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.

Shakedown Hawaii will be playable at PS Experience 2016… and here’s a new trailer

Posted on December 1, 2016 by John Scalzo

Vblank Entertainment initially debuted Shakedown Hawaii, their 16-bit sequel to Retro City Rampage, ahead of last year’s PlayStation Experience. Earlier this week, the developer revealed that the open world game, which will also be available for the PC (via Steam) and at least one Nintendo platform, will make a return engagement at this year’s PlayStation Experience.

In addition to confirming that attendees of Sony’s annual showcase will get to try out Shakedown Hawaii this weekend, Vblank also announced a 2017 release date for the game and unveiled a brand new trailer, which is embedded above.

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

NIS America will release Danganronpa 1-2 Reload on March 14

Posted on December 1, 2016 by John Scalzo

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NIS America has announced that Danganronpa 1-2 Reload, a PS4-exclusive compilation containing Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc and Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair, will be released on March 14.

To go along with the final release date, NIS America also opened a brand new official website for those interested in learning more about the mysterious murders at the center of the series. In addition to information about the Danganronpa franchise and its many off-the-wall characters (including Monokuma, a “demented robotic bear”), the website also includes trailers, screenshots, and a pre-order page for a special Limited Edition of Danganronpa 1-2 Reload.

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc and Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair are currently available for the Vita and the PC (through Steam).

Posted in News, PS4 | Tagged ,

Nintendo Download: Super Mario Maker For 3DS, Advance Wars: Dual Strike, more

Posted on December 1, 2016 by John Scalzo

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We’re just a few weeks away from the end of the year, but Nintendo still has one major title to release in 2016, Super Mario Maker For Nintendo 3DS. The portable port of Nintendo’s level editor won’t include online sharing, but players will still be able to share their creations locally when it launches for the 3DS tomorrow. And 3DS owners will also receive exclusive access to the all-new Medal Challenge mode and 100 Nintendo-designed courses.

Nintendo has also added the critically-acclaimed Advance Wars: Dual Strike to the Wii U eShop this week. Originally released for the DS in 2005, Dual Strike added the “Dual Fronts” mechanic to the series alongside a massive new Campaign.

More information on both of these (and a handful of other new releases) can be found after the break. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, News, Wii U | Tagged

First Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment trailer will premiere tonight during The Game Awards

Posted on December 1, 2016 by John Scalzo

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Host Geoff Keighley has promised plenty of surprises for this year’s Game Awards, but another eager developer has spilled the beans on a World Premiere trailer we’ll get a peak at tonight. In a short tweet, Yacht Club Games confirmed they’ll debut a new trailer for their next project during the show:

While it’s possible that Yacht Club will unveil something brand new, the pun-loving developers are most likely referring to Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment with that “reap what we show” line. Specter of Torment will be the second (of three) planned expansions for Shovel Knight, and it’s currently on track for a Spring 2017 launch on the 3DS, PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Wii U, and Xbox One.

The 2016 Game Awards will be held tonight at 8:30 PM (Eastern Time), and you can watch the show at TheGameAwards.com.

Posted in 3DS, Mobile, News, PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Wii U, Xbox One | Tagged , ,

Red Dead Redemption will be added to PlayStation Now next week

Posted on December 1, 2016 by John Scalzo

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It’s been a “Good” year for fans of Red Dead Redemption. The wildly popular western was originally released for the PS3 and Xbox 360 back in 2010, and Rockstar announced that a sequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, will be available next year. But the publisher has also kept the original in the spotlight thanks to its addition to the Xbox One Backwards Compatibility list in July, and its pending launch on Sony’s PlayStation Now service.

According to Rockstar, Red Dead Redemption (and its zombie-themed expansion, Undead Nightmare) will be available to stream through the PlayStation Now service on the PS4 and PC beginning on December 6. Believe it or not, but this will be the first time that PC players will have the chance to try out Red Dead Redemption.

Sony’s PlayStation Now service currently offers more than 450 titles to stream on the PS4 and PC. Subscription plans start at $19.99 (for one month) and discounts are available when signing up for a multi-month subscription.

