Nintendo hosted a Mario Kart World Direct this morning, showing off all the features of the upcoming launch game for the Nintendo Switch 2. Amid all the new tricks and modes, Nintendo also confirmed a slew of new and returning tracks and racers for Mario Kart World.

On the course side, there were several new courses shown off as part of the roamable world. From the streets of Crown City to the water of Salty Salty Speedway, there are plenty of places to explore and shortcuts to discover. Mechanics like wall-riding and grinding seem like they'll add quite a bit for players to uncover. Here's what we spotted in today's Direct.

Mario Kart World Confirmed Courses Shown in Today's Direct

• Mario Bros. Circuit
• Crown City
• Salty Salty Speedway
• Starview Peak
• Boo Cinema
• Toad's Factory
• Peach Beach
• Wario Shipyard
• Whistletop Summit
• DK Spaceport
• Desert Hills
• Shy Guy Bazaar
• Wario Stadium
• Airship Fortress
• DK Pass
• Sky-High Sundae
• Koopa Troopa Beach
• Faraway Oasis
• Crown City
• Peach Stadium
• Dino Dino Jungle
• Great ? Block Ruins
• Rainbow Road

But what's a world full of courses without a universe's worth of racers to speed across them? Mario Kart World looks to be making some deep pulls from Mario's history. The usual suspects of Mario, Peach, Luigi, and Yoshi are joined by the likes of Spike, Conkdor, Penguin, and more. Here's everyone we spotted in a kart during today's Mario Kart World Direct.

Mario Kart World Confirmed Racers From Today's Direct

• Mario
• Luigi
• Peach
• Daisy
• Rosalina
• Pauline
• Yoshi
• Toad
• Koopa Troopa
• Baby Mario
• Baby Luigi
• Baby Peach
• Baby Daisy
• Baby Rosalina
• Wario
• Waluigi
• Bowser
• Goomba
• Spike
• Cow
• Lakitu
• Toadette
• Bowser Jr.
• Birdo
• King Boo
• Shy Guy
• Donkey Kong
• Nabbit
• Pirahna Plant
• Hammer Bro
• Monty Mole
• Sidestepper
• Cheep Cheep
• Dry Bones
• Wiggler
• Cataquack
• Pianta
• Rocky Wrench
• Conkdor
• Chargin' Chuck
• Penguin
• Stingby
• Swoop
• Dolphin
• Para-Biddybud
• Pokey
• Coin Coffer
• Peepa
• Snowman
• Fish Bone

It's quite a line-up so far, and will probably only expand as we learn more about this game. Today's Mario Kart World Direct went over everything from Grand Prix and Knockout Mode to the camera-fueled social options.

Mario Kart World is set to arrive on the Nintendo Switch 2's launch day, June 5, as an exclusive for the newest Switch console. There certainly seems to be quite a bit to do here, which will hopefully measure up to its $80 price tag. The newest Kart is being sold both standalone and as part of a hardware bundle though, and given Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's massive popularity, World is likely to find a home on many Switch 2 consoles.

You can catch up on everything announced at today's Direct right here.

Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

During today's Mario Kart World Direct, we finally got more details on the game's brand new Free Roam mode, including a bit about how multiplayer it will be (very) and what you'll be doing while driving around Mario Kart World's...well, world.

Though we went hands on with Mario Kart World last week, we didn't really get a proper look at Free Roam mode or what it entailed until today. Free Roam is a new feature to Mario Kart World, where you're literally able to go anywhere on the game's big, Forza Horizon-like world map. Unlike past Mario Kart games which have their race tracks separated out and only enterable when you're racing, Mario Kart World scatters them across an open world, meaning you can drive from track to track in certain game modes and goof off in the spaces between.

When you're not racing, Free Roam mode is a way to essentially have a little adventure. The world contains all sorts of hidden collectible goodies, like coins and ? panels, though we're not sure just yet what collecting those actually does. There are also P-Switches scattered around, which can be hit to activate a small challenge such as collecting some blue coins.

Additionally, Free Roam mode allows you to activate a Photo Mode any time to take photos of your racers in various poses and angles. And Free Roam isn't just a solo mode, either. You and your friends can drive around together in Free Roam, take photos, complete challenges, or just hang out. Free Roam supports up to four players roaming together on the same system via split screen, or up to eight total via local wireless play (two per system).

We saw a number of other details about Mario Kart World today in the Mario Kart World Direct, including new characters, courses, and modes. You can catch up on everything announced right here.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Mario Kart World is on track to be the biggest launch title for the Switch 2, and Nintendo presented a brand-new Direct today to dive deep into what makes it so special.

This roundup has gathered everything you need to know about this Mario Kart World Direct and we hope it will help a little bit with the wait until this much-anticipate game launches alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.

Courses

Mario Kart World will feature a ton of new and old courses and its connected map, and we were introduced to a few of them today, including Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard.

What should be most exciting for returning Mario Kart players is that the older courses have been "reimagined to feel at-home within this vast, new world, offering fresh experiences on classics."

Characters

Considering up to 24 racers can compete in one race, Mario Kart World will need a lot of characters to ensure everyone doesn't play the same one. While there are sure to be more added and revealed, this Direct featured such characters as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, Baby Peach, Baby Daisy, Baby Rosalina, Rosalina, Koopa, Rocky Wrench, Conkdor, Goomba, Spike, Cow, King Boo, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Waluigi, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Birdo, Bowser Jr., Lakitu, Toad, Wario, Pauline, Toadette, Shy Guy, Nabbit, Piranha Plant, Hammer Bro, Monty Mole, Dry Bones, Wiggler, Cataquack, Pianta, Sidestepper, and Cheep Cheep.

Races - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour

There are two main modes in Mario Kart World - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour. Grand Prix will be the mode fans are used to as players will need to compete in multiple races to win the trophy in cups like the Mushroom, Flower, Star, Shell, Banana, and more. However, this time around players will drive from course to course instead of exiting out to a menu, which should make for a much more seamless experience thanks to Mario Kart World's more open structure.

If you happen to conquer all of the Grand Prix Cups, a certain "colorful course" may appear which sure sounds like Rainbow Road. It won't be easy though, as there will be new obstacles like cars that shoot bullet bills and Hammer Bros. that throw their namesake hammers!

Knockout Tour is a battle-royale-esque mode where you have to race from one side of Mario Kart World's map to the other. The only catch is you have to be in a certain place at each checkpoint or you will be knocked out of the race. The winner will be the last driver standing in the Golden Rally, Ice Rally, and more.

Mario Kart World Free Roam

In Mario Kart World's Free Roam mode, players will be able to drive wherever they'd like without the worry of trying to be in first place. As you explore you will discover things like P Switches (hundreds of them!) that will activate blue coins you'll need to collect and start missions. These missions will be challenges that will improve your skills outside of races.

There will also be hidden coins like Peach Medallions, hidden panels, and much more. Oh, and there is a photo mode in Free Roam that will be available to always capture that perfect moment.

Visit Yoshi's restaurant and pick up "Dash Food" that will give you a boost of speed and an outfit inspired by your meal! Some examples shown were a cheeseburger, sushi, skewers, chips, roasted meat, pizza, ice cream, and more.

Modes

• Time Trials
• VS Race
• Teams
• Balloon Battle
• Coin Runners

New Tricks

• Charge Jump
• Rewind (Free Roam and when racing solo)

Items

While there will be familiar items returning to Mario Kart like Bullet Bill and Lightning, there will also be some new additions like the Coin Shell that can knock rivals off course and provide a trail of coins for players to collect. There will also be an Ice Flower to freeze enemies, Hammers to attack enemies and block their paths, a Mega Mushroom that will grow players to monstrous heights, a Feather that will let players jump to avoid attacks, and even a Kamek item that will call in the classic character to transform players into something mysterious.

Support Features

• Smart Steering
• Tilt Controls (Joy-Con 2 wheel compatible!)
• Auto-Use Item
• Auto-Accelerate
• Vertical Camera
• Horizontal Camera

Playing Mario Kart World with Friends

Playing Mario Kart World with friends will undoubtedly be one of the best ways to play this racing game, and Nintendo is giving players a ton of options in how they can do that. Such options include having four players play on one system, local wireless play with up to eight players (two systems of four), and up to 24 players from around the world can play in Online Play.

Another big feature in Mario Kart World is allowing players to free roam with their friends in between races. Players will be able to see where their friends are on the map and fast travel to them for some fun. You can then battle or race with custom rules or just explore the map with them. Photo Mode will also be available for friends!

GameChat will also be an integral part of Mario Kart World as players will be able to talk to their friends and even see their reactions live on video for those who have a comptabile camera. If all players are on a single system, the camera can even detect up to four faces.

Developing...

Netflix has released the first trailer for The Sandman Season 2, revealing plans to bring Dream’s story to an end with a two-volume release this July.

The streaming giant spelled out its schedule for the dark fantasy universe alongside the second and final season’s debut trailer today. It’s a one-minute look at the follow-up batch of episodes that includes a few teases for how The Sandman will quickly wrap up its story with just one more season. Volume 1, which includes six episodes, is currently scheduled to premiere July 3, 2025, with Volume 2’s remaining five episodes set to arrive three weeks later come July 24.

Netflix shared an official description for the series’ final season: “After a fateful reunion with his family, Dream of the Endless (Tom Sturridge) must face one impossible decision after another as he attempts to save himself, his kingdom, and the waking world from the epic fallout of his past misdeeds. To make amends, Dream must confront longtime friends and foes, gods, monsters, and mortals. But the path to forgiveness is full of unexpected twists and turns, and true absolution may cost Dream everything.”

The Sandman Season 2 will turn the page for the graphic novel adaptation following multiple sexual assault allegations against creator Neil Gaiman in July 2024. After claims from multiple women emerged as part of a Tortoise Media podcast series, the author offered to step back from his work on Amazon Prime Video’s Good Omens. That series, another Gaiman adaptation, was later confirmed to end with Season 3, which will be comprised of just one slightly longer episode. A musical adaptation of Coraline was also canceled in the wake of the allegations.

It's unclear how the controversy has impacted production on The Sandman. Although Dream’s live-action story was only just confirmed to end with Season 2 this past January, showrunner Allan Heinberg told Variety that the plan to produce just one more season dates as far back as 2022. Gaiman remains attached as an executive producer for the Netflix project.

The Sandman Season 2 will cover the remainder of its story when it premieres all 11 of its episodes throughout July. For more, you can read up on the many, many cast additions the series has picked up in the last year. Our 9/10 Season 1 review can be found here.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Some spoilers follow for Daredevil: Born Again Season 1.

There’s a moment in Daredevil: Born Again’s third episode where White Tiger (the late Kamar de los Reyes) suits up and walks the streets of Manhattan, patrolling as only a street vigilante in the world of superheroes can do. He’s got his magic amulet, his black-striped white costume, and his appetite for righting the wrongs of the city, no matter the cost. No flying, no uru hammers, no gamma powers. He’s just a dude doing the right thing.

And while White Tiger is killed in cold blood in that very same scene, his death only serves to prove the point that a street-level crusader like him is ultimately more hero than super. There he is, doing what he’s got to do, to the bitter end.

The season 3 finale of The Wheel of Time has some great moments, though it feels rushed and scattered at times as it both ties up plots and foreshadows what’s to come in season 4. “He Who Comes with the Dawn” further demonstrates that the show is willing to pull the rug out from under book readers with surprising changes to the source material, even as it embraces some of the weirder aspects of Robert Jordan’s worldbuilding.

Case in point, when season 2 skipped Rand and Lanfear’s trip to another world, I assumed that meant the series wasn’t going to get into dimension-hopping. But the finale opens on a flashback of Elaida visiting the wish-granting Finn and coming back with a charm bracelet and a promise that she would become the Amyrlin Seat. She’s smug about the warning that their gifts always have a price, and it’s unclear if hers was waiting 10 years to get what she wanted or the odd tremors she’s been having.

By going back in time a decade, we see just how tenuous Siuan Sanche’s control of the White Tower has always been, and how long Elaida’s resentment has been building. It also shows just how far the Aes Sedai have fallen as they go from a contentious but orderly election to a violent coup where Siuan’s allies are deceived so she can be stilled and killed. There are certainly still Black Ajah in Tar Valon, but declaring Siuan a Darkfriend is an obvious pretense by those who want the power of the White Tower and the Dragon Reborn for themselves.

I was excited as soon as I heard that Shohreh Aghdashloo was cast as Elaida, and she absolutely shines in the role, drawing on the same ability to project superiority and look absolutely fabulous in garish outfits that made her such a standout in The Expanse. She makes a fantastic foil to Sophie Okonedo, who brought such a sense of hardship and loss to Siuan’s toughness. After so much foreshadowing that Moiraine would die, it caught me entirely by surprise that Siuan is killed instead – the Amyrlin sticks around until the Last Battle in the books. That makes me even more convinced that Loial actually died closing the Waygate last week.

Moiraine and Lanfear agreeing that Sammael should become Rand’s teacher shows their shared ruthlessness – as well as the devotion to the Dragon Reborn that drives them to try to kill each other this episode. Rand training with a Forsaken is in the books, and keeping that plot could have built on the excellent scenes Rand had with the False Dragon Logain last season. Iinstead, Sammael is quickly murdered by Moghedien. The Wheel of Time has done so much to build the Spider up, but the one-dimensional psychopath just doesn’t interest me. I’m not looking forward to more scenes between her and my other least favorite character, Liandrin, as the two team up to take on the other Chosen.

Rand is doing better than I might have thought given the end of “The Shadow in the Night,” fulfilling his promise to harvest Alsera’s squash and then teaming up with all his allies to lay a trap for Lanfear. The way the dream scene shifts from twisted flirtation to outright hostility provides a perfect transition for Rand’s relationship with his Forsaken lover. His visions in Rhuidean and conversations with Egwene have finally allowed him to grasp what a monster she is.

That knowledge also gives Rand a newfound appreciation for Moiraine, who in turn has come to realize that Rand can sometimes make good decisions on his own. Their conversation is perhaps the most honest Moiraine has ever been, with her composure just barely cracking as she sees her life’s work finally bearing real fruit. It’s particularly moving considering she expects she’s going to give her life in one more attempt to protect the Dragon Reborn.

Lanfear has many plots in motion that she uses for her counterattack. Melindhra had felt like an unnecessary addition to this season until this week, when the Malkieri provides another example of how the Dark One preys on desperation. Her decision to put Lan’s life before her own soul is something that Lanfear couldn’t predict because she has no loyalty to anyone but herself. That oversight gives Moiraine a key edge in their fight.

That battle is excellent and brutal, displaying the real power of an Aes Sedai and a blademaster warder. Ciaran Donnelly has directed most of The Wheel of Time’s biggest battle episodes and shines again here, skillfully interweaving Moiraine and Lan’s fight with Lanfear with Rand’s attempts to win over the Aiel and Siuan’s final speech to the White Tower. As a result, we get to see multiple fronts in the fight to prepare the Dragon Reborn to face the Dark One, with Siuan’s death balanced by the victories in the Aiel Wastes.

“He Who Comes with the Dawn” blends moments that could be found in Dune, Game of Thrones and Pan’s Labyrinth, which is true to Jordan’s work even if the quick transitions between them didn’t always feel coherent. Just one example: Mat accidentally entering the realm of the Eelfinn after stepping into a ter'angreal. The complexities of The Wheel of Time’s world are in full view as he stumbles his way into making three wishes and barely survives his encounter with the foxman creature.

Considering the writers have gotten into the business of killing characters early, I was really worried for Thom Merrilin as he prepared to sacrifice himself after giving Elayne a bunch of very important information about Lord Gaebril. Luckily Elayne stepped up and saved him with a blast of balefire. This is the first time the extremely dangerous weapon has been used on the show, and it looks phenomenal – just one of many seeds laid in this episode that should bear fruit next season.

Image Comics just revealed This Ends Tonight, a revenge thriller that borrows liberally from the Quentin Tarantino playbook. As if that weren't incentive enough to check out the new series, it also features a reunion of the Seven Sons creative team, including superstar artist Jae Lee.

IGN can exclusively debut the first artwork for This Ends Tonight. Get a closer look in the slideshow gallery below:

The creative team on This Ends Tonight includes writers Gerry Duggan, Kelvin Mao, and Robert Windom, artist Jae Lee, and colorist June Chung.

This Ends Tonight unfolds over three interconnected issues, each set on the same night in Las Vegas. The first issue features two sisters locked in a Thelma & Louise-style team-up as they shed blood in the City That Never Sleeps.

“This Ends Tonight began as so many great creator-owned comics do—with friends hanging out and dreaming out loud about what would be cool to see in a comic. What would be cool to see Jae Lee draw and June Chung color,” said Duggan in a statement. “It was my privilege to get to have fun with the Seven Sons team, and I'm thrilled to collaborate on a comic that once again proves there's no better team working in comics than Jae & June.”

Duggan added, “This series takes three separate high-octane action stories and collides them together in Las Vegas. The city usually sees about 250 murders a year. I think we can top that in our one-night stand in the city of sin. We've been threatening you with this good time for a while, and now it's time to roll them bones... and bodies.”

This Ends Tonight #1 will be released on July 16, 2025.

