It's a new year and that means plenty of new deals for Xbox fans. At the moment there are quite a few deals that are worth checking out, including discounts on games like the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 and Sonic X Shadow Generations, controllers, and so much more. These just scratch the surface of what's out there, though. Here are the best Xbox deals available at the moment.

Best Xbox Controller Deals

Best Xbox Game Deals

What's Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass

Game Pass has a nice rotation of new titles to play every month. If you're curious about what's in store for the end of February, we've got you covered. The Xbox Game Pass February Wave 2 lineup is:

• EA Sports F1 24 (Cloud, Console, and PC) EA Play – February 20
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – February 20
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
• Watch Dogs: Legion (Cloud, Console, and PC) – February 25
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard

New Xbox Consoles Available Now

A couple new variants of Xbox consoles are available to purchase. If you're interested in picking one of these up, the 1TB All-Digital Robot White Xbox Series X can be bought for $449.99 and the 1TB Robot White Xbox Series S goes for $349.99.

Best Xbox Accessory Deals

Outside of games, there are plenty of Xbox accessory deals that are worth your time and money as well. At the moment, some of our favorites are on the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 gaming headset, which has dropped 15% at Amazon, and if you're looking for more storage, the WD Black C50 1TB Expansion Card has gotten a very nice 30% discount.

What is Xbox's Recent Controversy?

The recent discomfored surrounding Xbox can be isolated to a recent round of brutal layoffs. Microsoft is closing a number of Bethesda studios, including Redfall maker Arkane Austin, Hi-Fi Rush and The Evil Within developer Tango Gameworks, and more in devastating cuts at Bethesda. Alpha Dog Games, maker of mobile game Mighty Doom, will also close. Roundhouse Studios will be absorbed by The Elder Scrolls Online developer ZeniMax Online Studios. Microsoft, currently valued at over $3 trillion, did not say how many staff will lose their jobs, but significant layoffs are inevitable.

Microsoft's announcement of the cuts at Bethesda come over three months after the company announced plans to cut 1,900 staff from its video game workforce, and amid a boom time for Bethesda's Fallout series following the breakout hit Prime Video TV show.

When Should I Buy an Xbox?

In general, it is advisable to keep an eye out for sales and restocks throughout the year, as availability has improved since the initial launch of the console. Unlike the Nintendo Switch, there is no specific recommendation to wait for a sale regardless of the time of year. Instead, it's a good idea to monitor various retailers and online platforms for restock announcements and promotional offers.

However, certain events like Black Friday or other holiday seasons may bring about unique bundles, discounts, or promotional deals specifically for the Xbox Series X. These bundles may include additional games, accessories, or exclusive limited editions. While quantities for such promotions might be limited, they can provide an opportunity to get more value for your purchase. See our guide to Xbox Series X prices for more info.

Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S?

Choosing between the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S ultimately depends on your gaming preferences, budget, and specific requirements. Let's compare the two consoles to help you make an informed decision:

1. Performance: The Xbox Series X is the more powerful option, offering native 4K gaming, higher graphical fidelity, and faster loading times. It has more advanced hardware, including a larger storage capacity. On the other hand, the Xbox Series S targets a lower price point and offers a less powerful performance, targeting 1440p resolution gaming and upscaling to 4K.

2. Price: The Xbox Series S is more affordable compared to the Xbox Series X. If budget is a significant factor for you, the Xbox Series S provides a cost-effective option while still delivering a next-generation gaming experience. For example, the Series S can play Starfield at 1440p 30fps (vs 4K 30fps on Series X).

3. Storage: The Xbox Series X comes with a larger internal storage capacity, allowing you to store more games directly on the console. The Xbox Series S, however, has a smaller storage capacity, which means you may need to manage your game library more actively or rely on external storage solutions.

4. Disc Drive: The Xbox Series X includes a disc drive, enabling you to play physical game discs and enjoy a wider range of media options, including Blu-ray and DVD playback. The Xbox Series S, in contrast, is a digital-only console, meaning you can only play games downloaded from the digital store.

5. Graphics and Performance: While both consoles support ray tracing, the Xbox Series X provides a more immersive and visually impressive experience due to its superior hardware capabilities. If you prioritize cutting-edge graphics and want the best performance available, the Xbox Series X is the preferable choice.

Consider your gaming preferences, budget, and whether you prioritize top-of-the-line performance or cost-effectiveness. If you have a 4K TV, want the most powerful console, and are willing to invest more, the Xbox Series X is the recommended option. If you have a lower budget, a 1080p or 1440p TV, and don't mind sacrificing some performance, the Xbox Series S offers excellent value for money.

With how expensive gaming is getting in 2025, we're trying to save you as much money as possible on the games and other tech you actually want to buy. We've got great deal roundups available for all major platforms such as Switch and Xbox, and keep these updated daily with brand new offers. If you're trying to keep costs down while maintaining your favorite hobby, stay tuned for more incredible discounts.

Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.

Often cited as one of the world's most valuable media franchises, Pokémon is a household name that's been a Nintendo staple since the Game Boy. The beloved series is home to hundreds of amazing creatures you can catch in-game or collect as trading cards, with each new generation bringing loads more to discover. Every console released by Nintendo has had plenty of Pokémon games released for it, and the Nintendo Switch is no exception.

With Nintendo's official Switch 2 announcement confirming the console's backward compatibility, you can feel confident picking up any existing Pokemon games on the Switch, knowing they'll carry over to the new system. Below, we've compiled every Pokémon game that has been released on Nintendo Switch and the information we have on upcoming Pokémon games releasing on the Switch 2.

How Many Pokémon Games Are There on Nintendo Switch?

In total, 12 Pokémon games have been released for the Nintendo Switch. This includes the mainline games for the 8th and 9th Pokémon generations as well as plenty of spinoffs. For the sake of this list, we've counted mainline entries with two versions as a single release. We also don't include the Pokémon games offered through Nintendo Switch Online, but you can check out that list below.

What Pokemon Game Should You Get in 2025?

If you're wondering which game is worth picking up on the Switch in 2025, my recommendation is Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It's not going to give you that OG Pokémon game feeling, but that's what the older generation games are for. Instead, Legends: Arceus introduces more action and RPG elements to the Pokémon series, offering the freshness of open areas to explore, more control over encounters, and plenty of polish for the handheld. If you're looking to pick up new Switch games on sale, it's worth checking out Presidents' Day game deals this weekend.

