streamed live via http://www.ustream.tv/channel/official-pes2010-world-finals and will kick off at 7:00am PST. Players will begin in randomly selected groups with two players from each group proceeding to a knockout competition. Viewers will also be able to see highlights of the event as selected matches will be broadcasted with players battling it out during ten-minute matches.

Tentatively known as Silent Hill 8, the game will return to being that of a third person horror experience. The tale begins after a prison transport vehicle careens off the road, leaving lone inmate Murphy Pendleton stranded in Silent Hill. Gamers will encounter mind-bending puzzles, as well as horrific creatures and otherworld terrors using everyday objects from wooden chairs to glass bottles to fend off their enemies. The natural response, fight or flight is left to the player as they unravel a dark, thought-provoking storyline which will appeal to fans of the early, classic Silent Hill series, as well as anyone who enjoys a deep, psychological horror experience. In addition to the main storyline, players will also be presented with variable side quests along the way that can change depending on their play style, revealing unknown evils within the town.

“In honoring the rich history and strong following of Silent Hill, we’re working hard to build a next generation horror game that the fans truly deserve,” said Shinji Hirano, President of Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. “This Silent Hill introduces an all-new storyline and unique evolutions in gameplay, building on innovations and successes from over a decade of true survival horror and terror.”

Silent Hill 8 will release in 2011 for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Utilizing the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Suikoden Tierkreis expands the boundaries of the handheld RPG with a robust online gameplay mode. With an active online community, players can send their characters on quests that other members of the Suikoden Tierkreis community will complete for them, as well as participate in unique boss battles.

Homecoming marks the sixth story in the Silent Hill mythos, and introduces a new protagonist to the mysterious town. The story follows Alex Shepherd, returning to his hometown of Shepherd’s Glen to investigate the sudden disappearance of his brother and the strange occurrences taking place around town. Shepherd unravels a tale that takes him from his boyhood home to the fog-shrouded streets of Silent Hill, facing the darkest horrors of his soul to find his missing brother.

The new edition marks the first time that the world’s best-selling soccer video game franchise has exclusively used the Pro Evolution moniker in North America. While the name may be new, Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 combines the attention to detail that has always been the series’ hallmark and has made Pro Evolution the world’s definitive soccer title for any format. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 contains a host of new features that will make this the most comprehensive version to date, including AI system TEAMVISON™, cutting-edge graphics, and an extensive Edit mode.

“Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 marks a major step forward for the most popular soccer video game franchise in the world,” said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “We pushed the envelope to make a title that captures all the subtleties and nuances of an actual soccer match. Next-gen capabilities such as the TEAMVISION AI system and photo-realistic graphics, along with a ton of licensed teams and leagues, combine to make this the definitive soccer game for fans and newcomers alike.”

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 shoots and scores with the renowned controls which create one of the most authentic soccer experiences in video gaming history. The new game boasts the revolutionary TEAMVISION AI system, a proprietary element that actively monitors the player’s onscreen movements and adapts accordingly, forcing players to consider their own strategic play more carefully. Other new additions include amazing attention to detail as faces contort and shirts crease during a match, extensive Edit modes in all next generation versions, and closer control than ever before.

Featuring real players, a large variety of licensed teams and a huge variety of stadiums, gamers will be able to re-create the same excitement that surrounds the world’s most popular sport. As with previous releases, the ball is treated as a separate entity, with the timing of shots completely controlled by the player, while the new AI ensures that defenders work to close down space and block efforts on goal. Similarly, distribution of passes works along the same lines, with players using the space available to them to switch the ball. Dribbling control has also been enhanced, and a number of subtle moves have been added to bypass defenders in order to move the ball into space.

Marking the series’ first appearance on the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system along with its second Xbox 360™ outing, these and the PC-DVD ‘Next Generation’ versions of Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 are further enhanced by stunning aesthetic elements. Player features have been taken to incredible levels with full facial animation and the high-definition detail afforded by the hardware shows full movement and subtle details on the various uniforms during the course of a match. All ‘Next Gen’ versions will also benefit from an extensive Edit mode, allowing players to customize their Pro Evolution experience.

Adding to the authenticity, Portuguese midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo will be the face of the latest version of the multi-million selling Pro Evolution Soccer series. Regarded as one of the most exciting talents of the modern game, the 22-year-old is a permanent fixture on the Portuguese national squad. His incredible ball control and trademark skills have seen him receive countless awards, including both the PFA’s 2007 Player and Young Player of the Year awards.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and will be available for a suggested retail price of $49.99 (PS3 and X360 versions), $29.99 (NDS and PSP versions), $29.99 (PS2 version).

Also announced were details of the Metal Gear Online ‘Starter Pack.’ Konami won’t confirm yet how many maps will be available in the Starter Pack, but it will allow gamers to play single player or up to 16 players online. Gamers who pre-order Metal Gear Solid 4 will be guaranteed access to a multiplayer beta test for Metal Gear Online scheduled to start in late April.

Lastly, SCEA has announced that they will release a PS3 bundle to coincide with Metal Gear Solid 4. The bundle will include the 80GB PS3, DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller and the game itself. The SKU will retail for $499.

**UPDATED** February 28, 2008

Konami has confirmed that the title will ship on June 12, 2008.