Hot on the heels of the global success of Marvel Rivals and with other popular live-service games like Naraka: Bladepoint and Once Human under its belt, NetEase has turned its attention to the hero shooter genre with FragPunk. New internal development team Bad Guitar Studio is made up of young, hardcore FPS fans, and after joining them for a one-hour play session where we tried a new character and map revealed exclusively in this preview, the team’s eye for detail is clear to see.
FragPunk’s main game mode is the 5v5 Shard Clash mode. On its surface, this mode resembles your typical Overwatch-like hero shooter skirmish, but it also pulls from a variety of influences to mix up the gameplay. The rounds in this mode are closer to the bomb-defusal objectives of Counter Strike, with one team planting bombs at specified locations and the other defending, with relatively small arenas that keep rounds tight and focused.
As with any hero shooter, players can choose from a selection of characters – named Lancers – who each have a selection of unique skills, meaning plenty to learn in terms of individual character preferences and team makeup. For our session, we tried the newly unveiled character Chum, a stone robot who is accompanied by a mechanical pet angler fish named Chomper. In addition to using the game’s arsenal of satisfying guns, Chum can toss projectiles similar to sticky mines and smoke grenades, as well as sending Chomper out as support. Chomper can track and bite enemies for multiple low-damage attacks, essentially like a walking turret, or can be modified with pet treats that make it explode on contact or trail a thick smokescreen in its wake, adding several strategic layers that felt fun to mix up.
Chum is a stone robot who is accompanied by a mechanical pet angler fish named Chomper.
And being made of stone, Chum is also a strong defence character, making him a great all-round option for newcomers.
Many other Lancer abilities are not only offensive but defensive or tactical – walls for cover, traps, speed boosts, skills that highlight enemies on the map, and so on. We tried several Lancers, and found a varied effect on gameplay. Using Nitro, with her directly-controllable four-legged drone and gun turrets, we were able to rack up multiple assists; while Axon was another favourite thanks to his more aggressive selection of skills, including projectile bombs and a cool guitar-gun. In the Lancer selection screen, you can watch a short video clip for each ability to help you quickly grasp what they do.
But what really sets FragPunk apart is its Shard Cards system. At the start of each round, each team is randomly assigned a set of three cards, which they can swap in and out, each of which changes the rules of the round for your entire team. Some are simple stat percentage boosts or buffs, while others do things like increasing the size of your enemies’ heads, decreasing your own or equipping helmets, affecting the difficulty of headshots for that round. Others still are much more unusual, and completely change the gameplay.
For example, one Shard Card gave our team a kind of proximity detector so that we got an aural and visual signal whenever an enemy was nearby, while another slowly regenerated our health gauge, both of which gave us a welcome advantage. Some cards affect the environment, such as shrouding the map in fog that adds tension as enemies are harder to spot. Others have active effects – press the Z key to swap health bars with an enemy, or to swap gear with them, or to jump into a parallel world where you can essentially run unseen to a new location and then pop back into the fight to ambush your foes.
It’s a lot to take in. You only have around 30 seconds to finalise your hand for each round, and at first each of the 150+ cards will be new to you. “We deliberately made the rule for each card as simple as possible so that they can be quick to understand,” Creative Director Xin Chang told us. “We also made the description text for each card as short as possible, and used visual design to make its effects more obvious.”
The ruleset-shuffling Shard Cards were inspired not only by other videogames, but also by sports.
After a few rounds, the Shard Cards system began to make sense, and really paid off in terms of making each round feel different. We were forced to engage differently with every round, rethinking strategies and responding not only to our team’s current hand but also the enemy team’s.
Interestingly, the ruleset-shuffling Shard Cards were inspired not only by other videogames, but also by sports. The development team’s building has a large gymnasium with facilities for activities such as basketball, table tennis and badminton, its walls adorned with photos of the developers in competition.
Chang explained, “I play soccer and basketball, so I like games with a two-team system. I also watch a lot of NBA, and they often make changes to the rules to keep the sport interesting. Based on that idea, I also wanted to have a system of tweaking the rules in our game.”
Sports also influenced the team’s approach to FragPunk’s maps. Level Designer An Yuan added, “In level design, we divide the map into areas that are good for attack or defence phases, so that the player has to keep moving. It’s kind of like basketball, where you have different spatial design around the court that suits the different roles of the players. We applied that concept in our game, and also in the Shard Cards, which can turn a good hiding place into a bad one.”
FragPunk also features a Duel mode. When a match ends in a tie, it changes to a one-on-one showdown, a little bit like the mano a mano face-offs in Call of Duty: Warzone’s Gulag, but inspired by soccer’s penalty shootouts. Each player takes their turn in the queue for a series of short and sharp winner-stays-on rounds in small but vertically layered arenas. With all our teammates spectating during our turn, we totally felt the pressure, making for a fun and different tie-breaker mini-game. It’s so cool, the devs even added it as a separate standalone mode called Duel Master.
Each map has interactive gimmicks that players can use strategically to gain the upper hand. First, we tried the newly unveiled map Dongtian. This is the Hangzhou, China-based dev team’s stab at an Asian-flavoured map, and its two bomb sites can be rotated by players for tactical advantage. When the switch in the middle of the map is activated by a player, the core cover at the bomb site rotates, altering strategies for both the offensive and defensive teams.
Each map has interactive gimmicks that players can use strategically to gain the upper hand.
“We want to use these rotating walls to switch the edge between the attack team and the defence team,” explained Yuan. “So we encourage players to fight for that core area to maintain their edge or get the edge for themselves.”
Other maps have their own gimmicks – BlackMarket’s manually controlled bridge allows players to change the map’s layout and even pull the ground from under their opponents’ feet; Akhet has an underground river that allows sneaky players to move directly from the middle area to a bomb site; and Tundra has magic portals that instantly zap players between gates to outmanoeuvre the other team. It was fun to explore these maps, and clearly players who take the time to learn them properly will gain an advantage.
Dongtian is the home setting for the Lancer Kismet. Narrative Director Wenhe Fu explained, “The game has a multiverse concept, which allows us to have each character come from quite a different universe. We’ll take some time in future phases to introduce those background details to players.”
Built into a mountain and dotted with ancient wooden temple buildings, mystical statues and wizened trees with gracefully warped trunks, Dongtian’s Eastern aesthetic brings a smart visual twist to FragPunks’ colourful world.
Art Director Yiming Li told us, “We wanted to blend ancient buildings that look like they could come from China with near-future science and technology elements, as well as some religious elements. While each map will have its own distinctive cultural features, we want them all to fit into the game’s overall sci-fi feeling. It’s like in Star Wars: Each of the civilisations are very different, but when they are viewed as a whole, they also exist under a harmonious sci-fi setting.”
And that brings us to FragPunk’s visuals. This is a really gorgeous game. The punk-influenced and sci-fi-tinged fluorescent aesthetic is rich and appealing, and its kill animations are punctuated by dazzling bursts of colour. Its maps are extremely readable, and player characters pop, making it easy to follow the action. Even its menus are pretty to look at, with the flashy presentation you’d expect from a Persona game or Street Fighter 6, with bold layouts accented by graffiti scribbles. It really stands out in the hero shooter space.
FragPunk will be free to play, with a small selection of Lancers available at the start so that players can learn them gradually, unlocking more as they go through in-game currency accrued through play or paid microtransactions. Other optional purchases will be strictly cosmetic. We’ll have to wait until launch to see how the service side pans out – other NetEase games like Marvel Rivals and Naraka: Bladepoint have seen complaints about pricing, but that aside they have managed to keep players satisfied, so hopefully that’s a good sign.
