Baldur's Gate 3 composer Borislav 'Bobby' Slavov is coming back for Divinity: 'We wouldn't be able to stop him even if we wanted to'
Last month, Larian Studios presented console players of Divinity: Original Sin 2 with a special treat: an upgraded version of the game for PS5, Xbox Series, and delightfully, Nintendo Switch 2. But while Original Sin 2 has been on Nintendo's system since 2019, Larian's next game, Baldur's Gate 3, never made it to any Nintendo console. Why not? Well, Larian at least says it wasn't its decision.
In a Reddit AMA today conducted by various members of Larian, CEO Swen Vincke took a moment to answer a question about whether or not Baldur's Gate 3 for Nintendo Switch 2 was "even possible". Sadly, his answer wasn't a happy one: "We would have loved to but it's wasn't our decision to make."
Vincke is speaking in the past tense because officially, Larian is done with Baldur's Gate 3. It's still supporting the game with minor bug fixes, but there's no reason to expect the studio to do a whole new release on a new platform now, especially since it's moved on to a new Divinity game. That leaves Wizards of the Coast in charge of the future of Baldur's Gate 3, meaning a port isn't happening without its blessing.
Which seems to be what Vincke is implying here - that Larian would have done one, but Wizards for whatever reason decided not to. We've reached out to Wizards of the Coast for comment on this.
Which is a shame for Switch owners, because Baldur's Gate is a fantastic game. We gave it a 10/10 at launch, saying that "with crunchy, tactical RPG combat, a memorable story with complex characters, highly polished cinematic presentation, and a world that always rewards exploration and creativity, Baldur's Gate 3 is the new high-water mark for CRPGs."
We covered other topics from Larian's AMA today, such as what happened to Wyll's storyline in Baldur's Gate 3 and how Larian will (or won't) use generative AI for Divinity.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
I wouldn’t be doing what I’m lucky enough to do for a living without Mario games. Heck, I’m not sure I’d even be playing video games if not for Mario. And so, when I reviewed Super Mario Odyssey for IGN in 2017, it checked off a career bucket list item for me. And oh how lucky I was that Odyssey turned out to be – and still very much is – one of the greatest 3D platformers ever made.
It was worth the long wait, as in case you’re too young to remember (which would be perfectly understandable at this point), the last mainline 3D Mario game before Odyssey was Super Mario Galaxy 2…all the way back in 2010. Yes, it was seven long years between headlining 3D entries in Nintendo’s biggest franchise, but fast-forward to 2026 and we’ve already surpassed eight years as we continue to wait for Odyssey’s 3D Mario successor. I thought for sure last Fall was going to be when it finally happened, as what better way for Nintendo to have celebrated the 40th anniversary of the original Super Mario Bros. than with the next mainline 3D Mario game, cementing the Switch 2 as the must-have device for its first Christmas, just as Odyssey did for the Switch 1’s first holiday on the market back in 2017? But that big anniversary came and went with nothing but a questionably priced 4K remaster of Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2.
However, I think the wait for the true next-gen mainline 3D Mario game is finally almost over. Let’s run through the reasons:
First and foremost – and this is 90% of my argument – is that Nintendo has essentially fired every other bullet (Bill) in its chamber in recent years! What big megafranchise moves do they have left for this year? A mainline 2D Mario game? We just got that in Fall 2023 in the form of the (sensational) Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Mario Kart? After its own incredibly long hiatus, it was the Switch 2’s big day-one launch title. How about 3D Zelda? Tears of the Kingdom was just two-and-a-half short years ago, after we waited six years for it following Breath of the Wild. That means we won’t see Aonuma’s next effort for at least a few more years. What about 2D Zelda? Echoes of Wisdom was in Fall 2024, and though this year is the 40th anniversary of Zelda, last year’s 40th anniversary of Mario suggests you should set your expectation to, at best, a 4K remaster of Twilight Princess or Wind Waker.
Donkey Kong Bananza dropped in the Switch 2’s launch window and is arguably the system’s best game so far. Super Mario Party Jamboree just released in 2024. Animal Crossing is getting a Switch 2 update in just a few days, making it unlikely we see an all-new game anytime soon. Super Smash Bros., barring a miracle, is retired due its director leaving it all on the field with Ultimate. Is Splatoon big enough to really move the needle? Maybe, maybe not. Pokemon is really Nintendo’s best non-Mario bet, but we just had Legends: Z-A last Fall.
Shall I keep going? The last of Nintendo’s “Big Three,” Metroid, has shipped a 2D (Dread, 2021) and 3D (Prime 4, barely a month ago) entry in recent years. And anyway, Nintendo itself admits that Prime 4 wasn’t it. An unnamed senior source revealed to The Game Business that Switch 2 sales fell behind the pace of the Switch 1 in key markets this past holiday in large part due to the “absence of a major Western game.” Ouch – that is some serious Metroid Prime 4 slander!
But back on topic: what would fit the definition of a “major Western game” for Nintendo that hasn’t already shipped in recent years? How about the next major 3D Mario game, which isn’t just a major Western game but a major global game? Odyssey sold nearly 30 million copies – an absolutely staggering amount that could easily be replicated over the life of the Switch 2 if Nintendo delivers it this Fall…or perhaps even sooner?
That brings me to reason number two: The Super Mario Bros. Movie is the highest-grossing video game movie ever, raking in over $1.3 billion dollars at the box office. Its sequel, The Super Mario Bros. Galaxy Movie, is set to debut in theaters on April 3. What better way to capitalize on what’s likely to be another massive Hollywood hit for Nintendo than to feed those moviegoers’ enthusiasm with the next big 3D Mario entry – one that, as we’ve already established, can easily sell another 25 million copies (which, given the likely $80 price point for the next 3D Mario game, would mean $2 billion in revenue, besting the box office take of the first film – and likely the second) – not to mention a whole bunch of Switch 2’s?
Ultimately, though Nintendo is tough to reliably predict (honestly, I would’ve bet money – and lost – on the next big 3D Mario game arriving last Fall for Switch 2’s first holiday and Mario’s 40th anniversary), the planets do seem to be aligning for Mario’s next major 3D platformer to arrive sometime this year. If I’m wrong and Odyssey’s successor debuts in 2027 (or, gulp, later!), it means we’ll be going at least a full decade since the last mainline Mario, which basically means Nintendo is just torturing us.
Whenever it’s finally confirmed, the next question is, of course, what is it? Is it Super Mario Odyssey 2, or an entirely new adventure? Based on Mario’s history, I’d hope for and expect the latter – in Mario’s 3D era, Nintendo has only ever done one sequel in the form of Galaxy 2 (or two if you want to count 3D World as a sequel to 3D Land). But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, beggars can’t be choosers. We can only hope that 2026 is finally going to be the year. I think it is. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to start replaying Odyssey again, just to experience the sheer joy of New Donk City one more time.
Ryan McCaffrey is IGN's executive editor of previews and host of both IGN's weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our old interview show, IGN Unfiltered. Super Mario Bros. 3 is his favorite video game of all time. Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.
Here’s some good news for anyone looking to spice up the look of their Nintendo Switch 2 — at least in a subtle way. Nintendo recently announced it’s releasing a Light Purple and Light Green color variant of the Joy-Con 2 Switch 2 controllers, and now it's available for preorder. It costs $99.99 per pair and is set to release on February 12. You can preorder now (see at Best Buy). Read on for the details.
Functionally, these Joy-Con 2 operate exactly the same as the red and blue ones that come with the Nintendo Switch 2 console. And since black is still the main color on the casing, they’re not as flashy as the color variants of the original Switch Joy-Con.
However, the new colors are visible under the thumb sticks, as well as on the connector part of the controllers. The included plastic bumpers for the wrist straps are also the same colors, so they’ll be more visible when the Joy-Con 2s are disconnected from the console or grip.
And if you’re buying an extra pair of Joy-Con 2 for multiplayer sessions, having different colors for each player makes it easier to tell your controller from everyone else’s. For me, if I were in the market for an extra set of Joy-Con 2, I’d definitely get these instead of a second set of red and blue ones.
I suspect it’s no coincidence that Nintendo’s next big first-party Switch 2 game is also coming out the same day as these new Joy-Con 2 colors. Mario Tennis Fever (see our preorder guide) is also set to release February 12. It’s a single or multiplayer game that lets up to four players join in on the action at a time. Preorder the game and a new pair of Joy-Con 2, and you’ll be all set to play with friends next month.
