PlayStation Store: March 2025’s top downloads

It’s time to see which PS5, PS4, PS VR2, and free-to-play games topped the download charts last month.

March was a good month for sports and action-adventure games on PS5. Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Split Fiction both found success on the US and EU charts, while MLB The Show 25 took top billing on the US charts. 

Check out the full listings below. What titles are you playing this month?

PS5 Games

US/CanadaEU
MLB The Show 25Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Assassin’s Creed ShadowsSplit Fiction
Split FictionEA SPORTS FC 25
Monster Hunter WildsMonster Hunter Wilds
WWE 2K25Minecraft
EA SPORTS Madden NFL 25Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
NBA 2K25WWE 2K25
EA SPORTS FC 25Grand Theft Auto V
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
EA SPORTS College Football 25Gran Turismo 7
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six SiegeThe First Berserker: Khazan
MinecraftPhasmophobia
Grand Theft Auto VDeadside
PGA TOUR 2K25Hogwarts Legacy
PhasmophobiaKingdom Come: Deliverance II
BLEACH Rebirth of SoulsMortal Kombat 11
The First Berserker: KhazanNBA 2K25
Mortal Kombat 1Mortal Kombat 1
DeadsideThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Gran Turismo 7The Crew Motorfest

*Naming of products may differ between regions

*Upgrades not included

PS4 Games

US/CanadaEU
Red Dead Redemption 2Red Dead Redemption 2
A Way OutA Way Out
The ForestEA SPORTS FC 25
MinecraftThe Forest
Battlefield 4Battlefield 4
Stardew ValleyUnravel Two
Need for Speed HeatNeed for Speed Heat
EA SPORTS Madden NFL 25Minecraft
Call of Duty: Black Ops IIIGrand Theft Auto V
Middle-earth: Shadow of WarBattlefield 1
Overcooked! 2Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Grand Theft Auto VGod of War
Mortal Kombat XKingdom Come: Deliverance
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6Assassin’s Creed Origins
Unravel TwoMiddle-earth: Shadow of War
Injustice 2Overcooked! 2
God of WarStardew Valley
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six SiegeBatman: Arkham Knight
EA SPORTS FC 25Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered
Batman: Return to ArkhamMortal Kombat X

*Naming of products may differ between regions

PS VR2 Games*

US/CanadaEU
Beat SaberFlight Simulator Delivery 2025 VR
Among Us VRBeat Saber
Alien: Rogue IncursionAlien: Rogue Incursion
Flight Simulator Delivery 2025 VRMetro Awakening
PavlovAmong Us VR
Swordsman VRHorizon Call of the Mountain
Creed: Rise to Glory – Championship EditionSwordsman VR
Into the RadiusPavlov
Metro AwakeningEXOcars
Drunkn Bar FightCreed: Rise to Glory – Championship Edition

 *PlayStation Store purchases only. Game upgrades or games bundled with hardware not included

Free to Play (PS5 + PS4)

US/CanadaEU
FortniteFortnite
Marvel RivalsRoblox
RobloxRocket League
Rocket LeagueMarvel Rivals
Call of Duty: WarzoneCall of Duty: Warzone
War Robots: FrontierseFootball
Asphalt Legends UniteWar Robots: Frontiers
Apex LegendsAsphalt Legends Unite
Fall GuysStumble Guys
The Sims 4The Sims 4

My Best Pokémon TCG Buy Today: Azure Legends Tins Has Surging Sparks Boosters

If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly telling yourself you won’t buy more Pokémon cards while also keeping a mental checklist of which sets still have a shot at pulling something ridiculous. That’s exactly why I grabbed the Azure Legends Tin the second I saw it back in stock on Amazon for $29.99. Five packs for under $30 is solid, but two of those are Surging Sparks, and that alone makes this thing worth cracking open.

Pokémon TCG: Azure Legends Tin Has Two Surging Sparks Packs

The rest of the lineup isn’t filler either. You get one pack each from Stellar Crown, Temporal Forces, and Obsidian Flames — a trio that’s collectively responsible for some of the best chase cards released in the last year. Toss in a foil promo of either Kyogre ex, Xerneas ex, or Dialga ex, and this starts to feel less like a random tin and more like a targeted strike on everything cool from the Scarlet & Violet era.

