Nintendo has discussed Mario Kart World’s fan-favourite new character, Cow, and shown off the piece of concept art that secured her place in the game as a playable character.
Speaking as part of a fascinating Ask the Developer interview, the Mario Kart World development team revealed their “silly sketch” that convinced the game’s development team to upgrade Cow from a background character to a fully-fledged part of the game’s roster.
“In previous games in the series, Cow was part of the scenery or an obstacle on one of the courses,” producer Kosuke Yabuki said. “But when we were working on an early version of a course in this game set on a ranch that players can drive through, this sketch came up.”
The sketch, which shows a smiling Cow driving a truck and looking like she does not have a care in the world, was immediately seized upon as inspiration for Cow to become Mario Kart’s next playable character — and led to other background NPCs becoming playable, too.
“Each new Mario Kart game features new characters to race with, but since we added so many to the previous game, we wondered where we could go from there,” art director Masaaki Ishikawa continued.
“And then one of the designers came up with that silly sketch of Cow cruising along, and I thought to myself, ‘This is it!’ (Laughs) So that’s when we realized the course surroundings actually contained a lot of untapped resources.”
Cow’s addition to the Mario Kart World roster was quickly followed by Cheep Cheep (the red fish Mario often has to dodge) and Pokey (the smiling, wiggling cactus character) also becoming playable.
“It was like, ‘They’re NPCs, but they’re playable? Which is it?'” Yabuki continued. “It’s pretty funny to see a four-legged Cow holding onto motorcycle handlebars with her front hooves.”
“But when she jumps, she strikes a proper quadrupedal pose,” Ishikawa added. “So I’m pretty sure Cow is still in touch with her animal nature. (Laughs)”
Elsewhere in the same interview, Yabuki confirmed that Nintendo had the name Mario Kart World in mind “from the early stages of development” when the game’s open-world nature was already being worked on.
“If the idea had just been to add more courses, then I think we would’ve called it Mario Kart 9,” Yabuki said. “But, that wasn’t our approach this time. We wanted to take the series to the next level. So, we decided to drop the numbering this time and go with a completely new title.”
Finally, the development team discussed Mario Kart World’s addition of unlockable character costumes, found by snacking on food at Yoshi’s drive-thru restaurants in different in-game regions.
Each region will unlock its own costumes, and offer its own food varieties. One example given is a Yoshi’s drive-thru in a volcano region selling hot soup inspired by Bowser.
Originally, Nintendo says it hadn’t linked its ideas for unlockable costumes and food together, with the former simply being planned to be purchasable from in-game shop locations. But stopping at these interrupted the game’s open-world driving experience, developers said, and anyway — didn’t Mario magically transform costumes already when he gobbled food up?
“The question came up: ‘Does Mario, in fact, eat mushrooms?’,” Yabuki laughed. The query prompted Mario Kart World’s development team to hunt down Nintendo legend Takashi Tezuka, and get his verdict.
“Tezuka-san [answered], ‘Yeah, he is’,” Yabuki confirmed. And thus, Mario Kart World’s costume-producing food was born.
Xbox console exclusive Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 will come to PlayStation 5 this summer in an Enhanced Edition with new features, Microsoft has announced.
There’s no firm launch date yet for the game on Sony’s console, and developer Ninja Theory is yet to detail what this Enhanced Edition’s new features will be.
Still, in a video update posted to social media today — the anniversary of the game’s original PC and Xbox launch — the developer said these extras would also arrive as a free update on other platforms.
“The team have been working hard to optimise Hellblade 2 for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro to give you the very best experience we can,” Ninja Theory said. “We look forward to sharing more details with you soon.”
Microsoft bought Ninja Theory back in 2018, a year after the original Hellblade launched as a timed PlayStation console exclusive. Now, seven years’ later, the sequel’s console exclusivity is being dropped for a very different reason.
“A spellbinding adventure packed with cinematic spectacle and story surprises that maintains a surging sense of forward momentum and never wastes a second of its slender run time,” IGN wrote of the game in our Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 review.
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 backlash to Randy Pitchford’s controversial Borderlands 4 $80 comment has leveled up, with video game publishers jumping on the bandwagon to promote their games. Meanwhile, Pitchford himself has pointed to previous comments he made about Borderlands 4’s price, declaring: “If you want the truth, here it is.”
One such publisher is Devolver Digital, which has a reputation for edgy marketing that often takes advantage of hot topics on social media. Devolver, which is behind the likes of Hotline Miami and Cult of the Lamb, has done just that with Pitchford here.
If you’re late to the party, Pitchford sparked a backlash by responding to a fan who expressed concern about the prospect of paying $80 for Borderlands 4 by saying: “if you’re a real fan, you’ll find a way to make it happen.”
Here’s the exchange:
“Randy, this game better not be 80 dollars. Don’t take that risk, a lot of gamers aren’t gonna pay 80 dollars and feed this notion of constant increase of the price tag. You are the CEO, you have some say with the price when it comes to your publisher.”
And here’s Randy Pitchford’s response:
“A) Not my call. B) If you’re a real fan, you’ll find a way to make it happen. My local game store had Starflight for Sega Genesis for $80 in 1991 when I was just out of high school working minimum wage at an ice cream parlor in Pismo Beach and I found a way to make it happen.”
Devolver QT’d IGN’s X / Twitter post on this story to promote Mycopunk, its upcoming Borderlands-style mission-based co-op first-person shooter, saying: “You’re gonna be able to buy Mycopunk for you and three of your friends for the price of one copy of Borderlands 4.”
Pitchford himself caught wind of the tweet, and QT’d it himself, saying: “Mycopunk is cheaper than a point of meth – probably has fewer side effects, too!”
Mycopunk is cheaper than a point of meth – probably has fewer side effects, too! https://t.co/ICgEYZ7FEq
As you’d expect, the response to that tweet has been mostly negative. “I am going to pirate Borderlands 4,” said one X / Twitter user. “Please stop. Just apologize and move on. This isn’t fair on your developers. If you care about them, just do the right thing dude,” added another. “Randy we are begging you to stop. BL4 had so much hype and it’s being ruined in a day. Let people want to like and support the game and all the amazing people who made it,” said one commenter.
At the time of this article’s publication, Pitchford has yet to retract his comment or apologize for it. But he did point to a recent answer he gave on-stage at PAX East on Borderlands 4’s price, calling it: “If you want the truth, here it is.”
Last week, during a PAX East panel, Pitchford insisted that he didn’t know the Borderlands 4 price but refused to rule out $80.
“I’ll tell you the truth. I don’t know. That is the truth. I’ll hit it straight on. It’s an interesting time,” he said.
“On one level, we’ve got a competitive marketplace where the people that make those choices want to sell as many units as possible and they want to be careful about people that are price-sensitive. There are some folks who don’t want to see prices go up, even the ones deciding what the prices are.
“There’s other folks accepting the reality that game budgets are increasing, and there’s tariffs for the retail packaging. It’s getting gnarly out there, you guys. Borderlands 4 has more than twice the development budget than Borderlands 3. More than twice. So the truth is, I don’t know what the price is going to be.”
Pitchford continued: “Here’s the philosophy we have, whatever the price is: we’re entertainers. Yes, we want to get more resources so we can make bigger and better games. There’s a reason why Borderlands 4 is so awesome: it’s because you guys showed up and supported Borderlands 3 and we had the budget. So we could more than double the budget and feel confident in that. And that’s awesome. When the revenue comes in we can spend it to make bigger and better games.
“As artists we want everybody to have it. We want to make it as easy as possible for everybody to enjoy what we’re creating. So it’s a weird thing. The fundamental philosophy is, we want people to buy it so we have the resources to make more, but we want everyone who buys and plays a Gearbox game to feel certain that they got the better end of the bargain, whatever the price is that they got the best value. And that’s the philosophy we live by.
“And so we’re going to have the price set soon. It might be the new price that Nintendo and Microsoft have led with. It might be that we stay back. It’s going to be the people at the publishing house that decide that. And if it is cheaper, then maybe we’ll sell you that mini-map that you guys want that we’ll develop later. How bad do you want that? 10 bucks? I’m just kidding… or am I?”
He concluded: “Borderlands is f***ing amazing and it’s worth it.”
Some social media users have said Pitchford’s PAX East comment would have been worth pointing to in the first place, with the backlash now a significant brand problem for Borderlands 4 ahead of launch.
“This was a perfect response and should have been left at this,” said Borderlands streamer Moxsy. “Your second response is receiving backlash not because of the price of the game but because of the wording. Every game is gonna be 80 dollars by this time next year. However fans of Borderlands want the price to be justified because of the ambition, the passion, and the quality that BL4 will have. They want to feel good about the purchase they are making in a franchise they have loved for more than a decade and support the devs that have had a real impact on their lives. This toxic “not a real fan” mentality is not it and is only hurting the people that want to support the game.”
Publisher 2K Games is expected to announce the price of Borderlands 4 when pre-orders go live soon. Borderlands 4 is due out September 12, 2025.
In a recent interview, IGN asked Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick if the company would go to $80 for its games. Zelnick wouldn’t say either way, but did say consumers would be “willing to pay for the very best.”
“I have said for a long time that we offer enormous value and that that’s our job,” Zelnick said. “Of course, we certainly believe that compared to other forms of entertainment, whether that’s movie tickets or live events or streaming services, the value for our entertainment that we offer is just astonishing, and it’s our job. It’s our job to deliver much more value than what we charge. That’s our goal. We think consumers are willing to pay for the very best. It’s our job to make the very best.”
Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Lionsgate. Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Avowed director Carrie Patel has quit legendary RPG company Obsidian Entertainment, just months after its most recent game’s launch.
In an update to her LinkedIn page, Patel revealed she had begun a new job at Night School, the Netflix-owned developer behind the Oxenfree series of narrative adventures.
“I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Game Director at Night School: A Netflix Game Studio!” Patel wrote in a brief update. Patel’s new role at Night School will again be as a game director, though what she’s working on remains unannounced.
Night School is most famous for its Oxenfree series of games, the most recent being 2023’s Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals. The Netflix-owned studio launched Black Mirror spin-off Thronglets earlier this year, around the same time it suffered an unknown number of layoffs. Months before, Netflix completely shut down another of its studios, working on a AAA game project headed up by Halo veteran Joseph Staten.
Patel had been a veteran of Avowed developer Obsidian, and over 11 years worked in various senior positions on games such as Xbox sci-fi RPG The Outer Worlds and the classic Pillars of Eternity series.
More recently, Patel had taken on the reigns of directing Avowed after the game was rebooted early in its development. Avowed had initially been planned with a darker fantasy setting closer to The Elder Scrolls, with one big open world and multiplayer co-op.
Ultimately, Patel steered the game to launch as a brighter, more unique-looking experience, now featuring multiple large individual maps to explore, and an entirely single-player experience.
The response to Avowed was mostly positive, and Patel had initially discussed plans for the franchise to continue — either with expansions, a fully-fledged sequel, or both. Now, however, Patel won’t be part of that future.
“With awesome worldbuilding and stellar character writing, Avowed reminds me why I fell in love with Obsidian’s RPGs in the first place,” reads IGN’s Avowed review. “However, the bigger picture is that it plays it quite safe, with a by-the-numbers fantasy adventure that’s more familiar than evolutionary.”
