Now here is something truly amazing. Modder ‘MFO’ has released a mod that lets you play Jak and Daxter in first-person mode as Half-Life’s Gordon Freeman. This mod will completely change how you experience this classic PS2 game. So, let’s take a closer look at it. For those who did not know, a team of … Continue reading You can now play Jak and Daxter in first-person as Half-Life’s Gordon Freeman→
CI Games has revealed the official PC system requirements for Lords of the Fallen 2, which will come to PC via Epic Games Store. So, let’s see what PC system you’ll need to run it. In Lords of the Fallen 2, players will journey across a vast, war-torn kingdom crumbling from within, as the realms … Continue reading Lords of the Fallen 2 Gets Official PC System Requirements→
Amazon just kicked off the best deal I've seen on a current generation iPad Pro tablet Right now you can pick up the 2025 Apple iPad Pro 11" tablet with the powerful M5 chip and 256GB of storage for just $799.91 shipped. That's $200 off the normal retail price of $999. The lowest price I had previously seen for this exact model was $899 during Black Friday. This deal had gone live a few days earlier as well, and it sold out in under an hour.
$200 Off Apple iPad 11-Inch M5 256GB Tablet
In IGN's iPad Pro review, Jacqueline Thomas wrote, "For creative professionals, the iPad Pro is the most powerful tablet on the market and is going to shine if your work revolves around a touchscreen... the iPad Pro is simply the most beautiful display you'll find in a tablet, with hardware that's powerful enough to be a top-end device for years to come."
The 2025 iPad Pro is currently best tablet on the market, iOS or otherwise, thanks to the new M5 processor which is both powerful and power efficient. Compared to the previous generation iPad M4, it offers about 15% faster CPU and GPU performance, 50% more RAM, faster storage speed, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 standards, and faster charging.
The iPad Pro M5 features a gorgeous tandem OLED panel which hadn't previously been seen on an Apple product prior to the iPad Pro M4. Tandem OLED is better than traditional OLED in two ways: 1) it's far brighter, and 2) it's less prone to burn-in. If you're wondering why this technology hasn't found its way into TVs, the answer is simply because it's not cost-effective at larger sizes. The iPad can get away with it because the 11" screen is much smaller, but that's also a major reason why the iPad Pro is priced considerably higher than the other iPad models.
If you're not sure which iPad is best for you, we have an iPad guide which details which iPad is ideal for which use case. If you intend want to get an iPad for schoolwork, we have an iPad guide for students as well. If you're looking for options outside of iOS, check out the best Android tablets.
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.
Just ahead of the Comics Pro retailer convention, Oni Press has announced a new series called Super Mondo Mega Mutts. As you might have gleaned from the name, the series is a loving homage to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as well as other mutant animal comics like We3 and Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth.
IGN can exclusively debut the first preview of Super Mondo Mega Mutts. Check it out in the slideshow gallery below:
Super Mondo Mega Mutts is a four-issue series from writer Curt Pires (Youth) and artist Juan Gedeon (DC: The Jurassic League). Here's Oni's official description of the series:
One year ago, a fragment of an inter-dimensional civilization collided with Downtown L.A. – creating an impregnable no-man's-land where the laws of physics no longer apply. Convinced that no human being could survive the terrain within, the US government's most morally compromised contractors decided to explore the area codenamed "The Gleam" by sending in four research animals in the hopes of capturing its precious technological wonders. They were hoping to find a new kind of weapon. What they got instead was four radically transformed dogs with minds and a mission all their own. WOLF! FRANKEE! GRIFFY! FREDDY! Together with their brilliant mentor MOJO, the SUPER MONDO MEGA MUTTS are going to bring justice back to the avenues and alleyways where out-of-control federal forces and gangs powered-up by pilfered alien technology now reign. They thought they could put this band of outlaw misfits on a leash... Now the world is going to discover what happens when these mutts BITE BACK.
“It’s been thrilling to watch Oni Press reach new heights the last couple years under the tenure of Hunter [Gorinson, President & Publisher], Sierra [Hahn, Editor-in-Chief] and the whole team—and I couldn’t be more excited to be bringing them one of my best ideas ever,” said Pires in a statement. “This is a book that is big, bombastic, and heartfelt, one that’s capable of bringing new folks into comic shops—and I’m ecstatic to be creating it with my masterful collaborator Juan Gedeon.”
“Super Mondo Mega Mutts is the kind of book I grew up loving and dreaming about making,” said Gedeon. “It’s loud, weird, funny, and full of heart, with characters you want to protect even when they’re causing chaos. Working with Curt and the team at Oni Press has been a blast, and they’ve given us room to go big and take risks. I’m excited for readers to finally see these dogs unleashed and tearing through the page.”
Super Mondo Mega Mutts #1 will be released in July 2026. You can preorder a copy at your local comic shop.
IGN Fan Fest is returning for its seventh edition later this month, and we're so excited to once again present a show filled with exclusive reveals, trailers, gameplay, deep dives, and interviews with the incredible creators behind your favorite movies, shows, games, comics, and anime.
We have a lot of fun surprises in store for IGN Fan Fest 2026 alongside LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, 007 First Light, Mortal Kombat II, Scream 7, Project Hail Mary, One Piece, and so much more, and we wanted to present this article as a guide to everything you need to know to watch the multi-day event with us and give a bigger tease as to what you can expect to see!
How to Watch IGN Fan Fest 2026
IGN Fan Fest 2026 will feature over 80 exclusive reveals across two days of livestreams on February 25 and 26, and the show will start each day at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST. We're also excited to be counting down to the main show starting on February 23 with additional first looks, exclusives, and in-depth interviews.
As for how you can watch the show, IGN Fan Fest 2026 will be streaming live on the following platforms:
As we mentioned, we have a lot of surprises we can't wait to talk about for IGN Fan Fest 2026, but you can check below for an idea of what you can expect to see from each day of the show.
Day 1 (February 25)
Mortal Kombat II
WWE 2K26
Invincible VS
Street Fighter 6
Vampire Crawlers
The Vampire Lestat
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
007 First Light
Hitman: World of Assassination
Young Sherlock
Hijack
Devil May Cry Season 2
Yunyun Syndrome!? Rhythm Psychosis
Witch Hat Atelier
Tears of Metal
Valorborn
Esoteric Ebb
Outward 2
Mistfall Hunter
Crimson Desert
Where Winds Meet
Second Stone
Heroes of Newerth Reborn
Solarpunk
Frostrail
Join Us
Into the Fire
Everwind
Bellwright
Going Medieval
Windrose
Magic: The Gathering - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Mexican Ninja
Ranger's Path National Park Simulator
Bus Simulator 27
PowerWash Simulator 2
Gate Guard Simulator
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
Normal
Verminsteel
Primal
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
Day 2 (February 26)
They Will Kill You
Necrophosis: Full Consciousness
Faces of Death
In a Violent Nature 2
Diabolic
Directive 8020
The Mortuary Assistant
Poppy Playtime
Redux Redux
Scream 7
Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf
Citizen Sleeper 2
Project Hail Mary
Space Scum
Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes
Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
Kiln
Until Then
Imprinted
Will: Follow the Light
Out Fishing
Outbound
Dreadmoor
Gambonanza
Monowave
Town to City
Hela
Motor City
Denshattack!
Minos
Celestial Return
Samson
Gallipoli
Mixtape
The Napa Boys
The Copenhagen Test
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die
Scrubs
One Piece
What Else Can I Expect From IGN Fan Fest 2026?
In addition to the exciting list above, we're also set to reveal brand-new games and annoucements from Red Octane Games, Limited Run Games, Hyperkin, Running With Scissors, Kwalee, and more. There will also be a ton of special celebrity appearances to look forward to, including;
Simu Liu
Melissa Barrera
Kenny Omega
The cast and filmmakers from Scream 7
Phil Lord and Chris Miller
Zach Braff
Sarah Chalke
Donald Faison
Bob Odenkirk
Lashana Lynch
Genndy Tartakovsky
Jonathan Smith, Strategic Director & Head of Development Team, TT Games
And more!
Backyard Baseball/Backyard SportsThe classic ’90s sports franchise Backyard Baseball is back with an all-new game arriving this summer. Fans can expect familiar faces as well as some new surprises, and IGN Fan Fest will include an exclusive trailer with exciting new info and details. Neverness to EvernessFree-to-play supernatural urban open-world RPG NTE (Neverness to Everness) has a new announcement soon, and IGN Fan Fest will have a look at everything it has to offer. That includes combat, side activities, the wanted system, and more.
Nintendo fans believe a new trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie may be teasing a cameo from none other than Star Fox leader Fox McCloud.
While fans have long pined for a Nintendo cinematic universe and even a Super Smash Bros. movie, theories really caught fire yesterday after the Super Mario Bros. company published a new video (below) for its upcoming film. It’s an unassuming, 30-second clip almost entirely composed of previously released footage, but it only took a fresh look at a few suspicious frames for viewers to expect some truly wild reveals when the film premieres in April.
Protect the kingdom ✅ Defend the galaxy ✅ Remember to stretch ❌. See your favorite good guys in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, only in theaters April 1. pic.twitter.com/KoDhVKZpVA
The blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment happens at the two-second mark and can be seen on the far-left side of the screen. If you pause just as thousands of others have, you’ll see what is believed to be a body wearing a green shirt, a white vest, and a familiar blaster. Yes, fans suspect this brief glimpse at an unidentified figure is our first look at Fox in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Whether or not it’s actually the star of Nintendo’s classic Star Fox series is impossible to say for now. Points in favor of believers include the metal pistol shape, as well as The Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel’s sci-fi setting. With Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, and more all set to travel through space, an Arwing (or maybe even a few) could certainly help them get around.
