Warp Zoned Presents
Video Game Canon- Silent Hill, Dragon Quest, Skyrim, and More Announced as Finalists for the World Video Game Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Has Another Big Night and Wins “Game of the Year” at the 2025-2026 DICE Awards
- 2025 GOTY Scoreboard: In Progress
- The Game Awards: All the Winners from 2003 to Today
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Racks Up Nine Wins, Including “Game of the Year”, at the 2025 Game 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
Super Mario Maker 2 will be released on June 28
Nintendo told us that Super Mario Maker 2 would be launching this June when they first announced the game a few months ago. Today, the consolemaker got even more specific and confirmed that Mario’s next course creator will be available for the Switch on June 28:
This full-fledged sequel to the original groundbreaking Super Mario Maker game for the Wii U system lets your imagination run wild as you make and play your own Super Mario courses using new tools, items and features.
With an incredibly intuitive toolset ready to be explored and experimented with, including the new ability to create slopes for the first time, nearly anything is possible in Super Mario Maker 2.
We still don’t know if courses from the original Super Mario Maker will be compatible with the sequel, but be sure to rewatch the otherwise-very-informative Announcement Trailer from February if you’ve got the time.
Posted in News, Switch
Tagged Super Mario Maker 2
Nintendo is hosting a Closed Beta for Mario Kart Tour (for Android users) from May 22 through June 4
Nintendo plans to launch Mario Kart Tour for Android and iOS devices sometime this Summer, but first they want to put the mobile racing game through its paces in an upcoming Closed Beta.
Android owners in Japan and the United States can head over to the game’s official website and apply for an invitation now, though registration for the limited number of Beta slots will remain open through May 7.
Mario Kart Tour’s Closed Beta will be available beginning on Wednesday, May 22, and run through Tuesday, June 4.
Posted in Mobile, News
Tagged Mario Kart Tour
Mortal Kombat 11’s Launch Trailer teases an epic new storyline for the franchise
Mortal Kombat 11‘s launch is less than a week away and now NetherRealm Studios has capped their months-long media barrage with a new Launch Trailer that teases the epic events ahead. Promising massive battles and multiple versions of your favorite characters, the time-hopping two minutes of this trailer are a must watch for all fans of the Mortal Kombat franchise.
Mortal Kombat 11 will be released for the PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One on April 23.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 will be available exclusively for the Switch on July 19
We are officially in a post-Reggie world, but Nintendo isn’t wasting any time to took about their future plans for the Switch. Earlier this morning, the consolemaker confirmed that Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order will be released exclusively for the Switch on July 19.
While the game doesn’t take place within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 looks to be heavily influenced by Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and all the films that came before:
While iconic characters like Iron Man, Wolverine, Spider-Man, Hulk and Captain America are back, newly announced heroes like Black Panther, Deadpool, Spider-Gwen and Doctor Strange also join the action, each with individual abilities or special moves.
In this new story, Super Heroes unite in a race across iconic locations in the Marvel Universe to find the Infinity Stones before Thanos and The Black Order use them to unleash cosmic chaos. Up to four people can play together in local or online co-op, with the ability to drop in and out at any time.
Continuing their partnership from Hyrule Warriors and Fire Emblem Warriors, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is currently in development for the Switch at Team Ninja.
Posted in News, Switch
Tagged Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
Respawn’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order will be released on November 15, 2019
As promised, Electronic Arts and Respawn Entertainmen delivered the first look at Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order at this year’s Star Wars Celebration earlier today.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order will take place in the shadow of Order 66, and players will take control of a young Jedi named Cal Kestis (played by Gotham‘s Cameron Monaghan) as he goes on the run after surviving the slaughter:
The game will feature an authentic story set shortly after the events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, when the Jedi have fallen. Fans will play as a young Padawan named Cal Kestis, brought to life by Cameron Monaghan, who has survived Order 66, the Emperor’s secret decree to eliminate all Jedi. Players must pick up the pieces of Cal’s shattered past to complete his training and master the art of the iconic lightsaber – all while staying one step ahead of the Empire and its deadly Inquisitors.
