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.

Bandai Namco will bring “a new property for a western audience” to Gamescom 2016

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Bandai Namco has announced that they’ll have three games available for attendees of this year’s Gamescom in Cologne, Germany. As you might have guessed, the publisher will be showing off Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (which will be available this October) and Tekken 7 (which is scheduled for an Early 2017 release), but they also plan to unveil “a new [intellectual property] for a western audience.”

What could it be? We’ll have to wait for Gamescom to kick off this August to know for sure, but for now, here’s what Bandai Namco had to say about Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 and Tekken 7:

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 lets players dive into the largest and most detailed Dragon Ball world in any videogame of the franchise so far. They have the chance to meet the anime series’ popular characters and become part of the story. On-site, visitors can show off their battle prowess in thrilling fights and explore the huge new hub city!

In Tekken 7 fans will become witness to the epic climax of the Mishima feud and participate in fierce duels with their friends and rivals. The legendary fighting game series will return for its decisive battle in early 2017. Visitors can join the fight and experience the best looking Tekken game ever beforehand at Gamescom!

Bandai Namco will set up shop at Gamescom this year in Booth B20 in Hall 8.

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

First NASCAR Heat: Evolution trailer gets the green light

The NASCAR Heat franchise will make its return this September with the launch of NASCAR Heat: Evolution. But before it gets the green light, publisher Dusenberry Martin Racing is looking to rev up our expectations with the game’s first trailer, which was released a few days ago:

Featuring over 40 drivers, all 23 licensed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tracks, and a variety of gameplay modes, NASCAR Heat: Evolution is the first authentic NASCAR game for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

In development at Monster Games, NASCAR Heat: Evolution will be released on September 13 for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

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

Capcom confirms plan to remaster Dead Rising, Dead Rising 2, Dead Rising: Off the Record for PC, PS4, Xbox One

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Speaking to VideoGamer.com, a Capcom representative has confirmed that the publisher will remaster Dead Rising, Dead Rising 2, and Dead Rising 2: Off the Record for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One:

In a statement provided to VideoGamer.com, the publisher said: “Capcom will be bringing Dead Rising to Xbox One, PS4, and PC. In addition, Dead Rising 2 and Dead Rising 2: Off the Record will make their way onto Xbox One and PS4. We will have more news to share soon.”

Unfortunately, confirmation that they plan to remaster the first three games in the Dead Rising series was all Capcom was willing to share at this time. Exactly when the games will be released, who’s developing them, and how they’ll be remastered for the PS4 and Xbox One is still very much a mystery.

Maybe an experienced investigative journalist can crack this case. I wonder where we could find one…

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Xbox One S to launch on August 2; Custom Gears of War 4 Bundle coming in October

Microsoft has announced their upgraded Xbox One S console will be available on August 2, and prospective purchasers will have a choice of three different hard drive sizes: 500GB ($299), 1TB ($349), and 2TB ($399).

In addition to more processing power, the Xbox One S will include a 4K Ultra HD disc drive with High Dynamic Range (HDR) to create the smoothest visuals for games and movies. The system itself is also said to be 40% smaller than the current Xbox One model, and it’ll come packaged with the new Xbox One Wireless Controller (with a textured grip and Bluetooth support). The new Xbox One Wireless Controller will also be sold separately beginning on August 2 (for $59.99).

In October, Microsoft also plans to begin selling a custom 2TB Xbox One S Bundle featuring Gears of War 4. The bundle will include a special “Battle-Weathered” console and “Crimson Omen” controller, along with a download code for Gears of War 4 and another code to activate the Season Pass. A JD Fenix Limited Edition Wireless Controller will also be available this October. Unlike the pulsating red of the Xbox One S, the JD Fenix controller “is designed after JD Fenix’s armor and features metallic blue accents and textured grip for enhanced controls, as well as the COG logo – the Phoenix Omen.”

You can get a closer look at the “Battle-Weathered” Gears of War 4 console after the break, and more information about the package can be found at the Xbox Wire. (more…)

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Minecraft: Story Mode explores the dangers of VR next week in Episode 7: Access Denied

Telltale is returning to the world of Minecraft: Story Mode next week with the upcoming release of Episode 7: Access Denied. Set to launch for the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and mobile devices on July 26, Access Denied takes place in a world where a Skynet-like AI uses virtual reality to enslave the population:

In Episode 7: Access Denied, continuing their portal journey in search of home, Jesse and crew land in a world entirely controlled by PAMA – a sinister “thinking machine” determined to command everyone and everything in pursuit of optimal usefulness and efficiency. Forced on the run to avoid capture and assimilation, you’ll need to work with a new ally to defeat the corrupted computer and free the population it has enslaved.

If you listen closely in the trailer above, you’ll likely hear Community‘s Yvette Nicole Brown, who joins the cast of Episode 7: Access Denied as Harper, PAMA’s creator in hiding.

Minecraft: Story Mode – Episode 7: Access Denied will be available as part of the Adventure Pass, which is priced at $14.99. Players can also purchase it individually for $4.99.

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Nintendo releases alternate Splatoon covers to celebrate this weekend’s Splatfest

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“Pledge your allegiance to Team Callie or Team Marie with this nifty printable alternative box art!”

Whether you’re “Team Marie” or “Team Callie,” I think we can all agree that alternate covers are the best. And Nintendo certainly thinks so, as the consolemaker’s Squid Research Lab has designed a pair of printable covers for Splatoon to celebrate the final Splatfest. So head over to the blog and download them now… and don’t forget to use Legal Size Paper.

This weekend’s supersized Splatfest will begin on Friday, July 22, at 5:00 AM (Eastern Time). Players will be able to battle it out for 48 hours until a winner is crowned on Sunday, July 24, at 5:00 AM (also Eastern Time). Good luck to both sides and may the best Squid Sister win.

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Hyper Light Drifter will be available for PS4 and Xbox One next week

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Gematsu is reporting that Hyper Light Drifter, Heart Machine’s beautiful action RPG, will be available to download for the PS4 and Xbox One next Tuesday, July 26.

The Zelda-like adventure smashed all expectations (and its $27,000 funding target) on Kickstarter in 2013, with backers ultimately pledging more than $645,000 towards its development. The expanded budget substantially increased the game’s scope, and the originally-announced Summer 2014 release date was pushed back again and again. But after launching to almost universal acclaim this past March, Hyper Light Drifter will hopefully find just as warm a welcome on consoles.

Hyper Light Drifter is also in development for the Wii U and Vita, but the last Kickstarter update revealed that it’s unlikely the game will debut on either platform before the Fall.

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Iron Galaxy will add Eyedol to Killer Instinct on July 22

The latest season of Killer Instinct will come to a close on July 22, when owners of the Season 3 Ultra Edition will get the chance to download Eyedol. Players who purchased the Season 3 Combo Breaker Edition for the Xbox One or Windows 10 will have to wait until July 29.

Eyedol originally served as the final boss of the original Killer Instinct, and he returns in the reboot to continue his battle against Gargos. You can witness all his two-headed fury in the gameplay trailer embedded above.

If you haven’t jumped into Killer Instinct yet, Microsoft will release a special Definitive Edition of the game on September 20. The Definitive Edition will contain all 26 characters, including Eyedol, that have been added to the game since its 2013 debut.

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