However, Nintendo mostly stuck to the Mario world for its first film and has shown no sign of tying in the Star Fox universe or any of its other many video game properties. As many naysayers online have also suggested, this tiny tease could simply be a cropped look at someone like Bowser Jr., a vehicle, such as Luigi’s motorcycle, or even Toad's backpack. Still, the evidence pointing away from a Fox McCloud cameo isn’t stopping die-hard fans from looking for any signs of a Super Smash Bros. crossover movie.
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).
Mouse: P.I. for Hire is one of the most visually striking games we've seen in quite some time. We played Mouse last year – and we'll be doing so again as part of this month's exclusive IGN First coverage – but the thing is, it's going to need more than just a unique art style in order to leave a lasting impression on the first-person shooter genre. And so today we're digging into the people, the city, and the story underneath that rubber hose-animated black-and-white veneer.
By now you might know that the player character is played by the talented Troy Baker. That character is Jack Pepper, a war hero-turned-cop-turned-private investigator. You'll be assigned three different cases over the course of the single-player campaign (Mouse has no multiplayer mode), sniffing out clues and talking to perps and pedestrians alike (not to mention doing a lot of shooting at gang members and corrupt cops) to try and solve each one as you roll around in the rotting underbelly of the city of Mouseburg.
In the image gallery above, you'll see gifs of five characters:
Jack Pepper: our aforementioned hero. He enlisted in the war in his teenage years, serving in the same unit with Cornelius Stilton (see below). They owe each other their lives, along with a third member of their unit, Steve Bandel. Jack joined the police force after the war ended, but struck out on his own as a P.I. after getting fed up with the corruption of too many of his fellow cops. Jack has one major vice: gambling.
Tammy Tumbler: Born during the war, Tammy lost her mother at a young age and never learned the identity of her father. When her stepfather got busted by the police officer Jack Pepper when she was 13, she went into the foster care system and immediately sought to escape, angry at Jack and the world – at least until they got to know each other. She's street-smart and resourceful, and has worked for Jack as needed for a long time. She trusts Jack as well as one other person: Wanda Fuller (see below).
John Brown: John can frequently be found hanging out at the bar he owns outside of Jack's office. He's a shrew (the literal animal kind) from Shrewthicket, a once-thriving town that was destroyed, leaving John to haunt the surrounding swamps, becoming a cheeselegger (think: bootlegger but for cheese), a hired farming hand and blue cheese dealer. When the stove got too hot, he made his way to Mouseburg and opened a shrew-sized bar called Little & Big. He's full of old stories and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty.
Wanda Fuller: Wanda is a journalist for the Mouseburg Herald who came from similar working-class means as Jack. She uses him as a source on occasion, particularly when he was with the police. They're not exactly friends, but they share a mutual respect. She's a cynic, but she genuinely wants to help people.
Cornellius Stilton: Finally we have Cornellius, an upper-class resident of Mouseburg who was a commanding officer in the war. After the war, he went into politics, and he's got a plan he's been slowly executing. He's a people pleaser, but to what end?
These are a handful of the key players you'll meet in Mouse. If you're interested in learning more, check out our deep-dive on the crazy arsenal at Jack's disposal. And if you're eager to play, circle March 19 on your calendar, as that's when Mouse: P.I. for Hire will be released on PC, PlayStation platforms, Xbox platforms, and Nintendo Switch platforms.
Ryan McCaffrey is IGN's executive editor of previews and host of both IGN's weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our semi-retired 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.
Tired of the same old black brick of a power bank that litters the marketplace? If you're looking for something with top-notch quality and style, then you should check out the premium power banks, chargers, and cables from mfish. These head turners are a step up in craftsmanship, design, and features compared to the standard Anker, Baseus, and Iniu products that you'll generally find on Amazon.
Better yet, they don't carry a hefty price premium especially with these extra incentives. Save an extra 15% off sitewide after coupon code: "mfish×ign15" and this stacks with any instant discounts. Also, most items also include a free 4-in-1 USB cable, which usually costs $20. Shipping is free on orders totalling $39.99 and up, otherwise it's $6.
Nothing that mfish sells is "ordinary", but I've highlighted some of their more unique offerings below.
E-Rhino 140W USB-C Charger for $46.74
Free 4-in-1 USB cable with purchase
Looking for a charger with swag? The mFish E-Rhino charger features a stylish futuristic design in your choice of green, silver, or pink. It's no slouch in the performance department either. The compact GaN power brick houses four total outputs, including one USB-C port capable of up to 140W of Power Delivery 3.1.
With the coupon, the price drops to $46.75 (which means it qualifies for free shipping). You also get a really cool freebie in the form of an mFish Armored Dragon 6ft 240W charging cable. This is a 4-way cable that can convert to (1) USB-C to USB-C, (2) USB-C to Lightning, (3) USB-A to USB-C, and (4) USB-A to Lightning with an ingenious terminal design which prevents you from losing any pieces.
