Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Review

I owe Donkey Kong Country Returns HD an apology. I laughed in disbelief at its initial announcement because it’s not only the third time Nintendo has sold us a version of this 2010 Wii platformer, it’s also the third Switch re-release Donkey Kong has seen despite not getting a completely new adventure in the last decade. This remaster’s reveal felt like the wrong game at the wrong time, but it only took a few minutes of running across a decently spruced up Donkey Kong Island to realize Returns is still one of the best 2D platformers Nintendo has made this century. It has all the things I want from this genre: satisfying movement that demands skill and precision, a large lineup of replayable challenges stuffed with secrets to find, and a practically unparalleled attention to detail in its superb level design that’s pretty much only rivaled by its sequel, Tropical Freeze. Even though the remaster itself feels barebones and a few elements could have used a slightly more modern touch, this is definitely the best way to play Returns and one of the top bananas in the Switch’s impressive platformer lineup.

As I barreled through 80 levels set in jungles, caves, and more, it struck me just how few games like this are made anymore. In an era where modern platformers like Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Astro Bot mostly focus on wowing you with spectacle and joyously ushering you through their handcrafted digital theme parks, Returns stands out as it doubles down on the platforming itself. It’s full of tough levels and nail-biting moments that require you to master its central jumping, rolling, and swinging mechanics to overcome its biggest challenges. No shade to the two games I just mentioned – I adore them both – but revisiting Nintendo’s version of this classic platformer style is refreshing, and I love how it isn’t afraid to test you.

Difficulty-wise, this is several steps above Mario and Kirby, and that’s another great differentiating factor from the other platformers in Nintendo’s stable. The level design is incredibly impressive: Every stage introduces a new idea and explores it to the fullest as it ramps up the challenge without ever making it unclear what is expected of you. To reclaim Donkey Kong’s home, you’ll have to outrun hordes of ape-eating spiders, avoid enormous lethal waves, and make perfect jumps across crumbling platforms, and it’s always exciting to see what obstacle will be thrown at you next.

DK’s perfect controls and satisfying abilities keep the challenge fun.

The difficulty stays fun rather than frustrating thanks to Donkey Kong’s perfect controls and immensely satisfying abilities. There’s a distinct weight to the movement in Retro Studios’ pair of Donkey Kong games, as if you can really get a sense for the heft of this big ape as you move, resulting in a platformer more focused on momentum where you’ll often have to plan your moves ahead of time and gear up for that next huge leap. The advanced rolling-jump mechanic in particular – where Donkey Kong gets a free jump in midair after rolling off a ledge – leads to some of the most rewarding platforming out there when you pull off a crazy move to save yourself or snag a hard-to-reach collectible. Your options open up even more when you break Diddy Kong out of a barrel. He both doubles your max health and adds an extremely helpful hover ability that’s a game changer in tougher sections.

If testing your mettle isn’t for you, the optional Modern Mode – which is slightly altered from the 3DS port’s New Mode – adds extra hearts to DK and Diddy’s health, expands the inventory at Cranky Kong’s shop with more useful aids (like a Green Balloon that saves you after falling into a pit), and lets you take more consumable recovery items into each level. Plus, if there’s a stage you just can’t clear, Super Kong will eventually show up and offer to automatically beat it for you. I love challenging platformers, so I stuck to Classic Mode and never looked back, but these are at least great options for people who don’t like to get stuck.

The one place Returns occasionally gets a little bit too mean is its on-rails minecart and rocket barrel levels. These areas can suffer from a lot of trial-and-error, where I frequently died to sudden enemies or obstacles I had no way of reasonably avoiding on my first attempt. This is worsened if you’re going for the hidden collectibles in each stage, where you’re almost guaranteed to miss at least some of them the first time through until you know the level’s patterns. It’s especially frustrating because everything in these sections is a one-hit kill; a problem Tropical Freeze later solved by introducing vehicle-specific health bars. To be fair, it’s not a huge issue – Modern Mode adds an item in Cranky’s shop that can make these sections less of a pain, and I still really enjoy them for how they break up the pace of the standard stages – but I can’t help but feel they could have used a bit of freshening up. Similarly, the boss fights are largely fantastic, but they still suffer from a complete lack of checkpoints, and being forced back to the beginning after dying in the final phase feels more like a waste of time than a meaningful challenge.

This really is just a new coat of paint and nothing more.

