We’ve covered the Dell Black Friday in July deals a few times in recent days, and they’re still coming. In fact, there are now so many offers that we’ve got a whole list of them here.
Have you been scratching your head about where to find Japanese Pokémon cards? I’ve got you covered. If you’re looking to upgrade your daily tech essentials, today’s lineup covers smart charging, fitness tracking, personal cooling, and workspace organization. Need a powerhouse battery pack for your laptop? A neck fan to beat the heat? Or maybe a fitness tracker that keeps you in sync with your health goals? I’ve also found ultra-fast USB-C chargers and a cracking surge protector built for modern devices.
INIU’s high-capacity 140W Power Bank and ultra-compact 30W USB-C Charger Block, both built for quick, efficient power on the go. Fitbit Charge 6 offers all-day activity tracking with Google app integration, while the TUNISE Neck Fan delivers hands-free cooling wherever you are. Finally, the Anker 332 USB-C Power Strip keeps your desk or home setup organized and protected, with outlets and USB-C ports ready for your full device lineup. Let’s get into today’s deals:
Japanese Pokémon TCG booster boxes have far better odds at pulling chase cards, have far less bulk and are often half the price of English booster boxes. This also mean said chase cards are worth significantly less, but Japanese cards are far easier to get perfect grades in given they’re always busting out of booster packs in perfect condition. Want a Pokémon card collection on a budget? Go for Japanese cards.
This is it, the beggining of a new expansion for Pokémon TCG. Best Buy have gone live with their preorder allocation for Mega Evolutions today, which mean Target and Walmart won’t be far behind. Here’s all the links you need and good luck trainers!
I can’t believe I’m writing this, but Amazon has quite a bit of sealed Pokémon TCG product for under market value. Whilst that unfortunately means it’s still way above MSRP, some of these sets are at the best prices they’ve been in the last month.
As newer Pokémon TCG sets grab the spotlight, Paradox Rift is seeing its high-rarity SIR ex cards drop in value while several Illustration Rares quietly climb due to shifting collector interest and low inventory. Cards like Altaria ex, Gholdengo ex, and Steelix have dropped between 16% and 25%, while Illustration Rares including Morpeko, Plusle, Minun, Groudon, and Iron Valiant ex are climbing fast, with Morpeko leading at a 43% increase. This mirrors earlier trends where less flashy cards gain traction as availability tightens.
Magic: The Gathering’s next set, Edge of Eternities, officially launches August 1 with preorders now live on Amazon for bundles including Play Booster Boxes, Commander Decks, and Collector Booster Boxes. Blending Magic’s iconic gameplay with science fantasy themes such as flying space whales and alien races, Edge of Eternities introduces four new mechanics: Void, Warp, Station, and Lander Tokens. Fan-favorite tribes like Eldrazi and Slivers return alongside reprints of coveted Shock Lands. Wizards of the Coast is gradually revealing more details, with a full card gallery arriving July 18 and prerelease events happening July 25 through 31, so now is the time to lock in your preorder if you want first access.
It’s a bit of a mixed back for Magic: The Gathering prices this week, so it’s always worth double checking eBay before TCG Player and Amazon for a last minute bargain. Also, whoever thinks a Theros Beyond Death booster is worth north of $700 needs to have a word with themselves.
Need serious power on the go? INIU’s 140W PowerNova Power Bank delivers laptop-level charging with a massive 27,000mAh capacity that is airline approved. Charge up to three devices at once via two USB-C ports and one USB-A, including a dedicated 140W PD 3.1 output to top off a MacBook Pro 16″ to 59% in just 30 minutes. The smart LED display shows real-time battery status, so you’re never guessing. Includes a USB-C cable, travel pouch, and INIU’s industry-leading 3-year warranty.
The Fitbit Charge 6 makes tracking your health and workouts easier and more connected than ever, with 40+ exercise modes, built-in GPS, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, and YouTube Music controls. Link it to compatible gym equipment to see your stats live as you move. It comes with both small and large bands, a sleek porcelain and silver finish, and a 6-month Fitbit Premium membership for deeper insights. Charge 6 works with both iOS and Android, and pairs perfectly with other Google products like Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Stay cool anywhere with TUNISE’s wearable neck fan, featuring a whisper-quiet motor and three adjustable speeds up to 4100 RPM. Its 5200mAh battery delivers up to 12 hours of cooling, while the clear LED display keeps tabs on battery life and fan speed. With a foldable, adjustable-angle design, this bladeless fan is as portable as it is stylish.
Simplify your workspace with Anker’s 332 USB C Power Strip, packing six outlets, USB-C 20W Power Delivery, and Anker’s signature 8-Point Safety System. It protects against surges, fire risks, and overloads while keeping your devices topped up. The 5-foot cord and compact three-sided outlet design make it easy to fit anywhere in your home or office setup. Reliable charging meets smart safety in one sleek package.
Charge two devices at once with INIU’s 30W dual-port USB-C charger set. Featuring GaN tech for cooler, safer charging, each block is 30% smaller than standard chargers and comes with foldable plugs for easy travel. Power up an iPhone 16 to 71% in just 30 minutes or juice up a MacBook Air with ease. This set includes two 60W USB-C cables, a user manual, and INIU’s industry-leading 3-year warranty for peace of mind.
I picked up the Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection for Switch and it’s been a solid throwback to the old Duel Monsters days. I grew up playing these games, so jumping back in with the ability to duel online and unlock classic cards feels pretty great. The save-anywhere feature makes it easy to squeeze in a match during a break and come back to it later. I also like that you can rewind or fast forward during duels which makes testing out new strategies a lot more flexible.
I was hoping to grab the steelbook edition of Superman but it looks like that’s already sold out. The standard Blu-ray is still available though if you’re just looking to watch the movie without the collectible packaging. James Gunn delivers a Superman story that feels fresh while staying true to the character. There’s a solid balance of action, humor, and heart, and it sets a strong tone for what’s next in the DCU. If you’re into superhero movies that keep things grounded while still feeling big and cinematic, this one’s worth picking up.
I grabbed Split Fiction on PS5 recently and it’s been a great pick for co-op sessions. We gave it a 9 out of 10 and after playing it I can see why. It focuses on split-screen teamwork where you and a partner have to sync your actions to clear each challenge. I really like how each level introduces new mechanics and switches between sci-fi and fantasy settings so it never feels repetitive. Mio and Zoe’s story adds some extra depth too since they do not get along at first but that dynamic makes the whole adventure feel more personal as things ramp up.
AirPods Pro 2 are one of those earbuds I keep noticing for their mix of sound quality and thoughtful features. At $199, they offer a strong balance of value and performance. The active noise cancellation blocks out a lot of background noise while adaptive audio automatically adjusts based on your surroundings. You get four sizes of silicone tips for a customizable fit, and once those are set they stay comfortable even through longer listening sessions. The personalized spatial audio and hearing aid features add extra depth, giving them more flexibility than just a standard pair of wireless earbuds.
DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake caught my attention for how it brings that classic RPG feel into a modern format. At $34.99, it’s a pretty big discount compared to the usual price, which makes it an easy pick if you’ve been waiting to try it. The HD-2D visuals really stand out with that mix of pixel art and depth that makes the world feel fresh but still familiar. Battles stick to the traditional turn-based system but with small updates like adjustable speed and auto-battle, so it doesn’t feel stuck in the past. The soundtrack ties it all together with that same timeless vibe DRAGON QUEST fans already know.
The Lord of the Rings Illustrated Edition feels like more than just a regular hardcover. At $30.07 it is a big drop from the usual $90 which makes it a sound deal. What really sets this edition apart are the illustrations with Tolkien’s own drawings maps and sketches included throughout. The full text is printed in red and black ink and there are details like sprayed edges and a ribbon bookmark that make it feel more like a collector’s item.
Suikoden I & II HD Remastered at $48.31 for the Day One Edition is an essential pickup for JRPG fans. The updated pixel art looks sharp without losing the original style and the new environmental sounds add a little more atmosphere as you move through towns and dungeons. Fattle fast forward and auto-save features make revisiting these games more modern and easier to play in shorter sessions.
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of “Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior”. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
Small, portable and sometimes worth so much money that it would give even Pikachu a shock, rare Pokémon cards have increasingly become the target of theft and other crimes. Japanese news outlets Sanspo and Automaton recently reported that Pokémon cards and cash worth a combined total of 13,700,000 yen (approx. $92,000 USD, as per current exchange rates) were stolen from a trading card shop. The twist is that the third person arrested in this ongoing case is apparently the manager of a rival trading card store nearby.