According to the publisher, players will visit several “iconic” locales in Fallen Order, but they’ll also get the chance to explore new planets and meet “a roster of fresh characters” new to Star Wars. And of course, the Empire will always be right on your heels:
Players will meet Cal on Bracca, a brand-new Star Wars planet and one of several new locations introduced in the game. Cal is hiding from the Empire in plain sight but is forced to go on the run when he exposes his Force powers. Along the way, Cal will make new friends, like his mysterious companion Cere, as well as run into some familiar faces, all while being accompanied by his faithful droid BD-1. Cal’s flight from the Empire is made even more dangerous as he is being pursued by the Second Sister, one of the Empire’s elite Inquisitors, who seeks to hunt Cal down and extinguish this surviving Jedi. Assisting the Second Sister are the terrifying Purge Troopers, special Imperial forces trained to seek out Jedi and aid the Inquisitors in their dastardly work.
Unlike EA’s previous Star Wars projects, Fallen Order will offer a completely single-player experience with no multiplayer options, loot boxes, or microtransactions. In a way, Fallen Order’s scenario almost feels like a continuation of 2008’s The Force Unleashed, albeit from the other side of The Force.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on November 15. The game’s jaw-dropping first trailer has been embedded above.
Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One
Tagged Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Battle zombies with the help of your friends in the first Gameplay Trailer for Darksburg
Shiro Games will launch Darksburg for the PC later this year through Steam’s Early Access program, but they recently gave prospective players a sneak peek at their next game in a new trailer.
In the short gameplay clip, it’s plain to see that Darksburg’s character designs have a distinct Overwatch vibe to them, while the multiplayer action owes a clear debt to Diablo:
In Darksburg, the titular medieval town is overrun by hordes of zombies, and it is up to the few remaining locals still standing to get rid of the undead plague. In this top-down cooperative multiplayer action game, up to four players team up to fend off the undead hordes infesting the city.
They will have a roster of colorful characters to choose from, each featuring a unique set of skills, from the compassionate (but not overly so) Sister Abigail and the cheerful innkeeper / zombie slayer Runolf, to the sardonic bounty hunter Rose and the escaped werewolf (but still man’s best friend) Varag. Teamplay and great reflexes are the key to survival in this fast-paced, challenging game.
If you’re going to be in Berlin this weekend for TwitchCon Europe, you’ll get a chance to test out Darksburg at Shiro’s booth.
Build watches in Art of Horology, a puzzle game that’s available on Steam right now
Watchmakers often have to complete years of training before they can take on the intricate work of repairing watches, but PC players now have the ability to try their hand at a simulation of the process in a new puzzle game known as Art of Horology:
Master Watchmaker Steven Richardson introduces Art of Horology, the first game ever that teaches how to assemble a wristwatch. Art of Horology is an educational title available on PC that simulates the process of making a watch and teaches facts about the history of watchmaking.
“Art of Horology increases a sharp mental focus, discipline, and conscientiousness,” Richardson said. “It also augments a deepened sense of self-worth through accomplishment and risk taking.”
That all sounds incredibly nerdy, but it’s probably also an incredibly exciting puzzle game for someone who loves watches. Art of Horology is available to download for the PC (through Steam) right now.
Star Wars Pinball will blast onto the Switch on September 13
Star Wars fans hoping to catch a glimpse of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order began making their pilgrimage to Chicago today for the first day of the 2019 Star Wars Celebration. But while we have to wait until Saturday to learn more about Respawn’s project, a small bit of game-related news emerged from the Windy City earlier today.
Zen Studios announced today (via their official website) that Star Wars Pinball will make its way to Switch on September 13. The game will contain 19 tables based on the expansive sci-fi saga (including seven film adaptations and tables themed around Han Solo, Darth Vader, Lando Calrissian, and Boba Fett), as well as HD Rumble support, a vertical orientation display, and the brand new Galactic Struggle and Career modes:
The Star Wars Pinball Nintendo Switch collection will offer unique gameplay modes only available in this edition. You can take up arms in a community-wide Galactic Struggle, which allows you to contribute points to the Light or Dark Side, depending on your preference.
Likewise, a new Career mode will allow you to join the ranks of the Jedi or Sith through 50 Career Ranks. Simply playing any table unlocks special Force Power bonuses that can be applied toward bigger scores to maximize your true potential, Padawan.
Star Wars Pinball will be available on retail shelves and as a digital download through the Nintendo eShop. The first trailer for the pinball collection has been embedded above.
Posted in News, Switch
Tagged Star Wars Pinball