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.

BioShock Infinite is exceptional atop the March 2013 list of bestselling games

Posted on April 18, 2013 by John Scalzo

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Good news everyone! The NPD Group (via Game Informer) has released their report on the best-selling games of March 2013 and they’ve confirmed that total game sales saw a 2% increase over March 2012. That’s the first year-over-year increase since November 2011. So good job game-buying public!

BioShock Infinite was the top-selling game of the month, just ahead of Square Enix’s Tomb Raider reboot. New games dominated the list as eight of the top ten titles were released in March. Only Call of Duty: Black Ops II and NBA 2K13 managed to fight through the new release wave to earn a spot in the top ten.

Here’s the complete list of the top ten best-selling games in March 2013:

1. BioShock Infinite (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
2. Tomb Raider (Xbox 360, PS3)
3. Gears of War: Judgment (Xbox 360)
4. God of War: Ascension (PS3)
5. Call of Duty: Black Ops II (Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii U)
6. Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon (3DS)
7. MLB 13: The Show (PS3, Vita)
8. NBA 2K13 (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, Wii U, PSP, PC)
9. The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U)
10. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 (Xbox 360, PS3)

Posted in 3DS, News, PC, PS3, PSP, Vita, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360 | Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Wii U Release Dates: Pikmin 3, Game & Wario

Posted on April 18, 2013 by John Scalzo

They missed the Wii U’s “launch window,” but Pikmin 3 and Game & Wario finally have release dates, courtesy of yesterday’s Nintendo Direct presentation.

Game & Wario will be available in stores and on the Wii U eShop on June 23, just in time for Summer vacation. The first trailer for the minigame collection can be viewed above.

Pikmin 3, which was originally in production for the Wii, will finally make its way onto store shelves (and the Wii U eShop) on August 4.

With new release dates for Mario & Luigi: Dream Team and Shin Megami Tensei IV also announced yesterday, it’s shaping up to be the Summer of Nintendo.

Posted in News, Wii U | Tagged ,

Shinji Mikami’s Zwei is Bethesda’s mystery project, which will be unveiled tomorrow

Posted on April 18, 2013 by John Scalzo

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Bethesda has dropped another bizarre video onto Vine (which you can find after the break) with the promise of more information to come tomorrow on IGN. But IGN plays by their own rules and let the cat out of the bag early, revealing that the mystery game is actually Shinji Mikami’s Zwei.

According to IGN, they will reveal the official title of Tango Gameworks’ first game, as well as a teaser trailer for the title, at 8 AM (Eastern Time).

As the creator of Resident Evil, Mikami is no stranger to horrific imagery and the three mini-teasers Bethesda has revealed so far (the first two can be seen here) definitely ping the creep-o-meter. I can’t wait to get a look at the full game. (more…)

Posted in News | Tagged

Nintendo Download: Lego City Undercover 3DS, Level-5 sale, a lot more

Posted on April 18, 2013 by John Scalzo

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It’s another big week of release for the Nintendo Download, but once again, the biggest game won’t be available until Sunday.

TT Games’ Lego City Undercover: The Chase Begins is that game and it’ll be available to download from the 3DS eShop on April 21. The handheld prequel to the Wii U hit goes back to tell the story of Chase McCain’s first case, back when he was a rookie cop wet behind his plastic hair.

But if you’re looking for something to download today, Nintendo has added the previously retail-only Tetris: Axis, Harvest Moon 3D: The Tale of Two Towns, and the following list of games to the 3DS eShop and/or DSiWare Shop:

Four more games will be added to the handheld download services on April 23:

Finally, the excellent Level-5-developed games Liberation Maiden, Crimson Shroud, and Aero Porter have been marked down for the next month on the 3DS eShop. Liberation Maiden and Crimson Shroud are on sale for $4.99 while Aero Porter is marked all the way down to $2.99. Highly recommended.

Posted in 3DS, DS, News | Tagged

Madden NFL 25 Cover Vote: Barry Sanders vs Adrian Peterson

Posted on April 18, 2013 by John Scalzo

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Barry Sanders, a man who needs no introduction, squares off against Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings in the final round of the Madden NFL 25 Cover Vote.

Sanders played his entire career with the Detroit Lions and retired in 1999 as one of the greatest running backs of all time. He previously appeared on the cover of Madden NFL 2000 as well as All-Pro Football 2K8. Some say Sanders’ retirement mere weeks before he became the first player to appear on the cover of a Madden NFL game was the impetus of the infamous “Madden Curse.” Up to that point, only John Madden had been pictured on the game’s cover.

Peterson, nicknamed “All Day” for his ability to running prowess, holds the record for most rushing yards in a single game (296). He joined the exclusive “2,000 Yard Club” last season on the way to the NFL MVP Award.

So who’s it going to be? Cast your vote now at ESPN.com/MaddenVote. The winner will be announced on ESPN2’s SportsNation on Wednesday, April 24 at 8 PM (Eastern Time).

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Injustice, Dragon Fantasy, Capcom Arcade Cabinet: 1984 Pack added to PS Store

Posted on April 18, 2013 by John Scalzo

injustice-7This week’s PlayStation Store update was a bit late due to some network mainenance, but if you’re a fan of superhero smackdowns or old school RPGs, it’s definitely worth a look.

Leading the pack this week is NetherRealm’s Injustice: Gods Among Us. The team behind Mortal Kombat has created a DC Comics brawler that pits Batman against Superman in a battle over the soul of the very world. Also available this week is Dragon Fantasy: Book I, an 8-bit-styled RPG that is the second game in Sony’s monthlong celebration of indie games, “Spring Fever 2013.” The game is available for $9.99 as a PSN/Vita Cross-Buy title.

What else can you look forward to this week? How about the side-scrolling beat ’em up Sacred Citadel, Capcom Arcade Cabinet‘s “1984 Pack,” and Team Ninja’s Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge? All three are available on the PS Store now.

Hit the jump for even more new releases and head over to the PlayStation Blog for a look at this week’s new game add-ons. (more…)

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

3DS Release Dates: Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, Shin Megami Tensei IV

Posted on April 17, 2013 by John Scalzo

shinmegamitensei4-dateThis afternoon’s Nintendo Direct presentation was stuffed full of new information on a ton of different 3DS and Wii U games. And if you’re an RPG fan who also happens to own a 3DS, Nintendo has two dates they want you to circle on your calendar.

Atlus’ long-awaited Shin Megami Tensei IV will be available on July 16 in a special Limited Edition box set. In addition to the fourth game in the series, SMT fans will be able to obtain a special Strategy & Design Book and a SMT Music Collection CD. According to Atlus, after the first printing of the game, this special edition will be gone.

Finally, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team will be available in stores and the 3DS eShop on August 11. A teaser trailer for the game can be found after the break. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, News | Tagged ,

Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past 2 coming to the 3DS this year

Posted on April 17, 2013 by John Scalzo

zeldalinktothepast2-1Nintendo announced the first original Legend of Zelda game for the 3DS this afternoon and, as expected, it’s a sequel to the Super NES fan favorite A Link to the Past. The game, which is tentatively known as The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past 2, will be released during the 2013 holiday season.

The sequel will employ the same top-down perspective that fans have come to know and love, but this time with the addition of the 3D abilities the 3DS is known for. Besides a multi-leveled world, Link is also able to transform into a drawing and walk along walls (and through cracks in the wall) in this new Zelda adventure.

A gameplay video for The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past 2 made its debut during today’s Nintendo Direct presentation. You can check it out on YouTube now or download it from the 3DS eShop.

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