The robbery happened on June 16 at around 3:30 a.m. at Card Shop Masters in central Japan’s Gifu Prefecture. Two men in their 30s were later arrested for breaking and entering. According to the Sanspo article, one of the men is suspected of threatening the owners with a knife before taking the cards and cash. On July 9, a third person, allegedly the owner of a nearby trading card store, was arrested on suspicion of being an accomplice in the robbery, although according to police, he has yet to confess or deny his involvement.
The shop that was robbed has been posting about the situation on its X account, revealing the alleged identity of the third suspect as the manager of a rival store. They have also been appealing for information and calling for other people who were involved to give themselves up immediately.
“There’s no use thinking you won’t get caught. We will definitely catch everyone.” they said in a post on July 10, which has since attracted over 1 million views. Commenters expressed sympathy with the victim, and shock that someone would rob a shop in the same line of work.
Incidentally, there was a similar Pokémon card robbery that took place in Japan last year. Back in September, two men broke into a trading card seller in Osaka, also at 3:30 a.m. They threatened an employee (who had just been livestreaming a card sale) with a knife, tied them up and then took over 100 cards (worth over 10 million yen or around $67,000) as well as 250,000 yen (around $1,700) in cash (source: Kochi Shimbun).
Rare Pokémon cards have become a target for heists in other countries too. In February, Australia’s ABC News reported on a string of Pokémon card thefts across stores in Melbourne. Just last week, a store in Massachusetts, USA, had more than $100,000 worth of cards stolen in an early morning break-in (source: The New York Times).
Photo by John Keeble/Getty Images.
Verity Townsend is a Japan-based freelance writer who previously served as editor, contributor and translator for the game news site Automaton West. She has also written about Japanese culture and movies for various publications.
.jpg?width=1920&height=1920&fit=bounds&quality=70&format=jpg&auto=webp){kind=tracking}
I spent a good chunk of my weekend combing through GPU deals like these. I don’t really need a new graphics card, but seeing prices drop by almost half gets my curiosity going. It’s not even just the big names like the RTX 5090 or the Radeon RX 7900 XT, even refurbished cards look tempting when they’re going for hundreds less. I know some folks hesitate with renewed products, but I’ve had solid luck so far. Last year, I grabbed a renewed RTX 4070 super and it’s been running steady since. I guess it’s that mix of curiosity and trying not to miss out that keeps me scrolling through these lists. Here’s the best deals I can find for your latest rig upgrade:
Grip it real good.
Skull & Co. released a very nice NeoGrip for the OLED Switch back in 2021, which we reviewed at the time, coming away with the impression that, beyond a fiddly holding tab that could potentially get lost, the grips helped make long portable sessions much more comfortable.
With this Switch 2 update, the Savage Raven by Skull & Co. NeoGrip for Nintendo Switch 2, which falls under the same ‘Savage Raven’ banner as the company’s excellent Switch 2 carry case (which we’ve also reviewed!), not much has really changed.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Exciting updates for PC players! Starting today, Xbox Insiders in the PC Gaming Preview who are also Game Pass Ultimate members can stream select console games they own beyond the Game Pass catalog on the Xbox PC app in the 28 countries where Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) is supported.
Earlier this year, we rolled the “Stream your own game” feature out to Game Pass Ultimate members on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, TVs, Meta Quest Headsets as well as other browser supported devices like PCs, smartphones and tablets. Now, we’re bringing that same flexibility to PC, allowing you to stream eligible games you already own without needing to install them directly from the Xbox PC app. This saves time, conserves hard drive space, and gives you more flexible access to your library through cloud gaming.
Even better, this feature includes console-only games that previously couldn’t be played using the Xbox PC app. Just head to the Cloud Gaming section in the Xbox PC app, look for the Stream your own game catalog, choose a supported title you own, and start playing instantly. You can see the full list of over 250+ supported games here. You can expect even more games including console-only games and Xbox Play Anywhere titles to be added to the collection over time. You choose how and where to play. We’re just making it easier to get there—with more flexibility, more access, and more games at your fingertips.
We want to thank all the Xbox Insiders for the feedback you share with us. Your feedback is a key part of our process. If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please join our community on the Xbox Insider subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help. We recommend adding to threads with the same topic before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can!
If you aren’t part of the Xbox Insider Program yet and want to help create the future of Xbox and get early access to new features, join the Program today by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One or Windows PC. For more information on the Xbox Insider Program, follow us on Twitter at @XboxInsider and keep an eye on this blog for all the latest news.
For more information: follow us on X/Twitter at @XboxInsider and this blog for announcements and more. And feel free to interact with the community on the Xbox Insider SubReddit.
The post Xbox Insiders with Game Pass Ultimate – Stream Your Own Game on the Xbox PC app appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Hello PlayStation readers! I’m Chris Darril, creator of Bye Sweet Carole and founder of Little Sewing Machine.
Bye Sweet Carole is a special project, one that reimagines the animation that inspired me in childhood, interwoven with homages to video games that today’s players can relate to. Before the game launches on PlayStation, it’s my pleasure to introduce the first and exclusive look at The French, a mysterious character found sneaking into Bunny Hall by Lana. They seem to have an interest in heat and flames — could this be a clue to Carole’s disappearance?
As mysterious as they look, this is clearly someone who has shared proximity with Carole. Eyes cast down, but what did they see? What intentions do they hide? Is there a secret in the burning flames they hover around? Players will find out alongside Lana soon enough.
Shifting from making films to video games has been a life-changing experience. Carole started off as a mistake: one day, while playing with my unfinished Remothered prototype in RPG Maker, I created a dreamy, cell-shaded protagonist. Instantly, the image reminded me of those early popular animated films featuring pastel-coloured princesses against dark backdrops.
Connecting this visual concept to video games was the first hurdle: titles like Resident Evil on the first PlayStation, Clock Tower, and Gris were all foundational sources of gameplay inspiration. Their slow, measured approach to storytelling and unique atmospheres informed our initial development, refined with modern messaging designed to evoke the same child-like awe in a now fully-grown video game player today.
As game designers, we are already directors, and the “cinematography” of video games is equally important. The presentation of a world makes an impact on the audience, and in both cinema and games, technology brings the storytelling to life. You’ll always meet technological limitations, so remaining fluid is absolutely critical in the development stage.
You start with the concept, then jump to the storyboard, then the rough animation, clean-up, and then the colors. Exporting animation happens differently if it’s a cutscene, a video, or eventually a game scene, so you have to find people just to export each animation. As with filmmaking, collaboration is key.
The animation of Bye Sweet Carole was hand-drawn, frame by frame. Sacrificing even just one frame means the magic of the old-fashioned animation style is lost. Computers made the production much smoother, but we made certain that the tangible expression of the animation style is always felt when playing the game. PlayStation players will be able to see the true labour of love in full 4K display.
We’ve also ensured that the visual and audio components work in harmony. The soundtrack was composed by Luca Balboni, a frequent collaborator. The large cast of characters will be fully voiced by Rossa Caputo in the Italian dub, Lani Minella (voice of the iconic Infected of The Last of Us), and Elsie Lovelock as our protagonist Lana.
Doing something that by today’s standards is considered “old school” wasn’t easy, and required a huge learning curve. On behalf of the entire team, we hope all players will enjoy meeting The French and experiencing Bye Sweet Carole later this year by purchasing the game from PlayStation Store or at their favourite retailer. We aspire for the game to be a modern fairytale, one that feels like a deep-seated memory: sad, yet peaceful, and long-lasting. It’s the best, most ambitious game I’ve ever worked on, and for those that missed it, our most recent trailer is a fantastic place to start.
There is one more mystery I can shed light on today, and that is confirming that Bye Sweet Carole is available from major retailers on discs. Today, players who want to experience the nostalgia of physical pieces of media inspired by nostalgia can pre-order a copy now in many regions and storefronts. Of course, the PlayStation Store is always open for those that appreciate modern accessibility of digital copies.
We still have several surprises to reveal about Bye Sweet Carole, so stay tuned—we’re incredibly excited to bring this love letter to life.
The Sonic the Hedgehog crossover with Magic: The Gathering’s boutique Secret Lair drops went live yesterday, and it was predictably popular. Eager fans swarmed the site, and now, scalpers are already selling some of the product online at a mark-up.
