Few gifts would be as universally appreciated as a spanking new iPad. Just in time for Christmas, Target has lowered price of the latest 2025 Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB tablet to the lowest price of the year. Right now you can pick up the 128GB WiFi model for $399.99 after a $200 off discount (normally $599). This beats the lowest price I saw during Black Friday and Cyber Monday by $50. Your order should be delivered before Christmas, although it depends on your location.

2025 Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB for $399.99

Piecing together a puzzle is a great way to relax. Whether you enjoy the hobby on your own or with others, there's quite a few different formats to choose from these days, too. There are some puzzles that offer fun 3D builds that bring your efforts to life and some even tell a story with a secret ending that ties it all together. If you don't frequently build puzzles, though, finding a good option like the ones previously mentioned means tracking down a reliable brand first and going from there.

One visit to Amazon will show you that there's an abundance of companies offering different puzzles at varying price points, which can feel quite overwhelming. We're here to help, though. In this list, we've gathered up some of our favorite puzzle brands that we believe are worth dropping money on and noted some puzzles from each that we highly recommend. If you've been itching to pick up something new to get stuck into, have a look at our collection of the best puzzle brands below.

Ravensburger

Ravensburger is a brand that's been around for a while, offering a wide range of puzzle sizes from smaller 500-piece options - and even lower, if you prefer - to one of the largest puzzles with 40,000 pieces. Yes, really! The puzzle pieces are cut to fit neatly into place, with the company stating on its website that its "puzzles are made using custom-built tools and steel strips, handcrafted by skilled artisans. This meticulous process ensures each piece fits perfectly, providing a flawless puzzle experience without any false fits." The company also notes that each puzzle goes through quality checks, so you know you're getting a product that'll last. It's also worth noting that Ravensburger puzzles are even used in the world jigsaw puzzle championship.

Below you can find some Ravensburger puzzles we'd recommend in a wide range of sizes. Starting from just 500 pieces and going up to a whopping 5,000, there's a puzzle for every challenge level available. We've even included a couple of their 3D puzzles if you want a finished product that you can set up afterward. Ravensburger also has many officially licensed puzzles from franchises like Harry Potter, Star Wars, and The Lord of the Rings.

Recommended Puzzles From Ravensburger

Magic Puzzle Company

The Magic Puzzle Company really lives up to its name. Its magical puzzles combine a "traditional jigsaw puzzle experience with ideas from the worlds of tabletop games and magic," according to its website. It's become a very beloved brand as well, with its Kickstarter boasting 62,284 backers from when it was last updated. Each of its 1,000-piece puzzles features over 50 easter eggs for you to find, but the coolest part about them is the special secret ending you get after finishing the first part of the puzzle. This important element helps tie together the story from the first set of pieces in the box, making it even more satisfying to finish. There are now a total of four full series' releases of these puzzles with series four arriving at Amazon earlier in 2025. The first official Series Five Magic puzzle is available on Amazon as well, but the full set has yet to arrive.

Each puzzle from the Magic Puzzle Company offers a unique experience with original art, to boot. We've included a few of our recommended puzzles below that each have something interesting to bring to the table, from the magical Mystic Maze to the colorful Gnomes' Homes.

Recommended Puzzles From Magic Puzzle Company

Springbok

Springbok is another well-regarded brand that's been around for a very long time - since 1963 to be exact. The company offers a variety of different puzzles to choose from so you can find an option that best suits your personal tastes and skill level. Each one is made with a lot of love, too. The company prides itself on creating quality puzzles, stating on its website that, "The quality of our dies and above average thickness of our chipboards ensures the interlocking pieces will come together flawlessly multiple times."

From piecing it together to admiring the final work and all of the details within it, Springbok's puzzles will keep you busy for quite a while. Below we've included a few fun puzzles from their collections, from a selection of sweet treats to a puzzle paying homage to some excellent films.

Recommended Puzzles From Springbok

Heye

Heye's puzzles come in a fun variety of unique designs and ones with incredible amounts of detail. On its website, you can find the 'Puzzle' category broken down into five sections: Art Lab, Cartoon, Fantasy, Fine Art, and Photo Art. Each of these is further broken down into more sections so you can explore the many different styles of puzzle that are available. Not only that, but Heye also offers a range of puzzle sizes, from 500 pieces to 6,000, so you can easily find one that fits the challenge level you're looking for.

On top of its creative puzzle designs, the company also notes on its website that, "HEYE puzzles have been successively converted to plastic-free production without plastic bags and shrink wrap." That's a very big win for sustainability. Below you can find just a few of our recommended puzzles from Heye.

Recommended Puzzles From Heye

Rokr

Not all puzzles come in a 2D format. If you're looking for something a little different to work with, Rokr offers a great collection of 3D builds that can up your puzzling game with their intricate designs. With 10 years of experience and, according to its website, 4,190 Happy Members, Rokr is a reliable brand for those looking to expand on their puzzling skills. Its models are built to last, too. On its website, the company states that it prioritizes, "the use of durable, child-safe materials to ensure that our products not only withstand the rigors of play but also provide a reliable and secure play environment."

Below we've listed just a few of our favorite puzzles from Rokr, from an illuminated globe to a miniature pinball machine. These come with varying amounts of puzzle pieces as well, so there's a little something for every challenge level here. If you're looking for a good LEGO alternative, we recommend starting witht his brand.

Recommended Puzzles From Rokr

Buffalo Games

Buffalo Games is another brand that's been in the game for a while, since 1986. The company has crafted numerous puzzles since then, with care for their construction at the forefront of its mind. According to its website, the company states that, "With a careful eye for quality and sustainability, our puzzles use the thickest graphic board, premium paper, and sturdy set-up boxes." Each puzzle is also "manufactured using a precision cutting technique that guarantees every piece snaps into place with our signature Perfect Snap™ technology."

Whether you want a puzzle with a scenic view or one that captures your favorite piece of entertainment, Buffalo Games has quite a few options to choose from. We've included just a few of our favorites below in varying sizes, from 300 to 2,000 pieces. It's also worth noting that this brand makes some of the very best Pokemon puzzles on the market for both kis and adults.

Recommended Puzzles From Buffalo Games

New York Puzzle Company

The New York Puzzle Company was founded in 2007, but it has grown substantially since then. It now includes licenses from quite a few popular franchises including Harry Potter, Peter Rabbit, and The New Yorker. According to the company's about us page, these puzzle makers try to focus on picking evocative images and providing the right level of challenge. You can really see that idealogy in every puzzle, and each and every one is fit to be framed once you're done. New York Puzzle Company jigsaw puzzles are full-on art pieces just waiting to be put together.

How Do You Know if a Brand Has Quality Puzzles?

It's always worth researching a brand when you come across a puzzle that interests you to learn more about them. Quite a few companies will have further details about them on their website to read so you can have a better idea about who you're buying from. Another great way to learn more about a brand is by reading reviews or comments from fellow puzzlers online who have bought from the brand previously. Doing this can help you make a good judgement call about a brand and if they're worth your time and money. New York Puzzle Comap

Jigsaw Puzzle FAQs

What is the best piece count for puzzles?

Puzzles come in a pretty wide variety of piece counts, but some of the most common are 300, 500, and 1000-piece puzzles. Choosing what piece count is right for you depends on a mixture of how good you are at puzzles, how much time you have, and whether or not you have a dedicated space to do puzzles. Lower piece counts are usually better for casual puzzlers and kids, but higher piece counts are better for adults and challenge seekers. That being said, the most common piece counts you'll see from the best jigsaw puzzle brands are 500 and 1000-piece puzzles.

What type of material is good for quality puzzles?

For most quality jigsaw puzzles, a sturdy cardboard base is what you'll find used as the material. You can usually judge a puzzle's quality by just how sturdy and thick the cardboard is. Puzzle cardboard (also known as chipboard) comes in a pretty wide variety of thicknesses and this can affect how easily the puzzle fits together. Lower-quality puzzles will usually use thinner base coardboard resulting in flimsier pieces that don't have that same 'click' when you put them together. Outside of cardboard, wood can be a good material for puzzles. However depending on the type of wood used you might end up with chipped or splintered pieces. Most of the time high-quality cardboard is what you should be looking for.

