But we're not done yet – join us on January 12 at 3pm PT for an IGN Special Report as we dig into the best stuff we saw at CES and discuss the tech trends that will define 2026.
Hosted by IGN's Tech Reviews Editor Michael Higham, he'll be joined by some of our friends from CNET, PCMag, and Mashable.
Where to Watch IGN and CNET Group's CES Special Report
What to Expect from IGN and CNET Group’s CES Special Report
Beyond our favorite tech from CES, we'll be looking forward into the trends that will define 2026 for gamers. For example, Valve's Steam Machine is on the horizon – will we see other companies follow suit with their own mini gaming PCs? Or perhaps a wider adoption of SteamOS? Meanwhile, the ongoing RAM shortage continues to cause issues across the industry, so you'll want to hear from our experts the latest word on what that means for the price of consoles and other gaming hardware.
reMarkable is well regarded for its best-in-class digital notebooks and the reMarkable 2 tablet represents the best value by offering premium build quality and a sensational paper-writing experience for just $399, which is the lowest price in reMarkable's lineup. For even greater savings, you can pick up a refurbished tablet for a lower price of $319. Refurbished products come with the same 1 year warranty as buying new along with a 50-day satisfaction guarantee.
To kick off the new year, reMarkable is doing even one better: for a limited time, you can take an additional $70 off the reMarkable tablet when you bundle it with a marker and folio and that includes refurbished models. With the additional discount applied, you can get a refurbished reMarkable 2 bundled with the Marker and Book Folio ($130-$170 value) for as low as $369 with free delivery. That's 30% off compared to the retail price of the same bundle.
Up to 30% Off reMarkable 2 E-Ink Tablet Bundles
The reMarkable 2 is reMarkable's slimmest tablet, measuring less than 0.2 inches thin. The aluminum frame houses a 10.3" monochrome E-Ink display with a 1872x1404 resolution (226 dpi). The display is protected by an etched glass surface which does an excellent job of mimicking the texture of paper. Many users believe that it has a better feel than even the higher-end reMarkable Paper Pro, which has a harder, more friction-free surface.
The bundles include your choice of reMarkable's digital stylus - Marker or Marker Plus - and folio - Book Folio or Type Folio. The Marker is weighted to mimic the feel of a real pen and the tips provide the appropriate amount of friction to maintain the realism. The Marker Plus adds eraser functionality. The Book Folio is a magnetic book-like cover that protects your tablet even while it's being used. Choose the polymer weave for durability and easy maintenance or genuine leather for that premium look and feel. The Type Folio goes one step further by integrating a slim keyboard.
Why get a reMarkable tablet?
reMarkable's claim to fame is in its paper-writing experience and note-taking capabilities. reMarkable tablets do a superb job of mimicking the feel of pen on paper thanks to its combination of a textured glass surface and the soft felt-like tips of the digital stylus. But that's where the similarities end. Handwritten notes are accurately translated into typed text with a single tap. Unlike physical media, you'll never run out of paper and you'll be able to resize, undo, cut, copy, or create perfect lines and circles to your heart's content.
When you're done, reMarkable makes it easy to file your notes away in an efficient and legible manner. reMarkable tablets comes pre-loaded with a variety of lined and dotted templates, to-do lists, and weekly planners to keep your thoughts organized. Your finished notes can be sorted into separate folders and tagged for easy search queries. Your notes are saved in the cloud and accessible from other devices through reMarkable's mobile and desktop apps. Both locally stored and cloud files are encrypted, but you can also set up an optional passcode if you need more security.
Is the reMarkable 2 a good e-reader option?
Although reMarkable's digital notebooks are unsurpassed in their digital writing functionality, they're not really the best option if you're purely looking for a universally compatible digital reader. That's because you cannot easily view MOBI/AZW or DRM-protected EPUB content. That includes any eBooks available on Amazon Kindle as well as Libby, which is used by most public libraries. The reMarkable OS also doesn't support third party apps, so there's no way to download a Kindle or Libby app like you would on a standard tablet or mobile device. If you're looking strictly for an e-reader, then you're best off sticking with a Kindle tablet, Apple iPad, or your smartphone.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
GameStop is closing hundreds of stores just days into the new year as CEO Ryan Cohen aims to take home $35 billion in performance-based stock options.
Reports the gaming and pop-culture retailer would soon close stores started to emerge soon after 2026 began. Some shoppers were able to find and share signage warning their location would soon shut down, offering a 20% trade-in bonus (for a limited time) as compensation.
Been going to this GameStop for over 12 years. Sad to see it go. All the best to the guys Jose, Nick and more. Check them out before they close on the 8th. This is the 18th av location in Bensonhurst Brooklyn. pic.twitter.com/hV8NxgESUO
“This store is closed effective 1/8/26,” a different sign posted to Reddit January 2, 2026, says. “Thank you for being a loyal GameStop customer.”
Signs then instruct customers with game or memorabilia reservations to travel to new stores to pick up their purchases, but the sudden nature and wide reports left GameStop buyers with more questions than answers. With reports of what seemed to be dozens of store closures online, a blog that tracks GameStop activity using employee reports and the company’s store locator claims to have recorded 390 store closures (via Polygon). An additional 10 stores are still in the process of being confirmed to have shut down, which, if accurate, brings the total to 400 shuttered GameStop locations a little more than one week into the year.
It’s another hit to GameStop’s physical presence in the gaming market, witha December 2025 filing from the company noting it had ceased operations at 590 locations in the U.S. in fiscal 2024. Now, the once-titan known for giving “power to the players” seems to be keeping with its future plans, too, with the same document saying it anticipated “closing a significant number of additional stores in fiscal 2025.” For the last ten years, GameStop has closed more stores than it has opened in the U.S. each year, with closures often numbering in the hundreds.
Meanwhile, GameStop announced earlier this week that Cohen, who took over as CEO in September 2023, is up to receive a staggering $35 billion in performance-based stock options. For Cohen to receive the payout, the company’s board of directors states GameStop would need to reach a market capitalization of $100 billion and, before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, achieve $10 billion in cumulative performance. GameStop’s market cap currently sits at about $9.5 billion.
“The award is designed to incentivize Mr. Cohen to achieve extraordinary growth,” the announcement says.
Photo by Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images.
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).
LEGO launched a series of book nooks back in June 2025, but none of them had received any sort of discount until now. Amazon is currently offering the first deal on the LEGO Balrog Book Nook set, dropping the price by 10% for a limited time. This 1,201-piece diorama set depicts Gandalf facing off against the Balrog and is specifically targeted at adult builders.
There are currently only four LEGO Lord of the Rings sets available to buy in 2026 and discounts on them are extremely rare. If you're looking for a good LotR gift, I'd definitely recommend grabbing this while the savings are still available.
LEGO Lord of the Rings Book Nook Sale at Amazon Today
With the 10% discount on Amazon right now, this is the lowest price we've ever seen on the Balrog Book Nook since it was first released. The build itself is made up of 1,201 pieces and features a Gandalf minifigure as well as the larger Balrog. Once put together, the book nook sits at 8.5 inches high and is meant to be placed in between books on your shelf. The completed set depicts the iconic "You shall not pass!" scene from The Fellowship of the Ring movie. Those precise words are featured on a little plaque piece that adorns the front of the set. This is notable because while Gandalf says that phrase in the film, he actually says "you cannot pass" in Tolkien's original books.
We actually had the chance to build this set when it was first released and loved the unorthodox brick connectivity and the overall design. Despite a rather unfortunate position of this set making headlines last year, it's an overall fun build that looks great on any collector's shelf.
New Sets Just Released for 2026
If you're looking for something newer, LEGO has released a ton of new sets for January 2026. The list includes a new Back to the Future Delorean set, new Star Wars builds, and Stranger Things sets. You can also already preorder the first LEGO Star Wars bricks integrated with Smart Brick technology, but they don't release until March 2026.
Best Buy has a great deal on an affordable Lenovo Legion 7 laptop, but you better hurry because the sale ends tonight. For just a few more hours, you can pick up a Lenovo Legion 7 RTX 5060 gaming laptop for only $1234.99 after over $600 in savings. This is a high-end model with a full aluminum chassis, gorgeous OLED display, and a generous 32GB of DDR5 RAM. The RTX 5060 is unthrottled (115W TGP) will play any game out there without having to bust your budget.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7 RTX 5060 Gaming Laptop for $1,235
The Legion 7 is Lenovo's flagship laptop series, featuring a full aluminum (lid and chassis) construction and weighing in at a very reasonable 4.5 pounds. This particular system is also decked out in a rare "Glacier White" color scheme which, in my opinion, looks better than the standard black. It is configured with a 16" OLED display with 2.5K 189ppi resolution and 165Hz refresh rate, Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX CPU, 32GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM, and 1TB SSD.
The RTX 5060 (mobile) is about 15%-20% more powerful than the RTX 4060 that it replaces and approaches the performance of the RTX 4070. It supports the newer DLSS 4 technology with multi-frame generation, which widens the performance gap in games that support it. It's a good GPU to pair with the 1600p display and should run most games at that resolution. With less demanding games like Fortnite, Minecraft, Roblox, Hades 2, or Silksong, you can expect very high framerates, but pulling off 60fps on Cyberpunk 2077 with require some tweaking in the settings.
Why Choose Lenovo?
Lenovo Legion gaming PCs and laptops generally feature better and more rugged build quality than what you'd find from most other mass produced brands. Lenovo generally does not throttle the GPU on any of its Legion models, which means you should expect maximum performance. Legion laptops are solidy built, with most models having either an aluminum lid or full metal chassis, include an OLED display option even on their budget models, and feature a great feeling keyboard. The current generation models are up to date with WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and Thunderbolt 4 ports as standard. Lenovo also offers excellent customer service; the warranty period is usually 1 year by default, but there's an option to extend it.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
From portable gaming handhelds to smartphones, our lives rely on portable, untethered electronics, and it can't hurt to always have a charger on hand. Fortunately, they don't have to be expensive. Case in point, Amazon is currently offering a Baseus Picogo 67W USB Type-C wall charger for just $16.99 after you apply coupon code "T9TLS56H". This diminutive adapter has plenty of ports and enough power output to fast charge most portable electronics.
Baseus Picogo 67W USB-C Wall Charger for $16.99
The Baseus wall charger is very compact thanks to its use of gallium nitride (GaN) instead of the more common silicon for its semiconductor material. This makes the charger smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient than a traditional charger. The plug portion can also fold out of the way so that it doesn't get damaged during travel.
There are a total of three ports: two USB Type-C ports and one USB Type-A port each capable of 67W of power output. Note that the maximum output for all three ports is 67W as well, so if you used all three at time same time, you would pull about 22W per port. This throttling is actually a good thing; charging at 201W (67Wx3) would generate a ton of heat and you'd need a bigger, less portable enclosure to accommodate it.
The 67W power output per port is higher than what I typically see at this price point. It matches the charging output of the adapters that come packaged with even the most power hungry handheld gaming PCs like the Xbox Ally X, ROG Ally X, Legion Go S, and Legion Go 2. It can also easily charge the Steam Deck, which only takes 35W max. As for the Switch 2, you could charge three consoles simultaneously at their maximum rate (the Switch 2 only accepts about 20W max).
4-Pack of 10ft 100W USB Type-C Cables for $13.39
Must add BOTH of these cable packs to your cart and then apply code: "LUU2CPDS"
If you need some cables to go along with this charger, Amazon is offering a four-pack of Basesailor 10ft 100W USB Type-C cables for just $13.39. To get this deal you'll need to add both the two pack of gray cables and a two pack of purple cables to your cart and apply coupon code "LUU2CPDS" during checkout. You're paying just $3.35 per cable.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
ESPN officially launched a new streaming service back in August 2025 that includes the full suite of ESPN Networks in one package. ESPN Unlimited is currently available as a standalone service or as a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu. If you're shopping around for sports streaming service during football season this year, we've gathered everything you need to know about ESPN Unlimited.
The first thing you need to know is that the previous ESPN streaming service, ESPN+, no longer exists. What was once ESPN+ has been replaced with the ESPN Select plan. So if you already had a subscription, this is what you've been moved over to and the content will pretty much be the same.
There are two new ESPN streaming services available: ESPN Unlimited and ESPN Select. ESPN Select is essentially a reskinned version of ESPN+ and doesn't feature any of the live ESPN channels. ESPN Unlimited is the version of the service that includes all of the ESPN networks and the content featured on ESPN Select.
Each of these services offer monthly or annual pricing, with a slight discount for those who choose the annual plan. Alongside the standalone service, there's also a Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN bundle that includes a discount as well as the option to add on an NFL+ Premium subscription for more football coverage. Here's a quick rundown of the pricing for each of these subscription plans:
ESPN Unlimited Channels
According to the original press release, ESPN Unlimited features access to all of ESPN's linear networks as well as 47,000 live events a year and original programming. That means you'll be able to stream NBA games that air on ABC via this service as well. Here's a full list of all of the channels available with a subscription:
Channel list
ESPN
ESPN2
ESPNU
ESPNNEWS
ESPN Deportes
SEC Network
ACC Network
ESPN on ABC
ESPN+
ESPN3
SECN+
ACCNX
In addition to these channels, ESPN also recently reached a deal with the NFL that will eventually bring NFL Network games to the service. In the meantime, you can choose to bundle your subscription with NFL+ Premium to get access to those games and NFL RedZone. This new option is ideal for anyone looking for a good streaming service for NFL games. There was also a new agreement reached with WWE that will bring WrestleMania to ESPN Unlimited sometime in 2026.
Where to Watch ESPN Unlimited - Available Platforms
ESPN Unlimited is integrated into the existing ESPN app, so you can pretty much watch from anywhere. For a mobile experience you can download the app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. It's also available on popular streaming devices such as Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, and Android TV as well as major gaming consoles such as the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Games Workshop has announced plans to build a new Warhammer World in the United States with a late 2027 target for opening its doors.
Warhammer World, in Nottingham, England, is the focal point for Games Workshop’s various tabletop games and a social hub for the hobby. It includes an exhibition centre with dramatic, large-scale dioramas featuring everything from famous battles in the grimdark sci-fi setting Warhammer 40,000 to the fantasy world of Age of Sigmar.
For competitors, a sizeable castle-themed gaming hall lets fans play matches, often in scheduled tournaments. There’s a themed bar and restaurant, areas to paint miniatures, and an in-house store with exclusive products.
In a post on Warhammer Community, Games Workshop confirmed its plans to start work on the new Warhammer World, to be built just outside Washington DC.
“This new Warhammer World will be a flagship venue that celebrates Warhammer in all its forms: gaming, painting, modelling, storytelling, events, and community,” Games Workshop said.
“The original Warhammer World in Nottingham, UK sets a very high bar. We’re not going to replicate it brick-for-brick, but instead build something equally uncompromising on quality and experience, something worthy of Warhammer’s rich settings and of course the title ‘Warhammer World.’ And of course, at the heart of all this is creating something extraordinary for all of you — the Warhammer fans!
“Now, there’s a lot to do – but with a fair wind, and the might of the Emperor and his inexhaustible armies, we hope to open the doors late in 2027.”
With this new Warhammer World, Games Workshop is clearly hoping to reinforce its explosive success and the ever-increasing popularity of Warhammer 40,000 in particular, which in recent years has grown far beyond the confines of a tabletop game. Its loyal fandom fusses over lore, analyzes new novels for fresh insight into the setting, and speculates about future development. The smash hit video game Space Marine 2 boosted interest in all things Warhammer 40,000 — so much so that playable character Titus is now the poster boy of the tabletop game and is even at the heart of its next narrative expansion. And former Superman actor Henry Cavill’s upcoming Warhammer 40,000 Cinematic Universe for Amazon will undoubtedly take it to new heights. It makes a lot of sense to have a Warhammer World in place to capitalize on the army of newcomers Cavill’s Prime Video work will surely rally together. (Cavill once visited Warhammer World in the UK and posted a video of his tour on Instagram.)
In the shorter term, Warhammer 40,000 fans are bracing themselves for an announcement and release of the 11th Edition of the game, accompanying lore developments, and new model releases. And we’re arguably in the golden age of Warhammer 40,000 video games, with Space Marine 2 still receiving updates, Space Marine 3 in the works, and Dawn of War 4 and Total War: Warhammer 40,000 waiting in the wings.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
If you need more USB inputs than what's available on your PC or laptop, then here's a deal that will provide an instant solution. For a limited time, Amazon is offering the Sabrent 5-in-1 USB-C Docking Station for a mere $9.75 after you clip the $5 off coupon on the product page and apply coupon code "R2SN6S9M". You're saving 68% off the original retail price. Sabrent's USB hubs have nearly 200,000 user reviews on Amazon with an average 4.6 star rating.
Sabrent 5-in-1 USB-C Docking Station for $9.75
Clip $5 coupon and apply code "R2SN6S9M"
The Sabrent docking station can serve double duty for both data transfer and charging. In terms of data transfer, there are a total of four outputs: two USB-C (10Gbps), two USB-A (10Gbps), and one HDMI 2.0 (4K @ 60Hz). All five ports can be used simultaneously. In terms of charging, a built-in USB-C cable delivers a maximum power output of 80W. Note that the hub also has a separate USB-C input that you'll need to use in order to power it and the 80W USB charging cable.
This docking station can be easily stowed away in a bag or backpack, since it's so compact. It's plug and play with Windows, MacOS, ChromeOS, and Linux, which means there are no additional drivers required.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is streaming on Crunchyroll, with episodes dropping weekly on Thursdays.
The Culling Game arc in Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen manga swings on a heavy pendulum, back and forth from drawn-out battles and tedious explanations of its world’s rules to some of its best, most creative chapters across the entire story. For me, from this point until the end, Jujutsu Kaisen was a frustratingly jagged read, and I had reservations that the on-page material would be too wily to make good anime. Then again, one of the advantages of the medium is being able to whittle a story into something newly transmittable, and studio MAPPA once again confidently asserts its grasp and vision of bringing its source material to life in the first two episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen’s Culling Game Part 1. Though there’s still plenty of time to get lost in the sauce, the smart pacing, direction that seems to actively subvert anything that could be easily clipped on TikTok, and sharp animation up top sure all have me hopeful that we’re headed in the right direction.
Off the bat in the first episode “Execution,” the wordless prologue takes a tonal swing in resetting Jujutsu Kaisen after the bloodbath of the Shibuya Incident in Season 2. It opens on our main boy Yuji Itadori, still traumatized from the utter devastation Sukuna caused from his bodily takeover, seemingly alone, living off of energy bars and cleaning up the apocalyptically sparse neighborhood from an influx of cursed spirits. That is until he’s nabbed by an especially big one before being saved by a mysterious slice that crashes him and the spirit through the roof of a building.
Cut to Itadori pinned on his back at sword point by Yuta Okkutsu (watch the movie Jujustu Kaisen 0 if you need a refresher on what that guy’s deal is) on a stage in a transfixing wide shot so long that I almost thought my internet had sputtered had it not been for the specks of gleaming light. That’s interrupted by a deluge of purple blood and a cut to the title sequence – a bop as always, even if it’s not quite the series’ undefeated “Vivid Vice” opening. Just these three-and-a-half minutes are stuffed with bold cinematic choices that hint at how much of the rest of the runtime across 50-ish minutes will go: kinetic and cleverly choreographed battle sequences halt into still moments that let the whole thing – the characters, the sets, the viewers – breathe a bit.
Not long after, we’re plunged into thefirst new bits of world lore – the Zen’in clan appoints a new head, done in a highly stylized and shadowy back room – which made me nervous before it all played out. The Culling Game Arc will certainly balloon its cast with brand-new characters, jujutsu sorcerers who have just acquired new powers, to make up for all the ones lost in Shibuya. But these episodes show remarkable restraint, keeping the core cast small and story relatively tight before it inevitably lets out the leash.
If the rest of the season can keep up with this momentum, the Culling Game anime could transform a tricky manga arc into a thrilling televised take that’s been downsized for the better.
The show obviously respects the beats of the manga it’s based on and knows how to use just enough explanatory information as is necessary, while holding more space for the darker emotional spots that color this end-game setup and, of course, very sick fights. (Alas, say farewell to most of the joke-y bits from the first season, especially with Gojo Satoru still trapped in that damn Prison Realm box.) Look no further than introducing the rules of the Culling Game itself: In the last third of the second episode “One More Time,” a not-insignificant chunk of text is plastered on the screen, but the cards don’t linger long enough to read it all, instead quickly flashing to key words and phrases. “Blah, blah, blah, you get the gist,” they’re basically saying, “we’ll explain soon.” Lo and behold, Episode 3 is titled “About the Culling Game”; prepare for a talk-y breakdown about what to expect for the rest of the season.
Once again, I’ll mention the fights since badass combat is JJK’s bread and butter, and they’ve truly never looked better than they have here. Unlike the back half of the Shibuya Incident arc, each of these sequences are carefully executed and unrushed, set to JJK’s distinctive synth-y battle score. Whether it’s Yuji and Choso cleaning up the streets in “Execution,” with flashy colors and outstanding cinematography, or Choso vs. Naoya Zen’in, the jerk of a new clan head, with its trippy visualization messing with frame rates and color inversion, the fights shine. If the rest of the season can keep up with this momentum, Jujutsu Kaisen’s Culling Game anime could transform a tricky manga arc into a thrilling televised take that’s been downsized for the better.
Last month, Larian Studios presented console players of Divinity: Original Sin 2 with a special treat: an upgraded version of the game for PS5, Xbox Series, and delightfully, Nintendo Switch 2. But while Original Sin 2 has been on Nintendo's system since 2019, Larian's next game, Baldur's Gate 3, never made it to any Nintendo console. Why not? Well, Larian at least says it wasn't its decision.
In a Reddit AMA today conducted by various members of Larian, CEO Swen Vincke took a moment to answer a question about whether or not Baldur's Gate 3 for Nintendo Switch 2 was "even possible". Sadly, his answer wasn't a happy one: "We would have loved to but it's wasn't our decision to make."
