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 Download: Puzzle Blocks, Golf, DotMan, Paint Splash

Posted on September 8, 2011 by John Scalzo

It’s another assorted grab bag of titles in this week’s Nintendo Download.

On the DSiWare Shop there’s… DotMan, a classic-style arcade racer, and Puzzle Rocks, a puzzle game featuring falling rocks.

On the 3DS eShop there’s… Golf, the early Game Boy game is now available on the handheld’s Virtual Console.

And on WiiWare there’s… Paint Splash, a painting program.

More information on all of these games can be found within the latest edition of the Nintendo Download weekly newsletter.

Posted in 3DS, DS, News, Wii |

Square Enix teases “Game of Hell”

Posted on September 8, 2011 by John Scalzo

Square Enix has launched a new teaser website in anticipation of this month’s Tokyo Game Show. The site, which bears the header A Brand New Title of Hell, offers players two columns of words. The columns include a variety of themed pairs such as “Boy or Girl,” “Light or Shadow” and “Angel or Devil.”

After entering the correct answer, “Die or Die,” the stone wall in the background slides apart to reveal a pack of miniature devils. Destroying the devils reveals the happy little fellow to your left. Looks a little bit like Skeletor. Or perhaps Shao Kahn.

It’s unlikely that skullface up there is either of those characters. Instead, he probably belongs to the Army Corps of Hell, a title that was trademarked by Square Enix last year.

We’ll probably find out more at this year’s Tokyo Game Show, which begins on September 15.

Posted in News | Tagged ,

You must be this tall to play Roller Coaster Tycoon 3D in 2012

Posted on September 7, 2011 by John Scalzo

Atari has announced they’ll be reopening their acclaimed theme-park-management sim series on the 3DS next year as Roller Coaster Tycoon 3D. Developed by n-Space, Roller Coaster Tycoon 3D will bring back many of the franchise’s most popular feature while adding a story mode, touchscreen controls and coaster sharing through the 3DS’s wireless network.

Now, step right up as the barkers from Atari assault your ears with all the key features available in the first ever handheld version of Roller Coaster Tycoon:

  • Complete creative freedom with intuitive and streamline controls
    Fully enjoy the features that made the beloved series popular: a deep coaster construction system and robust theme park customization. Design the wildest, most imaginative roller coasters through the “Coaster Creator” option using a user-friendly, touchscreen toolset and a wide array of upgrade possibilities and themes at your disposal.

  • A deep and immersive management simulation experience
    The world of RollerCoaster Tycoon isn’t just about creating roller coasters; managing theme parks is paramount to keeping finances flowing to build even more! This latest installment takes the demanding management simulation from the series and compresses it into a handheld form, creating a challenging yet manageable take on the genre for players of all ages.

  • New gameplay mode with special unlockable content
    Completely new to the series is the “Coaster Story” mode, which blends together tutorials and park challenges into a cohesive and entertaining narrative. Choose your own player character and set off on a journey around the world to expand your roller coaster empire. As you progress, you’ll unlock tons of unique attractions, themes, amenities and more.

  • Jump straight into “Park Sandbox” mode and take control
    Players who want to get right into the action can quickly jump into the open-ended “Park Sandbox” mode and play RollerCoaster Tycoon 3D the classic way, where the only thing that matters is just how far you can take your own theme park. With the advanced networking capabilities of Nintendo 3DS, sharing your park creations is now easier than ever!
Posted in 3DS, News | Tagged

Batman: Arkham City soundtrack rocks with Panic! at the Disco, Coheed & Cambria, more

Posted on September 7, 2011 by John Scalzo

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and WaterTower Music have announced that Batman: Arkham City – The Album will be available on October 4, two weeks ahead of the game’s October 18 release date on the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. The album will also be available digitally as a bonus download inlcuded with the Arkham City Collector’s Edition.

Featuring music “inspired by” the highly anticipated sequel, Batman: Arkham City – The Album will include new songs from Panic! At The Disco, Coheed and Cambria, Daughtry, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Serj Tankian and more.

Coheed and Cambria frontman Claudio Sanchez is very excited to bring his musical storytelling to Gotham City. “I write in a very conceptual format with the stories that surround Coheed and Cambria, but Batman has a much larger, defined history and rules that go along with it. My goal was to find universal themes from Batman’s existing history to help give the lyrics legs and dimension so that the song could live within that world,” Sanchez said.