In addition to the Shard Clash and Duel modes we tried, FragPunk will feature a mix of modes at or after launch that are targeted at both hardcore and casual players, including one where all players are forced to use the same Lancer, or melee weapons only, and so on. The development team is apparently largely made up of pro-level players, but it’s clear they have also taken steps to make the game accessible to newbies and even streamers and their viewers.
Here's a great deal on a compact wall charger that's a perfect match for the Nintendo Switch and Apple iPhone 16. Amazon has the tiny Anker Nano 30W USB Type-C wall charger for only $12.99 after you apply coupon code "0UDQ9XZX". That's 40% off the original $23 list price, and you don't need to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of this deal.
Anker 30W USB Type-C Nano Wall Charger for $12.99
The Anker Nano charger measures a mere 1.12" by 1.12" by 1.39", which is 70% smaller than Anker's original 30W wall charger. This is mostly because of its use of gallium nitride (GaN) instead of silicon for its semiconductor material, which is denser and more energy efficient. The plug can also be folded out of the way to minimize any possibility of breakage. To sweeten the deal, a 6-foot USB-C cable is also included, which would normally run you $5 by itself.
You get a single USB Type-C output that can deliver up to 30W of Power Delivery. That's good enough to max out the charging rate of the Nintendo Switch (18W) and close to the maximum charging rate of the Steam Deck (40W). This charger is also perfect for the iPhone 16, which caps out at 30W. The official Apple charger, for example, is also rated for 30W, but it's much pricier (it's currently $35 on Amazon).
Anker is far and away the most trusted power bank and charger brand on Amazon, and that means the brand commands a higher price premium. That's why when these coupon codes appear, they're usually very popular and the redemption quota gets filled pretty quickly. If you're been looking for a travel friendly charger, then jump on this deal.
Looking for more iPhone resources? For starters, check out our official iPhone 16 Pro Max review. Mark Knapp writes "The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a powerhouse in just about every respect. It’s built well, has considerable performance, delivers great visuals from its display, and snaps some excellent photos." If you already have an iPhone and are looking for some essential iPhone accessories, we've rounded up our favorite iPhone 16 screen protectors, and guides to which Apple AirPods and Apple Watches might be best suited for your needs.
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.
If you're on the hunt for the best Android phone, you're diving into a wide world of options that go well beyond just iPhone alternatives. You can find folding behemoths that blur the line between smartphone and tablet, like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, or find devices that go all-in on gaming performance and features with extra buttons and air-cooled components. The Android market is still where some of the most experimentation is being done, and there's no shortage of compelling phones – including the new Galaxy S25 lineup that's available to order. Quite a few of these phones can even prove fairly competitive on value, so you don't have to spend upwards of $1,000 just to get a great phone.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Android Phones:
I've personally been using Android phones since 2012, when I picked up what was both my first Android phone and first (and not my last) 3D phone. Since then, I've used and tested Android phones for years, going hands-on with the ultimate budget options, the first 5G phone (a Motorola model with an attachment that turned it into a 5G phone), gaming phones with wild gimmicks and some with tamer features, folding phones, flipping phones, and even twisting phones.
I've tested what Samsung and Google consider some of their best, and I've seen what some of the lesser-known alternatives have done to keep pace or surpass them. All this is to say: I've been around the block with Android phones, as have many of my colleagues here who have contributed their fair share of first-hand testing. So if you're looking for a great Android phone, we've got you covered.
What you'll find here are not just the best Android phones, but some of the best smartphones around. You can go with the best of the best, topping out features and quality, or find a budget score that goes above and beyond for a device at its price. And if nothing quite fits the bill, be sure to check back often. After all, the Android market moves fast, so you won't be left waiting a year to see what the next round of devices offers (unlike iPhone users).
OnePlus has long been a contender on the side of the mainstream Android market. It delivered interesting devices that did some of what the competitors did, but it often cut a few corners to deliver its products at a lower price. Occasionally, its would price creep up so it could bring even more to the table, but often it would fail to match the quality of its rivals. With the OnePlus 13, the company has found a winning formula.
The phone is elegantly designed, offering visual intrigue without ostentation. You can find a bold white design, a unique combination of silver frame and bold blue vegan leather, or a sultry black color scheme that sees wood grain etched into the back glass. OnePlus protects the inside of the phone from dust and water to a high degree, even blocking out hot water jets.
The display on the OnePlus 13 is top-notch. It’s a big, bright, and fast OLED display that looks gorgeous whether you’re gaming, watching movies, or just scrolling away on the internet. Whatever you’re doing on the phone, it’ll do it fast. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip inside is a performance monster. It zips through basic operations, and is ripping fast in benchmarks, even giving the iPhone 16 Pro Max a thrashing in 3DMark. While the OnePlus 13 doesn’t quite keep up with gaming phones for sustained performance, it holds its own quite well for an everyday device. Plus, it’s 6,000mAh battery helps it go for the long haul.
OnePlus’s cameras are also making the grade. The OnePlus 13 may fall just a little behind the Pixel 9 Pro and Galaxy S25 Ultra where zoom is concerned, since it offers just a 3x optical zoom compared to the 5x of those other phones. But the look and feel of its photos is competitive, and even though it doesn’t capture fine detail at a distance well, it manages to provide something that still looks good.
OnePlus’s operating system is a clean, customizable version of Android that offers a good amount of flexibility without leaning into overload. It may not be as much of a Swiss Army Knife as Samsung’s flagships, but it’s also not as constrained as a Pixel. And while the OnePlus 13 may not get the seven years of OS updates Samsung and Google are promising, it will see four years of OS updates and six years of security patches, which should help stretch its lifespan out.
With so much on deck, the OnePlus 13 is really set up for success. But when you consider that you’re getting all of that for $899 (plus 256GB of base storage), the OnePlus 13 lands as a smash hit, providing excellence and value in equal measure.
2. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Best Foldable Android Phone
Large and in charge, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 we reviewed is a beast of a phone with dual natures. Folded up, it offers a tall but thin 6.2-inch display. Flipped open, it provides a 7.6-inch screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio, so you can go from smartphone to tablet in a flash. Both displays use AMOLED panels, so they look simply gorgeous with vibrant colors and deep contrast.
With the kind of productivity you can tackle on the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung didn’t hold back on performance. This phone packs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, offering a big step up in performance over its predecessor (as much as 22% in our testing). Whether you’re trying to multitask with a split-screen setup, run the phone like a desktop using DeX, or want to enjoy the latest games like Wuthering Waves or Zenless Zone Zero, the Z Fold 6 has the performance to keep up.
The Z Fold 6 is no slouch in the camera department either. It offers a 50MP main shooter, an ultra-wide sensor, and a zoom lens with a 5x optical magnification and the ability to go up to a 30x digital zoom. Like the S24 Ultra, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 can also tap into Samsung’s AI tools to edit photos. And if you grab an S Pen, you can get similarly fine editing capabilities on the Z Fold 6’s internal display.
The range of things you can do with the Z Fold 6 makes it a shoe-in for the best folding Android phone. Though don’t forget: Samsung also has a smaller option in the Z Flip 6 we also reviewed, which may make some trade-offs on camera and multitasking abilities for a cuter design and compact footprint.
Poco is no stranger to budget smartphones, and it’s always a surprise to see just how much the company manages to pack into its devices while keeping the price down. The Poco X5 5G I personally reviewed was a killer bargain when it launched in 2023 for about $220, and it’s still a surprisingly good value at the price.
The star of the show on the Poco X5 5G is undeniably its display. While other brands might have you settle for basic LCD displays on their budget phones, Poco fitted the X5 5G with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display offering a crisp 1080x2400 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. What this means in practice is you get excellent contrast and color for all sorts of content and smooth visuals for games all on a reasonably big screen.
Inside, a Snapdragon 695G SoC beats away, driving the performance of the X5 5G. While the chip isn’t the fastest, falling behind even the Tensor G2 found in the Pixel 7a, it’s a worthy performer for a phone at this price. It could even run Genshin Impact at medium settings rather smoothly. Its large 5000mAh battery also helps it keep chugging along for hours on end. Even with the screen brightness maxed out, it was ready to stream Netflix for nearly 20 hours.
The Poco X5 5G also comes with a few features you don’t often see on phones in the US. On the top edge of the phone, there’s an IR blaster that lets the X5 5G fill in for a universal remote control. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack!
Naturally, there are some downsides to budget devices. The Poco X5 5G is unlikely to get long-term software support. It launched with Android 12 and has since been updated to Android 14, but there's no saying how many years it'll continue to get updates. The phone also has lackluster cameras. But if you just need a device that’s got a good screen and sufficient performance for you to enjoy content, navigate the web, and keep in touch with friends and family, the Poco X5 5G delivers.
4. RedMagic 10 Pro
Best Gaming Android Phone
There are plenty of phones that are better rounded, but in my review, I found that the RedMagic 10 Pro really sets itself apart for superb gaming performance. For one thing, this phone has the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip inside it, and the thing is a beast. Then there’s the fact that RedMagic is actively cooling that chip to give it better sustain than you’ll see elsewhere. Almost every phone (except a select few gaming phones like this) rely on passive cooling, and sometimes that just can’t remove heat fast enough. By contrast, the RedMagic 10 Pro’s cooling is on another level. Over long gaming sessions, this means more stable frame rates even at max settings. You can pretty much ignore those warnings mobile games give you that the settings are too high.
The RedMagic 10 Pro also provides a great piece of hardware to game on. Its 6.85-inch display is large and looks great. It uses a bright AMOLED panel that’s sharp and fast at 144Hz, and the selfie camera is completely hidden away underneath the screen, allowing for an uninterrupted view of your games. The phone includes two capacitive shoulder buttons as well, letting you gain more control over your games by setting them up to handle in-game actions. In an FPS, that means moving, aiming, and shooting all at the same time, which can be a huge advantage. Plus the touchscreen has an enhanced polling rate, so it’ll register inputs promptly.
The RedMagic 10 Pro doesn’t have as dazzling cameras as some of its competitors here, and it doesn’t get as many promised software updates as Samsung, Google, or even OnePlus for that matter. But it’s bringing a truly powerful package at an impressive price, starting at just $649. With the amount you’ll save on the phone, you can invest in a quality mobile phone controller and give even the Steam Deck a run for its money.
5. Google Pixel 8
Best Mid-Range Android Phone
We know the Pixel 8 isn’t the latest of the bunch; I even reviewed the Pixel 9 myself. But here’s the thing: It’s still a great phone, and the fact that it’s a year older means it’s easy to snag at a much lower price than it started with. There’s little reason to consider the Pixel 8a, for instance, when you can jump up to the real McCoy for just $100 more.
Google brought some great upgrades with the Pixel 8, including the new Tensor G3 SoC, which ran faster and (critically) cooler than its predecessor. Google also shrunk down the phone slightly, making it a bit more friendly for folks who appreciate a more pocketable device for easy one-handed use. It’s a great little phone.
The 6.2-inch display means business. Small though it may be, it offers a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and boasts a 2,000-nit peak brightness. Games, movies, and just about anything else look great on the display, and it’s matched by a decent set of stereo speakers.
Perhaps the key thing making the Pixel 8 an exceptional value is that it comes with seven years of updates to the operating system, security patches, and features. It may not get every new feature that Google launches in the future, but it will at least not be left with the security vulnerabilities that can plague outdated devices.
A key highlight of the Pixel 8 is its camera system. It offers an excellent main sensor that can tackle dark environments and make the most of quality lighting by providing sharp, richly colored photos. The ultra-wide isn’t quite as impressive, but had a very wide field-of-view, letting you capture a lot in one shot. Getting any great cameras on a phone for $500 is a pretty good deal, so getting one backed by a modest ultrawide doesn’t hurt.
What to Look for in an Android Phone
Making the final decision on a phone purchase is not easy, so we've helped narrow down what to look for.
Storage space on phones is crucial. If filming videos, playing games, or downloading loads of music is important, only a few (and increasingly fewer) phones come with a Micro SD slot to expand storage. That means you'll have to spend more to get more, and that's if a phone offers it. Some of our picks have up to 1TB of storage, which should suit most people. Of course, you can always store files to different cloud services, opening more space on your phone.
RAM is crucial to a phone’s operating system. Having more RAM means you can run more applications at the same time. For standard operation, 4GB RAM is enough, but additional RAM is necessary for heavy gaming and app use. All of our picks have at least 6GB of RAM, so you can get to gaming and scrolling with little worry.
Finally, the phone’s processor is essential for your device to run smoothly. The number of cores and clock speed generally determine how quickly a phone can run processes and functions. Snapdragon processors are often used in Android phones. All of our picks use them except for the Google Pixel devices, which use Google’s Tensor chips. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Tensor G4 are currently the best processors out there.
Best Android Phones FAQ
What is the difference between an Android phone and a smartphone?
Android phones are just a type of smartphone. Ever since the iPhone started the 'smartphone' trend back in 2007, Google has been competing with its own smartphone OS, Android. An Android phone is just a smartphone that's running Google's Android operating system, and with a few exceptions, anything that's running Android is also a smartphone.
Mark Knapp is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything electronics and gaming hardware. He has over 10 years of experience in the tech industry with bylines at PCMag, Reviewed, CNET, and more. Find Mark on BlueSky at @Techn0Mark.
Once again, it’s time for me to level up your library without breaking your bank account. Today is all about bringing legendary adventures, pulse-pounding action, and some deep cuts into game prices. Personally, I’m all about a sub-15-buck Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered, as it’s basically the Ghostbusters 3 we should have been on a movie screen. I will also extol the brilliance of Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut to anyone who will listen (especially when its price has been katana sliced in half).
This Day in Gaming 🎂
In retro news, I'm celebrating the dual 16 year birthdays of Halo Wars and Killzone 2. The former was a gateway RTS that deftly dodged between the hardcore micromanagement of real-time strategy and the instant gratification expected by Halo fans. (I also played the crotch out of its two-player online/system link co-op.) Meanwhile, on PS3, the retail launch of Killzone 2 resulted in a critically acclaimed sequel, despite theE3 2005 trailer debacle that shadowed it. Long story short, a “what if” pre-rendered target video was somehow put forth as a “running in real-time on PS3" affair. Strange times.