E-Monster Qi2 MagSafe Power Banks from $33.99
Free 4-in-1 USB cable with purchase
The mfish E-Monster power bank boasts an eye catching that's bound to turn heads. The decorative side is protected by a textured tempered glass that gives it a much more premium look and feel than the plastic power banks that are all too common nowadays. Both 5,000mAh and 10,000mAh MagSafe models are Qi2 certified and rated for up to 15W of wireless power delivery. There's also a 20W USB Type-C port if you need faster charging.
The 5,000mAh model is very slim, measuring a mere 0.3" thin and weighing 4.4 ounces. It's priced at $33.99 after coupon. The 10,000mAh gives you twice the battery capacity, but it's also considerably thicker and heavier and also includes a built-in kickstand. This model is priced at $49.29 with free shipping after coupon. Both include a 4-in-1 charging cable
E-Tank 240W Power Station for $110.49
Free 4-in-1 USB cable with purchase
The mfish E-Rhino power station is popular amongst influencers because it looks so very cool with its illuminated ringed power outlets. This is a compact, all-inclusive power station that is hefty enough to sit on your desk without moving around. Total outputs include three standard 3-prong AC outlets rated for up to 1,250W each and four USB-C ports with 240W maximum power output (140W max for a single port). The three AC outlets are raised and encased in a plastic sheath that can be illuminated to your choice of color. The lights aren't super bright so it won't distract you.
With the coupon, the price drops to $110.49 plus you get a free mfish Armored Dragon 6ft 240W 4-way charging cable. It's currently priced at $139.99 on Amazon with no cable included.
Aroma Bee 6ft 240W USB-C Scented? Cable for $4.24
"Aromatherapy cables"
mFish's "Aroma Bee" charging cable is down to just $4.24 from its original $16 list price. These cables are thicker than your standard USB cable but in a good way; they look and feel more durable, but they still bend well and comes in fun colors like pastel pink, blue, or purple. I'll mention that the "liquid silicone" sheath that mfish uses feels ultra silky smooth to the touch, and it's much nicer than any other silicone cable I've used before. They're terminated with RGB illuminated aluminum alloy connectors for that extra bling factor. It's rated for 240W, which is the max power rating for any USB cable.
What's really unique, though, is that the terminal ends acts as an electric diffuser. You read that right; there's a spot in the cable end to add in a few drops of oil for a little bit of aromatherapy. I believe some diffuser oil is actually included as well. I don't know if I'd use that feature myself, but for $4.24, I can't think of another cable with more features.
Super Mushroom 20,000mAh Modular Power Bank from $80
Connect two together for 40,000mAh of power
One of the more innovative mfish products is its Super Mushroom 20,000mAh 100W modular power bank. It boasts a cylindrical design with a translucent plastic outer casing that showcases the stylish lithium battery cells inside. What's really neat is that two of these power banks can be stacked together to form a single unit with a 40,000mAh capacity.
The coupon code doesn't work on this product because there's already an instant discount. The $99.99 sku drops to $80 in-cart and includes a single 20,000mAh power bank. The $199.99 kit drops to $160 in-cart and gets you two 20,000mAh power banks plus (1) a link module to stack the two power banks together, (2) a flashlight module, and (3) a magnetic charging module. Whatever package you decide on, you get a free mfish Armored Dragon 6ft 240W 4-way charging cable.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
The live-action wave continues in Hollywood. The next animated property on the list is none other than Scooby-Doo — and it looks like the powers that be have found their first Mystery Gang member: Daphne.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife's McKenna Grace will star as the iconic redheaded character in a prequel version of the classic cartoon series that will reveal how the gang got together in the first place. The series, which was greenlit at Netflix for eight episodes so far, has an official synopsis, according to Variety, which reads:
“During their final summer at camp, old friends Shaggy and Daphne (Grace) get embroiled in a haunting mystery surrounding a lonely lost Great Dane puppy that may have been a witness to a supernatural murder. Together with the pragmatic and scientific townie, Velma, and the strange, but ever so handsome new kid, Freddy, they set out to solve the case that is pulling each of them into a creepy nightmare that threatens to expose all of their secrets.”
According to the outlet, the show will be a “modern reimagining” of the 60s and 70s style original series, which first started airing in 1969.
Interestingly enough, this won’t be the first time Grace has taken on the role of Daphne. She lent her voice to the young version of the character in the 2020 animated movie Scoob!, and was even set to play the role again in the sequel film Scoob! Holiday Haunt before it was cancelled by Warner Bros. Discovery.
This also is not the first time a live-action Scooby-Doo reimagining made it to the big or small screen. Matthew Lillard starred in the 2002 film Scooby-Doo alongside Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Geller, and Linda Cardellini. It was such a hit that the movie got a sequel film two years later — so it’ll be interesting to see if this series has similar success.
Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg will write and showrun the series, while also serving as executive producers. However, there’s no release date for the reimagining just yet.
Image credit: Olivia Wong/FilmMagic
Lex Briscuso is a film and television critic and a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikonamerica.
A Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 commercial starring comedian Nikki Glazer has been banned in the UK, following viewer complaints that it trivialized sexual violence.
The country's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld criticism of the ad, which features a man being ordered to take off his clothes during an airport security screening. It's then implied that Glazer wishes to perform an unnecessary search of his anal cavity.
As reported by BBC News, Activision defended the ad as an implausible situation (the joke here being that Glazer and Call of Duty actor Peter Stormare are replacement security agents, as the airport's usual employees are too busy playing Call of Duty instead).
Activision said the ad's humor was meant to imply discomfort rather than sexual activity, that the footage contained no explicit content, and that it had been aired on linear TV at timeslots aimed at adults.
Regardless, the ASA has ruled that the commercial's humor was "generated by the humiliation and implied threat of painful, non-consensual penetration of the man," and was therefore irresponsible and offensive.
"You've been randomly selected to be manhandled," Stormare tells the man within the ad, getting him to bite down on a baton. "I'm going to need you to remove your clothes. Everything but the shoes."
"Time for the puppet show," says Glazer as she snaps a rubber glove.
"Bite down on this," Stormare concludes. "She's going in dry."
Ultimately, the ASA decided that the ad can no longer be aired within the UK in its current form — although it's unclear if Activision still had any plans to do so. Internationally, the commercial is still available online. And, at the time of writing, IGN can confirm it is still available to view from within the UK via YouTube.
Still, the advert is likely the least of Activision's concerns around Black Ops 7, which has underperformed sales-wise amid strong competition from fellow shooters such as Battlefield 6 and ARC Raiders, as reflected in European sales figures and Activision's own admissions. Following the release of Black Ops 7, Activision announced significant changes to the Call of Duty franchise, including promising never to release back to back games in the same sub-brand (Modern Warfare, Black Ops) again.
Image credit: Activision
Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
As someone who grew up playing music and turn-based RPGs, People of Note seems like a game made in a lab and specifically targeted at me. It's a rhythm-based RPG where genres of music dictate its societies and timing inputs determine the effectiveness of your abilities. And the way it blends its soundtrack throughout the world and battle is one of its most interesting aspects, and for how it sets the tone for its atmosphere and combat mechanics. These are fantastic ideas I caught glimpses of in a hands-on preview build that featured an early section of the campaign, but the thing I'm still hung up on is how much it's caught up in this cheesy twee attitude that's a bit tough to buy into. As is the case with several RPGs, however, a short snippet isn't going to paint the whole picture.
The demo I played (which is available now) drops you into Durandis, a mountainous region that's home to several genres of rock music. You have the metalheads living separately from the punk rockers who despise grunge kids in a way that's very reminiscent of how we formed cliques in middle school based on music and the fashion that came with it. It's corny for sure, but that's the idea it's going for. As the pop singer and lead protagonist Cadence, she still has a lot to learn about the world of music, and so she familiarizes herself with these genres along the way. Shortly after you arrive, Durandis is attacked by a faction of old-timey Western musicians called The Homestead – for what reason, I'm not entirely sure, but it explains how divisive music tribalism harms its world known as Note.
Although the music itself didn't strike a chord with me, I appreciate how it mixes genres throughout. Going into the grunge part of town plays a riff on Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" while the punk section picks up the tempo while using melodic octave chord progressions. When fighting the wild west-coded invaders, an uptempo folk tune plays as the battle theme, but a pop mix blends pretty seamlessly into the same underlying song when the turn order goes into a pop phase and the same goes for a classic rock phase – there's a mechanical reason for this, too.
When it switches to a certain music genre during a turn, the song will shift accordingly and this powers up party members who represent that specific style. Cadence's attacks will hit harder during a pop phase while the washed-up guitarist Fret gets a boost in his abilities in a rock phase. It's neat how this works, but adds a strategic layer to who you tee up for big hits as you line it up for the best turn possible. People of Note includes mechanics like timing-based inputs to maximize effectiveness of attacks and abilities, which many more are now familiar with thanks to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and I'm happy to see this trend continue because I enjoy the active element it brings to turn-based battles.
I need that story and its characters to grip me at some point, because that's what great RPGs are often remembered for.
One thing I wish People of Note was better about in this regard was syncing up those inputs to the backing track, or making the battle themes punchier to accentuate on-beat cues for those button prompts. At least in this early hour-plus, the visual indicators aren't quite as clear and the audible feedback wasn't really felt; not to keep invoking Clair Obscur's name, but for a non-rhythm game, it was very good about creating "beats" when executing attacks or dodging/parrying enemies through visuals and sound cues. Perhaps more time with People of Note and getting deeper into the mechanics will let these kinds of features shine more, so it's something I'm paying attention to when the time comes to play the final version.
