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.

New 3DS XL, Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate all launching on February 13

Posted on January 14, 2015 by John Scalzo

February 13 is going to be a big day for Nintendo and their 3DS handheld. On that day, which is also Friday the 13th, Nintendo will release their New 3DS XL handheld in America along with several hotly-anticipated 3DS games.

The New 3DS XL includes a bevy of new features such as expanded control options (a C-Stick and ZL/ZR buttons), enhanced 3D viewing thanks to face-tracking technology, and built-in NFC functionality for Amiibo figures. Four different versions of the handheld will be released including the system-only New Red and New Black packages (priced at $199.99 each). A New 3DS XL featuring artwork based on The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D will also be available for $199.99. Finally, a bundle pack that includes the handheld and a copy of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate will be released for $229.99.

As you might have guessed from the bundle options, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate will also be released on February 13. They’ll be joined on store shelves on February 13 by a third new 3DS game… Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy+, the latest game in the dogfighting simulation series.

Nintendo wants to be sure that no one feels unlucky on this Friday the 13th.

Posted in 3DS, News | Tagged , ,

Atelier Ayesha Plus, Monopoly Plus, a PSP game, more added to PS Store

Posted on January 14, 2015 by John Scalzo

playstationstorelogo

This week’s PlayStation Store update is either incredibly skimpy or incredibly generous, depending on your point of view. If you’re interested in Sony’s PlayStation Now game streaming service on the PS4, you’ll be pleased to know that a subscription option is now available. Currently boasting more than 100 PS3 games, PlayStation Now is definitely a window into the PS3’s more obscure corners.

If you’re looking for new releases, a few new games were added to the PlayStation Store this week, including a PSP game. Monopoly Plus (and its two add-ons, Monopoly Deal and My Monopoly) is the only new PS3 game.

The handheld realm is where its at this week as five new games are now available. Two of the games, Bandai Namco’s Atelier Ayesha Plus: The Alchemist of Dusk and Hello Games’ Joe Danger 2: The Movie, are shrunk down (but expanded) Vita versions of previously-released PS3 games. And Fat Princess: Piece of Cake is a match-3 puzzler set within the Fat Princess world.

Finally, that PSP game is Brandish: The Dark Revenant, an action RPG from XSEED that is actually a remake of a Super NES game that was first released in 1995.

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

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

Meet Behemoth, the star of Evolve’s Monster Expansion Pack

Posted on January 13, 2015 by John Scalzo

After months of teasing, Turtle Rock Studios is finally ready to unveil Evolve‘s fourth Monster, Behemoth, which will be released as part of the game’s Monster Expansion Pack. The Monster Expansion Pack is being offered as a bonus to players who pre-order, but it will also be sold separately for $14.99. Either way you acquire it, the Monster Expansion Pack will be available this Spring.

So what can we expect from Behemoth? Aside from the excellent Indiana Jones-inspired trailer above, the rocky beast is the largest Monster that will ever be offered in Evolve. He is stronger than any other Monster and has more health and tougher armor too. Thankfully, he cannot leap or jump, but he can curl himself into a ball and roll over the Hunters.

Want more? The Evolve News Blog has an infographic comparing Behemoth’s girth to other grand endeavors and details his four attacks:

  • Lava Bombs: Effective at short and long range, these mortar bombs shatter into fragments and continue to burn the area around them, including any Hunters who find themselves in the damage radius.
  • Rock Wall: Creates a large, semi-circular rock structure that either traps victims inside with Behemoth, or locks him away from attackers.
  • Tongue Grab: Behemoth uses his harpoon-like tongue to snatch a distant target and pull it into melee.
  • Fissure: A wave of destruction blasts out of Behemoth, fracturing the terrain and scalding and stunning everything in its path.

Turtle Rock has also outlined some additional downloadable content that will grace Evolve after its PC, PS4, and Xbox One launch on February 10:

The Hunting Season Pass will include “Magma” skins for the three main Monsters and four new playable Hunters. The Hunting Season Pass will be available in the Spring and has been priced at $24.99 (each Hunter will also be sold separately for $7.49 apiece). It’s also available as part of the Digital Deluxe Edition, which will also include the main game and the Monster Expansion Pack. The Digital Deluxe Edition will be sold exclusively as a digital download, which has been priced at $79.99.

Lastly, the PC Monster Race Edition is a digital download exclusively for the PC that includes the main game, the Hunting Season Pass, the Monster Expansion Pack, and a special bundle of DLC featuring a fifth Monster, two additional Hunters, and four PC Monster Race-exclusive Monster skins. The PC Monster Race Edition has been priced at $99.99.

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

Grand Theft Auto V’s PC launch has been delayed again; March 24 is the new release date

Posted on January 13, 2015 by John Scalzo

grandtheftautov-box-largeGrand Theft Auto V‘s PS4 and Xbox One re-release produced big sales for Rockstar Games along with a carload of critical praise. Unfortunately, the release of the highly-anticipated PC version has been delayed again. Previously scheduled to launch on January 27, the game will now compete against Bloodborne for the attention of gamers everywhere on March 24.

Writing on the Rockstar Newswire, the developer confirmed that the game needs a bit more polish before launch. More specifically, they said that Grand Theft Auto V “requires a few extra weeks of testing and polish to make it as good as can be.” As a way of apology, Rockstar included the first screenshots from the PC version of game in the same blog post, and they posted them in glorious 4K resolution.