The full track listing can be found after the break. (more…)

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

Fox & Friends guest has a stroke over SimCity and gaming’s “liberal agenda”

Posted on September 7, 2011 by John Scalzo

This just in… Fox News is out of touch. Wait, that’s not exactly news. But it is funny. And moronic. But mostly funny.

On the September 3rd edition of Fox & Friends, host Clayton Morris and guest T.J. McCormack spoke about “green” games. Specifically about how they promote a “liberal agenda” of environmentalism and make kids “freak out.” Watch the video above to see for yourself.

If you’d rather not subject yourself to the latest media plot against video games, here’s what McCormack had to say about SimCity Societies (a game that came out in 2007 by the way) and its theme of respecting the environment:

“Kids with sweaty palms are freaking out that they’re going to kill a bunch of virtual polar bears. Virtual polar bears!”

McCormack later cites two browser games, McDonald’s: The Game (which is from 2006) and Fate of the World (a relatively recent 2010 game), as examples of “green” games that kids are playing and freaking out over. It should probably be noted that five year olds with sweaty palms aren’t playing these games. They’re methodical and deep strategy games that are typically played by adults. Yes Mr. McCormack, adults can play video games.

But you know what? Making fun of someone this stupid and out of touch isn’t even worth it. You win Fox News. Games promote the liberal agenda to little kids. It’s true. Especially games based on a major Fox property like Avatar.

Posted in News, PC |

BloodRayne: Betrayal, Crimson Alliance, more added to XBLA today

Posted on September 7, 2011 by John Scalzo

Not to be outdone by Sony’s PSN Play promotion, Microsoft has added four titles to the Xbox Live Arcade today.

Two of the new releases, vampiric side-scroller BloodRayne: Betrayal and plane racer SkyDrift, were previously added to the PlayStation Store yesterday. New to the XBLA is the Kinect-powered “full body puzzle action game” Leedmees and the multiplayer action RPG Crimson Alliance.

BloodRayne: Betrayal and SkyDrift have both been priced at 1200 Microsoft Points ($15) while Leedmees has been given an 800 Microsoft Point ($10) price tag.

Crimson Alliance’s price is a bit harder to explain. The game uses an a la carte pricing scheme whereby players can purchase the “full game” for 1200 Microsoft Points and receive to all three of the game’s classes (assassin, mercenary, wizard) or they can lock in to a single class for 800 Microsoft Points.

More information on all of this week’s new releases can be found at Major Nelson’s blog.

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

3DS Slide Pad adds second analog stick, R2 button to system

Posted on September 7, 2011 by John Scalzo

Oh Famitsu, nothing will ever stay secret with you around.

In case you missed it, Nintendo is hosting a 3DS-focused media event in Japan on September 13. One of the crazier rumors said that Nintendo planned to use the press conference to announce a 3DS peripheral that would add a second analog stick to the handheld. As you can see to your left, the pages of Famitsu, Japan’s biggest gaming magazine, have revealed all once again.

The 3DS Expansion Slide Pad is actually more of a cradle and when the handheld is encased in it, the 3DS will have a second analog stick and an R2 button (but strangely, no L2 button). The cradle will also cover the game slot, so changing games will require removing the Slide Pad first.

And in case you thought this was some kind of sick joke, Nintendo UK has confirmed the Slide Pad’s existence in a statement:

We can confirm that Nintendo does plan to release the attachment but that any further announcements on the attachment will be made at some later time by Nintendo.

It was obviously unspoken by Nintendo, but this peripheral likely also confirms that a redesigned 3DS incorporating the extra buttons is in the works.

[Source: Nintendo Life]

Posted in 3DS, News |

ESRB pulls a great trick by outing Devil May Cry trilogy for PS3, Xbox 360

Posted on September 6, 2011 by John Scalzo

Are you in tears over Capcom’s steadfast refusal to admit a Devil May Cry HD Collection exists? Well quit yer crying because new ratings on the ESRB website have revealed that Devil May Cry, Devil May Cry 2 and Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening will be released on the PS3 and Xbox 360 in the near future. Because each game is listed individually, Capcom is likely planning to release each HD remake separately like the upcoming Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil: Code Veronica remakes.

But we can’t say anything for sure until Capcom officially announces the Devil May Cry remakes for the PS3 and Xbox 360. I mean, what are they waiting for? Satan got their tongue?

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