In other comic book news, Mike Mignola is returning to the Hellboy universe this summer, and we chatted with the creative team behind Spider-Man & Wolverine.

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

Civilization 7 introduces a few massive changes to the series, most notably the Ages mechanic that has you swap out your civilization for a new one as the game progresses through Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages. Your choice of leader, though, sticks with you throughout the entire game.

While they don’t provide as many traits and units as Civilizations, Leaders still have powerful abilities that can create some excellent combinations when mixed and matched. To help you out, we’ve created this tier list of every Leader and highlighted their strengths and weaknesses. This should help you choose who you want to be the face of your empire as you build your future all the way into the Modern Age.

Civilization 7 Leader Tier List

S-Tier - Confucius, Xerxes King of Kings, Ashoka World Conquerer, Augustus

A-Tier - Ashoka World Renouncer, Benjamin Franklin, Charlemagne, Harriet Tubman, Hatshepsut, Himiko High Shaman, Isabella, Jose Rizal, Machiavelli, Trung Trac, Xerxes The Achaemenid

B-Tier - Amina, Catherine The Great, Friedrich Oblique, Ibn Battuta, Lafayette, Napoleon Emperor, Napoleon Revolution, Tecumseh, Himiko Queen of Wa

C-Tier - Friedrich Baroque, Pachacuti

S-Tier Leaders

S-Tier: Ashoka, World Conquerer

• +1 Production for every 5 excess Happiness in Cities.
• +10% Production in Settlements not founded by you.
• Declaring a Formal War grants a Celebration. +5 Combat Strength against Districts for all Units during a Celebration.

Ashoka, World Conquerer is all about keeping your own citizens happy while terrorizing other civilizations. Happiness is a very strong yield, and as long as you can keep a strong flow of excess Happiness, you will get continual benefits. Settlements not founded by you and excess Happiness result in extra Production meaning you can make a lot of Units and maintain a strong base to fuel your war efforts. Also, declaring a Formal War grants you an automatic Celebration. This gives you an instant +5 Combat Strength against Districts and All Units. This makes you excellent at putting your enemy on the back foot immediately once a war is declared.

With all the excess Happiness, you can likely get one or two extra Celebrations during a war, so you go through periods of extreme military power. The only thing to manage is, as you take over Settlements from your fellow civs, dealing with the unrest they bring. However, if you can manage that and keep everyone happy, Ashoka, World Conquerer is one of the strongest leaders in the game.

S-Tier: Augustus

• +2 Production in the Capital for every Town. Can purchase Culture Buildings in Towns.
• +50% Gold towards purchasing Buildings in Towns.

Augustus gets a lot of benefits from a relatively straightforward style of play. He is all about going wide with his Settlements and establishing as many Towns as possible, be that through settling or conquest. Interestingly though, his value comes in not upgrading Towns to City. That saves him Gold, but he gets a nice bonus to Gold and Production for maintaining as many Towns as possible.

He can turn his Capital into a powerhouse, with all of his towns feeding his central base. On top of he can buy buildings cheaper in Towns, and has access to buying Culture buildings. This can really add up, both giving him immense amounts of Production and Culture, but also saving him money along the way. It’s a nicely rounded style of play with great benefits and an easy-to-understand goal. Just get out there and settle lots of Towns - or take them by force.

S-Tier: Confucius

• +25% Growth Rate in Cities.
• +2 Science from Specialists.

Confucius is a master when it comes to expanding his Cities. The natural +25% Growth Rate in Cities is just powerful, especially early on when land-grabbing is important. You can expand your borders much faster than your opponents, absorbing key Resources before they can. And you can do it without the pain of going to war.

He also has ease becoming one of the best producers of Science in the game thanks to getting +2 Science from Specialists. This can make him particularly potent, especially in the end game where his Specilasits stack up, and he has access to much more advanced Technology than other civilizations. He may need a little help defending his lands, so a strong Civilization pairing, or making a powerful ally can go far. Outside of that though, there’s not a lot that’s going to stop Confucius from gobbling up all the land he can, all while being one of the most technologically advanced.

S-Tier: Xerxes, King of Kings

• +3 Combat Strength for Units that are attacking in neutral or enemy territory.
• Gain 100 Culture and Gold per Age upon capturing a Settlement for the first time. +10% Gold in all Settlements, increased even further in Settlements not founded by you.
• +1 Settlement limit per Age.

Xerxes, King of Kings is as straightforward as it gets. He has one specialty - attacking other players and taking their Settlements. It’s not complicated or highbrowed, but it is undoubtedly effective, especially if you are looking for a Military Victory.

He benefits from being the aggressor in every situation, getting free combat strength, that doesn’t require anything to activate past initiating fights in foreign territory. He’s also incentivized to take over as many Settlements as his limits will allow, though he even gets a higher Settlement limit. For doing so, not only is he advancing the Military Legacy Path, he gains Culture and Gold further fueling his military aims.

A-Tier Leaders

A-Tier: Ashoka, World Renouncer

• +1 Food in Cities for every 5 excess Happiness.
• +10% Food in all Settlements during Celebration.
• All buildings gain a +1 Happiness adjacency for all Improvements.

While not as militarily spooky as the World Conquerer version of Ashoka, the World Renouncer is certainly nothing to sniff at. While the other version is about turning Happiness into military might, this version of Ashoka is all about turning Happiness into population.

This changes the play from trying to take over as many Settlements with your units, into going for a land grab and establishing Districts. This can be excellent in the right hands, especially those who know how to manage big populations and city construction. You can also bypass the unrest of taking over Settlements, so there is an argument the World Renouncer is as strong or even stronger. That said, it requires a little more finesse and doesn’t receive the powerful production bonuses. Either way though, as long as your population is happy, your borders should be expanding if you choose to go the World Renouncer route.

A-Tier: Benjamin Franklin

• +1 Science per Age on Production Buildings in CIties.
• +50% Production towards constructing Production Buildings.
• +1 Science per Age active Endeavors you started or supported.
• Can have two Endeavors of the same type active at a time.

Benjamin Franklin is an exceptional and versatile Leader if you intend to go down the Science route in your game. What’s nice is his specialties are in Science and Production, meaning not only can you research a lot of Technology quickly, but you can then make the product of your labor soon after too.

His traits create a nice feedback loop around Production Buildings where constructing Production Buildings can be done fast, and he then gets extra Science for each one. He also benefits from having good relations with those around him, and can further his Science generation by entering into Endeavors.

A-Tier: Charlemagne

• Military and Science Buildings receive a Happiness adjacency for Quarters. Gain 2 free Cavalry Units, once unlocked, when entering a Celebration.
• +5 Combat Strength for Cavalry Units during a Celebration.

Military and Science are always a powerful combination, allowing you to be on the cutting edge of new warfare Technologies, and then pressing that advantage. Charlemagne is encouraged to push for Military and Science buildings to help prop up some powerful Happiness traits.

As long as he can keep his population happy, he can continually enter Celebrations, which in turn gives him free Cavalry Units. While that’s going on too, these already strong early and mid-game units gain even more strength. It’s a very horse-centric strategy, but stampeding over your fellow Civilizations is a very strong tactic in the early parts of the game. While he may struggle more in the Modern Age once the likes of Tanks and Planes are introduced, he should be established with a very strong empire by then.

A-Tier: Harriet Tubman

• +100% Influence towards Initiating Espionage Actions.
• Gain 5 War Support on all wars declared against you.
• Units ignore movement penalties from Vegetation.

Harriet Tubman is undoubtedly one of the stealthiest choices in Civilization 7. Influence can be a powerful yield, and Harriet can wield it perhaps most powerfully of all. She can cause some real trouble for other Civilizations by messing with them through means of Espionage, allowing you to disrupt or steal advantages from others.

Even if you get caught and anger a powerful force, the 5 War Support you get when a war is declared against you is an enormous drain on them, that should allow you to grind out a victory. On top of that, her armies are nimble, and able to ignore vegetation, making her hard to pin down, tricksy, and a pain to deal with when she’s defending.

A-Tier: Hatshepsut

• +1 Culture for every imported Resource.
• +15% Production towards the construction of Buildings and Wonders in Cities adjacent to Navigable Rivers.

Hatshepsut can get access to really strong spikes in Culture. It benefits her to have good relationships and establish Trade Routes for imported Resources. She gets +1 Culture for each one, so every time she enters into a trade with another civilization, it gives her a nice boost of Culture.

She’s also one of the very best at producing Wonders, but also, Buildings in general. This makes her very strong in the early Culture Legacy Paths. While she needs to be utilizing a Navigable River, most cities should be on one anyway, so this is not a difficult requirement to satisfy.

A-Tier: Himiko, High Shaman

• +2 Happiness per Age on Happiness Buildings.
• +50% Production towards constructing Happiness Buildings.
• +20% Culture but -10% Science, and these effects are doubled while in a Celebration.

Himiko is perhaps the best producer of Culture in Civilization 7. Her traits are very powerful, and the mixture it has with Happiness is a potent one. Constructing Happiness Buildings is fast thanks to the production bonus, and the Happiness Buildings only get stronger with age. She also gets a ridiculous +20% passive boost to Culture, which doubles during Celebrations, further feeding into Happiness.

However, it comes with drawbacks. She also has a -10% passive to Science, which also doubles during a celebration. This will require you to be aware of your handicap and work around it. That said, as long as you either utilize Endeavors or compensate for the Science loss with Buildings and resources, these potential peaks of Culture boosts far outweigh the negative Science nerf.

A-Tier: Isabella

• Gain 300 Gold every time you discover a Natural Wonder, doubled if the Natural Wonder is in Distant Lands.
• +100% additional tile yields from Natural Wonders.
• +50% Gold towards purchasing Naval Units, and -1 Gold maintenance cost for Naval Units.

Isabella can absolutely catapult herself early on if she can find a Natural Wonder. Especially in the Antiquity Age, if found early enough, 300 Gold is a massive boon. This allows her to buy units or buildings that should put her quite a bit ahead if done at the right time. If she is able to incorporate the Natural Wonder into her borders too, she will get massive tile Yields, making it again, very powerful the earlier you can do it.

That said, this of course is dependent on your finding and securing the Natural Wonders. She can fall victim to unlucky map placement. If there’s no nearby Natural Wonder early on, then she’s not going to be getting many benefits. That said, no matter what, she should have a strong Navy, by buying water-based Units and maintaining them with no problem.

A-Tier: Jose Rizal

• When gaining rewards from Narrative Events, gain an additional 20 Culture and Gold per Age.
• Has additional Narrative Events.
• +50% Celebration duration.
• +50% Happiness towards Celebrations.

Jose Rizal is a master of Celebrations. The 50% Celebration Duration and +50% Happiness towards Celebrations tandem is very strong. This can help him make massive gains with powerful Celebration effects, especially if he moves in the direction of Culture. He will have Celebrations often and have them active for longer. That’s excellent.

He also gets nice boosts of Culture and Gold for the Narrative Events he participates in and thankfully they happen more frequently to him than over civs. While these likely won’t sway a game on their own, they are a nice garnish on the Celebration synergy available to him.

A-Tier: Machiavelli

• +3 influence per Age.
• Gains 50 Gold per Age when your Diplomatic Action proposals are accepted or 100 Gold when they are rejected.
• Ignore Relationship requirements for declaring Formal Wars.
• Can Levy Military Units from City-States you are not Suzerin of.

Machiavelli is a great option for those who like to get positively devious. He has a powerful synergy of Influence and Gold that makes him a threat at all times. While he may not be on the offensive every second, his ability to ignore Relationship Requirements to declare wars means even allies aren’t safe from a stab in the back.

Even his apparent power level can be deceptive, as thanks to his ability to gain a lot of Gold from Diplomatic Actions made with his Influence, he can buy meaningful military force quickly. On top of that, he has the very powerful ability to levy units from City-States he isn’t Suzerain of. He’s not best at taking on strong armies and has to be considered in his actions, but he excels at a smash-and-grab playstyle, even at the expense of his friends.

A-Tier: Trung Trac

• Gain 3 free Levels on your first Army Commander.
• +20% Commander experience.
• +10% Science in Cities in Tropical Spaces. This bonus is doubled while in a Formal War you declare.

Trung Trac is the master of utilizing the powerful new Army Commander units. These units let you command multiple units at once while providing them with powerful bonuses. While they aren’t necessarily the strongest to begin with, the more levels they get, the more of a deciding factor they become. Trung Trac not only gets 20% Commander Experience, but her Commanders spawn with three free levels. This can make for some pretty sizeable spikes in military power that can influence wars. If her Commanders get really powerful and get multiple Commendations too, her armies will be some of the most powerful on the map.

She also gets a nice boost to Science on Tropical Spaces, a whopping 20% boostwhen at war, supercharging the formidable Science and Military combo. That said, it’s map-dependent, as she will need access to those Tropical tiles.

A-Tier: Xerxes, The Achaemenid

• +1 Trade Route limit with all other leaders.
• +50 Culture and 100 Gold per Age when you create a Trade Route or Road.
• +1 Culture and Gold per Age on Unique Buildings and Unique Improvements.

Xerxes, The Achaemenid has access to a nice variety of yields and benefits. The 100 Gold and 50 Culture he gets from creating Trade Routes and Roads are excellent and can provide you with massive spikes of both if you set up multiple around the same time. Considering he gets access to one extra Trade Route too for each Leader, there is a nice synergy here.

That’s only helped by his buff to Culture and Gold on Unique Buildings and Improvements. Make no mistake, this is a massive amount of both, and when utilized properly, it’s very, very strong.

B-Tier Leaders

B-Tier: Amina

• +1 Resource Capacity in Cities.
• +1 Gold per Age for each Resource assigned to Cities.
• +5 Combat Strength on all Units in Plains or Desert.

Amina is definitely a decent Leader who does well with Resources. Resources are powerful in Civilization 7, so having access to more is not a bad thing. While the +1 capacity is nice to have, the +1 Gold per Age for each Resource assigned to Cities is an excellent Gold generator.

Of course, you will need to get access to as many Resources as possible while housing them too, so that is where your game plan should be focused. Her Units getting a +5 Combat Strength on all Units in Plains or Desert is a bit situational, but it could come in clutch in the right circumstances.

B-Tier: Catherine the Great

• +2 Culture per Age on displayed Great Works. Building with Great Works slot gain 1 additional slot.
• Cities settled in Tundra gain Science equal to a percentage of their Culture per turn.

Catherine the Great is generally a great producer of Culture. Displaying Great Works is a part of the Culture Legacy Path, so her getting access to extra slots to display them can be useful when trying to run through that as fast as possible. The Culture boost for doing so will also feed more Great Works, making a nice feedback loop.

That said, she can be a little situational. Her cities being on Tundra do make for excellent Science output in tandem with her Culture generation. That said, if you can’t settle on Tundras or their barrenness ends up hurting you in terms of resources, she can be a little trickier to utilize.

B-Tier: Friedrich, Oblique

• Army Commanders start with the Merit Commendation, granting them additional Command Radius.
• Gain an Infantry Unit when you construct a Science Building.

The Oblique version of Friedrich is likely his better option, though he’s still far from the best in the game. That isn’t to say he isn’t without merit though. Army Commanders are strong Units and the Merit Commendations provide the most powerful effects among them. Starting with one of those is a good way to boost your army's power early on. The additional Command Radius is as powerful as any buffs and debuffs, allowing you to affect more Units.

He also can get an Infantry Unit when constructing a Science Building, which is a nice incentive to put your Gold and Production into those. That said, he has no access to Science, Influence, or Culture buffs. Even for a scientific-focused Civilization, he can end up hurting his viability a bit as he will likely lag behind other specialists.

B-Tier: Ibn Battuta

• Gain 2 Wildcard Attribute Points after the first Civic in every Age.
• +1 Sight for all Units.
• Gain a unique Endeavor called Trade Maps that allows you to gradually see other Leaders’ Explored area.

Ibn Battuta could become a powerful Civilization if played correctly, though he is so versatile, his strengths may not be apparent to those not sure how to utilize Attribute Points. Getting 2 of these after the first Civic in each Age means that he is flexible, and can spec himself into the situation he finds himself in. That said, with that flexibility comes more choice and complexity that might be a little unwieldy for new players.

Likewise, his visibility of the map granted from stealing other Explored areas and the extra sight from units is something that can be powerful in experienced hands. However that value might not be apparent to those less versed in how to make use of that information. He brings a lot to the table and is very flexible. Just be sure you know how to utilize that.

B-Tier: Lafayette

• Gain a unique Endeavor called Reform, which grants an additional Social Policy slot. Supporting this Endeavor also grants the other leader an additional Social Policy Slot.
• +1 Combat Strength for every Tradition, but not Policy, slotted into Government.
• +1 Culture and Happiness per Age in Settlements, doubled in Distant Lands.

Lafayette has access to some nice traits, though they aren’t the most eye-catching in isolation. Him being able to use Reform to get additional Social Policy Slots is nice, and can help provide yield boosts. The +1 Combat Strength he gets from Traditions too is nothing to sniff at. That said, even with yield-focused policies, he may struggle to keep up with more specialised Leaders.

The +1 to Culture and Happiness per Age, which is doubled in Distant Lands, is a completely unconditional buff though. That’s nice to have. This all comes together to make him a good Civilization, with a nice selection of good traits, though nothing here is entirely compelling here on its own.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Emperor

• Gain a unique Sanction called Continental System that reduces the Trade Route limit of the targeted Leader to all other Leaders. Causes massive Relationship penalty, and costs more to reject.
• +8 Gold per Age for every Leader you are Unfriendly or Hostile with.
• Can reject endeavors for Free.

Napoleon, Emperor is for those who like being a bit of a brat. He gets benefits from being a troll, gaining a very good +8 Gold for every Leader he is Unfriendly or Hostile with. That can be a lot if he’s annoying everyone. His Continental System Sanction messes with other civilizations’ ability to trade, making it an excellent option to tick off his neighbors.

The difficulty comes in managing that dislike. This means it will be very hard to enter into Endeavors, or even keep Open Borders with those around you. Of course, it will also paint an enormous target on your back. Since he provides no buffs to his Units militarily, that’s a dangerous game. So, if you’re going to be a jerk to everyone, make sure you have the army to back it up just in case the consequences of your actions catch up to you.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Revolutionary

• +1 Movement for all Land Units.
• Defending an enemy unit provides Culture equal to 50% percent of its Combat Strength.

Napoleon, Revolutionary is an interesting Leader. All of his land units get +1 movement which is helpful when trying to both traverse large areas, as well as being nimble when maneuvering around enemy units.

However, how you utilize his other trait is likely going to be what decides if you do well with him or not. Culture equal to 50% of enemy Combat Strength when defending can be very spikey, giving you a lot of Culture if you find yourself defending multiple times per turn. However, to make the best of this, you need to find yourself in this position relatively often. That means you’re going to want to be provoking enemies, but holding your ground. It’s a pretty unique playstyle and may be a bit awkward for some. But if used well, it could be a big source of Culture. Just expect to be putting other resources into maintaining your army as you continually take hits.

B-Tier: Tecumseh

• +1 Food and Production per Age in Settlements for every City-State you are Suzerain of.
• +1 Combat Strength for all your Units for every City-State you are Suzerin of.

Tecumseh has the potential to be very good, but it will need time and setup. He is all about becoming the Suzerain of City-States. If you can rack up three or four of these, that’s a significant bonus to Food and Production, as well as Combat Strength.

The issue is that becoming a Suzerain takes a lot of Influence and he doesn’t have an inherent trait that helps. So he will need a good pairing with a Civilization, Policy, and Buildings/Districts to facilitate this. On top of that, it will just take time for you to get the Influence you need and convince these states they should come under your wing. However, if you have the infrastructure for it, the rewards can be pure and consistent value.

B-Tier: Himiko, Queen of Wa

• Gain a unique Endeavor called Friend of Wei that can be performed in an Alliance to grant you and your ally +25% Science.
• +4 Science per Age for every Leader you are Friendly or Helpful with.
• Can support Endeavors for free.

Himiko, Queen of Wa is the opposite of Napoleon, Emperor. She is all about being everyone’s best friend, and if you can maintain that, you will reap enormous benefits. The +4 Science per Age for every Leader you’re Friendly or Helpful with is only helped by the Friend of Wei Endeavor. Multiply that by several allies, and that’s serious Science production.

However, you do have to be a little careful with it too. Make sure being nice to everyone doesn’t come at the cost of your defensive military. Your Technological advances and sunny demeanor may make others jealous, so don’t get caught out thinking everyone is your friend. That can go out the window quickly when they want what you have.

C-Tier Leaders

C-Tier: Friedrich, Baroque

• Gain a Great Work when you capture a Settlement for the first time.
• Gain an Infantry Unit when you construct a Culture Building.

Friedrich, Baroque has two traits and neither is particularly strong or distinct. Gaining a Great Work for capturing a Settlement for the first time is decent, but is unlikely to outright help you win games. In a field of very strong Leader traits, this feels merely ‘fine’.

Gaining an Infantry Unit when building a Culture Building is also useful, and can help fuel your military ambitions, but it’s not exactly going to make up for having no yield bonuses here. There are just many stronger options when it comes to Culture and your Military.

C-Tier: Pachacuti

• All Buildings gain a +1 Food adjacency bonus for Mountains.
• Specialists adjacent to Mountains do not cost Happiness maintenance

Pachacuti is not a bad Leader. In fact, in some games, he can be exceptional. The problem is, he can also do next to nothing if the map hasn’t favored you. To excel, you need Mountains. If he can settle near them, then he will get good access to a good amount of Food and have little drawback from Specialists. That can be really good, especially when paired with Civilizations that utilize Mountains too.

The problem is, that’s a strict requirement. Without Mountains, he provides little else, so if you spawn on a map with none around you, you’re out of luck. Of course, you can start over, or move the map sliders in your favor before picking him, but if you want a neutral experience where you start and play on a normal map, know you’re rolling the dice when you start.

Patrick is a a freelance journalist with over 13 years of experience who loves going deep on games and getting into their systems. His four-figure hours into both Overwatch 2 and Destiny 2 are a testament to that.

I want to say I have self-control, but when Amazon drops prices on Pokémon cards and limited edition gear, my budget takes the hit. These deals hit that magical combo of actually useful and just tempting enough to justify with "well, it is on sale.

Pokémon TCG, DOOM Xbox Controller, and a Last of Us Vinyl Set

I think today’s lineup is especially worth a look. There’s a Charizard box packed with collectibles, a DOOM Xbox controller that looks like it could double as a weapon, and a Last of Us vinyl set that might just make you cry on your living room floor. Been there.

Pokémon TCG Charizard ex Super Premium Collection

Xbox Wireless Controller – DOOM: The Dark Ages LE

The Last of Us 10th Anniversary Vinyl Box Set - 4LP

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet — Journey Together Elite Trainer Box

Return to Metroidvania Game Bundle

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The Last of Us - Joel With Hatchet Bust

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Dice & Destiny Game Bundle

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Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet — Journey Together Elite Trainer Box

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Train Sim world 5 Route Remix Bundle

Lepro O1 AI Floor Lamp

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Mass Effect Merchandise

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet: Paldean Fates: Booster Bundle

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Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box

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Pokémon TCG: Shining Fates Collection Pikachu V Box

The Pokémon range of Squishmallows makes for some of the best franchise plushies around, and Amazon has made them better by letting you buy certain 14-inch ultra-soft Pocket Monsters for as low as $6.06, in a price cut on certain ones.

That lowest price tag in particular is for Marill, arguably the best bargain among the bunch due to the Gen-2 Water-type's popularity. Originally, $17.49, that is a huge 65% saving before taking taxes plus shipping & handling, into account.

The next best is for Bellibolt, the EleFrog Pokemon, who is now available to buy and squeeze for only $8.47, after having 66% taken off its original $24.99 price tag. Then, there's the Pokemon Scarlet & Violet players' favourite Fire-type starter, Fuecoco—also on sale for $9.23 after having 63% taken away. For the Kanto purists, the 14-inch Clefairy can now be bought for only $10.13 after a 59% reduction.

An important thing to keep in mind is that Amazon has seemed to have made it very hard to find these deals when you're browsing directly, with some plushies' lower product pages only appearing with very particular searches. With that, we'd recommend clicking through our dedicated catalogue above so you can go to each page directly, buy quickly, and save without none of the fuss.

If you're still after the generally best Squishmallows in the entire Pokemon range—like Gengar and Snorlax—most seem to be available to still buy on Amazon as well. Some have even had a price cut as well, but only $4 at the most, compared to the other four above.

Still, they're worth the investment if you want some squeezable and comfortable cushions added to your living space with some Pokemon flair.

Around 50% of the Marill, Fuecoco, and Clefairy Squishmallows have already been claimed at the time of writing. As more become aware of these massive offers, grab yours quickly before you lose out on this very limited-time deal.

Ben Williams – IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.

The Easter season of savings is in full swing, and I've found a banger line-up of game bargains across every major platform. Whether you're building out your backlog or chasing a couple of cult favourites you missed at launch, there’s never been a better time to snag some digital delights. Get scrolling to get saving!

This Day in Gaming 🎂

In retro news, I'm celebrating the 17th bday of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2, the first game I ever reviewed for IGN AU! I'm all about its co-op PvE mode, called Terrorist Hunt, that my mates and I sank about a hundred hours into. Whether you do it via two-player split or 4P over Xbox Live, the concept is simple: survive a butt-clenching, one-shot-one-kill onslaught against thirty AI scumbags. I still play this on my XSX and it remains an absolute (flash)banger.

• Super Mario RPG (-20%) - A$64
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Expiring Recent Deals

• Hogwarts Legacy (-46%) - A$49
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• Paper Mario: Thousand-Year Door (-33%) - A$53
• Superliminal (-60%) - A$10
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Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.

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Pulsar made a great impression with the Xboard QS, which featured expansive physical customization and a build quality strong enough to be classified as a weapon. Along with some of my favorite mechanical switches, Pulsar proved to be a real player in the boutique (and expensive) keyboard space. The PCMK 2 HE, however, takes on a different design philosophy with a lighter, slimmer build and makes the move to magnetic switches to stand among some of the best gaming keyboards recently released. It costs a pretty penny at a base price of $160, especially considering its wired-only connectivity limits versatility, but everything else around it is fantastic and shows that Pulsar isn’t just a one-hit wonder.

Pulsar PCMK 2 HE – Design and Features

The PCMK 2 HE rocks a simple design, and it’s a clean and attractive aesthetic with the black and white color scheme that contrasts really well. The QWER, ASDF, Escape, and Enter keys come in the opposite color of the rest of the keycaps (depending on which primary color you choose to buy), and the backlit Pulsar logo above the arrow keys shines brightly. That logo is also a magnetic tab that you can remove, and even get customized for a little extra. The legend on it indicates whether or not Caps Lock, Scroll Lock, or Game Mode is active via the backlighting as well.

The exposed keycaps on the aluminum top plate lets them pop and the RGB backlighting flow nicely across the board. These double-shot PBT keycaps don’t have transparent lettering so the lighting doesn’t help with visibility, but there’s a decent brightness that helps the customizable colors still jump out. The dampeners and foam layer make up the rest of the keyboard, however, the keystrokes aren’t exactly soft or quiet. I’m fine with it since the keys have a light and bouncy feel that works well for gaming and long-term typing, although it does sound more “clacky” than most other magnetic keyboards. The bottom is encased in a transparent plastic so it’s not a fully aluminum chassis and doesn’t feel quite as sturdy as it could have been, but the see-through look is pretty sweet.

Pulsar collaborated with Gateron for its magnetic switches, which have a really smooth linear feel – at just 30g +/- 7 on the initial actuation force, it’s one of the lightest switches I’ve used. In moving to magnetic Hall Effect switches, it affords the keyboard another layer customization that you just can’t get from mechanical keyboards. Popular manufacturers like Logitech and Razer are jumping onto it now, and Pulsar is up there with the big names not just with how well the switches themselves perform, but because of how easy it is to get the most out of them.

Pulsar PCMK 2 HE – Software and Customization

As with other boutique-style keyboard makers, Pulsar uses a web-based configurator instead of a downloadable software suite to customize the keyboard’s settings. It’s called Bibimbap and makes tweaking things a breeze, similar to what Keychron offers as I saw with the K4 HE that I also reviewed. You just go to the Pulsar software URL (it’ll say “download” but it doesn’t actually download a client) and select the keyboard from the Connect menu. From there, you can mess with things like the customizable actuation point, RGB lighting profile, key assignments, macros, and much more.

Almost every feature included is configurable on a per-key basis, and while RGB isn’t going to necessarily shine through the keycaps, the degree to which you tweak the color spectrum, effects, and indicator lights on the magnetic tab is extensive. Having adjustable actuation points, thanks to the magnetic switches, comes in clutch as well, and that’s simply done in the Performance tab in the software – it can be as short as 0.1mm or as deep as 4.0mm and anywhere in between in 0.1mm increments.

Because this is a magnetic keyboard with features like Rapid Trigger and Quick Tap, I do need to address the ever-present elephant in the room. Quick Tap, being the name for SOCD (simultaneous opposite cardinal direction) input in this case, is a contentious feature that allows immediate input recognition even with the opposing direction still being held. In a shooter, holding A to strafe left while tapping D to strafe right without letting go of A creates a jiggle-strafing movement that is physically impossible otherwise. And this technique makes you an extremely tough target to hit. While every magnetic keyboard has some form of SOCD now, it doesn’t mean you’re safe to use it – you will get kicked from Counter-Strike 2 matches, for example, so be mindful of that. Rapid Trigger isn’t as problematic, it just recognizes any upward movement as a reset point, making repeated tapping faster.

Looking to upgrade your mouse, too?

Check out our roundup of the best gaming mice out now!

Despite not being as physically sophisticated as the Xboard QS, there is still some onboard customization you can do with the PCMK 2 HE, like swapping out the switches. If you want to change things up and ditch the Gateron x Pulsar magnetic switches, you can do that easily so long as you’re putting in N-Pole or S-Pole switches.

Pulsar PCMK 2 HE – Performance

To cut to the chase, gaming performance on the PCMK 2 HE is stellar. That’s largely due to the super-light touch to the Gateron x Pulsar magnetic switches and the adjustable actuation points. Even without using Quick Tap, my skill ceiling in Counter-Strike 2 is a bit higher on account of being able to do quicker keystrokes and have those inputs recognized switfly. While I love the K4 HE that I mentioned earlier, I give the slight edge for gaming to something like the PCMK 2 HE since its switches make these kinds of techniques easier to execute for competitive scenarios. Whether I'm quick-strafing to peak corners, switching weapons on a dime, or crouch-jumping through a window, the PCMK 2 HE let me pull these moves off effortlessly.

While I like having a super short actuation point for a competitive shooter, setting my keys to a deeper point works wonders for making sure I don't accidently set off the wrong action in my attack rotation for Final Fantasy XIV. As someone who spent hours-on-end raiding, I definitely felt my fingers wearing out the longer the raid went on, too, and the switches on the PCMK 2 HE helps mitigate that kind of exhaustion by virtue of the light actuation force. It's those sorts of capabilities that may seem minor on paper, but make noticeable differences in practice.

While much of these perks are due to the magnetic switches, the keyboard is a pleasure to use even if it's louder than most of its contemporaries. That bounciness I mentioned earlier feels great when I'm typing all throughout the work day, making for a comfortable experience outside of gaming.

It’s worth noting that the PCMK 2 HE features a 8000Hz polling rate, which I’ve talked about extensively as it pertains to high-end gaming mice. With regards to keyboards, the benefits are much more limited, and I would go as far to say negligible. Where the continuous and miniscule movements of a mouse swipe come out smoother with a high polling rate, the binary nature of keyboard inputs just don't really need that. If anything, it's to give you piece of mind that you're getting the best performance that's technically possible (but let's be real, putting 8,000Hz polling rate on a box is also a marketing move).

In case building your own rig is too much work right now or simply not a priority for you, you can always opt for one of the best prebuilt gaming PCs. You'll miss out on the satisfaction of building your PC from the ground up, but all that time you saved skipping research, having to wait for components to arrive, building your machine, and inevitably problem-solving when something goes awry can be spent actually playing PC games.

The half-baked prebuilt systems of yesteryear are no more, cutting far fewer corners for a long-lasting gaming PC that can take on all the action you throw its way. With the latest and greatest graphics cards and processors becoming pricier than ever, you may even save money by opting for something from Alienware, MSI, or HP. Plus, most options are easy enough to open up to upgrade components down the road, including our favorite gaming PC, the Legion Tower 7i.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Gaming PCs:

Buying a gaming PC is a bit more involved than a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S. You’ll need to determine the types of games you want to play and how you want to play them – even the best budget gaming PCs won’t be running Cyberpunk 2077 at the highest settings. Finding the proper processors, storage, memory, cooling, and other hardware and ensuring all the components work well together can make or break the rig. Luckily, many manufacturers take care of a good chunk of that guesswork so you don’t bottleneck the system.

Whether you're looking for something more affordable for indie games, want a compact option to save space in your studio apartment, or are after a top-tier rig to tackle the action in 4K, we’ve got you covered. One of the five pre-built gaming PCs we’ve selected will align perfectly with your needs.

Contributions by Danielle Abraham and Georgie Peru

Looking for additional savings? Check out the best gaming PC deals happening right now.

The State of Gaming PCs in 2025

Right now, we're in the middle of the next generation of PC hardware launching. Nvidia and AMD have released their respective new graphics cards, and we're still hot on the heels of the AMD Ryzen 9950X3D and 9800X3D. While we haven't had the chance to review any prebuilt gaming PCs with the new hardware – yet, at least – there are a couple things to keep in mind.

Most gaming PCs on this list have since been updated to support the new graphics cards, and even if they weren't, that doesn't mean they're not worth buying anymore. Because while the RTX 5080 is an extremely powerful graphics card, it's really just a few percentage points ahead of the RTX 4080 Super. So, if you can catch a deal on an RTX 4080 Super gaming PC, you should jump on it – all you're missing out on is multi-frame generation and an extra 10fps in some games.

