That sparked concern for The Lord of the Rings MMO. Now, one former Amazon Games developer hit by the cuts has indicated the game has indeed fallen by the wayside.
“This morning I was part of the layoffs at Amazon Games, alongside my incredibly talented peers on New World and our fledgling Lord of the Rings game (y’all would have loved it),” the developer said in a now-deleted post on LinkedIn.
“It’s always tough to see such a strong team go through something like this — I’ve been lucky to work with some of the most skilled, creative, and kind developers I’ve ever met here.”
The line “y’all would have loved it,” does suggest The Lord of the Rings is now dead. Neither Amazon nor Lord of the rings rights holder Embracer have responded to IGN’s request for comment.
Although The Lord of the Rings was announced in 2023, in August last year, Amazon Games boss Christoph Hartmann told IGN it was still early days. “We’re still trying to find the hook, find that idea of what it is because we don’t just want to go and do the same thing over,” Hartmann said at the time.
“While it’s tempting sometimes with an existing IP, that’s not the point of doing it. You’ve got to find a fresh twist, and we’re still, I think, in that period where we really want to find out what could be the hook, what could be the thing which is different to all the other games out there. So it’s a little bit early.”
In 2023, Embracer said it needed to be “exploiting Lord of the Rings in a very significant fashion” by turning it into “one of the biggest gaming franchises in the world.” Embracer bought the rights to The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit in August 2022 and announced plans to explore opportunities to create new games, movies, and more based on the famous intellectual property soon after.
This isn’t the first time Amazon has canceled a Lord of the Rings MMO. In 2021, it halted a Lord of the Rings MMORPG that was first announced in 2019 amid a contract dispute with Tencent.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Apex Legends is rolling out its Season 27 update next Tuesday, November 4th, and RPS has been furnished with an overview of its meatiest rejigging work. I haven’t playtested this megapatch so unlike with Season 25, I can’t say from experience how any of these changes will get you killed. Still, since it tweaks my favourite map, my favourite playable Legend, and my favourite hovercar, I feel uniquely qualified to declare without evidence whether they’re good or not.
Resident Evil Requiem is set to release for PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, and PC on February 27. It puts you in the shoes of Grace Ashcroft, an FBI intelligence analyst who, unlike most Resident Evil protagonists, is not used to fighting horrific enemies. It will also let you switch between first- and third-person perspectives at any time.
RE Requiem is available to preorder now (see it at Best Buy). It’s coming out in a number of editions, with some neat extras to go along with it, so read on for a breakdown of what comes in each one.
Four weapon skins including S&S M232 Weapon Skin: Apocalypse
Two charms including Charm: Mr. Raccoon
Audio Pack: Raccoon City Classic
Files: Letters from 1998
Switch 2 Pro Controller – Resident Evil Requiem Edition
Switch 2 Pro Controller Resident Evil Requiem Edition
Here’s an unusual one for Nintendo. You can get an official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller that’s etched with Resident Evil Requiem imagery. It costs $99.99 and will arrive February 27, the same day as the new game.
Switch owners who have missed out on the last two mainline Resident Evil releases can pick up a three-pack for Switch 2. The Resident Evil Generation Pack comes with Resident Evil 7 and all its DLC, Resident Evil Village and all its DLC, and Resident Evil Requiem. It comes in a tasteful box to house all the games.
Resident Evil Requiem amiibo Announced
They’re not available for preorder yet, but Capcom has announced it will release a Grace Ashcroft amiibo in summer 2026.
Resident Evil Requiem Preorder Bonus
Preorder the game, and you’ll get the following in-game item:
Grace’s Costume: Apocalypse
What Is Resident Evil Requiem?
The game kicks off when a body is discovered in an abandoned hotel. The person seems to have died from a strange, unidentified disease. You, as FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, are sent to investigate the mysterious death, which just so happens to have occurred at the same hotel where your mom died eight years ago.
As you face your traumatic past, you also uncover a connection between this new body and the events of Raccoon City — where your mom was a reporter, who escaped from the carnage.
As for the gameplay, you can swap at any time between first-person and third-person perspectives. There seems to be another murderous character chasing you through the game, as our game critic discovered during a Resident Evil Requiem hands-on preview. We’ll have more info as Capcom trickles it out ahead of the game’s release in February 2026.
More Preorder Guides
Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN’s board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Bluesky.
As you’ve no doubt seen, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is getting another massive update early next year, along with a Switch 2 Edition with the expected enhancements (Mouse Mode, wooo). But amongst all the Bells and whistles announced, you might have missed the news that retro Nintendo games are also returning to the series. Hurrah!
Yes, you will once again be able to play 8-bit and higher-bit classics in Animal Crossing, just like you could in the original game back on GameCube! However, there are some caveats.
PvPvE extraction shooter Arc Raiders is available today for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC as an Xbox Play Anywhere title.
The risk of losing your stuff, the danger of the robots, and the unpredictability of other raiders makes for an overall tense experience.
But thoughtful quality-of-life enhancements and a charming ’70s retrofuturist aesthetic help it go down more easily, inviting in genre-curious players.
My favorite shooters accommodate a wide range of players. I didn’t have the fastest twitch reflexes as a teenager, let alone now nearing 40, so I’ll never do well in a straight battle of headshots and KDR. But I’ve poured hundreds of hours into Overwatch and Helldivers 2 because they reward strategic thinking and offer an interesting range of different playstyles, which in turn produces a more compellingly wide range of stories. They also allow me to play alongside more skilled friends without feeling like anyone is compromising their fun.
Arc Raiders may be the next shooter to pull me in. I played for 3 hours across 3 different maps, both solo and in a squad, in a recent closed preview event of the whole game for journalists and influencers. This upcoming PvPvE extraction shooter is set in a future reminiscent of “The Matrix” – rogue robots called Arc have devastated humanity, driving the survivors to hide deep underground in a last stronghold city, Speranza (“hope”).
As the eponymous raiders, players make runs to different zones on the surface, pillaging the ruins of civilization for usable materials while navigating the threats of both Arc robots and their fellow raiders, then making it safely home with whatever they can carry back to base to sell, scrap, craft, or use on subsequent raids.
It’s chasing the microgenre du jour, extraction shooters, which are built around the same general risk/reward loop of going into a hostile area, completing objectives, and extracting with goodies that will fuel future runs. If you’ve enjoyed the likes of Escape from Tarkov and Hunt: Showdown, Arc Raiders is aiming to be your next obsession – and if you haven’t dipped a toe into extraction shooters yet, this is shaping up to be a gorgeous entry point.
Tension Management
As befits the genre, the dominant feeling throughout my time with Arc Raiders was tension. Any encounter going wrong could mean not just the opportunity cost of whatever new spoils we hoped to take home, but also losing all the equipment we brought in with us. That kind of high-stakes resource pressure, where one’s ability to make progress depends on building and maintaining momentum that can be easily lost, is part of the appeal for the genre’s hardcore fans, but also adds a certain prickliness that could deter other prospective players.
Arc Raiders graciously smooths this out with free loadouts that let you jump into a raid with a minimum viable kit and no risk of loss, helping players that might be stuck treading water while they get their bearings in the game. Every raider also has “Scrappy,” a pet rooster that collects a steady drip of basic materials for them while out on raids, ensuring they can always craft basic necessities like bandages and bullets.
Completing objectives during a raid, whether they extract or not, also nets skill points that can be distributed between three different trees. This all allows for a baseline of progression and character growth/specialization, even if players are struggling to survive most of their runs.
The greatest source of tension, however, was from other people. Unlike a conventional PvP competitive shooter, where the constant pressure of other players is the engine driving gameplay, the rate of encounters was much more variable here. Individual raids across my session varied widely based on the map and happenstance. Some were dominated by long, quiet stretches of scavenging through buildings and sneaking past robots, punctuated by a handful of staccato encounters. Other times we found ourselves stumbling from firefight to firefight as robot engagements drew the attention of opportunistic raiders, and vice versa.
Besides never quite being sure exactly when we would encounter other players, another juicy source of tension was whether our fellow raiders would be hostile or friendly. Over my session I experienced a full spectrum of interactions, from being shot on sight to having lighthearted chats, leading sometimes to them giving crucial help later in the match, other times to betrayal. In that way it reminded me of Sea of Thieves, which cultivates a similar sense of vulnerability by pairing the possibility of losing all your new stuff with the black box of strangers’ intentions. Granting that a closed session of journalists and influencers is likely to be as friendly as the game is going to get, I’ll be very curious to see how the player community’s norms develop once the game is released to the wider public.
The Enemy of my Enemy
One element that might help encourage players to work together is the genuine threat posed by the Arc robots. Far from being rote cannon-fodder, the non-human enemies are dynamic and dangerous, keeping us on our toes throughout, even when other human players weren’t in sight. Developer Embark is no doubt helped here by the fact that Arc Raiders started as purely PvE experience before settling into its current extraction form, which means real development time and resources went into making Arc enemies feel like the star of the show, and not just a supporting player.
Part of this that really stood out to me was how, as the developers have discussed previously, the movement and behaviors for the Arc were not traditionally keyframed and hand-crafted by animators, but rather trained through machine learning applied to physics simulations. It’s essentially the same kind of process used by many real-world roboticists to train their creations in the complex task of navigating physical space, like the robot apocalypse abettors at Boston Dynamics.
The Arc were lively and unpredictable. Shooting out an assault drone’s rotor didn’t send it crashing down like I’d hoped, but rather it awkwardly swung down before compensating with the others and swooping back around to continue the fight in a way that felt compellingly organic.
Stray, small Arc were easily manageable in isolation, but add a few more (or just a single large one) and the situation could quickly get out of hand. The genuine threat posed by the Arc will hopefully help keep pressure on players to at least consider temporary alliances and keep the game more socially vibrant and variable.
Yesterday’s Tomorrow, Today!
Arc Raiders needs no help being aesthetically vibrant, however. Following from the graphic design of the logo, the game has a charming ’70s retrofuturism look. This is especially true in the character cosmetics, which were fun and colorful, and had a nice variety of silhouettes – I gave my raider a bright green motorcycle helmet, leather flight jacket, and tight jeans with a stripe up the side. Compared to its peers in the genre, Arc Raiders’ more colorful and playful design sensibility (like unlockable hats for Scrappy – he got a matching little motorcycle helmet) goes a long way to piquing my interest.
