Warp Zoned Presents
Most Recent: Switch
Super Crush KO Review: A Pretty Great Pastel Puncher
Vertex Pop is a developer that first appeared on my radar in 2015 after the release of their debut game, We Are Doomed. The excellent twin-stick shooter used a graphical style reminiscent of paper cutouts to build its unique world, and paired it with the chill soundtrack that helped slow down the often frantic action.
We Are Doomed was followed two years later by Graceful Explosion Machine, a side-scrolling shooter that cemented the papery look and relaxing tunes as something of a house style for the developer, while also breaking out as one of the first big “Nindies” on the Switch.
That house style is once again on full display in Super Crush KO, a classically-styled beat ’em up that’s been drenched in Vertex Pop’s signature pastel palette. (more…)
Posted in PC, Reviews, Switch
Tagged Super Crush KO
Switch launch for The Outer Worlds has been delayed due to the coronavirus
Private Division has just announced that the upcoming Nintendo Switch debut of The Outer Worlds has been indefinitely delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak in China.
The Outer Worlds was developed by Obsidian Entertainment, and it was originally released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One in 2019. At the same time, Private Division contracted Virtuos, a Chinese developer that specializes in porting games to new platforms, to bring the game to the Switch sometime this year. But the outbreak has forced a temporary closure of their office, and they’ve been unable to continue work on the game, which means it’ll miss its previously-announced March 6 launch date:
We’re delaying @OuterWorlds on Nintendo Switch due to the coronavirus impacting the Virtuos team working on the port, to provide them enough time to finish development. We’ll now be releasing the physical version on cartridge. Once we have a new launch date, we’ll let you know!
— Private Division (@PrivateDivision) February 6, 2020
According to Private Division, everyone at Virtuos is doing OK, and they plan to announce a new release date soon. In the meantime, the publisher also confirmed that all retail copies of The Outer Worlds for the Switch will ship with a game cartridge in the box instead of the planned download voucher.
Posted in News, Switch
Tagged The Outer Worlds
Double Dragon & Kunio-Kun Retro Brawler Bundle will come to PS4 and Switch on February 20
Arc System Works has announced plans to re-release more than a dozen NES classics in a new compilation featuring the Double Dragon and Kunio-Kun (River City Ransom) franchises.
Set to launch later this month, the Double Dragon & Kunio-Kun Retro Brawler Bundle will contain 18 games in all, including 11 Kunio-Kun games that were never released outside of Japan, as well as all three Double Dragon games (Double Dragon, Double Dragon II: The Revenge, Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones), and four Kunio-Kun games that US fans might be more familiar with (Renegade, Super Dodge Ball, River City Ransom, Crash ‘N the Boys Street Challenge):
Double Dragon & Kunio-Kun Retro Brawler Bundle, consists of 18 titles including seven Double Dragon and Kunio-kun vintage games from the 80s and 90s, and all 11 Kunio-Kun classic titles from the Family Computer Disk System that have been localized into English for the first time ever. Game genres vary from side-scrolling action, beat ’em up, sports, and action RPG. Online play mode is available for all titles, and a total of 55 in-game missions are waiting for you to obtain nicknames and avatars to show off to your friends! Can you complete all the games?
The Double Dragon & Kunio-Kun Retro Brawler Bundle will be available to download for the PS4 and Switch beginning on February 20, and you can learn more about the games included in the compilation after the break. (more…)
Posted in News, PS4, Switch
Tagged Double Dragon
Platinum Games turns to Kickstarter to bring The Wonderful 101 Remastered to Switch, PS4, and PC
Grand Theft Auto V completely upended the video game industry when it was released in September 2013. It even managed to overshadow the first collaboration between Nintendo and Platinum Games, The Wonderful 101, which launched the same week. While GTA5 continues to smash sales records, the love for The Wonderful 101 has been kept alive thanks to a dedicated cult following that seems to grow larger every year.
And now it’s back!
After multiple rumors that a modern port was in the works, Platinum has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to bring the game to the Switch this April as The Wonderful 101 Remastered. The modest $50,000 target has already been reached, as have Stretch Goals to eventually bring the game to the PC and PS4. If the developer receives further funds from fans (which is almost a guarantee at this point), they plan to add a series of downloadable content to the game, which will be free for all players.
