Right off the starter grid, I must admit I was sceptical during the unboxing process of this Moza racing setup. You see, I was first drawn to the R12 Wheel Base, the CRP Pedals, and the GS V2P GT Wheel for three reasons—Moza's sterling reputation, the fact that it was a GT3/F1 configuration not offered by my current wheel, and because I’m a fiend for greater force feedback. The latter didn’t seem probable here, despite Moza's superior FF numbers.

I’m very much a simmer who feels the need to feel the speed. My current workhorse, a Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel, is no slouch in the FF department with its not-unimpressive 11Nm of torque. That said, the R12’s direct drive servo system goes harder at 12Nm.

The Spinal Tap leap from eleven to a dozen sure amped me up, but I recoiled when spotting the footprint differences of these similarly priced wheel bases. As I was grease monkeying everything off my sim rig, it was impossible not to notice the dashboard-like Logi Pro wheel base (30.5 x 29 x 20cm) dwarfing Moza's ultra-compact R12 base (22.5 x 15.6 x 12.3cm).

I caught myself wondering: Is it even possible to get more power out of such a svelte package? In short order, the answer came back as a resounding, wrist-rattling yes.

We'll delve into the details of that in a sec, but for now, let’s get some best price options for anybody who clicked in here with their mind made up already. Everybody else can skip all that window shopping by clicking here to continue to my hands on impressions.

The Moza Racing Test Setup

Moza R12 Wheel Base

Long story short, the R12 Wheel Base is a solidly built nerve-centre that will serve as your HUB for Moza’s highly interchangeable racing ecosystem. Boasting an aviation-grade aluminum alloy housing with sexy laser-etched accents, it certainly looks the goods after I bolt it onto the business plate of my trusty Playseat Alcantara sim seat.

From here, it’s a wiring noodlefest as you connect the base to a (considerably sized) power brick, and then to a wall socket. The next extra step I had was linking the base to my (optional) Moza Sequential Shifter. It’s also worth noting that there are dedicated ports available for hi-definition Digital Dash readouts, Handbrakes for the hairpin heroes, and an E-stop switch.

The last step of the great connect-a-thon is threading from base to pedals, which require their own mini daisy-chain connection process with short wires running between the accelerator, brake, and clutch pedals before a single, dedicated cable can be snaked out to the base unit. This sounds like a pain, but it’s actually a one-off hassle, and the no-nonsense labelling of all ports makes for a painless process.

Last but not least, you’ll need to slot on a wheel style of your choice onto the base. As mentioned before, I went for the GS V2P GT (GT3/F1) setup, and it effortlessly snaps onto the base via an automotive-grade conductive slip ring system that provides limitless max wheel rotation. And, for the record: Moza’s other wheel styles include an ES (ideal for street/drifting), a CS (what I’d use for rallying), and there’s even a very self-explanatory TSW Truck Wheel. As a wheelman who enjoys all the meats of the sim racing stew, I'm looking forward to testing those variants in the future.

Moza GS V2P GT Wheel

While the R12 wheel base is sexy-looking but also unassumingly box-like, it’s difficult to not be wowed by the busy aesthetics of the GS V2P wheel once freed from its box + totebag prison. Authentically-sized and wonderfully weighty-feeling at first touch, this bad boy is positively bristling with bells and whistles. It's absolutely stuccoed with more dials and switches than your average gamer would know what to do with.

Thanks to exceptional design, I found I had easy thumb access to this cacophony of buttons and doodads. Beyond the main dials that rest at the centre of the unit, it feels like every other input has been perfectly placed around my fingertips. Likewise, the build quality of everything feels befitting of the considerable price one is paying.

Noise-wise, the functions that rest on the back of the wheel will be very intent on letting you know they’re back there. The aftward clutch pedals are generously sized and non-cacophonous, though they’re certainly clicky. The individual gear up/down shifters are the main culprits, as they're definitely noisier than they need to be—just beefy, metal-on-metal clanks aplenty. Though it’s a minor pain in an already lengthy setup process, you should 100% take the time to apply the (optional) rubber dampening pads that come with this unit.

Powering up the wheel results in a cheerful disco of lights as the RPM strip and ten face buttons run through their initialization checks. Speaking of chroma, I love that this V2P version of the wheel has upgraded to individual LEDS instead of the old sequential LED RPM setup. Looks better. Works better.

I also dig how stocky and durable this wheel feels, thanks to a stronger reinforced backplate. It’s also mighty comfortable in the mitts with its perforated microfiber leather grips (an epidermis-friendly finish that’s also found on Moza's more premium FSR wheel). Lastly, at 300mm across, I appreciate that this unit is slightly wider than quite a few competing F1-style wheels out there. Call me shallow, but I’m always of the opinion that bigger is better with wheels—it just sells the illusion that much more.

The excellent build quality extends to the inputs themselves. Those ten backlit push buttons dominating the radial reach range of your thumbs all feel nice to the press and have a surety that reduces the likelihood of accidental pressings. This lack of finickiness is invaluable when you’re racing as I do, ensconced in a VR headset with no option for a quick downward glance at the wheel.

Note: if you do exist at the other end of the spectrum and like the occasional glance at your wheel, I love that there’s a quick button combo that allows the individual cycle changing of LED colours for every push button. For example, you might want to slap a big “no no” red on your pit-limiter function to prevent accidentally crapping out your transmission along the main straight of Monza.

Likewise, the rotary encoders that sit at the centre of the unit have just the right amount of resistance to them. When blind as a bat in VR, I found that I could still intuitively reach out, find what I needed, and then twist to the correct number of units required. I'm quite happy that there's a degree of further customisation with these too—Moza’s software suite allows you to easily change these from rotary encoders to simpler, individual switches. Every creature comfort has been thought of.

Moza CRP Pedals

When it comes to putting actual pedals to the metal, Moza’s CRP set is a high-quality offering. They require the most construction of the peripherals in this article, but also the most latitude to tweak things into one's absolute ideal setup. You’ll cobble everything together, from the metal base plate and heel-stop strip, to slotting in the three pedals into a surprisingly large array of spacing slots on offer.

I never thought I’d say this about something designed to be relentlessly trodden on, but these CNC machined aluminum alloy pedals look...beautiful. Weirdly, they never failed to catch the eyes of even my non-gaming mates and draw positive comments. I was also pretty impressed by the genrously sized toolkit that came with this—a veritable Mechano box of adjuster tools, spring swaps, and rubber dampeners.

Once I bolted everything to where it needed to go, I was struck by how large the face area is for these single-spring pedals. I’m used to the Logitech approach where you’re all toes and the ball of the foot–Moza’s determined to let your whole sole get involved. These pedals also leverage rear-mounted load cell sensors and magnetic Hall Effect Sensors, which are much preferred for their durability over many, many hours of stomping.

Overall, I loved the sensation of these very linear feeling pedals, and there’s plenty of travel provided to cater to a wide variety of sim setups and disciplines. With minimal monkeywrenching, you can fairly quickly transition from short 'n' snappy F1 responsiveness to the deeper pedal pushes one might want for heel-and-toe shift driffting or a big mutha-trucker rig racer.

All Together Now

When everything finally came together for game-time, the Moza ecosystem performed brilliantly. Obviously, with the F1 nature of the GS V2P GT, I veered harder towards open-wheeler experiences with a dash of GT3 thrown in here and there. Furthermore, as a Force-feedback junkie, I made a beeline for the titles on Moza’s official FF compatibility list, such as:

• Both Assetto Corsas
• Both Dirt Rallys (and 4)
• F1s 2018 through 2023
• All Project CARS
• iRacing
• rFactor2
• Forza Horizon 4 and 5
• WRC 9/10/Generations
• Wreckfest
• BeamNG.Drive
• Mudrunner

In a general sense, the GS V2P wheel feels responsive and weighty. I'm also happy to say that when it comes to the quick release nature of the wheel and its stem, stability hasn't been sacrificed for quick-swap convenience—I detected only a tiny degree of lateral flex going on. That's great news if you’re one of those wheel stranglers who tends to twist your wrists a little during especially hairy turns.

For the most part, the unaltered default settings for the wheel felt perfectly adequate for most things I played, though I loved the degree of tinkering offered in Moza’s Pit House software suite. It’s an incredibly intuitive platform that allows you to scroll through the aforementioned list of sims and configure for them individually. No more diving into the guts of your game install directories to punch gobbledygook .ini files into shape.

In the interest of time, I downloaded a bunch of premade JSON profiles as a base to fine tune the experiences of my favourite F1 23 go-tos—mostly hot laps in iffy weather conditions around Interlagos, Bahrain, Silverstone, and Red Bull Ring. I found that being able to rein in maximum steering angle and overall FF intensity to be an absolute cinch via the Pit House android /iphone app as well.

Feasibly, with said app and the quick-swap nature of the changeable wheels, you can radically overhaul what your R12 is capable of at the speed of a pit crew on red cordial. Obviously, Pit House goes a heck of a lot more granular than what I’m describing today, but to detail it all here would require a small Wiki—an especially particular petrolhead could spend hours in this tweaktown.

Initially, all my smooth brain wanted was to "embiggen" the force feedback the sensation of attacking those hair-raising corners and chicanes of my old beloved, Nürburgring Nordschleife. Pretty soon, however, I fell down a rabbit hole into one of Moza’s newest settings called Base Force Feedback Curve. In layman’s terms, it provides a parabolic, visual means to assess and mess with the dynamic range of the grunt coming through the wheels and into your hands.

Massaging the curve ensures that you can inch up more linear effects, like road textures, fender kisses and rumble strips to have increased FF relevance while making those more overbearing signals—like spearing into a wall or t-boning a rival—less dominating.

Honestly, I found the results to be sublime, as so much more was being communicated to me. Experimenting with this non-linear range at the 12nm max output is such an extra dimension. I found it to be almost as much fun as tinkering with the parts of an in-game car.

Basically, though the R12 is technically only "one notch" beyond the force feedback I'm used to feeling, the nuance provided by Moza's impressive hardware / software marriage is a game-changer that opens up a wide range of possibilities.

Most you will be quickly impressed with the exceptional craftsmanship and auto-config experience of the R12 Moza setup, but I can already see the true joy of it will be spent chasing my dream settings and then, of course, those perfect laps that elude and drive us all.

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LG has kicked off its 4th of July Sale with some pretty incredible savings on their TVs, gaming monitors, ultraportable laptops, and more. In addition to the instant discounts, there's a stackable coupon code "HECA14701" that works on almost everything listed and takes off an additional 10%-20% off. This is one of the best 4th of July sales we've seen so far this year and certainly the best we've seen from LG direct. Everything gets free shipping, although tax still applies.

LG 4th of July Deals on OLED TVs

It's rare to see a manufacturer offer better pricing than a 3rd party merchant like Amazon or Best Buy, but it's happening now. As part of its 4th of July Savings Event, LG is offering some incredible prices on LG Evo C3 and C4 4K OLED Smart TVs. Save up to $1200 off in instant discounts and then an extra 10% off coupon code "HECA14701". What's especially great about this code is that it takes 10% off the original MSRP, not the discounted price. I don't know how long this code will last for, but I'd be surprised if it's still live on July 4.

Update: This deal now includes a free TV wall mount with purchase. Even better.

LG Evo C3 4K OLED Smart TV Deals

LG Evo C4 4K OLED Smart TV Deals

LG B3 4K OLED Smart TV Deals

LG 4th of July Deals on Gaming Monitors

LG UltraGear 27GR950QE 27" OLED Gaming Monitor for $509.99

The LG UltraGear 27GR95QE 27" 240Hz OLED gaming monitor normally retails for $999.99, but right now you can get it for $509.99 after a $400 instant discount and $90 off coupon code "HECA14701". The LG UltraGear GR950QE is a second generation 27" 2560x1440 (1440p) OLED monitor with a very fast 240Hz refresh rate. A 2 year warranty is included.

