Gosh, you wait nine months for a first-party Nintendo Direct showcase and then two come along within a week of each other!
Yes, the rumours were true (mostly), a Nintendo Direct is happening today. The event is set to last for 30 minutes and will feature “upcoming games for Nintendo Switch”. Importantly, this will not include news of Nintendo Switch 2 — you’ll have to wait until 2nd April for that — so, what’s on the cards?
Play Anywhere with the New Backbone One Xbox Edition Mobile Controller
The power of Xbox is now in your hands—anywhere, anytime. The new Designed for Xbox: Backbone One Xbox Edition transforms your phone into the ultimate companion for gaming on mobile.
Enjoy your games with an enhanced D-pad for precise control and magnetic adapters that secure your phone in place, even with your phone case on. Quickly access your Xbox dashboard with a single press of the Xbox button and jump straight into games like Halo Infinite and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. All this, with a look that captures the classic Xbox design, featuring a stunning translucent green inspired by the original Xbox.
Stream with cloud gaming and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, play natively, or use remote play from your Xbox console or PC—wherever you are. Designed for low-latency and responsive controls, Backbone One Xbox Edition keeps you in the game.
The Backbone app unifies your gaming experience, connecting your favorite titles, streaming services, and social features into one intuitive hub. And to kickstart your adventure, each purchase includes one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at no cost (for new members only), unlocking hundreds of games ready to play on the go.
Backbone One Xbox Edition is available now for $109.99 USD through Backbone in the U.S. and coming to additional markets in April 2024. The device is compatible with iPhone models with USB-C (15 and up) and Android devices running Android 6.0+.
One of the biggest barriers to jumping into the current generation for PlayStation players has been the rising cost of living, squeezing wallets so tight that there’s sadly been no room for a PS5 in the budget.
Editor’s Note: Brought to you in partnership with PlayStation.
PS5 Astro Bot Bundle – Save £109.99
For those almost ready to pull the trigger on buying a PlayStation 5, but have been waiting for a price drop, buying the Astro Bot bundle is the best way to get on board in more ways than one.
Whichever you go for, those prices are £109.99 lower than if you bought each console and the game individually, which you can put towards more games, another DualSense controller, or leave nestled safely in your savings account.
The delightfully beloved platformer that won Game of the Year at the Game Awards 2024, Astro Bot is arguably one of the best titles to have bundled with a new console if you haven’t had the chance to play it yet.
Since it’s a PEGI 7-rated celebration of PlayStation’s history & a fun adventure in its own right, it’s one of the finest for any gaming household, whether to play yourself or with the children in your family.
An Extra £50 Trading In A PS4 Console
Although trading in your PS4 to put towards a PS5 or PS5 Pro has been an option already, PlayStation is offering an extra £50 on top of what you would normally get for your old console, going as high as £150.
At PlayStation’s Trade-In hub page, you can quickly get your PS4 evaluated, ship your console over free of charge, and receive an added £50 voucher along with what you would get for the trade-in as standard.
For example, you could get £100 for a PS4 Pro in good condition and £50 with the trade-up voucher, totalling £150 off a £339.99 PS5 Digital Console & Astro Bot bundle, leaving you with only £189.99 left to pay for your shiny new PlayStation 5 console and added game to get you started.
If you already have a PS5, but your old PS4 has since been going unused and gathering dust, you can still send in your PlayStation 4 in and put your boosted trade-in money towards a PS VR2 headset—so you can jump into exclusive games like Horizon Call of the Mountain for a more affordable price.
Lease a PS5 with PlayStation Flex
For you who want to dive into the PS5 ecosystem but don’t have the immediate funds to do so, PlayStation Flex is the console-maker’s new interesting way to add a PS5 to your home for as low as a mere £10.99 a month.
This is thanks to PlayStation UK’s new partnership with Raylo, a top tech leasing service that has been on the service and earning high Trustpilot reviews since 2019.
Through the new PlayStation Flex page powered by Raylo, you can effectively set up a rental agreement and have a PS5 Pro, PS5 Slim, or PS5 Digital Edition delivered to your door. Including those consoles, you can also lease a PSVR 2 and some accessories too:
Playstation 5 Pro consoles – from £18.95 a month
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (with extra DualSense Controller) – from 13.95 a month
PlayStation 5 Console (Slim with Disc Drive) – from £11.99 a month
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition – from £10.99 a month
PlayStation Portal Remote Player – from £6.49 a month
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition & Astro Bot Bundle – from £11.49 a month
PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain Bundle – from £12.95 a month
DualSense Edge Wireless Controller – from £7.99 a month
You can choose a 36-, 24-, 12- or rolling monthly lease with payments being lower the longer you sign up for. No matter which way, PlayStation Flex can make for a quick and easy barrier to entry to start your PS5 journey.
Ben Williams – IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.
MicroProse or whatever currently prospers under the decades-old MicroProse banner have announced that they’re publishing Strategos, a real-time tactics wargame set in classical antiquity. I hadn’t heard of the game before, and my first reaction to the above screenshot was “oh hey, Total War: Rome”. Then I veni, vidi, vickied on over to the Steam page, and it turns out that might be a flawed comparison, not least because Strategos is the creation of a single designer and programmer with artists working on contract. Here’s a trailer.
Ahead of the hotly anticipated Switch 2 Nintendo Direct, two former employees of the company have expressed concern about Mario Kart 9’s ability to convince people to upgrade to Switch 2.
Nintendo revealed the Switch 2 with a brief look at the new Mario Kart game, which gave us an idea of what to expect from what is likely a launch title.
There’s a huge deal of excitement around Mario Kart 9 and the Switch 2, but in a video published to their YouTube channel, former Nintendo PR managers Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang questioned Nintendo’s ability to out-d the all-conquering Mario Kart 8.
“Everybody has the expectation, ‘oh my gosh Mario Kart it’s a slam dunk, it’s a system seller, this is definitely the right game to put in front of this new system,’ but I think you’re right because if you look at the situation of Mario Kart up to this point, it’s a little bit different than what has been in the past and I’m not sure that transition for Nintendo or for the people who have been playing Mario Kart, I’m not sure that’s the slam dunk that people think it is.”
Ellis and Yang’s point here is that Mario Kart 8 and the Switch version, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, have been so successful for so long, that Nintendo faces an uphill battle convincing the mainstream Nintendo audience to upgrade, especially if they’re having to hand over at least $400 on a Switch 2 to do so.
Nintendo is, they believe, a victim of its own success here. Mario Kart 8 has sold an incredible 67.35 million copies on Nintendo Switch, which itself is the second best-selling console of all time with 150.86 units shifted. Pretty much everyone with a Switch has Mario Kart 8 at this point, and while it isn’t part of the video game zeitgeist, it is about as perfect a Mario Kart game as can be expected.
How does Nintendo top Mario Kart 8 and 67 million sales, then? Ellis and Yang believe Nintendo may struggle to do so, which is bad news for a company that always wants to see the numbers go up.
“It’s a bit unconventional to have a game coming out that’s probably going to be the premier launch title for your new console to have this kind of history,” Yang said.
“This is very unlike Nintendo. Usually when they have a launch title, like Breath of the Wild for example, it’s like this new game-breaking, genre-bending thing that’s never been seen before, and that’s what’s going to make you want to buy the new hardware.
“But we’re kind of in a bit of a different situation with Mario Kart and honestly it’s because of how successful Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has been for Nintendo.”
The question now is whether Nintendo has done enough with Mario Kart 9 to convince existing Switch owners to upgrade. While there are plenty of familiar vehicles and faces in the Mario Kart 9 footage we’ve seen so far, there’s also a new track and some interesting details that suggest a new twist on the established formula. The most prominent theory posed by the community so far is that this may be the Mario Kart entry that finally takes the series open world.
Undoubtedly, the pressure is on Nintendo to deliver. “How is Nintendo going to convince me that I want to get the new Mario Kart?” Yang wondered. “That I need a Switch 2 to get the new Mario Kart?”
Ellis added: “I do think there are going to be some people who ask themselves, ‘I’m pretty happy with the Mario Kart I’ve been playing,’ and… Mom: ‘hey kids, we have Mario Kart at home…’ like, looking at this box and be like, ‘hmm, I’m not sure we need this Timmy.’
“I have no doubt this is going to be an incredible game. I have no doubt that every Mario Kart sells well. But in terms of the hill that this one in particular has to get over… This is Nintendo’s goal. This is always their goal: ‘we have to do better than the last one.’
“It’s like, well are you really going to do better than 75 million? And it’s the same question with the Switch 2. It’s like, ‘oh you just did the best-selling console ever.’ It’s just these goals that they have for themselves are going to be incredibly hard to match.”
Ellis said that because of how extensive Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is already with the sheer number of tracks and characters already available, Nintendo can’t use the same messaging with Mario Kart 9 that it did with Mario Kart 8. Nintendo needs, according to Ellis, find a new angle to differentiate Mario Kart this time around.
The pair also called into question Mario Kart 9’s visuals as being significantly improved on Mario Kart 8, saying that in graphics terms “it’s not really blowing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe away.”
“I could probably play that for another 10 years and still think it looks okay,” Ellis said of Mario Kart 8.
“Its positives is also its downfall,” Yang added.
We’ll find out hat Nintendo has up its sleeve for Mario Kart 9 soon enough, of course, during the Nintendo Direct on April 2. In the shorter term, Nintendo is set to host a Nintendo Direct focused entirely on the existing Nintendo Switch today, March 27.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
We Nintendo fans felt a bit like that Squidward looking out the window meme when Assassin’s Creed Shadows launched on PC, Xbox and PS5 last week. Sure, a game the size of Ubisoft’s latest was never going to end up on Switch, but that doesn’t mean we have to rule out all Nintendo consoles.
Yes, the mighty 3DS has struck once again. After we saw it tackling ATLUS’ Metaphor: ReFantazio last year, we knew it would only be a matter of time before it took on another big hitter, and it’s done exactly that. We never thought we’d see an Assassin’s Creed game running on our beloved clamshell, but here we are (thanks for the heads up, GamesRadar).
Pillars Of Eternity turns 10 years old this week, and developers Obsidian are celebrating with a patch that “addresses a wide range of fixes and improvements across visuals, combat, quests, and more”. Oh, and they’ve also announced plans to give the real-time-with-pausing RPG a turn-based combat mode.
What did you get for your 10th birthday? If it wasn’t a turn-based combat mode, then your parents officially love you less than Obsidian does Pillars Of Eternity. You might want to bring that up at the next family gathering. I’m already texting my dad.
Mario Kart 8 has established itself as a “juggernaut”.
Mario Kart 9 looks set to be Nintendo’s premier launch title for the Switch 2 but will it be enough to convince millions of existing Switch owners around the world they absolutely need this new hybrid system right away? Former Nintendo employees Kit and Krysta, who now run their own YouTube channel, aren’t so sure.
In a new video titled “The problem with the new Mario game on Switch 2“, the Nintendo of America alumni discussed how this next iteration of Mario Kart could end up being a tough sell at first after the evergreen success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe throughout the Switch generation.
Sega surprised fans in February with the official reveal of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance for the Switch and multiple other platforms. It’s already locked in a release date of 29th August 2025 and in an update today we’ve now got news of a physical release.
This hard copy version will be distributed by Limited Run Games. Pre-orders for this physical release are “coming soon” with a collector’s edition also confirmed. Here’s a look:
Amazon quietly restocked a bunch of Pokémon TCG bundles just days ago and stock is already running low. These Scarlet & Violet sets have been MIA for weeks, and now they’re back at retail prices. I already added a couple to my cart, Surging Sparks Booster Bundle, Shrouded Fable ETB and Paldean Fates Booster Bundle. Trainers need to snap these up quick. If they’re gone by the time you get there, that’s on you.
PlayStation Slim Disc Edition (Import) for $367.94
Looking for the least expensive PlayStation 5 console you can your hands on? As part of its US Anniversary Sale, AliExpress is offering an imported Sony PlayStation 5 Slim Disc Edition gaming console for $367.94 shipped after $80 off coupon code “MAYUE008“. This is a brand new and retail boxed product that is stocked in a US warehouse and qualifies for local delivery, which means it ships free and arrives within about 1-2 weeks.
Deals For Today: Pokémon TCG – Surging Sparks Still In Stock and Cheap Power Banks+
I also spotted a couple of power banks on sale from INIU and Anker. If you’ve ever watched your phone die mid-flight or mid-text, you know why I’m excited. These things are cheap, fast, and less annoying than asking strangers for a charger at an airport. Do with that information what you will. Oh, and while we’re on the topic of things I absolutely don’t need but definitely want: the Gamera: Attack of Legion action figure is up for preorder at the IGN Store for a cool $560, and Humble Bundle just dropped a massive Dragonlance book bundle that practically dares you to add 25+ fantasy novels to your backlog for the price of lunch.
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet – Surging Sparks Booster Bundle
I want this bundle purely for the thrill of cracking six packs in a row and pretending I’m building a deck for Worlds. The Surging Sparks expansion is still new enough to feel fresh, and at $45.02, it’s a decent value compared to scalper prices that make you question your financial decisions. If you just want to dip into the latest set without going full collector mode, this is it.
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet – Paldean Fates Booster Bundle
Shiny Pokémon are back, and apparently so is my addiction to them. The Paldean Fates bundle gives you six chances to pull something sparkly, and while $69.94 isn’t exactly pocket change, I think the potential dopamine hit is worth the gamble. It’s in stock, it ships fast, and I’ve made worse choices at 2 a.m. on eBay.
The World of Dragonlance Bundle
I’m not saying this is the nerdiest thing you can buy today, but it’s definitely on the leaderboard. Humble Bundle just dropped a massive Dragonlance collection; 25+ books for about the cost of lunch. If you’ve ever wanted to get lost in magical twin drama, cursed artifacts, or the politics of dwarves (because who hasn’t), this is your sign. Plus, part of your purchase supports Room to Read, so now your TBR pile can come with good karma.
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box
In my opinion, this is the one to grab if you’re all-in on the set. Nine booster packs, a Pecharunt promo, themed sleeves, dice, and an actually-useful storage box? For $54.96? I’ve spent more on less at Taco Bell. Plus, it’s still Prime eligible, which means you don’t have to sell your soul for free shipping. Win-win.
Gamera – Attack of Legion – Action Figure
This is what happens when you give kaiju collectors exactly what they want: a 9.5-inch figure of LEGION from Gamera 2, complete with flying parts, glowing bits, and articulation that would make Spider-Man jealous. Sure, it’s $560, but I’ve seen statues half as cool go for double that. If you’re the kind of person who rearranges shelf space for something before buying it, I totally get it.
INIU Portable Charger, 22.5W 20000mAh
This thing charges your phone like it’s got something to prove. At $26.98, it gives you a full week’s worth of backup power and a built-in flashlight just in case you drop your phone and your dignity under your car seat. I want it purely because it has an LED readout that makes me feel like I’m operating a mission control panel instead of just charging my AirPods.
Anker Power Bank (PowerCore 10K)
I think this is the best deal of the day, and not just because it’s $17.99. It’s slim, light, and can survive a drop better than my will to stay off social media. Anker knows what it’s doing, and this charger just works. No random overheating, no mystery ports, just plug it in and keep scrolling through whatever app is currently ruining your sleep schedule.
Hulu + Live TV Free Trial
Hulu + Live TV offers a three-day free trial that allows you to take the live TV streaming service for a spin. This is one of the overall best streaming free trials because it gets you a bundle of services. It is quite a bit shorter than the standard Hulu free trial of 30 days, but it’s a great way to test it out over the weekend.
Samsung 49″ Odyssey QD-OLED (G93SC) Series Curved Gaming Monitor
With a 240Hz refresh rate, Dual QHD resolution, and 0.03ms response time, this 49-inch ultrawide OLED is built for high-performance PC gaming. The 1800R curve and HDR True Black 400 make it incredibly immersive, while FreeSync Premium Pro helps keep gameplay smooth and responsive.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 10.4′ 64GB WiFi Android Tablet
This Android tablet comes with an S Pen included, a 10.4-inch display, and Samsung DeX for multitasking. At under $200, it’s a solid pick for casual gamers, students, or anyone who wants a lightweight, entertainment-ready tablet with productivity perks.
Humble Heroines Bundle 2025
Celebrate Women’s History Month with a killer bundle featuring female-led games. Titles include Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, Control: Ultimate Edition, Darksiders III, Beyond: Two Souls, and more. It’s a $160+ value for just $12, or pay extra to give more to publishers, Humble, and charity.
roborock S8 MaxV Ultra Robot Vacuum & Sonic Mop
With a whopping 10,000Pa of suction, self-refilling, self-emptying, sonic mopping, and even hot-air mop drying, the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra takes hands-off cleaning to the next level. It’s packed with AI features and even supports pet tracking and video calls.
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32 GB)
Amazon’s newest Kindle adds color to the mix with a 7″ Colorsoft display. It still lasts up to 8 weeks on a single charge and now supports wireless charging and full-color highlights. It’s ideal for reading graphic novels, cookbooks, or anything where visuals matter.
