Warp Zoned Presents
Most Recent: Retro
New Retail Releases: Ever Oasis, Runbow Pocket, Dead By Daylight, More
Nintendo is back at the top of the New Retail Release report this week with another new game for their handheld, as well as a handful of new third party titles for their surging pair of systems.
Ever Oasis is a brand new action RPG from Koichi Ishii, the creator of the Mana series. Players will need to venture out into the desert and protect (and rebuild) the last safe oasis in the world. If you own a New 3DS, you’ll also be able to pick up 13AM’s Runbow Pocket: Deluxe Edition this week. The platform racer was originally released for the Wii U in 2015, and this new portable edition includes the base game and all the previously-released downloadable content.
Speaking of platformers, Nicalis will bring Cave Story+ to the Switch with upgraded high definition graphics, seven game modes, and 15 levels to explore.
Elsewhere in your local game store you’ll find Dead By Daylight, an asymmetrical horror simulator for the PS4 and Xbox One. One player will be able to take control of the Killer, while others will fight to live as Survivors. One… two… a copyright-adjacent boogeyman is coming for you…
A faster getaway would probably be available to the drivers in MXGP 3, the latest motorcycle racing game from Square Enix and Milestone. MXGP 3 will be available for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One, and players will be able to race through the complete 2016 season.
And speaking of Square Enix, the Japanese publisher will expand their MMORPG this week with the launch of Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood for the PC and PS4. The expansion will include a variety of new content including new Raids, new Jobs, and an increased Level Cap.
Another Japanese publisher, NIS America, will also release a new RPG this week. God Wars: Future Past is coming to the PS4 and Vita, and its a tactical RPG that combies traditional Japanese folklore with a unique art style based on watercolor and wood carving art.
Finally this week, a Retail Edition of Cities: Skylines will be available for the Xbox One exclusively through GameStop.
Posted in 3DS, News, PC, PS4, Switch, Vita, Xbox One
Tagged Cities: Skylines, Dead By Daylight, Ever Oasis, Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, Runbow
So Did Anyone “Win” the 2017 E3 Expo?
E3 2017 proved to be something of a musical affair, with every company trying to out-do the others in audio superiority. Microsoft had a mournful piano solo to accompany the reveal of Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Ubisoft had a drumline. EA also had a drumline. Sony kicked their Press Conference off with a bizarre melody of Indian music and light projections on a waterfall. And halfway through its show, an android introduced the trailer for Detroit: Become Human with the voice of an angel.
Usually, you can add the question, “who won E3,” to this aural bombardment. And just as often, it is a question without an answer. But what about this year? Let’s find out. (more…)
Nintendo will bring a remake of Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga to the 3DS this Fall
Mario is making the rounds at this year’s E3 Expo. In addition to starring appearances in Super Mario Odyssey and Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, the mustachioed plumber will also return to the 3DS in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions. The RPG was originally released for the Game Boy Advance in 2003, and this remake will include a new Easy Mode, as well as a side story featuring Captain Goomba and his Goomba Squad:
During the show, Nintendo announced that an updated version of the first game in the Mario & Luigi series was in development for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions contains all the fun gameplay and dialogue of the Game Boy Advance original, as well as an optional Easy Mode for younger or more inexperienced players.
The game also includes a side story called Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser, which tells the story of the game from the perspective of Bowser’s minions, led by Captain Goomba.
Nintendo will release Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions for the 3DS on October 6 alongside a pair of new Amiibo figures for Goomba and Koopa Troopa. Both figures, and the existing Boo figure, will be compatible with the remake.
Posted in 3DS, News
Tagged E3 2017, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
PlayStation Store This Week: Cars 3 Driven To Win, Tour De France 2017, more
The E3 Expo is winding down, so the PlayStation Store is a little light on new releases this week…
Leading the pack is Cars 3: Driven To Win, a new racing game for the PS4 and PS3 that’s based on Pixar’s animated threequel. Produced by WB Games, Cars 3: Driven To Win includes more than 20 tracks, more than 20 characters, and six gameplay modes.
Speaking of racing, Le Tour De France 2017 brings the world’s premiere bicycle race to the PS4 on July 15. Players will be able to “attack, give orders to [their] teammates, choose the best trajectory, manage [their] stamina, and make the decisions” that lead to the Yellow Jersey.
Finally this week, Hamster Corporation will release two more SNK classics for the PS4. The Last Blade is a fighting game that was first released in 1997, and Sengoku 2 is a brawler that originally launched in 1993.
