Warp Zoned Presents
Video Game Canon- BAFTA Games Awards: All the Winners from 2003 to Today
- Clair Obscur Completes the Sweep by Winning “Best Game” at 2025-2026 BAFTA Games Awards
- Boss Fight Books to Get a New Look for Richard Moss’s “Age of Empires”
- GDC Awards: All the Winners from 1996 to Today
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Wins “Game of the Year” at 2025-2026 GDC Awards
Warp Zoned Presents
- Video Game Research Library
- We Pitched a Museum a 1993 Game Hint Line (And They Actually Said Yes) – Yarn Spinner (2026)
- The History Of The Word “Metroidvania” And How It Spread – A Critical Hit (2025)
- Creator of Hit Game Shovel Knight Is at a ‘Make or Break’ Moment – Bloomberg (2025)
- Shadow of the Colossus: An oral history – Design Room (2025)
- In 2005, games started rewiring our brains – The AV Club (2025)
Author: John Scalzo
Nintendo Download: Metroid Prime Hunters, Kick & Fennick, Donkey Kong Country 3, more
It’s Thursday, so Nintendo is back with another update to the Nintendo eShop.
This week, platforming fans will get to try out Kick & Fennick on the Wii U. According to the developers, Kick & Fennick is an “action-filled adventure” where the titular duo “blast, bounce, and bound their way through 45 challenging levels.”
Also available for the Wii U this week is Metroid Prime Hunters, a multiplayer shooter that was originally released for the DS in 2006. Taking control of one of six bounty hunters, players will challenge Samus Aran in the search for relics from a “once-powerful warrior culture.” The Star Wars and Indiana Jones comparisons practically write themselves.
Nintendo will also bring another classic title to the New 3DS this week through the handheld’s Virtual Console service. Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie’s Double Trouble was originally released for the Super NES and serves as the capper to the original Donkey Kong Country trilogy. Fans of classic platforming should definitely give it a look.
More information on all of these games (as well as a few other new releases) can be found after the break. (more…)
Most Call of Duty: Black Ops III owners can now purchase “The Giant” Zombies map
Activision and Treyarch have announced that “The Giant,” a Zombies map that was previously only accessible by players who pre-ordered Call of Duty: Black Ops III, is now available as a standalone download for $5.99.
“The Giant” map, which is a remake of “Der Riese” and follows Dempsey, Richtofen, Nikolai, and Takeo as they battle the undead in a secret research facility, can now be purchased on the PC, PS3, PS4, and Xbox One. According to the Activision Games Blog, Xbox 360 owners will be able to download “The Giant” at a later date.
And in case you missed it last year, the trailer for “The Giant” has been embedded above.
Meet two new Legendary Pokemon in latest Pokemon Sun/Moon trailer
The Pokemon Company and Nintendo introduced fans to a pair of Legendary Pokemon in a new trailer for Pokemon Sun and Moon.
In addition to the new Pokemon, the trailer includes a look at the Alola region, which is the Hawaii-like series of islands where the game takes place. Several new characters also make their debut in the trailer, including Professor Kukui, who will serve as your mentor in the game alongside his young lab assistant, Lillie. Players will also meet Hau, the Trainer’s best friend, and the Rotom Pokedex, which has a personality of its own.
But first, let’s say hello to the Legendary Pokemon, Solgaleo and Lunala:
Name: Solgaleo
Category: Sunne Pokemon
Height: 11′02″
Weight: 507.1 lbs.
Type: Psychic/Steel
Ability: Full Metal Body
Honored as an emissary of the sun since ancient times, Solgaleo is referred to with reverence as “the beast that devours the sun.” Solgaleo’s body holds a vast amount of energy, and it shines with light when it is active. It has a flowing mane with a remarkable resemblance to the sun. Its signature move is Sunsteel Strike, an attack that charges at an opponent with the force of a meteor, disregarding the target’s Ability. Solgaleo’s Ability is Full Metal Body, a new Ability that no previous Pokemon has had. With the Full Metal Body Ability, a Pokemon’s stats will not be lowered by the effects of an opponent’s moves or Ability.
Name: Lunala
Category: Moone Pokemon
Height: 13′01″
Weight: 264.6 lbs.
Type: Psychic/Ghost
Ability: Shadow Shield
Since ancient times, Lunala has been honored as an emissary of the moon. Referred to with reverence as “the beast that calls the moon,” Lunala is constantly absorbing light and converting it into energy. With its wings spread to absorb the surrounding light and glittering like the crescent moon, it resembles a beautiful night sky. Lunala’s signature Moongeist Beam attack releases an ominous beam of light that disregards the target’s Ability. Lunala’s Ability is Shadow Shield, a new Ability that no previous Pokemon has had. With the Shadow Shield Ability, a Pokemon will take less damage from an attack that lands when the Pokemon has full HP.
While Nintendo’s E3 focus remains on The Legend of Zelda Wii U/NX, the consolemaker also plans to debut the first live gameplay footage from Pokemon Sun and Moon during a Nintendo Treehouse program on June 14. You can watch along at home through E3.Nintendo.com, and don’t forget, Pokemon Sun and Moon will be released for the 3DS on November 18.