Beats Studio Pro – Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones
Enjoy spatial audio, active noise canceling, and up to 40 hours of battery life. These over-ear headphones are compatible with both iOS and Android, and support lossless audio over USB-C. A strong option for commuters, creators, and music lovers.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i 16″ RTX 4080 Gaming Laptop for $2513
This Lenovo Legion Pro 7i gaming laptop drops to $2,513 at AliExpress after $100 off coupon code “IFPRZAZ” is applied. The Legion Pro 7 is Lenovo’s top-of-the-line gaming laptop and we rarely see discounts for this model. This particular configuration features a powerful Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU and RTX 4080 GPU for comfortable high-fps gaming on the 16″ display’s native 2560×1600 resolution.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth – Exclusive Amazon Edition
$32.99 for this masterpiece? I genuinely laughed. I paid full price, and I don’t even get the exclusive Cloud and Sephiroth controller skin. If you’ve ever wanted to explore Midgar’s post-industrial wastelands with emotionally repressed sword boys with a price lower than Black Friday’s, here you go.
Sony WH-1000XM5
I think these might actually cancel the noise in my soul. The sound is incredible, the fit is dreamy, and the battery life is better than my phone’s. Honestly, $249.99 for peace and quiet? Cheaper than therapy.
Smart LED Display Case Smarter Kit (4 Pack)
If you’ve ever looked at your shelf of figures, sneakers, or LEGO builds and thought, “This could be more dramatic,” I highly recommend these cases. I want my collectibles to feel as important as they think they are.
Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones Bluetooth On-Ear Headset with Microphone
At $38, these are the definition of “just throw them in the cart.” I use them for work, walks, and pretending I’m on a call to avoid conversations. Plus, 50 hours of battery life? That’s just showing off.
Kingdom hearts Integrum Masterpiece
$59.99 to cry over Disney characters and complicated lore? Yes, please. I think this collection should come with a warning and a box of tissues. It’s that much of a journey.
B100 Bluetooth Speaker
This speaker is tiny, but it’s loud enough to offend your upstairs neighbors and cute enough that they won’t stay mad. It survived my shower playlist and a weekend camping trip without flinching.
INZONE H3 Wired Gaming Headphones With Mic, PS5 Headphones
Crisp comms, no lag, and a mic that doesn’t make me sound like a robot underwater. I want to pretend I’m a competitive esports player, and this headset lets me live the fantasy.
Sony ULT Field 1 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
This speaker is basically the action hero of the portable audio world. It’s waterproof, rustproof, and probably judge-proof. I tossed it in my bag, it bounced around all day, and still blasted bass like nothing happened.
Sony ULT WEAR Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones with Alexa Built-in
Bass so strong it could cause an existential crisis. These are like strapping a subwoofer to your ears, but in a comfy, eco-friendly kind of way. I think I saw my dog flinch the first time I hit the ULT button.
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones
XM4s are the previous-gen MVPs. They’ve still got top-tier ANC and that dreamy comfort that makes you forget you’re wearing them. At $179.99, I’m thinking of buying a backup pair for future me.
Sony BRAVIA Theater U Wireless Wearable TV Speaker with Bluetooth
A wearable speaker sounds ridiculous… until you try it. I felt like a sci-fi character watching a movie with surround sound on my shoulders. Honestly, I want to wear this to Zoom calls just for the audio flex.
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8
My living room sounds like a private screening room now. I think this soundbar made my couch comfier just by association. Movies, games and music are all better with this beast.
Sony SRS-XP700 X-Series Wireless Karaoke Party-Speaker
I didn’t need a party speaker, but I bought this anyway. Complete with lights, bass and karaoke ports, it’s basically a party in a box. I want to say I got it for the sound, but really, it’s the lights.
Sony 65-Inch Mini LED QLED 4K Ultra HD TV BRAVIA 7
This TV made me realize I’ve been watching in peasant resolution my whole life. Mini LED, PlayStation 5 optimization, and colors so vivid I nearly apologized to my last TV for talking trash about it.
Sony 85-Inch Class 4K Ultra HD BRAVIA 3 LED Smart TV
I want to live in this TV. It’s 85 inches of 4K glory, and somehow still cheaper than a vacation. Probably because you won’t need one after this, seeing as your living room becomes the destination.
Sony 65 Inch Mini LED QLED 4K Ultra HD TV BRAVIA 9 Smart Google TV
This one’s for the people who want it all: QLED, anti-reflection, studio-calibrated modes, and picture quality so good I paused a show just to stare at a lamp. I think my eyes are spoiled now.
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.
