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.

Nintendo Europe lets a Pandora’s Tower launch trailer out of the box

Posted on April 13, 2012 by John Scalzo

First there was Xenoblade Chronicles, an action RPG from Monolith Soft. Then there was The Last Story, an RPG from Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi. And today, if you live in Europe, there’s Pandora’s Tower, possibly the last Nintendo-published game on the Wii.

The three games have become a rallying point for Operation Rainfall, a grassroots effort to convince Nintendo to release the previously Japanese-only titles in the US. The group has already succeeded with Xenoblade Chronicles (which was released last week) and The Last Story (a Summer release is planned), but there’s still been no word on Pandora’s Tower. With the game now available on European store shelves, perhaps that’ll change.

I, for one, am definitely pulling for a North American release for Pandora’s Tower. Just check out the trailer above with its operatic score, British voices, and Japanese aesthetic. Pandora’s Tower could be a hack and slash for the ages.

Posted in News, Wii | Tagged

Crysis 3 to be unveiled on April 16

Posted on April 12, 2012 by John Scalzo

Developers at Crytek have made mention of their plan for a “Crysis trilogy” on more than one occasion. So hearing that the header image of Crysis 3 above was leaked by EA’s Origin store isn’t exactly a shocker.

What is surprising is that EA confirmed the rumor by telling Game Informer: “The best kept secret in shooters just can’t be contained. Stay tuned for more information on April 16.”

So check back Monday when we’ll learn more about Crysis 3.

Posted in News | Tagged , , ,

Mass Effect 3 tops NPD bestseller report for March 2012

Posted on April 12, 2012 by John Scalzo

Whether you loved Mass Effect 3‘s ending or you hated it, one thing’s for certain, BioWare made a ton of money selling you the game. In what should be a surprise to no one, Mass Effect 3 took the top spot in The NPD Group’s report of the bestselling games in March 2012.

Even though March was a bit of a slow month for new releases, the remainder of the top ten is populated almost totally by games released in the last four weeks including Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City (#2), MLB 12: The Show (#3), SSX (#5), Street Fighter X Tekken (#6), Mario Party 9 (#7), Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations (#9), and Major League Baseball 2K12 (#10).

Whew!

Hit the break to see the full top ten, including the pair of holdovers from the February 2012 report. (more…)

Posted in DS, News, PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Vita, Wii, Xbox 360 | Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

April’s Modern Warfare 3 maps now available on CoD Elite

Posted on April 12, 2012 by John Scalzo

In case you’re still in a PAX East-induced coma, you might like to know that Activision and developer Infinity Ward have deployed the Call of Duty Elite content drops for April. Available only for CoD Elite Premium subscribers on the Xbox 360, two new multiplayer maps await those who download the latest Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 content:

“Sanctuary”
Suspended in the air one thousand feet up, you’ll battle more than altitude in the towering sandstone monasteries of Central Greece. Formed over millions of years, this sanctuary’s natural rock pillars have repelled invading armies and withstood the ravages of time but now they’ll face your deployment. Test your skills—and the ancient monks’ craftsmanship—with your arsenal of SMG’s, assault rifles and shotguns. Just remember: don’t look down.

“Foundation”
Journey into the heart of South Korea for a decommissioned concrete factory where the cement flows and bullets fly. After decades of constructing roads and buildings, the towering facility is now a perfectly-constructed combat zone for sniping and run-and-gun rules of engagement. Don’t stand in awe of the towering concrete crusher at the center of the factory unless you want to see your kill ratio meet the same fate.

Both maps will be available to non-Elite subscribers on the Xbox 360, as well as PC and PS3 players, soon.

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

Nintendo Download: Ketzal’s Corridors, Anne’s Doll Studio

Posted on April 12, 2012 by John Scalzo

Nintendo is adding only two games to their various download services today, which is quite possibly a first for the company. Perhaps the creation of WiiWare and DSiWare games is coming to an end?

But any future speculation hasn’t stopped today’s addition, which include the Tetris-like puzzler Ketzal’s Corridors (3DS eShop) and paper doll simulator Anne’s Doll Studio: Tokyo Collection. Yes, you read that correctly.

More info on both of these games can be found after the break. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, DS, News |

Bethesda adding Kinect support to Skyrim

Posted on April 12, 2012 by John Scalzo

In a few weeks, yelling “Fus Ro Dah!” as you play The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim won’t just result in snickers from your housemates. If you’re gaming on an Xbox 360 and you’ve got a Kinect sensor, that Dragon Shout (and over 200 more commands) will be recognized by the game.

Kinect support will be added through a free title update that’ll be available later this month. Bethesda plans to release the full list of voice commands soon, but for now, here’s how they’re going to integrate your Kinect sensor into the world of Skyrim:

Adding a new dimension to Skyrim’s gameplay, the Kinect for Xbox 360 integration offers Voice Commands throughout the game including Dragon Shouts, Hotkey Equipping, Follower Commands, and all Menus (Items, Magic, Map, Barter, Container, Favorites, and Skills). With Voice Commands, quickly create and load saves during gameplay and access menus and inventories. Skyrim’s Kinect for Xbox 360 Support also adds new functionality including special map functions, additional hotkey options, and the ability to sort inventory items by name, weight, and value.

Hopefully they’ll also add in a command that kills your character instantly if you say “Then I took an arrow to the knee.”

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Lollipop Chainsaw Hands-On Preview: Gimme An F! Gimme A U! Gimme An N!

Posted on April 11, 2012 by John Scalzo

Lollipop Chainsaw was definitely the hottest game at this weekend’s PAX East expo. Between the lengthy line to play a demo, the awesome foam chainsaws available at the booth, and a cosplaying cheerleader that showed so much skin she was removed from the show floor, everyone was trying to sit in the back of WB’s bus. But what about the demo? (more…)

Posted in Previews, PS3, Top Story, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

Newton, Rodgers, Johnson, Willis are your Madden NFL 13 cover vote final four

Posted on April 11, 2012 by John Scalzo

Round Three of the Madden NFL 13 cover vote is complete and the final four has emerged. Semifinal voting will run from today until April 18 as these players vie for your votes:

Left Bracket
Cam Newton (#1) vs Patrick Willis (#11)

Right Bracket
Aaron Rodgers (#1) vs Calvin Johnson (#6)

Both of the top seeds still remain and both are competing against some surprising opponents as we near the end. The 11th-ranked Patrick Willis has had the kind of run that Peyton Hillis had last year. A dedicated fanbase pushed him to the finals, which eventually pushed him over the top against the divisive Michael Vick. Johnson is less of a surprise as he was far and away the best wide receiver in the league last year, but anytime Rob Gronkowski gets bested, it’s a surprise.

But I would be surprised if either man makes it to the finals. Those two positions are reserved for Newton and Rodgers, I guarantee it.

Posted in News, PS3, Vita, Wii, Xbox 360 | Tagged