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
Earthbound Beginnings (AKA Earthbound Zero AKA Mother) coming to Wii U eShop today
Stop the presses! The 2015 E3 Expo hasn’t even begun yet and Nintendo has already planted their flag in the ground and declared victory! At 9:00 PM tonight (Eastern Time), Nintendo will add Earthbound Beginnings to the Virtual Console section of the Wii U eShop.
If the NES game is unfamiliar to you, you might have seen it referenced over the years as Earthbound Zero or possibly as Mother, the title it was given in Japan. The important takeaway is that the game, which was released in 1989, is the predecessor to Earthbound, a beloved RPG that was released for the Super NES in 1995.
Nintendo never wanted to wait 25 years to release Earthbound Beginnings in North America, but the slow pace of game localization threw a wrench into their plans. The consolemaker began developing a version of the game for an English-speaking audience and planned to release it in 1991. But the launch was scrapped after the translation work hit a snag, which would have pushed the release of Earthbound Beginnings (then known as “Earth Bound“) past the launch date of the Super NES. Determined fans eventually discovered a prototype version of “Earth Bound” and made it available on the Internet for NES emulators a few years ago.
This is probably also a good time to mention that Mother 3 (AKA Earthbound 2) was released for the Game Boy Advance in 2006… only in Japan. Perhaps Earthbound Beginnings is Nintendo’s way of priming the pump for another major Earthbound announcement this Tuesday. Lucas, Earthbound 2’s main character, was even added to Super Smash Bros. For 3DS/Wii U today.
So… that was fun… bring on the rest of E3!
Posted in News, Wii U
Tagged E3 2015, Earthbound Beginnings
Super Smash Bros. 3DS/Wii U: Ryu, Roy, Tourney Modes, YouTube Replays revealed
Nintendo’s big Pre-E3 showcase for the latest updates to Super Smash Bros. For Wii U/3DS may have leaked out a bit early, but it was still exciting to watch Game Director Masahiro Sakurai in the “New Content Approaching” video and to see all the announcements in the same place.
That said, all the rumors are true… Ryu (from Street Fighter II) and Roy (from Fire Emblem) will be added to both games as playable characters, joining the previously-announced Lucas (from Mother 3/Earthbound 2). Not only that, but Nintendo took special care with Ryu and included a variety of bonus features including custom attacks based on how long you hold the button down and the original button inputs for the Hadoken and the Shoryuken. All three characters are available to download now, along with new stages and new Mii Fighter costumes. I’ll let Nintendo handle the details…
Ryu
For 3DS: $5.99
For Wii U: $5.99
3DS + Wii U Bundle: $6.99
For the first time in Super Smash Bros. history, a character from the fighting game series Street Fighter joins the battle. Iconic character Ryu, whose look in the game is based on Street Fighter II, brings a new fighting style and feel to Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. Ryu’s traditional Light, Medium and Heavy attacks can be used depending on whether players tap, press or hold the buttons. Classic Street Fighter moves like Hadoken and Shoryuken can be activated with just a one-button press, but players who enter the original button combinations from the Street Fighter series will perform the same actions with higher damage.Purchase includes the bonus Suzaku Castle stage from the Street Fighter series. This classic environment provides stable footing on the right side and a series of platforms on the left. It can also be played in Omega form, giving the stage a look and feel much like in the Street Fighter II original.
Roy
For 3DS: $3.99
For Wii U: $3.99
3DS + Wii U Bundle: $4.99
A fan-favorite from his last appearance in Super Smash Bros. Melee for Nintendo GameCube, Roy from the Fire Emblem franchise returns to the series more powerful than ever before. Unlike Marth, Roy’s sword is stronger closer to the hilt, so he works better in close range. Roy also now has a Final Smash move in the form of a devastating sword blow.Lucas
For 3DS: $3.99
For Wii U: $3.99
3DS + Wii U Bundle: $4.99
As previously announced, Lucas is also available to purchase as a new downloadable character. Originating in the Japan-only Game Boy Advance RPG Mother 3, Lucas primarily uses lightning attacks to smash his opponents.New Mii Fighter Costumes
For 3DS (Each): $0.75
For Wii U (Each): $0.75
3DS + Wii U Bundle (Each): $1.15
For 3DS (All 8): $6.00
For Wii U (All 8): $6.00
3DS + Wii U Bundle (All 8): $9.20
Multiple video games and characters from the past and present are represented in a new set of Mii Fighter costumes now available through the new update. Two costumes from classic fighting game Virtua Fighter are based on the Akira and Jacky characters, with Akira even maintaining his blocky polygonal look from the original game. Tekken fighter Heihachi (and his amazing hair) serves as inspiration for one costume, with additional costumes based on Isabelle from Animal Crossing, MegaMan.EXE from Mega Man Battle Network, Zero from Mega Man X, the Inkling Girl and Boy and the Squid Hat from Splatoon also available.Dreamland (Stage)
For 3DS: $1.99
For Wii U: $1.99
3DS + Wii U Bundle: $2.99
Based on the first Dreamland stage from the original Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 64, this stage returns with a few tweaks.Miiverse (Stage)
For Wii U: Free
This new stage for Super Smash Bros. For Wii U features Miiverse posts created by players all over the world. During matches while connected to the Internet, players will see Miiverse posts appear that cheer specific fighters on from the background. These messages will be pulled from individual Miiverse communities that just opened for each Super Smash Bros. character.Everything Pack
For 3DS: $21.96
For Wii U: $21.96
3DS + Wii U Bundle: 29.16
Players who want every fighter, stage, outfit and accessory featured among today’s DLC releases can buy them all at once.
