Kicking off 2025 with some bug fixes.
It’s a new year and Eric ‘ConcernedApe’ Barone has already rolled out a new patch for the Switch version of Stardew Valley.
This new update does only appear to be a small one, but it’s an important fix – addressing multiple bugs that were popping up for players on Nintendo’s hybrid device. Here’s the full rundown:
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Whilst Pokémon TCG trainers are scrambling to find Prismatic Evolutions this weekend, I’m thinking outside Bills PC Box by looking at older sets that are still available for RRP. Silver Tempest is in a unique position right now, with single card prices soaring and stock set to run out by the end of 2025. It’s also one of the cheapest sets to collect right now, with Elite Trainer Boxes dipping just below £40 at Amazon and Zavvi. But why Silver Tempest specifically? Let’s look at the insane pulls this Sword and Shield era expansion delivers.
This is hands down the best Lugia Pokémon card out there; look at that amazing artwork! Whilst being playable to quickly get through a deck, this is one for the collectors. Lugia V Alt Art is starting to climb in value, from around £150 on the secondary market at the end of 2024 to around the £230 mark at the time of writing. There’s every chance to still pull one of these bad boys in Silver Tempest products on store shelves right now.
– Lugia VSTAR 202/195 (Rainbow Rare)
– Unown V 177/195 (Alt Art)
– Regidrago V 184/195 (Alt Art)
– Trainer Gallery Cards, the artwork is stunning on them all
Trainer Gallery cards are still very cheap for the most part (usually under £5), so I’d highly recommend picking them up. They’re stunning, and their value will only climb as time goes on. Plus, they’re so fun to collect. Rayquaza Vmax is stunning, rocking its Dragon Clan routes whilst considering how massive this Pokémon is. This card has nearly tripled in value from the back end of 2024, with sold listings from December going for as low as £25. Most recent sales are going for between £60 to £80, and I don’t see that price getting any cheaper as 2025 progresses.
8 booster packs of Silver Tempest, Alolan Vulpix sleeves, dice, damage counters, and a cool box to store your bulk are a solid deal for £39.99. Unfortunately, this is the dark times before every ETB has a cool promo card, but it’s still a sweet deal. It’s also probably a good idea to keep one sealed if you’re a collector; the value for these will certainly rise as stock runs out in stores.
For an extra £20 over the Silver Tempest ETB, trainers can snag 12 booster packs, two 40-card build and battle decks, extra energy cards, damage counter dice, coins, and status markers. There’s also a foil promo card. It’s certainly worth the extra few quid to pony up. It is perfect for trainers wanting everything they need to start battling with one handy product.
Looking for cheap Silver Tempest pulls? The triple booster blister packs are a good deal at £12.99, with a cool promo card and game-legal coin to sweeten the deal. Buying three will get you one extra booster over elite trainer boxes for £1 less. If you’re not bothered about the ETB swag, this one’s for you.
An honourable mention goes to Zavvi as they’ve got a sale going this weekend with 20% off in-stock Pokémon TCG products. This brings down the Silver Tempest ETB to the same price as Amazon, but adding more products to your basket means a solid deal for any trainers looking to stock up on other Scarlet and Violet boxed products.
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.
Wait, we have to play the Switch 1..?!
The weekend is here folks, which means it’s time to get cracking with some gaming. Before we put our feet up, however, let’s recap what’s been going on in this very quiet, unevenful week in the world of Nintendo (chortle!).
Yes, in actuality, it’s been a ruddy busy one, with Nintendo finally officially revealing the Switch 2. Not only that, but the debut trailer also gave us a brief, yet tantalising look at a brand-new Mario Kart game, affectionately titled Mario Kart 9 for now.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Switch is already “played by many consumers”.
This week during the Switch 2 reveal, Nintendo reconfirmed backwards compatibility with the original system.
If you’re curious to know the reasoning behind this feature, Game File’s Stephen Totilo got a response from a Nintendo representative – explaining how it was simply the “best direction” when the Switch was already played by “many consumers”.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
In Synth Beasts, you take on the role of a failed experiment – a “Synth” – who escapes from its creators’ lab on a mysterious island. While exploring the surrounding archipelago, you encounter other Synths. However, these are far from friendly, and you are forced to defeat them in battle. Upon victory, you unlock them as playable characters, gaining access to their unique abilities for both combat and world exploration.
Using your Synths in combat earns them experience points, allowing them to level up. Each Synth has five levels of progression, with unique bonuses that set them apart. As your Synth’s level increases, it becomes more challenging to earn additional experience, so make sure to frequently swap between them to maximize your team’s potential and unlock more abilities!
For example, the “Psitek” Synth can light torches right from the start. Then, once it reaches level three, it gains the ability to destroy projectiles with its fire slash – an invaluable skill for certain dungeons. However, beyond that, most of its level-up bonuses focus on enhancing combat. Because of this, it might be better to switch to another Synth in order to unlock new abilities without needing as many experience points!
Early in the game, you’ll gain access to a boat once used by the scientists and it’s yours for the taking! The Genesis Archipelago is teeming with small islands to explore hiding bonuses like extra hearts, stat-boosting items, and currency to spend in shops. If you’re not the type to comb through every corner of the map, you can skip ahead to the main islands and confront the scientists directly to take down their sketchy operations.
While the main islands feature boss Synths, many optional islands also be their home. Capturing all 40-plus Synths will be no small feat, but each and every corner of the Genesis Archipelago holds valuable rewards for those who seek them!
Explore the Genesis Archipelago, liberate the Synth Beasts, and put an end to the scientists’ sinister experiments! Synth Beasts launches in 2025 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and the Microsoft Store.
The post How to Catch Monsters and Use Their Abilities to Explore in Synth Beasts appeared first on Xbox Wire.
“Crush your enemies and see them driven before you”.
The Switch 2 has dominated the headlines over the past few days, but there’s been plenty of other stuff going on in the world of video games this week.
On the Mortal Kombat front, NetherRealm revealed the official gameplay trailer for Conan the Barbarian featuring the likeness of Arnold Schwarzenegger, with the voice work apparently done by Chris Cox (the same guy who voiced Arnie as the Terminator in Mortal Kombat 11).
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Genshin Impact publisher Hoyoverse has agreed to a settlement with the United States Federal Trade Commission where it agrees to pay a $20 million fine, and be banned from sellling lootboxes to teenagers under the age of 16.
In press release by the FTC, the agency announced that the makers of Genshin Impact “has agreed to pay $20 million and to block children under 16 from making in-game purchases without parental consent,” as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission.
The FTC Director of of the Bureau of Consumer Protection, Samuel Levine, says that Genshin Impact “deceived children, teens, and other players into spending hundreds of dollars on prizes they stood little chance of winning.” Levine adds that companies that utilize “these dark-pattern tactics will be held accountable” if they decieve players, especially young children and teens.
The main charges against Hoyoverse by the FTC is that they allege the developer violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule by marketing Genshin Impact to children and collected their personal information, as well as deceive players about the odds of winning “five-star” loot box prizes, and how much it would cost to open a loot box int he first place.
The FTC claims the virtual currency system in Genshin Impact were confusing and unfair, and ultimately the system obscures the fact that players will ultimately spend large amounts of money to obtain “five-star prizes” and that children have spent hundreds to thousands of dollars to win them.
Alongside the fine and the ban, Hoyoverse will be required to disclose loot box odds and exchange rates for its virtual currency, delete personal information collected from children under the age of 13, and comply with COPPA rules going forward.
Matt Kim is IGN’s Senior Features Editor.
Looking to earn some free items and resources in Driving Empire? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find all of the free codes currently redeemable in the game, so you can stock up on new cosmetics and other useful resources.
Here are all of the currently active and working Driving Empire codes in January 2025 that you can redeem for free rewards:
Below, you’ll find a list of expired Driving Empire codes that no longer work and can’t be redeemed in January 2025:
To redeem Driving Empire codes, boot up the Roblox Experience and, once you’re in, follow the steps below:
If your Driving Empire code isn’t working, it’s likely due to one of two scenarios. The first is that the code was inputted incorrectly. Make sure you have the code inputted exactly as it is in the Active Codes section above. You can even copy and paste codes directly from this article over to Roblox if you want to make sure you’re inputting them correctly.
The other possibility is the code has expired or you’ve already used it. If you’ve used it, you’ll get a message below the bar reminding you the inputted code has already been redeemed. If you’ve inputted it and it doesn’t recognise the code at all, it likely means it’s no longer available to use and is expired.
If you’re looking to track down new codes the moment they become available, you’ll want to make sure you’re a member of Driving Empire’s official Discord server. If you keep an eye on the Updates channel, you’ll see the developers revealing new codes you can cash in within their posts. You should also follow the game’s official X account, which will publish these codes when they become available.
Driving Empire is a racing game where players get behind the wheel of lightning-fast sports cars and pit themselves against other drivers online. Along the way, they can collect a vast array of new rides, customize them with purchasable parts and cosmetics, and compete in hotly contested community events. So, do you have what it takes to become the ultimate racer?
