The PC version of Stellar Blade launches via Steam on June 11 along a raft of PC-specific features, a trailer leaked by Sony itself has revealed.
The trailer, published by Sony Interactive Entertainment on the PlayStation YouTube channel before it was removed, also revealed a Complete Edition of Shift Up’s popular PS5 action game. As you’d expect, the internet captured the trailer, which we expect will be released officially soon.
The Complete Edition includes the base game and all the DLC released so far for both PS5 and PC. The news comes over a year after Stellar Blade’s successful April 2024 launch on PS5.
Stellar Blade has all the features you’d expect on PC, including AI upscaling via Nvidia DLSS 4 and AMD FSR 3, an unlocked framerate, Japanese and Chinese voiceover, ultrawide display support, higher resolution environment textures, and DualSense support for haptic feedback and trigger effects.
Elsewhere, the trailer reveals a new boss battle vs Mann, Leader of the Sentinels, and 25 new costumes, which we presume will also be made available on PS5. Players have also noticed that, at the end of the trailer, Eve lets go of a memory stick — a sequence that isn’t in the base game. Some are now speculating Stellar Blade is set for a new ending or maybe even DLC.
Stellar Blade was a big hit for Korean developer Shift Up, bringing in $43 million in royalties in its last financial year. It expects the PC version to outsell the PS5 version, which sold more than 1 million copies in two months. Shift Up has said it’s considering making another game in the franchise, too.
“Stellar Blade is great in all of the most important ways for an action game, but dull characters, a lackluster story, and several frustrating elements of its RPG mechanics prevent it from soaring along with the best of the genre,” we said.
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.
If you’re trying to keep up with Pokémon TCG without getting ripped off or left behind, here’s where to start, including the latest update on what can be bought here and now from trusted retailers in the US.
Quick Links: What’s in Stock and Where to Buy
If you’ve dedicated your life to pulling chase cards yourself, here’s what we can find in stock right now. Just watch out for pricing over MSRP, as we Pokémon trainers are in a weird spot right now, so don’t pay more than what you have to, or consider buying single cards instead of gambling on overpriced ETBs. Whatever you decide, make sure you’re having fun!
Pokémon Cards: Retailers You Can Trust
Trying to buy Pokémon cards at retail prices these days feels more like a boss battle than a shopping trip. Between lightning-fast sellouts, sneaky price hikes, and listings that vanish before you’ve even opened your browser, finding a good deal can be frustrating.
I’ve spent way too much time bouncing between sites, chasing restocks, and narrowly dodging scalpers. But after enough trial, error, and a few accidental overpays, I’ve figured out where the odds are at least somewhat in your favor.
Where to Buy Pokémon TCG Single Cards
I think TCGPlayer is the smartest place to spend money if you know what cards you’re chasing. Instead of rolling the dice on booster packs, you can just go buy the singles you want, or even check out other regions sets like Japan’s Glory of Team Rocket.
It’s also where I go to check actual card values instead of relying on whatever price Amazon randomly assigns. There are deals to be had, you just have to be willing to search a bit. It’s Pokémon eBay, but cleaner.
Pokémon TCG Expansions: Release Schedule
Scarlet & Violet: Destined Rivals (May 30)
Pokémon TCG’s next big release, Destined Rivals, arrives May 30, and I’m already prepping my shelf space and emotionally budgeting like I won’t blow it all on an Elite Trainer Box I absolutely do not need.
This set brings back Trainer’s Pokémon, reintroduces Team Rocket for another round of villainous fun, and includes some of the best card art we’ve seen in ages. If you’re into flashy collectibles or just enjoy the feeling of cardboard power coursing through your veins, this one’s for you.
Preorders are currently out of stock everywhere at the time of writing, but it’s worth bookmarking the relevant listings and checking back daily this week for more updates, as we’re expecting even more stock drops between now and release day.
Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and White Flare (July 18)
The Pokémon Company recently announced a new split expansion for the Pokémon TCG, continuing the Scarlet & Violet series. Titled Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and Scarlet & Violet: White Flare, both expansions will release on July 18, 2025, at participating retailers worldwide.
Preorders have started to go live, which we’ve been covering, but it’ll be a hard fought battle so ensure you’re already bookmarking the listings below and checking out IGN’s dedicated Black Bolt and White Flare preorder guide for more updates.
Latest Update: The Pokémon Center and Best Buy kicked things off last week, while Amazon’s listings are up but not live yet. Stayed tuned for more, and follow @IGNDeals to be kept in the loop.
