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.

XBLA Today: Quantum Conundrum, Zuma’s Revenge!

Posted on July 11, 2012 by John Scalzo

This week’s Xbox Live Arcade update is full of brainteasers as as first person puzzler Quantum Conundrum and the gem-smashing Zuma’s Revenge! are available to download today.

Would you like to know more? Well, Quantum Conundrum has been priced at 1200 Microsoft Points ($15) and is from the creator of Portal:

When you arrive to visit your uncle, you notice something’s wrong. He’s not there to greet you and there was an explosion just as you arrived. Rescue your uncle using his newest invention, the Interdimensional Shift Device. Shift between five different dimensions in real time and work your way through his crazy complex mansion!

And Zuma’s Revenge!, of course, is from the mad puzzle geniuses at PopCap. It’s been priced at 800 Microsoft Points ($10):

Experience new levels of ball-blasting action! Leap in and conquer 69 levels of Adventure mode. Discover four new Spirit Animals (at least one of them is a monkey!) and harness their abilities to power up your game. Dive in to the high-stakes Iron Frog mode: 10 levels, one frog. Can you make it out alive? Battle all 8 tiki bosses in the fast-paced Boss Rush. Enter the Weekly Challenge and compete for high score on a new level every week.

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

First Expendables 2 game trailer will punch you in the face

Posted on July 11, 2012 by John Scalzo

Terry Crews and Dolph Lundgren aren’t screwing around. They want you to know that a game based on The Expendables 2 is in the works and that you can watch the debut trailer above. All the action of the movie, and none of the veiny arms.

And it’s a good thing Chuck Norris wasn’t in this trailer, or else we’d all need new monitors.

The Expendables 2 will be released on July 31 on the PlayStation Store as part of the 2012 PSN Play promotion. PC and Xbox Live Arcade gamers will be able to download it on August 17.

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

Call of Duty: Black Ops II’s villain is the 99% in this new trailer

Posted on July 11, 2012 by John Scalzo

Usually, supervillains are among the 1% of the 1%, what with their volcano fortresses, supermodel bodyguards, and orbiting death lasers. But the big bad of Call of Duty: Black Ops II has grander ambitions. He’s Raul Menendez, a man who is idolized as “The Messiah of the 99%.”

He is also a megalomaniac bent on world domination.

Check out the trailer above to get your first glimpse on the dual nature of Menendez and remember that Call of Duty: Black Ops II will launch for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 on November 13.

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

Rumor: Rocksteady readying Silver Age-styled Batman: Arkham Asylum prequel

Posted on July 11, 2012 by John Scalzo

Maybe the joke’s on us, but Variety is reporting that Rocksteady is planning to follow-up Batman: Arkham City with a prequel based on The Dark Knight’s Silver Age showdowns with The Joker.

One question, though. Who would voice The Clown Prince of Crime now that Mark Hamill has said he’s finished playing The Joker?

That wasn’t answered in the Variety report, but their tipster did reveal a bit more about the game. First, it’s said to be “highly stylized” and will feature cameo appearances from some of Batman’s fellow Justice League of America members. The game is also quite early in development and will launch in 2014 (or possibly later) for next generation systems.

You know, next week’s Comic-Con convention would be the perfect time to announce a new Batman game…

Posted in News | Tagged , , , ,

PSN Today: NCAA Football 13, Quantum Conundrum, Game of Thrones, more

Posted on July 10, 2012 by John Scalzo

This week’s PlayStation Store update is the perfect example of “something for everyone.” At least one of the eight games added to the store this week should make you giddy with excitement. And if not, I think your giddy bone may be broken. Best get that looked at.

There’s digital download versions of NCAA Football 13, Game of Thrones, and Get Up And Dance. There’s Kim Swift’s latest puzzle platformer, Quantum Conundrum. There’s the colorful RPG, Rainbow Moon, and the colorful arcade reboot, Frogger: Hyper Arcade Edition.

Finally, there’s the PS2 Classic Hannspree Ten Kate Honda: SBK Superbike World and the PSP Mini Arcade Pool.

Hit the jump for more on everything you’ll find in this week’s PlayStation Store update. (more…)

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Miyamoto wants Metroid, Star Fox on Wii U

Posted on July 10, 2012 by John Scalzo

Just like all of their previous console launches, Nintendo is planning to pack the Wii U with new games from many of their biggest franchises including a new Mario game and Pikmin 3. And during this year’s E3 Expo, Shigeru Miyamoto revealed that a new Legend of Zelda game for the Wii U was in the “R&D stage.”

But the famed developer also wants to see a few other major franchises make an appearance on the company’s next console.

Speaking to IGN, Miyamoto revealed that his greatest wish is to create a new Star Fox game on the Wii U.

He also wants to to bring the Metroid series to the HD console:

“With Metroid it’s very easy to imagine some interesting implementation for Wii U. I think that having another screen with the gyro built in really gives you a lot of interesting opportunities for development, and we can bring a lot of our games to life in a completely unique way with that.”

“I feel like the possibilities of the GamePad for Metroid could be really fantastic. There’s certainly a lot that you could do there for that game.”

It’s important to note that Miyamoto didn’t say that either game was in development, just that he personally wants to work on them. To that I say… give the man what he wants!

Posted in News, Wii U |

Check out this 15-minute Injustice gameplay video

Posted on July 9, 2012 by John Scalzo

Ed Boon made an appearance at this weekend’s Evo 2012 tournament to show off Injustice: Gods Among Us, NetherRealm’s DC Comics fighter that is currently scheduled for a 2013 release on the PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii U.

The Mortal Kombat creator demoed four characters: Superman, The Flash, Batman (voiced by Kevin Conroy!), and Solomon Grundy. In total, 24 character slots were visible during a quick glimpse of the selection screen. Each character takes plenty of inspiration from their comics counterpart and Boon was particularly keen to show Injustice’s destructible environments, multi-level arenas, hidden weapons, and the Clash System.

Most of these features have made appearances in many of NetherRealm’s previous games. But everything looks bigger and… dare I say it… more super in Injustice: Gods Among Us.

Posted in News, PS3, Wii U, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Michael Fassbender will play Desmond in the Assassin’s Creed movie

Posted on July 9, 2012 by John Scalzo

Michael Fassbender has made quite a name for himself with science fiction fans over the past year, taking over the role of Magneto in X-Men: First Class and as the synthetic David in Prometheus. Today, the British actor paired up with Ubisoft Motion Pictures for his next sci-fi role, as Desmond in the upcoming Assassin’s Creed movie.

Fassbender will actually be performing triple duty on the film. In addition to his role as Desmond, he’ll also play one of Desmond’s ancestors as well as producing the movie through his production company, DMC Film. It’s currently unknown if the film will follow Altair, Ezio, Connor, or an entirely new character in the Assassin’s fight against the Templars.

“Michael Fassbender was our first choice to play the franchise’s iconic hooded hero. Michael is an extremely smart, talented, versatile and committed actor,” said Jean-Julien Baronnet, CEO of Paris-based Ubisoft Motion Pictures.

It might be a while before we see the Assassin’s Creed movie as Ubisoft Motion Pictures has yet to select a writer or director for the project.

[Source: Variety]

Posted in Etcetera, News | Tagged