3D Puzzles vs. 2D Puzzles

In the world of jigsaw puzzles, there are multiple dimensions in which you could be working with. 2D puzzles are the standard flat versions most folks are used to, but the 3D variety brings the puzzle into model kit territory. If you're trying to choose which type of puzzle to buy, it really just comes down to whether or not you want to display the end result. 3D puzzles are great if you're looking to build something to keep on a shelf or a desk, whereas 2D puzzles are great for framing and hanging on your wall. If you're just looking for a jigsaw puzzle to put together at your leisure and then stuff back in the box, 2D is the way to go.

If you're interested in 3D puzzles, we recommend you check out some of the coolest book nook kits for adults. These are designed to sit on your shelf among a book collection. You can also see our guide to the best 3D puzzle alternatives to popular LEGO sets if you're looking for something specific.

Are Expensive Puzzles Better Quality?

Puzzling can certainly be an expensive hobby if you do a lot of puzzling. Because of this there are a lot of really cheap jigsaw puzzles available at online retailers like Amazon from brands you've likely never heard of. The general rule of thumb is that a cheaper puzzle will most likely be lower-quality than a more expensive one. This is because higher-quality puzzles are usually made of higher-quality materials (thicker cardboard, wood, etc). That being said, not every expensive puzzle is going to automatically be better quality than something cheaper. It all depends on the brand and what licensing has gone into the making of that puzzle.

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

Give the gift of Sonos for Christmas. As part of a greater Sonos Cyber Sale on select certified refurbished sound bars, speakers, and subs, you can pick up the Sonos Arc for just $399 with free delivery before Christmas. That's nearly $500 less than its original retail price of $900. It's a better value than picking up the Arc Ultra, currently "on sale" for $879.

Sonos refurbished products go through rigorous testing; they come with all accessories, manuals, and documentation and are reshipped in "pristine" packaging. Most importantly, Sonos includes the same 1-year warranty as buying new. I like when retailers offer the same warranty as new because that means they have faith in the reliability of their refurbs.

Sonos Arc Soundbar (Refurbished)

As avid puzzlers know full well, the humble jigsaw puzzle is a thing of beauty in multiple ways. Not only are jigsaws an absorbing time sink, but multiple studies have demonstrated they are good for you both mentally and physically. As you fit the pieces into place, they can be enjoyed alone or as a communal activity, and remain to be a fun hobby for all ages. Plus, when you’re finished, you’re often left with a delightful piece of art and sense of accomplishment.

The only downside to puzzles is they can take up a surprising amount of space, especially puzzles with 1000+ pieces. If you get into working on bigger puzzles, they can eat up your dining room table, coffee table or desk space for long stretches of time. This is why many jigsaw fans have a dedicated puzzle-solving table or board these days, often equipped with useful accessories. You have foldable and portable options, multi-purpose tables (for playing cards and the like), and ones with drawers to organize the pieces as you go. No matter what you're looking for or what your budget is, we've found some viable options for you below.

TL;DR: These Are the Best Puzzle Tables and Boards

If you’ve got the puzzle bug or simply want an easier setup for regular puzzling, below are our top puzzle table and board picks right now to solve your space and storage problems, no matter your budget. Each of our picks represent a different category of table or board to fit different jigsaw puzzle needs. There are a lot of different options to choose from within these categories, so we've narrowed it down to one entry for each that we think fits the category best.

1. Bits and Pieces Fold and Go Table

Best for portability

I have a dangerous relationship with digital storefronts, and this week did nothing to improve it. I went in to check one price, came out with a mental shopping list and a lighter conscience. These are the deals that genuinely stopped me scrolling.

Contents

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

This Day in Gaming 🎂

In retro news, I'm using a lit deku stick to light a 27-candle cake baked for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. I don't unabashedly gush about too many games, but this one warms my very soul. On launch day I happened to find myself in a place of loss and uncertainty in my life; all I wanted to do was retreat from the world. Fortunately, I found solace and, frankly, absolute wonder in the theretofore unimaginably boundless and bountiful 3D land of Hyrule. Truly, OOT is a masterpiece of gaming -- the grandpappy that sired many more masterpieces in a ridiculously storied franchise. GOAT of GOATs.

During Black Friday and Cyber Monday, there were surprisingly few GPU deals. Fortunately, if you've been waiting for one of the more affordable Blackwell cards to come back in stock at a reputable retailer, there are a couple of good deals available right now. Walmart is offering two GeForce RTX 5070 12GB graphics card models starting at just $489 shipped. That's better than most 5070 deals I've seen because both GPUs feature a triple-fan cooling system. The RTX 5070 is an excellent GPU for gaming at up to 1440p at comfortable framerates, and even at 4K with the help of DLSS4.

MSI Shadow RTX 5070 12GB OC Graphics Card for $489

Samsung has announced it will offer its Micro RGB TV in a lot more sizes. Starting sometime in 2026, you'll be able to get one of the company's OLED alternatives in sizes as low as 55 inches – all with AI features, of course. Can't not have that.

The TVs will also come in 65, 75, 85, 100, and 115 inches. Samsung isn't ready to say how much they'll cost, though. I'm sure they won't be cheap, but I'm sure the smaller ones' price tags will be easier to stomach than the $30,000 the company charges for its current 115-inch model. Why so expensive? Well, the tech is new and promises a richness of color not possible with current LCD panels, apparently hitting 100% of the BT.2020 color gamut. That's something even IGN's favorite gaming TV, the Samsung S90F OLED, can't manage.

As Stardew Valley fans continue to wait patiently for the previously announced 1.7 update, creator Eric Barone (ConcernedApe) has dropped a couple small, vague, yet exciting hints about what said mysterious update might entail: a new farm type, and "more character/social stuff."

This comes from a tweet/X post from ConcernedApe, where he was asked if he could give any hints about the upcoming update. His response was pretty simple: "there will be some more character/social stuff, it's also traditional to add a new farm type. Lots more but I don't want to reveal much yet."

there will be some more character/social stuff, it's also traditional to add a new farm type. Lots more but I don't want to reveal much yet

— ConcernedApe (@ConcernedApe) December 17, 2025

That's not a ton of detail, but certainly enough to spark the imagination. The new farm type was indeed to be expected. Stardew Valley started with just one style of farm map, and since its release, most major new content updates have added at least one for a total of eight different options. Each farm map centers around a different specialty, with the Standard map being fairly generic and open-ended, and other maps promoting fishing, foraging, mining, combat, multiplayer, a combination of fishing and foraging, and animal raising. Currently, this means that basically every type of playstyle is supported, so there's a lot left to wonder about when it comes to imagining what new farm type could be added. Perhaps something that encourages building NPC friendships?

The "character/social stuff" is a little more vague. This could mean anything from new scenes and events with existing characters to new characters entirely. It's really hard to say at this stage!

Popular fan requests for future Stardew Valley features include more NPCs, including more romanceable NPCs, more dialogue and world lore, but also just generally more of everything: more animals, more crops, more decorations, more clothing, more enemies to fight, dishes to cook, and so forth. ConcernedApe hasn't really revealed anything so far about what 1.7 will contain, or even when we might expect it. He's given no release date, only suggested that it's possible it doesn't come out until after Haunted Chocolatier releases. Maybe. It'll be ready when it's ready.

ConcernedApe did drop one other thing, though. When asked about a potential Nintendo Switch 2 edition, he said he's announce something "very soon." A Switch 2 edition was first announced back in September, and will bring mouse controls, four-player split screen multiplayer, and Game Share multiplayer to the Switch version. No release date has been given yet.

We re-reviewed Stardew Valley in 2024 to account for its many, many updates since launch in 2016. While our original review gave it an impressive 8.8/10, the re-review called it a 10/10 masterpiece, saying, "Stardew Valley is not only the best farming game I’ve played, it is one of my favorite games of all time. That myself and others keep returning to this eight-year old gem each time it gets even the smallest update speaks to how it’s truly a masterpiece in the genre it both reinvigorated and has come to define."

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

After eight years of Nintendo’s console-handheld hybrid, its successor, the Nintendo Switch 2, is finally in our hands. It's already become the all-time fastest-selling piece of gaming hardware in the U.S. While it’s a brand-new system, some of the original Switch accessories still work with the platform, although things like an old case or spare Joy-Con won't fit because of the Switch 2's bigger screen and new magnetic Joy-Con. You’ll need a handful of new accessories to get the most out of your next-gen Switch. From finding the best grips for your Joy-Con 2 to the easiest bubble-free screen protectors to guard that shiny new display, we have you covered in this Switch 2 accessories guide.

