As the dust settles on Microsoft's dramatic changes at the top of its gaming team, fans are digesting the shock resignation of Xbox President Sarah Bond, after nearly a decade working on the console brand.

Yesterday, IGN exclusively reported that Bond had resigned from her post, despite long being considered to be outgoing Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer's heir apparent. Instead, that job went to Asha Sharma, previously Microsoft's CoreAI product president.

In the hours since, fans have been quick to read between the lines of what has been said — and not said — about Bond's departure, including the belated posting of her own exit note to employees, which arrived some hours after formal statements from Microsoft boss Satya Nadella, Spencer, Sharma and the newly-promoted Matt Booty.

Indeed, Bond's departure was left to be announced by Microsoft within Spencer's own statement — several paragraphs below the big news that he was handing over the baton to Sharma. Here's exactly what Spencer wrote:

"As part of this transition, Sarah Bond has decided to leave Microsoft to begin a new chapter. Sarah has been instrumental during a defining period for Xbox, shaping our platform strategy, expanding Game Pass and cloud gaming, supporting new hardware launches, and guiding some of the most significant moments in our history. I'm grateful for her partnership and the impact she's had, and I wish her the very best in what comes next."

No mention is made of Bond in statements from Nadella, Sharma or Booty, who do not reference her departure at all.

On social media, veteran Xbox exec Aaron Greenberg marked yesterday's events with a flurry of lengthy posts, sharing his excitement for Sharma's posting and a long message of thanks to Spencer on his retirement, following years as colleagues. But Greenberg makes no mention of Bond or her departure, either.

Hours later, Bond did publicly release her own farewell message — though this time via LinkedIn. Bond's lengthy statement references the fact that it was she who "decided this is the right time for me to take my next step, both personally and professionally," though there's little more explanation as to why.

Bond joined Xbox in 2017 as Xbox’s corporate VP of bizdev and partnerships. She became corporate VP of game creator experience and ecosystem after that before being named President of Xbox in 2022.

Her full note on her departure is below:

IGN has much more on this story, including the many farewells from veteran developers to Phil Spencer, Spencer's personal words to the Xbox community following his departure, and Sharma's own responses to initial concerns around her recent AI work and lack of gaming industry job experience.

Image credit: Microsoft

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

Microsoft's new gaming CEO Asha Sharma has responded to concerns around her background in AI and lack of previous roles in gaming, as part of her first major interview since yesterday's announcement that she will replace veteran Xbox boss Phil Spencer.

Last night, IGN exclusively broke the news of a stunning reshuffle at the top of Microsoft's gaming division. Veteran chief and avid gamer Phil Spencer was retiring, his protégé Sarah Bond was following him out the door, and Sharma was now in charge. Meanwhile, Xbox Studios leader Matt Booty had secured a promotion, and will now serve as Sharma's right-hand man.

Now, Sharma has spoken with Variety and addressed the two immediate concerns raised by many Xbox fans last night as the news broke — that Microsoft boss Satya Nadella had chosen the company's CoreAI head of product development to replace Phil Spencer, who previously had no experience running anything to do with video games.

In Sharma's first message to Microsoft staff, Sharma laid out her three main commitments: "great games", "the return of Xbox" and "future of play."

Talking to Variety, Sharma said she believed great games were those with "deep emotional resonance", "a distinct point of view" and experiences with stories that make players "feel something." Sharma then gave the beloved narrative mystery Firewatch as an example of this.

On her track record, Sharma admitted she had "a lot to learn" as an outside to the gaming community, but was a "platform builder" who intended to "earn the right to be trusted by players and developers."

Sharma began her career at Microsoft in marketing, though has spent time at Meta, scaling Facebook Messenger to billions of users, and then retail delivery company Instacart, where she helped guide the business to profitability.

In an exclusive story, we reported that Xbox boss and Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer is retiring and Xbox president Sarah Bond is leaving her position. Consequently, president of Microsoft's CoreAI product Asha Sharma is taking over as CEO of Xbox with Matt Booty moving up to executive vice president and CCO of Xbox. This shake-up in Xbox leadership was a surprise to many and sent waves across the gaming industry from former Xbox execs to industry veterans alike. We compiled some of the statements made online coming out of the news from key individuals, including what Sarah Bond's had to say upon leaving the Xbox brand.

Bond went to LinkedIn to give her statement on her departure and the leadership changes at Xbox, sharing the note she sent to colleagues internally:

Sharing with gratitude the note I sent to my team today. Grateful to our players, developers, partners, and team. Forever a fan of Xbox. 💚
-----
Hi team,

I know there’s a lot of news to take in today.

I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together over the past eight-plus years. PC and cloud gaming are growing faster than ever, our next console is well underway, and together we’ve helped lay the foundation for a more open gaming platform that spans devices and reaches players around the world.

When we announced our intention to acquire Activision Blizzard in 2022, I committed to helping lead Xbox through what would be a critical period of change. Over the past four years, we’ve navigated that moment together and positioned the business for what comes next. We took on some of the biggest challenges this organization has ever faced and did it as one team.

With that, I’ve decided this is the right time for me to take my next step, both personally and professionally. We’re living through a transformative technological era that will shape the next generation of our industry, and I’m energized by what’s ahead. This moment also presents a unique opportunity for fresh eyes and new leadership to guide the team into its next chapter. I’ve had the privilege of spending time with Asha over the last few weeks as we’ve planned for this transition, and I’ve seen firsthand her deep commitment to our players, developers, and brand. She brings deep technology and commerce experience, along with a strong track record of building and scaling platforms that the world uses. Xbox deserves this. I’m excited to see her lead this next chapter for our team. I’ll remain on as a Special Advisor to Asha to help ensure a smooth transition and set the organization up for continued success.