I only played with two characters (Cadence and Fret) in my party, yet I still got a good feel for how party composition and builds are important to winning tougher battles. You collect Songstones to modify their perks and can customize characters' movesets, and I had Cadence as my heavy hitter while Fret was more of a support role with healing and feeding BP (beat points, the resource needed to use abilities). Still, with the genre phases throughout a battle, I needed them to remain versatile. That's also because you can do some interesting things with turn order – the time signature at the bottom of screen telegraphs how the turn can play out, and who you use and in those specific open measures is up to you. For example, against the last demo boss Freq, I had three open measures and I would use Fret to boost Cadence's BP to then use her powerful Instant Hit attack, and then use the third turn to either heal or defend depending on the situation. Enemies can also permanently modify specific measures in the fight, like how Freq put a half-damage debuff on all attacks used in first measures. This is where I think People of Note can really differentiate itself from other combat systems and go from a novel music-based RPG to a uniquely tactical one.
A nice feature that makes dungeon crawling smooth is that you recover HP after each fight, and since BP is built within battles themselves, you don't have to manage some sort of magic resource like MP or mana. Each combat encounter is a turn-based puzzle to figure out on its own. It's more appreciated considering that dungeons in People of Note have actual puzzles to solve, which break up the pace; in the playable demo, there's a series of rooms with light beams you need to align and reflect off mirrors to unlock doors. It's not exactly noteworthy as we've seen these kinds of challenges many-a-time, so it's also appreciated that there aren't random encounters and all battles thus far clearly delineated in the overworld.
By no means does People of Note seem like a high-budget project, but it's hard to overlook the ways in which its production values sometimes undercut what it's trying to portray. Dialogue scenarios are nearly all still portraits with overlaid text boxes, which would be fine if its writing was sharp enough to make said dialogue intriguing. As a frequenter of visual novels, it's par for the course. However, it's hard to get a sense of the goings-on for this style of game. Some of the enemy attack animations are quite odd, too, but some of the abilities you have, like the limit-break style Mash Up attack where party members attack simultaneously, add some much-needed spectacle in the rare moments you get to use them. Even if I think the scene itself has that cheesy twee tone I'm not too fond of, there's a fully animated scene in the demo when Cadence recruits Fret that does showcase its visual chops with a musical number to flex the team's musicality.
There's plenty of corny media I've enjoyed, some of which just needed time to establish itself before shining. So this isn't to say I'm dismissive of People of Note, but it's for hoping that it comes around and embraces that attitude in an endearing way. The drama between Fret and former bandmate Freq in the demo's story bits is quite charming for its play on familiar music industry tropes, and the larger idea of finding unity in blending musical genres (possibly realizing that we're not all the different) could be an enticing theme to bring it all together. I just hope it can transcend the incessant need to be quirky and at least be clever in ways that elevate its world and story instead of going for simple references for the sake of it.
For my part, I was immediately drawn to the concept for People of Note, as a lifelong musician (of sorts) and lover of rhythm games; Hatsune Miku: Project Diva, Dance Dance Revolution, and the like. And as an RPG sicko, I've seen a lot of innovation in the genre coming out of smaller-scale games and indie spaces in recent years. People of Note does remind me of last year's Fretless and 2023's Thirsty Suitors in its approach as well, so I hope it can hit those similar highs in its own ways.
People of Note, so far, clearly seems like something that can speak to both the musically inclined and turn-based enjoyers, so it has promise for sure. It's also got a great cast of voice actors we've heard in other RPGs and animation projects and a neat combat system to potentially set itself apart from its contemporaries. But I need that story and its characters to grip me at some point, because that's what great RPGs are often remembered for. I'll find out for sure when People of Note launches on April 7 on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch 2, and PC – and you can try it for yourself with the demo that's out now.
Logitech's new X2 Superstrike mouse is said to be "taking over" the PGL Cluj Napoca Counter-Strike 2 tournament, with multiple players on five top teams trading their previous picks for the faster-clicking mouse released this month. In all, 13 players out of the 50 still remaining in tournament contention are wielding the Superstrike, including players on Navi, The Mongolz, Falcons, Furia and G2. That's a surprisingly high number for a mouse that has only been officially available for a few days, especially with how conservative pro players tend to be when it comes to changing to new equipment for fear of a performance drop-off as they adapt.
Users in the /r/mousereview subreddit first clocked the trend in the PGL tournament, which is the first significant Counter-Strike 2 event since the X2 Superstrike was released on February 10th. Prototype versions of the mouse have already been used to win CS2 tournaments, most notably by Furia player Kscerato, but Cluj Napoca 2026 seems to confirm that the mouse has become a popular - if not yet universal - choice for players already used to playing with Logitech mice, whether they're officially sponsored by Logitech or not.
