The Office spinoff The Paper is switching up its premiere plans and will now debut all 10 episodes of Season 1 at once.
Peacock announced the change to a binge model today, promising to release the entirety of the first season come September 4, 2025 (via Variety). It means dedicated viewers can watch all of Season 1 upon its release date, as opposed to the previously announced plan, which would have seen four episodes initially available to stream with two more dropping every week until the finale on September 25.
The Paper was announced as a spinoff from U.S. The Office co-creator Greg Daniels and Nathan for You co-creator Michael Koman last year. While the original show followed a documentary team and its coverage of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton, Pennsylvania, branch, the new Peacock series will see that same crew heading to Ohio to meet the staff of the Toledo Truth Teller newspaper.
There’s no Michael Scott, Jim Halpert, or Pam Beesly to find here. Instead, audiences who tune in will be greeted by a new cast, which includes Domhnall Gleeson (Ex Machina), Sabrina Impacciatore (The White Lotus), Chelsea Frei (The Moodys), and more. The only familiar face subscribers can expect to see (for now) is Oscar Nuñez, who has returned to reprise his role as Oscar Martinez.
Despite its status as a follow-up to one of the most popular sitcoms of the 21st century, we know little about how exactly The Paper will shake out. Peacock finally moved to share just one image from the show in July, with a full trailer finally finding its way online earlier this month.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
Bungie CEO Pete Parsons is departing the company after 23 years and nearly 10 as CEO. He is succeeded by Justin Truman, currently chief development officer and fellow Bungie veteran.
When I was asked to lead Bungie in 2015, my goal was to grow us into a studio capable of creating and sustaining iconic, generation-spanning entertainment. We’ve been through so much together: we launched a bold new chapter for Destiny, built an enviable, independent live ops organization capable of creating and publishing its own games, and joined the incredible family at Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Today marks the right time for a new beginning. The future of Bungie will be in the hands of a new generation of leaders, and I am thrilled to announce that Justin Truman will be stepping into leadership as Bungie's new Studio Head.
Parsons has overseen Bungie during many turbulent years, first taking over as CEO in 2016 from Harold Ryan and overseeing its break from Activision in 2019. He was at the helm throughout many of the events catalogued in our 2021 expose of Bungie's internal work culture. Though those we spoke to reported that Bungie had been toxic and hostile toward women in particular prior to Parsons taking charge, they also told IGN that he was frequently slow or reluctant to take action when issues were reported, or even seemed clueless as to how to reign in problem employees. Parsons apologized at the time, saying, "Our actions or, in some cases, inactions, caused these people pain. I apologize personally and on behalf of everyone at Bungie who I know feel a deep sense of empathy and sadness reading through these accounts."
Just months after our report, Bungie was acquired by Sony for $3.7 billion, ending the studio's flirtation with independence. As the acquistion settled in, concerns began to arise about Bungie's future. Destiny 2 was struggling, and upcoming game Marathon was still years away. In 2023, Bungie laid off roughly 100 individuals and delayed Destiny 2's The Final Shape DLC, with Parsons taking responsibility for the layoffs. Developers told IGN at the time that the atmosphere at Bungie was "soul-crushing" as fears grew of a total Sony takeover of the company. In 2024, this was followed up with even more layoffs, impacting 220 people this time, despite The Final Shape's success. 155 people were also integrated from Bungie into Sony at this time. Troubles continued to rock the studio through 2024 and into 2025, with Marathon seeing a delay out of September of this year to an unknown future date.
It's in this environment - Destiny 2 struggling, Marathon delayed, a smaller staff, and Sony looming, that Parsons departs the company. He leaves it to Justin Truman, who began at Bungie as a developer 15 years ago working on Destiny 1 and who has since worked his way up to chief development officer and now studio head.
When we’re at our best – we create those worlds alongside you, our player community, and build something that matters. Something that’s worth your time, your passion, and your investment in us. Something that I’ve learned, hopefully, overdelivers.
I’ve also been part of these efforts at Bungie when we’ve maybe not been at our best. When we’ve stumbled and realized through listening to our community that we had missed the mark. I know I’ve personally learned a lot over the years, as have all of us here, from those conversations.
I am committed to supporting and working alongside every member of the team here as we continue pouring our hearts and souls into these worlds. Worlds that we love, and that we hope have been worth your time and your passion. Because ultimately those worlds only exist, and thrive, with you in them.
We are hard at work right now doing that – both with Marathon and Destiny. We’re currently heads down, but we’ll have more to show you in both of these worlds later this year.
Per Bungie's social media post, Parsons is retiring and will seemingly not remain at the studio.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
Having launched in 2019, Apple TV+ is one of the youngest streaming services available today. Over the years, the Apple-owned platform has grown into a powerhouse of original TV shows, like Ted Lasso and Severance, as well as movies like Killers of the Flower Moon. While it may not release new content at the same pace as something like Netflix, Apple TV+ comes bundled with just about every new Apple device purchase, making it easier than ever to check out its growing library.
Like seemingly every other service on the planet, Apple TV+ recently announced a price increase to its standalone monthly subscription. Below, we'll break down what Apple TV+ is as a service, how much it costs, and how to sign up for a free trial.
Does Apple TV+ Have a Free Trial?
Apple TV+ offers a 7-day free trial for all new subscribers. Simply head over to the Apple TV+ homepage or app and you'll be greeted with a button that says "Accept Free Trial." New iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, and Mac computers also come bundled with a 3-month Apple TV+ trial, which requires manual activation through the Apple TV app on the device. In both cases, once your trial ends, your subscription will automatically renew at the standard monthly rate of $12.99/month.
What Is Apple TV+? Everything You Need to Know
Apple TV+ is an award-winning streaming service featuring Apple Originals — exclusive series, movies, documentaries, and more, with new content added every month. While it was a bit barebones when it launched in 2019, Apple TV+ has grown its library to over 180 series, with breakout hits like Ted Lasso, Severance, and Silo, as well as over 80 original films, including Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon. Apple TV+ was also the first streaming service to receive an Academy Award for its original film CODA, which released in 2022.
While Apple TV+ may not boast a massive library like Netflix, it's long maintained a "quality over quantity" approach when it comes to its original programming with something that will surely appeal to just about anyone, regardless of age.
How Much Is Apple TV+?
Apple TV+ has only one subscription plan, which now costs $12.99/month. Since there are no ads by default, there are no ad-supported or limited tiers to worry about.
This monthly subscription cost was previously $9.99/month, and increased by $3 on August 21, 2025. The new price went into effect immediately for new subscribers, while existing customers will see the new price reflected 30 days after their next billing cycle.
Apple One Subscriptions
Aside from standalone subscriptions, Apple TV+ is included in a bundled service called Apple One. The lowest-tier Apple One plan gives you access to four subscriptions: Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and a 50GB iCloud+ plan, all for $19.95/month. The Premier Apple One plan costs $37.95/month, adding Apple News+, Apple Fitness+, and an upgrade to 2TB of iCloud+ storage.
Apple TV+ Student Deals
If you're a current college or university student, you can sign up for a Apple Music plan that includes Apple TV+ at a discounted rate of $5.99/month. Apple Music usually costs $10.99/month on its own, so this is quite the deal.
MLS Season Pass
Treated as a separate subscription, Apple TV also hosts Major League Soccer streams. The MLS Season Pass starts at $14.99/month, and Apple TV+ subscribers get a $2 discount.
How to Watch Apple TV+ - Available Platforms
Apple TV+ is available to stream on all of your Apple devices including iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV set-top boxes. Additionally, you can stream Apple TV+ on a variety of internet-connected smart TVs, Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV devices, Google TV devices, as well as PlayStation and Xbox consoles. You can also AirPlay from an Apple device to any compatible AirPlay device that doesn't feature the native Apple TV+ app.
Matthew Adler is a Commerce, Features, Guides, News, Previews, and Reviews writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.
A soldering station is an invaluable tool for anyone who works with electronic components, whether it be for mods or repairs, and Amazon has a popular and affordable model that's even less expensive today. Right now you can pick up the Fanttik T1 Max Cordless Soldering Iron Kit for just $49.59 after you apply coupon code "49T1MAXSD" during checkout. You do not need to be an Amazon Prime member to get this discount. This is more than just a basic soldering station; the T1 Max comes with almost everything you need to get started, except for the solder itself.
Fanttik T1 Max Soldering Iron Kit for $49.59
The Fanttik T1 Max kit has everything you need to get started minus the actual solder. It's perfect for a hobbyist that isn't soldering day in and day out as a profession. The contents include the precision soldering iron, four soldering tips, desoldering pump with pre-cut tubes, ESD tweezer, sponge pads, a USB charging cable, and an aluminum alloy stand and base with convenient storage for your accessories.
The soldering item can operate in wireless (DC) or wired (AC) modes. In wireless mode, the internal 2,500mAh battery gives you about 60 minutes of operating time at 840°F (450°C) with a maximum DC output of 12W. It has a USB Type-C port for easy charging. In wired mode, the (AC) power output is increased to 16W with indefinite operating time. The soldering tips are a simple screw and lock affair. Four tips are included, three of varying shapes and doubles of the most popular chisel tip. The soldering iron is also temperature adjustable with a turn of the dial, with 6 different settings from 390°F to 840°F depending on your project.
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. Right now there's a Dell Back to School Sale going on that takes up to $1,200 off select Alienware gaming configs. This page includes all of the best deals that are currently available.
Dell and Alienware Coupons
Alienware Gaming PC Deals
Alienware Gaming Laptop Deals
You can quickly browse through all of the listed products on sale above. See below for our favorite picks.
Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 5080 Gaming PC
Right now Dell is offering the Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 5080 gaming PC starting at just $2,100 with free delivery. The Alienware Aurora R16 is a well-engineered and compact gaming rig with 240mm AIO water cooling, sensible airflow design, and a generous 1,000W 80Plus Platinum rated power supply.
The RTX 5080 is the second best Blackwell graphics card, surpassed only by the $2,000 RTX 5090. It's about 5%-10% faster than the previous generation RTX 4080 Super, which is discontinued and no longer available. In games that support DLSS 4 with multi-frame generation exclusive to Blackwell cards, the gap widens. This is an outstanding card for playing even the latest games at 4K resolution with high settings and ray tracing enabled. Check out our Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 FE review by Jacqueline Thomas.
Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 5070 Ti Gaming PC
Dell is offering a competitive price on an Alienware Aurora R16 gaming PC equipped with the excellent GeForce RTX 5070 Ti graphics card. Right now you can get a base configuration paired with the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor for $1,700. Of all the Blackwell cards released thus far, the RTX 5070 Ti offers the best bang for your buck, especially when pitted against the previous generation GPUs. It performs neck-and-neck with the RTX 4080 Super and has 16GB of GDDR7 VRAM. This GPU is capable of high framerates in nearly all games, even at 4K resolution. Check out our Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU review by Jacqueline Thomas.
Alienware Area-51 RTX 5090 Gaming PC
Dell unveiled the new Alienware Area-51 gaming PC at CES 2025. The chassis is a super-sized upgrade to the 2024 R16 system with aesthetic and cooling redesigns and updated components. This least expensive configuration is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265K processor with 240mm liquid cooling, 32GB of DDR5-6400MHz RAM, and 1TB SSD storage for $4,650. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 isas the most powerful consumer GPU. It boasts a 25%-30% uplift over the RTX 4090 in terms of pure hardware-based raster performance. The 5090 also has more (32GB vs. 24GB) and faster (GDDR7 vs. GDDR6) VRAM compared to the 4090. Check out our Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 FE review by Jackie Thomas.
Alienware Aurora 16 RTX 5060 Gaming Laptop
Dell has dropped the price of the new 2025 Alienware Aurora 16 gaming laptop equipped with an GeForce RTX 5060 mobile GPU to just $1,100 with free delivery. Compared to other Alienware laptops, the Aurora 16 is designed to look less like a gamer's laptop. It boasts a sleek, understated design with the absence of extraneous visual-only embellishments or unnecessary RGB lighting outside of the keyboard's white-only illumination. The RTX 5060 is about 15%-20% more powerful than the RTX 4060 that replaces, making it a perfectly capable GPU for most games at up to 1600p. It approaches the performance of the RTX 4070, especially in games that support DLSS 4.
New Alienware Aurora 16X Laptop
You can pick up an Alienware 16X Aurora gaming laptop equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU and GeForce RTX 5070 mobile GPU for $1,599.99 after a $300 instant discount. This is the best Alienware laptop for gamers on a budget.
Area-51 Gaming Laptops: New Style, More Power, Better Cooling
New for 2025, the Alienware Area-51 gaming laptop features a magnesium alloy chassis with upgraded cooling to tackle the latest and greatest heat generating components. This includes more fans and bigger cutouts enabling greater airflow, more generous use of copper, and a new thermal interface material to better transfer heat away from the core components. Dell claims that the laptop can handle a higher power ceiling of up to 240W TDP without raising acoustics.
Design-wise, the Area 51 accentuates its smooth contours, with rounded edges and soft corners replacing the squared off design you'd see in most other laptops. The hinges are also mostly internally positioned so that they're near invisible. As befits an Alienware laptop, there are ample customization options for RGB LED lighting.
Why pick a Dell or Alienware gaming PC?
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 that's both easy on the eyes and easy on the wallet. 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.
Sony has sold its ownership stake in fighting game competitive event Evo to Indian gaming and events company Nodwin Gaming, leaving Nodwin and RTS as joint owners.
This is the second time Evo has changed hands in four years. It was previously purchased jointly by Sony and RTS (a talent management and brand consulting company founded by streamer Pokimane) in 2021.
Sony is not fully departing Evo. It will be a global sponsor of Evo through 2028, and is one of the backers of Nodwin Gaming. “When SIE acquired Evo alongside RTS in 2021, our goal was to help the Evo community grow and spotlight the skills and passion of fighting game fans on a global stage,” said Phil Rosenberg, SVP and Head of Global Partner Development & Relations at Sony Interactive Entertainment. “As SIE transitions to become an Evo sponsor, the momentum for Evo has never been stronger, following a successful Las Vegas event and upcoming expansion to new regions. We look forward to supporting the continued growth of Evo globally.”
Nodwin Gaming may be an unfamiliar name to many. It's a gaming and events company based in India that was founded in 2015, and has led or facilitated events such as Dreamhack India, Comic Con India, Valorant Challengers South Asia, various PUBG Mobile championships, and others.
At the same time, Saudia Arabian company Qiddiya, which became a global partner of Evo last year, has announced it is investing in RTS and will remain a global Evo partner through 2027. Qiddiya is the Saudi investment company behind a massive entertainment and tourism project in the country, which aims to build a high-tech city centered around sports, gaming, and entertainment.
This change has some Evo fans wondering what the future will hold for Evo. Under Sony's ownership, PlayStation 5 was featured prominently at the event each year, including with demos for Sony games such as Astro Bot and Marvel Tokon. However, Sony's ownership also came simultaneous with Nintendo dropping out of the event and no longer permitting Super Smash Bros. to be played there. Some are wondering if the departure of Nintendo's console rival means Smash Bros. may make a comeback in future years.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
For a franchise as big as Pokémon, there's no such thing as too many plushie options. That's especially true when it comes to fan-favorites like Gengar. The popular grinning Ghost-Type Pokémon is officially coming to Build-A-Bear workshop as a giant-sized plushie. Sitting at 24-inches tall, this new plushie is what Build-A-Bear refers to as "friend height" and comes with its own coat. Gengar's true height is actually closer to five feet tall, so there's still room here for an even bigger life-sized version in the future.
This new plush bundle is priced at $149 and will become available online sometime in September. You can sign up to be notified when it actually releases by joining the email list on the Build-A-Bear product page.
Gengar has been a popular Pokémon since the very first generation. I myself am a bit of a Gengar fan thanks to both the games and the TV series. I was first introduced to this ghosty dude while watching the original anime, but I didn't truly reach the height of my Gengar appreciation levels until I started playing the first Pokémon game as a kid.
When you reach the Elite Four and face Agatha she actually has two Gengars in her lineup and both of them are equally devastating if you aren't careful. It wasn't until later that I realized I just needed a Psychic Pokémon in my party to win those battles, but those first encounters were enough for me to respect Gengar and all he brings to the table. Now I always try to add one to my party any time he's available to catch in any of the many Pokémon games.
More Gengar Merch Available
This Build-A-Bear isn't the only version of Gengar you can buy right now. There are actually quite a few Gengar plushies available from various retailers. They are one of the most popular Pokémon Squishmallows you can buy, and all different sizes are available. There was also recently a Razer Pokémon collaboration released that included a gaming headset with little Gengar ears, but it went out of stock almost immediately.
If you're looking to buy a plushie specifically, I've gathered some of the best options available right now below. Many of these are way cheaper than the new Build-A-Bear version as well.
Fresh off the heels of Superman, we’re getting the next “installment” in James Gunn’s reinvigorated DCU. And it’s not quite a new one. Peacemaker originally premiered back in 2021 as a spin-off of Suicide Squad, when the comic IP was still being adapted as the DCEU. As such, Season 2 returns under the full direction of Gunn’s new chapter, and lands in kind of an ambiguous place when it comes to overall canon.
Either way, Gunn is certainly hyped, saying, “I don’t think there’s anything that I’ve ever done that I love more than this season of Peacemaker, so I’m so excited for people to see it.” Here’s everything you need to know if you’re hoping to tune in.
Peacemaker Season 2 - Episode Release Schedule
New episodes of Peacemaker Season 2 will stream on HBO Max at 9pm ET every Thursday. The season will include eight episodes total. Assuming no breaks, here’s what to expect from the full release schedule:
Episode 1: “The Ties That Grind” - August 21
Episode 2: “A Man Is Only as Good as His Bird” - August 28
Episode 3: “Another Rick Up My Sleeve” - September 4
Episode 4: “Need I Say Door” - September 11
Episode 5: “Back to the Suture” - September 18
Episode 6: TBA - September 25
Episode 7: TBA - October 2
Episode 8: TBA - October 9
HBO Max is the streaming home of the DCU, and as such is where you’ll find the new Creature Commandos series, movies from the DCEU era, and standalone projects like Matt Reeves’ The Batman. It’s also where Superman will eventually land on streaming.
Peacemaker Season 2 is partly to blame for Superman’s quick transition to digital, which means the recent DCU flick is worth catching before the new season, if possible. Before Superman, we got the first season of Creature Commandos, which IGN’s review describes as “gracefully fulfills its duties as the bridge between the old DCEU and the new DCU, while also telling a rock solid story all its own.” At this point, that’s about all of the homework you have.
Otherwise, it seems like the new DCU timeline will be as straightforward as possible. On the nature of the “DCU timeline”, Gunn has explained, “As of now it's basically as the movies and shows come out — although of course some of these feature flashbacks.”
If you're a fan of Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere books, there's certainly no shortage of written content available. And in recent years, that same universe has started to trickle over into the world of tabletop games. One such experience is a collaboration with Brotherwise Games called Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game, which is currently discounted on Amazon.
The Mistborn board game pulls from Era 1 of the Mistborn book series. These were some of the first Brandon Sanderson books I ever read and are, in my opinion, the best entrypoint into The Cosmere as a whole. If you're a fan of both the books and deckbuilding games, I definitely recommend checking out this crossover board game.
Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game Is on Sale at Amazon
The Mistborn board game was designed by John D. Clair and published by Brotherwise Games. The game itself pulls directly from its source material, and players will have to burn and flare metals as they battle each other or the Lord Ruler throughout play. Like any standard deckbuilding game, everyone will begin with a weaker deck of cards and slowly add new ones to their hand throughout the game. It's designed for up to four players total, but can also be played solo if you prefer that route.
The current discount on Amazon drops the price down to $39.17, which is the lowest price we've ever seen for this game. And while that's still not exactly cheap, it's just enough of a discount to make it worth considering.
As part of the Intel Gamer Days Sale event, Lenovo is offering an excellent price on one of its highest end laptops. You can pick up the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 gaming laptop, equipped with a 16" OLED display and RTX 5080 GPU, for $2,599.99 after you apply two stackable coupon codes "BUYMORELENOVO" and "GAMERDAYS25". That's a total of about $910 off in savings. Lenovo Legion Pro laptops feature premium build quality, powerful components, and robust cooling.
Lenovo Legion 7 Pro Gen 10 RTX 5080 Laptop for $2,600
Apply both codes: "BUYMORELENOVO" and "GAMERDAYS25"
The Legion Pro 7 is Lenovo's highest end gaming laptop, featuring a full metal chassis (both lid and body), gorgeous OLED display with 2.5K 189ppi resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, HDR 1000 True Black certification, and 100% DCI-P3 color range, and better cooling than the Legion 5 series of laptops. This particular configuration is equipped with a 16" 2560x1600 240Hz OLED display, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU, 32GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM, and a 1TB SSD. This 2025 model has been updated with Wi-Fi 7. Connectivity options include a Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort 2.1, a USB Type-C port with up to 100W of Power Delivery, three USB Type-A ports, an RJ45 ethernet port, and an HDMI 2.1 port. The 99Whr battery can charge to 70% in just 30 minutes.
The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX is a top performing CPU
The Legion Pro 5 is equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX Arrow Lake-HX processor, which boasts a max turbo frequency of 5.4GHz with a whopping 24 cores and 40MB total L2 cache. According to Passmark, this is second most powerful Intel mobile CPU available right now and goes head to head with AMD's Ryzen 9 9955HX.
The GeForce RTX 5080 mobile GPU is better than the RTX 4090 mobile
The Legion Pro 7 laptop offers a robust cooling design that allows it to accomodate a more powerful GPU like the RTX 5080 without throttling it. That's important if you want to be able to play games comfortably on the display's enhanced 2560x1600 resolution. The RTX 5080 mobile GPU is roughly 15%-20% more powerful than the RTX 4080 mobile GPU that it replaces. In fact, it's slightly more powerful than the RTX 4090, which was the previous generation's flagship card. It's also within 15% of the RTX 5090's performance despite costing hundreds less.
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.
A teaser for the popular hero shooter’s latest collaboration snuck its way into the end of a new trailer for the next season of Overwatch that premiered as part of gamescom 2025. It’s far more straightforward than the usual crossover tease, revealing a switch to that iconic Persona 5 style before an individual that looks an awful lot like Joker drops in.
In typical Blizzard fashion, this is little more than a flashy tease of things to come, so players looking to spend Overwatch Coins will need to wait a few more weeks to see who will benefit from new Phantom Thieves-themed attire. Of course, that isn’t stopping fans from speculating about which Heroes will get skins.
Joker is the only character we can safely speculate about so far, with fans guessing that his iconic jacket and mask will go to either Cassidy or Genji. Judging by the bullet holes that show up at the end of the tease, our bet is on the former.
Other popular Person 5 characters like Ryuji, Morgana, Ann, and Futaba are also in the running when it comes to potential crossover skins. You could spend hours thinking up reasons why Lucio finally deserves to get a Legendary skin, but many players are just hoping to see outfits for Heroes like Sombra, Wrecking Ball, Junkrat, and, yes, even Kiriko.
The Overwatch 2 x Persona 5 collaboration follows Season 17’s G.I. Joe and Nerf crossovers. It’s also only Overwatch’s second time crossing over with a non-Blizzard video game, with the first being Street Fighter in Season 16.
Overwatch 2 Season 18 drops next week, August 26, and has more in store than just a few new skins, highlight intros, and sprays. Also included in today’s trailer are teasers for the introduction of Stadium in Quickplay, new Hero Perks, a Sojourn Mythic Skin, and the new support Hero, Wuyang. A blog post also detailed other upcoming additions, such as a Cassidy Mythic Weapon and an all-new Battle Pass.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
DC Studios co-CEO and Superman Director James Gunn says big things are in store for Warner Bros. Games, but it’s going to take a while to see them come to fruition.
The comic book bigwig spoke about his plans to expand the DC universe during an interview with GamesRadar+. As Gunn, co-CEO Peter Safran, and the rest of the DC Studios crew plot a new course for DCU shows and movies, the Superman moviemaker says he has no plans to leave gaming out of the equation.
“There's been some slight movement on different things," Gunn teased. "We have a couple of little DC games coming out. But we also have talked about – and in early stages of planning – some bigger things. One thing in particular I'm excited about, but it does take time. There's been some changes in Warner Bros. Games, and so we're dealing with new people.”
The studio also canceled its Wonder Woman game and shut down Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and WB San Diego in February. Although WB Games has managed to deliver successful comic book-based video games like the Injustice series and Batman Arkham series, DC gaming still has some work to do if it wants to make up lost ground.
There's been some slight movement on different things.
Gunn teases things are finally in motion at WB Games but declined to share what kind of DC projects fans can expect to see in the future. However, GamesRadar+ adds that the director teased that there is a good chance Superman star David Corenswet could reprise his role for a video game.
Gunn and Safran shared earlier this year that it will be “a couple of years” before fans get their hands on the first DCU games. Safran says they’ve been hands-on when it comes to new projects at studios like Injustice studio NetherRealm and Batman Arkham developer Rocksteady as they steer DC in a fresh direction.
“We see designs for the projects in their very earliest stages,” Gunn added at the time. “We talk about those. We talk about when they're talking about what the story might be, we say, ‘Well, maybe you want to go this way because we're planning on maybe doing something with this character and so forth and so on,’ and help to deal with that.”
It will be some time before a new vision for WB Games comes to fruition. In the meantime, the studio has been busy with Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, which it announced as part of gamescom 2025 earlier this week. Although fans are divided due to its limited roster, many have already found themselves drawn to its recreation of classic movie moments and Batman Arkham-like combat.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
The recent trends across Shrouded Fable and Stellar Crown illustrate a diverging market. Many Stellar Crown Illustration Rares such as Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Terapagos ex SIR are seeing sharp pullbacks, while a few under-the-radar Shrouded Fable Dark-type ex and Tool cards are appreciating steadily.
The contrast is clear. Flashy artwork loses momentum quickly, while cards with competitive or functional utility tend to hold or grow in value.
TL;DR: Crashers and Climbers This Week
One of the most notable climbers this week is Stellar Crown's Basic Darkness Energy in Hyper Rare form, which has risen from $34.15 in February to $39.98. That is a roughly 17% increase. At the same time, Shrouded Fable has not delivered any dramatic price surges, but subtle demand for tools and draw effects is clearly supporting modest value increases.
On the flip side, the Stellar Crown Illustration Rare staples are tumbling fast. Squirtle 148/142 has dropped from $73.63 in February to around $50 today, which is close to a 32% decline. Market price on TCGPlayer remains in the mid-50s, and the trend suggests collector demand is cooling quickly.
Pokémon Card Crashers
The most significant drop this week comes from Squirtle 148/142, an Illustration Rare from Stellar Crown that has fallen 32% since February. It opened at $73.63 and now sits closer to $50. Despite its nostalgic appeal and adorable art, Squirtle's gameplay relevance is practically zero. Its Withdraw attack relies on a coin flip to prevent damage and Skull Bash only deals 20 damage, which is far below any competitive threshold. The early hype was fueled by nostalgia, but that interest has faded as supply increased and serious players ignored it in favor of actual utility cards.
Bulbasaur 143/142 is showing nearly identical behavior. Its value has dropped 31%, from $62.96 in February to $43.50 today. Like Squirtle, its charm is rooted in nostalgic appeal, not play potential. Leech Seed deals minor damage and heals, but this does not make it relevant in any current decks. Oversupply has pushed the price down and it is now mostly a binder card for casual collectors.
Another casualty is Earthen Vessel 096/064, a Hyper Rare Trainer card that was once priced at $58.33 but now goes for $46.80. That is a 20% slide. Its effect lets players discard a card to search for up to two Basic Energy, which has utility but lacks explosiveness. With more aggressive tools and search options now favored in top-tier lists, this card is seeing less demand from both collectors and competitive players.
The Special Illustration Rare version of Fezandipiti ex 092/064 has also been slipping. Down from $49.81 to $38, it has lost 24% of its value since February. Its Flip the Script ability is situational at best, letting players draw three cards if one of their Pokémon was knocked out on the previous turn. Cruel Arrow is a targeted snipe attack for 100 damage, but the overall package has not delivered the consistency or pressure needed to keep a spot in top decks. Though its artwork is compelling, it is not enough to maintain premium pricing.
Terapagos ex 170/142 has taken the most dramatic hit among the crashers. Originally priced at $77.89, it now sits at $36.88, which represents a drop of over 52%. Its Colorless typing and bulky stats looked promising at launch, but Unified Beatdown relies on a full bench and cannot be used on turn one if going second. Crown Opal is a strong move but only blocks attacks from Basic non-Colorless Pokémon. These limitations make it too slow and too narrow for the current metagame.
Pokémon Card Climbers
While the flashy cards in Stellar Crown have stumbled, several functional and competitively useful cards from Shrouded Fable are seeing steady gains. At the top is Basic Darkness Energy 098/064 in Hyper Rare form, which has climbed from $34.15 in February to $39.98. That is a 17% increase. High rarity energy cards have long been a collector favorite, and this one also happens to serve an important role in Dark-heavy decks that are seeing renewed interest.
A surprise riser is Dusclops 069/064, an Illustration Rare that has moved from $17.46 to $20.40 since June. The Cursed Blast ability allows you to place five damage counters on any of your opponent’s Pokémon at the cost of knocking Dusclops out. It is a one-time play, but it can turn the tide against low-HP attackers or finish off key threats. It is finding homes in creative deck builds and may have long-term appeal as a rogue tool.
Interestingly, while the Special Illustration Rare of Fezandipiti ex is declining, the Double Rare version Fezandipiti ex 038/064 is moving the opposite direction. It has jumped from $8.66 in March to $16.75 now, an increase of 93%. Competitive players are clearly buying in. Flip the Script is a decent comeback mechanic and Cruel Arrow is strong board pressure in slower matchups. It is a functional card at a lower price point, and it is benefiting from increased adoption in mid-tier builds.
The subtle but steady growth of Powerglass 097/064 also deserves mention. This Hyper Rare Pokémon Tool has gone from $17.35 to $18.50, a 7% uptick. Its end-of-turn effect lets you attach a Basic Energy from your discard pile if the equipped Pokémon is in the Active Spot. That kind of resource recycling is increasingly valuable in grindy games, and players are finding ways to incorporate it into rotating attacker strategies.
Lastly, Okidogi ex 090/064 has risen from $16.76 in March to $18.99 today, a 13% gain. This Darkness-type Pokémon has synergy built around Poison and self-boosting. Its first attack accelerates two Basic Darkness Energy at the cost of becoming Poisoned, while Chain-Crazed hits for 130 more damage if the Pokémon is poisoned. That interaction allows it to self-power and self-trigger a massive 260 damage attack, which is gaining popularity in certain fringe decks. Its Special Illustration Rare art adds collector interest, pushing both play and display value upward.
Sealed Stellar Crown and Shrouded Fable Products
For collectors and players who prefer the thrill of opening packs rather than buying singles, both Stellar Crown and Shrouded Fable offer a solid lineup of sealed products right now. But if you're chasing specific high-value Illustration Rares like Squirtle or playable staples like Fezandipiti ex, the numbers make one thing clear: buying singles will save you a fortune.
Take the Stellar Crown Booster Box, currently sitting at $219.99 on TCGPlayer. With 36 packs, you're paying over $6 per pack, and the odds of pulling a specific Illustration Rare like Terapagos ex 170/142 are incredibly slim. Given that that card now sells for around $36.88, it's far more efficient to buy it directly than to hope you land one by chance.
If you're looking for smaller options, the Stellar Crown Booster Bundle at $54.01 or the Elite Trainer Box at $83.00 offer a few packs and themed accessories, but again, the likelihood of pulling a $50+ chase card is very low. Even the Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box, priced at $121.00, carries a high cost per pack with no guarantee of return.
On the Shrouded Fable side, the Booster Bundle at $46.24 and Elite Trainer Box at $55.01 offer a more accessible entry point, and this set's price floor is generally lower. The Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box at $97.94 and Mini Tin Display at $164.95 are aimed at collectors who want a premium unboxing experience, but again, pulling specific cards like Powerglass or Okidogi ex is far from guaranteed.
Even the Kingdra ex Special Illustration Collection at $124.99 and Greninja ex Collection at $90.00 serve more as showcase pieces than consistent value plays. Unless you're collecting sealed for long-term hold or display, the best strategy right now is surgical: identify the singles you want and buy them directly.
Sealed product is fun and occasionally lucky, but the current market makes one thing obvious. If your goal is to own a particular card, especially any of the climbers or crashers we’ve covered this week, buying singles is the smarter and more economical path.
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.
The four new phones included in the Pixel 10 lineup are here, so now's your chance to go through the time-honored tradition of buying a new case, because god forbid anyone be able to use their old case with a new device. That’s actually a good thing this year, though, because Google has finally invented MagSafe charging with Pixelsnap, its new marketing term that denotes Qi2 magnetic wireless charging. Rejoice!
Featured in this article
Qi2 has been a slow burn when it comes to bringing magnetic wireless charging to Android devices. The first magnetic chargers to actualize the standard began to arrive in late 2023, but only a few Android phones, like the HMD Skyline, have actually supported it out of the box. Samsung has gone halfway there, releasing its Galaxy S25 phones as Qi2 Ready-certified – meaning they’ll get 15 watts of power delivery wirelessly if you add a Qi2 Ready magnetic case to them.
Thankfully, that’s not the case with the Pixel 10. Every Pixel 10 phone supports Qi2 wireless charging up to at least 15 watts, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold gets support for Qi2.2’s max speed of 25 watts.
1. Google Pixelsnap Cases
Best Pixel 10 Case
Google wasn’t always great at phone cases, but it’s come a long way in the last couple of years. Its silicone cases come in seven colorways, including four options color-matched to the phones themselves. Expect a slim, pleasant fit that doesn’t add too much bulk or heft, along with a soft microfiber lining. And this year, they’re magnetic, so you can get full power out of your Qi2 wireless charger.
They’ll still come with the usual silicone case problems: specifically, they can be a little sticky. That’s a good thing for keeping the phone securely in-hand, but it’s a pain when it comes to pocketing it on a hot day in your favorite blue jeans, and they tend to collect dust and hair, especially as they age.
At $49.99, they’re a little spendy compared to some third-party cases, but if you like Silicone, the Google Pixelsnap cases are probably the best ones you can buy right now
2. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold Pixelsnap Case
Best Pixel 10 Pro Fold Case
Last year, Google made some of the best cases for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and I expect that to be no different this year. The first-party case is likely to be the best-fitting, and it’s color-matched to the phones, so you don’t have to worry about coordinating colors so the camera bump isn’t a garish little window.
Otherwise, expect the case to be effectively identical to that of last year’s phones – Qi2 magnetic charging ring included – since Google didn’t really change the chassis this year. That may even mean that, if you’ve got an old Pixel 9 Pro Fold case, you can just re-use that one, at the risk of mismatched colors. But hey, if it saves you the $49.99 Google charges for it, it’s a good way to put off the extra expense after you’ve just spent at least $1,799 for the phone itself.
3. Dbrand Pixel 10 Grip Case
Most Stylish Pixel 10 Case
Dbrand has come out of the gate with its usual slew of Stylish cases for the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The cases come in matte black, but are also available with options like a shimmering holographic skin and a couple of prints of the innards, either scanned or x-rayed.
If you used the company’s older Pixel Grip cases, expect more of the same, down to the magnets; only now that Google has named it, they’re Pixelsnap magnets. The one difference, for now at least, is that Dbrand isn’t offering its anti-yellowing Ghost clear case for the standard Pixel 10 series – just the Pro and Pro XL models.
Pricewise, at $59.90, these are spendier than a lot of the options on this list, but the company’s cases tend to fit well and offer decent drop protection. They have chamfered lips, too, to make it more pleasant to interact with the touchscreen than cases with blunt edges.
4. Peak Design Everyday Case
Best Mountable Case
Peak Design doesn’t make your usual smartphone cases. The company, known mainly for its fashionable bags, has a line of phone cases with a modular spin: they connect to a variety of mounts for things like motorcycle and bicycle handlebars and tripods, using Peak Design’s strong, square-shaped magnetic SlimLink connector. They also contain a magnetic ring that lets you use a Qi2 charger with your phone.
The Pixel 10 Everyday case comes in black, green, and brown, and they’re made of either Nylon or Clarino vegan leather, which is a microfiber material created from industrial waste. (Don’t worry, it won’t turn you into The Toxic Avenger. Probably.) The lip is lined with a TPU bumper, and it’s got anodized aluminum buttons, which is good – metal buttons are table stakes if you want me to pay $49.95 for a phone case.
The cases aren’t the most expensive, but they’re not exactly cheap. They’ll run you $49.95 for the basic case or $59.95 for the Pixel 10 Everyday Case Loop, which has a built-in finger loop for a more stable hold. Unfortunately, it looks like the Loop version is only available in brown.
5. Force Air Case with Pixelsnap
Best Clear Case
Google sells a couple of Pixel 10 clear case options via its online store, but the better of the two seems like the Force Air Case with Pixelsnap. I’ve never actually heard of Force, the company that makes it, but there are a couple of reasons I’m giving its case the nod. One is simply price: it’s only $34.99, while the Case Mate option Google also sells is $10 more.
The other is its polycarbonate backing. Dbrand made a lot of noise in 2023 when it created the Ghost Case, a clear case it claimed would never yellow. The main reason isn’t that the company figured out some secret sauce that keeps the TPU from going all piss-colored. It’s that it replaced the back of the phone with polycarbonate, using TPU just for the outer edge.
The Force Air case does the same thing, which probably means the fully clear version’s TPU outer edge will take on a dingy hue eventually. But the company is also offering the case in two other options in which the outer edge is a colored TPU, in blue or black. I’d expect that those two would stay clear, at least for longer than a normal floppy TPU case would.
Mous Super Thin Case with Pixelsnap
Best Thin Case
This Mous (pronounced “mouse,” by the way) case is 1.1mm thick, with slightly raised edges that the company says can help protect the phone while saving bulk. It’s also Pixelsnap-compatible, with a built-in magnetic ring for charging the phone or slapping accessories onto. Mous also says it was co-created with Google’s own designers to ensure fit and that the colors match.
Whatever the company did for protection, it’s probably still not as protective as some of the bigger tank-like options out there, but if you’re willing to sacrifice a little peace of mind for a phone that feels better in-hand, Mous has you covered. Plus, at $44.99, it’s a little bit cheaper than most of the cases on this list.
8. Otterbox Defender
Best Rugged Case
Otterbox has a longstanding reputation for high-quality phone cases made of sturdy plastic and rubber, and I’d expect that to be the same for the Pixel 10 series. The company has cases for all of the standard phones – it’s only offering one of its Thin Flex Series cases for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
All of the Defender cases right now are clear, with a rubbery border for outer protection. They’ve got embedded magnets to let you charge the phone or attach magnetic accessories, and they’ve got built-in anchors for adding straps and tchotchkes to your phone. The company says it also offers a free holster that can let you clip your phone to a belt or bag and also serves as a kickstand.
The one thing I’ve never liked about Otterbox cases is really just how the buttons feel although that seems challenging when you’re focused on making the phone as protective as possible. These new cases are spendy, too, costing $69.99 each (or $59.99 for the Thin Flex Pixel 10 Pro Fold case I mentioned).
How to Pick a Google Pixel 10 Case
Choosing the right phone case is easier these days than it used to be, although not necessarily because cases are any better. They are, but phones have also become a lot more durable. Still, they’re an expensive investment, particularly if you’re not going through a wireless provider deal to get them.
If you’re like me and aren’t quite as concerned about adding durability and heft, the right things to consider are ergonomic in nature – is it comfortable to hold? Do the buttons feel good to use? Is the case designed with the minimal bezels of modern touch screens in mind? Looks are key, too. Is it going to ugly up Google’s phones, which are genuinely nice to look at?
And if you’re buying a clear case, consider fit and the possibility that the case will grow yellow with time. TPU is commonly used in these cases and is nice and flexible, but it also takes on a grimy look over time, while straight up plastic is far less malleable and can crack if you drop it. A combo of the two is better, especially if the TPU part is colored. The other thing about clear cases is they like to collect dust. A good fit reduces this, but only so much, so bear in mind you might be compelled to wipe it out every now and then.
If you’re buying a folding phone, your priorities may bend back toward protection, despite the Pixel 10 Pro Fold being IP68-rated, meaning it’s dust- and- waterproof when it ships. That’s a big win for foldables, which have been particularly vulnerable to dust, but it’s still an inherently vulnerable form factor, thanks to its folding hinge. Look for a case that’s protective yet grippy, and be especially mindful of the bumper around the front-facing outer screen, as that’s the most challenging piece to get right and is often so floppy you might as well not bother using it, because it’ll just keep falling off.
Wes is a freelance writer (Freelance Wes, they call him) who has covered technology, gaming, and entertainment steadily since 2020 at Gizmodo, Tom's Hardware, Hardcore Gamer, and most recently, The Verge. Inside of him there are two wolves: one that thinks it wouldn't be so bad to start collecting game consoles again, and the other who also thinks this, but more strongly.
If you're a Windows user that's looking for an affordable micro-sized PC that's as small as the Apple Mac Mini and still want to get in a little bit of gaming, then AliExpress is offering a great deal on a rather powerful complete Windows-based mini PC. Right now the Acemagic S3A AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS mini PC is on sale for $381.99 after $80 off coupon code: "AEUS80" is applied during checkout. This system boasts a capable AMD 780M iGPU, 32GB of RAM, 1TB HDD, and even comes with Window 11 Pro preinstalled. You're also buying it from Acemagic's official store on AliExpress so no shady resellers to worry about. It ships free locally from the United States and arrives within 1 to 2 weeks.
Acemagic S3A AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS Micro PC for $382
The Acemagic S3A mini PC measures 5" square and 1.6" thick, about the same size as the latest Mac Mini M4 and smaller than all previous Mac Mini generations. The RAM and storage are neatly contained on one side and are easily accessible by removing the side panel for future upgrades.
This S3A configuration is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS CPU, which features onboard Radeon 780M graphics. As far as low-power onboard graphic solutions go, the 780M is an excellent gaming chip. In the past, iGPU gaming performance was just a meme, but not so anymore. They're perfectly capable of running games like Fortnite and Minecraft at 1080p, but they can even run more demanding games like Red Dead Redemption 2, Apex Legends, or even Cyberpunk at a reduced 720p/1080p resolution in FSR performance mode and maintain a respectable 30fps frame rate. Sure, you'll get better performance when you throw in a discrete card, but you'll pay a lot more and require a bigger box.
Alongside the CPU is a heathy dose of memory and storage. You're getting 32GB (2x16GB) of DDR5-5600MHz RAM and a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 M.2 NVMe 2280 SSD with rated transfer speeds of up to 7,000MB/s, which is considerably faster than most RAM and storage options you would typically see in these budget mini computers.
The Acemagic S3A includes plenty of connectivity options including one USB4 Type-C port, two USB3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, four USB3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, DisplayPort 2.0 port, HDMI 2.0 port, 3.5mm audio jack, and RJ-45 2.5GbE ethernet port. It's capable of video output up to 4K @ 120Hz over USB4 or DisplayPort 2.0 (although I wouldn't recommend using those settings for gaming). Internally, it's equipped with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
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.
Today, we got our first real, new, meaty trailer for Hollow Knight: Silksong in several years, complete with a September 4 release date. Fans are already unpacking details from the trailer, including pointing out that it looks like the base game of Silksong might be bigger than the base game of Hollow Knight - quite a feat for something that started out as DLC.
Evidence for this comes from the trailer above, which has text stating the game contains over 200 enemies and over 40 bosses. Compare that to Hollow Knight's launch trailer, which said over 140 enemies and over 30 bosses:
So it sounds like Silksong is launching with more enemies and bosses than Hollow Knight did. And though we don't know the size of the explorable area in Silksong, it stands to reason that it probably needs to be big enough to fit all those little guys, and thus its map is likely to be at least as big as the original Hollow Knight if not more. And while that may sound like a given for a sequel, it's helpful to remember that Silksong didn't start out as a sequel - it began as DLC, and then somehow morphed into something seemingly even bigger than its predecessor.
Now, that comparison doesn't include Hollow Knight's DLC, which added tons of new enemies, areas, bosses, story, and other content. With all that included, the existing game of Hollow Knight is almost certainly larger than Silksong was at launch. That said, we learned today that developer Team Cherry is still working on more Silksong for the months and years after the game's launch, making it possible it will eventually surpass Hollow Knight's DLC as well.
If you absolutely can't wait until launch to find out what some of these enemies and bosses entail, we did get to preview Hollow Knight: Silksong earlier this week at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany. Funnily enough, it looks like the exact same demo we played back in E3 2019, only with six more years of polish, illustrating how far the game has come in its lengthy development.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
Outside the TCG world, today’s tech deals are worth a look too. The standout is a buy-one-get-one offer on Baseus’s 10-in-1 charging station, giving you a full desktop power hub for as little as $15 each. iPhone users can also pick up the ultra-slim LISEN MagSafe battery pack for under $20, perfect for quick top-ups on the go. Rounding things out are a mix of other discounts across everyday essentials, so there’s a little something for everyone in today’s roundup.
Cheap Pokémon TCG ETBs
TCGPlayer is killing Amazon for the most in demand elite trainer boxes right now. Black Bolt is 25% cheaper at $84, White Flare is 17% below Amazon at $80.95 followed by Destined Rivals 17% cheaper at $94.48 and Twilight Masquerade at $86.87, which is a modest 6% cheaper. We're still a ways off from MSRP, but if you want to get one of these ETBs this is the cheapest option right now.
Most Expensive Pokémon Cards from Japan's Mega Brave and Mega Symphonia
Japan's Mega Brave and Mega Symphonia Pokémon TCG sets have quickly gained popularity with collectors and competitive players alike, thanks to their focus on iconic Mega Evolutions, powerful Supporter cards, and premium artwork. High-value chase cards like Mega Gardevoir ex 092/063 and Mega Lucario ex 092/063 are priced at $664 and $444 respectively, while many others remain above the $100 mark.
These sets combine strong gameplay mechanics such as Psychic energy acceleration and hard-hitting Fighting-type attacks with visually stunning Special and Ultra Rare treatments that elevate their appeal. Booster boxes and Premium Trainer Boxes are available on TCGPlayer and include guaranteed rare pulls due to Japanese packaging rules. While the most expensive cards draw attention, more affordable options like Lillie’s Determination 086/063, Mega Kangaskhan ex SAR, and Mega Absol ex SAR offer great value with solid gameplay and collector-friendly art, making these sets a standout release for fans looking for both playability and display-worthy cards.
This Weeks Crashers and Climbers
Stellar Crown’s Illustration Rares like Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Terapagos ex are dropping fast, with nostalgia-driven hype fading as supply grows and competitive players move on. Squirtle is down about 32% since February and Bulbasaur is down 31%, both sliding because their gameplay value is minimal. Earthen Vessel and the Special Illustration Rare Fezandipiti ex are also slipping, while Terapagos ex has been hit hardest, losing over half its value.
On the other hand, Shrouded Fable cards with practical utility are steadily climbing. Hyper Rare Basic Darkness Energy has gained around 17% as Dark-focused decks get more popular, and Dusclops is creeping up thanks to its creative ability. Even the Double Rare Fezandipiti ex is bucking the trend, nearly doubling in value as competitive players embrace it. Smaller gains from Powerglass and Okidogi ex reinforce the idea that functional, playable cards are holding their ground while flashy artwork is losing steam.
Acemagic S3A AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS Micro PC for $382
If you're a Windows user that's looking for an affordable micro-sized PC that's as small as the Apple Mac Mini and still want to get in a little bit of gaming, then AliExpress is offering a great deal on a rather powerful complete Windows-based mini PC. Right now the Acemagic S3A AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS mini PC is on sale for $381.99 after $80 off coupon code: "AEUS80" is applied during checkout. This system boasts a capable AMD 780M iGPU, 32GB of RAM, 1TB HDD, and even comes with Window 11 Pro preinstalled. You're also buying it from Acemagic's official store on AliExpress so no shady resellers to worry about. It ships free locally from the United States and arrives within 1 to 2 weeks.
LISEN MagSafe Portable Charger
LISEN MagSafe Portable Charger is a slim magnetic power bank that attaches directly to MagSafe-compatible iPhones. At just 0.3 inches thick, it’s easy to slip into a pocket or bag, and the 5000mAh capacity is enough for a solid top-up when you’re out and about. It supports 7.5W wireless charging or faster 18W wired charging with the included USB-C cable. Strong magnets keep it in place, and built-in safety features help prevent overheating or overcharging. It’s available in a few different colors and comes with a two-year warranty, which is nice peace of mind for a budget-friendly $17 charger.
Baseus Charging Station 67W
Baseus 67W Charging Station is already a solid value at $29.99 (57% off its usual $69.99), but right now Amazon is running a buy-one-get-one offer. Add two to your cart, and the second one is free. Each unit gives you six AC outlets, three USB-C ports, and a USB-A port, with up to 67W fast charging that’s strong enough for laptops. The vertical design helps keep your desk tidy, and built-in surge protection plus GaN cooling tech make it a safer, more efficient alternative to juggling multiple chargers.
INIU Portable Charger, Slimmest Fast Charging 10000mAh
INIU Portable Charger is a slim and lightweight 10,000mAh power bank that delivers fast charging speeds up to 22.5W with PD 3.0 and QC4+ technology, capable of charging an iPhone from 0 to 65% in just 30 minutes. Designed for portability, it’s thinner, smaller, and lighter than most chargers in its class while still offering multiple charges for devices like iPhones, Samsung phones, iPads, and AirPods. It features a USB-C input and output for full compatibility with modern devices, a digital display, and even a built-in flashlight.
Fallout: Season One (4K Ultra HD)
With Fallout Season 2 officially set to drop this December, Amazon has perfectly timed a deal on Fallout: Season 1 in 4K UHD Blu-ray, now just $29.99 (25% off its usual $39.99 price). That’s the same MSRP as the DVD and standard Blu-ray versions, but with far superior image quality if you’ve got a 4K player built into your Xbox Series X or PS5. Fallout Season 1 debuted on Prime Video in April 2024 and quickly became a breakout hit, leading Amazon to lock in Seasons 2 and 3. While the limited-edition Steelbook is long sold out, this discounted 4K release is a must for fans who want a physical copy, especially given how rare it is for streaming exclusives to make their way onto disc.