I want to thank Phil for his mentorship and friendship over the years. He’s been a consistent champion of this business and the people who make it what it is, and I’ve learned a great deal from the way he leads through both opportunity and challenge. I’m grateful for his trust and support throughout my time on the team. I also want to thank Satya for his sponsorship and support throughout my time at Microsoft.

As I prepare to sign off, I’ve been reflecting on three simple questions I’ve tried to use to guide my days:

Did I bring my best?
Did I help someone else succeed?
Did I do my best work?

I hope the answer has been yes for many of you. It’s been a privilege to work alongside this team.

Always,
Sarah

On LinkedIn, Peter Moore, former VP of entertainment at Microsoft and longtime CEO and EVP at Electronic Arts:

News that Phil Spencer has stepped away marks the end of a significant chapter for Microsoft Gaming and in particular Xbox.

It is easy, especially in today’s climate, to critique decisions, debate strategy, and judge outcomes with the benefit of hindsight. What is harder is to sustain leadership over decades in an industry that reinvents itself every few years. Of that, I’m only too painfully aware.

Phil did that.

From the early days of Xbox through console transitions, studio acquisitions, platform wars, and the rise of subscription and cloud, he was a steady presence in what has often been a turbulent environment. Gaming at Microsoft has never been a quiet assignment. Expectations were immense. Competition was relentless. The spotlight was constant.

I had the privilege of working alongside him during formative years for the business. What I saw was commitment to players, loyalty to teams, and resilience when the noise was loudest. Phil was,and is, a gamer at heart and that showed in everything he did during my time with him.

Leadership in this industry means making imperfect decisions with incomplete information, under extraordinary pressure. It means standing in front when things go wrong, and sharing credit when they go right. That is not easy work.

Whatever opinions swirl today (and I see the boo birds are out in flocks) history tends to be kinder and more balanced. Sustained contribution matters. Building institutions matters. Showing up year after year matters.

A long career in gaming, particularly at the scale of Microsoft, deserves respect.

Wishing Phil good luck for whatever comes next. All the best, mate.

Reggie Fils-Aimé, former president of Nintendo of America:

Congrats @XboxP3 on a fantastic career. The games industry is better because of your contributions. I look forward to celebrating this milestone with you. https://t.co/uJGjlKJJ2c

— Reggie Fils-Aimé (@Reggie) February 20, 2026

Greg Canessa, former GM and creator of the Xbox Live Arcade:

Congratulations @XboxP3 on an amazing run leading @Xbox. I have nothing but respect and admiration for what you accomplished, and the industry is better off for you having been in it.

— Greg Canessa (@gregcanessa) February 21, 2026

Jason Ronald, VP of Xbox gaming devices and ecosystem, leader on development of the Xbox Series X and S:

Many emotions today, but more than anything I feel incredible gratitude for the years I have spent with both @XboxP3 and @BondSarah_Bond.

Phil and Sarah's impact on the team, the community and me personally are immeasurable. Thank you both for everything you have done for @Xbox. https://t.co/00eeIubq1V

— Jason Ronald (@jronald) February 20, 2026

Sean Murray, director at Hello Games, developers behind No Man's Sky:

🫡 https://t.co/pD5IhojR7N

— Sean Murray (@NoMansSky) February 21, 2026

Larry Hryb, widely known as Major Nelson, former principal program manager and senior director of communications for Xbox:

Hey @XboxP3 I am not texting you now....as I know your phone is blowing up like mine. Let's chat when you come up for air.

— Larry Hryb, Gamer Emeritus 📱⌨️🖱️🎮 (@majornelson) February 20, 2026

An end of an era indeed. https://t.co/inQTwhOKB7

— Larry Hryb, Gamer Emeritus 📱⌨️🖱️🎮 (@majornelson) February 20, 2026

Phil Spencer himself reflected on the 38 years he spent working at Microsoft as well and we broke down his statement in a separate story. He oversaw initiatives such as Xbox Game Pass, the launches of the Xbox One X and the Xbox Series consoles, and several acquisitions of development teams such as Bethesda Game Studios, Playground Games, Ninja Theory, Obsidian Entertainment, and more as well as the industry-shaking $69 billion acquisition of Activision-Blizzard-King. We also looked at new Xbox head Asha Sharma's statement about her vision for the platform and her thoughts on AI moving forward.

Be sure to check out our discussions on the possible impact the leadership changes will have on the Xbox platform and our breakdown of the news on IGN's Daily Fix. And catch our weekly Xbox podcast Unlocked where we've analyzed what a next-gen Xbox looks like and keep up with the year's biggest games.

It might not have the same kind of ambition or bells and whistles as its contemporaries, but Styx holds a special place in my heart as one of very few pure stealth game series we have left. Will you find the incredibly creative scenarios of Hitman or the insane level of polish and replayability of Dishonored? Nope. Instead Styx contents itself with simply being a reliable way for stealth fans to get their fix, and Styx: Blades of Greed is no exception. More often than not, the usual playbook of sneaking around, stealing and assassinating everything in sight, is as fun as it’s ever been, and this sequel makes some important tweaks, like removing weak multiplayer mechanics to refocus on a solo stealth experience and swapping smaller, mission-based maps for absolutely massive regions. But it’s also saddled with quite a few of the same issues it’s always had, finicky movement, performance issues, and an unremarkable story, which are as disappointing as they are completely expected.