The absence of any updates to these stumbling points highlights just how barebones Returns HD is as a remaster. This really is just a combination of the Wii and 3DS versions of Returns with a new coat of paint, and nothing more. It’s a competent update, but it’s nowhere near the level of something like Metroid Prime Remastered – the other Retro Studios game that got a shiny updated release on Switch. It certainly doesn’t look bad, and it almost always runs at a smooth 60 frames per second, but even Tropical Freeze’s 2018 Switch port looks noticeably nicer. That’s most apparent when comparing Donkey Kong’s character model across the two games: DK’s fur looks amazing in Tropical Freeze, but just a little bit off in Returns. This is very clearly still a Wii game in HD everywhere from the levels to the cutscenes, which is completely fine, but I would’ve liked to see the graphics get a bit more love when the movement otherwise aged so well. Still, this is undoubtedly the best way to play Returns, as the Wii version had mandatory waggling motion controls that have been mercifully made entirely optional, and the extra 3DS levels have been rescued from that version’s downgraded graphics and co-op that required two systems and copies. That makes Returns HD the first time you can play this adventure on your TV with traditional button controls and all of its content intact, and that’s great to see.

Speaking of multiplayer, Returns HD is fully playable in two-player co-op where a second player takes control of Diddy Kong, but it’s not necessarily how I would want to play through the entire campaign. It’s different from its contemporary New Super Mario Bros. Wii, which was made with multiplayer in mind from the beginning, in that it feels more like a neat bonus feature tacked onto a single-player game. The camera is so zoomed in that it’s easy for someone to fall behind, and these levels are clearly designed around just one player given their abundance of falling platforms and fast-moving obstacles. There’s still fun to be found in multiplayer, and it’s by no means a bad experience – but unless you have a great co-op partner willing to deal with some slight annoyances (or a young child/sibling that’s just content to be along for the ride), your best bet is either flying solo or passing the controller back and forth, as was also the case back on Wii.

That said, it’s a testament to the original that almost nothing was changed for this remaster and the final product is still so great. The attention to detail in its level design is remarkable. Unlike Mario, there are no unexplained floating platforms or blocks – every single platform DK runs across is seamlessly built into the landscape, often through its masterful interplay between the foreground and background, and it all culminates in one of the most impressive, cohesive worlds in any platformer. The biggest highlight of this is the factory world, which wonderfully implements conveyor belts, gears, and other machinery as the main methods of getting around. The soundtrack and settings play it a little safe (especially when compared to its sequel), but it’s important to remember that the original Donkey Kong Country Returns was tasked with bringing the franchise back after years away, so Retro Studios naturally chose to revisit some of the staples.

Each level is stuffed with secrets to find, too, with the classic KONG letters and plenty of puzzle pieces tucked away in seemingly every corner. Sometimes exploration slows down the otherwise furious pace more than I’d like – blowing air onto all the dandelions, flowers, and candles you pass feels clunky and is an outdated mechanic that Tropical Freeze rightfully removed – but I still had a blast spending roughly 15 hours tracking down every letter and bringing my save file to 100% completion while also tackling tons of worthwhile content that appears after the credits roll.

Predicting the Switch 2 Launch Games

With the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 very clearly on the horizon, we’re starting to wonder what we’ll be playing on it come launch day. So, in the absence of an official day one lineup, why don’t we have a good ol’ guess?

Nintendo has a well-stocked stable of reliables, and so some of our predictions – such as the arrival of a certain mustachioed plumber in one form or another – are more likely than not. But we’re also hopeful for the re-emergence of some previously announced new projects from beloved indie studios.

Now, we know it’s too much of a dream to think that all of these games will hit the Switch 2 on day one, but even if we get half of them we think we’re in for a great time when we pick up those new joy-con. Here’s what we think (or more accurately, hope) Nintendo has in store for us when the Switch 2 launches.

Mario Kart 9

Over a whole decade has passed since Mario Kart 8 was released for Wii U, and in that time it has morphed into the most complete and essential karting game ever created, thanks to the Switch’s deluxe edition and several DLC additions boosting the track count up to a whopping 96 circuits. Mario Kart 8 has proved so successful, in fact, that it’s both the Wii U and the Switch’s best-selling game. So, it’s fair to say that a new one would be pretty popular.

While it was reported to be in development back in 2022 and designed “with a new twist”, Nintendo is yet to officially confirm the existence of Mario Kart 9. As such, at this stage, we can only guess at what this “new twist” is, but we’re hoping to find out very soon. If Mario Kart 8’s decade-long service was a celebration of the entire history of the series, then its successor will hopefully look to the future and introduce fresh, innovative ideas that will fuel Mario Kart for another decade. Of course, alongside those new ideas, we’d love a release date that coincides with the launch of Switch 2. If there’s such a thing as a “system seller”, then Mario Kart has proven over the years to be exactly that.