Spawn [Limited Edition]
The 1997 cult-classic comic book adaptation Spawn is getting a deluxe upgrade with a limited-edition 4K Blu-ray from Arrow Video, releasing on October 7. Normally priced at $49.95, it’s currently down to $38.02 at Amazon (24% off), and preordering now locks in the lowest price if it drops again before release. This collector’s edition comes packed with extras alongside the film itself, making it a must-have for fans of Todd McFarlane’s iconic anti-hero. Spawn tells the story of Al Simmons, a government assassin who dies, makes a deal with the devil, and returns as a scarred “hellspawn”.
Pokémon TCG - Black Bolt Booster Bundle Set
Fancy knocking $5.50 off a preorder for a Pokémon TCG: Black Bolt Booster Bundle? Well TCGPlayer has once again knocked Amazon off their pedisstal as they charge more than neccessary for Pokémon TCG product. Inside you'll find six booster packs of Black Bolt.
BOOKOO Jump Starter 2000A
Bookoo 12V 2,000A Cordless Car Jump Starter is down to just $19.26 on Amazon as part of a Lightning Deal when you use code TYLQ6GNL (normally $44.99). Compact yet powerful, it can jump start up to 8L gas or 6.5L diesel engines and packs a hefty 20,000mAh lithium battery that holds charge for up to two years. It also doubles as a portable power bank with 18W USB-C PD and two USB-A ports (including QuickCharge 3.0), plus a built-in flashlight with strobe and SOS modes.
Apple 20W USB-C Compact Power Adapter
Apple 20W USB-C Compact Power Adapter is on sale for $14.99 at Amazon (regularly $19), offering fast and efficient charging in a lightweight, travel-friendly design. Compatible with a wide range of iPhones from the iPhone 8 through the latest iPhone 16 lineup (Including iPads and other USB-C devices). It can deliver up to 50% charge in about 30 minutes when paired with the right device and cable
tomtoc Slim Carrying Case for Nintendo Switch 2
Tomtoc Slim Carrying Case for Nintendo Switch 2 (2025) is currently on sale for $29.59 at Amazon (down from $47.99). Designed specifically for the new Switch 2, it offers a precision fit that aligns perfectly with every port and button while maintaining a slim, lightweight profile that’s easy to slip into a bag. Built with durable felt materials that provide military-grade drop protection, it also features a soft plush interior to guard against scratches.
EUKI Compressed Air Duster-150000RPM
EUKI Compressed Air Duster (X3-US) is available for $39.99 on Amazon, with an additional $15 coupon that drops the price even lower. Spinning at up to 150,000 RPM with three adjustable speed settings, it delivers powerful airflow for clearing dust, debris, and even drying surfaces quickly. Weighing just 315 grams, it’s portable enough for both home and outdoor use. It's perfect for cleaning keyboards, PCs, and cars, or inflating air beds and more.
Nintendo Switch 2 Is on Sale at AliExpress
Brand new, genuine, imported, region unlocked units
If you still haven't yet picked up a Nintendo Switch 2, here's a rare opportunity to get one at a discounted price. In fact, this may be the only Switch 2 deal we'll this year. AliExpress is offering a Nintendo Switch 2 console for just $404.28 (normally $450) after you apply a $100 off coupon code "AEUS100" or "USAFF100" during checkout. Alternatively you can get the Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle for just $436.49 (normally $500) after the same coupon. Both consoles ship free locally from the United States and arrives within 1 to 2 weeks. These are import models from Hong Kong. Like all Switch consoles, they are region unlocked, meaning you can play them in the US without any problems. You'll also be able to select English as your default language just like any console you buy here. They'll come with a Hong Kong style plug, but a US adapter is included. Imported consoles do not get a US-based Nintendo warranty. AliExpress does include a 90-day free returns window.
MTG Final Fantasy Commander Deck Price Drop
Amazon has dropped the Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Commander Deck bundle to $189.99 (29% off MSRP), the lowest price yet and a significant saving over buying the decks individually. The set includes all four precons: Revival Trance, Scions and Spellcraft, Limit Break, and Counter Blitz. Limit Break offers strong reprints such as Darksteel Plate and Sword of the Animist, while Counter Blitz delivers powerful synergies built around counters and proliferate. Individually, three of these decks have been selling above $50, with Limit Break still listed at $72.50 on Amazon, making the bundle the best way to grab the full set at a discount.
MTG Aetherdrift Sale
Amazon has dropped one of the best Magic: The Gathering deals of the year, slashing the price of the Aetherdrift Finish Line Bundle from $79.99 to its lowest-ever $52.70. Packed with value, the bundle includes 2 premium Collector Boosters (worth nearly $20 each on their own), 6 Play Boosters, 20 foil lands, 3 exclusive Extended-Art cards, 2 foil Box Topper cards, a foil storage box, spindown life counter, stickers, and reference cards. Considering the Collector Boosters alone nearly cover the price, the rest of the contents are essentially a bonus, offering huge value for those chasing Aetherdrift’s rarest cards like the Radiant Lotus Fracture Foil or The Aetherspark First-Place Foil. With stock already more than halfway claimed, this deal won’t last long.
MTG Avatar Preorders Are Live
Best Buy and Amazon have posted its listings for Magic: The Gathering – Avatar: The Last Airbender,
The crossover Universes Beyond set officially launches November 21, 2025 (digital release November 18) and introduces bending-themed mechanics such as airbending, waterbending, earthbending, and firebending, along with fan-favorite characters including Aang, Katara, Zuko, Toph, and even the Cabbage Merchant.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trilogy Limited Edition Blu-ray set brings together all three classic films in a newly restored collection. Starting with the gritty 1990 original, followed by the fun-filled 1991 sequel The Secret of the Ooze, and wrapping up with 1993’s time-travel adventure Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, the trilogy captures the mix of martial arts action, humor, and groundbreaking (for the time) effects that made the turtles global icons. Restored in 4K and loaded with extras like new director commentaries, cast and crew interviews, original and remixed audio tracks, and a collector’s booklet, this set celebrates the legacy of Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael with style.
Amazon has dropped the price of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classic Technodrome Playset to $32.84, nearly 60% off its original $79.99 list price and the lowest it has ever been. Originally released in 1990 and now reimagined as an Amazon exclusive, the Technodrome is authentically sculpted and decorated to match the original toy, complete with retro 1980s box art. The discount follows strong preorder demand for the TMNT Classic Sewer Set, which ships in September, making this a tempting pickup for collectors who want both classic sets at a fraction of their original cost.
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller for $82.13
Nintendo recently raised the price of the new Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller from $85 to $90, but here's an opportunity to get one for even less that either price. AliExpress currently has a genuine, imported Switch 2 Pro controller for $82.13 after you apply $20 off coupon code "AEUS20" during checkout. It ships free locally from the United States and arrives within 1 to 2 weeks. Check out our Switch 2 Pro Controller review.
This is a genuine official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller. It's an import model, most likely from Hong Kong, China, or Japan. However, it doesn't really matter because Switch hardware is region unlocked, meaning you can use the controller in the US with any locally purchased Switch 2 without any problems. Keep in mind that imported hardware does not get a US-based Nintendo warranty, however AliExpress does include a 15-day free returns window.
ACEMAGIC Vista Mini V1 Mini PC
ACEMAGIC Vista Mini V1 is a compact and powerful mini PC powered by Intel’s latest Twin Lake N150 processor, offering up to 3.6GHz speeds and outperforming the N100 and N95 chips by more than 39 percent in performance tests. Pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro, it comes with 16GB DDR4 RAM and a 512GB SSD, with easy expansion up to 2TB for extra storage. Despite its small 3.9x3.9x1.3-inch metal body, it features efficient cooling, quiet fans, and versatile connectivity including HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, USB 3.2, Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi, and Bluetooth. Designed for business, education, entertainment, or everyday use, it supports 4K dual display output with Intel UHD Graphics, making it a sleek, portable, and reliable option for a second PC at home or in the office.
Superman (2025) (Bonus X-Ray Edition)
James Gunn’s Superman, the first theatrical release in his new DCU, soared into theaters last month and is already available to watch at home on digital platforms like Prime Video. The film, starring David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan with Nicholas Hoult, blends epic action, humor, and heart to reintroduce a Superman driven by compassion and belief in humanity. Despite the quick turnaround to streaming, it’s not a sign of weak box office.Superman has grossed over $580 million so far, earning the biggest opening weekend of any Superman movie and standing as 2025’s top-grossing superhero film to date. Gunn has emphasized that the early digital release was a creative choice tied to the future of the DCU, including the upcoming Peacemaker projects.
The Legend of Zelda - The Complete Series
This DVD collects all 13 episodes of the "so bad its good" Legend of Zelda cartoon, which has about three hours and 41 minutes of Link and Princess Zelda defending Hyrule from Ganondorf. While it’s a barebones release with no extras and everything on a single disc, the nostalgic box art featuring classic character designs, combined with the new low price, makes it a fun piece of Zelda and cartoon history to own, even if it’s only on DVD.
The Fantom Drives VENOM8 2TB NVMe Gen 4 M.2 Internal SSD with heatsink is now available for $149.45 at Amazon, 24% off its typical $197.65 price. This PS5-ready upgrade delivers read speeds up to 7400MB/s and write speeds up to 6500MB/s, providing faster load times and smoother gameplay. It features 3D NAND TLC technology with DDR4 DRAM Cache along with TRIM support, SMART monitoring, and LDPC ECC for reliability. The aluminum magnesium alloy heatsink helps keep temperatures in check for consistent performance, and installation is quick and simple. With 2TB of storage capacity, enough for around 50 games, it is an excellent option for expanding your PS5 library.
MTG: Spider-Man Play Booster Box Back In Stock
I'm expecting this MTG Universes Beyond expansion to web zip off shelves when it drops at the end of Feburary, so if you see a preorder like I have, just secure it.
The money won't be taken from your bank until it ships either, so it's a no brainer. I've also included the listings for the rest of the set from TCGPlayer incase you needed a massive ripping session.
McFarlane Marvel and DC Sale
Plenty of awesome figures to choose from here for more than 50% off in most cases. I absolutley love the comic front cover diorama ones, fantastic display pieces and belong on everyone's show-off shelf for these kinds of prices.
LEGO Deals
We're not just talk about bricks here, we've even got a cracking deal for a physical copy of LEGO Horizon Adventures on PS5 for $21.99, a massive 63% off. Sick of buying your better half flowers and them dying quick? Just make some out of LEGO Botanicals instead thanks to some big savings on Amazon. Even Harry Potter has rocked up with some deals
Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection Nintendo Switch
The Yu-Gi-Oh Early Days Collection for Nintendo Switch is currently available for $19.99 at Amazon, which is 60% off the original $49.99 list price and matches the lowest price seen during Prime Day. This bundle includes 14 classic Yu-Gi-Oh games, many released in the West for the first time, along with a collectible Harpie's Feather Duster card in a special Quarter Century Secret Rare printing. Titles range from early Game Boy releases like Duel Monsters and Dark Duel Stories to Game Boy Advance favorites such as The Sacred Cards and Reshef of Destruction. The included card, offered in one of two variants, is part of the franchise’s 25th anniversary celebration and could hold significant value for collectors.
INIU Portable Charger
INIU Portable Charger 10000mAh is now available for $19.79 at Amazon, 10% off its typical $21.99 price. This slim and lightweight power bank delivers 22.5W fast charging with PD 3.0 and QC4+ technology, capable of charging an iPhone from 0 to 65% in just 30 minutes. It features a USB-C input and output for compatibility with the latest iPhones, iPads, Samsung devices, and other USB-C gadgets, along with a digital display, flashlight, and trickle-charging mode for smaller devices like AirPods. The 10000mAh capacity can provide up to 3.3 charges for an iPhone 8 or 2 full charges for a Samsung S8, making it a reliable and portable charging solution for travel or everyday use.
A Nightmare on Elm Street: 7-Film Collection
The A Nightmare on Elm Street: 7-Film Collection is now available for $99.95 at Amazon, 5% off the list price of $104.98. This set marks the first time all seven films in the iconic horror series have been released in 4K Ultra HD, and it also includes digital copies for each movie. Directed by Wes Craven and starring Robert Englund as the infamous Freddy Krueger, the collection delivers the complete nightmare experience in the highest quality yet for longtime fans and new viewers alike.
HOTO 25 in 1 Precision Electric Screwdriver Set
HOTO 25 in 1 Precision Electric Screwdriver Set bundled with the 28 in 1 Precision Screwdriver Set is available for $59.98 at Amazon, a 36% discount off the $93.98 list price and $15.99 less than buying separately. This high-end kit features a sleek aluminum alloy design with an anodized, anti-sweat, and anti-corrosion finish, along with durable PC+ABS components. The electric screwdriver includes 25 precision S2 steel bits across 10 types for repairing electronics such as laptops, tablets, cameras, and game consoles, while the manual set adds 28 bits for even broader coverage. Both sets come with a built-in magnetizer for quick bit magnetization and precision torque control, making them suitable for both professionals and hobbyists.
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.
As Team Cherry finally, truly nails down a release date for Hollow Knight: Silksong, the studio has confirmed the original game has managed to reach 15 million copies sold.
A sales update for the bleak and beloved metroidvania title comes from Bloomberg, which spoke with Team Cherry ahead of today’s long-awaited release date reveal. Along with a swarm of details about what took the team so long to finish its sequel, the studio confirmed that 2017’s Hollow Knight has officially sold 15 million units across PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
It’s proof Hollow Knight had plenty of staying power in the eight years since launch, as players have not-so-patiently awaited news for a sequel. One million of its sales were reached in its first year on PC, alone, with its June 2018 Switch launch and September 2018 PS4 and Xbox One launch only giving players more avenues to pick up a copy. More than anything, it’s clear the unending hype for Hollow Knight: Silksong news only bolstered sales of the original game in the last six years.
Reaching the 15 million mark is one milestone not many independent games manage to achieve, cementing its bug-filled world and crushing gameplay as a particularly important universe for gaming going forward. We’ll see more of that universe when Hollow Knight: Silksong finally launches for PC, Switch, Switch 2, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X | S September 4, 2025.
Team Cherry already has more content in the works for the sequel, so if you thought you were done waiting for more Hollow Knight content, get ready to wait some more. In the meantime, you can check out our original 9.4/10 Hollow Knight review.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
In a shake-up for TT Games' LEGO series, the newly-announced LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight features just a handful of playable heroes, even if many more DC Comics characters will appear in the game as enemies or NPCs — something that is prompting plenty of fan debate.
Typically, TT Games' LEGO adventures include hundreds of characters to unlock and play as, with character collection a fun part of fully completing a LEGO game. TT Games' previous project LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga offered one of the biggest rosters yet — with around 400 characters depending on whether you owned the base game or all of its DLC.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is taking a different approach, however, with an official Q&A page for the game confirming just seven heroes will be playable — and no supervillains.
"LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight will feature seven playable characters, including Batman, Jim Gordon, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, Catwoman, and Talia al Ghul," reads the game's official Q&A. "Each character is equipped with unique skills, combos, and gadgets — like Batman's Batclaw, Jim Gordon's foam sprayer, Robin's line launcher, and Catwoman's whip."
This makes it sound like the game's focus is on providing a smaller number of distinct characters, rather than hundreds of options with many gameplay similarities. Indeed, speaking to IGN at Gamescom, TT Games Head of Production Jonathan Smith said Legacy of the Dark Knight had been designed to focus more squarely on the story of the "Bat Family."
"This is wholly a Batman game to focus on that character, to really bring that character," Smith said. "That means you'll still play as and with other playable characters, Jim Gordon, Catwoman, Robin, Batgirl, to round out the bat family. But we think we really need to focus on Bruce Wayne and his story for that player journey, that player experience in Gotham."
Additionally, for collectathon fans, the game's seven characters will have multiple costumes to unlock. For example, Batman's suit options include his look from 2022's The Batman movie, the animated Batman: The Brave and the Bold series, Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight, Batman's original Golden Age comics appearance, plus well as his colorful Rainbow Batman suit.
On stage at Gamescom this week, Smith confirmed the appearance of multiple characters from DC Comics within the game, including Bat-Mite and Condiment King — though to be clear, these will not be playable. Bat-Mite sounds likely to pop up as a friendly NPC, while Condiment King feels most likely to be another non-playable villain.
(As a side-note, Smith also said that Superman and Peacemaker would not appear in Legacy of the Dark Knight, and gave a "no comment" to Harley Quinn, Bob the Goon, Terry McGinnis, "Nice Coat Guy from Batman Begins," and amusingly, Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav.)
"If it’s only seven in the whole game then I’m not buying lol," one fan wrote in a lengthy reddit thread discussing the seven character limit. "Honestly shocked by this," wrote another, adding that "part of the fun of LEGO games is the big rosters."
"Controversial opinion: I prefer seven completely different characters to play than 200 that only change their appearance," countered another fan.
Said another: "I understand what made the huge minifig rosters cool and neat but I don't think it made for a better game over more refined play patterns that are super character specific instead of a handful of interchangeable abilities and tools."
Some fans have said this approach better fits a more story-led game, though others remain of the opinion that more LEGO characters should be playable in the game's open-world version of Gotham.
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is set to launch on Nintendo Switch 2, PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S.
Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
The decision to lock two of Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2’s six clans behind a DLC add-on pack is a “business” informed choice, publisher Paradox has said.
Bloodlines 2’s clans have been boiling the blood of fans for a little while now. It all started with the reveal that the game would feature four clans: Brujah; Tremere; Banu Haqim; and Ventrue. While this selection provides four different starting options for how you build your protagonist, it’s a more limited offering compared to the cult classic original Bloodlines, which featured seven clans.
Reacting to fan feedback, developer The Chinese Room has added a further two clans to Bloodlines 2 (Lasombra and Toreador), but these are only available as part of the Shadows and Silk add-on pack, which costs $21.99 as DLC, or is included as part of the $89.99 Premium Edition. The standard edition costs $59.99.
This DLC is available from day one, which has created the impression that the “full” roster has been carved up, with only those paying extra getting the complete launch experience. Some fans are now feeling like a vampire caught in the sunlight, especially because Toreador was a clan available in the original Bloodlines and is considered fairly significant to Vampire: The Masquerade mythology.
At Gamescom 2025, IGN was able to ask publisher Paradox why Lasombra and Toreador are only available as part of the add-on pack. We were told that additional content is “pretty typical” for games, but that adding fan-requested content comes at a cost.
“What the team has done here is make these two clans accessible on day one, while still understanding that the original experience is going to be with the first four,” said a Paradox representative. “You hear fan feedback and you're like, ‘Okay, you know that they want these two clans. It's highly sought after.’
“At the end of the day, business-wise, game development takes time,” they continued. “And [the two clans] is additional content that does get created. So instead of making it ‘day 30’ content, making it day one [content] allows it to be available for those players who have been asking for those two clans the entire time. And like I said, it's business. That just happens the way that it does, but it provides that access on day one rather than them having to wait.”
As the representative mentioned, these additional clans were “highly sought after.” But their inclusion required an “an awful lot of time testing, listening, going through comments,” explained Ian Thomas, narrative director at The Chinese Room.
“We have spent so much time over the last couple of years extending the release date by going, ‘Yeah, we should really add some stuff about this’ and fattening out the game and deepening the story because of this sort of thing,” Thomas said.
“Because of people going, ‘Oh yeah, we really like that. Are we going to get that?’ In some cases we've gone, ‘No, artistically it doesn't make sense to do that.’ And in some cases we have gone, ‘You know what, that would be really nice. Paradox, can we have a little bit more time and we'll put that thing in?’ And Paradox have said, ‘We think it'd be nice too, have another few weeks.’”
Those weeks, plus many others, have contributed to Bloodlines 2’s later-than-originally-anticipatedOctober 21, 2025 release date. And while we have waited a very long time for this sequel to a cult classic, it does now come with those six clans… at a price. As we mentioned earlier, not every fan is satisfied with the way these character-defining clans are being locked behind DLC.