While there are currently only two Joy-Con 2 colors on the market, I expect the list to grow in the coming years. After all, the original Switch got a whole rainbow's worth of Joy-Con colors, to say nothing of the special edition Joy-Con releases.
Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN's board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Bluesky.
The Sims developer Maxis is kicking off the new year with an update on what its whole deal is, after plenty of rumors and concerns about the future of the franchise. Ans as a part of that, it seems to be teasing the "next evolution" of single-player PC and console The Sims games...even as its long-touted "next generation" of The Sims, Project Rene, is relegated to a mobile-only social spin-off.
This comes from a lengthy blog post on the EA website, in which Maxis speaks at length about its philosophy around The Sims in the coming year. Most of it is pretty mission statement-y, but in the middle, we get a glimpse of what's planned for the future of The Sims.
For three years now, Maxis has been teasing something called Project Rene. Initially billed as the future of The Sims that would exist across PC and mobile, EA nevertheless refused to call it The Sims 5. Since 2022, there have been multiple closed playtests, and the feedback has gradually soured as Project Rene increasingly started to look like a pretty basic mobile game. Meanwhile, while The Sims 4 community remains robust, there hasn't been much discussion on what The Sims 5 might look like, or if the console and PC base should even expect anything new at all. As recently as last August, EA Entertainment president Laura Miele insisted that it wouldn't be "player-friendly" to release one when the community had already invested so much time and money into The Sims 4.
Which is why the wording in this blog post is both exciting and nerve-wracking as a The Sims fan. The post separates out its plans for "The Sims" on PC and console, and Project Rene. For PC and console, Maxis reaffirms its commitment to new content for The Sims 4, and adds that "Single-player PC and console experiences will always be a part of our future, with more than half of our global development team dedicated to The Sims 4 and the next evolution. More news in the coming months!"
That wording, "the next evolution," is huge. While it's not exactly "The Sims 5," it's the first crumb we've gotten in years that we might see something like one eventually. What's even more promising is that EA is designating Project Rene as a social, multiplayer game that's mobile-first. That's disappointing for those who were hoping Project Rene would be an exciting new future, but it sounds like that's still going to exist in some fashion alongside whatever the actual new evolution is.
Still, Maxis has a rough road ahead. Miele is correct that one of the biggest issues with a new The Sims game is that players have spent tons of money already on expansion packs for The Sims 4, and historically brand new The Sims games have felt woefully feature incomplete when they launch with no such packs. That was the case with The Sims 4, which launched to relatively weak reviews as players adjusted to the shock of features they'd come to get used to - pets, interactive children, weather - suddenly gone, until a new paid expansion pack was released.
It would behoove Maxis to figure all this out, because The Sims 4 is over a decade old now, and starting to show its age. What's more, a number of potential competitors have come out of the woodwork in recent years, including Krafton's inZOI and the indie Paralives, both in early access.
The most recent The Sims 4 expansion pack was Adventure Awaits, which launched in October of last year.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
Considering what it offers, Disney+ is one of the best streaming services on the block. From classic Disney animated films to the latest Marvel shows, Star Wars movies, and so much more, Disney+ puts an incredible range of high-quality viewing options at your fingertips. There's tons to watch, but after another round of price hikes, you might want to revisit your streaming subscriptions. We're here to help.
At the moment, one of the best Disney Plus bundle deals available is the massive Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max streaming bundle. This starts at $19.99/month (after a recent price hike) to get you all three streaming services with ads. Bundles are definitely worth considering, especially following the news of Hulu eventually fully integrating into the Disney+ app.
Want a way to save on your Disney+ membership sooner rather than later? Bundles are a great, affordable way to go. Our top recommendation is the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max streaming bundle can be purchased through any of the three streaming services and starts at $19.99/month for the ad-supported tier or $32.99/month for ad-free access across the three platforms. If you currently own all three and want to cut down on costs, this is a great way to bundle them together and save big on what you'd pay for them separately per month – 42% on the ad-supported plan and 43% on the ad-free plan.
Beyond HBO Max, you can also choose to bundle Disney+ with just Hulu or the all-new ESPN Unlimited service. Here's the breakdown of all your bundle options:
Disney+ is available in a couple of different tiers. You can get the least expensive option (simply called Disney+) for $11.99/month, which gives you access to everything except the ability to download select shows to watch on the go. This tier is ad supported. If you want to get rid of ads and be able to download certain shows, you can spring for the $18.99/month or $189.99/year Disney+ Premium package.
In an effort to crack down on password sharing, Disney has added a paid sharing plan for individuals outside of your household. Basically, anyone using your account that's not within your household will have to be added as an "Extra Member" to your account. This costs an additional $6.99/month for the ad-supported subscription and $9.99/month for the Premium ad-free plan, and only one Extra Member slot is available per account. You can learn more from Disney's paid sharing explainer here.
If you want to help someone out and give them a gift that will keep on giving, gifting a one-year Disney+ card is a great option. It provides all the great things Disney+ offers and it costs a fraction of what it would take to buy even a small sampling of those movies physically.
There is a bonkers array of shows and movies you can watch on Disney+. Highlights coming to Disney+ in January include new episodes of Phineas & Ferb, Percy Jackson Season 2, and all of the Indiana Jones movies. For new and potential subscribers, here's a deeper dive into what's available on the service:
On the Disney front, you have awesome classic movies like The Sword In The Stone, Robin Hood, 101 Dalmations, Hercules, and Sleeping Beauty, modern classics like The Princess & The Frog, Tangled, and Frozen, and a wide range of animated shows, including Phineas & Ferb.
You also gain access to a ton of vintage content like Escape to Witch Mountain, The Apple Dumpling Gang, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, The Love Bug, and a whole lot more. The Disney Junior section is home to absolutely top tier animated shows like Bluey (which, for my money, is worth the price of admission on its own).
There's way more on offer, too, including a ton of Muppet movies, new live-action films and adaptions (including the new Snow White), nature programs, documentaries, Pirates of the Caribbean, and musical programs featuring Taylor Swift (like her wildly popular The Eras Tour), Elton John, Ed Sheeran, and more.
When it comes to computer generated films, Pixar stands alone. Kicking off the revolution with Toy Story, Pixar has consistently put out fantastic films, and they are all here. From the Toy Story series to Finding Nemo, Cars, and more recent hits like Inside Out 2, there is a ton to love.
Beyond even that, there are incredible shorts like Bao and Party Central, as well as a wide range of originals and series based on major films, such as Dory's Reef Cam, Forky Asks A Question, Cars On The Road, and more.
The MCU has become a true juggernaut, and there are many viewers who subscribe to Disney+ purely for access to nearly the entire MCU lineup of films and shows.
Whether you are a fan of the blockbuster action films, you are an appreciator of the classic 90s runs of "Saturday morning" cartoons like X-Men, or you are currently vibing to the funky theme of the 1981 Spider-Man series, there is a ton of Marvel to enjoy on Disney+. And with new movies and shows being added to the MCU all the time, including most recently Thunderbolts* and Captain America: Brave New World, there is always more coming.
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there was a film that changed everything. The original Star Wars is a seminal sci-fi fantasy work that inspired generations of creators, but there is still nothing quite like that far away galaxy. Disney+ grants access to all things Star Wars, including the remastered versions of the original trilogy (hopefully some day they'll add the theatrical cuts, too), as well as the prequels and sequels.
You can also stay up-to-date on all the latest shows, including The Mandalorian and the critically-lauded Andor, which recently wrapped up its second and final season. There are also fantastic short series like Star Wars Visions, and longer-form series like The Clone Wars, The Bad Batch, Young Jedi Adventures, and a whole lot more.
Hannah Hoolihan is a freelance writer who works with the Guides and Commerce teams here at IGN.
Original story from Brian Barnett.
The best streaming devices can take your smart TV and home theater systems to the next level. With crisp, high-quality images and immersive audio filling your lounge, it’s easy (and affordable) to make every movie night feel like a trip to the cinema. Whether you're a movie buff, a sports fanatic, or a binge-watcher of the latest TV series, there's a perfect streaming device out there just for you.
Although some of the best streaming devices these days are smart TVs with streaming apps built in, it's still a lot cheaper to upgrade your current TV with a streaming stick than to purchase a new 4K television.
With a good streaming device on hand, there’s no need to worry about switching between different streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. Our overall favorite streaming sticks and boxes, make it super easy to find what you want to watch, when you want to watch it.
