Warp Zoned Presents
Video Game Canon
- Meet the World Video Game Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025: Quake, GoldenEye 007, Defender, and Tamagotchi
- The BAFTA Games Awards Polled the Public and Shenmue is “The Most Influential Video Game of All Time”
- 2024 GOTY Scoreboard: Astro Bot, Balatro, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, More
- The Strong Museum of Play Acquires Prototypes and Development Documents from Volition’s 30-Year History
- Minecraft’s Volume Alpha Soundtrack Has Been Added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry
Warp Zoned Presents
Video Game Research Library
- It’s beginning to feel like gaming isn’t for everyone – Digital Trends (2025)
- 22 years later, modders are keeping SimCity 4 alive – The Verge (2025)
- The B-movies of Paul W.S. Anderson double as acts of devotion to his muse, Milla Jovovich – The AV Club (2025)
- Breakout, Ripoff, Genre: How Fiction Outgrows Originality – Uncanny Magazine (2025)
- ‘I Could Make “Fart Fart Boobie Fart: The Game” and Maybe It Would Eventually Get Taken Down’ – Devs Reveal Why the Consoles Are Drowning in ‘Eslop’ – IGN (2025)
Warp Zoned Archives
Most Recent: 3DS
Here are the finalists for the World Video Game Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016
The Strong Museum has announced the finalists competing for a spot in the World Video Game Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016.
The Legend of Zelda, Minecraft, The Oregon Trail, Pokemon Red and Blue, The Sims, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Space Invaders were all nominated last year, but ultimately weren’t selected by the Hall of Fame’s international committee. They’ll get another shot in 2016, alongside Elite, Final Fantasy, John Madden Football, Nurburgring, Sid Meier’s Civilization, Street Figher II, and Tomb Raider.
Any and all of these titles would be worthy of enshrinement in the World Video Game Hall of Fame, but only a handful of titles will make the final cut when the inductees are announced on May 5 at 10:30 AM (Eastern Time).
If you’re unfamiliar with any of these classic games, a quick rundown of all 15 titles (provided by The Strong) is available after the break. (more…)
Posted in 3DS, Mobile, News, PC, PS2, PS3, PS4, Retro, Vita, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Tagged Minecraft, Space Invaders, Street Fighter II, The Legend of Zelda, Tomb Raider (1996), World Video Game Hall of Fame
Nintendo Download: Hyrule Warriors Legends, SNES Classics on 3DS, Shantae: Risky’s Revenge, more
It’s time to check in with some classic characters in this week’s Nintendo Download.
After 30 years and more than a dozen games, the cast of characters from the Legend of Zelda franchise has reached massive proportions… and nearly all of them make an appearance in the 3DS re-release of Hyrule Warriors. Now known as Hyrule Warriors Legends, the portable game introduces several new characters (including Linkle, Link’s female counterpart) and a new level based on The Wind Waker. It’ll be available through the 3DS eShop beginning tomorrow.
Elsewhere on the 3DS eShop, a trio of Super NES classics are now available to download for the New 3DS. Donkey Kong Country is one of the most visually impressive side-scrollers of the 90s; Super Mario Kart started the whole kart racing genre; and EarthBound is a great RPG that’s even more beloved today.
If you’re looking for a new game for your Wii U, have no fear, more classic characters are here. Yoshi’s Nintendo 64 adventure, Yoshi’s Story, is now available through the Wii U eShop. As is, Shantae: Risky’s Revenge Director’s Cut, WayForward’s hair-raising side-scroller.
More information about all of these games (and a few other new releases) can be found after the break. (more…)
Posted in 3DS, News, Wii U
Tagged EarthBound, Hyrule Warriors
Resident Evil Reflections: 20 Years With Capcom’s Frightening Franchise
March 22, 2016 marked a true milestone. For it was 20 years ago this week that a groundbreaking video game franchise was born. A game that not only became an instant classic, but also helped create an entirely new genre, spawned several sequels and spinoffs, and launched a successful series of movies. That game was Resident Evil.
Few games have had the long lasting appeal that Capcom’s survival horror series provides, and despite a few bumps in the road, the Resident Evil series is still widely popular after all these years. (more…)
New gameplay trailer for Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens takes us back to a galaxy far, far away
WB Games released a new gameplay trailer for Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens this morning, and it gives us our first look at the game’s Multi-Builds system, as well as the new cover mechanic for blaster battles, and a flying Millennium Falcon.
