Here’s what critics and fans had to say.
Although Sonic the Hedgehog 3 isn’t officially out in cinemas until later this month, the blue carpet premiere got underway this week and the first impressions are now rolling in.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
One is for “Switch Online members only”.
Ahead of next year, the My Nintendo Store is offering two new themed calendars. One is available to regular members and the other is a Switch Online exclusive.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
For a limited time, Amazon has brought back one of its best power bank deals from Black Friday. The Anker Zolo 10,000mAh 30W USB Power Bank is back down to only $15.59, a 40% discount from its original $26 price. This is an excellent deal for an Anker-branded 10,000mAh power bank that can fast charge a Nintendo Switch console at its maximum rate. The Zolo is compact, can completely recharge a Switch console more than once, and has a couple of unique nifty features, like a built-in USB cable and a discrete digital display. Plus, it’s decked out in a rare pastel blue, pink, and white color schemes.
There are two reasons why this power bank is a great battery backup for your Nintendo Switch console: capacity and charging rate. A 10,000mAh (37Whr) power bank can charge a Nintendo Switch OLED from completely empty to full about 1.9 times. Provided you fully charge your Switch from the get-go, that nearly triples your total playtime. At the same time, a 10,000mAh power bank still maintains a pretty small footprint; for example, this particular model is about the size of an iPhone and weighs under 8oz. The Anker Zolo power bank also boasts a 30W charging output over USB Type-C. The Nintendo Switch console accepts a maximum charging rate of 18W. That means this power bank will be able to charge your Switch at the same rate as the official Nintendo charger.
The Zolo has a built-in USB cable, however it’s not retractable. Instead, you plug it into itself so that it forms a secure loop that’s strong enough to be used like a lanyard. I have this power bank myself and I can tell you the loop is quite sturdy. There’s also a separate USB Type-C port that be used for either input or output. Finally, there’s a simple digital display that shows you the remaining battery charge as a percentage.
Note that the TSA requires all power banks to be brought in carry-on bags; power banks are not allowed in check-in regardless of capacity. The Anker power bank’s 10,000mAh capacity is well below TSA’s 27,000mAh carry-on limit, so it can be brought onto planes. It’s also low-profile enough that no one will take notice in the first place. If a TSA official actually does take the initiative to test the wattage on your power bank, you’re well in the clear.
For more options, check out our picks for the best power banks of 2024. If you’re looking for more Nintendo Switch accessories that might be on sales check out the best Nintendo Switch deals today.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn’t hunting for deals for other people at work, he’s hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
Preparing for a cosy 2025.
With The Game Awards just two days away, we’re getting a deluge of new game announcements and showcases, and one of today’s headliners is the Wholesome Snack: The Game Awards Edition.
The 35-minute presentation showcased tons of cuddly, cosy games, alongside a couple of tearjerkers and some surprise DLC announcements.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
The post LEGO Fortnite Brick Life: Build Your Life in the Big City Starting December 12 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
It seems as if every “wholesome” game is either a Stardewlike or a Animal Crossingbut. Little Rocket Lab? Stardewlike. Piece By Piece? Animal Crossingbut. To be more specific, it’s Animal Crossing but your chibi fox protagonist is specifically running a shop, mending and painting objects to sell while maintaining cleanliness and the plants outside. If you can’t get enough of upcycling in Trash Goblin, here’s one more for you.
But will it be a critical success?
Thanks in no small part to Baldur’s Gate 3 last year, D&D appears to be very much in at the moment (finally). We have seen a few games take advantage of this new-found interest on Switch in recent months and developer Ludogram Games looks to be joining them with Worlds of Aria.
This fantasy co-op adventure launched on Steam back in September but will be making the jump over to Switch on 23rd January 2025. It looks to offer a more accessible entry point into the world of D&D, but it still has all the hallmarks of choose-your-own-adventure dice rolling to ensure that no newcomers miss out too much.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Have you ever stopped to wonder how your perspective shapes your world? In Unwording, available now on Xbox, players will experience a deeply personal journey of healing and self-discovery as they guide Tom, a man battling negative thought patterns, through his day.
Tom’s world feels small and oppressive. Simple objects become overwhelming puzzles, reflecting his inner struggles. But through solving these puzzles, Tom begins to see the world differently, transforming his reality from a rigid, two-dimensional space into an open and hopeful 3D environment.
This heartfelt game, developed by Frostwood Interactive, takes inspiration from its creator, Armaan, and his own mental health journey. “I created Unwording during a time when I was burnt out and dealing with isolation,” Armaan shares. “I wanted to make something that reflected my experiences while offering players a way to explore their own thought patterns and how they shape the world around them.”
Unwording combines thought-provoking word puzzles with a visual evolution of its world. As Tom grows emotionally, the game mirrors this with changes in gameplay and art style, transitioning from 2D to 2.5D and eventually to full 3D.
The journey is more than metaphorical. Before publishing Unwording, I had the opportunity to share it with friends. I was struck by one person’s reaction: they explained how the game helped them reflect on their own mindset and inspired positive change in their life. That kind of impact is a testament to the power of games like Unwording.
Unwording is available now on Xbox. Whether you’re here for the puzzles, the heartfelt story, or simply looking for a game that leaves a lasting impact, this journey is one to dive into today.
Nejcraft
Tom sees the world through a lonely, glass-half-empty lens. To him, everyday objects morph into complex word puzzles, reminding him of all that he lacks. As he solves each puzzle, the solutions spell out messages that are irrational and defeating.
Until one day, he forgets to shut his window and lets a mischievous little yellow bird into his life, turning his life upside down.
The bird’s mischief causes chaos, and by solving word puzzles and exploring his neighborhood, Tom must begin to see things from a different perspective, changing his mindset and transforming his life and the world around him.
The post Mental Health Affects us All – See the World from a New Perspective in Unwording appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Since the launch of the original PlayStation console on December 3, 1994, PlayStation has redefined the gaming experience year after year, bringing three generations of lasting memories for players. To celebrate this milestone with our community, and look back at another momentous year for gaming, we’re launching PlayStation 2024 Wrap-Up today – featuring a retro PlayStation aesthetic and graphics that call back to PlayStation’s 30-year history.
From today through January 10, 2025, PS4 or PS5 players* can access their PlayStation 2024 Wrap-Up experience to view their gaming achievements, including most played games, a breakdown of monthly gaming stats, gaming style, and more.
New this year are personalized historical statistics, such as the total number of games a player has experienced since creating their account for PlayStation Network, as well as a look back at trophy milestones and personalized recommendations for games that are available on PlayStation Plus Game Catalog.
2024 Wrap-Up will continue to update through the end of 2024, so be sure to check back again before January 10 for your full-year summary. Players who complete the experience can redeem a unique 30th anniversary-inspired avatar and PlayStation Stars digital collectible, as well as a shareable Wrap-Up summary card. Check out my summary below:
Experience your PlayStation 2024 Wrap-Up today at wrapup.playstation.com and share your favorite PlayStation experiences in the comments section below.
*Users need to have an account for PlayStation Network in their region, be aged 18 years or over and, have played games on a PS4 or PS5 console for at least 10 hours between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024.
Users who have not consented to the collection of “Full Data” from their PlayStation 5 system settings in 2024, will be unable to participate in the Wrap-Up campaign.Users located in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australasia, India, and Russia, who have not consented to the collection of “Additional Data” from their PlayStation 4 system settings in 2024, will be unable to participate in the Wrap-Up campaign.
Marvel Rivals may have just launched, but it already boasts a deep roster of iconic Marvel heroes and villains (and a few oddball picks for good measure). The game also includes unlockable skins for every single character. Some of these skins are popular costumes from the MCU. Others are original designs created by NetEase. But many are skins directly inspired by the comic books themselves.
Let’s break down every comic-inspired skin in Marvel Rivals and see how they compare to the source material. Check out the slideshow gallery below or read on to learn more.
As seen in: Marvel Legacy #1 (2017)
This version of Black Panther isn’t T’Challa, but rather his distant ancestor Bashenga. Bashenga served as one of the prehistoric Avengers of 1,000,000 BC, alongside the likes of Odin and the original Phoenix.
As seen in: Avengers #53 (2022)
When forced to defend Avengers Mountain from a powered-up Doctor Doom, T’Challa donned a unique blood-red armor with special mystical properties.
As seen in: The Incredible Hulk #92 (2006)
This skin is inspired by the Planet Hulk storyline, where Hulk was dragged away from Earth and forced to fight as a gladiator on the distant world of Sakaar. His strength and rage quickly earned him the nickname “Green Scar.”
As seen in: The Incredible Hulk #1 (1962)
In Hulk’s earliest appearances, the character was depicted as having stone gray skin and blue pants. The more traditional green skin and purple pants came along a few months later, after Marvel realized that combination was easier for the printers to handle. Hulk still occasionally reverts to his original gray form in the comics.
As seen in: Planet Hulk #1 (2015)
2015’s Secret Wars crossover resulted in the creation of Battleworld, a patchwork planet composed of the fragments of many realities. In one of these fragments, Greenland, Steve Rogers is a gladiator fighting to survive in a realm overrun by Hulks.
As seen in: Marvel Action – Avengers #10 (2020)
This costume pays tribute to an issue of Marvel Action: Avengers, where Cap and many of his allies are brainwashed into becoming servants of the science terrorists known as A.I.M.
As seen in: Doctor Strange #5 (2020)
This skin is based on a storyline where Doctor Strange ventures into space to deal with the sinister Roxnor corporation and forges new magical armor and weapons to up his game.
As seen in: Doctor Strange #384 (2018)
When Loki usurps the Sorcerer Supreme mantle, Doctor Strange counters by tapping into the power of the World Tree itself and becoming a god of magic. But as always, invoking great magic incurs a great cost.
As seen in: Strange Tales #115 (1963)
Like Hulk, Doctor Strange looked a little different in his earliest appearances. This particular skin is based on Strange’s original appearance, when his Cloak of Levitation was colored blue rather than its customary red.
As seen in: Hawkeye – Freefall #1 (2020)
While the game credits Hawkeye: Freefall as the inspiration behind this skin, it’s basically the same costume Clint Barton has worn in the comics consistently since its 2012 debut – a sleek, tactical black outfit with a vibrant purple arrow on the chest.
As seen in: The Mighty Thor #354 (1985)
This skin is based on Hela’s more classic comic book appearance, before her massive, spiky headdress became the norm.
As seen in: Ultimatum #2 (2008)
This skin is based on the version of Hela from the Ultimate Universe. This Hela is distinguished by her crimson-colored and much more revealing armor.
As seen in: Sword Master #1 (2019)
Marvel Rivals’ Iron Fist isn’t the traditional Danny Rand, but rather Lin Lie, a more recent heir to the mantle. Previously, Lin masqueraded as Sword Master, and that’s the look from which this skin draws its inspiration.
As seen in: Superior Iron Man #1 (2014)
Due to the events of the AXIS crossover, Tony Stark had his personality inverted and became a vain, self-centered distortion of his normal self. Tony built a new suit of armor to match his personality change, one marked by a uniform silver color and decked out with the latest Extremis technology.
As seen in: It’s Jeff Infinity Comic #3
A four-legged land shark is bound to attract a lot of unwanted attention, so Jeff did the only logical thing and disguised himself as a… land dolphin? At least the comic book incarnation of this costume was a normal silver color and not the bright, frilly pink seen in the game.
As seen in: New Mutants #65 (1988)
One of Magik’s abilities allows her to summon the mystical Soulsword, but on occasions when she’s especially powered-up, she also conjures an entire suit of silver Eldritch Armor.
As seen in: The X-Men #1 (1963)
While this suit retains the various embellishments seen on the standard Marvel Rivals Magneto skin, the color scheme invokes Magneto’s classic red and purple costume from the comics. That look dates back all the way to his very first appearance in 1963.
As seen in: Magneto #1 (2014)
This skin draws its inspiration from Magneto’s 2014 solo series, where the Master of Magnetism was dealing with diminished powers and wearing a (relatively) more stealthy all-black costume.
As seen in: Guardians of the Galaxy #5 (2016)
Most of the Guardians received costume overhauls for Marvel’s 2015 relaunch of the Guardians of the Galaxy comic. That includes Mantis, who at the time was serving on a team called the Knowhere Corps.
As seen in: Secret Avengers #19 (2011)
Secret Avengers and the subsequent Moon Knight solo series cast Marc Spector as the protector of “those who travel by night.” When the situation calls for a dapper detective rather than an imposing vigilante, Marc dons a stark white business suit and mask and goes by the name “Mister Knight.”
As seen in: Edge of Spider-Geddon #2 (2018)
Pretty much every universe that has a Spider-Man/Woman also has a Venom, and Peni Parker’s universe is no exception. Edge of Spider-Geddon #2 introduced Ven#m, a deadly mecha to rival Peni’s own Sp//dr suit.
As seen in: Uncanny X-Men #256 (1989)
The main Psylocke skin in Marvel Rivals is based on Peach Momoko’s Psylocke: Demon Days comic. For those that prefer the classic psychic ninja look established by artist Jim Lee, this skin is for you.
As seen in: Punisher 2099 #1 (1993)
This skin transforms Frank Castle into Jake Gallows, the man who takes up the Punisher mantle in the farflung, futuristic world of Marvel 2099.
As seen in: The Thunderbolts (2012) #1
When Red Hulk spearheads a new version of the Thunderbolts team, Frank Castle is one of the hardened killers he recruits. Like the rest of the team, Frank dons a modified red and black version of his traditional Punisher costume.
As seen in: Rocket Raccoon #1 (1985)
This is another skin that hearkens back to a character’s earliest appearances. In this case, back when Rocket Raccoon wore a neon green costume and before he joined the Guardians of the Galaxy.
As seen in: The Amazing Spider-Man #87 (2022)
It’s become something of a running joke for Peter Parker to be forced to resort to disguising his identity with a paper bag when his regular costume goes MIA. This skin takes its cues from the recent Spider-Man Beyond storyline, rather than the more iconic “Bombastic Bag-Man” that saw Peter combine a bag with a spare Fantastic Four costume.
As seen in: The Amazing Spider-Man #93 (2022)
This skin transforms Peter Parker into his clone, Ben Reilly. After failing once again to prove himself as a worthy Spider-Man replacement to Peter, Ben took to calling himself Chasm, reflecting the gaping void where his soul should be.
As seen in: U.S. Avengers #1 (2017)
When Squirrel Girl joined the patriotically inspired U.S. Avengers team, she donned an appropriately red, white, and blue-colored variant of her traditional costume.
As seen in: The Legendary Star-Lord #1 (2014)
When Star-Lord branched out into his own solo series in 2014, he got a new look to match the occasion. This skin is marked by its long red trenchcoat and generally Wild West gunfighter aesthetic.
As seen in: Uncanny X-Men #173 (1983)
Coinciding with a temporary loss of her powers, Storm donned a fresh new look, ditching the flowing black costume for a grungier punk rock look, complete with a mohawk.
As seen in: X-Men #1 (1991)
This skin is loosely based on what is arguably Storm’s most iconic look – the all-white suit introduced in the best-selling X-Men #1 and further popularized by X-Men: The Animated Series.
As seen in: Thor #1 (2020)
Thor received a big upgrade in his 2020 comic series, becoming the newest herald of Galactus and receiving a costume change in the process. The Thurisaz rune on his chest is meant to symbolize the World Tree.
As seen in: Venom – Space Knight #1 (2015)
This Venom skin transforms Eddie Brock into Flash Thompson, Peter Parker’s former high school bully. After joining the Guardians of the Galaxy and venturing into space, Flash becomes a Space Knight in the grand tradition of Rom.
As seen in: The Amazing Spider-Man #569 (2008)
Eddie Brock once auctioned off his symbiote after contracting terminal cancer. But in a bizarre twist of fate, exposure to Mister Negative’s powers causes the remnants of the symbiote to mutate and become Anti-Venom.
As seen in: Captain America – Sentinel of Liberty #6
Bucky Barnes took up a new mantle in Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty, becoming Revolution. Naturally, that name change also brought with it a new costume, in this case marked by a stylish cape thrown across one shoulder.
Which of the many comic book inspired Marvel Rivals skins is your favorite? What do you want to see added to the game next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
For more on Marvel Rivals, check out IGN’s Marvel Rivals review and see the patch notes for the first post-launch update.
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on BlueSky.