The expansions focus on the 156 Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region. Each Unova Pokémon will appear as either an illustration rare or a special illustration rare card, with different versions available in Black Bolt and White Flare products.
July 18, 2025: Scarlet & Violet Black Bolt/White Flare ETBs (9 boosters, promo, accessories); Binder Collection (5 boosters, Zekrom/Reshiram album); Unova Poster Collection (6 boosters, Snivy/Tepig/Oshawott promos, poster); Unova Mini Tin (2 boosters, art/sticker card).
August 22, 2025: Booster Bundle (6 Black Bolt/White Flare boosters).
Pokémon Card Market Watch: What Should I Buy This Week?
Another week, another hectic shift in the Pokémon single card market watch whilst trainers are waiting for Destined Rivals to drop.
Whilst we’re finally seeing a noticeable climb in Sword and Shield era Pokémon Cards, Scarlet and Violet series cards are settling back down into the realm of reality for the most part.
Big Crashers
The most dramatic crash this week is Greninja ex 214/167, crashing by nearly half when compared the the start of this year. We’re also seeing some nice price drops across Obsidian Flames and the elusive 151 expansions.
Meanwhile, Dragonite V from Evolving Skies is doing the opposite, nearly doubling in value compared to the start of this year, and the artwork alone always made this card undervalued. Charizard V Alt Art is also a banger, depicting a Pokémon battle against Venusaur whilst slowly climbing up in value.
Big Climbers
Moving onto this weeks climbers, Rayquazza VMAX alt art is one of the main grails of the Sword and Shield era. It was already a $500+ card, but at $649.99 it shows no signs of slowing down. This could arguably hit the $1,000 mark in a few years, so I’d get one if you can afford it.
There can’t be enough Kanto love in my book, and Charizard V Alt Art smashes it out of the park with this Venusaur battle. The angle is great and it feels like a moving card instead of a static body shot so many Pokémon cards are guilty of (Looking at you, WotC era). It’s earned another $40 since January, and there’s no reason why this card can’t get over $200 before the year is out.
Where to Buy Pokémon TCG – Scarlet & Violet 2025 Sets
What was once a post-Scarlet & Violet cooldown has turned into another full-blown Pokémania, and whether you’re hunting sealed product, singles, or ETBs, knowing where to shop is half the battle.
To help you on your quest, we’ve rounded up all the best places to buy Pokémon cards right now in 2025, from trusted online stores to physical retailers that still stock the good stuff. While plenty will currently be out of stock, consider this your one stop shop to find all the links you’ll ever need for each set.
Journey Together
Released March 28, 2025. Journey Together brought back nostalgic Trainer’s Pokémon cards from the Gym Heroes era. N’s Zoroark ex and Lillie’s Clefairy ex end the chaos of endless secret arts for a more curated, collectible experience.
With just 16 Pokémon ex, 11 illustration rares, and three hyper rare gold cards, it’s easier to track what’s worth pulling without feeling like you need a PhD in pack odds. Fancy snagging the Enhanced Booster Display Box with its bonus N’s Reshiram illustration rare or pull Iono’s Bellibolt ex? This set screams nostalgia with a new coat of paint.
Journey Together – Top 10 Single Cards
Prismatic Evolutions
Released January 17, 2025. Prismatic Evolutions kicked off 2025, and it’s all about Eevee and its many evolutions. You won’t find these cards in the usual booster packs. Instead, they’ll be released in boxed sets throughout the year, each packed full of exclusive cards celebrating Eevee and friends.
With over 175 cards, including unique designs and new game mechanics, Prismatic Evolutions is shaping to be a hit with collectors and competitive players alike.
Prismatic Evolutions – Top 10 Single Cards
Best Prices: Pokémon TCG MSRP Guide
The fandom is down to just being happy that they can find any Pokémon TCG stock at MSRP as it stands, making the hobby look a bit bleak. But with world events being what they are, it’s given investors and collectors itchy feet with their stacks of ETBs and sealed product from these sets.
If you’re ever not sure what something should cost, here’s the list to follow. These are the standard MSRPs to go by when deciding if a product is worth picking up.
Pokémon TCG MSRP Guide (as of May 2025)
Booster packs and bundles
Standard booster pack: $4.49
3-pack blister: $12.99
Booster bundle (6 packs): $26.99
Build & Battle Box: $19.99
Build & Battle Stadium: $59.99
Elite Trainer Boxes
Standard ETB: $49.99
Pokémon Center ETB: $59.99
Premium collections
Premium Collection Box: $39.99 to $49.99
Super Premium Collection: $99.99
Ultra Premium Collection: $119.99 to $129.99
Tins and boxes
Mini Tin: $8.99
Standard Tin (V or ex): $24.99
Collector’s Chest: $29.99
Preconstructed decks
Single Battle Deck: $9.99
V Battle Deck: $14.99
League Battle Deck: $29.99
Battle Academy Box: $19.99
Booster boxes
36-pack Booster Box: $140
What Pokémon Cards Should I Collect In 2025?
This is the time for trainers who just love the hobby to keep an eye on single card prices, as the market does seem to be rectifying itself from the months of inflated prices we’ve seen.
Whilst it’s not quite time to jump on high ticket Pokémon cards just yet, it’s a great time to snap up some beautiful cards that are slept on.
Even factoring in the Paldea Evolved Booster Packs that are getting hard to find, it makes sense to pick this beautiful promo card up now whilst it’s still cheap.
It’s also worth considering the Pokémon Center exclusive version of this card that’s stamped and included in the Pokémon Center Exclusive Paldea Evolved ETB.
The artwork that Scarlet and Violet / Sword and Shield sets put out on their SIR, AR and IRs are absolutely stunning. I would put solid money on these cards becoming valuable parts of a collection in years to come. Plus, they’re awesome to get graded and have in your collection cabinet or shelf.
The State Of Pokémania 2025
There are two main reasons for stock shortages in 2025: Scalpers and print runs. The Pokémon Company has told us on a number of occasions over the years that they’re upping print runs of in-demand sets to meet demand, and (eventually) the market gets flooded.
Just think, those ridiculously priced Evolving Skies booster boxes on TCG Player were a dime a dozen at one point. The scalper situation is going to happen whenever there’s an in-demand product, and it’s not very fair on real trainers who just want to collect and play Pokémon for the love of the hobby.
The crypto-turned investor bros aren’t helping either, but give someone an opportunity to turn $1 into $5 and they’ll do it.
This doesn’t mean I condone any of this behaviour, far from it, but retailers should and need to do more to ensure everyone has a fair shot at buying Pokémon TCG. Loyalty and member drops, “X” amount per household, invitation-based preorders and re-stocks are all solid way’s to control Pokémania.
The problem is only a few retailers are doing this, making it easy for scalpers and bot groups to snap up stock. Retailers such as Costco seem quite happy to let chaos ensue as human beings fight each other for bits of cardboard. Common sense doesn’t float with these kinds of people, so restraints and control need to be put into place.
If retailers started implimenting these measures and TPC begin to flood the market with enough product for everyone to enjoy, it would make a more accessible hobby for everyone. For collectors, values of legacy chase cards would eventually climb as sealed stock goes out of print anyway, everyone wins. Well, bar the scalpers, but screw ’em.
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.
It’s back, once again. Seth MacFarlane’s American Dad is returning to Fox once more and is now officially slated to have its second debut on the network in 2026, alongside new episodes of MacFarlane’s other hit series Family Guy.
Bringing both series back for the midseason marks a homecoming for the shows, which was originally with Fox from 2005 to 2014 before moving to TBS through March of this year. Both American Dad and Family Guy are part of a push to keep a “winning position” in primetime television programming.
“Building on our winning position in both key demos and co-viewing this season, Fox delivers a 2025-26 schedule that’s filled with irreverence, fun and much-needed laughter,” Fox Entertainment CEO Rob Wade said in a statement via Variety. “Next year more than ever, we’re bringing that promise to life with a terrific slate to delight our audiences across linear, Hulu and beyond.”
Fox is currently full of new developments when it comes to the what and how of their upcoming programming, including unveiling the name of their new streaming service. Fox One will combine news, sports, and entertainment programming into one platform, according to a press release from the network, and will include both live streaming and on demand access to the full catalog of Fox brands, including the option to bundle with Fox Nation within one platform.
American Dad does not yet have a premiere date for its Fox resurgence, but no matter what, we’ll be watching (and singing that theme song). And it seems it will probably be available on Fox One at that point too, but we’ll know for sure sometime next year.
Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images.
Lex Briscuso is a film and television critic and a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikonamerica.
If you’ve been hankering for a return to Tony Hawk’s Underground, you’re not alone — Tony himself is “campaigning” for a remake, too.
“I always have aspirations,” Hawk told ScreenRant. “It’s not up to me generally. I’ll campaign all I can, but I’m working with a much bigger company that’s a lot smarter than me.”
Asked if Activision had given any indication of what may be next once Pro Skate 3 + 4 is released, Hawk kept his cards close to his chest, replying: “We haven’t even released this game [yet]!”
Tony Hawk’s Underground released way back in 2003, getting an impressive 9.2 review score from us at the time due to its “virtually flawless” level design and “stellar gameplay.” For the first time ever in the series, it gave us the chance to get off our boards and explore the expansive levels on foot.
“In a time where it seems like every game from the early 2000’s is getting a modern facelift, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is shaping up to be a welcome addition to a year full of excellent remakes and remasters,” we wrote in IGN’s Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 first impressions preview.
“From its faithful recreation of what made the PS2-era classics so memorable, to its modern quality of life improvements, excellent soundtrack, and overall love letter to the series’ early days, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is very much something that should be on your radar if you’re a fan of skateboarding, enjoy action sports games, or just want to play something that’s simple and fun. It might be the easiest kickflip you’ll land this year.”
Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
Fast forward to 2025, and Druckmann has been “bootcamp-ing” Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet’s Tati Gabrielle on The Last of Us Part 2 online hate that occurred five years ago in preparation for what might be coming as a result of simply playing the protagonist in Naughty Dog’s upcoming video game.
Naughty Dog revealed Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet at The Game Awards 2024. It features a star-studded cast that includes Tati Gabrielle from the Uncharted movie as protagonist Jordan A. Mun, and Kumail Nanjiani of Marvel’s Eternals as a man called Colin Graves.
In a March interview with Alex Garland, the writer of zombie movie 28 Days Later, Druckmann talked candidly about the development process, confirming Intergalactic had been in the works for four years already.
“I joke about this with the team. We made a game, The Last of Us 2, we made certain creative decisions that got us a lot of hate. A lot of people love it, but a lot of people hate that game,” Druckmann said, to which Garland joked: “Who gives a shit?”
“Exactly,” Druckmann added. “But the joke is like, you know what, let’s do something that people won’t care as much about — let’s make a game about faith and religion.”
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet takes place in an alternate historical timeline and features a “pretty prominent religion,” too, which has “changed and bastardized and evolved” over the years.
“This whole religion takes place on this one planet, and then at one point, all communication stops,” Druckmann teased. “And you’re playing a bounty hunter that’s chasing her bounty, and she crash lands on this planet.
“So many of the previous games we’ve done, there’s always, like, an ally with you,” he said. “I really want you to be lost in a place that you’re really confused about what happened here, who are the people here, what was their history. And in order to get off this planet — again, no one has been heard from this planet for 600 years or so — if you ever have hoped to have a chance to get off, you have to figure out what happened here.”
Now, speaking to Entertainment Weekly as part of promotion of The Last of Us Season 2, Gabrielle revealed Druckmann’s preparation as she begins life as not just a movie and TV star, but a video game star.
“Neil’s been bootcamp-ing me,” she said. “I know Troy’s experience, I know Ashley’s experience… I know Laura Bailey’s experience.”
As EW pointed out, Bailey endured online hate simply because she played the character Abby, who kills Joel. Gabrielle has also received racist and misogynistic online hate following the Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet reveal, she said.
“I got a lot of love, but there was a lot of hate over me being a woman, me being a woman of color, me having my head shaved, all these things that I didn’t even actually initially see — I’m out of the social media zeitgeist for that reason — but once I did, Neil was like, ‘Ignore it. No matter what, me and you, we’re going to make something beautiful. We’re going to make something that we’re proud of.'”
Gabrielle said that because she is entering the world of video games for the first time, she is trying to prepare herself as best as possible.
“This is a world — video games — that I’ve never stepped into before. So I don’t want to put one thing in my mind of expecting it’s going to be this way and then it’s not, and then I’m unprepared or take it too lightly,” she says.
Gabrielle also briefly touched on the theme of faith, which Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet will revolve around.
“The question of faith is not black and white,” she said. “When you initially think of faith, you think of religion, which is a part of it, but there’s also faith in oneself. There’s faith in your environment or your community. All that faith means is, what are your beliefs? What are the things that you hope for? Faith sounds flowery, but we all experience it day in and day out. What is your reason for waking up?”
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is not expected to release until 2027 at the earliest. It’s a pretty long wait, but speaking to IGN on the red carpet ahead of The Last of Us Season 2 premiere, Druckmann said that Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is not only playable right now, but “really good.”
“I will say we are playing it at the office and it’s incredible,” Druckmann teased. “It’s really good. I’m so excited to finally put gameplay out into the world and show people about it, because we just showed you the very, very, very tip on the iceberg. The game goes pretty deep beyond that.”
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.
Capcom’s Street Fighter 6 will be hadouken-ing its way into an anime this year. Kadokawa recently revealed a teaser trailer for Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games, an anime adaptation of Eri Ejima’s manga of the same name.
The story is set in Kuromi Girls’ Academy, an exclusive school for rich kids which aims to produce refined young ladies. Gaining entry to the prestigious institution on a scholarship is main character Aya Mitsuki, who has played fighting games since elementary school. She soon becomes fascinated by beautiful and graceful fellow student Mio Yorue, nicknamed Shirayuri (white lily). However, appearances can be deceptive, as beneath her elegant exterior, Mio is a tough-talking button-mashing gamer! Will a mutual love of fighting games result in a deeper relationship between the girls?
📰(NEW) Seinen Anime ‘Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games’ Promotional Teaser featuring Street Fighter 6!pic.twitter.com/MAVLSBiWGW
In the original manga, the characters played a fictional fighting game, however, with Capcom’s sponsorship of the anime, it seems like they will be battling it out in Street Fighter 6. Interestingly, FAV Gaming (Kadokawa’s professional esports team) is credited in the trailer for collaborating on recording.
The anime of Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games is due out sometime in 2025. If you are interested in catching up with the story before then, Seven Seas have already released the manga in English.
Verity Townsend is a Japan-based freelance writer who previously served as editor, contributor and translator for the game news site Automaton West. She has also written about Japanese culture and movies for various publications.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is packed with spooky stuff — skeletons, spirits, and even zombies — but no-one can remember seeing this ‘ghost horse’ in either the original 2006 game or this 2025 remaster.
“So I was crafting stupid spells in Frostcrag Spire, as it’s possibly my favourite way to have fun in this game, however this time when I left the Cosy Chaos Spire that has divided this community so very much I noticed something suuuuuuper strange in the distance,” TaricIsNotASupport began.
“I did as any of us of the right mind would do and B-lined it over there like a maniac. To my amazement was this spectral horse with no name.
“I have played thousands of hours of the original Oblivion — and have already sunken over a hundred hours into the Remaster — yet this is the first I have ever seen this horse.
“I don’t know if it’s something new that’s been added, or if I’ve just missed out on it before and never knew.”
TaricIsNotASupport then called on the community to help them work out what had happened here, which sparked something of a ghost hunt online, with players searching through the Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages website for any word of a spectral mount in the original Oblivion. So far, nothing.
Could it be a mod? TaricIsNotASupport followed up their post to say they are playing on PlayStation 5, where mods are unavailable. TaricIsNotASupport also posted a clip of their character riding the horse. Despite its non-corporeal form, it appears this horse is very much present and correct, and works how any other horse would in Oblivion. “He fast travels and even gets stabled!” TaricIsNotASupport said. “By all accounts it’s now my steed!”
Some are suggesting this ghost horse is the result of a glitch, perhaps caused by a spell gone horribly wrong. Bethesda games are known for their bugs (in fact one is making the camera break the longer you play the game), and maybe this ghost horse is another to add to the list.
“Very weird, the wiki says there’s only 2 unique horses, Shadowmere and unicorns,” ClaymoreBeatz commented. “And there’s no horse mods that I can see that do this so I highly doubt your [sic] lying about not being on PC, this is probably some sort of glitch that the new Remastered has or glitched magical effect. Armored horses names change to Armored horse I think so maybe it’s an Armored horse that got hit by a spell and now its name and spell effect is glitched.”
Others are wondering whether the developers at Bethesda and Virtuos might have added this ghost horse to the game as a spooky secret for players to discover in Oblivion Remastered. This seems less likely, although it is a fun thought because if it’s true, then what other secrets might be hidden within the ramaster?
There are plenty of players who want to work out how to replicate the steed so they can have a ghost horse for themselves. Again, there doesn’t appear to be any particular process TaricIsNotASupport used to spawn it, at least none so far discovered.
