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.

Everything you ever wanted to know about Hyrule Warriors in one trailer

Posted on July 25, 2014 by John Scalzo

Nintendo has released an epic four-minute trailer for Hyrule Warriors that includes a look at all of the announced characters (including Sheik, Ruto, and Darunia) as well as an NES-styled map, some of the game’s big bosses, and the two-player multiplayer mode. There’s a quick glimpse at the “world colliding” theme that brings all of these heroes together. If you weren’t interested in Hyrule Warriors before, you should be now.

Hyrule Warriors will be released exclusively for the Wii U on September 26.

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New Releases: Wii Sports Club

Posted on July 25, 2014 by John Scalzo

wiisportsclub-logoYou might have noticed a lack of new retail releases this week. And that’s because Nintendo decided to release Wii Sports Club today. Nintendo is notorious for releasing games outside of the traditional Tuesday morning slot, but they can get away with that, because they’re Nintendo. Wii Sports Club brings together all five Wii Sports titles while adding high definition graphics and opening up the competition to online multiplayer.

Baseball… Bowling… Boxing… Golf… Tennis… what’s your game?

Posted in News, Wii U | Tagged

Sonic Boom Release Dates: 3DS on November 11, Wii U on November 18

Posted on July 24, 2014 by John Scalzo

sonicthehedgehogAre you ready to lace up Sonic the Hedgehog’s red sneakers one more time?

Sega has announced that Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal will be released for the 3DS on November 11. It’ll be followed a week later by the release of Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric for the Wii U on November 18. Both games will be a riff on the same plot (an ancient monster named Lyric kidnaps Amy) and will serve as a prequel story to the upcoming Sonic Boom television series on Cartoon Network.

In addition to the release dates, you can head over to the Sega Blog to see the final box shots from both games.

Posted in 3DS, News, Wii U | Tagged

Nintendo Download: Master Reboot, Wooden Sen’Sey, Siesta Fiesta, more

Posted on July 24, 2014 by John Scalzo

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It’s Thursday, so Nintendo has pushed out their newest eShop update. This week, 3DS and Wii U owners will be able to play…

  • Master Reboot (Wii U), a sci-fi horror game that asks if your soul is real.
  • Wooden Sen’Sey (Wii U), a platformer that takes place in a “Japanese Steam Rock world.” What?
  • Super Toy Cars (Wii U), a racing game that features… you guessed it… toy cars.
  • Siesta Fiesta (3DS), an arcade-like title that combines platforming with brick-breaking.
  • Blaster Master (3DS), an underground shooter originally released for the NES in 1988.

More information on all of these games (and a few others) can be found after the break. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, News, Wii U | Tagged

Batman: Arkham Knight pre-orders will include Red Hood story mission at GameStop

Posted on July 24, 2014 by John Scalzo

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GameStop isn’t wasting any time in implementing their plan to offer exclusive bonuses to those who pre-order some of the biggest upcoming games. First there was Alien: Isolation‘s “Last Survivor” mission and now comes an offer of a special Red Hood mission for Batman: Arkham Knight.

Multiple characters over the years have used the Red Hood alias in DC Comics continuity. The Joker himself was the first to wear Red Hood costume, in the time before his days as the Clown Prince of Crime. Maybe Batman’s nemesis isn’t as dead as previously thought. But without delving into conspiracy theories, the second Robin, Jason Todd, also wore the Red Hood costume for a time.

Another bonus mission, this one starring Harley Quinn, will also be given to those who pre-order the game. It’s unknown when (or if) either bonus mission will be made available for those who don’t pre-order Arkham Knight, which will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One sometime in 2015.

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

Valve adds traditional thumbstick to Steam Controller

Posted on July 24, 2014 by John Scalzo

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Engadget has a look at the latest iteration of Valve’s Steam Controller… and now they’ve added a thumbstick. The very traditional-looking stick replaces a set of directional buttons on the lefthand side of the controller. The stick sits below the left trackpad, which remains in the same spot. The right side of the controller looks the same as it did before with another trackpad and four face buttons.

This is the third design of Valve’s Steam Controller that the developer has made public. The controller was originally unveiled last year and Valve dropped a planned touchscreen earlier this year. It’s expected to be available in 2015, but who knows, Valve might have other iterations of the Steam Controller up their sleeve.

This new version of Valve’s Steam Controller makes it look closer to a standard console controller, however, a part of me thinks that the trackpad and analog stick fighting for controller real estate on the left side make it look a little unwieldy. But what do I know? I love the three-pronged Nintendo 64 controller.

Posted in News, PC |

XBL Store Today: Walking Dead S2 Ep4, TMNT Training Lair, Might & Magic: Forgotten Wars

Posted on July 23, 2014 by John Scalzo

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Three new Xbox 360 games are now available to download from the Xbox Live Game Store. First up is the latest episode of The Walking Dead Season 2, Amid the Ruins:

The Walking Dead Season 2: Amid the Ruins ($4.99)
Episode four of a five-part game series set in Robert Kirkman’s award-winning universe.

Dynamite description, guys. Next up is a Kinect-based Ninja Turtles game based on the upcoming movie. By the way, it’s free:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Training Lair (Free)
Step into the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle lair and train to become a ninja. In this action-packed Kinect driven experience, use your skills to complete various missions using different Ninja Turtle weapons. Unlock photo backgrounds and pose with your favorite Ninja Turtle to share photos with your friends on Facebook.

Finally, we’ve got Ubisoft’s card battler, Might & Magic Duel of Champions: Forgotten Wars:

Might & Magic Duel of Champions: Forgotten Wars ($9.99)
Immerse yourself into Duel of Champions: Forgotten Wars and enter the legendary universe of Might & Magic. Experience the best strategic online card game in Forgotten Wars that offers an exciting 30+ mission solo campaign as well as an exciting multiplayer duel. With more than 650 unique cards to collect and 100+ hours of game content to unlock and explore, the adventures you can have are unlimited!

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

EA casts a six-week delay on Dragon Age: Inquisition’s release

Posted on July 23, 2014 by John Scalzo

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Electronic Arts hit one other game with a delay late last night… Dragon Age: Inquisition. However, unlike Battlefield Hardline, Inquisition has only been pushed back six weeks. Mark Darrah, Inquisition’s Executive Producer, wrote on the Dragon Age Blog that his team at BioWare needs this extra month and a half to “improve the overall experience”:

I’m privileged to be a part of a team that has been working very hard to surpass every measure they’ve set for themselves. That has meant completing huge amounts of game content, fixing bugs both big and small, and improving the overall experience. This last bit of time is about polishing the experience we want you to see. Ensuring that our open spaces are as engaging as possible. Strengthening the emotional impact of the Hero’s choices. And ensuring the experience you get is the best it can be in the platform you choose to play on.

Originally set to launch on October 7, Dragon Age: Inquisition will now be released for the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One on November 18.

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