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.

Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon Review: The Only Good Bug is a Dead Bug

Posted on July 28, 2011 by John Scalzo

In certain corners of the Internet, you’ll find a group of gamers who are very enthusiastic about Earth Defense Force 2017, a budget third-person shooter released in the early days of the Xbox 360. The game featured poor graphics and some absolutely baffling gameplay choices, including several mazelike underground levels and terrible vehicle control. But it has also developed a cult following due to its insane enemy count and the awesomely arcadey “kill ’em all” vibe that runs through the action. Four years later, D3 Publisher has finally seen fit to release a sequel, Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon. Can they catch lightning in a bottle twice? Well, they did name the main character Lightning Alpha… (more…)

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

CoD Black Ops Annihilation map pack now available on PC, PS3

Posted on July 28, 2011 by John Scalzo

All you Call of Duty: Black Ops players on the PC and PS3 won’t have to wait any longer, the Annihilation Map Pack is now available to download.

In case you missed it, the pack includes four new multiplayer maps: “Hangar 18” (located within Area 51), “Drive-In” (a 60s American Drive-In theater), “Silo” (a massive secret Soviet nuclear missile site) and “Hazard” (a coastal golf course on the cliff sides of Cuba). A new Zombies Mode map, “Shangri-La,” resurrects everyone’s favorite undead monsters in an island paradise.

“Annihilation delivers four of the best Black Ops multiplayer maps, and a mind blowing new Zombies experience with Shangri La,” said Treyarch Studio Head, Mark Lamia. “With Annihilation, fans are really going to have a lot of fun continuing to play Black Ops online for a long time to come.”

The Annihilation Map Pack will be available to download for $14.99.

Posted in News, PC, PS3 | Tagged

THQ ends development of Red Faction franchise

Posted on July 28, 2011 by John Scalzo

THQ (and their Vice President of “Core Games” Danny Bilson) have discussed the company’s dedication to bigtime franchises many times in the past. Sadly, it looks like that number was reduced by one yesterday.

During the company’s quarterly financial presentation, THQ CEO Brian Farrell revealed that the Red Faction franchise has become too much of a niche title to continue. This is hot on the heels of the June debuts of Red Faction: Armageddon and the Syfy movie Red Faction: Origins.

“Given that [the Red Faction franchise], now in two successive versions, has just found a niche, we do not intend to carry forward with that franchise in any meaningful way,” Farrell said.

But don’t feel too bad for developer Volition. They’ve got their hands full with Saints Row: The Third (which will be available this November) and Guillermo del Toro’s Insane trilogy.

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

Updated rosters in Madden NFL 12 launch day update

Posted on July 28, 2011 by John Scalzo

Donovan McNabb to the Vikings! Reggie Bush to the Dolphins! Albert Haynesworth to the Patriots! Carson Palmer retires!

The NFL has seen a flurry of free agency activity since the lockout ended on Monday. But how will this affect the impending release of Madden NFL 12? According to the game’s Twitter feed, all will be well come launch day:

For those of you asking, there will be a full downloadable roster update at launch that will reflect all the various free agency changes.

Madden NFL 12 will be available in stores on August 30.

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Nintendo Download: Let’s Golf 3D, Brawl Brothers

Posted on July 28, 2011 by John Scalzo

Nintendo has updated their online shops and made a variety of new games available to download on the 3DS, DS and Wii. This week’s additions include:

Let’s Golf 3D (3DS eShop)
Choose from eight customizable characters and play in exotic locations, including the Mayan jungle and a winter wonderland. The 3D visuals will let you view your ball’s trajectory like never before.

Brawl Brothers (WiiWare)
Rick and Doug know all the moves, from martial arts to pro wrestling throws, and they don’t hesitate to use them. You really don’t want to mess with them!

Burn the Rope (WiiWare)
Try to burn as much of the rope as possible in each level. But there’s a catch: The fire only burns upward, so you must rotate the levels to keep your flame alive.

  • Go Series: Portable Shrine Wars (DSiWare)
  • Oscar’s World Tour (DSiWare)
  • My Australian Farm (DSiWare)

More information on all of these titles can be found at the weekly Nintendo Download newsletter.

Posted in 3DS, DS, News, Wii |

Microsoft launches MyStats for Xbox Live Rewards members

Posted on July 28, 2011 by John Scalzo

Microsoft has expanded with their Xbox Live Rewards program with the new MyStats page.

Just point your browser to Rewards.Xbox.com/my-stats to bring up a wide selection of stats on your last six months of Xbox 360 activities. You’ll find out how your most played games compare to the community, how many Achievements you’ve unlocked, single-player versus mulitplayer play and how many entertainment services you’ve used.

Apparently I’ve put 43 hours in Mortal Kombat. Think that’s impressive? The average Xbox Live Rewards member has played NetherRealm’s latest for 123 hours.

So let out your inner stat geek today!

Posted in News, Xbox 360 |

Nintendo slashes 3DS price to $170, announces 3DS Ambassadors program

Posted on July 28, 2011 by John Scalzo

It’s no secret that the 3DS is not selling as well as Nintendo would like. That will all change on August 12 when the publisher plans to cut the price of their latest handheld to $169.99. That’s an astounding $80 price drop from its current price of $249.99.

The Big N has given tentative release dates (and final titles) to their biggest 3DS games of the Fall. Super Mario 3D Land will launch in November, Mario Kart 7 will follow in December and Kid Icarus: Uprising will land in stores “during the holiday season.”

So everyone thinking about buying a 3DS should wait two weeks, right? Not so fast. Nintendo has also announced the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador program, a sort of “thank you” to everyone who bought a 3DS at the original price point. Nintendo plans to shower everyone who accesses the 3DS eShop before midnight on August 11 with 20 Virtual Console downloads… all for free.

And these games aren’t castoffs Nintendo couldn’t sell to Captain N, they’re bona fide classics in their own right. Want the full list, hit the jump. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, News | Tagged , , , , ,

First Duke Nukem Forever map pack announced

Posted on July 27, 2011 by John Scalzo

It may not have lived up to expectations (or perhaps it gave you EXACTLY what you expected), but 2K Games has announced the first DLC add-on pack for Duke Nukem Forever.

Duke will return to the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 this Fall in the “Hail to the Icons Parody Pack.” The pack will include three new modes and four new multiplayer maps. It’ll also be a free download for Duke Nukem First Access Club members. A price point for the rest of us mere mortals wasn’t revealed.

So just what will the “Hail to the Icons Parody Pack” contain? Hit the jump to find out. (more…)

Posted in News | Tagged , , ,