David Fincher and Brad Pitt are reportedly re-teaming to revive a Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel script written by original director Quentin Tarantino.

Details on what could eventually be a groundbreaking entry in Tarantino’s resume come from The Playlist, which says the Se7en duo is propping up the unexpected film to come to Netflix, continuing Fincher’s long-lasting relationship with the streaming giant. Should everything proceed according to plan, the currently untitled Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel would see Pitt return as stunt-double star Cliff Booth.

How such a script came into Fincher’s possession is its own wild story. The Tarantino screenplay is said to be an evolved version of a story previously known as The Movie Critic, a project previously lined up to be the Pulp Fiction mastermind’s final film before it was suddenly shelved last year. Tarantino was seemingly uninterested in letting the idea fade to black and is getting Fincher to bring it to life.

The Playlist’s sources say Netflix paid $20 million to acquire the screenplay with an expected $200 million budget and plans to shoot in California in July – just three months from now. No additional casting details have been confirmed just yet, but Leonardo DiCaprio is not expected to return as Rick Dalton. Fincher and Pitt are putting aside all other projects to focus on this new Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel.

Deadline later corroborated The Playlist's findings that a Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel is in development. Its sources say Pitt received Tarantino's blessing to present the script to Fincher, resulting in the wildly surprising project that is now in the works.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood premiered in 2019 and is largely viewed as yet another outstanding entry in the Tarantino pantheon. That said, what could eventually be known as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2 has a lot to live up to. The original project came with an unambiguous ending that tied up its story with a brutal bow. However, much of its world has been explored elsewhere.

In 2021, Tarantino released a novelization covering the movie’s events while expanding upon its take on a 1960s California. It brought a few interesting revelations about Cliff Booth’s past to the conversation, including an answer to whether or not the dog lover really did kill his wife as teased in the movie. It’s a book that will no doubt carry more meaning when the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel finally sees the light of day, though it’s unclear just how important to the story it will be.

For more on Tarantino’s catalog of hit films, you can check out how the director feels about Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and how we feel it stacks up against his other work. You can also read our original 7.8/10 review for the film.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

An extended sneak peek from James Gunn’s Superman will be shown ahead of A Minecraft Movie screenings in theaters this weekend, but it was first shown by Warner Bros. at their CinemaCon presentation on Tuesday.

DC Studios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran were on hand along with lead actors David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult to promote the film.

The preview focuses on the "take me home" scene from the trailer where a wounded Superman is saved by his super-pet Krypto. However, this preview also features Superman's automatons and our longest, best look yet at the Fortress of Solitude.

However, it's Krypto's crazy dogness and misbehavior that stole the show. Gunn recalled how Krypto's depiction is inspired by his own rescue dog.

See the #Superman Extended Preview in Theaters on @AMinecraftMovie. pic.twitter.com/lnn1I82ehu

— Superman (@Superman) April 1, 2025

For more on the Man of Steel’s return to the silver screen, find out who’s who in Superman and what James Gunn thinks makes his reboot unique.

Plus, read up on what we think should be the second Gunn-directed DCU movie and get the full rundown on all the upcoming DC movies and shows in the works.

Superman soars into theaters July 11th.

Warning: This review contains full spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again episode 7!

Many dominoes have been set up throughout the first half of Daredevil: Born Again, and boy is it great to watch them start to fall. Matt Murdock’s personal and vigilante lives collide in violent fashion in episode 7, and the fun comes from watching him fight to keep them separate. (We all know that’s a fruitless endeavor, of course.) Wilson Fisk’s story mirrors Murdock’s, but the merging of his two lives as gangster and politician isn’t a burden to him but an opportunity. This all comes about thanks to the serial killer artist known as Muse, who’s sending big shockwaves through this little corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Murdock starts off this episode feeling revitalized and energized after suiting up as Daredevil again, but his romantic moment with Heather Glenn (Margarita Levieva) quickly turns sour when she calls him out on his erratic behavior. She can plainly see that Murdock is hiding something, and she may even be on to the fact that he’s Daredevil. It’s fascinating to watch her see through all of Murdock’s usual BS and use her therapist's ways on him to highlight his rather unhealthy method of coping with trauma.

Daredevil may have just saved an innocent life, but you wouldn’t know it based on how everyone is treating him. Detective Cherry (Clark Johnson) is mad at Murdock for blowing up his life by donning the horns once more, but it’s hard to feel invested in their argument, or their relationship for that matter, when Cherry’s character has remained as paper thin as it was in the first episode. Can we please get him a flashback or dramatic monologue about his past or something?

Mayor Fisk is put in a precarious spot this episode thanks to Muse, but he manages to spin it in his favor. His task force fails to find Muse before Daredevil, but that doesn’t stop him from taking credit for his defeat and taking the opportunity to demonize all those who wear masks. Early in the episode, it’s almost funny watching Fisk explain why, yes, it would be bad for him if Daredevil were to be the one to stop Muse. Daredevil is the one who brought down his criminal empire, after all. Fisk sees New York City as his new empire, and he’s doing every rotten thing he can to protect it from Daredevil this time around. It’s truly scary how realistic his rise to political power feels, as though it were ripped from today’s headlines.

Meanwhile, in Fisk’s private life, the subplot involving Vanessa and Luca the gangster finally reaches its bloody conclusion. I was never sold on the idea that Vanessa would actually betray her husband, so this whole side plot seems a bit empty. It always felt like Fisk’s Fisk’s inability to outrun his past life as a criminal would amount to something a bit bigger and more consequential, but alas, it doesn’t. If anything, at least we got to enjoy the classic mafia-movie vibes of the final scene where Luca tries, unsuccessfully, to assassinate Fisk at dinner.

The main thrill of this episode is the bloody brawl between Daredevil and Muse. I find it hard to believe that a young man with three months of martial arts training, even from a Taekwondo master, could go toe-to-toe with Daredevil like that, but I’m willing to accept it as an excuse to have him go absolutely wild on Daredevil and push him to his limits. There isn’t a lot of suspense leading up to the reveal that this psychotic guy is Muse, but they sure do a good job of making him as creepy and unsettling as possible. It makes Daredevil’s arrival at the last second to stop him all the more satisfying. The hook-through-the-shoulder move in particular got an audible reaction out of me.

Other Thoughts

• What are the odds that Glenn is a therapist not only to the Fisks but also Muse? Daredevil’s love interests do always end up being a magnet for supervillains, so that would at least count as some consistency from Marvel.
• Okay how much did Muse’s nose have to bleed to allow him to paint that much with it?

If your wallet has been pleading for mercy, it might just have to hold on a little longer because today’s gaming deals are too good to ignore. Whether you're into high-speed hijinks, fantasy epics, or quirky co-op chaos, there's something to tempt every kind of gamer. With discounts this tempting, now’s the time to grab a controller, a mouse, or a magic paintbrush and dive into something new!