The trailer also delves into some of the Expanded Universe content that Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens will add to the film’s story including the tale of how Han and Chewie captured the Rathtars, new adventures with Poe Dameron, and the backstory of Lor San Tekka (AKA The Old Man Who Gives Poe the Map and Then Dies).
Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be released on June 28 for the 3DS, PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice will be released on September 27
Originally slated for a Fall 2015 debut, the launch date for Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice was pushed into 2016 last September. This weekend, at the 2016 SXSW Gaming Expo, Sega confirmed that the Sanzaru-developed 3DS title will be released on September 27.
It’s not exactly a speedy return for Sonic the Hedgehog, but the character (and his famed red sneakers) will hoof it to San Diego this Summer for a special Sonic 25th Anniversary Party on July 22. Taking place alongside the glitz and glamour of San Diego Comic-Con, Sega will treat fans to special guests, musical performances by Crush 40 and Hyper Potions, exclusive 25th Anniversary merchandise, and more.
Tickets can be purchased now through Universe.com for $25 apiece.
[Source: EGM]
Posted in 3DS, News
Tagged Comic-Con 2016, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice
New Releases: Hyrule Warriors Legends, TrackMania Turbo, Sebastien Loeb Rally Evo, Republique
Prepare to race into battle with this week’s new releases…
Koei Tecmo and Nintendo are mashing together the massive battles from the Dynasty Warriors franchise with the beloeved characters from The Legend of Zelda once again in Hyrule Warriors Legends, a 3DS re-release of the Wii U blockbuster. Players who opt for the portable version of the game will be able unlock several new characters (including Linkle, a gender-swapped version of Link) and a new level based on The Wind Waker.
A pair of racing games that’ll surely appeal to people who love anything with four wheels are also set to be released this week. First up is TrackMania Turbo, a “fantasy racer” for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One from Ubisoft. Players will be able to put the pedal to the metal on more than 200 tracks and even build their own using the included Tracker Builder. Also available is Sebastien Loeb Rally Evo, a new offroad rally racer from Milestone for the PS4 and Xbox One. Originally released for the PC earlier this year, console players will now get a chance to drive through the mud on the way to victory.
Finally this week, Camouflaj will bring their award-winning mobile game Republique to the PS4. Even with a controller in hand, players will get the same stealthy experience with all five episodes from the game’s first season.
We’ll be back later this week with a look at the new digital-only releases on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, and Nintendo eShop.
Nintendo Download: Pokken Tournament, Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Mutant Mudds Super Challenge, more
Are you ready to fight ’em all?
Nintendo and Bandai Namco have teamed up to finally release Pokken Tournament for the Wii U this week. The fighting game will feature dozens of different Pokemon characters and it’ll be available to download through the Wii U eShop on Friday, March 18.
Also coming soon is Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the latest Olympic-themed crossover clash for the two video game mascots. It’ll be available for the Wii U later this year, but 3DS owners can go for the Gold Medal this Friday.
Finally this week, Renegade Kid has launched Mutant Mudds Supper Challenge for the Wii U and 3DS. The “dimension-defying platformer” is available as a cross-buy purchase on both platforms, so you can take on the platforming challenges and boss battles at home or on the go.
More information on all of these games (and a few other new releases) can be found after the break. (more…)
Posted in 3DS, News, Wii U
Tagged Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Mutant Mudds Super Challenge, Pokken Tournament
New Releases: Pokken Tournament, EA Sports UFC 2, Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, More
Put your dukes up, this week’s new release report is looking for a fight…
Nintendo and Bandai Namco kick things off with Pokken Tournament, a Wii U adaptation of the relatively recent arcade game. If you’ve ever wanted to take control of your favorite Pokemon as they battle it out, now’s your chance.
A bit more down to Earth, but featuring fighters who are equally bizarre (cough Mike Tyson cough), is EA Sports UFC 2. EA’s second trip inside “The Octagon” for the PS4 and Xbox One promises a more realistic fighting experience and deeper Career options.
Also available this week is Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games for the 3DS. While the two mascots won’t be trading blows, the Olympics always bring out a strong sense of competition for the whole world. And Mario versus Sonic is a fight that’ll probably never be settled.
Finally this week, Terraria is now available as a retail release for the 3DS, and Need For Speed will race onto the PC.
A full list of this week’s new releases can be found after the break. (more…)
Posted in 3DS, News, PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Wii U, Xbox One
Tagged EA Sports UFC 2, Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Need For Speed, Pokken Tournament, Terraria