New 3D Super Mario

Considering the importance of games like Super Mario 64 and Mario Galaxy, you’d have thought the Switch would have had more than a single, solitary 3D Mario game. But, besides a re-release of Wii U’s Super Mario 3D World, the only 3D Mario platformer on Switch has been Super Mario Odyssey, which was released way back in 2017, the same year as the Nintendo Switch. We didn’t even get any substantial DLC for Odyssey, despite the idea of adding a world or two seeming an uncontestable slam dunk at the time.

After such a long wait, then, surely the launch of the Switch 2 is the time for a new plumbing platformer full of wacky abilities, inventive level design, and endless collectibles? While it may be greedy of us to hope for both this and a new Mario Kart on the same day, it would be a fantastic statement of intent from Nintendo to show us the future direction of arguably its two most significant Mario series. Failing that, we’d of course take one of them coming a few months after the other. Just please, please don’t keep us waiting. It’s been over seven years since we saw that cap and mustache in three beautiful dimensions…

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Metroid fans have been waiting for what seems like an eternity for Metroid Prime 4. First announced as part of the E3 2017 Nintendo Direct, fans suffered many years of radio silence until its surprise reemergence in 2024. During that time, development of the project had reportedly passed from Bandai Namco Studios to Retro Studios, the original creators of the Metroid Prime series.

Now titled Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, its gameplay reveal trailer excited many fans, and even had some questioning if what they were seeing was running on the Switch’s successor, so smooth was the action. Well, it looks like the Switch 2 will likely be what we’ll be playing it on, after all, and we’re hoping the long wait for it will end on the console’s launch date.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom Enhanced

Two of the original Switch’s biggest hitters (not to mention two of the greatest games ever made), The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will likely find their way onto the new console. We’re hoping that backward compatibility will allow for this by default, and keeping our fingers crossed for some kind of automatic “boost” mode for older games, but we also wouldn’t say no to specially enhanced versions of Link’s open-world adventures that take full advantage of the rumoured extra power the Switch 2 possesses. Hyrule in crisp 4K with no framerate drops? Yes, please.

Ring Fit Adventure 2

Nintendo always likes to throw a quirkier game into the mix around its console launches. Just take one look at the Switch and its trio of 1-2 Switch, Snipperclips, and Arms to see what I mean. One such experiment that came a little later on in the hybrid console’s lifetime was Ring Fit Adventure, a spiritual successor to the colossally popular Wii Fit that took advantage of the Joy-Con’s motion controls to create a turn-based RPG that was also a fun workout, all in the comfort of your own home (or on the bus, if you’re really into bold acts of public display).

What could so easily have been palmed off as a gimmick went on to sell over 15 million copies and become one of the Switch’s most in-demand games. With no sequel anywhere to be seen, maybe the launch of the Switch 2 is the perfect place to showcase whatever new unconventional tricks the console and its controllers might have up their sleeve.

Resident Evil 4 Remake

The original Switch may not have possessed the graphical horsepower to power Capcom’s stunning Resident Evil 4 remake, but maybe the Switch 2 can provide a home for Leon Kennedy’s glossy Spanish nightmare. One of 2023’s best games perhaps wouldn’t set the world alight with a launch date arrival, but it would be an impressive flex that proved the console’s capabilities. More importantly, though, there would be something undeniably poetic about one of the greatest horror games of all time returning to Nintendo many years after its long legacy began back on the GameCube.

Doom: The Dark Ages

Okay, maybe this one is a little out there. But with both Doom (2016) and its sequel Doom Eternal having made their way to the original Switch, plus Microsoft’s ever-increasing willingness to launch their games on anything that isn’t an Xbox, Doom: The Dark Ages on Switch 2 might just happen. We’ve so far seen very little of id Software’s new shooter outside of a short gameplay trailer, but we’re set to learn plenty more at the upcoming Xbox Developer Direct. Will a release date be revealed, and could it align itself with the Switch 2’s? We’re ready to rip and tear on the go, again.

The Haunted Chocolatier

One of the greatest indie game success stories of all-time, not many games made outside of Nintendo’s walls left a bigger footprint on the Switch generation than Stardew Valley. So, what better place is there than the Switch 2 to launch Stardew developer ConcernedApe’s upcoming chocolate shop sim, The Haunted Chocolatier? In development since 2020, we’ve had just one gameplay trailer and little else. But the confectionary simulator with action-RPG elements and added ghosts seems like the perfect game to eat up hours and hours of handheld time, especially if it were to launch with the Switch 2.

Admittedly, a launch day release may be unlikely. Solo developer Eric Barone revealed a few months ago that he hadn’t been working on The Haunted Chocolatier “for a long time”, so perhaps a launch year window may be slightly more realistic. But it being there on Switch 2’s launch day would make the world taste good. Look, I just want to be able to play the creepy Willy Wonka game, okay?

Earthblade

My final pick is another follow-up to a beloved indie cult classic that found a home on Switch, Celeste. Studio Extremely OK Games is working away on its successor, Earthblade, a “2D explor-action” game with gorgeous pixel art. While updates have been few and far between, it’s not outside the realms of reality that we could see this arrive on the Switch 2 at launch. Last year, developer Maddy Thorson revealed that it would be released in 2025 “at the earliest”, so who knows, maybe it is just waiting to be unleashed alongside some new Nintendo hardware.

Those are my nine picks for what games we hope (and, admittedly, dream) might launch with the Switch 2 later this year. What do you think will make the launch lineup? Let us know in the comments below.

All the Games Reportedly Set for Release on Nintendo Switch 2

Following yesterday’s reports about Nintendo’s reveal plan for the Switch 2, a number of games were alleged to be set for the unannounced next-gen console.

Leaker Nate the Hate, who was first to publish Nintendo’s alleged Switch 2 reveal release date via their podcast, speculated that a new Mario Kart will launch alongside the console itself in May or June, with a 3D Mario set for holiday 2025. IGN has asked Nintendo for comment.

Third-party games allegedly set for Switch 2 from Square Enix include Final Fantasy 7 Remake in 2025, and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth in 2026.

According to Nate the Hate, a number of Switch 2 games are coming from Ubisoft, including a port of Assassin’s Creed Mirage in the console’s launch window. The upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows, currently only down for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC, is also reportedly coming to Switch 2, although at a later date outside the launch window.

Other Ubisoft ports allegedly include games from The Division series and Rainbow Six Siege. The Mario + Rabbids games are also reportedly coming to Switch 2, potentially in a single package, which wouldn’t come as much of a surprise given the Nintendo link and previous comments from Ubisoft boss Yves Guillemot.

Nate the Hate also reported that Konami is preparing a Switch 2 port of Metal Gear Solid Delta, which is due out at some point this year. Nate the Hate suggested it may launch day and date on Switch 2.

In a previous podcast, Nate the Hate said a number of Xbox games are coming to Switch 2, including Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Windows Central’s Jez Corden subsequently corroborated that report, saying it’s likely that most, if not all Xbox games, will launch on Switch 2 if the console is able to run them well enough.

We can make some informed speculation ourselves about what to expect on Switch 2. It seems likely that games Nintendo has announced as coming to the Switch this year and beyond will also make their way to the Switch 2. Metroid Prime 4, for example, is a safe bet. As is Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Professor Layton and the New World of Steam. The question is, will these games look and play significantly better on the Switch 2 compared to the Switch?

Switch 2 leaks have come thick and fast in recent weeks, with CES 2025 featuring a high-profile mockup from accessories maker Genki that reportedly sparked the interest of Nintendo’s lawyers.

While Genki’s mockup did appear to add significant weight to a growing pool of past leaks on what the Switch 2 will be, Nintendo has yet to officially reveal anything about the system, and all these claims are subject to change or total debunking. A formal announcement is expected in the first quarter of this year, Nintendo has said.

Other reports suggested the Joy-Con’s alleged sensor may be used to turn the controller into a mouse. Meanwhile, alleged retail listings for Switch 2 MicroSD Express cards have suggested that the console supports the newer standard of SD cards in 256GB and 512GB form.

Following the appearance of alleged images of the Nintendo Switch 2’s internals, fresh images allegedly showing the next-generation console’s Joy-Con appeared online earlier this month. The images, which show a left Joy-Con, were reportedly first posted to a Chinese social media website before they made their way to the Nintendo Switch 2 subreddit and western social media.

They include larger SL and SR buttons than on the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con, which you’d expect given the Nintendo Switch 2 is reportedly a bigger console than the original. These new Joy-Con allegedly ditch the railed lock method used by the current Switch in favor of electromagnetic suction controllers.

In September, unverified images — a mix of Computer-aided design (CAD) images and printed circuit board (PCB) photos — that were said to have originated from a Chinese website before making their way onto Reddit, depicted a device similar to the existing Switch console but with a larger screen and magnetic Joy-Con. There is reportedly a USB-C port on the top and bottom of the console, too.

Accompanying the images was an alleged specifications list that mentioned 12GB of RAM (the original Switch has 4GB), and 256GB of internal storage (the original Switch has 32GB). There’s a new “C” button on the right Joy-Con, allegedly, but no-one seems to know what this is for.

We also have a patent, filed July 2023 but published for the first time last week, that describes AI image upscaling technology that would help keep video game download sizes small enough to fit on a physical game cartridge while offering up to 4K textures.

Here’s what we know for sure: Nintendo has confirmed that the yet-to-be-announced Switch 2 will be backward-compatible with original Switch games and will feature Nintendo Switch Online. As for a release date, the console is not expected to launch during Nintendo’s current financial year, so it will arrive April 2025 at the earliest.

We even have developers outright saying they plan to release their upcoming games on the console, with others teasing a Switch 2 release for their games. When Switch 2 does eventually come out, Nintendo expects to have plenty of stock available, which in turn will hopefully combat scalping.

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.

Stellar Blade for PlayStation 5 Is Now Down to Just $39.99 at Best Buy

PS5 gamers rejoice, because a popular PS5 exclusive game is on sale today. Stellar Blade is currently discounted at Best Buy for only $39.99 after a hefty 43% price drop. This is $10 lower than the best price I saw during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This discount is exclusively at Best Buy, although other retailers like Amazon may price match later.

43% Off Stellar Blade (Save $30)

Stellar Blade, the first stateside non-gacha from Shift Up, is a well-reviewed game that’s best known for its challenging soulslike gameplay, outstanding graphics, killer soundtrack… and, of course, its suggestive character design.

In our Stellar Blade review, Mitchell Saltzman wrote that “Stellar Blade stands out as a gorgeous and well-crafted action game with very impressive strengths and very clear weaknesses. Both its story and characters lack substance, and some of its RPG elements are poorly implemented, like dull sidequests that very often require you to retrace your steps through previous levels with very little done to make the return trip feel unique or rewarding. But its action picks up most of that slack thanks to the rock solid fundamentals of its Sekiro-inspired combat system, a deep well of hideous monstrosities to sharpen your sword against, and plenty of hidden goodies that do a great job of incentivizing exploration throughout.” IGN officially rated Stellar Blade a 7/10, although I personally loved this game and would have given it a higher score. It didn’t make it into our list of best PS5 games of 2024, but only because it was too new (had to be out for 6 months or longer).

Stellar Blade is a technically demanding game and I run it in “Performance” mode to maintain 60fps. If you own a PlayStation 5 Pro, however, you’ll get the best of both worlds and play in “Enhanced” 4K mode and still get great framerates. According to the official PlayStation blog post, “With PS5 Pro, players will be able to enjoy Stellar Blade in 4K resolution at 50fps or more, with smoother gameplay, and you’ll notice an improvement in grain and detail in the game in PSSR upscale mode. Plus, the HFR (high framerate) option is supported, allowing you to enjoy a fluid gaming experience at 80fps (120hz display support required).”

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.

Pokémon TCG Pocket Players Blown Away After Discovering Some Cards Reference Iconic Game Boy Locations

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket players have gushed over its card art for months, but many are just now realizing that some of its monsters have been hiding details that connect them to the Game Boy games.

Investigations into some Pokémon cards’ clues began over the weekend when Reddit user asch_win pointed out that Spearow features a few familiar landmarks. The Normal/Flying type is surrounded by grass, a fence, a few trees, and, most notably, two buildings. These are not just any buildings, however, as asch_win clarifies that the purple and yellow background building actually appears to be Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen’s Celadon City Department Store. Just off to the left of Celadon City is the Kanto region’s Route 16, which just so happens to include a fenced-in patch of grass where players have a chance to catch Spearow.

It seems undeniable that developers Creatures Inc. and DeNA intentionally created the card to reference the iconic games that helped launch Pokémon into the phenomenon it is today, but Pokémon TCG Pocket’s fun details don’t stop there. Reddit user jteede spotted even more connections to early titles, including a full-art Diglett card set just East of Vermillion City, a Haunter card located next to the infamous Lavender Town tower, and more. Asch_win also brought a magnifying glass up to a few of the Supporter cards, revealing that they, too, reference specific locations from Pokémon history.

Most card illustrations’ settings show monsters living their lives in dreamlike areas, seemingly without ties to Pokémon lore. Some, including one Pikachu variant, can even be recognized as cards that can be collected in the real world. Others, however, exist only within Pokémon TCG Pocket, which is where many players are finding these well-hidden Easter Eggs.

The Pokémon TCG Pocket community has now spent the weekend picking apart other cards in search of additional references. Highlights include what appears to be the S.S. Anne cruise liner tucked away in a Gyarados full art card as well as Oddish, Venonat, and Bellsprout cards that all come together to tell a story set by FireRed and LeafGreen’s seaside Snorlax.

Only one additional booster expansion set, titled Mythical Island, has been released for Pokémon TCG Pocket since it came to mobile gaming fans in October, bringing its total to four packs to choose from. More are, of course, expected to launch in the future, with additional cards occasionally worming their way into collections via Wonder Pick Events and other updates. As Creatures and DeNA continue to deliver more cards from across the series’ many generations, players should be sure to keep an eye out for any other references.

