During today's Mario Kart World Direct, we got a closer look at a number of new tracks, features, and racers, including Penguin. We've known Penguin was in the game since its reveal last week, but today's Direct decided to feature this blue cutie in a very meme-specific way...by repeatedly throwing him off cliffs.

This happened not once, but twice during the Direct, as fans have pointed out on social media. On one occasion, Penguin simply misjudges a curve and sails neatly off over an icy landscape:

Even Nintendo is deliberately dropping blue penguins off of icy ledges.#MarioKartWorld #MarioKartWorldDirect #Nintendo #Switch2 pic.twitter.com/0eMsUE24Jz

— Jonathan Leung (@VGMaps) April 17, 2025

But in a second, even more on the nose move, a Penguin in Free Roam drives straight off a cliff into the sea below while music from Super Mario 64 toodles away in the background:

29 years later and we still chucking penguins off of cliffs like in Mario 64#MarioKartWorld pic.twitter.com/7klPg5rZkM

— 🔥FireShadow64🔥(DROP THE PRICE) (@FireShadow64) April 17, 2025

If you're confused as to why this is noteworthy, allow me to draw your attention to a long-standing community meme of Penguin from Super Mario 64. In Super Mario 64, players discovered years ago that it was possible to collect a Power Star from Mother Penguin by returning Baby Penguin to her, then to take Baby Penguin after the star appears and take them away again...or even drop them off a cliff:

This bit has been memed into fame for over a decade by the Mario community, so it's extremely funny to see Nintendo acknowledge it even if it's in a somewhat subtle, plausible-deniability kind of way. Is this a horrendous thing to do? Society still hasn't come down cleanly on one side or another of the Penguin-cliff debate. At least Mario Kart World gives Penguin a nice little water vehicle so they can just keep going once they've landed.

Today's Mario Kart Nintendo Direct wasn't exactly the font of new information many were hoping it would be, but we still got word on some interesting new stuff: more new characters, courses, items, and features, as well as a close look (courtesy of Penguin and others) of the new open world Free Roam mode, which will let players drive around anywhere in the world without restraint.

You can catch up on everything announced right here.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Absolute Batman's first 6-issue arc came to a close this past March, with April's issue #7 set to introduce a new take on the iconic villain Mr. Freeze. If keeping track of single issue comics isn't your thing, trade paperpack collections are a must-have for those looking to get completed stories and physical media. Absolute Batman Volume 1: The Zoo, written by comics legend Scott Snyder with art by Nick Dragotta, collects issues one through six and is currently available for preorder. It releases on August 5.

It's available at a number of different retailers, but is currently discounted at Amazon. You can get the paperback for edition for $16.19 (10% off) and the hardcover for 23.24 (7% off).

Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo Preorder Sale

The Heroes and Villains-themed Disney Destiny is set to make its maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 20, 2025, and Disney just revealed a ton of new info on the latest cruise ship about to join its fleet.

There is a lot to look forward to on the Disney Destiny, including a Lion King dining experience, a Hercules Broadway-style show, and so much more, and we're here to break down everything you need to know.

The Disney Destiny Is All About Celebrating The Heroes and Villains We Love

Heroes and Villains are the name of the game for the Disney Destiny, and Disney wants its guests to be "inspired, encouraged, and empowered" by these characters during their journey. This sense of wonder will begin the moment you step on the Disney Destiny and are greeted by the Grand Hall and a one-of-a-kind statue of Black Panther. The Grand Hall will also feature 360-degree lighting effects that will, at times, take on the colors of some of our favorite characters to build the mood and immersion even more.

As for who we may see, Disney has revealed Loki will be up to his mischievous ways and will attempt to declare himself ruler of the ship and will cause chaos with "grand proclamations, questionable storytelling, surprise competitions, and more."

Creuella de Vil will also take center stage as she will let guests "put their personal style to the test on [her] very own wretched runway or take part in a bit of treble-making as they create a lyrical tribute to her marvelousness."

Furthermore, Cruella is the inspiration for De Vil's piano lounge that will have exclusive drinks like the Fashionista and Fearless Sir Galahad alongside and a "Hollywood Regency-inspired aesthetic." Oh, and a piano that looks just like a dalmatian.

The Villains don't get the only spotlight, however, as The Sanctum will take inspiration from Doctor Strange and some of his artifacts like the Cloak of Levitation and spell books from the library of Kamar-Taj. This lounge will have drinks and food, and you can check them out below.

Lastly, the Disney Destiny will be the first Disney cruise ship to feature a Marvel character on its stern as Spider-Man and his Spider-Bots will grace the filigree on the back of the ship.

These are just a few examples of the heroes and villains that will be the stars of Disney Destiny, and they will join such others as Dr. Facilier, Maleficent, Hades, Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, Captain Jack Sparrow, Bruno, and more.

Hercules' Broadway-Style Show Will Lead the Charge of Entertainment on the Disney Destiny

Disney Hercules, the Destiny's Broadway-style show, has us very excited as The Tale of Moana on the Disney Treasure was one of the best shows we've seen on land or at sea. This adaptation of the beloved Disney classic will feature all the music and characters you know and love alongside new additions like the song, 'Shooting Star,' which was actually cut from the original film.

Hercules himself will be played by Corey J. Bradford, who recently wowed guests at a Disney Destiny media preview with his rendition of 'Go the Distance,' and he will be confronted once again by the terrifying Hyrdra, who is being brought to life by award-winning puppet designer Michael Curry.

Disney Hercules will be just one of the shows featured in the Destiny's Walt Disney Theater alongside Frozen, A Musical Spectacular and Disney Seas the Adventure.

Guests will also be able to enjoy shows and games inside of Saga, the central hub for "daytime family activities and adult exclusive evening entertainment." Saga's architecture is inspired by Wakanda, and will feature encounters with Maleficent, Match Your Mate, Family Time Game Show, a new Aquamouse story with villains, and more.

Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King Will Be Just One of the Many Dining Experiences to Remember

While the Disney Treasure had the incredible Plaza de Coco dining experience, the Disney Destiny is getting its own version inspired by The Lion King. The legendary songs and moments from this Disney classic will be just one part of a night to remember at Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King.

Storytells Mwongozo and Shaha will be taking us through the story of the great Simba, and other performers will help bring these moments to life with costumes, props, authentic African instrruments, and more.

As for the meal itself, Disney aims to "balance the wide-ranging flavors of African cuisines with familiar fare that will satisfy the whole family." Such highlights include Nala's Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Pan-seared Berbere-spiced Roasted Chicken, Cape Malay Shrimp Curry, Heirloom Tomato Kachumbari, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Warm Chocolate Malva Pudding, and even drinks like the Can You Feel the Rum Tonight? and the Slimy Yet Satisfying.

Other dining experiences on the Disney Destiny include Worlds of Marvel with Rocket and Groot, 1923, Palo Steakhouse, Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement, The Rose, the Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired Cask & Cannon, Cafe Megara, Cafe Merida, and more.

The Incredibles will also be getting there own themed sweets shop with Edna A La Mode Sweets, which will be the place to get handmade gelato, ice cream, cookies, candies, and specialty treats.

