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.

Thumper will be released for the Xbox One on August 18

Posted on August 8, 2017 by John Scalzo

Thumper, a “rhythm violence” game from Drool, launched for the PC and PS4 in 2016, before also coming to the Switch earlier this year. Now, the developer has confirmed the game will be released for the Xbox One on August 18.

Marc Flury, the Co-Founder of Drool, shared some thoughts about Thumper’s upcoming Xbox One debut on the Xbox Wire:

Back in 2009, my co-developer Brian Gibson and I were blown away by the sudden wave of groundbreaking and successful indie games on Xbox 360. Classics like Braid, Super Meat Boy, and Castle Crashers inspired us to quit our jobs, build our own game engine, and start crafting Thumper from scratch. Our goal was to bring a unique vision of rhythm gaming to Xbox 360. Well, eight years and a console generation later, the dream is finally realized!

We think Thumper shines on Xbox One. The key element to “rhythm violence” is how good it feels to play. So of course, the Xbox One controller is ideal for our game because if feels so dang good! We’ve fine-tuned the game’s controls to feel perfect on the Xbox One. We also take advantage of the controller’s impulse trigger vibrations. As you scrape into rails, slam into turns, and slide across lanes, you’ll feel an immersive stereo vibration effect through the triggers.

Thumper will also receive full Xbox One X support this Fall, and will be playable in 4K resolution sometime after the console’s launch on November 7.

Posted in News, Xbox One | Tagged

Bandai Namco is preparing three special editions and a Season Pass for Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom

Posted on August 8, 2017 by John Scalzo

Bandai Namco is going all out for Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom, which will be released for the PC and PS4 on January 18. The publisher confirmed this morning that the RPG will be available in three different special editions for the PS4, and a pair of post-launch expansions (which will be bundled together in a Season Pass) are also in the works.

Everyone will be able to pick up Ni No Kuni II’s “Day One Edition” ($59.99), which contains a copy of the game and a download code redeemable for the Special Swords Set DLC.

The “Digital Deluxe Edition” ($79.99) will only be available through the PlayStation Store, and it subs in a digital copy for the game, along with the Special Swords Set DLC, the Cat King’s Claw Sword DLC, an exclusive Theme, five exclusive Avatars, and the Season Pass. But if you’re looking for bonus goodies, you’ll want to check out the “Premium Edition” or the “Collector’s Edition.”

The “Premium Edition” ($79.99) will include the game, the Special Swords Set DLC, a Dragon’s Tooth Sword DLC, a Music Collection CD, and a 3D Papercraft Kit, all packed in a SteelBook Case.

The “Collector’s Edition” ($199.99) will go a step further and include everything from the “Premium Edition,” along with a Visual Arts Book, a Chibi Mechanical Rotating Diorama, a Lofty Plush, a Behind-the-Scenes Blu-Ray, a 3D Papercraft Display Case, and the Season Pass.

You can get a closer look at the contents of all three special editions for Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, PC, PS4 | Tagged

Nintendo is releasing an awesome Metroid-themed New 3DS XL this September

Posted on August 8, 2017 by John Scalzo

Nintendo has announced plans to release another custom version of the New 3DS XL this Fall to coincide with the release of Metroid: Samus Returns. The Samus Edition of the popular handheld will include a slick orange-and-yellow paint job with a silhouette of the bounty hunter on the lid and the Screw Attack emblem on the back.

According to Nintendo’s Twitter account, the package will be available at “select retailers” on September 15th (priced at $199.99) and won’t include a copy of Metroid: Samus Returns.

Posted in 3DS, News |

Respawn CEO promises “More Titanfall” is coming; Titanfall Assault mobile game set to launch on August 10

Posted on August 7, 2017 by John Scalzo

Respawn Entertainment has supported Titanfall 2 with a steady slew of new content since its launch last Fall, but CEO Vince Zampella confirmed the developer also has “a few other things” in the works for the franchise.

Zampella recently sat down with GameSpot and said, “We’re working on more Titanfall,” though the executive and his team weren’t ready to announce anything just yet:

GameSpot: Since this was your studio’s debut franchise, it must have been exciting to see it grow and evolve into what it is today, and now releasing with a standalone game for mobile. Since you’re working on another title–a Star Wars game with EA–can you speak to what the franchise has accomplished thus far?