In the meantime, you can read up on the current Wonder Pick event, which puts Charmander and Squirtle center stage. Be sure to also check out why the developers are playing coy about whether pack choice matters or not.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.

Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.

Marvel Rivals Fans are Stretching Mister Fantastic’s Meme Potential to Its Limit

Marvel Rivals fans just spent their first weekend with new playable characters Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman, but some are having trouble taking Reed Richards as seriously as the other heroes.

The stretchy scientist made his debut with the launch of Season 1 on Friday, January 10, bringing his elastic skills to the battlefield as one of Marvel rivals’ first post-launch heroes. His powers as a Duelist allow him to take long swings at one or multiple enemies at a time, while also giving him the option to expand his body and take on more of a tank role. Players are still piecing together how to best use Mister Fantastic against the rest of the roster, but until then, most people just can’t get over how goofy he can be.

A character who can contort his body into strange shapes carries a lot of meme potential. You might have already seen some of the many comparisons to One Piece protagonist Monkey D. Luffy, for example, thanks to Mister Fantastic’s Elastic Strength ability. It’s a bit that’s already gained enough traction for the modding community to create a One Piece custom skin despite NetEase cracking down on modding recently. Turning into a rubber bodybuilder is funny on its own, though some fans, including X/Twitter user @BOOMERANG_117, tapped into their creative side by imagining Marvel Rivals’ Reed Richards without his new beard.

It’s all slightly unsettling, but few of the character’s elements have attracted jokes like his Reflexive Rubber ability. It’s a useful tool that can be used to turn an enemy’s damage against them, and it also happens to look almost too silly in motion. Using the move sees Mister Fantastic grow to the size of a refrigerator, so you can imagine what walking around like that might look like.

“Ngl I think Mr. Fantastic’s design encapsulates everything great about this game,” one Reddit user said. “He’s stupid and silly and cheesy and the game just lets him be that and is better for it.”

While we’ll have to wait and see if Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman will stick around as favorites for Marvel Rivals fans, but the two have at least made quite the impression in their first weekend. As Season 1 rolls on, players can expect to latch on to the remaining Fantastic 4 cast when The Thing and Human Torch are added as playable characters in the second half of the season. When the rest of the team eventually arrives, we can only hope they’ll make just as much of an entrance.

In the meantime, check out the Marvel Rivals Season 1 patch notes, and official stats that reveal Marvel Rivals’ pick and win rates in Quickplay and Competitive modes for Season 0. And keep an eye on the latest Marvel Rivals codes for free skins, and vote on the strongest Marvel Rivals characters in our community tier list.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.

Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.

Best Nintendo Switch Deals Today (January 2025)

The holidays and their seasonal sale events may be behind us, but there are still plenty of Nintendo Switch deals worth checking out to kickstart the new year. We’ve gathered the best Switch deals currently available, including some excellent games discounted in Best Buy’s video game sale. Check out our favorite deals at the moment below, and for more updates on the latest discounts, follow @IGNDeals on Twitter/X.

Best Nintendo Switch Game Deals

There are quite a few Nintendo Switch game deals we’re excited about right now. Alongside an excellent sale on Switch games at Woot, which features a deal on The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Best Buy’s also offering discounts on a couple different games, including Sonic X Shadow Generations and Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble. You can check out these deals and many more below.

More Switch Video Game Deals

Best Switch Micro SD Card Deals

The best Switch SD card should be fast, reliable, and as future-proof as possible. That last one is important, especially with the Switch successor on the horizon. Therefore, you’re going to want to opt for the latest in SD card tech, which is a micro SDXC UHS-I U3 A2 V30 memory card. That’s a lot of random letters, so to save you a bit of time we’ve left our top suggestions and deals below for your convenience.

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Best Switch Power Bank Deals

Looking for a new power bank? We’ve got an excellent deal on the Anker PowerCore 737 that’s worth taking advantage of. Normally this 24,000mAh power bank retails for $149.99, but you can pick it up right now for $99.48 after clipping the $7 coupon on the store page.

Best Nintendo Switch Accessory Deals

Whether you’re looking for a new controller or case for your Switch, there are quite a few different accessory deals that are worth checking out. Here, we’ve listed just a few of our favorite discounts at the moment, including a deal on the 8Bitdo Ultimate Controller with a Charging Dock and a Game Traveler Nintendo Switch Deluxe OLED Case.

More Accessory Deals:

When Should You Buy a Nintendo Switch?

The short answer is that you should buy a Nintendo Switch whenever there’s any kind of sale, regardless of the time of year. Amazon will likely offer the same console bundles on any other sale as it will on Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day, so there’s no real reason to wait if you’re in need of a Nintendo Switch.

That being said, there are sometimes some unique bundles and promotions during Black Friday that you won’t find any other time of the year. They usually includes additional games (like the infamous Mario Kart 8 bundle) or Switch accessories for free, but quantities tend to be limited. As always, do your research into the seller before you make a purchase and keep in mind that the Nintendo Switch 2 is coming out next year.

Where to Buy a Nintendo Switch in 2024

With how expensive gaming is getting in 2024, we’re trying to save you as much money as possible on the games and other tech you actually want to buy. We’ve got great deal roundups available for all major platforms such as PlayStation and Xbox, and keep these updated daily with brand-new offers. If you’re trying to keep costs down while maintaining your favorite hobby, stay tuned for more incredible discounts.

Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.

Anime Reborn World Collision Update Celebrates the New Year With Fresh Content for Roblox Players

Roblox tower defense experience Anime Reborn is charging into 2025 with Update 4, dubbed the World Collision update, bringing new content, bug fixes, and more.

This fourth update for Anime Reborn arrives as the latest major content drop since its launch in April 2024. It primarily focuses on giving fans new toys to play with as the Christmas event winds down, including a new map, event, and area. It also comes with new crates, units, evolutions, and an increase in the battle pass timer. The team behind the anime-themed tower defense experience tease more in store for those who log in to check out Update 4 for themselves.

The additions to the content pool headline Anime Reborn’s latest patch notes, but they arrive alongside a few tweaks to the overall gameplay experience, too. Included in the list of changes are several adjustments that should make Winter Mayhem difficulty easier to manage. Additionally, Crystal Servants, Light Servants, and Tsunamis are now fully compatible with multipath with the World Collision Update.

Anime Reborn tasks players with surviving waves of enemies while utilizing cartoon heroes that may be familiar to anime fans. Reps from Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, and more all make appearances, with players able to use their unique powers strategically defend their bases in story mode and infinite mode.

Update 4 is just the beginning of 2025 for the project, though we don’t know how updates may continue as the year rolls on. In the meantime, be sure to check out all active Anime Reborn codes here. You can also read up on a recent update for Anime Defenders, another tower defense Roblox experience that ties classic strategy gameplay together with anime icons. Finally, you can see the full Update 4: World Collision patch notes below.

Anime Reborn Update 4: World Collision Patch Notes

UPDATE 4

World Collision Update

– NEW Map

– NEW Event

– NEW Units and Evolutions

– NEW Blessings

– NEW Bingo with a unit!

– NEW Area

– NEW New year currency

– NEW Crates

– MAX Exclusive bundles!

– Battlepass timer increased

Changes

– Decreased Winter Mayhem difficulty

– Made Winter Mayhem HP x1.5 less in Infinite mode (it was scaling to insane numbers quickly)

– Lowered per player difficulty increase in Winter Mayhem

– Crystal Servants are fully compatible with multipath now

– Light Servants are fully compatible with multipath now

– Tsunamis are fully compatible with multipath now

Bug Fixes

– Fixed internal errors with summoned clones

– Fixed issues with multipaths:

– Fixed summoned clones sometimes not appearing on the multipath

– Fixed sometimes enemies bugging on multipath, making you die to visually “nothing”

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.

Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.

Best Video Game Deals Today (January 2025)

It’s a new year, and that means new video game deals to enjoy. Thankfully, there are quite a few offers up right now across all platforms that are worth having a look at, including a great video game sale at Best Buy. Whether you’re gaming on PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or PC, we’ve rounded up the best offers to help you get more for your money.

Best Buy Video Game Sale

Best Buy’s been offering up some excellent discounts to kick off the new year. At the moment, they’re offering discounts on a selection of excellent games across PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. This includes Metaphor: ReFantazio, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and Sonic X Shadow Generations.

Best PC Game Deals

There are plenty of excellent deals for PC players to enjoy right now, including a nice little discount on a preorder of Monster Hunter Wilds at Fanatical. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is also discounted right now alongside our 2024 Game of the Year, Metaphor: ReFantazio. You can check out even more of our favorite PC game deals below.

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Nintendo Switch Game Sale at Woot

Our absolute favorite Switch deal at the moment is on The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, which is down to $49.99 at Woot. IGN’s Tom Marks gave this game a glowing 9/10 in his review, saying “Echoes of Wisdom feels like Nintendo fully embracing both the past and the present of Zelda, mixing what this series used to be and what Breath of the Wild so abruptly pivoted toward into a single game that honors and makes the best of both halves.”

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Best Portable Gaming PC Deal

If you’ve had your eyes set on a handheld gaming device, Best Buy’s offering a deal you definitely don’t want to miss out on. At the moment you can save on the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme, dropping its price to $499.99. This Windows gaming handheld boasts an AMD Zen 4 based Z1 Extreme CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It also features a seven inch screen size with 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.