If you want the best streaming device sitting under your TV, you need the latest Roku Ultra. This box comes at a reasonable price, and the rechargeable Voice Remote Pro adds some cool capabilities. You still get the normal button controls, voice search, and 3.5mm headphone jack for listening to the TV without disturbing others, but now finding your favorite movies and shows is simpler than ever. You get hands-free voice control by yelling “Hey Roku”, and when you inevitably lose the remote in your couch cushions, you just call out to it, and it’ll play a sound. By going for a Roku device, you also get access to the Roku Channel, which is one of the best free movie sites currently on the market.
The Roku Ultra is ready to take on your TV. You get an HDMI 2.0 port that supports a 4K UHD video output with HDR at up to 60fps, so you’re in for superb video quality. It’s compatible with HDR10/10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision HDR formats, which helps ensure a match for the technologies supported by your TV. Besides the killer HDR support, the Roku Ultra also works with some high-quality audio formats, too. You can enjoy DTS Digital Surround and Dolby Atmos depending on what you're watching and what the TV or soundbar supports. As an added perk, you can even pair it with a speaker setup wirelessly over Bluetooth.
You don't need to spend a lot to add smart and streaming capabilities to your TV. Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks provide an affordable way to turn any TV or display with a free HDMI port into a smart one with all the benefits of Amazon’s Fire TV operating system. You get easy access to a ton of content plus all the smarts for finding that content with Amazon’s Alexa voice. Every major streaming service is available for download on the device, including Max, which we know was an issue a few years back. Plus, it can be used in conjunction with your other smart home devices, so you can pull up the doorbell camera on your TV or ask Alexa about the weather.
Our favorite of the Amazon lineup is the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, but you can opt for the cheaper Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and still get quality picture. It provides all of that at an impressively affordable $59 price. It makes the most of your TV with support for 4K video at up to 60fps and wide HDR format support — HDR10+ and Dolby Vision included. Dolby Atmos audio is also supported. And, on top of some internal upgrades to the processor and memory that help the Fire TV Stick 4K Max run faster than its predecessor, this new stick also has Wi-Fi 6E. This means you're in for a faster and more stable connection with a supported router, making it easier to get those high-definition experiences.
Additionally, it was recently announced that both the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Fire TV Stick 4K can now stream Xbox games. You need to download the Game Pass app and have an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription to play, but it's the first streaming device to allow for video game streaming.
TiVo, the brand behind TV DVR in the aughts has finally stepped into the media streaming world with its TiVo Stream 4K. Coming in around $40 and offering tons of capability, it’s giving Google’s Chromecast and Amazon’s FireStick a run for their money. You can stream your favorite movies and TV shows in 4K at 60 FPS, and it even supports HDR for some top-notch visuals on supported TVs. Support for Dolby Atmos and DTS also means you can enjoy some immersive audio.
The TiVo Stream 4K runs on Android TV but has its own interface where you can access various streaming apps, get show recommendations, and adjust settings. It’s possible to access live TV with either Sling or Locast, and you can even stream directly from your phone via Google Cast. Similar to the other streaming devices on this list, the remote has a microphone baked in that uses Google Assistant for simple content searching.
Nvidia's Shield TV is a pricier option, but it's easily the best 4K streaming device on the market. Heck, it's one of, if not the only, streaming device to have a built-in upscaling technology. Using a process Nvidia calls "AI-enhanced upscaling," the Shield TV can turn anything you watch into a 4K video. That includes everything from blockbuster movies to Twitch streams and YouTube Videos. There's also support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision as well as DTS-X surround and Dolby Atmos for audio. Plus, you have access to a ton of different streaming services and the Google Play Store, since it's running on the Android TV platform. It even doubles as a Chromecast, so you can stream to your TV from your phone or tablet.
The remote the Nvidia Shield TV comes with is also fairly smart. It's motion-activated, so when you pick it up the buttons light up. Plus, there is a voice search, an IR blaster, and a built-in lost remote indicator. The most impressive feature of the Nvidia Shield TV, however, is you can game with the device. There are two different ways; if you have an Nvidia graphics card you can also stream games from your gaming PC to your gaming TV at 60fps. Alternatively, you can stream games directly from Nvidia's servers using GeForce Now, which currently gives you the power of a Turing-based desktop over the air.
You can also opt for the Nvidia Shield TV Pro, which is an overall pricier option that with additional features.
For Apple enthusiasts, the Apple TV 4K is the way to go, with its latest model coming in cheaper and offering upgraded performance over its predecessors' thanks to the Apple A15 Bionic chip. You do lose an ethernet port for a wired internet connection, but for $20 more, you can grab a version with that on offer, along with doubling the 64GB of storage and Thread home networking support. As for the remote, it still uses a touch-enabled clickpad for easy navigation and now charges via USB-C, though you can always use your iPhone to find media or pair the streaming box with a Bluetooth controller to play games on Apple Arcade, too.
With the Apple TV 4K, you’ll be able to watch 4K UHD footage at 60fps with HDR support, including Dolby Vision and now HDR10+. Similar to the last Apple TV 4K, advanced sensors in Face ID-enabled iPhones automatically calibrate the streaming device’s output video to tune the color, contrast, and brightness for better viewing on your TV. Beyond support for nearly every streaming app, including Apple TV Plus, there’s also iCloud or AirPlay to share photos and SharePlay for watching shows or movies and listening to music with friends from afar.
Chromecasts have long been a great way to add a bit of smartness to your TV. They let you use all your favorite smartphone apps to choose what you want to watch and then have the Chromecast stream that choice to your TV. Now, the Chromecast with Google TV has made Google's option for smartening up your TV a whole lot better. It has its own Android TV-like interface built-in, so you can install your favorite streaming apps directly onto the device, and then get smart recommendations for what to watch from Google. It's also easy to see where certain things are streaming, so you don't accidentally select an option only to find you're not subscribed to the service.
The new dongle still plugs straight into the back of your TV with an HDMI connection, where it can deliver 4K/60Hz video signal with HDR. Just like older Chromecasts, you can use your phone to cast media to it or opt for the new built-in interface. The Chromecast with Google TV also has Bluetooth, so you can pair it with a Bluetooth speaker. A serious bonus of this kit is the included controller, which can be set up to control the Chromecast, your TV, and your sound systems. It features Google Assistant for voice control of not only the Chromecast but smart home devices as well. Just get ready to power this device with its own adapter, as it requires more juice than the USB port on the back of your TV is likely to offer.
Roku’s products balance high-quality capabilities with an affordable price. At $50, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K delivers a 4K/60fps capable streaming stick with support for the most popular HDR formats, including Dolby Vision. And, since this is a stick rather than a box, you just plug it directly into the HDMI port of your TV, keeping it hidden behind the TV. Don't worry though, it still does everything a streaming box can do and even has an improved WiFi range from its predecessor.
You’ll find that Roku’s interface is easy to navigate and offers nearly every streaming app you could want. The Streaming Stick 4K has a voice remote, which lets you search for content using your voice, and there are still all of the controls you’d expect in a remote. As a whole, the snappy performance of the processor, high-quality picture, and simple controls ensure you’ll be watching all your favorite content in no time.
If you’re looking for an affordable yet top-notch streaming companion for your HD TV, look no further, because this little beauty is a game-changer. At less than $30, the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) shares the same sleek form-factor and user-friendly remote as its 4K sibling, the Chromecast with Google 4K.
Using the remote, you can access Google at the press the button. You can ask Google to find your favorite shows, answer questions, or even control smart home devices – all without lifting a finger! Many entry-level HD streaming devices cut corners on hardware features to keep costs down, but this streaming device has everything you need while remaining cheap and cheerful.
Sure, if you're thinking about future-proofing your entertainment setup with a 4K TV, investing in a 4K streaming device might be a good idea. But if you're just looking for a budget-friendly HD streaming solution that doesn't compromise on performance or features, the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) is a fantastic choice.
This powerful streaming device from Amazon delivers 4K UHD streaming in a small and compact form. It’s easy to access all of the movies and shows you want, as well as millions of songs to fill your room. While the Amazon Fire TV Cube is significantly more expensive than a Fire TV Stick, you do get a lot more, backed up by a octa-core processor.
With Alexa to hand, you can make use of the built-in microphone and speaker to control your TV, soundbar, and receivers. Navigating between devices and shows is incredibly simple, so even if you’re not particularly tech-savvy, you won’t have a problem using this streaming device.
If your home is connected with other Amazon smart devices, you can use Alexa to start calls, view your Ring cameras, check your shopping list, and more.
Choosing the best streaming device can feel a bit overwhelming with so many options out there. Before you decide which streaming device is right for you, you should consider some of the key features to keep your eye on.
First things first, take a look at your TV. Does it support 4K resolution? Is it an older HD model? Understanding your TV's capabilities will help you narrow down whether you need a basic HD streaming device or something with 4K and HDR support. Whether you're a Netflix junkie, an Amazon Prime Video enthusiast, or a Disney+ fan, make sure the streaming device you choose supports all your favorite streaming services.
If you’re not particularly tech savvy, ease of use can make or break your streaming experience. Look for devices with intuitive interfaces, easy navigation, and user-friendly remotes. Bonus points if it offers voice control or a smart assistant like Google Assistant or Alexa. A good remote can enhance your streaming experience significantly.
Some streaming devices offer extra bells and whistles like gaming capabilities, built-in storage, USB ports, or compatibility with smart home devices. But, depending on your budget, you may (or may not) be able to make room for those extra features.
Picking the best streaming device is all about finding the perfect balance between performance, features, compatibility, and budget. Take your time to research and compare different options, read reviews, and consider your personal preferences and needs.
If you're looking to pick up a new streaming device at a discount, there are really only a few times throughout the year when that happens. The two best times to buy a streaming device are on Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday, both of which usually see discounts across on every device. Fire TV devices especially will get discounts from Amazon during Prime Day.
A streaming device takes streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ and allows you to play them on your TV, even if you don’t have a Wi-Fi enabled TV. If you don’t have a smart TV or your TV isn’t able to connect to the internet, a streaming device can bridge the gap.
If you already have a smart TV, you may find it slows down when adding multiple apps. Depending on your location, you may not be able to download certain apps. A streaming device can be pre-loaded with your favorite apps, and is portable, allowing you to transfer it between TVs.
Amazon’s Fire Stick doesn’t require a monthly fee as it’s not a subscription service. However, some of the apps you can access on your Fire Stick may require a subscription. This includes Prime Video, which requires you to have an Amazon Prime subscription. You can still access any of the free TV apps available to stream shows and movies without that subscription, however.
Although opinions across reddit vary overall, there's a pretty decent thread about streaming devices in the r/hometheater subreddit. The overall top comment in this thread mentions the Nvidia Shield Pro and Apple TV 4K as the two best streaming devices currently on the market.
Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.

Everyone likes a good audiobook, or if you haven't tried them, you really should. They're perfect for bedtime, having one on in the background whilst working, or if you're like me and don't have the patience (or time) to sit down with a book. Audible Premium Plus is currently $0.99 per month for the first three months for new subscribers.
Premium Plus gives you all the access to the 10,000 audiobooks the Premium Audible membership has, but you'll also get access to another 500,000 audiobooks. Reckon you could read them all? You can also pick one audiobook a month to keep forever, so if you were after a couple of audiobooks anyway, it's going to be worth picking up this deal just to get hold of them. You'll also gain access to exclusive podcasts and Audible Originals. Not bad for less than $3, right?
Like video games? Like gaming? LitRPG (Literal Role Playing Game) books are for you. They usually involve a main character either being pulled into or living in a video game of sorts, complete with levelling systems, big bads to overcome, etc. The Dungeon Crawler Carl series is a popular LitRPG series, and pretty much every book is on offer, with the latest in the series, A Parade of Horribles, dropping on May 15, 2026 for a slightly marked-down $29.82. The best part is Amazon won't take payment until the book ships, so if you're a fan, this is a no-brainer.
The best deal here by an absolute mile is the iBuyPower build. The Y40 Pro has comparable specifications to the RTX 5080 build, but swaps out an Intel CPU for an AMD Ryzen 9 7900X. OK, you're not getting specific Alienware branding and Area-51 features, but for the sake of saving $1,576.01 for more or less the same value build, I couldn't care less.
The best gaming laptop for the money here is the MSI Vector 16 HX AI for $1,648. Granted, the processor isn't as good as the $2,099.00 ROG Strix, but it's still more than capable at backing up the packed-in RTX 5070 Ti laptop GPU and rocks 16GB DDR5, which is plenty for solid high-frame 1440p gaming. The 512GB SSD isn't ideal, but it's an easy upgrade down the line. You could, of course, double your RAM, get a better CPU, and get a 2TB M.2 SSD with the ROG Strix G16, but I don't personally think it's worth the extra $450 to get there.
The Alienware Aurora is the cheapest build here, but it's only got an RTX 5060 Ti. That's fine if you just want a 1080p gaming machine for Fortnite, but frankly, you're paying some brand tax even after a cheeky discount.
Whilst I'd love for everyone to have $2.6k to spend on a liquid-cooled Radeon RX 9070 XT build, I'd go with the HP OMEN 45L for $2,284.99. 32GB DDR5 RAM is going to be relevant for years to come, and that also means your motherboard is good for any DDR5 or Intel CPU upgrades down the line (check that socket type before you do!). With DLSS 4.5 and 6x Frame Generation either just dropping or coming later this Spring, an RTX 5070 Ti is going to be plenty of power for a solid 1440p experience. You could even try and push to 4K with some lower settings, but 1440p is 100% the sweet spot for PC gaming with ridiculous frame rates.
If you're more about the Apple ecosystem, hats have to go off to their unified memory and M4/M5 SoCs. They're bloody rapid and perfect for all kinds of productivity and creative work, but gaming not so much. Any opportunity to shave off some Apple brand tax is a good deal, and I personally love iPad Pro M5s combined with an Apple Pencil for 3D sculpting, drawing, and painting. It's a seamless and smooth experience that rivals dedicated drawing tablets.
If you're wanting to put a Threadripper into your gaming setup, then you're wasting your money. But if you need some of the fastest rendering times, run complex simulations, manage engineering workloads, or run compile farms (and yes, fine-tuning, inference, and data pre-processing AI/machine learning), this is the CPU to get. It will also unlock support for large Gen 5 PCIe lanes, ECC DDR5 support, and AVX-512 acceleration. If none of this makes sense to you, this likely isn't an investment you need to make. But for the right person, all of these Threadripper deals are a steal.
PC gaming belongs on gaming monitors, mostly due to them supporting far higher frame rates, G-SYNC/FreeSync support, and low latency. You won't be playing Fortnite at 170 FPS on any TV in 2026, sadly, but a gaming monitor will get you there depending on your budget.
That's not to say TVs aren't getting close. TCL is knocking out 120–140Hz on some of their latest panels up to 98 inches. They're more than capable of handling PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Switch 2, and PCs too. It just depends on how you want your setup to look and how you want to play.
It's the most expensive on this list, but SteelSeries gear really is quality. Every keyboard and mouse I've tried from them felt amazing and purpose-made for my fat sausage fingers. In all honesty, every product listed is fantastic, but I personally would always go for SteelSeries. You've got their magical HyperMagnetic switches, which feel super responsive with a lovely bounce-back, and my Apex Pro TKL Wired Gen 3 handles absolutely everything from writing the words you're reading to Diablo IV to Fortnite.
If you want a prebuilt gaming PC with legs and room for larger GPU upgrades down the line with ample cooling, I'd go with the Skytech Shadow Gaming PC. It's a good entry point for 1080p, high frame-rate gaming. Unlike the Storm and Crystal models, you're getting DDR5 RAM and an RTX 5060 Ti, which boasts higher performance over the standard 5060 and 5050 GPUs. Plus, the cheaper models only have a DDR4 RAM motherboard. If you're looking for a cheap build before RAM, GPU and SSD prices skyrocket, Skytech Shadow is a fair price by parts comparison and sets you up for future GPU upgrades without the worry of also replacing RAM and the motherboard.
If you'd prefer a gaming laptop, I'd 100% pay the extra $120 to get the Ryzen AI 9 270 CPU and RTX 5070 Mobile GPU. Yes, you're getting the same 32GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD, but you're getting far better performance from the CPU and GPU.
Gaming keyboards all do the same job more or less; it mostly comes down to the different type of switches and keycaps you prefer. If you like a low-profile laptop keyboard, Razer Joro is a good pick. If you want clicky button presses, wireless functionality and all the bells and whistles you could possibly want on a keyboard, ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme Wireless is $100 off right now.