Harry Potter is one of those franchises that has now infiltrated pretty much every medium. There are endless Harry Potter gifts for every type of fan out there, but if your specific interest is in puzzles, there's some serious variety available to you. Just a quick search for "Harry Potter puzzles" will drown you in options from various brands that can take a while to sort through.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Harry Potter Puzzles
As a fan of both Harry Potter and puzzles, I have taken it upon myself to help you find the right Potter puzzle for you. Below I've gathered some of my favorite adult jigsaw puzzles with a Harry Potter theme, as well as some great options for kids. I've also included an awesome model kit that makes for an exciting 3D puzzling experience.
Marauder's Map Puzzle
The Marauder's Map is one of the most recognizable items from Harry Potter lore. From Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, this puzzle looks like the full map from the movie once it's been assembled. The puzzle itself is from The Noble Collection, which is known for making some of the highest quality officially licensed wand and Harry Potter prop replicas. You can see what the fully assembled puzzle looks like below:
Hogwart's Express Puzzle
This Hogwarts Express puzzle from Buffalo games depicts Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Hagrid as they were at the end of The Sorcerer's Stone. The train is set against a beautiful sunset backdrop, and we also see Malfoy sitting on a bench with Goyle at his side. It's a great-looking jigsaw puzzle from one of the most iconic scenes from the first film of the Harry Potter movie series.
Herbology Puzzle
This herbology puzzle is my favorite option on this list. It depicts various ingredients students would find and grow in herbology class. At the center of it all is a mandrake in all its weird root baby glory. The design of this puzzle is reminiscent of the classic drawings you'd find in a vintage botanical identification diagram and makes for a great display piece.
Hogwarts Crest Wooden Puzzle
This Hogwarts Crest puzzle is made up of 201 laser-cut wooden pieces. It depicts the Hogwarts crest, including all four houses, and a vibrant floral design. What makes this puzzle interesting is that it comes with many unique pieces you'll recognize from the books and movies. These pieces include a witch's hat, the Goblet of Fire, and the Deathly Hallows symbol. It's a great puzzle for both kids and adults to put together.
Hogwarts Castle Puzzle
This 3,000-piece Hogwarts Castle puzzle is an excellent option for anyone looking for something more challenging. The image depicts the majority of Hogwarts Castle and grounds, including Hagrid's hut. There are also owls, a phoenix, a hippogriff, and various other small details that make this larger puzzle really fun to piece together. It's made by Ravensburger, which is our overall favorite puzzle brand on the market right now.
Hogwarts Express 3D Puzzle Model Kit
While not a traditional puzzle, this 3D model kit of the Hogwarts Express belongs on this list because of how cool it is. The kit comes with eight sheets of 181 pieces that you'll need to put togehter. No glue or tools are required to assemble the train, but it may be difficult for young children to piece together. Overall, this is a really different kind of puzzle and excellent alternative to the LEGO Hogwarts express that is extremely pricey.
Hogwarts Map
The second Ravensburger puzzle I'm featuring on this list also depicts Hogwarts castle and grounds, but in map form. The map itself has a rather whimsical design and features a variety of notable locations including Hogsmeade and the Forbidden forest. The puzzle also includes a border featuring small images of various other locations from the story. At 1,500 pieces, it is a bit more challenging that some of the other puzzles on this list, but the end result is worthy of displaying.
The Enchanted Car Mini Puzzle
If you're looking for a good Harry Potter puzzle for kids, this 100-piece mini puzzle from The New York Puzzle Company is a great option. The image shows Ron and Harry flying in the enchanted car with Hogwarts in the background. This is an iconic point of the story in The Chamber of Secrets, and the design of this image looks like the original cover artwork from the Harry Potter books.
Gryffindor Crest Puzzle
Every true fan knows which house they belong to. Whether you're in Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff, there is a crest puzzle available from Aquarius. I've featured the Gryffindor design here, but each house is has its own crest and background color. At just 500 pieces, these smaller puzzles are great if you want to spend an afternoon finishing a single image.
Harry Potter Puzzle for Kids
The final Ravensburger puzzle I have on this list is specifically meant for kids. Not only is it just 100 extra-large pieces, it features bright colors and recognizable characters that make it fairly easy to put together. The box says it is meant for ages 6 and older, so it should be simple enough for younger kids to handle.
Jacob Kienlen is a Senior SEO Strategist and Writer for IGN. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, he has considered the Northwest his home for his entire life. With a bachelor's degree in communication and over 7 years of professional writing experience, his expertise is spread across a variety of different topics -- from TV series to indie games and popular book series.
Razer's new 2025 lineup of gaming laptops are now up for preorder. The Razer Blade 16 and Razer Blade 18 can now be ordered directly from Razer.com and will be equipped with the upcoming Intel and Ryzen processors (depending on which display size you get) as well as the anticipated RTX 5000-series mobile GPUs in three variants: RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 5080, and RTX 5090. Preordering will also get you some bonus accessories depending on the model.
Razer Blade laptops are well known for their impeccable build quality. The chassis is built from a single piece of aluminum and is designed to be exceptionally thin and light for a gaming laptop. In order to get away with the svelte form factor, Razer employs its own proprietary cooling design which incorporates a vacuum sealed, liquid filled, copper vapor chamber to effectively whisk away the heat. Much like Apple MacBook Pros, a lot of engineering goes into a Razer Blade laptop, which is why they command a premium price compared to other mainstream brands.
Razer Blade 18
The Razer Blade 18 is an Intel-based system and the base config is equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, which is a more performance-minded chip compared to the current Core Ultra 9 185H, which focuses on efficiency. The rest of the specs include an 18" Dual UHD+ 240Hz display (which can natively switch to FHD+ 440Hz), RTX 5070 Ti graphics, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD for $3,199.99. You can upgrade to either the RTX 5080 or the RTX 5090.
Preordering the Razer Blade 16 will also get you an X-Ray Razer laptop skin and a USB-C dock.
Razer Blade 16
The Razer Blade 16 is a Ryzen system and the base config is equipped with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 CPU. The rest of the specs include a 16" 240Hz QHD+ OLED display, RTX 5070 Ti graphics, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD for $2,799.99. The processor can be upgraded to a Ryzen AI 9 370HX, and the GPU can be upgraded to either the RTX 5080 or RTX 5090.
Preordering the Razer Blade 18 will get youan X-Ray Razer laptop skin and RGB laptop stand.
When do these laptops ship out?
Currently Razer hasn't given us word yet on the official release date, but we expect it to be at least a few months away. The RTX 50-series mobile GPUs haven't been released yet, so we don't know how they compare to their predecessors.
Can't wait? Check out this slim gaming laptop
Best Buy is offering a great deal on a well-equipped RTX 4070 gaming laptop. Right now the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 RTX 4070 gaming laptop is on sale for just $1,079.99 after a $570 off discount. This is an outstanding price for a gaming laptop that, despite its slim dimensions, boasts excellent build quality and powerful gaming capabilities. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 is one of the thinnest and lightest laptops in its class, weighing in at only 4.4lbs and measuring 0.78" thin.
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 can be no doubt that The Hunger Games is one of the best young adult series' out there. There have been a total of four Hunger Games books so far and all of them have been made into movies. Not only that, there is a new book on its way next month called Sunrise on the Reaping and it is already being made into a film. Suzanne Collins doesn't miss.
Similar to other popular young adult novels, The Hunger Games has been slowly getting the illustrated treatment. Just last year the first illustrated edition was launched featuring art from Nico Delort. The illustrations themselves are gorgeous and detailed, making the first illustrated edition a worthy collectors item for any fan of the series. There is also already an illustrated edition of the second book, Catching Fire, in the works and both of them are currently on sale on Amazon at their lowest-ever prices.