Gaming PCs also remain one of the best ways to get your hands on one of the new graphics cards, too. PC manufacturers usually pay bulk prices for graphics cards, so you can usually get a full system for just a bit more than the standalone graphics card costs right now. While this sucks for anyone who just wants to upgrade their PC with a new GPU, its actually great for people who don't already have a PC to slot a graphics card into.

1. Lenovo Legion Tower 7i

Best Gaming PC

2. HP Omen 45L

Best Current-Gen PC

3. iBuyPower Trace 7 Mesh Gaming Desktop

Best Budget Gaming PC

4. Asus ROG NUC

Best Mini Gaming PC

How to Choose a Gaming PC

Prebuilts are the most surefire way of getting into gaming and arguably the most cost-effective hardware you can buy. With a system, you’re not only getting the hardware inside, but time savings of having to track down the best processor to best RAM for your system and putting it all together yourself and praying it actually boots up correctly.

That said, just like building your own PC you want to make sure you’re spending your money where it’s needed most. Firstly, you should prioritize getting the graphics card you need for the gaming monitor or the gaming TV you’re gaming on. There’s no need for anything better than an Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti if you’re just playing games on a 1080p display.

Likewise, you should only need an Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 processor with at least four cores to play most modern games comfortably at any resolution.

System memory and solid-state drives can be the biggest money sink for any system. Those comfortable with upgrading their system after it arrives should choose a configuration with the smallest storage and RAM capacities possible, as buying these components yourself can often be more cost-effective.

If that last suggestion resonates, perhaps a barebones system is what you seek. Those can be much cheaper since they come with all the major hardware – such as the CPU, GPU, and power supply – installed, but they usually lack storage, memory, and an operating system as a trade-off.

Lastly, if you want more control over what exactly is going into your build, go with a boutique PC builder. Origin, Maingear, DigitalStorm, Falcon Northwest, PC Specialist, and many more companies offer excellent PC building services that let you pick exactly which components go into your gaming PC. From there, they build your system with the sort of cable management some can only dream of while ensuring it all works properly out of the box.

In case this all sounds a little overwhelming to you, NZXT has its own PC building service called BLD. Instead of picking every part that will go into your PC, you chose the games you’ll actually play and the service gives you several configuration options that will be able to run the games for a smooth experience.

Similarly, iBuyPower offers an Easy Builder service that operates in very much the same fashion. Users can select games that they play from a small pool that includes Fortnite, GTA V, Apex Legends, WoW, League of Legends, Overwatch, and Battlefield V. From there, users can select whether they play at a 1080p or 1440p resolution, as well as their budget, and the system will spit back a few configurations to choose from.

Prebuilt PCs also come with several features and pieces of software you might find convenient. Many gaming PCs in this category come with some sort of overclocking support and even a one-click button to boost your system's performance. Of course, it's easy enough to download a piece of overclocking software like MSI Afterburner or EVGA Precision X. Additionally, your machine may come with system monitoring software that makes downloading and updating drivers a breeze.

Gaming PC FAQ

Should you buy a gaming PC or a gaming laptop?

Unless you’re looking for an all-in-one portable package, a gaming PC is usually better than even the best gaming laptops. With a desktop, it’s much easier and less expensive to upgrade parts, and they tend to last longer before going obsolete. For more on gaming PCs vs. gaming laptops, check out our guide.

Is it easy to upgrade your prebuilt gaming PC?

It depends. Most PC manufacturers have figured out users absolutely hate proprietary parts. While you might still find no-name motherboards installed into the heart of your PC, they should all at least fall in line with the standard size and layout of Mini ITX or Micro ATX motherboards. The best gaming PCs should allow you to easily swap out the CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage on your system with just a few simple tools or just a screwdriver.

Better yet, systems that tout tool-less upgradability don't require you to undo screws or anything to replace any of the major components. One of the things you'll likely find on most modern chassis are thumbscrews, which can be removed after a few quick twists with your fingers rather than a screwdriver. Additionally, tool-less SSD and hard drive caddies make expanding and replacing your storage just a little bit easier.

Should you buy a gaming PC or a console?

When comparing a gaming PC vs. console, there appear to be more similarities than differences these days, but one still comes out on top: the gaming PC.

Not every aspect of a gaming PC beats consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Consoles are much easier to use. You’ll also find that even the most expensive consoles are cheap compared to a quality gaming PC with a good graphics card, although there are good budget GPUs. There are some great handheld gaming PCs and mini PCs that are more affordable, but they’re better for indie games or older cross-platform console titles.

Where a gaming PC pulls ahead is in its gaming library, peripherals, upgradeability, and overall performance. There’s no denying that there are a massive amount of PC games, and of course, a gaming PC has cross-platform compatibility with popular console titles. Beyond gaming keyboards and gaming mice, you’ll find a wealth of other peripherals, from racing wheels to controllers, that all work seamlessly with a PC. You can also enjoy better visuals and a higher performance ceiling, and it’s easy to upgrade components. That makes a well-equipped PC the clear winner.

Can you find a good gaming PC for under $1,000?

Yes, it’s absolutely possible to find a great gaming PC for under $1,000. You just need to manage your expectations. Less powerful hardware will usually come in these ultra budget-friendly desktops, meaning gaming performance is more limited. Even still, you should have no problem running many of your favorite games in 1080p or sometimes even 1440p at respectable frame rates. Your PC may struggle during more graphically intensive games running at their top settings, but the savings you enjoy might be worth the trade-off.

Should you build your own gaming PC?

Building your own gaming PC has many benefits. First and foremost, you get to customize your PC to your own specifications, including only the components you want and need. Rather than purchasing a prebuilt desktop that may not be tailored to your requirements, you can select all of the individual parts that make up a gaming PC.

However, you will need some knowledge of how to build PCs, or at least be able to closely follow an in-depth YouTube video. This is where things get a little tricky. If you’ve never built a custom gaming PC before, you will need to do some research. From understanding how each component interacts with each other, to how to hold a stick of RAM or a CPU so you don’t damage it, there’s quite a large learning curve.

If you do decide to build your own gaming PC, you will likely find that you can save some money over the long run compared to buying a prebuilt machine. Choosing your own parts means you can keep an eye on sales and offers to get the best deal possible.

But building a gaming PC isn’t for everyone. If you aren’t rigid on the specifics and don’t have a particular build in mind, it can be less troublesome to let someone else do it for you. You also get the added reassurance that the PC will be professionally built, and there’s no chance your warranty can be void.

After you've scored an awesome gaming PC, be sure to grab the best gaming accessories for the ultimate PC battle station.

Jacqueline Thomas is the Hardware and Buying Guides Editor at IGN. When she's not helping her friends and family buy computers, you can usually find her tinkering with her own PC.

Image Credit: Annalee Tsujino is a multi-disciplinary designer and illustrator. Check them out on Instagram @antsu_illustrations.

Season 7 of Netflix's Black Mirror arrived last week, bringing with it the usual dose of dark sci-fi cautionary tales... with some hopeful fantasy mixed in as well. But it's one episode in particular, "Bête Noire," which has had some Black Mirror fans questioning, well, reality.

Some spoilers follow for Black Mirror's "Bête Noire"!

In the episode, a character named Maria (Siena Kelly) works in R&D for a food company, designing new recipes in what seems like a pretty great gig. But when a troubled classmate (Rosy McEwen) from her past shows up out of the blue and takes a job at the company, Maria finds herself in an increasingly desperate situation. It seems that the classmate, Verity, has the ability to simply alter reality by the force of her will. And nobody seems to realize this strange fact except for Maria.

That takes us to the fun/scary moment in the episode where a workplace conversation turns to what the name of an old fast food restaurant chain was. Some say it was Barnies while others say it was Bernies. Maria is certain she knows the answer because her husband used to work there and still has the hat! But when she googles it to prove that she's correct... the search results say otherwise. Is it The Mandela Effect or... The Verity Effect?

With this scene, Black Mirror seems to be switching reality on its viewers a bit as well because there are reportedly two different versions of the episode available on Netflix, and which one you get when streaming the show appears to be random.

As reported by Games Radar, fans have realized that in one version of the scene, Bernies was the original name of the restaurant, while in the other version the OG name is Barnies. Watch both versions of the scene here:

We've reached out to Netflix to ask about this matter, but haven't heard back. That said, the Netflix and Black Mirror X accounts seem to be having some fun with the whole thing:

barnies https://t.co/TaS4MzrXam

— Black Mirror (@blackmirror) April 11, 2025

And by the way, the main character in the Season 3 episode "Shut Up and Dance" worked at... Barnies. But we're not sure which reality he lived in, so that doesn't really solve anything here anyway.

Mass Effect is one of the most beloved RPG series of all time, with many fascinated by the characters, locations, and secrets hidden throughout its universe. If you're a huge fan of the games looking for more, Fanatical just relased a new bundle featuring 11 different Mass Effect graphic novels and art books. You can score almost $140 worth of items for just $8.99 with this bundle.

Mass Effect Comics & Art Book Bundle Available Now at Fanatical

Kelley Heyer, a TikTok influencer and creator of a viral dance to Charli XCX's song "Apple", is suing Roblox, alleging it used the "Apple Dance" in the game and profited off her work without her permission.

If you're not exactly up on the hip trends of the youth, the "Apple Dance" is exactly what it says on the tin: a catchy dance conceived by Heyer and shared via TikTok to Charli XCX's song "Apple". The dance has become incredibly popular, to the point of being shouted out in Charli XCX's tour and shared on Charli XCX's TikTok.

So it's unsurprising that Roblox wanted the Apple Dance as part of a collaboration between Charli XCX and one of the most popular games within Roblox: creative fashion contest game Dress to Impress. Spotted by Polygon, the lawsuit in question was filed last week in California, in which Heyer claims that originally, Robox did contact her to license the Apple Dance for the crossover event. Heyer says that she was open to the idea of the dance being licensed if the terms were right - she even licensed it to Fortnite and Netflix via actual, signed agreements - but never reached an actual agreement with Roblox.

Heyer alleges that Robox released the Apple Dance emote for sale in the event before negotiations were ever completed and without Heyer giving her consent for its use. Heyer says that Roblox sold over 60,000 Apple Dance emotes, resulting in an estimated $123,000 in sales. The suit also argues that while the emote was a part of a Charli XCX event, the dance emote itself is unattached to the song or Charli XCX, and thus is solely Heyer's intellectual property.

The suit accuses Roblox of copyright infringement and unjust enrichment, and requests relief in the form of the profits Roblox received from the dance plus damages as a result of Roblox harming Heyer's brand and Heyer herself, plus attorney's fees.

Update 2:15 p.m. PT: Heyer's attoney, Miki Anzai, shared the following statement: "Roblox moved forward using Kelley's IP without a signed agreement. Kelley is an independent creator who should be compensated fairly for her work and we saw no other option than to file suit to prove that. We remain willing and open to settle and hope to come to a peaceful agreement."

Update 4/17/2024 6:52 a.m. PT: And here's a statement from a Roblox spokesperson: "As a platform powered by a community of creators, Roblox takes the protection of intellectual property very seriously and is committed to protecting intellectual property rights of independent developers and creators to brands and artists both on and off the platform. Roblox is confident in its position and the propriety of its dealings in this matter and looks forward to responding in court."

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

After about six hours of side scrolling through the dark fantasy dystopia of Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree, I find myself equal parts captivated by a detailed world I’ve only just begun to understand, and worried the combat that takes place within it could wear thin throughout the supposed 40-hour runtime. The story has been really compelling so far, full of body horror monsters, an extremely dark society controlled by the creepiest people imaginable, and decisions that are designed to make you squirm. But in between visits to the nearest town and chatting with my growing party back at camp, I’ve been blowing my way through fights that aren’t very novel or challenging – and while it’s too early to say for sure, that already seems like kind of a big problem for an action-RPG with soulslike sensibilities.

Ah, yes. The ol’ “is this a soulslike?” question. Is every game in 2025 technically a soulslike? I dunno – at this point, probably. Do genre labels matter even a little bit? Absolutely not. Well, regardless, Mandragora definitely borrows certain ideas you’ll recognize, like save points that respawn enemies, highly deadly bosses, and a leveling currency that can be permanently lost upon death if you fail to retrieve it. But it’s also got a bit of 2D platforming and exploration, dense skill trees for each of its six character classes, and some pretty in-depth equipment and crafting systems that place it pretty squarely in the action-RPG space. (No, not an ARPG, because those are… you know what, nevermind.) It’s a good mix that stands out as its own kind of thing, but the important part is that you’re going to be swinging melee weapons, dodge rolling away from attacks, slinging spells, and swinging across gaps with a grapple hook.

As you do so, you’ll get to know Faelduum, Mandragora’s pessimistic and creepy world that’s been overrun by evil creatures who have left humanity cowering behind city walls. You play as an inquisitor who gets involved in a witch hunt and is sent out into the world in search of evils to kill, all while the creepy voice of a monster you sympathy murdered whispers things in your head (long story). I don’t know where this is all going just yet, but I’m intrigued by its setup, and that’s despite the fact that I’m pretty over edgy fantasy settings in general.

This has got to be my 30th soulslike in the past couple of years, many of which really love the whole creepy fantasy vibe, so I was worried Mandragora would be more of the same – but that fear has been unwarranted. I’ve been impressed with the depth of Faelduum, the cast of characters who occupy it, and the troubling choices I’ve been asked to make within it. I’m very curious why witches in this universe traded in their pointy hats and broomsticks to appear as overly large flesh monsters, or why the entire world has been consumed by evil creatures while humans hide in ruined, deeply unjust cities, or why the heck my character has been absorbing dark energy called Entropy into his body, which really seems like something that’s probably not going to work out for him later on.

The environments can admittedly look a bit generic on the surface when running from place to place, but Mandragora uses a really neat painterly art style during cutscenes or when talking to other characters, with animated portraits you’d expect to find hanging in the halls of Hogwarts. I’m also genuinely interested in the characters I’ve met, like the reckless treasure hunter and incorrigible lady’s man who’s been making my maps or the kind-hearted blacksmith who builds weapons he’d never have the heart to use himself. Their dialogue has been pretty decent, and I’m excited to see where the larger story goes as a result.

However, when it comes to the action itself, so far I’ve mostly been fighting a whole lot of sluggish soldiers and pushover rats, which have me dodge rolling back and forth each time they take a swing, then getting a few hits in before doing so again. Not only does there not seem to be much to the combat, I’ve already seen repeated boss fights after just a handful of hours – usually not a great sign for overall enemy variety. That said, I’ve also only played as one of the six classes as of now (a dual-bladed agility-focused warrior) and perhaps I simply chose one of the more milquetoast characters or haven’t hit the point where they start to become interesting. With dense skill trees filled with powers to unlock and lots of equipment left to loot and craft, there’s plenty of time for me to potentially fall in love with these 2D bouts.

As a side scroller, there’s also a fair bit of platforming and secret hunting to be done, but those sections have mostly worked as the most minor of breaks in between combat sequences. There’s been little in the way of puzzles to solve or any memorable sections where dodging traps and perilous pitfalls was front and center in these early hours. Of course, there are clear metroidvania-style tells that I still need to obtain some special tools or abilities to unlock more options, like the grapple hook it feels very obvious I am eventually going to get, so here’s hoping that whatever lies ‘round the bend will add a little more depth to this aspect of Mandragora.

As we didn’t get review code until close to launch, the PlayStation dashboard estimates I’m only 20% through the campaign, and the description on its Steam store page claims the story is 40+ hours long, so only time will tell if the platforming and combat can rise to the same level as the story and art. As of now, I’m certainly enjoying myself enough to keep pushing through and see how things develop at least, and if Mandragora’s RPG menus filled with an insane number of possibilities are any indication, there’s quite a bit left to see before my final review next week.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members just got a new perk: the ability to stream some games directly to their consoles, no download necessary.

This news came in an Xbox Wire news post today, in which Xbox announced that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Member are now able to stream games from the Game Pass catalog, as well as "select games they own" on their Xbox Series X and S and Xbox One consoles via cloud streaming.

In the past, this was already possible to do on smart TVs, PCs, smart phones, and Meta Quest headsets, but this is the first time the feature has been available on consoles. Effectively, it lets users avoid spending time download games and using up precious hard drive storage space for games.

Xbox's instructions for accessing this feature are as follows:

To start streaming from an Xbox console, go to My games & apps > Full library > Owned Games.

• Cloud playable games will display a cloud badge on the game page.
• Use filters to find games more quickly. Choose Filter > Ready to play > Cloud gaming.
• To start playing, select the game and then choose Play with Cloud Gaming.
• Start streaming directly from the Store app after buying select cloud playable games.

Conversely, users can play any game that's installed on their Xbox consoles via streaming on devices with supported web browsers, via this link. Per Xbox's post, this feature no longer works on the Xbox mobile app, but is still available on phones via the browser link. Xbox is also in the process of bringing this feature to Samsung and Amazon Fire smart TVs, and Meta Quest headsets.

Finally, Xbox announced that beginning this month, Xbox and Xbox 360 backward compatible games will support remote play as well.

All of this, Xbox says, is part of an effort to free up storage space on Xbox consoles. The Xbox Wire post touts a new feature in the console's settings that will offer recommendations for cleaning up hard drive real estate. It can be found in the My Games & Apps > Manage menu.

Xbox has admittedly been making efforts to to expand storage space in recent years in the wake of bigger and bigger install sizes across games like Call of Duty and Baldur's Gate 3. We broke down some of the best storage options for the Xbox Series X and S if you still need more even with these changes, especially if you're not interested in shelling out for one of the fancier new Xbox models that comes with more built-in storage than the originals.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Cyberpunk Edgerunners is an electrifying animated Netflix series that debuted in 2022 and left me gobsmacked. Across 10 episodes, we rip through Night City alongside protagonists David and Lucy as they confront the terrors of the concrete hellscape while stuck between two warring MegaCorps. This brilliant anime is full of potential and is too damn good to be forgotten. Thankfully, it's now been reanimated via cardboard and plastic, allowing players to explore some of the key moments of the series through a refined tabletop miniatures game that's as razor sharp as the Cyberpunk 2077 setting.

The setup mimics the show – one player controls Maine and his crew of merc edgerunners, and another the Arasaka paramilitary team. Players select a scenario and then craft their gang from a selection of characters based on the assigned points value for the mission. Maine’s group can include any of the main protagonists of the series, including David, Lucy, and Rebecca. Arasaka has a mixed cast of faceless grunts alongside more menacing options such as the braindance editor Jimmy Kurosaki and massive hulk Adam Smasher. You can outfit team members with various weapons and cybergear, allowing for advanced tactics and more nuanced options.

One of the strengths of this game is that the system it uses is already seasoned. The ruleset is identical to publisher Monster Fight Club’s Cyberpunk Red: Combat Zone miniatures game. I’ve already written many words about this excellent tabletop skirmish game, and I am more than pleased to see it return with a fresh exoskeleton. It’s really a top-notch ruleset that hasn't received the acclaim it deserves.

The most interesting aspect is the activation system. Characters are allotted color-coded action tokens that are spent to roll matching dice. The stronger actions allow you to move farther or roll larger dice, such as a 12-sider, to perform various activities. The active player chooses one of their characters to activate, and then spends their assigned tokens to sprint across the board, attack their foe, or perform special actions such as netrunning or completing a scenario objective. There is added texture through leadership abilities allowing you to activate additional models out of order, or the option to react when wounded. This creates a dynamic flow to play with a controlled chaos that blends player agency with unpredictability.

This splendid system is interesting in that it evokes a sense of resource management for players to puzzle over. Each action is precious and needs to be spent for maximum gain. For instance, if Dario is being targeted by an Arasaka Point Man, do you spend her best action token for the opposed defensive roll, or do you go with a weaker action to save her best die for later in the turn? This decision process evokes a similar feel to tactical board games, such as some of the more inspired dungeon crawler board games. It’s more opaque than traditional miniatures games such as Kill Team or Frostgrave. This quality isn’t a total surprise, as the founders of Monster Fight Club have a long established history, having designed hit board games such as Spartacus: A Game of Blood and Treachery and Star Trek: Ascendancy.

While the system here is identical to Cyberpunk Red: Combat Zone, the content is certainly not. In addition to swapping out Night City gangs for edgerunner mercs and Megacorp goons, the plastic miniatures of that previous box have been abandoned in lieu of stylish acryllic standees. This style of plastic faux 3D figure has started to become popular in the board game hobby, but it hasn’t quite been experimented with on the same scale in miniatures games. Monster Fight Club is looking to spearhead this movement as these standees are incredibly appealing for both ease of play and striking aesthetics.

One of the reasons the acrylic standees work so well in this game is that the characters' depictions are all grounded in the anime. The artistic style of the Edgerunners series is an iconic element of the property, so carrying it forward to the miniatures game is an enormous win. The sleek tone of the figures blends well with the cyberpunk terrain and battlefield, merging for an overall enhanced visual field that is fantastic.

The standees are such an enormous benefit to the game that I can’t imagine the average wargamer opting for miniatures instead. Look, all of us that play these types of games have scads of unpainted figures occupying our shelves. This switch to illustrated acrylic standees is such a breath of fresh air, as it allows you to just dive into the game with virtually no assembly or prep time. And for many, they will look better than the average paint-job we are capable of.

The standees are such an enormous benefit to the game that I can’t imagine the average wargamer opting for miniatures instead.

Still, some may instead find that desire for full-blown miniatures eating away at their soul. Fret not, for an aftermarket option does allow for a return to plastic multi-part miniatures. It’s a pricey option that will certainly increase your overall burden in entering this game, and I certainly find it entirely unnecessary, but it’s an option that’s there for collectors.

The terrain is of similar exceptional quality to the magnificent Cyerpunk Red: Combat Zone kit. Cardboard buildings, rubble, and barricades are composed of thick chipboard that slots together with ease. The surface is a sturdy mounted board similar to that found in hobby board games. There’s no paper mat needing an immediate upgrade here.

This line of Cyberpunk miniatures games are also well supported with aftermarket purchases of Monster Fight Club’s various plastic terrain options. They have crafted some of the best cargo containers in the industry, and have expanded that series of products to include walkways, crates, and various other small scatter options. It’s incredible stuff that rivals the top-notch cardboard options in the core box.

Cyberpunk Edgerunners: Combat Zone is an impressive box. It once again includes a fully featured campaign reminiscent of its peers such as Necromunda and Warcry. Players can take their gang through multiple battles and increase their characters' potency. Eventually your gang will reach the end of their story and engage in a climactic finale that wraps up their narrative. Campaign play isn't a requirement, however, as the game performs exceptionally well in one-off skirmishes. The wide range of scenario options are exciting and varied, affording for a large amount of experimentation. Couple that with full crew options allowing players to field a wide array of rosters, and this single box set feels wholly complete.

The characters are well realized, with abilities and play-styles that reflect the Netflix series.

The attention to detail here is strong throughout. The characters are well realized, with abilities and play-styles that reflect the Netflix series. David, for instance, can really dig into cybergear and run wild. Adam Smasher is scary as hell. Lucy can netrun with the best of them. Owners of Cyberpunk Red: Combat Zone products may be pleased to find out that you can mix content across games. Since both utilize the same core ruleset, they are fully compatible for those wanting to explore anachronistic conflicts that jump across the timeline. Regardless of Combat Zone experience, this new boxed set feels singular and expansive, offering a tailored skirmish game that is fantastic in its own right.

Where to Buy

• Get it at Amazon
• Get it at Atomic Empire
• Get it at Miniature Market

See more board games based on video games

The UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals are almost here, and there are several ways you can check out Real Madrid vs. Arsenal in the US. On Tuesday, the 16th of April, 2025, the second leg of the Real Madrid vs. Arsenal UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals is starting at 8:00 PM BST / 3:00 PM ET. Arsenal itself has helpfully laid out a comprehensive list of viewing options for each country, including local TV channels and various apps.

Out of the six options available for the United States, the best way to see the Real Madrid vs. Arsenal match in the 2nd leg of the UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals is by watching it on Paramount+, which has its own free trial for seven days.

How to Watch the Champions League Quarter-Finals Online

For a limited time, Amazon is offering the 6th generation Apple iPad Air 11" M2 tablet for only $799 after a $250 off instant discount. That's the best price we've seen for this upgraded 2024 model with 512GB of internal storage and both Wi-Fi and 5G cellular connectivity. The current generation 2025 7th gen iPad Pro M3 tablet equipped with similar specs currently retails for $1,049 and it's pretty much identical, save for the processor.

Apple iPad Air M2 Tablet for $799

Upgraded with 512GB storage and both Wi-Fi and Cellular connectivity

If you are planning a PC build and have been waiting patiently to get ahold of one of the new Nvidia Blackwell graphics cards, here's an opportunity that's as good as you're going to get. Right now Amazon has Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Gaming OC graphics cards in stock starting at $899.99 shipped. Inventory is reserved for Amazon Prime members only.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU in Stock on Amazon

Amazon Prime members only for some models

Although the MSRP for these cards range from $899.99 to $999.99, a reference GeForce RTX 5070 Ti card is actually supposed to sell for $750. More advanced cooling designs, a more uncommon colorway, or overclocking out of the box add to the cost, but even then, admittedly, these cards are still priced higher than AMD originally intended.

The reality is that even third party manufacturers like Gigabyte, MSI, Asus (and pretty much everyone else) are also taking advantage of the high demand by marking prices up from the get-go. Unfortunately, you'd be hard pressed to find another RTX 5070 Ti GPU for this price or less. RTX 5070 Ti GPUs are generally selling for over $1,000 on eBay.

The RTX 5070 Ti GPU Has Excellent 4K Gaming Performance

Of all the Blackwell cards released thus far, the RTX 5070 Ti offers the best bang for your buck, especially when pitted against the previous generation GPUs. It performs neck-and-neck with the RTX 4080 Super and already marginalizes the RTX 5080, which is only about 10%-15% faster but costs 33% more. This GPU is capable of high framerates in nearly all games, even at 4K resolution with ray tracing enabled. Heck, even if you plan on using this card for AI, the RTX 5070 Ti might be the better value than the RTX 50870 since both are equipped with the same 16GB of GDDR7 VRAM.

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.

Last Epoch 1.2 Tombs of the Erased brings a sentinel rework, Weavers endgame Faction, revamped Monolith of Fate experience, and much more. This is Last Epoch’s biggest update yet and IGN has teamed up with the ARPG experts at Maxroll to prepare detailed guides on all of the new content along with excellent builds for leveling and endgame alike. Before we get to the builds, here’s all the new stuff coming in 1.2:

New 1.2 Tombs of the Erased Content

Woven Faction

One of the biggest changes in 1.2 is the new Woven Faction. They provide a deeper endgame experience by adding Woven Echoes to your Monolith of Fate. Begin interacting with them by finding a Cemetery of the Erased on your Echo Web, after completing the mini-boss at the end you can enter the Haven of Silk and speak to Masque to join the faction. Gain ranks with the Woven Faction by completing Woven Echoes to add points to your Weaver Tree then use these points to customize your endgame experience.

Champions & Mini-bosses

As you explore the Echo Web, you may also find some fun new surprises in the form of Champions, and new weaver mini-bosses. The Champions are larger, more powerful versions of rares, immediately visible due to their angry red glow. Defeating them is tricky but if you persevere you’re sure to be duly rewarded. There are also several new mini-bosses you can encounter in 1.2, so keep an eye out for a scary-looking boss as you explore the Monolith of Fate.

Set Item Crafting and LP Changes

Last Epoch has an in-depth Crafting System where you use Affix Shards, Glyphs, and Runes to heavily customize your items. This popular system is straighforward to understand and has a fair bit of depth to master.

In 1.2, crafting in Last Epoch gets even better. You can break Set items down to obtain crafting shards and then use those to craft set bonuses on your items. This gives you the best of both worlds where you have the power of a set bonus and the flexibility to craft your own gear with the affixes you need. EHG has also made a big change to how you use Unique items with Legendary Potential (LP) to craft Legendary items. In the past, when interacting with the Eternity Cache the modifiers added to your Legendary Items were chosen at random. So if you used a 1LP Unique, you get a Legendary with 1 random affix, if you use a 2LP Unique, you get a Legendary with 2 random affixes.

Now, if you complete a Temporal Sanctum of level 2 or higher you can choose 1 affix to transfer to your Legendary! This means you get to pick what you want when using a 1 LP Unique, if you use an item with 2-4 LP, then you get to pick 1 affix and the remaining modifiers are chosen at random.

Uber Aberroth

Last Epoch’s ultimate boss is getting even tougher with 1.2. In addition to the normal version of this encounter, there is a special Uber Aberroth encounter. Very little is known about this foe beyond the fact that he is the most dangerous being in Eterra. Challenge him at your own risk!

1.2 Tombs of the Erased Leveling Builds

Use Maxroll’s leveling builds to cruise through the campaign with ease. Season 2 introduces the ability to switch your Mastery so you can level with the most efficient build for the campaign, then respec your mastery upon reaching the endgame. Here are the best ways to level each of the game’s 5 classes, straight from Last Epoch’s top speed runner Terek!

Primalist

The best way to level a Primalist is by playing Druid. This build has good damage, it’s very cozy as you can use transformations to spam your skills during the campaign, and gets quite tanky thanks to Werebear form.

Mage

The Spellblade mastery seamlessly weaves blades and spells to decimate foes using Shatter Strike. You are reliant on spells in the early game but once you get Shatter Strike most of your time is spent rotating between Shatter Strike for damage and Mana Strike to recover your resources to continue dealing damage. Don’t be fooled by the Mage’s health, you can easily generate tons of Ward just by hitting enemies.

Sentinel

Hot off the rework, Sentinel is stronger than ever. The most efficient way to level is by playing Paladin to get easy access to Resistances and Holy Aura for both offensive and defensive bonuses. Crusade your way through the campaign burning enemies in the holy fire of your Judgment!

Acolyte

As an Acolyte you are a master of the undead and the profane. Embrace your inner darkness and become a Warlock to create rifts in reality which unleash a volley of Chaos Bolt. The Chthonic Fissure skill provides great persistent damage for clearing while your Summoned Infernal Shades melt bosses with their hellish assault.

Rogue

The Rogue levels with her trusty Falcon Companion, flying through levels with ease and grace. This Falconer build is easy to scale with great sustain thanks to the Melee Leech affix on gear. With a bit of investment into Health, Regen and Physical Resistance, this Rogue becomes a well-rounded beast of a build.

1.2 Tombs of the Erased Endgame Builds

After you complete the campaign, you enter Last Epoch’s endgame. Maxroll’s Last Epoch team has been extensively testing a wide variety of endgame builds to dominate in the Monolith of Fate. While all of these builds are powerful, you can use Maxroll’s tier lists to see how they compare across different kinds of content.

Heartseeker Marksman

The Heartseeker Marksman uses a new skill which seeks enemy targets and triggers a spectacular display of Fire and Cold Projectiles that cover the entire screen. Watch your enemies evaporate as they get blasted by your Attacks and Spells!

The build revolves around dealing Damage with Heartseeker and proccing an insane amount of Dragonfire from Dragonsong. Heartseeker also triggers Burning Dagger for even more craziness. This Marksman has incredible mobility and utility thanks to Shift, Smoke Bomb, Shurikens, and unspecialized Decoy.

Pros

✔️ Amazing DPS

✔️ Fast Clear Speed

✔️ Deals Damage While Moving

✔️ Insane Scaling with Gear and Uniques

Cons

❌ Active Playstyle

❌ Needs Uniques to Shine

❌ Survivability Relies on Gear

❌ Defensive Tools Require Timing

Judgement Paladin

The Judgement Paladin creates Consecrated Ground with Judgement, to burn enemies with holy fire. Become the Judge and cleanse your foes of impurity, as they hopelessly try to break through your immense defenses. This build is a natural continuation of the Paladin Leveling Build, making it extremely easy to play as your first character of the season.

The Judgement Paladin deals Fire Spell Damage Over Time with Consecrated Ground and generates Mana with Vengeance. Consecrated Ground also grants massive Healing, since multiple instances can stack on top of each other. Use Holy Aura and Symbols of Hope for great passive buffs. Healing Hands grants Ward and Healing, while acting as your Movement Skill.

Pros

✔️ Insane Tankiness

✔️ Exceptional Sustain

✔️ High Single Target DPS

✔️ Amazing Scaling With Gear and Uniques

Cons

❌ Limited AoE

❌ Average Clear Speed

❌ Needs Legendaries To Shine

❌ Generator/Spender Playstyle

Warpath Void Knight

The Warpath Void Knight uses Warpath to wipe the battlefield clean of enemies. Stay spinning to increase your Damage and AoE until Warpath almost covers the whole screen. Unleash the Spin-to-Win playstyle with this build!

The Warpath Void Knight specializes into Warrior's Fury to reach amazing levels of Void Melee Damage and Area of Effect. Warpath costs more Mana every second, but thanks to the Void Well Passive and Mana stacking, you can stay spinning for a long time. The Void Well Passive is mandatory when you have Warrior's Fury allocated. Devouring Orb, Anomaly, Symbols of Hope, and Abyssal Echoes grant powerful buffs.

Pros

✔️ Amazing AoE

✔️ Extreme Clear Speed

✔️ Very Simple Gameplay

✔️ Excellent Single Target DPS

Cons

❌ Gear Dependent

❌ Average Tankiness

❌ Needs Legendaries To Shine

❌ Requires Mana Investment

Tornado Shaman

Summon the fury of the storm with this Tornado Shaman Guide as you strike down foes from afar. This build invokes Tornados onto the battlefield that rapidly calls Storm Bolts down on enemies in an enormous area. Speed through monoliths and destroy bosses with this outstanding build.

Place down long-lasting Tornados on the battlefield that rapidly cast Storm Bolts thanks to Charged Storm for huge Lightning damage. Gathering Storm allows you to drastically increase the damage of those storm bolts while Summon Spriggan, Warcry, and Maelstrom offer you some amazing offensive and defensive bonuses. Since you are not casting Gathering Storm manually, you can equip an unspecialized Fury Leap for mobility.

