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.

Capcom is “starting to prepare” more games for the Switch after Ultra Street Fighter II sells 450,000 copies

Posted on July 31, 2017 by John Scalzo

Even though it originally debuted in arcades more than 25 years ago, Capcom is reporting that Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers for the Switch is officially a “smash hit.” As part of the publisher’s latest quarterly financial report, they revealed that Ultra Street Fighter II sold 450,000 copies during its first month and a half of availability, including 100,000 copies in Japan and 350,000 in the North America/Europe.

Best of all, because of Ultra Street Fighter II’s success, Capcom also revealed they’re “starting to prepare” more games for release on the Switch. However, aside from a previously-announced port of Monster Hunter XX (which is currently only in development for Japan), we don’t know what Capcom has planned for Nintendo’s newest console.

Hopefully, Capcom has more to say about their Switch plans at this year’s Gamescom, which kicks off on August 22.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

New Retail Releases: Shadow Tactics, Aven Colony

Posted on July 30, 2017 by John Scalzo

Just two new retail releases are sliding into game stores this week. Yup, it’s definitely August.

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is a tactical stealth game from Kalypso and Daedalic Entertainment, and it’ll appear on the PS4 and Xbox One this week. Players will take control of a team of “deadly specialists” who must complete “challenging missions” by sneaking into castles and enemy camps during Japan’s Edo period.

Also available this week is Aven Colony, an intergalactic city builder for the PS4 and Xbox One. Players will blast off into outer space and try to build an “extrasolar settlement” that can withstand attacks from hostile aliens and survive unforgiving superstorms.

Feel free to pick away at your backlog if neither of these titles appeal to you, but we’ll be back soon with a look at this week’s additions to the PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, and Nintendo eShop.

Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One |

Xbox Store Today: Call of Duty Modern Warfare Remastered, Super Cloudbuilt, Rugby League Live 4, more

Posted on July 28, 2017 by John Scalzo

If you’re an Xbox One owner and you’ve been holding out for a standalone release for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered… now is the time.

The groundbreaking first person shooter comes to the Xbox One featuring a high definition graphical makeover with “improved textures, physically based rendering, high-dynamic range lighting, and much more. And beginning today, Xbox One owners will be able to purchase Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered without also buying Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare.

Also available to download for the Xbox One today are Super Cloudbuilt, a futuristic parkour platformer; and Rugby League Live 4, a new rugby simulation that features over 100 teams, 300 NRL players, and up to date 2017 rosters and team jerseys.

You can learn more about these games (and the rest of today’s new additions to the Xbox Games Store) after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, Xbox One | Tagged

Doom’s Update 6.66 includes improvements to multiplayer and makes all DLC free

Posted on July 28, 2017 by John Scalzo

In a callback to the franchise’s earliest days, Bethesda and id Software are calling Doom‘s new Update 6.66 the “Ultimate” way to play.

The biggest addition in Update 6.66 is that it’ll make Doom’s three downloadable expansions (Unto the Evil, Hell Followed, and Bloodfall) free for all players. But id Software has also revamped the way players will experience the game’s multiplayer modes, including a complete revision of the Multiplayer Progression System. The developer has also ditched the Hack Module System (and replaced it with multiplayer-specific Runes), redone the user interface, and made vast improvements to the SnapMap creation tool.

More details about the changes that Update 6.66 will bring to the game are available at Bethesda.net, as well as in the new trailer embedded above:

With this update, we’ve changed when and how players unlock additional guns, demons, equipment and all of the player and weapon customization options. Instead of relying on the current random unlock system, everything now unlocks through specific leveling requirements and/or in-game challenges. Now, if there’s a specific helmet you want, you can work toward unlocking it by focusing your play style on the related challenge. We’re confident new and veteran players alike will enjoy the control and predictability in this new multiplayer progression system.

If Doom is still on your digital wishlist, Bethesda and id Software have one last piece of good news… Doom will now be available to download through the PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, and Steam for just $14.99.

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

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age will be released in North America in 2018

Posted on July 28, 2017 by John Scalzo

It’s “Dragon Quest Day” in Japan, and Dragon Quest XI is now available for the 3DS and PS4 in its home country (a Switch version will be released at a later date). But what about Dragon Quest fans in North America and Europe and Australia? When will we get the chance to play the next game in the storied RPG franchise?

Today, Square Enix gave us an answer, and announced that Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age will be released in North America (and other Western territories) in 2018. Yuji Horii, the creator of the Dragon Quest series, delivered the good news in the video embedded above:

The highly anticipated latest entry to the beloved Dragon Quest video game franchise follows the adventure of a hero who must solve the mystery of his fate with the aid of a charming cast of supporting characters. Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age will offer a world of adventure, exploration and instances of heroism… all brought to life by the character art of famed manga artist Akira Toriyama and the memorable music of composer Koichi Sugiyama.

Square Enix will announce more details about Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age’s English-language launch this Fall.