Alienware Aurora R16 i9 RTX 4070 Ti Super Gaming PC

Do you prefer to play on a dedicated PC tower? Navigating the options online can be quite the ordeal. Desk space, portability, and price point are often factors in the decision. However, there are some great PC deals that pop up every now and again that are worth jumping on. One of our favorite deals at the moment is on this Alienware Aurora R16 i7 RTX 4070 Ti Super Gaming PC. To see even more PC deals, check out our roundup of the best gaming PC deals.

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Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins – Here’s What Comes in Each Edition

Dynasty Warriors: Origins comes out for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on January 14 – but only if you buy the more expensive digital deluxe edition. The standard edition is out January 17 (see it at Amazon). The latest is a series that dates back to the 1990s, Dynasty Warrior: Origins is a good starting point for newcomers, because it effectively reboots the series. It’s also terrific – see our 9/10 Dynasty Warriors: Origins review for details. The game is available to preorder now in two editions, complete with different preorder bonuses. Read on for the breakdown of what comes with each edition.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins – Standard Edition

PS5

Xbox Series X|S

PC

Preorder a the standard edition, and you’ll receive the game itself, plus the preorder bonus DLC costumes (see below).

Dynasty Warriors: Origins – Digital Deluxe Edition

The digital deluxe edition gets you the following:

  • 72 hours of early access (starting January 14)
  • Official Book & Original Soundtrack (Digital Edition): The Official Book & Original Soundtrack can be accessed in game. The Official Book is full of original illustrations of major events in the Three Kingdoms period, along with never-before-seen information about characters and charts depicting their relationships to one another, all centered around the grand story of the new “Dynasty Warriors,” told from the perspective of a single protagonist. The Original Soundtrack includes the 20 original tracks that have been arranged for this title.
  • Letters: Letters provide gold for buying things like weapons and portable items, and pyroxene for creating gems. When you select “New Game” and play through the story, letters will be delivered to you at Inns. The letter that provide pyroxene will only be delivered after you reach the point in the game where it becomes possible to create gems.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins Preorder Bonuses

The preorder bonus situation for Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a bit complicated, so bear with me here. You get different stuff depending on which edition you preorder, and whether you preorder a physical or digital copy. Here’s the breakdown:

Preorder a physical copy of the game, and you’ll receive the following protagonist DLC costumes:

  • “Garb of the Azure Bird”
  • “Garb of the Crimson Bird”
  • “Garb of the Emerald Bird”
  • “Garb of the Violet Bird”

Preorder a digital copy of the standard edition, and you’ll get the following DLC costume:

  • Protagonist’s costume “Nameless Warrior Garb”, a Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty collaboration costume that can be worn in the game

Preorder the digital deluxe edition, and you’ll get the following:

  • 72 hour early access (January 14)
  • Early Works Soundtrack Collection (Digital Edition): A soundtrack featuring a total of 191 original music tracks from the series, including background music from titles spanning from “Dynasty Warriors 2” to “Dynasty Warriors 5 Empires,” as well Omega Force’s first title, “Dynasty Warriors.” The soundtrack can be played by accessing the main menu, Special Content, and then Music, and selecting “Early Works Soundtrack Collection.”
  • Protagonist’s costume “Nameless Warrior Garb”, a Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty collaboration costume that can be worn in the game

Additionally, Best Buy is offering a preorder bonus of its own:

  • Best Buy – $10 digital gift card

Phew.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins Demo

Not sure if you want to put your money down for this one? You can try a demo of the game for free.

What Is Dynasty Warriors: Origins?

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a hack-and-slash game that features a new “nameless hero” protagonist, which is meant to act as an on-ramp for anyone who’s never tried the series before. This installment is billed as having “the most exhilarating action in the series’ history,” Dynasty Warriors: Origins also harnesses the power of modern gaming hardware to pit your character against the most onscreen enemies ever.

And if you want to know why it’s so good, in IGN’s Dynasty Warriors: Origins review, critic Jada Griffin wrote:

If Dynasty Warriors: Origins is meant to be a new beginning, it’s one that gets off to a masterful start. It doesn’t just have the largest amount of enemies the series has thrown on screen at once, it also deepens its combat, improves its storytelling without getting in the way of the action, and provides a healthy amount of replayability and postgame content – all while looking better than ever. Your amnesiac hero is a bit too much of a blank slate at times, but the impressive ensemble cast made this story sing as I grew to care about the characters around him, big and small. Origins is both a great entry point for newcomers and a triumphant return for veterans like me who felt the last few entries had become stale or missed the mark. It feels like the series I once loved is finally back.

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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.