LG (direct) is offering a phenomenal deal on their biggest and best dedicated OLED gaming monitor. Right now you can get the LG UltraGear 45GR95QE 45" 240Hz OLED gaming monitor for only $849.99 after a $700 instant discount and $150 off coupon code "HECA14701". The 45GR95QE is one of the best ultra-widescreen gaming monitors on the market. This is a true OLED display with an ultra-wide 3440x1440 resolution and a blazing fast 240Hz refresh rate.

LG UltraGear 45GR95QE 45" OLED Gaming Monitor for $849.99

LG (direct) is offering a phenomenal deal on their biggest and best dedicated OLED gaming monitor. Right now you can get the LG UltraGear 45GR95QE 45" 240Hz OLED gaming monitor for only $849.99 after a $700 instant discount and $150 off coupon code "HECA14701". The 45GR95QE is one of the best ultra-widescreen gaming monitors on the market. This is a true OLED display with an ultra-wide 3440x1440 resolution and a blazing fast 240Hz refresh rate.A 2 year warranty is included.

The 32" LG 32GS95UE-B is LG's first gaming monitor under 40" that has both an OLED display and a 4K native resolution. It was released on April 15 with a retail price of $1399.99. Right now you can get an extra $210 off with coupon code "HECA14701", dropping the price to $1189.99. If you're looking for one of the best gaming monitors for 2024, this should definitely be on your short list.

LG UltraGear 32" 32GS95UE-B 4K OLED Gaming Monitor for $1190

The 32" LG 32GS95UE-B is LG's first gaming monitor under 40" that features both an OLED panel and a 4K native resolution. It was released on April 15 with a retail price of $1399.99. Right now you can get an extra $210 off with coupon code "HECA14701", dropping the price to $1189.99. If you're looking for one of the best gaming monitors for 2024, this should definitely be on your short list.

LG 4th of July Deals on Ultraportable Laptops

LG Gram Pro 16" OLED Laptop (2.6lbs) for Only $1359.99

Update: Get a free LG PF610P 1080p Portable LED Projector ($650 MSRP) with purchase. You must scroll down on the product page and add it manually to your cart.

LG (direct) is offering its super lightweight LG Gram Pro 16" Intel Evo Edition Laptop for only $1359.99 after a $500 instant discount and $240 off coupon code "HECA14701". This is one of the lightest 16" laptops on the market, weighing in at a mere 2.6 pounds. It's very well equipped for all of your general purpose multi-tasking needs with an Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU, Intel ARC onboard GPU, a gorgeous OLED display, and a long battery life.

Check out more 4th of July sales we've found so far at other retailers.

Are you tired of stressing about keeping up with the latest board games, the hottest new expansions, or being on the outside looking in when wanting to start a new hobby? We’ve all been there. The barrier to entry for many tabletop, card, and board games can sometimes be high, with some games’ starter kits starting well over $100. It can be intimidating to get into certain board games due to budget, and that’s a shame.

Whether you’re getting that special gamer in your life a birthday gift or hosting a casual game night with close friends, plenty of budget options exist that are sure to scratch that itch. And we’ve compiled some of our favorites right here!

TL;DR: These Are the Best Cheap Board Games

• Qwirkle
• Boss Monster 10th Anniversary
• The Chameleon
• Decrypto
• Targi
• Hand Games 21
• Betrayal: Deck of Lost Souls
• You’re Getting Old
• Coup
• Say Anything
• Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
• Poop
• Couch Skeletons

Board Games Under $30

Qwirkle

Qwirkle is one of a tiny handful of games that have won the biggest trophy in the scene, the Spiel des Jahres, and gone on to become a mainstream hit in its own right. And what’s more, you can now pick up a copy for under $30. Its success is down to a combination of intuitive gameplay and addictive tactical smarts. The game pieces are tiles with differently coloured shapes on them, and on your turn you can play any number that share a colour or shape, into a line or column that shares the same colour or shape. You then score a point for each tile in the sequence, plus a bonus if you complete a set of six shapes or colours. The result combines the familiar spatial strategies of Scrabble with all sorts of head-spinning opportunities to set up future plays or block opponents.

Boss Monster

A personal favorite of mine, Boss Monster is a love-letter to a bygone era of early pixel art RPG video games, filled to the brim with heroes, dungeons, spells, and of course, boss monsters. In it, you are the boss monster, building your dungeon and setting various traps to kill the heroes before they slay you first. Each Boss card has unique abilities that will inform your dungeon-building strategy, and you can even disrupt your opponents’ dungeons by buffing heroes adventuring through them. Boss Monster is designed for 2-4 players, and the 10th Anniversary edition of this replayable classic also comes with 15 brand new cards.

The Chameleon

The Chameleon is an easy to pick up, quick-to-play social deduction game. At the beginning of the round, players are dealt face down cards, one of them being the Chameleon. Players not dealt this card are then issued a secret code word, unbeknownst to the Chameleon, and must use tricky wordplay and conversation to oust the Chameleon, all while that player tries their best to blend in. This is great for quick rounds, parties, or the local brewery.

Decrypto

Decrypto is another clever wordplay game -- make sure you have plenty of extra paper and pencils ready to go just in case. Each round consists of two teams, with one player from either team working to decipher a secret code and pass it onto their team. The other team has the opportunity to steal if you fail to pass along the code. Set up is quick and easy, and the secret code pieces are plentiful enough that you won’t have much overlap for multiple games. Highly team-oriented and fast-paced rounds make Decrypto a must-play for larger gaming groups.

Board Games Under $20

Targi

Sometimes cheap games are fairly light affairs, great for family time, but less so for long-term investments that grow on you over time. Targi is a rare exception, a two-player only title that comes in at around 20 dollars, but which can last a lifetime of exploration. Play involves a grid of randomly placed cards around which you place pieces against a row or column, locking that position up from your opponent, and you’ll eventually gain the cards at the intersections where your placements meet. Some give you resources, while the point-scoring cards you’ll need to win cost them, but there are severe limits on how much of either you can collect. Combining tense tactical placement with head-scratching hand and resource management, this is a gem you can pick up for a bargain price.

Hand Games 21

Games don’t come much cheaper than those you can play with your hands alone, like Rock, Paper, Scissors. And for the modest entry fee of fifteen bucks, you can add 21 new hand games to your repertoire, all of which are much better and more creative than that hoary old chestnut. Your hands will be transformed into those of a wizard, hurling spells at your opponents, or those of a banker, grabbing and counting wads of cash at lightning speed. If you want something a little less action-oriented, there are puzzle games involving hidden fingers and social deduction games that eschew the traditional cards and dice. It’s an impressive feat of design chops, and it doesn’t involve your feet at all. And of course, once someone’s invested the price of the book, you can spread the games to your friends for free.

Betrayal: Deck of Lost Souls

A Tarot card-inspired horror-themed board game, Betrayal: Deck of Lost Souls is a cooperative strategy game in which players must work together to defeat the numerous monsters and horrors they’ll face. The catch: one player is secretly a traitor, trying to bring about the one true Curse. Highly stylized and macabre art makes this a great gift for horror fans. This standalone card game consists of over 90 Item, Curse, Character, and Omen cards, creating endless potential for a fresh and exciting experience each time you play. Also check out our Betrayal at House on the Hill buyer's guide.

You're Getting Old

Best enjoyed by skinny-jean-wearing, avocado-toast-eating, will-never-be-able-to-afford-a-house Millennials, You’re Getting Old is a classic “never have I ever” style card game that tells you that yes, you are in fact getting old. To start the round, each player draws a card with prompts that make them old and ones that redeem them. If you can answer what “deadass” means, you’re redeemed and move down a space using your avocado token. The player who gets to the highest space first by being old ends the game, and whoever has the lowest position wins. Quick and easy set up, and great for making fun of your friends.

Coup

Looking to test out your lying abilities? Coup is the game for you. In it, players fight over gaining or losing influence as they struggle to be the last one standing. Take actions to steal currency from another player, or counteractions to block foreign aid or stealing. Subterfuge is at the forefront here, as you’ll often have the opportunity to use character card abilities you may not actually control, but be warned: other players can challenge you, and if you’re caught, you lose influence. When you lose your two influence cards, you’re out of the game and the next round begins until one player is left.

Board Games Under $10

Say Anything

If you want to thrill a big group of players with a brilliant party game you can pick up on the cheap, you won’t do better than Say Anything. Players take turns drawing a question card and picking one to ask: everyone else then writes and reveals their answer. Once they’re all public, everyone secretly bets on which answer the question-asker will like the best before the big reveal, when you’ll find out who’s hit the jackpot and who’s going empty-handed into the next round. Like all the best party games, it’s a very simple formula that’s likely to inspire some big laughs and some spicy table chat, and at this price it’s entirely worth adding to your after dinner party repertoire.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

A quick, easy, and insanely addictive card game, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is perfect for families and will put your reflexes to the test. The goal is to get rid of all the cards in your hand, and doing so requires focus and concentration. Players take turns in a clockwise order, and you say aloud either taco, cat, goat, cheese, or pizza in that order while playing your card. If the word you say and the face-up card match, players must slap the card and the last player to do so adds the face-up pile to their deck. This makes for great laughs and all-around competitive silliness that is well worth its price.

Poop

Similar to Uno, Poop the Game is a numbers-based strategy card game where the goal is to dump (no pun intended) your hand to win. Each round has players take turns pooping but be wary not to clog the toilet: if you play the card that makes the poop pile exceed the number on the toilet card, you take all of those cards, and the round starts over. There are also special cards that reverse turn order and color-based strategies to “flush” the toilet. Thankfully, Poop the Game has no scratch and sniff components.

Couch Skeletons

Super quick and easy set up and short play time makes Couch Skeletons a great pick for a small gift or travel game. You and another player take turns placing numbered skeletons on one of five couches, with the card you play being either one number higher or lower than the skeletons in play. If you have no cards to play, you then discard your hand, and the next round starts by drawing three cards. The goal is to get rid of all your cards from both your hands and empty the draw decks, and you win when you’ve played all your cards and aren’t able to draw.

Be sure to also check out our recommendations for the best party games and the best 2-player board games.

Myles Obenza is a freelance commerce writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter @Myles Obenza.

The Nintendo Switch has entered what is likely its final year in the console market, and it appears to be going out in a blaze of glory with some exciting games to make way for its successor, the Nintendo Switch 2. Whether they’re exclusively developed for the Switch or ported over from other platforms, these upcoming Switch games will make the hybrid console’s final year one of its most memorable.

A bunch of new games that were announced during the June 2024 Nintendo Direct are coming, including the long-awaited Metroid Prime 4. Here are all the new Switch games we can look forward to in 2024 and beyond.

Take a look at our guide to all upcoming video games for release dates on every platform.

All Upcoming Switch Games with Release Dates

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Deluxe Edition (July 11, 2024)

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Deluxe Edition is an enhanced version of the original game developed exclusively for Nintendo Switch. The game follows fighter pilot Trigger, who gets assigned to a penal squadron after being accused of murder during a war between Osea and Erusea. The Switch-exclusive deluxe version will come with six DLC packs and bonus content not seen in the original game.

Darkest Dungeon 2 (July 15, 2024)

Darkest Dungeon 2 is a turn-based roguelite horror game where you ride a stagecoach with your friends up the mountain to escape the impending apocalypse. You can play as one of 12 characters, customize your difficulty, discover 10 companion pets, and explore the progession hub called The Altar of Hope. And if you pre-order the Oblivion Edition, you'll get The Binding Blade DLC, which comes with two new characters, a special storyline, a wandering boss, and more.

Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus (July 18, 2024)

Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus is a hand-drawn 2.5D action platformer inspired by Japanese folklore developed by Squid Shock Studios in partnership with Humble Games and funded on Kickstarter. You play as Bo, the celestial blossom (fox tentaihana) descended from the heavens to embark on a journey through the mystical land to take part in a mysterious ancient ritual. The bo staff helps you bounce and glide seamlessly from place to place throughout the dreamlike realm, and you’ll get to meet yokai and monsters of various types, shapes, and sizes.