In lieu of an in-game name, TaricIsNotASupport has called their Oblivion ghost horse ‘Spookmane,’ which I think is a wonderful effort. TaricIsNotASupport has pledged to continue their adventure with Spookmane by their side. Perhaps this is a one-off, perhaps it’s a secret, perhaps it’s a bug. Either way, Spookmane has captured the attention — and maybe even a few hearts — of the Oblivion community and its fans.
“This creature might be my favourite new friend I’ve made,” TaricIsNotASupport said. “Spookmane, you’re glorious and I love you.”
Oblivion Remastered, developed by remake specialist Virtuos using Unreal Engine 5, has a long list of visual and feature improvements. It runs at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, as you’d expect, but other changes are more meaningful. Everything from the leveling systems to character creation, and combat animations to in-game menus have been improved. Meanwhile, there’s lots of new dialogue, a proper third-person view, and new lip sync technology. The changes are going down well with fans, some of whom believe Oblivion Remastered would be more accurately described as a remake. Bethesda, however, has explained why it went down the remaster route.
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.
The following article contains spoilers for The Last of Us season 2, episode 5.
Ellie’s descent into violence truly kicks off in this week’s episode of The Last of Us. The show’s fifth chapter sees her brutally assault Nora in the spore-infested basement of the WLF’s hospital base. It’s one of the game’s most recognisable scenes and remains similarly harrowing in HBO’s adaptation.
This and three other key sequences from the original game were adapted for this episode. Here we’ve compared them against the original source material, analysing what’s changed and what’s stayed the same. You can see both versions in the video above, or read on below for our written explanations.
Seattle Day 2
In both the game and the show Dina listens in on WLF radio chatter to work out the group’s location and patrol patterns. In the game, we see Dina explain all this to Ellie – in part because it helps establish the objectives of the upcoming level. In the show, Dina takes notes but there is no like-for-like conversation about what the WLF codes mean.
Elsewhere in the theater, Ellie explores the auditorium and finds a guitar. It’s one of the more memorable scenes from the game – Ellie takes a seat in the front row and begins to play. In the show, Ellie instead sits on a stool up on the stage. Both versions play the opening of Pearl Jam’s Future Days, although Ellie in the game sings the first two lines – show Ellie sings just the first.
In the game, Day 2 sees Ellie head out to Hillcrest. That section of the game is pretty much cut entirely from the show – there’s no hiding from dogs in overgrown houses – but we do get a version of the Seraphite mural that is seen shortly after Ellie leaves the theater. In the game, the “Feel Her Love” graffiti is on the back of a truck. In the show, a similar image is painted on a wall. The WLF have left dead Seraphites below it as some kind of ironic gesture.
Stalkers
Later in the episode, Ellie and Dina have a tense encounter with a group of Stalkers. While Ellie does come across Stalkers on Day 2 in the game, this scene isn’t a direct translation of that moment. For one, Dina is now with Ellie – in the game, Dina stays at the cinema. The location has also changed; Ellie was attacked in an office building in the game, where the show’s Stalker showdown takes place in a warehouse.
More significantly, though, the show’s Stalkers behave in a very different manner to their game counterparts. In the game, Stalkers are cautious, almost skittish predators, and so this encounter is a tense game of cat-and-mouse as you try to spot where they are hiding. While the show has made suggestion that Stalkers are more intelligent than the more animalistic Runner variants, in this scene there’s little evidence of that. The Stalkers pretty much just charge – or, indeed, run – at Ellie and Dina, and attempt to break into the cage the duo have barricaded themselves inside of.
Another change comes with the reintroduction of Jesse into this section of the story. In the game, towards the end of the Hillcrest section, Jesse emerges from the shadows to catch Ellie before she walks into a WLF patrol. In the show, Jesse turns up to help Ellie and Dina escape from the Stalkers.
The Seraphites
While much of what players will remember of Hillcrest has been removed for the show’s version of events, memories of the game will very much be evoked by the group’s encounter with the Seraphites. The forest and foliage is very similar to Part 2’s environment, and the sequence in which a hanging man is killed by his Seraphite captors is very close to the events of the game.
The key difference here is in the people present. In the game, Ellie explores this area on her own, whereas in the show she is accompanied by Dina and Jesse. This directly impacts a key moment when a Seraphite fires a bow and arrow; in the game, the arrow strikes Ellie and she is forced to wrench it from her shoulder. In the show, it is Dina who is shot, the arrow hitting her leg. This forces the group to move on, carrying Dina to safety.
St. Mary’s Hospital
This episode’s big, climactic event takes place in St. Mary’s Hospital. It’s the sequence that most closely resembles the video game – a near 1:1 recreation of Nora’s final minutes. Like the game, Ellie finds Nora in the WLF-occupied hospital and holds her at gunpoint, demanding to know where Abby is. Their exchange culminates in Nora saying that Joel got what he deserves, her wording in the show closely resembling the script of the game. She then makes a run for it, throwing a container of liquid at Ellie to momentarily stun her. That last detail is slightly different to the game, in which Nora just throws a steel tray that only catches Ellie off guard for a second.
The chase through the hospital is similar to that in the game, although notably shorter and less game-y. Nora shouts for her allies to shoot and they do so from a balcony, replicating the gunfire that sparks around Ellie as you push her forward in the game.
The chase finally ends in the same spore-filled corridor bathed in red light that we saw in the game. Nora, collapsed and breathing in fatal spores, finally realises who Ellie is. “You’re her,” she says in both versions of the story. In the show, Ellie then takes a single swing with a metal pipe and the show cuts to black. In the game, Nora’s death is much, much more violent – with the camera lingering on Ellie’s twisted face, she strikes Nora three times. While this shot isn’t used for the show, HBO does somewhat replicate it a minute earlier by holding the camera on Ellie’s face as she holds Nora at gunpoint. It’s not as viscerally powerful as the shot from the game, but you can see where the inspiration comes from.
For more from The Last of Us, check out our spoiler-free season two review and our spoiler-filled review of the fifth episode.
Amazon also decided to keep their Keyboard and Mouse sale after the countdown finished, while also holding a solid book sale that includes some of the best Legend of Zelda hardcovers.
TL;DR: Deals For Today
There are some classics up for grabs in the Xbox Game Studios Bundle, whilst IGN Store has some stunning Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 art prints.
We’ve also got some best sellers from over the weekend, including a LEGO Technic set, Jason X 4K Blu Ray, and a cracking deal on a Nintendo Switch 2 carry case that includes screen protectors. Let’s get into it:
While the $239.99 price reflects the early hype, it’s significantly over MSRP, so collectors looking for specific hits may be better off buying singles instead of ripping packs.
More Pokémon Restocks
It’s the same across the board with predatory pricing right now. Regardless of this being at a distributor or retailer level, it’s getting harder to find a good deal on sealed product.
At the moment, it’s a bargain finding something at MRSP. I’d seriously reccomend looking into the single Pokémon Cards below.
My Top Crashing and Climbing Pokémon Cards
Pokémon single prices are seeing big swings as trainers gear up for Destined Rivals. Greninja ex 214/167 has nearly halved in value this year, with Alakazam ex from 151 also down over 30%. Bulbasaur IR has dropped a massive 52%, making it a great pickup under $30.
Obsidian Flames fans can grab the Ninetales IR for around $18 after a 40% dip. On the flip side, Dragonite V Alt Art from Evolving Skies has nearly doubled since January, now around $225, and
Rayquaza VMAX alt art continues to climb past $649. With prices this volatile, picking up singles instead of sealed boxes can be the smarter move for most collectors right now.
GravaStar Wireless Mercury M1 Pro
GravaStar Mercury M1 Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse combines a lightweight magnesium alloy body with a 26,000 DPI PAW3395 sensor for ultra-precise tracking. It supports tri-mode connectivity across 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, and wired options, with up to 200 hours of battery life.
Fully programmable buttons, 4K polling support, and customizable RGB lighting round out a premium package for under $80 right now with stacked discounts. I’ve been using this for a couple of weeks now and it’s become my favorite for work and getting a bit of Fortnite in.
More Gaming Mouse Deals
Xbox Game Studios Game Bundle
The Xbox Game Studios Game Bundle offers eight PC games for just $10, including highly rated hits like Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Quantum Break, Wasteland 3, and Sunset Overdrive.
All titles redeem on Steam with no Xbox console required. With a total value of $214, it’s one of the best bundles running, and your purchase helps support the nonprofit Gameheads.
Corsair K70 RGB Pro Cherry MX Red
Corsair K70 RGB PRO Mechanical Gaming Keyboard features fast, linear Cherry MX Red switches, an 8,000Hz hyper-polling rate for ultra-low latency, and durable double-shot PBT keycaps. It also includes a soft-touch palm rest and a tournament mode switch for competitive play. Down to $99.37 from $169.99, it’s a strong pickup for serious gamers.
More Gaming Keyboard Deals
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Art Prints
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 12×16 Print brings striking artwork from one of 2025’s most anticipated games to your wall. Printed on premium hot press fine art paper or stretched canvas, each piece features vivid, fade-resistant colors on bright white, ultra-smooth stock or a durable solid wood frame. Officially licensed and exclusive to the IGN Store, it’s a perfect addition for fans prepping for the surreal world of Expedition 33.
Buy 2 Books, Save 50% on 1
Amazon is running a major Buy 2, Save 50% on 1 Book Sale across thousands of titles. Add any two eligible books to your cart and you’ll automatically save half off the lower-priced item at checkout. Popular picks include Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, and The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel.
It’s a great chance to stock up on bestsellers, new releases, or even collectible editions at a serious discount. Just make sure to check for the “Qualifying Item” label before adding to cart. Oh, and don’t miss the below Legend of Zelda books.
My Favorite Books In This Sale
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Apple AirPods Pro 2 are down to $169 at Amazon, their lowest price in months. These premium earbuds feature powerful Active Noise Cancellation that removes twice as much background noise as before, Adaptive Audio for seamless switching between noise canceling and transparency modes, and personalized Spatial Audio for a more immersive soundstage.
Powered by Apple’s H2 chip, they deliver clearer calls, richer bass, and better battery life, with a dust-, sweat-, and water-resistant design. The addition of hearing health features and a customizable fit makes these a smart upgrade for iPhone users.
LEGO Technic Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit
LEGO Technic Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit Building Set is currently on sale for $59.95, down from $74.99 at Amazon. Designed for kids aged 10 and up, this 526-piece model lets young builders create a moving representation of the Earth and Moon orbiting the Sun.
It features printed months, moon phases, and an interactive crank mechanism to show how the orbits affect seasons. Whether used for learning or as cool space-themed room décor, it’s an imaginative way to bring the solar system to life.
Jason X 4K UHD Blu Ray
Jason X 4K UHD Limited Edition is now $28.99 at Amazon, down from its $49.95 list price. This cult sci-fi slasher flings Jason Voorhees into deep space, where he unleashes carnage on an unsuspecting spaceship crew.
The Arrow Video release comes packed with extras, including new and archival commentaries, documentaries, and a double-sided poster. Featuring Kane Hodder back in the mask and an upgraded 4K Dolby Vision transfer, this is a must for horror collectors.
Nintendo Switch 2 Travel Carrying Case
Keep your gear safe with the TZGZT Travel Carrying Case for Nintendo Switch 2, now just $12.84 at Amazon (down from $27.73). Designed for the new Switch 2, this lightweight EVA hard case holds your console, accessories, and up to 24 game cards securely. It also comes bundled with two 9H tempered glass screen protectors for added protection. Tough, waterproof, and shock-resistant, it’s perfect for travel or everyday carry.
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.
Nintendo has disputed accusations it used AI-generated images to create billboards in Mario Kart World.
Rumors began to swirl when a Nintendo Treehouse livestream gave us a closer peek at the upcoming racer a few weeks back. Eagle-eyed fans pointed out that a handful of in-game advertising boards looked a little strange, with images of a construction site, a bridge, and a peculiarly tall car all raising eyebrows.
Of course, many pre-release titles include placeholder graphics that won’t be included in the final product, but Nintendo refuted claims that anything, even in its pre-release game, was AI-generated, saying in a statement to Eurogamer: “AI-generated images were not used in the development of Mario Kart World.”
Generative AI is one of the hottest topics in the creative industries right now and a burning issue within video game development itself. Apart from ethical and copyright issues, labor unions have expressed concern about the potential for generative AI to replace jobs, and video game performers have called for increased protections against its use.
In an interview with The New York Times, Miyamoto brought up AI himself as an example of something where Nintendo would rather do things differently than its peers.
“It might seem like we are just going the opposite direction for the sake of going in the opposite direction, but it really is trying to find what makes Nintendo special,” Miyamoto said.
“There is a lot of talk about A.I., for example,” he continued. “When that happens, everyone starts to go in the same direction, but that is where Nintendo would rather go in a different direction.”
“We have decades of know-how in creating the best gaming experiences for our players,” Furukawa added. “While we are open to utilizing technological developments, we will work to continue delivering value that is unique to Nintendo and cannot be created by technology alone.”
Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
