Sigourney Weaver may soon swing into the world of Prime Video’s next video game adaptation, as the Alien star is reportedly in talks to join the cast of the new Tomb Raider show.
A Deadline report says Weaver, who will appear in Avatar: Fire and Ash next week and The Mandalorian and Grogu in 2026, is currently in active negotiations to appear in the series in an undisclosed role. Her deal with Amazon has not yet been finalized.
Should Weaver board the latest crack at a live-action Tomb Raider adaptation, she’ll join Game of Thrones alum Sophie Turner, who has been confirmed to star as Lara Croft. Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) is attached as creator, writer, and executive producer on the show, which is expected to begin production January 19, 2026. Chad Hodge is also involved as executive producer and co-showrunner, with Jonathan Van Tulleken in the mix as director and executive producer.
The Prime Video Tomb Raider series comes from Story Kitchen, Amazon MGM, and Crystal Dynamics and currently has no release date. Exact details about how the new live-action Tomb Raider show will tell a story unlike what viewers have seen in the past remain a mystery. However, in an update posted to the Story Kitchen website last week, fans learned the show aims to “reinvent the franchise on a massive scale” and interconnect the “new live-action television series and video games into a unified storytelling universe.”
The Tomb Raider universe is undeniably going through a bit of a shift as of late. The live-action show itself has been in the works since sometime in 2023, with the animated Netflix show, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, arriving to help with the wait in 2024. Season 2, its final season, will arrive this Thursday, December 11.
While the video game wing of the franchise hasn’t received a new mainline entry since 2018’s Shadow of the Tomb Raider, fans have been told to expect an update at The Game Awards. A tease for the announcement, which was posted just yesterday, signaled a glimpse at Lara Croft’s future that will premiere this Thursday.
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).
Apple’s closed ecosystem and regular software updates help make your iPhone highly secure, but Apple’s strong emphasis on security shouldn’t stop you from doing more to protect your privacy. One way to do this is with a VPN, which encrypts all of the data traveling from your iPhone to the internet, securing it from prying eyes.
You’ll find plenty of VPNs for iOS but many fall short in key areas. Often this means they perform poorly in speed tests, leak identifying data, or keep extensive browsing logs that can be linked to you and your iPhone. The best VPNs for iPhone can help you avoid these issues, all of which provide your device with security and speed while still being simple to use.
TL;DR – These Are the Best VPNs For iPhone:
When you use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), you connect to a VPN server in your preferred location. In doing so, your iPhone is provided with a new, temporary IP address. Not only does this let you browse and stream on your iPhone anonymously, it means you can sidestep geo-blocking, allowing you to access your usual websites and services from home even when traveling abroad.
1. NordVPN
Best VPN for iPhone
NordVPN is not only the best VPNs for iPhone, but the best VPN for gaming – and for good reason. Compatible with iOS 15.0 and later, its fast proprietary protocol NordLynx makes it easy to browse, stream, and play online games on your iPhone. It also makes light work of streaming platforms like Netflix that other VPNs struggle to access. NordVPN has significantly expanded its server network to 7,000+ servers in 118 countries – more than most VPNs.
The VPN market moves fast, as evidenced by NordVPN’s many recent additions. This includes Threat Protection which blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites. Not only can you use NordVPN to secure your iPhone, but you can connect it on up to nine other devices at once. NordVPN has plenty of other security features that keep your iPhone safe, including specialty Double VPN servers for two layers of encryption.
2. Proton VPN
Best iPhone VPN With a Free Tier
Proton VPN is one of the best VPNs for iPhone and also topped our list of the best free VPNs for PC. Its free plan is unique in that it doesn’t impose speed or data limits and offers users access to 240 servers in five countries. Opting for a Proton VPN paid plan sees this increase to over 9,000 servers in 117 countries, which is one of the biggest VPN networks offered by any provider, and allows for 10 simultaneous device connections. Speeds are impressive too, in large part thanks to Proton VPN’s Accelerator feature which reduces latency and congestion.
When it comes to privacy protection, Proton VPN is as good as it gets. It’s headquartered in Switzerland where there are no mandatory data retention laws. Proton VPN doesn’t keep connection logs and its no-logs policy has been independently audited. There’s no shortage of extra security features either, be it Secure Core (Double VPN) servers or its NetShield ad blocker.
3. ExpressVPN
Best VPN for Streaming
ExpressVPN is strong in all areas, making it not only a great VPN for iOS, but one of the best VPNs, period. Despite the simple, user-friendly iOS app design, it’s packing impressive performance. Its proprietary Lightway protocol enables fast speeds for streaming and gaming. I’ve also found ExpressVPN to be reliable for accessing popular streaming services from abroad, Netflix included – one of the many reasons why it’s the best VPN for streaming.
You’re not short of server locations with ExpressVPN, which has roughly 3,000 servers in 105 countries. This helps to bypass geo-blocking and means there’s always a high-speed server nearby. Although ExpressVPN doesn’t offer quite as many extras as NordVPN, it has added numerous high quality extras, including a tracker blocker and password manager. All in all, it’s a great VPN for beginners, especially because its 24/7 live chat and email support is excellent.
4. Surfshark
Best VPN for Extra Features
Surfshark has far more features than most iOS VPNs and this makes its long-term subscriptions particularly good value, making our list of the best cheap VPNs. Subscriptions are priced from as little as $2.19 a month and include access to over 3,000 servers in 100 countries. As such, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a fast server wherever you’re using your iPhone. In fact, Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections so you can secure all of your devices.
Thanks to Surfshark’s use of the WireGuard protocol, you can expect very good speeds. That it’s also adept at unblocking popular streaming services makes it popular among streamers. As for security features, you’ll have access to CleanWeb which blocks ads and malicious websites, and Surfshark’s MultiHop servers for an extra layer of encryption. This is one of the few iPhone VPNs to provide split tunneling, letting you choose which traffic can bypass the VPN connection.
5. CyberGhost
Best Free Trial VPN
CyberGhost has an excellent iOS app that’s compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod for versions 13.0 and newer. If you’re also on MacOS, you can take advantage of the best free trial in the VPN market. Available for 24 hours, it provides access to all features with no need to provide a credit card. You can then try out CyberGhost’s vast server network which covers 100 countries, so it’s always easy to find a fast, low-load server in your preferred location.