The Hunger Games Illustrated Editions Deals on Amazon
The Hunger Games: Illustrated Edition was released at the beginning of October 2024. The illustrations are in black and white, but are brought to life with some incredible detail and shading work. The success of the first book propelled the project forward and earlier this month, the Catching Fire: Illustrated Editions was announced. The next collectible edition in the Hunger Games series will be released on October 7, 2025.
With the way the project is currently going, we can likely expect an illustrated edition of the third book in the series to arrive in October 2026, but we don't have any details yet. Next up for The Hunger Games franchise is the second prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, which will be coming out on March 18, 2025.
See more Hunger Games books:
What Is Amazon's Preorder Price Guarantee?
If you've never actually preordered anything from Amazon before, it's worth noting that if you purchase the illustrated edition of Catching Fire, it includes Amazon's preorder price guarantee. According to Amazon's own help page, this means that if the price decreases between now and when the item ships, you'll pay the lowest price. So in this case, if there ends up being an even bigger discount than the one we're seeing right now, that's what you'll pay. This is likely to happen considering we saw the Hunger Games: Illustrated edition drop in price several times over the course of its preorder period.
HBO is moving full steam ahead with its new Harry Potter TV show and finally seems to have at least one casting: John Lithgow will be the new Professor Dumbledore.
It’s been reported that HBO has been on the lookout for a new Dumbledore for some time now, and it appears that search has ended. In an interview with ScreenRant, Lithgow confirmed that he accepted the role which he says will define the “last chapter” of his life.
“Well, it came as a total surprise to me. I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film, and it was not an easy decision because it’s going to define me for the last chapter of my life, I’m afraid.”
He adds, “But I’m very excited. Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter. That’s why it’s been such a hard decision. I’ll be about 87 years old at the wrap party, but I’ve said yes.”
This is the first casting confirmation for the upcoming Harry Potter TV show, and it isn’t technically official yet either as HBO and Warner Bros. have not confirmed Lithgow’s casting.
Despite Lithgow’s verbal confirmation, the fact the Harry Potter reboot series still doesn’t have a full cast likely means the show is still some ways away from production.
Lithgow is a veteran actor for film and television, perhaps best known for his role as Dick Solomon on the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun. However, he achieved critical acclaim and won an Emmy for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the first season of The Crown on Netflix.
Matt Kim is IGN's Senior Features Editor.
Photo by Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images.
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy is reportedly looking to step down by the end of 2025.
As reported by Puck News, the veteran film producer and Lucasfilm head is looking to retire at the end of her contract this year. Additionally, Puck claims Kennedy previously considered retiring in 2024, but decided to hold off on making a decision. It should be noted that Variety reports that a source close to Kennedy has called Puck’s story “pure speculation," but The Hollywood Reporter confirmed Puck's story also.
Kennedy joined Lucasfilm in 2012 and served as a handpicked co-chair to run the studio alongside George Lucas. Once Lucas departed, Kennedy was promoted to president and has been running the Star Wars stable ever since.
Her tenure includes overseeing a new sequel trilogy that comprises Star Wars Episodes 7-9, as well as the start of Star Wars’ streaming era that include The Mandalorian, Book of Boba Fett, Andor, Ahsoka, Skeleton Crew, and more. While some films like Star Wars: The Force Awakens” have proven to be blockbuster hits, other films have proven more divisive with movies like Solo: A Star Wars Story losing money at the box office.
While unconfirmed, Kennedy’s departure would raise further questions over a string of announced and rumored projects like new movies from James Mangold, Taika Waititi, and Donald Glover. There’s also an untitled Rey movie that was announced but is taking time to fully materialize.
Prior to her work at Lucasfilm, Kennedy co-founded Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall. She has produced iconic films like E.T., Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, and other 90s classics earning her eight Academy Award nominations for Best Picture.
Matt Kim is IGN's Senior Features Editor.
(Photo by Christopher Jue/Getty Images for Disney)
The iPhone 16 series is here, and while it has plenty of upgrades over past generations, the year-to-year changes don’t always feel very exciting. It’s natural to see what other options are out there, and let me tell you, there are plenty. I’ve been testing smartphones for almost a decade, and I’ve seen my fair share of handsets that can compete with Apple’s iPhones, and quite a few bring new capabilities to the table well before Apple does – just look at folding phones. I’ve also tested iPhones, so I know and respect the qualities that have kept them at the forefront of the market for so long. That knowledge just makes it that much easier to see where an alternative feels right.
For a lot of people, going for an iPhone isn’t going to be the most sensible thing. Even the lowest-cost option in each new iPhone lineup tends to be on the more expensive side of the market – take the newly announced iPhone 16e, for example, which is meant to be the budget option and still starts at $599. The rest of the 16s are significantly more expensive, starting at $799. Thankfully, many of the best qualities of iPhones, short of iOS and the powerful Apple chipsets, are available elsewhere. There is no shortage of quality iPhone alternatives on the Android side of the market.
TL;DR – These Are the Best iPhone Alternatives in 2025:
By widening your scope, you can find next-level camera systems, designs that go toe-to-toe with Apple’s best, unique form factors that Apple has so far shied away from, more budget-friendly options, and niche models with an emphasis on gaming. There’s plenty to choose from, and rather than just deciding which tier of iPhone is right for you, you can decide which blend of features, build quality, performance, and price fit your needs. Whether you’re looking for the best phone around that’s just not an iPhone or want a device that can match the photographic prowess Apple is known for, you’ll find a good alternative here.
Usually when I tell an iPhone user what phone I’m holding and say “OnePlus [insert whatever generation number I’m testing],” they look at me like I’ve tried to make a riddle of elementary school math. But for those curious what’s on the other side of the iOS divide, you just about can’t get a better example and more ferocious challenger to the iPhone than the OnePlus 13.
For this generation, the OnePlus 13 pulled off a proper coup. It only had a few changes to make over its predecessor, but the upgrades were still enough to push it over the top. The OnePlus 13 packs in a potent processor with the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s eight-core CPU. It’s nearly matching the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s single-core performance and outdoes it in multi-core performance. Where graphics are concerned, the OnePlus 13 generally leads the iPhone 16 Pro Max by a wide margin across 3DMark’s gaming benchmarks. All that performance makes the OnePlus 13 a proper beast for gaming, and that kind of speed always translates to smooth everyday operation.
OnePlus packs all that firepower into an elegant chassis. Flatter sides and rounded corners make the OnePlus 13 all the more iPhone-esque, though the large camera ring and unique back designs help it stand out. OnePlus’s first-party cases also support Qi2/MagSafe charging, and the OnePlus 13 has an three-way alert slider, giving you a little one-up on the iPhone’s own alert toggle. Factor in the OnePlus 13’s ability to withstand dunks in water and hot water jets, and it’s hard to beat.
The OnePlus 13 also offers a camera system that rivals Apple’s. It features a triple-sensor array with an ultra-wide, wide, and 3x telephoto camera all offering 50MP resolutions. It snaps lovely photos and has impressive video chops as well.
Then there’s the sheer value the OnePlus 13 offers. The phone starts at $900, so it’s not quite as cheap as an iPhone 16, but it’s really competing more with the iPhone 16 Plus or Pro Max anyway, and next to those it’s a bargain. For one thing, you’re getting more memory and storage for the price – a default of 256GB of storage compares favorably to Apple’s 128GB default on all but the $1,200 iPhone 16 Pro Max. And the OnePlus 13’s display has more in common with the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s. It’s a sizable 6.82-inch OLED that’s super sharp, incredibly bright, and wonderfully smooth thanks to a 1-120Hz variable refresh rate. The OnePlus 13 really has it going on. It's not just my top iPhone alternative; it's the best smartphone that you can buy right now.
