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.

Sega plans to announce new downloadable game at PAX Prime 2012

Posted on August 9, 2012 by John Scalzo

Sega has announced they’re bringing nine playable games to this year’s Penny Arcade Expo. PAX Prime will be held at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle from August 31 through September 2 and it’ll be the first place Sega fans will be able to get their hands on Phantasy Star Online 2. The publisher will also use the expo to debut a brand new, unannounced downloadable game.

Here’s the complete list of playable games Sega is bringing to this year’s PAX Prime:

  • Aliens: Colonial Marines
  • The Cave
  • Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit
  • Jet Set Radio
  • Nights Into Dreams
  • Phantasy Star Online 2
  • Sonic Adventure 2
  • Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
Posted in News, PC, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

Big Huge Games (now known as Impossible Studios) officially becomes part of Epic

Posted on August 9, 2012 by John Scalzo

After the closure of 38 Studios, the developers at Big Huge Games reached out to Epic Games in a last-ditch effort to save their team from suffering the same fate. Today, Epic has officially announced the creation of Impossible Studios, the new home for the team formerly known as Big Huge Games.

“We were so glad we could help keep this great team together, and we’re lucky to have them,” said Epic Games President Dr. Michael Capps. “At the time, I said that finding a full team of superstars was ‘impossible’ and apparently the name stuck! Pairing the imagination and experience of Impossible with Epic’s technology, IP and resources makes for a business greater than the sum of its parts.”

Impossible’s first task (hopefully, not an impossible one) will be Infinity Blade: Dungeons, a new entry in the popular action RPG series.

Infinity Blade: Dungeons will be released for the iOS later this year. But first, it’ll make it’s public debut at Dragon*Con in Atlanta on August 31 during a panel hosted by Lead Designer Ian Frazier and author Brandon Sanderson.

Posted in Mobile, News |

Hell yeah! Sega has announced a release date for Hell Yeah!

Posted on August 9, 2012 by John Scalzo

Publisher Sega and developer Arkedo have finally announced a released for their downloadable game starring starring the Prince of Hell in a quest for vengeance. Oh, did I mention that the Prince of Hell also happens to be an undead rabbit with a mean streak and a giant drill-cycle? Because he is and he does.

Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit‘s release schedule will roll through the end of next month on three different dates. The PlayStation Network version will be available on September 25. The Xbox Live Arcade version will be released a day later on September 26. And the PC download will arrive a week after that on October 3. All three versions have been priced at $14.99.

If an undead rabbit sounds too family friendly for your tastes, take a look at the “Pimp It Up” trailer above to disabuse yourself of that notion.

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

Nintendo Download: Super Mario Land 2 discount, Real Bout Fatal Fury Special, more

Posted on August 9, 2012 by John Scalzo

Welcome to your weekly Nintendo Download news! This week, Nintendo has discounted Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins as part of their Month of Mario promotion. The game will carry a $2.99 price tag from today through Wednesday, August 15.

Are you looking for something new instead? How about these new additions to the company’s download services:

Touch Battle Tank 3D (3DS eShop) – In Touch Battle Tank 3D, it’s you on a solo mission against a nearly unstoppable army of killer tanks. Your strategy – keep the action going and the shells flying!

Commando: Steel Disaster (DSiWare) – A military group is being attacked by some of its own war machines. It’s up to a commando and vehicle specialist code-named Storm to stop this terrorist threat.

Real Bout Fatal Fury Special (Wii Virtual Console) – Originally released in 1997, this fighting game is the sixth installment in the Fatal Fury series. With a system based on previous games in the series, the game introduced a more evolved two-line battle, improved the power gauge system and abolished the ring out system.

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

XBLA Today: Hybrid

Posted on August 8, 2012 by John Scalzo

Developer 5th Cell has (temporarily) left the kid-friendly Scribblenauts series behind to delve into the frantic multiplayer action of Hybrid, their Xbox Live Arcade-exclusive shooter.

The game, which has been priced at 1200 Microsoft Points ($15), is the fourth title in this year’s Summer of Arcade promotion. Also of note, in addition to the purchase price, Hybrid requires an Xbox Live Gold subscription to take part in the fight:

Hybrid is a multiplayer third person shooter in which two factions fight for world domination on a persistent world map. Take control of a soldier fighting for the Paladins or the Variants as they race to control the world’s most powerful resource; Dark Matter. Your victories on the battlefield directly affect the course of the war!

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

PSN Today: Sound Shapes, King of Fighters XIII, Hyperdimension Neptunia MK2

Posted on August 7, 2012 by John Scalzo

Sony’s PSN Play promotion continues this week with the musical platformer Sound Shapes. Described as “equal parts instrument and game,” Sound Shapes is like nothing we’ve ever seen before. Best of all, the game is available for both the PSN and Vita, and purchasing the game on one platform will net you the other for free.

Also available this week is a pair of PS3 Full Games: Hyperdimension Neptunia MK2, one of the most bizarre RPGs to ever emerge from Japan, and The King of Fighters XIII, the latest game in the long-running fighting franchise.

Hit the jump for more information on these games and head over to the PlayStation Blog for a list of this week’s new game add-ons, PlayStation Plus bonsues, and trailers. (more…)

Posted in News, PS3, Vita | Tagged , ,

LittleBigPlanet Karting gets a green light on November 6

Posted on August 7, 2012 by John Scalzo

Sony has announced that their next attempt at corning the karting market, LittleBigPlanet Karting, will be available in stores exclusively for the PS3 on November 6.

In addition to a release date and the brand spanking new trailer above, Sony has also confirmed (via the PlayStation Blog) that if you pre-order LittleBigPlanet Karting, you’ll receive a Kevin Butler Sackboy Costume and Executive Golf Kart.

Posted in News, PS3 | Tagged

Wii U box art design for games discovered on GameStop, Amazon.ca

Posted on August 7, 2012 by John Scalzo

Another piece of the puzzle has fallen into place as a pair of online retailers have leaked out our first look at the box art design for Wii U games.

Assassin’s Creed III and Avengers: Battle For Earth were both spotted at Amazon.ca while GameStop accidentally unveiled the cover for FIFA Soccer 13. The consistency of the design across both retailers means that it’s unlikely these boxes are mockups or work-in-progress designs.

The two-toned semi-circle is identical to the game box design that Nintendo used during the GameCube era (albeit with teal and yellow instead of black and silver). And it’s possible that Nintendo is switching up their case color of choice again as GameStop shows FIFA 13 with a teal-colored case.

It’s not earth-shattering news, but as I said, one more piece of the puzzle has fallen into place. Hit the jump for a larger look at the Wii U box art design of Assassin’s Creed III. (more…)

Posted in News, Wii U |