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.

Chucky gets lucky on PC, consoles this Fall

I could never understand why someone would be afraid of a murderous doll. Once you realize its evil, just drop kick it across the room. Bam! No more Chucky! Yet, the cute little doll with the soul of a serial killer starred in five movies, and this Fall, he’ll take center stage in his own video game.

Developed by Tik Games, Chucky is in development for “console and PC digital distribution platforms.” Players will don the sneakers and overalls of the killer doll in an original storyline that “extend[s] his gory legacy” and features the “stealth and guile” Chucky is known for.

“We’re proud to be able to bring a fan-favorite movie character, such as Chucky, to gaming platforms,” said Alex Tikhman, Co-Founder and Vice President of Publishing for TikGames. “Fans have been asking for a Chucky game for years and, soon, gamers around the world will be able to enjoy highly-entertaining, interactive, downright gory experiences with this brand.”

I thought Tikhman was joking, but apparently there really has been a huge outcry for a Chucky game.

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

The Hidden (and Not So Hidden) Secrets of Mortal Kombat

It’s official: NetherRealm Studios’ Mortal Kombat reboot has become one of the most beloved entries in the series. You could drive yourself mad trying to figure out why both critics (the 2011 game has the highest MetaCritic score out of any game in the franchise) and gamers (according to The NPD Group, it sold over a million copies in April) have re-embraced the blood-soaked bruatality that is Mortal Kombat. But the one thing all the reviews keep coming back to is how the game returns to the classic gameplay of what made Mortal Kombat great. And that means secrets… lots and lots of secrets.

While few of these secrets are actually “hidden,” most are very easy to miss. So get over here and take a look at Mortal Kombat’s hidden allusions, jokes and just plain fun stuff. Needless to say, SPOILERS FOLLOW. (more…)

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

Sony tells publishers PlayStation Store to return on May 24

Gamasutra is reporting that Sony has informed publishers and developers that the PlayStation Store will reopen on May 24.

Online play and third party services like Netflix were restored on the PlayStation Network last week, but the store has remained offline. Sony plans to push out four updates in a two week span to release all of the content that publishers had planned to release before the PSN went down on April 20.

The updates will take place on May 24th, May 27th, May 31st and June 3rd. After June 3rd, the PlayStation Store’s weekly Tuesday updates will resume schedule.

PS3 and PSP owners will be able to download their “Welcome Back” gifts once the PlayStation Store resumes operations as well.

Posted in News, PS3, PSP | Tagged

Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 comes to every console this holiday

When WB Games announced the title of the first Lego Harry Potter as Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4, you know that a followup was inevitable. And now, on the cusp of the final movie, the publisher has officially announced Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7.

The game has been scheduled for release this holiday season, presumably alongside the Blu-ray/DVD release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II. As you might expect from a Harry Potter game, it’s in development for every platform imaginable: 3DS, DS, PC, PS3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360 and Sony’s Next Generation Portable (NGP).

Once again developed by TT Games, Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 will feature all the magic found in The Boy Who Lived’s last years at Hogwarts:

Based on the last three Harry Potter books and final four films, Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 takes players through Harry Potter’s heroic adventures in the Muggle and wizarding worlds. From Privet Drive in Little Whinging to Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade and Hogwarts – plus new locations including Grimmauld Place, the Ministry of Magic, and Godric’s Hollow – players will encounter new faces, new challenges and new magic, preparing them for the ultimate face-off against Lord Voldemort.

Posted in 3DS, DS, News, PC, PS3, PSP, Vita, Wii, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Duke Nukem battles topless babes in strip shooting webgame

Stay classy Duke!

The official European site for Duke Nukem Forever has added a new Flash game to keep your trigger finger busy while it waits for the real thing. Loading up “Duke Nudem” at boob-tube.eu will pit gamers against four of Duke’s babes in a round of strip target practice. If Duke wins, the girls get naked. But if the girls win, Duke introduces them to his gun. In other words… Duke always wins.

Putting up a better score than the babes is not as easy you’d think. Vicky Vixen (and her MP5), Blastin’ Jo (who’s packing a heavy-duty shotgun), Deadeye Stacy (sporting an AK-47) and Rifle Rosie (with her M-16) are all crack shots and the Duke will go down in defeat a lot. So you’ll have to practice, practice, practice until you can outlast the babes. Good luck, Duke.

Duke Nukem Forever will finally be released for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 on June 14.

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Minimalist Resistance 3 box art is awesome

Were you worried that the box art for Resistance 3 would feature another generic soldier standing in front of another generic blasted out wasteland? Well, so was Sony. Instead, they’ve given us the awesomely minimalist design you see to your left (click it for an enlarged version). And check out the New York City skyline that doubles as the teeth on that Chimera!

Yup, this is completely awesome. Good job Sony. And a big pat on the back to British artist Olly Moss, who designed the box art (the PlayStation.Blog has more images using the design).

Resistance 3 will be released exclusively for the PS3 on September 6.

Posted in News, PS3 | Tagged

Valve is skipping E3 2011

Were you hoping that Valve would use E3 2011 to provide more news about Portal 2 DLC or Half-Life: Episode 3? Or perhaps you were holding out hope for a surprise announcement of Left 4 Dead 3?

Well, you can forget it.

The developer sent out an email today detailing their E3 plans. And in two short sentences, they confirmed they have no E3 plans because they won’t be attending the big show. The message reads in full:

Lots of folks have mailed asking about appointment times, etc., with Valve.

Well, we are not showing any titles at this year’s show. So no appointment is needed.

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

Yar’s Revenge Review: Float Like a Shameless Copy, Sting Like Sin & Punishment

Back when video games were played using a wood-paneled console on a wood-paneled TV (which you bought by driving to the store in your wood-paneled car), Yars’ Revenge was one of the most popular games available on the Atari 2600. While Yars’ Revenge was eventually overshadowed by other titles in the ensuing 30 years of gaming, Atari has decided to resurrect their once great game as a PC/XBLA game now titled Yar’s Revenge. (more…)

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