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Magic: The Gathering – Edge of Eternities Preview

It’s been a month since Magic players were able to dive into the realms of Final Fantasy and its casts of memorable characters, but now it is time to look at the stars and prepare to blast off with the trading card game’s next set, Edge of Eternities. IGN recently had a chance to check out some new cards and get a breakdown of the set’s new mechanics players will get to play around with when the set launches on August 1 (preorders are available now).

Edge of Eternities Important Dates:

  • July 18: Full Card Image Gallery
  • July 25-31: Edge of Eternities Prerelease Events
  • July 29: MTG Arena Release Date
  • Aug. 1: Worldwide Tabletop Release

From spaceships to alien races, this new release marks a drastic departure from the more high-fantasy aesthetic that Magic is known for, but at its core, this is still very much a Magic: The Gathering set. One thing the team wants to make very clear is that Edge of Eternities is science fantasy, not science fiction, which means you can expect to see both flying space whales and spaceships.

As it is still early days in the spoiler cycle, Wizards is still keeping a vast majority of the set’s contents under wraps, but we do have confirmations that some of Magic’s scariest creatures will be making their appearance around the Blind Eternities. Once again, Eldrazi, residents of the Blind Eternities, will be causing havoc for players with the reveal of ‘Anticausal Vestige’. For six mana reads “When this card leaves the battlefield, draw a card, then you may put a permanent card with mana value less than or equal to the number of lands you control from your hand onto the battlefield tapped” with Warp 4 (more on Warp in a moment). More exciting, however (and I admit I am partially biased towards this next one because I love them and have decks of them), it looks like Slivers are making their return! We got to see a new alternate showcase art version of the Sliver Overlord, and the narrative that Wizards has been releasing for the set also implies the return of these fury-enducing creatures, which I can’t wait for. After all, being a hivemind and all, what good would only a single Sliver do?

Edge of Eternities also sees reprints of the highly requested and sought-after Shock Lands – special dual-colored lands. These lands will allow you to tap for one of two colors of mana, and while similar cards normally come in tapped, by taking a little damage, Shock Lands will enter untapped, meaning you can use them right away!

Compared to some of the more recent sets, Edge of Eternities takes it easy with only four new mechanics – Void, Warp, Station, and Lander Tokens. Station was first revealed during MagicCon Vegas and is similar to Crewing vehicles, whereby tapping creatures grants a benefit; however, Station has some important differences. Firstly, tapping creatures to Station something can only be done on your turn at sorcery speed, doing so will put a counter on that card based on the total power of the creatures you tapped, and once a threshold is met, the card will gain access to new abilities. While we have seen examples of Starships that include the Station mechanic, Wizards has now revealed a new land type, planets, that will also benefit from this mechanic. Each of the five main colors will feature their own speciality planet that when stationed will have some pretty powerful effects, such as blue’s ‘Uthros, Titanic Godcore’ that by default will tap for a single blue but when its Station 12+ requirement is met, for a Blue and tapping Uthros will add a blue mana for each artifact you control.

Next up is Warp, an alternate casting option for the cards with it. By casting a card for its Warp cost, which looks to be less than its normal casting cost, it will enter the battlefield and then get exiled on the next end step. The twist with these cards is that they can then be cast at a later time for their normal cost from exile. From what it looks like, many of these cards with Warp will have “when they enter” trigger effects, allowing you to take advantage of that effect twice. However, being able to play these cards from exile is only available if they are sent to exile due to paying the Warp effect, so if another card exiles them instead, they are gone for good and can’t be played.

Paired with Warp, Void provides players with new options to enhance the effects of the cards it appears on. By playing a card with Void after a non-land permanent has left the battlefield or a card has been played for its Warp cost (referred to as spell warped), then the Void card’s effect will be strengthened. I’m intrigued by the sort of synergistic opportunities that may arise between various Warp and Void cards.

Lastly, there are the Lander tokens that are being introduced in this latest set. By paying two colorless mana and sacrificing the token, you can search your library for a basic land and put it into play tapped. Right off the bat, I can already see how cards that generate these Lander tokens will prove to be powerful additions to any Landfall deck, and coming off of Final Fantasy, cards like ‘Tifa Lockhart’ whose power doubles whenever a land comes into play will be able to easily take advantage of the additional lands dropping in. For even more utility, if you are playing a deck with ‘Wandering Minstrel’, this would make the lands that the Lander tokens bring out, come out untapped instead of tapped, letting you use them right away! Talk about mana ramp!

Outside of the mechanic like Warp, with cards like the newly revealed Cosmogoyf (“This creature’s power is equal to the number of cards you own in exile and its toughness is equal to that number plus 1”) and Sothera, The Supervoid (“Whenever a creature you control dies, each opponent chooses a creature they control and exiles it. At the beginning of your end step, if a player controls no creatures, sacrifice Sothera, then put a creature card exiled with it onto the battlefield under your control with two additional +1/+1 counters on it”) gives me the sense that Wizards is aiming to make your exile zone into a resource all of its own. If that ends up being the case, cards with Flashback or something like Agatha’s Soul Cauldron that let you exile cards from graveyards could easily make a card like Cosmogoyf super scary. We will have to see how much they lean into messing around with exile (hopefully, there won’t be too many “exiled this way” cards so you have to keep track of what cards get exiled with what).

Edge of Eternities continues to push Magic: The Gathering into new dimensions with this space fantasy adventure. Who knows what other mysteries lie in wait out near the Blind Eternities and what horrors await players? This peak at the set has given us a taste of starting to concoct new deck ideas, and over the next month, more and more will be revealed. In the meantime, be sure to enjoy the amazing cards from the recent Final Fantasy set, including keeping your eyes open for the cards everyone seems to want and are chasing after. For a full look at what the rest of the year of Magic is looking like, check out our full release schedule, and for fans of Secret Lair, including the upcoming Sonic The Hedgehog drop, check out our breakdown of every drop so far this year.

Scott White is a freelance contributor to IGN, assisting with tabletop games and guide coverage. Follow him on X/Twitter or Bluesky.

Naughty Dog Surprises Fans With The Last of Us Part 2 Chronological Experience Update, But Says New Players Shouldn’t Use It

The Last of Us Part 2 developer Naughty Dog has surprised fans by releasing a Chronological Experience option that reorders the game’s storylines into a linear narrative.

The fresh mode, available as part of a free update today on PC and PlayStation 5, shuffles Part 2’s non-linear narrative as a fresh option for season players. Intriguingly, Naughty Dog makes it clear that it sees the new Chronological Exprience option as something extra, rather than a replacement for the game’s original storytelling that was “very intentional and core to how our studio wanted Part 2’s themes and narrative beats to impact players.”

Naughty Dog even goes as far as to say that new players are recommended not to use the Chronological Experience option for their first run through the game, and instead experience Part 2’s story in the way it “was originally developed.”

Described as a “fascinating new way to enjoy this chapter,” the game’s new Chronological Experience option comes hot on the heels of The Last of Us TV series’ divisive second season, and just days after it was confirmed that franchise creator Neil Druckmann would no longer play a part in the HBO adaptation’s future.

“Through the new Chronological mode, we believe players will gain even deeper insight into Part 2’s narrative,” Naughty Dog’s Jonathon Dornbush said today.

“Players will be able to see how Ellie being gifted a guitar flows so neatly into her learning to play, for example, while the journey through Seattle will showcase the fascinating parallels between Ellie and Abby’s crisscrossing journeys. You’ll see just how close they come into running into each other, how their actions impact each other, and more.”

Chronological Mode was worked on by Naughty Dog in collaboration with co-development partner Nixxes, and once completed will award new PlayStation trophies, as well as a couple of bonus outfits.

Today’s update adds costumes for Joel dressed as Uncharted hero Nathan Drake and Tommy as, appropriately, his brother Sam Drake. Finally, a smattering of additional bug fixes and performance improvements are also included.

Next up for Naughty Dog, and Neil Druckmann, will be the studio’s upcoming sci-fi project Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. The studio is also working on another unannounced game for which Druckmann has “more of a producer role.”

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

PlayStation Announces Ghost of Yōtei State of Play, With a Deep Dive into Gameplay

Sony will hold a PlayStation State of Play broadcast this week offering a deep dive into Ghost of Yōtei’s gameplay, the company has announced.

Expect a 20-minute look at the upcoming highly-anticipated sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, from 2pm Pacific / 5pm Eastern time this Thursday, July 10. In Europe, that’s 11pm CEST, or 10pm BST.

The gameplay will be introduced by Sucker Punch’s two Ghost of Yōtei creative directors, Jason Connell and Nate Fox.

PlayStation’s description of the showcase teases that fans will see more about main character Atsu’s quest for vengeance, as well as a look at her weaponry, and “new ways to personalize your journey at the edge of Japan, new special modes, and much more.”
More to follow…

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

20 Years On Capcom Can’t Escape the Shadow of Resident Evil 4

Is Leon S. Kennedy Resident Evil’s most popular character because he starred in one of the best Resident Evil games of all time? Or did he star in one of the best Resident Evil games of all time because he’s the series’ most popular character? I’ll never know for sure. Nevertheless, ever since his first day on the job at the Raccoon City Police Department back in 1998, Leon’s influence over the Resident Evil series has only grown to the point that his popularity threatens the future of the series… again.

When Resident Evil 4 hit shelves on January 11, 2005, everything we knew about Resident Evil was upended. The series’s famous fixed camera perspective gave way to a fully 3D camera, and the infamous tank controls were replaced with fast-paced action and melee combat. And Leon Kennedy, who was introduced to the series in Resident Evil 2 as a fresh-faced rookie police officer, was promoted to a secret agent action hero tasked with rescuing the U.S. President’s daughter from an evil cult. Leon became more Ethan Hunt and less Ash Williams.

Resident Evil 4’s status as a Hall of Fame video game is undisputed, but the 2005 release also caused Capcom to enter a period of being lost in the wilderness. The overwhelming success of Resident Evil 4 shifted the series towards a more action-focused tone, at the expense of its horror elements. Resident Evil 5 took us to Africa, where Las Plagas-infected militia troops engaged in car chases and gunfights. Resident Evil 6 pushed things to the next level, with Call of Duty-like street battles and explosive plane crashes. But while these games followed the blueprint set by Resident Evil 4 to tremendous financial success, fans weren’t wholly satisfied with the overall direction of the franchise. It increasingly became clear that turning Resi’s former everyday cops into MMA-trained super agents had eroded away the series’ core.

To rediscover the horror at the heart of the franchise, Capcom effectively rebooted Resident Evil in 2017 with Biohazard, the series’ seventh mainline game. It ditched Leon and many of the franchise’s iconic (now incredibly powerful) characters in favor of unknown newcomer Ethan Winters who, despite a surprising resilience to a variety of gnarly hand injuries, was essentially an “everyman”. Resident Evil 7 also adopted a new first-person perspective that not only put players directly face-to-face with the game’s many scares but also restricted Ethan’s moveset — there would be no roundhouse kicks here. This new formula led to sales success and the start of a new storyline focused on the Winters family (with an occasional cameo by legacy character Chris Redfield.)

Leon became more Ethan Hunt and less Ash Williams. 

