Category: IGN

I arrived here quite by accident—one moment I was in the year 1619, the next, standing amidst a cacophony of lights, an endless sea of goods, and this strange entity called IGN dot com. At first, I feared I had been ensnared by sorcery, but now I have access to something far more wondrous: Black Friday shopping.

What is this curious holiday where people queue in droves to trade their coin for treasures I could scarcely dream of? As I learned of these deals and contraptions, I vowed to document my findings. For if you, too, were a time traveler, these are the marvels you’d surely wish to bring home—these marvels (the best Black Friday deals to shop on Thanksgiving, by the way) would astonish any soul, no matter the century.

Gaming Deals

I would keep up the whole 17th century pilgrim theme but I’m short on time and lacking in creativity after writing about Black Friday deals for a month! Anyway, here are the absolute doorbusting deals you should come to expect from a Black Friday sale, including some major discounts on top games like Star Wars Outlaws, Sonic X Shadow Generations, Persona 3 Reload, and more.

Not satisfied? Fine, have a look through the best console deals for Thanksgiving as well. With discounts on PS5 console bundles (now down to just $375 for the digital edition), along some of the best ever discounts we’ve seen for the Nintendo Switch. These bargains won’t last forever, and some are even going out of stock as I write this (blast!).

Home and Hearth Deals

Have you ever considered the modern miracle that is the Air Fryer? It’s a wonder of science and feels very much like magic in a small to medium container. It can cook sausages, chicken, falafel, and pretty much anything you can think of. Expect oatmeal, don’t try making oatmeal in your air fryer.

Apple Deals

Whatever contraption you’re eyeing, Black Friday Apple deals are a good place to start. AirPod Pro (2nd Gen with USB-C) are on sale at Amazon for $153.99 right now. I’d say it’s safe to grab them if you’re in the market, as that’s the best price we’ve ever seen.

As for standard AirPods, both Amazon and Target are offering a $10 off the new 4th gen AirPods with active noise cancellation and the model without. I personally prefer the Pro model because the silicon ear tips work well for me, but some people don’t like them.

Amazon has just dropped prices across the board on various Apple iPad models for Black Friday, including the the 10th gen Apple iPad, which is now down to $249.99 after you clip a $29.01 off coupon on the product page. This is the best price we’ve seen ever since it was launched back in 2022, and I am pretty certain it won’t drop again for Black Friday.

Tech Deals

Okay there’s a few more excellent gaming deals rolled into one here, but you can’t deny how excellent some of these offers are? Steam Deck on sale, Meta Quest 3S with probably the best deal we’ve ever had on the VR headset. I mean $75 free Amazon credit sounds a little too good to be true, but it’s not! The deal is real and well worth picking up ASAP. Still hungry? Well go have some more turkey. I kid, or do I?

I don’t. Check out even more great tech offers on Amazon devices, perfect for improving your smart home experience in the short and long term. My favorite offer here? It’s the Fire TV Stick 4K Max for $33, a new low of the streaming stick, which is also now Xbox Game Pass enabled. Get rolling, as these deals really are the cream of the crop this Thanksgiving.

Streaming Black Friday Deals

4K UHD Deals

Amazon is cutting prices on tons of Blu-rays and 4K UHD discs. Luckily, the quality of the movies in Amazon’s online equivalent of a bargain bin is quite good.

We’ve found a bunch of great movies for ultra-cheap, including The Batman, The Thing at its lowest price since last year, Across the Spider-Verse, Gladiator, Blade Runner: Final Cut, and loads more.

Audiobook Deals

Palworld developer Pocketpair has teased a major update for the game coming in December as well as a crossover with Terraria.

Taking to the Palworld Discord, Pocketpair said the December update adds the “largest, harshest, and most mysterious” island yet to Palworld. This new island is about six times bigger than Sakurajima, which hit Palworld in June.

“Don’t miss it!” Pocketpair teased alongisde the screenshots, below.

Meanwhile, Pocketpair teased a surprise crossover with indie smash hit Terraria. There are no details yet, but artwork, below, shows characters from both games clasping hands. Expect whatever this is to arrive in 2025.

All this comes, of course, as Pocketpair works to defend itself in a high-profile patent lawsuit filed by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. After Palworld’s huge launch earlier this year on PC and Xbox, comparisons were made between Palworld’s Pals and Pokémon, with some accusing Pocketpair of “ripping off” Pokémon designs. But rather than file a copyright infringement lawsuit, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have gone down the patent route. They want 5 million yen (approx $32,846) each plus late payment damages, as well as an injunction against Palworld that would block its release.