My Favorite Surging Sparks Cards

I want more excuses to open Surging Sparks packs because pulling something like Pikachu ex (SIR) feels like finding a winning lottery ticket, except way cuter and slightly more legal. I think the art alone justifies framing it, and its ability to hang in top-tier decks makes it that much sweeter. I also love Latias ex (SIR) for finally giving me a reason to hunt down the matching Latios and live out my “twin dragons soaring through art” fantasy. And if you’re sleeping on Milotic ex, that’s your loss. It’s stunning, shuts down Tera Pokémon like a pro, and honestly deserves more hype.

My Favorite Stellar Crown Cards

I’m chasing Terapagos ex (SIR) like it’s a gem-studded unicorn. It’s visually ridiculous and feels like the set’s “trophy card.” I think Bulbasaur (Illustration Rare) is perfect if you like your pulls with a side of nostalgia and Pidgey cameos, which I do. And Dachsbun ex (SIR)? It’s a bread dog. A literal loaf with glitter. I shouldn’t love it, but here we are. Don’t tell my competitive brain.

My Favorite Temporal Forces Cards

I open Temporal Forces hoping for Raging Bolt ex (SIR) and fully expecting disappointment, which somehow makes pulling it even better. It’s one of those cards that looks like it came straight out of a boss fight and hits just as hard. Iron Crown ex is another top-tier choice. It boosts Iron Hands ex damage, which basically means you’re stealing Prize cards like it’s a Black Friday brawl. And then there’s Walking Wake ex (SIR). In my opinion, it looks like a dream sequence in a prehistoric fever dream, and I mean that in the best way.

My Favorite Obsidian Flames Cards

I think it’s illegal to talk about Obsidian Flames without mentioning Charizard ex (SIR). It’s the card everyone wants, including me, and somehow still feels special no matter how many versions of this dragon exist. I’m also a big fan of Pidgeot ex (SIR), which is basically the MVP of utility cards dressed like it walked out of an indie graphic novel. And then there’s Cleffa (Illustration Rare) — a tiny cosmic marshmallow that looks like it wandered into a Studio Ghibli scene. I want five copies just to look at them.

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.

Did Nintendo Just Accidentally Reveal An Unannounced Character In Donkey Kong Bananza?

It looks like Nintendo Korea’s website briefly gave away what sidekick may be joining Kong in the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza.

Though the image was quickly switched out with a less revealing one, it wasn’t quite quick enough for ResetEra, which managed to grab a screenshot before the website was changed.

Warning! Potential Donkey Kong: Bananza spoilers follow:

In most key art associated with the game, we see Kong smashing a fist into the ground, throwing up a shower of rocks and rubble, with the purple, rock-like Odd Rock behind him. The image on the Korean website essentially showed the same, but with one key difference: Odd Rock is missing, and a young Pauline is holding on for dear life to Kong’s necktie.

This is the first time Pauline’s been acknowledged in any of the images, teaser trailers, or hands-on previews shown thus far, suggesting Nintendo was perhaps hoping to keep her appearance a surprise. Whoops!

More intriguingly still, Pauline’s young age suggests Donkey Kong Bananza could be a prequel of some sort — although again, Nintendo’s tight-lipped on that for now.

“I think Bananza is on track to be one of the most gorgeous Nintendo games I’ve seen,” we wrote in our Donkey Kong Bananza first hands-on preview. “It really does take advantage of Switch 2’s hardware — the environments are beautiful and DK’s animations are wonderfully expressive, and I left feeling like the next generation of first-party Nintendo games had truly arrived.”

Now that we finally have a release date and tech specs on the highly anticipated Switch successor, Nintendo Switch 2 — as well as an idea of how much first-party Nintendo games may cost on the new systemcheck out our deep dive into all the facts as we talk to industry experts.

For more on Nintendo Switch 2, you can catch up on everything shown at last week’s Nintendo Direct. Donkey Kong Bananza comes out July 17 for $69.99, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2.

Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.

The best 1v1 shooter you keep hearing whispers about now has an obscene 226 maps

As behemoth live service shooters struggle to retain audiences with seasonal events and “classic” modes that sometimes just channel nostalgia, one small PvP shooter is simply plugging away adding map after map after map after map. Straftat, the 1v1 online FPS that sees you duke it out with a friendfoe in cramped concrete arenas, has just added another 35 deathpits to its rotating menu of shooty locales. It now has 226 maps on which to kill and be killed. That is beautiful. That is sublime. That is Straftat.

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Nintendo Apologises As Japanese Store & eShop Malfunction For Five Days

There’s enough for everyone, right?

It seems as though the official Japanese Nintendo eShop and online store have been struggling with high traffic numbers since the Switch 2 was fully unveiled during last week’s rather epic Direct.

As noticed over on r/NintendoSwitch, the official Japanese Nintendo website now has an apology message at the top, which has been handily translated in the comments (shoutout to Reddit user Joseki100) so we can all see what it means!

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

The Best Deals Today: MainGear Custom RTX 5070 PC, Pokémon TCG, and a Skyrim Dragonborn Helmet

I’ve got today’s top deals lined up and honestly, it’s a bit of a vibe. There’s a handcrafted MainGear rig that looks like it belongs in a design museum and crushes modern games, a Pokémon TCG tin that leaves your pulls up to fate, and a Humble Bundle full of giant alien bugs and unapologetic chaos.

MainGear Custom RTX 5070 PC, Pokémon TCG, and a Skyrim Dragonborn Helmet

Waiting on Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders? I’ve found a great deal on a Sandisk 256gb Micro SD Express card too . Oh, and if you’ve ever wanted to cosplay as a Dovahkiin desk ornament, the IGN Store has something special. I think it’s a solid haul; useful stuff, actual value, no sketchy third-party sellers in sight (Although Amazon is getting a bit cheeky with their Pokémon TCG mark-ups). Let’s break it down.

MainGear North RTX 5070

I think this is one of the smartest ways to get your hands on an RTX 5070 without building from scratch or skimping on quality. MAINGEAR’s setup skips all the common bottlenecks — no mismatched parts, no airflow nightmares, no “good enough” corners cut. For $2,095, you’re getting a clean combo of a Ryzen 5 7600X CPU, 16GB of DDR5 RGB RAM, and a 1TB NVMe SSD, all assembled by people who care about things like cable management. It’s future-ready, quiet, and fast enough to leave your current rig feeling like a potato in comparison.

Pokemon TCG: Azure Legends Tin – 5 Packs

This tin is pure Pokémon chaos in the best way. You get one random promo card—Kyogre ex, Xerneas ex, or Dialga ex—and five booster packs; 2 x Surging Sparks, 1 x Stellar Crown, 1 x Temporal Forces and 1 x Obsidian Flames. It’s a fun, low-stakes gamble for collectors or casual players who want a shot at good pulls without needing to take out a second mortgage.

Humble Bundle: Earth Defense Force Collection

EDF is the kind of game where logic goes out the window and fun takes over, and this $25 Humble Bundle gives you the best of it — EDF 5, EDF 4, World Brothers 2, plus a ton of downloadable content. I think this is worth it just for the laugh-out-loud co-op mayhem alone, and it doesn’t hurt that part of the proceeds go to charity while you blast oversized bugs into space.

SanDisk 256GB microSD Express microSD Card

If your current microSD card loads like it’s on a coffee break, or if you need to expand your Nintendo Switch 2 storage on launch day, this one’s a serious upgrade. I want this SanDisk Express card purely for the ridiculous transfer speeds — up to 880MB/s read and 650MB/s write. It’s built for 4K video, gaming, and surviving every possible disaster short of lava, and it’ll likely outlive every other accessory in your bag.

Pokémon TCG: Shining Fates Collection Pikachu V Box

The Shining Fates Pikachu V Box is a great grab if you’re chasing shiny cards or just really into oversized electric rodents. You get a Pikachu V promo, a jumbo card version for display, and four Shining Fates booster packs. It’s pricey, but Shining Fates is out of print.

The Elder Scrolls Skyrim – Dragonborn Helmet – Replica

This Skyrim Dragonborn helmet replica isn’t going to protect you in battle, but it will absolutely level up your desk setup. At just under six inches tall, it’s small enough to display but detailed enough to show off. I think it’s a solid collectible if you’re still emotionally tethered to Skyrim and have no shame in displaying that fact proudly.

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box

This Shrouded Fable ETB is the kind of set that makes you feel like you’ve got your TCG life together. It comes with nine booster packs, a Pecharunt promo, energy cards, dice, and a nice little collector’s box to keep your chaos organized. Shrouded Fable is a slept on set, perfect for trainers who are sick of chasing Journey Together and Prismatic Evolutions stock.

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.

Bungie’s pink cyborg pussycat teases a proper Marathon trailer

Bungie have released a trailer for a trailer for extraction shooter Marathon. Last week the studio teased the possibility of an announcement with some cryptic tweets. The alien code was garbled but the message was clear: some substantial news about the upcoming FPS would likely be shared soon. We’ve still not heard that news, really. But now we at least know when it’s coming, thanks to the teasey video of an off-screen gunfight featuring a pink cyborg cat. It is a visual missive for impatient fans: sit down and wait until this weekend.

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Bungie Finally Ready to Show Us Marathon Gameplay, Confirms Livestream Date

Bungie is finally ready to show us more of its upcoming PvP extraction shooter, Marathon, with an all-new gameplay livestream slated for this Saturday, April 12 (or 13, depending where you are in the world).

Last week, the Destiny developer dropped a mysterious tweet that included a bizarre 15-second video that immediately set fans sleuthing as part of an “extensive alternative reality game.”

Players realized that within the ASCII art was “a snippet of footage from the initial trailer,” and if they looked closely, they “notice[d] it’s the runner sprinting down a hall from the trailer.”

Another added: “WHEN WILL HE RETURN ERROR ERROR ERROR HAS OCCURRED THE ENEMY RETURNED SYSTEM WARNING: PROTOCOL BREACH EVACUATE THE BASE IMMEDIATELY ALL UNITS REPORT TO STATION INITIATE EMERGENCY PROTOCOL 7 DATA LOSS IMMINENT GOOD LUCK, COMMANDER.”

“Thousands of community members across the world worked together to unlock the gameplay reveal date for Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter Marathon,” Bungie said in a statement, before revealing this weekend’s livestream is set for 10 am PDT (San Francisco) / 1 pm EDT (New York) / 6 pm BST (London) / 7 pm CEST (Berlin/Paris) / 9 pm GST (Dubai) pr Sunday, April 13 at 2 am JST (Tokyo) / 3 am AEST (Sydney) / 5 pm NZST (Auckland).

Marathon was revealed in May 2023 as a reboot of the classic Bungie franchise, but with all its themes of “mysteries, eeriness, and psychological creepiness.” Set on the mysterious planet of Tau Ceti IV, Marathon will see players inhabit the bodies of Runners, cybernetic mercenaries who have been designed to survive the planet’s harsh environments. While exploring the lost colony that once inhabited the surface, players will search for valuable loot, including new weapons and gear.

Since the initial reveal, however, we’ve seen very little else. We did get a development update video in October that shed light on Marathon’s mechanics, but the studio stressed how early in development the game was.

Since then, however, and the abrupt cancelation of live-service shooter Concord, Sony is rethinking its focus on live-service games. In November 2023, Sony president Hiroki Totoki revealed the company was committed to launching just six of the 12 live service games it was working on by March 2026, with the shift signaling the cancelation of the The Last of Us multiplayer game.

Bungie itself is not without controversy, too. It laid off 220 staff — that’s 17% of its entire workforce — in July 2024, less than a year after 100 other layoffs at Bungie. Just a few weeks later, we learned former Marathon director Chris Barrett was allegedly fired after an internal misconduct investigation at Bungie. Barrett subsequently sued Sony Interactive Entertainment and Bungie for more than $200 million.

To watch the Marathon reveal live, head on over to the official Marathon Twitch channel on April 12.

Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.

The Best Deals Today: LEGO Super Mario, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, Dan Da Dan, and More

The weekend is officially here, and we’ve rounded up the best deals you can find! Discover the best deals for April 6 below:

Save on LEGO Super Mario

You can save on these two LEGO Super Mario sets right now at Amazon. The first is DK Jumbo, featuring Donkey Kong riding in a unique kart, and the second is Baby Mario vs. Baby Luigi, with two karts included! If you’re a Mario fan, don’t miss out on adding these two amazing LEGO sets to your collection.

Pre-Order the Dan Da Dan Season 1 Blu-ray for $24.49

Dan Da Dan was one of my favorite anime series of 2024, and the fact that you can take home all of Season 1 for just $24.49 is an absolute steal. Following Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura, Dan Da Dan is a comedic adventure that throws together aliens, spirits, and so much more.

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed for $33.99

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed brought the Epic Mickey series back for the first time in years, offering new visuals and retooled combat to the original game. Right now, you can save on this memorable 2024 game, with the Nintendo Switch version priced at $33.99.

Logitech G915 TKL Tenkeyless Lightspeed Wireless RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

This weekend, you can save over $100 off the Logitech G915 TKL Lightspeed Keyboard. This wireless mechanical keyboard is perfect for any setup, with a wide variety of customization options available. You can expect around 40 hours of battery with one full charge, with low profile mechanical switches to deliver faster speed and accuracy with each key press.

Pre-Orders Are Live for Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter has officially opened pre-orders at Amazon, with both PS5 and Nintendo Switch copies available for $59.99. If you’re unfamiliar with the Trails series, this is a remake of the very first Trails game, making 2025 the perfect time to jump into the series for the very first time. NIS America is set to bring the latest game in the series, The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon, to North America and Europe later this year, which is the first time ever the series will be caught up worldwide.

SanDisk 1TB Extreme M.2 NVMe SSD for $59.99

If you’re in the market for a new SSD, this SanDisk 1TB Extreme Gen 4 SSD is on sale this weekend for just $59.99. It’s perfect for media storage, games, or anything you need!

Pre-Order A Minecraft Movie Steelbook

A Minecraft Movie is taking over the internet right now, whether for one of Jack Black’s lines or the sold-out cinemas across the world. As the movie is out now, you can now pre-order this limited edition Steelbook from Amazon. Don’t miss your chance to lock in your pre-order for A Minecraft Movie!

Save on LEGO Animal Crossing

You can also save on LEGO Animal Crossing this weekend. These two sets are very high quality with a lot to offer! First, there’s the Dodo Airlines set, which includes the iconic airport found in Animal Crossing New Horizons, plane and all. You can also save on the K.K.’s Concert in The Plaza Set, which includes town hall, a vehicle, and figures of K.K. Slider, Isabelle, and more!

Apple AirTag 4 Pack

Why buy one AirTag when you can get four for just $69.99, down from $99? Throw one in your luggage, attach one to your keys, slap one in your backpack, and hand one to a forgetful friend. With Ultra Wideband Precision Finding and the Find My network, losing your stuff is basically impossible. This 4-pack is one of the best deals Apple offers, so grab it while it’s discounted.

$40 Off This LEGO Back to The Future Time Machine Set

You can also save $40 off the LEGO Icons Back to The Future Time Machine set. If you’re a fan of the beloved sci-fi trilogy, this is the perfect set to add some out of this world decor to your collection.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for $32.99

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is $32.99 at Woot right now, making this the lowest we’ve ever seen the RPG. The massive adventure across the planet to track Sephiroth was one of the biggest games of 2024, and it’s absolutely a must-play game. A 40+ hour main story awaits, with over 35 side quests available after you clear the story.

College Football 25 for $9.99

College Football 25 is only $9.99 at Best Buy right now for Xbox Series X. The world of college football is ever-expanding, and this is by far the biggest celebration ever made in a video game. Every FBS team is playable, totaling up to 134 different teams to choose from, with all unique traditions, songs, and chants implemented as well.

Sonic Prime Season 1 Blu-ray for $11.33

Sonic fans, you can take home season 1 of Sonic Prime today for only $11.33 at Amazon. All eight episodes of the first season are available in this set, which is perfect for starting your Blu-ray collection.

Opinion: A Few Too Many Questions & Unwelcome Surprises Are Taking The Shine Off The Switch 2 Reveal

The camel’s back.

After going hands-on with the hardware, we can confirm that Switch 2 is exciting. It not only promises fresh Nintendo goodness but also to reinvigorate the OG Switch libraries many of us have been building up over the past eight years. The future is looking bright for Nintendo lifers, though a few too many unclear details and small disappointments are taking the shine off what should be a celebratory occasion.

Some of these factors are out of Nintendo’s control, to be fair. The biggest controversy revolves around the price — particularly $80 games — and the announcement that US pre-orders were being postponed has only poured petrol on the flames.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com