Posted in 3DS, News
Tagged E3 2016, Pokemon Sun/Moon
Zeboyd’s Cosmic Star Heroine will be released for PC, PS4, Vita this Summer
Zeboyd Games has announced that Cosmic Star Heroine, a turn-based RPG that was partially inspired by cartoons from the 80s, will be available to download for the PC, PS4, and Vita this Summer. The developer also revealed (via the PlayStation Blog) that a physical version of the game will be available in limited quantities thanks to Limited Run Games.
Cosmic Star Heroine will follow the intergalactic exploits of Alyssa L’Salle, a famous space spy who has stumbled upon a conspiracy involving aliens, robots, ghosts, magic, forbidden technology, and a long-lost secret. But she’s determined to save the world with spunky style, which you can get a small taste of by watching the game’s E3 2016 trailer above.
And don’t worry, the PS4 and Vita launch of Cosmic Star Heroine will be Cross-Buy compatible.
BB-8 stars in the latest Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer
The time has come… the latest Character Trailer for Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens is an epic showcase for none other than BB-8. The breakout star of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, BB-8 certainly holds his own in the 30-second clip, and he looks like he’ll be a major part of the game.
Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens is less than a month away now, as the game will be released for the 3DS, PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360, and Xbox One on June 28.
Xbox Store Today: Dead Island Definitive, One Piece Burning Blood, Fragments of Him, more
BRAINNNNNNSSSSSSSSS! BRAINNNNNNSSSSSSSSS! BRAINNNNNNSSSSSSSSS!
Deep Silver is resurrecting the Dead Island series on new-generation consoles this week with the release of Dead Island Definitive Collection. Available to download now through the Xbox Games Store, the Xbox One re-release will include enhanced remakes of Dead Island and Dead Island: Riptide, as well as a brand new side-scroller titled Dead Island: Retro Revenge. Both games are also available to download separately, but Retro Revenge is only available in the Definitive Collection package.
Also available this week is a trio of titles for Xbox One owners… One Piece: Burning Blood is a fighting game based on the popular anime and manga, TurnOn is a puzzle platformer starring an electric alien, and Fragments of Him is a melancholy and emotional narrative game.
More information on all of these titles can be found after the break. (more…)
Posted in News, Xbox One
Tagged Dead Island, Dead Island: Riptide
Unsurprisingly… Microsoft permanently lowers the Xbox One’s price to $299
Back in March, Microsoft temporarily dropped the price of every Xbox One console bundle by $50. But as of this week, the discount is now permanent, as Microsoft officially removed five Hamiltons from the price of every Xbox One console bundle.
The new prices for the 13 active Xbox One bundles are currently on display at Xbox.com:
Xbox One Bundles
- Gears of War: Ultimate Edition Bundle (500GB) – $299
- Gears of War: Ultimate Edition + Special Edition Console Bundle (500GB) – $299
- The Lego Movie Videogame Bundle (500GB) – $299
- Name Your Game Bundle (500GB) – $299
- Quantum Break + Special Edition Console Bundle (500GB) – $299
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege Bundle (1TB) – $319
- Rise of the Tomb Raider Bundle (1TB) – $319
- Spring Bundle (1TB) – $319
- Triple Game Bundle (1TB) – $319
- Kinect Bundle (500GB) – $349
- Tom Clancy’s The Division Bundle (1TB) – $349
- Elite Bundle (1TB) – $449
- Halo 5: Guardians + Limited Edition Console Bundle (1TB) – $499
Microsoft is believed to be working on a “Slim” model for the Xbox One, as well as an upgraded console that might be codenamed “Scorpio.” It’s unknown if either of these rumors are true, but we’ll probably hear more about Microsoft’s future plans for the Xbox One console during this year’s E3 Expo.
Skylanders Imaginators will let players create their own Skylanders when it launches in October
The sixth Skylanders game is a secret no more as Activision announced that Skylanders Imaginators will be available this October. Developed by Toys For Bob, Skylanders Imaginators will finally give players the opportunity to create their very own Skylanders characters.
“Since we launched the very first Skylanders game, we have received countless letters and drawings from kids all over the world sharing their vision for their own Skylanders. No matter how in touch with our ‘inner kids’ we might think we are as adults, nothing comes close to the endless creativity that springs from the mind of an inspired kid,” said Eric Hirshberg, the CEO of Activision Publishing. “We’ve turned this year’s game into the ultimate blank canvas for kids’ imaginations so they can create and play their own Skylanders.”
According to Activision, the creation tool in Skylanders Imaginators will include a huge number of customizable options, such as appearance, powers, abilities, names, catchphrases, musical themes, and more. But every hero needs a mentor, and Skylanders Imaginators has that covered too. Nearly three dozen Senseis, sorted into 10 “Battle Classes,” will offer guidance and training for your Skylanders creation, as well as “unlocking super-cool Imaginator weapons, providing access to special areas in the game, as well as bestowing Secret Techniques.” But if you’d rather stick with the heroes you know and love, Skylanders Imaginators will also be compatible with all previously-released Skylanders figures.
Skylanders Imaginators is in development for the PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. It’s scheduled to be released on October 16, but you can check out the debut trailer right now.