A solid mid-range pick would be the Razer BlackWidow V4 Mini HyperSpeed Wireless. It has a massive 200-hour battery with quiet orange switches and pudding keycaps. For a budget gaming keyboard, I'd highly recommend Glorious GMMK for a cheeky 10% off right now. It has brown mechanical switches, which serve as a great hybrid for work and gaming. Plus, it's modular, making it a great modding platform.
Again, it really comes down to preference when it comes to gaming mice. I prefer having something I can grip with some curves built into the sides. When it comes to a cheap wired option that's built well and has some RGB to make me game faster, I'd go for Glorious Model D (Minus) at a reasonable $28.68.
If we're talking wireless, I'd shell out $99.99 for ASUS ROG Keris II. The battery life is a respectable 127 hours, has up to 42K DPI alongside tri-mode connectivity. It's a versatile and responsive bit of kit with the ergonomics I look for in gaming mice.
Half the challenge of going to the gym is getting into the mindset to get in there and put some graft in; it's intimidating for a lot of people. Luckily, there are a couple of ways to get a fantastic workout at home. The first route is equipment with a service, specifically Peloton. The deal is you can either pick a treadmill or exercise bike, grab a subscription and get that personal trainer experience in the comfort of your own home with all the bells and whistles of the latest high-tech, gym-quality equipment.
If you just want to go at your own pace whilst having quality gym equipment at home, EVKRun’s treadmill is $180 off right now at $399.98. It supports up to 400lbs, has 3.5HP and reaches speeds of up to 8.5MPH. If you're more interested in toning up over cardio, Pooboo's Power Cage is a squat rack, lateral pull-down system backed by a dual pulley cable configuration. It also includes various strength training attachments at a tidy $400 discount down to $1,199.99.
Even if you're just looking for a power backup that you can charge at the wall, Portable Power Stations are products that you think you don't need until you get a power cut or you need some electricity whilst camping for a number of reasons.
I use an Anker SOLIX Power Station as a fail-safe for my office and gaming setup. If I have a power cut or surge, I have absolutely nothing to fear. Not only do I have that added protection of the Power Station keeping the electricity flowing as it should to my PC, but it gives me backup power to save my work or game progress before using it for something really important, like keeping my kids warm.
Picking a solar panel option makes sure you can stay powered on when camping or sitting in a field doing nothing whilst ignoring nature and gaming. Perfection.
Amazon is putting out some decent pricing, with my favorite pick here being the "Game Edition" of Cloud Strife-themed Limit Break Commander Deck. It's around the same price as TCGPlayer, making it market value, with the artwork being based on in-game moments instead of the traditional MTG artwork.
The same can be said for the Marvel's Spider-Man Play Booster Box containing 30 booster packs with the following:
• 14 Magic: The Gathering cards
• 1–4 cards of rarity Rare or higher
• 3–6 Uncommon cards
• 6–9 Common cards
• 1 Land card (Traditional Foil Land replaces a Land in 20% of boosters)
• 1 card of any rarity is Traditional Foil; Foil Showcase Mythic Rare in 1% of boosters
Meanwhile, TCGPlayer is the place to go for MTG preorders. It's the cheapest for the Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box and Bundle, with the next Universes Beyond entry Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Play Booster Box, Turtle Power! Commander Deck and Bundle, the latter being over $15 cheaper than Amazon.
There's some gorgeous Final Fantasy scene boxes coming in cheaper than Amazon too, not to mention the standard Limit Break Commander Deck being just under $5 cheaper on TCGPlayer. It pays to shop around for sure.
This beast is loaded with an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU, GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card, 32GB DDR5-6400MHz RAM, and a 1TB SSD. That alone sells this system with the custom cooling that makes Alienware's Area-51 builds worth the premium. The good news is we're seeing a rare discount on something that has an RTX 5090 in it, a solid 10%, or $550 off, knocking this build down to $5,049.99. What's not to love?
Thanks to my kids destroying countless USB cables over the years, I know what makes a USB-C charging cable that lasts. Braided wins out over rubber cable every day of the week due to its flexibility and durability. Thick caps on either side protecting the port will also be a lifesaver, but getting 240W-capable cables can sometimes cost a fortune.
Not today! You can get Lisen’s 6.6ft double pack for a ridiculously reasonable $5.60. These will handle fast charging for pretty much everything you can think of, from a mobile phone or Switch 2 to a MacBook. Even if you don't need a new cable, it's worth buying spares when deals like this crop up.
Cleaning dust or crumbs out of your keyboard is a pain. No-one likes doing it and it takes ages to brush them all out. I was in the "Why the hell do I need an electric duster" camp, but then I bought one and I’m using it quite a lot.
I use mine to clear out vents, fans, GPU and more inside my PC, and even use it to get to hard-to-reach places in the car and on my desk. They're very handy to have in your desk drawer and it’s a great deal for $20.
Well, the good news is you can get the Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box with Prime delivery without getting stung. It has nine booster packs, a gorgeous Charcadet Illustration Rare promo, Mega Charizard X–themed sleeves, card dividers, a tournament-legal coin, alongside some nice-looking dice.
Cynthia’s Garchomp ex Premium Collection has four Journey Together and two Destined Rivals booster packs, so if Trainer Pokémon cards are your thing, you’re good to go.
If it were me making a choice from the TCGPlayer selection here, I’d go for the Destined Rivals Booster Bundle. It’s $13 cheaper than Amazon right now and works out at $4.66 per booster pack, which is one of the best prices I’ve seen for Destined Rivals booster packs recently.
If you want a decent Mega ex card for your Grass-type deck, I’d recommend the Mega Venusaur ex Premium Collection. If you run Meganium alongside it from Mega Evolution, you can double your Grass Energy value while being able to move a Grass Energy from one Pokémon to another thanks to their abilities. That means you can set up and use Mega Venusaur ex’s “Jungle Dump” attack for 240 damage in one turn (it costs four Grass Energy).
You’ll also get the following booster packs:
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.
Amazon just discounted one of our favorite budget gaming chairs. Right now, you can pick up a Corsair TC100 Relaxed gaming chair in Black Leatherette for just $149.99 shipped after you clip the $80 off coupon on the product page. That's 45% off its original price of $270 and all other options currently cost $250 or more. Even at its original retail listing, this chair offered a ton of value for the price, so this deal is an absolute steal.
The TC100 "Relaxed" series of gaming chairs offers a broader seat width and minimal bolstering on the sides to fit a wider range of body sizes. This gaming chair can hold up to 264lbs, accommodate heights up to 6' 2" tall, and features a height adjustment range of 45-65cm (21.7–25.5"). The leatherette fabric is durable and easy to clean, and the seat section is perforated for breathability. The upholstery has plenty of foam cushioning for all-day comfort. Although the chair doesn't have any internal lumbar adjustments, it does include a headrest and lumbar pillow in the package. This chair is reclinable up to 160 degrees and has 2D armrests. It's also backed by a two-year warranty.
Use 10% off code: AndaIGN
AndaSeat recently released an affordable alternative - the Andaseat Novis gaming chair – which retails for $249. Even better, you can use our 10% off IGN code "AndaIGN" to drop the price further to $224.10. The Novis looks like it has most of the comfort, features, and styling of other high-end gaming chair minus some of the more common gimmicks (like "4D" armrests) in exchange for a more affordable price. AndaSeat isn't as big of a name in the congested gaming chair market as some other brands like Secretlab, DXRacer, or Razer, but it does make some high-quality gaming chairs.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
In the years since Baldur's Gate 3's release, Larian has put a lot of time and energy into updating the game with tons of new content, including new content for some beloved character who got the short end of the wizard staff the first time around, like Karlach. But one character is still coming up short for fans: Wyll. And at least one writer at Larian is just as frustrated by it as you.
This comes from a Reddit AMA today conducted by a number of Larian employees, during which one person asked why Wyll wasn't developed further in post-launch patches, even as other companions got storyline and even personality updates. We've known for a while that the "Blade of Frontiers" warlock Wyll was rewritten significantly from his early access version to final version.
The question was answered by Larian senior writer Kevin VanOrd, who explained that he also wished Wyll had gotten more attention, and that the lack of content compared to other companions was mostly the result of a series of unfortunate timing coincidences. Here's how VanOrd puts it:
I wish Wyll had gotten more content and a more fulfilling arc too.
As you probably know, we weren't connecting with Wyll's Early Access recruitment and initial questing, so we started over at a point when most of the other companion stories were fairly solid. A lot of decisions came later in development than was ideal - and there was a key situation near Baldur's Gate that I intended to heavily involve Wyll in (the Red War College) that got cut. That meant back to the drawing board again. We eventually tied him to Duke Ravengard and started to work on that element of his arc just in time for me to get unexpectedly ill. I was out of the office for quite a while, and again after the epilogue's release.
I think that Ansur's lair was Swen's idea - we did have the resources for a standalone dungeon, so we got to work on tying Wyll to the Wyrmway, but I couldn't get more than a dungeon boss out of it. Once the situations were in place, that was that - I had to start writing them.
Wyll's content is sparser than I'd have liked as a result. He's also split into two stories, really - the Mizora story and the Ravengard story, and that might have been a mistake in hindsight. I also wish I could given him a stronger endpoint - it always bugged me that he can end up just as he started, as the Blade of Frontiers, without any meaningful difference. All that said, I love the Blade and I am really proud of him, his sincerity, his good nature, and his eager heroism. I'm truly sorry I didn't give you more quality time with him.
It's worth pointing out that it's not that Wyll received no updates post-launch. Patch 7 made some light tweaks to Wyll's dialogue that helped those pursuing him romantically have a more interesting time, though it didn't really give him any new story content. But that's nothing compared to Karlach, who got an entirely new ending in the same patch. Karlach, like Wyll, was considered to be one of the character who had been given the least love in terms of story content in the 1.0 release, and has consistently been a popular favorite. Recently, one fan broke down how many minutes of dialogue every character in Baldur's Gate 3 had, and Wyll's down below most of the other companions with just under 9 hours speaking. Still, it's not as bad as Halsin, Minthara, Jaheira, and Minsc, though admittedly those four companions are a little more complex to recruit and you can't even get them until Acts 2 or 3.
So, perhaps cold comfort to Wyll fans, but it's comforting to know that he wasn't intentionally sidelined. We're proud of him too.
In the same AMA, CEO Swen Vincke addressed concerns about generative AI use on the studio's next game, Divinity, following a controversy around some of Vincke's comments from an interview last year.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
Bam Margera will appear in the newly-confirmed Jackass 5, after signing an agreement that allows previously-unseen archive footage of himself to be used in the movie.
Variety has reported that Margera is not currently set to appear in any new stunts for Jackass 5, though this may change in the future.
Right now it's not clear what the unseen footage of Margera involves, though the skateboarder and stuntman is known to have filmed more for 2022's Jackass Forever than made the final edit, before he was dramatically booted off the project for allegedly failing a sobriety test.
The fallout from Margera's firing led to a bitter feud with Johnny Knoxville's Jackass team, with reports of Margera sending death threats and asking fans for money to fund a rival movie. Jackass co-creator Jeff Tremaine responded by gaining a restraining order against Margera.
Ultimately, Margera filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Knoxville, Tremaine and other production partners which was settled, following which he pledged never to return.
Margera has not appeared in any TV or movie project since, though after a period of regularly attracting headlines for his behavior and other legal issues, was given a last-minute repreive by legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk to appear in last year's Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4, after previously being a stalwart of the original games.
Now, Margera will appear again in the franchise which truly made his name, as Jackass returns for yet another outing. "Well a wang dang and hot damn doodle, we are starting the year off with a bang," Knoxville wrote on Instagram yesterday, announcing the project. "We wanted to let you know that this summer Jackass is back! We will see you in theatres June 26. More to come but wanted you to hear it from us first!"
Image credit: Olivia Wong/Getty Images.
Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
For today only, Best Buy is offering an iBuypower Element RTX 5070 gaming PC for just $1,349.99 with free shipping or in-store pickup. It's paired with an Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU and 32GB of DDR5 RAM. The RTX 5070 is an excellent choice for gaming at 1080p or 1440p, and is even an affordable option for 4K, especially with DLSS4.
The iBuypower Element gaming PC is equipped with an Intel Core 7 265F processor, GeForce RTX 5070 12GB 2graphics card, 16GB of DDR5-5200MHz RAM, and a 2TB M.2 SSD. he Intel Core Ultra 7 265F CPU is a 20-core processor with a max boost clock of 5.3GHz. It's a solid general-purpose CPU that combines a high clock speed for games and plenty of cores for for multi-core performance. For games at least, you won't see any improvement upgrading to a Core Ultra 9.
Compared to the previous generation GPUs, the RTX 5070 offers a slight performance improvement over the RTX 4070 Super, which was and still is an excellent GPU. The fps gain is much greater in games that support DLSS 4 with multi-frame generation. At this price point, a prebuilt gaming PC is more likely to be equipped with an RTX 5060 or RTX 5060 Ti GPU, and the RTX 5070 is considerably more powerful than either. This is the best GPU for 1080p or 1440 gaming without overspending. It is fully capable of running non-demanding games at 4K resolution as well. The next card up - the RTX 5070 Ti - is significantly more expensive and really for gamers who want high fps 1440p or high-demand 4K gaming. Check out our GeForce RTX 5070 review for our hands-on impression and benchmarks.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
There's no shortage of good horror comics on the stands these days, but IDW Publishing's IDW Dark line has quickly risen above the pack thanks to a winning blend of original concepts and spinoffs of iconic movie franchises (like the wildly successful Event Horizon: Dark Descent). IDW Dark's latest prequel series is focused on a more recent success story in the horror scene - Smile. Smile: For the Camera is a new story set in this twisted universe from The Exorcism at 1600 Penn and The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace creator/writer Hannah Rose May and Disney Villains: Cruella De Vil artist Miriana Puglia.
IGN recently spoke with May about this prequel series and its connections to the previous two movies. Read on to learn more about the newest Smile adventure and to see newly revealed cover art for Smile: For the Camera #3.
May reveals that this series has been in the works for a little over a year, with its origins dating back to NYCC 2024 and the original debut of IDW Dark's licensed movie comics.
"This project originated at NYC 2024 when we were debuting The Exorcism at 1600 Penn," May tells IGN. "I was on a panel for the launch of IDW Dark where they unveiled their new list of Paramount-licensed titles. They mentioned that they were currently reading pitches for Smile and asked if I had any interest in pitching. I'm a sucker for brilliant marketing, and Smile had one of the most genius campaigns that had me hooked before I even bought a ticket. What Parker Finn has built with The Smile universe is going to terrify people for decades to come."
Clearly, the Smile movies have struck a chord with audiences. We were curious what May sees as the root of their appeal, and how that appeal translates to the comic book medium.
"At their core, they’re dramas that have a powerful supernatural hook," May says. "Both Rose and Skye are suffering from their own trauma and guilt, forced to smile through their pain which is something that resonates with most everyone. And then the entity brings that pain to the surface in terrifying fashion. In the world of print, Smile actually translates far better than you’d think. There’s an inherent balance of “show” don’t “tell” that you have to take with comics that actually lends itself to the Smile world. Our tool kit in comics is a bit more limited than a film but we’ve channeled the spirit of Parker’s filmmaking into our writing, art, colors and letters to deliver on an experience that will reward fans of the franchise."
While For the Camera is definitely set in the same universe as the previous films, May reveals that the goal is to tell a standalone prequel story. The only common thread here is the basic premise and the malignant infleunc eof the Smile entity.
"This series is completely stand alone, the only connection between our book and the films is the entity," May says. "The goal was to tell a new story, in a new time period and in a new setting that allowed us to explore similar themes from the films. If you’ve never seen the movie, you’ll be able to jump right in to Smile: For The Camera. We wanted to create something that rewarded returning fans while also being able to entice new fans to the world."
Smile: For the Camera is set in 2005, deep in the heart of the fashion industry. It's not hard to see where that setting could be mined for horror. May explains that this both allows her to maintain distance from the Smile movies while exploring a world that has plenty of monsters even before the Smile entity enters the picture.
"The early 2000s was pre-social media, pre-smartphones and a world where monoculture still existed. Culture was dictated by gatekeepers like TV networks, movie studios, and publications," May says. "I wanted to focus on an industry where smiling is an essential part of the job and if you were lucky enough, that smile could turn you into a supermodel overnight. The fashion industry is also filled with its own monsters and so we wanted to go backwards in time to explore this period while also putting distance between our story and Parker’s films."
Smile: For the Camera stars a new protagonist named Ivy. May explains that Ivy shares quite bit in common with past protagonists Rose and Skye, even with the gap in time. However, there is one key difference separating these women.
"Ivy is our fish out of water, a rookie model that serves as the reader’s fresh pair of eyes into the world of modeling," May says. "She’s confident, intelligent but most of all, she’s a pragmatist. She isn’t looking to become a supermodel, she just wants to make some money to pay off her student loans so she can start her life. Like Rose and Skye, she’s caring and compassionate despite being in an industry that thrives on competition. Where they differ is that Ivy is coming to our story without trauma or guilt for the entity to feed off of. It’s through our story that Ivy finds herself confronting a darkness that gives the entity the fuel it needs to survive."
The Smile movies make a point of not revealing too much about the nature of the Smile Entity. May says that the comic isn't necessarily looking to alter that approach, though the book may just make some contributions to the mythos that fans aren't expecting.
"We wanted to be incredibly respectful to the world building and lore that Parker has painstakingly set up in Smile," May says. "For us, we didn’t want to expand too much of the mythos of the entity but with each installment of the franchise, we learn a little bit more. With our series, we were very fortunate that Parker and Paramount were generous enough to let us do a few things that I think fans of the franchise will be excited to see. You’ll have to read to find out!"
As for the artwork, May says, "I had just got done working with [colorist Dearbhla Kelly] on The Guy in the Chair before Smile, so I was excited knowing her strengths coming into this. Miriana brought her own style and tone to the book which is why comics are so great. It’s a collaborative medium and what you envision doesn't always match the artist's style exactly, but that's part of the creative process. The best part is when those pages hit your inbox and you see how everyone's contributions come together. Our goal was always to create something visually unique while honoring the Smile films. I believe we've done that!"
Smile: For the Camera #1 will be released on February 18, with a preorder deadline of January 12. You can preorder a copy at your local comic shop.
In other comic book news, find out which series was selected as IGN's best comic book of 2025, and see which comics we're most excited for in 2026.
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on BlueSky.
Magic: The Gathering is about to kick off its 2026 roadmap with Lorwyn Eclipsed, but 2025 will certainly go down in the history books. While some sets were certainly weaker than others (yes, we’re looking at you, Spider-Man), others soared to new heights, like Universes Beyond: Final Fantasy, Tarkir: Dragonstorm, and Edge of Eternities.
Still, which cards are the ones to emerge from 2025 with the highest price? From high-value reprints to serial-numbered cards and the game’s first Infinity Stone, it’s been a wild year for collectors.
Here are 2025’s most valuable Magic: The Gathering cards, as calculated by TCGPlayer’s pricing guides.
Kicking off with one of gaming’s most iconic baddies, Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER is the most valuable Borderless Surge Foil card on this list.
His artwork looks amazing, but he also transforms into his One-Winged Angel version and gains access to Super Nova and plenty of card draw opportunities.
Sephiroth will currently set you back around $500 for a mint copy, but it’s selling for more.
The Spectacular Spider-Man series of cards ranges from the classic Spidey suit to Future Foundation, eight-armed Spidey, and even the paper bag-clad version in Fantastic Four pyjamas.
Depending on the version you get, you could be sitting on $374, or a whopping $571, with the Symbiote Suit version taking top prize.
Interestingly, only the 0241 (Future Foundation) card isn’t available at all on TCGPlayer.
The lone appearance of Edge of Eternities in this list, the Sothera card in its Singularity foil will set you back almost $1,500.
As for what it does, that’s hard to tell because it literally doesn’t tell you. Thankfully, other printings make it clear that it’s a Legendary Enchantment that exiles opponents’ creatures and brings them back under your control, with additional counters on them.
The top-earner from Tarkir: Dragonstorm (a great set, by the way), Mox Jasper’s serialized version is numbered up to 500, pushing the value up to around $1,500.
For that, you're getting literal free mana since the card has no mana cost but taps for mana, so long as you control a dragon.
I’d love one for my Commander deck, but not at this price, sadly.
Aetherdrift might not live long in the memory for many, but The Aetherspark is a very, very cool card - especially if you have one of the 500 serialized versions.
A Planeswalker that attaches to a creature and can be used for card draw or as a huge mana rock, it’s still going for over $1,650. Great artwork, too.
I recently picked up an Edgar Markov card to start building my vampire Commander deck, but there was no way I was spending $2,400.
Magic’s most famous vampire doesn’t come cheap if you find this Serial Numbered, Double Rainbow Foil card, but it looks amazing.
His abilities trigger even when he’s in the Command Zone, building you a colossal army of Vampires to power up.
The last set of 2025, Avatar: The Last Airbender, was a huge improvement on the Spider-Man set that preceded it.
These Neon Ink Foil Cards look awesome, but vary wildly in price. Fire Lord Zuko is worth just under $500, while Aang, Swift Savior is just over $700. After that, Katara, the Fearless will set you back $2,500.
Top of the pile, however, is Toph, the First Metalbender. That card is $2,752 right now - wow.
Only one Avatar card beats out Toph’s Neon Ink Foil card, and it’s… Avatar Aang, of course. This Raised Foil version of the card is close to $3,000 in value.
It’s a four-cost card with flying and firebending, and bending draws a card. Trigger firebending, earthbending, airbending and waterbending in a single turn, and he turns into Aang, Master of Elements.
This lowers the cost of spells, gains you life, and deals damage. Oh, and he’s a 6/6 flyer.
Still top of the pile for Final Fantasy, the Travelling Chocobos vary wildly in price, but you wouldn’t be unhappy if you packed any of them.
The Pink and Yellow ones in the Neon Ink go for just under $2,000, while the Green one goes for over $2,200 and the Blue one goes for almost $2,400.
The top one, however, is the Japan-exclusive Black Chocobo, which costs over $6,500.
The Spider-Man set wasn’t great, but it did give us Magic’s most valuable card of 2025 with the game’s first Infinity Stone.
The Borderless variant is awesome, showing Thanos with the stone in his gauntlet all for the low, low price of $1,275, but the Cosmic Foil one is the real moneymaker.
It’s dropped in recent months, but has still sold most recently for an incredible $24,000, making it the most valuable Magic card of 2025 by a long, long way.
Lloyd Coombes is an experienced freelancer in tech, gaming and fitness seen at Polygon, Eurogamer, Macworld, TechRadar and many more. He's a big fan of Magic: The Gathering and other collectible card games, much to his wife's dismay.
Black Mirror fans, rejoice — there’s more terror on its way. Creator Charlie Booker just revealed that the hit series, which began its run on the UK's Channel 4 before moving to Netflix in its third season, will return to the streamer for Season 8.
“Black Mirror will return, and hopefully it’ll be more Black Mirror than ever,” Booker revealed in a recent interview with Netflix’s Tudum site. “Luckily it does have a future, so I can confirm that Black Mirror will return, just in time for reality to catch up with it. So, that’s exciting. That chunk of my brain has already been activated and is whirring away.”
In the chat, he also opened up about how creating the new season has been like making a music album. “It’s a useful thought experiment when approaching a new story,” Booker said. “I’ll often think of, ‘Well, what haven’t we done yet, and what tone am I looking for? … Where does this track come on the album, and what musical direction are we going to go into?’ We’ll find out. Very unlikely you’ll ever see a Black Mirror hoedown.”
Other than that, he was mum about what fans can expect next season.
Interestingly enough, Booker’s announcement comes just ahead of the Golden Globes this coming weekend, where the series has picked up its very first nominations for Season 7. It will be vying for best TV limited series and anthology series, as well as two acting awards for Rashida Jones and Paul Giamatti, who star in the episodes “Common People” and “Eulogy,” respectively.
Season 7 of the now beloved show was released back in April 2025 and even featured a sequel episode to the highly praised “USS Callister” episode from Season 4. We don’t have a release date yet for Season 8, but hopefully we’ll see it arrive late this year or early next.
Lex Briscuso is a film and television critic and a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikonamerica.
Nvidia Gsync has been around since 2013, and while this variable refresh rate technology was a game changer when it came out, it was expensive and required gaming monitor manufacturers to implement a complicated module to make it work. At CES 2026, though, Nvidia has introduced a new form of Gsync that needs special firmware: Pulsar.
Rather than simply syncing your display’s refresh rate with your game’s frame rate, Pulsar uses strobe backlighting to simulate a much higher refresh rate – up to 1,000Hz, according to Nvidia. The goal is to add more visual smoothness to game motion, something Nvidia has been fixated on since Frame Generation first debuted with the GeForce RTX 4090 in 2022. Is Pulsar more of the same?
When Gsync came out, there really wasn’t anything like it. At the time, PC games were notorious for screen tearing, where differences between your refresh rate and frame rate would literally cause a vertical tear in your screen.
Gsync was huge because it eliminated that problem – if you had an Nvidia graphics card – by syncing your refresh rate and your frame rate, eliminating the cause of screen tearing entirely. This was initially possible because Nvidia developed a chip it sold to gaming monitor manufacturers that would act as a liaison between your PC and monitor, making sure everything was synced up. But then, of course, Freesync launched.
AMD’s Freesync billed itself as a direct competitor to Nvidia’s Gsync and had the same goal – syncing refresh rates and frame rates. However, Freesync was at first a little less flexible, only really working within a narrow range of frame rates. The difference was that with Gsync, once the frame rate got down to a certain threshold, the refresh rate of the monitor would change to be double the frame rate, which avoided screen tears.
But eventually, Freesync caught up enough that Nvidia launched the ‘Gsync Compatible’ program, which opened up variable refresh rates on Nvidia graphics cards without needing a gaming monitor with an expensive Gsync module. Then, over time, gaming monitors that were exclusively Gsync started to fade out of relevance.
Over the last few years, even, variable refresh rates have become so common that most gaming monitors are expected to support it, and most TVs and game consoles support it in one way or another.
There are two reasons to chase super high frame rates: visual smoothness and lower latency. For the former, the idea is that the quicker frames are sent to the display, the more accurate the display will be at any time. At a high enough frame rate, you can virtually eliminate motion blur, but it’s incredibly hard to do in modern games. So, Nvidia has come up with another solution with Gsync Pulsar.
While it doesn’t really do anything to improve latency or responsiveness, Gsync Pulsar uses a strobing IPS display to improve motion clarity by essentially tricking your eye into thinking something is moving faster. The way Nvidia described it to me was if you have an object moving fast in front of your face, you’re going to naturally perceive some blur. But, if you have that same object disappear and reappear fast enough, it’ll be less blurry. I’m not sure if that actually works, but that is what the strobing backlight is meant to simulate.
Strobing backlights and black frame insertion (BFI) in IPS displays are nothing new, but in the past they've been tied to the maximum refresh rate of the monitor. There have been some attempts to tie BFI to variable refresh rate, most commonly with Asus’ ELMB (Extreme Low Motion Blur) Sync in some of its monitors – though it was imperfect. Through the new Gsync module, created in partnership with Mediatek, Nvidia was able to force the backlight to speed up or slow down, depending on the current refresh rate of the display, which results in less blurry motion. However, while this does seem to be more flexible than systems like ELMB, Gsync Pulsar does have limitations.
By default, Gsync Pulsar will be set to turn itself off whenever the refresh rate and frame rate drop below 90Hz. This is because of the strobing backlight – if it slows down too much, the strobing itself becomes noticeable, and is going to be uncomfortable to sit in front of. You can set it all the way down to 75Hz if you want to, but that is the hard lower limit at the time of writing. Nvidia did claim that it was working on a way to enable it at 60Hz as well, but only time will tell if that’s going to be any good.
When I visited Nvidia at CES 2026, it had a couple of demos showing Gsync Pulsar in action, and the most compelling one was in Anno 117: Pax Romana. That’s not the kind of game I’d typically associate with high-framerate gaming, but by quickly panning around the map, the difference in motion clarity was pretty obvious. However, that’s only one demo in a controlled environment.
Gsync Pulsar is going to live or die by how well it handles refresh rates that are actually, well, variable. The motion seemed extremely smooth when it was running at 200+ fps on a high-end GPU, but what happens when the frame rate starts dipping down towards that 90 fps lower limit?
Luckily we won’t have to wait too long to find out. Gaming monitors with Gsync Pulsar will start hitting the market in the next week, so I’ll be able to get it into the lab and really put it to the test. But for now, from what I saw at CES, it’s looking promising – just don’t expect it to actually make you better at video games.
Jackie Thomas is the Hardware and Buying Guides Editor at IGN and the PC components queen. You can follow her @Jackiecobra
Red Dead Redemption 2 fans have made progress towards solving the game's newly-discovered spiderweb mystery, and now believe they've reached its final clue.
Earlier this week, attention was thrown on a major new discovery within Rockstar's epic cowboy sequel, dubbed the biggest uncovering of hidden content in years.
An intricately-placed breadcrumb trail of spiderwebs was found and plotted, leading to a further set of marked telegraph poles. These then pointed to a collection of guitars within the game's Fort Wallace location, where the trail temporarily went cold. Now, however, fans have pushed forwards — to what seems like a final clue beyond the edge of Red Dead Redemption 2's map, and a sense of what this whole mystery might actually be about.
Once again, progress on the discovery has been brilliantly chronicled by YouTube channel Strange Man, who picks up the trail back at Fort Wallace by showing that these guitars acted as signposts, guiding players to the roof of the location's tower.
On this roof, two tiny engravings of flying birds were then spotted, pointing in the direction of Giant's Birds, right at the very north of the game's map within Calumet Ravine. Heading here and using binoculars allows you to see a tiny, faint, but unmistakable "?" symbol on a mountain in the distance. The design of the question mark across the far hillside is such that it is only visible from this particular location.
Once again, it's a smart set of clues — which is perhaps why this mystery has taken over seven years to be discovered — and once again, progress has stalled. But there's a sense now, with this latest clue way beyond the boundary of the map, that the trail has reached its final stage. As Strange Man suggests, it now seems likely that the mystery's denoument is right here, though the trigger remains elusive.
"Let's solve this before GTA 6 arrives!" Strange Man wrote, asking for further ideas from fellow fans.
While the wait for an answer continues, there is at least a growing sense of what this whole breadcrumb trail might be about. With the hunt for clues leading to Calumet Ravine, it's been noted that this is in the Wapiti reserve, amplifying previous suggestions that earlier steps in the mystery were an obtuse reference to Wapiti tribe member Eagle Flies. (Feathers could be shot out of spiderwebs, with five colored black and three colored red. Eagle Flies appears in five story missions, before three more which chart his capture and eventual death.)
Could it all lead nowhere? Possibly, but earlier this week IGN's previous story on the mystery was shared by former Rockstar developer Adam Butterworth, who provided the first official acknowledgement that the game had included this trail of clues. "Absolutely wild people have found this," he wrote on social media. "I remember hearing about this and thinking it would never be discovered."
As things stand, this complex and multi-stage mystery has left fans on the edge of Wapiti territory, and has hinted at its tribe member Eagle Flies. What will be discovered next? Here's hoping we aren't waiting until GTA 6 to find out.
Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
Everyone likes to be feel special and game developers are no different, so congratulations to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ghost of Yotei, the two games absolutely dominating the Annual D.I.C.E. Award Nominations. Both games scored eight nominations each, including for Game of the Year.
Held by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences the 29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards will take place on February 12 in Vegas, and will be hosted by Kinda Funny Games' Greg Miller and Stella Chung.
“First, thank you to our peer panelists. Your dedication and expertise in our judging process, and yourwork in selecting the best games of 2025, is truly appreciated,” said Meggan Scavio, President of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.
“And on behalf of all of us at the Academy, I extend my congratulations to all of our finalists. Each of these games has impressed us through its creativity,artistry, and technical achievement, and we look forward to celebrating your accomplishments at the 29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.”
Outstanding Achievement in Animation
Outstanding Achievement in Character
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Esquie
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Maelle
Dispatch - Courtney/Invisigal
Dispatch - Robert Robertson III/Mecha Man
Ghost of Yotei - Atsu
Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition
Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design
Outstanding Achievement in Story
Outstanding Technical Achievement
Action Game of the Year
Adventure Game of the Year
Family Game of the Year
Fighting Game of the Year
Racing Game of the Year
Role-Playing Game of the Year
Sports Game of the Year
Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year
Immersive Reality Technical Achievement
Immersive Reality Game of the Year
Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game
Mobile Game of the Year
Online Game of the Year
Outstanding Achievement in Game Design
Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction
Game of the Year
Rachel Weber is the Senior Editorial Director of Games at IGN and an elder millennial. She's been a professional nerd since 2006 when she got her start on Official PlayStation Magazine in the UK, and has since worked for GamesIndustry.Biz, Rolling Stone and GamesRadar. She loves horror, horror movies, horror games, and French Bulldogs. Those extra wrinkles on her face are thanks to going time blind and staying up too late finishing every sidequest in RPGs like Fallout and Witcher 3.