During the era of Resident Evil 7 and Village, there was little demand for Capcom to revisit the more action-prominent design of Resident Evil 4. That’s likely because, while Leon might not have been at the forefront of the series during this time, he was still hanging around thanks to remakes of older games. Resident Evil 2 reinvented the PS1 classic in a guise that more closely resembled the over-the-shoulder, gun-heavy design of Leon’s most famous adventure, while the Resident Evil 4 remake replicated the original’s balance of horror and suplex tackles. But as time has gone on, it’s become clear that fans have been getting antsy to see Leon headline a new adventure, not just retread old territory.

Earlier this year, Capcom finally announced the highly anticipated Resident Evil: Requiem, and once again, the studio debuted a new protagonist: FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft. But if you look around the internet for information on Requiem, you’ll see the name of Leon S. Kennedy brought up so often that you would think he was the main character of the upcoming game. That’s because rumors, both substantial and otherwise, claim that Leon will appear in Requiem in some capacity, whether that’s as a second protagonist, cameo, or even the secret star, depending on who you ask.

Capcom, for its part, seems adamant that Grace Ashcroft is the face of Requiem, and there is enough information about her to believe this. Unlike Ethan Winters, who was a complete unknown when he debuted in Resident Evil 7, Grace Ashcroft is the daughter of journalist Alyssa Ashcroft, a playable character from the Resident Evil Outbreak games. This makes Grace something of a legacy character in her own right, giving her greater importance and stronger ties to the overall canon of the series.

Also, during the Capcom Showcase, Resident Evil: Requiem director Koshi Nakanishi directly addressed some of the online rumors surrounding Leon Kennedy being the game’s secret protagonist, saying, “We always thought about making Leon the protagonist, but making a horror game based around him is difficult… No one wants to see Leon scared by every little thing. So he’s actually quite a bad match for horror.”

Having played a slice of Requiem, I can confirm that Capcom is continuing the revised formula it introduced in Resident Evil 7 and putting a lot of emphasis on horror in the new game. One of the standout details is how Grace audibly reacts to different jump scares throughout the demo, which effectively ratchets up the tension. Nakanishi makes a good point about Leon being a bad match for this type of game: by this point in the series’ timeline, which is 30 years after the events of Resident Evil 2, Leon is a veteran who has no problems facing off against even the scariest monsters.

This makes Grace something of a legacy character in her own right, giving her greater importance and stronger ties to the overall canon of the series.

Even the decision to maintain the series’ real-time timeline feels designed to get fans used to the idea that their beloved characters face a ticking clock. Even if Leon Kennedy does appear in Resident Evil: Requiem, it’d be as a member of the old guard. After all, he will be around 50 years old when the events of Requiem take place, and while I’m sure he can still roundhouse kick a zombie at that age, having him age in real-time since his introduction in 1998 feels like a deliberate attempt to put Leon closer to retirement than in the thick of the action.

I think there’s plenty of room for Leon Kennedy to appear in Requiem as a seasoned veteran helping the new protagonist, similar to Chris’ role in Resident Evil Village. But the problem is how the Leon rumors have sucked up so much of the oxygen around Resident Evil: Requiem, so much so that some fans of the series are outright disregarding Grace as the game’s protagonist. There’s a good chance Leon could appear in Requiem, but Capcom’s attention to detail on Grace tells me that developers are quite passionate about her as a character. It must be a little frustrating to see fans brush her aside for an unconfirmed appearance by Leon.

But Leon and Resident Evil 4’s grip on the newest game isn’t just limited to which characters fans want to see. Resident Evil: Requiem made waves when it announced that, in an attempt to appeal to all Resident Evil fans, there will be the option to play Requiem in both the scarier first-person perspective introduced in Resident Evil 7, or in the iconic third-person perspective.

My concern, and something I noted in my preview, is that switching between first- and third-person perspectives has an immediate impact on how scary the game is. That wider viewing angle reveals threats that would otherwise go unseen, spoiling jump scares and instilling additional fear-conquering confidence. And for a game that’s supposedly focused on horror, as Nakanishi claims, having an option that immediately dampens the terror feels like it undermines the director’s goals.

The last time Capcom chased the ghost of past Resident Evil games, it took years for the franchise to find its way back again.

Just like in the aftermath of Resident Evil 4, Capcom finds itself again in a position of balancing giving fans what they want, between the potential appearance of everyone’s favorite zombie-hunting agent and the choice to play in both first- and third-person, and pushing both the design of Resident Evil and the story of Raccoon City forward through the use of a new protagonist and contemporary timeframe.

If the developers of Requiem believe that the game can be scary and compelling in both first- and third-person, then I look forward to seeing that for myself next year. Similarly, if they feel that Grace Ashcroft can carry the next mainline Resident Evil game as the protagonist, I’m even more excited to find out how she fits into the story of Raccoon City. After successfully reinventing Resident Evil with Ethan Winters’ story and establishing a slower, creepier design that directly opposes the high-octane horror action of Leon’s trip to Spain, fans should extend Capcom the benefit of the doubt about Grace, Leon, and Requiem. And for the developers, I hope they pursue their vision for the Resident Evil franchise without compromise.

Because the last time Capcom chased the ghost of past Resident Evil games, it took years for the franchise to find its way back again.

Matt Kim is IGN’s Senior Features Editor.

Dune: Awakening’s Latest Update Improves Deep Desert, End Game, and Landsraad Activities — For PvE and PvP Players

There’s another new patch available for Dune: Awakening, and more tweaks to improve the endgame experience for players who’d prefer to spend time in PvE activities, including the ability to farm Tier 6 resources and a better chance of getting Unique drops in PvE loot in Deep Desert.

Previously, Funcom launched Dune: Awakening’s extended the PvE zone of the Deep Desert from about 10% of the map to 50%. It followed an AMA in which the studio told players frustrated by the endgame experience that it was “formulating a plan” to improve PvP in the Deep Desert. Some had branded the endgame “toxic” due to griefing even after the ability for players to squish each other with their Ornithopter was supposedly patched out. Later, griefers intentionally landed their Ornis on other players’ own thopters to prevent them from farming.

Dune: Awakening’s last big update, 1.1.10.00, introduced a long list of changes, and while it didn’t specifically deal with end-game issues that time, it did make some QoL improvements. But this time, there’s a whole section of the patch notes dedicated to the Deep Desert, end-game, and Landsraad.

The ability to find more T6 resources in PvE areas of the Deep Desert is particularly noteworthy, as even with the rebalancing of PvE and PvP zones, it was still pretty tricky to routinely find T6 minerals without delving into heavy PvP areas. This should make it easier for players needing resources to find what they want without putting their virtual lives on the line.

It’s not all bad for PvP fans, either. One of the changes includes a delay for leaving a PvP security zone from five to 30 seconds to prevent border camping and allow players to better protect their areas.

Here’s the full list…

Dune: Awakening Patch Notes 1.1.15.0

Deep Desert, End Game, and Landsraad

  • Tier 6 resources can now be collected across wider areas in the PvE part of the Deep Desert.
  • We added an element of randomization to the respawn timer of unique loot containers in the Deep Desert.
  • The plastanium tier crafting components were split up to drop based on the content location: Imperial Testing Stations, Caves, or Shipwrecks, with each of them dropping their own selection of components. Fallen Shipwrecks and Buried Treasure can drop components from any location.
  • Added a chance of a different selection of Uniques drop in PvE loot in Deep Desert.
  • The spawn rate of medium fields increased from 5 back to 8, and of the small spice fields increased from 22 to 30.
  • The delay for leaving a PvP security zone increased from 5 to 30 seconds to prevent border camping and allow PvP players to protect their area.
  • Changed Landsraad tasks to allow for Kill and Delivery Contribution to happen after the task has been completed but awarding only personal contribution. (i.e., which faction won and how many guild votes were awarded are unaffected by contributions made after the task was completed by one faction).

Other:

  • Improved game stability.
  • Reduced the cases where the sandworm can push vehicles under terrain.
  • Added a new audio alert for the PvP zone change.

FIXES

  • Fixed an issue where the Harkonnen faction recruitment contract “Do you have what it takes?” could sometimes get stuck and couldn’t be completed if you exited the dialogue with Maxim Kazmir before selecting the line “It says here that you’re looking for recruits“ to complete the contract.
  • Fixed an issue where contract rewards dropped on the ground if your inventory was full, which could lead to situations where you would miss them. Now rewards can only be claimed when there is enough space in your inventory.
  • Fixed an issue where vehicle modules wouldn’t highlight properly after the player had applied a customization variant.
  • Fixed an issue where the positioning of a pentashield surface could overlap with an existing pentashield surface.
  • Fixed an exploit that would allow building a vehicle with items from another player’s inventory.

If all that’s got you interested but you’re not sure where to start, make sure to check out all the Dune: Awakening classes you can choose from, and our Dune: Awakening walkthrough for a step-by-step guide to the story. We’ve also got Dune: Awakening resource guides that’ll help you find iron, steel, aluminium, and a Dune: Awakening Trainers locations guide to help you survive on Arrakis.

Dune: Awakening has enjoyed a superb launch, with a ‘very positive’ user review rating on Steam. Within hours of going live on June 10, Funcom’s survival MMO had clocked up over 142,000 concurrent players on Valve’s platform, and hit a new high earlier this month of 189,333 players. And it’s already clocked up over 1 million players, too, making it Funcom’s fastest-selling game ever, and securing a Great 8/10 in our review.

Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world’s biggest gaming sites and publications. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.

You’ll Soon Be Able to Wear Animal Crossing on Your Feet, With These Nintendo-Licensed Crocs

Fans of Animal Crossing and comfortable clogs rejoice — Nintendo’s adorable life-sim series is coming to a pair of feet near you, thanks to a range of officially-licensed Crocs.

The shoes will go on sale later this summer with a platform clog design for adults and a classic kids clog design for children. Each is adorned with an Animal Crossing background, featuring fruit trees and a sandy shoreline.

And, of course, each can be customised with additional character charms, featuring Tom Nook, Isabelle and KK Slider, if you’re willing to pay extra for the privilege.

The Animal Crossing Platform Clog for adults will cost $69.99, while the smaller Kids Animal Crossing Classic Clog will cost $54.99. Both are set to go on sale next month, on August 26.

Two packs of additional “jibbitz” charms will also available, priced at $16.99 — each. The first includes the three fashionable Sable sisters, plus a backpack and shirt. The second includes musuem owner Blathers, stargazing owl Celeste, scallop-loving Pascal, a fossil and a seashell.

Alternatively, you can pick up charms featuring villagers Rosie, Marshall or Bunnie for $4.99 each.

“Animal Crossing lets players enjoy a relaxing, slow-paced life while interacting with a cast of unique animal characters,” Nintendo wrote, describing the introduction of this newly-licensed shoe range. “Since its debut in 2001, the games have been enjoyed by millions of players worldwide becoming a cherished title for fans of all ages. Now, for the first time ever, Crocs is partnering with Nintendo to debut a special collection launching Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

“This new collection features elements inspired by the lush, natural setting from the game. From the green tone that represents the land to the sole and strap inspired by the sea, see if you can discover all the Animal Crossing moments throughout the design of the shoe.”

What next then for Animal Crossing, beyond shoes? Nintendo wound down ongoing support for Switch game Animal Crossing: New Horizons several years ago, despite its huge popularity. But with Switch 2 now released, a further sequel toetally feets inevitable. A shoo-in, if you will?