Vincke is speaking in the past tense because officially, Larian is done with Baldur's Gate 3. It's still supporting the game with minor bug fixes, but there's no reason to expect the studio to do a whole new release on a new platform now, especially since it's moved on to a new Divinity game. That leaves Wizards of the Coast in charge of the future of Baldur's Gate 3, meaning a port isn't happening without its blessing.
Which seems to be what Vincke is implying here - that Larian would have done one, but Wizards for whatever reason decided not to. Wizards of the Coast declined to comment.
Which is a shame for Switch owners, because Baldur's Gate is a fantastic game. We gave it a 10/10 at launch, saying that "with crunchy, tactical RPG combat, a memorable story with complex characters, highly polished cinematic presentation, and a world that always rewards exploration and creativity, Baldur's Gate 3 is the new high-water mark for CRPGs."
I wouldn’t be doing what I’m lucky enough to do for a living without Mario games. Heck, I’m not sure I’d even be playing video games if not for Mario. And so, when I reviewed Super Mario Odyssey for IGN in 2017, it checked off a career bucket list item for me. And oh how lucky I was that Odyssey turned out to be – and still very much is – one of the greatest 3D platformers ever made.
It was worth the long wait, as in case you’re too young to remember (which would be perfectly understandable at this point), the last mainline 3D Mario game before Odyssey was Super Mario Galaxy 2…all the way back in 2010. Yes, it was seven long years between headlining 3D entries in Nintendo’s biggest franchise, but fast-forward to 2026 and we’ve already surpassed eight years as we continue to wait for Odyssey’s 3D Mario successor. I thought for sure last Fall was going to be when it finally happened, as what better way for Nintendo to have celebrated the 40th anniversary of the original Super Mario Bros. than with the next mainline 3D Mario game, cementing the Switch 2 as the must-have device for its first Christmas, just as Odyssey did for the Switch 1’s first holiday on the market back in 2017? But that big anniversary came and went with nothing but a questionably priced 4K remaster of Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2.
However, I think the wait for the true next-gen mainline 3D Mario game is finally almost over. Let’s run through the reasons:
First and foremost – and this is 90% of my argument – is that Nintendo has essentially fired every other bullet (Bill) in its chamber in recent years! What big megafranchise moves do they have left for this year? A mainline 2D Mario game? We just got that in Fall 2023 in the form of the (sensational) Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Mario Kart? After its own incredibly long hiatus, it was the Switch 2’s big day-one launch title. How about 3D Zelda? Tears of the Kingdom was just two-and-a-half short years ago, after we waited six years for it following Breath of the Wild. That means we won’t see Aonuma’s next effort for at least a few more years. What about 2D Zelda? Echoes of Wisdom was in Fall 2024, and though this year is the 40th anniversary of Zelda, last year’s 40th anniversary of Mario suggests you should set your expectation to, at best, a 4K remaster of Twilight Princess or Wind Waker.
Donkey Kong Bananza dropped in the Switch 2’s launch window and is arguably the system’s best game so far. Super Mario Party Jamboree just released in 2024. Animal Crossing is getting a Switch 2 update in just a few days, making it unlikely we see an all-new game anytime soon. Super Smash Bros., barring a miracle, is retired due its director leaving it all on the field with Ultimate. Is Splatoon big enough to really move the needle? Maybe, maybe not. Pokemon is really Nintendo’s best non-Mario bet, but we just had Legends: Z-A last Fall.
Nintendo has essentially fired every other bullet (Bill) in its chamber in recent years.
Shall I keep going? The last of Nintendo’s “Big Three,” Metroid, has shipped a 2D (Dread, 2021) and 3D (Prime 4, barely a month ago) entry in recent years. And anyway, Nintendo itself admits that Prime 4 wasn’t it. An unnamed senior source revealed to The Game Business that Switch 2 sales fell behind the pace of the Switch 1 in key markets this past holiday in large part due to the “absence of a major Western game.” Ouch – that is some serious Metroid Prime 4 slander!
But back on topic: what would fit the definition of a “major Western game” for Nintendo that hasn’t already shipped in recent years? How about the next major 3D Mario game, which isn’t just a major Western game but a major global game? Odyssey sold nearly 30 million copies – an absolutely staggering amount that could easily be replicated over the life of the Switch 2 if Nintendo delivers it this Fall…or perhaps even sooner?
That brings me to reason number two: The Super Mario Bros. Movie is the highest-grossing video game movie ever, raking in over $1.3 billion dollars at the box office. Its sequel, The Super Mario Bros. Galaxy Movie, is set to debut in theaters on April 3. What better way to capitalize on what’s likely to be another massive Hollywood hit for Nintendo than to feed those moviegoers’ enthusiasm with the next big 3D Mario entry – one that, as we’ve already established, can easily sell another 25 million copies (which, given the likely $80 price point for the next 3D Mario game, would mean $2 billion in revenue, besting the box office take of the first film – and likely the second) – not to mention a whole bunch of Switch 2’s?
Ultimately, though Nintendo is tough to reliably predict (honestly, I would’ve bet money – and lost – on the next big 3D Mario game arriving last Fall for Switch 2’s first holiday and Mario’s 40th anniversary), the planets do seem to be aligning for Mario’s next major 3D platformer to arrive sometime this year. If I’m wrong and Odyssey’s successor debuts in 2027 (or, gulp, later!), it means we’ll be going at least a full decade since the last mainline Mario, which basically means Nintendo is just torturing us.
I would’ve bet money – and lost – on the next big 3D Mario game arriving last Fall for Switch 2’s first holiday and Mario’s 40th anniversary.
Whenever it’s finally confirmed, the next question is, of course, what is it? Is it Super Mario Odyssey 2, or an entirely new adventure? Based on Mario’s history, I’d hope for and expect the latter – in Mario’s 3D era, Nintendo has only ever done one sequel in the form of Galaxy 2 (or two if you want to count 3D World as a sequel to 3D Land). But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, beggars can’t be choosers. We can only hope that 2026 is finally going to be the year. I think it is. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to start replaying Odyssey again, just to experience the sheer joy of New Donk City one more time.
Ryan McCaffrey is IGN's executive editor of previews and host of both IGN's weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our old interview show, IGN Unfiltered. Super Mario Bros. 3 is his favorite video game of all time. Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.
Here’s some good news for anyone looking to spice up the look of their Nintendo Switch 2 — at least in a subtle way. Nintendo recently announced it’s releasing a Light Purple and Light Green color variant of the Joy-Con 2 Switch 2 controllers, and now it's available for preorder. It costs $99.99 per pair and is set to release on February 12. You can preorder now (see at Best Buy). Read on for the details.
Functionally, these Joy-Con 2 operate exactly the same as the red and blue ones that come with the Nintendo Switch 2 console. And since black is still the main color on the casing, they’re not as flashy as the color variants of the original Switch Joy-Con.
However, the new colors are visible under the thumb sticks, as well as on the connector part of the controllers. The included plastic bumpers for the wrist straps are also the same colors, so they’ll be more visible when the Joy-Con 2s are disconnected from the console or grip.
And if you’re buying an extra pair of Joy-Con 2 for multiplayer sessions, having different colors for each player makes it easier to tell your controller from everyone else’s. For me, if I were in the market for an extra set of Joy-Con 2, I’d definitely get these instead of a second set of red and blue ones.
I suspect it’s no coincidence that Nintendo’s next big first-party Switch 2 game is also coming out the same day as these new Joy-Con 2 colors. Mario Tennis Fever (see our preorder guide) is also set to release February 12. It’s a single or multiplayer game that lets up to four players join in on the action at a time. Preorder the game and a new pair of Joy-Con 2, and you’ll be all set to play with friends next month.
The Sims developer Maxis is kicking off the new year with an update on what its whole deal is, after plenty of rumors and concerns about the future of the franchise. Ans as a part of that, it seems to be teasing the "next evolution" of single-player PC and console The Sims games...even as its long-touted "next generation" of The Sims, Project Rene, is relegated to a mobile-only social spin-off.
This comes from a lengthy blog post on the EA website, in which Maxis speaks at length about its philosophy around The Sims in the coming year. Most of it is pretty mission statement-y, but in the middle, we get a glimpse of what's planned for the future of The Sims.
For three years now, Maxis has been teasing something called Project Rene. Initially billed as the future of The Sims that would exist across PC and mobile, EA nevertheless refused to call it The Sims 5. Since 2022, there have been multiple closed playtests, and the feedback has gradually soured as Project Rene increasingly started to look like a pretty basic mobile game. Meanwhile, while The Sims 4 community remains robust, there hasn't been much discussion on what The Sims 5 might look like, or if the console and PC base should even expect anything new at all. As recently as last August, EA Entertainment president Laura Miele insisted that it wouldn't be "player-friendly" to release one when the community had already invested so much time and money into The Sims 4.
Which is why the wording in this blog post is both exciting and nerve-wracking as a The Sims fan. The post separates out its plans for "The Sims" on PC and console, and Project Rene. For PC and console, Maxis reaffirms its commitment to new content for The Sims 4, and adds that "Single-player PC and console experiences will always be a part of our future, with more than half of our global development team dedicated to The Sims 4 and the next evolution. More news in the coming months!"
That wording, "the next evolution," is huge. While it's not exactly "The Sims 5," it's the first crumb we've gotten in years that we might see something like one eventually. What's even more promising is that EA is designating Project Rene as a social, multiplayer game that's mobile-first. That's disappointing for those who were hoping Project Rene would be an exciting new future, but it sounds like that's still going to exist in some fashion alongside whatever the actual new evolution is.
Still, Maxis has a rough road ahead. Miele is correct that one of the biggest issues with a new The Sims game is that players have spent tons of money already on expansion packs for The Sims 4, and historically brand new The Sims games have felt woefully feature incomplete when they launch with no such packs. That was the case with The Sims 4, which launched to relatively weak reviews as players adjusted to the shock of features they'd come to get used to - pets, interactive children, weather - suddenly gone, until a new paid expansion pack was released.
It would behoove Maxis to figure all this out, because The Sims 4 is over a decade old now, and starting to show its age. What's more, a number of potential competitors have come out of the woodwork in recent years, including Krafton's inZOI and the indie Paralives, both in early access.
The most recent The Sims 4 expansion pack was Adventure Awaits, which launched in October of last year.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
The best streaming devices can take your smart TV and home theater systems to the next level. With crisp, high-quality images and immersive audio filling your lounge, it’s easy (and affordable) to make every movie night feel like a trip to the cinema. Whether you're a movie buff, a sports fanatic, or a binge-watcher of the latest TV series, there's a perfect streaming device out there just for you.
TL;DR – Our top streaming device picks:
Although some of the best streaming devices these days are smart TVs with streaming apps built in, it's still a lot cheaper to upgrade your current TV with a streaming stick than to purchase a new 4K television.
With a good streaming device on hand, there’s no need to worry about switching between different streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. Our overall favorite streaming sticks and boxes, make it super easy to find what you want to watch, when you want to watch it.