Obsidian’s next project to launch is The Outer Worlds 2, which is due to be shown off in detail at this year’s Xbox Games Showcase in June.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
Now, Nintendo has given us a look at some changes to Diddy Kong as well, via artwork from the company’s website and brand images on display at Licensing Expo 2025, which is currently taking place in Las Vegas.
As spotted by Nintendo Life, the following images show a slightly more cartoony take on Diddy, with more rounded eyes and a cheekier, friendlier smile.
Attendees at the Licensing Expo 2025, an event for brands to showcase their franchises and secure merchandising and partnership deals, can also see the new-look Diddy (and Donkey) Kong there, as seen in photos from attendee Cptn_Alex on social media.
Nintendo has not commented on the changes to Diddy Kong, and earlier Donkey Kong, though the alterations have widely been linked to the character’s look in the lucrative The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Even Princess Peach has been given a slight redesign. The Mushroom Kingdom’s ruler had her appearance switched on the box of her Switch game Princess Peach: Showtime! to an appearance more similar to her big screen version, IGN sister site Eurogamer previously noted.
Of course this post is popping off lmao. Here’s a better look at the new render 🙂
Donkey Kong will next take centre stage in the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 title Donkey Kong Bananza, and while his sidekick Diddy Kong has yet to be confirmed, the inclusion of other Kong relatives such as Cranky Kong — and Nintendo going to the trouble of polishing up Diddy Kong’s look now — would point to it being very possible.
And then there’s the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel, which looks to be titled Super Mario World. After Donkey Kong’s major presence in the first film (and a cameo from Diddy Kong), it seems likely we’ll be seeing more of Nintendo’s great apes there, redesign and all.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
Pokémon TCG sealed product is in a strange place right now. Prices at Amazon and other retailers keep climbing, but single cards from Journey Together and Surging Sparks are crashing hard on the collector market.
That makes the Slashing Legends tin a tough sell, no matter how cool it is. Sure, it comes with two Journey Together packs and a promo Koraidon ex, but at nearly $6 a pack, you’re paying for FOMO more than value.
Still, if you’ve been waiting for stock, it’s worth picking up anyway. But if you’re just after hits, you might want to skip the tin entirely and go straight to the singles. Let’s dig in and see what the best deals are for today.
The Slashing Legends tin is one of the most popular Pokémon TCG products just for having two Journey Together and one Surging Sparks booster packs.
But at nearly $6 per pack, it’s a high price based on just the boosters included.
Unless you need the Koraidon ex promo card for your collection or deck, i’d advise checking out the crashing prices on Journey Together single cards below instead.
Journey Together Cards: Big Price Drops This Week
This Week’s Pokémon TCG Crashers and Climbers
It’s becoming abundantly clear that buying up singles on the Pokémon TCG collector market is the way forward for trainers right now.
Some of the prices above look crazy, but some of them we’re nearly double just a couple of weeks ago, with the latter 5 cards climbing higher and higher.
If your heart is set on ripping open booster packs, let’s get into the best way to do just that without destroying your life savings (much).
More Pokémon TCG Sealed Products
If you’re desperate for some big box retailer products, here you go.
Meanwhile preorders for Magic the Gathering: Final Fantasy are still up at Walmart and Amazon, specifically the Bundle and Starter Kit for retail pricing.
This is set to be the biggest MTG set in the history of the trading card game, so it’s a wise choice to preorder now. You can also preorder single cards at the moment too:
The worst thing you can do as a Magic or FF fan is to sleep on this set, it’s going to explode. These are the current biggest cards in the set before launch on June 5.
Bear in mind it’s mega risky to buy before release day, as prices could plummit in the meantime. Still, it’s worth keeping an eye on what’s hot, and what’s not!
MTG: Marvels Spider-Man Preorders
Spidey is slinging his way to Magic: The Gathering Universes Beyond later this year, completing an epic lineup of licenced sets that are bound to breakdown the entry barrier of MTG for most.
Priced at $98, this deluxe set includes 44 tracks spread across four heavyweight black LPs, featuring music from three distinct albums: The Flight’s brooding original score, TEKE::TEKE’s surf-rock spin on stealth moments, and Thunderdrum’s East African-infused soundscapes for Yasuke’s storyline.
The packaging itself is a collector’s dream, with a rigid slipcase and bespoke sleeve artwork straight from Ubisoft. Whether you’re chasing down targets in feudal Japan or just need something immersive on your turntable, this set captures the soul of Shadows before the game even launches.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
If you’ve been waiting for a proper return to brutal, gory, no-nonsense action in the Warhammer universe, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 for PlayStation 5 is finally here with a deal worth grabbing.
Down to just $39.99 (from its $69.99 list price), this third-person action game drops you into the armor of Space Marine Titus as he leads the charge against Tyranid swarms.
It’s unapologetically chaotic, refreshingly fast, and deeply satisfying whether you’re purging in solo mode or with friends in 3-player co-op.
This standard edition also includes the Macragge’s Chosen DLC, featuring custom cosmetics for your Bolt Rifle, Chainsword, and Power Armour.
Pearson Learn To Program 2025 Bundle
If you’re looking to level up your coding skills or finally learn the difference between Python and C++, the Humble Learn to Code Bundle is a seriously smart pick. For as little as $1, you can unlock a portion of this 26-item programming library, or go all in for $40 to get the full $940 value.
Courses cover everything from Python and JavaScript to SQL, C, and C++, with guides like Learn Python the Hard Way and Captain Code included. Everything’s in DRM-free PDF format, so you can learn at your pace on any device. Proceeds support Girls Who Code, making this an excellent opportunity to sharpen your own skills while backing the next generation of programmers.
Windone Electric Scooter
For a limited time, you can grab the Windone Electric Scooter for just $239.99, making it one of the better commuting scooter deals we’ve seen under $250. With a 430W peak motor, this foldable ride hits speeds of up to 19MPH and covers up to 17 miles on a single charge.
The 10-inch tires help smooth out bumpy roads, while dual braking (drum and eABS) keeps you safe on sudden stops. It folds down in seconds and only weighs 37.8 pounds, so it’s easy to stash in a trunk or carry onto public transport. You also get UL 2272 safety certification and a year-long warranty, which is nice peace of mind if you’re planning to swap your morning drive for something more compact.
4-Burner Propane Gas BBQ Grill
If you’re looking to upgrade your backyard setup this summer, the Tufons 4-Burner Propane Gas BBQ Grill with Side Burner is a serious contender at $299.99 (down from $409.99). It packs in 46,500 BTUs of total cooking power across four main burners and one side burner, all individually ignitable with piezo control. With 457 square inches of cooking area, cast iron grates for even heat, and a handy warming rack, it’s ready for anything from slow-cooked ribs to quick burgers. The stainless steel body is built to last, and cleanup is a breeze thanks to the full-size grease tray and removable cup. There’s even built-in storage and a prep table, making this one of the best full-featured grills you can snag under $300 right now.
NordicTrack T Series
NordicTrack T Series treadmill bundle just dropped to $1,295.98 (down from $1,695), and it includes a full year of iFit Pro membership. That means you’re not just buying a treadmill — you’re unlocking guided global workouts, live studio classes, and training sessions led by Olympians and pro athletes. With a 3.6 horsepower motor and built-in streaming display, it’s designed to keep you moving and motivated. Plus, iFit’s real-time trainer control feature can automatically adjust your incline and speed. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to upgrade your home gym, this is it — and you’re saving nearly $400 while you’re at it.
TP-Link Quad-Band WiFi 7 BE33000
If you’re building a high-performance home network that can handle serious demands, the TP-Link BE33000 WiFi 7 Deco BE95 Mesh System is the future-proof upgrade to beat. This 3-pack delivers jaw-dropping quad-band speeds with WiFi 7 support, capable of serving over 200 devices without breaking a sweat. With dual 10G WAN/LAN ports, 2.5G Ethernet, and AI-driven seamless roaming, you’re getting enterprise-grade features with plug-and-play simplicity. And thanks to HomeShield security, your devices stay protected without needing extra subscriptions.
Unlock Pro 3D Modeling Skills With Blender
If you’re looking to level up your Blender game or break into 3D modeling without breaking the bank, Humble’s latest Blender software bundle is worth a serious look. Starting at just $1, this massive collection includes 25 Blender-focused courses and guides valued at over $2,700, covering everything from procedural textures and geometry nodes to environment design, game asset workflows, and Unreal Engine integration. For just $18, you’ll unlock the full lineup, including standout tutorials like Blender 4 Geometry Nodes Workshop – Jungle Vines, Material Fundamentals – Procedural Textures in Blender 4.4, and Blender to Unreal Engine 5: The Complete Beginners Guide.
INIU Power Bank Sale
Amazon is running a solid range of discounts on INIU power banks, covering everything from ultra-portable 10,000mAh models to heavy-duty bricks that can charge your laptop. The compact 10000mAh 5V/3A model is just $15.98 (was $21.99), and the sleek 22.5W 10000mAh version — marketed as the smallest in its class — is down to $22.99. For more power, the 22.5W 20000mAh option is $29.99, and the MagSafe-compatible 45W 10000mAh model has dropped to $35.99 from $49.99. Need something serious? The 27000mAh 140W bank is $71.99 (was $99.99), and the 25000mAh 100W version is $48.58 with an on-site coupon. There’s also a handy 2-pack of 10000mAh banks for $35.99, or a great mid-range 20000mAh 65W model for $35.99. If your current battery pack is on its last leg, or you want one for every bag, these are easy recommendations.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold 256GB
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold (256GB, Unlocked) is now $1,499, down from $1,799 for a limited time. This is Google’s most powerful foldable yet, with a massive, silky-smooth display, a refined matte finish, and a triple rear camera that makes the most of its bendable form. It comes loaded with Gemini AI and includes a free year of Gemini Advanced (worth $239), letting you try Google’s full suite of AI tools. If you’ve been eyeing a foldable that doesn’t bulk up your pocket or compromise on camera quality, this is the one to watch.
SAMSUNG Galaxy S25 512GB
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB, Unlocked) is down to $1,169.99, saving you $250 off the regular $1,419.99 price. This 2025 flagship is loaded with Samsung’s most advanced AI features yet, including a portrait-ready camera that cleans up noisy audio in low-light videos and a multitasking assistant that can Google and message in one go. It also ships with Android 15, 12GB RAM, and a huge 6.9-inch display. Titanium Silverblue is in stock now, but it might not stay that way.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 + Smart Tag
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm LTE) is currently $299.99 and comes bundled with a free SmartTag2—a solid 27% off the usual $409.98 price. This latest model features enhanced heart rate tracking, sleep monitoring, and Galaxy AI-powered performance insights, including a daily Energy Score and personalized Wellness Tips. With LTE connectivity and the new SmartTag2 included, it’s built for fitness, productivity, and finding your keys. Deal ends June 30.
Bose QuietComfort
The Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones are down to $229 at Amazon—a rare 34% off their $349 price. This limited edition Twilight Blue model brings signature Bose noise cancellation, plush comfort, and a full 24 hours of battery life. You get punchy sound with customizable EQ, plus the option to switch between full noise cancelling or ambient-aware modes. Multipoint Bluetooth makes it easy to jump between devices, and there’s a wired option when you need it.
Nintendo Switch 2 Accessories Sale
Did you manage to grab a Nintendo Switch 2 preorder in? If so you’ll want to protect that tarrif-dodging investment at all costs. Luckily I’ve got the best cases, screen protectors and thumb grips on the market right now.