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

The Best Buy Black Friday in July Sale Is Now Live Ahead of Amazon Prime Day

While Fourth of July discounts just wrapped up, an even better sale has gone live today, in the form of the Best Buy Black Friday in July sale. This sale is set to act as a competitor to Amazon Prime Day, which begins this week as well. If you’re looking to save on the latest electronics, Black Friday in July is a sale you’ll want to check out.

Shop the Best Buy Black Friday in July Sale

Right now, there are deals live across video games, accessories, laptops, Apple products, appliances, cell phones, headphones, and more. The best deals we’ve seen so far mostly fall under video games, with $20 off some major Nintendo Switch games now available. One of our favorites is Splatoon 3 for $39.99, especially considering the game just received a Nintendo Switch 2 patch.

There’s also over $200 in savings on the Lenovo Legion Go S. This handheld PC packs in the Ryzen Z2 Go, 32GB of LPDDR5X memory, 1TB of PCIe Gen4 SSD storage, and room for expansion with a 1TB microSD card slot. That’s not to mention the 8″ screen equipped with VRR, a 120Hz refresh rate, a 500 nit peak brightness, and more.

Finally, a four pack of AirTags is sitting at a new all-time low sale price. These are incredibly helpful for finding your wallet, purse, bag, or even pet! This deal puts each AirTag at $17, which is significantly lower than the $29.99 asking price for a single unit normally.

Should You Wait for Prime Day Tomorrow?

While the Best Buy Black Friday in July sale has some great offers, the longest Prime Day ever is set to begin tomorrow, July 8. If you are looking to save the most money this year, waiting for Prime Day to see what deals are available is likely your best option. This sale from Best Buy is set to be live for the rest of the week, so you can always come back and shop if you don’t find something better at Amazon. It’s expected that we will see some significant discounts on both video games and technology this year, among numerous other products.

The Biggest Pokémon Card Crashers And Climbers This Week – July 7

As Pokémon TCG collectors race to secure the hottest new cards from Prismatic Evolutions, Journey Together, Destined Rivals, and the upcoming Black Bolt and White Flare sets, the often overlooked Paradox Rift expansion is quietly taking a back seat. That cooling attention is having ripple effects, especially for high-rarity cards. While Special Illustration Rare (SIR) ex cards are seeing a notable drop in value, several Illustration Rares are climbing fast, in part due to shifting collector interest and low inventory levels in my opinion.

I think this shift echoes the rise of Groudon IR from earlier this year, where unexpected demand met low availability. Now other Illustration Rare cards are following suit, gaining ground while their flashier SIR counterparts take a dip. Here’s a look at the top climbers and crashers from Paradox Rift that collectors and players should keep an eye on as we move from the Scarlet and Violet era and toward Mega Evolution.

Pokémon Card Crashers

Altaria ex is down 25% and now sits at $37.13. It’s got some defensive tools and a bit of healing, but I just don’t see it showing up in many decks. Collectors seem to be moving on from it too, which helps explain the drop. Gholdengo ex has fallen 21% to $23.77. I actually really like the discard mechanic on this one, but it’s being overshadowed by newer SIRs that are getting more attention.

Steelix has dropped 19% to $25.20. It’s a nostalgic pick for sure, but Earthquake hitting your own bench hurts, and the retreat cost makes it clunky to play. Roaring Moon ex is down 16% to $46.98. It still hits hard, but the buzz around it has definitely cooled. Garchomp ex has also taken a hit, falling 19% to $26.64. It’s still useful for energy acceleration and sniping, but with so many new cards dropping, it’s getting left behind.

Pokémon Card Climbers

Groudon is up 13% and now going for $75.99. It hits hard, charges fast, and looks awesome. No surprise it’s still trending up. Morpeko is the biggest climber, up 43% to $31.99. Its ability is pretty niche, but the art is fun and people seem to love it right now.

Plusle has jumped 32% to $29.50. It’s good in damage-stacking builds and pairs perfectly with Minun, which is also on the rise. Minun is up 16% to $22.98. Its Buddy Pulse ability adds some nice pressure, and people clearly want the pair together. Iron Valiant ex is up 9% to $20.36. It’s great for decks that focus on spread damage and is the only ex SIR from this set that’s currently climbing.

Last Weeks Crashers and Climbers

I’ve been closely tracking the Pokémon TCG market, and right now we’re seeing a clear split between two major sets. Surging Sparks is going through a sharp correction, with top cards like Pikachu ex – 247/191, Hydreigon ex – 240/191, and Milotic ex – 237/191 dropping 51%, 34%, and 26% respectively. Even chase cards like Pikachu ex – 238/191 and Latias ex – 239/191 are down over 20%. But this isn’t a crash, it’s a natural correction driven by rising supply.

On the flip side, Crown Zenith is heating up fast. Cards like Giratina VSTAR – GG69/GG70, Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR – GG68/70, and Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR – GG67/70 have surged 17%–24% in just days. Even Mewtwo VSTAR – GG44/GG70 and Arceus VSTAR – GG70/GG70 are gaining ground. With the Scarlet and Violet era wrapping up and Mega Evolution returning soon, Sword and Shield sets like Crown Zenith are entering that sweet spot where older modern sets start gaining long-term value. I’m buying into both while the market is still adjusting.

Where To Buy Japanese Pokémon Cards

Japanese Pokémon TCG booster boxes have far better odds at pulling chase cards, have far less bulk and are often half the price of English booster boxes. This also mean said chase cards are worth significantly less, but Japanese cards are far easier to get perfect grades in given they’re always busting out of booster packs in perfect condition. Want a Pokémon card collection on a budget? Go for Japanese cards.