The Disney Destiny Has So Much More In Store

There is still so much more to learn about the Disney Destiny, and we'll be updating this article and more as new details are revealed!

While you wait, be sure to read our Disney Treasure Ultimate Guide as the Destiny is its sister ship, check out more official details on the Disney Destiny and see much we loved the Haunted Mansion Parlor on the Disney Treasure as it will also be on the Destiny.

Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.

USB Type-C has become the standard for charging and data cables alike, so it's good to have extra on hand. Here's a deal where you can get a bunch of cables for pennies on the dollar. Amazon is offering a five-pack of Lisen USB Type-C cables in varying sizes for only $7.96 after a 50% off promo code "478NN6HT" is applied during checkout. That averages out to about $1.59 per cable. USB Type-C cables typically go for about $5-$10 per cable at your local big box store.

5-Pack of USB Type-C Cables for $7.96

Starting today, Dell is offering an Alienware Aurora R16 gaming PC equipped with the new GeForce RTX 5080 GPU for just $2,399.99 shipped. This is one of the best prices you can get right now for an RTX 5080 equipped prebuilt, especially since most other brands seem to be jacking up prices steadily since the RTX 50 series launch in January. The only other prebuilt you can get at Dell with an RTX 5080 GPU costs over $4,000. Good luck trying to find a standalone GPU to build out your own DIY PC; you'll probably spend as much for the GPU as you would this entire system.

Update: Just like everyone else, Dell has also been hit by tariffs. WIth the stock situation of the Blackwell cards not looking any better, prices on Alienware gaming desktops with RTX 50 series GPUs are expected to go up in the near future.

Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 5080 Gaming PC for $2,400

Starting today, Walmart has slashed the price of the 75" Sony X85K 4K Google TV down to only $648, a savings of $650 or 50% off. This is the lowest price we've ever seen, and $150 less than the best deal during Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Although the X85K is an older 2022 model, it has the features you'd want in a current-gen gaming TV.

50% Off 75" Sony X85K 4K Smart TV, Now $648

“In 28 Years Later, we tried imagining how a world would rebuild itself after an apocalypse,” director-producer Danny Boyle explained in this exclusive behind-the-scenes video, which you can watch via the player below. (Check out the latest trailer here.)

Boyle and writer-producer Alex Garland teamed for the original 2002 film 28 Days Later but skipped its 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later. “It doesn't feel like a sequel. It feels like an original film,” said Boyle.

Returning to the world he created, Garland considered the effect the passage of so much time would have not only on Britain but also the infected.

“Initial conversations were often about imagining what does 28 years later mean? If the infection is still in Britain, what does the infection look like?,” said Garland. “How does the rest of the world respond to that? Has the country been quarantined, essentially abandoned?”

Garland continued, “When countries collapse for one reason or another, they're often abandoned. There's a ruthless, pragmatic, dog-eat-dog dimensions to the way these things play out.”

That abandoned Britain is represented in the early portions of the film by Lindisfarne (aka Holy Island), a tidal island on the Northumberland Coast. While that isolation offers some safe haven to the married protagonists played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jodie Comer, it also robs them of any 21st century advantages.

“Holy Island, which is where our film begins, it's protected by a causeway that you can defend, but there's the lack of machinery, no electricity or fuel,” explained Boyle.

“Everything that surrounds our life now, suddenly it's useless. The mainland then becomes somewhere over there, which has both promise and threat.”

That threat, of course, is the infected, who Boyle referred to as “extraordinary creatures.”

As he did with imagining a Britain nearly three decades after an apocalypse, Garfield also considered how the passage of time would affect the infected who are not zombies per se.

“They haven't died and come back to life. They're living people who've got sick and been infected with a rage virus. That dictates some stuff,” said Garfield.

“They need to drink, they need to eat. If they've survived 28 years infected with this disease, what would they look like? Are they similar to anything in the animal kingdom? What would they be similar to?”

Fans will have to find that out when 28 Years Later hits theaters June 20th.

The free-to-play 3D waifu sci-fi RPG shooter Snowbreak: Containment Zone just dropped its latest update, and it adds lots of new content. There are new characters, skins, gameplay modes, and even more on the horizon.

If you’re not familiar with Snowbreak, it’s a third-person RPG shooter on PC and mobile that takes place in a world where giant beings known as Titans suddenly appear in heavily populated areas. They cause untold destruction and leave a toxic substance known as Titagen in their wake. Leaders joined together to form the Heimdall Force, a paramilitary unit whose mission is to fight back against these Titans.

You play as the Adjutant of the Heimdall Force, and your job is to recruit and lead a squad of female super soldiers. Known as Manifestations, these soldiers awakened to their powers after the first arrival of the Titans, and the strongest among them are even able to use Titagen in combat without the ill effects normally associated with it.

The story is told in chapters, with each chapter further broken down into stages. In each combat stage, you form a squad of three characters, each of whom have their own unique skills. You only control one character on the battlefield at a time, and using their skills drains energy, which slowly refills over time. So you need to strategically swap between each of your characters to make the best use of their abilities without fully draining their energy. As you progress, you can build relationships with members of your squad by giving them gifts or deploying them in combat. As their affinity for you grows, you’ll get to know them better.

The latest update adds a new story scenario called Abyssal Dawn, which will have you investigating an incident with the two characters who are also new additions in the update: Nerida and Nita - Pulse.

Nerida is self-demanding, often solitary, and can be stern with others but not to you. She likes sweet snacks, plushies, and ancient marine life models, and she’s obsessed with deep-sea documentaries and jellyfish care. She’s equipped with a Chaos-type assault rifle, and her role is the primary damage dealer of your squad.

She excels with both single-target and area-of-effect attacks and can build up the Internal Injury effect on enemies with both her Standard Skill and Ultimate, which summons a jellyfish that provides AoE damage buffs and stays on the field even if you switch to another character. You can then switch back to her to use her Standard Skill, which deals big burst damage by consuming the Internal Injury effect you’ve built up.

Nita - Pulse is casual yet perceptive, driven by money but protective of the vulnerable. While she’s on the battlefield, she keeps her eyes peeled for items of value and likes to pocket them, like Titagen objects. She wields a Thermal-type shotgun and brings a new QTE combat mechanic with her. Successfully chain QTE inputs together during her Standard Skill to deal increased damage, and if you fully complete the chain, she unleashes a final powerful strike.

Nita - Pulse is free to acquire for all players, available now by completing the Pulse Puzzles event. She’ll also be available for free as a login reward during the Nita’s Invitation event that starts May 1. If you participate in that event, you’ll also be able to earn Nita’s fully modified exclusive weapon, maxed Auctus Drive (her version of a Manifestation), and signature fixed-talent Logistics squad. So in one event, you can max out her full build at no cost.

If you’re wondering what the Pulse Puzzles event is, that’s another new addition with the latest update. As the name implies, it’ll have you solve puzzles across various parts of the game. It’s a chance to relax and better understand Nita, and it will be permanently available, so you can do it at your own pace. To get to know Nita even more, there’s also a new interactable scene with her called Grove of Secrets that’s available from now until May 29.

