Warp Zoned Presents
Video Game Canon- Angry Birds, Dragon Quest, FIFA Soccer, and Silent Hill are the World Video Game Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026
- BAFTA Games Awards: All the Winners from 2003 to Today
- Clair Obscur Completes the Sweep by Winning “Best Game” at 2025-2026 BAFTA Games Awards
- Boss Fight Books to Get a New Look for Richard Moss’s “Age of Empires”
- GDC Awards: All the Winners from 1996 to Today
Warp Zoned Presents
- Video Game Research Library
- Spore: An oral history – Design Room (2026)
- We Pitched a Museum a 1993 Game Hint Line (And They Actually Said Yes) – Yarn Spinner (2026)
- The History Of The Word “Metroidvania” And How It Spread – A Critical Hit (2025)
- Creator of Hit Game Shovel Knight Is at a ‘Make or Break’ Moment – Bloomberg (2025)
- Shadow of the Colossus: An oral history – Design Room (2025)
Most Recent: News
Vans releases their Nintendo-themed shoe and clothing line
As a plumber, Mario usually wears work shoes, but if you’re in the market for some athletic footwear, Vans and Nintendo have announced that their “Vans X Nintendo” collaboration is now available in stores and online.
More than just fancy sneakers, the “Vans X Nintendo” collection will also include Nintendo-themed t-shirts, backpacks, bags, socks, and hats.
The shoes and clothing from the “Vans X Nintendo” collection will feature 8-bit artwork from a quartet of classic titles (Super Mario Bros., Duck Hunt, Donkey Kong, and The Legend of Zelda), as well as apparel adorned with the iconic NES design.
Head over to Vans.com/Nintendo now to browse the entire collection.
Posted in Etcetera, News, Retro
Tagged Donkey Kong, Duck Hunt, Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda
Mafia III’s Collector’s Edition embraces the 60s by including a 2-LP vinyl soundtrack
Mafia III is getting a groovy Collector’s Edition this Fall that includes not one, but two, soundtrack albums on vinyl.
The first album features a small sampling of Mafia III’s full in-game soundtrack, but the inclusion of The Rolling Stones’s “Paint It Black,” Jimi Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower,” and The Animals’s “The House of the Rising Sun” is certainly representative of the decade. A complete track listing for the soundtrack can be found after the break. Meanwhile, the second album will present “the flavor” of Mafia III’s New Orleans-like setting to listeners with Jesse Harlin and Jim Bonney’s score.
But don’t worry, even if you’re not a vinyl aficionado, the Mafia III Collector’s Edition will include a large batch of goodies:
Mafia III Collector’s Edition
- Exclusive Two-LP Vinyl Soundtrack and Score Collection: One disc features some of the 60s’ greatest hit makers and the artists that inspired them – and this is just a small sampling of the 100-plus song in-game soundtrack. This eclectic mix of Rock, Rhythm and Blues, and Pop, all colliding against a backdrop of war, civil unrest, and sweeping social changes that defined the 1960s.
- Exclusive Collectible Art Prints: Two frame-worthy prints from Playboy and the Alberto Vargas Estate representing the vast collection of art for players to discover in-game.
- The Art of Mafia III Collectible Art Book: A 56-page book examining the creation of New Bordeaux, the new world fashioned after New Orleans in the summer of 1968.
- Lincoln Clay Replica Dog Tags: 1960’s US military issue replicas, these are the tags of a combat-hardened Vietnam vet fueled by the need for military-grade revenge against the Italian Mafia
- Faux Leather Establishment Drink Coasters: Take a break from your revenge spree with a drink – and park them on these coasters. They represent the Paradiso Casino and Sammy’s in-game criminal establishments.
Mafia III will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on October 7. (more…)
Minecraft continues its quest for world domination after selling 100 million copies
Two years ago, Microsoft spent $2.5 billion to acquire Mojang and all rights to Minecraft. I think it was a wise investment… as Mojang announced today that more than 100 million copies of Minecraft (106,859,714 to be exact) have been sold since the game’s original release.
According to a nifty infographic on Mojang’s blog, the mobile version of Minecraft appears to be the most popular around the world. But over on the game’s official website, we can see that exactly 23,540,997 have been sold for the PC. That leaves console editions for the PS3, PS4, Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360, and Xbox One to pick up the rest of the slack.
All told, more than 40 million people play Minecraft at least once a month, and that number probably won’t slow down anytime soon… more than 53,000 copies of the game are still sold each and every month.
Nintendo Download: Metroid Prime Hunters, Kick & Fennick, Donkey Kong Country 3, more
It’s Thursday, so Nintendo is back with another update to the Nintendo eShop.
This week, platforming fans will get to try out Kick & Fennick on the Wii U. According to the developers, Kick & Fennick is an “action-filled adventure” where the titular duo “blast, bounce, and bound their way through 45 challenging levels.”
