The CEO of Take-Two Interactive has denied ongoing rumors that Grand Theft Auto 6 will be a digital-only release upon its initial launch.

This comes from Variety, which spoke to CEO Strauss Zelnick today ahead of the company's Q3 2026 earnings release. When asked if subsidiary Rockstar would delay the release of physical copies of GTA 6 until 2027 to avoid leaks, he replied, "That's not the plan."

Rumors of such a physical delay emerged late last month, when an alleged insider industry source shared that Take-Two had no plans for a physical edition of the game at release due to concerns about physical copies falling into hands early and leaking online.

Notably, the report suggests that physical copies could be delayed into 2027, or delayed just a few weeks, which would make Zelnick's answer somewhat unclear. IGN reached out to Take-Two to get more clarity on what his statement meant, and was informed that Zelnick's statement was denying any delay plan at all, not just a move to 2027 specifically.

GTA 6 is still set for release on November 18, 2026, a date that Zelnick reaffirmed confidently to us today, alongside plans for Rockstar to spin up its marketing machine this summer. The game has already suffered from multiple leaks, both of development footage and of its first trailer, alongside a number of AI-generated fake leaks. We also spoke to Zelnick today about Google Genie ahead of the company's Q3 earnings report, in which Take-Two announced it had brought in net bookings of $1.76 billion for the quarter, and that it's raising its expectations for the year to have net bookings between $6.65 billion to $6.7 billion.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Jorge Lendeborg Jr. (Bumblebee) and Clea DuVall (Poker Face) have joined The Last of Us Season 3 as HBO successfully recasts one of its supporting characters and fleshes out the seraphites.

News on the changes comes from Deadline, which reports Lendeborg Jr. will be the new face playing the part of the Washington Liberation Front’s (WLF) Manny. The part was previously filled by Danny Ramirez for select scenes in Season 2, with the actor said to be stepping away from the PlayStation video game adaptation due to “scheduling reasons.”

Last week, Google announced Project Genie, an AI-powered virtual world creator still in its infancy that seemed to spook a number of video game investors. Following the announcement, stock prices of companies such as Take-Two, Roblox, and Unity took a noticeable dip, seemingly due to a belief that Genie was going to mostly or fully replace user-generated content down the line. But at least one of those companies' CEOs isn't ruffled by the price drop: Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick.

Speaking to IGN today ahead of the company's Q3 earnings call, Zelnick responded to my question about whether or not he saw Genie as a threat to Take-Two's business. He doesn't. Quite the contrary, he sound pretty positive. Here's his response in full:

"This company and its products were built upon machine learning and artificial intelligence more than 25 years ago. That's the story of this business; we use computers to create what we do. So we're energized and excited by these new tools and the prospects that they bring. We have actively embraced new AI, I said so when we spoke about it in the last couple calls. [Author's note: I ask Zelnick something about AI most quarters as news-relevant, here's a summary from 2023 of what has been his consistent stance.] In fact, we have hundreds of pilots and implementations [of AI] across our company including with our studios. I think tools are what drive additional innovation in what we do, drive efficiency, and drive creativity, and that's our three-part strategy.

"I think the confusion in the marketplace is somehow that tools equals properties...and tools and properties are very different things. Creators use tools to make amazing entertainment, and of course that will never change, and once you make amazing entertainment you have to market it worldwide, and the people who are best at marketing entertainment worldwide are big, significant entertainment enterprises with the balance sheet to actually support those launches, companies like us. So I feel more optimistic than ever that new technology is going to allow us to supercharge our business."

In the past, including in the aforementioned 2023 conversation with Zelnick, I've asked him if he thinks generative AI will ever be able to create a GTA-like game wholesale, and his response has always been that it won't. But I asked him today if the appearance of Genie had changed anything for him; it hasn't.

"I don't think theres any tool by itself that you can press a button and make a competitive property," Zelnick said. "Some romance novelists for example are using AI tools to write certain parts of their book, but they still have to come up with the concept, the characters, and the structure. I don't think you're going to find hit movies, hit novels, hit songs, being entirely created with technology with no creator interaction, it's just not the history of creativity. So I think perhaps people are confusing tools and technology with hits, and they're really different things, and I would never want to underestimate the importance of human genius, even with fantastic tools. I think fantastic tools unlock human genius to do great things."

Okay, but what if those fantastic tools, available now to anyone, are used to make a clone of a GTA game? Does Zelnick have any intellectual property concerns? Sort of, sure, but he's seemingly of the mind that it's better to work with the community than against them.

"We protect our intellectual property and we are respectful of toher people's intellectual property," he said. "At the same time we've allowed a lot of users to engage with a lot of our games and of course the FiveM business is an example of that. User-generated content can be and already is a big part of what we do around here. I also feel that user-generated content sort of stands side-by-side with professionally-generated entertainment. For example, YouTube is a huge business, but it represents about 12.5% of overall linear entertainment consumption. 87.5% is still old-fashioned, professional content made by human beings." [Take-Two cited Activate Consulting as the source of this stat following the call.]

We also spoke to Zelnick about his confidence in GTA 6's release date, and Rockstar spinning up marketing for the game this summer. In today's earnings report, Take-Two announced it had brought in net bookings of $1.76 billion for the quarter, and that it's raising its expectations for the year to have net bookings between $6.65 billion to $6.7 billion.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

2026 has already seen surges in the cost of DDR5 RAM and higher end Nvidia GPUs. Unfortunately, this also affects the price of prebuilt gaming PCs. Obviously this isn't an ideal time to be buying new computer parts, but if that's not stopping you from upgrading, I would suggest jumping on a deal you find now rather than waiting a little longer. Fortunately, there are still good deals when you know where to look.

Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 5080 Gaming PC for $2250

Grand Theft Auto VI's November 19, 2026 release date is drawing nearer. And while the game has now suffered multiple delays, Take-Two Interactive is starting to sound more confident than we've ever heard them that this time, it's really happening. So confident, in fact, it's announced that Rockstar will be spinning up its marketing beats this summer.

This comes from Take-Two's Q3 2026 earnings results, which were just released. In those earnings, Take-Two reaffirms that GTA 6 is indeed still planned for November 19, 2026. That on its own would be exciting news after two separate delays, but even better is a sentence at the bottom of the release sent to IGN. "Our execution throughout Fiscal 2026 has been extraordinary and we are highly confident as we approach Fiscal 2027 – which promises to be groundbreaking for Take-Two and the entire entertainment industry – led by the November 19th release of Grand Theft Auto VI with Rockstar’s launch marketing set to begin this Summer. "

That's sounding pretty confident, to me! Speaking to Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick earlier today, I asked him how he felt about the release date at this time, to which he replied, "I feel good about it. Very good about it."

Now, we've asked Zelnick this before, and he said he felt "really good" about the fall 2025 release date that was originally announced, ahead of two delays. So I asked him if this time was different in some way.

"Of course," he said. "Because any time you're getting closer to marketing beats, you're obviously in a place where your confidence level is as high as it can be."

GTA 6 is one of the most anticipated games of all time, with many already suggesting it as a potential Game of the Year contender despite us not having seen any gameplay footage of it yet, leaks and AI fakes going viral all over social media late last year, and its delays having potential industry-shaking impacts. So far, we've seen two cinematic trailers for the game, which have shown the dual protagonists Duval and Lucia Caminos, and the setting of Leonida, Florida, including the infamous Vice City.

Even without GTA 6, GTA as a franchise had a great quarter. It "vastly outpaced" Take-Two's forecasts, with GTA+ membership levels nearly doubling year-over-year. We asked Zelnick for insight as to the cause of GTA 5's excellent quarter, and he pointed to the Safehouse in the Hills update for GTA Online doing especially well. GTA 5 has now sold over 225 million units.

Overall, Take-Two brought in net bookings of $1.76 billion for the quarter. The company is raising its expectations in light of a better-than-expected quarter on multiple fronts, with total annual net bookings expected to range between $6.65 billion to $6.7 billion, representing around 18% growth year over year. Take-Two expects that nearly half of its full-year earnings, which it will report next quarter, will come from its mobile business, Zynga.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

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Dracula will be released in theaters on February 6.

At last, they’ve done it! They’ve made a movie based on Dracula! Oh, wait, what’s that? They are making Dracula movies all the time? Almost constantly one might argue?

Look, Dracula is an all-time great story anchored by an all-time great horror villain that has given us a ton of memorable films and TV shows since it debuted in 1897. But lately, it feels like there was some sort of bet between studios and producers to see how many different versions we could get close together.

