Finding the perfect gift for someone who only likes tech stuff can be a challenge. Partially because the best tech gifts tend to be inherently expensive. If you're buying someone new technology for Christmas this year, it has the potential to be the only gift that truly gets them excited while also blowing a massive hole in your budget.

There are exceptions to this, of course. Plenty of high-quality tech and gaming accessories are surprisingly affordable and practical. If you're looking for ideas of what to get the tech nerd in your life this year, we've rounded up 10 gifts we love and recommend buying in 2025 to help get you started.

1. Ecoflow Rapid Pro Power Bank

Walmart just kicked off one of the lowest prices I've seen on an RTX 5070 equipped laptop. Right now you can pick up a Asus TUF F16 gaming laptop for just $1,099 with free delivery. This laptop offers strong performance for the price since it's equipped with an unthrottled RTX 5070 GPU with a 115W TGP rating.

Asus TUF F16 (2025) RTX 5070 Gaming Laptop for $1,099

These days, streaming services are a dime a dozen. Disney+ offers some of the best value in relation to the exclusive content it has available, as you'll not only have access to dozens of Disney and Pixar films and TV shows, but the entirety of the collected Marvel Cinematic Universe and every Star Wars project pre- and post-acquisition. Depending on the subscription tier or bundle you pick, you can also experience Hulu and ESPN Unlimited content as well, making this the best bang-for-your-buck streaming services around.

But did you know you can give a Disney+ subscription as a gift? We've gathered everything you need to know on how to give a subscription out to your loved ones and how the process works. It's a wonderful Disney gift idea for 2025.

How to Give Disney+ As a Gift

How to redeem a gift card

1. When you're ready to redeem, visit the disneyplus.com/commerce/gift webpage
2. Enter the gift card number, security code, and ZIP and they're ready to go. If they're a first-time subscriber, they'll have to create an account.
3. Select the desired Disney+ or bundle plan.

Does a Disney+ Gift Card Work With Streaming Bundles?

There are a handful of different Disney+ bundles available, and luckily the gift cards work towards these as well. So if you're wanting to grab Hulu, ESPN, and HBO Max to bundle and save, you can do so to save a few bucks. Our explainer guide on how to get or switch to one of these bundles is a useful tool for how to decide what to pick.

How Much Should You Gift?

Call of Duty will no longer release multiple Black Ops or Modern Warfare games back-to-back, after two Modern Warfare releases in 2022 and 2023, and two Black Ops releases in 2024 and 2025, respectively, and negative feedback and concerning sales reports for the most recent release, Black Ops 7.

This news was delivered from "the Call of Duty team" (encompassing studios Treyarch, Sledgehammer, Infinity Ward, and Raven Software) on the official website, in a post that acknowledged the criticism of Black Ops 7 as well as broader criticism of the franchise in recent years. As the post opens:

First off, thank you for all for the feedback we have received over the last few months. Call of Duty has enjoyed long-standing success because of all of you, a passionate community that demands excellence and deserves nothing less. We also know that for some of you, the Franchise has not met your expectations fully. To be very clear, we know what you expect and rest assured we will deliver, and overdeliver, on those expectations as we move forward.

The post goes on to state a number of changes the Call of Duty studios will be making going forward. For starters, they're opening up Black Ops 7's multiplayer zombies mode for a free trial and Double XP weekend next week, in an effort to get those who have hesitated on Black Ops 7 to "experience the game firsthand and decide for yourselves." They also are committing to "unprecedented season support," saying that they "won't rest until Black Ops 7 earns its place as one of the best Black Ops games we’ve ever made."

Then, the team had this to say about future Call of Duty releases:

We will no longer do back-to-back releases of Modern Warfare or Black Ops games. The reasons are many, but the main one is to ensure we provide an absolutely unique experience each and every year.

We will drive innovation that is meaningful, not incremental. While we aren’t sharing those plans today, we look forward to doing so when the time is right.

The note concludes by saying the team believes Call of Duty's "best days are ahead of us" and that the next era of Call of Duty will "deliver precisely on what you want along with some surprises that push the Franchise and the genre forward."

These changes come amidst, and likely in response to, a rough couple of years for the Call of Duty franchise. The most recent entry, Black Ops 7, debuted last month to middling reviews, including our own 6/10 campaign review, 6/10 Zombies review, and significantly better 8/10 multiplayer review. This is also in the context of both Black Ops 7 and Modern Warfare 3 receiving poor reviews in comparison to their immediate series predecessors the year before, with Black Ops 6 and Modern Warfare 2 being received generally favorably. This likely accounts, at least in part, for the decision to stop the back-to-back releases.

For Black Ops 7, that lukewarm reception has also been reflected in the game's sales numbers, especially in relation to another recent major multiplayer shooter release, Battlefield 6. The game had a "terrible" launch in Europe, down 63% versus Battlefield 6 and down by more than 50% versus last year's Black Ops 6 in the equivalent periods.

It is worth noting that we don't have full visibility into Black Ops 7's sales data, as it launched day one on Game Pass, and a number of people likely played the game through the subscription service and didn't count as unit sales.

But nonetheless, the announcement today feels like an admission that something has gone wrong here. Whether or not the Call of Duty team can fix it will take a few years to truly comprehend.

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

Book nooks are a great way to add some flair to your book collection and pad out some empty space on your shelf. The best part is that they're typically DIY kits made of parts similar to any other miniature model kit. These are the perfect time sink for a rainy day, with podcast or your favorite movie on in the background, or even for a date night. Looking online, there are seemingly endless options when to brands and styles, but I've gathered some of what I think are the very best. Below are my top picks by brand in terms of style, design, and cost. Each one of these would make for an excellent gift for the readers in your life.

LEGO Book Nooks

The LEGO book nooks were all released in 2025, and thet have been extremely popular so far. I got the Lord of the Rings: Balrog set, and both the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express and Sherlock Holmes book nooks are excellent LEGO gifts for adults this year. Not only do they function well as a typical book nook, but ech one unfolds into classic scene from their respective properties; you have Gandalf facing off against the Balrog in the iconic "you shall not pass" scene, a recreation of Baker Street where Sherlock calls home, and King's Cross Station and Platform 9 3/4 where Harry and Ron are boarding the train back to Hogwarts. These range in cost from $100 up to $130.

Alongside the three book nooks LEGO has released, there's also a LEGO Wicked bookends set that was incredible to build. I'd recommend that if you have a floating shelf rather than a bookcase.

Funpola Book Nooks

Funpola book nooks stand out from the rest in that they offer a lot more modern and sci-fi themed nooks than others. The Endless Dimensions kit is a cool neon Cyberpunk-like aesthetic, and the Automobile Shop is a nice addition. The New World kit is my favorite of the bunch; it has all kinds of nautical decor, treasure, dead pirates drinking rum. What's not to like? Funpola does still have the more fantasy-leaning kits, too, if none of these catch your eye. These will set you back $50.

CCCDF Book Nooks

The CCCDF brand book nooks pay homage to some of literature's best works. The Alice Down the Rabbit Hole kit shows off the whimsical setting you'd expect from Lewis Carroll's timeless tale, and the Phantom of the Opera kit is a neat recreation of the novel as well. CCCDF also offers oversized book nooks, like the Beyond Library Max, if you're looking to fill more space or just prefer them like this. They cost a bit more than the regular kits, coming in around $60.

Cutebee Book Nooks

Cutebee book nooks offer a more storybook style, which I like. The Amazing Toys Store kit gives Pleasure Island vibes from Pinocchio, while the Darkness Common Room is surely inspired by the Slytherin common room from Harry Potter. The Rose Detective Agency would look great on the shelf next to any edition of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes books. These all hover around $40, so you won't break the bank too hard if you go the Cutebee route.

Rolife Book Nooks

Rolife book nooks are a bit more minimalist than the others. The Sakura Densya is a quaint replica of a Japanese train station, and the Sunshine Town reminds me of something you'd see in a Nicholas Sparks novel. They also seem to be a bit narrower than the rest, so you should have no problem fitting these into your bookshelf. The size might also contribute to their $40 price tag.

Where to Buy Book Nooks Online

While Amazon is clearly the best bet to find these book nooks, other retailers offer them as well. Naturally, you can find the three LEGO book nooks directly on LEGO's website (and even earn points towards rewards this way), and Walmart and Target have a handful for sale. But other than Amazon, the best place to buy book nooks online is Book Nook World, a fitting title. This site carries all the other brands mentioned here and then some, so if you're looking for a themed nook not listed here, this is where I'd suggest you go.

Myles Obenza is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Bluesky @mylesobenza.bsky.social.

Best Buyis offering a gaming monitor with some great specs for well under $100. Right now you can pick up a 27" AOC 27G50F 1080p gaming monitor for only $79.99 after a $60 instant discount. Shipping is free. This monitor is a perfect complement to budget PCs or laptops equipped with onboard graphics or a less powerful discrete graphics card.

27" AOC 1080p 144Hz Gaming Monitor for $79.99

Recently, IGN sat down with Chris Barnardo, Co-Founder and Director at The Wand Company. Having co-founded the company, Barnardo is involved in each new product release. He is responsible for the mechanical design and packaging, graphical design, copywriting, and all promotional material. Some of The Wand Company's most popular releases include the Fallout Pip-Boy 3000 Mk V, Star Trek Original Series Tricorder, and Pokémon Poké Ball.

What first attracted you to the idea of creating a die-cast replica of the Fusion Flea specifically?

When I was a child I loved making kits of cars, when I was old enough to own a car I spent every weekend under the hood working on my car. I love the cars in Fallout, they are so strange and yet exciting to look at. I have a dream that one day I will scratch-build a drivable life-sized Fusion Flea, so what better way to start than by making some 1:18 scale versions. I imagined what the Fallout universe would have been like before the bombs dropped and in my mind’s eye I could see all these awesome
cars scooting around. I felt that by making a range of Fusion Fleas I would be bringing the pre-war Fallout world a little closer to reality. The design is so natty and the brand building in Fallout is so awesome that it gives so much potential for a lovely range of this cute little car.

At The Wand Company, you’ve worked on a wide range of licensed proplica products. How did the Flea project differ from previous collaborations in scope or creative approach?

Most of our projects are very complex and involve a great deal of electronics development, but what I like about the Fusion Fleas is that, from an electronics point of view, they are very simple and that means that I can focus on the creative development. In a way, the Fleas are a very distilled version of an idea of how to bring in-universe concepts to life. I love the way that fans collect and treasure the Fleas and I especially enjoy designing the merchandising materials. When designing the look of the Fleas and their features, I work very closely with a great product designer called Matt Bagshaw. In addition, James Barnardo, my grown up son, is a graphic designer and he not only developed the packaging concepts, but came up with the idea that in the Fallout universe the Fleas would have been given as an employee incentive reward for the Chryslus factory workers.

When did the concept of the Desert Sandtrack Flea variant begin? And what was the spark for choosing this particular vehicle/variant?

The Desert Sandtrack Flea was designed as one of a set of three released in 2025 that further extended the concept of the original Flea design. We had previously designed a military scout Flea, which was a painted version of the basic design. For the Desert Sandtrack Flea, we wanted to push the design a lot further and take the idea of the scout Fleas into the farthest corners of the battle front. In my mind, this might have been an experimental vehicle that Chryslus created for a need that never developed, or may have seen active service. The beauty of the Fallout universe is that there are so many possibilities of events and products within the scope of the universe that we are yet to learn about. The neat thing about the design is that it takes the standard Flea body and evolves it with chunky tires up front and a caterpillar track at the back, and then chops the canopy off to make a low windshield. It looks great and is a perfect evolution of the basic design.

The fandom around Fallout is very passionate about authenticity and lore accuracy. How did you achieve the model’s fidelity?

To create the original Flea we studied the Fallout team’s original sketches. They are so detailed. Although there was no suitable reference for the engines and running gear, we designed the engine and the simple suspension to fit the look and feel of the Fallout equipment from other machines where the workings are more obvious.

Walk us through the design process: from concept sketch to prototype to final production. What were key milestones or turning points?

It differs from Flea to Flea. For the Desert Sandtrack Flea the concept started with a Fallout in-universe magazine, Hot Rodder. This got us thinking about what would happen if the basic form of the Flea was evolved to make it suitable not just for suburban roads, but other harsher environments. The wonderful thing about the Flea project is that we get to let our imagination run freely, provided we follow some important in-universe rules. After the initial sketches are done, we do a very detailed 3D model of what we want. We submit the model to Bethesda, and if they approve it, we pass that to the factory. The way we work with the die-cast metal cars is different to our other projects. For all our other projects we do the 3D CAD right up to the point where the factory works on it to make the tooling CAD, but for the Fleas we send them the designer CAD and they design the actual manufacturing geometry. Once the CAD has been approved, I can then use that to design the merchandising box and the manual. I love drawing the manuals and designing the packaging, it’s a really fun part of the project; I get to imagine if the little car was real and imagine what the fan will feel when they look at the box for the first time. It’s so amazing when the first “golden sample” arrives for my approval and I see the real product for the first time… I guess this is my own personal unboxing experience. The next major milestone is the delivery to our retailers. Finally, we have the joy of hearing back from fans that have bought one to add to their collection. I think that this last step is not only the most important, but also the most rewarding part for me.

Were there any technical or design challenges unique to this particular variant?

There were two main challenges. Changing the batteries from three button cells to a single AAA and painting that wonderful camo pattern all over the bodywork. The LEDs that are used to illuminate the engine bay with that blue radiation glow need just over 5V. In previous designs, this voltage was supplied by three button cells in series, which conveniently provide more than enough voltage to drive a blue LED. The circuit is simple and only requires a single resistor and a switch to make it work. However, button cells are very dangerous if swallowed and although the Flea is not a toy, there are increasingly strict rules about how button and coin cell batteries can be packaged. As a result, for this new Flea design we decided to move to a single AAA battery. As this only produces 1.5V, some clever electronics were required to boost the voltage to make it high enough to power the LED. The camo pattern was another great challenge. Each different colour has to be applied to the bodywork multiple times to make sure that the pattern covers the surface and all fits together. It was a challenge, but the end result is stunning and totally worth it.

Tell us about the packaging and included materials. How does it tell a story for collectors?

The packaging is a fun part of the project for me. Growing up, I wanted to be a graphic illustrator. I love drawing the manuals and rendering the Fleas in different positions for the packaging and thinking up the box colour scheme to make them as collectible as possible with the other Fleas that we have created. Building the look is a lot like putting a jigsaw together, but it is a jigsaw that you are not only doing, but designing the pieces as you go along. It is as much a challenge as it is fun to do. And then of course at the end all the ideas come together and you see the finished printed parts, it is very rewarding.

What have you personally learned from working on this project that you’ll carry into future ones?

That people love these little cars and I should be making a lot more of them.

Are there any wish-list items from the Fallout universe you personally hope to tackle in the future?

Oh… there is so much to do and so little time to do it! I would love to make more cars… a Station Wagon, a Rocket 69… I have 3D designs for both of them. There are simply too many gorgeous things that need making in this wonderfully rich fantasy world of Fallout.

How do you factor in rarity when designing limited-edition items? Some Fusion Fleas have sold for thousands of dollars secondhand. Does this influence your design process?

In a word, yes. But rarity is a funny thing. There are millions of fans out there, so rarity is relative and based on how many people are actually collecting something. We have to make a minimum number of any given Flea style in order to cover the costs of tooling and doing the work to design them in the first place. At less than about 1,000 units, the project doesn't make sense for our company financially. In some cases, where we have made just a handful of Fleas for a special occasion, these are then very rare and have changed hands for many thousands of dollars. However, all the Fleas have become rare to some extent and sell in the secondhand market often for more than they cost to buy in the first place. I would like to see the demand increase, but I will always make sure that these lovely pieces are kept in high demand by only making one manufacturing run of each design, so that the rarity that fans want is there, while still given those that want to build their collections a chance at getting the ones that they want.

About IGN Store

IGN Store sells high-quality merch, collectibles, and shirts for everything you're into. It's a shop built with fans in mind: for all the geek culture and fandom you love most. Whether you're into comics, movies, anime, games, retro gaming or just want some cute plushies (who doesn't?), this store is for you!

Tired of predictable presents? Let's liven things up with some classic Nintendo merch. Whether you're on the hunt for the perfect gift for a gamer or just want to add some excitement to your own life, we've got you covered. From a new system equipped to play N64 games on 4K TVs to some of our favorite Nintendo Switch games, we've handpicked the best of the best for 2025. The IGN Deals team was excited to collaborate with some of our NVC folks (shout out to all the Ninfriendos) this week to get their own personal recommendations here, so let's take a look at the latest and greatest gifts for that Nintendo fanatic in your life, in no particular order (except for #1).

TL;DR - Best Nintendo Gift Ideas

1. Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle

Picked by: IGN Deals Team

To nobody's surprise, we have to recommend the Switch 2, especially the Mario Kart World bundle. We gave Mario Kart World an 8 out of 10 in our review, with Logan Plant saying, “Mario Kart World may not make the most convincing case that going open-world was the boost the series needed, but excellent multiplayer racing, incredible polish, and the thrilling new Knockout Tour mode still more than live up to its legacy.”

The Nintendo Switch 2 has been flying off shelves despite a lack of Black Friday deals, and then even more so after retailers finally dropped the price by $50 off and on during Cyber Week. There are more Switch 2 bundles still available that include everything from microSD Express cards to other games. Although this list is technically unordered, this is the clear winner for the best Nintendo gift you can get this year.

Welcome back, fellow bargain hunter. From karting chaos to murderous Vikings, strategy disasters to horror that’ll haunt your sleep, this idle Wednesday's deals are here to remind you that self-control is optional and retail therapy is mandatory. Grab a seat, grab a wallet, and try not to cry when I make your “just browsing” excuse fail spectacularly.

Contents

• Retro
• Nintendo
• Xbox
• PlayStation
• PC
• PC Gear
• LEGO

This Day in Gaming 🎂

In retro news, it's somehow been 26 years since I prepared for my finest hour in Medal of Honor, a pivotal PS FPS that I still snap a salute to. After reinvigorating WWII in popular culture with Saving Private Ryan, Spielberg and DreamWorks Interactive used that beachhead to conceive, produce, and write a more kid gloves companion piece game. End result: they triggered a decades-long landslide of shooters themed on virtually every major battle undertaken by The Greatest Generation (not to mention the unintended creation of a rival Call of Duty franchise).

Personally, I adored the Nazi-blasting, disguise-wearing OSS saboteur antics of MoH. Few games of the era looked, felt, and sounded this cinematic. A true classic, and its original trailer still slaps.

Lenovo could show off a new approach to its rollable OLED screen tech early next year: giving a laptop the ability to go ultrawide, according to Windows Latest (via The Verge). The laptop, which the outlet refers to as the Legion Pro Rollable, would be the first from Lenovo with a horizontally-rolling display.

As The Verge notes, there's precious little detail in Windows Latest's post, so we don't know anything about the refresh rate, brightness, resolution, and so on – just that it's going to have a 21:9 aspect ratio, which is way wider than any of our favorite gaming laptops. The outlet also claims to have confirmed that the laptop will have an Intel Core Ultra processor, but that would hardly be a surprise. The post also guesses the screen will have at least a 120Hz refresh rate, given that the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable already does. Windows Latest also published what it says is an official promotional image for the laptop.

Lenovo has dropped the price on one of its best equipped gaming laptops for the holidays. The Legion Pro 5 Gen 10 gaming laptop, featuring an OLED display, Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU, and RTX 5070 Ti GPU, is down to $1,690.99 after coupon code "EXTRAFIVE". That's about $700 off in combined savings. The RTX 5070 Ti is a powerful mobile GPU that will easily run game you throw at it, even on the display's 1600p resolution.

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro Gen 10 RTX 5070 Ti Laptop for $1,691

Apple's previous flagship Apple Watch Ultra 2 smartwatch just dropped in price today. Amazon currently has select models for just $549 after a hefty $250 instant discount (retail price is $799). This is actually $50 cheaper than the best deal I saw during Black Friday, making it the lowest price of the year. The Watch Ultra 2 is the best watch in the lineup for anyone who enjoys the outdoors, thanks to its increased durability, more precise GPS, and activity specific features and apps.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Smartwatch for $549 (was $799)

To say Call of Duty is an important piece of video game history would be an understatement. It’s hard to think of first-person shooters (or action games in general) without mentioning this series, which has become one of the most successful franchises ever after revolutionizing single-player campaigns and online battles.

For decades, CoD has dominated the multiplayer scene. Apart from creating iconic characters like Captain Price and Alex Mason, the series has also introduced unexpected figures to their ranks, like Spawn, Snoop Dogg, and Lionel Messi. With Black Ops 7 on the horizon, you might want to look back on over 20 years of Call of Duty history.

With entries exploring conflicts from both our past and our possible future, here's every Call of Duty game in chronological order.

Jump to:

• How to play in chronological order
• How to play by release date

How Many Call of Duty Games Are There?

Due to quite a few subseries, a reboot, and the many studios that have worked or are working on the series, it can be a bit troublesome to determine how many Call of Duty games have been released.

If we consider only the main entries with single-player campaigns, including all the World War II titles, the Modern Warfare subseries (plus its reboot), and the Black Ops subseries, there are 20 video games in the Call of Duty franchise

That said, things get complicated when you add all the expansions, online experiences, mobile games, and spin-offs. For example, Call of Duty: United Offensive is an expansion for the first game, while Call of Duty: Finest Hour and Call of Duty 2: Big Red One are side stories of the first two entries.

Spin-offs include strategy game Call of Duty: Siege, launched in 2016 based on Infinite Warfare’s universe; Call of Duty: Heroes, released in 2014; and the mobile version of Call of Duty: Black Ops. In fact, many main entries have significantly different editions for mobile/handheld when compared to the major console releases. Examples of this are PS Vita’s Call of Duty: Black Ops: Declassified and Nintendo DS’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3: Defiance.

Then there’s the Chinese free-to-play Call of Duty Online, released in 2015 and shut down in 2021. 2019’s Call of Duty Mobile took its place and is still running today.

The unique Zombies modes have become a staple of the series since their first inclusion in 2008’s World at War, and they have appeared in multiple entries since.

Finally, the franchise entered the battle royale and live service genres with Warzone, launched in 2020, which became a huge success. Two years later, it was replaced by Warzone 2.0, a complete overhaul of the game’s map and experience. Warzone Mobile brought the battle royale experience to iOS and Android devices in early 2024.

To avoid confusion, it’s worth mentioning that the reboot of the Modern Warfare series will be numbered with Roman numbers. Also, Black Ops 4 is not added to the list below for its lack of campaign (it’s a multiplayer-only experience).

Which Call of Duty Game Should You Play First?

For the sake of simplicity and accessibility, we recommend 2019's Modern Warfare reboot as a solid starting point for Call of Duty campaigns. Starting here creates a straightforward path through the rebooted Modern Warfare trilogy, as all three games are available on modern Xbox and PlayStation consoles, as well as PC. Plus, unlike the Black Ops subseries, each game was released within the last five years, meaning none should feel too dated.

Call of Duty Games in Chronological Order

Beware of minor spoilers for the stories, characters, and relevant events of each game in the list below.

1. Call of Duty (2003)

The franchise's first game was developed by Infinity Ward and published in 2003. This is the first of many entries in the series focused on World War II, following the steps of other household names like Medal of Honor.

In the first Call of Duty, you play three different campaigns as different soldiers from three countries: the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union.

The North American soldier, Private Martin, starts his training in 1942 and participates in the invasion of Normandy in 1944, while the British Sergeant Evans fights in Operation Tonga that same year. Evans will later be helped by Captain Price, a recurrent name in the franchise. On the other hand, the Soviet Alexei Ivanovich Voronin’s campaign takes place in the Battle of Stalingrad.

2. Call of Duty 2 (2005)

The sequel of the original title repeats the settings and nations but with some different perspectives. Instead of three campaigns, you experience four: one from the perspective of a North American soldier, one from the Soviet Union, and two from Britain.

As Private Vasili Koslov, you have to defend Moscow from Nazi German soldiers, while North American Bill Taylor joins the army that assaults La Pointe du Hoc during the infamous D-Day. The British soldiers, Sergeant John Davis and David Welsh, participated in the conflict in North Africa. Davis is led by Captain Price.

3. Call of Duty: World at War (2008)

A few years after Call of Duty 3, the team at Treyarch came back and delivered their last entry based on the conflict the series has been breathing off since its beginnings. This time, however, the campaign was only divided into North American and Soviet forces.

You follow American Marine Private C. Miller during the Makin Island raid in 1942, and later in the Battle of Peleliu, in which American forces confronted the Japanese army. The Soviet section takes place in the Battle of Stalingrad, but this time on the Eastern Front as Private Dimitri Petrenko.

4. Call of Duty 3 (2005)

The first main game in the series not developed by Infinity Ward, Call of Duty 3 was Treyarch’s first attempt at recreating World War II events.

Taking place in 1944, armies from Britain, Poland, the United States, Canada, and France fight against Germany's Nazi forces in the village of Chambois, France, during the Battle of Normandy.

This is the only main entry you cannot play on PC.

5. Call of Duty: WWII (2017)

Almost a decade and a half after the first game, studio Sledgehammer Games returned the franchise to World War II. This was the first time in the main series there was only one protagonist in the campaign: Ronald “Red” Daniels, accompanied by his loyal squad. As Red, you fight Nazi German forces across the European theater, from Normandy to Germany.

While WWII has some brief flashback sequences in 1940, which would set it as the first game in the series chronologically, the core of the title takes place in 1944.

6. Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)

In the latest entry set in World War II, developer Sledgehammer Games tried once again to bring Call of Duty to its roots and explore this historical event from a different perspective.

Contrary to 2017’s WWII, you are presented with multiple characters on different fronts. The main objective is to learn more about Phoenix, a secret Nazi project that could change the tide of the war in favor of Nazi Germany.

Vanguard also has flashback sequences for different protagonists starting in 1941, but the majority of the campaign is set in 1945, near the end of the war.

7. Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

Developer Treyarch changed eras with Black Ops. Going from 1961 to 1968, you’ll experience the events of the Cold War and part of the Vietnam War for the first time in the series.

The main protagonist, Alex Mason, works with the CIA and is tasked to remember events that would help find Soviet sleeper agents. These agents are around the United States, and they plan to release a dangerous chemical weapon called Nova 6.

8. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)

Developed by Treyarch and Raven Software, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War helps connect the original Black Ops and Black Ops 2. While the main protagonist this time is nicknamed “Bell,” you get to choose your name, gender, and other details like dialogue lines.

Set in 1981, you team up with characters from previous games, including Alex Mason, Frank Woods, and Jason Hudson. Under CIA’s Russell Adler, your elite team is supposed to catch a Soviet figure that goes by “Perseus” who is planning to attack the United States.

9. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)

The sequel to the original Black Ops presents two timelines. On the first one, you follow Alex Mason’s footsteps several years after he and his team successfully stopped Nova 6. It’s 1986, and Jason Hudson asks Mason to aid with the search for Frank Woods, who disappeared in Cuando Cubango, Angola.

The second timeline is centered around David Mason, Alex’s son, who’s looking for Raul Menendez in 2025. Menendez is the leader of Cordis Die, a terrorist organization that provoked the Second Cold War.

10. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024)

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 takes place in the early 1990s, beginning in 1991, after the events of Black Ops 2's late-80s storyline. The story is centered around the Gulf War, wherein Frank Woods and his team of rogue agents are hunted by a shadowy group that's infiltrated the CIA.

Historical figures represented in the game include former U.S. president Bill Clinton and former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.

11. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)

The last entry to have a number after “Call of Duty,” Modern Warfare is the first time the series abandoned its classic Allies vs Axis conflict for something more recent.

In 2011, Yasir Al-Fulani, the president of a fictional Middle Eastern country, was executed by Khaled Al-Asad, the leader of a revolutionary party. Meanwhile, Russia is going through a civil war provoked by Imran Zakhaev, an arms dealer.

A squad commanded by Captain Price and formed by protagonist John “Soap” MacTavish have to stop an international crisis.

12. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)

Set five years after the events of the previous game, Modern Warfare 2 tells the story of Vladimir Makarov, an Ultranationalist who continues the work of Imran Zakhaev. It turns out this extremist party gained control of Russia, so Makarov gained the power to start committing terrorist acts against the United States.

Well-known faces like the Captain Soap and Captain Price join forces with Sergeant Gary "Roach" Sanderson, Lieutenant Simon "Ghost" Riley, “Nikolai”, and other agents to stop Makarov’s secret plan.

13. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)

The end of the first Modern Warfare trilogy brings the pursuit of terrorist Vladimir Makarov to its climax. Captain Price’s team re-arranges itself with Yuri, an ex-Spetsnaz known by Nikolai. Captain John "Soap" MacTavish is also present for the final mission.

Makarov captures Boris Vorshevsky, the president of Russia, who was going to establish peace with the United States. After threatening the president’s daughter, Makarov acquired nuclear launch codes, becoming an international danger once again.

14. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)

In 2019, Infinity Ward rebooted the successful Modern Warfare series by reusing some classic characters in a new timeline. Well-known faces like Captain Price are present in a new conflict with Russia.

Set in the same year it was released, a fictional republic called Urzikstan is invaded by a Russian army. While this attack is going on, a terrorist organization called Al-Qatala, also from Urzikstan, begins with operations against different countries in the world. Captain Price, alongside his Task Force 141 and the Urzikstan Liberation Force, try to de-escalate the conflict.

15. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)

Taking place in 2022, Modern Warfare II follows the story of the MW reboot, featuring returning characters from Task Force 141 and the Urzikstan Liberation Force leader Farah Karim.

Al-Qatala is still a threat, but all eyes are on Quds Force, an Iranian revolutionary group commanded by Hassan Zyani. Zyani is supported by Al-Qatala and a Mexican cartel from the fictional city of Las Almas, and he plans terrorist acts against the United States after the assassination of General Ghorbrani, an Iranian forces leader.

16. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)

Picking up after the events of 2022's Modern Warfare II, MWIII once again stars Task Force 141, including recurring characters John Price, Simon "Ghost" Riley, Kyle "Gaz" Garrick, and John "Soap" MacTavish. Ultranationalist terrorist Vladimir Makarov, the villain from 2011's Modern Warfare 3, once again serves as the antagonist.

17. Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)

A standalone entry with few connections to previous titles, Call of Duty Ghosts was developed by Infinity Ward in 2013. As its name indicates, it focused on the special operation group called Ghosts, a U.S. team tasked with secret missions.

It’s 2027, and after a decade of conflicts in the Middle East and an oil crisis, a South American force called the Federation of the Americas initiated a war against the United States. Working with your new team, you have to stop Gabriel T. Rorke, the former leader of Ghosts.

18. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (2025)

While positioned toward the end of this list, the Black Ops 7 campaign most directly follows the events of Black Ops 6, which split across the Gulf War and modern day. And all of Black Ops, to be honest. BO7 brings back David Mason, the JCOC, and Mason's classic arch-nemesis. The game is set in 2035, over 40 years after Black Ops 6, and also brings back co-op campaigns. Seth Macy was particularly impressed with this iteration's multiplayer, which features gunplay he claims "works exactly how I want it to."

19. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)

Advanced Warfare was the first entry to take place several decades beyond its release date. It was also the first game developed primarily by Sledgehammer Games.

Set in 2054, you control Jack Mitchell, a member of the United States Marine Corps who later fights in the private military corporation known as Atlas after suffering an accident. On this occasion, the enemy forces are a Chechenian separatist group called KVA led by Joseph "Hades" Chkheidze.

It was one of the first entries to feature futuristic changes in gameplay due to its setting, like the fact that soldiers now wear exoskeletons, which bring them unique abilities.

19. Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015)

The end of the initial Black Ops trilogy was also set in the future. More specifically, in the year 2065, when a Third Cold War between the Common Defense Pact and the Winslow Accord is happening. Robotic drones, cyborg supersoldiers, unpiloted air forces, and other technological advancements take center stage.

A black ops team composed of you (simply referred to as “The Player”), Jacob Hendricks, and your cybernetics division will be tasked with preventing the conflict from reaching a more dangerous state. You investigate a strange event in Singapore and look out for the 54 Immortals, a crime organization.

20. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)

No Call of Duty game went further into the future than Infinite Warfare. Around the 2080s, the United Nations Space Alliance was created after humans had spent all the natural resources available on Earth. Beginning the colonization and exploitation of resources on other planets, this alliance is defended by the Solar Associated Treaty Organization, a military force that battles the totalitarian regime Settlement Defense Front from Mars.

How to Play the Call of Duty Games By Release Date

1. Call of Duty (2003)
2. Call of Duty 2 (2005)
3. Call of Duty 3 (2006)
4. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
5. Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
6. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
7. Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
9. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)
10. Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)
11. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)
12. Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015)
13. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)
14. Call of Duty: WWII (2017)
15. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
16. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)
17. Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)
18. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
19. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)
20. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024)
21. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (2025)

What’s Next for Call of Duty?

It's been a nice couple of months for shooters. Aside from Black Ops 7, we've seen the massive launch of Battlefield 6, stoking a potential battle between the two franchises this fall. What's next for the Call of Duty franchise? Well, only time will tell, but there's gotta be something in the pipeline.

Outside of games, Activision recently struck a deal with Paramount to produce a live-action Call of Duty movie. David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Paramount, has said he’s a big Call of Duty fan who’s put “countless” hours into the franchise. Little is known about the direction the movie will take, but Ellison did refer to Paramount's recent success with Top Gun: Maverick as a "guiding star."

Axel Bosso is a contributing freelancer for IGN, covering everything related to video games (he's behind some of the Wikis you might have used over the years)!

Sigourney Weaver may soon swing into the world of Prime Video’s next video game adaptation, as the Alien star is reportedly in talks to join the cast of the new Tomb Raider show.

A Deadline report says Weaver, who will appear in Avatar: Fire and Ash next week and The Mandalorian and Grogu in 2026, is currently in active negotiations to appear in the series in an undisclosed role. Her deal with Amazon has not yet been finalized.

Apple’s closed ecosystem and regular software updates help make your iPhone highly secure, but Apple’s strong emphasis on security shouldn’t stop you from doing more to protect your privacy. One way to do this is with a VPN, which encrypts all of the data traveling from your iPhone to the internet, securing it from prying eyes.

You’ll find plenty of VPNs for iOS but many fall short in key areas. Often this means they perform poorly in speed tests, leak identifying data, or keep extensive browsing logs that can be linked to you and your iPhone. The best VPNs for iPhone can help you avoid these issues, all of which provide your device with security and speed while still being simple to use.

TL;DR – These Are the Best VPNs For iPhone:

When you use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), you connect to a VPN server in your preferred location. In doing so, your iPhone is provided with a new, temporary IP address. Not only does this let you browse and stream on your iPhone anonymously, it means you can sidestep geo-blocking, allowing you to access your usual websites and services from home even when traveling abroad.

1. NordVPN

Best VPN for iPhone

2. Proton VPN

Best iPhone VPN With a Free Tier

3. ExpressVPN

Best VPN for Streaming

4. Surfshark

Best VPN for Extra Features

5. CyberGhost

Best Free Trial VPN

6. IPVanish

Best VPN for Unlimited Devices

7. Mullvad

Best VPN for Anonymity

What to Look for in a VPN for iPhone

You might be wondering why the above VPNs for iPhone made the cut (or why other VPNs didn’t). When testing VPNs for iPhone, I look at everything from how easy they are to install to how intelligible their privacy policies are. I also carry out a battery of tests including measuring server speeds and checking for DNS leaks.

During testing, I looked for iPhone VPNs that fulfill the following criteria:

• User-friendly iOS app
• Fast, unthrottled connections
• Global server network
• High level of encryption
• Supports multiple VPN protocols
• Absolutely no identifying logs of users
• Multiple simultaneous connections
• Money-back guarantee of at least 30 days
• Live chat and email support

How to Use a VPN on an iPhone

First time using a VPN for iPhone? Getting a VPN set up and connected on your iOS device is super easy:

1. Go to the Apple App store and search for your preferred VPN.
2. Select Get followed by Install to download the VPN’s iOS app.
3. Tap on Open and follow the steps to sign up for an account.
4. Select Allow when prompted to add VPN configurations. Enter your passcode to confirm.
5. Choose the server in your preferred location and click to connect.

Best VPNs for iPhones FAQs

Why do I need a VPN for my iPhone?

It’s well known that the iPhone is a highly secure device. However, a VPN ensures that when data leaves the safe confines of your iPhone (such as when you browse the web), it’s encrypted. This prevents hackers and snoopers from seeing what you’re doing online. A VPN also helps you bypass geographic restrictions on content. This may be your favorite streaming service when on vacation, or even a news site blocked by an authoritarian government.

Does an iPhone have a built-in VPN?

No, the iPhone doesn’t have a built-in VPN, but it does provide a way for you to activate one via its settings. Although Apple introduced Private Relay, this feature is only available for iCloud+ subscribers. Like a VPN, Private Relay encrypts web traffic and hides your IP address but only protects you while in Safari browser. The best iPhone VPN encrypts all of your traffic regardless of the browser or apps you’re using.

Can I use a free VPN for my iPhone?

Free VPNs for iPhone are very limited in terms of both server locations and speed. A free VPN may not properly encrypt your iPhone’s traffic and may even log and sell your data. The best free VPNs I found in testing are the rare exceptions. Regardless, all of the best VPNs for iPhone offer money-back guarantees, so you can try them risk-free. Just remember that when purchasing a VPN via the App Store, you’ll need to request a refund from Apple.

Can I get a free trial VPN on iOS?

Yes! The good news is that you can get a seven-day free trial of all of the best VPNs for iPhone simply by downloading them via the Apple App Store. You just need to remember to cancel before the trial period is up. However, you can try out all of these iOS VPNs for even longer thanks to their very generous money-back guarantees, all of which are at least 30 days. This is risk-free but requires upfront payment.

Mark Gill is a freelance VPN writer for IGN, bringing over five years of dedicated experience from Comparitech, where he delves deep into the intricacies of VPNs.

Earlier this month, a large, demonic-looking monolith appeared in the Mojave Desert, and Geoff Keighley tweeted a photo of it. The monolith featured figures of all sorts of strange creators: skeletons, alligators, soldiers, a wolf, and more. In the time since, online gaming enthusiasts have been eagerly speculating as to what the monolith and Keighley were teasing ahead of The Game Awards. Diablo 4? The Elder Scrolls 6? God of War? Bloodborne 2? Altered Beast?

Well, the mystery may have been solved in advance of The Game Awards on Thursday. As spotted by MP1st, some newly registered trademarks reveal a game and a logo that looks essentially identical to a symbol on the monolith. And those trademarks appear to be for a new Divinity game, from Larian Studios.

How do we know? Well, let's take a look at one of the trademarks. It's for an image, and it looks like this:

Now compare that to the big symbol at the center of the statue:

So yeah, that's definitely the same symbol, so we're in the right place. Now, how do we know it's Divinity? Let's look at the next trademark registered at the same time by the same company, simply for "Divinity", with a logo attached.

Now we're getting somewhere! It's not exact, but it's quite comparable to past Divinity: Original Sin logos:

And even closer to the older Divinity games, slashed through "i" and all.

Okay, maybe it's all just a big coincidence? Sure, I guess. But there's one more clue. All three trademarks were filed by Ihde & Partner Rechtsanwälte, a legal firm that, among other things, has previously filed trademarks for Larian Studios, including past Divinity: Original Sin trademarks.

So that's pretty cut and dry. But what about that third trademark? This is where things get a bit more mysterious. This trademark is also just for an image, this one here:

What's that? I have no idea. But it's probably related, given it was filed on the same day by the same firm and is in a similar style to the other trademarks. Maybe we'll find out on Thursday.

Critically, this seems to be for a new Divinity...NOT a Divinity: Original Sin game. Director of publishing at Larian Studios Michael Douse was on Twitter/X today shutting down any rumors of a Divinity: Original Sin 3, but his language was very specific:

There aren't currently any plans for a new Divinity Original Sin 3 game but once we are ready to show what we've been working on we will 🙏

— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) December 9, 2025

If this is indeed Divinity, that's good news for Larian fans, as Divinity: Original Sin 2 was fantastic. We gave it a 9.6/10, saying, "Divinity: Original Sin 2 may have been designed in the spirit of decades-old RPGs like Baldur’s Gate 2, but that legacy serves only as a foundation for the expansive game Larian has built on top of it."

Speaking of Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate 3 is Larian's most recent work, and that got an impressive 10/10 from us. We said, "I don't want to say every CRPG going forward should aspire to be like Baldur's Gate 3. Not everything needs to be nearly this big and ambitious, or even this dense. But it is a landmark moment in the genre, and if I had to point to one paragon that I would like everyone else making these to take inspiration from, this is absolutely it."

While some may have clamored for Larian to immediately get to work on DLC or Baldur's Gate 4, Larian explicitly said over a year ago that it wouldn't be continuing with another D&D game. However, Larian CEO Swen Vincke has been teasing a new project for a while now, and based on past timelines, this year's Game Awards would be a perfect time for an unveiling.

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

The new-for-2025 Alienware 16X Aurora gaming laptop is on sale today at a price that's lower than any Black Friday deal. You can pick up a well-specced laptop featuring an Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU and RTX 5070 GPU for just $1,549.99 with free shipping. This exact config sold for $1,650 during Black Friday. The 16X Aurora is one of the more premium laptops available featuring an aluminum body, high quality display, and current generation processor and graphics.

Alienware 16X Aurora RTX 5070 Gaming Laptop

Russell Crowe is ready to talk about Gladiator 2, and he’s not exactly happy with how Ridley Scott’s sequel ties in with the original.

Crowe, who won an Oscar for his lead role as Maximus in the 2000 Best Picture winner, spoke about his disappointment in its long-awaited follow-up during an interview with Australian radio station Triple J. He begins airing his grievances by referring to the film as a “sequel that we don’t have to name out loud” but quickly makes his target clear.

“It wasn’t the pomp. It wasn’t the circumstance. It wasn’t the action. It was the moral core,” Crowe explains. “And the thing is there was a daily fight on that set. It was a daily fight to keep that moral core of the character. The amount of times they suggested sex scenes and stuff like that for Maximus, it’s like, you’re taking away his power.”

The area the actor specifically takes issue with is the existence of Gladiator 2’s main character, Lucius (Paul Mescal). It is eventually revealed that Lucius is the secret son of Maximus and the child of an affair Crowe’s character had with Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla. Considering much of Maximus’ journey kicks off as a result of the murder of his wife and child, the actor wasn’t exactly pleased with the decision to retroactively and significantly alter his past.

“But what are you talking about?” Crowe says of Gladiator 2. “So you’re saying at the same time he had this relationship with his wife he was f**king this other girl? What are you talking about? It’s crazy. The women in Europe, when that movie started coming out, I would be at, you know, restaurants, and they’d come talk to me and go, ‘What’s going on?’ It’s like, ‘Hey, it wasn’t me! I didn’t do it!’”

Crowe goes as far as to call Gladiator 2 a “really unfortunate example of even the people in that engine room not actually understanding what made the first one special.” It’s an update that follows comments he made in the lead-up to Scott’s 2024 revival, when the star said “they should be f**king paying me for the amount of questions I am asked about a film I am not even in.”

We gave Gladiator 2 an 8/10 in our review upon its release late last year. At the time, we said the film “finds strength and honor in a familiar story, with enough fresh perspective to feel relevant and an unmissable Denzel Washington supporting turn which practically screams ‘are you not entertained!?’” Scott said Gladiator 3 is “in the process right now” in August, though it’s unclear if Crowe or Mescal will be brought back in any capacity.

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).

There’s a plethora of great gaming mice out there and the standard of sensors, batteries, and build quality is better than ever. Finding the right one has a lot to do with personal preference – don’t get me wrong, some are demonstrably better than others, but you’ll want to consider things like weight, size, ergonomics, extra buttons, or even what types of games you play. Because of this, I’ve broken down my picks for best gaming mouse into categories to help you make the best choice for your needs.

For example, the Logitech G502 X Lightspeed is one of the most comfortable mice that prioritizes ergonomics, but I would recommend the ultra-light Corsair Sabre V2 Pro to those who want an edge in competitive rounds of Valorant. Some may even want a versatile gaming mouse that makes sense in work settings with good Bluetooth and battery life, which the Turtle Beach Pure Air fits admirably. Meanwhile, those extra buttons on the Corsair Scimitar Elite sure look nice to those who want to program all their MMO/MOBA commands off the keyboard. But if I had to just choose one mouse as a blanket recommendation, the DeathAdder V4 Pro from Razer gets my vote. Throughout this guide, I break down my hands-on experience with each of the gaming mice I recommend to showcase why I think they’re the right fit for their category.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Gaming Mice

At the end of the guide I’ve outlined some important questions to ask when looking for a gaming mouse on your own. And as always, we’ll update this guide with new recommendations as we get hands on and review more gaming mice in the future, so be sure to check back whenever you need some buying advice.

See our list of the best gaming mouse pads, too!

1. Razer Deathadder V4 Pro

Best Overall Gaming Mouse

2. SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2

Best Budget Gaming Mouse

3. SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless

Best Budget Wireless Gaming Mouse

4. Logitech G403 Hero

Best Wired Gaming Mouse

5. Corsair Scimitar Elite

Best MMO/MOBA Gaming Mouse

6. HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini

Best Small Gaming Mouse

7. Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2

Best Lightweight Gaming Mouse

8. Corsair Sabre V2 Pro

Best Ultra-Lightweight Gaming Mouse

9. Logitech G502 X Lightspeed

Best Ergonomic Gaming Mouse

Gaming Mouse FAQ

How do you determine what makes a good gaming mouse?

Much of what makes a good gaming mouse comes down to your personal preferences. The first thing you’ll want to consider is your preferred grip style: palm, claw, or fingertip. Generally, a bigger mouse is a better choice for palm grips while lighter and smaller mice are better suited for fingertip grips, although it varies mouse-to-mouse so it's worth reading detailed reviews. Do you like having a more ergonomic feel with deep-set grooves for your thumb and pinky to help hold onto the mouse? Does using something super lightweight matter more for when you’re whipping the mouse around during clutch moments in Counter-Strike 2? For me, I gravitate towards the latter since I’m most comfortable with a claw grip.

Some mice are ambidextrous/symmetrical, which should work just fine for right-handed users while giving lefties out there a viable option, but watch out because a lot of symmetrically shaped mice still have the buttons positioned for right-handers.

Button feel is a tough thing to suss out when researching mice, but I make it a point in my mouse reviews to determine the squishiness or springiness of mouse clicks since that’s an important factor for both comfort and performance. Manufacturers tend to differ on the kinds of switches used from mouse to mouse, but the more firm and tactile the clicking feels, the better, since it helps with rapid firing in shooters or repeated clicks in MMOs/MOBAs.

Another feature that’s become standard is programmable side buttons. Most mice offer two around the thumb area, but they come in all shapes and sizes. Comfortable positioning and being easy to actuate in a moment's notice are things we account for when determining whether or not a mouse’s side buttons are good. You may also be interested in mice that go the extra mile with additional buttons, such as the ergonomic-minded Logitech G502 or the MMO/MOBA powerhouse that is the Corsair Scimitar Elite – they’re nowhere near as nimble as other mice, but that’s the compromise they make to offer those unique benefits.

Another variable to account for is the sensor, which tracks movement. Almost every brand name gaming-grade mouse today is equipped with an accurate and fast optical sensor that’s more than enough to line up shots in a competitive shooter. A higher maximum DPI (dots-per-inch, which is one variable that affects sensitivity) used to be shorthand for a mouse’s performance ceiling, but it has gotten to the point of diminishing returns.

What’s the deal with high polling rate on gaming mice?

Gaming mice come standard with a 1000Hz polling rate nowadays, which means your mouse updates your PC with movements and inputs every millisecond (1 ms). That’s plenty fast for most gamers, but a recent trend born out of the esports world is equipping mice with higher polling rates – up to 8000 Hz. Nowadays, most high-end mice offer polling rates of 1000Hz, 2000Hz, 4000Hz, and 8000Hz. It’s technically impressive, but does it really affect performance? It can, under specific circumstances.

* General range using the Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed as an example.

Polling rate doesn’t necessarily reduce latency, rather it increases the frequency at which your mouse movements are read. This can lead to an increase in smoothness since your PC is picking up and tracking the more incremental movements. Basically, polling rate is the measurement of how often the mouse sends data to your device (see chart above).

However, you won’t be able to actually reap the benefits if the rest of the input pipeline isn’t up to snuff. Two things to keep in mind are the resolution you’re playing at and the refresh rate of your screen. With higher pixel density (and screen space), the more those incremental movements matter. But also, higher refresh rates (such as 144 Hz and above) are important too. To benefit from those high refresh rates, your PC needs to be powerful enough to produce the high frame rates to match. In other words, there’s a lot that goes into PC gaming before you can start to notice the advantage of a mouse’s higher polling rate.

Anaconda, a new spin on a long-dormant franchise that sees a group of adventurers tracking down a giant snake in the Amazon, isn’t a reboot or a remake of the 1997 original film starring Jennifer Lopez. Selton Mello (I’m Still Here), who stars in the new movie along with Paul Rudd and Jack Black, insists the 2025 version of Anaconda is something else entirely. At CCXP25 in Brazil, I spoke with Mello and director Tom Gormican about making a comedic update of the franchise-spawning original.

“A lot of people (are) asking if it’s a reboot or a remake, and it's not,” Mello says. “It is a very original thing that Tom and his writing partner (Kevin Etten) wrote together, and it's amazing. It's meta. So you have adventure, a lot of action, a little danger and humor.”

The 2025 version of Anaconda sees Rudd portraying a background actor and Black playing a wedding videographer who decide to venture to Brazil to remake the original Anaconda film. While the first Anaconda wasn’t known for its humor, Gormican says that comedy was essential in bringing a new version to life.

“Jack and Paul - they're so funny,” Gormican says. “But they're able to sort of dial in their performances and feel very real and feel actually scared. When the snake is attacking, everything feels so real because (they’re) such great dramatic actors (as well).”

Mello, who plays a snake handler in the film, says that he never saw an actual snake on set despite the film ostensibly being about a giant, monstrous serpent.

“Interesting thing - I played this snake handler and I didn't see a single snake during the whole thing, so it's all CGI,” Mello says. “And then when I watched the film I (thought) ‘Okay, we have a snake. It's there, it's on screen. Fantastic.’ It's all about imagination and creativity. No danger at all. It's great.”

For Gormican, much of the meta narrative came from his experiences as a filmmaker to the point that a shift in production meant a change for the film-within-a-film as well.

“All of our filmmaking experiences inform exactly what these guys were going through,” Gormican says. “As you start to build the movie out, all of the elements start to inform each other. At the end of the movie, we lost a major location, so we were furiously rewriting the ending. We built the entire production design and we were standing on the set with the actors and everybody had just gotten a new ending. So we put that into the movie.”

Out of everything he experienced on the Anaconda set, Mello says there’s one scene in particular that he’s excited for audiences to see.

“There's a lot of great scenes,” Mello says.” But maybe the snake funeral (is my favorite). We did it in a very serious way. I mean, Tom gave me (that) direction and I love it. I was (a big) fan of his idea. So the funeral is crazy and funny and touching.”

Anaconda hits theaters on December 25.

And for more on CCXP, check out major reveals from the convention for Marvel, Fallout, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and more.