With the short turnaround time from campaign to release, it’s safe to say that the Switch version of The Wonderful 101 Remastered is already complete and what backers are actually doing is pre-ordering their copy of the game through Kickstarter. Fans can also pledge to receive a wide range of goodies through the campaign, including t-shirts, custom controllers, several soundtrack options, character figures, a comic, and more.
Platinum will self-publish The Wonderful 101 Remastered, though they’re also partnering with Nighthawk Interactive to distribute a Physical Version of the game to backers and through retail stores.
I expect we’re going to learn a lot more about the game as the campaign continues through the end of the month.
Posted in News, PC, PS4, Switch
Tagged The Wonderful 101
NIS America will bring five playable demos (including one secret game) to PAX East 2020
NIS America has announced that they’re bringing five playable demos to this year’s PAX East convention… including one secret game.
The ones that we know about include a pair of compilations coming in March (Langrisser I & II and La-Mulana 1 & 2), a survival adventure set to launch this April (Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories), and the Switch debut of a popular RPG series (The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III).
But because everyone loves a secret, it’s that fifth game that’s sure to get attendees (and everyone else) excited. NIS America isn’t offering any hints as to what else they’re bringing to Boston, but it will be playable at their booth.
This year’s PAX East convention will take place from February 27th through March 1, and you can learn more about NIS America’s game lineup after the break. (more…)
Posted in News, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Tagged Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories, PAX East 2020
Animal Crossing: New Horizons inspired a new Switch design set to launch on March 13
Nintendo is getting ready to launch Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the Switch on March 20, but the game’s islandbound stars have also inspired a brand new design for the hybrid console, which will available in stores a week before on March 13.
Unfortunately, the Special Edition Switch package (which’ll be priced at $299.99) won’t contain a copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, but it will include a pair of pastel Joy-Con controllers, a dock featuring Tom Nook (and his Nooklings), and a animal-speckled system. Animal Crossing-themed Carrying Cases designed to fit the Switch and the Switch Lite will also be available on the same day.
You can get a sneak peek of the special edition Switch console inspired by Animal Crossing: New Horizons after the break. (more…)
Posted in News, Switch
Tagged Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The Outer Worlds will venture forth to the Switch on March 6
Obsidian has announced that The Outer Worlds will make its way to the Nintendo Switch on March 6. They shared the good news with their fans earlier today with a new post on their official website:
Greetings employees of Halcyon,
We are excited to share with you that a new wave of colonist are preparing to join us in the Halcyon Colony soon, as The Outer Worlds is coming to Nintendo Switch on March 6.Whether you choose to zap foes with your shrink ray or charm them with smooth-talking abilities, we know you will make The Board proud. And the fact that you will be able to complete your tasks anywhere you go with the Nintendo Switch is something that makes The Board happy.
The Outer Worlds will be available on the Switch exclusively through the Nintendo eShop (though a Retail Edition packed with a download code will also be available).
Posted in News, Switch
Tagged The Outer Worlds
Celebrate the Lunar New Year this weekend with Tetris 99’s next Maximus Cup
The Lunar New Year began on January 25, but Tetris 99 players should get ready to celebrate this weekend as Nintendo has announced that the 11th Maximus Cup event will begin bright and early on Friday, January 31, at 2:00 AM (Eastern Time).
Tetris 99 players who participate in this Maximus Cup event will be competing in a “Point Stacking Challenge,” and the 999 players with the most Event Points will receive 999 Gold Points (about $10) to spend in the Nintendo eShop.
As usual, Event Points will be distributed on a sliding scale. 100 Points will go to the 1st Place finisher in each match, with 50 Points for 2nd, 30 Points for 3rd, 20 Points for 4th–10th, 15 Points for 11th–30th, 10 Points for 31st–50th, 5 Points for 51st–90th, and 1 Point for 91st-99th.
This weekend’s Maximus Cup event will conclude in the wee morning hours of Tuesday, February 4, at 2:00 AM (Eastern Time). Good luck to everyone planning to participate!