Warp Zoned Presents
Most Recent: Mobile
Dr. Mario World launches for mobile devices on July 10
Nintendo is taking another stab at this whole mobile gaming thing on July 10 with the iOS and Android launch of Dr. Mario World. Mixing match-3 mechanics with the puzzle franchise’s tri-colored viruses, the consolemaker has released a new trailer to give prospective players an overview of exactly how Dr. Mario World operates.
In addition to the now-standard “squash the viruses with vitamins” gameplay, players will find puzzle-style levels that can only be beaten by activating Koopa Troopa Shells, Bombs, Locks, and more. The game will include over 200 of these levels at launch, and Nintendo plans to add more as time goes by.
Like most free-to-play games, Dr. Mario World will use multiple currencies that are replenished over time (Hearts), earned through gameplay (Coins), or purchased with real money (Diamonds). Hearts are used to replay levels, while Coins and Diamonds unlock new Doctors and special helper items.
Yes, Dr. Mario’s friends will also get to don his famous white coat (many for the first time), and unlocking Dr. Luigi, Dr. Peach, Dr. Toad, Dr. Yoshi, and Dr. Bowser will add a variety of special powers to your medicine bag.
Finally, an online Versus Mode “turns up the intensity” with real-time one-on-one matches.
Dr. Mario fans can now pre-register at the game’s official website to be notified when Dr. Mario World is available to download.
Posted in Mobile, News
Tagged Dr. Mario World
ChessFinity is the Chess-based “Endless Runner” you’ve always wanted
Chess is the regal and sophisticated “Game of Kings” that has captivated players for more than a thousand years. Meanwhile, the “Endless Runner” is a platformer subgenre that rose to prominence only within the last decade. Naturally, someone has mashed them together to create the first game “that combines the rules and figurines of traditional Chess with the thrill of an endless runner.”
Produced by THQ Nordic’s HandyGames division, ChessFinity is currently in development for iOS and Android devices. The procedurally-generated game’s first trailer has been embedded above, and it looks about how you’d expect it to look, with players attempting to navigate a “road” littered with opposing pieces:
ChessFinity retains what makes Chess the “Game of kings,” the strategic masterpiece board game that has been played for centuries all over the world, and combines this with a new spin on how you as the player approach Chess. You won’t be confronted with an all-too smart AI that keeps on destroying your army nor with an experienced player. In ChessFinity, you’ll be confronted with procedurally-generated challenges that get harder and harder but are always beatable. Every time you play, you’ll get better and better and leave a high score for others to beat.
During the game, you can always swap to a piece that fits the situation best… of course, the mighty queen has the most movement options, but she can’t jump like a knight can. Sometimes, it may be best to sacrifice one of your pieces… we’re looking at you, pawn.
ChessFinity will be available to download for iOS and Android devices soon.
Craft your own world with the AR-powered mobile game Minecraft Earth
In the ten years since it launched, Minecraft has slowly taken over the gaming world with its blocky environments and promises of limitless creativity. But now it looks like Microsoft and Mojang want to help the franchise take over the actual Earth with the announcement of Minecraft Earth.
Minecraft Earth is currently in development for iOS and Android devices, and according to an FAQ, it’ll give players the opportunity to build Minecraft-style creations in the real world through their smartphone’s screen in an augmented reality game that should operate similarly to Pokemon Go:
What is Minecraft Earth?
Minecraft Earth is an all-new augmented reality game you can play on your mobile devices that brings the Minecraft world into our universe! Through the lens of the game, you’ll be able to build creations with friends and place them in the real world at life-size.You’ll discover exciting new mobs to use in your builds. And you may need to put your survival skills to the test as you explore a new side to your neighborhood and battle Minecraft mobs in real life!
Minecraft Earth is currently planned as a free-to-play game, and it should launch sometime in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, a Closed Beta will be available this Summer, and if you’re interested in checking out the next evolution of Minecraft before anyone else, you can apply for a invitation at Minecraft.net.
Play as Thanos for a limited time in Fortnite’s new Avengers: Endgame event
After what seems like an impossible wait, Avengers: Endgame is finally in theaters… but Marvel has also made sure that Thanos the Mad Titan made his way back to Fortnite in a new limited time event that begins today.
The “Fortnite X Avengers: Endgame” event will split players into two teams: the Chitauri and the Heroes. The Chitauri invasion squad has been tasked with searching for Infinity Stones, and according to Epic’s official website, the first player to find a Stone will transform into Thanos and receive a massive power boost:
Each time an Infinity Stone is claimed, Thanos’ abilities grow more powerful and the Chitauri gain health.