Since 2023 alone, we’ve had Renfield, The Last Voyage of the Detmer, Abigail, Nosferatu, and Abraham's Boys - all of which were derived from the original Dracula story to some capacity, whether it be using specific story elements or characters or by creating their own sequel scenarios. And now we have yet another film, which is going simple on the title level and leaving it at Dracula.

And the movie is… fine. But it feels like if you’re going to do this story again, especially right now, fine isn’t quite enough.

Written and directed by Luc Besson, this version is a more direct adaptation of the novel than other recent takes on the story (Nosferatu’s name-changed version aside), with Caleb Landry Jones starring as our not-so-good count. But where the credits only say the film is based on Bram Stoker’s novel, it sure seems like they should have thanked screenwriter James V. Hart and director Francis Ford Coppola as well, because wow does this version owe a lot to their 1992 film Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

It was Coppola’s movie that directly introduced the idea that Mina, the girl Dracula is targeting in Stoker’s original story, is the reincarnation of his great love from when he was human. Besson’s film uses that concept as its central conceit, even echoing some of the structure changes that movie added to the story, with a similar opening where a pre-vampire Vlad returns from war, only to find he’s lost Elizabeth (played here by Zoë Bleu, who also plays Mina) – albeit with the specifics changed up of how and why this occurred.

Also riding the line between loving homage and blatant copying is the look of the decrepit Dracula when Jonathan Harker (Ewens Abid) goes to his castle, which is very clearly modeled after Gary Oldman’s memorable makeup and white wig in the 1992 version, which at the time was a very new spin on Dracula. All of which makes this a Dracula movie with an uphill battle, because on the surface, rather than justifying its existence with an interesting new take on Dracula, it’s mimicking someone else’s interesting take on Dracula.

And yet there are points where the movie was winning me over. This is an aggressively weird film at times, which leans into comedy more than you might expect, and some of it is legitimately strangely funny. That includes the scenes between Jonathan and Dracula, in which the unaware lawyer is fumbling with his papers and keeps missing “You’re with a vampire!” red flags like the Count killing a mouse and draining its blood into a cup to drink or using the telekinesis powers he leans heavily on in this movie to rid himself of a potential weapon that could be used against him. There’s also a moment where a vampire is decapitated that includes a rather hysterical physical comedy beat that felt like it was out of a Sam Raimi/Bruce Campbell Evil Dead movie in terms of bonkers, cartoon-style zaniness mixed with gore.

If the movie had just fully committed to this sort of tone, it probably would have been for the best, but it also seems like we’re meant to take its central love story – and how Dracula’s adoration for Elizabeth has kept him going for hundreds of years until he meets Mina – and be truly invested in it. But that never really clicks in, because it’s all too heightened and plays too silly from the start. This goes for an opening montage of Vlad and Elizabeth in their oh-so happy days before he’s sent to war that has so much grinning and frolicing – they’re gleefully jumping around! They’re having a playful food fight! – that it feels like it’s from The Naked Gun.

One of the most curious yet intriguing elements of the movie is its choice of lead actor. Caleb Landry Jones is extremely talented, as proven in projects like Get Out, Twin Peaks: The Return, and Nitram. But as much as it’s great to see actors stretch themselves in different types of roles, there’s a reason Landry’s been cast as so many quirky characters – whether they be troubled, outright villains, or goodhearted – and that’s because there’s a certain aura he projects and excels at.

Little about his presence or physicality is a great fit for the early scenes in Dracula where we’re meant to believe he’s the greatest, most skilled warrior on the battlefield in his prior human life. And despite being in his mid-30s, Jones also still looks quite boyish, which makes him an odd fit for the would-be debonair, sophisticated version of Dracula who seeks to woo Mina. Still, Jones is always compelling on screen, and he excels in offbeat scenes like the ones in which Dracula is toying with Jonathan – including when he lets out one hell of an amazing wild and wheezing extended laugh when the lawyer manages to amuse him.

What’s funny is that Besson has basically said this version of Dracula exists because, after working with him on 2023’s Dogman, he was so taken with Jones that he crafted his script with the actor in mind. Besson has had a lot of misfires and duds in recent years, and he’s never been able to consistently recapture the strength of his early output in the 1990s when he was delivering films like La Femme Nikita, The Professional and The Fifth Element. With Dracula, he shows he still has a good eye and, while the movie strains within what is clearly a restricted budget, often looking smaller than you feel it’s meant to, there are some clever visual flourishes, such as the image of an army standing across a burning horizon. But then there are the little CGI gargoyles who serve as Dracula’s minions, which are among a few baffling additions.

Perhaps the oddest addition to the Dracula lore here is that rather than simply giving him the power to enthrall, he uses a special perfume that magically puts women under his sway, which is represented by a full blown dance number montage of women adoring him. That sequence is sort of fun, but it’s also kind of dumb, and it feels rather random like much of the film. I suspect its randomness will work better for some than others, because there is something to be said for going this wacky at times. But it never feels all that cohesive and never truly takes off.

The supporting cast are all solid, led by the great Christoph Waltz as this film’s version of the vampire hunter Van Helsing – here reimagined as a never-named priest who’s seen it all. It’s not exactly a challenging role, as Waltz is given plenty of semi-snarky comedic throwaway lines, the likes of which he can deliver in his sleep at this point, although it is funny that the actor has now appeared in new versions of both Frankenstein and Dracula within just a few months of each other.

Star Wars Outlaws was one of the most anticipated games of 2024, but it didn't quite deliver the sales Ubisoft was expecting. In IGN's Star Wars Outlaws review, we called it "a fun intergalactic heist adventure with great exploration" despite overly simplified stealth and repetitive combat. As a game, it definitely wasn't one of the more successful ventures we've seen in the series.

Like any Star Wars creation, however, it's clearly backed by the sprawling universe that is Star Wars lore. It may not have sold well as a AAA game, but there were a lot of good pieces within that were still able to take fans off to that galaxy far, far away. And now that a couple years have passed, we're actually getting a Star Wars prequel in the form of a book that take the story even further.

Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon Is Now Available

From portable gaming handhelds to smartphones, our lives rely on portable, untethered electronics, and it can't hurt to always have a charger on hand. Amazon is currently offering a Baseus Picogo 100W USB Type-C wall charger for just $21.99 after you apply coupon code "F7BPDQ7D". You don't need to be an Amazon Prime member to get this deal. This diminutive adapter can fast charge even the most power hungry handheld gaming PCs like the ROG Xbox Ally X.

Baseus Picogo 100W USB-C Wall Charger for $21.99

It never ceases to amaze me all the different types of games that designers can create from the same source material. One property that exemplifies that in recent years is The Lord of the Rings. Last year, we took a look at The Fellowship of the Ring Trick-Taking Game, and now the adventure continues with the next entry, The Two Towers Trick-Taking Game, designed by Bryan Bornmueller and published by Asmodee. Whether you played the previous game or not, it’s time to don your leather armor, because The Two Towers is well worth picking up.

As the name implies, The Two Towers Trick-Taking Game plays like your typical trick-taking game, with players competing to win hands of cards – referred to as tricks – by playing and following a special suit that is led at the start of each round. What makes The Two Towers (and its predecessor) unique is that it's a purely cooperative game.

While I knew this going in, having not played The Fellowship of the Ring, I wasn’t entirely sure how this was going to work – but in a few moments, it quickly became clear, and I found it rather clever. In order to progress, each character has to succeed in their respective goals, such as the Gimli player being required to win six mountain-suited cards or Boromir winning two tricks before the Black Tower card is played, and no more afterwards. What makes The Two Towers (and the previous game) a cooperative experience is that, while you are still competing against other players to take the tricks, the team is working to complete every one of the active characters’ goals.

Included in the small box are 19 chapters to play through, though “scenarios” would be a more apt term to describe them. Each of the chapters gives you a number of options. You have different playable characters to choose from. You can play either a short or long version of the chapter. You can even add in new characters or objectives. With short missions, you only need to complete a single game with all players successfully completing their goals. Long missions require you and your friends to play through multiple games back-to-back in order to complete all the possible characters' objectives, with losing scrapping any progress you'd made so far (though you can just opt to replay those characters too).

What makes The Two Towers (and its predecessor) unique is that it's a purely cooperative game.

The Two Towers is billed as a standalone expansion, but a standalone “continuation” may be more appropriate, which would make sense considering the source material. If you played The Fellowship, The Two Towers will feel incredibly similar. There are a couple of new types of cards, including the Orcs, which can only be played when you can’t follow, can never win a trick; worst of all, if you are forced to lead with an Orc, you all lose the chapter.

The White and Black Tower cards are also new, with each one always winning the trick they are played during but canceling each other out if played during the same one. The White Tower also fills in for the One Ring from the previous game, with whoever is dealt the card assuming the role of Aragorn and the first hand’s leader.

Individual games are pretty quick, with a typical short mission only taking up maybe 10–15 minutes. The length of longer missions, since they are composed of multiple full games to complete, fluctuate depending on how many games you end up needing to play. The short turnaround makes this a great option to bust out whether you only have time for a quick-playing game, or you want to do a marathon and get through a bunch of chapters in a single go over the course of an afternoon.

I appreciate when games offer that sort of flexibility. These short game times are helped along with the overall small footprint the game takes up, both in terms of its box and tablespace. As someone who loves to frequent my local tavern much like a hobbit, the fact that the box can easily fit into a backpack or purse is a nice touch.

My experience with the trick-taking genre has been mostly with straightforward, competitive games like Euchre, where I’ve only had to deal with navigating around a trump suit. I've found myself enamored with The Two Towers and its cooperative approach. Celebrating a shared victory with the entire table thanks to a clutch trump on the last hand to secure the win has a vastly different feeling than pulling a surprise trick in Euchre that wins a game for just your team. There is also no feeling quite like being forced to play an Orc card and losing it all in Euchre, either.

From a visual standpoint, I adore the stained glass aesthetic of all of the cards and artwork, and busting this game out at my local brewery, its visuals have caused more than a couple of fellow tavern visitors to stop and ask, “What’s that?!”. The cards themselves almost garnered more glances than our random outbursts cursing orcs (but only just).

There is a solo and a two-player mode, and while I only dabbled in the solo mode, my wife and I enjoyed the two-player variation. This variant features a third game-controlled player whose hand of cards is placed in a reveal pyramid, with only cards that aren’t covered up able to be played. It reminded me a lot of 7 Wonders Duel, but I enjoyed it more than managing multiple hands in solo mode. To be fair, though, I’m not much of a solo board game player in the first place.

As much as I have enjoyed actually playing The Two Towers Trick-Taking Game, my favorite part of the game has surprisingly been the moment each new chapter scenario is revealed. As someone who loves fantasy books, and especially The Lord of the Rings, I always get a kick out of seeing how the next moments of the book will be represented, what new character cards are pulled, and what we have to do next. Much like Fellowship, once all of the chapters are complete, a repeatable mode rule is there to let you and your group play afterwards, coming up with challenging character combinations and goals as you want. And for those who own Fellowship, there are rules to mix the two games’ characters together, though both games’ cards have unique backs so you will always be able to separate them back out again.

For those who own Fellowship, there are rules to mix the two games’ characters together.

My main critique, and a minor one at that, is that I would have appreciated heavier strategic elements. Even with the various goals of the characters and twists of the chapters to keep things interesting, I would have loved some aspect that lends itself more to strategy than the more luck-based nature these sorts of games lean toward. But even this complaint is more a “wouldn’t it be neat if…” sort of wish.

After playing The Two Towers Trick-Taking Game, I was instantly searching online to get myself the Fellowship version, as I just wanted more. The cooperative take on the trick-taking genre, mixed with beloved characters and the stories of J.R.R. Tolkien, meshes wonderfully into a solid and replayable package. That it is a cooperative game makes this a solid choice to introduce the genre to folks who haven’t tried it out, but if you aren’t a fan of trick-takers at a mechanical level, I’m not sure this will win you over. Still, thanks to its small footprint and easy setup, The Two Towers Trick-Taking Game is an easy recommendation, and a must-get if you loved the Fellowship version.

Where to Buy

The Two Towers Trick-Taking Game

Fresh from her appearance at the Grammys, Pink Pony Club singer Chappell Roan is hot to go in Fortnite this week.

Roan is the latest music icon set to headline the game's Fortnite Festival mode, which will feature a redesigned main stage decorated like a medieval castle — inspired by her recent tour.

Music Pass owners, including Fortnite Crew subscribers, will get the basic Chappell Roan outfit included, alongside themed instruments. But, as ever, there will be a snazzier, second skin available from the Fortnite Shop: the Roan of Arc outfit, inspired by her 2024 VMAs costume.

Based on the already-popular game series, the Pokémon anime became a cultural phenomenon almost immediately after it was first released in the '90s. A quarter-century later, the franchise is about as long as legendary anime like One Piece.

Unlike something like One Piece or Dragon Ball, which have a continuous, serialized story, Pokémon is more of an episodic narrative with mostly standalone episodes. Even though there is a progression from series to series, you could theoretically skip around and watch the ones that interest you the most without being completely lost.

Still, the era of streaming splitting everything up between multiple platforms makes finding (let alone watching) the entirety of Pokémon a mighty task. That's why we're here: to round up where you can watch every Pokémon season and movie online.

How Long Is the Pokémon Series?

The Pokémon series so far includes over 1300 episodes across 27 seasons. There are also 23 animated Pokémon movies and the live-action Detective Pikachu film. In addition to the streaming links listed below, most of the Pokémon series is available on DVD.

How to Watch Pokémon Online (in Order)

For American audiences, the Pokémon series is split across quite a few streaming services. The original series as well as the most recent seasons can be found on U.S. Netflix, while some seasons can be found on free streaming sites like Tubi. Hoopla, which requires a library card but is otherwise free, has a "Pokémon Bingepass" that includes Seasons 6-13 of the anime series and is the only way to stream seasons 6-10 online.

Otherwise, Prime Video has a Pokémon channel add-on for $2.99/month that lets you stream a decent chunk of the series that isn't available elsewhere. Prime Video subscriptions, including the Pokémon channel, offer a seven-day free trial for those trying to watch a specific movie or series for free. Just remember to cancel your subscription before it auto-renews.

1. Pokémon Indigo League (1997)

Pokémon the Series: Season 1

The season that started it all! This one is full of exciting moments, but also rather emotional ones — including a final heartbreak that sets the stage for Pokémon's approach to winning and losing.

Where to Stream: Netflix

2. Pokémon: The First Movie (1998)

One of the best Pokémon movies, this is as big a '90s time capsule as they come, with a bangin' soundtrack and some big tear-jerking sequences ("Brother My Brother" never fails to hit hard).

Where to Stream: You have to rent or purchase this one digitally (see at Prime Video)

3. Pokémon Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution (2019)

A CGI remake of the first movie, it notoriously removes what made the original so endearing, namely, the soundtrack. But it does have more Mewtwo than the U.S. version of the original.

Where to Stream: Netflix

4. Pokémon Adventures in Orange Islands (1999)

Pokémon the Series: Season 2

A downgrade from the first season, but nevertheless an exciting Pokémon adventure. Here we meet a new companion in Tracy, and the Orange League tournament is one of the show's best.

Where to Stream: Prime Video (with Pokémon add-on) or YouTube

5. Pokémon The Movie 2000 — The Power of One (1999)

A fascinating villain, world-ending stakes, and some cool visuals make this one of the best Pokémon movies. Plus, it gives Team Rocket arguably their best arc in the whole franchise.

Where to Stream: Prime Video (with Pokemon add-on)

6. Pokémon The Johto Journeys (1999)

Pokémon the Series: Season 3

The start of the Gold and Silver series, this one has a very underrated opening song, and a whole new set of Pokémon! It can't be understated how cool it was to see this in 1999, before it became an obvious and expected tradition.

Where to Stream: Prime Video

7. Pokémon 3: The Movie - Spell of the Unown (2000)

Aside from some very dated CGI, this film has an interesting WandaVision-esque cosmic story that's more introspective than the previous two. The relationship between Entei and Molly makes the movie work.

Where to Stream: Prime Video (with Pokémon add-on)

8. Pokémon Johto League Champions (2000)

Pokémon the Series: Season 4

The finale of the Johto adventures, this season sees Ash reach the Johto League tournament aka the Silver Conference, with expected results.

Where to Stream: Prime Video

9. Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi- Voice of the Forest (2001)

Time-travel shenanigans in Pokémon! The movies were already weird before, but this one turns it up to 11 and paves the way for the extremely weird stories to come.

Where to Stream: You have to rent or purchase this one digitally (see at Prime Video)

10. Pokémon Master Quest (2001)

Pokémon the Series: Season 5

The end of the original Pokémon franchise, and the first one to be animated digitally, the season features a thrilling fight with Gary.

Where to Stream: Prime Video

11. Pokémon Heroes: Latias and Latios (2002)

This movie has a gorgeous Venice-inspired location, an exciting Pokémon race, and a rather bizarre final twist involving shapeshifting.

Where to Stream: You have to rent or purchase this one digitally (see at Prime Video)

12. Pokémon Advanced (2002)

Pokémon the Series: Season 6

Ash moves to a new region, meets new friends in May and Max, and meets even more new Pokémon after abandoning all his friends (except Pikachu).

Where to Stream: Hoopla

13. Pokémon: Jirachi, Wish Maker (2003)

This is where Pokémon start getting terrifying when you stop to think about them. An ancient Pokémon awakens and a kaiju Pokémon is resurrected to cause devastation.

Where to Stream: You have to rent or purchase this one digitally (see at Prime Video)

14. Pokémon Advanced Challenge (2003)

Pokémon the Series: Season 7

May's quest to become a Pokémon Coordinator makes for an interesting parallel to Ash's story, putting 10-year-old Ash in a sort of mentor role. At the same time, the Team Magma and Team Aqua subplots are quite entertaining.

Where to Stream: Hoopla

15. Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys (2004)

The one where they go to a city based on Vancouver, this movie features an alien Pokémon coming from space to conquer the Earth. This is the kaiju era of the franchise, and it rules.

Where to Stream: You have to rent or purchase this one digitally (see at Prime Video)

16. Pokémon Advanced Battle (2004)

Pokémon the Series: Season 8

The adventure continues with Ash trying to gather enough medals to enter the Battle Frontier tournament.

Where to Stream: Hoopla

17. Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (2005)

Mew is back! And we get one of the best Pokémon of them all in Lucario (fight me). This movie has one of the most emotional climaxes in the franchise.

Where to Stream: Prime Video (with Pokemon add-on)

18. Pokémon Battle Frontier (2005)

Pokémon the Series: Season 9

The final part of the Advanced seasons is all about the big tournament, with plenty of cool battles and the return of fan-favorite Pokémon.

Where to stream: Hoopla

19. Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea (2006)

What if Pokémon did Atlantis: The Lost Empire? Or, more accurately, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water? The result is a movie full of pirates, environmental themes, and water-themed fun.

Where to Stream: Prime Video (with Pokemon add-on)

20. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (2006)

Pokémon the Series: Season 10

A vast improvement over the previous season, this time Ash's new Pokémon Coordinator companion, Dawn, is much more developed than May, and we get a fascinating new rival trainer in Paul.

Where to Stream: The Roku Channel or Prime Video

21. Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai (2007)

The first part of a fantastic trilogy, this movie is close to being a full-on cosmic horror film. The titular Darkrai is quite Lovecraftian in nature, making for a darker, more sinister movie.

Where to Stream: Hulu or Prime Video (with Pokemon add-on)

22. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension (2007)

Pokémon the Series: Season 11

This is where the dynamic between Ash and Dawn pays off as we see them being challenged in unique ways. Plus, the emergence of Team Galactic raises the stakes and stands apart from previous evil teams.

Where to Stream: The Roku Channel

23. Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior (2008)

The second chapter in the trilogy ups the trippy ante, trapping Ash and his friends in a bizarre mirror dimension. Giratina is a terrifying creature, a kaiju-like god of chaos whose ability to manipulate reality elevates it above other Pokémon villains.

Where to Stream: Hulu or Prime Video (with Pokemon add-on)

24. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles (2008)

Pokémon the Series: Season 12

Team Galactic is on the offensive and they threaten to wreak havoc on the Pokémon world. Meanwhile, Ash fights Paul in a thrilling duel that's not just about their skills, but their opposing philosophies about Pokémon.

Where to Stream: The Roku Channel

25. Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life (2009)

The end of the movie trilogy goes takes the franchise to a theological place, with Arceus presenting itself as an actual PokéGod. This is a very wild movie, essentially a biblical epic, but with Pokémon, plus there is a lot of time-travel.

Where to Stream: Hulu or Prime Video (with Pokemon add-on)

26. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors (2010)

Pokémon the Series: Season 13

Team Rocket is back! And they are up to no good. Meanwhile, Ash tries to qualify for the Sinnoh League while Dawn trains to compete in the Grand Festival.

Where to Stream: The Roku Channel

27. Pokémon Zoroark – Master of Illusions (2010)

Another movie about trying to control a powerful Pokémon and upsetting the balance of nature, leading to widespread destruction. It's not the most original of the movies.

Where to Stream: Hulu or Prime Video (with Pokemon add-on)

28. Pokémon Black and White (2010)

Pokémon the Series: Season 14

We have a new land, new Pokémon, and two new companions! Iris and Cilan join Ash on their new adventure as he also encounters Team Plasma — who actually oppose Team Rocket and want to free Pokémon!

Where to Stream: Tubi

29. Pokémon the Movie: Black – Victini and Reshiram (2011)

Now, this is an interesting experiment. Two parts of the same story, the "Reshiram/Zekrom" movies, much like the game, feature virtually the same story only swapping out the central Pokémon.

Where to Stream: Prime Video (with Pokemon add-on)

30. Pokémon the Movie: White – Victini and Zekrom (2011)

Virtually the same movie, but rather than Ash encountering Reshiram, he sees the legendary Pokémon Zekrom. There's an island on the verge of destruction, an angry Pokémon, and a world to save.

Where to Stream: Prime Video (with Pokemon add-on)

31. Pokémon Black and White: Rival Destinies (2011)

Pokémon the Series: Season 15

Much like the Black and White games served as a soft reboot of the game series, so is this season also a reboot of sorts. Sadly, this means Ash is no longer a veteran with a bad track record, but a rookie once again.

Where to Stream: Tubi

32. Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs the Sword of Justice (2012)

A rare Pokémon movie that focuses not on the humans, but a critter named Keldeo who wishes to join a Pokémon supersquad. It's a heartfelt story about Pokémon and their goals and dreams.

Where to Stream: Prime Video (with Pokemon add-on)

33. Pokémon Black and White: Adventures in Unova and Beyond (2012)

Pokémon the Series: Season 16

Though they have foiled Team Rocket, there is new danger lurking in the shadows. Meanwhile, Ash is ready to face the Unova League while Iris heads to a Village of Dragons to help inspire her Dragonite.

Where to Stream: Tubi

34. Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened (2013)

The one where Pokémon becomes Jurassic Park. An ancient Pokémon species is resurrected and they immediately start wreaking havoc — until a familiar face arrives to save the day.

Where to Stream: Prime Video (with Pokemon add-on)

35. Pokémon XY (2013)

Pokémon the Series: Season 17

Ash once again trades his companions, this time being joined by the inventor Clemond, his little sister Bonnie, and the Pokémon performer Serena. Together they venture through the Kalos region and encounter numerous new Pokémon.

Where to Stream: You have to rent or purchase this one digitally (see at Prime Video)

36. Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction (2014)

Greedy collectors try to capture a gem-based Pokémon princess, and only Ash can stop them. It's another movie with a rather basic plot that's been repeated better elsewhere on this list.

Where to Stream: Prime Video (with Pokemon add-on)

37. Pokémon XY: Kalos Quest (2013)

Pokémon the Series: Season 18

There is a reason this series is considered peak Pokémon. It has a rather heroic portrayal of Ash, some of the best battles in the entire anime, and quite a lot of excitement when it comes to the new Mega Evolutions.

Where to Stream: You have to rent or purchase this one digitally (see at Prime Video)

38. Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages (2015)

An imp-like Pokémon imprisoned in a bottle is released and starts playing pranks, but his shadow starts growing into a giant evil version of itself. This is one of the most fun Pokémon deities, and reason enough to watch this movie.

Where to Stream: Prime Video (with Pokemon add-on)

39. Pokémon XYZ (2013)

Pokémon the Series: Season 19

Team Flare makes its move against the legendary Zygarde which is prophesied to destroy all of Kalos. Meanwhile Ash finally competes in the Kalos League Conference.

Where to Stream: You have to rent or purchase this one digitally (see at Prime Video)

40. Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel (2016)

A steampunk location gives this movie a unique look that matches the more mechanical Pokémon that are the stars of the show. It also features a villain on a flying fortress war machine, making one cool fantasy movie.

Where to Stream: Prime Video (with Pokemon add-on)

41. Pokémon Sun and Moon (2016)

Pokémon the Series: Season 20

A big departure from the seasons that preceded it, this season boasts a unique art style and a more emotional journey for Ash than we've seen before. This is considered either the pinnacle of the series or a huge letdown, depending on who you ask.

Where to Stream: Hulu or The Roku Channel

42. Pokémon Sun and Moon: Ultra Adventures (2017)

Pokémon the Series: Season 21

After 20 years, Pokémon remembers Ash is still a 10-year-old, so he finally goes to school rather than live in the wilderness. Meanwhile, an organization all about Pokémon conservation turns out to be quite shady, and Ash also has visions of legendary Pokémon.

Where to Stream: Hulu

43. Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! (2017)

A loose reboot of the anime's pilot episode, this movie is good for those who want to relive the most iconic moments from the show's early days and those who want to enter the franchise. Also, this is the movie where Pikachu talks, and it is absolutely terrifying.

Where to Stream: Prime Video (with Pokemon add-on)

44. Pokémon Sun and Moon: Ultra Legends (2018)

Pokémon the Series: Season 22

It's tournament time! But that's not Ash has on his mind, because the Alola region is in danger and it is up to Ash and his friends to save it from destruction.

Where to Stream: Hulu

45. Pokémon The Power of Us (2018)

A continuation of the reboot timeline of I Choose You, this movie is a loose remake of Pokémon: The Movie 2000, just never as good as the original.

Where to Stream: Prime Video (with Pokemon add-on)

46. Pokémon Journeys (2019)

Pokémon the Series: Season 23

The beginning of the end, with Ash becoming an official Pokémon researcher exploring the wide world of Pokémon.

Where to Stream: Netflix

47. Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019)

Though not at all part of the official Pokémon order, this is the single best movie in the franchise. The first live-action/animation hybrid, the movie is a hugely entertaining adventure filled with Easter Eggs, and a clear love letter to the franchise.

Where to Stream: You have to rent or purchase this one digitally (see at Prime Video)

48. Pokémon Master Journeys (2020)

Pokémon the Series: Season 24

This is where things get very interesting. While Ash is climbing the rankings of the World Coronation Series, he and his friends discover strange occurrences happening in the Galar region, including clones and Pokémon devolving. Stakes don't get higher than literal gods intervening.

Where to Stream: Netflix or Prime Video

49. Pokémon Secrets of the Jungle (2020)

Small stakes, a more intimate movie, and a Tarzan-like story make this a standout Pokémon movie. In short, it rules.

Where to Stream: Netflix

50. Pokémon Ultimate Journeys (2021)

Pokémon the Series: Season 25

This is it. The moment of truth. At this point, there's no hiding it, if you aren't aware that Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town becomes the Pokémon World Champion, you've been living under a rock. This is the culmination of nearly a quarter-century's worth of Pokémon, a highly emotional season that reintroduces old friends like Misty and Brock, has some spectacular action animation, the return of a fan-favorite song, and a perfect end to the story of Ash and Pikachu.

Where to Stream: Netflix or Prime Video

51. Pokémon Horizons (2023)

Pokémon the Series: Season 26

After saying goodbye to Ash and Pikachu, we meet two new protagonists — Liko and Roy, who are joined by Frede and his companion Captain Pikachu. It's a brand new Pokémon adventure!

Where to Stream: Netflix

52. Pokémon Concierge (2023)

One of the best Pokémon series ever isn't even part of the main story, or even in traditional animation. Instead, this stop-motion show follows Haru as she arrives to work at a Pokémon resort and encounters all kinds of Pokéguests and Pokéemployees.

Where to Stream: Netflix

53. Pokémon Horizons – The Search for Laqua (2024)

Pokémon the Series: Season 27

Part of the appeal of Horizons is that it's a more traditional anime, with an arc-based structure and a bigger focus on adventure. There are mysteries to solve, new challenges, battles, and enemies.

Where to Stream: Netflix

54. Pokémon Concierge Season 2 (2024)

The stop-motion show returned for a second season that was extremely cuddly and heartwarming.

Where to Stream: Netflix

55. Pokémon Horizons – Rising Hope (2025)

Pokémon the Series: Season 28

The third season of Pokémon Horizons focuses on the aftermath of the collapse of Laqua, the attempts at reforming the Rising Volt Tacklers (who continue to be up to no good), and the backstories of Roy and Ult.

Where to Stream: Netflix

What’s Next for the Pokémon Series?

There is no stopping Pokémon. Pokémon Horizons continues to release new episodes, and it’s likely to keep going for at least a few more years. We also know there is going to be a brand new stop-motion Pokémon project titled Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures Of Sirfetch'd & Pichu for 2027 and animated by legendary British studio Aardman.

Rafael Motamayor is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything anime and animation.

Any game built around gacha mechanics needs to have a certain hook to keep things interesting in the long term, especially if there’s potential to invest your hard-earned dollars into it. For all their systemic sins, Game of Thrones: Kingsroad and Persona 5: The Phantom X at least piqued my interest by expanding on already-revered lore, allowing me to entwine myself in their beloved worlds. The much more enjoyable Zenless Zone Zero, on the other hand, pulled me in with a mix of high-octane combat, endearing character development, and Y2K flair. Arknights: Endfield is the latest competitor in this genre’s fierce attention economy, offering not only an engrossing sci-fi open world to explore, but another mechanically moreish addition: base building and automation. It’s a clever combination that keeps you pushing, but, after 38 hours of grinding, I’ve found that Arknights leans a little too heavily on the tropes of the genre, and stops it just short of feeling like anything more than another solid gacha option to consider for your rotation.

You play as the Endministrator (or Endmin for short) who, after a 10-year absence and an unfortunate case of amnesia, returns to the world of the living to rebuild society on the planet of Talos-II and usher in a new era of safety for its inhabitants. Taming the wilds is no small task, though, and on top of trying to remember who you were before your big sleep, you’ll also face off against a range of evil entities, including leather-clad maurauders, shifting zoomorphic creatures, and other mythic, well-dressed baddies. It’s an intriguing premise framed in a collapsing cyberpunk world, unfortunately dulled by an exposition-heavy opening with awkward stop-and-start pacing. Thankfully, this dialogue-dense beginning does eventually open up somewhat, giving you the freedom to seek out battles across the planet’s atmospheric landscape.

With a set of companions in tow, you’ll venture to the surface of Talos-II to hunt for resources, solve simple environmental platforming puzzles, and clear out zones that you can then access in a larger metagame to construct and automate machinery. To do this, you’ll build a team of up to four Operators who fight and collect items alongside you to push the lengthy story ever onwards. Early on, you’ll have a limited pool of story-specific characters to play as, like the masked Endmin, the empathetic and mission-oriented Perlica, and the spirited Chen Qianyu, though eventually you’ll be able to use a gacha currency to randomly pull new pals, too. Endfield doesn’t have the most imaginative gameplay in the genre – most puzzles involve finding and pressing a few buttons, and you’ll soon tire of trawling through the same few groups of bad guys to dominate an area. The striking cyberpunk setting does much of the heavy lifting here, especially as you transform the oppressive industrial areas into machinery-filled green spaces.

While I’d like to say the story-related issues dry up after the early game, pacing problems do come back to haunt this otherwise compelling experience, particularly as you start to wrestle with the mid-to-late game. The gap between thoughtfully designed missions and filler expeditions is far more obvious, and while some jaunts do well to provide snippets of lore, the lion’s share are monotonous fetch quests. This split is especially frustrating, as there are genuinely interesting story threads to pull at, not only about the Endmin themself but the precarious political situations surrounding their organisation.

Throughout my playthrough, I enjoyed meeting a growing cast of triumphant heroes and elegant villains, like the leather-clad matriarch Nefarith, whose malevolent tone is as enthralling as it is threatening. New locations, like the bamboo-filled Wuling, also appear just in time to liven things up as the angular design of the opening areas starts to wane. Spirited vocal performances and sporadic helpings of humorous writing certainly add personality to the otherwise jargon-heavy story, too, which helped alleviate fatigue as I bashed my head against the same few mission types.

It goes without saying that there is an eye-watering array of currencies to consider here – a painful staple of gacha games. On top of the usual lottery-style pulls, which allows you to randomly unlock unique characters and weapons, there’s also a paid Battle Pass that rewards you with resources that can be filtered into systems that help speed up progression. You can find items to upgrade your weapon skills, as well as bolster your combat stats, with variant currencies offering specific amounts of level-boosting potency – it’s a monetary mouthful to say the least. If you aren’t keen on buying them, you can still find most currencies on the map or by completing daily challenges, but this is, as you can imagine, like wading through treacle. As costs rise and resources become more scarce, there’s an obvious incentive to pay to skip the hassle of hunting for yourself. It’s not entirely egregious, and I found that I could resist the credit card's call in this case. But that speaks more to my own stubbornness than Arknights' balance, which is inconsistent at best.

It’s not all bad, though, and one area Arknights makes a mark is in its character designs. In the early hours, I was more than happy with my humble team of hardworking warriors, but my feelings began to shift once I’d earned the currency needed to try out the character lottery. Every character you meet throws out a handful of quippy one-liners and flashy moves that are effective enough to tug on the heartstrings. There’s the cute peak-shredding Snowshine, whose fuzzy bear shoes and jumbo buster sword are immediately endearing. Another favorite is Arclight, a cyberpunk rendition of the Energizer bunny who dazzles with sparks and sharp movements. There’s plenty of variety available in the roster, and it’s clear developer Hypergryph has taken care to make each character stand out – so it doesn’t feel too bad when you don’t pull your dream bias.

It’s also handy that if, or more likely when, you pull multiples of the same character, you’ll earn tokens that can be used to update their “Potential,” boosting their battle stats and earning some cute art cards to boot. No matter how lucky you think you are, you’ll always pull the less desirable characters more often, and this system does well to soften the pain of seeing the same face pop up time and time again. Think of it like psychological warfare, but adorable!

Beyond their appearance, I also enjoy how a character’s personality tends to shape how they move in battle, and the flashy, if simple, combat quickly became my favourite aspect of Arknights. Connecting hits are delivered with vibrant visual payoff, so much so that even my silly mistakes looked like intentional moves. As you explore, you’ll encounter groups of various enemies camped out, like sedimentary spiders or sword-wielding bandits, all of which feature level indicators hovering above their heads. Once ready to engage, you run directly at them, weapons brandished, and start violently mashing buttons to begin your assault.

Instead of controlling the Edmin alone, you can switch between all the members of your team in battle, applying flashy combos that feel engaging in motion and extremely easy to pull off. Each character has a dodge, a light attack, and a special attack that string together nicely, delivering well-choreographed synergies. Once you knock back an enemy and start to juggle them, you can also call in your compatriots to deliver electrifying blows that feel slick in motion – the Endmin flips around in style, while Perlica shoots volts through her opposition. As with the Arknights' story, this too can lose its lustre as you push deeper into it and realize there’s only so much to find. That said, there is some meditative comfort to be found in the repetition.

Outside of combat, the rest of your time is spent investing in the infrastructure of your base. Unlike the complex, automation-based gameplay of beloved factory management simulators Factorio and Satisfactory, Arknights’ base building is much more tame. And, thanks to lengthy explanations delivered by NPCs and the option to import handy prefabricated designs, it’s a process that ensures even the most build-averse players can create a functioning base of operations. Paying attention to this system may seem unimportant at first, but these buildings are key to delivering all-important resources. Investing in them early is important if you want to avoid the draw of the easily clickable shop.

First, you’ll plant electric pylons and connect them with relay towers to supply electricity to the area. Though soon enough, you’ll also be able to implement mining as well as machinery that can refine and process raw materials, grinding them and cooking them into new, more useful shapes. Where you choose to implement your power also filters into the platforming challenges in the open world, and you’ll need to find and power hungry machinery and unlock broken-down bases to solve puzzles and unlock more loot. As someone who hasn’t always enjoyed the intense, efficiency-focused approach of similar automation games, Arknights provides a friendly alternative that’s ripe for community collaboration and experimentation, and it does well to fuel exploration in the open-world setting.

Blizzard Entertainment is getting ready to showcase a sneak peek at “huge reveals” for Overwatch with a Spotlight event – and it’s all happening in less than 24 hours.

Last week, the company announced plans to deliver updates for games like World of Warcraft, Diablo, and more directly to fans with a series of showcases throughout late January and early February, and all eyes are on the team behind its controversial hero shooter to see what the future holds. There are plenty of rumors going around regarding what will be shown during the February 4, 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET show, as players look forward to seeing what comes after Overwatch 2 Season 20: Vendetta.

Magic: The Gathering continues to lean into Universes Beyond in its 2026 roadmap, but we’re getting to return to two classic locations from Wizards’ own universe.

With Lorwyn Eclipsed having launched in January, we’re heading back to Strixhaven and its magic school. Secrets of Strixhaven preorders are up ahead of launch in late April, and just like last year’s Tarkir: Dragonstorm, it includes a whopping five Commander precon decks.

Here’s a rundown of all we know so far, but be sure to return - we’ll update this page as we hear more.

All Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Commander Decks So Far

We don’t get too many sets that have five Commander decks, but given the last Strixhaven set arrived alongside the Commander 2021 edition precons, it’s perhaps not too surprising to see another five decks added in the same color identities of those that came before.

Here’s the lineup, including the brief description on the box of each precon, as well as their color identity.

• Lorehold Spirit (Red/White)
  • ‘Leave the graveyard, buff spirits’
• Witherbloom Pestilence (Black/Green)
  • ‘Strategic sacrifices, life gain and drain’
• Silverquill Influence (White/Black)
  • ‘Aura control, make foes fight each other’
• Prismari Artistry (Blue/Red)
  • ‘Cast splashy spells, create elemental attackers’
• Quandrix Unlimited
  • ‘+1/+1 counters, expanding X-spells’

I’ve taken apart the 2021 Prismari Performance deck and used it to put together an Izzet Spellslinger deck, and I must say, it’s great - here’s hoping these decks are as well put together.

The Lay of the Land In Commander Decks 2026 So Far

As we covered in our guide to the Marvel Super Hero Commander Decks, last year we got a total of 13 Commander precons. This year, by the time Marvel launches in June, we’ll have a dozen to choose from. While we don’t know if The Hobbit, Reality Fracture, or Star Trek will have precons, it could be an even bigger year.

Lorwyn Eclipsed has two decks, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has one that stars all five Turtles, and Marvel is bringing four. Will they all be of a reasonable quality, though, or should we expect diminishing returns on the gameplay and financial side of things? That remains to be seen, but those of us who enjoy the format will find at least one deck to gravitate towards, and those of us that have a tendency to collect a few at a time will be well satiated.

It also means that it’s likely to be easier than ever to get into the format - ideal for anyone with friends looking for an on-ramp to Commander, or Magic in general.

For more on the game’s current set, Lorwyn Eclipsed, be sure to check out our list of the best chase cards in the set right now, and our rundown of its Commander offerings. You can also check out our list of the best Commander precons from recent years that are still worth picking up - including The Lord of the Rings, Fallout, and some great beginner options.

Lloyd Coombes is an experienced freelancer in tech, gaming and fitness seen at Polygon, Eurogamer, Macworld, TechRadar and many more. He's a big fan of Magic: The Gathering and other collectible card games, much to his wife's dismay.

When it comes to Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel’s curtain of secrecy is as strong as ever. But, as always, we can usually count on the actors to let slip some intriguing new details. Ian McKellen is the latest to commit a Tom Holland-style faux pas. McKellen recently teased a major set piece in the new film when he spoke to the YouTube channel Jake’s Takes.

"Two police cars in front of me were raised up by cranes," McKellen reminisced about a sequence in 2006's X-Men: The Last Stand. "These were not special effects. Nowadays, I think things will become a little bit easier — though I did destroy New Jersey the other day. Oooh, I perhaps shouldn't have said that..."

This tells us that McKellen’s Magneto will be a very dangerous adversary in Doomsday, on a level we never saw in the older X-Men movies. But why would Magneto destroy New Jersey? And does this mean Marvel Studios is adapting perhaps the most infamous Magneto storyline of all time? Let’s break it down.

Beware of potential spoilers for Avengers: Doomsday ahead!

Will Avengers: Doomsday Adapt Ultimatum?

McKellen’s comments immediately bring to mind 2009’s Ultimatum, a series that pits the Ultimate Universe versions of the X-Men, Avengers, and Fantastic Four against a very angry Magneto. As the story opens, Magneto has gone off the deep end after being confronted with the deaths of his children, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. In retaliation, he attempts to destroy human civilization by reversing Earth’s magnetic poles and causing a series of global disasters.

One of those disasters includes a massive tidal wave that hits Manhattan and drowns thousands. Even a great many superheroes like Daredevil, Beast, and Nightcrawler are killed in the deluge. It’s not New Jersey – though it is just on the other side of the Hudson River – but this story remains the most notable example of one where Magneto destroys a major American metropolis.

If you want a gaming PC that can follow wherever you may roam, a gaming laptop is likely your best bet. While desktop parts will usually still beat out a gaming laptop, the best of them offer excellent performance in the latest games. Best of all, some models are able to offer peak performance while still remaining thin and light, like the Razer Blade 16, which is my pick for the all-around best gaming laptop of 2026 so far. As of April 15, these are back in stock after Razer had briefly taken down the direct link to buy the Razer Blade 16 and other laptops, replaced with "Notify Me" buttons, ahead of when tariffs were supposed to kick in.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Gaming Laptops:

The first thing I always recommend to people hunting for a new gaming laptop is to consider is what PC games they actually hope to play. The second is what settings they hope to play them at. These two questions can guide your purchase to higher- or lower-end hardware and what trade-offs you're willing to make. Now more than ever, gaming laptops come in every shape and size, from thin and light devices like Asus' ROG Zephyrus G14 to moderately heavy powerhouses like the Gigabyte Aorus Master 16. Larger performance-driven laptops (like the ones that come with a 4K display) achieve their enhanced performance with more powerful, and power-hungry, components, which means sacrificing on portability, battery life, and fan noise.

There are countless to choose from a ton of different gaming laptop brands, and finding the best for you can be more than a little daunting. I've tested dozens over the years, and I have a deep understanding of what it takes for a laptop to ascend to greatness for different types of gamers and can confidently say: These are the best gaming laptops of 2026 so far.

1. Razer Blade 16 (2025)

Best Overall Gaming Laptop

Let's get this out of the way: The Razer Blade 16 isn't the most powerful RTX 50-series laptop. Instead, this notebook earns my top pick because of sum of its parts. The team at Razer understood that a huge cross section of laptop gamers carry their machines with them every day, and flat-out making it nicer to use while also being powerful can dramatically enhance the use experience. As an extra, if you're willing to invest in Razer's laptop cooling pad, you can unlock the full wattage for performance that goes toe-to-toe with other RTX 5090 laptops.

Make no mistake: The Razer Blade 16 is still a gaming beast. In my review, I threw everything and the kitchen sink at it and there was nothing it couldn't run well on its crisp 1600p OLED screen. While running those games and benchmarks, the system stayed surprisingly quiet. This is a gaming laptop you could use in a school library without attracting attention.

It's true that a high-powered RTX 5080 like the Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 also recommended in this guide will get you similar, if not better, performance. What most other laptops can't offer, though, is the Blade 16's level of portability and noise.

Measuring just 0.59 inches at its thinnest point, it's a marked improvement from its predecessor and, well, most gaming laptops with such powerful hardware. It also weighs only 4.7lbs; you won't forget it's there, but it won't leave your back and shoulders sore from lugging it around. That portabilty makes it more appealing as a daily carry, so I didn't second guess taking it with me every day even when I might not actually need it.

The Blade 16 does a great job of feeling like the premium product it is. The chassis is milled from a single block of aluminum and feels solid and robust. It also helps with heat dissipation, but solid engineering ensures that the keyboard never gets more than warm while gaming. Its screen is also excellent with impressive factory calibration and multiple professional color modes that allow it to be used for creative applications straight out of the box. It's per-key RGB keyboard is completely programmable, complete with SOCD (Snap Tap) and macro support to better emulate a dedicated gaming keyboard.

On top of that, it also offers great battery life while gaming. Thanks to the new advancements in how the RTX 50-series handles power management, you can play games for around two hours instead of one or less like last generation.

The Razer Blade 16 is an excellent laptop that, while pricey, is something special in this space. If you want a great gaming laptop that will impress you with its portability, look no further.

2. MSI Thin A15 AI

Best Budget Gaming Laptop

3. Gigabyte Aorus Master 16

Best High-End Gaming Laptop

4. Asus TUF Gaming A14

Best Gaming Laptop for Students

The Razer Blade 18 embodies decadence in the world of gaming laptops. This is a machine that pushes the envelope and offers a true desktop replacement experience. And that's fitting, because if you're after high-performance 4K gaming on a laptop, you're going to need a next-level rig. Just prepare your wallet, because this type of experience doesn't come cheap.

The Razer Blade 18 features a massive, 18-inch IPS display with a peak resolution of 3840x2400. That's actually higher than 4K but – hold onto your hats – it's able to push that resolution with a rapid 240Hz refresh rate that's perfect for ulta-smooth gameplay. It's not OLED or mini-LED, but this screen gets plenty bright and offers vibrant, well-calibrated SDR colors.

There's another reason to consider this laptop if you're into competitive esports: It's one of very few gaming laptops that comes with dual resolution modes. With Razer Synapse you can choose between the native resolution above or drop to 1920x1200 and boost the refresh rate all the way to 440Hz for the ultimate in responsiveness and motion clarity. While the picture isn't as crisp, at 18 inches, the impact of dropping to this resolution is much less impactful than on a full-size gaming monitor.

To power all of this, the system can be equipped with up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 GPU, 64GB of DDR5 memory, and up to 4TB of storage to hold all of your games. It also comes outfitted with the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, which cinches the on great gaming performance. On top of all that, the system comes with Razer's thermal hood design for improved thermals and a great set of speakers with impressive volume.

Just don't plan on gaming for very long without its monster charging brick. But at 7.1lbs for just the laptop and another pound or two for its charger, it isn't likely that you'll be taking this on the go very often. Believe me – I tried, and you feel it right away. I reviewed the Blade 16 for IGN and our official Blade 18 review is upcoming, but I can say with confidence: If you want a 4K gaming laptop with the ability to replace a desktop and can be taken on the move, this is the one to choose.

The Asus ROG Zephyrus lineup is considered by many to be the MacBook of Windows laptops. It has the clean, streamlined looks that many people associate with Apple's line-up, a fantastic display, and impressive performance. Best of all, it comes in at only 3.5 pounds, so you can carry it all day, every day without ever feeling weighed down.

I'm currently using the 16-inch version of this laptop, the G16, as my daily driver and it's similar in all but screen size and a few extra ounces. If I could go back, I would choose the G14, and here's why: Even though the G16 is amazing in its own right, it hints at the kind of portability that the G14 offers in spades. There's an elegance to its design – the aluminum chassis with a glossy slash along the lid – that's minimalist and alluring.

The understated design highlights the gorgeous display. Asus outfits the G14 and G16 with its ROG Nebula OLED displays, which are incredibly vibrant and tuned to look amazing straight out of the box. While this might be the "MacBook of Windows," don't sell this laptop short: It can be outfitted with up to and RTX 5080 and drive that beautiful display up to 120Hz. It can definitely handle heavy workloads, but make no mistake, this is lightweight ultrabook is still centered on gaming.

Its svelte design comes with some natural trade-offs you should know before pulling the trigger. Its thin chassis leaves less room for cooling so, like other thin and light laptops of this type, it can't quite hit the high wattages bigger laptops can. I'd recommend sticking to the RTX 5070 or RTX 5070 Ti to get the best bang for your buck.

If you’re shopping for a laptop that leans more toward performance than portability – meaning one that can be taken on the go but will usually stay in one spot – the Dell Alienware 16 Area 51 may be the desktop replacement for you. Between its top-tier performance, gorgeous design, and best-in-class keyboard and webcam, it’s an impressive daily driver capable of running the latest games with ease.

It’s not common for 16-inch laptops to fall into the desktop replacement category – usually this space is reserved for 17- and 18-inch gaming laptops – but weighing in at almost 10lbs with its power adapter, it’s clear that Dell didn’t place portability at the top of its priority list. Instead, the Area 51 is all about consistently solid performance, so your games play smoothly and look great on its bright and vibrant 1600p screen.

Able to be outfitted with up to an RTX 5090 laptop graphics card, an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, your choice of 16GB to 64GB of system memory, and 1TB to 12TB of fast NVMe storage, it certainly has the chops for the task. Its larger footprint and increased height make way for improved cooling, so even under heavy load, thermal throttling isn’t an issue. Most of its heat is also exhausted straight out the back, away from the intake fans, so it always has a fresh supply of cool air to keep itself running well (and earns bonus points for keeping the hot air away from your lap and mouse hand).

With a price that ranges from under $2,000 to over $5,000 and specs to match its high price, great gaming performance comes with the territory, but what really struck me during my review was just how consistently satisfying it was to use, even for simple tasks like taking meetings or typing out reports. At check out, you can opt for a 4K webcam that offers big clarity improvements and comes at no additional charge. You can also outfit it with a mechanical keyboard – wholly uncommon in laptops – which offers big tactility upgrades to the typing experience for another $50. Pricing is current as of this writing, but both are worth investing in depending on your needs.

The Dell Alienware 16 Area 51 has the performance and design bonafides to make the perfect addition to your desk. No one will mistake it for an ultrabook any time soon, but if you’re in the market for a performance and features-first system that can be taken on the go when needed, look no further.

It used to be the case that "Apple" and "gaming" didn't belong in the same sentence, but that's just not the case anymore... as long as you have the right MacBook to get the job done. The MacBook Pro 16 is officially the best way to enjoy gaming on the go for diehard Apple users.

The MacBook Pro 16 is ostensibly for power users and you could be forgiven for thinking that it's exclusively a tool for creative professionals. But don't underestimate this powerful, lightweight machine: The very same qualities that make it great for creatives also make it the best choice for gaming.

With the introduction of the M4 and M4 Max, Apple's Pro 16 is finally able to play games at a level that won't leave you pining for Windows. Apple's silicon is all-around fast, and that applies to its built-in graphics as well. While a lot will depend on the games you're playing, you won't be forced to turn settings to a minimum as a given anymore. Games can look good and play at enjoyable frame rates, all while giving you access to the Apple ecosystem you depend on.

Now, all of that comes at a comparatively steep price. I wouldn't recommend picking up the Apple MacBook Pro 16 exclusively for gaming, but if you're also eyeing it for your own creative or professional endeavors, you can pull that trigger with confidence knowing that your inner gaming doesn't need to be left out in the cold any longer. We'll eventually be testing the MacBook Pro with the new M5 chip that was recently revealed, which alleges to improve the graphic performance 1.6x, but for now, this is the portable Apple machine to beat.

If you're looking for a larger capacity magsafe power bank with the faster Qi2 charging standard, then Amazon's limited time deal today is just what you need. The Baseus Picogo 10,000mAh Qi2-certified power bank is on sale today for $25.99 after an extra 40% off coupon code "748WX3ST". Retail price is $70 but I generally see this power bank sell for about $42-$45. Baseus makes solid power banks and I recommend them as a less expensive alternative to Anker.

Baseus Picogo 10,000mAh Qi2 MagSafe Power Bank for $26

The developer behind Dispatch — the superhero game that's censored on Nintendo Switch — has said it is "legally unable" to explain why it can't launch an unedited version of its game in specific regions — as CD Projekt Red did with Cyberpunk 2077.

Dispatch maker AdHoc Studio previously referenced Cyberpunk 2077 by name when discussing the development of Dispatch's Switch edition, and said it had "initially assumed" its game would also be able to feature similarly "uncensored mature content." Instead, AdHoc continued, "during the porting process it became clear that was not the case."

"This is the key point," AdHoc added. "Nintendo has content guidelines. Our game didn't meet those guidelines, so we made changes that would allow us to release on their platform. That's what happened here. Honestly we thought this would be obvious since we're the devs that released the fully uncensored version of the game on other platforms."

While AdHoc has stated that this explanation was obvious, it has not been able to explain why Cyberpunk 2077 released unedited in most countries around the world, while Dispatch did not. Indeed, many fans have called for Dispatch to get the same treatment, with a censored version released in Japan, where the country's strict rating board has been blamed for not allowing the game to launch unedited.

Now, AdHoc has responded on this point too — if only to say it is prohibited from explaining the situation in more detail.

"AdHoc is legally unable to provide further comment on why separate SKUs were not possible for different regions," the company said in a statement to GoNintendo, adding that there was "no possibility" for an uncensored physical edition either, and that it had no physical edition plans to announce.

Last week, fans were shocked to discover that hit superhero game Dispatch had been censored on Nintendo Switch — where enormous black boxes cover nudity and even a character raising their middle finger. While an option to hide these already existed on other platforms, on Switch it is enforced by default, and cannot be toggled off.

Yesterday, AdHoc apologized to fans and said it that its own disclaimer on the changes should have been more visible, and said fans had a right to be "pissed."

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

To celebrate the big football game on February 8, Sonos is kicking off a sitewide sale that takes up to 20% off some its best selling speakers. For a limited time, the Sonos Era 100 smart speaker has dropped from $219 to $179, a savings of 20%. You also get shipping with estimate delivery by February 5.

20% Off Sonos Era 100 Smart Speaker

If you were to purchase a standalone Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card today, you'd be paying $3,000 or more. Why not just get a complete RTX 5090 prebuilt gaming PC for a similar price? HP is currently offering its flagship OMEN 45L RTX 5090 gaming PC for as low as $3,670 with free delivery. This is by far the least expensive RTX 5090 prebuilt right now; everything else is closer to $5,000 and up.

Update: Price has gone up to $3669.99, still an outstanding deal.

HP Omen 45L RTX 5090 Gaming PC for $3,670

Follow the directions below to properly configure this system

Amazon has produced yet another brilliant Pokémon TCG deal ready for the weekend, and it's once again on the latest Mega Evolution set, Phantasmal Flames.

While celebrating the launch of Ascended Heroes (albeit being a staggered release), it's a mighty bit of fresh air to finally get some reasonable prices on boosters for the popular Mega Charizard X sporting set from last year.

Our February IGN First "cover story" kicks off right now with Mouse: P.I. for Hire! Enjoy 12 minutes of exclusive gameplay from the upcoming rubberhose-animated first-person shooter starring Troy Baker as the titular rodent detective Jack Pepper. This gameplay is from Vaudeville, the second mission of the campaign and the first case Jack gets assigned. We'll have more exclusive coverage all February long as part of IGN First!

Mouse: P.I. for Hire casts you as the aforementioned private investigator Jack Pepper, moving through its 1930s-era, hand-drawn, black-and-white cartoon world with an array of appropriately cartoony guns in hand to get the job done when talking just won't cut it. Watch the exclusive gameplay below, and check out the original reveal trailer and our first preview if you haven't seen them already.

Mouse: P.I. for Hire will be released on March 19 for PC, PlayStation platforms, Xbox platforms, and Nintendo Switch platforms. Wishlist it on Steam if you're interested.

Ryan McCaffrey is IGN's executive editor of previews and host of both IGN's weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our monthly(-ish) interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He's a North Jersey guy, so it's "Taylor ham," not "pork roll." Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.

If you're seeking the absolute best of the best in PC gaming performance, look no further than Alienware's flagship Area-51 prebuilts. Following CES 2026, Dell has discounted an Alienware Area-51 AMD Ryzen X3D Edition RTX 5090 gaming PC to $5,049.99 after a $600 discount. The Ryzen X3D Edition is essentially the second generation version of the Area-51 with a more powerful CPU replacement from AMD instead of Intel.

Alienware Area-51 Ryzen Edition RTX 5090 Gaming PC

The Alienware Area-51 is Dell's flagship gaming PC. Unveiled during last year's CES, the Area-51 is a super-sized upgrade to the mainstream Aurora R16 system. The significantly larger chassis features more premium build quality and a redesigned cooling system with greater net airflow. In fact, this is the only model that Dell feels comfortable enough to equip with the hot and power hungry GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card. The first wave of Area-51 systems featured Intel CPUs exclusively, with AMD X3D options only available since late November.

This particular configuration is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU, GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card, 32GB or DDR5-6400MHz RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Additional system details include a 360mm all-in-one liquid cooling system for the CPU and a massive 1,500W 80Plus Platinum power supply that allows plenty of headroom for future upgrades.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the best gaming CPU for most people

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is considered to be one of the best gaming processors on the market and outperforms any Intel or AMD non-X3D chip in games thanks to AMD's 3D-V-Cache technology.

Although the 9800X3D is an absolute speed demon for gaming, it only has eight cores. If you regularly use your PC for non-gaming applications that benefit from as many cores as possible, then you can upgrade to an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 16-core processor, which doubles the core count while offering similar gaming performance, for an additional $300.

The RTX 5090 is the most powerful graphics card ever

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 has emerged as the most powerful consumer GPU on the market. Although with this generation Nvidia has prioritized software updates, AI features, and DLSS 4 technology to improve gameplay performance, the 5090 still boasts an impressive 25%-30% uplift over the RTX 4090 in hardware-based raster performance. If you want the absolute best performance for your gaming PC, there is literally no other option from any other brand.

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.