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.

Bayonetta 2 announced as a Wii U exclusive; Project P-100 now known as The Wonderful 101

Posted on September 13, 2012 by John Scalzo

Platinum Games has two games coming to the Wii U! In addition to the previously announced Project P-100, Nintendo has announced that Bayonetta 2 will be available as a Wii U exclusive, and it’ll be published by Nintendo. Hideki Kamiya, the Director of the original Bayonetta, will also lead the development team for the sequel.

Oh, and speaking of Project P-100, the game’s official title has been revealed: The Wonderful 101. That’s 100 heroes and “U,” the player.

Posted in News, Wii U | Tagged ,

Wii U Deluxe Set will be $350, Basic Set will be $300

Posted on September 13, 2012 by John Scalzo

We finally know the price! Nintendo has announced that the 32GB Wii U Deluxe Set will be priced at $350 when it launches on November 18. The 8GB Basic Set will be priced at $300. Both bundles are considerably cheaper than their Japanese counterparts (which will retail for $405 and $338, respectively, in Japan).

We previously covered the contents of both bundles earlier this morning and we’ll have more from Nintendo’s Wii U Media Event all morning.

Posted in News, Wii U |

Wii U Deluxe Set will come bundled with Nintendo Land in North America

Posted on September 13, 2012 by John Scalzo

Like in Japan, the Wii U will be released in the US in two different configurations. But the packages are slightly different on the right side of the Pacific.

The Basic Set (which is only available in white) will include 8GB of memory, a Wii U GamePad, an AC adapter, a Wii Sensor Bar, a stylus and an HDMI cable. Meanwhile, the Deluxe Set will include everything in the Basic Set, but it will also come bundled with Nintendo Land, 32GB of memory, a GamePad AC Charging Adapter, GamePad Stand, a Wii U Stand, and a special discount on all Wii U eShop games.

We’ll have more from Nintendo’s Wii U Media Event (like the price) all morning.

Posted in News, Wii U | Tagged

Wii U will launch on November 18 in US

Posted on September 13, 2012 by John Scalzo

The wait is finally over. Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime has announced that the Wii U will launch in North America on November 18. We’ll have more from Nintendo’s Wii U Media Event (like the price) all morning.

Posted in News, Wii U |

Nintendo Japan will also release New Super Mario Bros. U, Nintendo Land on December 8

Posted on September 13, 2012 by John Scalzo

So we know that the Wii U system will launch in Japan on December 8, but what games will our Japanese brethren be able to play on it? Right now, Nintendo has two games planned for release alongside the system’s launch: the side-scrolling New Super Mario Bros. U and minigame collection Nintendo Land.

At E3, Nintendo announced that Wii Fit U, Game & Wario, and Platinum’s Project P-100 would also be released on launch day. We’ll find out later this morning if that’s still the case, or if they’ve been pushed back into 2013.

Posted in News, Wii U | Tagged ,

Wii U system launching on December 8 in Japan

Posted on September 13, 2012 by John Scalzo

As promised Nintendo Japan has announced when gamers in Japan will be able to get their hands on the Wii U (see what I did there?) on December 8. The system will be available in two configurations, a black 32GB Premium Set (¥31,500/$405) and a white 8GB Basic Set (¥26,250/$338). A release date and price for the US launch will be announced later today.

Will initially reluctant to sell the Wii U GamePad separately, Nintendo Japan has confirmed the tablet controller will be available in stores for ¥13,440 ($173). Of course, one GamePad is included with every system, along with an AC adapter, a stylus and an HDMI cable. The Premium package will include all of that as well as a GamePad AC Charging Adapter, GamePad Stand, a Wii U Stand, and a one-year subscription to Nintendo Network Premium.

Nintendo Network Premium subscriptions (which are only available with the 32GB system) will receive free eShop Points as well as a 10% discount on all eShop purchases. The Pro Controller will also be sold separately, at a price of ¥5,000 ($64).

Again, the Wii U’s launch price and release date for North America will be announced later this morning, so it’s possible that prices on this side of the Pacific won’t be so high.

Posted in News, Wii U |

Apple unveils iPhone 5, iPod Touch 5th Generation

Posted on September 12, 2012 by John Scalzo

Prepare to indulge your gadget lust with the newly announced iPhone 5 and iPod Touch 5th Generation. As expected, Apple unveiled both mobile devices at a media event in San Francisco today and geeks around the world are no doubt already counting their pennies in anticipation.

The iPhone 5 will be available next Friday, September 21, in 16GB ($199), 32GB ($299), and 64GB ($399) models. All prices include a two-year contract. The iPhone 4S will still be available, at a newly discounted price of $99 for the 16GB (with a two-year contract) or free for the 8GB (with a two-year contract). The iPhone 5’s new featureset includes:

  • 18% thinner and 20% lighter than iPhone 4S
  • A larger 4-inch Retina display
  • All-new A6 chip
  • 8 megapixel iSight camera
  • iOS 6 pre-loaded including Siri support
  • New “Lightning” connector
    (adapters will be available so your new iDevice works with your old iHome)

The iPod Touch 5th Generation has also been revamped with plenty of additional horsepower under the hood. The hood itself has also been changed as the 32GB ($299) and 64GB ($399) models will be available in six colors. The iPod Touch 5th Generation will be released in October and here’s what you can expect to get:

  • A larger 4-inch Retina display
  • All-new dual-core A5 chip
  • 5 megapixel iSight camera
  • iOS 6 pre-loaded including Siri support
  • New “Lightning” connector
    (adapters will be available so your new iDevice works with your old iHome)

More information on the new iPhone and iPod Touch models (and a pretty multimedia presentation) can be found at Apple.com.

Posted in Mobile, News |

XBLA Today: Double Dragon Neon, Red Johnson’s Chronicles 2

Posted on September 12, 2012 by John Scalzo

Take a trip back in time with today’s Xbox Live Arcade update!

The Lee brothers are back in Double Dragon: Neon and this time they’re taking on Skullmageddon to save “their shared love interest, Marian.” Wait… what? Shared love interest? What exactly was going on in the world of Double Dragon when I turned my NES off for the night?

Billy and Jimmy Lee are back to save their shared love interest, Marian from the evil Skullmageddon across 16 brawling levels filled with elaborate missions, malicious enemies and over-the-top battles. Trained by their sensei in a special form of martial arts, Billy and Jimmy are equipped with lethal combat skills and weaponry to bust some faces and battle the baddest goons around as they journey across the galaxy to rescue the love of their lives.

Also available this week is Red Johnson’s Chronicles: One Against All, a noirish point-and-click adventure starring the titular detective. One Against All is actually the second Red Johnson game as the first was a PSN exclusive.

Get ready to solve a unique puzzle-based investigation that will immerse you in a noir world. Red Johnson, one of the best private investigators in Metropolis City has recently gained a fame that turns out to be deadly. A price on his head and a brother that has been abducted will force him to give the best of himself. To sort out this situation, you will need to use you wit, your persuasion skills and even your fists sometimes.

Double Dragon: Neon and Red Johnson’s Chronicles: One Against All are both available to download now for 800 Microsoft Points ($10) apiece.

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged