The journey to Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary has officially begun with these gorgeous illustration rare-style promo cards that commemorate the bonds between a Trainer and their loyal first partner.

Whether you’re a Kanto veteran or new to the world of Pokémon, this new collection encourages you to look back on your favourite adventures from the last 30 years.

Here’s all the information you need to know about Series 1 of the First Partner Illustration Collection Pokémon TCG collection, including release date, preorder information, and what’s next for this set of cards.

Nier: Automata, Yoko Taro and PlatinumGames’ 2017 action RPG follow-up to Nier and the Drakengard series, has officially sold 10 million copies nine years after its release.

This comes from a tweet/X post and YouTube video shared by the official accounts for Nier and publisher Square Enix respectively. The post includes a celebratory piece of Nier: Automata art:

#ニーアオートマタ の全世界累計出荷・ダウンロード販売本数が【1,000万本】を突破しました。本当に……本当にありがとうございました。これからもよろしくお願いいたします。

🔽これまでの軌跡を振り返る動画を公開https://t.co/0i2Q3eiyGb pic.twitter.com/m9bGhLsAJC

— NieR公式PRアカウント (@NieR_JPN) February 20, 2026

In a press release, Square Enix confirmed that in addition to this milestone for Automata, Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139, the remake of Nier released in 2021, has sold two million copies.

The six-minute-long YouTube video provides a recap of everything Nier: Automata-related from the last decade, and unless you’re a superfan, the sheer volume is probably a lot higher than you’d expect. There’s the game itself and its various re-releases and ports, plus multiple concerts, stage presentations, written works, animation, and more.

It ends on a teasing note, with text reading: “Nier: Automata to be continued…”

Tantalyzing as it sounds that this may mean another game is in the works, Nier fans have been here before. A number of the Nier works shown in that video have seemingly teased more Nier to come, but it’s never quite been the AAA video game rendition fans wanted. The story has been told and sequelized through many different mediums at this point, including a no-longer-available mobile game that’s effectively a direct sequel, but no full-blown PC/console game has emerged in the last nine years. Maybe other fans feel differently, but it’s left me a bit jaded at the idea. Even Yoko Taro sounded a bit weary when he was last asked about it, saying that he was trying to make new projects, but they kept getting canceled on him.

Which is a shame, because Nier: Automata rules. We gave it an 8.9/10 when we reviewed it in 2017, saying it’s “a crazy, beautiful, and highly entertaining journey full of nutty ideas and awesome gameplay. It may not include the most sensical story or compelling characters, but its frenzied combat — coupled with beautiful visuals and a stunning soundtrack – make it too much fun to pass up.”

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Capcom has at last acknowledged the fact that Resident Evil Requiem has now been widely leaked, and promised “firm action” against those responsible.

In a statement posted to social media, Capcom said it believed the “large number of gameplay videos” now floating around the internet — some of which contain huge spoilers and clips of the game’s finale — originated from copies obtained “through illegal means.”

IGN has verified the leaked spoilers as legitimate, but will not be reporting any details of the game’s plot or ending within its own reporting.

Capcom has now said that the posting of these videos constitutes copyright infringement, as well as generally being “an act that offends other customers.” However, the publisher seems somewhat limited in what it can actually do in response — suggesting it will simply delete the videos or issue “warnings.”

“We have found a large number of gameplay videos of Resident Evil Requiem that appear to have been obtained through illegal means,” Capcom wrote. “For the sake of our customers who are eagaerly awaiting this game, we ask that you refrain from publishing or posting gameplay videos on video streaming services or social media before the game’s release date.

“Posting gameplay footage before the release of this game is not only a copyright infringement, but also an act that offends other customers, so we will take firm action, such as deleting videos or issuing warnings, as soon as we become aware of such activity. Additionally, we also ask anyone viewing this post who happens to see the videos in question, please be careful not to watch or share it.

“Through this game, we hope to deliver a ‘story that intertwines mystery and tension’ and a ‘thrilling gaming experience that challenges unknown threats.’ We would appreciate your cooperation in not ruining the excitement for others. Thank you for your understanding.”