This Day in Gaming 🎂

In retro news, I'm using a NOS burst to light 26 candles on a cake for Need For Speed: High Stakes. This beloved racing game wasn't just about sating one's velocity requirements while unlocking new whips; lose a High Stakes race, and you'd perma-lose your car. Us launch adopters loved that risk-versus-reward structure and the groundbreaking damage system that would go on to influence the future of racing simulations.

Better yet, we had I highly localised Aussie version with Holden VT Clubsport and Ford AU Falcon XR8 featured prominently on the cover. Even cooler, winning the special HSV Pro Cup would unlock Craig Lowndes' MHRT VT Commo'. Using it to evade the fuzz down Durham Road (preferably in split-screen PvP) was mighty boss stuff.

Amazon is offering a great discount on one of the best budget headphones you can find. For just $49, the JLab JBuds Lux Over-Ear Headphones offers features you'd find in headphones that can cost 5x-10x as much, like wireless connectivity with Bluetooth Multipoint, active noise cancellation, spatial audio technology, and more. Most importantly, sound quality is better than any other headphone in its price range.

JLab JBuds Lux Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones for $50

SoundGuys recently reviewed the JLab JBuds Lux and gave these headphones an absolutely glowing review, mentioning that they were one of the best headphones under $100. SoundGuys considered them an extremely good value at their retail price of $79. At the current price of $49.99, it's hard to find a better bang for your buck, and it's especially nice that all four color options have been discounted.

The JLab JBuds Lux's laundry list of premium features include large 40mm drivers, Dolby Atmos compatible Spatial Audio, support for PlayStation Tempest 3D AudioTech and Windows Sonic, hybrid active noise cancellation, a "Be Aware" mode that lets you listen in on your environment, built-in microphone for hands-free calling, up to 70 hours of battery life on a single charge (40 hours with ANC enabled), USB Type-C charging, and Bluetooth Multipoint.

These headphones even look the part. The JLab JBuds Lux are thoughtfully designed for both comfort and performance, with cushy earcups that conform to your ear while also providing an effective seal for passive isolation, a padded headband for prolonged comfort, and a foldable design that makes them easy to tote around.

For more options, check out our list of the best noise canceling headphones of 2025. Be forewarned that they are far more expensive than the JLab Lux. Our top pick - the Sony WH-1000XM5 - for example, sells for over $300 on Amazon.

Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

Out of all the modern consoles available on the market, Nintendo Switch easily has the most diverse lineup of games available on the system. Nintendo itself has published over 130 games on the platform since it first launched, with thousands from third-party developers also available. Depending on whether or not you buy games physically or digitally, it can be challenging to search for where to overall best place to buy Nintendo Switch games is at any given time.

If you're new to the console and don't know where to find games, we've put together the ultimate guide on everything you need to know regarding where to buy Switch games online or in stores. And if you're wondering whether your Switch games will work on the Switch 2: The new console's official announcement confirmed it will be "mostly" backward-compatible and continue to support both physical and digital games. Take a look below and add something new to your collection!

Where to Buy Switch Games Online

There are multiple ways to purchase Nintendo Switch games for your console. Purchasing them online tends to be the easiest way to buy any of the most popular Nintendo Switch games, as you can purchase digital or physical versions. Since you don't need to drive to pick up a game, you can either ship a physical copy to your home or purchase a digital key to start playing immediately. Take a look below to discover the best way to score deals on Nintendo Switch games.

Best Places to Buy Digital Switch Games Online

As the best place to buy physical Switch games, we recommend Amazon. With a Prime membership, it's incredibly easy to purchase a physical Switch game and receive lighting fast shipping. Most of the time, you can get in stock Switch games within 24 hours. Plus, Amazon doesn't charge your card for pre-orders of upcoming Switch games, as the company waits until the item is in stock.

There's also other solid options like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. Though, for the latter, you'll want to be careful when purchasing, as sometimes Walmart has listings for European Switch games. These will work on your system fine, but some players do prefer to own North Amercian, ESRB-rated copies.

Beyond these picks, you can also find rare or limited Nintendo Switch physical copies at retailers like Limited Run Games and Video Games Plus. Since these games are either reprints or limited print runs, you won't be able to find these at retailers like Amazon or Best Buy.

Beyond traditional retailers, you can even buy physical Switch games directly from Nintendo! Nintendo's store has almost every Switch game published by the company available, and often, you'll find discounted titles throughout random periods of the year.

Where Can You Still Find Switch Games in Stores

With the physical market slowly shrinking over the last few years, sometimes it can be difficult to find Switch games in store. Luckily, there are still dozens of stores that carry all sorts of Nintendo Switch games on their shelves. Although the company removed its collection of Blu-rays, Best Buy still offers plenty of Nintendo Switch games. It's easy to walk into any store and browse the collection of 50+ physical games available, with most of Nintendo's first-party offerings available.

Additionally, GameStop is a solid option. While we don't necessarily recommend purchasing online from the retailer, it's still easy to walk into any GameStop storefront and find a wide variety of Switch games available. In addition, other major retailers like Target and Walmart still offer physical games, but the offerings can vary depending on the store.

When Is the Best Time to Find Discounts on Switch Games

Collecting and purchasing Nintendo Switch games is not a cheap hobby, but you can offset some of that by buying when games are the cheapest during the year. There are many great times to buy video games, but we recommend holding off for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. By far, this is usually the best time to score discounts on Nintendo Switch games, both physically and digitally. Nintendo will discount many of its own titles, and you can score on hundreds of third party releases from major publishers.

While the best options for physical games are limited, it's another story with digital games. The Nintendo eShop hosts countless sales events throughout the year, and it's easy to find great deals. Our advice is to pay close attention to the news posts on the Nintendo Switch home page, as those will mention any new eShop sales on the horizon.

Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.

The Google Pixel line has seen its fair share of discounts so far in 2025. Amazon and Best Buy have been dropping prices on the standard Pixel 9, Pro, and XL versions of this phone pretty much every month so far this year. Now Target has decided to get in on the action by dropping the price of the Pixel 9 Pro down to just $699. The last discount we saw on this phone was at Amazon back in February, so this is a great deal to take advantage of if you've been looking to upgrade.

I purchased a Pixel 8 during Prime Day last year when it went on sale and have loved the phone so far. It's a great alternative to the iPhone with an excellent camera and a pretty good battery life. The Pixel 9 series is the latest in the Pixel phone line, so it's the newest model you can buy.

The Best Google Pixel 9 Pro Deal Today

After years as a working actor, comedian, and musician (as one half of righteous comedy-metal duo Tenacious D), Jack Black broke out huge at the top of this century, landing roles in big-time blockbusters, breathtaking animation, and even his own starring vehicles.

With a wicked wit, dulcet tones, and a lovable demeanor, Jack Black has found a home in action flicks, family adventures, the occasional drama, and -- of course -- memorable comedies. So, we've looked over Jack Black's vast film catalog and pulled out 14 of our favorite movies.

From awesome animated sagas to rowdy music-making to the truly odd and offbeat, these are the 14 best Jack Black movies of all time.

14. King Kong (2005)

With its online services allowing players to enjoy iconic games from previous console generations and access several expansions for some of its biggest releases, Nintendo bundles a lot into its pair of Nintendo Switch Online membership plans. For those hopping onto the Nintendo Store in search of some new Switch games to play, you can find a ton of added extras with the right subscription.

Now that Nintendo has confirmed that NSO will carry over to the Switch 2, we know for sure that these memberships will continue to provide the same perks, including retro game libraries, on the new console. But which membership plan is right for you? With two plans available, it’s worth deciding which benefits you’re looking for from a Nintendo Switch Online membership and the best offers you can take advantage of when signing up.

Whether you’re looking to play classic games like Ocarina of Time and Super Mario 64, or just want to hop into some Mario Kart online with friends, below we’ll run through Nintendo Switch Online’s full list of membership plans so you can make the right decision for you.

Does Nintendo Switch Online Have a Free Trial?

Given the potential release of GTA VI and the possibilities presented by Nintendo's Switch 2 launch lineup, 2025 could go down as the decade's most memorable year in gaming. Even without those juggernauts, games like Monster Hunter Wilds and Assassin's Creed Shadows have already set the tone for what should be another great year for new games.

Through the first quarter of the year, 18 games have earned a spot on this list, which compiles every game and expansion released in 2025 that received a review score of 8 or higher from IGN. These are IGN's best video games of 2025.

This list will be updated as new releases receive qualifying review scores.

Review Score: 8 (“Great”)

These games leave us with something outstanding to remember them by, usually novel gameplay ideas for single-player or multiplayer, clever characters and writing, noteworthy graphics and sound, or some combination thereof. If we have major complaints, there are more than enough excellent qualities to cancel them out.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

From our review: Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes a flashing blade to the series’ established norms, trimming them to a more precise form in lieu of chopping them down outright. Combat is aggressive and requires more intentional parrying and skill management than in the past, and exploring the gorgeous provinces of Sengoku-period Japan is encouraged thanks to the revamped map that deemphasizes collecting icons and checking off lists. Naoe and Yasuke are well-realized and memorable protagonists, even though most of the story they drive follows pretty predictable paths. Both have unique playstyles that bolster each other’s weaknesses, but they are ultimately imbalanced by the fact that you can make use of the stealth and exploration skills of the master shinobi far more than the superhuman strength of the samurai. This isn’t the Assassin’s Creed that will change the minds of folks that never connected with the series before, but for those of us with lots of hours logged in the Animus, the sum of Shadows’ parts provide a refreshing realignment of the series that you should not skip. – Jarrett Green

Atomfall

From our review: Atomfall is a gripping survival-action adventure that takes some of the best elements of Fallout and Elden Ring, and synthesises them into its own fresh mutation. It presents a picturesque chunk of English countryside littered with alluring structures to pique and reward your curiosity, eccentric locals to meet, and absorbing mysteries to unravel, and uses classic iconography from British sci-fi and horror to consistently unsettling effect. In spite of some enemy behaviours that are occasionally less stable than a reactor in meltdown, Atomfall is a compelling, post-apocalyptic survival story that satisfyingly bends to your choices and discoveries no matter which direction you take. – Tristan Ogilvie

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

From our review: Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector does not stray too far from what made the first one a cult hit, but it doesn’t need to. It tells a rich and poignant story about the complex nature of control on one’s self when that self is a machine that can be rebooted and hacked, finding and enriching community in the face of overwhelming odds, and expressing personhood both to oneself and to others. It’s visual novel-like presentation is heavy on reading and dice rolling, so its not exactly pulse-pounding, but the retooled character classes and stats, new crew missions, and stress mechanics provide just enough feedback and create a sense of precarity throughout that it stays engaging. – Jarrett Green

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

From our review: Somehow, Donkey Kong Country Returns returned (again), but Nintendo’s third full release of this 2010 Wii platformer is almost as fresh and fun today as it was 15 years ago. DK’s satisfying, weighty movement paves the way for a challenging, momentum-based platformer that demands more skill and precision than the average Nintendo game. But it stays fun rather than frustrating thanks to incredibly impressive level design that explores every clever idea to the fullest and a ton of hidden collectibles worth tracking down. As a remaster specifically, it’s no more than a passable update, with graphics that can only really be described as “good enough” and some outdated elements that could have used more modern touches, like a lack of checkpoints during boss fights and a few obnoxious sections full of one-hit kill obstacles. But Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is still a competent update and easily the best way to play one of the greatest 2D platformers Nintendo has released this century. – Logan Plant

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

From our review: Propelled by a breezy and often completely bananas treasure-hunting tale, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a delightful spin-off that seamlessly shifts between street thuggery and skulduggery. Majima’s Sea Dog stance is one of the most fun and flexible fighting styles I’ve enjoyed in the series to date – at least in its classic, combo-based form – and I welcomed the challenge of carefully balancing my crew lineup in order to survive the many turbulent naval battles. While its overworld maps feel a little padded out with recycled island settings, Honolulu itself is jammed with unpredictable substories and overhauled activities that meant every moment of shore leave was full of surprises. Absolutely heaving with buried treasures and varied pleasures, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a consistently captivating voyage that kept my timbers shivering whether on land or at sea. – Tristan Ogilvie

Monster Hunter Wilds

From our review: Monster Hunter Wilds continues to smooth off the traditionally rough edges of the series in smart ways, reducing as much friction as possible that could get in the way of you grabbing any of its exceptionally fun weapons and planting them firmly in a monster’s hide. But in that quest to make Monster Hunter more approachable, Wilds has carved a little too close to the bone in some places, trimming its challenge back so much that I barely needed to dig into its in-depth equipment system at all this time to become an apex predator. Its more flexible combat is some of the most fun I’ve had with the series, but like the blustering lighting storms of its gorgeous desert, it'll burns brightly but briefly until Capcom unleashes some real endgame beasts to challenge us. – Tom Marks

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black

From our review: Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is neither Ninja Gaiden 2 nor Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, but instead a secret third thing that mixes both versions together to create something that is wholly unique and by far the most beautiful version of this excellent action game yet. While I have a hard time calling it the definitive release because I prefer the original’s “more dudes who are more aggressive but die faster” approach, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a definite improvement over the Sigma 2 release, fixes several long-standing issues, and unlike the original, isn’t trapped on the Xbox 360. It isn't the version I was hoping for (get on it, modders), but it is still an incredible game and I'm happy it exists. If this really is it for Ninja Gaiden 2, it will at least go out on a high note. This trip through time reminded me that while you can't go home again, and nothing will ever truly be like it was, that doesn't mean something can't still be beautiful. Ninja Gaiden 2 is remarkable, even with its flaws, and it's good to finally have it back in Black. – Will Borger

PGA Tour 2K25

From our review: With substantial changes to how it looks and plays, PGA Tour 2K25 feels like a different game from its predecessor. The new swing mechanics, paired with the significantly improved graphics, makes for a much more realistic ambiance, even with a lethargic performance by the announcing team. The highly customizable MyCareer campaign mode shines as one of the most enjoyable parts even though it has a tacked-on personality system, occasional unnecessary connectivity issues, and of course microtransactions. PGA Tour 2K25 is still a few strokes behind EA Sports PGA Tour as the best golfing simulator around, but if it continues to improve like this with each new iteration, we may see it close that gap relatively soon. – Andrew McMahon

Rift of the NecroDancer

From our review: I could wear out my keyboard slapping arrow keys to the beat and jamming in my seat to Rift of the NecroDancer’s excellent soundtrack, fervently chasing down a perfect run of a song for hours. Whether I was fighting stuffy puppet masters, rhythmically ridding the world of monsters, or just waddling around in a silly mole costume, it provides many excellent flavors of arcade-style rhythm action. Even though this “Greatest Hits” anthology isn’t as focused or Earth-shattering as Brace Yourself Games’ genre-bending debut album, it still continually surprised and delighted me by providing clever twists on time-tested mechanics. – Charlie Wacholz

Tokyo Xtreme Racer (Early Access)

From our review: Tokyo Xtreme Racer is an infectiously addictive time capsule of a racing game that needs little more than a bit of menu refinement and some major aggression injected into its sound to really soup it up and prep it for even more classic Japanese cars to race in and against. In fact, it’s already well worth its early access asking price. It’s narrow in scope, but its highway battle hook makes it hard to put down, and its total lack of modern baggage like microtransactions and tacked-on multiplayer is outright refreshing. – Luke Reilly

WWE 2K25

From our review: A couple of microtransaction-fueled missteps aside, WWE 2K25 is really the best wrestling game since… WWE 2K24, which was also pretty great. It looks fantastic, still feels good, and there’s a lot of it, including small but welcome updates like intergender matches or bigger updates like the new MyRise and Showcase modes. It’s an upscale wrestling buffet, if you will: It’s pretty scrumptious, there's a wide selection of dishes on the table, and you could spend an awful lot of time in the squared circle if you’re not careful. Speaking of, I need to get back to it. I have some more Showcase things to unlock, Universe is calling my name, and… well, you get the idea. – Will Borger

Review Score: 9 (“Amazing”)

We enthusiastically recommend that you add these games to your to-play list. If we call a game Amazing, that means something about it seriously impressed us, whether it’s an inspired new idea or an exceptional take on an old one. We expect to look back at it as one of the highlights of its time and genre.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins

From our review: If Dynasty Warriors: Origins is meant to be a new beginning, it’s one that gets off to a masterful start. It doesn’t just have the largest amount of enemies the series has thrown on screen at once, it also deepens its combat, improves its storytelling without getting in the way of the action, and provides a healthy amount of replayability and postgame content – all while looking better than ever. Your amnesiac hero is a bit too much of a blank slate at times, but the impressive ensemble cast made this story sing as I grew to care about the characters around him, big and small. Origins is both a great entry point for newcomers and a triumphant return for veterans like me who felt the last few entries had become stale or missed the mark. It feels like the series I once loved is finally back. – Jada Griffin

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

From our review: In many ways, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 feels like it’s picked up and run with the reactive first-person RPG torch that Bethesda left lying in the mud years ago in pursuit of a broader audience. And it has excellent melee combat, which The Elder Scrolls never came close to even at its peak. Sometimes it's not sure if it wants to be a cinematic tale about a specific guy going on a specific adventure or a truly dynamic open-world sandbox packed with interesting and varied side quests, and that can lead to a few immersion-shattering conflicts. But most of the time, leaning into one doesn't get in the way of the other, and you’re free to go on any of its many optional adventures along the way to a thought-provoking and rousing finale for the main plot. I was delighted to get lost in its world, and it will be a long time before I forget its exceptional story. – Leana Hafer

MLB The Show 25

From our review: MLB The Show remains one of the best sports series around. The new upgrade system and the amateur portion of your player’s journey have reinvigorated Road To The Show, while the shift away from Sets and Seasons has righted Diamond Dynasty’s biggest wrong. While it’s a bit of a bummer that the Storylines feature isn’t living up to its full potential, it remains a worthwhile and important inclusion that has reach beyond the game of baseball. All the small touches, such as updated infielder reactions and new quick time events like the swim move, have the on-field action in a great place, too. It’s not always easy for an annual franchise to justify the move to a new entry, but in the case of MLB The Show 25, it does more than enough to make me glad it has arrived. – Justin Koreis

Split Fiction

From our review: An expertly crafted and absorbing co-op adventure that pinballs from one genre extreme to another, Split Fiction is a rollercoaster of gameplay ideas and styles that are usually discarded as quickly as they’re introduced. This keeps it fabulously fresh for its full, 14-hour duration. With no idea sticking around long enough to get stale before making way for the next, it’s a victory of imagination and restraint in equal measure. Hazelight may have been rewriting the co-op rule book for a decade now, but Split Fiction is a new chapter that you (and a partner) cannot miss. – Luke Reilly

Two Point Museum

From our review: Two Point Museum is a rewarding, deep, challenging, and highly entertaining tycoon game that demonstrates Two Point Studios has really hit its groove with this third iteration of the idea. The variety of different exhibits to unlock and level up, the thrill of discovering new expedition maps, and the array of clever and easy-to-use management tools make designing and running a museum joyful and consistently rewarding. I've sunk more than 40 hours into it already and I could easily see doubling that without running out of stuff to do. Call the curator. They're really going to want to take a look at this. – Leana Hafer

Wanderstop

From our review: Every inch of Wanderstop pushes the conventions you’d expect of similarly wholesome games. Its vibrant colors, quirky characters, and enchanting music are used to tell a compelling story that forces you to grapple with both its lead character's insecurities as well as your own. It’s a powerful adventure not just about burn out, but about how deeply painful it is to free ourselves from coping mechanisms that may have previously kept us secure. At the same time, Wanderstop’s simple but satisfying tea brewing experimentation serves as a safe and entertaining space to do that deep digging. There aren’t many games like Wanderstop out there currently, but for all our sakes, I hope there will be soon. – Shailyn Cotten

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition

From our review: Xenoblade Chronicles X was already one of the Wii U’s best games, and this Definitive Edition has escaped the destruction of its old home like the White Whale and settled down nicely on Switch. The quality-of-life improvements here are enough to justify another trip to Mira alone for veteran players, and it’s the perfect opportunity for newcomers to explore its beautiful landscapes for themselves. Its combat systems are deep and engaging, and the massive open world never got old to run, jump, or fly across. Its main story may not quite live up to the standards of the series, but a likable cast of characters and plenty of compelling side missions mean Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is still an adventure worth writing back home about. – George Yang

Jordan covers games, shows, and movies as a freelance writer for IGN.

Sometimes, even the best gaming chairs don’t offer sufficient room, support, or comfort if you’re bigger or taller. That means you need to find chairs designed with your size in mind, like the Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen XL. It’s a premium choice ready for gamers up to 6' 9" and 395lbs. Whether you’re on a budget, want an extra wide seat, or like the breathability of a mesh option, we’ve found great "oversized" gaming chairs for you to try out.

TL;DR – The Best Big and Tall Gaming Chairs:

A great seat is one of the best gaming accessories you can invest in, but the wealth of available gaming chairs is overwhelming, and many aren’t suited for larger-than-average gamers. You want to seek out wider seats, taller backs, higher load capacities, and solid ergonomics that ensure your ultimate comfort so you can focus on what matters: the game.

To help in the search, I’ve thoroughly tested and researched a range of seats that won’t come up short (literally!) no matter how long you’re gaming. Take a look at our favorite bigger chair options – and also see which XL gaming chairs are available now in the UK.

Additional contributions by Danielle Abraham

1. Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen XL

Best Big and Tall Gaming Chair

2. AndaSeat Kaiser 3 XL

Best Budget Big and Tall Gaming Chair

The Anthros chair doesn't look like a chair for big and tall gamers, but make no mistake, its unique approach to back support centered on the pelvis means that it's able to cater to gamers and computer users of all sizes. It's well made and super comfortable once you get used to its unique method of support. It looks a little alien, but in my forthcoming review, I found that after a couple days of use, it's hard to go back to a normal lumbar-based desk chair.

Anthros got its start in the wheelchair business. The company is composed of a small team of health experts in designing chairs that people would be sitting in perpetuity. It developed a unique breadth of experience and insight into chair design that actually meets the needs of the human body.

In a meeting ahead of the review, one of the representatives, a practicing physical therapist, revealed to me that they had trialed virtually all of the leading office chairs and found that just about all of them missed the mark on what is actually required to support positive posture and relieve back pain generated by a wide range of causes. By centering the design of the Anthros chair on the actual mechanics of the human body and leveraging their deep understanding of its interconnected nature, the Anthros chair was born.

What makes this chair special is that instead of focusing on lumbar support and thoracic support like the majority of other ergonomic chairs, it instead focuses on pelvic support right at the base of your sit bones. This positions your spine forward, naturally supporting the curvature of the spine.

At first, it does feel a little strange. But once it's properly set up for your body and you've become acclimated to sitting with proper posture, it can feel downright refreshing to return to the Anthros after a traditional ergonomic chair, and especially a gaming chair. It also features one of the best seats I've ever used. It's wide, thickly padded, and has internal cutouts to relieve tension on your sit bones, enhancing your comfort without even realizing that it's doing anything differently in the moment.

There's something magic about this chair, but don't get confused. You should still be trying to stand regularly throughout the day. Even Anthros will say that no chair is a magic bullet. However, this is one that really does approach seating differently, and though very expensive, it clearly succeeds in its goals for postural support and all-day comfort.

If you're tall tall, then you already know how difficult it can be to find a chair that's big enough to match your body. Whether that height comes from your legs or your back, the Razer Iskur XL is your best bet and will elevate your PC gaming setup with one of the most recognizable backrests out there.

In our review of the original Razer Iskur (the non-XL version), we found it to be exceptionally comfortable, and all of that holds true with the XL version. It's bigger, taller, wider, and able to hold significantly more than the standard Iskur, which means that a few extra inches won't hold you back from the comfort and support you desire. It's made for users up to 399lbs and up to 6'10", so no matter how big you are, it’s probably going to work well for you.

Razer has also earned significant acclaim for its unique backrest trimmed in a snakeskin-like pattern. The lumbar is pronounced, working on a tension system to ensure it always matches the position of your back. It's true that some users have found it to be too pronounced, but most people find that they adapt and very much come to like that added support after giving it enough time for their body to acclimate. Once you do, you'll find you can sit for extended gaming sessions completely pain-free.

While its aesthetics won't be for everyone, I find that it delivers where it counts. For any gamer on the tall side, it's definitely worth a closer look.

The Razer Fujin Pro has it all: style, substance, and comfort. With its mesh design, you can happily sink into this chair day or night. While it doesn’t necessarily look the usual part you’d expect from Razer – ditching the big branding and heavy gamer style – you'll still get your money's worth with breathable mesh that will serve you well in all seasons, a comfortable waterfall seat edge, adjustable lumbar support, and overall ergonomic comfort.

If you spend a lot of time at your desk, the investment is definitely worthwhile. It offers a wide range of ergonomic adjustments to ensure that it will properly support your body through long gaming sessions. It’s an outstanding gaming chair that offers plenty of luxury across its understated frame, providing the support you need whenever you’re sitting.

When I reviewed the Razer Fujin Pro, I described it as "Razer, all grown up" and it's true. Razer describes this as a chair for gamers that may want something that will fit just as easily into an office as their gaming space but don't want to sacrifice ergonomics along the way. We definitely think it achieved its goal, and in doing so delivered a competitor to legendary ergonomic chairs like the Herman-Miller Aeron. It will serve you well for years to come, thanks to its unique balance between a productivity and gaming chair.

Where to Get the Best Big and Tall Gaming Chairs in the UK

One Piece as a franchise has been getting a lot of extra attention lately. There's the live-action version of the show on Netflix, some highly anticipated LEGO One Piece sets, and even a recent collaboration with the NBA. Whether you're new to the series or have been around since the very beginning, there's never been a better time to be all-in on One Piece, especially with new episodes arriving next week as the anime returns from its six-month hiatus.

While the series seemingly has an endless amount of episodes – more than 1,000 to be more precise – One Piece has no shortage of movies either. The latest film in the franchise, One Piece: Red, was released back in 2022, but Amazon has only recently dropped the price of the 4K steelbook to a reasonable price. You can also find the same deal at the Crunchyroll store right now.

The Best One Piece Movie Deal at Amazon Today

It’s been a while since we saw a new preorder item this big go live. Nintendo is planning to unveil the Switch 2 in a super-sized 60-minute Nintendo Direct tomorrow, April 2. We expect to learn all about the next-gen console’s new features, along with its launch lineup of games, and maybe even new accessories and peripherals. We also expect to learn when you can preorder the Nintendo Switch 2.

Whether preorders go live tomorrow or at some point in the future, you’ll want to be ready when they do. Here are some pro tips from the IGN commerce team on how to prepare to preorder the Nintendo Switch 2.

Follow IGN Deals

• IGN Deals on X
• IGN Deals on Bluesky

When a major piece of gaming hardware goes up for preorder at a retailer, there’s no telling how long it will be available. We’ve seen sought-after hardware sell out in seconds. The best and most reliable way to know when a listing goes live is to follow IGN Deals on Twitter/X or Bluesky and keep an eye on those accounts in real time. Wario64 and CAG are also reliable sources of links the moment they become available.

During and after the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct (which starts April 2, 2025 at 6am PDT / 9am EDT / 2pm BST), we’ll be in the trenches, posting links the moment they become available.

Log Into Your Retailer Accounts

There’s no point in clicking a live preorder link early if you’re not logged in. The precious seconds it takes to enter your login name and password could make the difference between you getting a Nintendo Switch 2 at launch and not. The retailers below are all likely to have Switch 2 preorders, so create an account if you have to, and make sure you’re logged in tomorrow morning, in case Switch 2 preorders go live.

• Amazon
• Walmart
• Target
• Best Buy
• GameStop

Have Your Credit Card Saved in Your Account

The next step is to make sure your credit card info is entered in at the above retailers so you don’t have to type numbers with your excited fingers as everyone else on the planet buys a Switch 2 before you can.

Don't Despair if You Miss Out at a Retailer

With big ticket items like the Switch 2, the preorder links rarely go live at the same time across all the retailers. Often, Best Buy's link goes up first, followed a few minutes later by GameStop and Walmart. Amazon is usually the wild card of the bunch, sometimes going live hours (or even days) later. So if you miss the chance to preorder from one retailer, stay tuned to see if others will have Switch 2 preorders in stock a little later.

There's even a chance a given retailer will get additional preorders after its initial stock has run out. And even if you miss out preordering at all of the retailers, local brick-and-mortar stores may get stock on launch day. And failing that, even if stock is scarce at launch, Nintendo will catch up with demand at some point, so remain steadfast.

Avoid Switch 2 Scams and Resellers

Anytime a hard-to-buy piece of gaming hardware goes up for preorder, out come the opportunists. You can bet shady sites and resellers on eBay will be primed and ready to capitalize on this moment. Some sites will make their original Switch stock seem like Switch 2 stock. Others will take their actual Switch 2 preorders, crank the price sky high, and re-sell them at a massive profit. If you fail to secure a Switch 2 preorder at a legit retailer when they go live, please don’t pay large sums of money to these people looking to make an easy buck. It’s almost always better to wait until more stock becomes available at a site you trust.

Chris Reed is a deals expert and commerce editor for IGN. You can follow him on Bluesky @chrislreed.com.

The Dark Knight and LEGO are the sort of odd couple pairing that shouldn't work on paper, but are brilliant in practice. The moodiness and psychological torment of the source material, and the blocky medium through which it's translated, creates a humorous juxtapostion. The Joker, terrifying though he is, looks adorable as a LEGO Minifigure.

LEGO Batman sets tend to cycle very quickly, from the time that they're launched to the time they're retired. The designers have a near endless well of Batman media to draw from – from comic books, to TV shows, to Hollywood blockbusters.

One of their most recent designs, inspired by the 1966 classic television show starring Adam West, is an 1822-piece homage to the show's Batmobile.

LEGO recently retired the bulk of its Batman sets, including the Batcave Shadow Box, at the end of 2024. Here are the best LEGO Batman sets that you can buy in 2025.

LEGO Batman Best Sets in 2025

LEGO Batman: The Classic TV Series Batmobile

Batman Tumbler vs. Two-Face & The Joker

LEGO Batman: The Animated Series Gotham City

Batman Construction Figure and the Bat-Pod Bike

If you're looking for a larger capacity power bank at an affordable price, then check out this new deal from Amazon. Right now you can get the Iniu 20,000mAh 22.5W Power Bank for only $11.99 after you clip the 50% off coupon on the product page and apply coupon code "OORHFI4M". A 20,000mAh power bank at this price is uncommon, especially one that can also deliver up to 22.5W of power over USB Type-C (enough to fast charge a Nintendo Switch). Iniu power banks have solid reviews and are less expensive than equivalent Anker models.

Iniu 20,000mAh Power Bank for $11.99

Ever since LEGO's slow pivot to adult-targeted sets, the separation between traditional LEGO bricks and LEGO Technic – the rods, beams, pins, and gears that builders use to create simple machines – has become increasingly blurred. Nowadays, one is often an accompaniment to the other. Technic creates a sturdy skeleton, and the bricks form a decorative shell around it, which gives the model its form and outward appearance.

Featured in this article

It's a product of LEGO's ambition – that the builds got so massive that the designers needed an underlying structure to stabilize them. It also eased many LEGO fans into a whole new sub-genre of building techniques, and if you're one of those fans, you might want to check out a proper LEGO Technic set, which do away with the bricks almost entirely.

Here are the best LEGO Technic sets that you can purchase in 2025.

LEGO Technic Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit

LEGO Volvo FMX Truck & EC230 Electric Excavator

LEGO Technic Liebherr Crawler Crane LR 13000

LEGO Technic McLaren Formula 1 Race Car

LEGO Technic Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance

LEGO Technic 2022 Ford GT

LEGO Technic BMW M 1000 RR

LEGO Mercedes-Benz G 500 PROFESSIONAL Line

LEGO Technic Lamborghini Sián FKP 37

LEGO Technic Mars Crew Exploration Rover

If you're thinking of jumping on the AMD bandwagon for your next upgrade, now is certainly the right time to do so. Alongside the Ryzen 7 9800X3D which debuted earlier this year, AMD has just released its two higher-end Ryzen 9 siblings in the Zen 5 "X3D" stack: the 9950X3D is available for $699 and the 9900X3D is available for $599. Collectively, these processors represent the best gaming chips across both Intel and AMD. Pure gamers should go with the 9800X3D and allocate their funds elsewhere; creators with deeper pockets and a penchant for gaming will benefit from the immense performance uplift on the new Ryzen 9 processors thanks to their increased core count and cache.

Note: Processors are going in and out of stock (mostly out of stock, unfortunately).

The Creator's Choice: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU

Big news for Now You See Me fans: not only is Now You See Me 3 officially titled Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, but Now You See Me 4 is in the works.

The announcement was made on-stage during CinemaCon by Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, who also confirmed that Now You See Me 3’s previously announced release date of November 14, 2025 remains on-track.

Director Ruben Fleischer has signed a deal with Lionsgate to develop and direct a fourth installment of the action-heist franchise, which has made $700 million at the global box office so far.

The first two films starred Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, and Morgan Freeman, among others, with Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, and Ariana Greenblatt joining as a new generation of illusionists and Rosamund Pike also starring in the franchise’s third installment, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t reunites Fleischer with Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson, who were also the stars of Fleischer’s debut film Zombieland. His most recent film is Uncharted, which took in over $400 million worldwide, and he directed Venom, which grossed over $850 million globally.

Bobby Cohen, who originally developed and has produced all the films in the series, will return to produce the new installment alongside Alex Kurtzman of Secret Hideout. Meredith Wieck will oversee the project for Lionsgate.

Fogelson commented: “Ruben has delivered all of the twists and turns and sleight-of-hand that audiences expect from this franchise while upping the stakes and scale in every way. We can’t wait for audiences to discover what he’s done with the third film and thrilled he’ll be making even more magic with us.”

Fleischer added: “Directing Now You See Me: Now You Don’t was as much fun as making any movie in my career. It combines two of my favorite things — heist movies and magic — and working with this incredible cast was truly magical. Of course I want to keep it going.”

IGN’s Now You See Me review gave it 6.3/10 and said: “Now You See Me seemed so promising, but it squanders its cool cast and nifty premise on smarmy, shallow characters and a flimsy, nonsensical plot.”

IGN's Now You See Me 2 review returned a 6.2. We said: "Now You See Me 2 isn't the worst magic act in town, but it's all flash and no substance."

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

The John Wick anime prequel film finally has a confirmed setting.

Announced during CinemaCon, the animated movie will see Keanu Reeves return to voice his character. This is in addition to Reeves’ just-confirmed return to the role in live-action form for John Wick 5.

The animated film prequel will tell the story of John Wick’s legendary ‘Impossible Task,’ which is referenced in the movies as helping to create the mythos — and dread — surrounding Wick’s character.

Here’s the official blurb:

The animated film will go back in time to tell the story of John Wick before the first film, as he completes the Impossible Task — the killing of all of his rivals in one night — in order to free himself from his obligation to the High Table and earn the right to be with the love of his life, Helen.

Like the live-action feature films, the animated movie will deliver the highly stylized and defined action that John Wick fans expect and will be aimed at more mature audiences.

It will be produced by the John Wick producing team of Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, 87Eleven Entertainment’s Chad Stahelski, and Keanu Reeves. 87Eleven Entertainment’s Alex Young and Jason Spitz will executive produce.

The film will be directed by Shannon Tindle, an animation veteran who most recently co-wrote and directed the Annie-nominated Netflix film Ultraman: Rising. Tindle also created the double Oscar nominee Kubo and the Two Strings and served as executive producer/showrunner on the Emmy-winning series Lost Ollie. The film will be written by Vanessa Taylor, writer and co-executive producer of Game of Thrones, writer of Divergent, and an Oscar nominee for her work with Guillermo del Toro on the Best Picture winner The Shape of Water.

Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said: “In both animation and the world of John Wick, the possibilities are endless. And there is no John Wick story fans are clamoring for more than the Impossible Task. Shannon’s take on that story is an incredible one, and we are beyond excited to see what John Wick can do in animation.”

Stahelski added: “I’ve always been fascinated with anime. It has always been a huge influence on me, especially with the John Wick series. To have the opportunity to develop a John Wick anime seems to be the perfect progression for the John Wick world. I feel John Wick is the perfect property for this medium — anime holds the potential to expand our world, our characters, and our action in ways unimaginable before.”

It’s a massively busy time for the billion dollar John Wick franchise. In addition to the already released four mainline films and the just-announced John Wick 5, the John Wick Universe includes two spinoff films (Ballerina, to be released June 6, and a spinoff directed by and starring Donnie Yen reprising his Caine character, set to start production this summer).

In addition, Lionsgate Television produced The Continental: From the World of John Wick for Peacock and Amazon Prime, and Lionsgate confirmed it’s developing the series John Wick: Under the High Table, which Stahelski and Keanu Reeves are executive producing.

Outside TV and films, Lionsgate recently opened an immersive John Wick experience in Las Vegas and has a John Wick AAA video game in the works.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

John Wick 5 is official, with Lionsgate confirming the 60-year-old Keanu Reeves is set to return to the role.

The announcement was made on-stage during CinemaCon by Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. Development on John Wick: Chapter 5 has begun, with Thunder Road producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, franchise director and producer Chad Stahelski, and star and producer Keanu Reeves all on-board. No release window was offered.

While it makes sense that yet another mainline John Wick movie would be green lit, given John Wick: Chapter 4 took in over $440 million at the worldwide box office and each of the first four films accomplishing the rare feat of outperforming its predecessor, it perhaps does not make much sense when you consider the ending of John Wick: Chapter 4.

Warning! Spoilers for John Wick: Chapter 4 follow.

John Wick appears to die at the end of John Wick: Chapter 4 after, once again, defeating the bad guys. We even get to see John Wick’s gravestone, with Winston (Ian McShane) and the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) saying their farewells. But, crucially, we only see John Wick collapse from his injuries and appear to die. I don't remember getting a look at the death certificate, let's put it that way.

So, how can Reeves continue as Wick? We don’t have story details yet, but we do have quotes from some of the people putting the movie together that confirm this is a continuation of John Wick’s story.

Fogelson said: “Keanu, Chad, Basil, and Erica would not return unless they had something truly phenomenal and fresh to say with these characters and this world. We can’t wait for audiences to see where the journey takes us next.”

Iwanyk and Lee added: “It’s so important to get this story right and give John’s story the proper next step. It’s exciting to take the first step on that road.”

As for what a John Wick 5 might entail, check out our breakdown of (spoilers) John Wick: Chapter 4's ending and what it may mean for the future of the franchise. You can also check out IGN's 10/10 John Wick: Chapter 4 review.

It’s a busy time for the billion dollar John Wick franchise. In addition to the four mainline films, the John Wick Universe, as it’s called, includes two spinoff films (Ballerina, to be released June 6, and a spinoff directed by and starring Donnie Yen reprising his Caine character, set to start production this summer).

In addition, Lionsgate Television produced The Continental: From the World of John Wick for Peacock and Amazon Prime, and Lionsgate confirmed it’s developing the series John Wick: Under the High Table, which Stahelski and Keanu Reeves are executive producing.

Outside TV and films, Lionsgate recently opened an immersive John Wick experience in Las Vegas and has a John Wick AAA video game in the works.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

The story behind the Metal Gear Solid Board Game is nearly as wild as the plot of a Metal Gear game, featuring a mix of delays and licensing issues, with odds stacked against it ever seeing the light of day before being rescued (much like Solid Snake rescuing Gray Fox) by CMON Games. But at long last, this cardboard adaptation of the Hideo Kojima masterpiece has finally reached the masses. From sneaking around in cardboard boxes to dynamic and exciting boss fights, the game’s tactical stealth gameplay has successfully made the jump from video games to board games. However, the whole package isn’t without its faults, leaving me feeling both satisfied and let down at the same time.

Metal Gear Solid: The Board Game is a campaign-style board game that retells the story of the first Metal Gear Solid game, originally released on the PlayStation in 1998. Designed for one to four players (at least according to the box; more on that below), the game has players move plastic miniature versions of series favorites like Meryl, Otacon, Cyborg Ninja Gray Fox, and Solid Snake himself through 14 scenarios featuring iconic moments from the game, such as the confrontation with Ocelot, changing the PAL Keycard, and, of course, taking out REX.

Unfortunately, there is one significant omission that didn’t make the cut: the final confrontations between Solid and Liquid are not recreated as playable scenarios. It’s a bummer that neither the barehanded fight on top of REX nor the Jeep escape is included. Perhaps the developers couldn’t find a way to balance or explain a 4v1 battle on REX or figure out how the escape would work with all present characters. Instead, they've opted to end on the high note of a dramatic and memorable team-up against Metal Gear REX. But in the meantime, the fan community around this game has you covered. Over on BoardGameGeek, user @Geoff907 and their wife devised and published their own unique Stage 15 for this game for you to try out, if you just absolutely need to get some of that shirtless fist-fight action into your game.

If you opt for the more expensive “Integral Edition,” the rest of the story bits that aren't told through gameplay are instead presented in a striking 109-page graphic novel with art by comic artist Kenneth Loh. It's reminiscent of the scenes in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker or the Digital Graphic Novels on PSP. But MGS wouldn’t be MGS without its CODEC calls. These little burst transmissions between Snake and his support team have been faithfully adapted to this new format, with prompts directing players to specific calls in the included Codec Book, as well as pre and post-scenario briefings. I particularly appreciate the care the developers have taken to make them just as campy yet informative as those in the video game. For example, Snake refers to how many actions he can take or offers tips on beating Psycho Mantis involving “Player 2”-like trickery. Even as a game made of cardboard and dice, this still feels distinctly Metal Gear.

Players unlock new equipment, from Snake’s favorite sidearm, the Socom, to the iconic cardboard box.

Regarding gameplay, players take up to four actions per turn, chosen from those listed on their character’s unique player boards. As scenarios progress, players unlock new equipment, from Snake’s favorite sidearm, the Socom, to the iconic cardboard box, which can be used in future scenarios. This equipment expands each character’s skill pool, effectively replicating the video game’s “procure on-site” philosophy. Once players take their actions, it’s time for the enemies to act. Both generic guards and bosses have action cards that dictate their movements and behaviors, which can change depending on whether they’ve spotted the player. Guards also have a separate reaction deck used in various situations, such as spotting a knocked-out guard or investigating a noise.

Boss encounters pose their own unique challenges, forcing you out of your comfort cardboard box and requiring you to think on your feet. Each boss fight feels distinct, from Revolver Ocelot darting around while bouncing bullets off walls to the Hind D having multiple target areas to damage. Thanks to the game’s tile-based nature, each boss fight takes place on a unique, large board with special elements affecting the encounter. For example, in Ocelot’s arena, the injured Kenneth Baker can be hit and killed, adding a new way to trigger a game over. These special tweaks only enhance the excitement and tension of the encounters, as they are rarely designed to favor the players.

This element of randomness kept me on my toes, never knowing exactly how far guards would move or which way they’d turn. The added dice rolls for checking if my actions made noise or if enemy shots would hit me resulted in an experience that balanced strategy with luck. There were multiple moments where I held my breath as I pulled a guard movement card, waiting to see if I’d be spotted. I never felt the game was unfair, but I also never expected it to be kind. Metal Gear does a superb job balancing strategy and luck.

While the box suggests the game can be played with up to four players, at least for the campaign mode, I wouldn’t recommend going beyond two players. Personally, I found playing it as a solo board game offered the best experience. Each scenario specifies which of the four playable characters can be used, with the first two scenarios playable only by Snake. Only five scenarios in the entire campaign allow for four players (with no missions designed for three players), and the first four-player mission doesn’t appear until the ninth scenario.

From a narrative standpoint, this makes sense. It wouldn’t be logical for Snake to infiltrate Shadow Moses with Gray Fox at his side or for Otacon to tackle Vulcan Raven alone. But from a board game perspective, this limitation significantly impacts the experience, making it hard to convince my MGS-loving friends to play when only one of them could participate in most of the game, while the others had to wait for the last few missions. I would have loved to see optional modifiers allowing additional characters in two-player scenarios or “What if?” scenarios offering alternate viewpoints and player counts.

To the game’s credit, the developers addressed this issue by allowing up to four players in the “VR Missions” mode. This additional mode, which includes its own set of special unlockable equipment cards,

has its own caveat: a lack of content. The included VR Missions book features six mission types – Recon, Escape, and Sabotage, among others – but each type has only one associated map layout. While some tokens and traps may change between sessions, and you can swap in a boss model for extra challenge, the guard layouts and objectives remain the same. With the map never changing, once you know what to do, the mode quickly loses its luster. I hope that CMON or the community releases creative and fun new maps and missions to keep things fresh.

Where to Buy

• Get it at Amazon

More Board Games Based on Video Games

You can also check out our recent reviews of board games based on Dead Cells, S.T.A.L.K.E.R., and Elden Ring.

While supplies last, Gamestop is offering the excellent Super Mario RPG remake for Nintendo Switch for only $19.99. You can get free shipping on orders over $79 or choose in-store pickup, otherwise pay a $6.99 shipping fee. This game is a brand new and sealed physical copy so you can sell or trade it off when you're done with it.

Super Mario RPG for $19.99

Arzopa is offering an excellent deal on this 16" 1080p USB Type-C portable monitor. The Arzoa Z1C is normally listed at $129.99, but you can get it for $79.99 after you clip a $10 off coupon on the product page. This is an excellent way to boost your productivity by adding on a secondary display with minimal hassle and at an affordable price. It also works well as a portable standalone display for your Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck.

Arzopa Z1C 16" 1080p USB-C Portable Monitor for $79.99