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition (July 18, 2024)

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition is a compilation of 13 classic NES games – including Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Ice Climber, Kid Icarus, Kirby's Adventure, Donkey Kong, and Excitebike – that are packed with mini-games based on the challenges that were played at the real-life Nintendo World Championships there were held in 1990, 2015, and 2017. There's three modes of gameplay: Speedrun Mode, where you runthrough sections of games as fast as possible to set a new personal record; World Championship Mode, where you can compete with other players and rise up the global online leaderboard; and Party Mode, where you play locally with up to eight players.

The New Denpa Men (July 22, 2024)

The New Denpa Men is a free-to-play RPG that will have you scouring radio waves to find other Denpa Men and team up to discover dungeons and fight monsters. You can also customize your Denpa Men, design your radio wave island Animal Crossing style, and participate in local four-player co-op to fish for even more Denpa Men.

Ace Attorney: Investigations Collection (September 6, 2024)

Ace Attorney: Investigations Collection will have you playing as Miles Edgeworth in his adventures beyond the courtroom in remasters of Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth and Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor's Gambit, the latter of which is making its debut outside of Japan. You can swap between the revamped anime art style or the original pixelated art style, play in additional languages, and discover more bonus content.

Funko Fusion (September 13, 2024)

In Funko Fusion, you'll play as 60 different characters modelled after the Funko Pop figures you collect from 20 different pop culture franchises, including Jurassic Park, Five Nights at Freddy's, Invincible, Back to the Future, M3GAN, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and The Walking Dead. It's a crossover adventure of extremely cute proportions!

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed (September 24, 2024)

Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is a faithful remake of the original Wii title courtesy of Purple Lamp Studios. The plot remains the same, with Mickey teaming up with Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to restore Wasteland to its former glory with the very tools he used to mess up Yen Sid's creation in his workshop — paint and thinner. The game will run on Unreal Engine 5, which enhanced the graphics and dimmed the lighting to match the game's dark environment.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (September 26, 2024)

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom features Zelda as the protagonist for the first time in the franchise's history. The princess is tasked with rescuing Link and other people in Hyrule after strange rifts popped up all over the kingdom and took them. She'll work with a fairy named Tri and use the Tri Rod to create echoes of objects found in her environment to overcome obstacles and solve puzzles. She'll create echoes of enemies she fights and forcibly recruit them to her team as well. This will be the eighth Legend of Zelda game on Nintendo Switch since its launch.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time (October 10, 2024)

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is the long-awaited sequel to the original RPG-style life-sim game that released on Nintendo 3DS in 2014. In addition to working any job you want – from woodcutter, blacksmith, paladin, cook, and more – each with its own set of quests, you’ll get to build your own city on an abandoned island, travel through time, and meet new characters with some mysteries of their own.

Super Mario Party Jamboree (October 17, 2024)

Super Mario Party Jamboree is the third Mario Party game to come to the Switch following Mario Party Superstars and Super Mario Party. You'll be taken to a large island resort to play over 110 minigames between five new game boards with different environmental hazards, including Rainbow Galleria and Goomba Lagoon, and compete in Koopathlon mode with up to 20 players. Plus, it will bring back Mario's Rainbow Castle and Western Land from Mario Party and Mario Party 2, respectively.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven -Remake- (October 24, 2024)

After 31 years of Japanese exclusivity, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is getting a full-blown remake treatment in the West, English voice acting, enhanced graphics and all. You play as an emperor or empress of Avalon, building the kingdom and protecting as you fight the seven heroes who have returned as villains hellbent on revenge on those who have forgotten their sacrifices.

Farmagia (November 1, 2024)

From the creator of Fairy Tale and Rave Master comes Farmigia, a game about monster combat and farming. In the realm of Felicidad, you play as Ten and help him grow monsters in a garden and raise them as an army to fight against a despotic king of the underworld.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership (November 7, 2024)

Mario & Luigi: Brothership is the first entry in the Mario & Luigi series to make the jump to the Switch with 3D graphics and a unique animation style. This game will see the Super Mario Bros. go island-hopping across Concordia on a part ship, part island called Shipshape Island, visiting rainforests, cities, and running into other characters from the Mushroom Kingdom, including Princess Peach and Bowser.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D (November 14, 2024)

Announced in 2021, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake has finally been confirmed for the Switch to the delight of Dragon Quest fans. Developed with the gameplay styles of Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D takes you back to where the franchise began as you save the world from the evil Baramos. Chronologically speaking, this is the first game of the Erdrick Trilogy, with Dragon Quest 1-2 HD 2D Remake coming out in 2025.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (January 16, 2025)

Donkey Kong Country Returns gets the HD treatment for Switch, and it will have new features that will make you go bananas. You'll play through 80 levels from the original Wii game, additional levels from the 3DS version, and play in two-player local co-op as you fight the Taki Tak Tribe to win back Donkey Kong's previous banana pile.

Upcoming Switch Games With Unknown Release Dates

Over the last year, we’ve been hearing rumors about the Nintendo Switch 2 regarding its appearance, release date, and name. Though the Switch 2 should have been released by now per the 7-year console release rule, Nintendo has reportedly delayed its release to March 2025 in an effort to curb scalping and garner enough stock to satisfy demand. There are also rumors that the Switch 2, if that’s its final name, has the same hybrid functionality as the original, but with a bigger screen.

Meanwhile, there are other upcoming Nintendo games coming out this year and the next that don’t have a solid release date yet, but will update them as soon as we hear them. Here are the games without release dates.