Posted in 3DS, News, PS4, Switch | Tagged

EA confirms Battlefield V is coming in 2018; Battlefield 1 is getting Esports Mode and GOTY Edition this Fall

Posted on July 28, 2017 by John Scalzo

UPDATE: EA has announced that “Battlefield 6” will officially be known as Battlefield V.

ORIGINAL STORY: Electronic Arts isn’t afraid of Call of Duty’s return to World War II this Fall, and company executives recently laid out their plans for the Battlefield franchise during the company’s most quarterly financial report.

First, CEO Andrew Wilson confirmed that Battlefield 6 will be released in 2018. Discussing the publisher’s plans for next year, he said, “We’ll continue delivering for our Battlefield fans, including the next great game in the franchise.”

However, it looks like Battlefield 1 will also play a big role in EA’s future. In addition to next year’s sequel, Wilson announced that a “Game of the Year Edition” is in the works, as well as an official Esports Mode:

We will detail our plan for a new offering that will bring the richest Battlefield 1 experience yet, including the all-out warfare, epic multiplayer battles, and War Stories campaign that have defined the game plus new maps, deeper progression, and additional fan-favorite game modes, all in a single package.

At Gamescom, we’ll debut a new way to play Battlefield 1 built for competition and designed with direct input from our Battlefield community. Through a growing portfolio of digital and traditional broadcast deals, our spectator reach will continue to expand, with major brands set to engage this high-value audience through global sponsorships.

Blake Jorgensen, the company’s Chief Financial Officer, further elaborated on Battlefield 1’s Esports Mode later in the report:

People have used Battlefield as an esports product for many years outside of EA. It’s a fun fast-paced game. But with 64-player multiplayer, it’s a bit hectic and chaotic for esports. And so you’ll see some new modes coming out that will benefit a more rational esports approach, and pretty exciting for us for this year and really powering next year and the year after off of that title.

Battlefield 1’s “Game of the Year Edition” and Esports Mode will both be available sometime later this year.

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

2K announces a “Cena (Nuff) Edition” for WWE 2K18

Posted on July 27, 2017 by John Scalzo

Whether you love him or hate him, 2K Games has announced that a special Cena (Nuff) Edition of WWE 2K18 will celebrate the career of John Cena this Fall. Priced at $149.99, and limited to 30,000 copies worldwide, the Cena (Nuff) Edition will be available exclusively for the PS4 and Xbox One (apologizes to the Switch owners in the audience).

According to the publisher, the Cena (Nuff) Edition contains “an impressive collection of exclusive memorabilia and in-game content” for WWE fans:

WWE 2K18: Cena (Nuff) Edition Contents

  • WWE 2K18 Deluxe Edition, which includes the following items:
    • WWE 2K18 Season Pass: Details announced this Fall.
    • Playable WWE Legends and John Cena Rivals: Batista and Rob Van Dam.
    • Playable John Cena Characters: ECW One Night Stand (2006) and WrestleMania 26 (2010).
    • Kurt Angle Pack: Access to WWE “American Hero” (2001) and ECW “Wrestling Machine” (2006) playable characters.
    • Exclusive Premium Packaging: Includes a unique cover sleeve.
  • Exclusive Mattel John Cena / Cena Nuff Action Figure: Featuring Cena and Cena (Nuff) T-shirt options.
  • Fanatics Limited Edition Commemorative Plaque: With a piece of the ring mat from his 16th WWE Championship at Royal Rumble earlier this year, as well as a hand-signed photo from John Cena.
  • WWE SuperCard Limited Edition In-Game Cards: Featuring John Cena, Batista and Rob Van Dam, as well as a Cena (Nuff) card back.

The Cena (Nuff) Edition will also include Early Access to WWE 2K18, and fans who opt for the pricey collector’s edition (or the slightly cheaper Deluxe Edition) will be able to begin playing the wrestling simulation on October 13. Players who wish to purchase the Standard Edition will have to wait until October 17 to obtain their copy of the game.

You can get a closer look at WWE 2K18’s Cena (Nuff) Edition after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged

Nintendo Download: Namco Museum, Hey! Pikmin, Miitopia, more

Posted on July 27, 2017 by John Scalzo

This week’s Nintendo Download is jam-packed full of new games, so let’s take a look…

First up, Bandai Namco will bring Namco Museum to the Switch this Friday. The compilation of arcade classics includes Pac-Man, Galaga, Splatterhouse, and Dig-Dug, as well as Pac-Man Vs. Switch owners will also get the chance to download Overcooked: Special Edition this week. Four cooks must band together to produce a series of tasty meals from the original game and both expansions.

And over on the 3DS, Nintendo themselves will launch a pair of new games… Hey! Pikmin and Miitopia. Hey! Pikmin is the first Pikmin game for the 3DS, as well as the first side-scrolling game in the series. And Miitopia is a colorful RPG featuring Miis based on your favorite people.

More information on all of these games (and the rest of this week’s releases) can be found after the break. (more…)

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