I’ve included JSAUX as i’ve been hands on with the products above and can’t reccomend them enough.
DOOM: The Dark Ages Limited Edition A3 Art Print
This hand-numbered A3 art print is limited to 995 copies and features Slayer in all his demon-destroying glory.
It’s printed in the UK on high quality paper, includes a certificate of authenticity, and ships in July 2025.
If you’re already excited for DOOM The Dark Ages, this is the first official piece of merch up for preorder.
Cooler Master NR2 Pro Mini ITX
Cooler Master’s ultra-compact NR2 Pro Mini ITX system packs serious specs into a case roughly the size of a shoebox. This build includes an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, RTX 5080 GPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB Gen4 NVMe SSD. It runs quiet thanks to a 280mm AIO cooler and even supports glass or mesh panel configurations. At 10 percent off, it’s a rare price drop for one of the most powerful small form-factor PCs you can buy.
Skytech Chronos Gaming PC
This high-performance Skytech Chronos build features a Ryzen 7 7800X3D processor and RTX 5080 graphics card, giving you 4K-ready gaming with no thermal compromise. It’s cooled by a 360mm AIO and comes loaded with 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB Gen4 SSD. It also includes a free gaming keyboard and mouse. With a 14 percent discount, it’s a great option if you’re looking to upgrade for modern triple-A performance.
ASUS TUF F16
Down to $1099.99, this F16 laptop includes an i7-13650HX processor and RTX 4060 GPU. Its 165Hz display runs at a 16:10 aspect ratio with 100 percent sRGB coverage for better color accuracy and smoother gameplay. It’s also MIL-STD-810H certified, meaning it’s built to handle everyday bumps and travel. You get strong cooling features, 512GB of Gen4 storage, and a subtle, clean design that doesn’t scream gamer when it’s closed.
Google Pixel 9 Pro 1TB
Pixel 9 Pro is Google’s most powerful phone yet, and today’s deal brings the 1TB model down to $1149. That includes the new Super Actua display, upgraded triple-camera system, and a full suite of Gemini-powered AI tools. From photo editing with Magic Editor to real-time help from Gemini Live, it delivers Google’s best features with premium hardware and a slick, matte finish. It’s also unlocked for all major carriers.
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.
An invasion of Super Earth is underway in Helldivers 2‘s latest update, bringing the once-distant frontlines of conflict close to home. Amid the chaos of the invasion, Helldivers were informed that the Illuminate have razed the neighboring planet of Mars, and players are already eager for some payback over it.
In-universe news reports detailed the specifics, declaring that Mars has been razed by the Illuminate. The Helldiver Training Sites on Mars were part of the destruction, and the facility operators who were running the training have perished in defense of the planet.
Opening the Galaxy Map in Helldivers 2 right now shows a destroyed, but still present, mass of rock.
Mars was, until a recent update, the training facility for Helldivers preparing to take part in the galactic spread of democracy. The sudden switch of tutorial zones already set off alarm bells a week or so ago, but now, the drive was clear: as part of the invasion, the Illuminate have taken something all Helldivers 2 players had a sentimental stake in.
Mars has been razed by the Illuminate. All Helldiver Training Sites across the planet, where rigorous, thorough, and safe training of the Galaxy’s Elite has long occured, have been destroyed. The expert and seasoned facility PA operators who facilitated the training died… pic.twitter.com/16yEhLK0MM
The attempt to stir up the hearts and emotions of Helldivers 2 players seems to have worked, too. Already, Helldivers players are leaning into the bit; one posts a GIF from Starship Troopers, referencing Rico’s determination to squash the bugs after his hometown is destroyed, and another shares the closed fist meme that’s become ubiquitous in record time. Helldivers 2 players will always lean into the universal storytelling.
Still, alongside all the kayfabe Helldivers posts, some can’t resist having some fun with it. “Hey, the only people who are allowed to kill Helldivers on Mars are Super Earth Drill Instructors!” wrote one user. And references to DOOM and various other media are pretty solid, too.
The invasion of Super Earth by Illuminate forces is well underway in Helldivers 2’s Heart of Democracy update, which went live today. Players can currently drop onto the planet to defend it against the extraterrestrial squids, and even with some new SEAF back-up, the situation seems chaotic. We’ll see how this pans out over the next few Major Orders, but I’m not ruling out a few more gut-punches from Joel and developer Arrowhead Game Studios.
Fortnite has made its long-awaited return to the U.S. Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad users.
Developer Epic Games shared and celebrated the news with a post on X/Twitter, letting mobile gaming fans know that they can finally go back to playing its massively popular battle royale experience after five years of waiting. The new Fortnite iOS store page is back the same as it was the day it left in 2020, though its description now starts with a new message: “Fortnite is back!”
Fortnite is BACK on the App Store in the U.S. on iPhones and iPads… and on the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the E.U! It’ll show up in Search soon!
At the time of this story’s publication, some U.S. Apple users may have trouble searching for Fortnite through the App Store itself, though Epic says this will change “soon.” In the meantime, you can click here to see its revived store page. For those in the E.U., you can also now download Fortnite through the Epic Games Store and AltStore.
Those who download Fortnite on an Apple phone or tablet will now have the option to purchase V-Bucks through the Epic Games Store or via in-app purchases. Those who pick the 2,800 V-Bucks pack for $22.99, for example, can choose to send the money directly to Epic, earning $4.60 (or 20%) back to be used on other offerings from the company.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
Editor’s note: This review in progress is based entirely on the Early Access version of Game of Thrones: Kingsroad, and will be updated with final impressions after the playing the 1.0 version at launch.
Game of Thrones is a series synonymous with epic battles, familial betrayal, and mythical creatures. It’s no wonder, then, that developer Netmarble used it as the backing for its latest mobile-friendly open-world RPG, plopping you right into the middle of the original HBO show with one major goal to achieve: Power. Yet, after 20 hours gallivanting through the Early Access version of Game of Thrones: Kingsroad’s northern factions, consolidating my wealth ahead of its full launch this week, I can’t help but feel worried about what lies ahead as I work my way toward a final review. It’s not the towering enemies or backstabbing friends waiting for me down south that I fear – it’s the reality of just how much grinding (or money) it’s going to take to get there.
Set during the events of Game of Thrones’ fourth season, Kingsroad allows you to join the story as a bastard child and sole remaining heir of House Tyre. With your lord father unwell, your job is to explore Westeros in search of support so that you can buck the bastard title and ascend to lead your people when the time comes. You’ll meet plenty of familiar faces along this journey, too, from Jon Snow and Samwell Tarly to less likeable characters like Roose and Ramsay Bolton. While it might seem like a dense point in the overall plot to drop in, Kingsroad does a decent job of introducing the series’ broader themes through a speedy tutorial, which briefly takes you beyond the Wall to lay up the threat of the White Walkers and the world’s ongoing dynastic conflicts.
Before you grapple with the inherent drama of Westeros, you’ll need to pick a character archetype to play as – a decision that will dictate the style of combat you’ll use as you level up. There are three options to choose from: A balanced sword-wielding Knight, a beefy axe-wielding Sellsword, and a nimble dagger-wielding Assassin. Inspired by Tormund and Brienne of Tarth, I opted for the hulking Sellsword, whose rage and size could sweep through larger groups of enemies with relative ease. If you’re indecisive (like me) and want to mix up your playstyle, the good news is that you can start up an alternate class at any time from the main menu and share loot between your warriors. You’ll still have to replay the central story missions with each one, but this helpful feature at least allows you to sneakily boost their stats and speed through the early game.
Once you’ve made your choice, you’ll also be able to mould their look using Kingsroad’s surprisingly complex character creator. Alongside sliders that control each muscle of the face, you can choose beard length and colour, add battle scars, and even adjust the sheen of their hair. It hasn’t got the intense depth of something like Dragon’s Dogma 2 or inZOI, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I could tweak my progeny’s features to my liking.
Westeros has been faithfully recreated, but that initial sheen wears off quickly.
You can’t simply walk into King’s Landing and have your wish to rule House Tyre granted, though. To earn your regal title, you’ll need to work your way up the food chain and earn the respect of the ruling Ladies and Lords of the land. This means completing side quests, clearing out bandits and fiends, and collecting as much loot as you can carry to upgrade your armour. On the surface, this might sound like an enticing fantasy workload. Unfortunately, Kingsroad doesn’t quite have the technical chops to make these tasks truly draw you in.
At first glance, Westeros has been faithfully recreated, and I relished the opportunity to take in the vast icy presence of the Wall and explore the cobbled walkways of Winterfell. However, that initial sheen wears off quickly when you linger a little too long in an area. Patches of grass pop up and down uncannily, and objects or NPCs all start to repeat. Suddenly, this mythical world loses its lustre and feels like a strange simulation. That isn’t helped by how odd the NPCs look and move, with many of the citizens I came in contact with acting as either overly dynamic animatronics or still paintings that eerily follow you with their eyes. This unsettling style is most noticeable in conversations, with some villagers’ jaws and eyes oscillating in unnerving fashion as they explain their routine predicaments.
This strange locomotion applied to my own movement as well, and no matter if I was on foot or mounted, it always felt as though I was skating on ice. That was more noticeable on frosty ground, which is surely intentional, but it frequently seemed like I was skidding on top of dry earth as well, with a slight delay to all my actions. Drifting my mount through twisty country roads was funny to begin with, but the constant unwieldy nature of movement gets frustrating fast. Often enough, I would catapult myself off the edge of a hill into an enemy camp without the ability to quickly course correct.
Combat is also a mixed bag, with lots of repeated attack patterns whether I was taking on an area boss or a simple grunt. The foes I was facing were a rotating crew of the same faces, the only difference being how many I would face at once. You dodge or dash out of the way of enemies and then return their hits with a mixture of light, heavy, and special attacks that don’t really attempt to do anything unexpected or fresh. Occasionally, I would be surprised by a quest that required me to use some strategy, like separating select enemies from a larger pack to get an advantage – but more often than not, combat simply came down to taking on gaggles of soldiers until I’d meet their overly familiar boss.
Combat is a mixed bag, with lots of repeated attack patterns.
The story cutscenes surrounding my actions were at least enticing, pulling at my heartstrings as they urged me to help find missing children or take out bandits that were attacking weakened farmers. Sadly, the actual process of completing those tasks quickly felt thankless because of the rote combat. There are upgrade trees that can diversify your moveset as you level up, and I’m keen to investigate them further to see how they impact encounters in the full game, but in this early portion, fighting is mostly monotonous.
Thankfully, you can find platforming puzzles nestled across the sizable, icon-covered map that offer a decent reprieve from the mindless fighting, even in spite of the floaty movement. Amongst the medieval castles and quaint villages, dilapidated buildings and cliff faces hide secrets that you can pinpoint with your area scanning tool. Hidden doorways and chests await, usually providing useful caches of loot or lore. When you’re wandering around and getting into the flow of it all, Kingsroad can start to resemble something like a stripped-back mobile port of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. The interface design and structure of the open-world and combat seem particularly derivative of Ubisoft’s viking odyssey. It’s not a bad skeleton for a Game of Thrones game, though it can feel a bit egregious at times as you use your ping to highlight hidden enemies.