1. Roku Ultra
Best Overall Streaming Device
If you want the best streaming device sitting under your TV, you need the latest Roku Ultra. This box comes at a reasonable price, and the rechargeable Voice Remote Pro adds some cool capabilities. You still get the normal button controls, voice search, and 3.5mm headphone jack for listening to the TV without disturbing others, but now finding your favorite movies and shows is simpler than ever. You get hands-free voice control by yelling “Hey Roku”, and when you inevitably lose the remote in your couch cushions, you just call out to it, and it’ll play a sound. By going for a Roku device, you also get access to the Roku Channel, which is one of the best free movie sites currently on the market.
The Roku Ultra is ready to take on your TV. You get an HDMI 2.0 port that supports a 4K UHD video output with HDR at up to 60fps, so you’re in for superb video quality. It’s compatible with HDR10/10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision HDR formats, which helps ensure a match for the technologies supported by your TV. Besides the killer HDR support, the Roku Ultra also works with some high-quality audio formats, too. You can enjoy DTS Digital Surround and Dolby Atmos depending on what you're watching and what the TV or soundbar supports. As an added perk, you can even pair it with a speaker setup wirelessly over Bluetooth.
2. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Best Budget Streaming Device
You don't need to spend a lot to add smart and streaming capabilities to your TV. Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks provide an affordable way to turn any TV or display with a free HDMI port into a smart one with all the benefits of Amazon’s Fire TV operating system. You get easy access to a ton of content plus all the smarts for finding that content with Amazon’s Alexa voice. Every major streaming service is available for download on the device, including Max, which we know was an issue a few years back. Plus, it can be used in conjunction with your other smart home devices, so you can pull up the doorbell camera on your TV or ask Alexa about the weather.
Our favorite of the Amazon lineup is the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, but you can opt for the cheaper Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and still get quality picture. It provides all of that at an impressively affordable $59 price. It makes the most of your TV with support for 4K video at up to 60fps and wide HDR format support — HDR10+ and Dolby Vision included. Dolby Atmos audio is also supported. And, on top of some internal upgrades to the processor and memory that help the Fire TV Stick 4K Max run faster than its predecessor, this new stick also has Wi-Fi 6E. This means you're in for a faster and more stable connection with a supported router, making it easier to get those high-definition experiences.
TiVo, the brand behind TV DVR in the aughts has finally stepped into the media streaming world with its TiVo Stream 4K. Coming in around $40 and offering tons of capability, it’s giving Google’s Chromecast and Amazon’s FireStick a run for their money. You can stream your favorite movies and TV shows in 4K at 60 FPS, and it even supports HDR for some top-notch visuals on supported TVs. Support for Dolby Atmos and DTS also means you can enjoy some immersive audio.
The TiVo Stream 4K runs on Android TV but has its own interface where you can access various streaming apps, get show recommendations, and adjust settings. It’s possible to access live TV with either Sling or Locast, and you can even stream directly from your phone via Google Cast. Similar to the other streaming devices on this list, the remote has a microphone baked in that uses Google Assistant for simple content searching.
4. Nvidia Shield TV
Best 4K Streaming Device
Nvidia's Shield TV is a pricier option, but it's easily the best 4K streaming device on the market. Heck, it's one of, if not the only, streaming device to have a built-in upscaling technology. Using a process Nvidia calls "AI-enhanced upscaling," the Shield TV can turn anything you watch into a 4K video. That includes everything from blockbuster movies to Twitch streams and YouTube Videos. There's also support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision as well as DTS-X surround and Dolby Atmos for audio. Plus, you have access to a ton of different streaming services and the Google Play Store, since it's running on the Android TV platform. It even doubles as a Chromecast, so you can stream to your TV from your phone or tablet.
The remote the Nvidia Shield TV comes with is also fairly smart. It's motion-activated, so when you pick it up the buttons light up. Plus, there is a voice search, an IR blaster, and a built-in lost remote indicator. The most impressive feature of the Nvidia Shield TV, however, is you can game with the device. There are two different ways; if you have an Nvidia graphics card you can also stream games from your gaming PC to your gaming TV at 60fps. Alternatively, you can stream games directly from Nvidia's servers using GeForce Now, which currently gives you the power of a Turing-based desktop over the air.
You can also opt for the Nvidia Shield TV Pro, which is an overall pricier option that with additional features.
5. Apple TV 4K
Best 4K Streaming Box for Apple Households
For Apple enthusiasts, the Apple TV 4K is the way to go, with its latest model coming in cheaper and offering upgraded performance over its predecessors' thanks to the Apple A15 Bionic chip. You do lose an ethernet port for a wired internet connection, but for $20 more, you can grab a version with that on offer, along with doubling the 64GB of storage and Thread home networking support. As for the remote, it still uses a touch-enabled clickpad for easy navigation and now charges via USB-C, though you can always use your iPhone to find media or pair the streaming box with a Bluetooth controller to play games on Apple Arcade, too.
With the Apple TV 4K, you’ll be able to watch 4K UHD footage at 60fps with HDR support, including Dolby Vision and now HDR10+. Similar to the last Apple TV 4K, advanced sensors in Face ID-enabled iPhones automatically calibrate the streaming device’s output video to tune the color, contrast, and brightness for better viewing on your TV. Beyond support for nearly every streaming app, including Apple TV Plus, there’s also iCloud or AirPlay to share photos and SharePlay for watching shows or movies and listening to music with friends from afar.
6. Chromecast with Google TV
Best Android TV Streaming Stick
Chromecasts have long been a great way to add a bit of smartness to your TV. They let you use all your favorite smartphone apps to choose what you want to watch and then have the Chromecast stream that choice to your TV. Now, the Chromecast with Google TV has made Google's option for smartening up your TV a whole lot better. It has its own Android TV-like interface built-in, so you can install your favorite streaming apps directly onto the device, and then get smart recommendations for what to watch from Google. It's also easy to see where certain things are streaming, so you don't accidentally select an option only to find you're not subscribed to the service.