The Superstrike is an upgraded version of another popular choice for Counter-Strike pros, the Superlight 2, which trades that mouse's optical microswitches for a new tech called HITS (haptic inductive trigger system). The idea is that by eliminating the physical movement needed before each traditional mouse click, players can reduce the time it takes to fire their first shot by up to 30ms. Pro players see less of an impact than amateurs, but the speed-up is still an order of magnitude faster than the switch from a 1000Hz to 8000Hz polling rate for example, another recent trend for gaming mice and keyboards that's also about reducing latency.
The Superstrike also allows for rapid trigger, another technology first seen in keyboards. Here, mouse click and release signals are sent as soon as a change in direction is detected, rather than by reaching a set point, again allowing for faster click cadence. Critically, the rest of the mouse is unchanged, with the same shape, weight, sensor and wireless as the Superlight 2, which should minimize the time it takes to adapt.
The Mongolz, Falcons and Furia all have three players on the team using the Superstrike, including aim stars m0NESY, Techno and Kscerato, while Navi and G2 have two players each on-board. The Mongolz and Navi are all-Logitech when it comes to mice, while the remainder use a mixture of brands. Counter-Strike pros tend to have free choice when it comes to their peripherals, so important are they for performance.
The mouse enthusiast community has been fiercely debating Logitech's speed-up claims since the mouse was first revealed, with anecdotal accounts in both directions, but relatively little objective testing outside of Human Benchmark reaction time tests. That makes the Superstrike's adoption amongst esports teams a vital metric in the fight for the best gaming mouse title.
Logitech originally told us that it accelerated the development of the HITS technology due to its strongly positive reactions from early pro play-tests, so it will be interesting to see whether the Superstrike mouse becomes a true de facto standard amongst Counter-Strike teams, and indeed whether other esports-focused brands like Razer, Zowie and SteelSeries can adopt similar inductive mouse switches in the future. We've already seen black-buttoned Superstrike lookalikes pop up on AliExpress, but it could be years before other brands are able to claim a similar reduction in click latency.
Of course, there's also the open question of whether such technology could be banned by tournament organisers, given the level of advantage it theoretically provides. So far, Counter-Strike developers Valve and tournament organisers have yet to announce any restrictions, though Valve did ban the 'SOCD' feature built into some magnetic switch keyboards back in 2024. That was largely on grounds of automation, rather than a simple speed increase, but expect the legality discussion for Superstrike to continue.
If you're interested in reading more about the new mouse and how it works, our X2 Superstrike review covers just that.
Will is deputy tech editor for IGN, specialising in PC hardware, sim racing and display tech. He has been publishing about games and technology since 2001 (age 12). Will was formerly Deputy Editor at Digital Foundry. He is currently playing BattleTech Advanced Universe.
When you think of the best Switch and Switch 2 games, there’s a good chance you might not immediately think of platforming royalty like Super Mario Galaxy and Galaxy 2 being playable on Nintendo’s most recent generations of hardware, but they’re here and still just as good as ever.
Save $10 on the Super Mario Galaxy Double Pack on Switch and Switch 2
Essentially, the pricing can’t be seen on the Amazon listing until it’s added to your cart, so there’s not much of an indication that it’s discounted to $59.
Once you add it to your checkout items, though, you’ll see that you’re getting two of the best platformers in the history of the medium for $30 each. Whether you’ve played them before or want to jump in ahead of the movie release, that’s a great deal.
Back in 2007, we awarded a 9.7 out of 10 for the first game, calling it “The pinnacle of three-dimensional run-and-jump gameplay.”
Fast-forward three years, and IGN awarded the sequel, Super Mario Galaxy 2, a 10 out of 10, going even further and saying “Mario Galaxy 2 is the pinnacle of Mario games: everything that makes them so incredibly fun is represented here.”
That’s some praise, if we do say so ourselves, and it’s likely the best way to play the games without breaking out the Wii.
Lloyd Coombes is an experienced freelancer in tech, gaming and fitness seen at Polygon, Eurogamer, Macworld, TechRadar and many more. He's a big fan of Magic: The Gathering and other collectible card games, much to his wife's dismay.
Considering what it offers, Disney+ is one of the best streaming services on the block. From classic Disney animated films to the latest from the MCU (currently Wonder Man), Star Wars, and so much more, Disney+ puts an incredible range of high-quality viewing options at your fingertips. There's tons to watch, but after another round of price hikes, you might want to revisit your streaming subscriptions. We're here to help.
At the moment, one of the best Disney Plus bundle deals available is the massive Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max streaming bundle. This starts at $19.99/month to get you all three streaming services with ads. Bundles are definitely worth considering, especially following the news of Hulu eventually fully integrating into the Disney+ app.
How to Get a Disney+ Free Trial
Starting from the top, if you haven't gotten a Disney+ subscription yet, you might be interested in any free trials. While Disney+ doesn't offer it's own free trial directly, it is technically included in a Hulu + Live TV subscription (alongside Hulu and ESPN Unlimited), which does happen to offer a three-day free trial. Just remember that plan will auto-renew at the full live TV cost of $89.99 after the trial period.
