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.

Bejeweled Blitz Live matches up with XBLA

Posted on February 23, 2011 by John Scalzo

After taking Facebook by storm, PopCap’s Bejeweled Blitz has been released on the Xbox Live Arcade as Bejeweled Blitz Live. Blitz Live is the second entry in Microsoft’s second annual XBLA House Party promotion. The game is available to download for 800 Microsoft Points ($10) and includes a ton of bonus features not found in the Facebook application.

The biggest change to Bejeweled Blitz Live is that the game includes the “Twist” gameplay style. Players will be able to rotate four gems instead of two while making matches during the frantic 60-second rounds. Players will also be able to compete in local versus matches and 16-player battles over Xbox Live.

More information on the game, direct from Microsoft, can be found after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Gears of War 3 emerges on September 20

Posted on February 23, 2011 by John Scalzo

If things had gone according to the original plan, we’d all be sitting down to play Gears of War 3 in a few weeks time. Instead, the trilogy-capping game was delayed to an unspecified “Fall 2011” date. But now, Microsoft and Epic Games have confirmed that the game will make its worldwide debut on September 20th.

Marcus, Baird, Dom and company will continue their fight against the Locust Horde (and “new threats”) in the aftermath of GoW2 throughout new maps and with new weapons. Microsoft has promised that more details about all of the game’s new features will be revealed in the future, including the full scoop on the Gears of War 3 “Official Multiplayer Public Beta.”

My only question is, if this is the end of the trilogy, what’s Gears of War: Exile going to be about?

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Fallout: New Vegas “Dead Money” DLC, Xenogears added to PlayStation Store

Posted on February 23, 2011 by John Scalzo

Sony has performed their weekly update to the PlayStation Store and dropped a ton of DLC onto gamer’s laps… especially those that love RPGs and games with RPG elements.

The big release this week is the addition of the “Dead Money” DLC expansion for Fallout: New Vegas. The pack was previously exclusive to the Xbox 360, but Bethesda has said that all future expansions will be released simultaneously on the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. But for fans of classic RPGs, the bigger news is that Xenogears has been added to the PSone Classics section of the shop. The game is currently selling for over $100 on eBay, so the PlayStation Store’s $9.99 price tag is incredible.

More RPG fun can be found in two of the demos uploaded this week. Sega has released a demo of Yakuza 4, their open world game with RPG elements; while EA has added a demo of Dragon Age II. Non-RPG demos Lego Star Wars III and MLB 11: The Show.

As far as new releases go, Sony has added a trio of titles: Space Ace, a spiritual sequel to Dragon’s Lair; Days of Thunder: NASCAR Edition, a racing game based on the 20 year old movie; and Alien Breed 3: Descent, a good old-fashioned space shooter.

Finally, the voting for the first annual PSN Gamer’s Choice Awards has begun. Don’t forget to vote!

More information on all of this week’s new releases can be found after the break and all the details about this week’s game add-ons can be found at the PlayStation.Blog. (more…)

Posted in News, PS3, PSP | Tagged ,

Red Faction: Armageddon gets its ass to Mars on May 31

Posted on February 22, 2011 by John Scalzo

Because references to Total Recall never go out of style. Anyway…

THQ has announced that the latest entry in their Mars-based shooter series, Red Faction: Armageddon, will be released for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 on May 31.

Developed by Volition, Armageddon is set 25 years after the events of Red Faction: Guerrilla. Starring Darius Mason, the son of Guerrilla’s Alec Mason, the game digs deep into the heart of Mars to reawaken the ancient Martians. And unlike the benevolent ancient Martians of Total Recall, these space aliens are pissed.

Gamers will get a second helping of Red Faction this May when Syfy airs the tie-in movie Red Faction: Origins. The film, which stars Robert Patrick, is meant to bridge the 25-year gap between Guerrilla and Armageddon.

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

First Bulletstorm DLC announced

Posted on February 22, 2011 by John Scalzo

Bulletstorm, the latest psychotic shooter from Epic Games and People Can Fly, is in stores today. And, like with Dead Space 2, publisher Electronic Arts is wasting no time in announcing the first downloadable content pack.

The Gun Sonata pack will be available this Spring on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Marketplace. It’ll be priced at $9.99 (800 Microsoft Points) and include three new maps for the Anarchy multiplayer mode. The maps will take place in “the wretched” Sewers of Stygia, “the dilapidated ruins” of Hotel Elysium and “the open spaces” of Villa.

The DLC pack will also feature two new Echo mode maps: Crash Site, “where Final Echo soldiers must deal with the ramifications of their crashed ship”; and Guns of Stygia, “in which a captive commando escapes from an enemy prison.” The final piece of the Gun Sonata pack will be two new Leash enhancements, the Flamingo and the Pulp.

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

3DS launch day lineup will include 18 titles

Posted on February 22, 2011 by John Scalzo

With the 3DS’ March 27th release date a little over a month away, Nintendo has unveiled the 18 titles that will be available on day one alongside the handheld’s launch.

Nintendo themselves plans to release three games on March 27, although heavy hitters like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, Star Fox 64 3D, Kid Icarus: Uprising and Mario Kart 3DS will be released “later in 2011.”

Instead, gamers will be able to get their hands on Nintendogs + Cats, Pilotwings Resort and Steel Diver, each of which has been priced at $39.99.

“Seeing 3D visuals without the need for special glasses is just one aspect of Nintendo 3DS,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “The real test of any system is whether the games and applications draw you in and keep you engaged. Through the launch window and beyond, Nintendo 3DS delivers.”

Third party publishers will add an additional 13 games to the launch day lineup including the very impressive Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition and these other titles:

  • Asphalt 3D
  • Bust-A-Move Universe
  • Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D
  • Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
  • Madden NFL Football
  • Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D
  • Rayman 3D
  • Ridge Racer 3D
  • Samurai Warriors: Chronicles
  • The Sims 3
  • Super Monkey Ball 3D
  • Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition
  • Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars

The final two games will come pre-installed on the 3DS: Mii Maker, which is just what it sounds like, an application to make Miis; and Face Raiders, a game that makes use of the 3DS’ camera.

Posted in 3DS, News | Tagged ,

The Legend of Zelda turns 25

Posted on February 21, 2011 by John Scalzo

February 21, 1986 was an important day in video game history. 25 years ago today The Legend of Zelda was released on the Famicom Disc System in Japan. The game would cross the Pacific and receive an NES release a year later.

Widely recognized as one of the greatest games of all-time, Link’s first quest set a new standard for action-adventure games and has been re-released multiple times over the years. It was the first game in a franchise that now includes 19 games with a 20th, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, set for release this year. It also came encased in an awesome gold cartridge that inspired many of the series’ pre-order bonuses over the years.

1UP has put together an amazing retrospective of the franchise including “The 25 Coolest Zelda Videos,” “25 Things You Didn’t Know About Zelda,” “25 Zelda Things You Didn’t Know Existed” and a whole lot more.

So happy anniversary to Link, Zelda, Ganon… even Navi.

Posted in News |

Faxanadu added to Virtual Console

Posted on February 21, 2011 by John Scalzo

It may officially be a holiday (President’s Day), but the Nintendo Download definitely didn’t take the day off.

To celebrate they’ve added a new NES platformer, Faxanadu, to the Virtual Console. It’s joined by a pair of new WiiWare titles: Jewel Keepers: Easter Island, a puzzler; and Cozy Fire, a literal, virtual fire. A demo for the excellent Rage of the Gladiator (a fantasy fighter styled after Punch-Out!!) is also available this week.

Hit the jump for more details on all of these titles and the three new DSiWare games as well. (more…)

Posted in News | Tagged ,