All Pokémon Games on the Nintendo Switch (in Release Order)

Pokkén Tournament DX (2017)

Pokkén Tournament was originally released for the Wii U in 2016. A year later, Nintendo and Bandai Namco prepared a deluxe version of the game for Nintendo Switch, adding new characters and updated visuals to take advantage of better hardware. This three-on-three battle system is a blast to play with friends both in person and online.

Pokémon Quest (2018)

Pokémon Quest turns all your favorite Pokémon into miniature cube form. This free-to-play Switch game features a fun and simple combat system where you send Pokémon on expeditions. Equip different abilities to your Pokémon to handle all types of encounters.

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee! (2018)

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! & Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! are remakes of the beloved 1998 Pokémon Yellow. These titles were the first mainline Pokémon games ever to release on a home console, since none made it to the Wii U. Set in the Kanto region, all 151 original Pokémon appear with varying forms from previous mainline installments. With heavy accessibility features, these remakes were a great first step for the series on Nintendo Switch for newcomers and veterans of the series.

Pokémon Sword & Shield (2019)

Pokémon Sword & Shield marked the first installment in the series to feature aspects of an open world. Dubbed the Wild Areas, these regions allowed for free traversal and battles with wild Pokémon. Gyms also made a return for the first time since X & Y. Additionally, Sword & Shield introduced the eigth generation of Pokémon, which included Dynamax and Gigantamax forms of previous Pokémon.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX (2020)

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a remake of the 2005 titles Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team & Blue Rescue Team. Surprisingly, this is the first Pokémon spinoff remake ever, with development handled by Spike Chunsoft. The gameplay consists of completing jobs in different dungeons and unlocking new Pokémon along the way.

Pokémon Café ReMix (2020)

The other Pokémon release of 2020 was Pokémon Café ReMix featuring similar gameplay to other puzzle games like Disney Tsum Tsum, which requires you to connect Pokémon together to solve puzzles. In Pokémon Café ReMix, you and Eevee own a café and must serve the Pokémon who come for food or a little drink. This charming service game is free-to-play via the Nintendo eShop.

New Pokémon Snap (2021)

After more than 20 years, the Nintendo Switch is the console that finally received a sequel to Pokémon Snap. Developed by Bandai Namco, you traverse around different biomes and areas with an on-rails camera to capture pictures Pokémon in the wild. You can unlock new courses by taking good pictures in New Pokémon Snap, leaving for a sizeable amount of content to unlock and discover. You never know what you might find during each session!

Pokémon Unite (2021)

This free-to-play game marked Pokémon's first entry into the MOBA genre. You command and control a team of five Pokémon in head-to-head battles against other players online. There's a solid amount of Pokémon to choose from, so you can adjust your team to best fit your needs. Pokémon Unite went on to be featured in different esports tournaments, with multiple championships held for the game.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl (2021)

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Pokémon Shining Pearl are remakes of Pokémon Diamond & Pearl, which originally released in 2006 for the Nintendo DS. As the fourth generation of Pokémon, Diamond & Pearl feature a wide variety of Pokémon to battle against and discover. The remakes feature a new chibi art style that was created to stay faithful to the original titles while still remaining fresh.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus (2022)

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is often praised as one of the best Pokémon games available on the Switch. This original title takes place far in the past, somewhere in the Hisui region. With a focus on exploration, you can freely walk all around the map to capture Pokémon, explore different environments, and so much more. Pokémon can be spotted wandering around all over the map, which requires you to be strategic if you're looking to avoid battle.

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet (2022)

The latest mainline Pokémon games officially kicked off Generation 9, bringing along an entire new approach to gameplay and world design. In Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, an open world awaits with freedom to explore wherever your heart takes you. The DLC pass, titled The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, is now wrapped up, making it a perfect time to check out Scarlet & Violet.

Detective Pikachu Returns (2023)

One game and one movie later, the sequel to Detective Pikachu is finally available on Nintendo Switch. Tim's father is missing, and it's up to Detective Pikachu to solve the case! This sequel features new puzzles and investigations, where you can investigate scenes and use your notebook to get to the bottom of the mystery. If you're a fan of both Pokémon and mystery games, this is a great game to consider.

Available Pokémon Games With Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack

The Nintendo Switch Online subscription service has additional Pokémon titles if you're looking for more after completing the Nintendo Switch library. Here are the five Pokémon games you can play with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership:

• Pokémon Trading Card Game
• Pokémon Snap
• Pokémon Puzzle League
• Pokémon Stadium
• Pokémon Stadium 2

Upcoming Pokémon Games on Nintendo Switch

Pokémon Day 2025 brought some solid announcements about new Pokémon games. Pokémon Legends: Z-A was initially announced last year, though a new gameplay trailer revealed the game's setting in Lumiose City within the Kalos regions. Tepig, Totodile, and Chikorita are familiar starting Pokémon, from Gen 2 and 5, but will be getting new final evolutions. "Rooftop parkour" and new battle mechanics also indicate an increased focused on real-time action. As far as a release date, "Fall 2025" is all we know for now.

Game Freak and The Pokémon Company also announced Pokémon Champions, a new battle game in the spirit of Pokemon Showdown. Coming to mobile devices and Switch, you'll be able to battle with Pokémon you've trained in other games through the Pokémon Home app.

A Nintendo Direct is scheduled for April 2, likely bringing more information about the Switch 2 and potential release dates for new games. For now, see the full list of upcoming Switch games for everything we've confirmed is coming to the Nintendo handheld and our predictions for what games will release on the Switch 2.

Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.

Anyone in the market for a new game to spice up board game night can grab a fine deal on Camel Up (second edition) right now. It normally goes for $40, but it’s currently on sale at Amazon for $25.60 in a limited-time deal. It’s a betting game that’s fun for adults, but easy enough to learn that it makes a fine family board game as well. It also landed on our list of the best 6-player board games (though you can play it with fewer or more people, depending on who’s around).

Camel Up Is 36% Off

If you've got a record collection, it's only right that you have a solid turntable to play everything on. If you're on the hunt for something new, Woot's offering an excellent deal right now on the Victrola Stream Onyx Turntable. It's currently listed for $249.99, a whopping 58% off its list price of $599.99. That's a fantastic deal, and one that won't stick around for long, as Woot notes that it's only available for a couple more days or until it's all sold out. If you've been hoping to get a new turntable, you don't want to miss out on this discount.

Victrola Stream Onyx Turntable for $249.99

The mainline Pokemon games make up one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time. From Pokemon Red and Blue to the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, these games have amassed a huge audience that just keeps coming back for more.

If you haven't played all of the Pokemon video games in the series, however, you may find yourself in a bit of a dilemma trying to figure out where to start in 2025. Most of the major titles in the series are excellent standalone games to dive into, but if you want to start from the beginning, there are two different ways to play in order: Chronologically or by release date.

Jump to:

• How to Play in Chronological Order
• How to Play by Release Order

Which Pokemon Games Should You Actually Play First?

Choosing where to start boils down to what Nintendo console you currently have, though the recent Delta emulator may change that for you. If you only have a Nintendo Switch, you can start with Let's Go Pikachu or Let's Go Eevee, which are kind of like remakes of the original Yellow version from 1998. You can also play Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl for another remake experience. Pokemon Legends: Arceus is also an option, but it is very different from the other mainline games.

If you're wanting to dive right into Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, it's worth noting that you likely won't be missing out on any overly pertinent information from the previous games. The only games in the main series you might not want to jump right into is Black 2 and White 2 as those are sequels.

How to Play the Pokemon Games in Chronological Order

The Pokemon timelne may seem pretty linear at first glance, but without enough obvious details to go off of, it can be pretty confusing to try to follow the chronology from title to title. Luckily, a now deleted tweet from Toshinobu Matsumiya has given us a starting point for some of the games. For the rest, we can only make educated guesses based on a few key details witin the games.

1. Pokemon Legends: Arceus

The first game in the chronology is very clearly Pokemon Legends: Arceus seeing as it's set in a time when the relationship between humans and Pokemon was only just starting to form. You spend a large portion of your time running around a vast open wilderness catching and battling wild Pokemon, and the people you interact with are clearly just beginning to understand the world of Pokemon. This game features crafting and research tasks, which greatly differentiates it from the usual gym battle formula we are used to.

Though we don't know just how long ago Pokemon Legends: Arceus takes place compared to the other games in the series, we do atleast know that it seems to feature the ancestors of Diamond and Pearl characters.

2. Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow

As the original games in the series, Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow are up next in the timeline. Bringing the first-generation Pokedex and introducing us to the classic Pokemon game formula, these best-selling games are what started it all.

Although we can't know for sure that these Game Boy games are up next in the timeline, the deleted Tweet from Game Scenario writer Toshinobu Matsumiya confirmed that the series starts with these. The technology featured in the game is also fairly limited compared to some of the newer games -- though still advanced enough to bring fossils back to life!

Bonus: Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen

Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are remakes of the original Red and Blue games and thus are at the same exact point in the timeline. Much of the plot is the same as the originals with some key differences -- including visiting the Sevii Islands after becoming champion of the Elite Four.

3. Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald

Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald brought all new Pokemon and throws you into the Hoenn region -- which is some distance from both the Kanto and Johto regions. Considering this game features the third generation of Pokemon and some new technology, it seems most likely that it would take place after both Red and Blue and Gold and Silver. However, according to that same deleted tweet from Matsumiya, Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire take place at the same point in time as FireRed and LeafGreen.

This also means that Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are at the same point in the timeline here seeing as they are remakes.

4. Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

As the second game in the series (in terms of release date) Pokemon Gold and Silver take place three years after the events of Red and Blue. With some exciting new Gen 2 Pokemon and some of the best post-game content in the series, Gold, Silver, and Crystal were an excellent follow up to the original games. By traveling to the Kanto region after becoming the champion of Johto, you get a firsthand look at the passage of time. You even get to battle the protagonist from the first games, Red, who is quite strong.

This placement in the chronology also applies to the remakes: HeartGold and SoulSilver. Although the remakes offer some additional content, they are essentially just updated versions of the originals.

5. Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum

In terms of series release order, Pokemon Diamond and Pearl came a few years after Ruby and Sapphire. However, we now know from that deleted tweet from Matsumiya that Diamond and Pearl actually takes place at the same time as HeartGold and SoulSilver. This may seem a little bit confusing considering the advancements in technology we see in Diamond and Pearl, but we can likely just chalk it up to the actual date the games were created rather than the chronology within the Pokemon universe.

This would also mean that the remakes, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are set in the same point of the timeline. Though the timeline gets a bit wonky with the inclusion of Fairy-type Pokemon considering those weren't introduced until X and Y.

6. Pokemon Black and White

Featuring the fifth-generation of new Pokemon, Black and White was the second mainline game to come out on the Nintendo DS. Although we don't know exactly when the story takes place in the Pokemon universe, we do that it takes place after Diamond and Pearl thanks to Matsumiya's tweet. Since there aren't any obvious links to the previous games, we can only assume that Black and White takes place more than 3 years after Red and Blue.

7. Pokemon Black 2 and White 2

As a true sequel to Black and White, Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 offer a fairly obvious transition through the chronological timeline. We see changes where gym leaders pass on their duties to the next generation, Team Plasma has advanced their plot, and there is a new Champion. Between all of these things, we know that roughly two years have passed since Black and White, progressing the timeline forward in an uncharacteristically linear fashion.

8. Pokemon X and Y

As the first game in the series to allow payers to explore and battle in 3D, Pokemon X and Y was a fresh take on the classic Pokemon formula. While this is largely due to it being the first title in the series to be a Nintendo 3DS game, it definitely helped set up future games. While we don't know exactly when the game fits in the chronology, thanks to Matsumiya we atleast know that X and Y take place at the same time as Black 2 and White 2. However, it's possible that it is set in a different universe due to Mega Evolution being a thing.

9. Pokemon Sun and Moon

Happening a few years after X and Y, Pokemon Sun and Moon takes us to the Alola region. While we don't have any information from Matsumiya about where this game fits in the timeline, it features a few characters from X and Y that indicate that time has passed between games. An adult Red and Blue also make an appearance, though their exact age isn't revealed, so we still don't know exactly how much time has progressed since Red, Blue, and Yellow.

This also means that Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon take place at the same point in time as they are essentially remakes of Sun and Moon with some additional content.

10. Pokemon Sword and Shield

With the arrival of the Nintendo Switch came the first Switch-exclusive mainline Pokemon game: Sword and Shield. Featuring a brand-new region, new Pokemon, and the introduction of Gigantamax, Sword and Shield is essentially a soft reboot of the series. So that being said, we have no idea where it fits on the chronological timeline. There aren't really any hard references to the previous games, so there is no way of accurately fitting it into the known Pokemon universe.