Posted in News, PC, PS3, PS4 | Tagged

Xbox Store Today: Final Fantasy XV, The Crew Ultimate Edition

Posted on November 30, 2016 by John Scalzo

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Very few of the games developed by Square Enix in Japan make it to the Xbox One. But the publisher is making an exception for their epic new RPG, Final Fantasy XV. Over a decade in the making, Xbox One owners are able to download it through the Xbox Games Store now. After that, they can delve into its world of technology and magic and attempt to retake the Kingdom of Lucis alongside Noctis and his friends.

Xbox One owners will also be able to download The Crew: Ultimate Edition this week. This special edition of Ubisoft’s coast-to-coast racing game includes the original release of The Crew, the Wild Run expansion, the Calling All Cars expansion, and all of the Season Pass content.

More information on both of these games can be found right here:

Xbox One Games

Final Fantasy XV ($59.99)
Noctis, crown prince of the magical Kingdom of Lucis, embarks on a quest to reclaim his homeland in this action RPG. Take up the steering wheel and hit the road with your colorful companions to explore a vast and breathtaking world. Invoke the power of your ancestors and effortlessly warp through the air in thrilling combat. Longtime fans and fresh faces alike, get ready to experience cutting-edge interactive entertainment in this fantasy based on reality.

The Crew: Ultimate Edition ($49.99)
Explore the first realistic recreation of the entire USA ever built for a driving game in The Crew Ultimate Edition, your all inclusive edition of the revolutionary action driving game The Crew. This bundle includes The Crew, The Crew Wild Run expansion, The Crew Calling All Units expansion and the Season Pass. Roam the ultimate driving playground on and off road in a 5000km² open world. Master every terrain with powerful cars, agile motorcycles, unstoppable monster trucks or roaring dragsters. Be spontaneous, turn on-road encounters into intense rivalries or bond with friends, creating instant challenges with fellow drivers. Chose the badge or the street, fly solo or join a police squad and use your special abilities to track down and chase Street Racers all over the US. Over 120 Licensed Vehicles, 220+ Tuning Kits and a 30+ hours story campaign.

Posted in News, Xbox One | Tagged ,

Pokemon Sun and Moon sells 3.7 million copies in North America since November 18

Posted on November 30, 2016 by John Scalzo

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The Pokemon franchise is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and it seems to be more popular than ever. Want more proof? Pokemon Sun and Moon just became the fastest-selling games that Nintendo has ever launched in North America. Since launching for the 3DS on November, Nintendo has sold 3.7 million copies of Pokemon Sun and Moon.

That’s nearly twice what Pokemon X and Y, Nintendo’s previous fastest-selling games ever, sold in the two weeks after their release in 2013.

“With these huge sales figures, Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon have proved themselves as two of the hottest video games to buy this holiday season,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “With great reviews and outstanding fan response, these next iterations in the Pokemon series are sure to please any player in the family.”

Pokemon Sun and Moon will likely continue to set sales records through the holiday season… Nintendo previously announced that more than 10 million copies of the game were shipped to stores throughout the world.

Posted in 3DS, News | Tagged

Lego Worlds will be available for PC, PS4, Xbox One on February 21

Posted on November 30, 2016 by John Scalzo

Lego Worlds is currently available in Early Access for the PC, but WB Games recently announced that the full version of the game will launch on February 21, 2017.

Console players will be happy to learn the open world adventure game will also be released for the PS4 and Xbox One on the same day. In addition to its console debut, a special Agents DLC Pack (featuring new characters, vehicles, weapons, and more from the Agents line) will be available exclusively on the PS4 for a limited time.

In Lego Worlds, players uncover hidden treasures in environments that range from fun to the fantastical, where worlds come to life with a dizzying variety of vehicles and creatures – from cowboys riding giraffes to vampires scaring Yetis, to steamrollers, racing cars, and colossal digging machines. Gamers can embark on a quest to become a Master Builder by helping other Lego characters along the way – find a sword for a king, protect a farmer from a zombie invasion, or build a home for a caveman.

Environments and creations are brought to life in any way fans can imagine, either by building brick by brick, placing down enormous pre-built Lego structures, or by using wondrous tools that let you paint and shape the landscape. Lego Worlds’ online multiplayer functionality allows players to explore each other’s worlds together, create together, and engage in cooperative and competitive play experiences that players can build themselves.

Lego Worlds is in development at TT Games, and the developer’s Jonathan Smith has promised that players will have “the freedom to create anything imaginable” in the game. A new trailer showcasing the many ways players can experience Lego Worlds has been embedded above.

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