2. Google Pixel 9 Pro
Best Cameras in an iPhone Alternative
Google has always had a knack for photography with its Pixel line of smartphones, and the Pixel 9 Pro is the current height of its prowess. You get a great-looking phone capable of excellent photography thanks to a three-camera array on the back that provides considerable flexibility in how you approach subjects.
Many phones have one camera that I’d call the "star of the show" that does the best shooting and is flanked by less impressive sensors that just complement its capabilities. But the Pixel 9 Pro has three powerful sensors that really work together wonderfully. The 50MP main sensor captures loads of light and detail with a fairly wide angle. When you need to get even more into your shot, the 50MP ultra-wide zooms out for a broad field-of-view while keeping great color that matches the main sensor closely. And with a 48MP telephoto sensor offering 5x optical zoom, you can get extra close to subjects without having to move from where you’re photography from. This camera system is easily a worthy alternative to an iPhone.
The Pixel 9 Pro comes running on the new Tensor G4 SoC, which is an upgrade over the prior model and further boosts speed. It also avoids some of the heat from everyday use that affected earlier Pixel phones. It has ample performance for most tasks and can keep up with bigger mobile games like Zenless Zone Zero at 60fps quite well. It may not match the iPhone 16 Pro’s A18 Pro chip in sheer performance, but Google has put an emphasis on AI capabilities with the Tensor G4, and it’s readily able to power some AI generation, including supporting a live virtual assistant that can converse naturally.
Google has also upped the ante for Android phones by offering seven years of OS updates and security patches for the Pixel 9 Pro, a promise that more effectively aligns its phone with the kind of long-term software support Apple provides for its phones.
All of this comes in a beautifully designed phone. Google packs in a great display that’s both sharp at 1280x2856 and stunningly bright with a peak of 3,000 nits. It also gets a 120Hz refresh rate. There’s little more to ask for out of this compact 6.3-inch display. Anybody who wants all that the Pixel 9 Pro has to offer on a bigger screen can bump up to the Pixel 9 Pro XL for a 6.8-inch screen.
3. OnePlus 12R
Best Budget iPhone Alternative
With the 2022 iPhone SE discontinued after the 16e was revealed, no new iPhone runs for less than $500 – and that's when you're sacrificing a decent amount of features. Meanwhile, take your money over the Android side of the market and you can get something much closer to a modern-day flagship in the $499 OnePlus 12R.
OnePlus builds a classy phone. An aluminum frame wraps around the phone, and the front is covered in Gorilla Glass Victus 2, a tough version that’s found its way onto plenty of even more expensive phones. The OnePlus 12R packs a 6.78-inch stunner of a display. It's plenty sharp at 1264x2780, so no sacrifices for budget there, and it boasts a 1-120Hz refresh rate thanks to the LTPO AMOLED panel used, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support, and extreme brightness levels alongside the per-pixel dimming of AMOLED.
Taking advantage of that screen calls for some serious speed, and the OnePlus 12R has that covered with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC paired with 8GB of memory. It may not be the latest flagship SoC, but it’s hardly lagging behind performance-wise and readily keeps up with some heavier gaming. You also get a base storage of 128GB.
OnePlus doesn’t quite match Apple’s long-term support, but it promises three major Android updates and four years of security updates, which is a pretty good showing for a lower-cost Android phone and helps stretch the value you can get from the phone over time. If you’re after a sleek, hardworking phone with a display to rival Apple’s best at a price competing with Apple’s cheapest, the OnePlus 12R is where you should look. If you’re looking for even more alternatives, see our overall Android phone recommendations.
4. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
Best Foldable iPhone Alternative
So far, iPhones don’t fold. There was a year when they bent, but that’s the closest they’ve come. If they did fold, they’d have to contend with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6. This is a device geared up to compete with Apple. Whether it’s opened or closed, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 has the looks. A flat-edged aluminum frame wraps around the phone, and sturdy Gorilla Glass Victus 2 covers the back of the phone. When it’s folded shut, the Z Flip 6 still provides a 3.4-inch AMOLED display providing quick access to notifications, shortcuts, widgets, and apps. In this position, the Z Flip 6 can slip into just about any pocket or bag.
When a bigger screen is called for, you just have to fold the Z Flip 6 open to access its 6.6-inch internal display. This is also a gorgeous AMOLED panel offering rich contrast and vibrant colors. Appropriate to the class of device, the Z Flip 6 has a 120Hz refresh rate on the panel, so you can get smooth visuals as you interact with the phone or play games. And game you can: The Z Flip 6 packs in a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, the same powerful chip found in many current flagship Android phones. It’s able to keep up with demanding games and AI tasks alike, especially thanks to the 12GB of RAM onboard.
While the Galaxy Z Flip 6 isn’t stocked with Samsung’s top-of-the-line camera systems, it gets a respectable setup ready to snap quality shots with both wide and ultra-wide sensors. An internal selfie cam is available (and perhaps most convenient for video calls), but you can actually just opt to use the main rear camera or ultra-wide as your default selfie-shooter since the small external display can serve as an ideal viewfinder.
The Z Flip 6 provides a lot and is ready to go toe-to-toe with the iPhone. And thanks to its folding design, which shrinks it down dramatically, it has tricks up its sleeve that no Apple device has matched.
5. RedMagic 10 Pro
Best iPhone Alternative for Gaming
If gaming is your priority, then get ready for a big surprise. The best gaming phone out there right now is neither an iPhone nor an uber-expensive Android phone. The RedMagic 10 Pro proved its mettle in my testing, and yet the phone comes in at just $649. You’d think there are some big sacrifices for a phone to reach that price, but there are exceedingly few. Even the 256GB of base storage and 12GB of memory are a surprise.
Let’s start with the performance: It’s bonkers. The RedMagic 10 Pro may be the most affordable phone to come with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and it lets the new processing cores rip. In benchmarks, the CPU was just a little shy of the single-core performance of the iPhone 16 Pro Max and readily outpaces the iPhone in multi-core performance. And the GPU is another thing altogether. The RedMagic 10 Pro trounces the iPhone 16 Pro Max – a $1,199 phone – in 3DMark’s various game benchmarks. And the phone has a secret weapon with its active cooling, which lets the RedMagic 10 Pro not only pump out high performance levels but also sustain them better than its competition. This means reliably smooth gaming for longer play sessions. Oh, and a 7,050mAh battery never hurts when it comes to stretching out those longer sessions.
The RedMagic 10 Pro also provides an absolutely beautiful setup for gaming. The display is a massive 6.85 inches, and the selfie camera is practically invisible, hidden under the display. So unlike on Samsung’s and Apple’s best phones, all of that screen space is yours to enjoy your games and movies. That’s not even the end of it, as the RedMagic’s display is a stunning OLED panel that’s bright, sharp, and fast. The design of the phone is also surprisingly neat and elegant, something that sets it apart from its gaming phone ilk.
Now, the RedMagic 10 Pro shouldn’t be mistaken for perfect. Its Android skin is a little over-the-top. Its software won’t be supported for as long as a Samsung, Apple, Google, or even OnePlus flagship. And cellular network support may not be as good in the states as you’d hope. But if you’re after supreme performance, can get by without the fastest 5G connections on the go, and tend to upgrade every couple of years, the RedMagic 10 Pro is unlikely to disappoint.