Pros

✔️ Insane Tankiness

✔️ Exceptional Sustain

✔️ High Single Target DPS

✔️ Amazing Scaling With Gear and Uniques

Cons

❌ Limited AoE

❌ Weaker Defensively While Moving

❌ Optimal Play Requires Standing Still

❌ Summon Spriggan Dies Often And Needs To Be Resummoned

Stygian Coal Lich

The Stygian Coal Lich Guide harnesses the power of undeath in the form of Stygian Beams. This Lich transforms into its horrific Reaper Form to unleash a barrage of deadly Necrotic Stygian Beams. Hit your enemies with Rip Blood to empower yourself, and generate Mana and obliterate everything around you.

Turn Drain Life into a DPS powerhouse thanks to the Stygian Coal Unique Catalyst. Death Seal provides powerful buffs and releases pulsing Waves of Death around you while it's active that kill any enemies near you. The build has great mobility thanks to Reap and Transplant.

Pros

✔️ Good Tankiness

✔️ Exceptional Sustain

✔️ Insane Single Target DPS

✔️ Deals Damage While Moving

Cons

❌ Limited AoE

❌ Mana Management

❌ Unique Heavy Build

❌ Generator/Spender Playstyle

Umbral Blades Falconer

The Umbral Blades Falconer calls down its Falcon from the skies to spawn Umbral Blades, which are Throwing Attacks that detonate into giant Cold explosions and decimate your enemies. Watch your foes die as you swiftly cruise through the battlefield with this amazing build that focuses on maximizing the destructible power of the Twilight Strike Node inside the Aerial Assault Skill.

Thanks to the Cooldown Reduction from Free Lofting Bird, you can spam Explosive Trap to cycle through Dive Bomb and Aerial Assault almost non-stop. Smoke Bomb is your Movement Skill and Shadow generator.

Pros

✔️ Very Fast

✔️ Amazing AoE

✔️ Insane Burst Damage

✔️ Multiple Defensive Layers

Cons

❌ Cooldown Based DPS

❌ Mana Management

❌ Can't Leech From Crits

❌ Requires Uniques to Shine

Frostbite Frost Claw Sorcerer

The Frostbite Frost Claw Sorcerer strides into battle wielding the potent Frost Claw as its Skill of choice. With each swift cast, Frost Claw releases a barrage of projectiles, all capable of converging upon a single target. This relentless assault not only deals Damage but also has the power to Freeze foes in their tracks. Thanks to its high Cast Speed, it can maintain a relentless offensive assault, while also accumulating Ward to fortify its Defenses.

This is an Ailment-based build that scales Frostbite and Cold Damage Over Time. Its Damage primarily comes from Frost Claw, Elemental Nova, and Ice Barrage. The build also has amazing CC thanks to the ability to Freeze enemies reliably.

Pros

✔️ Easy to Play

✔️ Incredible CC

✔️ Flashy Visuals

✔️ High Scaling Potential

Cons

❌ Visual Clutter

❌ Average Survivability

❌ Requires Uniques to Shine

❌ Mana Intensive Without Proper Setup

Last Epoch 1.2 Tier Lists

If you want to see the best performing builds of the patch, here are Maxroll’s Tierlists to help you decide what to play depending on your goals and taste! The best ones stand in S-Tier and are expected to outperform others. Choose wisely, read the guides, and defeat all content!

Corruption

Maxroll’s Corruption Tier List categorizes the performance of all builds against any high-end challenges, taking into account all their strengths and weaknesses. Builds are compared based on their Endgame Planner Setup.

Bossing

Use Maxroll's Bossing Tier List to see which builds excel at taking down Monolith Bosses, Dungeons Bosses, and Pinnacle Content. Maxroll considers many factors when placing the builds but mainly focuses on Overall reliable DPS. Builds are compared based on their Endgame Planner Setup.

Hardcore

Maxroll's Hardcore Tier List ranks a build's suitability for the optional permadeath mode “Hardcore”. Therefore the builds are primarily ranked based on their raw survivability and reliability, even on their Starting Planner Setup. Unlike the other tier lists, the early game gearing is given higher weight here, because a single death means losing your character when playing on Hardcore.

Speed Farming

Maxroll's Speed Farming Tier List ranks a build's ability to speed through content. Naturally, speed is the main factor, which means the ability to AoE down mobs, move quickly, and maintain this speed even at high corruption. Builds are compared based on their Endgame Planner Setup.

This article was created by IGN Staff with help from the Maxroll Last Epoch Team.

If you somehow haven't gotten your fill of Nintendo Directs over the last few weeks, don't worry, there's yet another one tomorrow. This one is focused on Mario Kart World only. It'll be at 6 a.m. PT / 9 a.m. ET / 2 p.m. BT, and will last about 15 minutes.

Nintendo actually announced this Direct last week during its Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, but has just confirmed the length as-of today. You'll be able to watch the Direct in a number of places, including Nintendo's official channel or right here at IGN. Our Nintendo Voice Chat crew will be doing a live reaction to the Direct, which you can catch here on the website, or on our YouTube channel.

As for what we're expecting to be there...well, Mario Kart World! We already got a look at the game at last week's Nintendo Direct and our subsequent hands-on preview, but there's still so much we don't know. One big question we're hoping to hear more about is how the game's Free Roam mode will work that lets players just drive around the world. Though we've seen a tiny bit of it in action, we don't fully know just how it will work yet.

We're also curious to see more about the character roster and how costumes work. Again, this is something we've seen some of in trailers and previews, but there are still a lot of lingering questions on what the different character outfits do, why some characters have them and others don't, and so forth. And of course, we're hoping to see more new courses...maybe even a brand new Rainbow Road?

Mario Kart World continues to be the subject of consternation among fans due to its $80 price, which many fans are concerned heralds a new era of even more expensive games that may price them out of the Nintendo Switch 2. Hopefully, tomorrow's Direct will give plenty of reasons to justify spending that much on the game.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Anime Rangers X was released on April 16th, 2025, and with its launch comes new codes. So, if you're looking for an extra boost to get some Gold and Gems, IGN has you covered! We've got the details below on the current and active codes for the experience, as well as the rewards you'll get for redeeming them.

Working Anime Rangers X Codes

• ARX Release!!!: 500x Gems, 5,000 Gold
• 1K Favorites: 500x Gems, 5,000 Gold

Expired Anime Rangers X Codes

With the game just being released, there are no expired Anime X codes! Do you know what that means? You'll need to use the ones above quickly, as we never know when these codes will expire.

How to Redeem Anime Rangers X Code

1. Find Anime Rangers X on Roblox
2. Before jumping into the game, go to the group's page and press Join Community
3. Play the game until you reach level 5 or higher
4. When you're in the game, look on the right side of the screen
5. The bottom blue button says Code
6. Click this, and paste the code in
7. Hit Redeem and enjoy your goodies!

Why Isn't My Anime Rangers X Code Working?

When a code for a Roblox Experience isn't working, it's usually because the codes have been typed in incorrectly or they're expired. Lots of codes are case sensitive, so you'll need to make sure it's exactly how it appears in this article.

We test each code before uploading them, to make sure they're active, so be sure you're copying it straight from our article (without any sneaky extra spaces) to get the right one. If it's still not working, make sure you've joined the Community, and made it to Level 5.

Lauren Harper is an Associate Guides Editor. She loves a variety of games but is especially fond of puzzles, horrors, and point-and-click adventures.

1954's Crime SuspenStories #22 might well be the most infamous and iconic horror comic ever published. Even if the name of that issue doesn't ring a bell, you've no doubt seen the image of a man wielding an ax and holding his wife's severed head. That comic, as much as any other, inspired the anti-comics backlash of the '50s and the creation of the Comics Code Authority, and led to the demise of publisher EC Comics.

Thankfully, EC Comics recently returned from the grave as a new imprint at Oni Press. And it's only fitting that the latest EC Comics release pays tribute to Johnny Craig's much-maligned piece of cover art. IGN can exclusively reveal artist Jay Stephens' cover to Catacomb of Torment #1, part of an ongoing series of classic EC tributes. Check it out below:

Soccer was the first organized sport I played as a kid. Wearing our white and yellow uniforms, practicing with my dad, and having snacks as a team after the game (Seriously, mom? Orange slices again?) are nostalgic memories for me, as is the tense feeling of being on the pitch, struggling for the ball, and being poised to strike when an opportunity presents itself. I didn’t realize how absent this feeling was from soccer video games until I spent some time with Rematch, the upcoming fast-paced, arcadey multiplayer soccer game from Sloclap (the Parisian studio responsible for Sifu).

Sports games, more than most genres, have an unfortunate tendency to stagnate over time, eschewing innovation in favor of refinement – probably in part due to the gameplay confinement that the inherent rules of the sport put in place. What results is games like FIFA and PES becoming staples, iterating on rosters year after year, but not really offering anything novel. Occasionally, you’ll get Mario Strikers, Football Manager (for the true sickos out there), and now I get to add Rematch to the list.

Instead of controlling a full team of soccer players, you play as only one – but every player is another real person. You’ll start with a character creator to design their look, decide what ‘home’ and ‘away’ uniforms look like, and then head to the pitch to play. The team at Sloclap has said they wanted to design a game where great plays feel earned and mistakes sting, and that was certainly true of my experience with Rematch during the closed beta.

Struggling back and forth, finally getting the chance to take a shot at the goal, only to narrowly miss elicited excited shouts of, “No!” and I legitimately pumped my fist in the air when I banked a shot for one of my teammates to slam in for a point. Because it’s a multiplayer game, I had to rely on this kind of back-and-forth with my teammates to create openings, and it felt bad to let them down. I got invested in my 4- and 5-person squads (one casual queue for each, as well as a ranked 5v5 mode) even though we didn’t play together for more than a few minutes at a time.

It’s important to note that there are no stats (just like another skill-based soccer game; Rocket League), so you only get better when you improve, making progression more personal and meaningful. This, combined with how well the controls are designed, mean it is trivial to get started, but it feels like there is some depth and self-expression along each step of your improvement.

The tutorials got me up to speed quickly, teaching me how to shoot, pass, tap, push ball, how to easily do trick shots, manage stamina for sprints, and the like, and then some limited practice routines give opportunities to test and improve those skills. What’s more, once each match begins, there is virtually no down time. No penalties, no time-outs, just The Great Game. The only time you aren’t controlling your character are the match intro, outro, and short replays after each goal.

Rematch has special currency you can use to acquire post-goal celebrations, uniforms, and other character customization options, but the structure of the unlock system isn’t final, so we’ll have to wait for 1.0 to have a final verdict on that. Hopefully there aren’t any gross microtransactions awaiting us. I’m not expecting any, as Sloclap is already forgoing free-to-play; Rematch will cost $30.

Soccer is a heck of a pivot from a hardcore kung-fu brawler, but thus far, Sloclap has shown that it has the versatility to leapfrog from one genre to a completely different one. One thread of continuity between the two games is that they both feel great to play. I hope the minor but annoying bugs I encountered in the beta get sorted out and it gets some needed polish in the months between now and release on June 19, because Rematch made me feel a bit of that old soccer excitement I didn’t know I was missing.

Heat is the enemy of gaming performance. If you have a gaming laptop, it's important that you do everything in your power to keep it cool if you want to enjoy the highest frame rates. Because of their design, this is easier said than done. Many of the best gaming laptops laptops run hot. That's where a great laptop cooling pad can swoop in like the hero you've been waiting for.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Laptop Cooling Pads:

Because it's such a widely understood challenge for gaming laptops, there are many different cooling solutions to choose from. These can range from thin and light pads that simply elevate your laptop to large multifan pads designed to live at your desk. There are even snap-on blower coolers that add a small jet engine onto the side of your laptop!

But here's the rub: They're not all created equally. Even cooling pads that look like they must be great can disappoint if they're not designed correctly. But I'm here to help. These are the best laptop coolers of 2025.

1. Razer Laptop Cooling Pad

Best Overall Laptop Cooling Pad

The Razer Laptop Cooling Pad has it all, which makes it my top pick for the best laptop cooling pad you can buy today. It nails the fundamentals and makes a big difference in overall temperatures, and then adds additional features on top of it that enhance its overall value and usability. It's an especially good pick if you own a Razer Blade gaming laptop because it has a special performance-enhancing feature specific to some models in its Razer Blade line-up.

A laptop cooler doesn't mean much if it doesn't actually lower temperatures. But Razer has applied a smart design that keeps these fundamental basics at the forefront, supporting laptops between 14-18 inches. It features a selection of foam gaskets to support your laptop. With your PC in place, it creates an airtight seal around the bottom. Because no air can escape, it forces airflow through the system and prevents leakage that would diminish its effectiveness. Some users report temperature improvements upwards of 59ºF/15°C, which few other coolers can manage.

With core functionality under its belt, Razer was free to begin adding features on top. It comes with a three-port USB hub to expand the connectivity of your laptop and RGB lighting. There are also three programmable buttons that can be assigned within Razer Synapse.

In fact, the Razer laptop cooler is one of the only laptop cooling pads that offers software support. While that might seem excessive at first, rest assured that it's genuinely useful. Within Razer Synapse, you can adjust fan levels, set custom fan curves, and program its lighting and physical buttons. At the same time, if you're not interested in any of these features, they can be safely ignored, and you can use the cooler straight out of the box with no dips in performance.

Razer's cooling pad is an especially good choice if you're running the 2025 editions of its Razer Blade 16 and Razer Blade 18. Both allow you to enable Razer HyperBoost, which unlocks around 25 additional watts of power for their onboard graphics cards. By default, these laptops are limited from their peak wattage to prevent overheating within their thin and light frames. But thanks to the Cooling Pad, this limitation can be eradicated, giving you the best of both worlds between design and performance. The equation is simple: more power + lower temperatures = better system performance and higher in-game fps.

If this cooler has an Achilles' heel, it's that it's quite expensive at $150. If you want a cooler that's guaranteed to lower your temperatures and provide you more options in the process, however, it's well worth the investment.

2. Havit HV-F2701

Best Budget Laptop Cooling Pad

Havit offers a wide selection of affordable laptop coolers, but the best value within its 2025 lineup is easily the HV-F2701. This cooler features six fans to ensure cool air makes its way into your laptop and is forced out the exhaust vents. While I always prefer foam seals, the sheer number of fans and its affordable price of $25 make this an excellent choice for gamers on tight budgets.

This cooler features a full half dozen 70mm fans. These are relatively small, but their size better allows them to line up with different vent positions on the bottom of different gaming laptops. Directed airflow is always better than simply blasting a large area and having the excess blow out the sides.

Despite its low cost, it also features some welcome extras. The stand is height adjustable to ensure versatility for different use cases. It also features a speed dial to ramp its fan speeds up and down. You'll need to pay a couple extra dollars to get RGB, but even at its base price, you get a pair of USB 2.0 ports to easily connect a mouse, keyboard, controller, or other peripherals.

It doesn't support anything larger than 17-inch laptops, but is compatible with more compact options down to 13 inches. If you keep your eyes out for a sale, I've seen this as low as $20, and it's a steal at that price.

3. IETS GT600 V2 Laptop Cooling Pad

Best High-Airflow Laptop Cooling Pad

IETS is one of the biggest names in high-performance laptop coolers and the GT600 V2 RGB is perfect example of why. This cooler is smartly designed, moves a ton of air, is user friendly, and most importantly, works great to keep your laptop cool.

The GT 600 V2 RGB is all about airflow. It features one massive 5.5-inch turbo fan designed to force a metric ton of air into your PC to clear out the hot air in an instant. At its highest speed, it's able to run up to 2,800 RPM and move up to 71.9 mmH2O. This measurement is all about how much air it can push in challenging situations – like up and through the internals of a laptop.

IETS applies all of the lessons it has learned over its years developing coolers here. For example, knowing that many laptops exhaust hot air out the rear, the GT600 V2 positions its intake on the bottom of the cooler so it's not simply drawing and sending that hot air back into the PC. It features seven levels of height adjustability for comfortable use (but there's always enough clearance to feed its turbo-fan), and has a digital display that allows you to control its fan levels with quick taps.

Like the best laptop coolers, it also features a selection of foam seals to ensure all of that airflow makes its way through your PC. They attach magnetically for easy swaps and keeping its place during intense gaming sessions (my first gasket-ized cooler used friction and it was terrible). There are enough seals to fit laptops from 14 inches all the way to 19.3 inches, ensuring that pretty much every laptop will work well – as long as it has bottom vents to let air in.

It has RGB. It has a USB hub. The only thing it doesn't have is chill when it comes to noise levels. At its highest speed, this cooler will outdo even a noisy gaming laptop. But if you crave next-level airflow, that's a sacrifice that simply goes with the territory.

4. Llano Gaming Laptop Cooler V13

Best Cooling Pad for Bigger Laptops

The Llano Gaming Laptop Cooler V13 checks many of the same boxes that others on this list do. Good design is good design, right? But don't let that put you off. While the other coolers on this list are all great at what they do, the V13 is the cooler to choose if you a) have a large gaming laptop, and b) don't want to spend more than $100 to keep it cool.