While there’s some controversy around this decision, we have been able to play several quests and have come away from Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 feeling optimistic. It’s dripping with atmosphere and has some smart approaches to vampire abilities and the way an undead blood-drinker navigates a modern city.
Matt Purslow is IGN's Executive Editor of Features.
The cost of the PlayStation 5 (PS5) is increasing, but GameStop is willing to help with the price hike – if you’re fast.
Sony announced it would bump the price fifth-generation PlayStation consoles in the U.S. yesterday, revealing that the PS5 with disc drive, PS5 Digital Edition, and PS5 Pro will each see $50 increases to their base costs starting today. It means you’ll now be paying at least $499 or as much as $749 for a new gaming console, so pop-culture retailer GameStop is introducing a deal to help offset the toll for a limited time.
Shortly after Sony announced its PS5 price increases, the store took to its social media pages, proclaiming, “GameStop has your back.” It adds that a new deal will let players “take that $50 back” by granting an extra $50 bonus to anyone who trades in a PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S, or Nintendo Switch toward the purchase of a new PS5.
“We’ve been helping gamers upgrade, trade, and save for decades, and this is just another way we’re keeping you in the game,” GameStop’s message says. “Because when it comes to the next generation, we want to make sure you don’t get left behind.”
That effectively erases the damage Sony’s $50 PS5 price increase will do to your wallet, but the catch is that the offer is only valid for about three days. In small print at the bottom of the deal images shared is a notice that the offer is only valid through August 23, 2025, meaning you’ll have just today, tomorrow, and Saturday to haul any dusty consoles over to your closest GameStop.
The price of the PS5 is not getting any cheaper, so if you’re a PS4 owner who’s been waiting for the right time to upgrade, for example, you’ll want to act fast. However, it is also worth noting that the retailer is notorious for its trade-in credit and cash compensation.
GameStop Pro members looking to hand in a PS4 can only get up to $49.50 in store credit and $34.65 in cash, with non-Pro members only promised up to $45 in store credit and $31.50 in cash. So, the new offer could effectively double the value of your traded-in PS4 if you’re a Pro member, but that’s still only about $100 off of a $500 console. Credit and cash varies for different consoles, with the Xbox Series X tradeable for as much as $297 pre-bonus and the Switch tradeable for as much as $82.50 pre-bonus.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
Publisher Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and developer Digital Eclipse announced Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero and Mortal Kombat Special Forces, two rare PlayStation-era titles that have been unavailable for decades, are in Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection.
Also revealed today is the Kollection's inclusion of an Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 version that has not been playable anywhere since 1997. The WaveNet edition of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 was originally developed to support Midway's WaveNet online matchmaking service for arcade machines, Warner Bros. explained.
"This unique edition was the only arcade release to feature Noob Saibot as a selectable character. Now emulated and preserved for the first time in history by Digital Eclipse, the WaveNet version debuts in Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection."
As for new features, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection has a new Rewind feature for “more forgiving” gameplay, on-screen move lists, and a Trainer mode “to help players perfect their kombos.” There’s also a Fatality Trainer, which gives players a chance to master the finishers.
The Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection final lineup includes:
Mortal Kombat – 1992 (Arcade, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, Game Gear)
Mortal Kombat II – 1993 (Arcade, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, 32X)
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance – 2002 (Game Boy Advance)
Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition – 2003 (Game Boy Advance)
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is set to launch in 2025. The digital version of the game will be on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One consoles, PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, with the release date to be confirmed at a later time, Warner Bros. said.
The physical versions of the game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch and will ship on December 12, 2025.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
The wait for Hollow Knight: Silksong is almost over, with Team Cherry announcing today that the game will finally release on September 4, 2025, over six years after it was first announced.
But it sounds like Hollow Knight lovers won't be done obsessing over Silksong news even then, because Team Cherry is apparently working on even more Silksong content for months, or even years down the road.
This comes from a Bloomberg interview with Team Cherry co-founders Ari Gibson and William Pellen, which ends with the pair confirming they're already planning extra content for Silksong.
“Launching it is obviously quite exciting,” Pellen said. “What comes after for us is equally as exciting.”
“The most interesting thing now is what can we add to it next,” Gibson added. “We got a plan. Admittedly, some of the plans for that stuff are kind of ambitious as well, but hopefully we can achieve some of it.”
It's not shocking the pair have more they want to add to Silksong. The game originally started out as DLC for Hollow Knight, but grew and evolved as the team fleshed the idea out more and more. And Silksong kept growing throughout its development, with both developers saying they simply had so much fun continuing to add things that excited them.
“You’re always working on a new idea, new item, new area, new boss,” Pellen said. “That stuff’s so nice. It’s for the sake of just completing the game that we’re stopping. We could have kept going.”
“I remember at some point I just had to stop sketching,” Gibson said. “Because I went, ‘Everything I’m drawing here has to end up in the game. That’s a cool idea, that’s in. That’s a cool idea, that’s in.’ You realize, ‘If I don’t stop drawing, this is going to take 15 years to finish.’”
The pair tell Bloomberg that their enjoyment of the development process and desire to keep adding more fun things was the entire reason development took so long. Gibson says the game was "never stuck", but they are a small team, and games take time. "There wasn't any big controversial moment behind it."
Notably, despite the community's zeal around Silksong and the memes, obsession, and fanaticism around its eventual release, neither Gibson nor Pellen really paid much attention. They say they tried to stay quiet throughout development both to avoid spoiling the community, and to focus on development first. But then, development took a lot longer than they originally thought it would. Still, they didn't really read either Reddit or YouTube comments.
“It’s nice that people are passionate about the game, and that they’ve obviously formed their own strange or very exciting communities around it,” Gibson said.
“Feels like we’re going to ruin their fun by releasing the game,” Pellen said.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
DC's Absolute Batman series is currently in the midst of its second major story arc, "Abomination," which pits this rookie Dark Knight against a reimagined version of Bane. As we saw in issue #9, Bruce Wayne is hopelessly outmatched against his bigger, stronger, and seemingly smarter foe. And with issue #11, we now have more insight into who Absolute Bane is and what unholy process transformed him from a humble freedom fighter into a hulking assassin in the Joker's employ.
Read on to learn how Absolute Batman #11 reinvents Bane's origin story, but beware of full spoilers for the issue ahead!
Absolute Bane's New Origin Story
Initially, at least, it doesn't seem as though Bane's origin story is being radically overhauled for this new universe. Narrated by Agent Alfred Pennyworth, who deeply regrets not telling Bruce more about Bane before the latter made his ill-fated journey into the Ark-M prison, this issue recounts Bane's traumatic childhood on the island of Santa Prisca. Bane's father is the leader of a group of rebels attempting to rid their home of its imperialist invaders. Both father and son are captured and doomed to spend years fighting for survival inside the infamous Peña Duro prison.
The boy who will become Bane grows strong within the walls of Peña Duro, biding his time until he and his allies can make their escape. Bane's father clings to the inspirational symbol of the quetzal, a bird the rebels use as a symbol of their independence. Each night, the father asks the boy if he can see the bird flying free in his mind. But Bane sees only the image of a white, skull-shaped bird, one that will eventually come to form the face of his iconic mask.
Eventually, the fully grown Bane leads his allies to freedom, and they prepare to storm the mainland and finish their guerrilla war once and for all. But just as they land on the beach, Bane is stopped by a mysterious figure dressed in white. This is our best look yet at the Absolute Universe's Joker.
Though we don't know exactly what conversation plays out between the two men, the Joker makes an offer to Bane that the latter accepts. Bane returns to his father and promptly crushes the man to death in his powerful embrace. It's the first of many lives Bane will claim in service to Joker.
From there, we see hints of the terrible transformation Bane underwent in Ark-M. In this universe, Venom isn't simply a super-steroid that gives Bane impossible strength, but one that unlocks the full potential of his mind. Not only does he absorb fighting styles and battle strategies like a voracious computer, he can consciously control the very cells of his body. Of the many terrible test subjects inside Ark-M, Bane is arguably the pinnacle, hence why Dr. Arkham refers to him as "the prime."
Later in this issue, we see what Joker offered in exchange for Bane's servitude. Joker has transformed Santa Prisca into the idyllic paradise Bane and his father always dreamed of. Bane himself even has a wife and family he returns home to visit. It's a testament to just how powerful the Absolute Universe's Joker is that he can reverse the fortunes of entire nations at a whim.
Absolute Batman's Startling Transformation
Issue #10 showed a captive Bruce making several escape attempts from his cell in Ark-M, only for Bane to emerge each time and painfully subdue him again. Bane promises to break Batman at the end of that issue, and here we see how that scenario supposedly plays out.
Alfred envisions what he knows must be the third and final confrontation between the two men. We see Batman lure Bane into a trap, detonating several booby-trapped cars, only for the villain to emerge unscathed. Bane then savagely beats Batman before using Batman's own ax to slice off both of his arms. Finally, Bane then bludgeons his opponent into submission.
Bane is nothing if not respectful of Batman's moxie. He admires Batman's determination to keep fighting no matter the odds. Moreover, he sees Batman as the potential final test subject for Ark-M's scientists, the one capable of surviving every hellish experiment and emerging the other side as the ultimate warrior. That's what seemingly happens here, as Batman is pumped full of Venom, healed, and transformed into a gun-toting super-soldier.
Except that Alfred's vision doesn't necessarily align with reality. This is the fate he fears for Batman, but not the one that has unfolded just yet. He doesn't know that Bruce has reunited with his best friend Waylon, now transformed into a hideous, super-strong crocodile monster. That alliance might just give Bruce the edge he needs to finally escape.
Alfred also doesn't realize that Bane has a far different plan in mind for breaking the Bat. He wants to crush Bruce's spirit by targeting his remaining friends - Harvey Dent, Eddie Nygma, and Oswald Cobblepot. We have to imagine Bruce's mother Martha (who's still very much alive in this universe) is also in grave danger. Bane may want Batman to escape Ark-M, only for him to fail to protect those he cares about the most. The stakes are certainly high as "Abomination" reaches its midway point.
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