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.

Kingdom Hearts III is in development for PS4 and Xbox One

Posted on June 11, 2013 by John Scalzo

It’s been more than seven years, but Square Enix has finally announced a new entry in the “mainline” Kingdom Hearts series. Announced yesterday at Sony’s E3 Press Conference, Kingdom Hearts III is actually in development for both the PS4 and the Xbox One:

Believing light and darkness must remain in balance, Master Xehanort seeks to spark war against the ‘tyranny of light’ to restore equilibrium. In an effort to undermine Xehanort’s plot, Sora, Donald and Goofy search for seven guardians of light and the “Key to Return Hearts,” while King Mickey and Riku search for previous Keyblade wielders.

Kingdom Hearts III doesn’t have a release date yet, but you can check out the first trailer above.

Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged ,

First Super Smash Bros. 4 trailer is double the fun

Posted on June 11, 2013 by John Scalzo

Have you watched the first trailer for Super Smash Bros. 4 yet? If not, I highly recommend it as the series looks beautiful in high definition. And, if it’s possible, the cel-shaded 3DS version looks even more stylish.

Sadly, the trailer above cuts off before the EPIC Mega Man reveal, but you can see the Blue Bomber deliver a smackdown on the entire Nintendo stable in the complete Nintendo Direct video (the link is cued up at 36:30 for maximum Mega Man).

Posted in 3DS, News, Wii U | Tagged , ,

Pokemon X and Y launching on October 12

Posted on June 11, 2013 by John Scalzo

We knew that Pokemon X and Pokemon Y would be released for the 3DS in October, but now we have an exact date: Saturday, October 12. That’s not just for Japan or the US, that’s for everybody. This is the first worldwide launch of a Pokemon game ever.

And speaking of firsts, Pokemon X/Y will be the first game in the series to introduce the Fairy-type Pokemon:

The first new type to be introduced in a Pokemon video game in over a decade, Fairy-type Pokemon like Sylveon and their Fairy-type moves will be super effective against Dragon-type Pokemon! Prior to Pokemon X and Pokemon Y, only Dragon-type and Ice-type moves were super effective against Dragon-type Pokemon. Fairy-type Pokemon will include not only newly discovered Pokemon like Sylveon, but also Pokemon from past titles like Gardevoir, Marill, and Jigglypuff, which will be reclassified as Fairy-type Pokemon in Pokemon X and Pokemon Y.

And while you’re here, be sure to check out the new gameplay trailer above.

Posted in 3DS, News | Tagged ,

Nintendo @ E3 13: Mario Kart 8 introduces the hovercar

Posted on June 11, 2013 by John Scalzo

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Nintendo is sticking with their numeric naming scheme for the Mario Kart franchise as the next game in the series will be known as Mario Kart 8. Scheduled for release on the Wii U in Spring 2014, Mario Kart 8 combines some of the best features from the last two games in the series to create something totally new.

There’s gliders and underwater karts from Mario Kart 7, along with bikes from Mario Kart Wii. But mixed in with these vehicles is a new kind of transportation: the hovercar. The hovercar is able to drive up walls and upside down and it looks really cool doing it. The frantic madness of your typical Mario Kart race looks even wilder when racers can drive anywhere on the track.

Yeah, it’s wild.

Posted in News, Wii U | Tagged ,

Nintendo @ E3 13: Super Smash Bros. 4 looks amazing, includes Mega Man

Posted on June 11, 2013 by John Scalzo

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Nintendo President Satoru Iwata gave us our first look at Super Smash Bros. 4 and it’s definitely coming along nicely. The game’s got a great cel-shaded look on the 3DS and a modern, high definition sheen on the Wii U.

Confirmed characters for the next Smash Bros. game include Mario, Link, Samus Aran, Kirby, Star Fox, Kid Icarus, Donkey Kong, Pikachu, Bowser, a Villager from Animal Crossing, and… Mega Man! Oh, yes! Classic NES-style Mega Man will join the fight when Super Smash Bros. 4 is released in 2014.

Posted in 3DS, News, Wii U | Tagged , ,

Nintendo @ E3 13: Monolith Soft’s X will be available in 2014

Posted on June 11, 2013 by John Scalzo

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Monlith Soft is back with another action RPG with transforming mechs and a fantasy/futuristic feel. X looks gorgeous in high definition and includes a “large-scale and seamless open world.”

There’s still no word on if its a sequel to Xenoblade Chronicles, but we do know that it’ll be available in 2014.

Posted in News, Wii U | Tagged ,

Nintendo @ E3 13: Super Mario 3D World features Cat Mario, four-player multiplayer

Posted on June 11, 2013 by John Scalzo

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After a quick jaunt through Pokemon X/Y, Nintendo wasted no time getting to the big stuff, such as Super Mario 3D World for the Wii U. A follow-up to Super Mario 3D Land, the game is a 2D/3D hybrid with four-player multiplayer. Players can play as Mario, Luigi, Toad, or Princess Peach and each character has unique abilities (a la Super Mario Bros. 2) and “personalities.”

The four are shown running through the Mushroom Kingdom, but also white water rafting down a treacherous river and we’re introduced to a new powerup: Cat Mario. Cat Mario can climb walls, scratch enemies, and will surely be the toast of the Internet before too long.

Super Mario 3D World will be out this December.

Posted in News, Wii U | Tagged ,

Secret Ponchos will be released on the PS4 in 2014

Posted on June 11, 2013 by John Scalzo

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Secret Ponchos was one of our favorite games on display at this year’s PAX East show, so it was great seeing the guys from Switchblade Monkeys on stage at Sony’s E3 Press Conference to announce that the game will be released on the PS4.

This morning, the Monkeys have confirmed that Secret Ponchos will be released sometime in 2014, which is a bit of a delay from its originally scheduled Summer 2013 release. Of course, if it was somehow released for the PS4 in Summer 2013 that would bend the laws of space and time. And I don’t think anyone wants that.

A blog post on the game’s official website reveals that a PC version of the game is also a priority for the developers: “We’re doing our best to bring Secret Ponchos to the PC.”

Posted in News, PC, PS4 | Tagged ,