One of the only clues we have about the timeline comes in the form of new technology. The addition of the Rotom Phone seemingly places us further in the chronology than Red and Blue at the very least, but that's all we can really gather. It's possible that Pokemon Sword and Shield simply takes place in an entirely different universe than any of the other games.

11. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

As the latest entry in the series, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet brings all-new Gen 9 Pokemon and the open-world Paldea region to the Nintendo Switch. There haven't been any obvious clues revealed about where it lands on the timeline, so we unfortunately don't have enough information to try to accurately place it. That being said, if it follows the chronological structure of previous mainline games, it's possible that it takes place at the same time as the events of Pokemon Sword and Shield.

How to Play the Pokemon Games by Release Date

I you want to play the games in the order they were released rather than try to attempting to go through the convoluted chronological timeline, here are all of the mainline Pokemon games by release date:

1. Pokemon Red and Blue - February 27, 1996 - Game Boy
2. Pokemon Yellow - Game Boy - September 12, 1998 - Game Boy
3. Pokemon Gold and Silver - November 21, 1999 - Game Boy Color
4. Pokemon Crystal - December 14, 2000 - Game Boy Color
5. Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire - November 21, 2002 - Game Boy Advance
6. Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen - January 28, 2004 - Game Boy Advance
7. Pokemon Emerald - Sepember 16, 2004 - Game Boy Advance
8. Pokemon Diamond and Pearl - September 28, 2006 - Nintendo DS
9. Pokemon Platinum - September 13, 2008 - Nintendo DS
10. Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver - September 12, 2009 - Nintendo DS
11. Pokemon Black and White - September 18, 2010 - Nintendo DS
12. Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 - June 23, 2012 - Nintendo DS
13. Pokemon X and Y - October 13, 2013 - Nintendo 3DS
14. Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire - November 21, 2014 - Nintendo 3DS
15. Pokemon Sun and Moon - November 18, 2016 - Nintendo 3DS
16. Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon - November 17, 2017 - Nintendo 3DS
17. Pokemon Sword and Shield - November 15, 2019 - Nintendo Switch
18. Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl - November 19, 2021 - Nintendo Switch
19. Pokemon Scarlet and Vilolet - November 18, 2022 - Nintendo Switch
20. Pokemon Legends Z-A - TBA Late 2025

Upcoming Pokemon Games

While a new Pokemon Legends game was technically announced last year, we finally got an official gameplay reveal during this year's Pokemon Day. Titled Pokemon Legends: Z-A, the upcoming game is set in Lumiose City, within the same Kalos region as Pokemon X and Y. The city itself is in the midst of a technological evolution to support trainers and Pokemon thriving together.

As a Legends game, Z-A's starter Pokemon are a throwback: Chikorita and Totodile from Gen 2 alongside Tepig from Gen 5. Like in Legends: Arceus, these familiar starters will be getting new final evolutions. The gameplay trailer also showed off new battle mechanics, like positioning, dodging, and aiming your Pokemon's attacks. Unfortunately, the one thing the trailer didn't confirm is a release date: the game is still set for a tentative "late 2025" release, most likely on Switch and Switch 2 consoles.

That wasn't the only game reveal from the 2025 Pokemon Day announcements. Game Freak and The Pokemon Company also announced Pokemon Champions, a new battle game for both Switch and mobile devices. This is most likely the "multiplayer Pokemon game" that was alluded to in earlier leaks. More like Pokemon Showdown than other Pokemon releases, Pokemon Champions will allow trainers to battle with Pokemon they've caught and trained in other games through the Pokemon Home app. No release date information has been revealed.

Looking for additional Pokemon content? Check out our guide to the best Pokemon movies and Pokemon Video Games for more. You can also shop for the coolest Pokemon merchandise at the IGN Store for some of our favorite Pokemon toys.

I’m confident that even the most locked in gamer hasn’t played something quite like Neighbors: Suburban Warfare. You can see some influences and similarities to other games - it has the arcadey shooter feel of Team Fortress, the light tactical base building of a survival game, the slapstick physical humor of a Goat Simulator or Just Die Already - all in one anarchic post-WW2 package. I had a couple of hands-on sessions with it, navigating its team-based homewrecking action, and though its untraditional format will make for some rough first minutes, it was hard not to walk away from the over the top bedlam with a smile.

There’s maybe no more antithetical setting for Neighbors: Suburban Warfare’s team-versus-team base-building combat romp than the idyllic, prosperity-pilled 1950’s American suburbs. But developer Invisible Walls wanted to make a game that was bright and colorful and would be striking at first glance and approachable to a broad audience. “We also had this idea of the neighborhood feud element from day one,” art director Andreas Bech explained. “And for most of the team, the post-war optimism of the ‘50s and ‘60s resonates with that.”

The irony of the collective drive towards the presentation of perfectionism leading to individual households going so mad with power that they would sabotage their peers because they look like they might be doing too well was the bedrock for every iteration of Suburban Warfare. What started off as a game where players would decorate their houses and vandalize their opponents to win top prize at a sort of house pageant turned into a more raucous skirmisher “after it became apparent that [that version of the PvP and PvE] didn't mix,” Invisible Walls CEO David Heldager revealed. “Everyone just wanted to destroy the other’s house.”

And so their game morphed into the squad-based hybrid shooter and base-builder that I got my hands on for around an hour with the dev team. Our goal was pretty clear: we must infiltrate the enemy abode and destroy its “essential items” like the stove, toilet, and master bed. This is much easier said than done, of course, as there are so many layers of variables and tactics that come into play during each match that chaos is unavoidable.

It all starts with character selection. Each of the eight available neighbors has their own signature starting items and special abilities, like the Rosie the Riveter-inspired Kim and her throwable pipe wrench that can build a special autonomous oil-spitting turret to defend her home when she’s out pillaging. There were two available neighborhoods (maps) to choose from, each dictating where neutral objectives will be, and each team can choose a specific house layout to use, each floorplan having its own different entrances and essential item locations. This felt like a lot to try to understand up front, but even though there is a county fair's worth of variability in each match, the pursuit of “the perfect competitive combination” is a bit of a fool’s errand.

“We wanted to be different in that this is the game you play when you’re not playing [something more competitive like] Marvel Rivals,” David said when I asked the team if and how Suburban Warfare could appeal to the types of gamers that prefer a more sweaty PvP experience. “The tone is lighthearted and we designed it for lightheartedness, but we do find people start getting very competitive after like three or four games,” Andreas added. The design consensus among them was to focus on making cool things first, and balancing them second. “We were not experts on PvP and balancing when we started this game,” game director Sebastian Bevensee said, explaining that unfamiliar traps and weapons that will inevitably knock new players out will feel overpowered until they realize that just about everything is that strong on purpose. The goal is to make everything feel impactful so long as you hit with them, and encourage everyone to be a consequential playmaker when the opportunity presents itself.