I’ve researched the best Switch 2 accessories you can buy right now based on direct hands-on experience with new gear and firsthand knowledge about some of our favorite Switch 1 accessory manufacturers. Plenty of companies are still shipping their products to retailers and new stuff is still coming out all the time, so I’ll continue to update this list over time with my favorite new accessories as I go hands-on with them.

Best MicroSD Express Cards for Switch 2 So Far

Bigger games with great graphical detail meant the Switch 2 needed a faster storage solution for your downloaded games. That means your old SD cards from the Switch 1 will not work here. You need to get a MicroSD Express card for the Switch 2, which is faster (and more expensive) than the basic model. We'll be updating our guide to the best MicroSD Express cards for Nintendo Switch 2 as we do more testing now that the console is out. We're still working on it, but if you're in need of a cheap MicroSD Express card, the Samsung P9 is easily your best option based on our testing. You could also do a lot worse than the Onn one at Walmart, which earned a solid review from us.

Best Cases for Switch 2

The Switch 2 may be portable, but it’s not invincible. If you’re gearing up to take the 10/10 Donkey Kong Bananza or Mario Kart World on the road, you’ll need to protect your console with a sturdy, reliable case. Again, your original Switch case is not going to fit your Switch 2, so you will need to purchase a new one. In addition to materials, construction, and form, I specifically made sure to look for extra features like comfort grips, game cartridge storage, bundles, and tested brands when making my suggestions. Of course, whether you want to go with a slim soft case like the one from Tomtoc (that we reviewed), a budget-friendly hard case like the one from PowerA (that we reviewed), a charging case like the one from Belkin (that we reviewed), or a bulkier hard case like CoBak's, you have options for your preferences.

Best Switch 2 Screen Protectors

Even though the Switch 2 has a built-in layer that acts as screen protector – don't peel that off – a good screen protector is non-negotiable for handheld devices. Since the launch of the original Switch, tons of companies have stepped up their game, offering new applicators, matte finishes, and kits to make sure your protector doesn’t trap dust or air bubbles when you apply it. Some are also built to take hits like a tank (though we’d never suggest testing this out yourself).

I use some of these brands to protect other devices I own, like my Steam Deck and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra smartphone, and many of the same design principles are applied across different designs, including the Switch 2. Most of these also come with extra units in case your first protector gets damaged.

Best Gaming Headsets for Switch 2

The Switch 2 still has a standard audio jack, yet it’s the small but major secondary USB-C port that makes wireless gaming headsets even more useful. A majority of the best gaming headsets are compatible, and since Bluetooth isn’t the best idea for gaming (as was evident on the original Switch), I recommend checking out our picks for headsets that go particularly well with the Switch 2 rather than just using the earbuds you’re probably wearing right now.

Best Switch 2 Controllers

Unless you want to stick with the packaged Joy-Con 2, you’re going to want the new Pro Controller that we reviewed, or one of the gamepads made in its image. Especially if you’re playing more sophisticated games that demand precise controls or need something more comfortable for long sessions, a proper controller will probably be the most beneficial accessory for your Switch 2.

While you could certainly use an original Pro Controller or whatever your previous gamepad of choice was, the Switch 2 brings new features to the table – notably, a 3.5mm audio jack that allows you to use a wired headset for audio and chatting in-game without being tethered to your console. You may be interested in Switch 2’s GameChat feature, and you can seamlessly go into a video and/or voice chat room with friends with the new C button. Not every new controller has it, but licensed manufacturers like PowerA and its Advantage for Switch 2 that we reviewed do include it. Lastly, the built-in programmable back buttons on the official Pro Controller can be a game-changer, letting you map normal inputs to them, and that can improve performance or comfort across many different types of games.

If you’re just looking for a solid Pro-style controller, our favorite original Switch controllers will serve you well. Something like the Gulikit KK3 Max has programmable back buttons, Hall Effect sticks, high polling rate for smoother inputs, and is versatile enough to use on PC without trouble. Either way, you have plenty of great options – even the relatively novel GameCube controller fo Switch 2.

Best Switch 2 Handheld Grips

Although it promises some ergonomic enhancements from the original Switch, the Switch 2 still won’t have fully formed grips on the new Joy-Con – the likes of the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally X still have an ergonomic advantage that can help make long handheld play sessions more comfortable. But you already have ways of improving the ergonomics of the Switch 2 with a handful of attachments available now. The grips above are the best we could find for playing in handheld mode from reliable manufacturers, including DBrand's Killswitch 2 grip that I reviewed and liked.

Best Switch 2 Joy-Con Grip / Handles

Even though the Switch 2 ships with a central grip to attach both Joy-Con to use like a singular controller, they’re not perfect. Especially for intense games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, there are more comfortable ways to play using the Joy-Con. Some companies are even starting to offer stands to help prop up your Joy-Con in the new Mouse Mode as well, which comes in handy for navigating menus and playing games like Civilization VII. Getting a proper connecting grip can be a more cost-effective solution compared to buying an entirely new gamepad, so long as you’re happy with the inputs of the Joy-Con. And many of these options will also charge your Joy-Con while they’re in use, which is a neat little cherry on top.

Best Switch 2 Joy-Con Charge Stations

Nintendo has stated that the Switch 2 Joy-Con could last as long as 20 hours on a full charge, which is the same amount of time as the original Joy-Con. When looking at wireless controllers nowadays, 20 hours is fairly decent, although they still go by pretty quickly compared to other wireless controller options. It’s intuitive to just reattach your Joy-Con when they’re not in use to keep them charged, but if you plan on having multiple sets ready to go at all times, it’ll be a good idea to have a charging station on-hand. For those who often host multiplayer get-togethers, a Joy-Con charging station will make your life easier. I made sure to include models that feature as many ports as possible so you never run out of charged controllers.

Best Switch 2 Portable Chargers

The original Switch’s battery life remains one of its weak spots depending on the game you’re playing (some drain more power than others), even after a mid-gen refresh that brought some welcome improvements. It’ll remain something you have to manage by nature of using a portable gaming device especially if you’re taking the Switch 2 on long flights, trips, or car rides. That max battery life of 6.5 hours won’t always hold up and looking for an outlet is less than ideal when charge times can be quite longer than something like a smartphone.

Being able to charge in-between sessions untethered comes in clutch more often than you may expect, so having an extra battery pack to get some extra juice can be a total game-changer. I personally love Anker’s line with built-in USB-C cables, but Magsafe options like Genki’s Energy Pack are also really enticing. Either way, make sure you check the capacity and wattage of a portable charger before purchasing one you plan to use with your Switch 2 – some might simply be overkill for what you need.

Other Switch 2 Accessories Worth Considering

It feels like every new Nintendo console comes with a mountain of weird accessories. From Wii Sports-style tennis rackets to fishing rods, there’s a lot of extra and niche add-ons mixed in with the core accessories that are typically more practical. That’s not to say there aren’t some cool ideas that stretch the imagination of gaming on the Switch. (That said, both the first-party and Pirhana Plant cameras built for Switch 2 are... not great.) While it’s not an ideal way to play everything, the steering wheel attachment can be a fun and more accessible way for younger kids to play Mario Kart World. These accessories don’t fall into the conventional categories like controllers and cases, but they’re worth considering regardless. I’ve also thrown in a couple of "starter kits" that make for decent one-and-done purchases that include most of what you’ll want on day one.

Charlie's a freelance contributor for IGN. You can reach them via Twitter or Instagram at the handle @chas_mke.

There have been multiple iterations of Willy Wonka over the years, but my overall favorite is still the original. Gene Wilder was able to capture the perfect mix of madness and magic in a way that no one else really ever could. The 1971 film is an absolute classic that holds a special place in the hearts of many, but now it's also something that can hold a special place on your shelf. LEGO released its first ever Willy Wonka set back in September, and Target currently has it on sale right before Christmas.

If you're looking to upgrade your monitor to something bigger, this new holiday deal is definitely worth consideration. eBay (via Buydig) is offering the massive 49" Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 (G91SD) gaming monitor for just $679.99 with free delivery. It normally retails for $1300. This is the lowest price I've seen for a 49" OLED gaming monitor from any brand, including the generic no-names you'll find off Amazon. Buydig is an authorized Samsung reseller (which means you get the full 1 year warranty) and has over 600,000 eBay reviews with a greater-than-99% rating.

49" Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 Gaming Monitor $680

Horses, the indie horror game that was banned from both Steam and the Epic Games Store ahead of its launch two weeks ago, has nonetheless managed to sell over 18,000 copies, says publisher Santa Ragione. However, that's not enough for the publisher to fund a new game.

This comes from a press release sent today by Santa Ragione, which says Horses has generated approximately $65,000 in net revenue thanks to sales on GOG and Humble [Disclaimer: Humble and IGN are both owned and run by IGN Entertainment, a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc.]. That was enough to pay royalties owed to creator Andrea Lucco Borlera, as well as pay off the loans the publisher took out to finish development.

But that's not enough to begin work on a new game, and it doesn't seem likely that amount will be reached despite the significant attention the game's controversy gleaned. The team members are still planning to take on other jobs and projects, with the hope that the publisher may be able to fund a new prototype in the future if sales remain steady for long enough.

"While the launch of HORSES compares very favourably to our most recent launches on Steam, Steam’s economics rely heavily on multi-year long tail sales and, for our past projects, on Steam key distribution through bundles, which has also lately been restricted for low-selling titles," the publisher said in a statement. "These structural differences are why a strong two week result on smaller storefronts does not tell us what a full Steam release could have looked like."

Horses is a horror game that follows a young man who travels to a horse farm to work for several weeks during the summer, only to discover that the farm's "horses" are actually naked humans with horse masks forcibly attached over their heads. The game explores themes of complicity and what horrors people are willing to participate in, via the farmer and eventually protagonist's treatment and continued enslavement of these people.

The game contains a lot of disturbing imagery, including violence and sexual content, but none of that's new for either Steam or Epic. Nevertheless, Horses was banned from Steam two years ago after the team submitted an in-progress prototype. While some suggestions were given as to the reason for the ban, no specifics were shared with the team at the time, nor was there an opportunity to appeal. Santa Ragione believes Valve may have objected to a scene present in the earlier version where a child "rode" one of the naked horses by sitting on their shoulders and being carried around. That character was aged up to an adult in the final version of the game, and there are no underaged individuals in the released version.

With Valve unbending, Santa Ragione said at the time it may have to close its doors, due to the overwhelming necessity of a Steam release for most games to recoup development costs. The publisher put its hopes in Epic, GOG, and Humble, but at the last minute right before launch, Epic also banned the game, with Epic citing violations of its policies on "inappropriate content" and "hateful or abusive content."

Both bans prompted a wave of criticism from developers and audience members, who called out the banning of the game as both censorship as well as hypocritical, given some of the other content that's allowed on Steam in particular. Santa Ragione specifically has called out Valve for having unclear policies and communication, problems that it feels essentially ensured the studio's demise.

We also want to emphasize that this outcome should not distract from the broader issue at stake: the need for clearer rules, transparent processes, and meaningful accountability from near monopolistic distribution platforms and the systems they enforce. For every case like HORSES that becomes visible, there are many more games that are quietly banned, delisted, or trapped in indefinite review for unclear reasons, with developers too worried about retaliation or future approval to speak publicly. We are grateful to the journalists and outlets who have reported, and who will continue to report, on these cases.

Critical response to Horses has been across the board, with our own reviewer giving it a 7/10 and calling it "an affecting first-person horror game that, despite some repetitive tasks and signposting issues, delivers a harrowing story you won’t forget in a hurry."

Publisher Santa Ragione has a long history of both developing and publishing standout games. Its most recent successes are Mediterranea Inferno, which it published from developer Eyeguys and which won Excellence in Narrative at the 2024 Independent Games Festival, as well as nominations for the Seumas McNally Grand Prize and Nuovo Award. Saturnalia, developed in-house and released in 2022, received generally positive reviews. Both games remain available on Steam and Epic.

Starting in 2029, the Oscars will no longer air on ABC. Instead, the awards ceremony will be on YouTube.

In a press release from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, it was announced today that the Academy and YouTube have signed a multi-year deal for the exclusive global rights to air the Oscars, beginning in 2029 through 2033. ABC will continue to air the awards in 2026 through 2028 as before, concluding with the 100th Oscars.

This will make the Oscars viewable for free, live on YouTube starting in 2029, including all official related Oscars content and associated events, such as the red carpet pre-show, Governors Awards, Oscars nominations announcement, Student Academy Awards, and more. Select Academy Museum exhibitions will also be made viewable on YouTube.

“The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible — which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community," said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Lynette Howell Taylor in a joint statement. "This collaboration will leverage YouTube’s vast reach and infuse the Oscars and other Academy programming with innovative opportunities for engagement while honoring our legacy. We will be able to celebrate cinema, inspire new generations of filmmakers and provide access to our film history on an unprecedented global scale.”

The Oscars were originally broadcast starting in 1953 by NBC, with ABC taking over in 1966 for five years, NBC regaining the rights for another five years, and then ABC taking back over in 1976 and retaining rights ever since.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Best Buy is offering a great deal on a powerful gaming laptop for the holidays. From now until Sunday, you can pick up the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16s GeForce RTX 5070 Ti gaming laptop for just $1,449.99 with free delivery. This is $50 less than the deal I saw during Black Friday. The Helios Neo is a well-equipped laptop, boasting a gorgeous 16" 240Hz OLED display, the latest, Intel Core Ultra 9 HX series processor, and powerful RTX 5070 Ti mobile graphics.

Acer Predator Helios Neo RTX 5070 Ti Laptop for $1,450

If you're a lucky owner of a brand new Nintendo Switch 2 console, you'll definitely want to pick up some extra storage. The Switch 2 only has 256GB of onboard storage, and chances are you'll probably need to expand it down the road. Amazon just lowered the price of the 256GB Samsung P9 MicroSD Express card, which will double your available storage, for just $32.99. As a comparison, the best previous deal I saw on a 256GB memory card was during Cyber Monday for $39.99. You don't have to worry about performance, either. We recently reviewed this exact card and strongly recommend it.

256GB Samsung P9 MicroSD Express Memory Card

Nintendo Switch 2 compatible

If you're planning to gift someone one of the best Xbox or PC gaming controllers for the holidays, then look no further than the official Xbox wireless controller. Both Robot White and Carbon Black models are marked down to $38 with free delivery at various retailers including Amazon, Walmart, and Lenovo (it's normally $65). Some of these retailers are still offering delivery by Christmas, but not for much longer.

Xbox Wireless Controllers for $38

Throughout Black Friday and Cyber Monday, eBay consistently had the lowest prices on all sizes of the LG Evo C5 4K OLED TV. The only problem was that they were out of stock for the majority of the time and all but disappeared after Cyber Monday ended. For a very limited time, they're back. eBay via Budyig has most sizes of the popular LG Evo C-series OLED TV on sale with an extra 20% off coupon code "HOLIDAYRUSH". Delivery is free, although there's no guarantee these TVs will arrive by December 25. LG is the best selling OLED TV brand globally for a simple reason. It's just that good.

Note that these TVs go out of stock quickly. If you know you want one and you see a deal, jump on it.

LG Evo C5 4K OLED Smart TV Black Friday Deals Are Back

This morning, we learned that November was a surprisingly bad month for video game spending across the board. Hardware dollar sales and physical software unit sales were both at the lowest we've seen since 1995, and all three major console makers were down year-on-year in what's traditionally the biggest month for retail. But one console in particular is really struggling, and that's the Xbox.

According to Circana senior director Mat Piscatella speaking to IGN, Xbox Series consoles dollar sales were down a whopping 70% year-over-year. That's... a huge drop. Other consoles were also down, with PS5 down 40% year-over-year, and the newly-released Nintendo Switch 2 combined with Switch 1 down 10% from sales of Switch 1 only last year, which is pretty shocking on its own.

But that Xbox number is rather astounding. In fact, it's an all-time low for Xbox console unit sales in a November month in the U.S., says Piscatella. Admittedly, Xbox has some factors working against it. As we've already laid out, it's a really bad month for hardware sales across the board. Also, the Xbox Series is now five years old, and with no new hardware refresh this year, there are fewer and fewer reasons to be getting one if you haven't already sprung for an Xbox. In fact, Xbox hardware sales have been in decline for a bit now in the U.S. at least in the busy retail month of November. From 2023 to 2024, Xbox Series sales in November dropped 29%, and from 2022 to 2023, there was a drop of over 20%. 2022 was the last November when unit sales were up, Piscatella tells me, specifically up 11% year-over-year from November 2021.