Secret Lair is Magic: The Gathering’s special collection of rare and unique cards, with either brand-new designs or special reprints of classic cards. For Sonic, the Blue Blur got three different sets of cards. The Friends & Foes collection featured new cards that could, presumably, be Commanders for Sonic-focused Commander decks, like Knuckles, Amy, Dr. Eggman, and Shadow. Turbo Gear and Chasing Adventure, meanwhile, were reprints of cards like Lightning Greaves and Unexpected Windfall with Sonic-styled card art.
When the set went live at 9am PT yesterday, a queue formed and quickly ramped up. There were limits in place, presumably to prevent people from mass-purchasing and flipping the goods. Still, it shouldn’t be a surprise that a few card sets have found their way onto eBay already, at a marked-up price.
The Turbo Gear Foil Edition, for example, is being listed at $70 (or best offer) on eBay with a preorder/presale marker, as the actual Secret Lair cards have not shipped yet. For comparison, the Secret Lair shop price for this foil set is $39.99.
More expensive options, like the entire Sonic collection sans foil, are going for $349.99 (or best offer), and some listings put individual collections like the Friends & Foes at $80 or more.
The strange part is that while the Secret Lair vault will eventually run dry, and some parts of the collection have already gone down to low or no stock, other card sets are still available. As of this writing, the Friends & Foes Foil Edition is still available for $49.99. It won’t always be available, but it’s somehow both surprising and not surprising these sets are already getting flipped.
For those who’d rather chase after other cards, the next Magic: The Gathering set Edge of Eternities is officially out on August 1, with pre-release starting on July 25.
Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.
Switch 2 blockbuster Donkey Kong Bananza will be something of a template for the character’s future 3D games, Nintendo has said, splitting DK’s appearances in 2D and 3D titles.
Similar to how Mario still appears in both 2D and 3D installments — the most recent of each being Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Super Mario Odyssey, respectively — Nintendo now sees a similar delineation in its plans for its most prominent ape.
Expanding on comments previously made to IGN about Bananza’s origins, producer Kenta Motokura has said that the game’s development began when Nintendo legend Yoshiaki Koizumi asked his 3D Mario team to work its magic making a 3D DK game instead.
“With an eye to expanding the Donkey Kong franchise further, I’d like the team that’s been working on 3D Mario games to create a 3D Donkey Kong game,” Motokura quoted Koizumi as saying, as part of a new Ask the Developer Q&A. It was this instruction, combined with ongoing experimentation into voxel-based destruction, that led to Donkey Kong Bananza’s genesis.
Asked how Bananza sits alongside other Donkey Kong games, Motokura continued by saying that the 3D Mario team considered this project to epitomise a new 3D Donkey Kong “branch”, separate to the DK’s 2D platformers — leaving the door open to both kinds of games still existing in future.
“In a long-running series, novelty and continuity are both important, but we wanted this title to fully convey the appeal of Donkey Kong as a character,” Motokura said. “Meanwhile, we thought that by creating something new, leveraging our experience developing 3D Mario games, we’d have the opportunity to create two separate branches – 2D Donkey Kong and 3D Donkey Kong – just as we did with Mario games.
“So, keeping in mind that this game will come to symbolise 3D Donkey Kong, and with the theme of bringing Donkey Kong’s strengths and new actions to the forefront, we thought the concept of ‘destruction’ would be a good fit.”
Finally, Motokura discussed Nintendo’s recent Donkey Kong redesign in more detail, and said that it was the development of Bananza which spearheaded the company’s search for a new DK look.
“Donkey Kong Bananza sparked the creation of a design which I think better conveys the new Donkey Kong,” Motokura said, noting that Nintendo’s new ‘standard’ DK was actually another attempt to recapture the character’s original design, drawn by Shigeru Miyamoto for the Donkey Kong arcade game.
“Outside of this game, Donkey Kong has recently appeared in The Super Mario Bros. Movie released in 2023 and in Mario Kart World, but there’s a basic character design which provided the foundation for those versions of Donkey Kong,” Motokura concluded. “That basic Donkey Kong design has been completely revamped. While overhauling the design, we returned to where it had all started. We took Miyamoto-san’s original Donkey Kong as the basis, adding design elements from Donkey Kong Bananza here and there.”
What’s next for Donkey Kong? Well, it certainly sounds like the door is being left open for the character to reappear in further 2D games in future. And then there’s the intriguing copyright listing for an unannounced Donkey Kong movie, spotted by Nintendo fans earlier this week. It seems like there’s plenty in store for DK to come.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