It doesn’t approach the full dayglo hyperpop palette of fellow upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon, though, and grounds it with a realistic layer of post-apocalyptic wear and tear. Light and sound do a lot to support immersion as well; stalking our way through flashlight-lit underground tunnels crammed with rusted-out cars while muffled gunfire echoes above, or darting from shadow to shadow of bombed out apartment buildings across a plaza lit brightly by the midday sun, keeping an ear out for the ominous beeps of Arc sentries in the distance. The spaces were evocative, with a pleasing range of environments (residential, industrial, claustrophobic, open, flat, vertical, etc.), both within and between maps, which helped fuel the interesting variety of encounters we had.
Smoothed Edges
Arc Raiders has definitely caught my attention, as I’m always on the lookout for good session-based co-op games that I can use for catching up with friends. The game’s fun visual design, tight core loop, and quality-of-life mechanics have smoothed over some of the extraction shooter’s sharper edges, which may give it a real shot at bringing the genre to a wider audience.
Arc Raiders comes to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC as an Xbox Play Anywhere title today on October 30.
Secure your copy of the game as the Standard or Deluxe Edition, and receive the Lucky Duck Bundle pre-order bonus at launch!
The Lucky Duck Bundle contains the exclusive Hatchling Backpack and Golden Rubber Duck Backpack Charm.
ABOUT THIS GAME
SCAVENGE, SURVIVE, THRIVE
In ARC Raiders, gameplay flows between the surface ruled by lethal machines, and the vibrant underground society of Speranza. Craft, repair, and upgrade your gear in the safety of your own workshop, before venturing topside to scavenge the remnants of a devastated but beautiful world. Play solo or in parties up to three, navigating the constant threat of ARC’s machines and the unpredictable choices of fellow survivors. In the end, only you decide what kind of Raider you are – and how far you’ll go to prevail.
EXPLORE AN IMMERSIVE WORLD
Explore four distinct maps at launch, with more to be revealed as the underground society evolves and expands its reach. Each destination carries the weight of a world twice-destroyed, and the scars of conflicts both old and new. Sift through the remnants for valuable loot, and piece together the past as it’s slowly reclaimed by nature. Evolving map conditions ensure that no two runs are the same, with varying weather, enemies, and mechanics adding unpredictability and danger.
STAKE YOUR CLAIM
In a society built on boldness and bravado, it is up to you to stake your claim as a Raider. The loot you scavenge can be sold for coin or crafted into all-new gear, allowing you take on increasingly lethal dangers head-on. Through both victories and hardships, you’ll gain valuable experience; unlocking varied skills that enable all-new ways of play. In addition, you’ll complete quests for Traders with differing motives and agendas; uncovering both the friction and comradery of a community under constant threat of collapse.
BEWARE THE MACHINES
Lethal machines known as ARC rule the surface, ranging from unrelenting drone swarms to mechanical giants that obliterate everything in their path. Their origins remain a mystery, but their ever-present danger is felt with every step you take. Each machine comes with distinct strengths and tactics, forcing you to pinpoint their weak spots and constantly think on your feet. And remember: the noise of battle carries. Other Raiders may be listening; eager to claim what you leave behind.
FORGE YOUR OWN PATH
Raiders survive by kitbashing scavenged materials; using long-lost tech and looted ARC parts to craft weapons, gadgets, and gear. Upgrade your workshop stations and learn blueprints to craft even more advanced items, or improvise quick fixes in the field to get yourself out of a bind. As you make a name for yourself, you’ll be able to measure your skill against other Raiders by taking on Trials; rising through the leaderboards to earn valuable rewards.
QUESTS
In Speranza, everyone has an agenda, and the Traders are no different. They’ll send you topside on missions in exchange for rewards, slowly revealing more about who they are and what they want for Speranza’s future. Complete quests to earn gear, crafting materials, and XP to level up your Raider and unlock new skill points.
SKILL TREE
The ARC Raiders skill tree branches into three paths: Survival, Mobility, and Conditioning. Spend your points to shape your playstyle. Loot faster and move quieter with Survival skills. Outmaneuver your opponents and threats with Mobility. And enhance your Strength and Stamina with Conditioning. Choose how you grow and what your Raider brings to the battle.
BUILD YOUR ARSENAL
Whether you’re preparing to take down specific ARC enemies or fend off rival Raiders, there’s a choice of weaponry for every fight. Cater to your style with a range of firearms including SMGs, rifles and shotguns, as well as more advanced options such as railguns and energy weapons. Grenades, traps, ziplines and deployables offer the tactical depth needed to outsmart your enemies, while augments allow you to tailor your loadout to your preferred playstyle; unlocking dedicated inventory slots and additional gameplay perks.”
It should be no surprise that there’s a terrifying-yet-terrific variety of high-profile essentials and indie classics available on PlayStation Plus via your PS4 and PS5. And with the spooky season upon us it’s only right to dive into some devilish delights that can turn your Halloween – and any future fangs-givings – into a night to remember. Grab a warm beverage, and make sure your blood is suitably chilled before we begin…
Silent Hill 2 (PS5) | Game Catalog
For fans of… Tense and psychologically brutal survival horrors.
Why you should play: As remakes go, Silent Hill 2 is among the best. It modernises elements of its gameplay and controls, and revamps the presentation of the PlayStation 2 original without losing any of its sinister atmosphere and heart-thumping challenge. If you didn’t fear getting lost in unknown mists before…well, this will change everything.
Game modes: A taut single-player mode with multiple endings keeps you coming back to this reborn classic.
Until Dawn (PS5) | Game Catalog
For fans of… Slasher flicks with an all-star Hollywood cast, and branching narratives where your choices really do matter.
Why you should play: Eight friends trapped on a remote mountain retreat with a mysterious killer. If that setup isn’t enough to hook you, then Until Dawn seals the deal by forcing you to make decisions that can change the lives of the unlucky eight. If someone dies, the game continues without them, leaving you to carry the weight of your actions for the rest of the story. Ruthless? Absolutely. Utterly compelling? Always.
Game modes: While designed as a single-player game, it’s easy to bring friends into Until Dawn by passing the DualSense wireless controller to a friend each time another character becomes the focus.
V Rising | Game Catalog
For fans of… Gothic open worlds, where you can indulge your action-packed, aristocratic vampire fantasy.
Why you should play: If you ever wanted to become vampire royalty, then Stunlock Studios’ engaging blend of action role-playing and empire building should satisfy that moonlit craving. It’s not just about hard fought battles of blood, and skulking in the shadows to quench your weakened vampire’s thirst, but also rebuilding and personalizing your very own castle, complete with servants, treasure, and (of course) coffins.
Game modes: You don’t have to wander the world of Vardoran alone. A flexible and vast online multiplayer mode lets you join forces with other human-controlled vampires – or go to war with them if your blood runs a little hotter.
Alan Wake 2 | October Monthly Game (Available until Nov 3, 2025)
For fans of… Twin Peaks-esque existential survival horror, where the meta narrative bleeds into the game’s main story.
Why you should play: Surreal and darkly eldritch, Alan Wake 2 grabs you by the eyes and pulls you into a mind-bending adventure where reality is shaped by the horrors of our imagination. Between the dual protagonists of telepathic FBI agent Saga Anderson and trapped writer Alan Wake, you’re in for a nightmarish and gripping exploration of what it means to confront our own limitations. To say more would ruin the game’s many novel surprises.
Game modes: With its focus on a nerve-wracking single-player, Alan Wake 2 rewards the game’s completion with a New Game Plus mode called The Final Draft, which features an expanded ending, along with a tweaked narrative, collectibles, and a new difficulty setting.
For fans of… Zombie style open worlds, where overwhelming odds are the order of the day. Oh, and bikes.
Why you should play: A wild wilderness full of feral, flesh hungry Freakers, unpredictable weather, roving human gangs, and vicious animals? That’s what awaits you in this fast-paced, post-apocalyptic action-adventure, rife with explosive weapons, big set pieces and rip-roaring motorbikes.
Game modes: Switching things up is the more action oriented Challenge Mode, which tests you to complete objectives under different conditions, such as defeating endless hordes.
For fans of… Terrifying yet fun multiplayer survival slasher romps.
Why you should play: Don’t let Dead by Daylight’s seemingly simple hide and seek concept fool you – this 4vs1 asymmetrical multiplayer game captures the intense thrills of classic 80s monster movies. As four of you try to survive against one relentless killer, the procedurally generated environments ensure every run is brutally unpredictable.
Game modes: Dead by Daylight’s bot-driven single-player is great for practicing, but its main online multiplayer is where the fun is, especially with friends. Look out for modifiers and variant modes like 2v8 and the darkness enveloping Lights Out.
For fans of… Chilling survival horror, played via a Blair Witch-style found-footage perspective.
Why you should play: Blending elements from both classic and modern horror films, Outlast 2 increases its tension by mostly removing the ability to fight back against its cultist antagonists. Combined with video camera style first-person perspective viewpoints, jump-scares and creepy flashbacks, this is a horror fan’s dream (…or nightmare, if you prefer).
Game modes: Outlast 2 keeps its terror up close and personal with a finely honed single-player mode.
For fans of… One of the most iconic series going, but also those who like a little dark laughter with their slaughter.
Why you should play: Virtual reality lends itself perfectly to horror, and what better setting for PlayStation VR2 than the macabre and ever disturbing animatronics world of Fazebear Entertainment? Tasks like managing food in the Pizzaplex and helping robotic performers prepare for their show might not sound scary, but believe me, in Five Nights it’s something that will haunt you forever.
Game modes: While there’s no multiplayer mode, Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2consists of 40 different minigames, with a variety of them only unlocked if others are completed first.
For fans of… Puzzle-driven murder mysteries, soaked in the neon-lit 1980s.
Why you should play: How many other games have you assume the role of a late-night radio talk-show host? But this isn’t just some drowsy dialogue with the denizens of Gallows Creek – they’re being hunted by an enigmatic killer and you’re they’re only hope. Every call can be the difference between life and death as you’re solving puzzles, gathering clues, and engaging in branching narrative with eccentric personalities.
Game modes: The single-player mode features four different endings depending on how many callers you save and if certain characters survive, so there’s incentive for multiple playthroughs.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan
For fans of…
Glossy and filmic branching narrative horror adventures.
Why you should play: It’s not just the high quality production values which make Man of Medan so impressive. It refines the interactive drama genre into an enthralling paranormal horror where any of the five main characters can die. Your choices not only affect their fate, but their relationships, the main storyline, and how it ends, with intriguing premonitions of possible future events adding to the tension.
Game modes: The single-player story mode is accompanied by Movie Night, a 2 to 5 player couch co-op which assigns a player to each character, and Shared Story for two online players. The Curator’s Cut also lets you see scenes through other characters’ perspectives, with new choices and scenes.
Hello Neighbor | Game Catalog
For fans of… Mischievous yet hair-raising stealth horrors.
Why you should play: If you’ve ever wondered what your neighbors get up to, rest assured it’s not as mysterious as Mr Peterson’s attempts to stop you from discovering what’s in his basement. It’s easy to be caught off guard by the colourful visuals, but between the smart artificial intelligence of Peterson and the game’s reflective exploration of trauma, Hello Neighbor is a decidedly different type of scare.
Game modes: Infiltrating Mr Peterson’s basement is a solitary affair, but a Friendly Mode makes it a bit easier.
For fans of… Unadulterated and genre defining survival horror action.
Why you should play: The unflinching franchise that became an instant classic. If you wanted to find out how Resident Evil began, there’s no better way than going back to the source of the fabled t-Virus. Flesh eating zombies, conspiracies and iconic characters – the first three titles of the series are fan favourites for a reason.
Game modes: Resident Evil 2 features two single-player campaigns and several unlockable mini-game missions, such as The 4th Survivor and Tofu Survivor. Resident Evil 3 also has The Mercenaries – Operation: Mad Jackal, which is faster paced and more action heavy than the main mode.
For fans of… Deliberately paced ghost stories that will stay with you longer after you’ve finished them.
Why you should play: Stealth goes hand in hand with survival horror, so this unnerving voyage to survive the cursed mountain village of Hanuda strongly emphasises its unique Sightjack ability to see through the eyes of the corpse-like Shibito. Observing yourself via your undead stalkers is deeply unsettling, uniquely heightening the anxiety.
Game modes: Completing Siren earns you access to Time Attack mode, which challenges you to speed run the game, while a secret puzzle mode called Brain Cell Revival / Zuno is also unlockable by picking up the relevant in-game archive.
Crow Country | Game Catalog
For fans of… Old school survival horrors inspired by ‘90s PlayStation classics.
Why you should play: Taking its lead from some of the older titles on this list, Crow Country offers the best of both worlds, with its well considered and traditional sense of game design and aesthetics, dipped with options for modern controls and camera movement. The result is a challenging and suitably sinister nod to what made the genre popular in the first place.
Game modes: In contrast to its regular Survival mode, Exploration mode removes enemies from the game. Conversely, Murder of Crows mode ramps up the difficulty.
Nintendo has brought Animal Crossing: New Horizons back into the big time with a Switch 2 Edition and a free update to the base game.
Both launch January 15, 2026, with preorders coming soon, Nintendo said.
Here’s the official blurb:
With enhanced resolution, mouse controls using the Joy-Con 2 controller, expanded online play, and more features exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, players can get even more out of the island life in Animal Crossing: New Horizons — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition!
Plus, a free update is coming to Animal Crossing: New Horizons for players on both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch to enjoy. The free update includes a new resort hotel, additional amiibo functionality, collaboration items, updates to online play, and more.
We can’t wait for you to see everything new on the island January 15, 2026!
Nintendo Switch 2 players who already have Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch can upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition by purchasing the upgrade pack.
Most fans had accepted that Nintendo had left Animal Crossing: New Horizons behind, despite it being the second best-selling game on Switch with an enormous 48.19 million units sold. Animal Crossing: New Horizons launched in March 2020 and benefited from play-at-home gaming fueled by lockdowns, but Nintendo failed to capitalize on its popularity with significant DLC throughout the last five years. IGN’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons review returned a 9/10. We said: “Animal Crossing: New Horizons is an expanded, polished, next-generation reboot of a classic Nintendo game that’s full of surprises.”
Developing…
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
I’m not that keen on extraction games like Arc Raiders. The last two I played at length were Tom Clancy’s The Division (specifically its Survival mode), which features possibly my favourite videogame piles of trash, and Hunt: Showdown, which features possibly my favourite (i.e. the absolute worst) videogame spider. I just don’t see the point of a loot commute, even with other players around to add spice. Still, I do think I’ll spend more time in Arc – out now on Steam, EGS and the Microsoft Store – after losing a few hours to a pre-release multiplayer session last week. Amongst other things, it has an enticing buried city and a neat sliding mechanic.
The Pokémon Trading Card Game shows no signs of slowing down in 2025. Whether you’re a competitive player, a casual collector, or someone who’s just dropped way too much money on framed booster art, this year’s TCG lineup is going all in with new mechanics, nostalgic reprints, and plenty of chances to chase that cardboard high.
The Elite Trainer Box is the marquee product for each set, and Phantasmal Flames is no different. Packed with nine booster packs, a 1 full-art foil promo card featuring Charcadet, themed sleeves, dice, and all the accessories needed for play.