Like its predecessor from 2017, Blades of Greed puts you in the leather boots of an elderly, grumpy goblin as you sneak into small spaces, stab humans, elves, and monsters in their soft places, and use an arsenal of gadgets and special abilities to overcome the fact that getting spotted will get you killed in two seconds flat. There are some modest additions, like a couple of new gadgets and abilities that let you do things like mind control NPCs from afar or use a grappling hook to close large gaps in a short period of time, but for the most part there’s very little that’s changed about the moment-to-moment gameplay. You’ll still find, for example, the ol’ reliable ability to turn yourself invisible for a short period of time, and will still find yourself hiding inside closets and barrels before popping out to slit the throat of some idiot guard. Good times. As ever, stealth is absolutely the star of the show, and Blades of Greed has the same high quality sneaking around that you’d hope it would.

The story in Styx has never been very good, and Blades of Greed lives up to those low expectations by having a completely forgettable story in spite of the fact that its protagonist is inherently interesting and unique. After developing a craving for magical abilities granted to you by quartz crystals found throughout the world, you begin a repetitive journey to, well, find more of it, and 90% of the campaign is just going from place-to-place stealing these glowing rocks to power yourself up with little in the way of plot in between those scavenger hunts. You meet some characters along the way, like a gadget-obsessed dwarf and an orc who becomes your spiritual guide, but they don’t get enough screen time to leave much of an impression and what they do get isn’t used effectively, with everyone spouting off explanations of telling you what you need to do next and little else. You’re unlikely to have come to the Styx series looking for an engaging story, but just in case you were hoping to be pleasantly surprised: I wouldn’t count on that.

Though the vast majority of Styx’s bones remain the same, one major change is that instead of treading (and sometimes retreading) through mission-specific levels, Blades of Greed lets you loose in three extremely large maps filled with both mandatory and optional areas to explore, pilfer, and fall to your death within. It’s a neat idea that allows for significantly more freedom over prior adventures, and it’s quite easy to become distracted and assassinate your way through an entire region before realizing you didn’t even really have any objective behind any of it, except that it’s just hard to see a guard walking by unaware and not take him down. These huge levels also allow you to express creativity in how you navigate the area and solve the problem of getting around when every 10 feet there’s someone who could kill you by breathing on you. When you’re staring at an objective that’s a mountain’s distance above you, you’ll need to just creep around and try things to figure out how to get there – maybe you’ll find a nice spot on the side of a tower to make daring leaps while avoiding the notice of guards along the way, or maybe you’ll find a quieter path via a sewer system that leads you to the same spot, but is infested with giant bugs that will swarm you if you get too close.

That can be a really interesting stealth challenge to figure out, but comes with some unique drawbacks as well. For one, it can be exhausting to have to cross such a massive area slowly sneaking along all the while, and if you try to just sprint past everything to get to the objective, you should be prepared to reload a whole bunch as you work through the trial and error process of doing so. That travel time feels significantly less focused and curated than the more linear model for level design as well, and oftentimes you’re kinda just half-assedly sneaking through ruins and across rooftops with no real obstacles along the way until you get to the place that the objective marker wants you to be, at which point things start to feel much more focused. In other words, it’s a whole lot of fat before you get to the meat of the main objectives. I actually spent the vast majority of the more than 20 hours it took me to beat Blades of Greed trying to figure out where exactly my next objective was and how to get there, rather than actually pulling off the heist in question.

The good news is that each of these maps is pretty awesome across the board. The Wall is an absurdly cool vertical labyrinth of concrete castles and rickety slums, Turquoise Dawn is a jungle of trees, swamps, and massive, deadly roaches swarming in dark areas, and the Akenash Ruins are a ruined, kingdom where everything floats in the air unnaturally and enemies are extremely weird monsters, like something out of Elden Ring. Each visit to these places throughout the story unlocks new areas to explore, though you’ll also do quite a bit of backtracking through areas you’ve already been, which is a bit of a drag. Still, these are some of the more interesting areas I’ve stalked the halls of in a stealth game and highlights the unique, strange, and magically-infused world that this curmudgeonly goblin calls home.

Though the huge amount of space these maps have can be pretty great to explore, they sometimes feel a bit too big for the much smaller objectives within them. The story’s main objectives are much smaller than a typical stealth mission, usually just requiring you to steal a key and open a locked door, or shut down a machine so you can reach your objective – miniature quests that usually only take a couple minutes to complete, if that. Once you’ve checked it off your list, you’re back to the mostly uneventful traveling stealth as you find a way to the next objective, often requiring you to backtrack through some of the same spots in the process, which is how I have spent the bulk of the adventure so far. On the bright side, this format means you’re basically just locked into a constant stream of pure, unadulterated stealth scenarios for hours on end as you work your way through each set of missions, and since that’s Blades of Greed’s strong suit, you’re getting exactly what the doctor ordered.

If you’re familiar with the shortcomings of the previous Styx games, then you’ll probably be less-than-stoked to hear that Blades of Greed doesn’t address most of these. Combat, which is a last resort, but sometimes required, is quite sloppy and overly simplistic, and moving around, especially jumping onto ledges and the like can be finicky at times and caused me to fall to my death or get caught out in the open dozens of times by this point. Worse than those though, are the usual performance issues and technical challenges, like NPCs becoming invisible while talking to them and frames dropping to horrifyingly low levels after extended play sessions. Framerate issues are actually a fair bit worse than I remember them being in previous games, presumably due to the significantly larger maps, and it can get pretty bad for long stretches when there’s a lot happening on screen. Most of these issues are sort of baked into Styx by this point, but it’s still worth shouting out that the bulk of this stuff has mostly gone unaddressed, seemingly.

