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.

Doctor Who travels through time and space to appear in this new Lego Dimensions trailer

Posted on July 10, 2015 by John Scalzo

And before all you Whovians get worked up about that headline, I’m aware that he refers to himself only as “The Doctor.”

Anyway, WB Games and TT Games released a new trailer for Lego Dimensions yesterday and it is ridiculously epic. Peter Capaldi (The Doctor), Jenna Coleman (Clara Oswald), and Michelle Gomez (Missy) will all join the game’s stellar voice cast. Besides Daleks and Cybermen, The Doctor will also have adventures like this:

In a new trailer giving the first look at the Doctor Who gameplay, worlds collide in ways only possible in Lego Dimensions, such as the TARDIS popping up in Gotham City and Hill Valley, the Doctor battling alongside Homer Simpson in Aperture Science, riding a haunted mine car with Scooby and Shaggy, or fighting alongside Kai and Cragger in a Ninjago battle arena.

I’m sure that scenario went over like gangbusters with the Comic-Con crowd. TT Games is going all out for the Doctor Who portion of the game and actually plans to include all 12 incarnations of the character in the game:

When the 12th Doctor is defeated in the level, he returns as the 1st Doctor and then regenerates back up to the 12th Doctor again. The interior of the TARDIS will reflect the corresponding Doctor the player embodies or can be manually selected. There’s even a jukebox inside where players can choose among different versions of the Doctor Who theme music.

Lego Dimensions will be released on September 27 for the PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. Players will also be able to pick up a pair of additional Doctor Who sets on the same day including the “Doctor Who Level Pack,” which features an unlockable Doctor Who level in the game, a minifigure of the 12th Doctor, and Lego models of the TARDIS and K-9. A “Doctor Who Fun Pack” with a Cyberman minifigure and Dalek model will also be available.

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

Splatoon’s second Splatfest (Roller Coasters vs Water Slides) is next week

Posted on July 10, 2015 by John Scalzo

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The first North American Splatfest for Splatoon players was held last week on the 4th of July. Owing to their superior popularity, Team Dog emerged victorious over Team Cat, even though Team Cat squeaked out a few more victories. It’s an odd way to keep score, but Nintendo is nothing if not odd.

Case in point, the second North American Splatfest will take place a week from tomorrow. Beginning on Friday, July 17 at midnight (Eastern Time), the Splatfest will pit Roller Coaster lovers against Water Slide aficionados for 24 hours on Saturday:

In the more immediate future, Nintendo will add another map to Splatoon tonight at 10:00 PM (Eastern Time). Moray Towers is a multi-level structure with plenty of tight corners. Can you fly, squiddie?

Posted in News, Wii U | Tagged

Become Faith with the Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst Collector’s Edition

Posted on July 10, 2015 by John Scalzo

mirrorsedgecatalyst-collectorsElectronic Arts wants everyone to feel like Faith when they play Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst next year. Well… everyone who’s willing to drop $199.99 on the Collector’s Edition.

But don’t let the price discourage you, the Collector’s Edition of Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst is packed with some nifty goodies, including a temporary tattoo set that imitates the ink on Faith’s arm. The package will also include a statue that EA describes as “a beautiful adult and young Faith real life diorama that stands 14 inches tall.” Rounding out the contents of the Collector’s Edition is an exclusive lithograph, a set of 10 concept art cards, a Steelbook case, and a storage box to hold it all.

The Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst Collector’s Edition will be available in “limited quantities” for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on February 23, alongside the release of the standard edition of the game.

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

Touch this Transformers: Devastation gameplay trailer and relive the 80s

Posted on July 9, 2015 by John Scalzo

You can practically feel the 80s vibe oozing off the latest gameplay trailer for Transformers: Devastation, created for this year’s San Diego Comic-Con by Activision. Initially unveiled during this year’s E3 Expo, the brawler is in development at Platinum Games for the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.

This new trailer gives us a better look at four of the game’s five playable characters: Optimus Prime, Sideswipe, Bumbleebee, and Wheeljack. Grimlock, the mighty leader of the Dinobots, will also be playable when the game ships to stores this Fall.

When you’re done with the trailer, I’d suggest following it up with Stan Bush’s “The Touch.”

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

Activision shines a light on the CoD: Black Ops III Zombies Mode… “Shadows of Evil”

Posted on July 9, 2015 by John Scalzo

As promised, Activision unveiled the first trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops III‘s Zombies Mode at the San Diego Comic-Con today.

The latest Zombies Mode from Treyarch will be known as “Shadows of Evil” and take place in the swingin’ 1940s. The jazz is hot, neon is bright, and the undead are hungry. Players will take control of The Magician (Jeff Goldblum), The Femme-Fatale (Heather Graham), The Cop (Neal McDonough), and The Boxer (Ron Perlman) as they grapple with “uncovering the secrets and challenges laid out for them by The Shadow Man (Robert Picardo), a mysterious figure that controls their fates.”

Experience all the film-noir fun in the trailer embedded above. And don’t miss the epic mustache on Goldblum’s Magician character.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III will released for the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One on November 6.

