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.

Dragon Quest Builders coming to Nintendo Switch on February 9

Posted on December 19, 2017 by John Scalzo

Square Enix will continue their impressive support of the Nintendo Switch in 2018 with the launch of Dragon Quest Builders on February 9. The Minecraft-like action RPG will include the same building and battling as the PS4/Vita release from 2016, as well as Switch-exclusive “experiences and items”:

Playing Dragon Quest Builders on Nintendo Switch will offer players experiences and items exclusive to this version of the game. This includes the ability to gather rare crafting materials and battle enemies while riding the powerful (and adorable) Great Sabrecub, as well as additional crafting options for more robust building customization options.

Square Enix previously confirmed (back in August) that Dragon Quest Builders 2 is also in development for the Nintendo Switch (and the PS4).

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Xbox One version of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds sells a million copies in two days

Posted on December 18, 2017 by John Scalzo

After finding massive success on the PC with PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Brendan “PlayerUnknown” Greene and the development team at PUBG Corporation brought the battle royale to the Xbox One last week. And after just two days, it looks like the game is already a million-seller on Microsoft’s console:

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is part of the Xbox Game Preview program on the Xbox One, and Greene has confirmed that many updates and fixes will be available for the game over the next year. The “Full Version” of the game is expected to launch sometime in 2018.

In the meantime, Microsoft wants to give new Xbox One X owners a chance to dive right in to PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. For a limited time, anyone who purchases an Xbox One X console will receive a download code for a free copy of the game.

Posted in News, Xbox One | Tagged

Mini Metro coming to the Switch in Early 2018

Posted on December 18, 2017 by John Scalzo

Dinosaur Polo Club and Radial Games have announced plans to bring Mini Metro to the Nintendo Switch in Early 2018. The minimalist subway simulation is well-known for its relaxing atmosphere, and being able to play it on an actual subway with the Switch’s Handheld Mode is certainly a plus. Radial has offered up a few more details of the port on their official website, as well as the tranquil teaser trailer embedded above:

We’ve been huge fans of the minimalist aesthetic and design of Mini Metro since it was first revealed to the world, and we are honoured to be teaming up with our friends at Dinosaur Polo Club to bring the experience to the Nintendo Switch platform. The game looks as gorgeous on your TV as it does when cradled between the Joy Cons, and you’ll find it even more awesome to play.

Mini Metro was originally released for the PC in 2015, and won an “Excellence in Audio” award at the 2016 Independent Games Festival Awards.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 comes to Switch on February 22 with exclusive multiplayer mode

Posted on December 18, 2017 by John Scalzo

While Nintendo is busy celebrating a huge sales milestone for the Switch, third-party publishers are planning to bring even more PC/PS4/Xbox One classics to the Nintendo eShop in 2018.

Today, Bandai Namco announced that Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 will be released for the Switch on February 22 as Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus. This Plus upgrade will include all the modes and features from the original game (Tutorial, Score Attack, and Adventure), as well as an Switch-exclusive two-player mode:

The Nintendo Switch version of Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus also comes with an exclusive two player co-op mode called Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus 2P for twice the fun! Team up on a single Nintendo Switch with each player controlling their Pac-Man character with a single Joy-Con across multiple mazes to rack up the highest score possible. Special co-op maneuvers give this mode a unique spin on traditional Pac-Man gameplay.

The first trailer for Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus has been embedded above.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Romancing SaGa 2, Real Bout Fatal Fury Special, It’s Quiz Time, more added to Xbox Store

Posted on December 15, 2017 by John Scalzo

It’s time to head into the weekend with another Xbox Games Store update.

Today, Square Enix has added a newly updated and enhanced version of Romancing SaGa 2 to the digital storefront. Originally released in 1993, the Xbox One edition of the turn-based RPG adds a new dungeon, two new character classes, a new “Avalonian Gardens” game system, an additional scenario, and a New Game Plus mode to the game.

Also available to download today are Real Bout: Fatal Fury Special, a classic fighter from SNK’s stable of NeoGeo titles, and It’s Quiz Time, a trivia contest that might just be “the largest quiz game ever on console.”

You can learn more about all of today’s additions to the Xbox Games Store after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, PC, Xbox One |

Nintendo will release Pokemon Crystal for the 3DS on January 26

Posted on December 15, 2017 by John Scalzo

3DS owners will continue to get the chance to catch some classic Pokemon games in 2018, as Nintendo has announced that Pokemon Crystal will be released for the handheld as a digital download on January 26.

Pokemon Crystal was originally released for the Game Boy Color in 2000 as an expanded and enhanced version of Pokemon Gold/Silver. The 3DS version will also be compatible with the Pokemon Bank app (giving players the opportunity to import classic Pokemon into the newer games), and players will be able to unlock the Celebi encounter after completing the game. According to Nintendo, in Pokemon Crystal’s original incarnation, Celebi could only be obtained by using a special accessory.

Pokemon Crystal will be priced at $9.99, and an Announcement Trailer has been embedded above.

Posted in 3DS, News | Tagged

Call of Duty: WWII leads a huge month for game sales as best-selling game of Nov. 2017

Posted on December 14, 2017 by John Scalzo

Fans have been asking to send the Call of Duty franchise back to the European Theater for years, and now that Activision has finally delivered, those same fans have gleefully opened their wallets. According to The NPD Group, Call of Duty: WWII was the best-selling game in November, as well as the best-selling game in all of 2017 (so far).

Call of Duty: WWII’s launch helped push November 2017’s total game, hardware, and accessory sales to $2.7 billion, an increase of 30% over last year. Other big performers that fuled the last four weeks of sales included Star Wars: Battlefront II (#2), Assassin’s Creed Origins (#3), Super Mario Odyssey (#6), and a big debut for Need For Speed: Payback (#8).

The complete Top 20 from last month can be found after the break. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, News, PC, PS3, PS4, Switch, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Enter the Gungeon, Yooka-Laylee, Romancing SaGa 2, more coming to Nintendo eShop this week

Posted on December 14, 2017 by John Scalzo

The Nintendo eShop continues to grow by leaps and bounds on the Switch.

This week, fans of the console can download Enter the Gungeon, a critically-acclaimed twin-stick shooter from Dodge Roll Games. Also available this week is Yooka-Laylee, a 3D platformer from a team of developers that was responsible for the Banjo-Kazooie franchise. Square Enix will bring back Romancing SaGa 2, a turn-based RPG originally released for the Super NES, in an enhanced remake. And Atooi will bundle together the Mutant Mudds Collection for Nintendo’s newest console.

Elsewhere on the Switch’s digital storefront, you’ll find Never Stop Sneakin’ this week. Developed by Humble Hearts, Never Stop Sneakin’ is a comedic homage to PSone-era stealth games like Metal Gear Solid. Switch owners will also get a double dose of pinball with the launch of both Pinball FX3 and Stern Pinball Arcade.

You can learn more about the rest of this week’s additions to the Nintendo eShop after the break. (more…)

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