Want to be charged less for, well, charging? I've found a cracking deal on this INIU 45W 10,000 mAh USB-C Power Bank that will power up your smartphone a couple of times over for less than a succulent Chinese meal.

It also supports safe fast charging, so no worries about overloading your smartphone or tablet battery here, although most modern devices have some form of battery protection built in these days.

INIU states it can charge an iPhone 16 to 63% and a Samsung S24 Ultra to 73% in just 25 minutes, which is very impressive for $13.26. It's also a pretty smashing pick for those after a Switch 2 portable charger as well!

Shroud has called on his fans to vote for Arc Raiders as Game of the Year 2025 over Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, calling multiplayer gamers “the minority.”

Canadian Michael ‘Shroud’ Grzesiek, who specializes in competitive multiplayer first-person shooters, is a former professional Counter-Strike player who has built an enormous online audience. With 6.8 million subscribers on YouTube and 11.3 million followers on Twitch, his call to action has significant weight behind it.

Shroud has thrown himself into Embark Studios’ Arc Raiders ever since its explosive launch, and in a recent Twitch stream mobilized his community to vote for the game when it comes to The Game Awards 2025.

PlayStation Portal has come a long way since its launch, and I genuinely believe it is now set up to be one of the hot ticket items during the Black Friday sales. That's if it can stay in stock.

My optimism for this handy handheld has only been bolstered by the news that Sony has recently ramped up the capabilities of the device, enabling Cloud Streaming for everyone, allowing all owners to stream thousands of games without even being connected to a PS5 console.

Let's dig into why this is important, how the PS Portal could be one of the best-selling gaming devices for the holidays, and whether we'll actually be able to bag any discounts on it.

The only down side is that, since these deals are so excellent, they can sell out unbelievably fast. If you spot one on sale (or get reminded by us), then you'd better buy it ASAP to avoid Black Friday deal FOMO.

For those who miss out, there will still likely be an official deal to check out. It just won't be as good. So, keep an eye out for both, and we'll be sure to notify you as well via our Black Friday coverage, or on IGNDeals Twitter/X.

How Does PS Portal's New Cloud Streaming Work?

To start with, you'll need to be a PlayStation Plus Premium members to access the PS Portal's Cloud Streaming function. It costs $17.99 per month, and thanks to the new update, subscribers can now stream a long, long list of games that they may already own, including big hitters such as Grand Theft Auto 5, Borderlands 4, and the newly-launched Ghost of Yotei.

Hundreds of games from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and Classics Catalog are also now streamable, including existing titles such as Hogwarts Legacy, Cyberpunk 2077, and God of War Ragnarök. Sony has a long list of every title supported, which stretches to more than 2,800 games.

When Is Black Friday 2025?

We’re in the endgame now: Black Friday falls on November 28 this year.

All month long, retailers will be rolling out the sales, ramping up to massive discounts on Black Friday and through the weekend into Cyber Monday.

Robert Anderson is Senior Commerce Editor and IGN's resident deals expert on games, collectibles, trading card games, and more. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter/X or Bluesky.

Filming has reportedly begun on Nintendo's live-action The Legend of Zelda movie, with shooting set to take place in New Zealand until April next year.

A production listing filed by industry resource the Film & Television Industry Alliance (FTIA) has updated this week to reflect the project's current "in production" status.

Filming is listed as being based in Wellington, New Zealand, and fans are already hoping the location will give Nintendo's fantasy adventure the same kind of backdrops seen in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Details of the project remain largely under-wraps, other than Nintendo's announcement back in July that young actors Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will play Zelda and Link. A basic plot outline has also been shared, which describes the film thus:

"The Legend of Zelda follows Link, a young warrior destined to protect the magical kingdom of Hyrule from the forces of darkness. The land is under threat from Ganon, a ruthless warlord who seeks the Triforce — an ancient relic said to grant limitless power. To stop him, Link must embark on a perilous journey, battling monstrous creatures, exploring treacherous dungeons, and solving intricate puzzles to uncover sacred artifacts that can aid him in his quest."

Officially announced in November 2023, Nintendo's live-action The Legend of Zelda project is being produced by the company's legendary creative boss Shigeru Miyamoto, alongside Avi Arad, former CEO of Marvel Studios.

MonsterVerze is a Roblox experience that revolves around fashion, where the afterlife gives you a second chance to serve looks. After suffering an unfortunate accident, you'll be able to travel around the MonsterVerze from the Graveyard to the Train Station and Eerie High.

Along the way, you'll dress up and customize your character, meaning you'll want Ghoulars to spend in the shop. You can pick up Ghoulars while you're running around, but we've also got MonsterVerze codes that you can use to boost your stacks of Ghoulars.