Earlier this month, Pocketpair confirmed the three Japan-based patents, which revolve around catching Pokémon in a virtual field, that it’s being sued over. Palworld does include a mechanic that involves throwing a ball-like object (called a Pal Sphere) at monsters out in a field to capture them, similar to the mechanic seen in the 2022 Nintendo Switch exclusive Pokémon Legends: Arceus. One of the three patents in question is about riding on top of Pokémon (Palworld also lets players ride Pals).

One patent expert has suggested a GTA 5 mod dating back to 2016 may be recognized as a precedent by the court because it included the catching Pokémon mechanic long before Pokémon Legends: Arceus. If that happens, it could work in Palworld’s favor.

A terminally-ill Borderlands fan recently visited developer Gearbox to play Borderlands 4 early after his story went viral.

In October, 37-year-old Caleb McAlpine took to the Borderlands 3 subreddit to reveal his late stage four terminal cancer diagnosis after being given seven to 12 months left to live, or less than two years if chemotherapy slows the progression of the cancer.

“So I am a die hard Borderlands fan and don’t know if I will be around for Borderlands 4,” McAlpine said. “Is there anyone that knows how to get in touch with Gearbox to see if there is a way to play the game early?

“Long shot but thought I would try.

“Thanks for your help.”

After McAlpine’s post went viral with over 19,000 upvotes on Reddit alone, Gearbox chief Randy Pitchford chimed in to say the studio would do everything it could “to make something happen.” Thankfully, last week McAlpine was able to visit Gearbox’s Texas headquarters to play Borderlands 4.

“Caleb is cool – a legit gamer who knows Borderlands inside and out,” Pitchford tweeted. “I’m glad he got a chance to play. I am praying he makes to when we are done. Thanks, internet, for signal boosting Caleb’s story.”

“We’re deeply thankful to the Borderlands community for rallying around Caleb after he shared his story several weeks ago,” Gearbox added. “His courage, strength, and determination are an inspiration to us all. Our team was honored to host him last week at our studio.”

McAlpine himself returned to the Borderlands 3 subreddit to post pictures of his Gearbox visit and reveal what had happened.

“So Gearbox flew me and a friend down 1st class the 20th of this month and we got to tour the studio and meet an amazing bunch of people from some of the devs of all of the Borderlands games up to Randy the CEO,” McAlpine posted.

“We got to play what they have for Borderlands 4 so far and it was amazing. I don’t know if I will be around when the game comes out but I just want to say thank you to all of you for all of your love and support and for helping in making this happen. It truly was an amazing experience and it was just awesome.

“We stayed at the Omni at the Star (the Dallas Cowboys headquarters) and the hotel wanted to do something nice as well and got us in on a VIP tour of the entire facility. Needless to say me being a Lions fan I got to talk a lot of smack lol.

“Thank you everyone.”

Borderlands 4 is due out at some point in 2025.

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.

A terminally-ill Borderlands fan recently visited developer Gearbox to play Borderlands 4 early after his story went viral.

In October, 37-year-old Caleb McAlpine took to the Borderlands 3 subreddit to reveal his late stage four terminal cancer diagnosis after being given seven to 12 months left to live, or less than two years if chemotherapy slows the progression of the cancer.

“So I am a die hard Borderlands fan and don’t know if I will be around for Borderlands 4,” McAlpine said. “Is there anyone that knows how to get in touch with Gearbox to see if there is a way to play the game early?

“Long shot but thought I would try.

“Thanks for your help.”

After McAlpine’s post went viral with over 19,000 upvotes on Reddit alone, Gearbox chief Randy Pitchford chimed in to say the studio would do everything it could “to make something happen.” Thankfully, last week McAlpine was able to visit Gearbox’s Texas headquarters to play Borderlands 4.

“Caleb is cool – a legit gamer who knows Borderlands inside and out,” Pitchford tweeted. “I’m glad he got a chance to play. I am praying he makes to when we are done. Thanks, internet, for signal boosting Caleb’s story.”

“We’re deeply thankful to the Borderlands community for rallying around Caleb after he shared his story several weeks ago,” Gearbox added. “His courage, strength, and determination are an inspiration to us all. Our team was honored to host him last week at our studio.”

McAlpine himself returned to the Borderlands 3 subreddit to post pictures of his Gearbox visit and reveal what had happened.

“So Gearbox flew me and a friend down 1st class the 20th of this month and we got to tour the studio and meet an amazing bunch of people from some of the devs of all of the Borderlands games up to Randy the CEO,” McAlpine posted.

“We got to play what they have for Borderlands 4 so far and it was amazing. I don’t know if I will be around when the game comes out but I just want to say thank you to all of you for all of your love and support and for helping in making this happen. It truly was an amazing experience and it was just awesome.

“We stayed at the Omni at the Star (the Dallas Cowboys headquarters) and the hotel wanted to do something nice as well and got us in on a VIP tour of the entire facility. Needless to say me being a Lions fan I got to talk a lot of smack lol.

“Thank you everyone.”

Borderlands 4 is due out at some point in 2025.

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.

Black Friday is like a bonus holiday for Pokémon TCG fans. We’re talking about deck building, chasing rare cards, or just stockpiling boosters for a rainy day. This year’s Black Friday deals are stacked with good finds. From big boxes packed with collectibles to pre-built decks ready for action, we’ve combed through the Electro-Web (thank you) to highlight the best ones. Let’s get into it!

Pokémon TCG: Premium / Ex Boxes

Premium and Ex boxes take things up a notch with exclusive cards, collectible figures, and extra booster packs to sweeten the deal. Highlights this year include the Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates ex Premium Collection, which combines great gameplay with collector appeal, and one more standout box featuring a familiar fire starter.

Pokémon TCG: Big Boxes

Big boxes are a mix of everything we love about Pokémon TCG, which includes promo cards, booster packs, and fun extras. They’re perfect for new players looking to dive in or seasoned collectors adding another prize to their shelf. This year’s lineup has options like the Scarlet & Violet Build & Battle Stadiums, which focus on competitive play, and the Pokémon TCG Classic, a sleek, display-worthy set for serious fans.

Highlight: Charizard ex Super Premium Collection

If Charizard isn’t already the king of your collection, this box might make it happen. Inside, you’ll find a foil promo Charizard ex card, 10 booster packs, and a code for Pokémon TCG Live. But the star of the show? A Charizard figure that looks straight out of an action scene, complete with translucent flames and a slot to display your favorite card. It’s flashy, fun, and kind of a no-brainer if you love this fire-breathing icon (fine, fire/flying).

Pokémon TCG: Booster Packs, Boxes and Tins

There’s something undeniably satisfying about tearing open a booster pack to see what pulls are inside. This year’s Black Friday lineup includes crowd-pleasers like the Scarlet & Violet — Paldea Evolved Booster Display Box and even themed packs like the Trick or Trade BOOster Bundle. Chasing rare pulls or bolstering your deck? This is the time to stock up.

Pokémon TCG: Elite Trainer Boxes

Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs) are like survival kits for Pokémon players. They include booster packs, dice, markers, and even themed card sleeves to keep your setup looking sharp. The Scarlet & Violet series continues to deliver with options like the Temporal Forces and Stellar Crown ETBs. These are great for anyone who plays, collects, or likes having everything in one tidy box.

Highlight: Scarlet & Violet Stellar Crown Elite Trainer Box

The Stellar Crown Elite Trainer Box might be the MVP of this year’s ETBs. It packs nine booster packs, a full-art foil Noctowl promo card, and 65-themed sleeves featuring Terapagos in all its glory. Add dice, markers, and a collector’s box, and you’re set for both battles and showing off your collection. It’s practical, but it still brings plenty of flash.

Pokémon TCG: Pre-Built Decks

Pre-built decks are the ultimate convenience for players who don’t want to spend hours fine-tuning their strategy. This year’s options include everything from beginner-friendly sets like My First Battle to the Chien-Pao ex and Kangaskhan ex Battle Decks for competitive players. If you’re ready to shuffle up and go, these are calling your name.

Best Nintendo Switch Game Black Friday Deals

There are plenty of Nintendo Switch digital game deals to consider, especially if you’re picking up a console too. The current best offers include Persona 5 Royal for $14.99 , alongside new games like Sonic x Shadow Generations for $37.49 or last years GOTY contender The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for $49.99, and plenty more. Have a look over our top picks in the sale, or take up the challenge yourself and have a gander over the many, many discounts found at Best Buy right now.

When Is Black Friday 2024?

We’re in the home stretch: Black Friday falls on November 29 this year. All month long, retailers have been rolling out sales, ramping up to massive discounts on Black Friday and through the weekend into Cyber Monday. We already know what PlayStation and Xbox have in store, and most general deals will be available well in advance.

