Warp Zoned Presents
Most Recent: PS2
Jordan, Bird, Magic triple-team NBA 2K12 cover
Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. 2K Sports has chosen those three legends to grace the three different covers that’ll be available for NBA 2K12. The basketball sim will be available for the PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii and Xbox 360 on October 4.
After the huge success of last year’s Jordan-infused NBA 2K11, expanding the game’s repertoire of hoops legends is a great idea. The looming NBA lockout probably influenced 2K’s decision to stay away from active players as well.
However, I wouldn’t get too attached to the artwork of His Airness. If you look close you’ll see that, instead of his familiar “23” (or even his short-lived “45”), the number on Jordan’s jersey is a “3.” (A second look reveals that the “2” in “23” is there, just pushed all the way to the left.)
Whoops! Hit the (fast) break for a look at all three covers. (more…)
Duke Nukem Forever takes a number two on June bestseller list
Duke Nukem Forever gives players the option to fish a turd out of the toilet bowl and smear it all over the walls of the game world. So it seems rather fitting that Duke’s latest adventure has landed in the #2 spot in The NPD Group’s list of bestselling games for the month of June. The Mighty Duke was toppled by Rockstar’s L.A. Noire; the detective yarn is celebrating its second straight month at the top after it lead the May NPD report as well.
A trio of other June releases also earned their way into the top ten. Sony’s InFamous 2 took the #3 spot, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D hookshotted its way into #5 and Cars 2 stopped for gas at #9.
You can find the full top ten after the break. (more…)
Posted in 3DS, DS, News, PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360
Tagged Call of Duty: Black Ops, Cars 2, Duke Nukem Forever, InFamous 2, Just Dance 2, L.A. Noire, Lego Pirates of the Caribbean, Mortal Kombat, NBA 2K11, NPD, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Double Fine begins acquiring the rights to Psychonauts
The exclusive rights to publish Psychonauts, the first game from Tim Schaeffer’s Double Fine Productions, have now reverted to the developer. Although this resulted in a celebratory OMG Tweet from Senior Gameplay Programmer Anna Kipnis, the studio still has a few more deals to work out before they can resume working on the IP. Schaeffer told Gamasutra, “[A]fter that’s all squared away, we will have some fun stuff to announce! (And no, it’s not Psychonauts 2.)”
Released in 2005 for PC, PlayStation 2, and Xbox, Psychonauts is revered for its unique story and sense of humor that has since become synonymous with Double Fine. We’ll be sure to keep you posted on what those announcements end up being.
Posted in News, PC, PS2
Tagged Psychonauts
L.A. Noire tops NPD chart in May
Rockstar Games’ detective procedural L.A. Noire has topped The NPD Group’s list of bestselling games in May. The PS3/Xbox 360 game was followed by several other new releases including Brink at #2 and Lego Pirates of the Caribbean in the third slot.
The remainder of the top ten is a mix of recently games (Portal 2 at #4 and Mortal Kombat at #5) and holdovers from last Fall’s game rush (Call of Duty: Black Ops at #6 and NBA 2K11 at #8).
The complete top ten can be seen here:
1. L.A. Noire (PS3, Xbox 360)
2. Brink (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
3. Lego Pirates of the Caribbean (3DS, DS, PC, PS3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360)
4. Portal 2 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
5. Mortal Kombat (PS3, Xbox 60)
6. Call of Duty: Black Ops (DS, PC, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360)
7. Zumba Fitness: Join the Party (PS3, Wii, Xbox 360)
8. NBA 2K11 (PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360)
9. Just Dance 2 (Wii)
10. Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars (3DS, DS, PC, PS3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360)
Posted in 3DS, DS, News, PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360
Tagged Brink, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Just Dance 2, L.A. Noire, Lego Pirates of the Caribbean, Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars, Mortal Kombat, NBA 2K11, NPD, Portal 2, Zumba Fitness
See the final box art for Madden NFL 12
Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis vaulted over some stiff competition to earn the right to grace the Madden NFL 12 cover. Today, Hillis has officially been targeted by the Madden Cover Curse as the final box art for the game was revealed. Feel free to click on the image to view a slightly larger version.
Madden NFL 12 will be released for the PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii and Xbox 360 on August 30.
EA unveils E3 2011 lineup; includes multiple unannounced projects
Electronic Arts has caught the E3 fever and the only cure is an hour-long show on Spike TV!
Geoff Keighley of GameTrailers TV will host “Gamechangers: EA 2011 Preview,” a live broadcast of EA’s 2011 E3 press conference. The photogenic game journalist will be joined by EA CEO John Riccitiello and several of the publisher’s development teams to unveil their E3 lineup:
- Experience an explosive, never-before-seen demo of Battlefield 3
- Travel across the galaxy for a look at Commander Shepard’s final voyage in Mass Effect 3
- Hit the pitch for a first look at FIFA Soccer 12
- Discover what’s new in Madden NFL 12
- Shred the mountains in the world premiere look at SSX
- Experience the high-speed thrills of Need For Speed: The Run
- Star Wars: The Old Republic and multiple “unannounced projects” will also be revealed during the broadcast
Gamechangers will air live on Spike TV on Monday, June 6 at 3:30 PM (Eastern Time).
Posted in 3DS, News, PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360
Tagged Battlefield 3, E3 2011, FIFA Soccer 12, Madden NFL 12, Mass Effect 3, Need For Speed: The Run, SSX, Star Wars: The Old Republic
What To Expect From E3 2011
E3 is just three weeks away E3 begins tomorrow! As we gear up for the biggest event on the gaming calendar, it’s easy to forget what exactly it is we’re gearing up to see. So that’s where Warp Zoned’s handy guide of “What To Expect From E3 2011” comes into play. We’ve gathered together a list of every game that’s been confirmed for E3 2011 as well as every game that’s expected to be at E3 2011 along with a few rumored titles that just might make an appearance at the big show.
We’ll update this article regularly as the opening of the E3 Expo grows nearer. Be sure to check back often! (more…)
Mortal Kombat decapitates the competition in April NPD report
It’s no secret that the video game community has responded to NetherRealm Studios’ Mortal Kombat reboot with a resounding “I love it.” But like Shao Kahn taunting a clearly inferior kombatant, the game also emerged on top of The NPD Group’s April 2011 sales report. And according to a tweet from Kombat creator Ed Boon, the game sold over 1,000,000 copies during the month. Flawless victory indeed.
April 19’s other big release, Portal 2, teleported its way to the top of the list with a strong #2 showing. Of course, it’s important to point out that a good portion of Portal 2’s sales were digital downloads through Steam, which isn’t counted by the NPD.
But the biggest surprise from last month’s top ten might be the absence of Sony’s SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs. The online shooter was also released on April 19th, one day before hackers took down the PSN. The service has yet to return and its offline status definitely contributed to SOCOM 4’s lackluster sales.
Hit the jump for the complete top ten of April’s bestselling games. (more…)