The Most Expensive Pokémon Cards In Packs Right Now

While it’s easy to envy those with deep pockets grabbing the priciest Pokémon TCG cards, there’s something way more exciting about pulling a massive hit straight from a booster pack, especially with sets like Destined Rivals, Prismatic Evolutions, Twilight Masquerade, and Surging Sparks still in print. Right now, cards like Umbreon ex – 161/131 are leading the market at over $1,000, followed by heavy hitters like Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex – 231/182, Greninja ex – 214/167, and Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex – 230/182, all pushing $300+. The iconic Pikachu ex – 238/191 has cooled to around $295 after peaking last year, making it a solid buy.

More fan-favorite chase cards include Cynthia’s Garchomp ex, Roaring Moon ex, Latias ex, and Team Rocket’s Moltres ex, all hovering between $195–$260. And then there’s the Eeveelution invasion. Prismatic Evolutions is packed with top-tier art like Sylveon ex, Espeon ex, Leafeon ex, Vaporeon ex, Jolteon ex, and Glaceon ex, all sitting comfortably above $230. Each card is absolutley stunning, pumped with nostalgia and some competitive utility to boot (Although I’d suggest getting the standard ex cards for you deck). The odds of pulling them are slim, Prismatic Evolution is notoriously unforgiving with pull rates. Buying singles might be the smarter move if you’re after specific cards, but I also don’t like having fun.

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.

Deals for Today: Free Amazon Prime, Pokémon TCG Discounts, and MTG Preorders

If you’re shopping for Pokémon or Magic: The Gathering cards, tech, and books this week, there’s plenty worth checking out. Prime members aged 18 to 24 can claim six months of Amazon Prime for free, which includes fast shipping, streaming, and monthly gaming perks. Pokémon collectors can find better prices on sealed products at TCG Player, including blisters and premium collections that beat Amazon by a few dollars. Japanese booster boxes are also a smart buy if you’re after clean pulls, less bulk, and more Pokécoins in your pocket.

TL;DR: Deals For Today

Magic: The Gathering fans should look to TCG Player for most sealed product deals, especially with Amazon pricing above MSRP in several cases. Preorders for MTG’s Marvel Spider-Man and Edge of Eternities sets are live, with TCG Player often offering the lowest prices. There are also solid deals on essentials like a 10ft power strip and a retractable 67W USB-C charger from Baseus. If you’re catching up on The Silo Saga or The Witcher series, boxed sets are discounted and worth adding to your shelf.

Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Tour Bundle for $498.95

If you’re still on the hunt for a Switch 2 console, here’s an opportunity you might want to consider. AliExpress has the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Tour Console Bundle available for $498.95 after you apply a $100 off coupon code “AEUS100” in your shopping cart. This console ships free from a local US warehouse.

This is a genuine gaming console that has been imported from another country (usually Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, or Mexico). Region locking is determined by your account, not by console, so all of these systems will play in the US without any problems. You’ll also be able to select English as your default language just like any console you buy here. Although the console itself is region unlocked, the Mario Kart World Tour game voucher is region locked. In order to redeem the download voucher on a US-based Nintendo account, one of the reviews mentions a workaround:

6 Months Free Amazon Prime For Young Adults

This one is a no-brainer. If your 18-24, snap up this 6-months free deal for Amazon Prime. It includes the free and fast delivery Amazon is known for alongside unlimited streaming, free delivery on GrubHub+, free Prime games every month and loads more.

Pokémon TCG Sealed Products

TCG Player is showing Amazon up this week with cheaper deals on the Prismatic Evolutions Super Premium Collection undercutting the big box retailer by a few dollars. It’s also the cheapest place to grab 3-pack blisters for Destined Rivals too. I’ve also included eBay links with the products, as it’s always worth seeing if one can pick up a cheeky bargain before going all in.

Pokémon TCG Japan Sealed Products

Japanese Pokémon TCG booster boxes have far better odds at pulling chase cards, have far less bulk and are often half the price of English booster boxes. This also mean said chase cards are worth significantly less, but Japanese cards are far easier to get perfect grades in given they’re always busting out of booster packs in perfect condition. Want a Pokémon card collection on a budget? Go for Japanese cards.

This Weeks Crashers and Climbers

The Pokémon TCG market is currently experiencing a split trend: Surging Sparks cards are undergoing a steep price correction due to increased supply, with notable drops such as Pikachu ex (247/191) falling 51% to $56, and Hydreigon ex dropping 34% to $49.60—creating a buying opportunity for collectors. Meanwhile, Crown Zenith cards are rising in value, with key VSTAR Secret Rares like Giratina and Dialga seeing double-digit gains, driven by strong demand and the set’s transition into “legacy” status as the Sword and Shield era ends.

Magic: The Gathering Sealed Products

We’re seeing TCG Player destory Amazon pricing on sealed Magic: The Gathering product at the moment too. This is great for us, but perhaps Amazon should use their weight to look after their customers with predatory over MRSP pricing? Atleast with TCG Player you’re getting market value, with some product scating very close to the recommended retail price.

Where To Preorder MTG: Marvel’s Spider-Man

It’s hard work trying to get a preorder in for anything MTG Spider-Man related at big box stores outside of a Play Booster Box, but TCG Player have the stock, and in most cases, the cheapest pricing for preorders. There’s every chance Amazon will get more stock allocation before release, but if you don’t want to miss out on launch, I’d highly reccomend securing preorders with a reputable seller on TCG Player. If this set is anything like MTG: Final Fantasy, launch day stock is going to be none existent.

Where To Preorder MTG: Edge Of Eternities

MTG: Edge of Eternities preorders are the exception to the rule in this weeks MTG deals round-up. Amazon comes in cheaper on most preorders, with TCG Player taking the cheapest spot on the Play Booster Box and Commander Deck bundles. I’ve included eBay links too, which is always a wise choice to check for cheap preorders before putting your money on the table.

The Witcher Boxed Set

This is the core of Sapkowski’s epic—Blood of Elves, The Time of Contempt, Baptism of Fire, The Tower of Swallows, and Lady of the Lake—finally bundled in one set. If you’ve only seen the show or played the games, this is where the real magic lives. The writing is sharp, the world-building deep, and Geralt’s story hits harder on-page.

28 Years Later 4K Steelbook

If you’re into post-apocalyptic chaos with a side of smart storytelling, 28 Years Later delivers. Danny Boyle is back behind the camera, teaming up again with Alex Garland, and it shows. This isn’t just another zombie flick, it’s a brutal, atmospheric return to the world of 28 Days Later, packed with tension, grim visuals, and a few twists that hit harder than a crowbar to the face. The 4K UHD Steelbook looks sharp on the shelf, and the digital copy is a nice bonus for rewatching during late-night doomscroll breaks. Horror fans, this one earns a spot in your collection.

Baseus Enercore CJ11 Retractable USB C Charger

Baseus has launched a new line of Enercore wall chargers aimed at travelers, with the standout 67W model now available for $36.99 on Amazon for Prime members using the code “GOHTHZJQ.” This charger features a unique built-in 32-inch retractable USB-C cable, foldable prongs, and two extra USB-C ports, making it compact and versatile. Despite being capped at 67W, it can fast charge devices like the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, and iPhone 16 at full speed

The Silo Series Boxed Set

Season 2 of Silo, the hit Apple TV+ series based on Hugh Howey’s Wool, continues the gripping story of a dystopian world where humanity survives in a giant underground silo governed by strict rules—chief among them: never talk about the outside. As the original sheriff breaks this cardinal law, Juliette, a fearless mechanic from the silo’s depths, steps into a role that challenges the system at its core. Fans can now dive deeper with The Silo Saga Omnibus, which collects Wool, Shift, Dust, author essays, and new short fiction, offering a definitive look into Howey’s acclaimed sci-fi universe.

Power Strip Surge Protector, 10FT

This surge protector is the kind of gear you don’t think about until you need it, and then you’re glad you grabbed it. With 8 AC outlets and 4 USB ports (including 2 USB-C), it’s built to handle your whole gaming setup, plus a few extra devices. The flat plug fits neatly behind desks, and the 5-foot braided cord is sturdy enough to take a beating.

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.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Review

The Birdman is back, and he’s once again 540° Christ Airing his way into my house and into my heart, like some kind of majestic, Motörhead-fueled, messiah of manuals, methods, and madonnas. As the follow-up 2020’s absolutely delightful remake of the first two Pro Skater games, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 may lack the outright initial novelty of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 – and it definitely colours outside the lines a bit more while bringing these classics back to life – but it’s also impossible for me to deny how infectiously fun it is being transported back to 2001 for some authentically old school, arcade skating action. “The pleasure is to play,” barks Lemmy Kilmister in the iconic speed metal masterpiece Ace of Spades, which was the high-energy opener for the original THPS3 more than two decades ago and returns to do the same job in THPS3+4.

You’re damn right it is, Lemmy.

Five years ago developer Vicarious Visions achieved the improbable with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2. Despite the stench of Robomodo’s disastrous Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5 still lingering in the air like a swampy pair of SB Dunks, Vicarious Visions produced one of the most pitch-perfect and essential remakes of the modern era – one that would go on to record the highest first month of sales for any game in the long-running Tony Hawk’s series. For its valiant efforts, Vicarious Visions was promptly… shut down, and Hawk himself confirmed plans to produce Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 were subsequently kickflipped to the kerb. Fortunately, this decision was reversed and the project landed at Iron Galaxy.

Despite having a different developer at the helm, THPS3+4 remains mostly in sync with the look and structure of THPS 1+2. That is, the graphics are similarly crisp and colourful, and the performance is robust and reliable. The skate roster is a mix of returning pros from the original games, the new additions from THPS1+2, and some fresh faces debuting in the series (including Chloe Covell, Yuto Horigome, Rayssa Leal, and Zion Wright amongst others). Yes, Bam Margera is here, too. He may be absent from the intro sizzle but you’ll be able to find him in the unlockable secrets.

Despite having a different developer at the helm, THPS3+4 remains mostly in sync with the look and structure of THPS 1+2.

Both games in the package are again represented as two separate strings of levels but, beyond that, everything is unified. Moves and tricks are common across both games (including things like, say, spine transfers – which were only originally introduced in THPS4.) On top of that, the stat points you collect playing one game will improve your skater in the other, and any currency you gather goes to one central kitty to spend on kit for your custom skater (or secret skaters, fancy effects, or special visual filters). Basically, if you’ve played THPS 1+2 you’ll know what to expect. But even if you haven’t, I anticipate you’ll catch on quickly to the neat and tidy, two-for-one philosophy at work.

Kick, Push, Kick, Push, Coast

The magic of THPS3+4 lives in its levels and, despite a couple of apparent absences, the marvelously remade maps are the stars of the show. As was the case with THPS1+2, it’s just so charming to be carving and combo-ing my way through such familiar geometry, only with a slick and modern overhaul. From feeling the heat of the molten metal in Foundry to ascending the levels of Alcatraz, unlocking and arriving in each returning map has been a huge highlight. Airport is still an impeccable string of skate lines. Cruise Ship is still a wonderfully moreish challenge to score crazy combos without cannonballing into the Caribbean. It’s great stuff.

As was the case with THPS1+2, it’s just so charming to be carving and combo-ing my way through such familiar geometry, only with a slick and modern overhaul.

Kona still suffers from parts of its real world-inspired layout being a bit of a plain space for the zany, arcade skating of a Tony Hawk’s game – and London’s shift to night seems to make it a little more boring to look at – but there aren’t really any complete duds here aside from THPS4’s Zoo, which has been turned into a tournament level. The Zoo is now abandoned, so it’s now lifeless and lonely (and the night setting is once again dull on the eyes).

While there’s no sign of THPS4’s Chicago or Carnival maps, there are three brand-new ones Iron Galaxy has added to the THPS4 campaign. I’m not sure how I feel about it in purist terms, although Waterpark and Pinball are both seriously excellent levels. An abandoned waterpark full of empty pools and crusty old waterslides is such a perfect environment for a Pro Skater game it’s almost hard to believe it didn’t already exist, and Pinball is seriously eye-catching – from the chrome sheen of the shiny metal ball to the gigantic Tony Hawk looming over the machine itself.

Level goals are mostly drawn from the original games – Iron Galaxy hasn’t arbitrarily moved the hidden tapes somewhere else – but there are a few new or amended ones throughout. These generally work (for instance, the incredibly easy ‘Trash the Museum’ on Cruise Ship has been replaced with a far more satisfyingly complex trick gauntlet you need to complete in order to produce the same slapstick result) but there are a couple of misses (switching out London’s Stompy the Elephant for a weird bloke in his undies is an odd pivot).

Most of the liberties have been taken in THPS4’s levels, where there’s been some significant pruning. Essentially, THPS4’s levels have all been streamlined to function under the classic two-minute timer, so this means you won’t be freely skating around speaking with fellow pro skaters and receiving verbal goals from them as you encounter each one. Those conversations are gone, and so too are a bunch of goals. I will note that some that I thought were missing appeared as one of the five extra ‘Pro Goals’ that become available after getting every initial goal in all parks. For instance, the parade floats that are parked teasingly out of reach in College do start moving down the street once Pro Goals are unlocked, but you won’t be, say, startling an elephant or hardflipping over Kenny the Koala at Zoo this time around. It’s neat that we eventually get C-O-M-B-O goals for THPS3 levels that never previously had them, but there’s give and take. Either way, the THPS4 campaign generally only feels like a remake in brief bursts; most of the time it’s really a reimagining. You can change the timer to be up to 60 minutes as a new gameplay mod (joining the list of cheats returning from THPS 1 + 2) but, while it reduces friction, it doesn’t really make it any more like classic THPS4.

On the topic of goals, however, elsewhere there’s been some well-considered evolution to the park editor, which now features a ‘create-a-goal’ function. This is a huge plus. Now user levels don’t have to exclusively be places for you to cruise around until you get bored and decide to move on; they can be a whole new pillar of your THPS 3 + 4 playtime, tackling new challenges and collecting S-K-A-T-E letters, C-O-M-B-O lines, and hitting smashables in fresh maps every time you boot up. I think this has massive promise. You can also add turbo boost pads, friendly and aggressive NPCs, and death pits (that will kick skaters back to a spawn point), so it’s a great evolution of the park creator tools in THPS 1 + 2.

Not the Same

While I’m certain the reimagining of THPS4’s campaign mode will be a bona fide bugbear for some purists, personally I’m far more disappointed in the total about-face on display when it comes to THPS 3 + 4’s soundtrack. It’s actually a genuinely baffling situation.

The importance of soundtracks to the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series is a well-established fact. They’ve achieved legendary status in the business, and multiple oral histories have charted the stories behind their creation over the years. In 2020, the philosophy was abundantly clear when it came to THPS 1 + 2: the soundtracks were a critical part of the equation, and it was a central priority. 22 out of the 25 songs that made up the original soundtracks to the first two games were re-secured for the remake, and only three could not be licensed again at that time. With 22 returning songs and 37 fresh ones (59 songs in total), the soundtrack to THPS 1 + 2 is more or less spot-on.

Unfortunately, THPS 3 + 4 is a different story altogether.

Whether it’s a coincidence or otherwise, THPS 3 + 4 has also arrived with 59 songs in total – but the balance is all wrong. Yes, it’s certainly true that both THPS3 and THPS4 had significantly larger soundtracks than the original pair of games (20 for THPS3, and 35 for THPS4). And yes, hypothetically re-securing every single song probably wouldn’t have left much scope to augment the soundtrack with new music released since the heyday of the original Pro Skater games. Therefore, I would’ve been content to concede that a fair compromise would have been half-and-half – or at least a similar mix to THPS 1 + 2. Say, 20-or-so classic songs, and the remainder new.

We didn’t get close to that. Bafflingly, we got just six out of 20 from THPS3, and a mere four out of 35 from THPS4. That’s 10 total; less than 20% of the originals’ songs, and less than half the number of returning songs THPS 1 + 2 has. In actual fact, there are bands that weren’t even asked, and are as surprised as their fans to be absent from the THPS 3 + 4 soundtrack.

Apologists may badger me about using Spotify instead but, despite the presence of Bodyjar, it’s simply not the same as having the music baked into the game where it belongs. That is, I count myself lucky that Bodyjar’s Not the Same made the cut; depending on the day of the week you ask me it’s near enough my favourite song of all time. But my fellow old fans may not be as fortunate. After all, even the title track for THPS4 was brushed aside.

Simply put, this is a fumble for any remake, but it’s a particularly disappointing one for a pair of games in which the music is a key pillar of what makes them special and memorable. Don’t get me wrong, there are some genuinely great new tracks on THPS 3 + 4 that have instantly worked their way from the game to my daily playlists. Dog Years by Urethane, hollywood sucks// by KennyHoopla, Boys in the Better Land by Fontaines D.C., Roller by The Saint Cecilia, and Better Off by Common Perry are all total bangers and I wasn’t previously familiar with a single one of them. Rescuing Lupe Fiasco’s skateboarding anthem Kick, Push from being forever marooned in 2006’s Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam was also a commendable decision. However, I just cannot ignore the casual indifference shown to the original soundtracks.