Like others on this list, the Llano V13 features a smart and effect gasket seal system to channel its airflow. Where it sets itself apart is that it can support laptops up to a whopping 21 inches. I don't know if they even make 21-inch laptops anymore, but if you happen to be rocking Acer's 19lb mammoth of a gaming laptop from 2017, this cooler has you covered.

Realistically speaking, you probably don't have a 21-inch gaming laptop, but with 18-inch options becoming more plentiful, the V13 is a welcome choice that guarantees you support and effective cooling.

Like the IETS GT600, it features a large 5.5-inch fan with a bottom intake to force cold air through your system. It runs up to a matching 2,800 RPM and also includes a 3-port USB hub and adjustable height settings. It lacks RGB, but for that concession, it's able to offer a price well under $100, leaving you with more money to put toward a new game.

5. Klim Tempest

Best Portable Laptop Cooler

How I Chose the Best Laptop Cooling Pads

Over the years, I've tested lots of different gaming laptops for IGN and other tech outlets around the internet. I know firsthand how important temperatures are and how devastating high temps can be to gaming performance. Because of this, I've put significant time and effort into finding the very best laptop coolers for different use cases. There are many big promises being made, but I'm here to tell you that coolers are not all created equally.

To find the best laptop coolers, I first considered those I've had firsthand experience with. Then, I did a wider search to consider the different designs that are available. I put an emphasis on coolers that feature seals to ensure that their airflow is effective and efficient. I then assessed their functionality and how well their design supports their cooling action. Finally, I looked to additional features like customizable fan speeds, USB hubs, and RGB lighting.

Laptop Cooling Pad FAQs

Do I need a laptop cooling pad?

This depends on what kind of laptop you have and what you will be doing. If you're playing games on a gaming laptop, it's a good idea since laptop cooling pads will keep your temperatures lower than they might otherwise be. This can prevent thermal throttling, allowing you to enjoy better gaming performance than the system might be able to offer on its own. Alternatively, if you're using a productivity laptop or a MacBook and aren't pushing its capabilities to their limits, a cooling pad probably isn't necessary.

Will a cooling pad make my games run better?

It's certainly possible. Many gaming laptops have a tendency to run hot, which is the enemy of great gaming performance. The hotter a system runs, the more likely it is to limit its own performance to prevent it from overheating. A great laptop cooling pad will be able to make a significant difference in peak temperatures, either by injecting cold air into the system or exhausting hot air out more efficiently than the laptop is able to do on its own, keeping temperatures lower and, ideally, performance higher.

Do laptop cooling pads actually work?

Yes, but there's a catch. They need to be designed to adequately blow cold air in or exhaust hot air out without losing pressure in the process. Laptop cooling pads that lack any kind of seal are inherently less efficient and effective than those that include a seal. This doesn't mean that they won't work entirely, but if air is able to escape around the edges of the pad, it will be less effective than one that seals that air into a defined channel. Because of this and the wide range of designs available, and subsequently their prices, not all cooling pads are created equally.

Christopher Coke has been a regular contributor to IGN since 2019 and has been covering games and technology since 2013. He has covered tech ranging from gaming controllers to graphics cards, gaming chairs and gaming monitors, headphones, IEMs, and more for sites such as MMORPG.com, Tom’s Hardware, Popular Science, USA Today’s Reviewed, and Popular Mechanics. Find Chris on Twitter @gamebynight.

The first four episodes of Government Cheese are now streaming on Apple TV+. One new episode will debut every Wednesday through May 28.

It’s 1969, and God wants Hampton Chambers (David Oyelowo) to invent a self-sharpening drill. So sayeth the Lord that His loyal follower shall disrupt and innovate the field of handheld machinery—or so Hampton believes, anyway, having found religion while in prison for check fraud. With plot points like this, you can tell that Apple TV+’s new series Government Cheese wants so deeply to be weird. But the show never amounts to more than a bundle of affectations, the equivalent of watching somebody “cut loose” by coming into the office with, like, a slightly louder tie or something.

To get an idea of the tone here, picture a game of telephone that starts at the broader comedies of the Coen brothers – big personalities against a backdrop of screwy Americana, like Raising Arizona or O Brother, Where Art Thou? Somewhere in the middle, already warped and diluted into semi-recognition, is the Coen karaoke of the Fargo TV series. Government Cheese exists at the end of the line, visiting mildly wacky circumstances on a cast of quirky cardboard cutouts.

Hampton, after all, does not get out on parole with only designs on a divine drill; he’s also in hefty debt to the Prevost brothers, a family of French-Canadian gangsters operating out of an orange grove. There are seven of them. He does not tell his wife, Astoria (Simone Missick), who’s already – and quite understandably – peeved at having to raise their teenage sons alone during Hampton's three-year imprisonment while also pursuing a college degree. Their youngest, Harrison (Jahi Di'Allo Winston), is openly hostile to his father’s return, retreating into an odd fixation on indigenous Chumash culture. The oldest, Einstein (Evan Alexander Ellison), is more genial but also now really into pole vaulting.

To varying degrees, these details are at least a little bit funny, and they play out against a handsome backdrop of pastel colors and manicured suburban lawns (production designer Warren Alan Young has credits on several seasons of Fargo). Every so often, you can even glimpse what the show is going for – each Chambers is striving for fulfillment, whether spiritual or professional (or, in Hampton’s case, both), from the meager hand they’ve been dealt. Hence the title: “government cheese,” in reference to the processed food given to impoverished people so they can make something from what is functionally nothing.

But those glimpses are as good as it gets with this series, which has only a tenuous grasp of the characters beyond their surface-level quirks. For a story built on Hampton’s homecoming and his determination to walk the righteous path, there’s precious little insight into what the Chambers household was like before or during his incarceration. We don’t get a sense of shared history between the family, don’t feel the lives they’ve lived. It’s not in the acting, not in the otherwise striking set design, and certainly not in the writing, which has everyone declaring their feelings and aspirations to the various sounding boards meant to pass for supporting characters.

In one episode, Hampton has a heart-to-heart with a strange woman (Sunita Mani) stuck in a vent. She’s implied to be some kind of ethereal messenger, mysteriously vanishing once Hampton looks away. But she’s really no different from the other, more earthbound characters, because their own existences all seem to begin and end at what they can do for Hampton. His childhood friend and known associate Bootsy (Bokeem Woodbine, who you might also recognize from a season of Fargo) simply hands him a car, hoping to lure him back to a life of crime but otherwise with no strings attached. The youngest Prevost brother, Jean-Guy (Louis Cancelmi), offers to cancel Hampton’s debt in exchange for the self-sharpening drill, and then exits the whole middle of the series while Hampton thinks on it.

What really spoils Government Cheese, though, is just how safe it manages to be in its reheated imitation. Here is a show for anyone who ever wished that the Coens would tone down their abrasive weirdos, or that Wes Anderson would chill out with the fussy aesthetics. Hampton doesn’t react with anger or disbelief toward his family’s chilly reception of him – Oyelowo is given no material that might endanger our sympathy for him. Even when he’s more openly conniving, he operates exclusively at a low, dull hum of protagonist likability. Harrison needles him about all the “Yahweh stuff” (which Hampton prefers to the more formal title of “God”), but his newfound faith rarely comes up. Here’s a guy who thinks God has given him a mission, yet he goes for long stretches without talking about it at all. He doesn’t proselytize, doesn’t yammer on about Yahweh’s plan, doesn’t even corral his kids into going to church.

For a little while, I wondered if this was intentional, an expression of how flimsy and self-serving Hampton’s faith is. But the handful of seemingly divine occurrences in Government Cheese simply demonstrate its lack of imagination, grounding any flights of fancy by tagging them with a plausible explanation. No strange happenings may simply exist as an expression of character and circumstance. The Lord has to be giving Hampton a sign, and the vent lady has to be some ethereal messenger setting him straight. If Government Cheese won’t take a chance on making us disapprove of Hampton’s actions, why would it ask us to suspend our disbelief about his situation, too?

Think you’ve seen 1977’s Star Wars? Think again. What you’ve most likely seen is one of several altered versions that went into distribution after the film’s original theatrical run, versions tweaked by George Lucas himself that would eventually come to comprise a set of “special editions” of the beloved epic. But here's a new hope for ya — now it seems some fans will be able to feast their eyes on the actual original cut of the film that Lucas left behind so long ago.

This June, the British Film Institute’s will open their Film on Film Festival with a screening of one of the few Technicolor prints produced for Star Wars’ initial run that still remains intact, according to The Telegraph. This is the first time this print has been screened publicly since December 1978, the outlet reported, though it has been made available on VHS offerings in the past.

Lucas started making tweaks to the film with the first theatrical re-release of Star Wars in 1981, and since then, Lucasfilms has only allowed various “special editions” of the movie to screen. Fans seem to be in for a real treat specifically when it comes to the print they’ll be screening at the upcoming festival; For the last forty years, it has been stored at 23 degrees Fahrenheit to preserve quality, so needless to say it should be a near impeccable viewing experience.

In the past, Lucas has been pretty unshakable in his stance against screening his original cut of what we now know as Episode IV: A New Hope, and has even spoken out about the decision over the years.

“The Special Edition, that’s the one I wanted out there. The other movie, it’s on VHS, if anybody wants it. I’m not going to spend the — we’re talking millions of dollars here — the money and the time to refurbish that, because to me, it doesn’t really exist anymore,” he told the Associated Press back in 2004 about not releasing the original cut. “It’s like this is the movie I wanted it to be, and I’m sorry you saw a half-completed film and fell in love with it. But I want it to be the way I want it to be. I’m the one who has to take responsibility for it. I’m the one who has to have everybody throw rocks at me all the time, so at least if they’re going to throw rocks at me, they’re going to throw rocks at me for something I love rather than something I think is not very good, or at least something I think is not finished.”

Who knows why Lucas is having a bit of a change of heart with this screening — but we certainly aren’t complaining.

Lex Briscuso is a film and television critic and a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikonamerica.

Following the reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2, it sounds like the partnership between Nintendo and Xbox will continue apace. Microsoft's head of gaming Phil Spencer recently reaffirmed his support for the Switch platform, as a way for the company to reach people who aren't on its platforms.

In an interview with Variety, Spencer was asked if he had any plans for specific projects on the Nintendo Switch 2. The Xbox head said just as his company has been supporting Switch 1, it wants to support Switch 2.

"Nintendo has been a great partner. We think it is a unique way for us to reach players who aren’t PC players, who aren’t players on Xbox," Spencer said. "It lets us continue to grow our community of people that care about the franchises that we have, and that’s really important for us to make sure we continue to invest in our games.

"I’m really a big believer in what Nintendo means for this industry and us continuing to support them," Spencer continued. "And getting the support from them for our franchises, I think, is an important part of our future."

Spencer has previously been a vocal proponent of the Nintendo Switch 2, as he applauded Nintendo's innovation back around the Switch 2's first teaser. At the time, Spencer also confirmed Xbox would continue to ship more of its games on more platforms; on PlayStation, on Steam, and on Nintendo's consoles.

When Variety asked whether the Switch 2 reveal made Spencer "antsy" to announce what Xbox has next for its console lineup, though, it doesn't seem like that's moved the needle there.

"No. I think all of us in this industry should focus on our communities and the player base that we’re building," Spencer said. "I get inspired by what a lot of different creators do and other platform holders. But I believe in the plans that we have."

The Xbox head reiterated the company's plans to keep delivering games, and making them available "in as many places as possible," including cloud, PC, and consoles. Games like Pentiment and Obsidian's Grounded have already made the jump to Nintendo platforms, but it will be interesting to see what Xbox puts on the Switch 2 once the console is officially out.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to officially debut on June 5, 2025. Pre-orders have yet to go live, but stay tuned to our Switch 2 pre-order hub page to keep updated on when those might go up.

Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

CD Projekt Red is stepping in to shut down rumors after talk of a fake The Witcher 4 beta test started making the rounds online.

The Cyberpunk 2077 developer made its announcement on social media today, clarifying that the supposed pre-launch test for its upcoming fantasy RPG is, unfortunately, not real. It’s a tongue-in-cheek public service announcement that should help clear the air for those contacted by scammers while warning unfamiliar players that they should be cautious of any The Witcher 4 news that doesn’t come directly from CD Projekt Red.

Recently, we've been getting reports from some community members that they've been invited to a beta test of The Witcher 4 — this is a scam! 🚨

We've been taking the necessary steps to take this fraudulent messaging down. That said, if you receive any invites to or stumble… pic.twitter.com/nVmHnDSH2M

— The Witcher (@thewitcher) April 16, 2025

“We've been taking the necessary steps to take this fraudulent messaging down,” the team’s Witcher 4 PSA says. “That said, if you receive any invites to or stumble upon news of one, we kindly ask you to report the scam using the tools available to you in your email client or the social media platform you are using.

“Remember: professional monster slayers don't fall for scams; they see right through them and slay them!”

Although The Witcher 4 beta tests are not real, the project is a real game that is very much in active development. We’ve heard whispers of how it might follow up to the story Geralt left players with in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for years, with first confirmation of its development arriving in 2022. As development surrounding Cyberpunk 2077 post-launch support began to wind down, CD Projekt Red announced work on The Witcher 4 was moving forward full steam ahead as of early 2024.

It wasn’t until The Game Awards 2024 that the team would finally reveal The Witcher 4’s first trailer. Although the clip kept many story details under wraps, it did confirm fan-favorite character Ciri would be returning, this time as the protagonist.

For now, The Witcher 4 isn’t expected to launch until 2027 at the earliest. While you continue to dodge phony beta tests and other misleading rumors, you can read up on why CD Projekt Red decided to put Geralt on the back burner in favor of a Ciri-led story. You can also check out Geralt actor Doug Cockle’s thoughts on the series’ new lead character.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Springtime deals are still popping up all over the place, including on a variety of items for Xbox. If you've been looking to score some sweet Xbox deals, we're here to help you find the best discounts available on games, hardware, and accessories. At the moment there are quite a few that are worth checking out, including some great game deals at Best Buy as part of its Spring Sale, such as Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition for $44.99. Dragon Age: The Veilguard Deluxe Edition is also enjoying a $40 discount there as part of its Deal of the Day.

These deals just scratch the surface of what's out there, though. Here are the best Xbox deals available at the moment.

Preorder Doom: The Dark Ages Limited Edition Xbox Controllers

Best Xbox Game Deals

If you're looking to stock up on new Xbox games, there are quite a few on sale right now that are worth checking out. Some of our favorites are on Dragon Age: The Veilguard Deluxe Edition, Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition, and Metaphor: ReFantazio, but there are so many more to look through. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II has even received its first price drop! You can check out those deals and more above.

What's Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass

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

• Grand Theft Auto V (Cloud, Console, and PC) - April 15
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
• Neon White (Console) – April 16
  Now on Game Pass Standard
• SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 16
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
• Crime Scene Cleaner (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – April 17
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Tempopo (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 17
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – April 24
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Towerborne (Game Preview) (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – April 29
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Far Cry 4 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – April 30
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
• Anno 1800 (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – May 1
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 1
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Dredge (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – May 6
  Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard

Best Xbox Accessory Deals

Outside of games, there are plenty of Xbox accessory deals that are worth your time and money as well. At the moment, one of our favorites is on the HyperX CloudX Flight Wireless Gaming Headset, which has received a 40% discount at Woot. If you're looking for more storage, the Seagate 1TB Expansion Card is also down to $129.99 right now at Amazon.

When Should I Buy an Xbox?

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

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

Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This interview contains spoilers for The Studio.

The most recent episode of Apple TV+’s The Studio culminates with what just might be the funniest scene on TV this year. And it turns out a real-life flying “quesarito” led directly to the on-screen incident. Throughout Episode 5, aptly titled “The War,” studio executive Sal Saperstein (played by Ike Barinholtz) and junior exec Quinn (Chase Sui Wonders) engage in an escalating tit-for-tat rooted in their attempts to produce competing low-budget horror movies.

The feud climaxes with Sal chucking a burrito (more specifically a “quesarito”) at Quinn, missing her entirely and hitting a golf cart-driving AD directly in the face. The cart crashes into a movie set, causing widespread destruction and chaos. It turns out the scene was rooted in a real-life incident involving the wife of one of the show’s creators.

The IRL Inspiration Behind the Quesarito Incident

Speaking exclusively with IGN, The Studio's Creator, Co-Showrunner, Executive Producer, and Writer Alex Gregory explains: “My wife was a PA on a sitcom that I shall not name where a PA got the wrong burrito order. An Executive Producer of the show hurled the burrito at the PA. Fortunately (it) hit the wall.”

While the laugh-out-loud moment was inspired by a true story, the team behind The Studio mostly used CGI to create the on-screen mayhem. “That was mostly CG,” Gregory says, “It had gone through various iterations of ‘the golf cart destroys something.' We went through (a series of) models and I think it ended up being purely CGI.”

How Veep Influenced The Studio

To date, The Studio has featured many farcical scenes similar to the burrito mayhem in “The War.” Pratfalls and physical comedy abound, while the dialogue and storylines are biting and incisive. Gregory, who served as a writer on the political comedy Veep, says the shows share similar sensibilities.