After choosing your avatar to commit minor crimes with and agreeing to what kind of house you’re going to defend with your teammates (and where you’ll be defending it from your opponents), it's time to get to the dirty business of targeted vandalization. Your team of up to four must build all manner of tools, traps, and defenses in order to turn away your annoying nosey neighbors while also empowering your team to be even more annoying and nosier. Buying tools or basic fortifications costs money that you earn slowly over time but in lump sums by knocking out enemies. More valuable options become available when you upgrade your workbench with spare resources found at the construction site, located in a neutral point on every map. After buying starter tools - usually the crowbar since it helps destroy objects faster - every round of Suburban Warfare I played started with a full team sprint towards these wayward crates.

My team was pretty good at making it out of the ensuing brawls with a couple of resources without taking too many casualties, but the early moments where no one has special gear is where I felt the character selection and team compositions the most. Big bruisers like Chad can hold the front line and distract the enemy long enough for someone else to snatch resources right out from under you. Or sneaky little bastards like this Dennis the Menace x Kevin McCallister hybrid who can avoid the melee completely and instead start attempting to break into your home while you're gone. Neighbor’s individual special abilities remain impactful throughout the match, but ones with definite strengths above and beyond those never feel stronger than those first few minutes.

After taking the resources back we focused on locking down our house, lining the vulnerable parts of our fence with bear traps, repairing damaged doors and windows, and even setting up a small oil rig to turn our passive trickle of money into more of a sprinkler. All the while, both sides were taking turns poking at one another, sneaking to back doors and windows while causing a ruckus on the front lawns by either running up personally and trying to catch a poor homemaker slipping, or ordering more bombastic offensives on the enemy in the form of delivery trucks that speed through the cul de sac and lob boxes full of fireworks at your foes. And then, after around four minutes of game time, night fell on our pitched battle. Besides making the battlefield darker, it also signals that the nocturnal guard dog of each house is up and prowling, and it is devastatingly good at hunting down any enemy that steps onto your property and eliminating them with extreme prejudice, until the sun rises and the chaos ensues again.

Exchanges between squads, be they in the streets or each other’s living rooms, were always tense because the more dangerous weaponry, like a sledgehammer or a pressurized cannon that shoots oranges, can do players in quickly. And yet the hammer is slow and the cannon, one of the few ranged options in the game, is hard to aim and slow to fire and reload. This was all by design. “We are always encouraging people to be more up front and close,” Sebastian explained, pointing out that their focus on keeping the most effective and easy to use offense as close-ranged options forces players to engage with one another instead of trying to take sniper positions or control the field from afar.

That doesn’t constrain their weapon options from walking more on the wild side, though. Many of the options operate as you assume they would, but then there are some tricky takes on household items, like the aforementioned vacuum that can suck enemies into bashing range. You can build a chicken coup and toss their eggs at foes to blind them. With enough investment into your workbench you can get access to my favorite option so far: a seagull that you can fly to bomb enemies like a Call of Duty kill streak reward. The cartoony madness is lots of fun, moment to moment.

During the course of these cycles across the rounds I played, the biggest issue I found was feeling like I wasn’t doing the right thing at the right time. I wasn’t searching for the most efficient ways to spend money and resources so much as feeling like I was actively contributing to the overall goal of compromising the enemy's home to a permanent end. Picking up the basics is easy, but learning how to know when to go all out on the enemy or when to pull back to defend was something that I couldn’t intuit in my brief time with Neighbors. David agreed. “Our main struggle is, ‘How do you explain the meta in a game like this?’” They’ve seen playtesters grow into sharp and knowledgeable players over half a dozen games or so, so it's not impossible to let go of worry and embrace the madness.

So is Neighbors: Suburban Warfare the next big party shooter? I’m not sure how it will stand up against genre juggernauts, but it will certainly stand out. Two geezers shaped like Mr Magoo and Evel Knievel exchanging plunger crossbow fire in the street only to get hit by a delivery truck tossing bombs into the front yard is a scenario you aren’t going to find in your current favorite team shooter. And Invisible Walls likes it that way. They don’t want to replace your favorite game, they just want to be the Mad Men-coded funhouse you spend your off time in.

I’m confident that even the most locked in gamer hasn’t played something quite like Neighbors: Suburban Warfare. You can see some influences and similarities to other games - it has the arcadey shooter feel of Team Fortress, the light tactical base building of a survival game, the slapstick physical humor of a Goat Simulator or Just Die Already - all in one anarchic post-WW2 package. I had a couple of hands-on sessions with it, navigating its team-based homewrecking action, and though its untraditional format will make for some rough first minutes, it was hard not to walk away from the over the top bedlam with a smile.

We've finally gotten a good, long (ish) look at Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the second entry in the Pokemon Legends series and Game Freak's major Pokemon release for the year (after surprisingly skipping 2024). In a brand new trailer, we got a first look at what it will be like to freely run along the rooftops of Lumiose City, which Pokémon will join us when we do it, and some of the changes to Mega Evolutions and battle mechanics.

This time around, players can choose between Totodile, Tepig, and Chikorita to be their starter monster as they explore Lumiose City with upgraded visuals and a few major gameplay tweaks. Specifically, new mechanics will allow players to hop to the city's rooftops and see life in the Pokémon world from a new perspective. Gameplay for the Latest Legends title also reveals that we'll be going back to the more traditional visual style the series has established over the last few years, too.

Today's Pokémon Day 2025 Pokémon Presents showcase gave fans a gameplay trailer to watch over and over again while we wait for that ever-elusive release date, but it also came with a more specific gameplay breakdown, too. Just like the Pokémon Legends: Arceus title that it follows, Pokémon Legends: Z-A shakes up the combat formula with a more-involved take on battles. Combat footage shows that players will be free to weaken monsters and catch them in Wild Zones littered throughout the town.

It wouldn't be a first-look at Pokémon Legends: Z-A without a sneak peek at some of the Mega Evolutions and how they've been brought over to that refreshing Legends gameplay. Specifically, today's breakdown video shows gameplay for creatures like Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Absol, and Mega Charizard X as well as the "new level of power" each brings to the table.

Although the Pokémon Legends: Z-A gameplay breakdown doesn't exactly tell us how rooftop running works in the late 2025 Nintendo Switch title, it does introduce us to some of the faces we'll meet on our journey. New friends include the option to meet either Urbain or Taunie, a potential rival, and players can also expect to get to know Quasartico CEO Jett and her secretary, Vinnie. We also got to see the return of Lumiose City's tallest friendly face, AZ, and his Pokémon partner, Floette, who run the hotel players will be staying at.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A was first announced at last year's Pokemon Presents, and it's been quiet on the news front ever since. At the time, all we saw was a cinematic trailer revealing it would be set entirely in Lumiose City from Pokémon X and Y, and that it would be coming to Nintendo Switch in 2025. We also saw a tease of a few Pokémon, a futuristic setting, and the Mega Evolution symbol.

Other than that, for the last year, fans have been piecing together guesses on what the game might entail based on that trailer and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which introduced new Pokémon capturing mechanics to the franchise and an open zone format that resonated well with players, even if certain elements of the game felt drab and incomplete, especially in the back half. With no Pokémon game released last year, it seems like Game Freak may have gotten an extra year to really give Legends Z-A the polish that Arceus and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet simply didn't receive. Let's hope it pays off.

For everything else revealed today, you can see our Pokémon Presents February 2025 highlight roundup here.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor 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).

After half a year of rumors and leaks, we've finally gotten our first look at Pokémon Champions, a brand new multiplayer battle-focused Pokémon game being developed in a collaboration between Game Freak and The Pokémon Works, which itself is a recent joint venture between The Pokémon Company and Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl developer ILCA.

Pokémon Champions is a game focused on Pokémon battles, which features the series "core-style battles" and allows players to battle online with one another. From the trailer, we've seen it will definitely include both Mega Evolution and Terastalization, and the reveal suggested it will canvas all different types and eras of Pokémon battles.

Additionally, Pokémon Champions will connect with Pokémon Home, allowing players to transfer Pokémon from all other games to battle in it and finally giving fans something to do with the hundreds of Pokémon just sitting in their boxes from past generations.

Pokémon Champions is "now in development" for both Nintendo Switch and mobile, but did not get a release date. It will be playable in Latin American Spanish at launch in addition to other languages previously available in Pokémon games.

Pokémon Concierge Season 2 is officially coming to Netflix this September.

The Pokémon Company revealed plans to debut another batch of four episodes in its adorable stop-motion spinoff during today during its special Pokémon Day 2025 Pokémon Presents showcase. This is the first reveal of the day, and it’s an especially surprising one.

The full second season is expected to drop on Netflix come this September, but you can at least head to the Pokémon YouTube channel right now to see the first four episodes of Season 1 while you wait. These will disappear March 9, though they'll still be available on Netflix for subscribers.

POKÉMON CONCIERGE RETURNS THIS SEPTEMBER 💛

Reunite with Haru and Psyduck for four new episodes in the magical stop-motion world of the Pokémon Resort. pic.twitter.com/rmRgiG6GYR

— Netflix (@netflix) February 27, 2025

Also included in today’s footage was a first look at some of the new stop-motion critters coming to Pokémon Concierge Season 2, including a very fluffy Arcanine, Corphish, and Shinx.

For everything else included in today's Pokemon Presents, you can see our news roundup here.

It's been one month since the last Pokémon TCG Pocket expansion, Space-Time Smackdown, smacked down, so you know what that means: it's time for The Pokémon Company to drop another mini-expansion to keep us all on the treadmill.

Shown off today at Pokémon Presents, we got a brief look at a new mini-expansion for Pokémon TCG Pocket, called Triumphant Light. We only got a quick look at Triumphant Light in the trailer today, but it looks like this is a mini-expansion similar to Mythical Island, and is centered around Arceus. Alongside an Arceus ex card, other cards shown include Tyranitar, Abomasnow, Rotom, Raichu, and Crobat.

You won't have to wait long to start cracking into new packs of Triumphant Light either, as the next Themed Booster Pack hits Pokemon TCG Pocket tomorrow, February 28.

Some additional gifts and missions are also on the way, for those looking to max out their booster pack unlocking. Special missions are running from February 28 through March 27, offering some Space-Time Smackdown packs. Also, if you log in before April 30, you can pick up a special gift of Genetic Apex booster packs with a guaranteed one card of four-diamond rarity or higher.

Ranked is also on its way to Pokémon TCG Pocket, with matches expected to go live at the end of March. No further news was shown during today's Pokémon Presents, but we'll likely learn more before the matches go up. The heads-up at least leaves some time for Pokémon TCG players to get their best decks in order.

Fans of the game will likely be hoping that the next major update comes alongside changes to the newly-introduced trading mechanic, which was widely panned when it launched a month ago as too restrictive and expensive.

That didn't stop people from spending money on the game, though, as Pokémon TCG Pocket made over $10 million in daily sales upon the launch of Space-Time Smackdown. Pokémon TCG Pocket is estimated to have made over half a billion dollars in less than three months.

To catch up on all the news from today, make sure to check out our round-up of everything announced at Pokémon Presents February 2025.

Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

Pokemon is celebrating its 29th birthday this year and, as always, The Pokemon Company planned a huge birthday celebration on February 27 to honor the milestone and reveal a bit of the future of the beloved franchise.

From new details and a release window for Pokemon Legends: Z-A to the reveal of the multiplayer, battle-focused Pokemon Champions to new episodes of Pokemon Concierge and so much more, there was a lot to enjoy during this year's festivities.

What was your favorite announcement? What were you hoping to see? Let us know in the comments below!

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Gets a Ton of New Details and a Late 2025 Release Window

Pokemon Legends: Z-A was the big finale for this year's Pokemon Presents and we got a few new details alongside a late 2025 release date.

This new adventure takes place in Lumiose City and players will get to choose either Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile to be their first Pokemon. Luimiose City is undergoing a "high-tech urban redevelopment plan" that aims to turn the city into a place people and Pokemon can share together.

Much like Pokemon Legends: Arceus, players will run around big open spaces and encounter Pokemon they can run into and try to catch or battle to weaken. However, battles will be a bit more advanced this time around. Moves now have shorter and longer reach and an area of effect, meaning position is very important. Mega Evolution will also be part of this game and can change the tide of battle at any time.

There also seems to be a lot of verticality in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, as the player is seen zooming up to the top of a building, exploring rooftops, and even jumping from building to building.

Pokemon live in places called Wild Zones, which appear to be gated by level or something similar, and this is where the majority of your encounters seem to take place. There will also be a ton of new characters to meet and so much more.

Multiplayer, Battle-Focused Pokemon Champions Revealed for Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android

Pokemon Champions is a new multiplayer game being developed for Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android that is focused on Pokemon battles with others around the world. This new game is being developed in collaboration between Game Freak and The Pokemon Works and features the series' "core-style battles."

The trailer gave us a glimpse at Pokemon Champions' epic battles, and they appear to include both Mega Evolution and Terastalization alongside Pokemon from many different generations.

Players will also be able to connect to Pokemon Home to import their favorite Pokemon to their team. Finally, it was revealed this new game will be playable in Latin American Spanish at launch and other languages previously available in different games from the franchise.

Pokemon TCG Pocket to Get the Arceus-Themed Triumphant Light Themed Booster Pack on February 28

"In the beginning, there was only a churning turmoil of chaos. At the heart of chaos, where all things become one, appeared an Egg." 🙏

Bask in the radiance that is Triumphant Light! Available in #PokemonTCGPocket on Friday, February 28th. pic.twitter.com/QyfEeXUSWS

— Pokémon TCG Pocket (@PokemonTCGP) February 27, 2025

Pokemon TCG Pocket is set to get a new Arceus-themed Triumphant Light themed booster pack on February 28. Joining Areceus in this new expansion will be Tyranitar, Abomasnow, Rotom, Raichu, Crobat, and many more.

It was also confirmed that Ranked Matches will be making their way to Pokemon TCG Pocket by the end of March 2025.

In the world of the original Pokemon Trading Card Game, it was also teased that Mega Evolution will arrive later in 2025.

New Episodes of Pokemon Concierge Will Arrive on Netflix in September 2025

Pokemon Concierge is returning to Netflix in September 2025, and fans can even check out the first four episodes on YouTube for free right now! We didn't learn too much about the new episode, but we were given a quick look at some behind-the-scene footage of new stop-motion Pokemon like Arcanine and Shinx.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to Feature 'Mass Outbreaks of Red-, Green-, and Blue-Colored Pokemon' and More

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet players will be able to look forward to mass outbreaks of red-, green-, and blue-colored Pokemon, a better chance of running into a Shiny Pokemon, and a series of Tera Raid Battles over the next few weeks against such Pokemon as Meowscarada, Skeledirge, and Quaquaval.

Pokemon GO's Unova Tour Is Kicking Off on March 1

Pokemon Go Tour: Unova - Global event is set to kick off on March 1 and it was revealed that the Legendary Pokemon Black Kyurem and White Kyurem will appear in Raid Battle and other places. Victini and Shiny Meloetta will also be out in the wild waiting to be found.

Pokemon Unite to Add Suicune, Alolan Raichu, and Alcremie in 2025

Pokemon Unite has announced that it will be adding Suicune, Alolan Raichu, and Alcremie in 2025.

Pokemon Cafe Remix to Get New Items and Adorable Outfits

Pokemon Cafe Remix is celebrating Pokemon Day by offering players new delicious items and adorable outfits to collect, including the Appletun Fruitilicious Jelly Soda.

Pokemon Masters EX to Get Two New Master Sync Pairs

Pokemon Masters and EX will welcome May (Champion) & Shiny Primal Kyogre and Brendan (Champion) & Shiny Primal Groudon to its roster.

Developing...

It’s certainly a good time to be a Daredevil fan. The live-action Netflix series is finally getting a continuation in the form of Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+. Meanwhile, on the comic book side of things, Marvel is kicking off a new miniseries called Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell. Not only does this series reunite Death of Wolverine creators Charles Soule and Steve McNiven, it’s got a pretty sweet elevator pitch. What if Daredevil got his own version of The Dark Knight Returns?

IGN spoke with Soule and McNiven via email to find out what exactly that means for poor, beleaguered Matt Murdock. First, check out an exclusive preview of Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 in the slideshow gallery below, and then read on to find out more about the series and Soule’s thoughts on his past DD work being adapted in Born Again.

The Dark Knight returns really is the easiest point of comparison with this series. Rather than being set in the present-day Marvel Universe, Cold Day in Hell takes place at a time when Matt Murdock has lost his powers and is grappling with both old age and the ghosts of his tragedy-prone past. As Soule reveals, Matt is hardly the only hero to hang up his tights in this futuristic Marvel Universe, at least until something coaxes him back into action.

“Matt's older, for sure,” Soule tells IGN. “We don't get specific with it, but the idea is that he left super hero life behind many years ago. Not just him, either - in the world of Cold Day In Hell, super heroes are long gone, at least in comparison to the way they operate in the present-day Marvel Universe. The reason for Matt leaving Daredevil behind is actually pretty simple, if you're using super hero logic. As we all know, Matt got his powers by being accidentally dosed with radioactive goop. Radioactivity fades with time, and in this story, the idea is that over time Matt's powers faded away too. He's still got all his combat training, but he hasn't used it for a very long time. He is, to put it pretty plainly, an ordinary older man with an extraordinary past that he's worked quite hard to move beyond. At least, that's our status quo as we begin.”

Of course, The Dark Knight Returns is hardly the only comic to tackle the “aging superhero gets back into action” trope. That premise has fueled plenty of Marvel books as well, from the various The End titles to McNiven and Mark Millar’s Old Man Logan. As Soule explains, there’s a good reason this type of story tends to crop up so often.

“For me, the tonal switcheroo you get when you show familiar characters at unfamiliar points in their lives can be a really potent way to define them in new ways for readers,” Soule says. “It also lets you define them more clearly. What parts of Matt Murdock persist when his ability to be a super hero in the traditional sense vanishes? He's clearly not Daredevil when we begin - does he need to be? Stories like this give you the best of both worlds - they can let you strip the hero down to their bare essentials while also letting you come up with a lot of fun ideas that are outside the regular continuity in some ways.”

Soule continues, “Cold Day In Hell takes place in its own corner of the Marvel Universe where terrible things have happened in the somewhat recent past, the after-effects of which resonate through the lives of the characters and the story. So, Steve and I get to make up a bunch of cool new things that use iconic Marvel elements, while also putting our own spin on all of them. That is… what many of these stories do, and of course I think Steve and I were both inspired by other brilliant variations on this theme.”

McNiven adds, "Charles is exactly right, stripping the hero down to their bare essential is what we were going for tonally in this tale. There are a number of great inspirations in and out of the comic world for this kind of treatment that I’m sure we could both list a number of them. But for me, it always starts with Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns. I’ve always been fascinated with that story, both in tone and in its storytelling techniques. A part of the reason I wanted to tackle this project was to explore Miller’s storytelling devices, particularly the 16 panel grid, where each page can be laid out in variations of 4 vertical panels and 4 horizontal panels. The task was to try and do that consistently throughout the entire story, something I don’t think I’ve seen done too many times over the years."

McNiven elaborates on how exactly The Dark Knight Returns has inspired Cold Day in Hell visually, calling the book nothing less than a love letter to Frank Miller.

"I would say that at its heart this project has been my unabashed love letter to Frank Miller. Frank to me is a pure visual genius and his work has inspired me all the way through this project," McNiven says. "I’m having so much fun exploring his storytelling and line work techniques he has employed, as well as Lynn Varley’s colour work, especially within the Elektra Lives Again graphic novel. I love to learn new things and I think it’s important to learn these lessons from the best of the best. To that end I have co plotted, penciled, and inked the whole thing. Hell, I even coloured the first issue myself before realizing that I just hate working on the computer to colour stuff. Luckily we have the amazing Nick Lowe for our editor at Marvel and he managed to secure the talents of Dean White to colour issue 2 and 3, saving me from going completely mad."

This isn’t the first time Soule and McNiven have collaborated on a story about a Marvel hero confronting their mortality. That was also the premise behind 2014’s Death of Wolverine, a story that wound up taking the iconic X-Man out of commission for several years. We were curious whether Soule views Cold Day in Hell as a companion piece to Death of Wolverine in any way, even if the two stories are set in very different versions of the Marvel Universe.

“I think everything we do together is in some ways a companion piece to everything we've done,” Soule says. “I've been truly fortunate to work with Steve as much as I have. From the Wolverine stories, to Uncanny Inhumans, to Star Wars, and now Daredevil, I think everything we've done is an evolution of our ability to work together, and our friendship outside the comics. I have immense trust in Steve's ability to just, you know, do amazing things on the page, and I think he feels the same way about my scripts, hopefully. This book was extremely collaborative in a way that was a bit of an experiment for us, a back and forth discussion as scripts and inks and dialogue and colors came in throughout, and I think people are going to see that on the page. Steve called it ‘jazz’ at one point, and I don't think that's so far off. I'm really proud of all the work I've done with Steve, but this one really stands out.”

"This is definitely a story that fits in with all of the other things Charles and I have collaborated on over the years, and is probably the most ambitious," McNiven says. "A unique type of work that could only happen after years of working together and trusting each other’s abilities. It’s an experimental piece in the best sense of the word and although it was fraught with difficulties at the heart of it we were having fun pushing the boundaries of our collaborative efforts. Hopefully it will appear seamless and give readers something enjoyable and engaging to read."

Half the fun with stories like Cold Day in Hell is seeing how a given hero’s various friends and enemies have fared in old age. For example, The Dark Knight Returns reveals Joker to have become all but catatonic in Batman’s absence, while Superman becomes a puppet of the US government and Green Arrow becomes a one-armed anarchist. Soule is hesitant to reveal much about what role Daredevil’s supporting cast and villains will play in the series, but he did confirm that readers can expect some major surprises on that front.

Soule teased, “Don't want to say more than that, though - that stuff is part of what I think people are going to tune in for.”

MNiven adds, " I do have to take a moment to say that I think Charles has done an astounding job with this story and I truly feel that the final issue has some of the best writing I have ever encountered in my 20 plus years of working in comics. Brilliant stuff and I can’t wait for it to be out on the stands!"

Given the timing of Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1’s release, it’s clear Marvel is looking to capitalize on the debut of the Born Again show. We asked Soule whether this series works as an accessible gateway into the Daredevil comics, despite being set in the future and building on decades of existing Daredevil continuity.

Soule says, “I think so! It's designed as a story people can pick up and enjoy if they know the most basic things about Daredevil and his past - blind, Catholic lawyer who had super-senses and ninja training at one time, but now he doesn't. It probably helps if you know a bit about some of the key adversaries and allies in Matt Murdock's orbit, but you don't have to.”

On the subject of Born Again, it’s become clear that the series draws at least some inspiration from Soule’s 2015-2018 run on the series. Like the comic, the show deals with Wilson Fisk becoming mayor of New York City and features the artistically inclined villain Muse. Soule confirmed that the series does draw from his run, including in other ways fans may not be expecting.

I've been fortunate enough to see the entire season of Daredevil: Born Again, and can confirm that the work I did with Ron Garney and my other amazing collaborators during my Daredevil run in the comics is all over the show,” Soule says. “Mayor Fisk and Muse, yep, but other elements too, particularly just the thematic things we were playing with back in 2015-2018. As far as how it felt? It felt amazing. The thought that these ideas will be reaching that many people, when I can still remember writing them down in my red Daredevil notebook almost a decade ago now as things that might be cool... what a wonderful thing. I think fans will really enjoy the show.”

Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1 will be released on April 2, 2025.

For more on what’s coming from Marvel Comics, check out what to expect from Marvel in 2025 and see our most anticipated comics of 2025.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on BlueSky.

If you play Pokémon Go even semi-regularly, you already know that PokéCoins are basically essential. Whether you’re raiding, grinding XP, or hoarding Incense like a dragon hoards gold, you’re going to need a steady supply of these things. And while you could buy them directly through the game, that would be a rookie mistake because Best Buy has a way better deal right now.

Pokémon Go $50 Gift Card (7,000 PokéCoins)

There’s a lot going on in the minute and 35 seconds of the Andor Season 2 trailer that dropped this week, with characters from the first season and new faces alike popping up, stormtroopers blasting away, explosions, spaceships, and onscreen accolades from critics, all set to the tune of Steve Earle’s folk-rock song “The Revolution Starts Now.” But the most exciting moment in the trailer is when Syril Karn’s mother shows up. She’s in just one shot for barely a second, but oh boy, is that henpecking, guilt-laying, banality-of-evil-inspiring mama back. And man, did I miss her.

In case you need a quick refresher on Mother Karn – her full name is Eedy Karn and she’s played by Kathryn Hunter – we first met her in “Aldhani,” the fourth episode of Season 1. After Syril (Kyle Soller) had washed out of his job doing security for the Preox-Morlana Corporation, he returned home to Coruscant, disgraced, to… move back in with his mom. Is his room in her basement? Has he ever touched a girl? Hard to say.