What makes this set even more exciting is its size , about 90 cards before secret rares, which makes it the smallest English set in nearly a decade. For collectors like me, that usually means a much more manageable chase, while still packing in plenty of heavy hitters for players.
The product lineup looks pretty stacked too. We’ll be getting the usual booster packs and booster box (36 packs), a 9-pack Elite Trainer Box featuring a shiny new Charcadet promo, and an Ultra-Premium Collection built around Mega Charizard X ex.
On top of that, two theme decks for Mega Gengar ex and Mega Diancie ex are arriving a few weeks early on October 24, which is a fun way to get a taste of the set before launch. If you’re like me and love cracking packs, the booster box is the way to go, but the UPC is already looking like the big collector piece this time around.
What ties it all together is the Japanese set Inferno X, which hit shelves there in late September. That set had only 80 cards, and once you add in the Mega Gengar and Mega Diancie decks, you basically get the full Phantasmal Flames lineup.
We’ve already seen some killer reveals, including the Mega Charizard X ex secret rare previewed at Worlds, so I’m fully expecting that to be the chase card when this launches. Between the smaller set size, Charizard hype, and some solid gameplay cards, I think this one’s going to fly off shelves and I’m definitely locking in my preorder.
Announced at Japan’s Championship tournament, the two new sets featuring Mega Lucario ex and Mega Gardevoir ex mark the popular trading card game stepping away from its Scarlet and Violet era.
Finding sealed products like these at a fair price is already a challenge. Some stores are holding MSRP, others are inflating prices, and secondary marketplaces have their own dynamics to keep in mind, too.
But the gist is: collectors who must have the ETB, Best Buy and Walmart are worth constant refreshing. If reliability matters more, TCGplayer is the most straightforward (though slighty more costly) option.
While we can maybe expect products from this set to be joining Pokémon TCG deals further down the line, huge initial demand will definitely see certain cards become price juggernauts among upcoming crashers and climbers.
It’s already shaping up to be a huge year, so here’s everything from the rest of the Pokémon TCG releases in 2025. And yes, IGN will be tracking all the buy links, both here and on socials at @IGNDeals.
Pokémon TCG 2025 Holiday Calendar – Released Aug. 22, 2025
The Pokémon Company started releasing annual holiday calendars back in 2022, inspired by the Pokémon Countdown Calendar from 2008.
These products are surprisingly good value in the current TCG market, as well as for casual fans of the series in other forms. You can see the listing here at Amazon or scroll on for more details.
The 2025 Pokémon Holiday Calendar released on August 22 and initially retailed for $49.99 at Target before quicklly selling out. It’s now available at Walmart for a pricier $64.99 or at Amazon for $69.
Black Bolt and White Flare – Released Jul. 18, 2025
If you haven’t secured your boosters for Black Bolt and White Flare sealed products, feel free to try your luck at launch at your local brick and mortar or online, or even at Amazon right now.
Alternatively, TCGPlayer pricing for presale sealed product is crashing, so I reckon we’re seeing the usual price crash post-launch coming earlier.
What do I think of the set? I think it’s great and possibly the best opportunity to pull Illustration Rares in the Scarlet and Violet era, it’s ending on a high note.
Personally I’m not a fan of stuffing the set with Pokéball and Masterball rares, but in terms of quality and presentation they look cool. It would be grand to see Mega Evolution double down on the dual format and loads of Illustration Rares, but this is an encouraging sneek peek into what’s next for Pokémon TCG.
Black Bolt and White Flare focus on the 156 Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region. Each Unova Pokémon will appear as either an illustration rare or a special illustration rare card, with different versions available in Black Bolt and White Flare products.
July 18, 2025: Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt/White Flare ETBs (9 boosters, promo, accessories); Binder Collection (5 boosters, Zekrom/Reshiram album); Unova Poster Collection (6 boosters, Snivy/Tepig/Oshawott promos, poster); Unova Mini Tin (2 boosters, art/sticker card).
August 22, 2025: Booster Bundle (6 Black Bolt/White Flare boosters).
Destined Rivals – Released May. 30, 2025
Things really kicked off on May 30with Destined Rivals. This set brings back Trainer’s Pokémon, reintroduces Team Rocket for another round of villainous fun, and includes some of the best card art we’ve seen in ages.
Destined Rivals top chase card prices are also finally stabilizing, making it a great time to snap some up. Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex SIR has been going for anything over $450 since release, but is starting to settle on a more respectable $370.
A few weeks ago the Destined Rivals singles market was bouncing all over the place. Some cards were doubling in price overnight and it was tough to tell what was hype and what would hold. Now prices feel a lot more stable.
Some have dipped. Some Destined Rivals bangers are just cruising right at market. It feels like we’re finally seeing what these cards are actually worth.
Above are the ten most expensive cards in the set right now. A couple of them are legit strong in decks. A few are pure collector bait. Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex was the hottest card in the set for a while and it’s still holding close to market. The artwork is what does it for me.
Mewtwo looks like it’s about to explode, floating in this dim lab setting with everything glowing around it. The ability makes it tough to use unless you’re running a full Rocket build, but once it’s active, Erasure Ball gives you some serious power. Definitely still a top-tier pull even with the market calming down.
