Author: John Scalzo

John Scalzo is Warp Zoned's Editor-In-Chief and resident retro gaming expert. You can email him at john AT warpzoned DOT com.

PS Store Yesterday: Virtua Fighter 5, LittleBigPlanet 2, Instant Game Collection, more

Posted on June 6, 2012 by John Scalzo

In addition to announcing the “Instant Game Collection” for PlayStation Plus subscribers, Sony added a quartet of new games to the PlayStation Store late last night.

These new releases include Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown, the revamped fighting game from Sega; Bang Bang Racing, a top-down racer for the whole family; Madagascar 3, the video game tie-in to this weekend’s new movie; and LittleBigPlanet 2, Sackboy’s most recent adventure.

More details on all of those games, as well as this week’s new game add-ons, can be found at the PlayStation Blog.

Posted in News, PS3 | Tagged ,

Prepare for another zombie paradise, Dead Island: Riptide announced

Posted on June 6, 2012 by John Scalzo

Get all your Weekend At Bernie’s jokes ready, because the dead will walk on an island paradise again in Dead Island: Riptide.

Publisher Deep Silver didn’t reveal much about the sequel, but they did confirm that the game will be available on “consoles and PCs” and that Techland is once again handling the development duties. A more complete reveal is planned for later this Summer.

And don’t forget, the Dead Island: Game of the Year Edition will also be available later this Summer. On June 26 to be exact.

Posted in News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

It’s all about the coins in this New Super Mario Bros. 2 trailer

Posted on June 5, 2012 by John Scalzo

Even though Wario is the character from the Mushroom Kingdom typically associated with a gold obsession, Mario is getting the Midas Touch in New Super Mario Bros. 2 as well. Quite literally in fact, as a special block will turn all of the Koopa Troopas and Goombas into solid gold versions of themselves.

That’s not the only golden opportunity Mario will have. Pounding a special coin block wraps his head in a box that continuously spits out coins. And obtaining the Golden Fire Flower… you guessed it… presses blocks and enemies into mountains of coins.

New Super Mario Bros. 2 will be available for the 3DS on August 19.

Posted in News | Tagged , ,

New Super Mario Bros. U trailer features colorful Yoshis and GIANT LAND

Posted on June 5, 2012 by John Scalzo

Some kind of squirrel acorn (which turns Mario into a flying squirrel) and multiple multi-colored Yoshis highlight the New Super Mario Bros. U E3 trailer. If a pink Yoshi eats a Koopa Troopa, it can turn into a balloon while a blue Yoshi gives Mario and pals the ability to shoot bubbles. Yellow Yoshis shine brightly like a flashlight.

But the highlight of the trailer isn’t the wingsuit or the Yoshis, it’s the return of Giant Land from Super Mario Bros. 3. Welcome back old friend, I’ve missed you.

Posted in News, Wii U | Tagged ,

Nintendo @ E3 12: Nintendo Land will make people believe in Wii U

Posted on June 5, 2012 by John Scalzo

Reggie Fils-Aime believes that that the way Wii Sports made people understand the Wii is similar to the way people will understand the power of the Wii U GamePad’s touchscreen with Nintendo Land.

Visiting a virtual theme park, your Mii will visit 12 different worlds based on classic Nintendo franchises including The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, Luigi’s Mansion, Donkey Kong, and Takamaru’s Ninja Castle (which involves throwing ninja stars at birds).

If Nintendo is hoping to lure new gamers in with Nintendo Land, it’ll likely be a launch title.

Posted in News, Wii U | Tagged ,

Nintendo @ E3 12: ZombiU lurches onto the Wii U

Posted on June 5, 2012 by John Scalzo

Ubisoft has revealed a new zombie game for the Wii U titled, wait for it, ZombiU. Groan at the pun. Or should it be moan?

Players will battle zombies using the Wii U GamePad to access a sonar tool, your inventory, a scanning tool, a sniper rifle. Shaking the Wii U GamePad will push away a zombie and tapping the touchscreen at the right moment can hack a door or security system.

Using the Wii U’s camera, you can also put yourself in the game as a zombie. Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime had great fun with it.

Posted in News, Wii U | Tagged ,

Nintendo @ E3 12: New Super Mario Bros. 2, Paper Mario, Luigi’s Mansion 2 showcased

Posted on June 5, 2012 by John Scalzo

The 3DS is being pushed to a special 3DS show tomorrow night at 9 PM (Eastern), but Nintendo did spotlight a few upcoming games during today’s Press Conference:

New Super Mario Bros. 2 will launch on August 19.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star will include a new world full of stickers when it launches in late 2012.

Luigi’s Mansion 2: Dark Moon will feature multiple mansions with mission-based challenges and a heavier emphasis on ghost-catching action. Luigi’s Mansion will also be available in late 2012.

Posted in News | Tagged , , , ,

Nintendo @ E3 12: Mass Effect 3 coming to Wii U

Posted on June 5, 2012 by John Scalzo

A short sizzle reel of third-party Wii U games revealed that BioWare is hard at work on Mass Effect 3 for the next-gen system. A few other games in the reel were featured last year:

  • Darksiders II
  • Ninja Gaiden 3
  • Aliens: Colonial Marines
  • Tekken Tag Tournament 2
  • Lego City: Undercover

But a few more (like Mass Effect 3) are brand new:

  • Sing
  • Trine 2: Director’s Cut
  • Tank! Tank! Tank! (from Namco Bandai)

Ubisoft received their own mini-showcase at Nintendo’s Press Conference, which allowed them to show off a ton of titles:

  • Assassin’s Creed III
  • Rabbids Land
  • Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013
  • Rayman Legends
  • Sports Connection
  • Avengers: Battle For Earth
  • Just Dance 4
  • ZombieU

No release dates for any of these titles were announced.

Posted in News, Wii U | Tagged ,