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.

Bugs in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 have caused Activision to delay PS3/Xbox 360 version

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Gamers have been loudly complaining about the many bugs and glitches that have plagued Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 since its PS4 and Xbox One launch on September 29. Publisher Activision and developer Robomodo have been working hard on a patch for the game, but it appears to be taking longer than they thought.

Because of the added resources needed to fix the game, the launch of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 on the PS3 and Xbox 360 has officially been delayed. Originally scheduled to be available in stores on November 10, Activision attempted to explain the reasoning behind the delay in a statement released to Eurogamer:

We are working closely with our developers to address the issues identified by our community. Our development resources are fully focused on fixes and content updates for PS4 and Xbox One, so we have decided to delay the release of THPS5 on PS3 and X360. We will update the community when we have more specific information about a release date for PS3 and Xbox 360.

While the PS3/Xbox 360 version of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 is still in the works, I won’t be surprised if it suffers the same fate (a quiet cancellation) as the last-gen version of Mortal Kombat X.

Posted in News, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged

Fallout 4’s S.P.E.C.I.A.L. series of videos comes to an end with a visit from Lady Luck

“Following total atomic annihilation, the rebuilding of this great nation of ours may fall to you. Study these materials carefully to ensure your survival and to discover what makes you S.P.E.C.I.A.L.”

Bethesda’s series of educational videos highlighting the seven attributes players need to survive Fallout 4‘s Wasteland has finally come to an end with a look at Luck. After mastering six other S.P.E.C.I.A.L. skills (Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, and Agility), players will need Lady Luck on their side if they hope to randomly find treasure or defeat enemies with a magic bullet. But watch out, the finger of fate is fickle and it may just squash you like a bug (or, you know, send a colony of mutant bugs to eat you).

Thanks to Bethesda (and to Vault-Tec) for producing the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. series of videos. I feel much better informed on life (and Luck) than I did during the Summer. There’s just a little more than two weeks to go before Fallout 4’s November 10th launch on the PC, PS4, and Xbox One… so there’s plenty of time to watch these videos over and over again. After all, knowledge is a wonderful thing.

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

Telltale’s Game of Thrones series will conclude on November 17

Telltale’s Game of Thrones adaptation will come to a bloody conclusion (I’m assuming) on November 17. That’s when the game’s final episode, The Ice Dragon, will be released for the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and mobile devices.

“The epic conclusion to the season is the most ambitious and diversely presented episode we’ve ever produced,” said Kevin Bruner, CEO and Co-Founder of Telltale Games. “The fate of House Forrester has been in the hands of players all season long, and the finale will be tailored to provide a uniquely harrowing conclusion for each and every player based on the decisions they’ve made in the game thus far.”

If you missed out on Telltale’s adaptation of HBO’s adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s expansive series of novels, don’t worry, a retail disc collecting all six episodes will also be available on November 17 for the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. The developer will even let you try before you buy as the first episode, Iron From Ice, is now free to download on the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and mobile devices.

To get players excited for the final episode of their Game of Thrones adaptation, Telltale has produced a featurette starring the show’s cast chatting about their experiences with the game.

Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged

Xbox Store Today: Life Is Strange: Episode 5, Tales From the Borderlands: Episode 5, Just Dance 2016, more

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Two episodic adventures will come to an end in this week’s Xbox Games Store update.

Dontnod’s Life Is Strange will conclude with the release of Polarized. Max finally learns about the full extent of her time travel capabilities and must make a decision that could spell the end for Arcadia Bay. Apocalyptic storms might only be the beginning. Telltale’s Tales From the Borderlands is a bit more upbeat, but the conclusion to its story, The Vault of the Traveler, will likely offer up a similar amount of thrills. Rhys and Fiona are heading back to Pandora, but the promise of “sweet alien riches” is sending them on a short detour first. Life Is Strange: Polarized and Tales From the Borderlands: The Vault of the Traveler will be released for the Xbox One and Xbox 360.

Also available this week is a pair of new Just Dance games from Ubisoft. Just Dance 2016 will include 42 new songs from artists such as Meghan Trainor, Bruno Mars, The Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Jason Derulo, and more. And a different set of dance moves will be available in Just Dance: Disney Party 2, which will include songs from Violetta, Girl Meets World, K.C. Undercover, and more. Both games will be released for the Xbox One and Xbox 360.

Finally this week, what time is it? It’s time to play Adventure Time: Finn and Jake Investigations, a crime-solving detective game, on the Xbox 360. An Xbox One version will be released at a later date.

