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.

Bandai Namco files trademark application for Katamari Damacy Encore

Posted on September 11, 2018 by John Scalzo

The King of All Cosmos lives! Gematsu is reporting that Bandai Namco has filed multiple trademark applications for a new game in the Katamari Damacy franchise.

According to the report, the publisher recently filed trademark applications for Katamari Damacy Reroll in Europe and Katamari Damacy Encore in Japan. Both applications were filed within days of each other, so they likely refer to the same game.

While the proposed titles seem to point towards some kind of re-release, that’s fineOK by me, because it’s been far too long time since fans have been able to pilot a Katamari Ball through the streets of Tokyo. Believe it or not, Touch My Katamari was released for the Vita more than six years ago, and it’s been more than nine years since Katamari Forever made its PS3 debut. A pair of mobile spinoffs were also briefly available on the iOS App Store, but they were delisted years ago.

The Tokyo Game Show kick offs next week, so hopefully Bandai Namco will have more to say about Katamari Damacy Reroll/Katamari Damacy Encore soon.

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Hollow Knight will be released for the PS4 and Xbox One on September 25

Posted on September 11, 2018 by John Scalzo

Team Cherry has announced (via their official website) that Hollow Knight will be available to download for the PS4 and Xbox One beginning on September 25.

The new Voidheart Edition will include the original game, as well as the four downloadable expansions previously released for the PC and Switch:

The original award winning action-adventure. Journey through vast lands. Defeat over 150 deadly foes, including over 40 epic bosses. Power-up with startling new skills and abilities.

4 giant Content Packs, built in at launch, expanding the game with all new quests, terrifying boss fights and striking new abilities. Hours of additional content, additional challenges and additional bugs (the insect kind!). That’s Hidden Dreams, The Grimm Troupe, Lifeblood, and the colossal Godmaster.

A physical version of Hollow Knight will be published by Skybound Games, and that should be available on store shelves early next year.

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

Bandai Namco will release Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition on January 11, 2019

Posted on September 10, 2018 by John Scalzo

Bandai Namco has announced that Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition will be available in stores on January 11, 2019. The re-release is currently in development for the PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One, and will include “upscaled screen resolution as well as characters, events, and additional content never released outside of Japan.”

The publisher also plans to release a special Anniversary Bundle of the game (packed with exclusive collectibles featuring Yuri Lowell, Patty Fleur, Flynn Scifo, and Repede) through the Bandai Namco Official Store for the PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.

Tales of Vesperia was originally released exclusively for the Xbox 360 back in 2008, and the RPG will be celebrating its 11th anniversary next year.

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

New Retail Releases: Shadow of the Tomb Raider, NBA 2K19, NHL 19, More

Posted on September 10, 2018 by John Scalzo

Lara Croft returns this week, and PS4 and Xbox One owners will be able to pick up the Limited Steelbook Edition or Croft Steelbook Edition of Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The finale to the “Origin Trilogy” will also be available to download for the PC.

Sports fans will also get the chance to dig into a few new titles this week, as 2K Sports will launch NBA 2K19 for the PC (download only) PS4, Switch, and Xbox One. The publisher also teamed up with Microsoft to give prospective Xbox One purchasers the chance to jump right in with the Xbox One S 1TB Console + NBA 2K19 Bundle or the Xbox One X 1TB Console + NBA 2K19 Bundle. And don’t worry, EA Sports won’t be giving sports fans the cold shoulder, and that’s because NHL 19 will be available for the PS4 and Xbox One.

Switch owners will be able to put their crafting skills to the test this week with the release of Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit, the third Labo set from the consolemaker. This time around, players will be able to build a vehicle that transforms between a Car, a Submarine, and a Plane with the included key.

And if you still purchase your PC games on DVD, THQ Nordic will reissue several games previously published by Microsoft this week, including ReCore: Definitive Edition, Super Lucky’s Tale, Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection, and a few others.

A full rundown of this week’s new retail release can be found after the break.

(more…)

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

Hyper Light Drifter, Gone Home, SNK Heroines, more coming to Nintendo eShop this week

Posted on September 6, 2018 by John Scalzo

Switch owners will be able to stock up on another big batch of classic indie games with this week’s Nintendo eShop update…

Heart Machine’s visually-distinctive (and critically-acclaimed) Hyper Light Drifter leads the way this week. The Zelda-like action RPG is now available to download in a “Special Edition” that includes new weapons and a new Tower Climb area.