Michael Peyton is the Senior Editorial Director of Events & Entertainment at IGN, leading entertainment content and coverage of tentpole events including IGN Live, San Diego Comic Con, gamescom, and IGN Fan Fest. He's spent 20 years working in the games and entertainment industry, and his adventures have taken him everywhere from the Oscars to Japan to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Follow him on Bluesky @MichaelPeyton

A compact power bank that is perfect for your Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, or Apple iPhone 17 has dropped in price for a limited time. Amazon is currently offering the Iniu 10,000mAh 45W Power Bank for just $11.98 after you clip the 49% off coupon on the product page. This deal usually hits its redemption limit within a day. This would make a great stocking stuffer gift idea for anyone who just picked up a Switch 2 console or owns a phone with USB-C charging input.

Iniu 10,000mAh 45W Power Bank for $11.98

Notorious Battlefield 6 skin Wicked Grin has had its colors toned down once again, but this time, players are celebrating the removal of, well, its Wicked Grin.

Battlefield Studios launched update 1.1.3.0 alongside its Season 1 finale, Winter Offensive, today. Although patch notes covered sweeping changes to Breakthrough, hit registration, and the overall audio experience, much of the online community was pleased to see the update tackle one of the EA FPS’s biggest controversies.

Ready to live your best streaming life? Well Elgato is ready to pull you through the door of content creation kicking and "streaming" with some of its best and budget kit at epic discounts (even the telepromptor).

I've also been using the best earbuds i've tried out since Status X Pro (and it was so close i'd recommend those too), but Sony InZone hit that sweet spot of low-end with clear definition with a couple of connectivity options from Bluetooth to 2.4GHz USB-C dongle connectivity.

TL;DR: Deals for Today

Xarcade has been around for a while now, but its latest X-Arcade offering connects to literally everything, including playing Pinball FX on Meta Quest 2 and 3. It's on clearance at Walmart right now and is going to be the cheapest way to get a home arcade setup without spending a fortune on an actual cabinet.

I've also gathered some awesome Christmas gift ideas with some solid discounts to make you look like a big shot. I've talking about a Creative speaker bar and subwoofer combo to a top of the line Kareoke Machine and beauty tech, so let's get straight into it:

PNY GeForce RTX 5070 12GB Graphics Card for $499

Triple fan cooling

Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle

X-Arcade Arcade2TV-XR

Elgato Streaming Gear Sale

The gold brand in streaming and content creation is Elgato, and there's plenty of its high-end gear on sale here such as the power-streamer Stream Deck XL down to $204.99 to one of the best budget-focused condenser microphone options in the $84.99 Wave Neo. Even the Facecam Mk.2 has been knocked down to $126.34, allowing streamers to stop worrying about mirrorless XLR camera setups and have a quality wcamera solution that plug and play. And who doesn't want an Elgato prompter for a marked down $228.99?

Excentric Christmas Gift Deals

So I thought i'd have a bit of fun today with some cool Christmas or White Rabbit gift ideas with some brilliant discounts. I've already touched on Sony InZone wireless earbuds, but they really are the best all-rounder earbuds i've tried in recent memory, and the included USB-C dongle fits in the charger case and is ideal for connecting to PC and PlayStation 5. And they're $42.99 off, bargain.

Saving over $100 on a 300W Kareoke machine with an included 10.1" tablet and wireless microphones is a cracking deal too. Ikario has RGB lighting and hooks up to YouTube or Karaoke app via WiFi for absolute endless banter for house parties this holiday.

Creative might not be the front and center of PC audio like it used to be, but it haven't lost its eye for quality. $69.99 for a soundbar and subwoofer combo is an awesome shout for a gaming setup or smaller home theatre setups.

If you've spotted a loved one forever filming themselves for TikToks or video calling to their friends, the Maono wireless lavalier microphone is USB-C compatible and clips to a users clothes for a pro sound wherever they are.

Stationary cameras are great for keeping an eye on a room in general, but cats and dogs don't like staying still. Enabot EBO Rola PetPal provides 2.5k video and allows owners to roll about the house to check what their pets are really up too. Attachable feeders and cat toys allow for owners to interact with their pets more than ever before and is a great gift for the craszy cat person in your life.

I've been using the HOZO NeoBlade for a while now whilst cleaning up my 3D prints and creative projects. It's an ultrasonic knife that can take different microblades and is rechargable. This bit of kit just makes cutting jobs miles easier of toucher materials with acrylic, PLA, wood and softer metals. I use it to cut supports off my prints and clean up projects, and I can't go back to regular scalpels and blades. Plus this bundle is $10 off and you get a self healing A3 matt.

Switch 2 Games Releasing This Holiday

December is stacked for Nintendo Switch 2. We gave Metroid Prime 4: Beyond a solid 8/10 for nailing the Prime vibe whilst introducing some interesting mechanics and a pseudo open-world sandbox to explore. Considering how long we've been waiting for it, Metroid 4 is a solid comeback.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A Mega Dimension DLC drops on Wednesday, which adds a post-game story, brand new Mega Evolutions and new mechanics such as an alternative dimension Lumioise City and Pokémon hitting over the long-standing level 100 mechanic. Insane.

Audible Holiday Sale

Fancy knocking a $14.95 per month subscription to 99 cents for three months? That's what's on offer for Amazon Prime members right now, which can easily be cancelled down before the discount dries if you don't want to continue, win-win.

Whilst Audible Plus, the cheaper membership tier, has 10,000 audiobooks to listen too, Premium Plus has 500,000. Premium Plus members get to pick an audiobook to keep in their library indefinitely too, with 30% off purchasable Audiobooks. Usually this crops up as a free 30-day trial, and these trials are only for new subscribers, so this is the best deal you're going to get.

Mega Evolution Booster Box

Secretlab Holiday Sale

It's no secret that Secretlab is one of the most premium gaming chairs and brands available right now, and the brand tax is real. But straight off the heels of Black Friday, Secretlab have dropped their Christmas Holiday Sale across all the favorites. The super premium Titan Evo Nanogen Edition features a Secretlab-exclusive NanGen Hybrid Leathette seat covering and NanoFoam Composite cushioning for one of the best feeling gaming chairs on the market,

Even the budget-minded Titan Evo Lite has premium features and coldfoam cusioning to make sure you're comfortable all day working and all night gaming. They even do an erganomic recliner add on now, featuring multiple angles of support to keep your legs comfortable for different posture types.

Alienware and Lenovo Gaming PC Deals

It's easy to get carried away with mad specifications on gaming PCs, and if you can afford it that's awesome. But builds like Lenovo's LOQ RTX 5060Ti build has a cracking budget price of $949.99 after using the discount code "EXTRAFIVE", capable of DLSS 4 upscaling and the latest Nvidia AI frame generation. The Ryzen 7 8745HX CPU backs up the 5060 Ti well, making this a lean and mean 1080p gaming monster.

Out of the two Alienware builds, i'd save the money and go for the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 build. Both of these builds are going to kill it when it comes to high frame rate 4K gaming, and I simply don't think the extra $350 is worth it for the extra gains of a Core Ultra 9 285K CPU. Of course it's faster and better, but I think the $3,899.99 build is far better value for money.

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.

High on Life 2 is our IGN First “cover story” game for December, which means we’ve got exclusive coverage all month long. We’ve already posted plenty of new gameplay, and today we’re thrilled to announce one of High on Life 2’s brand-new weapons: Say hello to Travis, the SMG-style weapon voiced by Ken Marino, who you might know from The State as well as Wet Hot American Summer. Travis is one-half of a dual SMG pair with Jan – check out the half of a heart pendant around his, uh, neck, I guess? Anyway, they’re married, but it seems the relationship has gotten a bit toxic.

Take a look at some footage of Travis in action in the video below, and for more exclusive High on Life 2 coverage – including another weapon reveal coming up soon.

High on Life 2 will be released on February 13, 2026 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S – including launching on day one into Xbox Game Pass.

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