• Dragon Quest 1-2 HD-2D ç 2025
• Epic Mickey: Rebrushed √ TBA
• Fantasian – Holiday 2024
• Fairy Tail 2 – Winter 2024
• Hello Kitty Island Adventure – 2025
• The Hundred-Line -Last Defense Academy- – Early 2025
• Hollow Knight: Silksong – TBA
• Just Dance 2025 Edition – October 2024
• LEGO Horizon Adventures – Holiday 2024
• Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports – Fall 2024
• Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics – 2024
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – 2025
• MIO: Memories in Orbit – 2025
• Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero – 2025
• Professor Layton and the New World of Steam – 2025
• Pokemon Legends: Z-A – 2025
• Stray – Holiday 2024
• Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game – Holiday 2025

Cristina Alexander is a freelance writer for IGN. She has contributed her work to various publications, including Digital Trends, TheGamer, Twinfinite, Mega Visions, and The Escapist. To paraphrase Calvin Harris, she wears her love for Sonic the Hedgehog on her sleeve like a big deal. Follow her on Twitter @SonicPrincess15.

The weekend has officially kicked off, and we've rounded up some of the best deals you can find this weekend. Whether you're searching for a new gaming headset or a new game to pick up on sale, there are plenty of options this weekend. The best deals for Saturday, June 29, include the HyperX CloudX Headset, Street Fighter 6, Danganronpa Decadence, and more.

HyperX CloudX Headset for $29.99

Street Fighter 6 for $29.99

Danganronpa Decadence for $29.99

Samba de Amigo for $14.99

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD for $9.99

Pick Up the Dead Space Remake for $29.99

Dead Space launched last January, and this is a great time to pick up the game if you haven't already. This remake features an impressive use of technology and a completely modernized combat system. Special attention has been put on the audio, with 3D Audio technology utilized for an immersive experience. You can expect loads of thrills and horror as you look to escape the stranded ship. The USG Ishimura has never looked better or been scarier.

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu No Yaiba- Sweep the Board! for $39.99

In April 1908, Newcastle upon Tyne man Gladstone Adams was driving his Darracq-Charron motorcar back from the FA Cup final between Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Newcastle had lost and, to make matters worse, Adams’ journey home was being delayed by snow. That is, it kept covering his windscreen and he had to repeatedly stop and get out of the car to clear it.

Some kind of innovation was needed. There had to be something that would help people see where they were going.

As it turned out, there was; a few years later Adams invented his own windscreen wiper. He patented the design and became one of several people from around the beginning of the 1900s credited with conceiving of similar devices, although his version of the windscreen wiper never made it into production.

Nearly a century down the track, Newcastle upon Tyne developer Reflections had found itself riding high on a purple patch of PlayStation success, propelled by the popular Destruction Derby series it had developed for legendary British publisher Psygnosis. 3D driving games had quickly become Reflections’ specialty, but the team knew you couldn’t tread water in a genre long famous for being on the cutting edge of video game technology. Some kind of innovation was needed. Something that would help people see where the future of driving games was going.

As it turned out, Reflections founder Martin Edmondson had just such an idea – and, unlike their fellow Novocastrian’s windscreen wipers, Edmondson’s idea did make it into production.

And it completely redefined what a driving game could be, forever.

Founded in 1984, Reflections spent the bulk of its first decade building action games for early home computers like the BBC Micro and Amiga, but by the mid ’90s it would become a house of horsepower. Reflections established its panel-punishing prowess on PlayStation very early; indeed, the original Destruction Derby was released in October 1995. At this stage, it had barely been a month since the original PlayStation had officially launched in the West.

A highly praised sequel arrived just over a year later, with a raft of technical improvements, and in 1997 Reflections released the competent but unremarkable Monster Trucks (otherwise known as Thunder Truck Rally in North America). However, while the Destruction Derby series would continue, the partnership between Reflections and publisher Psygnosis would not.

Unshackled from its publisher commitments, Reflections pivoted to something else. That something else was Driver, and it was going to be something special. GT Interactive certainly thought so. By December 1998, it was so impressed the publisher literally bought Reflections entirely.

Warning: Full spoilers follow for A Quiet Place: Day One.

In John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place, we’re dropped head-first into an ongoing apocalypse, like starting The Walking Dead in Season 4. In his sequel, A Quiet Place Part II, we follow existing characters further into the future without doubling back to starting lines. Krasinski was always moving forward, but people love a good origin story. Enter breakout writer and director Michael Sarnoski (Pig) and his idea for A Quiet Place: Day One, a spin-off prequel detailing the first touchdown of Krasinski’s silent-but-deady aliens (now known as Death Angels) in loud-as-heck New York City.

As a prequel, Sarnoski’s entry would presumably answer all our questions about why, when, and how Earth fell to sound-seeking monsters, staying in line with Krasinski’s traditional horror foundation about perpetual silence and ferocious extraterrestrials.

Well, you’ve all heard the saying about why you should never assume things, right?

A Quiet Place: Day One fits into Krasinski’s hushed world of survival by muteness, but it’s hardly the same brand of horror-thriller. In fact, it’s hardly a monster movie in comparison — most of Sarnoski’s prequel is simply the story of two souls who find each other when all else seems lost. Sure, Day One is crawling with the vicious invaders who plummeted from above and overtook the five boroughs like Santa Con on steroids — but they’re not as prevalent as you’d think. Sarnoski barely inflates pre-existing mythos about these crosses between Starship Troopers footsoldier bugs and Demogorgons. It’s a prequel that manages to avoid explaining the monsters and their invasion beyond Cloverfield logic because sometimes otherworldly beasties drop from the sky and we just have to cope.

That sounds frustrating, right? It’s not. Sarnoski defies convention by investing in human experiences within the microcosm of an iconic American cityscape. Monster movies like Cloverfield (after locating Beth) or Godzilla are about civilians dashing toward evacuation points while dodging imminent threats, whereas A Quiet Place: Day One heads away from promised safety. The narrative isn’t about escape, nor is Sarnoski beholden to typical blueprints that follow large-scale doomsday tropes. As hordes of New Yorkers shuffle their way towards South Street Seaport, where government announcements promise safe passage, the camera follows two souls on a personal side quest. It’s a shockingly beautiful approach.