The Drifter will be joined by several other indie favorites this week including Gone Home, Fullbright’s narrative adventure; Broforce, Free Lives’s insane side-scrolling shooter; and Dust: An Elysian Tail, a hand-drawn action RPG from Dean Dodrill.

If you’re looking for something new, NIS America will bring their one-on-one fighter, SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy, the Switch eShop beginning tomorrow. And it’ll be joined by a deluxe edition of 2K’s latest basketball simulation, NBA 2K19: 20th Anniversary Edition.

You can learn more about the rest of this week’s additions to the Nintendo eShop (including Yo-Kai Watch Blasters: Red Cat Corps and Yo-Kai Watch Blasters: White Dog Squad for the 3DS) after the break. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, News, Switch | Tagged , , , , ,

Alphabear 2 is now available to download for mobile devices

Posted on September 5, 2018 by John Scalzo

Spry Fox announced Alphabear 2 almost a year ago, and just when it felt like I couldn’t wait any longer, the developer has revealed that the word-based puzzler is now available to download for iOS and Android devices:

Alphabear 2 features the same word-building gameplay as its predecessor, as well as an even bigger selection of adorable stuffed bears to collect, Daily Events, a series of standalone Time Warp puzzles, and a Story Mode inspired by Back to the Future.

Great Scott!

Posted in Mobile, News | Tagged

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’s Blackout Mode will include zombies, vehicles, and 80 players

Posted on September 4, 2018 by John Scalzo

With the beta test for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4‘s Blackout Mode set to begin next week, Activision has reached out to Game Informer to share a few details about their take on the battle royale genre.

According to the magazine, Blackout Mode will support 80 players during the beta and at launch, though developers from Treyarch said that number could change in the future: “So we’re starting with 80 players, but we’ve gone higher than that. Whenever we launch a game as a beta or whatever, that’s the beginning of something. We’re going to actively be participating in the community and taking feedback, making changes and adapting, evolving the game as feedback rolls in. So there’s a lot that can go on that can happen beyond that first impact of the game going out there.”

The publisher and developer also shared a brief glimpse at the first set of vehicles that players will be able to commandeer in Blackout. A Cargo Truck (which holds five players) and an ATV (which holds two) will be the ground options, but four players will also be able to travel by sea in a Zodiac Inflatable Boat, while five can take to the air in a Little Bird Helicopter.

Finally, Activision confirmed that zombies will play a big role in Blackout, though we won’t know exactly how they work until the beta begins.

But speaking of the Blackout Mode beta, the publisher revealed the schedule for the upcoming online test on the game’s official website:

PlayStation 4 (Private Beta)
START: Monday, September 10 at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
END: Monday, September 17 at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)

Xbox One (Private Beta)
START: Friday, September 14 at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
END: Monday, September 17 at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)

PC (Private Beta)
START: Friday, September 14 at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
END: Saturday, September 15 at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)

PC (Open Beta)
START: Saturday, September 15 at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
END: Monday, September 17 at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on October 12.

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

Valkyria Chronicles rolls onto the Switch next month

Posted on September 4, 2018 by John Scalzo

Sega hosted a panel at PAX West this year all about the steps they take to bring games created in Japan to gamers in North America and Europe. As you might have guessed, this was the perfect opening to announce a game or two… like the North American launch of Valkyria Chronicles for the Switch.

Valkyria Chronicles will be released for the Switch on October 16, and the trailer that Sega unveiled during “A Sega Perspective: Bringing Japanese Games to the West” has been embedded above:

Sega of America is happy to announce that the original Valkyria Chronicles is heading to the Nintendo Switch eShop on October 16, 2018! Experience the tale of Lieutenant Welkin Gunther, Sergeant Alicia Melchiott, and their comrades in Squad 7 in Valkyria Chronicles on the Nintendo Switch.

It looks like Valkyria Chronicles will be exclusive to the Nintendo eShop, but it’ll include all previously-released downloadable content, and players who own Valkyria Chronicles 4 will receive a 25% discount when they purchase the first game in the series.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged , ,