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.

WWE All-Stars roster rumbles onto the web

Posted on February 17, 2011 by John Scalzo

Well, half of it anyway.

IGN has managed to wrestle the full roster to the upcoming WWE All-Stars away from THQ and they plan on publishing it in two parts. Part one appeared today, revealing eight legends, seven present-day superstars and five fighters that’ll only be available as downloadable content. IGN also revealed that Larry “The King” Lawler and Jim Ross will be providing the color commentary.

Screenshots and video of each wrestler were also included, giving us our most in-depth look at WWE All-Stars yet.

So, let me ring the bell and reveal (after the break) the first 15 wrestlers in WWE All-Stars… (more…)

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , ,

Tom Clancy, Pac-Man CE DX picked for future XBLM deals

Posted on February 17, 2011 by John Scalzo

Major Nelson has revealed a few Xbox Live Marketplace deals for the next two weeks and it looks like gamers will soon be able to purchase the best game of 2010 for 50% off.

But first, Tom Clancy Week will give XBL Gold members a chance to obtain the following add-ons for half off during the week of February 21st:

  • Tom Clancy’s EndWar – Escalation (200 Microsoft Points)
  • Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter – Chapter 2 (300 Microsoft Points)
  • Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 – Co-Op Collection (200 Microsoft Points)
  • Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. – Air Supremacy (400 Microsoft Points)
  • Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. 2 – All-in-one Pack (400 Microsoft Points)
  • Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory – Games on Demand (600 Microsoft Points)
  • Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction – Deniable Ops: Insurgency (400 Microsoft Points)
  • Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction – Outfit (200 Microsoft Points)

After that, during the week of February 28, XBL Gold members will be able to download Pac-Man Championship Edition DX for only 400 Microsoft Points (that’s just $5 people!). The game is a steal at any price, but at 50% off, it becomes a required purchase.

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Chris Evans to voice Captain America in game adaptation

Posted on February 17, 2011 by John Scalzo

Marvel tapped Chris Evans to don the red, white and blue of Captain America for the World War II hero’s new movie, Captain America: The First Avenger, and now Sega has enlisted his services for the video game adaptation.

The game, Captain America: Super Soldier, is in development for the DS, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 at Next Level Games and it should be available soon after the movie’s July opening. Evans, who is no stranger to superheroics after starring in The Fantastic Four, will supply his likeness and vocal talents for the title.

“Signing Chris to star in Captain America: Super Soldier delivers the cinematic quality and emotional drive that fans expect,” said Gary Knight, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Sega of Europe and Sega of America. “Chris will help fuel the character’s mission as he battles through the enormous Hydra castle full of legendary villains in a completely original story.”

Evans is the only Captain America cast member that is currently signed on for Super Solider. It’s unknown if his fellow stars Hugo Weaving (Red Skull) abd Sebastian Stan (Bucky) will join him.

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

Hard Corps: Uprising Review: A Contra Game By Any Other Name…

Posted on February 16, 2011 by John Scalzo

The definition of a “shooter” game has changed greatly since the days of the NES. In those days, a “shooter” was a game like Contra: a side-scrolling, brutally hard, assault on wave-after-wave of enemy soldiers, followed by a screen-sized baddie that flashed red when you shot its weak point. Today, a “shooter” more likely means a first person shooter as visions of Halo, CODBLOPS and Gears of War dance through your head.

But Konami has shown that the old ways don’t have to fade away as the publisher has taken great care to bring the Contra series into the 21st century. Recognizing the franchise’s trademark stlye, the most recent Contra games have been 2D side-scrollers that specialize in controller-throwing difficulty. There was the grittiness of the PS2 entries, the portability of Contra 4, and the 16-bit stylings of Contra ReBirth. Now, there’s the anime-inspired Hard Corps: Uprising, the first game in the series not to carry the Contra name. (more…)

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

Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood leads BAFTA noms with seven

Posted on February 16, 2011 by John Scalzo

Somebody alert the world, a Brotherhood of assassins has infiltrated the British Academy Video Games Awards. Ubisoft’s stealthy sequel, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, garnered seven nominations, more than any other game, including one for Best Game.

Other big honorees from this year’s Video Games Awards include Call of Duty: Black Ops, Heavy Rain (six nominations apiece) and Mass Effect 2 (four nominations).

Awarded annually by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), the winners of this year’s Video Games Awards will announced in a ceremony on March 16.

The full list of every nominee and every award up for grabs can be found after the break. (more…)

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

Hard Corps: Uprising shoots its way onto the XBLA

Posted on February 16, 2011 by John Scalzo

Microsoft has kicked off their 2011 Xbox Live Arcade House Party promotion in an explosive way as Hard Corps: Uprising is now available to download.

Priced at 1200 Microsoft Points ($15), the game is a prequel to the Contra saga as a whole and to 1994’s Contra: Hard Corps in particular. Developed by Arc System Works, the game also brings an anime-inspired flavor to Contra’s signature run-and-gun routines for the first time.

In addition to the main game, Konami has made two bonus characters for Hard Corps: Uprising available to download (priced at 200 MS Points each) along with a whole closet full of Avatar items.

Check back later today for our review of Hard Corps: Uprising.

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

Battlestar Galactica’s Helo to play Stryker in Mortal Kombat: Rebirth

Posted on February 15, 2011 by John Scalzo

Tahmoh Penikett may not be a household name, but if you’re a fan of science fiction you’re no doubt familiar with some of his most famous roles including Helo on “Battlestar Galactica” and FBI agent Paul Ballard on “Dollhouse.”

According to an exclusive IGN report, Penikett will take his ass-kicking ways to the currently shooting Mortal Kombat: Rebirth webisodes as riot cop Kurtis Stryker. Stryker is known as the black sheep of the Mortal Kombat family, but Penikett’s experience filming fight scenes for Joss Whedon on “Dollhouse” may give the character a newfound respect.

Mortal Kombat: Rebirth will be released digitally this Spring, sometime around the launch of the Mortal Kombat reboot on the PS3 and Xbox 360.

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

New Alice: Madness Returns teaser is trippy

Posted on February 15, 2011 by John Scalzo

File this one under “obvious,” but the latest teaser trailer for Alice: Madness Returns is full of whacked out visuals and gruesome violence. Alice is enjoying an idyllic day in Wonderland when a demonic vision turns the skys black and causes Alice to lash out (quite literally) at her Wonderland friends. Down the Rabbit Hole indeed.

Alice: Madness Returns is in development at Spicy Horse and will be released on the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 this year.

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