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.

Dark Horse will release Hyrule Historia in US in January

Dark Horse Comics has announced that they will be bringing the Legend of Zelda history book, Hyrule Historia, to America early next year. The 248-page hardcover tome will be priced at $34.99 and include an introduction by Shigeru Miyamoto, developer interviews, pages of “never-before-seen” concept art, and a look at the franchise’s official timeline.

Dark Horse Books and Nintendo bring you The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia, containing an unparalleled collection of historical information on The Legend of Zelda franchise. This handsome hardcover contains never-before-seen concept art, the full history of Hyrule, the official chronology of the games, and much more! Starting with an insightful introduction by the legendary producer and video-game designer of Donkey Kong, Mario, and The Legend of Zelda, Shigeru Miyamoto, this book is crammed full of information about the storied history of Link’s adventures from the creators themselves! As a bonus, The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia includes an exclusive comic by the foremost creator of The Legend of Zelda manga—Akira Himekawa!

The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia will be available in stores on January 18, 2013.

Posted in Etcetera, News |

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate now coming in 2013

Speaking to Game Informer, Konami has confirmed that Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate will miss its planned Fall 2012 release date, and instead, make its way into stores next year.

No reason was given for the new release date, but the delay could be an excuse to more closely associate it with Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, which will be released in 2013 for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.

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Metal Gear Rising given a February 19, 2013 release date

After multiple delays, the threat of cancellation, a renaming, and a developer switch, Konami is finally ready to announce a release date for Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. The game, which promises to include plenty of “Lightning Bolt Action,” will be released for the PS3 and Xbox 360 on February 19, 2013.

You can check out Metal Gear Rising’s brand new Gamescom trailer above.

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

Nintendo Download: New Super Mario Bros. 2 on Sunday

This week’s Nintendo Download is a bit on the light side, but that’s because The Big N is waiting until Saturday night at midnight (which is technically Sunday, August 19) to add New Super Mario Bros. 2 to the 3DS eShop. The Super Mario sequel is Nintendo’s first simultaneous digital/retail release and whether you buy a physical copy or grab the download right at midnight, it’s this week’s biggest release, without question.

If you’re looking for something to download today, Crazy Chicken: Pirates is available in both a DSiWare version and a 3DS eShop version. It tasks players with “[restoring] peace to the Caribbean shores by shooting crazy pirate chickens.” Does that mean there are sane pirate chickens?

Finally, this week’s “Month of Mario” selection is Mario’s Picross. The Game Boy classic can be downloaded from the 3DS eShop for $2.99 from now through Wednesday, August 22.

Posted in 3DS, DS, News | Tagged

Mass Effect 3: Leviathan DLC dated

BioWare has announced that the first expansion to Mass Effect 3‘s single-player storyline, Leviathan, will be available to download for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 on August 28.

Something lurks in the dark corners of space, something powerful enough to kill a Reaper. Shepard must discover the most closely guarded secret in the galaxy before the Reapers silence it forever. Discover more about the origins of the Reapers as you race across the galaxy to find the Leviathan. Unravel the dark history of the Reaper Race before it is too late. Coming later this summer there is no war, only the harvest.

Taking place during the events of Mass Effect 3, players will be thrust into the darkest corners of space where they will hunt a mysterious being rumored to be powerful enough to destroy a Reaper. As they race against time, they will begin to unravel the secret of the Leviathan. Explore uncharted systems and new areas on the Citadel, interact with brand new characters, unlock the AT-12 Raider shotgun and M-55 Argus Assault Rifle and discover more about the mysterious history of the Reapers.

Mass Effect 3: Leviathan can be yours for $10 (or 800 Microsoft Points).

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

XBLA Today: Dust: An Elysian Tail

Microsoft’s Summer of Arcade promotion comes to a close this year with Dust: An Elysian Tail. Dust is a side-scrolling action RPG featuring the “Metroidvania” style of exploration within a hand-painted world. It also stars talking rabbits, a furry fairy, and a sentient sword. So… yeah…

Dust: An Elysian Tail is priced at 1200 Microsoft Points ($15) and is available to download now:

Immerse yourself in a gorgeous hand-painted world on a search for your true identity. As the mysterious warrior, Dust, you must master the ancient Blade of Ahrah to battle dozens of enemies with an intuitive combat system, take on a variety of quests, discover powerful upgrades throughout the massive, open world, and uncover the story of an ancient civilization on the brink of extinction as you fight to uncover your own past.

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Capcom asks players to “Remember Me” in May 2013

Take one part Total Recall and add in a dash of… actually that’s it. Capcom’s next original project, Remember Me, looks like a new twist on Philip K. Dick’s classic sci-fi story. But instead of the hulking hugeness of Arnold Schwarzenegger or the svelte suaveness of Colin Farrell, Remember Me stars Nilin, a female “memory hunter” who has had her own memory erased.

In the world of Remember Me, memory hunters “[have] the special ability to break into people’s minds and steal or even change their memories.” OK, so a dash of Inception made it into developer Dontnod’s first game as well.

This genre soup will reach stores in May 2013 on the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. But you can check out the first trailer above. It’s pretty impressive, even if it does look a little familiar.

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

“New” Star Wars 1313 trailer recycles previous gameplay footage

LucasArts has released a new gameplay trailer for Star Wars 1313, their “gritty” and “mature” new take on the Star Wars universe. Sadly, the entire thing seems to be made up of recycled footage from the trio of trailers the publisher unveiled during E3.

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