How to Get the Disney Plus, Hulu, and HBO Max Streaming Bundle
Want a way to save on your Disney+ membership sooner rather than later? Bundles are a great, affordable way to go. Our top recommendation is the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max streaming bundle can be purchased through any of the three streaming services and starts at $19.99/month for the ad-supported tier or $32.99/month for ad-free access across the three platforms. If you currently own all three and want to cut down on costs, this is a great way to bundle them together and save big on what you'd pay for them separately per month – 42% on the ad-supported plan and 43% on the ad-free plan.
Every Other Disney+ Bundle Option
Beyond HBO Max, you can also choose to bundle Disney+ with just Hulu or the all-new ESPN Unlimited service. Here's the breakdown of all your bundle options:
Disney+, Hulu Bundle is $12.99/month and comes with subscriptions to Disney+ and Hulu. This plan lets you stream on multiple devices at once and comes with ad-supported versions of both services.
Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium is $19.99/month and comes with Hulu and Disney+ with no ads. It also includes Disney+ Premium features like the ability to download shows to watch on the go.
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle adds ESPN Select (With Ads) to the mix alongside Disney+ (With Ads) and Hulu (With Ads), bumping up the price to $19.99/month. You can also download and watch select content on ESPN Select at this level.
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle Premium is $29.99/month and comes with ESPN Select (With Ads) and ad-free versions of Disney+ and Hulu. You can also download select content across all three streaming services.
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle is $35.99/month and includes the new ESPN Unlimited service with live ESPN coverage as well as Hulu and Disney+ (With Ads).
Disney+ is available in a couple of different tiers. You can get the least expensive option (simply called Disney+) for $11.99/month, which gives you access to everything except the ability to download select shows to watch on the go. This tier is ad supported. If you want to get rid of ads and be able to download certain shows, you can spring for the $18.99/month or $189.99/year Disney+ Premium package.
What Is the Paid Sharing Plan on Disney Plus?
In an effort to crack down on password sharing, Disney has added a paid sharing plan for individuals outside of your household. Basically, anyone using your account that's not within your household will have to be added as an "Extra Member" to your account. This costs an additional $6.99/month for the ad-supported subscription and $9.99/month for the Premium ad-free plan, and only one Extra Member slot is available per account. You can learn more from Disney's paid sharing explainer here.
Disney+ Gift Cards
If you want to help someone out and give them a gift that will keep on giving, gifting a one-year Disney+ card is a great option. It provides all the great things Disney+ offers and it costs a fraction of what it would take to buy even a small sampling of those movies physically.
What Can You Watch on Disney+?
There is a bonkers array of shows and movies you can watch on Disney+. Highlights coming to Disney+ in February include the return of The Muppet Show, a new season of The Artful Dodger, and a 24/7 Hannah Montana stream. For new and potential subscribers, here's a deeper dive into what's available on the service:
Disney
On the Disney front, you have awesome classic movies like The Sword In The Stone, Robin Hood, 101 Dalmations, Hercules, and Sleeping Beauty, modern classics like The Princess & The Frog, Tangled, and Frozen, and a wide range of animated shows, including Phineas & Ferb.
You also gain access to a ton of vintage content like Escape to Witch Mountain, The Apple Dumpling Gang, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, The Love Bug, and a whole lot more. The Disney Junior section is home to absolutely top tier animated shows like Bluey (which, for my money, is worth the price of admission on its own).
There's way more on offer, too, including a ton of Muppet movies, new live-action films and adaptions (including the new Snow White), nature programs, documentaries, Pirates of the Caribbean, and musical programs featuring Taylor Swift (like her wildly popular The Eras Tour), Elton John, Ed Sheeran, and more.
Pixar
When it comes to computer generated films, Pixar stands alone. Kicking off the revolution with Toy Story, Pixar has consistently put out fantastic films, and they are all here. From the Toy Story series to Finding Nemo, Cars, and more recent hits like Inside Out 2, there is a ton to love.
Beyond even that, there are incredible shorts like Bao and Party Central, as well as a wide range of originals and series based on major films, such as Dory's Reef Cam, Forky Asks A Question, Cars On The Road, and more.
Marvel
The MCU has become a true juggernaut, and there are many viewers who subscribe to Disney+ purely for access to nearly the entire MCU lineup of films and shows.
Whether you are a fan of the blockbuster action films, you are an appreciator of the classic 90s runs of "Saturday morning" cartoons like X-Men, or you are currently vibing to the funky theme of the 1981 Spider-Man series, there is a ton of Marvel to enjoy on Disney+. And with new movies and shows being added to the MCU all the time, including most recently the series Wonder Man, there is always more coming.
Star Wars
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there was a film that changed everything. The original Star Wars is a seminal sci-fi fantasy work that inspired generations of creators, but there is still nothing quite like that far away galaxy. Disney+ grants access to all things Star Wars, including the remastered versions of the original trilogy (hopefully some day they'll add the theatrical cuts, too), as well as the prequels and sequels.
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