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.

Bloodborne announced a surprise server maintenance that coincides with PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, and it’s fair to say fans are struggling to cope with what it all means.

FromSoftware’s much-loved action game launched on PS4 in 2015 and has never received an official next-gen update for PS5, or even a hint at a PS5 remake or PC release. Fans desperate for an announcement from Sony have so far fed on scraps from director Hidetaka Miyazaki, who is asked about the prospect of more Bloodborne pretty much every time he’s interviewed by press.

Indeed, in February, ahead of the launch of FromSoftware’s Elden Ring expansion Shadow of the Erdtree, Miyazaki said that because the developer doesn’t own the Bloodborne IP he couldn’t speak about its future. He did, however, admit Bloodborne would benefit from releasing on more modern hardware.

Even the release of the PS5 Pro brought little cheer to Bloodborne fans, who have reported that Sony’s $700 mid-gen console upgrade barely improves the game at all.

Now, fans have the surprise in-game server maintenance notice, which just so happens to coincide with PlayStation’s 30th birthday on December 3. Why would Bloodborne undergo server maintenance now, nearly a decade after its launch? And why would it fall on PlayStation’s 30th birthday, which Sony is already celebrating with a number of initiatives?

Fans are debating this now, but amid the frenzy of speculation there are messages of caution. “Friendly reminder that they’ve periodically done server maintenance before and that’s exactly what it’s always been: server maintenance,” warned redditor amygdalapls. “Not a new patch, not an update, not anything along those lines.

“I do wish it was more but alas. Brace for disappointment!”

Indeed, Bloodborne server maintenance seems designed to coincide with potentially big announcement events, just to mess with fans. In 2022, Bloodborne underwent server maintenance on the same day as that year’s The Game Awards, sparking a similar cacophony of speculation and excitement we’re seeing today. Then… nothing.

What does add a dash of spice to the debate this time around is Sony’s confirmed attempt to buy FromSoftware parent company Kadokawa as part of a deal that could be confirmed imminently. That acquisition, should it go through, sparks all sorts of questions of its own, including whether Sony would seek to make FromSoftware’s future games PlayStation exclusive.

For now, though, it seems more Bloodborne disappointment is on the cards, and the wait for that elusive 60 frames per second next-gen upgrade will continue — perhaps forever.

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.

I adore PC gaming. It’s the platform that gets almost every game, with plenty coming out on PC years earlier than they reach consoles. And if you enjoy your games on PC, you know one of the best times to buy games is during Steam’s sales. Many people (myself included) have been looking forward to the Steam Autumn Sale, which runs from now until December 4th.

Strangely, the Steam Autumn sale is currently being outdone by a Black Friday sale going on at Fanatical, even though Fanatical is selling the exact same Steam keys! If you want to buy some games (and who doesn’t?) and save extra cash, check out my round-up of the best deals on digital PC game codes.

Metaphor: ReFantazio for $45.49

If you are into horror games and still haven’t played Silent Hill 2, now is a great chance to start as the PS5 version of Silent Hill 2 is more than half off at Walmart for Black Friday. As one of several Black Friday video game deals going on right now, the Silent Hill 2 remake was one highly requested by fans, and it did not disappoint. The game makes you uncomfortable but in an effective and thrilling way. In true horror fashion, there’s blackout darkness, suffocating fog, unknown noises, grotesque enemies, and isolation. From our review, Matt Purslow states “The remake is a modern reminder not just of an era where Konami was a master of survival horror, but also the significant power of Silent Hill 2’s unrelenting misery.” So, are you ready to play one of the best horror games of all time?

Get Silent Hill 2 for $30 ($69)

This year has been so incredible for fighting game fans, from the return of fan-favorite characters like Guilty Gear’s Dizzy to Tekken 8’s Heihachi Mishima, that you may have forgotten Tekken 8 actually came out at the beginning of this year.

Since launching in January, it’s been beloved by the community, whether it’s players online or the crowds at EVO waiting for their turn to compete. If you haven’t jumped in yet, I heartily recommend it (you’ll see my Jin dressed like Beast Gohan in the lobby, so challenge me to matches any time). Right now several shops are selling physical copies of the game for PS5 and Xbox Series X for just $30. This is a fantastic deal for such a great fighting game you can play and enjoy for years to come.

Get Tekken 8 for $30