Nita - Pulse and Nerida were both introduced alongside additional skins. Nita’s transforms her into a white-haired forest nymph, and Nerida’s features interchangeable parts, including footwear and stockings, similar to the customization options available for Vidya. But they’re not the only ones getting new looks.

The update added new outfits for Katya, Fenny, and Bubu. Katya was introduced a year ago and is known for her unique appearance and characteristics. Fenny has been in the game since launch and become a fan favorite, and Bubu is a character from last year’s traditional-themed event.

There’s also a new hide-and-seek gameplay mode called Let’s Go, Heimdall! for 15 players at a time, where three seekers try to find 12 hiders. On the horizon is the much-anticipated Emotional Purge mode, which adds cover-based shooting gameplay. It’ll first be available on April 28 and will be further refined in future updates.

And in addition to her new costume, Bubu is also getting a new dorm room at your home base. That also adds new interactable furniture in the form of her Tranquil Desk Set.

Those are the highlights of this update, but there’s even more that’s been added. You’ll just have to play it to see it all. Snowbreak: Containment Zone is available to download for free right now on Steam, iOS, and Android, and it’s cross-platform, so your progress is shared across all platforms. To learn more about the game, characters, and world, check out the official website or join the community on Twitter, Facebook, or Discord.

Warning: This review contains full spoilers for season 3 of The Wheel of Time

Season 3 of The Wheel of Time is by far its best yet, building on the rich worldbuilding of the first two seasons while largely avoiding their melodrama and pacing issues. Skillfully fusing aspects of three of Robert Jordan’s books – The Dragon Reborn, The Shadow Rising, and The Fires of Heaven – the show condenses plots to keep the action moving while improving on some of the characters by giving them more depth. It makes some bold choices of adaptation, but overall the series is making the sprawling fantasy epic look great while keeping to its themes and ambition.

The ta’veren of Emond’s Field started the series as whiny, resentful, or wide-eyed about the change in fortunes brought by the Aes Sedai Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike), but they’ve grown significantly as characters as they’ve gained more power. The most improved is Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski), who has embraced his destiny as the Dragon Reborn by heading to the Aiel Wastes to raise an army. Stradowski brings an intensity to the role that simmers in quieter moments and fully ignites when he ferociously makes his case as the chosen one in the finale.

A major theme of The Wheel of Time is how change cannot be stopped or controlled, and it’s a lesson that many of the characters have to learn the hard way. Egwene al’Vere (Madeleine Madden) tries to cope with her traumatic experience at the hands of the Seanchan by resuming her relationship with Rand. But the childhood sweethearts can’t confront their demons until they make mutual respect, not love, the basis of their connection. It’s a richer portrayal of how those characters evolve together and apart than the books presented, enhanced by Madden’s ability to match Stradowski’s intensity as she blends both deep strength and emotional vulnerability.

Meanwhile, Perrin Aybara (Marcus Rutherford) tries to escape the coming war by returning to the Two Rivers and finds he must instead embrace his potential as a leader. The character often feels tangential in Jordan’s books, but the show’s writers do their best to do right by him, strongly weaving in his desire to avoid violence with the greater arc of the season. Perrin’s plot is strengthened by the addition of Faile Bashere (Isabella Bucceri), who has more personality in the show than on the page, where Jordan’s women often feel too similar. Bucceri brings plenty of charm to the role with her wry smile and teasing of Perrin, a ferocious counterpart to the more reserved blacksmith.

Aes Sedai royal advisor Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan (Shohreh Aghdashloo) makes an even bigger impact as a series newcomer: Her ability to drip contempt with every sentence especially shines opposite her primary rival, Siuan Sanche (Sophie Okonedo), who projects authority with a mix of restraint and folksy wisdom.

The efforts to build up the Forsaken Moghedien (Laia Costa) as one of the biggest threats on the show are less successful. Lanfear (Natasha O'Keeffe) continues to be an excellent villain, attempting to control Rand through a mix of Machiavellian scheming and vamping. Compared to her, Moghedien is just an overtly weird psychopath. At least the smug regality of the Forsaken Rahvin (Nuno Lopes) feels like a better fit for the catty dynamic the show has established among the Chosen.

Showrunner Rafe Judkins has done a great job not only trimming excess characters and storylines but building on Jordan’s work as well. The attack on the White Tower by Liandrin Guirale (Kate Fleetwood) and the Black Ajah is only referenced in a few lines of the book The Dragon Reborn, but 34 years later, writer Justine Juel Gillmer and director Ciaran Donnelly have turned it into an epic battle that kicks off season 3 with a bang. The sword and sorcery combat looks great in the premiere, skillfully blending CGI and choreography, and that strength continues in the multiple big battles throughout the season. There are some issues with monsters created with practical effects for closeups looking much worse when moving, but overall the production value is high. Costuming is an especially strong point for the show, particularly the ornate outfits favored by the Aes Sedai.

Unlike Prime Video’s other fantasy epic, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Wheel of Time never relies fully on spectacle to carry an episode. Pathos is as likely to drive the conflicts as magic is, which makes any moment of sacrifice or loss all the more excruciating. Jordan killed relatively few of his characters, but the show’s writers have a significantly higher body count, which keeps things tense even for book readers who think they know where this story is going.

That tension is broken by some great comic relief. After the first two seasons were tarnished by the departure of Barney Harris, some of the shine has been restored by his replacement, Dónal Finn. His take on Mat Cauthon is a charming rake whose definition of “laying low” involves showing off a powerful magical artifact in a bar. And his tendency to turn everything into a joke makes it all the more meaningful when he asks for help. Princess Elayne Trakand (Ceara Coverney) is the season’s other major source of laughs: She steals the show in episode 6 with a hilariously bawdy musical number.

It all amounts to a season of Wheel of Time that leans into the concepts of reincarnation and cycles of conflict core to Jordan’s marriage of Western fantasy and Eastern mythology. Nowhere are those themes stronger than in the terrific “The Road to the Spear,” which allows Rand to live through the long shared history of the Aiel and the Tinkers and come to an understanding of just how much was lost in the Breaking of the World. It’s another showcase of Stradowski’s acting talent, the makeup and costume team, and the writers. The keen understanding of Jordan’s vision – and ability to bring it to the screen in a satisfying way – in this episode, and season 3 as a whole, makes me eager to see where things go next.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to get special enhanced versions of several Switch 1 games, including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. A newly spotted disclaimer has fans worrying some games, or at least one game, won't support Nintendo's cloud save functionality as they'd hope.

Over the last day or so, users have been noticing that Nintendo's pages for Tears of the Kingdom's Switch 2 edition carries the following disclaimer: "Please note: this software does not support the Nintendo Switch Online paid membership’s Save Data Cloud backup feature."

Per ResetEra, the page for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Switch 2 Edition also apparently carried this disclaimer at one point, as did Super Mario Party Jamboree - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV.

Though it's since disappeared from those pages, the Tears of the Kingdom still has the disclaimer as of this writing. The Japanese page though, per Eurogamer via machine translation, does not carry the same disclaimer; only the US and EU pages seem to be showing it.

IGN has reached out to Nintendo for clarification on the matter.

If this holds true, this could create some confusing scenarios for players. Nintendo's cloud save option for NSO members is handy, for one. It makes carrying games across systems, or juggling storage space for games without losing your saved progress, a little less stres-inducing.

Actually importing a save file from the original Switch to the Switch 2 Edition of Tears of the Kingdom does seem to still work. The Nintendo page noted an additional save slot for the Switch 2 Edition, where one can start a brand-new journey or "continue a previous one with your existing save data." Nintendo does note that save data created in the second save data slot cannot be trasnferred to the Nintendo Switch 1 version of Tears of the Kingdom.

It's a confusing situation that can possibly lead to some stress, as players would likely not want to lose a save file they've dumped many, many hours into when upgrading versions. Hopefully, this gets cleared up soon.

The Switch 2 Edition does have a few reasons for prospective Switch 2 owners to upgrade, including the Zelda Notes app, which comes packed with helpful guiding content, lore, and even some potential equipment repair options.

Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

With so many great games coming down the pipeline, now's a great time to hop on the Xbox Game Pass bandwagon. If some titles joining the catalog this year have caught your eye and you're itching to join in on the fun, you can choose between one or three month Game Pass Ultimate membership options at Amazon. Unfortunately, there aren't any discount deals available at the moment, but we'll update this when a new one drops.

You can learn more about options for signing up, what's coming soon to Game Pass this month, and the big releases still to come below.

Navigate to:

• Best Xbox Game Pass Deals
• What's Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass?
• What Games Are Leaving Xbox Game Pass?
• Biggest Games Releasing on Xbox Game Pass

Best Xbox Game Pass Deals

Amazon just discounted our favorite budget gaming chair. Right now, you can pick up a Corsair TC100 Relaxed gaming chair in Black Fabric for only $174 shipped after a 30% off instant discount. Even at its retail price of $250, this chair offers a ton of value for the price. I actually prefer fabric over leatherette because it's more breathable and less sticky.

Corsair TC100 Relaxed Gaming Chair for $174

In my opinion, the Amazon Kindle is one of the best electronic devices ever. Maybe the only piece of tech I use more than my Kindle is my phone, but even then, I have the Kindle app if I decide I just want to stick some knowledge into my craw. If you're on the hunt for a good deal on Kindle devices, there are quite a few on sale right now that are worth checking out.

At the moment our favorite deal is on the Kindle Scribe (32 GB). This has received a 19% discount at Amazon, dropping its price from $419.99 to $339.99 for a limited time. That's not all, though. You can also score three months of Kindle Unlimited for $0.99 right now. We've included those deals and a few more below.

The Best Kindle Deals Right Now

Kindle is one of the devices you're most likely to find on sale during Amazon events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday. The available Kindle lineup has expanded quite a lot over the years, too. Amazon will oftentimes sneak Kindle deals into its Deal of the Day or offer a bonus deal like free Kindle Unlimited or other Amazon services as well.

Kindle Unlimited Deal

If you own a Kindle, it's absolutely worth investing in Kindle Unlimited. Right now, when you sign up, you can get three months for $0.99 before its $11.99/month price kicks in.

But you may be wondering: what is Kindle Unlimited, and is it really worth it? The answer is... absolutely, dear reader. With this, you'll get unlimited access to millions of digital titles, audiobooks, and magazine subscriptions. That way you can read all of the latest bestsellers, classics, biggest hits, and more in the realm of books and comics. What better way to get started on your Kindle adventure?

New 2024 Kindle Releases

Amazon released quite a few brand-new Kindles in October 2024. Alongside upgraded versions of the standard Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, Kindle Kids, and Kindle Paperwhite Kids, they also revealed the brand-new Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition. This features a color display to make your favorite stories and comics pop. There's also a new Kindle Scribe with a redesigned display that's available now.

Current Kindle Bestsellers

Wondering where to start once you pick up your new Kindle? Have no fear, we're here to help with that, too. Below, we've listed out the current Kindle bestsellers so you can start up an exciting new book right away. Some of these titles can be read for free if you're a Prime member or as part of Kindle Unlimited, or they can be purchased if you'd like to own them.

• Bridesmaid by Chance by Meghan Quinn - Free with Kindle Unlimited, $5.99 to purchase
• Story of My Life by Lucy Score - Free with Kindle Unlimited, $5.99 to purchase
• Wildest Dreams by L.J. Shen - Free with Kindle Unlimited, $4.99 to purchase
• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros - Free with Kindle Unlimited, $14.99 to purchase
• Enchantra by Kaylie Smith - Free with Kindle Unlimited, $4.99 to purchase
• Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros - Free with Kindle Unlimited, $14.99 to purchase
• The Boomerang by Robert Bailey - Preorder for $1.99
• The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose - $8.99 to purchase
• Quicksilver by Callie Hart - Free with Kindle Unlimited, $9.99 to purchase
• Strangers in Time by David Baldacci - $14.99 to purchase

Best Kindle Book Deals

If you want to see the latest and greatest Kindle book deals available, there's an excellent variety to pick through. Whether you're looking for new comics to dig into or just want to sink into a thrilling novel, there's always great book deals available for Kindle users. We've listed just a few of our favorites below, but if you want to see the full list of available deals, head to Amazon's Kindle deals page here.

• Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros - $14.99
• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir - $14.99
• Ultimate Black Panther Vol. 1: Peace And War - $3.99
• Star Wars: Darth Vader by Greg Pak Vol. 1: Dark Heart Of The Sith - $3.60
• Dark Ages (Dark Ages (2021-2022)) - $4.40

Why a Kindle Is Worth the Investment

I've been rocking the Kindle since the earliest model was available, and not only do I prefer it to any other method of reading, I've found myself reading more than I would have with traditional paper books. Not that there's anything wrong with reading from a traditional book, I just personally appreciate the ease of use and form factor afforded me by the Kindle.

Since the Kindles use e-ink instead of traditional screens like your phone or iPad, they can be read in just about any lighting. In fact, the pages look like actual paper pages, so any artificial light or even bright sunlight are no factor when using the Kindle. It only uses energy when you turn the page, use the backlight or leave Wi-Fi turned on, so if you go into Airplane mode you can go weeks, even months, between charging your Kindle. Generally I go long enough to completely forget where I put my charging cable.

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

With contributions from Seth Macy.

The latest trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps paints a better picture of a new Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) world and how Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer plays a part in it.

It’s a two-and-a-half-minute clip that reveals more about how Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), the Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) have helped build their universe into a shining utopia. In this world, Marvel’s First Family is celebrated as a (growing) squad of heroes who not only save the day but stand as examples for children and adults alike. However, it looks like their skills will be put to the test when Garner’s Silver Surfer descends from the sky to warn of an impending threat: Galactus.

Today’s trailer is notably more action-packed than the footage we’ve seen thus far. Ben Grimm can be seen barreling through pillars just as we get one of our first real looks at Reed Richards’ stretchy powers. These are new takes on classic powers the Fantastic Four has had for decades, and we’ll get to see a better look at how they’ll all work together this July.

It’s Garner’s Silver Surfer who is the real show stealer this time around, though. Despite only uttering a few words warning that this alternate Earth is now “marked for death,” this version of the Surfer seems especially powerful as she bats away the Human Torch and speeds through explosions. Sadly, we’re still being kept in the dark when it comes to Galactus’ full, updated MCU appearance, though we do get a shot of him stomping through the city upon his arrival.

Fantastic Four: First Steps premieres July 25, 2025. While we wait to see how the MCU will handle Marvel’s First Family, be sure to check out more on Thunderbolts* before it arrives in May. You can also see our list of every upcoming Marvel project here.

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).

In the upcoming second season of Peacock’s Twisted Metal, the mysterious Calypso invites all the killers, vigilantes and joyriders of the Divided States of America to participate in a demolition derby tournament with the promise of making the winner’s greatest wish come true.

“Everybody's a villain this season because we're in a tournament,” Twisted Metal star Anthony Mackie told IGN earlier this week.

We spoke with Mackie, his co-star Stephanie Beatriz and showrunner Michael Jonathan Smith for our latest digital cover story, which reveals exclusive first-look photos from Season 2 as well as new plot details and cast members.

We can also exclusively announce that Twisted Metal: Season 2 premieres on Peacock on July 31, 2025.

Scroll through the gallery below for 11 exclusive photos from Twisted Metal: Season 2.

Dollface: John Doe’s Vigilante Sister Unmasked

“John, at the end of Season 1, gets his wish in a way. He wants community, he wants family, and he gets this realization at the end of Season 1 that he's actually from New San Francisco,” Smith explained. Mackie added, “That's the great thing about the new season, he's pretty much on top of the world. He's gotten everything he could ask for and he's realizing what's the truth of the New San Francisco life now.”

John’s literal and emotional journey in Season 2 is intertwined with that of Dollface (played by Tiana Okoye). It was revealed at the end last season that the amnesiac John has a sister, who is first seen wearing a doll face mask and in the company of a group of female vigilantes known as the Dolls. Season 2 reveals that her name is Krista and she’s the leader of the Dolls, who fight, Robin Hood-style, for the survival of the Outsiders against the Insiders.

“What's great is that Krista has sort of been on the outside and she's had a different experience than John,” said Smith. “Krista has seen the inequality between the Insiders and Outsiders, and she doesn't like it. She has decided to fight against it and really wants to find a balance between the Insiders and Outsiders.”

Marvel fans, rejoice! Captain America: Brave New World is releasing in physical format on 4K, Blu-ray, and as a sleek 4K steelbook. These are currently available to preorder at a variety of retailers for $29.96, $24.96, and $44.99, respectively. There's also a Blu-ray Walmart Exclusive O-Sleeve that's available to preorder for $32.96 and a Captain America four movie collection on Blu-ray that's up for preorder for $49.96. All of these release on May 13.

We've broken down each of these preorders below so you can find the best option for your physical media collection. We've also included a breakdown of the special features on the 4Ks and Blu-rays.

Preorder Captain America: Brave New World 4K Steelbook and Blu-ray

Preorder Captain America: Brave New World Walmart Exclusive O-Sleeve (Blu-Ray)

Captain America 4-Movie Collection (Blu-Ray)

Captain America: Brave New World Bonus Features

There are quite a few bonus features that fans will get to enjoy on the 4K and Blu-ray. We've included them all below:

• Deleted Scenes:
  • A Heartfelt Thanks – President Ross praises Agent Taylor for her actions.
  • The Mission – Sam Wilson tries to extract information out of Agent Taylor in the boxing ring.
  • Stick Around – President Ross extends an apology and an unexpected invitation to Isaiah.
• Assuming the Mantle – Ever since his high-flying debut in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” audiences around the world have known that Sam Wilson was destined for great things. Join the cast and crew as they look at Sam's past, present, and potential future in the MCU.
• Old Scores, New Scars – Brave New World finds Captain America locked in a battle of brains and brawn in the forms of The Leader, Red Hulk, and Sidewinder. From prosthetics to visual effects to stunt work, get the lowdown on these formidable foes and how they're brought to life.
• Gag Reel – Enjoy some hilarious outtakes on set with the cast and crew of Captain America: Brave New World.
• Audio Commentary – Listen to Director Julius Onah and Director of Photography Kramer Morgenthau talk about the film.

See More Popular 4K Movies

Looking for more movies to add to your physical media collection? Check out our breakdown of upcoming 4K UHD and Blu-ray releases to see what's coming out over the next few months. This doesn't just cover movies, either. We've included some great TV shows releasing in a physical format soon, too.

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

Nintendo just wrapped up its April 2025 Mario Kart World Direct, revealing details about new items, modes, and more about those strange snacks players can chomp into when the Nintendo Switch 2 launches this June.

Nintendo’s latest entry into its long-running kart racing spinoff series looks like the next big step for Mario and co. That’s thanks in part to a smorgasbord of both new and returning items, while other familiar features have either been given small tweaks or total facelifts. Mario Kart World dived into a solid slice of everything players can expect in its 15-minute presentation, so we made sure to gather the highlights.

Items

The biggest question block hanging over everyone’s heads has had players questioning which wacky items they’ll be able to toss at their friends come June. Nintendo’s got a fittingly wacky answer that includes spins on items and abilities that may be able to be paired with some of Mario Kart World’s new features.

Items like the Bullet Bill and Lightning appear to function just as you remember. The former sends players flying forward at breakneck speeds, while the latter stops and shrinks opponents, though now it also causes it to start raining in the game now that Mario Kart has introduced weather effects. Meanwhile, classic items like the Feather also remain largely unchanged, but now, players can use them to not only hop over some of the many new track hazards but also reach new areas, high-up rails, and even shortcuts.

New items have plenty to bring to the table, too. The Coin Shell is a golden shell variant that leaves a trail of coins for you – and your enemies – as it moves forward through the track ahead of its thrower. Kamek is an especially wild addition, as the Koopa wizard can be spawned to transform each of your opponents into something completely new. Other highlights include Hammers that now stick in the ground for a short time and a slightly tweaked Ice Flower that can seen multiple opponents spinning at a time.

One of Mario Kart World’s more mysterious items are those new food-related abilities. These are called Dash Foods and come in the form of tasty burgers, plates of sushi, kebabs, and more. These are collectibles that can be acquired around Mario Kart World’s giant map and, once gobbled up, unlock new outfits to use elsewhere. In case you were wondering, yes, the Moo Moo Meadows Cow can, in fact, eat burgers.

New Tricks

Tricks have been an important part of Mario Kart since 2008’s Mario Kart Wii, and in Mario Kart World, they’ve been given added importance. You can charge jump straight from the track this time around, allowing you to not only short hop over items but fully clear hazards like other vehicles, too. It should help reach those out-of-reach rails to grind on as well, with additional tricks in the air giving players the ability to gain a bit of extra air.

Tricks will also help players leap toward and latch onto walls, which can be hopped between to find new portions of a track and even some hidden item blocks. Chaining tricks together can be tricky, so if you find yourself missing a particular jump to a high-up ledge, a new Rewind feature will help you turn back the clock for a few moments to hone your skills.

Modes

While modes like Grand Prix and Time Trials are back, Mario Kart World comes with loads of new modes, too. Knockout Tour is one of the more substantial additions, as it allows players to compete to stay ahead of the pack across extended races. Those who fall behind are in danger of being, well, knocked out.