Callum Williams is a freelance media writer with years of experience as a game critic, news reporter, guides writer and features writer.
Switch sleuthing.
You probably already know this, but the Nintendo Switch 2 was officially unveiled to the world yesterday. And you’ve also likely noticed that we haven’t stopped thinking about it since.
The brief trailer — coming in at two minutes and twenty-one seconds — seemingly hinted at a few features while not giving away too much. We got a look at the new design, the bigger size, and what seems to be mouse functionality on the Joy-Con. But we think there’s a bit more hiding in plain sight. So, the lovely Alex and Felix on our YouTube channel have jumped head-first into the trailer and pulled out the juiciest details that might be a bit less obvious.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Darkness stirs in the swamps of Hawezar. Beginning January 21, the Tree of Whispers—a macabre yet essential presence in Sanctuary—finds itself under siege in Diablo IV’s Season of Witchcraft. This seventh season takes you deep into the haunting lore of Hawezar, uncovering the mysteries of the witches who guard the Tree and the sinister events that threaten its ancient balance. When power is stolen, truths are revealed, and bargains are broken. Nothing is left unscathed.
Immense and enigmatic, the Tree of Whispers has stood for ages as both a guide and a reckoner. Hanging from its massive branches are severed heads brimming with knowledge—the ultimate price paid by those who once sought the Tree’s wisdom. These heads are bound to the Tree, fulfilling deals struck in exchange for power and secrets of the highest order.
But something—or someone—has disrupted this unyielding cycle. Severed Fugitive Heads, desperate for autonomy, have been stolen and scattered across Sanctuary. From this desecration arise the dreaded Headrotten—twisted monstrosities bursting with brambles, roots, and rot as they search for host bodies. These independent horrors take hold of the living, aiming to claw their way back to power. With the Tree’s influence waning, you must answer its call for vengeance. Vile forces are at play, and if balance is not restored, the repercussions for Sanctuary will be dire.
To aid your quest, you’ll join forces with the Witches of Hawezar, a guarded yet formidable trio bound to the Tree of Whispers. Each witch brings a distinct and potent expertise, reflecting their connection to the swamp and the Tree’s ancient powers.
Together, Gelena, Caidin, and Ouna enlist your help to retrieve the Fugitive Heads. Yet their motives differ and their approaches clash, creating a tense alliance. Be cautious with your trust, for everything comes at a cost.
Season of Witchcraft introduces an exciting new mechanic: Witchcraft Powers. Harness supernatural energy and tailor a playstyle from three distinct schools of magic:
Plus, discover rare Lost powers of Witchcraft unknown to both the Coven and the Tree. Each school of Witchcraft gives you the chance to experiment between new styles of power. Occult Gems, new Seasonal Legendary Gems, further amplify these Witchcraft abilities. Customize your gear and combat style with these powerful tools to ensure every spell carries a unique impact.
Seasonal gameplay ramps up with Headhunts, intense subzone events reminiscent of Helltide mechanics. The Tree of Whispers identifies areas teeming with Headrotten activity, calling players to purge Sanctuary of their rotting corruption.
Headrotten bosses guard these areas, each tied to a Fugitive Head and their lingering memories. Some are merely parasites, while others are rare Headed Headrotten Bosses, fully merged with their stolen hosts. These grotesque enemies wield devastating abilities, forcing you to strategize in order to claim victory and reap legendary rewards.
While completing Whisper bounties within Headhunts, keep a keen eye for any Rootholds. These seasonal dungeons have bonus challenges and rewards to aid your quest to support the Coven.
Beyond the Witchcraft mechanics and Headhunts, Season of Witchcraft brings fan-requested updates and exciting seasonal rewards:
Diablo IV: Season of Witchcraft is one of the most haunting journeys yet. By exploring the secrets of the Tree of Whispers and allying with the Witches of Hawezar, you will unravel a deeply engaging saga rife with moral complexity and danger lurking in every shadow.
Sanctuary awaits your bravery, Wanderer. The Tree calls for justice, and its whispers demand action. Will you answer?
Don’t miss the start of Season of Witchcraft, coming January 21.
Blizzard Entertainment
This is only the beginning for Diablo® IV, with new events, stories, Seasons, rewards, and more looming on the horizon.
Battle.net® account required. Internet connection required.
For more information, please visit Diablo.com.
© 2024 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Diablo and Blizzard Entertainment are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. in the U.S and/or other countries.
The post Hexes, Headrotten, and Havoc – The Lore of Diablo IV: Season of Witchcraft appeared first on Xbox Wire.