The subversion starts early by introducing Lupita Nyong'o’s lead character, Sam, as a hospice patient with little time left on the clock. In horror movies, we typically follow characters who are desperate to live — but Sam is ready to die. She’s long accepted her fate, channeling angst through journaled poetry. Sam’s not bothered by instructions over radio frequencies with coordinates or warnings. Sam only ventured into New York City in the first place to taste traditional NYC pizza one last time before she passes away. That’s still her goal when Death Angels start crashing into asphalt and tearing people apart. Sam wants a slice of Patsy’s pizza in East Harlem, and then she can finally rest (eternally). She’s accepted her fate, and impending doom doesn’t curb her cravings.

With this set-up, Sarnoski scripts a soulfully wholesome drama within the confines of a ruthless “When Monsters Attack” bubble. Nyong'o is sublime as Sam, selling her condition's frailty and willful determination to exit on her own terms with such affirming agency. People are being pro-wrestling speared by Death Angels left and right while she’s laying low, traveling from Chinatown to Harlem to recreate one of the last happy memories that she’s retained through her medical battles. We learn how Sam’s father was a talented jazz musician who entertained at a club next door, and Patsy’s was their tradition, developing a bittersweet sympathy behind Sam’s otherwise ridiculous-at-first-glance quest. Sarnoski isn’t afraid to ditch attack scenes in favor of Sam’s achingly sincere last wish because the pizza isn’t just pizza; it’s her gateway to peacefully saying goodbye.

Enter Joseph Quinn as a law student named Eric who emerges from a flooded subway station with an alarming expression plastered on his face, only to see a pretty kitty staring back at him. Sam’s black-and-white pet cat named Frodo, to be specific. (Yes, there’s a feline companion along for the ride and they’re one of the movie's highlights, nimbly exploring a crumbling New York City while Sam hides from murderous monsters.) Frodo leads Eric to Sam, and the terrified man in business casual attire pleads to follow Sam because he’s petrified. So begins their beautiful union — two strangers who find companionship under the worst possible circumstances.

Sarnoski chooses to explore a desolate New York City where everyone has fled towards the water, drawing Death Angel attention. Sam, Eric, and Frodo traverse this eerily romanticized version of New York City that’s completely silent, devoid of honking taxies, blaring sirens, and construction clatter. It’s also incredibly unsettling to anyone who’s visited or lived in New York City, because if the Big Apple is finally asleep, that means something awful has happened. Sam sneaks Eric into her apartment for medication refills, where the duo briefly screams their lungs out (hidden by thunderclaps), their agonizing howls the only sounds in what should be a rented-full complex. Later, Eric encounters an alien feeding ground, but a few visuals are left to our interpretation, and we’re not any wiser about alien behaviors afterward. The New York City we know is gone, and in the grand scheme of sustainable dread, it doesn’t matter what’s taken over.

That might sound like a cheat code, but Sarnoski’s greatest accomplishment is making us care more about these forlorn characters than mysterious Death Angel lore. A Quiet Place: Day One is a stealth relationship drama that swells with emotional resonance, deceptively avoiding the pitfalls of repetitive monster attack films. Characters unlock comfort in togetherness, building a connection that’s lovingly nurtured into a creatively sweet and empowering story about mortal perseverance. So often we follow characters who are afraid to die, then get devoured by a kaiju, or beheaded by an animalistic berzerker. Here, Sarnoski helps Sam and Eric not fear the end, and instead choose to spend whatever time they have left sharing a smile or two before the Grim Reaper pays one or both a visit. Death as motivation, but not from a place of scarring terrors.

If we’re praising Sarnoski, we must also applaud Nyong'o and Quinn. For Sarnoski’s minimalized storytelling risks to pay off, we must genuinely care about what happens to Sam and Eric. There has to be a reason why we’re not thinking about where the baddies have gone, and why there’s no more violence-spiked tension on our screens. Nyong'o and Quinn’s collaborative performances exhibit thick-as-thieves chemistry, warming our insides when they’re sipping whiskey in an abandoned bar like long-lost besties, or causing tense anxiety when their lives are in danger. Sam and Eric are characters written on paper; Nyong'o and Quinn bring them to life. The result is so much more than typical chewed-and-spit-out body counts.

Sarnoski’s fixation on food as salvation — specifically on (superior) New York City slices — might seem random in the context of A Quiet Place, but that’s precisely why it works. It’s a culinary carryover mentality from Pig, which works wonders even under horror-warped duress. There’s something to be said about Sam’s pursuit of happiness, and why the tangy tomato sauce, or bubbly mozzarella mixture is more rewarding than a vessel to possible safe-havens. Joe doesn’t have to be with her either, but chooses to thrive together versus possibly die alone. These are real people making emotionally charged decisions that aren’t “rational,” but that’s what’s so profoundly affecting about A Quiet Place: Day One. It’s that defiance to operate unlike monster movies in general that makes Sarnoski's unexpected origin a worthy franchise complement. There’s no bait-and-switch; it’s a secret menu item, an awards-worthy tale of companionship and humanity smuggled inside a grotesque alien skinsuit.

I’ve always joked that a 28 Years Later sequel should be a romantic comedy after the rage virus has been cured, and that’s kinda-sorta the trick A Quiet Place: Day One pulls. You’ll still hold your breath as Sam is almost trampled by herds of pedestrians fleeing from the sonically seduced creatures, but once the dust settles, the only sounds are plucked heartstrings. It should be an infuriating result — a horror movie that doesn’t really care to act like one. In actuality, Sarnoski achieves the unthinkable and wins all my attention with probably the most relatable apocalypse story I’ve ever watched?

“The world’s ending, and I demand a taste of my favorite pizza before it’s over.” I get it.

Since the concept of digital streaming services was introduced as an alternative to cable, companies like Disney, Warner Bros, Netflix, and Amazon have been brainstorming new ways to revolutionize monthly subscriptions and bring us right back to where we started. As the streaming service war wages on with constant changes, mergers, and acquisitions, "bundles" are becoming more common and more creative by their inclusion of digital and physical services. It was even recently announced that a new bundle that would combine Disney+, Hulu, and Max will become available this summer, bringing direct competitors together for the first time.