More information about all of these games (and a few other new releases) can be found after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged , , ,

Latest Super Mario Bros. speedrun shaves 0.063 seconds off the world record

There’s a new champion in town as the Super Mario Bros. speed record has fallen once again. Last June, “Blubbler” posted a time of four minutes and 57.69 seconds, nearly a half second than the previous best time. But earlier this week, “Blubbler” was dethroned by “Darbian,” who managed to beat Super Mario Bros. in four minutes and 57.627 seconds.

That’s a difference of just 0.063 seconds!

A press conference of sorts was delivered by “Darbian” after his run on Reddit. If you’re interested in speedruns and the people who do them, it’s well worth a read. If you can believe it, “Darbian” admits he made a few mistakes in his run, so it’s possible the world record may fall again in the near future.

Posted in News, Retro | Tagged

Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, Tales From the Borderlands: Episode 5, Life Is Strange: Episode 5, more added to PS Store

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There’s something for everyone in this week’s PlayStation Store update.

The biggest new release is definitely Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate for the PS4. Ubisoft’s historial hack and slash series moves to Victorian London in the latest installment and brings with it all the hooliganism you’d expect from such a setting. I wonder if you can make your Assassin shout “Pip Pip!” as they marauder their way through a gang of Templars.

Ubisoft is a busy bee this week, as the publisher will also release Just Dance 2016 for the PS4 and PS3. The latest addition to the publisher’s dance machine includes 42 songs from Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, and many others.

On the complete opposite spectrum from teen pop hits is Bandai Namco’s Tales of Zestiria, the latest game in the popular Tales series of action RPGs. Zestiria is the first game in the series to be released for the PS4, but it’ll also be available for the PS3.

Elsewhere, a pair of licensed games were added to the PlayStation Store this week, both of which revolve around puzzles. Marvel Puzzle Quest is a match-3 puzzler for the PS4 and PS3, while Adventure Time: Finn and Jake Investigations is an adventure game with a lot of puzzle-solving elements.

Finally this week, two episodic adventures will come to an as Dontnod’s Life Is Strange: Polarized and Telltale’s Tales From the Borderlands: The Vault of the Traveler have both been released for the PS4 and PS3.

More information on all of these games are available after the break. And a complete rundown of this week’s new game add-ons and discounts can be found at the PlayStation Blog. (more…)

Posted in News, PS3, PS4, Vita | Tagged , , , , , ,

NBA 2K16, Madden NFL 16 lead off September 2015’s top ten list of best-selling games

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Sports! Sports! Sports! Sports!
Sports! Sports! Sports! Sports!

With the Fall gaming rush off to a slow start, Electronic Arts and 2K Games more-or-less split the month with four sports titles in the NPD Group’s monthly top ten. NBA 2K16 slammed it home to take the #1 spot, while EA’s Madden NFL 16 slipped to #2 in its second month on the chart. Rounding out this month’s murderer’s row was FIFA 16, which bicycled kicked its way into the #4 spot; and NHL 16, which safely skated into the #9 spot.

While most of this Fall’s biggest games are still a few weeks away, new releases did take up the majority of the remaining slots. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain sent off Hideo Kojima in style with a #3 ranking, while Bungie’s Destiny: The Taken King expansion took the #5 spot. Nintendo’s Super Mario Maker was the only platform-exclusive title to break into the top ten and it did so at #6. A pair of licensed games, Disney Infinity: Star Wars at #7 and Mad Max at #8, claimed the next two spots.

Finally, Minecraft continues to hold on by claiming the #10 slot. Expect Mojang’s creation to rise as we get closer to the holiday shopping season.

September 2015’s top ten can be viewed in handy list format after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Aerosmith Hits Pack 02 is now available to download for Rock Band 4

Harmonix is back with another batch of downloadable content for Rock Band 4… and this time its a six-pack of songs from Aerosmith.

The Aerosmith Hits Pack 02, which spans Aerosmith’s career from Get Your Wings to Pump to Get A Grip, is now available to download on the PS4 and Xbox One. Its six songs include “Cryin’,” “Dude (Looks Like A Lady),” “Eat The Rich,” “Love In An Elevator, ” “Seasons of Wither,” and “Rats In the Cellar.” Downloading the full pack will set you back $9.99, which individual songs can be obtained for $1.99 apiece.

While Harmonix has yet to make an official announcement, I think it’s safe to say that weekly Rock Band updates are back.

Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged