Most Recent: News

Mortal Kombat: Rebirth digital series officially announced

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

If you were amazed by the pitch video by Kevin Tancharoen attempting to sell the idea of a new Mortal Kombat movie (see above), you’re in luck. If you weren’t, there’s something wrong with you. Today Warner Premiere officially announced they would be taking on Tancharoen as director for a digital live action mini-series exploring the background of some of MK’s most prolific characters, such as Scorpion, Johnny Cage, and Liu Kang. The original video contained more realistic back stories for fantastical characters like Scorpion and Reptile, and focused on these and other MK villains terrorizing “Deacon City.” It’s not clear if this will continue the concept or cast of the original video, but in any case you can be this project in some very passionate, capable hands.

While the first Mortal Kombat movie (and theme song) has enjoyed cult classic status, the second was seen as a major embarrassment for fans of the series. But with a killer game returning to the series roots on April 19th and a series helmed by someone with a vision like Tancharoen, 2011 could be one of the best years yet for the series.

Warner Premiere revealed that the ten-part anthology series will be available through “digital online retailers” this Spring.

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

Samus NOT playable in Dead or Alive: Dimensions… um, I think…

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

Metroid fans, namely our Editor-In-Chief John Scalzo, got pretty excited when Samus Aran and Ridley popped up as background characters making a cameo in a Dead or Alive: Dimensions trailer. Many hoped this meant Samus would be appearing in the 3DS fighting title as a playable character. According to Eurogamer, that’s not happening.

In an abhorrently translated quote, the media outlet claims the head of Team Ninja, Yosuke Hayashi, as wanting Dimensions to be the ‘best’ version of DoA to date, and as such, “the concept of Dead or Alive as the best version of the game means Samus Aran or Metroid is something different. That’s why we are not focusing on that in terms of the concept. So talking about Samus Aran, is she playable or not? This time she’s not playable.” I hate to break it to you, Hayashia, but it sounds like playable Samus Aran would go a LONG way to making Dead or Alive: Dimensions the ‘best’ version of the game.

He does go on to confirm that the cameo from the trailer will remain. “But Samus Aran will be shown in the game. She comes to help the player. That’s the collaboration shown there [in the trailer]. But how you can unlock Samus Aran? Please find out by yourself.” So apparently Samus will be in the game as an assist character but you have to unlock her. Really? Unlock a character in the background? In any case stay tuned to Warp Zoned for more 3DS and Dead or Alive: Dimensions news.

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PSP2 details leaked – will have 3G support, OLED screen

Posted on January 23, 2011 by Nicole Kline

Japanese newspaper Nikkei has released details on the PSP2, citing that it will have 3G support, wireless LAN, an OLED touch screen, and a new processor for handling high resolution visuals, developed by Sony. The 3G service will not allow for phone calls, but – in Japan – it will allow gamers to connect to the internet via the provider, NTT DoCoMo. Additionally, the so-called “PlayStation Phone” will use Google’s Android OS and button-based controls.

There’s no word yet on pricing, or whether or not the 3G on the PSP2 will have any kind of subscription fee – and, if so, if there will be a Wi-Fi only version made available. According to Andriasang, information about the PSP2 will be given at a press conference on January 27th, and the PlayStation Phone should be unveiled next month.

[Note: The image above is a fan-made mockup of the PSP2 and not the real thing.]

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New GamesRadar application, Cheats and Guides, brings walkthroughs to you

Posted on January 23, 2011 by Nicole Kline

Tired of having to wait until you get to a computer to find cheats, guides, and walkthroughs? GamesRadar has a convenient solution for you – an application for the iPhone/iPod Touch that brings a vast storehouse of information to gamers’ fingertips. The app has nearly 60,000 cheats, guides, and walkthroughs for over 8,600 games and is user-friendly, offering gamers the ability to search as well as utilize a favorites list for their most-used information. There are even unlockable badges – what gamer doesn’t love that?

But I’m saving the best for last – this application is free. You can find more information at the iTunes store.

Posted in Mobile, News |

Weekly Warp-Up: Vaporware No More Edition

Posted on January 23, 2011 by John Scalzo

No, that’s not a typo. Welcome to the Weekly Warp-Up, your weekly wrap-up of the biggest and the best articles posted at Warp Zoned this week…

First things first. Before we get into the week’s biggest news stories, Warp Zoned is proud to announce that Hell has frozen over! 2K Games and Gearbox Software have announced an official release date for Duke Nukem Forever. After nearly 15 years, the world’s most famous piece of vaporware will be released on May 3rd.

Now then, on with the rest of the Weekly Warp-Up…

Get Warp Zoned!
Sega’s latest efforts to bring Sonic the Hedgehog into the 21st century have been met with poor critical reviews and an even poorer reception from hardcore Sonic fans. We lace up our red sneakers in an attempt to describe How To Make the Perfect Sonic the Hedgehog Game.

And Episode 2 of the Warp Zoned Podcast is now available for your streaming and downloading pleasure. In this episode, we discuss what we’re playing, what we wish we were playing, and what we’ll be playing soon as. We also comment on the good, the bad, and the ugly of MAGFest, leading into a commentary on gaming culture as well as convention culture. (This part is not for the faint of heart, as Senior Editor Nicole Kline’s inner truck driver comes out in full force.)

3DS NYC Reveal

Square Enix 1st Production Department Premier

The Week in Reviews…

It’s a Secret to Everybody…

The Week in New Games…

The Week in Announcements…

And Finally…
CBS got tricky with the cover art of their Amazing Race Wii game, inadvertently revealing most of the returning teams in Amazing Race: Unfinished Business.

Posted in News |

See the Pesticide Gun in action in new EDF: Insect Armageddon trailer

Posted on January 22, 2011 by John Scalzo

I’ve had more fun on the Xbox 360 with Earth Defense Force 2017 then I’ve had with almost any other game. And after four long years, D3 Publisher is finally readying a sequel in Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon.

The publisher has shifted development duties to Vicious Cycle (and added a PS3 version), but it looks like the same bug-stomping, city-levelling gameplay will remain intact. Especially after checking out this trailer showcasing the Pesticide Gun, one of 300 weapons that’ll make the cut when the game ships this Spring.

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Buy Dead Space 2, get special armor for Dragon Age II

Posted on January 22, 2011 by John Scalzo

Dead Space 2 developer Visceral Games and the developer of Dragon Age II, BioWare, are both internal Electronic Arts studios. Apparently, these two teams got together at the last company picnic and came up with a neat Dead Space 2/Dragon Age II crossover.

Players who purchase Dead Space 2 (which will be in stores next week) will receive a download code for the “Ser Isaac of Clarke” armor set in Dragon Age II. Modeled after Isaac Clarke’s signature spacesuit, the set will include armor, boots, gauntlets and a helm that offers increased protection but requires high dexterity and cunning.

Dexterity and cunning are required to wear the armor, but through the magic of the Internet, all you have to do to see a trailer featuring the armor is click the link below. (more…)

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Leaked L.A. Noire trailer reveals May 17 release date

Posted on January 22, 2011 by John Scalzo

UPDATE: Rockstar has removed the trailer from YouTube. But Monday is only two days away.

Rockstar planned to release the latest trailer for L.A. Noire on Monday, but German gaming site Playfront.de (among others) beat them to the punch by adding it to YouTube today.

The trailer gives off that dark, moody vibe that is typical of the noir storytelling tradition and it also reveals the game’s release date: May 17.

Developer Team Bondi may have taken their sweet time in bringing the game to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, but the trailer shows it will likely have been worth the wait.

You can see the trailer for yourself (until Rockstar pulls it down that is) after the break. (more…)

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