While this undoubtedly makes the price rise of streaming services inevitable, the ability to combine multiple networks and major streaming platforms into one easy subscription is becoming simpler than ever. Depending on your needs as a subscriber and your interests as a streamer and/or online shopper, the options available to you are becoming more vast than ever before.

Check out our picks below for the best streaming bundles to consider subscribing to in 2024:

Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ Bundle - $14.99/month

Before the aforementioned mega-bundle releases this summer, the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ bundle is well worth a look and one of the best overall options.

With access to Disney+, viewers can stream all the Disney classics as well as new Disney properties and releases such as Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Loki, and Bluey, subscribers also retain exclusive access to brand-new releases from Marvel, Pixar, and the Star Wars universe.

This bundle will also include Hulu, which is home to award-winning original series (Shogun, The Bear, Letterkenny) and documentaries (Minding the Gap, Flee, Enemies of the State).

The full bundle also includes ESPN+, granting viewers premium access to live events from almost all sports; including golf, football, hockey, and UFC fights.

For those who are not interested in keeping up with sports through ESPN+, there is also an option to bundle just Disney+ and Hulu for a vast streaming catalog of hit shows and movies with new, exciting releases every month for just $9.99/month (ad-supported)

Amazon Prime Membership - $14.99/month

One of the pioneers of the streaming industry alongside Netflix and Hulu, Amazon Prime Video has become a premium staple of the streaming world.

With access to an Amazon Prime Video subscription, viewers have exclusive access to critically acclaimed blockbuster films (Oppenheimer, Fast X, Creed III), and award-winning original series (The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Fallout, Fleabag). On top of that, there is a multitude of add-on options (Paramount+, STARZ, Max, AMC+, MGM+, BritBox, SHUDDER, Crunchyroll) that will vary the pricing of your subscription based on the pricing of each add-on.

For the mentioned price of the $14.99 bundle, subscribers automatically gain access to Amazon Prime shopping services that include free two-day shipping on select items, free same-day delivery in eligible zip codes, and free no-rush shipping that will earn rewards for future purchases. You will also get access to exclusive discounts during Amazon Prime Day and other sales events.

For subscribers who are not interested in including Amazon Prime in their Amazon bundle, they can exclude it and only subscribe to Prime Video for $8.99/month.

Walmart+ with Paramount+ - $12.95/month

One of the newer, more resourceful subscription bundles, a subscription to Walmart+ automatically grants the customer free access to the Paramount+ digital streaming library.

Similar to Amazon Prime Video, Walmart+ has bundled a digital streaming service with a shopping option that mixes digital and physical in a creative way. With a standard Walmart+ membership, users have access to multiple shopping benefits such as: free delivery on almost all items, no order minimums, fuel savings, auto care, exclusive early access to Black Friday deals, and free item returns from home. If you're looking for a decent alternative to an Amazon Prime membership, this is your best bet.

For users that are interested in further streaming add-ons through Walmart+, for an additional $6.49/month they will have access to the SHOWTIME streaming library as well.

DirecTV Stream - $79.99/month

You will undoubtedly notice one major difference between the previous choices and this one: the jump in price when looking at DirecTV Stream.

While this may intimidate some shoppers, the price to reward ratio is well-balanced. For the mentioned price above, users will have access to the Entertainment Bundle: which includes top-viewed channels (Fox News, ESPN, Univision, MSNBC, HGTV, Hallmark Channel, and 90+ other channels), 60,000+ movies/shows on demand, local channels, and free access to 3 months of premium streaming service channels (Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, Cinemax, and MGM+).

3 alternative, more expensive bundles include unlimited access to live sports, additional channels to stream, and an increased amount of on demand movies/shows. For any of these packages, you can get access to the DirecTV free trial, which allows you to try out the service for 5 days.

Xfinity Streamsaver - $35/month

For those that are already Xfinity internet and/or Xfinity TV subscribers, Xfinity StreamSaver is a fantastic way to make the most of your internet and TV bill with an exclusive bundle option.

For the price of $35/month, subscribers gain access to premium streaming platforms including Apple TV+ (home to Ted Lasso, Masters of the Air, Napoleon, Killers of the Flower Moon), Netflix Standard with ads (home to Stranger Things, The Witcher, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, The Gentlemen), and Peacock Premium with ads (home to The Continental, Twisted Metal, Bupkis).

Other bundle options that range in higher prices offer access to live sports, live TV channels, and DVR options accessible through multiple devices at once.

Streaming Bundle FAQs

What's the best streaming bundle for live sports?

While multiple options mentioned above have a choice to bundle sports into your plan, the streaming package with the best sports options is DirecTV Stream. The base price for a DirecTV Stream plan is $79.99/month, but the incredible streaming options for a sports package inclusion starts at $98.99/month for the 'Choice' bundle, and $109.99/month for the 'Ultimate' bundle, all include regional sports networks and on demand streaming options for sports.

What streaming services have free trials?

If you want to test out any of the streaming services on this list before comitting to a bundle, there are a few streaming service free trials you can take advantage of. Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and DirecTV Stream all offer some sort of free trial for new subscribers.

Back in the day, SNK was one of gaming’s biggest names. King of Fighters and Fatal Fury were hugely popular beat-’em-ups in the 1980s and ’90s, while Metal Slug helped define the side-scrolling action game genre, and the company’s high-spec console, handheld and arcade hardware were the envy of many.

After two tumultuous decades in the 2000s, SNK received investment from Saudi Arabia’s Electronic Gaming Development Company in 2020 and was fully acquired in 2022. The investment has come under scrutiny due to Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, which includes allegations of unfair treatment of women and the LGBTQ community. In the aftermath of the acquisition, an SNK lead insisted that the studio's new ownership "doesn't affect us in any way."

Shortly after the opening of a new development studio in Singapore in April, IGN spoke with SNK President and CEO Kenji Matsubara about the company’s vision, which includes becoming a Top 10 global publisher.