Time Trials are one returning mode that have been beefed up to accommodate Mario Kart World’s improved multiplayer functionality. When hopping online, players will have the option to download data from other racers from around the world. Longtime Mario Kart fans will also be happy to know that fan-favorite modes like VS Race, Balloon Battle, and Coin Runners are back and feature some of those new tracks to fight off friends with. There’s also a full-on photo mode, which can be used to capture iconic moments when cruising around the world.

Of course, Mario Kart World’s biggest new mode is its open-world-inspired free roam feature, which allows players to explore its vast map and all of the tracks it houses. We explained everything you need to know about this major addition to the Mario Kart universe and how you can play it with your friends here.

Mario Kart World launches alongside the Switch 2 June 5. We’re still waiting for Nintendo to set a new date for pre-order options in the US and Canada following their delay earlier this month. Meanwhile, the topic of the console’s price remains one detail that continues to take over Nintendo comment sections. Today’s Mario Kart World Direct was no exception, as players made sure its chat sections were filled with comments like “drop the price.”

For more on Mario Kart World, you can read up on all of the new characters and tracks arriving this June. You can also see how players have been reacting to the title’s controversial $80 price tag and how Nintendo attempted to address it. Finally, for everything else announced during today’s Direct, you can click here.

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).

Let’s be real: I don’t need another Pokémon card bundle. But the moment I saw the Charizard ex Super Premium Collection on sale, something in my brain short-circuited. My body? Fully ready for yet another unnecessary purchase. And at under $50, this box is stacked.

You’re getting a foil Charizard ex promo, plus matching Charmander and Charmeleon to complete the fiery trio. There’s even a Charizard display figure (because, of course, there is), and—get this—ten booster packs. Not five. Not six. Ten. That’s ten chances to pull something ridiculous.

Note: This review specifically covers the single-player campaigns of Tempest Rising. For thoughts on multiplayer, stand by until after launch.

It was only a matter of time before someone got tired of waiting for EA to announce a new Command & Conquer real-time strategy game without canceling it a few months later, and finally, Danish developer Slipgate Ironworks has become the one to take matters into its own hands. Tempest Rising plays like a C&C game with the serial number filed off, and it does a fairly good job of scratching the itch for this style of fast-paced action with two very traditional but well-made campaigns set to the tune of a familiar soundtrack partly composed by distinctive C&C composer Frank Klepacki. Given how closely it follows that template, though, it’s a little disappointing that it didn’t have more fun building personality and atmosphere between missions.

How closely, exactly? Aside from how it replicates the plate-spinning gameplay and basic tech tree (as many have done over the past 30 years), you could easily just change a few names – GDF to GDI and Tempest to Tiberium, for example – and Tempest Rising would be fairly indistinguishable from a C&C iteration as you’re harvesting resources, building a base, and cranking out infantry, tanks, and aircraft that die in seconds if you’re not paying close attention when they encounter the enemy. Some of the similarities are amusingly on the nose: The Nod-like Dynasty faction’s barracks structure is shaped like giant hands reaching up from the ground, and they didn’t bother changing the name of the Mobile Construction Vehicle (MCV) that expands into your base’s central Construction Yard building at all. So yes, it’s pretty close!

The campaigns’ story is treated in much the same lovingly derivative way, reframing the GDI/Nod conflict as between the good guy Global Defense Initiative Force and the paramilitary Dynasty faction fighting for territory in Europe and northern Africa, though here it’s set in the aftermath of a Cuban Missile Crisis where things went much worse than they did for us. You wouldn’t really know that it’s a post-World War 3 world, though, because other than some wrecked roads on the battlefields, the regional maps in the briefings look pretty normal, and none of the missions take place anywhere recognizable. But more importantly, it’s missing a few of C&C’s secret ingredients – chief among them a good villain.

So much of the personality of the classic C&C games came from the evil Nod faction and its mysteriously ageless leader, Kane (played with wild-eyed zeal by Joe Kucan). Granted, the Dynasty leaders who brief you before every mission have more character than the generic, gruff-voiced general of the GDF, but the constantly sneering Aleks can’t hold a candle to Kane. You can't build a cult of personality around a grumpy guy in a beret, and beyond being black leather fetishists, the Dynasty doesn’t have a lot going on ideologically – they’re not even explicitly framed as fascist bad guys out for global domination (especially when compared to the shadowy council pulling the GDF’s strings) so we don’t get any good mustache-twirling villain moments like attacking the Pentagon or Eiffel Tower. Without something like that to get invested in – and coupled with some instances of comically poor voice acting – I was unmotivated to sit through the multiple strings of optional dialogue that give you more bland background on the lore but nothing else.

In a day and age when anyone with a smartphone can replace their Zoom background with a high-tech command center or dark and ominous paramilitary headquarters, I’m sad Slipgate wasn’t granted the resources to do C&C-style live-action cutscenes and get someone to follow in Tim Curry’s legendary footsteps by chewing the virtual scenery to pieces. These generic animated characters just can’t compete, especially when there was clearly no budget to even match mouth movements to dialogue on most of them (conspicuously, both factions have lieutenants who give you orders through gas masks for no reason).

When it comes to actual real-time strategy, though, Tempest Rising fares much better. It may be playing within the constraints of a very defined genre and style, but it looks nice, runs well (it only crashed on me when loading a specific saved game), its interface is modern and friendly, and it’s pretty good at finding ways to be inventive with its faction design. Once you get past basic infantry, just about everything has a special ability or a twist to it that you’ll want to spend some time learning to use and decide if it’s worth your time to micromanage, as opposed to selecting everything and sending it into the attack-move meat grinder. There are too many to list, but the GDF’s heavy use of drone controller units is a fun one: you can control them independently to scout within a radius, you can pack their pilots into an APC or transport chopper and they'll still fly around and shoot, and if they’re destroyed they simply respawn for free in a few seconds. It's also a nice touch to generate resources for special abilities by taking the extra step of marking a target before destroying it – it's a good reward for a little bit of extra micro-management in small engagements.

I couldn't help but applaud when the GDF posed and then answered the question of what would happen if GDI’s Mammoth Tank and StarCraft 2’s Siege Tank loved each other very much; that's some excellent wish fulfillment for fans of both those series. These Trebuchet hybrids deploy and un-deploy so quickly – in about a second – that it really drives home how micromanagement-heavy Tempest Rising is built to be. You don’t need to constantly flip back and forth between mobile and stationary modes, but you’ll get more firepower and range out of them if you do.

On the opposing side, the Dynasty’s Scrap Truck is a wildly powerful unit that automatically repairs every vehicle or building in a radius while it’s stationary, and it can deploy to become a turret structure with an even bigger repair range. You can then use that to expand your base building area and stock it with flame and missile turrets (Dynasty can build a structure in advance and then instantly place it, while GDF places structures and then builds them), quickly creating a vehicle repair outpost with self-healing defenses right on the enemy’s doorstep. That, combined with their ultra-long-range Porcupine missile trucks and deadly SAM launchers, makes Dynasty a fantastic offensive turtling faction. And when you want to get a bit more aggressive, they can literally roll out a giant metal ball that flattens any tanks or infantry in its path if they can’t destroy it first.

All in all, the variety of missions once you get past the first few tutorials is respectable but expected, including a lot of base-cracking, defense holdouts and last stands, and commando missions led by powerful specialist infantry, and all of them come with optional objectives for you to cross off that might encourage replays. It's interesting that some of those objectives don’t even pop up unless you scout out the whole map – it's a reason to go back and replay, but if you're trying to do everything in one go it might be a little trollish. All of these missions are well done but again, quite conventional; there’s nothing here that thinks radically outside the box or effectively builds minigame modes around unit abilities the way StarCraft 2 did. They are a good time to smash through, but very few stand out.

Like nearly every RTS campaign ever made, Tempest Rising gradually gives you access to new units and airstrike support abilities as you go, but here you also choose a new global upgrade every mission from one of three linear trees – plus you can unlock and then mix-and-match upgrades to fill an expanding number of slots. Some of the upgrades are minor but useful, such as adding burn damage over time to Dynasty’s flamethrowers or stat bonuses that start units out with a veterancy level. Some feel a little exploitative, like one that increases infantry vision range by 50% (which makes them incredibly effective spotters for artillery). A few, though, are meaningful choices that I’d definitely think hard about if I were to play through again on a higher difficulty. The biggest of these for me was the “Stolen Plans” abilities that let you build some of the opposing factions’ vehicles without having to capture their buildings. Some of those, like the Trebuchet tank and Porcupine missile launcher truck, are game-changers that helped me break through tough defensive lines quickly. It’s true that leaning on these can homogenize the campaigns a bit rather than emphasizing what makes each faction unique, but I appreciate being able to customize my force. Also, the ability to re-pack the Dynasty Scrap Truck after deploying it was a huge upgrade that saved me from having to build a whole fleet of them.

It’s not spoiling anything that isn’t on the Steam page to say that late in both the campaigns, which follow the same events from opposite perspectives, the story abruptly introduces a third, technologically advanced faction tied to the glowing resource they’re all fighting over – which is a sentence I could’ve copied directly from the Wikipedia page of Command & Conquer 3. The alien (ish?) Veti don’t have a playable campaign and aren't yet available in skirmish or multiplayer, so it's a bit tricky to understand how they work differently, but it’s good that they’re here for variety’s sake. Fighting their heavier armies isn’t dramatically different from taking on the GDF or Dynasty in the campaign – they have similar base and defense structures, tanks, aircraft, and infantry – but they do have a few terrifying late-game units that GDF and Dynasty can’t go toe-to-toe with and required me to take an entirely different posture when one showed up.

Nintendo hosted a Mario Kart World Direct this morning, showing off all the features of the upcoming launch game for the Nintendo Switch 2. Amid all the new tricks and modes, Nintendo also confirmed a slew of new and returning tracks and racers for Mario Kart World.

On the course side, there were several new courses shown off as part of the roamable world. From the streets of Crown City to the water of Salty Salty Speedway, there are plenty of places to explore and shortcuts to discover. Mechanics like wall-riding and grinding seem like they'll add quite a bit for players to uncover. Here's what we spotted in today's Direct.

Mario Kart World Confirmed Courses Shown in Today's Direct

• Mario Bros. Circuit
• Crown City
• Salty Salty Speedway
• Starview Peak
• Boo Cinema
• Toad's Factory
• Peach Beach
• Wario Shipyard
• Whistletop Summit
• DK Spaceport
• Desert Hills
• Shy Guy Bazaar
• Wario Stadium
• Airship Fortress
• DK Pass
• Sky-High Sundae
• Koopa Troopa Beach
• Faraway Oasis
• Crown City
• Peach Stadium
• Dino Dino Jungle
• Great ? Block Ruins
• Rainbow Road

But what's a world full of courses without a universe's worth of racers to speed across them? Mario Kart World looks to be making some deep pulls from Mario's history. The usual suspects of Mario, Peach, Luigi, and Yoshi are joined by the likes of Spike, Conkdor, Penguin, and more. Here's everyone we spotted in a kart during today's Mario Kart World Direct.

Mario Kart World Confirmed Racers From Today's Direct

• Mario
• Luigi
• Peach
• Daisy
• Rosalina
• Pauline
• Yoshi
• Toad
• Koopa Troopa
• Baby Mario
• Baby Luigi
• Baby Peach
• Baby Daisy
• Baby Rosalina
• Wario
• Waluigi
• Bowser
• Goomba
• Spike
• Cow
• Lakitu
• Toadette
• Bowser Jr.
• Birdo
• King Boo
• Shy Guy
• Donkey Kong
• Nabbit
• Pirahna Plant
• Hammer Bro
• Monty Mole
• Sidestepper
• Cheep Cheep
• Dry Bones
• Wiggler
• Cataquack
• Pianta
• Rocky Wrench
• Conkdor
• Chargin' Chuck
• Penguin
• Stingby
• Swoop
• Dolphin
• Para-Biddybud
• Pokey
• Coin Coffer
• Peepa
• Snowman
• Fish Bone

It's quite a line-up so far, and will probably only expand as we learn more about this game. Today's Mario Kart World Direct went over everything from Grand Prix and Knockout Mode to the camera-fueled social options.

Mario Kart World is set to arrive on the Nintendo Switch 2's launch day, June 5, as an exclusive for the newest Switch console. There certainly seems to be quite a bit to do here, which will hopefully measure up to its $80 price tag. The newest Kart is being sold both standalone and as part of a hardware bundle though, and given Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's massive popularity, World is likely to find a home on many Switch 2 consoles.

You can catch up on everything announced at today's Direct right here.

Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

During today's Mario Kart World Direct, we finally got more details on the game's brand new Free Roam mode, including a bit about how multiplayer it will be (very) and what you'll be doing while driving around Mario Kart World's...well, world.

Though we went hands on with Mario Kart World last week, we didn't really get a proper look at Free Roam mode or what it entailed until today. Free Roam is a new feature to Mario Kart World, where you're literally able to go anywhere on the game's big, Forza Horizon-like world map. Unlike past Mario Kart games which have their race tracks separated out and only enterable when you're racing, Mario Kart World scatters them across an open world, meaning you can drive from track to track in certain game modes and goof off in the spaces between.

When you're not racing, Free Roam mode is a way to essentially have a little adventure. The world contains all sorts of hidden collectible goodies, like coins and ? panels, though we're not sure just yet what collecting those actually does. There are also P-Switches scattered around, which can be hit to activate a small challenge such as collecting some blue coins.

Additionally, Free Roam mode allows you to activate a Photo Mode any time to take photos of your racers in various poses and angles. And Free Roam isn't just a solo mode, either. You and your friends can drive around together in Free Roam, take photos, complete challenges, or just hang out. Free Roam supports up to four players roaming together on the same system via split screen, or up to eight total via local wireless play (two per system).

We saw a number of other details about Mario Kart World today in the Mario Kart World Direct, including new characters, courses, and modes. You can catch up on everything announced right here.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Nintendo shared with us a Mario Kart World Direct and it revealed much more about the launch title for the Nintendo Switch, including new details on characters, courses, races, secrets, and so much more.

This roundup has gathered everything you need to know about this Mario Kart World Direct and we hope it will help with the wait until this much-anticipated game launches alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.

Courses

Mario Kart World will feature a ton of new and old courses on its interconnected map, and we were introduced to a few of them today, including Mario Bros. Circuit, Crown City, Salty Salty Speedway, Starview Peak, Boo Cinema, Toad's Factory, Peach Beach, and Wario Shipyard.

What should be most exciting for returning Mario Kart players is that the older courses have been "reimagined to feel at-home within this vast, new world, offering fresh experiences on classics."

Characters and New Techniques

Considering up to 24 racers can compete in one race, Mario Kart World will need a lot of characters to ensure everyone doesn't play the same one. While there are sure to be more added and revealed, this Direct featured such characters as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, Baby Peach, Baby Daisy, Baby Rosalina, Rosalina, Koopa, Rocky Wrench, Conkdor, Goomba, Spike, Cow, King Boo, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Waluigi, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Birdo, Bowser Jr., Lakitu, Toad, Wario, Pauline, Toadette, Shy Guy, Nabbit, Piranha Plant, Hammer Bro, Monty Mole, Dry Bones, Wiggler, Cataquack, Pianta, Sidestepper, and Cheep Cheep.

Driving with these characters will be even more fun this time around as there are new techniques to utilize. Charge Jump gives racers a chance to dodge enemy attacks, reach higher places and rails that can be grinded on, and even jump towards a wall to ride on it for a short time.

One of the most exciting new additions is Rewind, as it will let players try again to reach a hidden path or take a turn better or whatever! However, it is important to note that rivals will still move normally if you rewind so you could find yourself in even more trouble if you aren't careful.

Races - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour

There are two main modes in Mario Kart World - Grand Prix and Knockout Tour. Grand Prix will be the mode fans are used to as players will need to compete in multiple races to win the Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Flower Cup, and more. However, this time around players will drive from course to course instead of exiting out to a menu, which should make for a much more seamless experience thanks to Mario Kart World's more open structure.

If you happen to conquer all of the Grand Prix Cups, a certain "colorful course" may appear which sure sounds like Rainbow Road. It won't be easy though, as there will be new obstacles like cars that shoot bullet bills and Hammer Bros. that throw their namesake hammers!

Knockout Tour is a battle-royale-esque mode where you have to race from one side of Mario Kart World's map to the other. The only catch is you have to be in a certain place at each checkpoint or you will be knocked out of the race. The winner will be the last driver standing in the Golden Rally, Ice Rally, and more.

Mario Kart World Free Roam

In Mario Kart World's Free Roam mode, players will be able to drive wherever they'd like without the worry of trying to be in first place. As you explore, you will discover things like P Switches (hundreds of them!) that will activate blue coins you'll need to collect and start missions. These missions will be challenges that will improve your skills outside of races.

There will also be hidden coins like Peach Medallions, hidden panels, and much more. Oh, and there is a photo mode in Free Roam that will be available to always capture that perfect moment.

Visiting Yoshi's restaurant will also be a joy as you can pick up "Dash Food" that will give you a boost of speed and an outfit inspired by your meal! Some examples shown were a cheeseburger, sushi, skewers, chips, roasted meat, pizza, ice cream, and more.

Playing Mario Kart World with Friends

Playing Mario Kart World with friends will undoubtedly be one of the best ways to play this racing game, and Nintendo is giving players a ton of options in how they can do that. Such options include having four players play on one system, local wireless play with up to eight players (two systems of four), and up to 24 players from around the world playing in Online Play.

Another big feature in Mario Kart World is allowing players to free roam with their friends in between races. Players will be able to see where their friends are on the map and fast travel to them for some fun. You can then battle or race with custom rules or just explore the map with them. Photo Mode will also be available for friends!

GameChat will also be an integral part of Mario Kart World as players will be able to talk to their friends and even see their reactions live on video for those who have a comptabile camera. If all players are on a single system, the camera can even detect up to four faces.

Modes

Alongside the modes we mentioned above, players will be able to jump into Time Trials, where there will also be an option to go online and race against ghost data of others around the world. VS Mode is next and it offers a ton of customization, including the option to compete with up to four different teams of racers.

Battle Mode is back as well, and it includes such coompetitions as Coin Runners and Balloon Battle.

Items

While there will be familiar items returning to Mario Kart like Bullet Bill and Lightning, there will also be some new additions like the Coin Shell that can knock rivals off course and provide a trail of coins for players to collect. There will also be an Ice Flower to freeze enemies, Hammers to attack enemies and block their paths, a Mega Mushroom that will grow players to monstrous heights, a Feather that will let players jump to avoid attacks, and even a Kamek item that will call in the classic character to transform players into something mysterious.

Support Features

Mario Kart World is aiming to be a game for players of all skill levels, and to reach that goal Nintendo is including some support features to help like Smart Steering, Tilt Controls (Joy-Con 2 wheel compatible!), Auto-Use Item, Auto-Accelerate, and the ability to adjust both the Vertical and Horizontal Camera.

For more, check out our hands-on preview of Mario Kart World, how Nintendo is justifying its $80 price tag, and our big Nintendo Switch 2 interview with Nintendo's Bill Trinen to learn more about the console.

Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.

Netflix has released the first trailer for The Sandman Season 2, revealing plans to bring Dream’s story to an end with a two-volume release this July.

The streaming giant spelled out its schedule for the dark fantasy universe alongside the second and final season’s debut trailer today. It’s a one-minute look at the follow-up batch of episodes that includes a few teases for how The Sandman will quickly wrap up its story with just one more season. Volume 1, which includes six episodes, is currently scheduled to premiere July 3, 2025, with Volume 2’s remaining five episodes set to arrive three weeks later come July 24.

Netflix shared an official description for the series’ final season: “After a fateful reunion with his family, Dream of the Endless (Tom Sturridge) must face one impossible decision after another as he attempts to save himself, his kingdom, and the waking world from the epic fallout of his past misdeeds. To make amends, Dream must confront longtime friends and foes, gods, monsters, and mortals. But the path to forgiveness is full of unexpected twists and turns, and true absolution may cost Dream everything.”

The Sandman Season 2 will turn the page for the graphic novel adaptation following multiple sexual assault allegations against creator Neil Gaiman in July 2024. After claims from multiple women emerged as part of a Tortoise Media podcast series, the author offered to step back from his work on Amazon Prime Video’s Good Omens. That series, another Gaiman adaptation, was later confirmed to end with Season 3, which will be comprised of just one slightly longer episode. A musical adaptation of Coraline was also canceled in the wake of the allegations.

It's unclear how the controversy has impacted production on The Sandman. Although Dream’s live-action story was only just confirmed to end with Season 2 this past January, showrunner Allan Heinberg told Variety that the plan to produce just one more season dates as far back as 2022. Gaiman remains attached as an executive producer for the Netflix project.

The Sandman Season 2 will cover the remainder of its story when it premieres all 11 of its episodes throughout July. For more, you can read up on the many, many cast additions the series has picked up in the last year. Our 9/10 Season 1 review can be found here.

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).