Sony is reportedly making another Venom movie. This time, it’s going to be animated. How closely the surprise animated project will stick to the events of the recent trilogy starring Tom Hardy, with its plot, casting details, and release date still a mystery for now.

Though the latest Lethal Protector story is still in its early stages, according to the The Hollywood Reporter, it does have some notable names already attached behind the scenes. Final Destination: Bloodlines duo Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein are set to direct the feature-length animation. The two are newcomers to the Marvel world but saw success with last year’s Final Destination reboot. Other highlights from their joint resume includes the 2019 live-action Kim Possible movie, 2018’s Freaks, and a few episodes of Mech-X4.

The Venom animation is said to have series veterans Amy Pascal, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach in the mix, though the extent of their involvement is unclear. While Hardy is also involved in the project, there’s no word on whether he will reprise his role as Eddie Brock after concluding the live-action trilogy as the character in Venom: The Last Dance. No specific writer has been named to pen the film’s script as Sony Pictures Animation gets the ball rolling on its story.

Although it seems possible the animated Venom movie could go a completely new direction with its story and characters, it does have some room to grow should Sony choose to directly build on its live-action trilogy. One major Marvel character the Hardy trilogy only lightly touched on is the symbiote god Knull, with one of The Last Dance's final credits sequences teasing big things in store for that character. The series also notoriously refrained from including much about Spider-Man despite Venom’s strong ties to him (largely due to confusing licensing arrangements), but it’s unclear if traveling to the realm of animation would have the two finally crossing paths.

With so many pieces still coming together, it will likely be a while before we learn more, and it will be even longer before the movie actually premieres. In the meantime, you can read our reviews for Venom, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and Venom: The Last Dance. You can also learn about the upcoming live-action Spider-Noir series coming to Amazon’s Prime Video on May 27.

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).

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are coming to Nintendo Switch next week to celebrate the series 30th anniversary. And while The Pokémon Company and Nintendo have already answered a number of questions about the releases that probably shouldn't have been necessary to ask to begin with, there's one question we still don't know the answer to: Will these games be compatible with Pokémon Home?

For the non-Pokénerds out there, Pokémon Home is a cloud-based, paid subscription service that allows users to store Pokémon from various games, as well as move them between certain compatible games. The service has been directly compatible with every new Pokémon game on the Nintendo Switch, as well as Pokémon GO, and it also works with Pokémon Bank, a similar program that existed on the 3DS. The explanations and rules are a bit convoluted, but essentially, it's only through Bank and Home that Pokémon from older games such as Red/Blue/Yellow and Gold/Silver/Crystal (in their Virtual Console on Nintendo 3DS incarnations) can be brought forward to modern games.

As a result, with some finagling, Pokémon fans can essentially bring a beloved monster from any mainline Pokémon game they've ever played (except the original Game Boy cartridges for Red/Blue/Yellow and Gold/Silver/Crystal) to Pokemon Home and, if it's compatible, transfer it for use into a modern game and continue their adventures. It's been a cool way for collectors to track their PokéDexes, and for long-time fans to keep beloved monsters from their childhoods by their side as adults.

The original FireRed and LeafGreen are compatible with Home in this way too, though the process is, as suggested above, a bit complicated. In order to get Pokemon OUT of FireRed and LeafGreen into Home, you first have to use the Pal Park feature to transfer them to Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum using a Nintendo DS system. Then, you have to use the Poke Transfer Lab (which requires two Nintendo DS systems) to move them from that game to Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, or White 2. From there, you can move them into Pokémon Bank on a Nintendo 3DS, and then from Bank they can be transferred to Home. It's convoluted, but it's possible.

If Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen on Nintendo Switch are compatible with Home directly, players can skip all that and bring monsters directly from those games into Home without having to own three different DS systems and multiple old game cartridges. However, players are concerned that this may not be the case. Earlier today, when the eShop page went live for FireRed and LeafGreen, it initially included the line, "Support for Pokémon HOME is coming soon. You'll be able to bring the Pokémon you catch and train to the place where all Pokémon gather-support for Pokémon HOME is coming to Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen Version!” However, fans noticed that line was almost immediately removed, leaving the compatibility up in the air.

When Sony launched the PlayStation 5 in late 2020, it came with an all-new controller, the DualSense, that completely redesigned the look and feel of its iconic controller. While it still retained the signature parallel thumbsticks and button layout, it added new features like Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers to provide a deeper sense of immersion while playing. For a while, the DualSense was your only option if you wanted to game on PS5.

Five years later, there are plenty of third-party controllers to choose from, as well as a new console in the PS5 Pro. These DualSense alternatives provide options for players looking for a different button layout, more customization, or pro-level features. Check out our full rundown of the best PS5 controllers available in 2026.

TL;DR: These Are the Best PS5 Controllers

Whether you're interested in additional back buttons to enhance your gameplay or want a more customizable pro-style controller, there are plenty of options available now for PS5 controllers. My colleagues and I have tested and reviewed most of the controllers below and handpicked the best options for most players.

1. PlayStation DualSense

Best Overall PS5 Controller

2. Sony DualSense Edge

Best Pro-Style PS5 Controller

3. Razer Raiju V3 Pro Wireless

PS5 Controller With the Best Battery Life

4. Scuf Reflex Pro

Best Grips on a PS5 Controller

5. Nacon Revolution 5 Pro

Best Thumbsticks on a PS5 Controller

6. Victrix Pro BFG

Best Customizable PS5 Controller

7. Hori Fighting Commander OCTA

Best PS5 Fightpad

8. Victrix Pro FS

Best PS5 Fight Stick

9. PlayStation Access Controller

Best PS5 Controller for Accessibility

How to Choose a PS5 Controller

Think about what matters most to you as a player. Are you looking for a feature-rich controller with all the bells and whistles or something more budget-friendly?

Most third-party PS5 controllers include some level of "pro" features aimed at competitive gamers. Customizable back buttons, interchangeable thumbsticks, enhanced grips, and multiple connectivity options are all things to watch for.

Battery life is another key factor. The standard DualSense doesn’t have the longest battery life, so you might want to consider a wired controller or one with a larger battery that can last longer between charges.

If price is a concern, the standard PS5 DualSense is still a great pick. It includes premium features like adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, a built-in microphone and speaker, and more all for under $80 (and often cheaper – it goes on sale fairly often).

Beyond traditional gamepads, you may also want to explore racing wheels, fight sticks, and joysticks for a more immersive experience in driving, fighting, and flying games.

How We Picked the Best PS5 Controllers

After more than five years of testing and reviewing PS5 controllers, I've assembled this list based on several key factors, including design, core features, customization options, battery life, and accessibility. While the standard DualSense will be more than enough for most players, these alternative controllers offer additional features like back buttons, interchangeable thumbsticks, and other pro-level enhancements that can make a real difference in play, competitive and otherwise.

PlayStation 5 Controller FAQ

What PlayStation 5 controller doesn’t drift?

Most PS5 controllers are susceptible to stick drift, a common issue caused by worn-down potentiometers in the analog sticks. Some high-end gamepads avoid this by using magnetic Hall effect sensors, which are far more durable and resistant to wear. The Nacon Revolution 5 Pro is one such controller, virtually eliminating stick drift thanks to its Hall effect sensors.

How do I fix stick drift on PS5?

If your controller is experiencing stick drift, it may be due to worn-down potentiometers inside the analog sticks, either from regular use or a manufacturing defect. Unfortunately, there is often little you can do to fix the issue yourself. DualSense controllers usually come with a one- or two-year warranty depending on your region, so if yours is still under warranty, it is worth contacting Sony for a repair or replacement. In some cases, the problem may be caused by dirt or debris, so try gently cleaning around the base of the analog stick to see if that resolves it.

Does the PS5 controller have a headphone jack?

Yes, the DualSense controller has a built-in 3.5mm audio jack at its base that a PS5 gaming headset or a pair of headphones can be plugged into. Many other third-party PS5 controllers also feature a headphone jack.

When do PS5 controllers go on sale?

Although discounts on PlayStation 5 consoles may not happen very often, PS5 controllers do go on sale throughout the year. Overall, the best time to buy a PS5 is also the best time to buy a controller. In terms of sales events, Amazon Prime Day in July and Black Friday season in November are when you will see the lowest prices on Dualsense controllers. That being said, you can usually also find deals during the PlayStation Days of Play sale every year.

Matthew Adler has written for IGN since 2019 covering all things gaming, tech, tabletop games, and more. You can follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.

If you're in need of at-home printing but you don't want to deal with the upfront cost of buying a printer or the hassle of purchasing ink cartridges when they run out, then HP is offering a plan that might be perfect for you.

HP's All-In Plan is a convenient service that leases you a printer for a low monthly fee. Never run out of ink or printing supplies. You’re always ready to print with ink and optional paper delivery before you need it. There are several plans to choose from, with each offering a different printer and print allotment depending on your needs. The monthly print allotment is flexible, rolls over and can easily be updated on a monthly basis if needed.

Longtime Xbox head and Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer is retiring.

We broke this news earlier this afternoon, alongside the news that Xbox president Sarah Bond is also departing the company, with current president of Microsoft CoreAI Asha Sharma taking Spencer's place at the top of the gaming division.

While we've previously shared Spencer's internal email to the company, Spencer has since taken to social media to post a more personal message to the gaming community, thanking those who made his work "full of joy and wonder."

It’s rare in life to know when a chapter is closing, but after 38 years at Microsoft, that moment has arrived for me. I’ve made the decision to retire and begin the next chapter of my life. It’s a milestone that’s given me a chance to reflect on the incredible journey I’ve been…

— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) February 20, 2026

Here's his public statement, in full:

It’s rare in life to know when a chapter is closing, but after 38 years at Microsoft, that moment has arrived for me. I’ve made the decision to retire and begin the next chapter of my life. It’s a milestone that’s given me a chance to reflect on the incredible journey I’ve been fortunate enough to share with so many of you.

I’m excited for [Asha Sharma] as she steps into the CEO role. She’s joining an incredible group of people; teams full of talent, heart, and a deep commitment to the players they serve. Watching her lean in with curiosity and a real desire to strengthen the foundation we've built gives me confidence that our Xbox communities will be well supported in the years ahead.

Thinking back to my start as an intern in 1988, I never could have imagined the path ahead. I’ve been lucky to work with so many passionate creators, partners, colleagues, and players across the industry; people who challenged me, taught me, and made this work full of joy and wonder.

Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this chapter. This community has meant more to me than I can say.

From here, I’ll keep doing what’s always mattered so much to me: cheering on the teams pushing this industry forward and playing alongside this incredible community. I'll see you online.

Spencer has, as stated, been with Microsoft fo 38 years, beginning in 1988 as an intern and joining the Xbox team in 2001, eventually being named head of Xbox in 2014. At the time, Spencer's task was to set the division on course again after a series of product and policy decisions that had left the Xbox community frustrated. Spencer has been known throughout his tenure as one of the few gaming executives in the industry who was himself openly a gamer, often playing with community members and showing off his various achievements in Xbox games over the years.