You can learn more about all of these games (and a few other new releases) after the break. (more…)
Metroid II is being remade for the 3DS as Metroid: Samus Returns
Nintendo’s focus at this year’s E3 Expo is squarely on the Switch, but the 3DS will still receive a handful of new games this Fall. Leading the way is Metroid: Samus Returns, a remake of Metroid II: Return of Samus that’s been “rebuilt from the ground up” for Nintendo’s dedicated handheld.
Nintendo considers Metroid: Samus Returns a “modern reimagining” of Metroid II, adding “immersive 3D visuals” and an “atmospheric color palette” to the game. Samus Aran will also be equipped with a new Melee Counter, Free Aim Mode for her Arm Cannon, and “mysterious” Aeion Abilities. Some form of Amiibo support will also be included. But as you can see from the trailer, the side-scrolling platforming of the 1991 original will remain.
Metroid: Samus Returns will be available for the 3DS, alongside two new Amiibo figures, on September 15. You can get a look at the brand new Samus Aran and Metroid figures after the break. (more…)
Posted in 3DS, News
Tagged E3 2017, Metroid II: Return of Samus
NBA 2K17 simulation scores as Warriors win NBA Finals… but Predators trash NHL 17 prediction with loss
It didn’t take seven games, but NBA 2K17‘s playoff simulation became a reality last night, and the Golden State Warriors won the NBA Championship.
It was a high-scoring series, and the Warriors closed it out in Game 5 with a 129-120 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The two teams have been trading championships over the last three years, with the Warriors winning it all in 2015, and Cleveland claiming victory last year. The difference this time appeared to be Kevin Durant, who signed with the Warriors in the offseason. Durant averaged 35.2 points per game in the series, and was named the Finals MVP.
Elsewhere in the sports world, EA’s NHL 17 simulation didn’t work out as well. As predicted, the Nashville Predators reached the Stanley Cup Finals, but they lost the series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Both franchises will get another chance this September with the upcoming release of NBA 2K18 and NHL 18.
Just Dance 2018 will launch for all current consoles (and the Wii) on October 24
I can’t believe it… someone is still producing Wii games in 2017. Ubisoft has announced that Just Dance 2018 will be available on October 24 for all current consoles (PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii U), as well as the original Wii.
The Just Dance 2018 soundtrack will include more than 40 songs, and Ubisoft delivered a sneak peek at the first 11 as part of the game’s first trailer:
Just Dance 2018 Tracklist… So Far
- Ariana Grande (featuring Nicki Minaj) – “Side To Side”
- Bebe Rexha (featuring Lil Wayne) – “The Way I Are (Dance With Somebody)”
- Beyonce – “Naughty Girl”
- Big Freedia – “Make it Jingle”
- Bruno Mars – “24K Magic”
- Clean Bandit (featuring Sean Paul & Anne-Marie) – “Rockabye”
- Groove Century – “Daddy Cool”
- Hatsune Miku – “Love Ward”
- HyunA – Bubble Pop!”
- Jamiroquai – Automaton”
- Shakira (featuring Maluma) – “Chantaje”
Ubisoft also announced plans for an exclusive addition to Just Dance 2018 on the Switch that makes use of the console’s HD Rumble feature. Players will be able to grab two Joy-Con controllers and load up Double Rumble Mode to create “new Double Rumble choreographies that are tied to the game’s vibration system.”
But don’t worry, six players will still be able to bust a move in Just Dance 2018 with the mobile-friendly Just Dance Controller App on the PS4, Switch, Wii U, and Xbox One.
New Retail Releases: Arms, Cars 3 Driven To Win, Psychonauts In the Rhombus of Ruin
It’s common knowledge that game publishers try to avoid releasing big new games during the E3 Expo, but as we all know, Nintendo’s methods are anything but common.
This week, the consolemaker will launch their stretchy-armed fighting game, Arms, for the Nintendo Switch. Featuring support for motion controls with the Joy-Cons and standard controls with the Switch Pro Controller, Arms will give players plenty of options to battle it out with the its colorful characters.
Also set to launch this week is a game adaptation of Pixar’s Cars 3. Cars 3: Driven To Win was developed by WB Games and Avalanche Software, and will be available for the PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PS3, Wii U, and Xbox 360.
Finally this week, Double Fine will release a retail edition of the PlayStation VR-exclusive Psychonauts In the Rhombus of Ruin. All copies of the game will also come with a download code for the original Psychonauts.
While we’ll be preoccupied with the E3 Expo for most of this week, we’ll be back soon with a look at this week’s newest additions to the PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, and Nintendo eShop.