What Cards Are Hot Right Now?
Scarlet and Violet 151 card prices continue to shift, with Charizard ex, Blastoise ex, and Venusaur ex SIRs climbing steadily thanks to standout artwork, competitive playability, and high collector demand. Charizard has jumped to $210, Blastoise is up 28% to $84.99, and Venusaur is up 27% to $69.99. Zapdos ex and Alakazam ex are also on the rise, with Alakazam seeing the biggest gain of 35% to $44.98.
On the other hand, prices for Kanto starter Illustration Rares like Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle have dipped as more product floods the market. Charmander is down 14% to $44.44, Bulbasaur is down 18% to $32.20, and middle evolutions like Charmeleon and Wartortle are following the same trend. While the final evolutions remain the most sought-after, now is a good time to pick up the earlier stages at a more reasonable price.
Journey Together – Released Mar. 28 2025
It’s about time we got a set like this. Bringing back nostalgic Trainer’s Pokémon cards from the Gym Heroes era. N’s Zoroark ex and Lillie’s Clefairy ex end the chaos of endless secret arts for a more curated, collectible experience.
With just 16 Pokémon ex, 11 illustration rares, and three hyper rare gold cards, it’s easier to track what’s worth pulling without feeling like you need a PhD in pack odds.
Fancy snagging the Enhanced Booster Display Box with its bonus N’s Reshiram illustration rare or pull Iono’s Bellibolt ex? This set screams nostalgia with a new coat of paint.
Rare Cards and Collector’s Highlights
If you’re into collecting, this set hits the sweet spot. It’s got 16 Pokémon ex, six unique illustrations rares, and just three hyper rare gold cards, which means you won’t have to mortgage your house chasing every rarity. And the artwork? Illustrating rares like N’s Zoroark ex will look incredible in your binder.
Pokémon Center’s Enhanced Booster Display Box is the one to grab for preorder exclusives. It comes with a bonus N’s Reshiram illustration rare card—a little extra flex for your collection.
What Makes Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together Special?
The Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together expansion is a nod to fans who’ve been in it for a long time. Remember Gym Heroes?
This set revives the much-loved Trainer’s Pokémon cards, spotlighting the bond between iconic Trainers and their Pokémon.
Cards like N’s Zoroark ex, Hop’s Zacian ex, and Iono’s Bellibolt ex aren’t just cool to look at; they call back to the late ’90s and early ’00s Pokémania. We’re all for that here.
What’s even better? This expansion ditches the overload of secret rares that made recent sets feel overwhelming.
Instead, Journey Together keeps things tight, making tracking what you want to pull easier. Whether it’s an illustration rare, a special art card, or one of those hyper-rare gold beauties, you can finally open packs without feeling like you need a flowchart to figure out what’s in the set.
Prismatic Evolutions – Released Jan. 17 2025
Prismatic Evolutions, kicked off 2025, and it’s all about Eevee and its many evolutions. This set is doing things differently, which is probably why stock sells out as soon as it comes in.
This is another 151 situation, but there’s plenty of stock refeshes coming throughout 2025. You won’t find these cards in the usual booster packs.
Instead, they’ll be released in boxed sets throughout the year, each packed full of exclusive cards celebrating Eevee and friends. With over 175 cards, including unique designs and new game mechanics, Prismatic Evolutions is shaping to be a hit with collectors and competitive players alike.
Rare Cards and Collector’s Highlights
For collectors, Prismatic Evolutions isn’t short on treasures. Each Eevee evolution has its special illustration and hyper-rare gold Pokémon ex card, making them must-haves for anyone building a showcase-worthy collection.
The set includes 32 illustration rares featuring detailed artwork for Pokémon ex and Supporter cards, so plenty of eye candy is here. With so many unique finishes and designs, it’s bound to make a few waves among fans.
Between the fresh artwork, inventive mechanics, and the undeniable charm of Eevee and friends, Prismatic Evolutions is set to be one of the year’s standout sets. Collectors and players alike will find something to love here, from stunning illustration rares to powerful new game cards that can make a real difference in play.
What Makes Prismatic Evolutions Special?
This set brings some new gameplay tricks and visually striking designs. The big attraction is the debut of Stellar Tera Pokémon ex cards, which showcase Eevee and each of its evolutions with Terastal-inspired art.
These aren’t just nice to look at—they come with moves that need multiple energy types to activate, encouraging players to build balanced, flexible decks. And for the first time, Eevee’s ex card can evolve into other ex forms, giving trainers even more options to play with.
Collectors will appreciate some cool new reverse holo designs featuring Poké Ball and Master Ball patterns that pop on any card. And if you’re into rare cards, six ACE SPEC Trainer cards are in the set, limited to one per deck.
Each one packs a serious punch in gameplay—like the MAX Rod ACE SPEC card, which lets players retrieve up to five Pokémon or Energy cards from their discard pile. On top of that, Prismatic Evolutions features a mix of ultra-rare illustration cards, gold-edged rares, and special art that takes these cards to another level.
Adapted from the Japanese sets Supercharged Breaker and Paradise Dragona, this expansion combines the raw power of electric Pokémon with the majestic strength of Dragon-types like Alolan Exeggutor ex and Latias ex.