Spencer led initiatives such as the launch of Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere, numerous accessibility achievements, and oversaw the release of the Xbox Series consoles. He also instigated numerous studio acquisitions, beginning with Playground Games, Undead Labs, Ninja Theory, and Compulsion in 2018 and capping it off by picking up Activision Blizzard in 2022 for $69 billion. In recent years, he has continued to steer Xbox amid growing criticism of the brand for its lack of strong first-party exclusives, ongoing price increases, and decreased value of Game Pass.

Spencer's retirement will officially take effect on February 23, 2026.

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

Woot, which is owned by Amazon, is offering an excellent deal on Alienware's highest-end 16" gaming laptop. For a limited time, you can get the Alienware 16 Area-51 RTX 5070 Ti laptop for just $1,999.99. Add on $5 for shipping unless you're an Amazon Prime member, then your shipping fee is waived. Note that this laptop is new, but it comes with a 90-day Woot warranty. A similar model currently costs $3,100 at Dell direct.

Alienware 16 Area-51 RTX 5070 Ti Laptop for $1,999.99

Brand new with 90-day Woot warranty

Psycho Killer arrives in theaters on Friday, February 20.

Psycho Killer is a grim mess. In fact, it's the draggiest, sloppiest revenge-driven road trip serial killer mystery since... 1997's Switchback? It also might be the only revenge-driven road trip serial killer mystery since Switchback. Maybe these particular elements just shouldn't blend.

Psycho Killer invites you into the lumbering word of the "Satanic Slasher," the latest hulking masked maniac to take a stab at becoming an insta-classic within the pantheon of horror hellions. He's tall, swole, has a voice like Mike Lanegan (RIP), and loves hacking, slashing, bludgeoning, shooting, and slurping (?) his way across the country in a quest to, as he writes in blood, "open the gates." The massive James Preston Rogers holds court well as the Satanic one, and the character has a lot of promise, his face constantly obscured by long hair, hoods, sunglasses, or all three. Unfortunately, first-time feature director Gavin Polone mostly wastes this giant madman's potential, attempting scares that fall flat and staging bloodlettings that don't pop.

There's a one particular massacre scene that closes out a story chapter that should have landed so much bigger and better than it does. Yes, CG blood can be distracting, but that wasn't the issue here. It's the staging and framing. Instead of drawing us into the Slasher's size and might, the camera keeps a weird distance that diminishes his power. Going for oners that also utilize slo-mo only enhance flaws in effects and choreography. Come to think of it, most scenes in Psycho Killer feel like half-measures in need of a few extra tweaks. Palone, a successful TV (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and movie (Zombieland) producer, gives this an earnest shot but when your film is heavily advertised with "from the writer of Se7en" and the director then lacks David Fincher's command for composition, color, and pacing, the lack of experience will be glaring.

Barbarian's Georgina Campbell (who can also be seen in Cold Storage right now) plays Jane Archer, a Kansas state trooper on an obsessive cross-country trek to stop the Satanic Slasher, having watched this lunatic murder her husband in front of her. Campbell is more than capable in the role, but Jane's story is thin and unsurprising. She's the one we're supposed to care about and root for, but every slice of her saga is plucked from boring cop stuff – from the needless opposition she faces to the lazy way she puts the puzzle together.

DC is continuing to expand the wildly popular Absolute Universe line in 2026. At the Comics Pro retailer convention, the publisher gave readers their first good look at the latest two Absolute spinoffs, Absolute Green Arrow and Absolute Catwoman.

Absolut Green Arrow is written by Pornsak Pichetshote and illustrated by Rafael Albuquerque. The first issue features covers by Albuquerque, Gerald Parel, Guillem March, Reiko Murakami, and Tula Lotay. Check out a preview in the slideshow gallery below:

This six-issue series spins out of the events of last year's Absolute Evil one-shot. That issue introduced the Absolute version of Oliver Queen, only for this well-meaning but deeply naive hero to be immediately murdered by a corrupted Hawkman. Absolute Green Arrow instead takes a more horror-influenced approach to the franchise, as a mysterious vigilante begins killing off billionaires and protection specialist Dinah Lance (aka Absolute Black Canary) is dispatched to uncover the archer's secret identity.

Absolute Green Arrow #1 will be released on May 20, 2026.

As for Absolute Catwoman, that series is co-written by Che Grayson and Scott Snyder and illustrated by Bengal. The first issue features covers by Bengal, David Nakayama, Sozomaika, Kaare Andrews, and Mateus Manhanini. See an early preview in the slideshow gallery below:

Absolute Catwoman spins out of the pages of Snyder's Absolute Batman series, which revealed Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle to be childhood friends-turned-lovers. As the series opens, Selina is enjoying her hard-won reputation as the world's greatest cat burglar. But when an enemy from her past comes calling, she'll find herself suddenly on the defensive.

Absolute Catwoman #1 will be released on June 10, 2026.

In addition to these two new books, DC also teased that the first Absolute Universe event comic will debut in Q4 2026. Look for more news on that series in the months ahead.

Absolute Batman Vol. 2: Abomination

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, who has been at Microsoft since he joined as an intern in 1988 and with Xbox since the software giant launched its first console in 2001, is retiring, sources familiar with the matter who are not authorized to speak publicly confirmed to IGN. Spencer’s retirement is effective on Monday, February 23. Meanwhile, Xbox President Sarah Bond, long thought by many both inside and outside of Microsoft to be Spencer’s heir apparent, has resigned. The new CEO of Microsoft Gaming will be Asha Sharma, currently the President of Microsoft’s CoreAI product. Finally, Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty is being promoted to Chief Content Officer and will work closely with Sharma.

