Gaming laptops are always a balance between price, performance, and portability. The Asus ROG Strix G16 manages to find a good balance between all three. Though a few more design updates would be welcome, its RTX 50-series graphics and Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor form a potent combination that delivers good gaming performance for the money.

Asus ROG Strix G16 - Design and Features

If I asked you to picture a “gaming laptop”, there’s a good chance something like the Asus ROG Strix G16 would come to mind. A lot of its design plays into the stereotypes but falls into the middle with how far it takes them. It isn’t thin or light, measuring 13.94 x 10.39 x 1.2 inches and weighing 5.51 pounds. It has a bright RGB keyboard and front LED strip to paint your desk in colored light. And the style is aggressive with a big ROG eye on the lid and plenty of hard angles and “Republic of Gamers” debossed on the hinge.

The system is beautiful, if a bit too similar to last year’s version. Big design changes are hardly a requirement for a great gaming laptop, but the Intel version of the 2025 Strix G16 has some meaningful upgrades that could influence which may be the best fit. While certainly not shabby, this version offers an improved selection of ports (Thunderbolt 5 and an extra USB Type-A), upgraded WiFi 7 compatibility, wraparound RGB lighting, and includes a larger trackpad.

The AMD system I’m reviewing comes with two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, two Type-C USB 4 ports, a full-size HDMI 2.1 video out, an RJ45 ethernet jack, and a 3.5mm audio combo port. Only one of the USB 4 ports can be used for charging, unlike the Intel version, and both Type-A ports are on the right side, which can get in the way of the mouse with trailing wires or larger dongles.

The AMD version is no slouch, either. Outfitted with a Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, it has both the brains and brawn to run the latest AAA games at a high framerate. It comes with 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB NVMe SSD for fast load times and speedy multitasking. Both the memory and storage can be upgraded and can be accessed easily by unscrewing and removing the back panel.

The “X3D” in the processor is important and points towards the potential better gaming performance thanks to its 3D V-Cache design. Broadly speaking, you can think of a processor’s cache as its own personal RAM supply, keeping the most important information data available for rapid access. Usually, these memory dies are laid out on a flat plane, but the G16’s Ryzen 9 9955HX3D stacks them vertically, lowering latency for improved performance. Compared to the standard Ryzen 9 9955HX, the 9955X3D also doubles the total amount of L3 cache bringing the total to 128MB. In short, this variant can access more, and more quickly, which directly translates to better gaming performance.

Keeping that hardware cool is one of the most important factors in performance. Unlike the Intel model, which received a new vapor chamber cooler this generation, the AMD version features the same three-fan, heat pipe design as last year. It also uses liquid metal on the graphics card to help keep temperatures low. Air is drawn in through vents on the bottom and through the keyboard and exhausts out the back and sides. When the fans ramp up to full speed, you can definitely feel the heat on your mouse hand, but I didn’t find it uncomfortable.

While it would have been nice to see the same upgrades Team Blue received, the existing system works well enough to avoid thermal throttling. After multiple benchmarks, I recorded a peak CPU temperature of 85C and a peak GPU temperature of 87C in turbo mode. Though the system is capable of running silently at idle, it definitely gets loud enough while gaming that it may bother anyone sitting nearby.

There’s no OLED screen on the G16, which comes as a bit of a surprise given that many of its competitors do (see the Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 and Razer Blade 16). There’s no mini-LED either, so HDR isn’t an option. It still gets plenty bright at around 500-nits and offers vibrant and relatively accurate color reproduction, so everything from games to editing YouTube videos looks reliably good. If you don’t care about gaming in HDR or want to avoid burn-in risk, it’s a solid option and helps the price stay reasonable.

Instead of OLED, the display offers a 1600p resolution and a fast 240Hz refresh rate. This resolution offers a middle ground between clarity and performance. At 16 inches, this translates to 189 pixels per inch (PPI), which appears crisp and detailed in both still images and games. It also doesn’t require an RTX 5090 or low settings to hit 60 FPS or higher in most games. It won’t compete with OLED in responsiveness, but its 240Hz refresh rate is certainly up to the task for competitive play and reduces motion blur and input lag that might give an enemy the advantage.

The keyboard and trackpad are just fine. The keys have good tactility and aren’t mushy, but lack the crispness of competitors like the HP Omen Max 16 or even Asus’s own ROG Zephyrus G16. They do offer programmable lighting and customizable macro buttons along the top row, though.

The trackpad is on the smaller side at 3.4 x 5.1 inches but is still large enough to easily use and allowed me to avoid activating it with my palms. The trackpad also features a built-in number pad option that can be activated by clicking the upper right corner. When pressed, a number pad is illuminated, allowing you to press numbers instead of moving the cursor. This can be convenient but more than once I activated it by accident and had to press multiple times to get it to turn off.

The speakers get relatively loud and avoid distortion at all but the highest level. They also offer a surprising amount of bass, so games and movies sound fuller and more rich than laptops typically are. A gaming headset will still offer a superior experience, especially if you’re trying to hear enemy footsteps, but you could definitely use the built-in speakers and have a good time outside of competitive games.

The system comes with a 1080p webcam, but it’s nothing special and doesn’t support Windows Hello facial recognition. While it’s not a make or break feature, it’s a nice convenience and disappointing to see left out here.

Finally, we come to battery life. The G16 comes with a 90 WHr battery capacity, so you won’t run into any issues taking it on a plane. To test its uptime, I put it through Procyon’s battery life test, which simulates mixed-use for productivity. In this test, it lasts five hours and 12 minutes. Gaming on battery is expectedly far lower, averaging around an hour and ten minutes. The system comes with a 220W power brick, which adds another pound or so to the system’s total weight, but if you’re planning on gaming, you’ll definitely want to carry it with you.

You can also charge the system through one of its USB-C ports at up to 100-watts. I found this to be very inconsistent, however. Even with the RTX 5070 Ti completely disabled, the system set to Silent and Eco GPU mode in Armoury Crate, and Windows set to prioritize battery life, it still wouldn’t charge consistently. After troubleshooting different chargers and cables, it appears that it may be a bug related to battery care settings in the MyAsus application, though I can’t be sure. I am certain that the system shouldn’t have been draining running potato settings with brightness set to minimum, though.

Asus ROG Strix G16 - Software

The G16 relies on a combination of Armoury Crate and MyAsus to customize its different settings. MyAsus is an application included on virtually all modern Asus laptops, even outside of gaming, and is designed to be beginner friendly. It gives you a quick overview of the system’s key stats and offers a number of diagnostics to pinpoint the root cause of different problems that may arise. The software also provides a range of options that are largely doubled-up in Armoury Crate, but are simpler toggles for things like Battery Care and Picture Modes.

Armoury Crate is where the bulk of the G16’s settings reside and it only takes a quick glance between the apps to see that it’s significantly more complex and feature rich. Within, you can see the same diagnostics but significantly expanded to include clock speeds and temperatures. The home page offers all of your most common settings, such as your current performance mode (Windows, Silent, Performance, Turbo, and Manual) and several shortcuts like disabling the Windows keep to get gaming faster. Clicking Manual mode allows you to dial in your own overclock, but like most laptops, there really isn’t much headroom outside of the preset modes.

Clicking through the tabs on the left, however, and you’ll find settings for lighting, remapping keys, configuring the GPU performance mode, changing the picture preset, and more. There’s even a wallpaper tool, a game launcher, and as an update tool so you can always be sure you’re running the latest drivers.

There’s a lot here and it’s not the best presented, but it’s also the exact same we’ve seen on ROG laptops for several years. If you’ve used it before, you’ll know what to expect. If not, prepare to take some time to explore each tab in depth.

Asus ROG Strix G16 - Performance

The Strix G16 has the on-paper specs to offer great gaming performance, but as with any laptop, there’s more at play than simple specs. Temperatures, wattages, clock speeds, and how long it’s able to maintain them all come into play.

To get an idea of what you should actually expect for performance, I ran the system through a battery of synthetic and real-world gaming tests. These tests are run on all of our gaming laptops and each is designed to assess a certain quality, like ray tracing performance with and without DLSS. All tests are performed at Ultra settings unless otherwise noted and are conducted at both native resolution and 1080p or the equivalent for its aspect ratio.

Beginning with synthetics, the G16 performs well, which isn’t surprising given the high its beefy processor. Its RTX 5070 Ti graphics are no slouch either, which is also represented here. Obviously, if you invest in a system with a higher-tier graphics card, you’ll see some gains, but the G16 sits in a sweet spot between price and performance.

Looking at real-world gaming benchmarks, the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D gets to flex its muscle a bit more. While the biggest benefits can be seen at 1200p, the G16 also sees a performance advantage at 1600p. As I’ve tested the system over the last several weeks, I’ve been able to do anecdotal testing with Ready or Not, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Battlefield 6. While I don’t have a standard Ryzen 9 9955HX to test against, the G16 averaged between 7 and 16% FPS higher than the ROG Zephyrus G16 and G14, each with the same GPU, when tested at the same resolutions in these games.

Given the charging issues I experienced, I had to carry the power brick any time I needed the system for more than a few hours without worrying about using power saving options which can lower performance. The weight of the system is already at the line for being too bulky and that pushes it over as a daily carry.

With that aside, the system itself is reliable outside of its middle-of-the-road battery life. The chassis is solid and the hinge is stable. The keyboard is decent enough that it doesn’t stand out negatively and the trackpad, while on the small side, works well. The screen and speakers are definite standouts, and with hardware at the level it offers, there’s little that it cannot do. It’s not a standout in some ways, but if you don’t need features like best-in-class battery life or extra ports, it’s a good pick for maximizing in-game framerates.

Christopher Coke has been a regular contributor to IGN since 2019 and has been covering games and technology since 2013. He has covered tech ranging from gaming controllers to graphics cards, gaming chairs and gaming monitors, headphones, IEMs, and more for sites such as MMORPG.com, Tom’s Hardware, Popular Science, USA Today’s Reviewed, and Popular Mechanics. Find Chris on Twitter @gamebynight.

One thing that's crystal clear as we head into 2026 is the importance of physical media. We've had enough of streaming service price hikes alongside everyone and their dog providing their own digital library. The same goes for music (vinyl is back, kids) and even manga.

TL;DR: Deals for Today

Shonen Jump and VIZ have their own apps, which are quite affordable, but nothing beats the feel and experience of reading physical manga. Well, smashing out a massive box set is up there too, which is why I've picked out some of my favourite series that are in Amazon's manga box set sale. Let's get into it.

Manga Box Set Sale

If you're planning on freeing up the box room to store One Piece manga, box sets one to four are all in the sale. That's volumes 1–90 for a combined $636.26, down from $959.96, saving a massive $323.70. That's a little over $7 per manga, which usual are usually priced at $11.99.
If you're a Dragon Ball fan like me, the Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z box sets are locked in the sale too for $97.99 and $175.66 respectively. That's a total of $273.65, down from $449.98, for the filler-free best way to experience the series. The way Akira Toriyama presents his panels is ridiculously expressive and a masterclass in what Shonen Jump manga is and should be.

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Hand Warmers

Cheapest at Amazon: MTG

Commander Masters is the best set to get into if you love playing Commander, getting you legacy card reprints that are ideal for the format. It's not cheap, but Amazon currently has the best pricing for Set and Draft booster boxes.
If you missed out on the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond set when it dropped earlier this year, the game edition of Cloud Strife's Commander Deck, Limit Breaker, is at market value on Amazon right now. That just means you're getting it for a fair price compared to the secondary market, whilst being able to take advantage of that sweet Prime shipping.

Cheapest at TCGPlayer - MTG

TCGPlayer is still holding the top spot for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Play Booster Box preorders. It's a full $20 cheaper from its merchants right now, a saving worth getting over Prime shipping. The same goes for the Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box, a full $30 cheaper over Amazon's price.
Fair enough, Amazon has its preorder price guarantee, but that only counts if they drop the price before release. You can't price match other retailers with this guarantee, so if you see a steep discount on a preorder elsewhere, take your chances.

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Cheapest at Amazon: Pokémon TCG

It’s great to see popular sets like Surging Sparks and Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Boxes crop up for less on Amazon, with the former being below market value alongside the Destined Rivals triple booster.

Cheapest at TCGPlayer: Pokémon TCG

It’s strange to see Silver Tempest sealed product showing up on Amazon right now. Perhaps we’ll see more Sword & Shield-era reprints on store shelves? Regardless, TCGPlayer has the Silver Tempest Elite Trainer Box for far less than Amazon, and the same goes for the Prismatic Evolutions ETB.

TCGPlayer also has the best deal on Destined Rivals Booster Bundles, currently sitting at $52.50. That means you get double the booster packs compared to the three-pack booster deal in the last section for less than double the price. TCGPlayer really has the no-brainer deals right now.

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Skytech Gaming PC Holiday Sale

Considering we’ve just entered a memory chip shortage across the board, with even DDR4 RAM going for silly money, getting an RTX 5060 build with 32GB DDR4 for $1,079 is a great deal. You’ll have solid 1080p gaming with either an Intel i5-14400F or AMD Ryzen 7 5700 processor to boot. Personally, I’d go for the Crystal build. It costs the same and gives you far more room for bigger GPU upgrades down the line.

If you’re looking to go all-in with 4K gaming out of the box for under $3,000, the $2,799.99 Aqua build comes with a gorgeous clear white and blue case, complete with CPU liquid cooling, an RTX 5080, 32GB DDR5, and the absolute beast that is the Ryzen 7 9800X3D.

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.

2026 is here, so let's look at what Hollywood's got in store for us over the next 12 months, ranging from horror and sci-fi to superheroes and fantasy to whatever Disney and Pixar have planned. The name of the game these days? Sequels. Or prequels. Or remakes. Or basically anything embedded in a franchise or based on an IP. There are only like two or three standalone original films tucked away among the 50 plus movies here, so let's get to it!

The MCU is ready to go supermassive with both Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday while the DCU is landing a bit softer (but still awesomely) with Supergirl and Clayface. Pixar has Hoppers in the chamber but its big shot is Toy Story 5, while Disney rolls the dice with Hexed (while still having a surefire hit with the live-action Moana).

Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Sam Raimi, and M. Night Shyamalan all have new flicks this year, while the horror landscape screams loudly with Primate, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, Evil Dead Burn, Lee Cronin's The Mummy, Zach Cregger's Resident Evil, and Robert Eggers' Werwulf. Animated fare includes The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Coyote vs. Acme (finally!), Minions 3, The Cat in the Hat, and the aforementioned Hexed and Hoppers.

Check out the movies we can't wait to catch in 2026!