The new dongle still plugs straight into the back of your TV with an HDMI connection, where it can deliver 4K/60Hz video signal with HDR. Just like older Chromecasts, you can use your phone to cast media to it or opt for the new built-in interface. The Chromecast with Google TV also has Bluetooth, so you can pair it with a Bluetooth speaker. A serious bonus of this kit is the included controller, which can be set up to control the Chromecast, your TV, and your sound systems. It features Google Assistant for voice control of not only the Chromecast but smart home devices as well. Just get ready to power this device with its own adapter, as it requires more juice than the USB port on the back of your TV is likely to offer.
7. Roku Streaming Stick 4K
Best Streaming Stick
Roku’s products balance high-quality capabilities with an affordable price. At $50, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K delivers a 4K/60fps capable streaming stick with support for the most popular HDR formats, including Dolby Vision. And, since this is a stick rather than a box, you just plug it directly into the HDMI port of your TV, keeping it hidden behind the TV. Don't worry though, it still does everything a streaming box can do and even has an improved WiFi range from its predecessor.
You’ll find that Roku’s interface is easy to navigate and offers nearly every streaming app you could want. The Streaming Stick 4K has a voice remote, which lets you search for content using your voice, and there are still all of the controls you’d expect in a remote. As a whole, the snappy performance of the processor, high-quality picture, and simple controls ensure you’ll be watching all your favorite content in no time.
8. Chromecast with Google TV (HD)
Best HD Streaming Device
If you’re looking for an affordable yet top-notch streaming companion for your HD TV, look no further, because this little beauty is a game-changer. At less than $30, the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) shares the same sleek form-factor and user-friendly remote as its 4K sibling, the Chromecast with Google 4K.
Using the remote, you can access Google at the press the button. You can ask Google to find your favorite shows, answer questions, or even control smart home devices – all without lifting a finger! Many entry-level HD streaming devices cut corners on hardware features to keep costs down, but this streaming device has everything you need while remaining cheap and cheerful.
Sure, if you're thinking about future-proofing your entertainment setup with a 4K TV, investing in a 4K streaming device might be a good idea. But if you're just looking for a budget-friendly HD streaming solution that doesn't compromise on performance or features, the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) is a fantastic choice.
9. Amazon Fire TV Cube
Most Powerful Streaming Device
This powerful streaming device from Amazon delivers 4K UHD streaming in a small and compact form. It’s easy to access all of the movies and shows you want, as well as millions of songs to fill your room. While the Amazon Fire TV Cube is significantly more expensive than a Fire TV Stick, you do get a lot more, backed up by a octa-core processor.
With Alexa to hand, you can make use of the built-in microphone and speaker to control your TV, soundbar, and receivers. Navigating between devices and shows is incredibly simple, so even if you’re not particularly tech-savvy, you won’t have a problem using this streaming device.
If your home is connected with other Amazon smart devices, you can use Alexa to start calls, view your Ring cameras, check your shopping list, and more.
How to Pick the Best Streaming Device
Choosing the best streaming device can feel a bit overwhelming with so many options out there. Before you decide which streaming device is right for you, you should consider some of the key features to keep your eye on.
First things first, take a look at your TV. Does it support 4K resolution? Is it an older HD model? Understanding your TV's capabilities will help you narrow down whether you need a basic HD streaming device or something with 4K and HDR support. Whether you're a Netflix junkie, an Amazon Prime Video enthusiast, or a Disney+ fan, make sure the streaming device you choose supports all your favorite streaming services.
If you’re not particularly tech savvy, ease of use can make or break your streaming experience. Look for devices with intuitive interfaces, easy navigation, and user-friendly remotes. Bonus points if it offers voice control or a smart assistant like Google Assistant or Alexa. A good remote can enhance your streaming experience significantly.
Some streaming devices offer extra bells and whistles like gaming capabilities, built-in storage, USB ports, or compatibility with smart home devices. But, depending on your budget, you may (or may not) be able to make room for those extra features.
Picking the best streaming device is all about finding the perfect balance between performance, features, compatibility, and budget. Take your time to research and compare different options, read reviews, and consider your personal preferences and needs.
Stream Device FAQs
When do streaming devices go on sale?
If you're looking to pick up a new streaming device at a discount, there are really only a few times throughout the year when that happens. The two best times to buy a streaming device are on Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday, both of which usually see discounts across on every device. Fire TV devices especially will get discounts from Amazon during Prime Day.
What does a streaming device actually do?
A streaming device takes streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ and allows you to play them on your TV, even if you don’t have a Wi-Fi enabled TV. If you don’t have a smart TV or your TV isn’t able to connect to the internet, a streaming device can bridge the gap.
Do you need a streaming device if you have a smart TV?
If you already have a smart TV, you may find it slows down when adding multiple apps. Depending on your location, you may not be able to download certain apps. A streaming device can be pre-loaded with your favorite apps, and is portable, allowing you to transfer it between TVs.
Is there a monthly fee for Fire TV Stick?
Amazon’s Fire Stick doesn’t require a monthly fee as it’s not a subscription service. However, some of the apps you can access on your Fire Stick may require a subscription. This includes Prime Video, which requires you to have an Amazon Prime subscription. You can still access any of the free TV apps available to stream shows and movies without that subscription, however.
What is the best streaming device according to Reddit?
Although opinions across reddit vary overall, there's a pretty decent thread about streaming devices in the r/hometheater subreddit. The overall top comment in this thread mentions the Nvidia Shield Pro and Apple TV 4K as the two best streaming devices currently on the market.
Where to Get the Best Streaming Box in the UK
Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.
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