"I want to thank Phil for his extraordinary leadership and partnership," Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in an email sent to Microsoft staff. "Over 38 years at Microsoft, including 12 years leading Gaming, Phil helped transform what we do and how we do it." Full emails from Nadella, Spencer, Sharma, and Booty are below.

Spencer, in his email to Microsoft staff, said in part: "Last fall, I shared with Satya that I was thinking about stepping back and starting the next chapter of my life. From that moment, we aligned on approaching this transition with intention, ensuring stability, and strengthening the foundation we’ve built. Xbox has always been more than a business. It’s a vibrant community of players, creators, and teams who care deeply about what we build and how we build it. And it deserves a thoughtful, deliberate plan for the road ahead.

"Today marks an exciting new chapter for Microsoft Gaming as Asha Sharma steps into the role of CEO, and I want to be the first to welcome her to this incredible team. Working with her over the past several months has given me tremendous confidence. She brings genuine curiosity, clarity and a deep commitment to understanding players, creators, and the decisions that shape our future. We know this is an important moment for our fans, partners, and team, and we’re committed to getting it right. I’ll remain in an advisory role through the summer to support a smooth handoff."

If you’re in the market for some Magic: The Gathering Commander Deck deals, you’re in luck. That’s not all you’ll be saving on today, as Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound for PS5, The Hobbit and LOTR box set, and Rome: The Complete Series Blu-ray have all hit new low prices. And if you’ve been looking to snag the Pokémon Day 2026 Collection for a reasonable price, Macy’s has it for just $21.99, but it’s likely to sell out fast.

TL;DR: The Best Deals Today

Score Free Games from Epic Games

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Hits New Low Price

MTG Commander Deck Deals

Save 53% on The Hobbit and LOTR Box Set

Pokemon Day 2026 Collection for $21.99

$20 for Monster Hunter Wilds for PS5

Cheap Jump Starter with Air Compressor

Rome: The Complete Series Blu-ray Hits Low Price

56% Off the Anker MagSafe MagGo UFO 3-in-1

Lenovo Legion Tower 5 RTX 5070 Ti for $1,799.99

Amazon’s Digital Nintendo Switch Game Sale

Amazon has discounted digital versions of Nintendo Switch games. A whole bunch of titles are on 33% off or more. Everything from Luigi Mansion 2 HD to Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a part of this deal. One game you might be particularly keen on grabbing is Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, as Nintendo just launched the Switch 2 upgrade, which you can purchase directly from Nintendo for just $5. It brings support for 4K/60fps on TV and 1080p/60fps when playing on the Switch 2.

Save 40% on Anno 117 for PC

$110 Off the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally

MTG x TMNT Draft Night Is Discounted

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora From the Ashes Edition for PlayStation 5 Hits New Low Price

The journey to Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary has officially begun with these gorgeous illustration rare-style promo cards that commemorate the bonds between a Trainer and their loyal first partner.

Whether you’re a Kanto veteran or new to the world of Pokémon, this new collection encourages you to look back on your favourite adventures from the last 30 years.

Here’s all the information you need to know about Series 1 of the First Partner Illustration Collection Pokémon TCG collection, including release date, preorder information, and what’s next for this set of cards.

What’s Inside the Box?

The International version is designed as a celebration of the bonds between Trainers and their First Partner. Each collection includes 1 Promo Booster Pack, where you can pull three of nine illustration rare-style promo cards.

Each of these cards feature stunning illustrations of beloved first partner Pokémon. You’ve got your classic Kanto friends - Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charmander. Then, we jump forward a few generations to Sinnoh, with Turtwig, Pipulp and Chimchar. Last, but certainly not least, we find ourselves in Alola with Rowlet, Popplio and Litten.

You’ll also get two booster packs, likely to be from recent Scarlet & Violet expansions like Ascended Heroes or Perfect Order. Perhaps best of all - a fun sticker sheet featuring First Partner Pokémon friends! I know that’s why you’re really after these sets.

If you, like me, want to catch 'em all, you might be interested in checking out the special feature of the Chinese collection - an acrylic, connectable magnetic display frame to showcase the cards and connect with future volumes. Perfect if you want to have your collection on display!

Expected Chase Cards

All cards in Series 1 feature stunning nostalgic artwork by fan-favorite artist Saboteri, the mind behind Mega Froslass ex from Ascended Heroes and Phanpy from Surging Sparks. Each card includes "Easter egg" background details like regional Gym Badges, Z-Crystals and Poké Tech from their respective region. Neat!

Because these Special Illustration Rare (SIR) style promos are exclusive to these boxes, this will be your only chance to get this piece of 30th Anniversary history. High-priority for anyone looking to complete a 30th Anniversary master set, or collect all cards of their favourite first partner Pokémon.

When Will Series 2 and 3 Drop?

Considering this collection is branded as "Series 1", it’s likely we’ll see the rest of the First Partner Pokémon in an unannounced Series 2 and 3. We can look at the current 2026 release calendar to predict when they might launch.

Given that Series 1 launches in March, exactly one week before Perfect Order, I think it's highly likely Series 2 would closely follow the next major expansion, Chaos Rising, in Summer 2026. The 1-4-7, 2-5-8, 3-6-9 pattern is a common TCG trope, so it’s likely to cover Johto (Gen 2), Unova (Gen 5), and Galar (Gen 8).

Series 3 would then drop in Fall 2026, rounding off the collection in Hoenn (Gen 3), Kalos (Gen 6), and Paldea (Gen 9).