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

CoD: Black Ops III will get 3 special editions… including one with a working mini-fridge

Posted on July 9, 2015 by John Scalzo

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Activision has announced that three special editions of Call of Duty: Black Ops III will launch alongside the standard package on November 6. The publisher will definitely raise the bar with Black Ops III’s biggest collector’s edition, but let’s start with the smallest first.

The Digital Deluxe Edition ($99.99) will be available exclusively as a digital download for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One. In addition to the main game, prospective purchasers will receive the following bonus items:

  • Season Pass: The Call of Duty: Black Ops III Season Pass is your access to four exciting DLC packs.
  • “The Giant” Bonus Map: Zombies returns in all of its undead glory with “The Giant,” a Nazi research facility featuring the weapon-upgrading Pack-a-Punch Machine. Relive the chaos of Treyarch’s classic “Der Riese” Zombies map, picking up the Zombies story with Dempsey, Nikolai, Richtofen, and Takeo where Origins left off.
  • Weaponized 115 Personalization Pack: The Weaponized 115 Personalization Pack brings the popular Zombies theme to your favorite Multiplayer weapon. Customize your weapons with the fan favorite Origins-inspired camo, reticle, and animated calling card.
  • Cyborg Personalization Pack: The fan favorite Cyborg Personalization Pack returns in Call of Duty: Black Ops III, fully-loaded with an electrotech-themed weapon skin, uniquely-shaped reticle, and a calling card.
  • Bonus Black Ops III Personalization Pack: Join the battle with the official Black Ops III Personalization Pack. Pack includes a custom weapon camo, reticle, and calling card.

If you prefer a physical game disc, you can upgrade to the Hardened Edition ($79.99) on the PS4 and Xbox One. Available exclusively through GameStop, the Hardened Edition is lacking the Season Pass and the Bonus Black Ops III Personalization Pack, but it includes everything else from the Digital Deluxe Edition along with the following bonus items:

  • Limited Edition Specialist Concept Art Cards: Call of Duty: Black Ops III multiplayer introduces the new Specialist character system, allowing players to choose from 9 elite black operations soldiers – each with their own look, personality, and voice. Each Specialist is featured on their own art card that includes exclusive concept art, biography, and a description of their unique weapon and ability.
  • Collectible Steelbook Case: Limited edition steel game case featuring an exclusive design.

Finally, the Juggerhog Edition ($199.99) for the PS4 and Xbox One will include everything in the Hardened Edition, the Season Pass, and a working mini-fridge modeled after the ones you find in the game. As I said, Activision is raising the bar. Here’s what else you’ll get in the Juggerhog Edition:

  • Juggernog Mini-Fridge: Modeled after the in-game Perk-A-Cola machine. It’s big enough to house up to a dozen 12-ounce cans and features light and audio effects pulled straight from the game.
  • Coaster Set and Custom Storage Tin: Emblazoned with the Juggernog Soda, Revive! Soda, Speed Cola Soda, and Double Tap Root Beer emblems used in Call of Duty: Black Ops III Zombies.
  • Official Call of Duty: Black Ops III Soundtrack: Upgrade your playlist with a digital copy of the in-game score.

You can take a gander at all three special editions after the break. And remember, everyone who pre-orders Call of Duty: Black Ops III will receive access to the closed beta, which begins August 19 for PS4 players. The PC and Xbox One closed betas will begin at a later date. (more…)

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

Nintendo Download: Mario Tennis and more

Posted on July 9, 2015 by John Scalzo

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Grab your rackets… Mario Tennis is now available to download from the Wii U eShop. Developed by Camelot, the Nintendo 64 classic featured the debut of Waluigi, Luigi’s evil doppelganger.

The rest of this week’s Nintendo Download includes a ton of micro-sized Wii U games…

  • Santa Factory is a Christmas-in-July side-scrolling platformer.
  • Neon Battle looks like Pong in a circular playing field.
  • Land It Rocket lets you control a side-scrolling rocket that needs to avoid missiles and other obstacles.
  • Keytari: 8-Bit Music Maker turns your Wii U GamePad into a keytar.
  • Don’t Crash is an overhead racing game.
  • Dare Up Adrenaline is a wingsuit simulator.
  • Asteroid Quarry asks players to mine the asteroids instead of avoiding them.

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

Posted in News, Wii U |

Ken (and his new ponytail) joins Street Fighter V’s roster

Posted on July 9, 2015 by John Scalzo

Capcom has announced that Ken Masters has become be the seventh character to join Street Fighter V‘s roster of playable characters. He’ll join the previously-announced septet of Ryu, Chun-Li, Charlie Nash, M. Bison, Cammy, Birdie, and (unofficially) Blanka.

While Ken is still clad in his familiar red karategi, the character got a haircut (check out that ponytail) and a set of fiery new combos. According to Capcom, he’ll also perform plenty of “tricky mix-ups and flashy combos” on his opponents, which you can see in the trailer embedded above.

Ken, and the rest of the revealed Street Fighter V roster, will be playable all this weekend at Capcom’s booth (#215) at the San Diego Comic-Con. And don’t forget, every PS4 owners who pre-orders Street Fighter V will gain access to the closed beta, which is scheduled to begin on July 23 at 9:00 PM (Eastern Time).

Street Fighter V will be released in Spring 2016 for the PS4 and PC.

Posted in News, PC, PS4 | Tagged ,