Our Favorite Anker Power Bank for the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally Is on Sale at Amazon

This excellent deal is back and lower than before! Amazon is offering the powerful and high capacity Anker PowerCore 737 24,000mAh USB Power Bank for only $88.95, a massive 40% price drop from its original $150 MSRP. This is close to the highest capacity power bank you’re allowed to bring on airplane carry-on, and it also boasts an absolutely massive 140W of USB power delivery to charge even the hungriest MacBook Pro.

Anker PowerCore 737 24,000mAh Power Bank for $88.95

with 140W of USB Type-C Power Delivery

The Anker PowerCore 737 can be used like any other power bank; it does a fine job of charging any of your standard mobile electronics. It has two USB Type-C ports and one USB Type-A port. One of the USB Type-C ports is bi-directional, meaning it can be used to charge devices AND it can also be used to charge the power bank itself. The massive 24,000mAh is just under the TSA’s 27,000mAh limit; it can charge a Nintendo Switch OLED over 5 times, iPhone 15 Pro Max over 5 times, Steam Deck over 4 times, and an ASUS ROG Ally over 9 times. The power bank is physically larger than smaller capacity ones and weighs in at 1.4 pounds.

What really makes special about the PowerCore 737, however, is it’s massive power delivery spec. The 737 is capable of delivery 140W of power output That’s enough power to charge the 16″ MacBook Pro laptop even while you’re using it. That kind of power output is hard to find in a power bank and usually pricier.

The Anker 737 is our pick for best Steam Deck / ASUS ROG Ally charger

We picked the Anker 737 as our favorite portable charger for the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally portable gaming handhelds. Portable PC gaming has never been better, but there’s still a way to go when it comes to batteries in these incredible devices. Both the ROG Ally and Steam Deck suffer from a short battery life when gaming on the go. For instance, when playing most games at 60 FPS, you’re likely looking at four hours of battery life, at most. During our review, we even found games like God of War or Spider-Man would tap out in under 2-hours as well. At the end of the day, you’ll never get the full potential out of your Steam Deck or ROG Ally if you’re not equipped with a decent portable charger.

Still hunting around for a deal on a handheld gaming system. Check out these deals:

Soapbox: Are We Ready For A 3D Super Mario Maker?

Super Mario Maker 3(D).

Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they’ve been chewing over. Today, Kevin wonders if Nintendo is ready to bring another dimension to its Maker series…


If you can believe it, Super Mario Maker was released for the Wii U nearly nine years ago. The game was an integral part of Mario’s 30th anniversary celebration, though quite a lot has happened since then. Back in 2015, the idea of Nintendo sharing a user-friendly toolkit and giving us the go-ahead to make a new game ourselves was an incredibly exciting prospect. 8- and 16-bit-style indie games were undergoing something of a renaissance at the time too, and Mario Maker was essentially a crash course in side-scroller fundamentals.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Compact Mode continues evolving in the Xbox App on PC

Jump back in comes to Compact Mode 

In November, we introduced Compact Mode, a feature available via the Xbox app on PC that enhances your gaming experience by providing a more intuitive user interface on smaller screens, including Windows handhelds. We’re excited to announce that the Jump back in feature and enhancements to the Friends panel are rolling out to all Xbox Insiders enrolled in the PC Gaming Preview starting today! 

When we launched Compact Mode, we focused on giving you more space to browse content by simplifying the sidebar. We are now taking it further with Jump back in, our latest feature that allows you to quickly access the games you have recently played on your Windows device when you are immersed in Compact Mode. 

Jump back in will feature the last nine games you played from the app. When you click on any game card, you will go directly to its game hub where you can jump into game play. You can also right-click or press the menu button on your controller to launch directly into game play from the context menu.  

Enhancements to the Friends panel 

With Compact Mode, we have also made it easier to access the Friends panel via controller navigation, with quick access directly from the sidebar, and consistent with other panels like Notifications. We are looking forward to hearing your feedback as we continue to improve the experiences related to Friends in the app. 

Starting next week, a new survey will be available in the Xbox Insider Hub (open or install clicking here) for players enrolled in the PC Gaming preview to give us your feedback on Jump back in and the updated Friends panel access with Compact Mode. As a reminder, you can always give us suggestions for the app or leave feedback by clicking on your Profile card inside the Xbox App and then selecting Feedback from the dropdown menu. We can’t wait to hear from you as we work to bring more enhancements to Compact Mode and the Xbox App on PC for you to enjoy seamless Xbox gaming experiences across all your Windows devices. 

How to get Xbox Insider support and share your feedback 

If you’re an Xbox Insider looking for support, please join our community on the Xbox Insider subreddit. Official Xbox staff, moderators, and fellow Xbox Insiders are there to help. We always recommend adding to threads with the same issue before posting a brand new one. This helps us support you the best we can! Also, you can provide direct feedback to Team Xbox by following the steps here under the “Report a problem online” section. For more information on the Xbox Insider Program, follow us on Twitter at @XboxInsider. Keep an eye on future Xbox Insider Release Notes for more information regarding the PC Gaming Preview

Like what you see but not an Xbox Insider? 

If you’d like to help create the future of Xbox and get early access to new features, join the Xbox Insider Program today by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One or Windows PC. (Note: The features outlined in this article are currently only available for PC-based Xbox Insiders.) 

The post Compact Mode continues evolving in the Xbox App on PC appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Shadows Of Doubt’s sharpshooter assassins keep missing and leaving huge piles of wasted ammo everywhere

A recent update for procgen whodunnit sim Shadows of Doubt added “Sharpshooter Assassins” with high-powered rifles to the game’s glowering alternate-1980s cities, with players having to work out the killer’s vantage point by deducing a bullet’s trajectory, before proceeding to a secondary crime scene to search for a murder weapon and witnesses. The prospect of snipers certainly adds menace to the game’s forensic sandboxing. The trouble is, the shooters aren’t always as sharp as they could be.

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Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition Is Up for Preorder

The Nintendo Switch may be nearing the end of its run as Nintendo gears up for its successor, but the Mario company isn’t done releasing games just yet. Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition, a collection of over 150 challenges from 13 different NES games, is coming exclusively to Switch on July 18. It’s available for preorder now in digital and physical editions (see it at Best Buy). You’ll want to hurry if you want a physical edition, because it sold out at GameStop in about a half hour.

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition (Physical Edition)

The physical edition of the game is called the Deluxe Set, and for good reason. It comes with a physical copy of game itself, plus the following physical items:

  • Gold-colored replica NES cartridge
  • 13 art cards
  • 5 pins

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition (Digital Edition)

If you don’t want all cool the physical extras, you can preorder the game on the Nintendo eShop for $29.99.

What is Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition?

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition is kind of a mini-game compilation, but the mini-games are all challenges based on 13 classic NES games. We’re talking games like all three NES Super Mario Bros. games, The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Kid Icarus, and more.

There’s a Speedrun Mode that has you run through sections of the games as fast as you can to set new personal records. There’s a World Championship Mode with global online leaderboards so you can compete with others. Party Mode lets you play local competitions with up to 8 players.

Games Included in Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition

  • Balloon Fight
  • Donkey Kong
  • Excitebike
  • Ice Climber
  • Kid Icarus
  • Kirby’s Adventure
  • Metroid
  • Super Mario Bros.
  • Super Mario Bros. 2
  • Super Mario Bros. 3
  • Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels
  • The Legend of Zelda
  • Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

See our article about the game’s announcement for more information.

Other Preorder Guides

Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN’s board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Threads.

Fortnite bans its Yoda backpack for opening game-crashing wormholes while doing Futurama’s Zoidberg Scuttle

Ready for a sentence that could only apply to the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink pop-culture smorgasbord of modern-day Fortnite? Here we go! A rucksack containing Star Wars’ Yoda has been temporarily banned from the battle royale game, after crashing games when players wearing the green Jedi master on their back do the Zoidberg Scuttle emote from Futurama.

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Lovely-Looking Point-And-Click Adventure ‘The Night Of The Rabbit’ Is Out Now On Switch

Grabbit.

Daedalic Entertainment has brought fantasy point-and-clicker The Night of the Rabbit to Switch and it’s available on the eShop from…today! Originally released on PC back in 2013, it’s a beautiful-looking thing, as you can tell from the Switch release trailer above.

Described in the blurb as being “reminiscent of classic LucasArts adventures,” we can’t vouch for whether that just means it’s a classic-style P&C or not, but if the voice acting and animation are anything to go by, it could be a bit special, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Spin Rhythm XD blasts onto PS5, PS4, and PS VR2 on July 9

We are so excited to announce that Spin Rhythm XD is coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and the first-ever VR version on PlayStation VR2!