Working MonsterVerze Codes

The following codes have been tested and can be redeemed:

• WEAREBACK - Free Item (NEW)
• MVHOMECOMING - Homecoming Balloons, Opal Plushie, 6,000 Ghoulars
• MV1MILLION - Shattered Love Crown
• BUGFIXES02 - 10,000 Ghoulars

How to Use MonsterVerze Codes

Launch MonsterVerze and then follow these steps to redeem codes:

1. Press Play and get into the MonsterVerze
2. Click on the Coffin icon on the right side of the screen
3. Then click on Settings at the bottom of the coffin
4. Copy the code from this article into the Enter Code... box and
5. Press Redeem

Expired MonsterVerze Codes

MonsterVerze has just entered its beta, so there are no expired codes at the moment! Be sure to use the codes in the working section before they disappear.

Why Isn't My MonsterVerze Code Working?

Codes for Roblox experiences are usually case-sensitive, so the best way to ensure you've got a working code is to directly copy it from this article. We check all codes before we upload them, so you can guarantee they're working. Just double-check that you haven't copied over an extra space!

When Is the Next MonsterVerze Update?

MonsterVerze updates every week, on a Sunday. For now, there are no special planned events but we'll be sure to update this article if that changes. The Sunday updates are currently designed to address any bugs and improve quality of life features.

Lauren Harper is an Associate Guides Editor. She loves a variety of games but is especially fond of puzzles, horrors, and point-and-click adventures.

Rockstar Games co-founder and former lead writer Dan Houser has said he’d feel more sad to learn Red Dead Redemption 3 was in development without him than he feels about GTA 6, but admits the game “will probably happen.”

2018 epic western Red Dead Redemption 2 is considered a masterpiece and one of the greatest video games of all time. Houser was lead writer on it, as he was for almost all Rockstar’s games. But having left the company over five years ago, Houser recently confirmed to IGN that GTA 6 won’t have a story or a character set he developed, but expects the game to be great nonetheless.

Now, in an interview with the Lex Fridman podcast, Houser has indicated that he’d have stronger feelings when Rockstar inevitably returns to Red Dead Redemption with a follow-up.

“Of course, letting go of something I worked on in one way or another for like 20 odd years, and wrote on them for the last 10 or 11 that came out, wrote all of them, or you know, lead writer on all of them, whatever it was… letting go of that is a big change. And sad in a way,” Houser said.

“Because each of the [Grand Theft Auto] games was a kind of standalone story it’s not quite the same as… I think probably it would be in some ways sadder if someone continued on Red Dead, because it was a cohesive two-game arc. That might be more sad to hear someone working on that. But again, that will probably happen too. I don't own the IP. That was part of the deal. It's a privilege to work on stuff, but you don't necessarily own it.”

Is Red Dead Redemption 3 an inevitability? Houser seems to think the Red Dead Redemption series will continue, but it’s worth noting that the series began with Red Dead Revolver in 2004, so perhaps Rockstar will create a new sub-series if and when it decides the time is right for more Red Dead.

Speaking of which, in 2023, Roger Clark, who played Arthur Morgan, the main playable protagonist of Red Dead Redemption 2, said he was “certain” fans will see Red Dead Redemption 3 “one day,” but qualified that statement by saying he had no idea when that would be. Clark also ruled out the return of Arthur Morgan in the game, should it come to be. If you’ve played Red Dead Redemption 2, this might seem like stating the obvious, but there’s always the chance Rockstar may consider another prequel of some kind.

“I’m certain we will see Red Redemption 3 one day,” Clark said. “When that will be — I have absolutely no idea. Don’t count on Arthur’s involvement either. His story has been told, I feel.”

In a subsequent interview with IGN, Clark expanded on his thoughts: “Yeah, that got really picked up! I would have thought that was obvious though. Wouldn’t you? And it’s not like I have any insider information whatsoever, but of course there’s going to be another Red Dead. It sold over 60 million copies!”

He continued: “Strauss Zelnick, the CEO of Take-Two said it himself. He said GTA and Red Dead are prominent franchises for Rockstar Games and that they will be returning to them in the future. So there’s no doubt there will be another Red Dead. But if Arthur Morgan will be involved? I highly doubt it, to be honest. And I think it’s going to be quite some time before we even see a snifter of anything new Red Dead related. I have no idea how it would pan out, but I wouldn’t bet on Arthur being a part of it.”

For now, the focus very much is on GTA 6, due out May 2026.

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.

There's a new patch today for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which makes adjustments to its ranked battles and fixes a number of bugs.

