Warp Zoned Presents
Video Game Canon- Silent Hill, Dragon Quest, Skyrim, and More Announced as Finalists for the World Video Game Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Has Another Big Night and Wins “Game of the Year” at the 2025-2026 DICE Awards
- 2025 GOTY Scoreboard: In Progress
- The Game Awards: All the Winners from 2003 to Today
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Racks Up Nine Wins, Including “Game of the Year”, at the 2025 Game Awards
Warp Zoned Presents
- Video Game Research Library
- 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)
- In 2005, games started rewiring our brains – The AV Club (2025)
Most Recent: Wii U
Kickstart This! Deserted, Wanda: A Beautiful Apocalypse, Night City Assault
Kickstarter recently released a long-awaited Fulfillment Report, an independent analysis of its crowdfunding activities by Professor Ethan Mollick of the University of Pennsylvania. While the report contains a lot of interesting data, the number many media outlets are focusing on is the 9% failure rate of fully-funded projects. The report has this to say about the numbers:
Is a 9% failure rate reasonable for a community of people trying to bring creative projects to life? We think so, but we also understand that the risk of failure may deter some people from participating. We respect that. We want everyone to understand exactly how Kickstarter works — that it’s not a store, and that amid creativity and innovation there is risk and failure.
Let’s look at this another way. 91% of projects across all categories succeed and deliver. What industry can say that? There is an old adage in the film industry that mentions that 7 out of 10 features lose money, two break even, and one film makes enough money to cover the loss. This is almost the opposite.
Personally I have yet to support a successful project, video game related or otherwise, that has not delivered after receiving my funds (or at least been on course to do so). Yes, I practise what I preach and donate on crowdfunding sites. I recently had an update from lead developer James Fletcher about his long-gestating project Knite and the Ghost Lights. In a nutshell, he had to put the project on hiatus to work for six months so he could support his family and then return to the game. Despite waiting longer than I thought I would for the game, James’ commitment to do six months of commercial work in order to realise his dream keeps my faith alive in the crowdfunding community. There are people out there who seek to con others, but that’s why we have columns like Kickstart This!
So what games are we urging you to back this time around? We start off with RPG action-adventure Deserted, before shining a light on not one but two games from Australia. The first is cutesy robot puzzler Wanda: A Beautiful Apocalypse, while the second is the Streets of Rage-inspired RPG beat ‘em up Night City Assault. (more…)
Next Super Mario Maker update adds more course parts and web-based course search
Nintendo will release another free Super Mario Maker update this Tuesday, December 22, and it’ll come packed with three new course parts:
- Fire Koopa Clown Car: This volcanic vessel is capable of shooting fireballs as well as a powerful charged shot that can even destroy Blocks. It’s perfect for creating shoot-em-up-style courses.
- P Warp Doors: Unlike regular Warp Doors, these are only visible while a P Switch is active – perfect for creating truly devious Ghost House courses.
- Bumper: This bouncy donut-shaped object sends Mario bounding away when touched.
P Warp Doors are an essential part of the franchise, so I’m thrilled that Nintendo is finally adding them to Super Mario Maker. And I love that the publisher took some inspiration from one of my favorite player-created courses, “Super Shmup Bros.,” in creating the Fire Koopa Clown Car. In addition to three new toys to play with, Nintendo is also adding a “World Records” leaderboard to each uploaded course so players can fight for the best times.
But next week’s update is even more important because of the launch of Super Mario Maker Bookmark, an online web portal that players to use to search the game’s many courses:
Players can access the Super Mario Maker Bookmark portal site from their computer, tablet, or smartphone, using their Nintendo Network ID to log in. The portal will let players browse recommended courses or search for courses with filters like difficulty, game theme, or course style. Players can also search using a selection of tags, making it easier to find courses that fall into a specific category such as automatic, puzzle, or music. Appealing levels can then be bookmarked for instant access the next time players fire up the game.
A trailer highlighting the new course parts has been embedded above, and another trailer that’ll walk you through the Super Mario Maker Bookmark site is available after the break. (more…)
Posted in News, Wii U
Tagged Super Mario Maker
Nintendo Download: Minecraft Wii U Edition, Mega Man Zero 4, MM Battle Network 5, more
Peanut Butter and Jelly. R2-D2 and C-3PO. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Like other great duos from history, fans have been clamoring for a team-up between Nintendo and Mojang since the original release of Minecraft back in 2009. Today, the two companies have finally made this dream a reality with the release of Minecraft: Wii U Edition on the Wii U eShop. Priced at $29.99, the latest version of the popular crafting game will include many of the most popular add-ons and Off-TV Play. If that weren’t enough, the consolemaker is even assisting Mojang on a future Nintendo-themed expansion to Minecraft.
Also available to download this week is a trio of classic Mega Man titles. Newly available to the Wii U’s Virtual Console today are Mega Man Zero 4, a ridiculously hard platformer, and Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Colonel / Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Protoman, a strategic pair of companion games. A three games were originally released for the Game Boy Advance, which was home to a good portion of Mega Man’s many adventures.
More information on all of these games, and a few other new releases, can be found after the break. (more…)
Nintendo is adding two new stages to Splatoon soon: Piranha Pit and Ancho-V Games
Splatoon‘s absurd sense of humor has been one of the shooter’s strongest selling points, and this new “Squid Dance” trailer is no exception. And not only can you get your groove on with the Inklings in the one minute and 40 second clip, but you can also get a glimpse at two new stages: “Piranha Pit” and “Ancho-V Games.”
More screenshots are available at Splatoon’s Tumblr page, but I think “Piranha Pit” looks a little like those floating atolls from Kevin Costner’s Waterworld. And “Ancho-V Games” looks to take place inside the loft office of an Inkopolis-based video game developer.