What to Look for in an iPhone Alternative in 2025
While the iPhone is the most popular smartphone brand, more than half of the phones on the planet are Android devices. People seem to like Android’s open platform instead of Apple’s rigid walled garden. Android gives its users the opportunity to customize their experience with various themes, wallpapers, launchers, and apps.
Heck, there are more apps available to download through the Google Play Store than the Apple App Store. In fact, you’re not even limited to the Google Play Store for apps. You can use the Amazon Appstore, Samsung Galaxy Store, Aptoide, and others for different types of app utilities and experiences.
With more and more people flocking to Android, it may seem tough to pick a great iPhone alternative, but here's what to consider.
Phone Size and Design
One of the best things about iPhone alternatives is they come in various shapes and sizes. Apple is pretty set with making phones that are about 6 inches in size. However, you can find Android phones that are bigger at 7 inches or smaller at 4 inches. It’s really up to you on which size fits your hands better, or how much screen real estate you want.
In fact, there are a number of smartphones that are foldable like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip line. You can choose to have a small design in your pocket or bag, but then flip them open for a full-sized screen. Now that’s something you definitely can’t do with an iPhone.
Storage Capacity
For the most part, Android smartphones start out with 128GB of on-board storage, which is the same as the iPhone 16. However, there are many Android phones that are built-in with a microSD card expansion slot for even more storage up to an additional 1TB.
A general rule of thumb when it comes to Android is you can get more for less. This means you can get more storage options, memory, power, screen sizes, features, megapixels, and cameras than your average iPhone for less money.
Price
Speaking of money, Android smartphones are often less expensive than iPhones, with prices starting as low as $50 for bottom-of-the-barrel picks like the BLU C5L. There’s no shortage of cheap Android phones out there. However, you can get a good quality and wallet-friendly smartphone like the Poco X5 5G starting at $220. Compare this to Apple’s cheapest phone, now the iPhone 16e, which starts at $599.
On the high end, you can get a totally maxed out Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 with 1TB of on-board storage for a whopping $2,160. Additionally, if you consider that you can get more features with an Android phone than an iPhone, then you’re actually getting a better deal.
Overall, if you’re looking for an iPhone alternative, there are plenty of great Android smartphones out there for different types of people and use cases. For most people, however, the OnePlus 13 or Google Pixel 9 Pro are the best picks. Samsung has the premium design for speed and style, while Google has the better camera for sharper and more natural photos.
How Often Should You Upgrade Your Phone?
There are new Android phones coming out every year, but you don't need to be upgrading to a new phone every year. Now that smartphones have become a lot smarter, you really only need to upgrade ever two or three years to avoid falling behind in terms of processing power and battery life. All-in-all, if your current phone still works fine for everything you need it to do, there's no need to upgrade.
Mark Knapp is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything electronics and gaming hardware. He has over 10 years of experience in the tech industry with bylines at PCMag, Reviewed, CNET, and more. Find Mark on Twitter @Techn0Mark or BlueSky at @Techn0Mark.
Amazon is offering an Apple Watch Series 10 42mm model for only $329 and the bigger 46mm model for $359. This matches the lowest prices we saw during Black Friday. If you own an iPhone, the Apple Watch is indisputably the best smartwatch for you. It's stylish, boasts excellent build quality, excels as both a fitness tracker and smart watch, and complements your iPhone better than any other watch brand.
Apple Watch Series 10 From $329
The Apple Watch Series 10 is the newest generation mainstream model. Improvements over the Apple Watch Series 9 include a bigger OLED Retina display, a new S10 processor (that isn't faster but it's thinner, which allows the watch itself to have a slimmer profile), a slightly larger base model size (42mm vs. 41mm), and some admittedly trivial features like a water depth gauge. If you do already own an Apple Watch Series 9, there's probably not enough reason here to upgrade. But if this is your first time purchasing an Apple Watch, the Series 10 is definitely the best Apple Watch for most people.
Compared to the Apple Watch SE, the Apple Watch Series 10 boasts a larger size (42mm vs. 40mm), a bigger display with Always-On functionality, a 30% more powerful processor, double the storage, more advanced fitness tracking and body monitoring sensors, double-tap gesture support, and faster charging. The Apple Watch SE is substantially more affordable at $199 currently on Amazon, but I think the upgrades are more than worth it for most people.
Can You Use an Apple Watch with Android Phones?
Although it's technically possible to use an Apple Watch with an Android phone, we wouldn't recommend it. Apple made it so that a lot of the functionality of the Apple Watch requires a smartphone with an iOS operating system. There are some workarounds to implement some of the features, but for the average person, the hassle isn't worth it. If you're absolutely intent on getting an Apple Watch, then getting an iPhone first would be the best option. For those of you quite happy with your Android smarpthone, there are plenty of Android smartwatches that would be a better fit than the Apple Watch.
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.
Netmarble has released a demo for its upcoming Game of Thrones story-driven action-adventure RPG, Game of Thrones: Kingsroad. Game of Thrones: Kingsroad will come out in Q2 2025, and you can also find below its official PC system requirements. Game of Thrones: Kingsroad will allow players to explore the seven kingdoms of Westeros. Players will … Continue reading Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is a new story-driven action-adventure RPG→
Square Enix has just removed the Denuvo anti-tamper tech from its JRPG, Visions of Mana. Visions of Mana came out on PC in August 2024, which means that it took around six months for SE to remove it. Visions of Mana is a brand-new story and mainline entry to the Mana series. The game will … Continue reading Square Enix has removed Denuvo from Visions of Mana→
There was a time, less than ten years ago, that adult LEGO builders comprised a niche interest group. LEGO catered to these AFOLs (Adult Fans of LEGO) with occasional Creator Expert sets like modular buildings; by and large, these sets were the exception and not the rule.
But over the past decade, LEGO has done an unprecedented job of rebranding itself. Today, "automatic binding bricks" are no longer just a toy for kids—they are a mainstream hobby and pastime for teens and adults too. LEGO still makes original modular buildings, of course, but the company also makes scaled replicas of movie props, working amusement park rides, luxury car facsimiles, and more. The point of these sets was not to "play" with them—it was to build something fit for display—appropriate to stand at and appreciate from a distance.
Although expansion across LEGO products is great to see, the additional detail does come at a higher price borne from a higher piece count, not to mention licensing fees for the sets using third party themes—such as Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Nintendo, and Minecraft. Although retail prices can make some sets really pricey to the average shopper, it doesn’t mean LEGO shoppers will stop buying LEGO altogether. That said, there's a good chance you'll just be buying less of it and spending your money more judiciously.
LEGO tends to keep its prices at a premium; the company retires its sets rather than letting them depreciate in shelf value. However, there are specific days and weeks during the year that you should keep in mind when buying LEGO to maximize your dollar, and thus, maximize your fun.
Double Insider Points
Back in August 2023, the LEGO VIP program rebranded as LEGO Insiders. It's free to join on LEGO's official site, and it's essentially a loyalty rewards program. You can sign up here. There's other quality-of-life incentives when you join—you get to buy LEGO.com exclusive sets before anybody else, for example. But the main draw for most members is the Insider points you earn for buying sets on LEGO's official website or from a brick-and-mortar LEGO store.