Finally, the system requirements for Grand Theft Auto V have been released:

Minimum System Requirements

  • OS: Windows 8.1 64-Bit / Windows 8 64-Bit / Windows 7 64-Bit Service Pack 1 / Windows Vista 64-Bit Service Pack 2 (Nvidia video card recommended if running Vista OS)
  • Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs) / AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs) @ 2.5GHz
  • Memory: 4GB
  • Video Card: Nvidia 9800 GT 1GB / AMD HD 4870 1GB (DX 10, 10.1, 11)
  • Sound Card: 100% DirectX 10 compatible
  • HDD Space: 65 GB
  • DVD Drive

Recommended System Requirements

  • OS: Windows 8.1 64-Bit / Windows 8 64-Bit / Windows 7 64-Bit Service Pack 1
  • Processor: Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.2GHZ (4 CPUs) / AMD X8 FX-8350 @ 4GHZ (8 CPUs)
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Video Card: Nvidia GTX 660 2GB / AMD HD7870 2GB
  • Sound Card: 100% DirectX 10 compatible
  • HDD Space: 65 GB
  • DVD Drive
Posted in News, PC | Tagged

Telltale: “Unannounced partnerships” and “original IP” in the works as new CEO steps in

Posted on January 13, 2015 by John Scalzo

telltale-logo

It’s obvious that Telltale Games loves playing in the sandboxes of other people. The publisher has partnered with more than a dozen different creators over the years, translating each of their unique properties into a Telltale-styled adventure game. But every company has that itch to tell their own stories and Telltale is no different.

We’ve learned this thanks to a changing of the guard in Telltale’s management structure. Kevin Bruner, one of the company’s co-founders is stepping into the role of CEO, which was recently vacated by Dan Connors, who will remain with Telltale as an Executive Advisor. Bruner’s first order of business was to tell the world that Telltale is currently developing multiple games based on “unannounced partnerships” as well as an original property, their first since 2011’s Puzzle Agent 2:

“Our top priority is to continue fostering an environment where the most talented and creative storytellers in the industry are working side by side with the world’s biggest creative partners. We’re already working on some of the biggest franchises in entertainment, and when you add our unannounced partnerships and upcoming original IP, it’s clear the most exciting time to be at Telltale is now, and there will continue to be more and more opportunity to innovate ahead of us.”

It’s unknown when Telltale will officially unveil these unannounced projects as they’ve already got a pretty full plate for 2015. In the near term, the developer has committed to completing Game of Thrones and Tales From the Borderlands, both of which began in late 2014. And they will also commence work on Minecraft: Story Mode and The Walking Dead Season 3, both of which are set to premiere sometime this year.

Posted in News |

Puzzle & Dragons Z is still on track for a western release

Posted on January 13, 2015 by John Scalzo

gungho-logoWith the recent announcement of Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition, some people have become worried that the North American release of the previously-announced Puzzle & Dragons Z would be canceled.

But the Twitter account for publisher GungHo Online has confirmed that there’s no need to worry, as it looks like the 3DS game is still on track for a North American (and likely European) release:

Puzzle & Dragons Z is a match-3 puzzler that includes RPG elements. It is extremely popular in Japan, where it has sold more than 1.3 million copies since its release in December 2013.

Posted in 3DS, News | Tagged

Forza 6 announced; Ford GT, Shelby Mustang, F-150 Raptor slated to appear in game

Posted on January 12, 2015 by John Scalzo

Microsoft has just announced that Forza Motorsport 6 is in development at Turn 10 Studios and will be exclusively released for the Xbox One. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the franchise’s debut, and while Microsoft wouldn’t confirm that the game will be released this year, they did say that the first gameplay trailer will make its debut during the 2015 E3 Expo in June.

The consolemaker has also partnered with Ford to introduce three new Ford vehicles in the game. The Ford GT, Shelby GT350 Mustang, and F-150 Raptor will all be included in Forza 6 with the GT serving as the game’s “cover car.” All three were first unveiled by Ford today during the first day of the North American International Auto Show, so this news actually serves as something of a double announcement.

“It is an honor to share this historic moment with Ford and celebrate the legacy of the GT by making it the featured cover car of Forza Motorsport 6,” said Phil Spencer, the Head of Microsoft’s Xbox Division. “We’re thrilled to have the unique opportunity to announce Forza Motorsport 6 the day the car debuts – on one of the biggest stages in the automotive industry – and we can’t wait to share more details on the game later this year.”

Posted in News, Xbox One | Tagged ,

Call of Duty Online open beta now available in China

Posted on January 12, 2015 by John Scalzo

Call of Duty Online was first announced back in 2011, and after a series of alpha tests and closed betas, Activision, and Chinese publishing partner Tencent, are finally ready to launch an open beta for the PC game.

“Millions of gamers in the West have come to appreciate that white-knuckled, epic thrill-ride that only Call of Duty delivers. And now an entire new audience of gamers will experience this for the first time. We believe Call of Duty Online is going to be a game-changer for Chinese gamers,” said Eric Hirshberg, the CEO of Activision Publishing. “We’ve worked closely with our partner at Tencent, and we’ve challenged one of our most trusted and talented development teams of Raven Software to create a true Call of Duty experience tailored for the Chinese market. Throughout testing, the community feedback has been tremendous. We couldn’t be more excited and we look forward to winning the hearts and minds of a new community in China.”

Call of Duty Online was developed by Raven Software exclusively for the Chinese market, so it’s unlikely that the free-to-play game will ever be available for western gamers. But that didn’t stop Activision from going all out and creating a nifty live action trailer for the launch featuring Chris Evans (AKA Captain America).

If you live in China (or speak Chinese), more information on Call of Duty Online is available through the game’s official website.

Posted in News, PC | Tagged