Critically, though, for 2025, the Xbox is expensive, especially in the US. Piscatella points out to us that its average price per unit rose by over 30% year-over-year. That's because of multiple price hikes in recent years, including some seriously massive ones in September that impacted all types of Xbox Series consoles, raising prices from as little as $20 for Series S to as much as $70 for the Series X 2TB Galaxy Special Edition. And that's after a price hike in May that raised consoles as little as $80 for the Series S and as much as a stunning $130 for the Galaxy Edition. An Xbox Series S, the cheapest of all modern Xbox hardware available now, released at $300 retail, and now costs $400.

And it only goes up from there. There are now rumors and concerns circulating that Xbox may soon raise prices yet again due to skyrocketing prices for RAM, driven by the growth of generative AI. The existing price hikes are happening at least in part due to U.S. tariffs imposed on countries where gaming hardware is manufactured, and while the confusion and uncertainty around what these tariffs would actually be has settled somewhat, the reality of the tariffs themselves has not. Nor is it impossible that those tariffs could shift again in the coming months. Meanwhile, the U.S. economy is just generally in rough shape according to basically everyone, with high consumer debt, high inflation, few new jobs, and an increasing unemployment rate. If everyone is worried they can't buy groceries, who's buying a console right now?

While both PlayStation and Nintendo Switch are seeing the impacts of a lot of these same problems, their price hikes have not been nearly as drastic in response. PS5s went up $50 earlier this year, and Nintendo opted to jack up prices on its original Switch and accessories while keeping its new console at the already admittedly higher-than-expected price it was originally set at, for now. Ultimately, this puts the Xbox Series S, and the PS5 All-Digital Edition at $400, and the Nintendo Switch 2 at $450 before sales and discounts. Is it any wonder that people are skipping buying consoles entirely or, if they're buying one at all, they're shelling out $50 more for the brand new one? Or, that if they're shopping for a kid, they're spending $200 on a NEX Playground, which outsold the Xbox Series console in November?

All this amounts to is that everyone is struggling, but the Xbox Series - a console that has largely given up on the idea of exclusives and keeps raising prices repeatedly - is struggling the most. Piscatella tells me that Xbox's hardware sales peak, at least for November, is far behind it, peaking in November 2011, with its second-highest November ever in 2014. If even big day one Game Pass games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 aren't moving the needle to help Xbox hardware regain its former glory, what will?

Xbox, at least, doesn't want to give up on hardware, or so it says. Just this past October, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was on record essentially hinting that there would indeed be another new Xbox console eventually, but that it would basically be a PC/console hybrid. At the same time, the company is actively hoping to leave behind big exclusives in favor of a multi-platform strategy. It's already there, in fact, releasing and announcing several major first-party games on PlayStation not too long after their Xbox debuts, and pondering even more. Xbox hardware sales may be floundering, but perhaps a better question to ask is whether or not that matters to Xbox anymore.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

I was so very delighted, and a little bit confused, when I saw the Hori Piranha Plant camera announced for the Nintendo Switch 2. Delighted because, well, just look at the thing – it’s adorable! And confused because… shouldn’t Nintendo have made this thing? Unfortunately, the camera has one big flaw: a 480p sensor. Even though I knew that going in, I’m still profoundly disappointed, because this is an otherwise brilliant little camera.

Before we get to why I’m so bummed out about this camera, there is actually a lot to like. First off, forgetting the webcam part, the Hori Piranha Plant Camera is a fine bauble, modeled after the piranha plants that have popped out of pipes to bite or spit fire at Mario for decades now, and would fit in seamlessly on a shelf of video game ephemera. The polka-dotted head holds the camera sensor, and you can close its mouth to cover the lens, which is just immediately and obviously a great idea. You can tilt the head on its stalk, which is bendy to let you aim the camera, and at the bottom is a USB-C plug you can either plug straight into a Switch or into its green pipe base. The whole kit and caboodle comes with a USB-C cable that’s long-ish, but no more than the one that comes with the first-party Nintendo Switch 2 Camera.

Hori did some clever things with the base. I love that it’s a separate piece, letting you use the camera without it, sticking out of the Switch 2 like a Game Boy Advance Worm Light. You have other options, though. When the camera is plugged into the base, it can stand upright on a table like Nintendo’s camera, although the included cable is so stiff and the Piranha Plant Camera so lightweight that I had to be really careful while placing it or the cable would move, dragging the camera and turning it or threatening to make it fall over. The other option is mounting it – the bottom of the base folds away from a lip on the front you can hook on the front of your TV, in much the same way you’d attach a webcam to a computer monitor.

Unfortunately, this is where things get rocky for the Hori’s cute Switch 2 camera. If you thought it was too good to be true when you saw Hori only charging $39.99, well, that was a good instinct. All of this is absolutely ruined by its 480p sensor and cramped 85-degree field-of-view (FOV). It’s out of touch and out of time, a camera that would have looked dated and cheap 20 years ago. If you’re sitting on a couch several feet away from your Switch 2 and this camera, it’ll look to your friends like you’ve FaceTimed them on a Nintendo DSi.

It’s a night and day difference when you compare it to Nintendo’s first-party camera. In every instance, the Piranha Plant camera produces muddy, dim pictures with so little detail that from my usual comfy gaming couch, my face is the smeary visage of a spooky ghost. The piled up blankets and pillows on my basement couch are unrecognizable white blobs, and the art over my shoulder is barely recognizable as Galactus. And thanks to its super-narrow FOV, it only captures a fragment of the scene that the first-party camera grabs. (Excuse the mess in that shot – my basement entertainment area doubles as my child’s play room.)

This isn’t just an aesthetic issue – the Switch 2 has a really hard time cutting me out properly when I use the background filtering features. Sitting on my couch, the Switch 2 couldn’t separate me from the background at all, leaving a question mark where my face should be. If I leaned way forward, it might show a cut out of that near-featureless horror show version of my face. To get it to consistently show me in the filtering modes, I had to sit in a chair about three feet in front of my TV and the camera, but that’s not practical for me.

Ultimately, it is handheld mode – with the Piranha Plant camera plugged directly into the USB-C port on top of the Switch 2 – that saves Hori’s camera from being simply a novelty, and not just because it’s delightful to have a toothy plant monster sprouting from the top of the Switch 2. It’s compact enough to fit into a slim Switch 2 carrying case, and 480p is totally fine when the camera is inches from your face, allowing the person on the other end of a GameChat session to tell they’re looking at a standard-issue human face and not that of, I don’t know, the Toxic Avenger. It really feels like Hori conceived of this as a handheld-only camera at first – a niche I think ought to be filled, so good on them! – and creating the pipe base as a might-as-well addition to the package.

Still, even if you only want this for handheld mode, it’s got issues. The bendy stalk isn’t bendy enough, and with such a narrow field of view, it’s hard to get it pointed at your face just right. Also, I wish it had a way to brace against the body of the Switch 2 when it’s plugged in, because when I’m making those bending adjustments, I end up feeling like I need to be careful to support the base of the stalk so I’m not adding strain to the USB-C port. Perhaps that’s me being overly cautious, but I’ve broken USB-C ports before by dropping a device that had something plugged into one, and that’s much harder to fix.

Even with these problems, the Hori Piranha Plant Camera might be the best and only viable option if you’re the sort of person who loves kitsch and has a strong desire for an on-the-go GameChat camera. Or if you, like me, have a kid who’s getting a Switch 2 for Christmas and you’re trying to save money and delight them at the same time. There’s the $59.99 Hori alternative, which is still 480p, pricier than even Nintendo’s $55 first-party camera, and isn’t cute. Or you can buy one of several cheaper Amazon options that all look nearly identical to one another and feature nonsense brand names like “TPGSING” and “Sioenl” and could look even worse than the Piranha Plant Camera.

Most people who don’t fall into these two camps shouldn’t buy any of those options, including the Hori Piranha Plant camera, for their Switch 2. The whole novelty Nintendo character aspect just isn’t enough to make up for its ancient-looking camera. That’s a shame, because at $39.99, this camera only needs to clear the low bar of looking about as good as Nintendo’s first-party Switch 2 camera to be worth buying. Oh well.

Wes is a freelance writer (Freelance Wes, they call him) who has covered technology, gaming, and entertainment steadily since 2020 at Gizmodo, Tom's Hardware, Hardcore Gamer, and most recently, The Verge. Inside of him there are two wolves: one that thinks it wouldn't be so bad to start collecting game consoles again, and the other who also thinks this, but more strongly.

In 2008, Suzanne Collins' unleashed The Hunger Games on the world, launching a bestselling book series that would become a globally beloved franchise. Continuing the legacy of satirical stories like Battle Royale and The Running Man, the series centers on PANEM, a North America country that pits its children against each other in grim battles for survival. Out of that brutality comes a figure of hope, Katniss Everdeen.