Version 1.0.2 of the newly-released Pokémon adventure is available to download now on both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, following the game's arrival last month.

While there are no new major features included within the update, a couple of adjustments here may prove useful as players continue to participate in ranked battles over the coming weeks and months in order to obtain the mode's exclusive Mega Stone rewards.

Last week, The Pokemon Company revealed that these Mega Stone rewards — which unlock access to Mega Greninja, Mega Delphox and Mega Chesnaught — would be easier to obtain, beginning with the start of ranked battle mode's Season 2.

Today's update adjusts the number of points earned based on ranking so "that points are not reduced depending on the outcome of the match." Rather vaguely, there's also mention that "some battle rewards that can be received for each battle have been added and increased."

A selection of bug fixes are also included, tied to Mega Evolutions, side missions and "some other issues" — the full details of which can be found in the official patch notes below.

Pokémon Legends Z-A - Version 1.0.2 (November 6, 2025) patch notes:

The following bugs have been fixed:

• If you have not opened the box screen since the box was full before the first Mega Evolution battle, you will definitely fail to capture a Pokemon. Also, if you proceed with a side mission that allows you to obtain a Pokemon in that state, you will not be able to complete it.
• In some side missions, if the day/night change occurs at the same time that a skill is hit on a target, it will no longer be possible to hit the target with a skill, and the side mission will no longer be able to progress.
• During a trainer battle, if the opposing trainer switches Pokemon and the player simultaneously Mega Evolves, the opposing trainer will not be able to send out a Pokemon and will be unable to proceed.
• Fixed some other issues.

Rank Battle Balance Adjustments:

• Adjustment of points earned based on ranking so that points are not reduced depending on the outcome of the match.
• Some battle rewards that can be received for each battle have been added and increased.

*The latest update data is required to play online features.
*Local communication is not compatible with previous versions. Please make sure that you and the people you play with have the same update data version.

It's worth noting that today, November 6, Nintendo is due to reveal more information on Pokémon Legends: Z-A's Mega Dimension DLC, via a trailer that's set to go live at 9am Eastern / 6am Pacific / 2pm UK time. Perhaps there's more hidden in today's update that's tied to that?

Since launch, Pokémon Legends: Z-A has gone on to sell almost 6 million copies in its first week, and has been getting a generally warm reception from fans. The adventure "finally feels like Game Freak hitting its stride in Pokemon’s 3D era, with a fun setting to explore, a well-written story, and a total battle system overhaul that works surprisingly well," IGN wrote in our Pokémon Legends: Z-A 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 boss of the Kingdom Come: Deliverance games has reviewed The Outer Worlds 2, and in doing so has issued a number of stinging criticisms of Obsidian’s sci-fi RPG.

Daniel Vavra, co-founder of Warhorse Studios and lead writer of the much-loved RPGs Kingdom Come: Deliverance and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, took to social media to say he’d finished The Outer Worlds 2 and settled on a 7/10 review score (check out IGN’s The Outer Worlds 2 review to find out what we thought).

That’s a decent score for any video game, but expanding his thoughts, Vavra criticized The Outer Worlds 2 and Microsoft-owned developer, Obsidian Entertainment, for fasiling to innovate in the RPG space.

Here’s the review in full:

Finished. 7/10. But what I find sad is that the company and the people who gave us one of my favorite games ever (Fallout & New Vegas) have been unable, even after 15 years and with all of Microsoft's money and latest technological advances, to come up with a single new game mechanic that could take this proven but ancient formula somewhere new. Can any of you think of a single new game mechanic in The Outer Worlds that wasn't already in Deus Ex or the original Fallout games more than 25 years ago? Unfortunately, I can't. Give me a living, simulated world! True non-linearity! Give me something more than loot boxes, maintenance shafts, loading screens and level grinding in a static scripted world.

It’s worth unpacking Vavra’s comment. His first point is an accusation that Obsidian, creator of the beloved Fallout: New Vegas, has failed to significantly evolve its "ancient formula," despite the backing of moneybags Microsoft. He claims The Outer Worlds (I assume he means The Outer Worlds 2 here) doesn’t have a single new game mechanic that wasn’t already in Deus Ex or the original Fallout games more than 25 years ago.

Is that true? Some people are pointing to The Outer Worlds 2’s Flaw system, which sees the game dish out game-changing perks that can benefit your character but always hinder them in some way, as an eye-catching new feature for this type of RPG. In a later social media post, Vavra said Fallout had Traits with negative aspects, calling this Flaw system “nothing new.”

But is that fair? The Outer Worlds 2’s Flaw system is getting a lot of love from players not just for their impact on playstyle, but the way they’re unlocked. As you play the game, you’ll occasionally trigger a Flaw opportunity, with the game itself reacting to the way you’re playing by delivering some really fun perks that are a delight to encounter. For example, if you crouch walk a lot you’ll be offered the Bad Knees Flaw, which makes you crouch walk faster but every time you stand up your knees crack, making a noise guards might hear. I won’t spoil all the Flaws here because part of the fun is in their discovery, but I will say it feels like there is a DM behind the scenes, observing your playstyle and occasionally dipping into the action to add some spice to your experience.

Others are pointing to the way Obsidian lets players unlock unique dialogue options not just by having a high speech skill, but by seeking out information which can then be brought into conversations to gain an advantage. Your character will remember "discovered info” you’ve found from, say, terminals or chats with other NPCs or examining things, and you’ll get the chance to use it in conversation when it counts. It’s a cool system that adds depth to the standard, straight-forward speech-driven dialogue experience you see in a lot of RPGs, and it makes you want to go out into the world and learn more before having the big quest convos, like the space detective I like role-playing as.

Vavra continues: “Give me a living, simulated world! True non-linearity! Give me something more than loot boxes, maintenance shafts, loading screens and level grinding in a static scripted world.”

Here, Vavra’s assessment of The Outer Worlds 2 perhaps rings true. The game’s mini-open worlds can feel static and scripted in the sense that they do not revolve around a simulation. The Outer Worlds 2 is not a game similar in scope or style to one of Bethesda’s big RPGs. It is not Fallout: New Vegas, even, more a game that rekindles memories of it.

And scope is something Obsidian openly talks about. It is one of the most prolific studios Microsoft has, having released three new games this year alone: Avowed, Grounded 2, and The Outer Worlds 2. It is a developer that has learnt to focus when it comes to scope, to drill down, and to ship games that are manageable to play and, I suspect, manageable to develop. Obsidian isn’t doing a The Elder Scrolls 6 here. It’s carved out a style all its own.

So The Outer Worlds 2 was never going to be a game with a living, simulated world. Whether that disappoints you or not probably comes down to your expectations for modern Obsidian games. But I’d say it was pretty obvious what The Outer Worlds 2 was going to be, not just based on previews, but on the studio’s previous games.

And what about Vavra’s “all of Microsoft’s money” comment? Sure, Microsoft has significant resources, but the business reality is — reportedly — that Xbox studios are under more pressure to deliver profits. Part of doing that will be bringing more money in while keeping development as low as possible. It does not feel like Xbox studios have a magic money tap to make their dream games come true.

Vavra’s comments have certainly hit a nerve online, and have sparked a debate about what Obsidian is trying to do when it comes to video game development. It recently acknowledged that fans desperately want it to make Fallout: New Vegas 2, a game that would probably come with the kind of expectations Vavra has for the studio, but it’s enjoying creating new IP and building those franchises out with sequels, which is what The Outer Worlds 2 is all about.

It should be clear by now that Obsidian’s focus is on actually releasing games that are consistently good and don’t necessarily need to be huge hits to be successful. In the current climate, perhaps that’s an approach that makes a lot of sense.

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.

There are still a few weeks to go before Black Friday officially starts, but if you’re looking for some early savings on games right now, look no further than Woot.

The Amazon-owned online retailer is offering discounts at the moment on a select few Switch 2 games, including Donkey Kong Bananza (down to $61.99), Mario Kart World (down to $69.99), Tears of the Kingdom (also down to $69.99), and more.

Switch 2 Game Sale at Woot

It’s worth noting that while these say they’re the International Version, all Nintendo Switch games are region-free so they'll work fine with your Switch 2.

This sale event (see here in full at Woot) is also set to come to an end on November 8, so if one of these deals catches your eye you’ll want to move fast to secure it. Deals like these tend to sell out quickly, too, which is worth keeping in mind.

If you’re looking to pick up Donkey Kong Bananza, in particular, it’s worth noting that we’re very big fans of it. In our glowing 10/10 review, IGN’s Logan Plant said it’s, “a truly groundbreaking 3D platformer, with satisfying movement, powerful abilities, impressive destructible environments, and clever challenges that all come together in complete harmony to create Nintendo’s first Switch 2 masterpiece.”

As we enter into the month of November, Black Friday sales are already starting to kick off, which means there are bound to be plenty more gaming deals popping up soon and over the next few weeks.

While Black Friday doesn’t officially start until November 28, several retailers drop deals all throughout the month leading up to it. If you’re on the hunt for new games, accessories, or even console deals, we’ll be tracking the best discounts as they appear over the busy holiday season.

Hannah Hoolihan is a freelancer who writes with the guides and commerce teams here at IGN.