January

Greenland 2: Migration

Release Date: January 9, 2026

The Greenland gang is back, baby! Well, most of them, anyhow, as Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin return to the bleak, ruined Earth -- which suffered global catastrophes in the first movie -- to trek across Europe five years later in search of a new safe haven for their family. The cast of Greenland 2: Migration includes Amber Rose Revah (The Punisher), William Abadie (Emily in Paris), and Roman Griffin Davis (Jojo Rabbit), who now plays their son Nathan.

Primate

Release Date: January 9, 2026

A family's adopted chimpanzee suddenly becomes violent due to being bitten by a rabid animal in Primate, a murderous monkey (okay, ape) movie that was all the rage at 2025's Fantastic Fest. So get ready for the most bananas movie since 1990's Shakma.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

Release Date: January 16, 2026

Filmed back-to-back with 28 Years Later, but directed by Nia DaCosta in place of Danny Boyle, The Bone Temple will continue the story of Ralph Fiennes's Dr. Kelson while also diving into the big Jack O'Connell "Jimmy" cliffhanger, featuring Spike (Alfie Williams) meeting the cult leader and his blonde, track-suited, karate squad. If you didn't see 28 Years Later then that part probably sounded very weird. Anyhow, Aaron Taylor-Johnson is back too, as well as (finally!) Cillian Murphy's Jim.

Mercy

Release Date: January 23, 2026

Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson star in Mercy, a dystopian thriller about a detective who has 90 minutes to prove to an AI judge that he's innocent of murdering his wife. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov of Night Watch, Wanted, and, um... also that Ice Cube War of the Worlds movie fame.

Return to Silent Hill

Release Date: January 23, 2026

Writer/director Christophe Gans (Brotherhood of the Wolf, Silent Hill) is back to helm Return to Silent Hill, based on Konami's Silent Hill 2. Jeremy Irvine plays protagonist James Sunderland while Evie Templeton, who played Laura in the Silent Hill 2 game remake, reprises that role. Do you dare return to the psychological torment of this small town nightmare?

Send Help

Release Date: January 30, 2026

After dipping his toe in the MCU with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, director Sam Raimi is back in the small-scale scares business with Send Help, about a mocked and abused office worker who turns the table on her d-bag boss when they wind up stranded on a deserted island. Starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien, and written by Mark Swift and Damian Shannon (of Freddy vs. Jason and 2009's Friday the 13th fame).

February

Cold Storage

Release Date: February 13, 2026

Liam Neeson, Stranger Things' Joe Keery, and Barbarian's Georgina Campbell star in Cold Storage, about two employees at a self-storage facility, built atop a former military base, who must deal with a spreading government-sealed parasitic fungus. Written by David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Spider-Man, Black Bag).

Crime 101

Release Date: February 13, 2026

With an ensemble featuring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry, Crime 101 tells the tale of an elusive jewel thief known as "Davis" (Hemsworth) who follows a strict code of conduct (the titular Crime 101). Based on a Don Winslow novella, the film is written and directed by Bart Layton.

Wuthering Heights

Release Date: February 13, 2026

The latest adaptation of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, which arrives just in time for Valentine's Day, stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as tragic couple Catherine and Heathcliff. Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman, Saltburn) puts her own personal spin on this classic gothic drama, with original songs coming in hot from Charli XCX.

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die

Release Date: February 13, 2026

Gore Verbinski (The Ring, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl) directs Sam Rockwell in Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die (review), about a man from the future who recruits patrons at a Los Angeles diner to help combat a rogue artificial intelligence. Also starring Michael Peña, Zazie Beetz, Juno Temple, and Haley Lu Richardson.

Psycho Killer

Release Date: February 20, 2026

Se7en's Andrew Kevin Walker pens a new serial killer thriller, Psycho Killer, about a highway patrol officer who's determined to track down a sadistic murderer after her husband is taken from her. Barbarian's Georgina Campbell stars, alongside Logan Miller and Malcolm McDowell.

Scream 7

Release Date: February 27, 2026

Scream 7, written (and directed!) by original series scribe Kevin Williamson, enters the franchise amidst some controversy following the firing of star Melissa Barrera and the loss of co-star Jenna Ortega. With the Carpenter sisters gone, the franchise returns once more to Neve Campbell's Sidney Prescott as she faces down a new "But I'm different from the rest" Ghostface(s?). Dead characters are also back in the form of David Arquette, Matthew Lillard, and Scott Foley -- perhaps getting the Force ghost treatment that Skeet Ulrich got in the last two movies. Unless...

March

The Bride!

Release Date: March 6, 2026

Set in 1930s Chicago, Maggie Gyllenhaal's The Bride! follows Frankenstein's monster (Christian Bale) as he has a companion created for him in the person of Men's Jessie Buckley. Jake Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Annette Bening, and Penélope Cruz also star in this Bonnie and Clyde-esque take on The Bride of Frankenstein.

Hoppers

Release Date: March 6, 2026

One of Pixar's 2026 offerings -- a few months ahead of Toy Story 5 -- comes from We Bare Bears' Daniel Chong. Hoppers follows a teenager, Mabel (Piper Curda), who uses new technology to embody a robotic beaver and thwart a construction company's plot to destroy the local animal habitat. Other voices include Jon Hamm, Demetri Martin, and SNL alums Bobby Moynihan and Melissa Villaseñor.

Project Hail Mary

Release Date: March 20, 2026

From Cloverfield and Cabin in the Woods' Drew Goddard and directing duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (The Lego Movie, 21 Jump Street) comes the story of a teacher-turned-astronaut sent to deep space in order to solve a catastrophic solar event. Ryan Gosling stars in Project Hail Mary, a sci-fi adventure based on Andy Weir's 2021 best-seller. Sandra Hüller, Milana Vayntrub, Ken Leung, and The Bear's Lionel Boyce also star.

April

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Release Date: April 3, 2026

The follow-up to 2023's billion-dollar hit, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie brings Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, and Keegan-Michael Key back for a new cosmic adventure based on 2007's Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii (and possibly other Mario properties as well). Newcomers include Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr. and Brie Larson as Rosalina.

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

Release Date: April 10, 2026

Radio Silence's directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (with EP Chad Villella) have returned to the horror romp that put them on the map (and got them the Scream 5 and 6 gigs) with Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. Samara Weaving is also back as Grace, now joined by Sarah Michelle Gellar as well as Abigail's Kathryn Newton and Kevin Durand. Add to that The Faculty's Shawn Hatosy and Elijah Wood, and director David Cronenberg, and you’re on track for a splattery good time.

The Mummy

Release Date: April 17, 2026

Ahead of The Mummy 4, which will bring back franchise stars Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, Blumhouse and James Wan's latest Universal Monster update (even though this is for New Line) is Lee Cronin's The Mummy, as the Evil Dead Rise director looks to untomb some sinister scares with this classic cursed character. Midsommar's Jack Reynor, Moon Knight's May Calamawy, and The Wheel of Time's Laia Costa star.

Michael

Release Date: April 24, 2026

Antoine Fuqua's much-anticipated Michael Jackson biopic moonwalks into theaters ahead of the summer movie season, with the "King of Pop" being portrayed by Jackson's real nephew, Jaafar Jackson. Written by John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator), Michael also features Colman Domingo as Michael's abusive father Joe, Nia Long as Michael's mother, and Miles Teller as lawyer John Branca.

May

The Devil Wears Prada 2

Release Date: May 1, 2026

Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci, and Emily Blunt are back, 20 years later, for The Devil Wears Prada 2 -- based on the novel Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns by Lauren Weisberger. This time they're joined by Kenneth Branagh, Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux, Sydney Sweeney, and Lady Gaga.

Mortal Kombat II

Release Date: May 8, 2026

Originally slated for October of 2025, Mortal Kombat II, featuring The Boys and Star Trek's Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, will flawlessly land on May 8. Cage will join the fight against the rule of Shao Kahn, whose rise threatens the survival of Earthrealm and its defenders. Other new characters include Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, Tati Gabrielle as Jade, Damon Herriman as Quan Chi, Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn, Ana Thu Nguyen as Sindel, and CJ Bloomfield as Baraka.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

Release Date: May 22, 2026

The first Star Wars film since 2019's The Rise of Skywalker will bring Jon Favreau's Mandalorian to the big screen, but will what worked so well on Disney+ strike box-office gold? And was the seven-year pause better for the brand? Written by Jon Favreau and Lucasfilm chief creative office Dave Filoni, The Mandalorian and Grogu tracks Din Djarin and "Baby Yoda" taking on "legit" contract work for the New Republic. And let's not forget Sigourney Weaver joining the cast, as well as Jeremy Allen White as Jabba the Hutt's son, Rotta.

June

Animal Friends

Release Date: June 5, 2026

Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Vince Vaughn, and Aubrey Plaza star in this live-action/animation tale about two on-the-run animals (who sure look to be a horse and a bear) being pursued while on an adventure across America.

Masters of the Universe

Release Date: June 5, 2026

At long last, a new live-action He-Man movie. Masters of the Universe follows Nicholas Galitzine's Prince Adam as he returns to Eternia, after two decades away, to wield the Power Sword of Grayskull and battle Jared Leto's Skeletor. Alison Brie will play Evil-Lyn, Idris Elba is Man-At-Arms, Camila Mendes is Teela, and Morena Baccarin is the Sorceress. Will this new version have THE POWER that the '80s iteration lacked?

Disclosure Day

Release Date: June 12, 2026

Icon Steven Spielberg returns to extraterrestrial territory with Disclosure Day. Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo, and Wyatt Russell fill out the cast of this UFO thriller. Frequent collaborator David Koepp wrote the script while the legendary John Williams scores.

Scary Movie 6

Release Date: June 12, 2026

It'll have been 13 years since a Scary Movie last made us bust a gut, but now the Wayans brothers have a full decade of horror flicks to lampoon in Scary Movie 6 -- like Heretic, Nope, Get Out, Longlegs, and more. Anna Faris and Regina Hall are even back, reprising their roles from the first four films.

Toy Story 5

Release Date: June 19, 2026

Will post-Toy Story 3 Toy Story movies continue to be diminishing returns or have they finally cracked the code to continuing this franchise? Either way a billion-dollar haul is all but guaranteed as Pixar's Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, WALL-E) takes the reins here, bringing us back into the world of Bonnie, now eight years old, and her obsession with a new toy -- a frog-like tablet named Lilypad (Anna Faris). Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack are all back for Toy Story 5, as well as Tony Hale's Forky.

Supergirl

Release Date: June 26, 2026

July

Minions 3

Release Date: July 1, 2026

After four Despicable Me films and two Minion spinoffs, it's time for Minions 3! And we don't know a damn thing about it except that it was bumped up from its original 2027 release date and that Pierre Coffin will continue to voice those little yellow rascals. No plot yet. No cast yet. Hold firm, everybody.

Moana

Release Date: July 10, 2026

Just a year after Moana 2, we're getting the live-action Moana remake starring Dwayne Johnson as the role he voices in the animated films, Maui. Catherine Laga'aia portrays Moana in a retelling that is sure to rake in a ton of cash (the live-action Lilo & Stitch is the top-grossing American movie of 2025, globally, as of this writing).

The Odyssey

Release Date: July 17, 2026

Christopher Nolan one of the few directors nowadays that can put butts in seats just on his name alone. But how will The Odyssey fare on its own? Unpaired with a tonally opposite film like Barbie? Maybe it should have shared theaters with Moana to create a new "Moadyssey" phenomenon. Regardless, the cast is stacked, with Nolan players Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, and Elliot Page anchoring newcomers to the director's realm like Tom Holland, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, and more. Oh, and the source material is pretty solid too.

Evil Dead Burn

Release Date: July 24, 2026

The Deadites are back to swallow our souls in Evil Dead Burn, from director Sébastien Vaniček. Introducing a French protagonist (Souheila Yacoub) who faces a new, brutal supernatural threat, the main plot of the film is still under wraps. Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, and Rob Tapert continue to produce, like they've done with all Evil Dead incarnations.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Release Date: July 31, 2026

At one point, briefly, Avengers: Doomsday was releasing before Spider-Man 4, but now things got flipped (and thwipped?). Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton takes over the Spidey saga from Jon Watts as the film (as indicated by the Brand New Day title and how it relates to the comics) deals with Peter Parker's life post-Peter Parker erasure. Jon Bernthal's Punisher joins the mix, as well as actress Sadie Sink, who some fans think is playing Punisher protégé Rachel Cole-Alves. Plus, Mark Ruffalo is back as Hulk, Michael Mando returns as Mac Gargan/Scorpion, and Marvin Jones III will be Tombstone. Oh, and Zendaya and Jacob Batalon are back as MJ and Ned, of course.

August

Untitled Insidious 6

Release Date: August 21, 2026

The sixth Insidious movie -- not counting the spinoff, Jeremy Slater's Thread: An Insidious Tale with Mandy Moore and Kumail Nanjiani, which doesn't have a release date yet -- is poised to pop in August of 2026. It stars Nope's Brandon Perea, Legends of Tomorrow's Maisie Richardson-Sellers, and Insidious franchise powerhouse Lin Shaye.

Coyote vs. Acme

Release Date: August 28, 2026

The live-action/animation hybrid caper that became ground zero in the debate over the nefarious streaming landscape and the contempt for artists and performers in the eyes of greedy CEOs -- after the unceremonious disposal of Batgirl had lit the flame -- will finally have its day in theaters. With a story by Samy Burch, James Gunn, and Jeremy Slater, Coyote vs. Acme follows Wile E. Coyote as he sues the Acme Corporation for repeatedly selling him alleged faulty products. John Cena, Will Forte, Lana Condor, P. J. Byrne, Tone Bell, and Martha Kelly represent the human cast while the full breadth of Looney Tunes characters fills out the rest.

September

Clayface

Release Date: September 11, 2026

A slight detour in the DCU is happening because -- well -- The Haunting of Hill House's Mike Flanagan had an idea for a standalone movie and wrote a Clayface script heavily influenced by the character's portrayal in the Batman: The Animated Series two-part episode "Feat of Clay." Now, Clayface does exist in the DCU already, as he was voiced by Alan Tudyk in Creature Commandos, which not only is canon but is part of James Gunn's experiment of "mostly" casting the same actors in both animated and live-action forms. And we saw Frank Grillo already make that leap as Rick Flag Sr. in Peacemaker: Season 2. (Tom Rhys Harries will play Clayface in the movie though.) Of course, this kind of breaks Gunn's crossover rule (because he did say "mostly") but we also could be dealing with multiple Clayfaces (aka "the Mudpack"). Tudyk also played silly Clayface on the Harley Quinn series, but yeah, that's not the version we're dealing with now. James Watkins (Eden Lake, Speak No Evil) directs.