Three years after the book was released, the first Hunger Games film hit screens, becoming a worldwide blockbuster and setting the stage for four more movies. With a new prequel on the way, we're here to break down how to watch all of movies in order.

Jump to:

• How to watch in chronological order
• How to watch by release date

How Many Hunger Games Movies Are There?

There are now five full-length Hunger Games movies, with a sixth movie releasing in 2026. Unlike many other franchises, there haven't been any short films, TV shows, or extra content (other than plenty of fanfic) created to build out the world of the games, with just the six movies and five books that they're based on.

Where Can You Stream Them?

The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is streaming on STARZ, while the other four Hunger Games films are on HBO Max. Otherwise, you can find plenty of different versions on DVD and Blu-ray.

How to Watch The Hunger Games in Chronological Order

1. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)

Despite the fact that it's the newest addition to the franchise, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes actually takes place 64 years before the other Hunger Games films. Based on the recent prequel of the same name the film follows a young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) — the villainous President of PANEM from the main franchise — and his romance with a talented tribute named Lucy Gray (Rachel Ziegler). Expanding the world of The Hunger Games and exploring the early days of the brutal contest and the origins of its most evil villain, this entry may have come over a decade after the first movie but is just as important as the original films.

Read our review of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

2. The Hunger Games (2012)

Adapting Suzanne Collins' best-selling YA novel this blockbuster smash stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, a young woman who volunteers to take her sister's place in the titular battle to the death. Introducing viewers to the exploitative world of PANEM where people watch children kill each other for entertainment, and ostensibly to punish the citizens for a decades previous failed attempt at revolution. This brutal adventure sows the seeds for the rebellion Katniss will eventually lead after teaming up with her fellow District 12 tribute Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) to try and survive the fatal events of the Hunger Games tournament.

Of course, this wouldn't be a YA adaptation without the obligatory love triangle which in this case comes from Katniss' closeness to Peeta and her love for her District 12 best friend Gale. Those relationships are key to the future politics and complexities of the Hunger Games, especially when in a shocking twist both Peeta and Katniss survive, leaving the nation of PANEM in uproar as the districts realize they may be able to fight back against their tyrannical government, inspired by Katniss and her rebellious turn in the games. This also sets the sights of President Snow (Donald Sutherland) directly on Katniss, setting up a massive conflict.

Read our review of The Hunger games.

3. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

Following their rebellion-inspiring survival at the Hunger Games, Peeta and Katniss are paraded around PANEM as star crossed lovers with the intention of quelling the potential uprisings. But when the Capitol declares a special anniversary Hunger Games that will see previous victors brought back to fight again, Peeta and Katniss are soon swept up in another fight for survival.

Centering on the human cost of the games, Catching Fire introduces fan favorite champions Finnick (Sam Claflin) and Johanna (Jena Malone) who must craft an uneasy alliance with Peeta and Katniss to survive the even more high-tech and deadly games. They are far from alone though as we learn more about the burgeoning rebellion in this entry, especially as the film ends with the massive reveal that the once thought to be destroyed District 13, is actually the base of the Rebellion and with Katniss as its figurehead they're ready to fight back against Snow.

Read our review of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

4. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One (2014)

Splitting the final book in the original Hunger Games trilogy into two, Mockingjay: Part One continues directly on from Catching Fire as Katniss is reunited with her family in District 13. The rebellion is growing exponentially, led by the cold but effective Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) She soon realizes that while Finnick and another champion Beetee (Jeffery Wright) were saved from the arena, Peeta was left behind to be taken by the Capitol. Unlike the first two films, Mockingjay: Part One doesn't feature a Hunger Games and instead focuses on the inner workings of the rebellion as they build up the image of Katniss as the titular Mockingjay.

While she takes part in rebellion actions, Katniss also encourages the rescue of Peeta, Johanna, and Finnick's betrothed Annie (Stef Dawson) from the Capitol. Their rescue is a success thanks to the help of the rebellion and Katniss' childhood best friend Gale — who survived the destruction of their home District 12 — but it's revealed that Peeta has been brainwashed to hate Katniss and the film ends as he tries to assassinate her.

Read our review of Mockingjay Part 1.

5. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part Two (2015)

After her heartbreaking attack at the hands of Peeta, Katniss is traumatized but has to go on the campaign trail as the rebellion try to get the final Capitol controlled District on their side. The final movie in the series reimagines the Hunger Games as President Snow turns an entire city into a gauntlet that our surviving champions have to battle through in order to take down the Capitol. There are brutal losses, heartbreaking betrayals, and a surprisingly realistic and often depressing take on the realities of war and the ongoing battle for peace that is highlighted when the Rebellion leader Alma Coin decides to continue the Hunger Games to punish the Capitol. Of course Katniss doesn't take well to that choice, killing the would-be new President, ending up on trial but ultimately acquitted — due to her mental health — for her role in the assassination.

One of the most interesting things about this entry into the series is how it proudly eschews the happy ending that many would expect instead leaning into the bleakness of war and how even those who survive it struggle to maintain a normal life when they return home. In that way it stands out from other YA adaptations that often end on a more positive and hopeful note.

Read our review of Mockingjay Part 2.

The Hunger Games Movies by Release Date

If you want to watch the films based on the order of their release, you'll want to start with the second movie on our chronological list.

• The Hunger Games (2012)
• The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
• The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One (2014)
• The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part Two (2015)
• The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
• The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026)

What's Next for The Hunger Games

Soon after author Suzanne Collins announced a new Hunger Games prequel, Lionsgate announced it was working on the film adaptation. Sunrise on the Reaping takes place 24 years before The Hunger Games, placing it second in the film's narrative chronology after The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. The book released on March 18, 2025, while the movie adaptation is scheduled to hit theaters on November 20, 2026. The cast includes Kieran Culkin, Jesse Plemons, and Ralph Fiennes, and Elle Fanning.

Rosie Knight is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything from anime to comic books to kaiju to kids movies to horror flicks. She has over half a decade of experience in entertainment journalism with bylines at Nerdist, Den of Geek, Polygon, and more. Rosie is a published comics author who has written titles including Godzilla Rivals vs. Battra and The Haunted High-Tops. She co-hosts the weekly Crooked Media pop-culture podcast X-Ray Vision. When she's not writing, you can find her playing Dragon Ball FighterZ or rewatching weird old horror and martial movies in her free time. She loves making comics and zines as well as collecting VHS and reading much manga as humanly possible. You can find her on social at @rosiemarx.

Fallout 5 will indeed take into account the canon events of the Fallout TV series, Bethesda development chief Todd Howard has confirmed.

While Fallout 5 is years away (Bethesda is still working on The Elder Scrolls 6, which doesn’t have a release window), Howard said that what we see in the Fallout series will impact the game.

"In short, yes," Howard told BBC Newsbeat. "Fallout 5 will be existing in a world where the stories and events of the show happened or are happening. We are taking that into account."

The Fallout TV show, which is set after all the existing Fallout video games, has sparked much debate within the fandom. Questions on how it fits into the overarching Fallout timeline and whether it makes particular video game endings canon have dominated discussion in the run up to each season’s release. Indeed, Fallout Season 2 had left fans wondering about the fate of New Vegas following the events of the video game, although the show’s creators have avoided making a clear call.

What Howard is confirming here is that TV show characters such as Lucy, Maximus, and The Ghoul and the events of the show must now be factored into Fallout 5, although we don’t know when or where the game will be set. Could either actually appear in Fallout 5? It sounds like it’s possible, but we’ll have to see what happens in the show itself.

It’s worth remembering that we’re guaranteed Fallout Season 3, and the hope is there will be more seasons after that. There’s a long way to go before the show wraps up, and there’s a long way to go before Fallout 5 comes out. In the meantime, could Bethesda follow The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and release a remaster of Fallout 3 or New Vegas, or perhaps even a Fallout: New Vegas 2 as a stop gap? In a recent interview with IGN, Howard remained coy on the possibility.

We’ve got plenty more on the Fallout TV show. Check out IGN's Fallout Season 2 Episodes 1-6 review to find out what we think of it, as well as our roundup of details and Easter eggs.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

It’s a term used to describe a huge amount of games released every year, but what does “action-adventure” even mean? It’s a good question. Here at IGN, we classify any game that fuses combat with a genuine sense of exploration as action-adventure. They often take place in open worlds, but that’s not a mandatory requirement (see the likes of Uncharted and God of War), and so this flexible format allows for a wide range of different projects to make the cut this year, from the tightly crafted co-op platforming action of Split Fiction and the vast, isolated, do-it-yourself atmosphere of Death Stranding 2, to the adventures of banana-hunting apes and revenge-seeking ronin. So let’s get on with it as swiftly as a Hornet and reveal the runners-up and ultimate winner of our award for the Best Action-Adventure Game of 2025.

Runner-Up - Split Fiction

Following on from the wonderful It Takes Two, developer Hazelight took things to the next level when it comes to scale in Split Fiction and continued to hone its craft as the modern-day masters of the co-op game. Much of its story is spent platforming and puzzle-solving, but a healthy amount is also reserved for combat against its many varied sci-fi and fantasy-laced foes, as well as exploration of its larger-scale levels. It never once stands still, constantly evolving and switching up its mechanical ideas to match each world’s colourful set dressing. That sense of exciting propulsion along an ever-changing journey, balanced with areas designed for you to slow down a little and hunt for secrets and surprising side missions, is what makes Split Fiction one of our top five action-adventure games of the year.

Runner-Up - Ghost of Yotei

Perhaps the most traditional “action-adventure” on our list, Ghost of Yotei follows in a long line of PlayStation Studio exclusives that firmly fit that mold. Telling the story of revenge-seeking wandering Ronin, Atsu, Yotei takes everything that made people fall in love with its predecessor, Ghost of Tsushima, and tweaks it for the better. Where action is concerned, its slick sword, spear, and kusarigama combat is a real star of the show, with new-age weaponry such as firearms also brought into the mix to expand this ghost’s arsenal. In terms of adventure, 17th-century Hokkaido plays stage to as beautiful a looking and sounding world as you could step into in 2025, with no shortage of collectibles, side stories, and show-stopping duels to engage with. Sucker Punch’s latest is the Seattle studio’s most accomplished effort to date, and one of this year’s very best action-adventures.

Runner-Up - Donkey Kong Bananza

Donkey Kong Bananza encourages you to explore its many sandbox levels, not through careful investigation, but by smashing every corner of them into tiny pieces to see what secrets lurk inside. Nintendo’s modern 3D reinvention of what its beloved ape could be in 2025 quickly became the Switch 2’s must-have game, and for good reason. Bananza is a feast for treasure hunters, with hundreds of glowing bananas begging to be uncovered through destruction courtesy of DK’s pounding fists and many special abilities. Those skills are at the heart of it all, with the titular Bananzas powering inventive new ways to adventure through each of its themed levels. From the rampaging Kong Bananza that allows you to unleash a monstrous fury capable of breaking the toughest of terrain, as well as any enemy’s soon-to-be dust skeleton, to the wing-flapping Ostrich Bananza that allows for new heights to be soared to. It’s far from conventional, even by Nintendo 3D platforming standards, but Donkey Kong Bananza is one of this year’s very best when it comes to action-adventure.

Runner-Up - Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Speaking of unconventional, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach certainly isn’t worried about obeying genre norms. An action-adventure that’s never afraid to show, tell, or have you engage with things you’ve never quite seen before, Kojima Productions’ latest is the fulfillment of a promise made in its predecessor. That’s not to say that there isn’t the familiar to be found here, with its increased focus on combat echoing memories of its creator’s Metal Gear Solid roots, thanks to an expanded range of options when it comes to approaching its stealth-action. It’s in its adventure, and the exploration of themes of grief and human connection at its centre, that make each of Sam Porter Bridges’ challenging steps through a post-apocalyptic Australia in Death Stranding 2 really sing, though, and one of this year’s very best action-adventures.

Winner - Hollow Knight: Silksong

Not only is it a huge relief that Hollow Knight: Silksong finally came out in 2025, but an even bigger one that it turned out to be so great. Placing an even greater emphasis on the action part of “action-adventure” than its predecessor, Team Cherry delivered a challenging, yet incredibly rewarding sequel via the tip of protagonist Hornet’s needle. That rapier-like blade will get plenty of use, too, with sprawling caverns laden with all manner of darting foes and patience-testing bosses possessing all manner of attack patterns, which once learned unlock the path to ultimate satisfaction.

Boss battles are only half of the, well, battle, when it comes to Silksong, though, with exploration still providing the meat of this Metroidvania/Soulslike soup. Breakable walls hide valuable materials behind them, and side quests encourage careful investigation into each of its many biomes, whether on the hunt for precious bounties or searching for missing fleas that need to be reunited with their traveling caravan companions. It’s this balance of both action and adventure that has turned the Hollow Knight series into such a phenomenon, and, in turn, Silksong into the winner of our award for best action-adventure game of 2025.

Is Silksong your pick for the best action-adventure game of the year, or would you have chosen differently? Vote for your favourite in the poll above, or let us know in the comments below.

Simon Cardy is a Senior Editor at IGN who can mainly be found skulking around open world games, indulging in Korean cinema, or despairing at the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets. Follow him on Bluesky at @cardy.bsky.social.

Superheroes, ronin, insect warriors, and postal service workers. Whatever your fantasy this year, PlayStation could deliver it. But which PS5 game was the best? We at IGN have voted and picked out what we think are the five most worthy of recognition from across 2025, naming one of them the very best PlayStation game of the year, as well as shouting out a few honourable mentions that were very close to making the cut.

In an era where console exclusives are a dying breed, as Sony’s competitor, Microsoft, has shown us more than ever over the past few months, we’ve made the decision this year to branch out and open up the criteria for what can win our platform-specific awards. These aren’t the top five Sony exclusives, but the top five games that were released on PS5 in 2025, full stop. So, without further ado, let’s get on with it and crown the best PlayStation game of 2025 before we all die of old age.

Honorable Mentions

One of the best games from early in the year was Hazelight’s Split Fiction, the endlessly inventive co-op action platformer that just narrowly missed out on a top-five spot. Also just missing out are a pair of 2025’s breakout indie hits, Blue Prince and Ball X Pit. These two couldn’t be more different from each other, though, with the former brain-bending mansion full of puzzles a much calmer affair than the brick-breaking chaos of the latter. And then there’s two big shooters that came along at the end of the year. Battlefield 6’s multiplayer has seen it return to the glorious, huge-scale carnage that fans wanted, and Arc Raiders has proven a massive success thanks to its “just one more extraction” nature. Rounding out on honourable mentions are a pair of games that like to do things a bit differently when it comes to narrative: Atomfall and Silent Hill f. Both create uneasy worlds in their own ways, and we admire them for their freeform and steadily revealing approaches to storytelling, respectively.

Runner-Up - Hollow Knight: Silksong

It finally happened. 2025 was the year that Hollow Knight: Silksong saw the light of day, and what a relief that we not only got to play it, but it was also extremely good. Team Cherry’s much-anticipated sequel may be a whole lot more punishing than the original, but it is still home to that same magic, which can be found all over its sprawling, bug-sized world full of secret nooks and crannies. The platforming pathways to get to those places are tight and challenging, with new lead, Hornet, showing off a fresh batch of skills stemming from her fundamentally game-changing diagonal dart. But it’s in combat where she really comes into her own, promoting a more aggressive style of play which lets you take the fight to Silksong’s bestiary of bosses. These tough creatures of all shapes and sizes with nasty tricks up their sleeves may have presented some of 2025’s biggest roadblocks, but persevere, and the glory waiting behind them leads to one of this year’s greatest games.

Runner-Up - Dispatch

Superhero drama Dispatch manages to recapture the magic of those Telltale-esque episodic visual novels that we all fell in love with a decade or so ago. Following the story of Robert Robertson, a hero who is nothing without his now-destroyed mech suit, it's a heartwarming tale of redemption that isn’t without its fair share of bite, too. Managing your many relationships, both personal and professional, as they intertangle at Robbie’s place of work, the Superhero Dispatch Network, is key, as is making sure your team of down-and-out supervillains successfully try their hand at crime-stopping.

This half of the game adds a real-time sim management wrinkle to each chapter, as you boost the skills of your squad and send them out on missions that match their skillset. From the hot-head Flambae, to the internet’s new favourite demon Mommy, Malevola, you’re in command of a vibrant and varied bunch that each offer a fun dynamic to each and every scene they’re in. But it's outside of the SDN office monitor that Dispatch really comes to life, as Robertson’s life crumbles around him, and your best attempts at rebuilding it are hidden behind dialogue choices. What comes of its cast of characters, headlined by Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul as Robbie, and with Laura Bailey’s Invisagal stealing most scenes, is up to you. One thing that is guaranteed, though, is a great time.

Runner-Up - Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

In many ways, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach finally fulfilled the promise of its flawed predecessor. Creator Hideo Kojima’s second slice of post-apocalypse delivery adventures dialled up the action, echoing his past Metal Gear Solid successes, whilst still maintaining that singular, lonely vision of a disconnected world. Taking Sam Porter Bridges to Australia, On the Beach hands you a much expanded range of combat options, from silenced sniper rifles to homing missile mechanical dogs, and permits you to go about completing its many, many postal orders however you’d like. This freedom is not just a combat feature, but is reflected in how you go about navigating each of these treacherous delivery routes, too, with new ways to travel over stormy deserts and raging rivers, including huge, looming monorail systems and bonkers coffin hoverboards.

But the weirdness is just one aspect of Death Stranding — and there’s no shortage of it this time around, thanks to Troy Baker’s excellent return as villain Higgs — as its themes of love and loss ultimately dominate, no matter how large the spectacle on screen. Lea Seydoux is subtly brilliant as Fragile, and drives the story from start to finish as the connections between herself, Sam, and baby Lou are steadily revealed. It’s a fantastic example of a vision come to life, and easily one of the best PlayStation games to have come out in 2025.

Runner-Up - Ghost of Yotei

Following up on 2020’s Ghost of Tsushima was always going to be a challenge, but developer Sucker Punch rose to it impressively well with Ghost of Yotei. This sword-slashing epic borrows everything that we loved from its predecessor, but improves on almost all of it in a multitude of fun little ways. The pulsating combat opens up further, with new weapons and skills introduced to deepen its familiar dodge, block, parry, and swing system. Among those additions is the highly satisfying disarming mechanic that has your protagonist, Atsu, send her enemies' blades flying from their grasp. But it's this wandering ronin’s story that drives Yotei’s momentum, turning a simple tale of revenge into something much more beautiful as you explore each corner of its historical Japanese map and soak in both the audio and visual majesty on show

Winner - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Surprise! Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has won another award. It really is that good, though, isn’t it? Sandfall Interactive’s ode to Final Fantasy of years gone by takes that age-old formula and thrusts it firmly into 2025 with lashings of style, soaring music, and a battle system that melds classic turn-based RPG mechanics with exciting real-time elements, making each and every encounter a thrill. All of that style would be nothing without substance, though, and while its combat excites from moment to moment, it’s Clair Obscur’s poignant story and layered cast of characters that make it live long in the memory. Jennifer English is pitch-perfect as Maelle at the heart of Expedition 33’s plot, with Ben Starr’s Verso a wonderful foil as its twisted themes of grief and what it is to love are untangled. All played out in front of a ticking backdrop of the Gommage — a yearly tolling doomsday clock for anyone of a certain age — it’s wonderfully cinematic, making it fit right in alongside many of Sony’s first-party blockbuster offerings.

Taking inspiration from the original PlayStation’s library of Japanese RPGs and bringing those ideas into the future, thanks to an all-timer video game story supported by a combat system as satisfying as it is nuanced, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the clear winner of our award for Best PlayStation Game of 2025.

What was your favourite PS5 game of 2025? Let us know in the comments! For more IGN awards, you can check them all out in one place here, including our picks for the best Xbox and Nintendo games of the year.

Simon Cardy is a Senior Editor at IGN who can mainly be found skulking around open world games, indulging in Korean cinema, or despairing at the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets. Follow him on Bluesky at @cardy.bsky.social.

While there were many titles to choose from (just look at all the honorable mentions!), these are IGN staff’s picks for the year’s very best in our combined Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Movie category.

The Predator franchise returned in a big way this year thanks to director Dan Trachtenberg, whose two Predator movies both made our top five. We count Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein as sci-fi because, well, Mary Shelley’s book is one of the very first sci-fi novels ever published.

While Predator movies and del Toro’s Netflix epic may have had greater visibility, we didn’t want to overlook quirkier fare like Companion or Mickey 17 when selecting our nominees for the year’s best offerings in the sci-fi and fantasy genres.

Honorable Mentions go to Superman, Bugonia, 28 Years Later, How to Train Your Dragon, KPop Demon Hunters, Elio, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, The Legend of Ochi, Arco, OBEX, and Thunderbolts*. (Editor’s note: Avatar: Fire and Ash did not screen for enough staff in time for IGN awards consideration.)

Read on to find out which film is IGN’s best sci-fi or fantasy movie of 2025.

Runner-Up: Predator: Badlands

Prey director Dan Trachtenberg returned to the Predator franchise twice this year, first with the animated anthology film Predator: Killer of Killers (more on that below) and again with Predator: Badlands, the first entry in the nearly 40-year-old franchise to make the titular alien its main protagonist instead of the villain.

The simplistic yet surprisingly emotional Predator: Badlands followed a similar rites of passage story as Prey did, this time following a young Yautja named Dek (played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) who seeks to prove himself on a planet where even the trees are deadly.

Badlands is a fun, action-packed romp that also further developed the culture of the Yautja and even offered a healthy dose of humor thanks to teaming a Predator with an Alien franchise synthetic named Thea (Elle Fanning).

Runner-Up: Companion

Drew Hancock’s directorial debut is a sci-fi thriller that offers a mix of humor and bursts of violence to tell the story of a woman who discovers she’s a robot companion caught up in a larger scheme.

Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid are both great as Iris and her owner/boyfriend Josh, with both actors nicely subverting any audience expectations based on their personas from past projects such as Yellowjackets or The Boys, respectively.

This clever and occasionally vicious film ratches up the anticipation as Iris endures one stunning revelation after another.

Runner-Up: Predator: Killer of Killers

Directed by Prey and Predator: Badlands filmmaker Dan Trachtenberg, this Hulu release is the first entry in the franchise to be animated, but that doesn’t mean it pulled back on the graphic bloodshed the series is known for. It’s also the franchise’s first anthology film, telling four different stories of Yautja hunting humans (specifically Vikings, samurai, World War II fighter pilots, and then one other tale which we won’t spoil here).

“Its journey through several time periods is the perfect way to give us multiple Predator stories that each have their own distinct flavor and action highlights,” Eric Goldman said in his Predator: Killer of Killers review for IGN, praising Trachtenberg for “understanding how to provide both Predators and human characters who can kick ass and creatively prove their mettle, no matter which side of the hunt they begin on.”

Runner-Up: Mickey 17

Bong Joon Ho followed up his IGN Best Movie of 2019 winner Parasite (oh, yeah, and Oscar winner, too) with what our critic Siddhant Adlakha called “a jet-black, mean-as-hell sci-fi comedy about a near future in which life itself has been corporatized and reduced in value by a foppish upper class that hides its totalitarian aims behind supposed religious values.”

Robert Pattinson plays multiple incarnations of an “Expendable” worker who is repeatedly killed and re-cloned in order to perform dangerous jobs for an all-powerful corporation. Mickeys 17 and 18 are a pair of oddball sad sacks, and yet they still improbably become the resistance to Mark Ruffalo’s Trump-coded leader in this nihilistic, politically charged film that can often be, to paraphrase Adlakha’s Mickey 17 review, as depressing as it is farcical.

Winner: Frankenstein

Guillermo del Toro finally realized one of his lifelong dream projects with this sumptuously crafted adaptation of Mary Shelley’s pioneering sci-fi novel. As epic as his film is across the board, del Toro’s Frankenstein is, at its core, an intimate, thoughtful story about generational trauma and forgiveness.

While Oscar Isaac and Mia Goth both shine in their leading roles, it’s Jacob Elordi’s career-redefining performance as the Creature that stands out the most, giving the film a heart, soul and an elegance missing from so many past Frankenstein films. “This iteration of Frankenstein is, like its Creature, a beautiful, haunting thing through which classic themes are made to feel fresh and new,” IGN’s Scott Collura observed in his Frankenstein review.

With Frankenstein, Guillermo del Toro has made a movie that stands (reanimated) head and (mismatched) shoulders above the rest in this year’s Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Movie category.

But what do you think? Was Frankenstein the greatest sci-fi/fantasy movie of 2025, or would you pick a different film? Let us know in the comments below, vote in our poll, and be sure to check out our various other best of awards for 2025 across film, TV, gaming, and comics. We’ll see you in 2026.