Also available for the Wii U this week is Metroid Prime Hunters, a multiplayer shooter that was originally released for the DS in 2006. Taking control of one of six bounty hunters, players will challenge Samus Aran in the search for relics from a “once-powerful warrior culture.” The Star Wars and Indiana Jones comparisons practically write themselves.
Nintendo will also bring another classic title to the New 3DS this week through the handheld’s Virtual Console service. Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie’s Double Trouble was originally released for the Super NES and serves as the capper to the original Donkey Kong Country trilogy. Fans of classic platforming should definitely give it a look.
More information on all of these games (as well as a few other new releases) can be found after the break. (more…)
Most Call of Duty: Black Ops III owners can now purchase “The Giant” Zombies map
Activision and Treyarch have announced that “The Giant,” a Zombies map that was previously only accessible by players who pre-ordered Call of Duty: Black Ops III, is now available as a standalone download for $5.99.
“The Giant” map, which is a remake of “Der Riese” and follows Dempsey, Richtofen, Nikolai, and Takeo as they battle the undead in a secret research facility, can now be purchased on the PC, PS3, PS4, and Xbox One. According to the Activision Games Blog, Xbox 360 owners will be able to download “The Giant” at a later date.
And in case you missed it last year, the trailer for “The Giant” has been embedded above.
Meet two new Legendary Pokemon in latest Pokemon Sun/Moon trailer
The Pokemon Company and Nintendo introduced fans to a pair of Legendary Pokemon in a new trailer for Pokemon Sun and Moon.
In addition to the new Pokemon, the trailer includes a look at the Alola region, which is the Hawaii-like series of islands where the game takes place. Several new characters also make their debut in the trailer, including Professor Kukui, who will serve as your mentor in the game alongside his young lab assistant, Lillie. Players will also meet Hau, the Trainer’s best friend, and the Rotom Pokedex, which has a personality of its own.
But first, let’s say hello to the Legendary Pokemon, Solgaleo and Lunala:
Name: Solgaleo
Category: Sunne Pokemon
Height: 11′02″
Weight: 507.1 lbs.
Type: Psychic/Steel
Ability: Full Metal Body
Honored as an emissary of the sun since ancient times, Solgaleo is referred to with reverence as “the beast that devours the sun.” Solgaleo’s body holds a vast amount of energy, and it shines with light when it is active. It has a flowing mane with a remarkable resemblance to the sun. Its signature move is Sunsteel Strike, an attack that charges at an opponent with the force of a meteor, disregarding the target’s Ability. Solgaleo’s Ability is Full Metal Body, a new Ability that no previous Pokemon has had. With the Full Metal Body Ability, a Pokemon’s stats will not be lowered by the effects of an opponent’s moves or Ability.
Name: Lunala
Category: Moone Pokemon
Height: 13′01″
Weight: 264.6 lbs.
Type: Psychic/Ghost
Ability: Shadow Shield
Since ancient times, Lunala has been honored as an emissary of the moon. Referred to with reverence as “the beast that calls the moon,” Lunala is constantly absorbing light and converting it into energy. With its wings spread to absorb the surrounding light and glittering like the crescent moon, it resembles a beautiful night sky. Lunala’s signature Moongeist Beam attack releases an ominous beam of light that disregards the target’s Ability. Lunala’s Ability is Shadow Shield, a new Ability that no previous Pokemon has had. With the Shadow Shield Ability, a Pokemon will take less damage from an attack that lands when the Pokemon has full HP.
While Nintendo’s E3 focus remains on The Legend of Zelda Wii U/NX, the consolemaker also plans to debut the first live gameplay footage from Pokemon Sun and Moon during a Nintendo Treehouse program on June 14. You can watch along at home through E3.Nintendo.com, and don’t forget, Pokemon Sun and Moon will be released for the 3DS on November 18.
Posted in 3DS, News
Tagged E3 2016, Pokemon Sun/Moon
Zeboyd’s Cosmic Star Heroine will be released for PC, PS4, Vita this Summer
Zeboyd Games has announced that Cosmic Star Heroine, a turn-based RPG that was partially inspired by cartoons from the 80s, will be available to download for the PC, PS4, and Vita this Summer. The developer also revealed (via the PlayStation Blog) that a physical version of the game will be available in limited quantities thanks to Limited Run Games.
Cosmic Star Heroine will follow the intergalactic exploits of Alyssa L’Salle, a famous space spy who has stumbled upon a conspiracy involving aliens, robots, ghosts, magic, forbidden technology, and a long-lost secret. But she’s determined to save the world with spunky style, which you can get a small taste of by watching the game’s E3 2016 trailer above.
And don’t worry, the PS4 and Vita launch of Cosmic Star Heroine will be Cross-Buy compatible.
BB-8 stars in the latest Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer
The time has come… the latest Character Trailer for Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens is an epic showcase for none other than BB-8. The breakout star of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, BB-8 certainly holds his own in the 30-second clip, and he looks like he’ll be a major part of the game.
Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens is less than a month away now, as the game will be released for the 3DS, PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360, and Xbox One on June 28.