Resident Evil

Release Date: September 18, 2026

Though he terrified us with both Barbarian and Weapons, writer/director (and sketch comedian) Zach Cregger is a video game addict at heart, loving the Resident Evil series so much that he basically has free reign with this version of it. His take on the storied series comes out in September and stars Austin Abrams, Paul Walter Hauser, Zach Cherry, and Kali Reis. Sure, there are already seven Paul W. S. Anderson Resident Evil movies, and in the last four years there was another movie -- Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City -- AND a Netflix series. But given Cregger's track record, THIS reboot is the one we really want to see.

Practical Magic 2

Release Date: September 18, 2026

Though the original Practical Magic was a dud at the box office, and mostly maligned by critics, it's grown as a Halloween season cult classic over the last couple of decades. Enough so that a full sequel is coming, complete with Owens sisters Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, and their aunts Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest. It looks like Joey King is playing the older Kylie Owens (instead of Evan Rachel Wood, who said they never asked her to come back) while GoT's Maisie Williams will play Alexandra. Lee Pace and Cobra Kai's Xolo Maridueña also star in Practical Magic 2.

October

The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender

Release Date: October 9, 2026

Taking place years after the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender and before The Legend of Korra, The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender will follow the series' main characters -- Aang, Toph, Katara, Sokka, and Zuko (now voiced by Steven Yeun) -- in their young adult years. Dave Bautista will voice the movie's big bad.

The Social Reckoning

Release Date: October 9, 2026

Most films on this list are sequels, or part of a larger franchise, but let it be known than even lauded Oscar-winning movies aren't immune to the errant follow up. Enter... The Social Reckoning, a sequel to David Fincher’s The Social Network, this time written and directed by Aaron Sorkin (who wrote the first film). Succession’s Jeremy Strong takes over the Mark Zuckerberg role, leading an ensemble featuring Jeremy Allen White, Mikey Madison, Bill Burr, Wunmi Mosaku, Betty Gilpin, Portia Doubleday and more. The story is based on the 2021 Facebook leak by whistleblower Frances Haugen where we learned that the social media giant was aware of harmful societal effects from its platforms, yet did nothing.

Street Fighter

Release Date: October 16, 2026

The third live-action Street Fighter movie (if anyone remembers Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li) has a fun, stacked cast -- with Jason Momoa, 50 Cent, Noah Centineo, WWE stars Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes (as Akuma and Guile, respectively), and David Dastmalchian as M. Bison. Set in 1993, estranged Street Fighters Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Centineo) are thrown back into combat when the mysterious Chun-Li (Callina Liang) recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament.

Remain

Release Date: October 23, 2026

M. Night Shyamalan's latest will hit right in time for Halloween, featuring Jake Gyllenhaal as a New York architect who heads to Cape Cod to design a summer home for his best friend, seeking a fresh start after being treated for acute depression. Still mourning his sister's death, he meets Wren (Phoebe Dynevor), a young woman who disrupts his carefully ordered world. Remain is based on an idea Shyamalan conceived with author Nicholas Sparks, who separately wrote the novel version of the same story.

November

The Cat in the Hat

Release Date: November 6, 2026

Bill Hader voices the title character, the classic Dr. Seuss scamp, as he takes on his toughest assignment yet: to cheer up Gabby (Xochitl Gomez) and Sebastian (Tiago Martinez), a pair of siblings struggling with their move to a new town. Giancarlo Esposito, America Ferrera, Bowen Yang, Matt Berry, and Quinta Brunson also star in this new take on The Cat in the Hat.

Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol

Release Date: November 13, 2026

What's director Ti West up to after thrilling us with his X-Pearl-MaXXXine hat trick? Why, he's diving into Dickens and giving Johnny Depp his first major American studio starring role since 2018's Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Depp will play Scrooge, joined by Sir Ian McKellen, Andrea Riseborough, and Severance’s Tramell Tillman (as the Ghost of Christmas Present).

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Release Date: November 20, 2026

Director Francis Lawrence returns to the Hunger Games-verse (after taking a brief dystopian break with The Long Walk) to adapt Suzanne Collins' prequel novel, Sunrise on the Reaping. This time we learn all about young Haymitch Abernathy's time, and victory, in the the 50th Hunger Games -- the Second Quarter Quell -- which requires double the number of tributes from each district. Joseph Zada plays 16-year-old Haymitch, joined by Mckenna Grace (Ghostbusters: Afterlife) and The Long Walk's Ben Wang. Ralph Fiennes is on hand as a middle-age President Coriolanus Snow while Jesse Plemons plays a young Plutarch Heavensbee, Elle Fanning portrays a young Effie Trinket, and Kieran Culkin embodies a youthful Caesar Flickerman.

Focker In-Law

Release Date: November 25, 2026

Ben Stiller is more of a behind-the-camera guy these days, what with his acclaimed miniseries Escape at Dannemora and Apple TV's Severance, but the comedy legend is returning to one of his biggest focking franchises with the fourth Focker flick, Focker In-Law. Stiller, Robert De Niro, Owen Wilson, Blythe Danner, and Teri Polo are all back for this new comedy of errors, while adding Superman's Skyler Gisondo as son Henry. Ariana Grande, Beanie Feldstein, and Eduardo Franco also star.

Hexed

Release Date: November 25, 2026

Disney's animated entry this year is Hexed, following a teenage oddball and his mom who discover that his "weirdness" is actually hidden magic, transporting them to a world where magic can run free. The cast is unknown at this time but the directors are Josie Trinidad and Jason Hand (Moana 2).

December

Violent Night 2

Release Date: December 4, 2026

David Harbour reprises his role as a rough and tumble, take no shit Santa Claus, this time stranded in a New Jersey mall and cut off from the North Pole while facing down a local crime lord and his goons. Violent Night 2 also stars Jared Harris, Joe Pantoliano, The Suicide Squad's Daniela Melchior, and AEW's MJF, with Kristen Bell onboard as Mrs. Claus.

Untitled Jumanji Sequel

Release Date: December 11, 2026

The next Dwayne Johnson/Kevin Hart Jumanji movie -- from a series which has traditionally cleaned up during the holidays -- is slated for December. We don't know anything about this fifth Jumanji chapter (or fourth, if you're just counting the Rock timeline, or third if you don't include Zathura!) except that Johnson, Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan are all back. AND that it's the final Jumanji film from this quartet.

Avengers: Doomsday

Release Date: December 18, 2026

With the MCU's Kang pivot, Disney backed up a huge truck o' cash and got both Robert Downey Jr. and the Russo Brothers back for an Avengers movie that was once supposed to be called The Kang Dynasty and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. Instead, it's now about our assembled heroes trying to save the world (and the multiverse) from Doctor Doom (who we assume has kidnapped baby Franklin Richards and is using the tot's Power Cosmic to rewrite reality). The cast here is too big to list so just know that everyone's coming back. Everyone. Even the Fox franchise X-Men. Even people that weren't listed on those director's chairs.

Dune: Part Three

Release Date: December 18, 2026

Denis Villeneuve will tackle Frank Herbert's 1969 novel Dune Messiah, essentially ending the director's Dune trilogy. Dune: Part Three will bring in Anya Taylor-Joy fully as Paul's sister, Alia Atreides, as well as introduce Paul's twin children, Leto II and Ghanima. Robert Pattinson is also in the fray now as the villain Scytale. Side note: It's crazy that Avengers and Dune are opening the same day.

Werwulf

Release Date: December 25, 2026

Director Robert Eggers is following up his Nosferatu remake with another creature feature, bringing back Nosferatu players Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Lily-Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe, and Ralph Ineson for a werewolf film, Werwulf. Unlike Nosferatu though, this is not a re-telling of a classic movie but instead a story set in 13th century England (and with all dialogue in Middle English), as a mysterious creature stalks a foggy countryside full of terrifed villagers. Eggers has said of the script that it's the darkst story he's written so far, so... Merry Christmas, y'all!

Streaming Original Movies

Streamers can be pretty coy with announcing their original content but here's what we know, right now, is coming in 2026.

The Rip

Release Date: January 16 (Netflix)

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck star opposite each other (in their twelfth film together!) in Joe Carnahan's (Smokin' Aces, Copshop) The Rip, about Miami cops who discover a stash of millions in cash, leading to distrust and betrayal.

Narnia: The Magician's Nephew

Release Date: Nov. 26 (Netflix)

Writer/director Greta Gerwig's post-Barbie offering is Narnia: The Magician's Nephew, which will get a brief theatrical release prior to streaming. Based on the sixth book in The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis (and a prequel to the other five books), the film stars Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Daniel Craig, and Denise Gough.

11817

Release Date: TBA (Netflix)

Greta Lee and Wagner Moura star in this sci-fi horror film about a family who become inexplicably trapped inside their home and must work together to survive and figure out what is keeping them confined.

Enola Holmes 3

Release Date: TBA (Netflix)

Stranger Things' Millie Bobby Brown is back as Sherlock Holmes' younger sister in a third adventure. Co-starring Louis Partridge, Himesh Patel, Helena Bonham Carter and Henry Cavill (as Sherlock).

Animals

Release Date: TBA (Netflix)

Ben Affleck directs and stars in Animals, a kidnapping thriller which also features Gillian Anderson, Kerry Washington, Steven Yeun, Adriana Paz, and Ray Fisher.

The Whisper Man

Release Date: TBA (Netflix)

Robert De Niro stars in this crime thriller about a widowed father who, after his own son is abducted, enlists the help of his estranged father, a retired detective, to get him back. Michelle Monaghan, Adam Scott, Michael Keaton, John Carroll Lynch, Hamish Linklater, and Owen Teague also star.

The Dink

Release Date: TBA (Apple TV)

Ben Stiller and Jake Johnson star in this new comedy about an aging tennis pro who must play pickleball to save a local club.

Being Heumann

Release Date: TBA (Apple TV)

This biography of disability rights activist Judith Heumann stars Rith Madeley, Mark Ruffalo, Dylan O'Brien, Rob Delaney, and Ray Fisher.

Outcome

Release Date: TBA (Apple TV)

This dark comedy, directed by Jonah Hill, stars Keanu Reeves as a blackmailed actor who tries to make amends with those who he has wronged in the past in order to figure out who the blackmailer is. Hill, Cameron Diaz, Matt Bomer, David Spade, and Laverne Cox also star.

That's all the biggest stuff coming in 2026. But what are you most looking forward to? Vote in our poll above, and let's talk in the comments!

If you’ve been looking to add to your physical media collection, a whole bunch of Steelbooks are currently discounted on Amazon. Even preorders, including Scream and World War Z, have had their prices slashed ahead of their releases over the next couple of months. A few titles are also hitting their lowest prices ever for some last-day-of-the-year savings.

Check out some of my favorite Steelbook deals below:

Steelbooks are special editions of popular movies and shows that come with the standard Blu-ray disc you get with traditional 4K UHD offerings. However, what puts them a notch above your typical Blu-ray is the sturdy case, hence the name, plus often exclusive artwork, bonus features, and other extras. That does usually mean a higher price tag, but Steelbooks are ideal for physical media collectors looking to own the best editions of their favorite titles.

When seeking out the best deals, I was most excited to see the Tommy Boy Steelbook down to its lowest price ever, costing just $18.99. This 30th Anniversary release gives the 90s comedy classic the 4K treatment, and it's an awesome edition to any collection, bringing an instant serotonin boost as soon as you hit play. Sticking with the 90s, my favorite slasher film, Scream, is getting a limited-edition Steelbook, and it’s 20% off if you pre-order now. And of course, no collection would be complete without Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. The limited-edition Steelbook contains a 4K remaster of the film, special artwork, and a variety of extras for under $30.

Moving into this millennium, a number of limited-edition steelbooks are on sale. If you’re anxiously awaiting Nolan’s The Odyssey, you can revisit another one of his iconic films, Interstellar. This limited Steelbook reprint features a 4K UHD remaster of the film, and is 33% off. World War Z is another sci-fi flick getting a Steelbook, and its pre-order is discounted ahead of its release at the end of January. But if you need something a little lighter, the Renfield Steelbook 4K UHD is now at its lowest price ever. It’s hard not to love this Dracula retelling, and it is a fun addition to any collection.

Those are just a sampling of the many Steelbooks discounted. Be sure to grab them while you can, as these deals won’t last forever.

Danielle is a Tech freelance writer based in Los Angeles who spends her free time creating videos and geeking out over music history.

The Fallout TV show is packed full of characters, factions, locations, and items familiar to any who has played the beloved RPGs. There are so many easter eggs to spot that we found 111 video game details in Season 1 alone. With season two heading to a fan-favourite part of the Fallout universe, New Vegas, naturally, a whole new flood of iconography is set to make its way from the games into the Prime Video series. So, we’ll be digging into each and every episode and picking out everything we’ve noticed that relates to the source material.

You can check out everything we found in episode two, but here, we’ll be taking a look at every video game easter egg and details we spotted in episode three of Fallout Season 2.

Characters and Factions

This review contains spoilers for Fallout Season 2, Episode 3, “The Profligate,” which is available to stream now on Prime Video.

“I think I just started a war.” Yeah, Maximus, I think you did.

Killing off Kumail Nanjiani’s Paladin Harkness just a single episode after he was introduced is a bold move, but a shock that thrillingly caps off a great episode full of snarling factions, long-awaited fan service, and some huge decisions that not only have major consequences for the Mojave wasteland, but also provide deep, fascinating insights into the hearts of two of our leads: Maximus and The Ghoul.

Let’s start with our noseless gunslinger, who after treading water for a couple of hours is suddenly on the move to some real interesting places. Left by Lucy last week to sweat it out with a leg full of radscorpion venom, The Ghoul has a remarkably vulnerable moment with the ever-faithful Dogmeat. His musings on how many planks you have to remove from a boat until it’s not a boat anymore, muttered as he rips oozing chunks out of his own thigh, is a sort-of-ship-of-Theseus metaphor for his own life. His soul has lost too many planks, and it’s a new milestone for what’s left of Cooper Howard to admit that, even if he’ll only say it to a dog. Lucy’s Christmas Carol sermon from last week has clearly been ticking away in his mind – he’s dedicated two centuries to finding his family, but will he be worth a damn when he finally does?

Perhaps The Ghoul really can change, though, if his rescuing of Lucy is anything to go by. Her choice to help the tunic-wearing woman last week led her right into the den of Caesar’s Legion, who naturally did what any bloodthirsty Romans would do: strung her up for crucifixion. The Ghoul goes significantly (and uncharacteristically) out of his way to save his travelling companion from such a fate, betraying his former uneasy allies at the NCR. As much as she may annoy the living heck out of him, it seems like The Ghoul may have developed some genuine (low level) affection for Lucy.

While Walton Goggins is undoubtedly the headliner of the Lucy/Ghoul double act this week, Ella Purnell does get a solitary sparkling moment in the spotlight before she’s Life of Brian’d. Her argument with the Legion’s leaders is really good fun, particularly her fast-fired, enjoyably educated objections to their prima nocta clause (although if we’re honest, the “I’m not even a virgin, and that’s not even including all of the cousin stuff” is the real winning punchline here). Lucy has clearly hardened into someone who has no intention of being torn down by the wasteland, even when her opponent is much bigger and scarier than she is.

And scary they are! Horrible cutthroats who butcher the woman Lucy saved within seconds of them entering the camp. But they’re a wonderful contradiction of incredibly cruel and impossibly silly. We’ve got a bunch of Roman cosplayers, wearing sunglasses and wielding machine guns, who have dedicated themselves to a man pretending to be Julius Caesar. Second in command is Macaulay Culkin, who’s having an absolute riot in the role. His aloof, classical theatre tone, perfectly shaved head, and dedication to the Legion’s rules makes him a deadly serious joke. I certainly hope this isn’t the last we’ve seen of him.

As I’ve mentioned in prior reviews, I’m really pleased that showrunners Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet have made the faction interplay that defines the Fallout: New Vegas video game such a key part of this season’s fabric. That continues here with the introduction of the game’s NCR rangers, although they’re sadly afforded much less screen time than the Legion. Now barely more than a handful of troops, their desperate fight for survival is interesting, but so far little explored.

There’s a chance that die-hard fans may find the presentation of the NCR and the Legion somewhat frustrating because of how thinly drawn their direct links to the game are. With the show taking place a decade and a half after the events of Fallout: New Vegas, many will have hoped or even expected it to establish a “canon ending” for the game. But it seems those answers aren’t coming – while these are undoubtedly the factions we met in the digital world, brought to life with exceptional understanding of the material, the Legion’s double-Caesar civil war and the NCR’s continuing rivalry with them doesn’t directly relate to any of the game’s multiple endings. Both factions squabbling in the dirt, miles away from the Vegas Strip, does suggest that if there even is a canon ending to the game, it’s the one that saw you fight for an independent Vegas (or, less likely, carried Mr. House to victory). But Wagner and Robertson-Dworet have wisely decided to leave the key events of New Vegas' finale shrouded in mystery. Still, it’s fun to wonder what happened to the original Caesar, whose death has split the Legion into rival gangs: was he killed by the courier, or did he die from that brain tumor?

While the Legion wages its playground-sized war, the real thing is brewing over at Area 51. Maximus goes on a fantastically messy journey this week, once again crushed and reshaped by the bullies that rule his life. Belittled by Quintus for suggesting they kick-start the very war that his master has been plotting, Maximus finds an unexpected ego boost in the man he would assassinate. Paladin Harkness butters him up with tales of how he’d be leadership material over in the Commonwealth – silver-tongued lies delivered by Kumail Nanjiani, who’s having the time of his life. But you can see why Maximus falls for them; he may be made of matchsticks, but it’d take an iron will to resist the Paladin’s maverick charm. It’s just a shame Nanjiani and his Han Solo-schtick didn’t get to stick around longer.

It’s amusing to see just how easily-influenced Maximus is across this episode. First he wants to kill Harkness, then he walks into his arms after Quintus tells him off. He sees right through Harkness when it becomes clear all the Paladin wants is to take the Cold Fusion relic for the Commonwealth, but falls back under his smooth-talking spell the moment the pair get to goof off and play croquet with a Super Sledge hammer and a Securitron robot. He is so incredibly weak of character and so easily manipulated by external forces, which is exactly what makes the episode’s final, fatal hammer blow so exciting. Finally, we see Maximus make a decision that’s all his own, one that comes from his own sense of justice. And by killing Paladin Harkness to save the ghoul children, we can see that the good, moral man that his father always hoped he’d grow up to become is somewhere inside him.

Of course, I can’t move on from Maximus’ story without mentioning the wonderful walking joke that is Johnny Pemberton’s Thaddeus. His new life as a ghoul has turned him into some kind of Dickensian slave driver, with an army of kids twisting off soda bottle caps in an effort to fill his coffers. This kindergarten factory scores the best joke of the episode: two dozen eight year-olds cheering “Most kids are dead by this age!”

Finally, this week’s trip to pre-war America is surprisingly uneventful considering both the killer stakes established in the premiere and its absence last week. House’s appearance feels a little thin and lacking in bite, but it’s enough to demonstrate that he’s already clued into Cooper and Moldaver’s plans. He is The Man Who Knew, after all. Cooper, however, is very much a man who doesn’t know, clueless as to who this moustachio’d man that looks almost identical to the famous Robert House is. This certainly clarifies that Justin Theroux’s identity is supposed to be a mystery, and only further demonstrates what a bad idea the prior announcement of his casting was.

There’s still good stuff in the past, though, but it’s all in character, not plot. Charlie Whiteknife’s veteran award acceptance speech frames Cooper as a soldier who deeply cared for the people around him, emphasising a stark contrast with the man he’ll be 200 years into the nuclear-scorched future. Later, Charlie explains that he won his award for saving people, not for the kills that heroic act required. The implication, of course, is that Cooper should kill Robert House to save humanity from annihilation.

But there’s more to that flashback than just Cooper’s torn conscience. We see reflected in Charlie’s words The Ghoul’s choice. He’d do pretty much anything to protect the people he loves, even something bad. Which, of course, wasn’t sending the NCR to their deaths in order to save Lucy. No, that’s not the man Cooper Howard becomes. For all his personal admissions of having lost too many planks, he’s still content to be a pile of wood. Lucy is surely the price he’ll pay to save his family. And he’s not found his family yet, so Lucy has to live. Wherever this selfish decision takes him, it’s sure to be a fascinating direction.

It's no secret that Dragon Quest is one of the most important RPG series of all time. Inspired by Wizardry, the Enix-published Famicom game has inspired thousands of famous RPGs. The genre simply wouldn't exist the way it does today without Dragon Quest.

Last year, Square Enix finally released Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, the long-awaited remake of Erdrick's adventure. Today at Amazon, you can save over 60% off an Xbox Series X copy, which is perfect for collectors and new adventurers alike.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake for $22.23

I always like to think New Year’s Eve is for reflection, but in practice it is also when my willpower collapses and my wishlist wins. While everyone else is arguing over fireworks positions and sparkling wine, I am quietly locking in deals I will absolutely be playing into January. This batch feels like a proper end of year send off, stacked with games that reward long nights and bad sleep decisions.

Contents

• Retro
• Nintendo
• Xbox
• PlayStation
• PC
• PC Gear
• LEGO

This Day in Gaming 🎂

In retro news, I'm using this fire flower to ignite a 30-candle cake baked for Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, a SNES must-own. If it were any other series, Yoshi’s Island would just be a long-forgotten spin-off. But since this is Nintendo we’re talking about, this SNES game made a much bigger impact on the wider Mario universe, with the features Yoshi’s Island introduced still influencing Nintendo games of today.

I can remember being thoroughly delighted with Yoshi's moveset expanding him from being a simple steed to a flutter-jumping, ground-pounding, and egg-chucking hero in his own right. Likewise, the shift from obstacle course platforming to collectathon progression was right up my kleptomanic alley. Throw in a bold crayon-based art style, and I was coloured Tickled Pink with the entire package.

Aussie birthdays for notable games.

- Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (SNES) 1995. Get

- Vigilante 8: 2nd Offense (PS) 1999. eBay

Nice Savings for Nintendo Switch

• Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (-90%) - A$7.90 A shockingly good tactics sequel that smooths out the combat, adds real freedom, and proves the Rabbids can behave when Miyamoto is watching.
• Need For Speed Hot Pursuit Rem. (-83%) - A$10.10 Criterion’s high speed classic with Autolog still doing half the trash talking for you.
• It Takes Two (-50%) - A$29.90 A co-op masterclass that constantly reinvents itself and absolutely refuses to let you play alone.
• Burnout Paradise Rem. (-83%) - A$6.70 Open world crashing at its peak, with takedowns that still feel illegally satisfying.
• Unravel Two (-70%) - A$8.90 Gentle platforming built around cooperation, whether that second Yarny is a friend or your own stubborn hands.
• Gris (-82%) - A$4.20 A wordless, watercolour journey through grief that still lands emotionally every single time.

What's Big on the Radar?
Current hotcakes selling

• Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 - $79
• Pokémon Legends: Z-A - $78
• Super Mario Party Jamboree - $64

Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.

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Exciting Bargains for Xbox

• Metaphor: Refantazio (-50%) - A$57.40 Atlus finally cuts loose from Persona’s school gates and builds a lavish fantasy RPG with politics, time pressure, and absurdly stylish menus.
• It Takes Two (-80%) - A$11.90 One of the best co-op games ever made, built entirely around communication and shared problem solving.
• Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch (-80%) - A$13.90 Studio Ghibli charm wrapped around a classic JRPG, complete with Joe Hisaishi’s music.
• Triangle Strategy (-60%) - A$36.30 A tactics RPG obsessed with consequences, branching politics, and hard choices that actually stick.
• Red Dead Redemption II (-75%) - A$22.40 Still Rockstar’s most detailed world, right down to horse behaviour and campfire conversations you will miss if you rush.
• Star Wars: Dark Forces Rem. (-50%) - A$22.40 A respectful polish of a cult shooter that laid groundwork for Jedi Knight long before lightsabers stole the show.

What's Big on the Radar?
Headed out the door quick

• Battlefield 6 - A$89
• Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds - A$89
• Borderlands 4 - A$99

Or just invest in an Xbox Card.

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Pure Scores for PlayStation

• God Of War Ragnarok (-63%) - A$46.20 A blockbuster sequel that somehow balances bombast with quiet character work and surprisingly dry humour.
• Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (-75%) - A$14.90 A detective RPG powered entirely by dialogue, dice rolls, and your own terrible decisions.
• Monster Hunter Rise (-80%) - A$11.90 Faster, more agile hunting built around wirebugs and monsters that never stop fighting back.
• Alan Wake II (-70%) - A$27.20 Survival horror as experimental art piece, complete with musical numbers and meta narrative tricks.
• Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (-85%) - A$16.40 Bigger worlds, tougher combat, and a Cal Kestis who finally feels comfortable in his boots.
• Assassin's Creed Valhalla (-85%) - A$14.90 A sprawling Viking epic that rewards slow exploration more than checklist chasing.

What's Big on the Radar?
Fast movers shifting

• COD Black Ops 7 - A$89
• Battlefield 6 - A$89
• Borderlands 4 - A$99

Or purchase a PS Store Card.

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Purchase Cheap for PC

• Hogwarts Legacy (-91%) - A$8.30 A lavish wizarding RPG with secrets tucked into nearly every corridor and classroom.
• Hades (-70%) - A$10.90 A roguelike that somehow makes dying feel productive, thanks to peerless voice work and pacing.
• Red Dead Redemption II (-75%) - A$22.40 Technically stunning on PC, with mod support keeping it alive long after launch.
• Ori And The Will Of The Wisps (-75%) - A$9.90 One of the most fluid platformers ever made, backed by a devastatingly good score.
• It Takes Two (-80%) - A$9.90 Even cheaper here, and still one of the smartest co-op designs of the last generation.

Or just get a Steam Wallet Card

Legit LEGO Deals

• The Mandalorian Ambush (-43%) - A$20 A compact Star Wars set that nails the show’s early scrappy energy.
• Andor Rebel U-Wing (-41%) - A$65 A rare LEGO set pulled from the grittier corner of Star Wars, and better for it.
• Horizon Adventures Shell-Walker & Sawtooth (-40%) - A$41.90 A surprisingly faithful brick translation of Guerrilla’s robo wildlife.
• Marvel Captain America Vs. Thanos (-35%) - A$39 A straightforward Marvel face off with two iconic minifigs and zero filler.

Amazon has been dragging its feet when it comes to charging realistic prices for trading card games, especially with Pokémon TCG. Magic: The Gathering is playing out differently, however. We're seeing healthy competition between Amazon and TCGPlayer during today's price check, so there's plenty of options to explore at the best prices.

Today's highlights also include preorders for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Lorwyn Eclipsed, plus a scary movie exclusive pre-order you won't want to miss.

TL;DR: Best Deals Today

With Amazon, you're getting Prime delivery, with products shipping out either the same day or landing at your door within 24 hours. Whilst you don't get the same speedy shipment with TCGPlayer merchants, you're likely buying from them for the cheaper price points and big savings over big-box Amazon. Let's get into it:

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Cheapest at Amazon: MTG

Commander Masters is the best set to get into if you love playing Commander and getting hold of legacy card reprints that are ideal for the format. It's not cheap, but Amazon currently has the best pricing for Set and Draft booster boxes.
If you missed out on the Final Fantasy Universes Beyond set when it dropped earlier this year, the game edition of Cloud Strife's Commander Deck, Limit Breaker, is at market value on Amazon right now. That just means you're getting it for a fair price compared to the secondary market, whilst being able to take advantage of that sweet Prime shipping.

Cheapest at TCGPlayer - MTG

TCGPlayer is still holding the top spot for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Play Booster Box preorders. It's a full $20 cheaper from its merchants right now, a saving worth getting over Prime shipping. The same goes for the Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box, a full $30 cheaper over Amazon's price.

Fair enough, Amazon has its preorder price guarantee, but that only counts if they drop the price before release. You can't price match other retailers with this guarantee, so if you see a steep discount on a preorder elsewhere, take your chances.

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Cheapest at Amazon: Pokémon TCG

It’s great to see popular sets like Surging Sparks and Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Boxes crop up for less on Amazon, with the former being below market value alongside the Destined Rivals triple booster.

Cheapest at TCGPlayer: Pokémon TCG

It’s strange to see Silver Tempest sealed product showing up on Amazon right now. Perhaps we’ll see more Sword & Shield-era reprints on store shelves? Regardless, TCGPlayer has the Silver Tempest Elite Trainer Box for far less than Amazon, and the same goes for the Prismatic Evolutions ETB.

TCGPlayer also has the best deal on Destined Rivals Booster Bundles, currently sitting at $52.50. That means you get double the booster packs compared to the three-pack booster deal in the last section for less than double the price. TCGPlayer really has the no-brainer deals right now.

Scream (1996) Limited-Edition Steelbook (4K UHD) Available to Pre-order at 19% Off

Skytech Gaming PC Holiday Sale

Considering we’ve just entered a memory chip shortage across the board, with even DDR4 RAM going for silly money, getting an RTX 5060 build with 32GB DDR4 for $1,079 is a great deal. You’ll have solid 1080p gaming with either an Intel i5-14400F or AMD Ryzen 7 5700 processor to boot. Personally, I’d go for the Crystal build. It costs the same and gives you far more room for bigger GPU upgrades down the line.

If you’re looking to go all-in with 4K gaming out of the box for under $3,000, the $2,799.99 Aqua build comes with a gorgeous clear white and blue case, complete with CPU liquid cooling, an RTX 5080, 32GB DDR5, and the absolute beast that is the Ryzen 7 9800X3D.

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.