- Reality Stone (Red) – Heath and Shields doubled
- Soul Stone (Orange) – Siphon activated
- Mind Stone (Yellow) – Jump Height doubled
- Space Stone (Blue) – Ground Pound AOE size tripled and damage X6
- Time Stone (Green) – Big Knockback added to each hit and damage X3
- Power Stone (Purple) – Laser Damage X6
But the Heroes will also be able to obtain more powerful implements of destruction during the event, including Thor’s Stormbringer, Hawkeye’s Bow, Captain America’s Shield, and Iron Man’s Repulsors. With these Mythic Weapons, they’ll be able to take the fight straight to Thanos and possibly prevent the supervillain from collecting all six Infinity Stones and performing a “Snap Royale” on the universe.
New Marvel-branded gear will also be available during the “Fortnite X Avengers: Endgame” event. Players will be able to unlock free rewards (such as Sprays, Banners, and a Quinjet Glider) by completing challenges, and two Outfit Sets (one featuring Black Widow and a mystery set coming next week) will be available for purchase through the Fortnite Store.
Nintendo is hosting a Closed Beta for Mario Kart Tour (for Android users) from May 22 through June 4
Nintendo plans to launch Mario Kart Tour for Android and iOS devices sometime this Summer, but first they want to put the mobile racing game through its paces in an upcoming Closed Beta.
Android owners in Japan and the United States can head over to the game’s official website and apply for an invitation now, though registration for the limited number of Beta slots will remain open through May 7.
Mario Kart Tour’s Closed Beta will be available beginning on Wednesday, May 22, and run through Tuesday, June 4.
Posted in Mobile, News
Tagged Mario Kart Tour
First full-length footage of Stranger Things 3: The Game recreates the show’s brilliant trailer
Netflix revealed a few months ago that a game adaptation of Stranger Things 3 was in the works and scheduled to launch this Summer, but the developers at Bonus XP needed a little extra time to filter the third season’s brilliant trailer through the game’s glorious pixelated hues. The result was certainly worth the wait and this Teaser Trailer has been embedded above.
Stranger Things 3: The Game is an isometric brawler with a 16-bit art style for up to two players, and it’ll be released alongside the premiere of the show’s third season on July 4 for the PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and mobile devices.
12 finalists announced for World Video Game Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019
The World Video Game Hall of Fame, which is overseen by The Strong Museum of Play, has announced the finalists for this year’s crop of inductees. We’ll have to wait until May to find out which games make the final cut, but we now know that a dozen classic titles will be in the running for the Class of 2019.
This year’s finalists include several games that are taking one more shot at immortality, including Midway’s Mortal Kombat, Cyan Worlds’s Myst, Microsoft’s Windows Solitaire, and Valve’s Half-Life. All four have a strong claim to “Hall of Fame” status, as Myst helped popularize CD-ROMs, Half-Life pushed narrative games to new heights, Mortal Kombat’s controversial violence is still discussed today, and Windows Solitaire may just be the most-played game ever.
But they’ll have to compete against a slate of other titles that includes King’s Candy Crush, Atari’s Centipede, William Crowther’s Colossal Cave Adventure, Konami’s Dance Dance Revolution, Sega’s NBA 2K, Sid Meier’s Civilization, and Nintendo’s Super Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. Melee.
Gaming fans from around the globe will be able to influence which games will be eligible for induction this year through the Player’s Choice Ballot, which will be open from March 21st through the 28th. The remaining ballots will come from the Hall of Fame’s International Selection Advisory Committee, which is comprised of journalists and scholars who are “familiar with the history of video games.”
The World Video Game Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019 will announced on May 2, but you can learn more about this year’s finalists after the break. (more…)
Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS2, Retro
Tagged Centipede, Half-Life, Super Mario Kart, World Video Game Hall of Fame
Activision and Tencent will launch free-to-play Call of Duty Mobile this Summer
Way back in 2017, Activision announced that Candy Crush developer King was hard on a new game in the Call of Duty franchise for mobile platforms. We still don’t know when we’ll learn more about that game, but late last night the publisher revealed an entirely different Call of Duty mobile experience from Tencent’s Timi studio.
Call of Duty Mobile is currently in development for Android and iOS devices, and will be available to download throughout the world as a free-to-play Public Beta this Summer:
In Call of Duty: Mobile, players will experience the fluid, first-person combat of Call of Duty, fighting head-to-head in fan-favorite modes such as Team Deathmatch, Search and Destroy and Free-For-All, in iconic maps from the series such as Nuketown, Crash, Hijacked and more. Along the way, players will earn and unlock classic Call of Duty characters, weapons, scorestreaks and other gear to equip and customize their loadouts as they battle to be among the best in the world.
Fans can pre-register to receive updates about Call of Duty Mobile’s progress at the game’s official website, and Activision has promised that “more modes of play” will be announced soon.
The Announcement Trailer for Call of Duty Mobile has been embedded above.