Thanks to its fast speeds and streaming-optimized servers, CyberGhost is one of the best VPNs for streaming. It’s hard not to be impressed with its privacy protection too: 256-bit AES encryption hides your traffic from your ISP. CyberGhost publishes quarterly transparency reports, detailing information requests received from authorities. CyberGhost can’t comply with such requests because it simply doesn’t collect identifying data, as per its strict no-logs policy.
6. IPVanish
Best VPN for Unlimited Devices
IPVanish allows unlimited simultaneous connections, which is ideal if you have more than just your iPhone to secure. Each of your devices will benefit from IPVanish’s fast connection speeds – it uses the popular WireGuard protocol – so you can stream lag-free and play games with low ping. Its growing network stands at over 2,400 servers, some 1,400+ of which are in the U.S. It’s little wonder then that IPVanish works so well with so many U.S. streaming platforms.
The IPVanish iOS app gives you the option to favorite specific servers and even see each server’s ping and load – this isn’t something you see with every VPN for iPhone. With 256-bit AES encryption and its zero-logs policy, IPVanish lets you browse and stream anonymously. You won’t need to worry about ads and trackers either thanks to its Threat Protection feature. Newer additions to the IPVanish feature lineup include a secure browser and cloud storage.
Disclosure: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, IGN's parent company.
7. Mullvad
Best VPN for Anonymity
Mullvad is one of the only VPNs that accepts cash payments. It also doesn’t require you to sign up with an email address, instead using an account number system. It’s things like this that make Mullvad the best privacy VPN, allowing for anonymous signup. Mullvad is also our best cheap VPN with a flat subscription rate of €5 a month (~$5.65).
You might think that with such a focus on privacy, Mullvad’s performance might be found lacking but it’s not. It implemented the WireGuard protocol in 2017 and is currently one of the fastest VPNs on the market. It does leave something to be desired with its unblocking, struggling to access streaming platforms compared with my top pick, ExpressVPN. Mullvad operates a strict no-logs policy and recently subjected its apps to an independent security audit.
What to Look for in a VPN for iPhone
You might be wondering why the above VPNs for iPhone made the cut (or why other VPNs didn’t). When testing VPNs for iPhone, I look at everything from how easy they are to install to how intelligible their privacy policies are. I also carry out a battery of tests including measuring server speeds and checking for DNS leaks.
During testing, I looked for iPhone VPNs that fulfill the following criteria:
User-friendly iOS app
Fast, unthrottled connections
Global server network
High level of encryption
Supports multiple VPN protocols
Absolutely no identifying logs of users
Multiple simultaneous connections
Money-back guarantee of at least 30 days
Live chat and email support
How to Use a VPN on an iPhone
First time using a VPN for iPhone? Getting a VPN set up and connected on your iOS device is super easy:
Go to the Apple App store and search for your preferred VPN.
Select Get followed by Install to download the VPN’s iOS app.
Tap on Open and follow the steps to sign up for an account.
Select Allow when prompted to add VPN configurations. Enter your passcode to confirm.
Choose the server in your preferred location and click to connect.
Best VPNs for iPhones FAQs
Why do I need a VPN for my iPhone?
It’s well known that the iPhone is a highly secure device. However, a VPN ensures that when data leaves the safe confines of your iPhone (such as when you browse the web), it’s encrypted. This prevents hackers and snoopers from seeing what you’re doing online. A VPN also helps you bypass geographic restrictions on content. This may be your favorite streaming service when on vacation, or even a news site blocked by an authoritarian government.
Does an iPhone have a built-in VPN?
No, the iPhone doesn’t have a built-in VPN, but it does provide a way for you to activate one via its settings. Although Apple introduced Private Relay, this feature is only available for iCloud+ subscribers. Like a VPN, Private Relay encrypts web traffic and hides your IP address but only protects you while in Safari browser. The best iPhone VPN encrypts all of your traffic regardless of the browser or apps you’re using.
Can I use a free VPN for my iPhone?
Free VPNs for iPhone are very limited in terms of both server locations and speed. A free VPN may not properly encrypt your iPhone’s traffic and may even log and sell your data. The best free VPNs I found in testing are the rare exceptions. Regardless, all of the best VPNs for iPhone offer money-back guarantees, so you can try them risk-free. Just remember that when purchasing a VPN via the App Store, you’ll need to request a refund from Apple.
Can I get a free trial VPN on iOS?
Yes! The good news is that you can get a seven-day free trial of all of the best VPNs for iPhone simply by downloading them via the Apple App Store. You just need to remember to cancel before the trial period is up. However, you can try out all of these iOS VPNs for even longer thanks to their very generous money-back guarantees, all of which are at least 30 days. This is risk-free but requires upfront payment.
Mark Gill is a freelance VPN writer for IGN, bringing over five years of dedicated experience from Comparitech, where he delves deep into the intricacies of VPNs.
Earlier this month, a large, demonic-looking monolith appeared in the Mojave Desert, and Geoff Keighley tweeted a photo of it. The monolith featured figures of all sorts of strange creators: skeletons, alligators, soldiers, a wolf, and more. In the time since, online gaming enthusiasts have been eagerly speculating as to what the monolith and Keighley were teasing ahead of The Game Awards. Diablo 4? The Elder Scrolls 6? God of War? Bloodborne 2? Altered Beast?
Well, the mystery may have been solved in advance of The Game Awards on Thursday. As spotted by MP1st, some newly registered trademarks reveal a game and a logo that looks essentially identical to a symbol on the monolith. And those trademarks appear to be for a new Divinity game, from Larian Studios.
How do we know? Well, let's take a look at one of the trademarks. It's for an image, and it looks like this:
Now compare that to the big symbol at the center of the statue:
Now we're getting somewhere! It's not exact, but it's quite comparable to past Divinity: Original Sin logos:
And even closer to the older Divinity games, slashed through "i" and all.
Okay, maybe it's all just a big coincidence? Sure, I guess. But there's one more clue. All three trademarks were filed by Ihde & Partner Rechtsanwälte, a legal firm that, among other things, has previously filed trademarks for Larian Studios, including past Divinity: Original Sin trademarks.
So that's pretty cut and dry. But what about that third trademark? This is where things get a bit more mysterious. This trademark is also just for an image, this one here:
What's that? I have no idea. But it's probably related, given it was filed on the same day by the same firm and is in a similar style to the other trademarks. Maybe we'll find out on Thursday.
Critically, this seems to be for a new Divinity...NOT a Divinity: Original Sin game. Director of publishing at Larian Studios Michael Douse was on Twitter/X today shutting down any rumors of a Divinity: Original Sin 3, but his language was very specific:
There aren't currently any plans for a new Divinity Original Sin 3 game but once we are ready to show what we've been working on we will 🙏
If this is indeed Divinity, that's good news for Larian fans, as Divinity: Original Sin 2 was fantastic. We gave it a 9.6/10, saying, "Divinity: Original Sin 2 may have been designed in the spirit of decades-old RPGs like Baldur’s Gate 2, but that legacy serves only as a foundation for the expansive game Larian has built on top of it."
Speaking of Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate 3 is Larian's most recent work, and that got an impressive 10/10 from us. We said, "I don't want to say every CRPG going forward should aspire to be like Baldur's Gate 3. Not everything needs to be nearly this big and ambitious, or even this dense. But it is a landmark moment in the genre, and if I had to point to one paragon that I would like everyone else making these to take inspiration from, this is absolutely it."
While some may have clamored for Larian to immediately get to work on DLC or Baldur's Gate 4, Larian explicitly said over a year ago that it wouldn't be continuing with another D&D game. However, Larian CEO Swen Vincke has been teasing a new project for a while now, and based on past timelines, this year's Game Awards would be a perfect time for an unveiling.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
The new-for-2025 Alienware 16X Aurora gaming laptop is on sale today at a price that's lower than any Black Friday deal. You can pick up a well-specced laptop featuring an Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU and RTX 5070 GPU for just $1,549.99 with free shipping. This exact config sold for $1,650 during Black Friday. The 16X Aurora is one of the more premium laptops available featuring an aluminum body, high quality display, and current generation processor and graphics.
Alienware 16X Aurora RTX 5070 Gaming Laptop
Gamers should go with the Alienware 16X Aurora model
For 2025, Alienware replaced its venerable m16 laptop with two new models - the 16X and 16 Aurora. Of the two, the 16X Aurora is the model I would recommend for most gamers. It has a higher price tag but the upgrades more than make up for the relatively small price premium. Here's a list of all of the improvements:
Better display (2560x1600 240Hz G-Sync vs 2560x1600 120Hz)
More powerful CPU (Intel Core Ultra HX series vs Intel Core H-series)
Higher GPU TGP rating and thus better performance
More premium materials (metal alloy lid and chassis vs lid only)
RGB keyboard vs white-only backlighting
Thunderbolt 4.0 port
Compared to other Alienware laptops, the 16X Aurora is designed to look less like a gamer's laptop. It boasts a sleek, understated design with the absence of extraneous visual-only embellishments or unnecessary RGB lighting outside of the keyboard illumination. This is a solidly built machine with a metal (magnesium alloy) chassis and anodized aluminum lid and bottom shell. The keyboard deck is made out of a sturdy composite plastic so that your hands don't get too hot or sweaty. Under the hood, the 16X Aurora packs a punch with powerful components and Cryo Chamber cooling.
It's equipped with a Geforce RTX 5070 mobile GPU
The RTX 5070 performs about 5%-10% better than the RTX 4070 that it replaces. That's not a very big generational improvement, but the RTX 5070 has the newer DLSS 4 technology with multi-frame generation, which widens the performance gap in games that support it. There are 16X Aurora laptop configurations equipped with RTX 5060 GPUs available, but I'd strongly recommending bumping up to the RTX 5070 to be able to play games comfortably on the display's enhanced 2560x1600 resolution .
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.
Russell Crowe is ready to talk about Gladiator 2, and he’s not exactly happy with how Ridley Scott’s sequel ties in with the original.
Crowe, who won an Oscar for his lead role as Maximus in the 2000 Best Picture winner, spoke about his disappointment in its long-awaited follow-up during an interview with Australian radio station Triple J. He begins airing his grievances by referring to the film as a “sequel that we don’t have to name out loud” but quickly makes his target clear.
“It wasn’t the pomp. It wasn’t the circumstance. It wasn’t the action. It was the moral core,” Crowe explains. “And the thing is there was a daily fight on that set. It was a daily fight to keep that moral core of the character. The amount of times they suggested sex scenes and stuff like that for Maximus, it’s like, you’re taking away his power.”
The area the actor specifically takes issue with is the existence of Gladiator 2’s main character, Lucius (Paul Mescal). It is eventually revealed that Lucius is the secret son of Maximus and the child of an affair Crowe’s character had with Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla. Considering much of Maximus’ journey kicks off as a result of the murder of his wife and child, the actor wasn’t exactly pleased with the decision to retroactively and significantly alter his past.
“But what are you talking about?” Crowe says of Gladiator 2. “So you’re saying at the same time he had this relationship with his wife he was f**king this other girl? What are you talking about? It’s crazy. The women in Europe, when that movie started coming out, I would be at, you know, restaurants, and they’d come talk to me and go, ‘What’s going on?’ It’s like, ‘Hey, it wasn’t me! I didn’t do it!’”
Crowe goes as far as to call Gladiator 2 a “really unfortunate example of even the people in that engine room not actually understanding what made the first one special.” It’s an update that follows comments he made in the lead-up to Scott’s 2024 revival, when the star said “they should be f**king paying me for the amount of questions I am asked about a film I am not even in.”
We gave Gladiator 2 an 8/10 in our review upon its release late last year. At the time, we said the film “finds strength and honor in a familiar story, with enough fresh perspective to feel relevant and an unmissable Denzel Washington supporting turn which practically screams ‘are you not entertained!?’” Scott said Gladiator 3 is “in the process right now” in August, though it’s unclear if Crowe or Mescal will be brought back in any capacity.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
There’s a plethora of great gaming mice out there and the standard of sensors, batteries, and build quality is better than ever. Finding the right one has a lot to do with personal preference – don’t get me wrong, some are demonstrably better than others, but you’ll want to consider things like weight, size, ergonomics, extra buttons, or even what types of games you play. Because of this, I’ve broken down my picks for best gaming mouse into categories to help you make the best choice for your needs.
For example, the Logitech G502 X Lightspeed is one of the most comfortable mice that prioritizes ergonomics, but I would recommend the ultra-light Corsair Sabre V2 Pro to those who want an edge in competitive rounds of Valorant. Some may even want a versatile gaming mouse that makes sense in work settings with good Bluetooth and battery life, which the Turtle Beach Pure Air fits admirably. Meanwhile, those extra buttons on the Corsair Scimitar Elite sure look nice to those who want to program all their MMO/MOBA commands off the keyboard. But if I had to just choose one mouse as a blanket recommendation, the DeathAdder V4 Pro from Razer gets my vote. Throughout this guide, I break down my hands-on experience with each of the gaming mice I recommend to showcase why I think they’re the right fit for their category.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Gaming Mice
At the end of the guide I’ve outlined some important questions to ask when looking for a gaming mouse on your own. And as always, we’ll update this guide with new recommendations as we get hands on and review more gaming mice in the future, so be sure to check back whenever you need some buying advice.
Razer's Deathadder has lived high on this list for years, and each version just gets better. The V4 Pro is no exception: Razer has upgraded everything from the sensor to the scrollwheel, and although some of the changes are incremental they add up to a noticeable leap forward.
This is a light, comfortable, sturdy, competitive gaming mouse that doesn't look flashy – no RGB or obnoxious logos – but has specs you can boast about. The 45K sensor is overkill, as is the 8K polling rate, but this is the kind of mouse you could buy and keep for years as you upgrade the rest of your setup.
I gave it a 9 in my review: It performed flawlessly in every game I tried, with precise tracking and ultra-responsive clicks on both its main two buttons and the two side buttons. It's comfortable to use for hours at a time no matter what grip you favor, and I even like the USB dongle it comes with, which has three indicator lights to tell you everything you need about your mouse at a glance. The cherry on top is the battery, which will last 150 hours at 1K polling rate. That's more than I'll ever need.
It is expensive – $10 more than the Viper V3 Pro, another top-of-the-line mouse on this list – but $169.99 is by no means absurd for a mouse that feels cutting edge. It's going to take something special to knock it off the top spot.
2. SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2
Best Budget Gaming Mouse
The SteelSeries Rival's 8,500 DPI sensor is nothing special and you'll find lower latency mice on this list, but it's still more than accurate and responsive enough for competitive gaming, and its 1000Hz polling rate is plenty for most people. At only $34.99, its solid performance in nailing all the basics feels like a steal.
This is a compact USB wired mouse designed for claw or fingertip grip (if you're a palmer, look elsewhere). You get a fully programmable RGB lighting on the base, which feels and looks tasteful while still giving the mouse a bit of personality, and the Gen 2 version comes in both white and black.
The Gen 2 also upgrades this mouse in some subtle, but important, ways that I note in my review. Alongside lower click latency, it has new 100% PTFE feet, which should make it glide smoother, and an upgraded cord that should last longer and tangle less often. Those changes make it even easier to recommend the Rival 3 for anyone wanting to game on a budget.
3. SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless
Best Budget Wireless Gaming Mouse
Sticking with SteelSeries, the Aerox 3 is a flashy mouse that looks loud. The triangular cutouts at the palm and the bright RGB may seem over the top, but in actual use, its effects are quite nice (which you can customize through SteelSeries’ software). If you’re worried about damaging the internals, they’re guarded so it's not actuallyexposed. None of that would matter if the Aerox 3 wasn’t fit for gaming, and thankfully it’s one of my favorite wireless mice you can get on sale for around $50 to $60. That makes it a great value for an all-rounder.
In our Aerox 3 gaming mouse review, it earned a 9 for holding its own in competitive shooters with SteelSeries’ TrueMove Air optical sensor (topping out at 18,000 DPI) while not having to eat up too much battery – although battery life has evolved in brand new wireless mice, the Aerox 3 still isn’t a slouch and charges fast, if anything. It’s a bit tough to find a flashy, high-performance wireless mouse at this price range, making the Aerox 3 my current recommendation for a budget wireless mouse.
4. Logitech G403 Hero
Best Wired Gaming Mouse
The Logitech G403 has been a personal favorite for many years as I see it as the spiritual successor to my all-time favorite, the MX 518 from decades ago. Its grooves and super grippy rubberized texture on the sides make it easy to pick up and swipe around despite it being a bit on the heavier side of mice (although I will admit that the material picks up grime more so than others). I really like how large the G403 is since I have big hands, and that makes a palm grip very comfortable. However, its size is something to note if you prefer something smaller.
One thing I’ve always loved about it more than even brand-new top-line mice is the chunky and clicky side buttons – this makes them easy to use and distinguish from one another, which is helpful since I use them often. It’s outfitted with the same super-accurate Hero sensor as all of Logitech’s high-performance mice, making it a great value to get the same quality sensor in a reasonably-priced wired mouse. I also just like the simple aesthetic of the Logitech G product line, especially with this one being rounded and elegant with just the Logitech “G” and scroll wheel strip giving a bit of RGB lighting to boot.
5. Corsair Scimitar Elite
Best MMO/MOBA Gaming Mouse
I tend to stick with normal-style mice regardless of the game I’m playing, but whenever I do try out a new multi-button mouse designed for MMORPGs or MOBAs, I always compare it to the Corsair Scimitar. And with the latest iteration in the Scimitar Elite, I’ve yet to find one that can top what Corsair seems to have perfected.
It’s a tricky thing to juggle; having upwards of 12 side buttons across your thumb while still being ergonomically sensible to use like a normal mouse is no easy feat. Still, I wasn’t afraid of accidentally activating one of the side buttons because they have a necessary firmness to them, which is what makes the Scimitar Elite so good. Those side buttons also have a nice tactile surface to them. By alternating the texture type of each column of buttons, it’s easy to distinguish which set of buttons you’re touching, and in turn, pressing down. It’s a simple and smart design, and I’d be hard-pressed to think of a way a new model or different brand can improve on what the Scimitar Elite already does.
Granted, this is a heavy mouse given all the buttons and additional internals required to make it all work, but this isn’t a mouse you’ll be swiping frantically for lining up flick shots in a Counter-Strike match. Although we’re here to focus on gaming, the 12 side buttons also come in handy in video production, photo editing, or data management since you can map shortcuts to them. It's a pretty hyper-specific niche to fill, but after hands-on testing of the Corsair Scimitar Elite is an easy recommendation if you prefer this style of mouse and can benefit from its features in MMOs or MOBAs.
6. HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini
Best Small Gaming Mouse
It’s a bit tough to find compact versions of popular gaming mice, which helps the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini stand out and shine bright. The original Pulsefire Haste 2 is a great mouse to begin with (and oddly enough, its larger size was one of my favorite aspects about it), but shrinking that down to something noticeably smaller is more than just a novelty as I found in my review. It still sports a sleek look with a bit of RGB flair and still has a grippy material necessary for a fingertip-style grip, which is how I use a mouse this small. However, the reduction in overall height and depth (or rather, vertical length) make it easier to wield.
Those with smaller hands might not have fun with the likes of the larger Logitech G703 or Razer Viper V3 Pro, but with something like the Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini, they don’t have to make many (if any) compromises when it comes to gaming performance. You can find mice even smaller or lighter, but HyperX is able to include the high-performance Precision 26K sensor and long battery life, which are key features for a proper gaming mouse. It also includes Bluetooth connectivity which adds some versatility as a mouse to take on the go for work. So, beyond just being the shrunken counterpart, the Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini is a solid all-rounder as well.
7. Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2
Best Lightweight Gaming Mouse
The Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 might be the perfect lightweight gaming mouse. Its simple curved shape will fit most hands and most grips, and is comfortable for long sessions. The Hero 2 sensor is fast and responsive, the left and right mouse clicks are reliable, and the shell of the mouse is durable. At 60g, it's light enough that you can whip it effortlessly around your mouse pad and it'll feel like an extension of your hand.
There's very little to criticize here, other than Logitech's G Hub software – confusing and prone to bugs – and the lack of Bluetooth connectivity.
As our review noted, it's not a massive upgrade to the original Superlight – but since we wrote that, Logitech has updated the mouse's firmware to support 4K and 8K polling rates. Polling rate isn't everything, as we'll explain at the end of this list, but it does differentiate this mouse more from the original and make it a viable option for anyone who enjoys 4K or 8K.
And there's now a smaller variant, the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2c. It is every bit as good but more compact, in case that's what you prefer.
8. Corsair Sabre V2 Pro
Best Ultra-Lightweight Gaming Mouse
It's 36g! Corsair's Sabre V2 Pro really does need to be held to be believed. It puts other "lightweight" mice – often weighing between 50g and 60g – to shame. Lighter does not necessarily mean better, of course, but when combined with its comfortable shape and grippy coating it makes this mouse a joy to use.
All that weight-shedding does have a cost. You get no Bluetooth and a smaller battery than normal: Corsair says it will last up to 70 hours, but we got between 50 and 60 when we reviewed it. And although it generally feels sturdy, there's a spot in the shell that you can press down if you try, which is quite alarming, and the scroll wheel press feels horrible, too.
But the drawbacks are worth it. If you know you like lighter mice, you're bound to like the Sabre V2 Pro.
9. Logitech G502 X Lightspeed
Best Ergonomic Gaming Mouse
If you want a true ergonomic gaming mouse you'll need an upright mouse or a trackball, but if you want a comfy mouse that will both cradle your hand and track your movements accurately, then the Logitech G502 X Lightspeed is a good pick. Its deep thumb groove and curvy body suit any grip, and when I tested it for my review I used it for multiple long gaming sessions without any aches or pains.
It has far more extra buttons than most gaming mice, with three on the side for your thumb and two on top, next to your main left click. Mapping controls to those buttons – or even commands outside of games – will help keep your keyboard hand rested, too. And although it's slightly larger and heavier than most mice, it's not as big and hefty as you might think by looking at it. If you've got slightly smaller-than-average hands, or bigger, you'll be absolutely fine. My one gripe is that if you use a palm grip, you might find it tricky to reach one of the side thumb buttons, but that's not a big enough flaw to stop me recommending it.
As a mouse from 2022, it's starting to show its age: It only goes up to 1K polling rate, lower than many of its competitors, and none of its buttons feel quite as satisfying as the best more contemporary mice. But the benefit is that it's often on sale, and you can regularly find it for around $100. It's solid value at that price.
The X Plus is the version with RGB, but the Lightspeed has better battery life, is slightly lighter, and has a lower retail price.
Gaming Mouse FAQ
How do you determine what makes a good gaming mouse?
Much of what makes a good gaming mouse comes down to your personal preferences. The first thing you’ll want to consider is your preferred grip style: palm, claw, or fingertip. Generally, a bigger mouse is a better choice for palm grips while lighter and smaller mice are better suited for fingertip grips, although it varies mouse-to-mouse so it's worth reading detailed reviews. Do you like having a more ergonomic feel with deep-set grooves for your thumb and pinky to help hold onto the mouse? Does using something super lightweight matter more for when you’re whipping the mouse around during clutch moments in Counter-Strike 2? For me, I gravitate towards the latter since I’m most comfortable with a claw grip.
Some mice are ambidextrous/symmetrical, which should work just fine for right-handed users while giving lefties out there a viable option, but watch out because a lot of symmetrically shaped mice still have the buttons positioned for right-handers.
Button feel is a tough thing to suss out when researching mice, but I make it a point in my mouse reviews to determine the squishiness or springiness of mouse clicks since that’s an important factor for both comfort and performance. Manufacturers tend to differ on the kinds of switches used from mouse to mouse, but the more firm and tactile the clicking feels, the better, since it helps with rapid firing in shooters or repeated clicks in MMOs/MOBAs.
Another feature that’s become standard is programmable side buttons. Most mice offer two around the thumb area, but they come in all shapes and sizes. Comfortable positioning and being easy to actuate in a moment's notice are things we account for when determining whether or not a mouse’s side buttons are good. You may also be interested in mice that go the extra mile with additional buttons, such as the ergonomic-minded Logitech G502 or the MMO/MOBA powerhouse that is the Corsair Scimitar Elite – they’re nowhere near as nimble as other mice, but that’s the compromise they make to offer those unique benefits.
Another variable to account for is the sensor, which tracks movement. Almost every brand name gaming-grade mouse today is equipped with an accurate and fast optical sensor that’s more than enough to line up shots in a competitive shooter. A higher maximum DPI (dots-per-inch, which is one variable that affects sensitivity) used to be shorthand for a mouse’s performance ceiling, but it has gotten to the point of diminishing returns.
What’s the deal with high polling rate on gaming mice?
Gaming mice come standard with a 1000Hz polling rate nowadays, which means your mouse updates your PC with movements and inputs every millisecond (1 ms). That’s plenty fast for most gamers, but a recent trend born out of the esports world is equipping mice with higher polling rates – up to 8000 Hz. Nowadays, most high-end mice offer polling rates of 1000Hz, 2000Hz, 4000Hz, and 8000Hz. It’s technically impressive, but does it really affect performance? It can, under specific circumstances.
Polling Rate
Response Time
Battery Life*
1000Hz
1ms
100 hours
2000Hz
0.5ms
70 hours
4000Hz
0.25ms
40 hours
8000Hz
0.125ms
20 hours
* General range using the Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed as an example.
Polling rate doesn’t necessarily reduce latency, rather it increases the frequency at which your mouse movements are read. This can lead to an increase in smoothness since your PC is picking up and tracking the more incremental movements. Basically, polling rate is the measurement of how often the mouse sends data to your device (see chart above).
However, you won’t be able to actually reap the benefits if the rest of the input pipeline isn’t up to snuff. Two things to keep in mind are the resolution you’re playing at and the refresh rate of your screen. With higher pixel density (and screen space), the more those incremental movements matter. But also, higher refresh rates (such as 144 Hz and above) are important too. To benefit from those high refresh rates, your PC needs to be powerful enough to produce the high frame rates to match. In other words, there’s a lot that goes into PC gaming before you can start to notice the advantage of a mouse’s higher polling rate.
Part of me thinks of it as tech simply striving for higher numbers, but I must admit I feel a difference when using a higher polling rate (when the aforementioned conditions are met). And in the esports scene, those seemingly negligible differences can certainly help. Which is to say, don’t go out and get a 8000 Hz mouse and think you’ll reach Radiant in ranked Valorant without putting in the work.
Should I go wired or wireless for a gaming mouse?
Similar to optical sensors with fast and accurate tracking, wireless technology has gotten to the point where it’s very much imperceptible to tell the difference in input latency between wired and wireless mice. The standardization of the 2.4 GHz wireless receiver makes mouse performance consistent across several brands and models, so it’s not something you’ll need to account for when looking for a good gaming mouse. Various brands will put fancy names on proprietary tech, like Razer’s HyperSpeed or Logitech’s Lightspeed, but those are wireless technologies that are legitimately high-performing. Some mice also come fitted with Bluetooth connectivity, which makes them versatile in work or casual settings, but under no circumstances should you use a mouse in Bluetooth mode for intense gaming scenarios.
Another feature that has evolved substantially over the years is battery life on wireless mice. Plenty of variables go into battery life, and usually the rating you get from a manufacturer’s website is likely under the best conditions. But even with RGB lighting and sophisticated sensors and wireless technologies, you can get decent battery life that’ll last for a few days of constant use before having to charge. Every modern gaming mouse is chargeable through USB-C and can be used like a wired mouse when plugged in, too. As indicated in the chart above with regards to polling rate, the higher it is, the more power it’ll drain since you’re essentially asking your mouse to work much harder.
Many flagship mice have wired and wireless versions available – such as the DeathAdder V4 or the Scimitar Elite, for example – and of course, the wireless ones are more expensive. So if you don’t really care much for having wireless capabilities, you can save some money by opting for the wired mice. Note that if you’re interested in higher polling rates, it’s currently restricted to wireless mice, which also tends to tack on a few extra bucks onto the price tag.
Michael Higham is the tech reviews editor at IGN and has been very particular about his gaming mice since rocking a Logitech MX 518 like a decade ago. Having grown up playing Counter-Strike 1.6, and now keeping up with the Valorant competitive scene, having the right mouse has been important in his mind, even though he should just get good first.
Anaconda, a new spin on a long-dormant franchise that sees a group of adventurers tracking down a giant snake in the Amazon, isn’t a reboot or a remake of the 1997 original film starring Jennifer Lopez. Selton Mello (I’m Still Here), who stars in the new movie along with Paul Rudd and Jack Black, insists the 2025 version of Anaconda is something else entirely. At CCXP25 in Brazil, I spoke with Mello and director Tom Gormican about making a comedic update of the franchise-spawning original.
“A lot of people (are) asking if it’s a reboot or a remake, and it's not,” Mello says. “It is a very original thing that Tom and his writing partner (Kevin Etten) wrote together, and it's amazing. It's meta. So you have adventure, a lot of action, a little danger and humor.”
The 2025 version of Anaconda sees Rudd portraying a background actor and Black playing a wedding videographer who decide to venture to Brazil to remake the original Anaconda film. While the first Anaconda wasn’t known for its humor, Gormican says that comedy was essential in bringing a new version to life.
“Jack and Paul - they're so funny,” Gormican says. “But they're able to sort of dial in their performances and feel very real and feel actually scared. When the snake is attacking, everything feels so real because (they’re) such great dramatic actors (as well).”
Mello, who plays a snake handler in the film, says that he never saw an actual snake on set despite the film ostensibly being about a giant, monstrous serpent.
“Interesting thing - I played this snake handler and I didn't see a single snake during the whole thing, so it's all CGI,” Mello says. “And then when I watched the film I (thought) ‘Okay, we have a snake. It's there, it's on screen. Fantastic.’ It's all about imagination and creativity. No danger at all. It's great.”
For Gormican, much of the meta narrative came from his experiences as a filmmaker to the point that a shift in production meant a change for the film-within-a-film as well.
“All of our filmmaking experiences inform exactly what these guys were going through,” Gormican says. “As you start to build the movie out, all of the elements start to inform each other. At the end of the movie, we lost a major location, so we were furiously rewriting the ending. We built the entire production design and we were standing on the set with the actors and everybody had just gotten a new ending. So we put that into the movie.”
Out of everything he experienced on the Anaconda set, Mello says there’s one scene in particular that he’s excited for audiences to see.
“There's a lot of great scenes,” Mello says.” But maybe the snake funeral (is my favorite). We did it in a very serious way. I mean, Tom gave me (that) direction and I love it. I was (a big) fan of his idea. So the funeral is crazy and funny and touching.”
