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.

Mortal Kombat X was the best-selling game in the first half of 2015

Posted on July 27, 2015 by John Scalzo

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Fortune has scoured the last six months of data from The NPD Group to assemble a definitive list of the best-selling games from the first half of the year.

Surprisingly, or perhaps unsurprisingly when you realize just how few games have been released this year, NetheRealm’s Mortal Kombat X took the top spot. The latest game in the long-running series paved the way for WB Games’s complete domination of the sales chart. The publisher secured four spots in the half-year top ten including Batman: Arkham Knight (#6), Dying Light (#7), and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (#9). Arkham Knight’s appearance on the list is even more impressive as it was released in the last week of June.

Among the holdovers, Grand Theft Auto V (#2), Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (#4), and Minecraft (#5) all broke into the top five. It’s likely that all three will stick around for the year-end list as well.

The complete top ten list can be found right here:

Bestselling Games in the First Half of 2015
1. Mortal Kombat X
2. Grand Theft Auto V
3. Battlefield Hardline
4. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
5. Minecraft
6. Batman: Arkham Knight
7. Dying Light
8. NBA 2K15
9. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
10. Super Smash Bros. For 3DS / Super Smash Bros. For Wii U

Posted in 3DS, News, PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Weekly Warp-Up: Can You Escape From the Man-Sized Cabinet?

Posted on July 26, 2015 by John Scalzo

No, that’s not a typo. Welcome to the Weekly Warp-Up, your weekly wrap-up of the biggest and the best articles posted at Warp Zoned this week…

The Summer of 2015 continues its rather lazy trajectory and so little is happening in the game industry right now that an out-of-work comedian was able to capture our attention all week with the released of a browser-based text adventure. Of course, this out-of-work comedian is none other than Stephen Colbert and his “Colbert Nation” is dedicated in ways that few fandoms are. So play a few rounds of Escape From the Man-Sized Cabinet this weekend and watch out for the monster with a bear trap for a head.

Also this week, Bethesda reminded the public they’ll be selecting names for a Doom Alpha Test soon. And Nintendo UK unveiled a Super Mario Maker Limited Edition that’ll include a 30th Aniiversary Mario Amiibo.

More news from this week (including a Hideo Kojima conspiracy theory and Rise of the Tomb Raider‘s release date) can be found after the break. (more…)

Posted in News |

New Releases: Lost Dimension, Legend of Kay, BlazBlue: Chronophantasma Extend Vita

Posted on July 26, 2015 by John Scalzo

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We say goodbye to July 2015 with a trio of new retail releases this week…

  • Lost Dimension is the latest tactical RPG from Atlus. Set to be released for the PS3 and Vita, Lost Dimension asks players to join the ranks of SEALED, “eleven psychics with superhuman abilities,” who are doing battle with The End. But watch out, at least one of those psychics is a traitor!
  • Legend of Kay Anniversary resurrects the ten-year-old PS2 game for a new generation of players on the PS4 and Wii U. This new version of the game has received a graphical makeover, but the cat is still kung fu fighting.
  • Finally this week, Arc System Works’s latest fighting game, BlazBlue: Chronophantasma Extend, will be released for the Vita.

That’s it for retail releases, but a handful of additional games will be available throughout the week on the digital storefronts from Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, and Steam.

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

DJ Khaled, DJ Premier, and DJ Mustard hand-picked the 50-song NBA 2K16 soundtrack

Posted on July 25, 2015 by John Scalzo

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The NBA 2K franchise is well known for its expansive soundtracks, and this Fall’s NBA 2K16 will be no exception. Sporting the largest soundtrack ever included in the series, 2K Games has recruited famed producers DJ Khaled, DJ Premier, and DJ Mustard to curate a 50-song soundtrack for the game. Split into five distinct playlists, each artist also created two tracks that’ll be available only in the game.

You can listen to the entire playlist (minus the exclusive tracks) on Spotify right now, or you can find all 50 songs after the break.

NBA 2K16 will be released for the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One on September 29 (more…)

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

Atlus will release HD remaster of Odin Sphere in North America too

Posted on July 25, 2015 by John Scalzo

Atlus has confirmed that the high definition remaster of Odin Sphere, announced earlier this week for Japan, will also be released in North America. Developed by Vanillaware, Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir will be available on store shelves and through the PlayStation Store for the PS4, PS3, and Vita sometime in 2016.

In case you missed it earlier, Leifthrasir will include enhanced HD graphics alongside a few other additions, such as “expanded worlds with new monsters, fully voiced story scenes, and a fine-tuned refreshing combat and RPG system.”

The debut trailer for Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir, but its exactly the same as the Japanese announcement trailer. The only difference is a closing card that shows the North American release window at the end.

Posted in News, PS3, PS4, Vita | Tagged

Microsoft has enlisted singing puppets to persuade you to pre-order Rare Replay

Posted on July 24, 2015 by John Scalzo

Microsoft and Rare would really like you to pre-order Rare Replay. In fact, they’re so committed to parting Xbox One owners with their $30 that they’ve commissioned this all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza starring paper puppets from Rare’s glory years. They’re all here… Zitz, Pimple, and Rash from Battletoads, The Great Mighty Poo from Conker’s Bad Fur Day, Joanna Dark from Perfect Dark, Fulgore from Killer Instinct, and many many more. I’m not usually one for pre-ordering games, and I can’t quite understand the lyrics, but the puppets are pretty awesome.

Rare Replay will be available exclusively for the Xbox One on August 4. It’ll include 30 classics from throughout Rare’s history, a Challenge Mode, 10,000 Gamerscore, and exclusive bonus features. Players will even be able to import saved progress and Achievements from the Xbox 360 titles that are included in the collection.

If that doesn’t sell you on Rare Replay, how about an encore performance from The Great Mighty Poo. A part of me still can’t believe Rare got away with that boss battle on the Nintendo 64…

Posted in News, Xbox One | Tagged

Xbox Store Today: The Binding of Isaac Rebirth, Q.U.B.E. Director’s Cut

Posted on July 24, 2015 by John Scalzo

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We’ve got two new additions to the Xbox Games Store today, both for the Xbox One.

First up is The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, which publisher Nicalis describes as “a randomly generated action RPG shooter with heavy Rogue-like elements.” I guess the basement of monstrous demons that Isaac has to battle against was just too mundane to mention.

Also available this week is Q.U.B.E.: Director’s Cut ($9.99), a first-person puzzler where players manipulate the world around them to destroy a spaceship before it collides with Earth.

More information on both of these games can be found after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, Xbox One | Tagged

PS Vita version of Resident Evil Revelations 2 will launch on August 18

Posted on July 23, 2015 by John Scalzo

Capcom and Sony have announced that Resident Evil Revelations 2 will be released for the Vita on August 18. The portable edition of the zombie sequel will do away with the episodic release schedule that PC/console players had to put up with. Instead, Vita owners will be able to obtain the entire game with one $39.99 purchase.

Developed by Frima Studio, the Vita version of Resident Evil Revelations 2 will include two bonus episodes (“The Struggle” and “Little Miss”) and two extra Raid Mode characters (Hunk and Albert Wesker). The PlayStation Network will also support a two-player co-op option for Raid Mode.

Resident Evil Revelations 2’s “Launch Trailer” has been embedded above… even though we’re still nearly a month away from the game’s launch.

Posted in News, Vita | Tagged