In addition to all of today’s downloadable content, Nintendo had a few other Smash-related announcement to make. In August, a free update will add Tourney Mode to the game on the 3DS and Wii U. According to Nintendo, “Community Tourneys let players compete for the highest points in a certain amount of time, while regular Tourneys have a specific set of rules and only happen at select times.” Tourney Mode will be followed by a second free update that will give Smash Bros. For Wii U players the chance to upload match replays to YouTube.
Finally, some new Amiibo figures are coming in September. The previously-announced Dr. Mario, Ganondorf, Bowser Jr., Zero Suit Samus, and Captain Olimar figures will be part of this wave. But fans will also be able to pick up Mii Fighter figures, as well as R.O.B., Mr. Game and Watch, and the Duck Hunt Dog. A Falco figure will also be available at a later date. And Amiibo figures based on Roy, Lucas, and Ryu are also in the works.
Is that enough Smash Bros. news for one day? Images of the newly announced Amiibo figures can be found after the break. (more…)
Posted in 3DS, News, Wii U
Tagged E3 2015, Super Smash Bros. For 3DS, Super Smash Bros. For Wii U
Splatoon’s first Splatfest (Cats Versus Dogs) will take place on June 20
UPDATE: The first Splatfest will now take place on July 4.
This week is the E3 Expo, the busiest and most exciting seven days for the entire game industry. Nintendo wants that excitement to last a few extra days as the publisher has scheduled Splatoon‘s first U.S. Splatfest for this upcoming Saturday, June 20.
During a Splatfest, players will pledge allegiance to one of two sides. The first Splatfest pits people who love man’s best friend, the dog, versus those that side with a witch’s constant companion, the cat. You can make your selection now at the Splatfest kiosk in Splatoon’s Plaza. Your character will even receive a temporary t-shirt to help show your support. To promote this major event, Nintendo has created a music video starring Callie and Marie, the Squid Sisters. The hosts of Inkopolis TV bring the freshness by rocking out on top of an awesome-looking nighttime map that I hope is available in Splatoon soon.
The winning side will receive a pile of Super Sea Snails, items which can be given to Spyke to enhance or customize your gear. So don’t forget, the “Cats Versus Dogs” Splatfest begins on Saturday, June 20 at 9:00 AM (Eastern Time) and goes on for a full 24 hours, ending on Sunday, June 21 at 9:00 AM (also Eastern Time). Good luck to all.
And when choosing sides, remember, your cat would eat you the first chance it gets.
Weekly Warp-Up: T-Minus Ten Hours to E3 2015
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…
It’s all anybody can talk about, but the E3 Expo begins in literally ten hours. That’s when Bethesda kicks things off with their E3 Press Conference (their first ever). We’ll get our first look at Fallout 4 and Doom 4 and whatever else the company has up their sleeve. It should be a good time.
But we didn’t spend all this week waiting for next week, did we? Sorta… Kinda… But not entirely! There were also the standard set of Pre-E3 announcements, which this week included a huge lineup of new titles from XSEED Games and the promise of an unannounced game from Platinum Games (which turned out to be Transformers: Devastation). Also, Electronic Arts has a very packed E3 2015 presentation that includes more than a dozen games.
We also published the latest edition of Kickstart This!, which focused on the crowdfunding campaigns for Defragmented, Pixel Starships, and Severed World. While you drool over AAA reveals for the next seven days, don’t forget about the little guy.
Looking for more news from the week that was? Of course you are! You can find more news blurbs after the break. (more…)
Posted in News
New Releases: Payday 2: Crimewave Edition, Xbox One 1 TB Bundle, More
The 2015 E3 Expo will unofficially open its doors in just a few hours with Bethesda’s Press Conference (their first ever), so the big publishers are mostly taking this week off. But that won’t stop 505 Games and Overkill from releasing Payday 2: Crimewave Edition on the PS4 and Xbox One. Payday 2: Crimewave Edition will come packaged with improved graphics and a wide variety of downloadable content that Overkill previously made available for the cooperative heist simulator on the PS3 and Xbox 360.
If you haven’t upgraded to an Xbox One yet, this week might be the perfect time as Microsoft will release a new Xbox One 1 TB + Halo: The Master Chief Collection Bundle. In addition to a bigger hard drive, the console comes with an improved controller that Microsoft will also sell separately as the Xbox One “Covert Forces” Controller.
In other new release news, the upcoming Tour De France has inspired Focus Home Interactive and Cyanide Studio to release Pro Cycling Manager 2015 for the PC (Download Only). Insert your own “performance enhancing drug” joke here.