We don’t know when “Piranha Pit” and “Ancho-V Games” will be available in Splatoon, but we do know a small Maintenance Update will be applied tonight from 7:50 PM to 9:00 PM (Eastern Time).
Cloud now available to download in Super Smash Bros. For 3DS/Wii U; Bayonetta and Corrin confirmed for February 2016
Nintendo uploaded a “Final Video Presentation” for Super Smash Bros. For 3DS/Wii U last night, giving gamers their first look at the final two challengers that’ll approach the Smash arena in 2016.
The video opens with a look at Corrin, a swordfighter from Fire Emblem Fates who will be available to download in February 2016. Like Wii Fit Trainer, Robin, and The Villager, players will be able to choose from a male or female version of the character. And according to Nintendo, Corrin also “has the blood of a dragon in his veins,” allowing him/her to pull off some truly amazing attacks.
Cloud Strife also gets the superstar treatment if you jump ahead to 7:55 in the video embedded above. Best of all, the Final Fantasy VII character is now available to download through the Nintendo eShop for $5.99 on the Wii U, $5.99 on the 3DS, or $6.99 on both. Featuring two costume options, players will even be able to perform Cloud’s famous Limit Break attack, as well as a Materia Summons attack on his Midgar stage.
But the biggest surprise of the presentation can be viewed at 18 minutes in, when Nintendo announced that Bayonetta received the most votes in the Smash Bros. Fighter Ballot. To thank all the fans who voted, the titular star of Bayonetta and Bayonetta 2 will be added to the Smash Bros. For 3DS/Wii U roster in February 2016, alongside a special Umbra Clock Tower stage.
Finally, Amiibo fans will be pleased to learn that figures for Ryu, R.O.B. (Famicom Style), and Roy will be available in stores on March 18, 2016. And don’t worry, Nintendo has every intention of creating Amiibo figures for Cloud, Corrin, and Bayonetta. More information on the latter trio will be announced at a later date.
Posted in 3DS, News, Wii U
Tagged Super Smash Bros. For 3DS, Super Smash Bros. For Wii U
Splatoon’s next Splatfest knows if you’ve been Naughty or Nice
The Squid Sisters see you when you’re sleeping… they know when you’re awake… and they know how you vote for each Splatfest. So I suppose it only makes sense to put this knowledge to good use as Splatoon‘s upcoming North American Splatfest will ask participants to pledge their support for Team Naughty or Team Nice.
The Naughty versus Nice Splatfest will kick off on Friday, December 18 at midnight (Eastern Time) and continue all day Saturday. Nintendo will be competing with the opening weekend of Star Wars: The Force Awakens for the attention of gamers everywhere, but perhaps this little ditty (courtesy of the Squid Research Lab) will convince more people to join up…
You better spray ink,
You better really try.
If your team loses,
You might cry:Splatfest is coming to town!
Splatfest is coming to town!
Splatfest is coming to town!We’re making a list,
We’re checking it twice.
Visit the plaza and vote
Who’s naughty or nice.Splatfest is coming to town!
Splatfest is coming to town!
Splatfest is coming to town!
Splatoon players can pledge your support to Team Naughty or Team Nice right now at the voting kiosk in the game’s Inkopolis Plaza area.
CoD: Black Ops III, Fallout 4, SW: Battlefront lead November 2015’s best-selling games
Not surprisingly, a trio of shooters took the top three spots in the NPD Group’s recounting of November 2015’s best-selling games.
Call of Duty: Black Ops III scored another big win for Activision (and the Black Ops sub-series) with its claim on the top spot. It was followed by Fallout 4 at #2 and Star Wars: Battlefront at #3. With shooters holding on to the top of the list, sports games looked in for the next four places… Madden NFL 16 (#4), NBA 2K16 (#5), FIFA 16 (#6), and Need For Speed (#7). What? I’m sure someone, somewhere, thinks of illegal street racing as a sport.
The final three spots in the NPD’s November 2015 list include repeat appearances from Halo 5: Guardians (#8) and Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate (#9), along with a strong Black Firday-assisted performance from Just Dance 2016 (#10).
Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, NPD’s Liam Callahan confirmed that the PS4 and Xbox One are having a monster Fall: “After 25 months, the combined sales for the PS4 and the Xbox One are 47% higher than the combined sales for 25 months of PS3 and Xbox 360 hardware sales.”
You can find the NPD’s November 2015 top ten in handy list format after the break. (more…)
Posted in News, PC, PS3, PS4, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Tagged Assassin's Creed: Syndicate, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Fallout 4, FIFA 16, Halo 5: Guardians, Just Dance 2016, Madden NFL 16, NBA 2K16, Need For Speed, NPD, Star Wars: Battlefront
Nintendo Download: SteamWorld Heist, FAST Racing Neo, Terraria 3DS, more
While Microsoft and Sony have been ramping down their digital releases over the last few weeks, Nintendo is going all out with this week’s Nintendo Download. Ready… Set… Go…
- FAST Racing Neo (Wii U) is Shin’en Multimedia’s homage to the futuristic racing found in Nintendo’s famed F-Zero franchise. Players will be able to tear through 16 tracks at 60 frames per second in three “high-octane competitions.”
- SteamWorld Heist (3DS) is a side-scrolling strategy game from Image & Form starring the adventurous race of robots from their well-liked SteamWorld Dig.
- Terraria (3DS) is Re-Logic’s famed exploration/building game, available for the 3DS for the first time.
- Devil’s Third (Wii U) is an action game from Tomonobu Itagaki that stars Ivan, “a brutal ex-mercenary” who specializes in “an east-meets-west blend of ninja-style melee combat and modern gunplay.”
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 Devil's Third, FAST Racing Neo, SteamWorld Heist, Terraria