That said, barriers are set up around this open world in the form of Recommended Momentum requirements. Momentum is a bit like Gear Score in Destiny, a numerical valuation of your stats that takes into account your armour and skill progression, equipped accessories, and more. You’ll need to buff every aspect of your character in order to surpass the criteria required for exploring a new area, which is a reasonable enough limitation if properly tuned. But, rather predictably for a game with its eye on a mobile audience, the trove of consistent loot I was earning from early missions inevitably started to dry up, and I came face to face with the real amount of work needed to continue unlocking story missions. This is where the sinister undertone of Kingsroad’s live service design really starts to rear its head.
The bevy of activities available are persistently counterbalanced by the copious microtransactions peppered throughout. Even beyond the bog-standard battle pass and abundance of different in-game currencies, I was surprised to see just how much of the actual gameplay was tied to some form of transaction. For example, when you die in combat, you can choose to wait 30 seconds or pay to come back faster with all your healing items intact – an essential inclusion if you want to avoid trawling back to camp to buy more items. Alternatively, you can fast travel the slow way by hoofing it to a special signpost, or pay for a premium version where you can warp for free from anywhere on the map. Annoyingly, all of these features impact how efficiently you can reach the Momentum requirements needed to progress, so you’re always goaded to put your hand in your pocket.
20 hours in, it feels as though I’ve barely scratched the surface.
Behind every passably accessible system was a far more user-friendly one, but only if you’re willing to fork out for it. It felt as though Netmarble was more concerned with making Kingsroad just frustrating enough to encourage people to spend a bit of cash rather than making the base game reasonably enjoyable on its own. While it’s naive to assume a free-to-play game such as this wouldn’t offer some form of paid content, a cash-based system has been implemented into almost every corner of what’s here, and it cheapens both the world you are exploring and any success you may find there.
Perhaps what’s most upsetting about this model is that beneath the plethora of currencies and grind-heavy progression, Kingsroad does have the capacity to capture the magic of its source material. Riding on a dire wolf across hazy pastoral lands and watching them gradually gain a coat of frost feels cinematic on occasion (and, again, as long as you don’t stop to look too closely). Plus, the stories of the quests I’ve tackled so far do well to curate a tragic atmosphere. But when push comes to shove, the mythic world I was reaching for was always shoved just slightly out of reach by some intrusive nudge to pull out my wallet.
If there’s a silver lining, it’s that it still feels as though I’m barely scratching the surface Game of Thrones: Kingsroad despite sinking over 20 hours into it already. There’s so much more I want to explore in the 1.0 version before I deliver my final verdict, like artefacts, upgrade trees, and the estate management systems. As of right now, though, one thing is abundantly clear: When you play Game of Thrones: Kingsroad, you pay or you die.
There’s something uniquely satisfying about putting down roots in a sleepy town in games like Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, or Disney Dreamlight Valley. Palia evolves this tradition to great effect, injecting large-scale multiplayer into that tried-and-true formula. After more than 70 hours of chopping down trees, hunting woodland critters, decorating my home, and hanging out with my fellow Palians, I’ve had a fantastic time catching up on all I’ve missed since the early days of the beta. There are beautiful regions to explore, interesting items and artifacts to craft or collect, and lots of compelling quests to complete – and the new content in the Elderwood expansion that arrived alongside its console launch added quite a bit to what was already a life-consuming vortex of coziness. That said, Palia still feels quite unfinished in some ways, with a story that abruptly cuts off right in the middle and some pretty serious bugs and performance issues plaguing it, but it’s easy to forgive much of that when you and your friends are enjoying a quiet evening of fishing together.
Palia is a cozy life sim with one major tweak: you’re in an online world that occasionally compels you to come out of your shell and interact with other humans – a sometimes Herculean task for the introverts often drawn to this genre. As you explore, you’ll encounter others out in the shared world going about their business, and are encouraged (or sometimes required) to cooperate with them. For example, you’ll get a buff for fishing with others and will find magical trees that can only be chopped down with the help of one or more friends. This has led to a community that’s astoundingly positive and helpful, with the vast majority of the public chat being PSAs from players who have found a valuable resource they’d like to share with strangers, then waiting for minutes on end for everyone to assemble before collecting it as a group. I spend a lot of time playing multiplayer games defined by the community’s potent toxicity and savage greed, so this kind of culture was truly a shock to my system that took me a long time to adjust to.
Although multiplayer is its signature twist, you can still do the vast majority of Palia’s activities by yourself. There’s also just a whole heck of a lot for you to do however you decide to tackle it, all in service of building up your home and improving your relationships with the NPC townsfolk. The usual zen-like staples of cooking and catching bugs are all here and actually quite good – the fishing minigame, for example, is less mindless than you usually find in the genre, having you tug and pull on your rod as the fish leaps into the air and puts up a fight. There’s even a few less common options like hunting, where you’ll pick off poor critters who burrow into the ground and leap into trees as you pepper them with arrows. While an absence of stress is an intentional focus of Palia’s design, it sometimes tries a bit too hard to accomplish that goal, like in how your arrows will magically home in on your target incredibly aggressively, sometimes turning corners to aid your aim. I’m all for a laid back experience, but it can be a bit obnoxious when you’re trying to line up a shot and the magnetism training wheels curve your arrow toward a different creature altogether, frustrating what’s supposed to be a chill activity.
Palia has a surprisingly full-featured main story as well. It has you exploring ancient ruins to uncover the truth about a world which was once populated by humans who are curiously gone now, and the dark history of magic that seemingly caused the collapse of society. This adventure is much more light-hearted than that might sound, though, and you’re mostly just given opportunities to learn about the world and hang out with the characters who accompany you on quests while you platform around and solve simple puzzles. Per Palia’s adherence to cozy virtues, none of this is particularly demanding, and the mainline quests can be completed in a matter of hours if you focus on them, but I enjoyed diving just a tad deeper into the world and the break from grinding for iron ore to craft the next piece of furniture I just couldn’t live without.
The usual staples of cooking and fishing are all here, and quite good.
That said, while I quite enjoy the tale Palia tells, it feels disappointingly incomplete compared to every other aspect of the adventure – even after the Elderwood expansion arrived. The original cliffhanger ending was replaced by yet another hanging chad just an hour or two later, with a handful of chores and a brief new major dungeon spread across a surprisingly short bit of story. You’re telling me I’ve got this massive new map to explore, new creatures to hunt, and new characters to romance, but we still haven’t finished even one arc in the main plot.
Thankfully, there are plenty of distractions and minigames to mix things up, like a hotpot-themed card game I spent way too much time playing, or a surprisingly intricate platforming puzzle that took me hours to master. Sometimes these experiments exceed Palia’s grasp, like the platforming sections in particular, which are held back by clunky controls that don’t seem like they were designed with precision in mind – climbing can be quite an irritating experience as your character will let go of surfaces inconsistently, sending you plummeting to your death. But the stakes in taking these spills are always very low, so there’s not much to lose aside from a bit of your time wasted. Other times, you’ll find yourself doing a sliding picture puzzle and think “y’know, this is pretty nice,” so I mostly found myself happy they took these shots nonetheless.
Of course, the purpose behind all these undertakings is to gain as much gold as you can to upgrade and decorate your home, and Palia’s got one of the better home building systems I’ve seen. Rather than giving you no control over the blueprint of your house like in Animal Crossing or Disney Dreamlight Valley, or making you monkey around with a building mode that has you placing individual walls like The Sims, Palia favors a modular system: You unlock schematics for pieces of a home that you can freely snap onto various parts of your building, making it easy to design the general layout without having to get lost in the weeds. Then, once you’ve built your place, you can decorate it down to the most minute detail, dragging furniture, dolls, and cups around on a grid to make it just so. I could probably spend dozens of hours on this part of Palia alone, were it not for my insatiable need for cold hard cash to fund my homestead expansion. But that desire to make your place exactly as awesome as you want it to be is a serious motivator that sent me out in search of lumber and iron ore time and time again.
Those resource grinds each have their own progression systems as well, as you level up by repeatedly going out into the world and bringing back your haul of raw materials and collectibles to sell. As you plant trees and craft furniture, you’ll unlock new equipment like a loom for creating fabric or a furnace for creating glass. You’ll also get better tools to perform cozy chores with, like a hoe that lets you till land faster or a bow and arrows that will let you take down prey in fewer shots, each of which feels like a handy upgrade that shows up at exactly the right moment you start feeling a need for it. The timegating that sometimes boxes you out of marathoning through everything in other life sims is mercifully absent here for the most part, so you can move as fast or as slow as you care to.
Palia has one of the better home building systems I’ve seen.
The other major pursuit in Palia is in getting to know and develop relationships with its 26 NPC residents, most of whom are really well-written and have a lot more to them than meets the eye. Most have an arc that takes place over several quests where they let you see a bit more of their personality as you forge a friendship. I quite enjoyed hanging out with the sarcastic and moody daughter of the mayor, Kenyatta, who worked the front desk with all the enthusiasm of April from Parks and Recreation – but after helping her down the extremely chaotic path of discovering what she’s passionate about in life, I grew to appreciate her in a less superficial way. Even characters I really didn’t jive with like Elouisa, a cryptid-obsessed hippy who annoyed me to no end, was at least entertainingly irritating, and I’ve learned to appreciate how much her personality bothers me over time. (We’ve all got a friend like that, don’t we?) And, of course, if you’re looking for more than friendship you can partake in Palia’s quite strong dating mechanics to get yourself a girlfriend or boyfriend, or several of them – no judging here.
Unfortunately, this is one area where timegating gets in the way of a good time, and is one of the only places Palia boxes you out. You’re only allowed to chat with each character once per in-game day (a 30-minute period of real time), which improves your social links a very small amount, and you can only give each character a gift once per real world day. So if you’re trying to finish a particular character’s story, you’ll have to log on with regularity and be subjected to the same rotation of brief banter before you’re able to make any real progress. This is especially painful early on when your citizenship in Kilima Village is dependent on having someone in town to vouch for you – a task that’s made impossible to do in a short span by timegating. When every other area of Palia lets you play to your heart’s content, it’s pretty annoying to see such an essential part of this slice of life block you from progressing at your own pace.
Palia has come a long way since I first played it over a year ago, but one thing that remained true after this latest update is that it’s still missing quite a bit. Even with the beefy new Elderwood map joining the original two, the number of areas to explore is fairly small, and though they’ve got nooks and crannies for you to discover, you can more-or-less see most of what’s available in a few hours. Social features, though awesome when they happen, still feel quite slim for a game where the killer feature is supposed to be its online functionality, and there aren’t enough activities that encourage group play. And although there are quite a few options for decorating your house, surprisingly little of it can be interacted with once placed. You can’t lie in bed, turn on the sink, or really do much of anything with most objects, which sometimes made me feel like I was building a museum rather than a home. (They did add the ability to flick the light switches on and off, which is at least something.) Elderwood isn’t planned to be the final update or anything, so these are shortcomings that will hopefully be built out in the future, but I’m a bit surprised that some of them aren’t farther along all the same.
The other major issue with Palia has been its bugs and performance issues, which have gotten remarkably better but are still pretty common. I quite frequently see NPCs sink into the floor, sometimes altogether hidden underground to the point where I can’t interact with them, there’s a bunch of very visible pop-in that happens while you’re running around, and loading times when traveling between each section of the map feel far longer than they should. Playing on the Nintendo Switch is especially eyebrow raising, as everything looks pretty awful and runs significantly worse, to the point where I really can’t recommend it on that platform in the same way I enthusiastically would elsewhere.