Resident Evil Requiem’s February 27 release date is now less than a week away — so for those still trying to avoid spoilers, there’s not too long left to wait. If you were hoping to get your hands on the bizarre Japan-only version of the game that comes with exercise equipment, however, we’re sorry to say that this has now sold out.

“After getting hands-on with a total of about four hours of Resident Evil 9 Requiem at this point, and sharing that experience with colleagues, I’m more excited for the series than I have been in recent memory,” IGN wrote after going hands-on with Resident Evil Requiem recently. “It’s the old mixed with the new, but all in a modern package with two protagonists I already like a lot.”

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

In Japan, Capcom has teamed up with a company known for its shopping channel-style infomercials, to release a bizarre and extremely limited edition of Resident Evil Requiem that includes exercise equipment.

Limited to only 50 sets and priced at 19,800yen ($127), the Terrifying Nightmare Set made in collaboration with e-commerce/talent management Yume Group sold out completely in less than 5 hours, as fans reached for their credit cards faster than they ever ran from Mr. X.

Resident Evil Requiem’s Terrifying Nightmare Set includes a copy of Resident Evil Requiem on either PS5 or Switch 2 and a full-sized pull-up bar for exercising. Yes, you read it right.

『バイオハザード レクイエム』×夢グループのコラボ商品「恐怖の悪夢セット」発売が決定！

夢グループ公式サイトで【おひとり9セットまで】ご購入頂けます。テレビショッピング映像も是非お楽しみください。

▼詳細▼https://t.co/mf15eyvpBu#バイオレクイエム #夢グループ pic.twitter.com/TGHdSoVWW4

— バイオハザード(カプコン)公式 (@BIO_OFFICIAL) February 19, 2026

In Japan, Yume Group (Dream Group) is known for its catchphrase “make it cheaper!” and for selling all sorts of shopping channel-style products via their website and through commercials. Naturally, the Resident Evil Requiem Terrifying Nightmare Set has its own tongue-in-cheek commercial — which you can watch above — in which Yume Group president Shigehiro Ishida and affiliated singer Yuri Hoshina promote the game in their signature style, with Ishida introducing the selling points and Hoshina exclaiming enthusiastically in response.

Brilliantly, the commercial even features Resident Evil Requiem director Koshi Nakanishi, who makes a rather deadpan cameo wearing industrial workwear and an unconvincing wig. Nakanishi mentions Requiem’s dual protagonists Grace and Leon, and the game’s mix of horror and action, while these keywords flash boldly on screen.

But what’s with the pull-up bar? The idea here is apparently so that gamers can use this piece of freestanding exercise equipment — dubbed the “Dream Hanging Health Device” — to release tension after fighting off zombies and getting perplexed by puzzles.

“When you’re tired from gaming, hang on tight. It’ll loosen up your back and shoulders stiff from fright!” advises the product’s store page. The accompanying tongue-in-cheek infomercial advertises the pull-up bar while showing shots of a terrified Grace Ashcroft hanging upside down from the game’s reveal trailer.

Other moments from the commercial include Hoshina cheerfully exclaiming that the game is “easy for even beginners to start playing,” while the ‘You are Dead’ game over screen plays in the background, and an apparent claim that the exercise equipment is also good for drying laundry on a rainy day.

When official Resident Evil accounts in Japan suddenly started posting a Yume Group infomercial on the morning of February 20th, some users thought it was simply a parody. “I started watching it with a smirk, laughing at the image of Grace hanging upside down on the device but then went dead serious when the detailed purchase rules and phone number came up ‘Huh? They’re actually selling this?!'” a user commented in Japanese on X.

However, just five hours later the Terrifying Nightmare Set was sold out. Perhaps some Resident Evil fans aspire to get chainsaw-wielding worthy biceps like Leon S. Kennedy’s, whose new look has won him a bit of a fan following.

Speaking of Leon and unexpected Resident Evil special editions, who can forget Resident Evil 6’s Leather Jacket Edition which came with a replica of Leon’s coat and retailed for 109,000 yen ($1,300) back in 2012?

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.