“When we would go to Washington (for Veep),” Gregory says, “we would hear from people that Veep (was) the most accurate portrayal of DC. Veep is a bunch of people trying to do the right thing and failing because of conflicting agendas. The Studio has that same sense of panic. Hollywood and Washington are fueled by perception. If you're perceived the wrong way, it can be catastrophic.”

The Celebrities Who Made Cameos Were in on the Joke

Key to The Studio’s comedy is a parade of A-list cameos. Everyone from Martin Scorsese to Zac Efron, Charlize Theron, Olivia Wilde, and horror directors Parker Finn and Owen Klein have made appearances so far. Gregory says all of the celebrities who’ve appeared on The Studio fully bought into the bit, even if it meant portraying themselves in an unflattering light.

“Everyone who did a cameo knew what the joke was,” Gregory says. “They were brought in at a very early stage to say, ‘Hey, are you comfortable with this?’ They were all a key part of the creative process. Everyone brought something to the table. I think it was probably cathartic for a lot of them. And so I think because the show is not mean-spirited and not targeted at anyone that everyone felt pretty comfortable.”

The One-Shot Format Made Filming Easier

The filming style of The Studio is unique in that each episode plays out as a series of single-shot scenes, a technique that was extensively referenced in Episode 2 - “The Oner.” It turns out that the format actually made the production easier.

“On an average show,” Gregory says, “(you have to film) the master, then you’ve got to change lenses, (then) do mids, and then you're going to do close-ups. (With The Studio) the actors have to be completely dialed in. There is an energy to the scenes that is palpable and you cannot fake it because it's like theatre. Everyone was present. (We didn’t have) crazy long days. There were times when we finished early. It was awesome.”

Check out our review of The Studio, where we said, "Hollywood glamour mingles amusingly with dumb fun” in Seth Rogen's comedy.

After more than a decade in the shadows, the Ninja Gaiden series returns with not one but three releases this year: the surprise remaster of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black that’s already out, this fall’s Ninja Gaiden 4, and in between, the 2D action platformer that returns the series to its roots, Ninja Gaiden Ragebound. While the mere existence of this trio is a pleasant surprise, Ragebound is perhaps the biggest shock, as the series hasn’t been two-dimensional since the early ‘90s. It’s also being delivered by a developer (The Game Kitchen) and publisher (Dotemu) who are new to Ninja Gaiden. They aren’t new to pixel art or retro throwbacks, though, and Ragebound appears to be in good hands that have real love for the franchise.

If you know The Game Kitchen’s Blasphemous series, you’ll know they produce some of the best-looking pixel art today. Even though the Ragebound reveal trailer featured a lot of hand-drawn animation, everything I saw during my playtime was pixel art, from the title screen to cut scenes. I love the sense of depth they create in a forest area with layers of parallax scrolling, while fireflies drift about in the foreground, unconcerned with all the bloodshed happening right in front of them.

Update 9:12 a.m. PT: Spotify appears to be back online, and the official Spotify Twitter/X account has confirmed the issue has been resolved:

All clear – thanks for your patience. Get in touch with @SpotifyCares if you still need help.

— Spotify Status (@SpotifyStatus) April 16, 2025

Original story continues below:

Heads up: music streaming service Spotify seems to be down this morning.

According to IGN's sister site Downdetector, Spotify outages began being reported around 6 a.m. PT today, and at the time of this piece were still flooding in. We ourselves were unable to access the service for much of the morning, and when we were able to get the app to open, it wouldn't play music.

Spotify has acknowledged the issues and says it's "working to resolve it as soon as possible." The company also confirmed that reports of the outage being related to a security hack were false.

We are aware of the outage and working to resolve it as soon as possible. The reports of this being a security hack are false.

— Spotify Status (@SpotifyStatus) April 16, 2025

IGN will continue to monitor the situation and post updates as they happen.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Good news for fans of the apocalypse: season one of Prime Video's Fallout series is getting a physical release. The series is releasing as a 4K steelbook, Blu-ray, and DVD, which are all now available to preorder for $39.99, $29.99, and $24.99, respectively. At the moment, there's no official release date, but it's worth getting your preorders in now before any of them sell out so you can be ready for a watch (or re-watch) once it's officially released.

The official art for the 4K steelbook and Blu-ray hasn't been released yet, either, but we'll be sure to update this once it's revealed. If you've been itching to add this excellent show into your physical media collection, head to the links below to get your preorders in today.

Preorder Fallout: Season One 4K Steelbook

Doom: The Dark Ages is set to release May 13 - 15, depending on which edition you get. It’s looking great so far – our reporter was seriously impressed with it in our recent hands-on preview. If you’re excited enough for the game to want special Doom-themed Xbox hardware, you’re in luck: you can preorder it now. There’s a standard Xbox wireless controller, an Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, and an Xbox Series X console wrap, all themed after Doom: The Dark Ages, and all available for preorder. Let’s take a look.

Xbox Wireless Controller - Doom: The Dark Ages Limited Edition

Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 – Doom: The Dark Ages Limited Edition

Xbox Series X Wrap – Doom: The Dark Ages

House of the Dragon’s third season is officially in production, and we’ve learned not only who will be returning for this penultimate season, but also who will be joining the expansive cast of the Game of Thrones prequel.

It can be a lot to keep track of who is who and which dragon belongs to who and all that in George R.R. Martin’s universe, so we hope this character guide will help you learn all you need to know about the new and familiar characters that will have a part to play in this upcoming season.

Returning Cast:

Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen

Emma D’Arcy is returning as Rhaenyra Targaryen and will remain one of the most important players in this Dance of Dragons alongside her dragon Syrax. The Season 2 finale saw her having a fateful meeting with Alicent, who promised her the Red Keep if she let her, Helaena, and Jaehaera leave the kingdom in peace.

We also saw Daemon pledge his allegiance and his army to Rhaenyra, which means Team Black now has seven dragons and two armies to utilize in its attempt to take King’s Landing and the Iron Throne.

Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen

Matt Smith will be back in Season 3 as the unpredictable Daemon Targaryen, following the huge moment in the Season 2 finale when he vowed his allegiance and army to Rhaenyra after his vision from Alys Rivers – yes, that massive look into the future that included a glimpse of Daenerys Targaryen and her three dragon eggs, the White Walkers, and more.

Daemon and his dragon steed Caraxes will be in the front lines in the charge to take King’s Landing.

Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower

Olivia Cooke’s Alicent Hightower ended last season with the offer of a deal that could change the course of Westeros forever. In exchange for the lives of herself, Helaena, and Jaehaera, she would give Rhaenyra the Red Keep and, in turn, the Iron Throne. This seems like a smart play for peace, but we know things never go as planned in this world – especially since Rhaenyra wants Alicent’s son Aegon dead.

Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Rhys Ifans’ Otto Hightower was last seen in the finale in a jail cell. Of course, his big confrontation with his grandson Aegon earlier in the season, where he was removed as Hand of the King, led to this moment (apparently his plan of returning to Oldtown went awry at some point). Season 3 should see the return of Otto in a big way, and finding out where he’s been will most likely be a big plot point in these upcoming episodes.

Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon II Targaryen

Aegon II was betrayed by his brother Aemond at the Battle of Rook’s Rest when Vhagar was ordered to fire upon the king and his dragon, Sunfyre. Aegon barely survived the attack and some thought he might never awaken. During his brother’s recovery, Aemond was chosen to act as Regent and Protector of the Realm, and he also took the time to visit the injured Aegon and violently warn him not to speak the truth of what had happened.

Larys Strong stepped in and offered a plan to help Aegon and keep him safe from his brother, and the finale saw them on their way to Essos in hopes of returning one day to seize power.

Phia Saban as Helaena Targaryen

Phia Saban’s Helaena Targaryen took a big stand against Aemond when she refused to ride her dragon Dreamfyre into battle. Furthermore, she revealed that she knows Aemond betrayed Aegon and that she has seen a vision of his death. She also appears in Daemon’s vision from Alys Rivers, which shows how powerful and impactful her role in the fate of Westeros will be.

Oh, and of course, Alicent included her in the proposed deal to give Rhaenyra the Red Keep.

Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen

Ewan Mitchell’s Aemond, who was made Regent and Protector of the Realm after he betrayed Aegon, wasn’t having the best of times during the finale. Not only did he fail to convince Helaena to ride her dragon Dreamfyre into battle, but he retreated from Dragonstone and cowardly attacked Sharp Point after he saw how outnumbered he and Vhagar were compared to Team Black’s dragons.

Despite that, Aemond and Vhagar are one of the most formidable pairs in Westeros and will surely play a huge role in the war to come.

Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon

Steve Toussaint’s Corlys Velaryon, the head of House Velaryon who is also known as the Sea Snake, was last seen setting sail to go into battle alongside his son, Alyn of Hull. In Season 3, they appear to be on a crash course with not only the Greyjoy Navy, but also the Triarchy.

Harry Collett as Jacaerys Velaryon

Harry Collett’s Jacaerys Velaryon and his dragon, Vermax, are two of Team Black’s most powerful members. He took on a much bigger role in Season 2 by helping his mother, Rhaenyra, and Season 3 should be no different. That is if the dragonseed commoners Ulf, Hugh, and Addam don’t drive him mad before then.

Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole

Fabien Frankel’s Criston Cole had his entire life shaken up by witnessing the power of dragons, and he was last seen marching toward Harrenhal with Gwayne Hightower. Hey, at least he gave us the great quote “The dragons dance and men are like dust under their feet, and all our fine thoughts, all our endeavors… are as nothing.”

Matthew Needham as Larys Strong

When we last saw Matthew Needham’s Larys Strong, he was helping an injured Aegon escape to Essos to recover and return one day in the future as king again. However, Larys always has something up his sleeve, and Season 3 should give us at least a small glimpse into his grander vision.

Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull

Abubakar Salim’s Alyn of Hull is the bastard son of Lord Corlys Velaryon and was last seen sailing alongside his father as they headed to war.

Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria

Sonoya Mizuno’s Mysaria has become quite powerful in Westeros as she is the head of a network of spies in King’s Landing. She appears to be helping Rhaenyra, but anything could happen in Season 3.

Bethany Antonia as Baela Targaryen

Baela, who rides the dragon Moondancer, was last seen at Dragonstone alongside her husband, Jacaerys.

Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena Targaryen

Rhaena had one of the biggest cliffhanger moments of the Season 2 finale as she finally caught up to the wild dragon of the Vale. If she can tame this wild dragon, she will become a significantly larger part of the battles to come.

Oscar Eskinazi as Joffrey Velaryon

Oscar Eskinazi’s Joffrey Velaryon may be young, but he is bonded to the dragon Tyraxes and could turn the tides in the wars to come… if he stays alive.

Jefferson Hall as Tyland Lannister

Tyland Lannister was the star of the early parts of Season 2’s finale, as he was trying to negotiate with the Triarchy to help break Rhaenyra’s blockade. While he may have offered the Stepstones to them, it was a bout of mud wrestling with Captain Lohar that convinced them to sail with him.

Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull

Addam of Hull did the unthinkable in Season 2 - he bonded with Seasmoke after Laenor was presumed dead. He also had an epic moment with Rhaenyra on a beach where he pledged loyalty to her. At the end of the season, he was with the other dragonseed and preparing for the battles ahead at Dragonstone.

Tom Bennett as Ulf

Ulf is a bit of a wildcard as he is a dragonseed who bonded with Silverwing and is now part of Team Black. However, he’s not one to play by the rules and fall in line, so he could be a liability going forward for Rhaenyra.

Kieran Bew as Hugh

Hugh is another dragonseed, and his big claim to fame in Season 2 was bonding with the dragon Vermithor. He’s also a blacksmith and wants to prove that he can be a valuable member of Team Black.

Kurt Egyiawan as Orwyle

Orwyle is a Grand Maester and was integral in helping Aegon recover after he was betrayed by Aemond.

Freddie Fox as Gwayne Hightower

Gwayne Hightower was last seen marching toward Harrenhal with Criston Cole, who is filled with despair after seeing the true power of dragons.

Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers

Rhaenyra owes thanks to Alys Rivers as she gave Daemon the vision that led to him pledging his loyalty and army to her. She lives at Harrenhal and may influence even more of the events to come.

Could John Macmillan Return as Laenor Velaryon?

We haven’t seen Laenor Velaryon since he was sent into exile in Essos, but he could make his return in Season 3. As for his dragon Seasmoke, he has a new rider in Addam of Hull, which would obviously complicate things if he were to return one day.

New Cast:

James Norton as Ormund Hightower

“One of the very first things we were targeting when we started The Outer Worlds 2 was to make these big, expansive areas. It's what players told us they wanted,” game director Brandon Adler told me when talking about how the team at Obsidian built the open regions for this sequel. But bigger doesn’t always mean better, and they seemed aware of that when creating the more expansive zones across the different planets and moons you’ll visit in The Outer Worlds 2. There appears to be a focus on rewarding exploration, creating dense environments, and designing areas that pull you in specific directions to investigate points of interest off in the distance. So, while it’s structurally similar to the original where you visit distinct open areas through the main quest, there’s a greater sense of scale this time around.

I was able to see some of these ideas in action with a gameplay tour of Golden Ridge, a new open region on the planet-moon Dorado that you’ll visit early on in The Outer Worlds 2. It’s an arid, desert-like region with trench lines from a war that broke out in the past, mining facilities run by a faction called The Protectorate, and a ton of hostile wildlife mutated from the polluted environment. Art director Daniel Alpert spoke about maintaining the first game’s decorative art nouveau and retrofuturistic inspirations, but going with something a bit more harsh for Golden Ridge. “We were able to pull from areas of the late old West to World War 1 and imbue the areas with little touches – you’ll notice a trench warfare line, and if you go a little further into a town, you'll still find that frontier colony vibe,” he said when working on Golden Ridge.

Adler spoke to how the art direction feeds into the stories they’re trying to tell, specifically on this planet: “Before we get into any area, we have deep conversations about the overall story, the factions and what they’re doing, and what's important to them. Asking things like, why was anybody in Golden Ridge?” He gave examples of collaborating with the art team to have a sort of synergy between aesthetics and the game’s purpose, saying “We’ll say like, we want the trench lines here, maybe for gameplay reasons, but talk about why it makes sense story-wise.”

As any good RPG does, these kinds of stories are woven into the regions themselves, and Adler teased some of that, saying “I won't get into what happens at the beginning of Golden Ridge, but there's a big state change in the area when you first get there. It’s going to blow people away and make them really want to investigate what's happening.” That’s said to be indicative of the rest of the game, as he continued telling me, “You’ll see that throughout a lot of our areas as well. We try to do those types of things - let the players see big events that are happening pretty early and get them hooked into the area.”

With that foundation, the team wanted to pack the region with interesting things along the way with the main quest. “We made sure of that with big open sightlines and we spent a lot of time and effort on making really cool looking points of interest out in the distance to really draw players and really bring them off the beaten path,” Adler said. He referenced filling these areas with side quests, supporting characters, and smaller stories to unravel, similar to the first game. There seems to be a concerted effort in rewarding players with collectibles (like a new collection of tossball cards) and gear, even for exploring parts of the region that don’t really have a specific story or quest purpose. It’s an important piece to this style of RPG, of course, and something they were conscious of when it came to improving things from the first game, making sure all parts of the development team were involved in making that happen.

I also got to see the Zyranium Lab, which is an interior level on Golden Ridge, and it was impressive not just for its scale, but the ways in which I can see gameplay possibilities for how I approach these kinds of games. In a similar vein as the exclusive gameplay demo I saw of the N-Ray Facility, I got the impression that levels like these are more intricately designed and drawing from immersive sims like Deus Ex and Dishonored. They’re larger and have multiple paths forward that look deliberate for a range of playstyles while still maintaining a focus on pulling the player in specific directions. “When we're building these more open spaces, we have a defined path that we want the player to go through. But in true Obsidian game style, we allow players to go everywhere and kind of experience whatever they want,” Adler said with regards to designing levels within the open regions.

Golden Ridge was the only open region I was able to see, so I asked about what we can expect from the rest of the game’s worlds. Alpert told me, “We intentionally design each of our worlds to feel different from each other. It's a unique landscape every time you land on a new moon or new area. So it shouldn't be like, you go somewhere new and it's a little bit more of the same. These other areas are completely different from the last moonscape you just came from, and the next one you're going to be visiting is completely different as well.” While that may seem par for the course in a spacefaring journey like The Outer Worlds, the conscious effort to address the limitations of the first game and be more intentional about how its worlds are built makes me hopeful that the The Outer Worlds 2 can be an evolution of how Obsidian designs its games and worlds.

So, from what I’ve seen thus far, The Outer Worlds 2 looks promising on several fronts. The reworked RPG elements look like they’ve been made to be more distinct when it comes to the role-playing experience, and the small snippets of gameplay show better accommodation for specific playstyles. And taking a look at the open zone of Golden Ridge gave not just a better sense of scale, but a natural sense of exploration with greater density and purposeful points of interest along the way. Soon, we’ll be diving deeper into combat design and the evolution of the Flaws system as part of IGN First exclusive coverage on The Outer Worlds 2, which also includes a conversation with original Fallout developer and creative director Leonard Boyarsky on how the first game was about establishing a new foundation for Obsidian and this sequel being the idealized version of that initial vision.