With over 250 cards, including new ACE SPEC cards and Stellar Tera ex Pokémon, Surging Sparks has exciting new additions that will shake up the competitive scene and include some epic chase cards for collectors.
Beyond the headlining Pikachu ex, Surging Sparks offers a diverse range of powerful cards, including nine regular ex Tera Pokémon, 23 illustration rares, and six golden secret rares, making it a must-have for any serious Pokémon TCG fan.
Stellar Crown: September 13 2024
Stellar Crown is set to launch on September 13, 2024, as the seventh main expansion in the Scarlet & Violet series. This highly anticipated set introduces the Legendary Pokémon Terapagos and a new wave of Stellar-type Tera Pokémon. With over 170 cards, including over a dozen new Pokémon ex and a variety of Trainer and ACE SPEC cards, Stellar Crown is packed with powerful new mechanics and stunning artwork.
Fans can look forward to the first English appearances of Illustration Rare cards for classics like Squirtle and Bulbasaur, alongside chase cards like Special Illustration Rare versions of Hydrapple ex, Galvantual ex, and Terapagos ex. This set also introduces innovative strategies with cards like Briar, Sparkling Crystal, and the ACE SPEC Stadium card Great Tree, which could revolutionize Tera-focused decks.
Shrouded Fable August 2, 2024
Shrouded Fable brings Pokémon from the Mochi Mayhem mission to the TCG. This set features woodcut-style illustration rares and introduces new ex-cards for Pecharunt and The Loyal Three. With unique cards and showcase collections, Shrouded Fable promises to be a visually stunning and strategically rich set.
Stay tuned for more exciting Pokémon TCG releases throughout 2024. With each set bringing unique themes and mechanics, there’s something for every fan to enjoy. While waiting, why not check out today’s best Pokémon TCG deals? That’s right, we’re that awesome!
Paldean Fates Set (January 26th – February 23rd)
Paldean Fates released in three waves, offering a unique approach with no individual booster packs. Instead, products like the Elite Trainer Box and Premium Collections provided a variety of boosters and exclusive cards. The set’s focus on Shiny and Baby, Shiny Pokémon with vibrant foil treatments, made it a hit among collectors and players alike.
Combined Powers Premium Collection (Late February 2024)
This collection brought back exclusive cards from the 2023 Pokémon TCG Classic set, offering a more affordable way to acquire these Legendary Pokémon. With foil variants and multiple booster packs, it was a must-have for collectors and competitive players.
Mabosstiff ex Box (Late February 2024)
This box features the Dark-type Pokémon Mabosstiff ex and its Basic form, Maschiff. It provides powerful cards with efficient energy costs. Including four booster packs, it’s a practical addition for players looking to strengthen their Dark decks.
Houndoom and Melmetal ex-Battle Decks (February 23)
These ex-Battle Decks were perfect for intermediate players. They offered ready-to-play decks focused on specific Pokémon types. The balanced design and included accessories made them great for refining strategies and exploring new deck combinations.
Paldea Adventure Chest (March 1st, 2024)
Though aimed at younger fans, the Paldea Adventure Chest included valuable promo cards and fun accessories. The high price might be a barrier for some, but the unique contents and attractive packaging made it a delightful addition to any collection.
2023 World Championship Decks (March 1)
These decks offered a glimpse into the strategies of world champions, providing excellent value with powerful cards and themed accessories. While not tournament-legal, they were ideal for casual play and honing advanced tactics.
Ninetales and Zapdos Deluxe ex Battle Decks (March 22)
Arriving on March 22nd, the Deluxe ex Battle Decks feature Ninetales ex and Zapdos ex. These decks are designed for experienced players and include a Pokémon coin, themed playmat, damage counters, condition markers, a strategy sheet, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card.
Temporal Forces (March 22)
Temporal Forces, releasing on March 22nd, is the next main set following Paradox Rift. It includes booster packs, boxes, and two Elite Trainer Boxes, each with its exclusive foil promo card and themed accessories. This set continues exploring time-based mechanics, offering exciting new cards and gameplay possibilities.
The Iono Premium Tournament Collection, launching on April 5th, celebrates the popular Supporter Iono with themed accessories, booster packs, and four Iono cards, including a full art variant. This collection is ideal for fans looking to enhance their decks with powerful support cards and stylish accessories.
Grafaiai ex Box (April 5)
Releasing alongside the Iono Premium Tournament Collection, the Grafaiai ex Box includes:
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.
Capcom is throwing the full force of Resident Evil Requiem at the Nintendo Switch 2 with a number of exclusive announcements for the console.
First up is the Resident Evil Requiem-themed Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, which Nintendo will release alongside the game on February 27, 2026. It’s the first Switch 2 game to get its own Pro Controller.
Next is the Resident Evil Generation Pack, due out for Nintendo Switch 2, which contains:
Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition
Resident Evil Village Gold Edition
And finally, the first ever Resident Evil amiibo is on its way in the form of Grace Ashcroft, the game’s playable character. It’s due out summer 2026. Of course, given the speculation around Leon also being a playable character in Resident Evil Requiem, fans are wondering if a Leon amiibo is also in the works.
Resident Evil Requiem arrives for Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S on February 27, 2026.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