Michael Peyton is the Senior Editorial Director of Events & Entertainment at IGN, leading entertainment content and coverage of tentpole events including IGN Live, San Diego Comic Con, gamescom, and IGN Fan Fest. He's spent 20 years working in the games and entertainment industry, and his adventures have taken him everywhere from the Oscars to Japan to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Follow him on Bluesky @MichaelPeyton
A compact power bank that is perfect for your Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, or Apple iPhone 17 has dropped in price for a limited time. Amazon is currently offering the Iniu 10,000mAh 45W Power Bank for just $11.98 after you clip the 49% off coupon on the product page. This deal usually hits its redemption limit within a day. This would make a great stocking stuffer gift idea for anyone who just picked up a Switch 2 console or owns a phone with USB-C charging input.
Iniu 10,000mAh 45W Power Bank for $11.98
This Iniu power bank features a 10,000mAh (37Wh) battery capacity. If you factor in 80% power efficiency, here are the approximate number of times you can fully recharge some of the more popular gaming handhelds and smartphones:
Nintendo Switch (16Whr) about 1.9 times
Nintendo Switch 2 (20Whr) about 1.5 times
Steam Deck (40Whr) about 0.74 times
Apple iPhone 17 (14Whr) about 2.1 times
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (20Whr) about 1.5 times
The Iniu power bank has three output ports: one built-in 45W USB Type-C cable, one 45W USB Type-C port, and one USB Type-A port. The built-in cable is a popular feature on newer power banks because you no longer have to bring along your own USB Type-C cable. The 45W of Power Delivery is enough to charge the Nintendo Switch (18W) and Steam Deck (40W) at their fastest rate. This power bank is also a good match with the Apple iPhone 16, since ChargerLAB has shown that the maximum charging rate caps at about 30W for iPhone 17, 37W for iPhone 17 Pro.
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.
Notorious Battlefield 6 skin Wicked Grin has had its colors toned down once again, but this time, players are celebrating the removal of, well, its Wicked Grin.
Battlefield Studios launched update 1.1.3.0 alongside its Season 1 finale, Winter Offensive, today. Although patch notes covered sweeping changes to Breakthrough, hit registration, and the overall audio experience, much of the online community was pleased to see the update tackle one of the EA FPS’s biggest controversies.
You may recognize the above Support cosmetic as the Wicked Grin skin. While the clothing items themselves seem to be largely unchanged (minus one new bright yellow armband), the outfit’s standout features have been almost completely reworked. Where there were once bright blue colors highlighting the infantry class, players will now find muted tones and the complete removal of the toothy smile the skin originally earned its name from.
The Wicked Grin changes exist as what many in the Battlefield 6 community are calling another victory what has become a massive push against goofy skins. Players began fighting against fears that Fortnite and Call of Duty-esque skins would eventually infiltrate Battlefield 6 when the System Override skin, not-so-lovingly called the “Monster Energy drink skin,” was unveiled weeks before launch. With technical director Christian Buhl previously telling IGN that BF Studios would stick to realistic, grounded visuals “for a while,” players worried the developers could change course sooner rather than later.
Wicked Grin emerged weeks after launch as a prime example of what many believed was the beginning of the end for grounded infantry skins. Backlash related to the Support skin got out of hand so quickly that some players threatened to not revive any player seen wearing it.
Word of player dissatisfaction got back to BF Studios and resulted in changes to System Override. Now, Wicked Grin, which had already been tweaked with lighter colors with the November 18 launch of California Resistance, is almost unrecognizable in Winter Offensive. There is almost certainly a group of players disappointed to see those bright blues leave, but for the more vocal players online, they’re mostly happy BF Studios is listening.
“They fixed him," one popular Reddit post says. "They fixed this skin, super muted blues and removed the ugly mask design. Big W on lostening to the people."
“Props to the community for standing up,” one comment adds, “props to the devs for listening and acting accordingly.”
Battlefield 6 launched October 10 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S, and BF Studios has been doing a balancing act since. A few updates targeting glitches, aim assist, gameplay balance, hit registration, and more have arrived in the last month alone, with content updates adding new maps as Season 1 rolls on. Today, Winter Offensive added snowy terrain to some familiar locations while handing players access to the new Ice Climbing Axe melee weapon.
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).
Ready to live your best streaming life? Well Elgato is ready to pull you through the door of content creation kicking and "streaming" with some of its best and budget kit at epic discounts (even the telepromptor).
I've also been using the best earbuds i've tried out since Status X Pro (and it was so close i'd recommend those too), but Sony InZone hit that sweet spot of low-end with clear definition with a couple of connectivity options from Bluetooth to 2.4GHz USB-C dongle connectivity.
TL;DR: Deals for Today
Xarcade has been around for a while now, but its latest X-Arcade offering connects to literally everything, including playing Pinball FX on Meta Quest 2 and 3. It's on clearance at Walmart right now and is going to be the cheapest way to get a home arcade setup without spending a fortune on an actual cabinet.
I've also gathered some awesome Christmas gift ideas with some solid discounts to make you look like a big shot. I've talking about a Creative speaker bar and subwoofer combo to a top of the line Kareoke Machine and beauty tech, so let's get straight into it:
PNY GeForce RTX 5070 12GB Graphics Card for $499
Triple fan cooling
During Black Friday and Cyber Monday, there were surprisingly few GPU deals. Fortunately, if you've been waiting for one of the more affordable Blackwell cards to come back in stock at a reputable retailer, there's a good deal available right now. Walmart is offering an PNY GeForce RTX 5070 12GB Graphics Card for just $499 shipped. This is actually a better deal than previous ones I've seen because it features a triple-fan cooling system. The RTX 5070 is an excellent GPU for gaming at up to 1440p with high framerates, especially with DLSS 4.
Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle
This deal is priced the same as a solo Nintendo Switch 2 console, making Super Mario World a free pack-in game over at Walmart. Amazon seems to be going in and out of stock right now, but regardless it's the same price there too.
X-Arcade Arcade2TV-XR
At a generous $205 off, this is a cracking one-stop-shop arcade gaming solution. Want to hook it up to your current gen consoles to play Smash Bros on? Sorted. Want to make your own Meme Arcade setup with a mini PC or Raspberry PI? Sorted. It's two player and complete with authentic feeling arcade buttons and sticks, roller balls and room for upgrades such as a soundbar, pinball haptics and more. This takes the pain out of making a cabinet or spending a fortune on one and allows players to plug and play like you would a normal controller.
Elgato Streaming Gear Sale
The gold brand in streaming and content creation is Elgato, and there's plenty of its high-end gear on sale here such as the power-streamer Stream Deck XL down to $204.99 to one of the best budget-focused condenser microphone options in the $84.99 Wave Neo. Even the Facecam Mk.2 has been knocked down to $126.34, allowing streamers to stop worrying about mirrorless XLR camera setups and have a quality wcamera solution that plug and play. And who doesn't want an Elgato prompter for a marked down $228.99?
Excentric Christmas Gift Deals
So I thought i'd have a bit of fun today with some cool Christmas or White Rabbit gift ideas with some brilliant discounts. I've already touched on Sony InZone wireless earbuds, but they really are the best all-rounder earbuds i've tried in recent memory, and the included USB-C dongle fits in the charger case and is ideal for connecting to PC and PlayStation 5. And they're $42.99 off, bargain.
Saving over $100 on a 300W Kareoke machine with an included 10.1" tablet and wireless microphones is a cracking deal too. Ikario has RGB lighting and hooks up to YouTube or Karaoke app via WiFi for absolute endless banter for house parties this holiday.
Creative might not be the front and center of PC audio like it used to be, but it haven't lost its eye for quality. $69.99 for a soundbar and subwoofer combo is an awesome shout for a gaming setup or smaller home theatre setups.
If you've spotted a loved one forever filming themselves for TikToks or video calling to their friends, the Maono wireless lavalier microphone is USB-C compatible and clips to a users clothes for a pro sound wherever they are.
Stationary cameras are great for keeping an eye on a room in general, but cats and dogs don't like staying still. Enabot EBO Rola PetPal provides 2.5k video and allows owners to roll about the house to check what their pets are really up too. Attachable feeders and cat toys allow for owners to interact with their pets more than ever before and is a great gift for the craszy cat person in your life.
I've been using the HOZO NeoBlade for a while now whilst cleaning up my 3D prints and creative projects. It's an ultrasonic knife that can take different microblades and is rechargable. This bit of kit just makes cutting jobs miles easier of toucher materials with acrylic, PLA, wood and softer metals. I use it to cut supports off my prints and clean up projects, and I can't go back to regular scalpels and blades. Plus this bundle is $10 off and you get a self healing A3 matt.
Switch 2 Games Releasing This Holiday
December is stacked for Nintendo Switch 2. We gave Metroid Prime 4: Beyond a solid 8/10 for nailing the Prime vibe whilst introducing some interesting mechanics and a pseudo open-world sandbox to explore. Considering how long we've been waiting for it, Metroid 4 is a solid comeback.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Mega Dimension DLC drops on Wednesday, which adds a post-game story, brand new Mega Evolutions and new mechanics such as an alternative dimension Lumioise City and Pokémon hitting over the long-standing level 100 mechanic. Insane.
Audible Holiday Sale
Fancy knocking a $14.95 per month subscription to 99 cents for three months? That's what's on offer for Amazon Prime members right now, which can easily be cancelled down before the discount dries if you don't want to continue, win-win.
Whilst Audible Plus, the cheaper membership tier, has 10,000 audiobooks to listen too, Premium Plus has 500,000. Premium Plus members get to pick an audiobook to keep in their library indefinitely too, with 30% off purchasable Audiobooks. Usually this crops up as a free 30-day trial, and these trials are only for new subscribers, so this is the best deal you're going to get.
Mega Evolution Booster Box
It's not often Amazon gets their Pokémon TCG products down to market value, but here we are. Yes, you can save $6.99 at TCGPlayer if you're not bothered about waiting a few days for delivery, but many would argue the extra $6.99 is worth getting it in your hands quicker with 1-day Amazon Prime delivery. The choice is yours but both sites have this at or near market value right now, which is great for one of the box in-demand Pokémon TCG sets right now.
Secretlab Holiday Sale
It's no secret that Secretlab is one of the most premium gaming chairs and brands available right now, and the brand tax is real. But straight off the heels of Black Friday, Secretlab have dropped their Christmas Holiday Sale across all the favorites. The super premium Titan Evo Nanogen Edition features a Secretlab-exclusive NanGen Hybrid Leathette seat covering and NanoFoam Composite cushioning for one of the best feeling gaming chairs on the market,
Even the budget-minded Titan Evo Lite has premium features and coldfoam cusioning to make sure you're comfortable all day working and all night gaming. They even do an erganomic recliner add on now, featuring multiple angles of support to keep your legs comfortable for different posture types.
Alienware and Lenovo Gaming PC Deals
It's easy to get carried away with mad specifications on gaming PCs, and if you can afford it that's awesome. But builds like Lenovo's LOQ RTX 5060Ti build has a cracking budget price of $949.99 after using the discount code "EXTRAFIVE", capable of DLSS 4 upscaling and the latest Nvidia AI frame generation. The Ryzen 7 8745HX CPU backs up the 5060 Ti well, making this a lean and mean 1080p gaming monster.
Out of the two Alienware builds, i'd save the money and go for the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 build. Both of these builds are going to kill it when it comes to high frame rate 4K gaming, and I simply don't think the extra $350 is worth it for the extra gains of a Core Ultra 9 285K CPU. Of course it's faster and better, but I think the $3,899.99 build is far better value for money.
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
After four years on mobile devices, BrownDust 2 was set to come to Steam on December 16, but less than two weeks ahead of time the whole thing has been stopped.
High on Life 2 is our IGN First “cover story” game for December, which means we’ve got exclusive coverage all month long. We’ve already posted plenty of new gameplay, and today we’re thrilled to announce one of High on Life 2’s brand-new weapons: Say hello to Travis, the SMG-style weapon voiced by Ken Marino, who you might know from The State as well as Wet Hot American Summer. Travis is one-half of a dual SMG pair with Jan – check out the half of a heart pendant around his, uh, neck, I guess? Anyway, they’re married, but it seems the relationship has gotten a bit toxic.
Take a look at some footage of Travis in action in the video below, and for more exclusive High on Life 2 coverage – including another weapon reveal coming up soon.
High on Life 2 will be released on February 13, 2026 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S – including launching on day one into Xbox Game Pass.
Ryan McCaffrey is IGN's executive editor of previews and host of both IGN's weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our monthly(-ish) interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He's a North Jersey guy, so it's "Taylor ham," not "pork roll." Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.
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