Enjoy this week’s E3 Expo folks, it looks to be a good one!
Leak reveals Platinum’s secret E3 2015 announcement is Transformers: Devastation
Thanks to Best Buy Canada, Platinum Games’s secret E3 2015 announcement is now a little less secret. According to the retailer, Platinum is teaming up with Activision to produce Transformers: Devastation, a cel-shaded brawler that takes place during the beloved “Generation 1” era of the cartoon franchise. If the listing is accurate, Activision is planning to release the game for the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One on October 6.
Players will get the chance to take control of five Autobots during the game: Optimus Prime, Bubblebee, Sideswipe, Wheeljack, and Grimlock. Best of all, original voice actors Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime), Dan Gilvezan (Bubblebee), and Frank Welker (Megatron and Soundwave) will return to lend the story a sense of authenticity. Here’s what else fans can expect from the game:
Autobots face off against the Decepticons when Megatron discovers a way to harness the enormous power of plasma energy to cyberform Earth.
Face off against Megatron and battle it out with the Decepticons in Transformers: Devestation. Equipped with fast action capabilities, this game allows for instant robot to vehicle attacks, slam downs, counterattacks, and infinite combos for a unique master combat system. Five difficulty levels also deliver hours of intense gameplay.
Believe it or not, Transformers: Devastation will actually be the first time American audiences will get to control “Generation 1” characters in a video game. A handful of games based on the series have been created, but none have ever been released outside Japan. The most recent was Transformers, which was released for the PS2 in 2003.
You can relive the 80s with the first screenshots from Transformers: Devastation after the break. And don’t forget, the first gameplay trailer will be unveiled during IGN Live on Tuesday, June 16 at 6:00 PM (Eastern Time). (more…)
Electronic Arts will display a dozen games during E3 2015 Press Conference
Sports! Sports! Sports!
When you think of sports video games, you think of Electronic Arts (or, more specifically, EA Sports). The powerhouse publisher loves sports so much that they plan to feature five athletic adaptations (FIFA 16, Madden NFL 16, NBA Live 16, NHL 16, and Rory Mcllroy PGA Tour) at the 2015 E3 Expo. However, the company’s E3 Press Conference will have plenty of other non-sports games on display, including Star Wars: Battlefront, Need For Speed, Star Wars: The Old Republic, and the world premiere of Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst. But wait… there’s still more. The publisher plans to showcase “a dozen” games during their Press Conference, which means an additional three games will be have to be announced on stage. That said, we have a pretty good idea what EA’s internal studios are working on…
- Visceral is developing another Star Wars game, possibly starring Han Solo.
- Criterion is experimenting with some kind of wild transportation game.
- PopCap is making a “bigger and bolder” Plants vs Zombies game for consoles.
- BioWare is developing a Mass Effect game with a “MASSIVE” single-player campaign.
- And DICE is hard at work on Battlefield 5, which will launch in Fall 2016.
It’s likely that all of these titles will get at least a cursory mention during EA’s E3 Press Conference. And you can watch the presentation in the comfort of your own home as EA plans to broadcast the Press Conference live at LiveToPlay.EA.com on Monday, June 15 at 4:00 PM (Eastern Time). More details about all of this year’s previously-announced titles can be found after the break. (more…)
Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Tagged E3 2015, FIFA 16, Madden NFL 16, Mirror's Edge: Catalyst, NBA Live 16, Need For Speed, NHL 16, Rory McIlroy PGA Tour, Star Wars: Battlefront, Star Wars: The Old Republic
Video Game Release Calendar Changelog: Pre-E3 2015 Edition
Don’t Forget! This is just a changelog of recently announced release dates. Warp Zoned’s complete Video Game Release Calendar includes every title we could find with a 2015, 2016, 2017, or unannounced release date.
The 2015 E3 Expo will kick off in just a few days with the first-ever E3 Press Conference from Bethesda. The publisher has promised a first look at Fallout 4, as well as Doom 4. Both games currently have “TBA” release dates, but that will likely change this Sunday. As I dive into the rest of the new release dates in this Pre-E3 2015 Edition of our Video Game Release Calendar Changelog, I can’t be sure I got them all. Dozens of games have release dates (or, at the very least, release windows) that didn’t before.
So here’s a few more games we can start looking forward to…
- Until Dawn, Sony’s “kids in the woods” horror game for the PS4, will be released on August 25.
- Skylanders SuperChargers will bring its “interactive game toys” (we need a better name for this genre) to nearly every platform on September 20.
- The Mega Man Legacy Collection will collect the first six games in the series on the PC, PS4, and Xbox One this Summer.
- Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection will bring the three PS3 games to the PS4 on October 9.
- Square Enix will release Dragon Quest Heroes on the PS4 on October 13.
- Bandai Namco’s Tales series will expand on October 20 with Tales of Zestiria on the PC, PS3, and PS4.
- And the next Tales game after that, Tales of Berseria, has been officially announced, but it’s release date is currently “TBA.”
Even more new release dates from this edition of the Video Game Release Calendar Changelog can be found after the break. And check back with us after E3 when we’ll surely get the chance to pencil in even more release dates. (more…)