With rumors of Generation 10 being announced on Pokemon Day (February 27), collectors are wondering if we’ll see a secret Series 4, or if the Gen 10 starters could be being teased right in front of our very eyes… If so, that could completely shift the resell value of these special 30th Anniversary collections!

For more on celebrating Pokémon's 30th anniversary this year, I'd also highly recommend checking out the TIME magazine exclusive celebration covers, all of which feature in the top of the best seller Amazon charts this week, and can be bought for just $14.99 each.

Sara Heritage is a freelance contributor for IGN.

Here's a rare opportunity to pick up Apple's flagship watch at an outstanding price. Woot, which is owned by Amazon, is currently offering a "Grade A" refurbished Apple Watch Ultra (Gen 1) smatwatch with one year Woot warranty for just $279.99. A brand new Apple Watch Ultra retails for $750. Add on $5 for shipping unless you're an Amazon Prime member, then your shipping fee is waived. The Watch Ultra is the best watch in Apple's lineup for anyone who enjoys the outdoors, thanks to its increased durability, more precise GPS, and activity specific features and apps.

Apple Watch Ultra Smartwatch for $279.99 (was $749)

"Grade A" refurbished with 1 year Woot warranty

Magic: The Gathering is in its Lorwyn Eclipsed era, but those troublesome turtles are right around the corner at this point.

Be sure to check out our preview of the new set, but before the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arrive, we’ve taken a look at the current state of the market, thanks to the team at TCGplayer.

Climbers

Crashers

The Best MTG Sealed Product Deals Today

The new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set arrives next month (with prerelease even sooner), but Amazon isn’t waiting to drop the price of booster boxes.

After some price fluctuations, the retailer has finally confirmed that the TMNT Play Booster Box will be sold for $125.99, which is only a dollar more than its all-time lowest price of $124.99 that we saw a few weeks ago as a sale item.

Nier: Automata, Yoko Taro and PlatinumGames' 2017 action RPG follow-up to Nier and the Drakengard series, has officially sold 10 million copies nine years after its release.

This comes from a tweet/X post and YouTube video shared by the official accounts for Nier and publisher Square Enix respectively. The post includes a celebratory piece of Nier: Automata art:

#ニーアオートマタ の全世界累計出荷・ダウンロード販売本数が【1,000万本】を突破しました。本当に……本当にありがとうございました。これからもよろしくお願いいたします。

🔽これまでの軌跡を振り返る動画を公開https://t.co/0i2Q3eiyGb pic.twitter.com/m9bGhLsAJC

— NieR公式PRアカウント (@NieR_JPN) February 20, 2026

In a press release, Square Enix confirmed that in addition to this milestone for Automata, Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139, the remake of Nier released in 2021, has sold two million copies.

The six-minute-long YouTube video provides a recap of everything Nier: Automata-related from the last decade, and unless you're a superfan, the sheer volume is probably a lot higher than you'd expect. There's the game itself and its various re-releases and ports, plus multiple concerts, stage presentations, written works, animation, and more.

It ends on a teasing note, with text reading: "Nier: Automata to be continued..."

Tantalyzing as it sounds that this may mean another game is in the works, Nier fans have been here before. A number of the Nier works shown in that video have seemingly teased more Nier to come, but it's never quite been the AAA video game rendition fans wanted. The story has been told and sequelized through many different mediums at this point, including a no-longer-available mobile game that's effectively a direct sequel, but no full-blown PC/console game has emerged in the last nine years. Maybe other fans feel differently, but it's left me a bit jaded at the idea. Even Yoko Taro sounded a bit weary when he was last asked about it, saying that he was trying to make new projects, but they kept getting canceled on him.

Which is a shame, because Nier: Automata rules. We gave it an 8.9/10 when we reviewed it in 2017, saying it's "a crazy, beautiful, and highly entertaining journey full of nutty ideas and awesome gameplay. It may not include the most sensical story or compelling characters, but its frenzied combat -- coupled with beautiful visuals and a stunning soundtrack – make it too much fun to pass up."

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

Both LG and Samsung have dropped prices on their best selling 65" OLED TV models from 2025. First off, the LG Evo C5 4K OLED TV is down to $1,299.99 at various retailers. Likewise, the Samsung S90F 4K QD OLED TV is also discounted to $1,299.99. These are premium models from both brands, featuring higher-end OLED panels and more connectivity options.

65" LG Evo C5 4K OLED TV for $1,299.99

It's been several years since LEGO formalized its creative partnership with Nintendo – a partnership that has resulted in several of LEGO's most inspired, accessible sets. Back in 2020, LEGO delineated a clear division between their child audience and their adult audience. On one hand, the children received Super Mario playsets – digital/physical hybrids that allowed kids to build their own Super Mario courses. On the other hand, the adults received iconic replicas – massive sets that triggered waves of Gen-X nostalgia

But in the years since, LEGO has deliberately blurred the line between their child and adult audiences. The new LEGO sets for kids are a bit more complex and involved; the new adult LEGO sets are a bit more cartoonish and whimsical. It's befitting that Nintendo, which bills itself as a family-friendly company, features LEGO sets with such cross-generational appeal.

LEGO/Nintendo is slowly expanding its sub-themes, from exclusively Super Mario to Sonic the Hedgehog and Animal Crossing. And now, LEGO Zelda is here too. Below we've highlighted some of the very best LEGO Nintendo sets available in 2026.

Adventures with Interactive LEGO Mario

Mario Kart – Standard Kart

LEGO Piranha Plant

LEGO Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi

LEGO Great Deku Tree Set

Mario Kart - Mario & Standard Kart

Prince Florian & Castle Bowser

Game Boy

Yoshi Bike

Ocarina of Time – The Final Battle