Zampella: We’re very proud of what we have so far. As a new studio, we tried something different and new, and while it worked–maybe not well enough to remove the single-player–we kinda expanded with the follow-up, and we brought in the single-player, which turned out great. We’re working on more Titanfall–we’re not announcing what that is yet, but there’s a few other things in the works–the mobile game, which turned out fantastic and is super fun, the fans love it and allowed us to expand on what we did in the last games. So I’m pretty happy with what the franchise has become.

Respawn is currently hard at work on a new Star Wars game for Electronic Arts, so it may be quite before we get an official announcement for (the still untitled) Titanfall 3. But the developer is also very interested in expanding the Titanfall franchise, and Zampella said the first mobile spinoff, Titanfall Assault, would be available to download on August 10.

Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged ,

Horizon: Zero Dawn – The Frozen Wilds expansion will be released on November 7

Posted on August 7, 2017 by John Scalzo

Sony and Guerrilla Games have announced (via the PlayStation Blog) that The Frozen Wilds expansion for Horizon: Zero Dawn will be available to download on November 7.

Guerrilla plans to reveal more about The Frozen Wilds as we get closer to its launch date, but in the meantime, the developer confirmed that anyone who pre-orders the expansion from the PlayStation Store will receive an exclusive Avatar.

Posted in News, PS4 | Tagged

Square Enix will bring Dragon Quest Builders 2 to the PS4 and Switch

Posted on August 7, 2017 by John Scalzo

Square Enix hosted the Dragon Quest Summer Festival this weekend in Japan, and as part of the festivities, the publisher announced that Dragon Quest Builders 2 is in the works for the PS4 and Switch.

The sequel will retain the Minecraft-like qualities of the original Dragon Quest Builders, while also adding a four-player cooperative multiplayer option. Players will also get to play with even more blocks, and venture under the sea (with a new diving ability) and go soaring through the air (in a hang glider).

Square Enix didn’t announce a launch date for Dragon Quest Builders 2, but as of now, the game is only officially in development for a Japanese release. Hopefully, a North American announcement is forthcoming, but in the meantime, some early gameplay footage of the game has been embedded above.

Posted in News, PS4, Switch | Tagged

New Retail Releases: Mega Man Legacy Collection 2, Sine Mora EX

Posted on August 6, 2017 by John Scalzo

Two new games will be available on store shelves this week…

First up, Capcom will bring Mega Man Legacy Collection 2 to the PS4 and Xbox One. This second compilation of Mega Man’s classic adventure includes the forgotten Mega Man 7, the bizarre Mega Man 8, and the back-to-basics Mega Man 9 and Mega Man 10. A Challenge Mode and a new batch of Achievements/Trophies will also be included.

Also available this week is Sine Mora EX, a side-scrolling shooter for the PS4 and Xbox One. Originally released for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 in 2012, Sine Mora EX adds two-player cooperative play and three new competitive multiplayer modes.

We’ll be back later this week with a look at all the new additions to the PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, and Nintendo eShop.

Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged ,

NBA Live 18 will include WNBA players in WNBA Play Now mode

Posted on August 5, 2017 by John Scalzo

EA Sports has announced they’re following up the inclusion of women’s national teams in FIFA 16 with the addition of WNBA teams and players in this Fall’s NBA Live 18.

This is the first time that WNBA players and teams will be included in a video game, and WNBA matchups will be available through the WNBA Play Now mode. EA Sports is looking to recreate the league’s signature style, and they’ve promised that “player skills have been specifically balanced to reflect the unique playstyle of the league.” The publisher also “fine-tuned player ratings” to ensure the most authentic recreation of the players is included in NBA Live 18.

“We are extremely proud to partner with the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association on this groundbreaking occasion,” said Sean O’Brien, the Executive Producer of NBA Live 18. “The WNBA is home to some of the most incredible athletes on the planet, and we’ve been working hard to integrate them into our game in an authentic and meaningful way. This is only a taste of what we have in store, and look forward to working with the league on more great integrations in the franchise in the future.”

EA Sports recruited several WNBA players, including Kelsey Plum, the first overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft, to provide motion capture for the WNBA Play Now mode.

NBA Live 18 will be available for the PS4 and Xbox One this September.

Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged