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© Kepler / Sandfall Interactive
© Raccoon Logic
It's one thing to successfully translate a secret in-game video game language, but it's quite another to translate it before the game is even out – yet that's exactly what YouTuber 2Chrispy has (somehow) managed to do in Donkey Kong Bananza.
Just like players managed to unravel the secrets in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's secret language, 2Chrispy used trailers, preview footage, and even the Nintendo Today app to decode the Ancient Monkey Scrolls in Kong's upcoming adventure.
"In the trailer, there were a lot of hidden details," 2Chrispy explained in a wonderful video describing his process. "But the one that stuck out most to me was the banana language. Watch to see how I decoded and deciphered every monkey letter I could find."
After cleverly spotting that an in-game item had an official name, Chip Exchange, Chrispy was, through painstaking, frame-by-frame work, able to work out all but five characters in the banana alphabet — or "Bananabet," as he calls it.
With his newly-discovered transcription skills, 2Chrispy has been able to translate pretty much every single sign, note, and written document seen in any footage published to date. To find out what they say, head on over to Chrispy2's YouTube video.
For instance, in one screenshot, 2Chrispy was able to translate an overhead sign, which reads "welcome," a neon sign that reads "factory," and a snow level sign that reads "ice." He then transcribed various notices that read "hint," "item," and a sign that said: "Message. Thank you for reading. Someone."
"I'm excited to see what other text we'll find in the game," he added. "Could we see references to DK lore? Missing Kongs? Any mention of the Kremlings or King K. Rool?"
"I think Bananza is on track to be one of the most gorgeous Nintendo games I’ve seen," we wrote in our Donkey Kong Bananza first hands-on preview. "It really does take advantage of Switch 2's hardware — the environments are beautiful and DK’s animations are wonderfully expressive, and I left feeling like the next generation of first-party Nintendo games had truly arrived."
Now that we finally have a release date and tech specs on the highly anticipated Switch successor, Nintendo Switch 2 — as well as an idea of how much first-party Nintendo games may cost on the new system — check out our deep dive into all the facts as we talk to industry experts. For more on Nintendo Switch 2, you can catch up on everything shown at last month's Nintendo Direct. Donkey Kong Bananza comes out July 17 for $69.99, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2.
Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has now sold an impressive 2 million copies after 12 days on sale. That’s up from the 1 million sold three days after launch.
It’s worth remembering that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was, alongside Bethesda’s Oblivion Remastered, a day-one Game Pass title. That makes this sales milestone all the more impressive for French developer Sandfall Interactive and publisher Kepler Interactive.
“We’ve watched in awe as so many of you began your journey,” reads a post on social media. “Feeling every step, every emotion, every revelation alongside you.
“To those just joining us: welcome.
“Tomorrow comes.”
When Bethesda shadow-dropped The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered amid the launch of fellow role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, most thought there could be only one winner. However, it turned out that there was plenty of room for both games to succeed.
Indeed, according to Kepler, not only did Oblivion not harm Clair Obscur, Clair Obscur actually benefitted from Oblivion’s release because it boosted excitement for the RPG genre.
Kepler Interactive’s senior portfolio manager Matt Handrahan told The Game Business last week: “We always knew that Expedition 33 had a very specific identity. When I was in the press, I saw the Western-style RPG and the Japanese-style RPG as having quite different appeals and audiences. I knew plenty of people that would play an Elder Scrolls game that wouldn't necessarily play Final Fantasy and vice versa.
“Also, by the time that we rolled around, we had momentum of our own and we felt pretty confident that we could stand beside it. I think there were other aspects, like the price point we were at and the inclusion in Game Pass… so we knew we would have a lot of interest around the game. We were confident in that. And it went as well as it possibly could have done in our eyes. And, actually, proximity to Oblivion didn't seem to harm us at all. In many ways, I think it just drew attention to quality RPGs that week and everybody was thinking and talking about the genre.”
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has done so well that French President Macron has praised the development team. Be sure to check out our tips for the important things to know before heading into the game.
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.
I think today's deals offer a solid mix of practical tech, collectible finds, and a few membership perks that are worth considering if you're looking to save on future shopping.
There’s nothing flashy for the sake of being flashy, just a handful of genuinely useful accessories, chargers that get the job done quickly, and a few standout prices on high-ticket items like the Pokémon TCG Classic Box and Ghost of Yōtei Collector’s Edition.
I want to point out that it’s also the kind of day where the smaller things make the biggest difference. A $7.99 cable or adapter that simplifies your setup, a discounted Sam’s Club membership that gets you free shipping or extra perks, or even a microSD card that saves you from constantly clearing out storage.
Sam’s Club has a handful of deals right now that make signing up feel like more than just a formality. New members can join the Club tier for $20, which is 60% off the usual $50, or upgrade to Plus for $60, saving $50 off the regular $110 price.
Club membership gets you access to Instant Savings, Sam’s Cash rewards, and the ability to share benefits with someone in your household. With Plus, you’ll also get 2% back on in-club purchases, free shipping on most orders over $50, and curbside pickup.
If you’re already browsing Sam’s Club, I think two standout Pokémon deals make the membership worth it on their own. The Pokémon TCG Classic Box is down to $194.76, more than $200 off its original $400 list price. It’s a collector-focused set with premium packaging and a rotating lineup of non-tournament cards (Basic Energy cards are the exception).
For something more giftable or kid-friendly, the Charizard EX Super Premium Collection is available for $49.94, down from $89.99. It includes 10 booster packs, a foil Charizard EX card, two evolution promos, and a display-ready Charizard figure. Between the membership deals and these rare Pokémon markdowns, I think it’s one of the better times to sign up.
There’s a solid mix of Pokémon TCG products back in stock right now, with a few standout deals worth flagging, whether you’re chasing hits, collecting promos, or just looking for decent value packs.
The Infernape V set comes with four booster packs, a foil Infernape V, a foil Empoleon, and a jumbo-sized Infernape V card. It’s a compact product with solid display value and a good pack selection. More importantly, it’s still one of the only ways to grab Sword & Shield-era boosters at retail prices, and it’s currently cheaper than the secondary market.
If you’re after something a bit more collectible, the Prismatic Evolutions Eevee ex box is a tempting option. Each one includes four booster packs, a foil promo featuring a random Eeveelution, and a storage box with built-in dividers for keeping your collection in check. If you're set on pulling a stamped Eevee ex, the promos in these boxes have sold for anywhere from $15 to nearly $60 depending on the evolution, so there’s definitely potential value here, even if you're effectively paying $15 a pack.
If you’re hunting singles instead of sealed product, scroll down for our top picks to grab right now.
INIU 10000mAh portable charger is available for $19.99, down from $36.99, but if you sign in to your Walmart account and clip the coupon listed, you can score an extra $8 off, bringing it down to $11.99.
It’s a slim, travel-friendly battery bank that offers 22.5W fast charging through PD 3.0 and QC4+ protocols. I like how compact this one is—definitely one of the easier power banks to keep in a daily carry bag or even a pocket.
It can charge an iPhone from 0% to 65% in around 30 minutes, and you’ll get multiple charges depending on the device. An iPhone 8 will get roughly 3.6 full charges, while AirPods can be charged over 13 times. It comes with a USB-C cable, travel pouch, and a 3-year warranty, which is a rare inclusion at this price point.
If you’re even a little curious about 3D modeling, the Humble Blender Bundle is offering 25 full tutorials for just $18. These courses cover Blender 4.4 fundamentals, geometry nodes, environment design, character modeling, and more, with full compatibility for Unity 6 and Unreal Engine. The total value adds up to $2,767, which makes this one of the best skill-building bundles I’ve seen in a while. Proceeds go to Alzheimer’s Research UK, and the offer is available for the next 16 days.
512GB Samsung PRO Plus microSDXC card + reader is on sale for $29.99, a savings of $39 off the regular $68.99. It includes a USB card reader and offers read speeds up to 180MB/s and write speeds up to 130MB/s.
It's Class 10, V30, and U3 rated, making it suitable for 4K UHD video recording and high-speed file transfers. With a 10-year limited warranty included, I think this is a dependable storage upgrade for devices like cameras, tablets, or handheld consoles (...but not Switch 2).
you’ve ever wanted to drink something that looks like it came straight out of your inventory screen, the Nuka-Cola Quantum 4-pack is now available for preorder at the IGN Store for $34.99. This version cranks up the sour factor with an “Extra Radiation” twist that’s really just berry lemonade with a serious kick.
I think it's a fun, functional collectible conversation starter (andpart sugar rush). Each set includes four twist-top glass bottles in a Fallout 4-inspired carrier box, complete with retro styling and no actual Rads (just cane sugar and citrus). It ships June 2025, which gives you time to plan your next cosplay party or stock up for a long vault stay.
This 4-pack of USB-A male to USB-C female adapters is currently $7.99 at Amazon, down from the typical $9.99. I think this is one of those small purchases that ends up being unexpectedly helpful. If you're still using a mix of USB-A and USB-C ports, these are a clean solution that don’t require extra cables or dongles.
They’re built with aluminum alloy housing, designed to stay plugged in with minimal protrusion, and work with devices like the iPhone 16 series, Apple Watch, AirPods, Nintendo Switch, and Samsung Galaxy S25. Just a heads-up: they’re not meant for video output, but they’re excellent for charging and file transfers. They also come with a 12-month service plan, which adds a little extra peace of mind.
This USB-C cable bundle from LISEN is marked down to $7.99 from $15.96. The set includes two 6.6-foot cables capable of 240W charging with PD 3.1 and QC 4.0 support. That makes them well suited for high-powered laptops like the MacBook Pro M4 or phones like the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
They’re made with a braided nylon exterior and reinforced with steel-armored connectors that have been tested for over 40,000 bends. These also support 480Mbps data transfer, so you're covered for fast file syncing too. I think it’s a strong buy if you’re replacing older cables or want something reliable for travel.
The Flareon sleeping plush is available at Walmart for $29.97. It’s an 18-inch premium plush in a relaxed, sleeping pose, made with soft material and officially licensed by Pokémon.
I think this is an easy pick for fans or collectors, especially since the size makes it good for display as well as cuddling. If you’re looking for a thoughtful gift or just want to add something playful to your space, this one hits the mark.
Preorders are now live for the Ghost of Yōtei Collector’s Edition, priced at $249.99. This is a follow-up set in the Ghost of Tsushima universe and comes with both digital and physical collectibles. Inside the box, you’ll find a wearable Ghost Mask, sash, replica tsuba, papercraft ginkgo tree, art cards, and a traditional Zeni Hajiki coin game.
Digital content includes the full game for PS5, a deluxe armor set, saddle, sword kit, early unlock maps, and other in-game bonuses. With a release date of October 2, I think this one will go fast, especially for fans of the original game.
The IGN Store has launched exclusive merchandise for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The collection includes prints, hoodies, t-shirts, mugs, and other themed gear. Prices start at $15 with a wide range of characters and designs represented.
Humble’s latest bundle features fifteen games and bonuses from id Software, including DOOM Eternal, DOOM 64, and multiple Wolfenstein titles. It also includes a coupon for 10% off DOOM: The Dark Ages. For $28, the value is strong across retro and modern releases, making this a savage deal for FPS fans.
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
Netflix has released a teaser trailer for Squid Game Season 3, and as well as offering a first glimpse at the culmination of the hugely popular show, has sparked a number of fan theories.
Season 3, which launches on Netflix on June 27, is the third and final season of Netflix’s most popular show. It picks up where Season 2 left off, with Gi-hun (Player 456) back in the games and still determined to dismantle them once and for all — despite the harrowing events of the previous season.
It’s time to play the final games 🔴🔵
— Netflix (@netflix) May 5, 2025
Squid Game Season 3 premieres June 27. pic.twitter.com/5ZyZ9HVl2Z
Here’s the official blurb from Netflix:
A failed rebellion, the death of a friend, and a secret betrayal. Picking up in the aftermath of Season 2’s bloody cliffhanger, the third and final season of Netflix’s most popular series finds Gi-hun, a.k.a. Player 456, at his lowest point yet. But the Squid Game stops for no one, so Gi-hun will be forced to make some important choices in the face of overwhelming despair as he and the surviving players are thrust into deadlier games that test everyone’s resolve. With each round, their choices lead to increasingly grave consequences. Meanwhile, In-ho resumes his role as Front Man to welcome the mysterious VIPs, and his brother Jun-ho continues his search for the elusive island, unaware there’s a traitor in their midst. Will Gi-hun make the right decisions, or will Front Man finally break his spirit?
So, what does this teaser trailer tell us? Fans believe that at the 46-second mark we see Player 246, the father of the sick girl in Season 2 (they’re being scanned behind the ear). If true, this would mean Player 246 survived the events of Season 2, during which it looked like they had died.
And if that’s true, perhaps that has implications for Guard 011, who worked at the same theme park as Player 246 before entering the games. Did 011 deliberately miss the kill shot on 246? What is 011’s plan, exactly?
Right at the end of the trailer we hear a baby crying. That may well be Kim Jun-hee's baby. Will Player 222 give birth during the events of Season 3? Fans fear that if so, we could be in for some real tragedy.
We also have new teaser images, below, that have similarly sparked speculation about what to expect from Season 3 in terms of the characters, their votes (if voting happens again), and the fate of their teams. One image shows Park Min-su (Player 125) wearing an O patch instead of an X patch, which suggests at some point in this upcoming season 125 ends up on a different team… again.
Is this the result of a change of heart and an associated change of vote? The teaser trailer shows the characters turning what looks like a gumball machine to find out whether they get a red or blue ball, so it may be the case that the don't have a choice which side they end up on this time around. That could have interesting implications for allies potentially now forced to be enemies.
Elsewhere, the shaman character, Seon-nyeo (Player 044), is seen with a prayer necklace that looks a lot like a key. And in one of the images we see a door shaped like a key hole. Could the two be related? Could this key unlock the door?
Squid Game Season 2 ends on a cliffhanger that sets up Season 3. Be sure to check out our Squid Game Season 2 review to find out what we think of the show.
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.
Pokémon plushies are adorable enough as they are, but the sleeping 18-inch versions like Flareon really add that premium "aw" into your collection.
This snoozing Eeveelution, currently only available at Walmart for $29.97 in the US, uniquely features the Flame Pokémon in a sideways sleeping position.
Made of a super-soft plush material, this is one of the ultimate sleepy Pocket Monsters available for a cuddle whenever you need one. Walmart's stock is region-dependent, so YMMV, but be sure to grab it now if you want this beautiful little owl to sit at your bedside.
There are currently only a few units of this sideways-snoozing Flareon left, so you'd better hurry if you want to grab this rare entry from the latest range of plushies. However, there's also the older Flareon plush available for $55.00, going off to dreamland as well, but being flat on its stomach instead.
Flareon isn't the only sleeping plush available at the megastore either. Walmart has plenty of other plushies available from the sleeping Pokémon range, including the 18-inch versions. For instance, there's the delightful Pikachu for $26.88, Squirtle for $29.97, Jigglypuff for $29.99, and Snorlax for $29.97.
As for the other 18-inch sleeping Pokemon plushies at Walmart though, that's where the prices have started to go up. For example, there are other Eeveelutions like Jolteon & Vaporeon for $55.00 each, Bulbasaur for $39.99, Charmander for $44.98, Totodile for $49.99, and Eevee itself for $69.99.
On the other hand, if you want to grab more tuckered-out Pokemon for your money, there are 5-inch sleeping plushies available as well. You can get the full Kanto starter trio; Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur; for $34.99 in a charming set.
By Jazwares, there's also a four-Pokemon sleeping set with Bulbasaur, Pikachu, Iggybuff, and Rilou for only $19.99. If it's a cheaper Eevee you're after, Walmart also has a Sleeping Eevee Figurine for $15.98. There's even a 5-inch Rowlet — one of the cutest modern Pokemon of them all — for $13.90.
Ben Williams – IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.
The creator of Ecco the Dolphin has revealed that not only are there remakes of the original games underway, but a "third" instalment is also in development.
Revealed via a brief post on Xbox Wire, Ed Annunziata — the original creator of the famed, and fiendishly difficult, action-adventure games — was interviewed about raising awareness about ocean conservation, his life as a developer, and, right at the end, dropped this bombshell revelation:
"Me and the entire original team are going to remaster the original Ecco the Dolphin and Ecco: The Tides of Time games. Then we will make a new, third game with contemporary play and [graphics] sensibilities. Stay tuned."
There is, of course, already a "third" game. As the last mainline Ecco instalment, Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future was released on Dreamcast 25 years ago in 2000. However, creator Annunziata wasn't involved. A further sequel, Ecco 2: Sentinels of the Universe, which had been written as a direct sequel to Defender of the Future, was cancelled.
"I just want to finally be able to enter my secret password from the end of Tides of Time. I still have it written in the codes section of the game manual," wrote one fan, while another reminded us: "I wonder how many people know how completely bonkers the plot of the games are."
Annunziata didn't provide any additional details as to when we'll get to be reunited with Ecco, but a countdown on the official Ecco the Dolphin website is set to expire in 8,508 hours' time — that's about a year from now.
Ecco the Dolphin originally launched in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, and was followed by a sequel, Ecco: The Tides of Time, in 1994. Ecco Jr. and Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt were released in 1995, although they were "edutainment" games and primarily developed as learning tools.
Ecco the Dolphin sees you play as the titular dolphin, as your underwater world has been devastated by a swirling gust of air and water. You must help him navigate back through treacherous tropical reefs and freezing polar ice floes to reunite him with his dolphin pod. We thought the 2000 remake was okay, writing: "Ecco the Dolphin is a classic from SEGA. But sometimes classics should stay in the past.
"For those who have played Ecco before, there's really no reason to come back to it," we wrote of the 2007 remake in IGN's Ecco the Dolphin review. "There are no extras offered and the Achievements are junk. If you've never played Ecco, then you may want to give it a go. It really is one of the more innovative titles of its time. But, again, that time has long passed, and Ecco's gameplay doesn't stand the test of time like Sonic's."
The last Ecco the Dolphin game fared much better, getting a 7.6 score in IGN's Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future review, saying: "If you thought Flipper had personality, wait until you get a load of Ecco the Dolphin. Experience amazing visuals and an engrossing story, and defend the ocean that is rightfully yours."
Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
Nintendo is suing accessory firm Genki for trademark infringement after it shared renders of a Nintendo Switch 2 "mockup" months before Nintendo revealed official images of its new console.
Cast your mind back a couple of months, and you may remember that Genki — the accessories manufacturer at the heart of the Switch 2 mockup furore coming out of CES 2025 in January — was reportedly visited by Nintendo’s lawyers. At the time, however, Genki told the press it did not sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with Nintendo, and so had "nothing to worry about."
Genki told visitors the Switch 2 mockup, debuting three months ahead of Nintendo's formal unveiling, was allegedly based on a real Switch 2 system that Genki had seen and used as the basis for its accessories.
In court papers seen by IGN, Nintendo is now suing the company, accusing Genki of "embarking upon a strategic campaign intended to capitalize on the public interest surrounding Nintendo's next-generation console," suing for trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising.
Nintendo asserted Genki "boasted its alleged early access to the unreleased console and allowed guests to hold and measure the mockups," adding that as Genki’s claims of compatibility "would be impossible to guarantee without unauthorized, illegal early access to the Nintendo Switch 2... Genki has misled and is misleading the public as to its ability to guarantee the compatibility of its products with the Nintendo Switch 2."
"In January 2025, [Genki] began advertising that it gained unauthorised access to Nintendo's upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console, which had not yet been released or even revealed publicly by Nintendo," the court papers said.
"Following its initial claims of access to a genuine Nintendo Switch 2 console, Defendant's statements were contradictory and inconsistent, with Defendant later stating that it was never in possession of a console. Nevertheless, Defendant has since maintained its representation to consumers that its accessories will be compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2 upon the console's release."
The Japanese megacorp also alleged Genki of infringing its trademarks in its advertising and "in direct competition with Nintendo's and its licensee's legitimate marketing of authorized accessories."
Nintendo also took umbrage with a tweet from Genki on January 20, which showed CEO Edward Tsai with a finger to his lips and the caption: "Genki ninjas infiltrate Nintendo Kyoto HQ" and a pop-up on the Genki website that read: "Can you keep a secret? We can’t..."
In recompense, Nintendo seeks to prohibit Genki from using its trademarked "Nintendo Switch" name in its marketing materials, destroy any products or marketing that references Nintendo's branding, and recover unspecified "damages it has sustained as a result of Defendant's infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising, and that said damages be trebled."
Over the weekend, Genki posted a response on social media stating: "You may have seen that Nintendo recently filed a lawsuit against us. We’re taking it seriously and working with legal counsel to respond thoughtfully.
"What we can say is this: Genki has always been an independent company focused on building innovative gaming accessories for the community we love. We’re proud of the work we’ve done, and we stand by the quality and originality of our products. While we can’t comment in detail, we’re continuing preparations to fulfill orders and showcase our newest products at PAX East this week."
The statement closed on thanking people "for the overwhelming support [it has] received so far." "We’ll share more when we can, but for now, we’re staying focused on doing what we do best: building gear for gamers," it concluded.
Nintendo Switch 2 is set to debut on June 5. Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders went live on April 24, with the price still fixed at $449.99 — and they went about as well as you'd expect. Meanwhile, Nintendo has issued a warning to U.S. customers who applied for a Switch 2 pre-order from the My Nintendo Store, saying release date delivery is not guaranteed due to very high demand.
Check out IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide for more.
Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
© Sandfall Interactive
© Sunblink Entertainment
© Nvidia
© 8BitDo
© Bungie
© Pixabay
© Future
The team behind Zelda 64: Recompiled, an unofficial port of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask on PC, has released a new version of it. So, let’s see what Version 1.2 brings to the table. According to the devs, Version 1.2.0 adds modding support to the game. Players can install mods by dragging them onto … Continue reading The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask PC Recomp V1.2 Released →
The post The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask PC Recomp V1.2 Released appeared first on DSOGaming.
As if impressive Steam concurrent player numbers and Bethesda’s own announcement of 4 million players wasn’t enough to cement it as a hit, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is now the third best-selling game of 2025 in the U.S. after just one week on sale.
Oblivion Remastered, which shadow-dropped on April 22, has a peak concurrent player count of 216,784 on Steam. While impressive, that figure doesn’t tell the whole story, given Oblivion Remastered also launched on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, as well as straight into Game Pass.
Now we have a new milestone: after just one week on sale, Oblivion Remastered became the third best-selling game in the U.S. of 2025 so far by dollar sales. That’s according to Circana’s Mat Piscatella, who took to social media to say Oblivion Remastered trails only Monster Hunter: Wilds and Assassin’s Creed: Shadows at the top of the 2025 sales chart.
It's worth pointing out that Circana’s sales charts do not include players via subscription services. So, we know that Oblivion Remastered is a sales hit despite also being available on Microsoft's Game Pass.
With this success, it seems inevitable that more remasters of Bethesda games will follow, with most suggesting either Fallout 3 (it was leaked back in 2023) or Fallout: New Vegas are next.
If either game is indeed next, what should players expect? Bruce Nesmith, one of Fallout 3’s designers, has pointed to Fallout 3’s “not good” gun combat, which he expects Bethesda would improve significantly for a remaster.
Speaking to VideoGamer, Nesmith said Fallout 3 Remastered would have shooting more in-line with that of Fallout 4. “What did you see in Fallout 4? That will tell you what they felt was necessary to change from Fallout 3,” Nesmith said.
“I know in Fallout 4 there was a lot of work done on the gun combat, because Fallout 3 is the first time they ever tried to do a shooter-style game. And, well, I think the work that was done was amazing.”
Oblivion Remastered, developed by remake specialist Virtuos using Unreal Engine 5, has a long list of visual and feature improvements. It runs at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, as you'd expect, but other changes are more meaningful. Everything from the leveling systems to character creation, and combat animations to in-game menus have been improved. Meanwhile, there's lots of new dialogue, a proper third-person view, and new lip sync technology. The changes are going down well with fans, some of whom believe Oblivion Remastered would be more accurately described as a remake. Bethesda, however, has explained why it went down the remaster route.
Nesmith said Fallout 3 Remastered would probably include improvements and changes along similar lines to Oblivion Remastered.
“[Fallout 3 combat] didn’t hold up to shooters at the time,” he said. “Also, it’s an RPG shooter, it’s not a run-and-gun shooter. But a lot of work was done on that for Fallout 4. So I anticipate seeing a lot of that work go into it, assuming they’re doing the same thing.”
“Oblivion wasn’t just brought up to the 2011 version of Skyrim,” he added. “It was brought up to something that, at least on the surface, looks like it exceeds the most recent graphics update in Skyrim.” Nesmith has said The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is so impressive it could be called “Oblivion 2.0.”
It’s a busy time for Bethesda, which is working on The Elder Scrolls VI and, maybe, more Starfield. Throw in remasters and ongoing work on Fallout 76 and the Fallout TV show, which is heading to New Vegas for Season 2, and fans are in for a treat in the coming years.
We've got a comprehensive guide to everything you'll find in Oblivion Remastered, including an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, every PC Cheat Code, and much more.
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.
© Nurphoto via Getty
Amazon is offering a 50% discount off the popular Beats Solo 4 wireless on-ear headphones just in time for Mother's Day, which lands on May 11, Currently all four of the classic colorways - Black & Gold, Cloud Pink, Matte Black, and Slate Blue - are on sale for just $99.99 with free shipping (normally $200). If you're looking for a more unique coloway for mom, Target is also offering 50% off its exclusive Warm White model as well.
The Beats Solo 4 is a very compact and lightweight headphone that can still pack a punch when you need it. It features 40mm drivers, Spatial Audio with Dynamic Head Tracking, Lossless audio via USB Type-C, and up to 50 hours of battery life. The Solo 4 doesn't have built-in active noise cancellation, but the headphone's design keeps the earcups securely on the head, aiding in excellent passive noise isolation. Because Apple owns Beats, the Solo 4 is one of the few headphones that supports seamless integration with iPhones and, unlike AirPods, is a good option for Android users.
We picked the Beats Solo 4 as the best wireless headphones for Apple users. "If you’re not fully in the AirPods camp but want headphones that work seamlessly with your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, the Beats Solo 4 is the way to go. Rather than going with an Apple chip like in previous models, the Solo 4 is powered by Beats' own processor, which supports Google Fast Pair for an easy connection to Android devices as well. But you can still link these headphones to an iCloud account for speedy pairing and auto-switching between Apple devices. However, the spatial audio with head tracking is exclusive to Apple users."
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.
The weather’s cooling down, but these digital deals are heating up across every major platform. Whether you’re nursing a post-payday itch or plotting your next backlog binge, there’s a stack of pixel-packed gems going for a song this week. From cult classics and long-awaited sequels to a few industry oddities, there’s something here to make you equip your wallet.
In retro news, I'm celebrating the 10th anniversary of Project C.A.R.S., a series which, sadly, seems to have put the hazards on and parked. It began here as a serious, deep, and demanding racing sim for motorsport purists. It bore no pop punk soundtrack, or explosive takedowns, or generous rewinds. Slightly Mad Studios just set out to capture the experience of manhandling a real racing car around the world’s most famous racing circuits, and mostly succeeded.
- EVE Online (PC) 2003. Get
- Project CARS (PC,PS4,XO) 2015. Get
Contents
Nintendo fans can dive into Persona 5 Royal, the definitive version of Atlus’ stylish life-sim-meets-dungeon-crawler. Fun fact: the original localisation team used colour-coded fonts to match each character's personality. Or for retro thrills, the Turok Trilogy resurrects the cult dinosaur shooter series with a hero who actually started in comics way back in 1954 (!!!).
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Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.
Over on Xbox Series X, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time delivers brutal platforming and a meta twist—it jokes about how many sequels it’s ignoring. Meanwhile, Star Wars Outlaws offers a rare non-Jedi perspective, and was co-developed by Massive, the team behind The Division.
Xbox One
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PS5 owners can grab the underrated Yakuza Remastered Collection, a series which began life as a way to market games to Japanese adults. Or jet across zones in Sonic Frontiers, which originally started life as an anniversary game before going full open-world.
PS4
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And for PC folk, it’s hard to ignore Disco Elysium – The Final Cut at just A$14, a game so dense, its dialogue file is longer than The Lord of the Rings. Or revisit the doomed lands of Lothric in Dark Souls III, where the dev team intentionally designed enemy placement to mislead veteran players.
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Or just get a Steam Wallet Card
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Audiophilia for less
Do right by your console, upgrade your telly
Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays practically everything, often on YouTube.
Spoilers follow for Thunderbolts.
Some MCU fans had assumed that Marvel’s Thunderbolts – which you may have heard is now Marvel’s The New Avengers – would kill off at least a few of its (seemingly) mostly disposable team of anti-heroes. But when the “directors chair” Avengers: Doomsday announcement in March revealed the metric ton of characters who are returning for that film included most of the Thunderbolts, the fan theories were forced to go in another direction. Still, one character was conspicuous by their absence in that reveal: Olga Kurylenko’s Antonia Dreykov, aka Taskmaster.
Around the same time, the ever-watchful fans also kind of figured out that Taskmaster was doomed due to her disappearance from key moments in the trailers. And indeed, the character is in fact unceremoniously killed off early on in Thunderbolts/The New Avengers.
The thing is, according to the film’s co-writer Eric Pearson, Taskmaster was originally intended to have a much bigger part in the movie. And she was meant to have an important connection to fellow team member Hannah John-Kamen’s Ava Starr/Ghost too.
“That's one of the biggest changes from my final draft, because in the last version that I did, [Taskmaster] lived out the whole movie and there was a pretty big subplot of her and Ava connecting as two characters that were raised in labs and being controlled by other people,” explains Pearson.
It makes sense considering Ghost’s Ant-Man and the Wasp backstory is one of secret experimentation and forced acts of violence. “Ava having earned her autonomy a little bit earlier, Antonia was big-sistering her a little bit through the movie,” says the writer.
But the nature of the MCU movie factory – and big-budget blockbusters in general, really – means that Pearson eventually moved on to other projects, particularly with the delays in production on Thunderbolts caused by the Hollywood strikes. And so other writers continued work on the film, including his credited co-writer Joanna Calo.
“When I came back and watched the first cut, that was the biggest shock to me,” recalls Pearson. “Everything else was in the same place, but I was like, ‘Oh my God, you guys just killed the Taskmaster right there.’ So being able to not know what's coming and feel that shock, I understood why they did it, but yeah.”
Pearson says that even though he was surprised by the character’s fate, he understands why the changes to the script were made. (“The journey was even more emotional than I expected it to be,” he says. “I was just thrilled.”) He also confirms that most of the additional material he wrote about Taskmaster was never actually filmed. There was, however, a version of the elevator shaft scene that was different from the one in the finished film where John Walker tries to jump up to escape the shaft. In his script, the scene involved Taskmaster.
“I think they shot it with actually Ava doing the Taskmaster role,” he recalls. “Taskmaster was supposed to pull the bow and arrow [out] and shoot a grappling hook straight up. … And the idea that they all just stand there and look, waiting for the thing to cling, to stick in, and then one of them notices that the rope is coiling up and the thing is coming back down and they all just panic and have to run around like headless chickens because they know this arrow is coming down and they don't know where. And it sticks right in the middle of them. I loved that moment. I missed it, but I can't complain. The movie is spiritually everything that I wanted it to be.”
What do you think? Would Thunderbolts/The New Avengers have been better if Taskmaster hadn’t been killed off so early in the story? Vote in our poll and let’s discuss in the comments.
Here's a rare chance to pick up a well-sized OLED TV at an affordable price and from a trusted retailer. Starting this week, Amazon has discounted the 2024 65" Panasonic Z85 4K OLED Smart TV with Amazon Fire TV for just $999.99 with free delivery. This is an excellent TV to pair up with your PlayStation 5 since it has HDMI 2.1 inputs and a 120Hz refresh rate.
The Panasonic Z85 TV uses a W-OLED panel so image quality is comparable to the Samsung S85C/D/F, Sony Bravia 8/A80, and LG B4/B3 models. Since this is a true OLED panel, the Z85 boasts near instantaneous response time, near infinite contrast ratio, and true blacks. It's superior to any other panel type in nearly every scenario except for one: super bright rooms with no light control (OLEDs aren't as bright as Mini LED or LED LCD TVs).
The Z85 is an excellent future-proof gaming TV because it has a native 120Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 ports. That means it is capable of running games in 4K at up to 120fps on both the PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles. It's a great TV for the upcoming Switch 2 as well, since the console is locked at 60fps when running games in 4K. The Z85 also has other convenient gaming features like variable refresh rate and auto low latency mode.
This is the best price I can find for a brand new 65" OLED TV with a full warranty. Panasonic is a well-known brand with a solid TV history. Although they had been out of the game for a while, they've recently returned, targeting the higher-end market with Mini-LED and OLED offerings.
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.
Not everyone is the DIY type. If you're in the market for a prebuilt gaming PC, Dell is one of the best brands we'd recommend. Alienware desktops and laptops feature solid build quality, top-of-the-line gaming performance, excellent cooling (further improved on the newer models), aggressive styling, and pricing that is very competitive with other pre-built options. Best of all, there are plenty of sales that happen throughout the year, so it's not difficult to grab one of these computers at considerably less than their retail price. This page includes all of the best deals that are currently available.
You can quickly browse through all of the listed products on sale above. See below for our favorite picks.
Dell has one of the best prices on an RTX 5080 equipped prebuilt desktop computer. Right now you can pick up an Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 5080 gaming PC starting at $2,349.99 shipped. This is a good price for a well-engineered (and warrantied) rig that can handle 4K gaming at high frame rates. In the current market, buying a prebuilt gaming PC is the only way to score an RTX 5080 GPU without paying an exorbitant markup. If you were to try to find a 5080 GPU for your diy PC build, you'll probably spend nearly as much for the GPU as you would for an entire system.
Earlier this year, Dell rebooted the legendary Alienware Area-51 lineup of prebuilt gaming PCs, but until recently you could only configure it with one graphics card option - the RTX 5080. That's no longer the case since now you can select the GeForce RTX 5090 GPU, which is the most powerful graphics card on the market.
In our Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 review, Jackie Thomas wrote that "The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 is complicated. It does what it says on the tin: play games at 1440p at a high frame rate. But the problem is that it doesn’t necessarily do that better than the RTX 4070 Super, or any other graphics card in this price range. It does add Multi Frame Generation, which is nice to have for anyone with a high-refresh monitor, but that alone isn’t worth the upgrade."
Alienware's new flagship gaming laptop - the Alienware Area-51 - was released earlier this year. It replaces the m-series laptop and bring to the table a host of upgrades including a sleeker redesign, current generation components, and better cooling potential. They can be equipped with the new Nvidia GeForce Blackwell cards in RTX 5070, 5080, and 5090 variants.
The Alienware x16 gaming laptop is a slimmer and lighter redesign of the traditional m-series laptop. It's the thinnest 16" Alienware laptop ever and compares in build quality and performance to other high-end ultra-thin laptops like the Razer Blade. This Alienware x16 R2 laptop is built with premium materials, like a magnesium alloy chassis and palm rest, anodized aluminum lid, stainless steel keyboard tray, and Micro LED RGB accent lighting. It's only 0.73" thin and weighs in at 6 pounds. That's impressive considering the fact that this laptop can be equipped with the most power NVIDIA GPU.
There are two important tidbits that deserve mention concerning graphics cards found in laptops. First, mobile GPU variants are not as powerful as their desktop counterparts. For example, a mobile RTX 4060 doesn't perform as well as a desktop RTX 4060. The mobile versions are generally about one to two tiers lower in performance. Using the same example, the mobile RTX 4060 performs more similarly to a desktop RTX 4050.
Second, not all laptops feature the same performance out of the same GPU. For example, the RTX 4060 found in the Alienware m16 will be more powerful than the RTX 4060 found in the Alienware x14. In order to roughly tell how good a GPU will be, you can look at the TGP rating. That's basically the amount of power supplied to the GPU. A higher TGP rating means more power will be delivered, equating to stronger performance, however the wattage consumption and heat generated will be higher. Here are the maximum TGP rates for the RTX 40 series graphics cards:
Dell just dropped the price of one of its best gaming monitors to the lowest price ever, better than even Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Right now you can pick up an Alienware AW3423DWF 34" QD-OLED gaming monitor for only $552.49 after 15% off coupon code "MONITORS15". This is one of Alienware's highest end monitors, with a gorgeous QD OLED panel, WQHD resolution, and a respectable 165Hz refresh rate.
The best Alienware high-end gaming monitor deal just got even better is on sale for this week. The 32" Alienware AW3225QF 4K QD OLED gaming monitor has just dropped to $899.99 with free shipping after a $300 off instant discount. If you're looking for the best 4K gaming monitor, this should definitely be on your short list.
If you're in the market for a prebuilt gaming PC, Dell is one of best gaming brands we'd recommend. The Alienware gaming desktops offer a staggering array of options, all built into a custom chassis. Alienware gaming laptops in recent years have been redesigned to be thinner and lighter while still offering the same immense power under the hood. Consistent build quality, available inventory, frequent sales, and solid customer service are the main reasons why Dell is at the top of our buying list for gaming laptops and PCs.
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.
Ahead of Mother's Day, which lands on May 11, Amazon has dropped the price of the Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro) to $399 shipped. That's a $100 price drop for the newest Mini. If you're looking for a pocketable, the iPad Mini will be your best pick; because of its compact size, there's no better iPad to take along when you're travelling.
The iPad Mini may be the most diminutive tablet of the bunch, but that doesn't mean it's hindered in any way. In fact, the iPad Mini has a more powerful processor than the standard iPad and a sharper display (326ppi vs 264ppi) with wide color gamut. The newest iPad Mini was released on October of 2024 and features some pretty significant improvements over its predecessor, including a more powerful A17 Pro processor, double the base storage, Wi-Fi 6e, a USB Type-C port, compatibility with the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), and Apple Intelligence support.
If you're not sure which iPad is best for you, we have an iPad guide which details which iPad is ideal for which use case. If you intend want to get an iPad for schoolwork, we have an iPad guide for students as well. If you're looking for options outside of iOS, check out the best Android tablets of 2025.
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.
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© Warhorse Studios
HP is offering the lowest price we've seen for an RTX 5080 equipped gaming laptop with its new 2025 Omen Max 16. Right now you can pick up a pretty decked out model for just $2,609.99 shipped after you apply coupon code "PC10DEAL". This is the only RTX 5080 laptop I've found so far for under $3,000. The Omen Max is HP's new gaming laptop that replaces the now discontinued HP Omen 16. It is upgraded with a beefier cooling system to accommodate more powerful hardware.
Follow these directions to get the config I mention:
The HP Omen Max 16 is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, which boasts a max turbo frequency of 5.4GHz with 24 cores and 40MB total L2 cache. According to Passmark, this is the fastest laptop processor on the market, with a healthy 7% lead over the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D.
According to Tom's Hardware, the RTX 5080 mobile GPU is roughly 15%-20% more powerful than the RTX 4080 mobile GPU that it replaces. It also happens to be about 5% more powerful than the RTX 4090, which was the previous generation's flagship card. The RTX 5080 appears to be a better value than the much pricier RTX 5090 as well. It only lags by about 15% despite being nearly $1,000 cheaper. Since the Alienware Area-51 uses a QHD+ (2560x1600) instead of 4K display, this GPU should be able to run new and upcoming games at high framerates, quadruply so if DLSS 4 is supported.
Razer's new 2025 lineup of Razer Blade 16 and Razer Blade 18 gaming laptops, which are currently exclusively available only at Razer.com and Razer stores, are now shipping. Prices for the Razer Blade 16 start at $2,999.99 for the RTX 5070 Ti configuration, $3,499.99 for the RTX 5080 configuration, and $4,499.99 for the RTX 5090 configuration.
Razer Blade laptops are well known for their impeccable build quality. The chassis is built from a single piece of aluminum and is designed to be exceptionally thin and light for a gaming laptop. In order to get away with the svelte form factor, Razer employs its own proprietary cooling design, which incorporates a vacuum-sealed, liquid-filled, copper vapor chamber to effectively whisk away the heat. Much like Apple MacBook Pros, a lot of engineering goes into a Razer Blade laptop, which is why they command a premium price compared to other mainstream brands.
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.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is coming out incredibly soon, and while we know a lot about it, its steep $449.99 price tag and $79.99 games make me less likely to invest than expected. After all, I’ve barely used my Nintendo Switch since getting an Asus ROG Ally, and my problems with the original console are only exacerbated in its successor, especially in a post-handheld gaming PCs world.
I’ve been a handheld gamer since childhood, having jumped between the Game Boy, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable. It's still my favorite way to play games, as there’s nothing cozier than snuggling beneath a layer of blankets and playing from the comfort of my bed. I was even among the painfully few PlayStation Vita believers, and played it during my college train commute every day.
The Nintendo Switch blew my mind in 2017, yet even though I bought mine close to launch, I only used it for exclusives. Playing on PC isn’t comfortable, so when a game seemed mechanically or graphically suited for handheld, I wanted it on the Switch. Those games entered a mental drawer in my head labeled “Reserved for handheld,” and it’s as if my brain was incapable of letting me play them elsewhere.
But if that game was available for free on Epic Games Store, Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, or Humble Choice, I felt guilty repurchasing it on Nintendo Switch. It didn’t help that Switch games are notoriously less likely to receive discounts, and when they do, they’re nowhere near as steep as on other storefronts. This painful cycle of “Why waste money on a game I already own” into “I want to play this on a handheld” yielded the same result every time: I wouldn’t play the game at all.
The launch of the Asus ROG Ally in 2023 broke my curse. It’s a handheld gaming PC that runs on Windows 11, so it has access to Steam, Game Pass, Epic Games, and more. Those games I’d never play on PC due to discomfort could now be enjoyed from the comfort of my own bed.
Nowadays, I play a treasure trove of indie games on my Ally, and I’m still catching up on my backlog. If it wasn’t for the Ally, I would’ve never played Celeste, Little Nightmares II, or Resident Evil Remake. Those are now amongst my favorite games ever, and I didn’t need to spend additional money on any of them, whereas I would have had to repurchase them on Switch. The Ally has become my go-to handheld of choice and has saved me tons of money.
Regardless, I was still excited for the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement, as Nintendo games hold a special place in my heart. But after the Switch 2 Direct, I’m uncertain where the console fits in my life anymore.
When the original Switch launched, it held significance beyond exclusives. The versatility of its design and lower price of entry compared to the competition made it an excellent ecosystem to get into. It was the only viable handheld at the time: It was cheap, had great exclusives, and nothing else like it existed.
Priced at $449 (to start), the Nintendo Switch 2 finds itself in competitive waters. That launch price brings it close to the $499 PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. In fact, the PS5 technically launched cheaper with its $399 digital edition. What’s worse, in the last eight years since the Switch’s launch, its design has inspired competition. Steam Deck started the trend in 2022, but manufacturers have released handheld gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw. There are even rumors that Xbox is working on its own handheld. Switch 2 is no longer one-of-a-kind, and it’s only a great investment if you don’t already own another handheld, and I do.
Handheld gaming PCs have powerful hardware, and are more than capable of playing indies and third-party games. With a far larger library, and the ability to access all of the games you already own, it’s an excellent place for everything. The chipsets powering handheld gaming PCs are only getting better with time, too. The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme is waiting to be implemented into something powerful, and it won’t take long before Switch 2 finds itself outmatched by the competition.
Handheld gaming PC owners who want to play new Nintendo exclusives are faced with a steep price of entry and the promise of little use. If a machine like the Asus ROG Ally is more than capable of playing everything from third-parties to indies, then handheld gaming PC owners investing in a Switch 2 are only going to use it for first-party games.
The high price of exclusives makes the Switch 2 an even more painful endeavor, with Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza launching at $79.99 and $69.99 respectively. Considering Nintendo Switch games, especially first-party games, are rarely discounted, it’s hard to get excited about the prospect of having to buy them.
To be fair, there is plenty of value to be found in Nintendo exclusives. The company is responsible for some of the greatest games in history, and for many, there will be plenty of Switch 2 games over the next few years to make the system worth its high price. But for handheld gaming PC owners like me, we just need a little more.
The Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t a worthwhile investment for everyone, especially if you already have a handheld gaming PC. Systems like the Legion Go deliver excellent performance, and an enormous library of indie and third-party games. My Asus ROG Ally does everything I used to need a Switch for, and with a wide range of storefronts available, it’s just a better place to play games.
Claire finds joy in impassioned ramblings about her closeness to video games. She has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Media Studies from Brooklyn College and seven years of experience in entertainment journalism. Claire is a stalwart defender of games as an artform and spends most days overwhelmed with excitement for its past, present and future. When she isn't writing or playing Dark Souls, she can be found eating chicken fettuccine alfredo and gushing about handheld gaming PCs.
A great laptop allows you to take high-quality computing on the go. That's an appealing prospect no matter what kind of user you are, but there's a breathtaking amount of options to choose from. For many of us, a versatile all-arounder like my top pick, the MacBook Air, is going to be all you need. Or, if you're a student that's interested in blending portability with performance and a dash of entertainment on the side, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, may be a better pick. I review laptops for a living, so whether you're looking for something to enhance your workday, carry to classes, or something to play the latest games at high settings, I'm here to help you cut through the noise and find the right pick for you. These are the best laptops of 2025.
Laptops come in many different forms and have designs that cater to a wide range of needs. The best seamlessly integrate into your day without constantly reminding you that you're carrying them. They offer great battery life and performance that won't leave you disappointed after making such a large investment.
No matter what you're looking for, I've done the testing to make sure you get the best value, and best performance, for your money.
Apple's MacBook may just be the most ubiquitous laptop of all time, and year after year, it earns top marks for performance, portability, and battery life. This year, the company released its latest iteration on the ultra-portable MacBook Air, featuring its latest and most powerful processor, the M4. This new chip powers the experience, allowing users to do everything from crank out projects for work or school to creative work, and it does these things faster, using less battery than competing Windows laptops around its price.
All of the most appealing qualities of the MacBook Air line make their return here. We once again see Apple challenge convention by offering reliably great performance and battery life in such a thin and light body. Apple even managed to shave a smidge of weight off of this year's release even while improving its capability. It only weighs 2.7lbs, too, making it almost effortless to carry.
As we've come to expect from Apple, the Air is all about evolutional refinement. In her review, our own Jackie Thomas dubbed it an "oldie but a goodie" in the most loving way possible. It has the same fanless internal design that relies entirely on passive cooling (in part through its metal frame). This allows it to run completely silently while also adopting a clean aesthetic, unbroken by fan vents.
This does mean that it won't compete with the MacBook Pro in the kind of performance it's able to put out, which does have active cooling, but you wouldn't expect it to. The MacBook Air is about being a daily companion and all the computer that you'll need this side of being a creative professional or gamer.
That doesn't mean it's a slouch in the performance department. The prior M3 MacBook Air, released in March of last year, already offered impressive performance in benchmarks and real world use, and the M4 chip is a step ahead by roughly 20%. Groundbreaking? No, but it does mean that the MacBook Air can handle just about anything you might throw at it on an average day.
Like many of its other qualities, the display is very similar to its predecessor, but that's not a bad thing. While I would have loved to see an upgrade, it's 13- or 15-inch screen offers a 2560x1664 resolution which translates to high pixel density and a crisp, color-rich image – another point Jackie loved.
On the flip side of things, it offers limited connectivity. Sad as it is to say, it's one of the things you just have to accept with the MacBook Air series, at least so far. (It's never too late to change, Apple!) It offers two USB Type-C ports on the left, a MagSafe connector, and a headphone jack on the opposite side. If you have lots of accessories to connect, you'll need to invest in a dock.
The MacBook Air so nails the basics of being silent, satisfying, and delightfully responsive, that it truly begins to feel like a natural part of your daily life. It's no good for gaming, sure, but as a daily driver, it's the best choice for most people.
The Asus VivoBook S 15 has a temptingly low entry point for all that it offers. Beginning well below $1,000, this laptop offers many of the same benefits of the ZenBook S 16 featured later in this list. Its screen is fantastic, and its thin and light design makes it easy to slip into a bag and carry throughout the day. Just as importantly, you're not sacrificing performance for its cost.
Asus's VivoBook line is all about balancing value with accessible pricing. Looking at its overall design and spec sheet, it's clear to see the shared DNA between this year's VivoBooks and ZenBooks. While the latter has a lot to offer, there's no mistaking that you're paying extra for its more elegant design. If you don't mind losing a few frills and still getting a good-looking, high-performing laptop, the S 15 might just be the budget laptop you've been waiting for.
Coming in at just over 3lbs, it's the kind of laptop you can easily slide into a bag and forget it's there. Since it is only a touch over a half-inch at its thickest point, you won't have to worry about it taking up a lot of space in your bag.
It's not all about form factor, though. The S 15 comes with 16GB of fast LPDDR5X RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD. It's powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P processor, which expertly blends power efficiency with performance.
At this price, you would expect it to skimp on its screen, but Asus has done anything but. The VivoBook comes with a gorgeous high-resolution OLED touchscreen display. It runs at 120Hz for smooth animations and scrolling long websites and has an ultra-crisp 2880x1620 resolution. All of this culminates in outstanding picture quality for productivity and entertainment alike.
I've been testing this laptop in preparation for a full review and have been impressed that it's able to offer more than 16 hours of battery life in normal use. Used intermittently, I've been able to get away with charging only twice a week instead of nightly like most Intel and AMD laptops that I've tested.
That's the benefit of the Snapdragon processor, but it also comes with a drawback: app compatibility. It uses a fundamentally different architecture, which means that app support isn't a given. Granted, it's been out long enough that most major productivity and creative apps should work fine, but it's worth taking a look at the Windows on ARM compatibility list to ensure that it will work for the actual applications you'll be using.
As long as it checks that box, this is a great value that's bound to impress most people.
This year's Razer Blade 16 is easily the best laptop the company has ever released, and I don't say that lightly. That's because it blends fantastic performance with a form factor that's more thin and light than what was previously possible. It features the latest Nvidia graphics and a powerful AMD Ryzen CPU. In sheer fps, it's not the most powerful, but when viewed as a whole package, it's nothing short of outstanding.
The Razer Blade 16 is a premium laptop in every way. It comes with a fully aluminum chassis that's been CNC milled to create its form, offering improved durability while still keeping the overall weight reasonable at only 4.7 lbs. It's lighter than you would expect a high-performance gaming laptop to be, and paradoxically, it's nowhere near the loudest either.
In my review, I was incredibly impressed at how well-balanced the system is. Running an RTX 5090, it opens the door to gaming at ultra settings, but its thinner, lighter design made it much nicer to actually use than the vast majority of other gaming laptops I've tested, despite trading some performance to get there.
To pull off its form factor, Razer decided to limit the wattage of its graphics card. Given the high price of the laptop, it's easy to be dismayed by this. Indeed, if you're looking for the highest possible fps and don't care as much about portability, this probably isn't the laptop for you. But make no mistake: At this laptop's native resolution, it's beastly.
Which brings me to its other high point in its display. The Blade 16 uses a 16-inch, 2560x1600 OLED screen. Razer could have gone for 4K here, and on paper, that may have even been better. In practice, however, its RTX 5090 is much better suited to driving 1,600p at triple-digit frame rates without needing to lower many, if any, settings in many games. Its screen is also able to clock all the way to 240Hz, so you can enjoy exceptional responsiveness and motion clarity in the process.
The overarching impression it leaves is extraordinary. It might lag a few fps behind the heavier, louder competition, but the balance of design features and performance Razer went with simply makes it a much better laptop. I didn't find myself missing that handful of extra frames. If you can afford it, the Razer Blade 16 is the best gaming laptop overall so far this year.
For productivity, portability, and even some light gaming, the Asus ZenBook S 16 is one of my all-time favorites. Between its spacious 16-inch OLED touchscreen, elegant and overtly premium design, solid battery life, and impressive performance, it should be high on your consideration list as your next laptop for work.
Compared to the majority of productivity laptops, the ZenBook S 16's screen is ever so slightly larger and uses a 16:10 aspect ratio to maximize its space. This is perfect for work because it can simply fit more on the screen, whether that's to benefit you hammering out a report or a colleague that you're showing a presentation to. It's also a touch screen for intuitive navigation in either of these tasks, allowing you to easily integrate it into your workflow or enhance what you're already doing.
When I reviewed this system, I couldn't help but make comparisons to Apple's MacBook lineup. In fact, it's pretty obvious that Asus is courting the same aesthetic with some unique and elegant touches of its own, like the durable and stylish Ceraluminum lid. This new material has the appearance of ceramic but actually blends that material with aluminum alloy to create a robust, fingerprint-resistant finish. Open it up, and you'll find a large vented area above the keyboard milled with more than 1,000 individual holes that frankly make the laptop look more expensive than it actually is.
Inside, it's running AMD's Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU. It's a high-performance AI-enabled processor with 12 cores and 24 threads to easily handle demanding tasks and multitasking. While it's not quite as powerful as Apple's M3 or M4 chips, it's more than capable for the vast majority of tasks, including video editing. It's also fairly power efficient, offering around 15 hours of usable life between recharges.
As an added bonus, it's also capable of some light gaming, so long as you're willing to lower the settings or play at 1,200p resolution. The HX 370 processor is the same chip driving the majority of Windows gaming handhelds available at the time of this writing. It still won't compete with a dedicated gaming laptop like the Razer Blade 16, but it's nice to know that you'll be able to load up and play some games without needing to rely on the cloud for the privilege.
It's a great laptop overall, but it does have one drawback worth keeping in mind. After it's been running intensive tasks for a while, it can become quite warm. Some users have found that it's best to use it on a desk or with a laptop cooler to avoid that heat making its way to your legs. I didn't hit this point myself, but if you're sensitive to warmth or live in a warmer climate, it's worth considering. That said, in day-to-day productivity use that you'll typically be engaging with, this isn't a big concern. It's only when the S16 is running in its highest performance mode and processing demanding tasks over time.
Until I was forced to trade it out, this was my personal daily driver due to its great balance of form factor and performance. For work, there's little it can't do.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is the best laptop for students for a multitude of reasons, but the biggest among them are its versatility and ability to deliver a great experience in a range of different situations. It's able to blend handwritten note-taking, deep work in productivity applications like Office and Google Drive, and entertainment for when the day is done, all into one compact, exceptionally portable package.
This year's Surface Pro is an impressive reinvention of Microsoft's 2-in-1 tablet PC. As I remarked in my review, the company always seemed to sacrifice performance in exchange for the form factor with the Surface line. That's just not the case any longer. The Surface Pro 11 is a high-performance PC with solid battery life, a great screen, and the ability to transform for the different facets of student life.
Inside this laptop is running your choice of a Snapdragon X Plus or Snapdragon X Elite processor. Like the Asus VivoBook S 15 above, its use here results in a responsive experience that didn't lag or stutter throughout my entire testing period – at least with the X Elite version, which I definitely recommend choosing if your budget can stretch that far.
While I'm confident that the Snapdragon X Plus will also offer satisfyingly responsive performance, based on my experience with the chip in other laptops, opting for the Snapdragon X Elite also gets you an upgraded OLED touchscreen display with a crisp resolution of 2880x1920.
For entertainment and even just general viewing, it's a big upgrade. Both versions of the Surface have similar specs on the screen. So even if you go for the LCD variant, you can count on crisp visuals, 500 nits of brightness, and a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth motion. The infinite blacks of the OLED, like the more expensive variant, offer much better contrast, dynamic range, and more vivid colors. If you plan on watching movies or shows on this laptop, it offers a significantly better viewing experience that I really enjoyed.
It's worth noting that by default, the Surface Pro only comes with the tablet and doesn't include its keyboard folio case or Surface Pen. These do add significantly onto its price. But if you'd rather not spend as much, you can easily pick up a third-party keyboard case and stylus. If you do opt for the official accessories, you can count on a satisfyingly integrated experience. The keyboard case connects magnetically with a reassuring snap and stays in place well. It also includes a compartment to hold and charge the Surface Pen, so both are always ready to go.
Like the other recommendations on this list that use Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors, app compatibility is a concern, and you'll want to double-check that the programs you use are compatible. For academic and creative use, it's not likely to be an issue, however, as app support has continually been on the up-and-up since its launch last year. At this point, it seems like the vast majority of common apps, even across specific fields, are reported to be working well. It's not Windows, though, so verify your apps before pulling the trigger.
If you're a college student, you probably want to play games every now and again too. Since this tablet is coming directly from Microsoft, you can count on easy compatibility with Xbox Cloud Gaming. In my testing, Nvidia GeForce Now also worked well. Running games locally on the Surface Pro is usually disappointing, if the games open at all, but streaming is a viable alternative if your internet can support it.
Microsoft really aimed to impress with this generation's Surface Pro 11 and stuck the landing. It's a great choice for any student that needs a versatile laptop that can last a whole day of learning and still be ready for fun at home or in the dorm.
Shopping for a new laptop can be a complicated affair if you don't know what you're looking for. Thankfully, there are key specs that can clue you in to whether or not a laptop is prepared to meet your needs. This is what to look for when choosing one of the best laptops in 2025.
While each of these questions stand on their own, they can also be addressed together when looking at which laptop is best for work or school. The things you're going to be looking for are mostly the same. You don't need to spend extra on a laptop with a dedicated GPU unless you're doing art or rendering as part of your job or curriculum. Instead, I recommend focusing on at least an 8-core processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. Spend more on additional RAM and storage as your budget allows.
For gaming, things get a bit more complicated. While I would still recommend the same base specs for an entry-level gaming laptop, you'll want to consider laptops with a dedicated GPU if you want to turn graphics settings up. While it's possible to play games on laptops with an integrated graphics card, dedicated GPUs simply perform better and give you more room for better visuals and higher resolutions.
This can happen for a number of different reasons. Depending on the specs of your laptop, it's possible that its hardware is no longer up to the requirements of modern Windows and applications. If that's not the case, you should look into dust buildup in the vents and fans, as heat will cause your system to throttle, lowering performance. As a rule, it's important to remember that laptops often have a lower usable lifespan than full-size desktops due to their form factor.
If you're looking for a gaming computer that you can easily take with you on the go, a laptop is a no-brainer. But if you only intend to play games at home, a desktop is probably a better choice. The portability of a laptop often comes at a higher price compared to a similarly specced desktop. Additionally, laptop hardware, even if it has a very similar name – as is the case with laptop graphics cards – often does not run as fast as the desktop version of that component. In the end, the choice comes down to how much you need a portable system versus one that can remain in a single place at home and take up more space.
Christopher Coke has been a regular contributor to IGN since 2019 and has been covering games and technology since 2013. He has covered tech ranging from gaming controllers to graphics cards, gaming chairs and gaming monitors, headphones, IEMs, and more for sites such as MMORPG.com, Tom’s Hardware, Popular Science, USA Today’s Reviewed, and Popular Mechanics. Find Chris on Twitter @gamebynight.
The LEGO Mario Kart: Mario & Standard Kart, available for preorder right now, is a build that everyone can love. Casual builders will appreciate its bright primary colors and its big, chunky parts, which make for a surefire crowd-pleaser. Experienced LEGO builders will appreciate the intricacy of the Kart's construction and the absence of stickers; every piece of visual flair is printed directly onto the bricks themselves.
The new set's long, official name – LEGO Mario Kart: Mario & Standard Kart – denotes that LEGO Mario Kart is a subgenre under the larger LEGO Mario banner. By that logic, can we hope for more Kart sets of this size and scope? Yes, there are playset-scaled Kart sets (see at Amazon). But surely, there's an audience for a large Luigi in a Sports Coupe or a large Princess Peach on a Cat Cruiser.
Divided across 17 bags, Mario & Standard Kart is two separate builds. The first build is the Standard Kart. You construct a LEGO Technic mesh, held together by pins and reinforced by bricks, to form the Kart's floorboard. Then you attach the individual parts of the body shell via rods and clamps, including its rockets/exhaust pipes, its side panels, and its steering mechanism, which also forms the Kart's front exterior.
The steering mechanism deserves special mention because of how it marries form to function. One end fastens to the front of the set via clamps, and then you 'fold' it onto the hood, as if it were a storm door on a hinge. You rig it so that when you turn the steering wheel, the front wheels also turn accordingly.
The Kart construction process is more involved and detail-oriented than you might think. The build looks simple, but it takes a lot of tiny, little steps to create that big cumulative effect. It's a delightful contradiction that the build manages to look sophisticated – like labor went into its creation – despite its inherent childishness and whimsy.
Once you're done with the Kart, you build Mario, whose construction follows the same general procedure as The Mighty Bowser's from three years ago. First, you build the torso, with ball-and-socket connections at its extremities. Then you build two legs, which attach at the bottom. Then two arms, which you attach at the sides. And finally, the head and hat, which you attach at the top. Interestingly, the hat is the most complex part of the Mario build; you attach two separate, smaller builds to the top of Mario's head to create its signature, bent appearance.
Mario is ubiquitous, but building him meant that I also had to flesh out his smaller, less iconic details – the hair sticking out from under his hat, the marking on his gloves, the rolled up cuffs on his jeans. My 10-year-old son and I love building jigsaw puzzles together, and whenever we put together a famous painting, we notice colors and brushstrokes that we wouldn't otherwise notice or appreciate. That's what it's like to build Mario out of LEGO – you see little things that contribute to the whole, even if they don't stand out on their own.
Unfortunately, Mario is not separable from the Kart. He has no butt; his torso anchors directly onto a gray plate, which in turn attaches to the Kart seat. It is both frustrating and understandable why LEGO did this. A solo Mario build, with fully articulable limbs, would sell like hotcakes, and LEGO and Nintendo wouldn't give it away so easily.
No doubt, thousands of LEGO fans will figure out a way to modify this model and make it stand independently of the Kart. But for now, there is no official way to make this happen. Maybe it would be a good DIY project for a rainy weekend?
Regardless, the final result looks fantastic. The Kart mounts on a buildable stand, which you can tilt upwards or downwards and rotate 360 degrees. This gives you some flexibility; you can pose the Kart any way you wish, whether going uphill, or going downhill, or sliding into a banked turn. I pose my Mario by having him grip the steering wheel with his left hand and pump the air with his right hand. You can almost hear the "Whoo-hoo!"
If this is the direction LEGO's heading? I'm all for it. Two of the most impressive LEGO sets from the past three years have been Mario-themed. The Mighty Bowser debuted in 2022. The Piranha Plant debuted in 2003. The Mario & Standard Kart reaches that same high standard by balancing build quality with visual presentation. And the more big replicas of Mario iconography that we get, the better.
LEGO Mario Kart: Mario & Standard Kart, Set #72037, retails for $169.99, and it is composed of 1972 pieces. It will launch exclusively at the LEGO Store on May 15. Preorder now.
Kevin Wong is a contributing freelancer for IGN, specializing in LEGO. He's also been published in Complex, Engadget, Gamespot, Kotaku, and more. Follow him on Twitter at @kevinjameswong.
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