Spin Rhythm XD is a kinetic rhythm-action game where players move, tap, slide, scratch, and spin to the beat all while traveling through incredible reactive backgrounds. Made by a team of three friends from Australia including the original creators of Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride, the game’s simple combination of color matching and physical gestures (spinning a wheel) combine to put players in a deep flow state.

We have assembled a huge variety of 60+ tracks from artists including Camellia, Anamanaguchi, Hyper Potions, Haywyre, Lena Raine, 2 Mello, Teminite, Tokyo Machine, Moe Shop, Au5, Meganeko, Akira Complex and many more. There’s also a 10-track DLC available from music label Monstercat, plus will be launching our second DLC when the game is released on PlayStation with 10 tracks from Chillhop music – something a bit different with a mellow vibe to chill and relax to.

Spin Rhythm XD is designed to be accessible to those new to rhythm games while providing a unique challenge to veterans of the genre. Our 60+ tracks each contain 5 difficulties that each introduce new mechanics.

Conquer the global leaderboards and level up to unlock new tracks, wheel skins and more. We have also included a full suite of accessibility features including custom colors, low motion options for every background element, custom track speeds and more.

PlayStation’s awesome DualSense wireless controller provides a truly unique gameplay experience. Players can use motion controls to move the wheel and even use the touchpad to flick and scratch like a DJ.

This release will be the first-ever VR version of Spin Rhythm XD on PS VR2. The PS VR2 Sense controllers provide a perfectly smooth motion input that turns the play area into a kind of interdimensional drum kit. Move your main hand pointer inside the wheel to rotate, flick to spin and smash down to hit tap notes, keep your off-hand ready to hit the green beat notes.

We have included more than 40 Trophies to achieve and Challenge Activities so you can compete directly with your friends.

We hope you can join us in the Rhythm Dimension. If you’re new to the genre we hope you find something fresh and fun, and if you’re a veteran rhythm gamer you will experience a unique and challenging game with an incredible sense of flow.

The Best PS5 2TB SSD Deals (May 2024)

2023 and 2024 have shown that 2TB PS5 SSD upgrades are actually worth the price. In 2022, prices for 1TB PS5 SSDs averaged around $150, whereas 2TB SSDs hovered closer to $300. Now, we’re seeing 1TB SSDs trickle below the $70 price point and 2TB SSDs can drop to around $100 or sometimes even lower if there’s a good sale. It’s worth noting, though, that you can’t use any old SSD and expect it to perform well on the PS5 console. You’ll want to pick up a PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 solid-state drive with at least a 5,500MB/s read speed to match the PS5’s internal drive.

TL;DR – The Best 2TB PS5 SSD Deals Right Now

Note that Sony recommends a heatsink attached to your SSD and not all SSDs listed here have pre-installed heatsinks. For the ones that do, we’ll be sure to mention it. For the ones that don’t, all you have to do is purchase your own heatsink (like this one for $9) and install it yourself. For our top recommended picks for 2024, check out our full breakdown for the Best PS5 SSDs.

Perfect PS5 4TB SSD with Heatsink for $239.49 at Amazon

So we’re cheating a little here, but are you looking to completely maximize your PS5 storage capabilities? Then this is the deal for you. For a limited time only, this PS5 4TB SSD is available at Amazon for just $239.49 (see here). It has an MSRP of $699.99 which is rather dramatic, but in reality, this and many other 4TB SSDs have been sitting around $280-$300 recently. The 1TB version is also down to just $71.49 as well, the best price you can find on a PS5 SSD at the time of writing. Again, we’re unlikely to see better deals than this until Prime Day in the summer.

Adata Legend Max 2TB PS5 SSD with Heatsink for $129.99

This is one of the faster SSDs on the market with read speeds of up to 7400MB/s and write speeds of up to 6800MB/s. Alongside 2TB of storage, it also has a very slim preinstalled heatsink that can slot perfectly into your PS5. Right now, you can score it for an excellent price of $129.99.

Fantom Drives VENOM8 2TB SSD with Heatsink for $139.95

Thanks to a $15 coupon that can be clipped on the Amazon store page, this 2TB SSD has dropped even further in price to $139.95 from its usual price of $164.95. Featuring read/write speeds of 7400/6500MB/s, it’s a perfect fit for your PS5 that even comes complete with a heatsink!

Silicon Power 2TB XS70 SSD with Built-in PS5 Heatsink for $149.99

This SSD offers 2TB of storage, excellent read and write speeds (read speeds of up to 7,300MB/s and write speeds up to 6,800MB/s), and a built-in heatsink all at a fantastic price. It’s currently available for $149.99 on Amazon, 17% off its MSRP of $179.99, so well worth picking up for your PS5.

XPG 2TB GAMMIX S70 Blade PCIe Gen4 M.2 2280 SSD for $149.99

This is another 2TB SSD deal that’s well worth taking advantage of. This option from XPG has dropped 29% in price, from $209.99 to $149.99, but you’ll have to grab a heatsink to go with it as well (which you can do here for $9). This SSD has read and write speeds of 7400/6800MB/s as well.

WD_BLACK PS5 4TB SSD for $319 at Amazon

This is another deal for those looking to maximize their PS5’s storage. For a limited time only, this PS5 4TB SSD is available at Amazon for just $319.00 (see here). Normally, it has an MSRP of $699.99, but nowadays, this and many other 4TB SSDs have been sitting around $280-$300 recently. You’ll also have to grab a heatsink to go with it (which you can do here for $9).

2024 Crucial T705 2TB SSD for $294.99

This is the newest model from Crucial and it already has an excellent discount on Amazon. For a limited time, you can get 26% off this SSD, bringing it down to $294.99 from $399.99. It’s well worth the investment as well, as it offers crazy good sequential read/write speeds up to 14,500/12,700MB/s. If you feel the need for speed, this SSD will certainly get you there.

Crucial T500 2TB SSD with Heatsink for $162.99

Amazon is offering a nice deal at the moment on the Crucial T500 2TB SSD, which is discounted down to $162.99. This SSD has a heatsink all ready to go, so you can install it right away in your PS5, and even offers excellent read/write speeds of 7,400/7,000MB/s.

Samsung 980 Pro 2TB M.2 SSD for $169.99

Samsung SSDs need no introduction. They’ve made some of the most popular and reliable PS5 SSDs on the market. The 980 Pro has been out for a long time, way back in January of 2020. A testament to its reliability is the fact that Samsung didn’t feel any need to release any newer flagship model until 2022. In terms of performance, it’s no longer the fastest SSD on the market (the 990 Pro is), but it’s still a very fast drive. It certainly more than meets the minimum 5600MB/s speed requirement to be used as a PS5 storage upgrade, with speeds of up to 7,100MB/s.

Samsung 990 Pro 2TB PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 SSD for $182.99

The Samsung 990 Pro is an excellent SSD for your PS5. From a purely performance perspective, it’s overkill; the stock SSD in your PS5 will be the limiting factor. You’ll want to pick up a PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 solid state drive with a rated 5,500MB/s read speed to match the PS5’s internal drive and the 990 Pro is much faster. This one does not come with a heatsink, though, so you’ll need to invest in one.

What if the SSD Doesn’t Include a Heatsink?

Sony recommends you install an SSD that has an attached heatsink. If the SSD you purchase doesn’t include one, it’s simple enough to buy one for $9 on Amazon and add it yourself. Most of these heatsinks are just attached using an adhesive like thermal tape.

Budget to Best: PS5 SSDs

There may be other SSD deals out there, but these are the PS5 SSDs we’ve tried ourselves and highly recommend. They also double up as outstanding boot drives for your gaming PC, in case you don’t need additional storage for your PS5 console.

How To Install a New PS5 SSD

It’s extremely easy! Removing the case cover is completely toolless. In fact, the only screw you have to remove is the one that keeps the cover for the SSD bay in place. You don’t even put it back when you’re done. Sony has a quick and easy YouTube video guide.

Hannah Hoolihan is a freelance writer who works with the Guides and Commerce teams here at IGN.

I’m fascinated by this open-world delivery game that sounds like Death Stranding on a horse in 13th-century Mongolia, with “unparalleled equine realism”

Despite being hugely allergic to horses – my eyes once swelled up so severely at a local fair my wife had to guide me home – I continue to be absolutely spellbound by the animals. I’ve been rewatching The Lord of the Rings this week and I’ve been genuinely gripped by watching professionally trained horses galloping across the vistas of New Zealand, rearing up against tennis balls representing CGI orcs and charging down the incredibly steep slope next to Helm’s Deep. Not to mention my love of just riding endlessly in a direction on horseback in Red Dead Redemption 2 and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (helped by Kassandra’s wonderful command of “Phobos!” to summon her mount).

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