In the United States, every dollar you spend earns you 6.5 points. You then direct those points towards future purchases; it converts to $1 for every 130 points you redeem.
So let's say, for argument's sake, you spend $300 on an expensive LEGO set. You earn $15 towards a future purchase—5% of what you originally spent. But the real savings come during promotional days and weeks where you can earn double the Insider points on select sets. So now, the same $300 will earn you $30.
These promotions are sometimes announced days in advance of the actual sale, so keep an eye on LEGO's social media to be in the know here.
Sales Seasons
Black Friday and Cyber Monday
LEGO always takes part in the biggest shopping event of the year. Beginning on the Friday before and lasting through Cyber Monday, there are some premium sets, such as the Batcave Shadow Box and the Pac-Man arcade, that will earn 3x the number of points. Even better, sets like the Hogwarts Chamber of Secrets and BMW M 1000 RR will earn 4x the number of points.
Of course Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest sales days of the year in just about every category, and LEGO sets are no exception. Depending on when you are looking to buy a LEGO set, keep an eye out for deals during Prime Day in July, which usually runs for two days in mid July every year. As long as you're a Prime member, you can take advantage of LEGO discounts on Amazon Prime Day. Last year, the best LEGO deals during Prime Day included bigger franchise picks from Marvel LEGO and Star Wars LEGO sets.
In addition to the sale in July, Amazon also has an October Prime Day sale every year that often has pretty good deals on LEGO sets.
Holiday Weekends
In addition to the bigger shopping events like Black Friday, three-day weekends are a surprisingly good time to find discounts on LEGO at third-party vendors and sometimes the LEGO store itself. These sales are usually centered around federal holidays, so during Presidents' Day sales, Labor Day, or Memorial Day weekend are all decent times to find discounts on various sets.
Third-Party Outlets
Outside of the official LEGO stores, you can also buy LEGO at third-party outlets. Amazon, Target, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, and Best Buy all stock a wide variety of sets for purchase. So you should definitely check out those outlets in the coming weeks, especially for the retailers’ own Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.
Note: With the exception of Target, these organizations do not offer redeemable Insider points for LEGO purchases (although they may have their own rewards ecosystem). Although Target purchases are redeemable, they are at a much lower dollar to point exchange (1:1) than what you can get on the official LEGO Store (1:6.5).
Gifts With Purchase
There are also 'Gifts With Purchase' (GWPs), where you get a complimentary set for spending a certain amount of money. Spend $170, and you get a Winter Market Stall gift. Spend $250, and you get Majisto’s Magical Workshop. These two specific gifts are exclusive to Insiders Weekend, and there's also a different GWP at the brick-and-mortar LEGO stores. If you spend $40 in-person on Insider's Weekend, you get a Holiday Winter Train.
There are new GWPs every month and sometimes every fortnight. If you're not in a hurry for a new set, always look at the current GWP to decide whether to buy now or simply wait.
May The 4th Be With You!
The day has already passed us by this year, but Star Wars Day (May 4) is a guaranteed opportunity for excellent LEGO deals. It's often when LEGO debuts its Collector Series replicas for the year, and this past year, purchasing select sets earned 5x the number of Insider points.
The main takeaway from all of this is to be vigilant. There's lots of expensive sets, but the LEGO deals exist—you just have to be there on the right days to capitalize on them. If you plan ahead, you'll be able to indulge in your brand new (or current) hobby, without the guilt and financial stress that comes with an adult hobby price tag.
Kevin Wong is a contributing freelancer for IGN, specializing in LEGO. His byline has appeared in numerous publications, including Complex, Engadget, Vice, Playboy, Gamespot, Popverse, and Kotaku.
IDW's long-running Sonic the Hedgehog series recently reached a major milestone with its 75th issue. Sonic the Hedgehog #75 chronicled the final battle between Team Sonic and the villain Clutch, leading to a followup story ominously titled "Scattered Pieces."
"Scattered Pieces" will unfold in the pages of Sonic the Hedgehog #76-80. With issue #76 now in stores, IGN can exclusively debut new art from the penultimate chapter of this new storyline at IGN Fan Fest. Check out the slideshow gallery below for a look at the three covers for Sonic the Hedgehog #79, along with the previously revealed "Scattered Pieces" covers:
"Scattered Pieces" is written by series regular Ian Flynn. Issue #79 features interior art and a main cover by Adam Bryce Thomas, with variant covers by Tyler Mcgrath and Nathalie Fourdraine.
Here's IDW's official description for Sonic the Hedgehog #79:
The long-running feud between ace sniper Whisper and sinister assassin Mimic is coming to a climactic showdown!
Only one of these former comrades will walk away! Can Tangle and Silver help turn the tide of battle? Or will Whisper suffer another friend getting caught in the crossfire? It’s a thrilling battle years in the making!
"IDW’s Sonic the Hedgehog has been going strong for seven years now, and in that time has cultivated a number of storylines, characters and narrative elements it can call its own," Flynn tells IGN. "A lot of those all came to a head in Evan Stanley’s latest arc. Reaching a story’s climax is always fun, but I’m also just as eager to explore the follow-up. There will be a lot of fans asking 'What happens next?' My arc gets to answer that, bring a few conclusions of my own, and set the stage for Evan’s next major arc with the series."
Sonic the Hedgehog #76 is in stores now, with issue #77 due for release on March 19. You can preorder a copy of the new issue at your local comic shop (click here to find your local shop).
Demon Slayer and Team Liquid are crossing over for a brand-new collection of gear that aims to "set your style on fire" with jackets, shirts, keycap sets, and much more.
This new collection blends "Demon Slayer's unique aesthetic with the competitive edge of Team Liquid" and will allow fans to share their love for both with such items as the Tanjiro Varsity Jacket, Inosuke Sherpa Jacket, Kyojuro Keycap Set, and the Nezuko Crewneck.
There looks to be 26 items in total and fan-favorite characters like Hashira, Muichiro, Zenitsu, and Mitsuri all have their own gear. Oh, and even Nichirin Swords get some love with some comfy-looking cargo joggers.
If you want to own your own piece of Demon Slayer x Team Liquid gear, head over to tl.gg/demonslayer to grab them before they're gone. You can also check out a full list of the items below;
Warner Bros. is canceling its planned Wonder Woman game and shutting down three studios: Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and WB San Diego, according to Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier.
We have had to make some very difficult decisions to structure our development studios and investments around building the best games possible with our key franchises -– Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC and Game of Thrones. After careful consideration, we are closing three of our development studios – Monolith Productions, Player First Games and Warner Bros. Games San Diego. This is a strategic change in direction and not a reflection of these teams or the talent that consists within them.
The development of Monolith’s Wonder Woman videogame will not move forward. Our hope was to give players and fans the highest quality experience possible for the iconic character, and unfortunately this is no longer possible within our strategic priorities. This is another tough decision, as we recognize Monolith’s storied history of delivering epic fan experiences through amazing games. We greatly admire the passion of the three teams and thank every employee for their contributions. As difficult as today is, we remain focused on and excited about getting back to producing high-quality games for our passionate fans and developed by our world class studios and getting our Games business back to profitability and growth in 2025 and beyond.
Specifically, this move represents a blow to WB's DC universe-connected gaming efforts. Notably, just yesterday, James Gunn and Peter Safran said in a presentation that it would be "a couple of years" before the first DCU video game.
With this closure, the games industry loses three incredibly storied studios. Monolith Productions, which had been working on Wonder Woman, was founded in 1994 and acquired by WB in 2004. It's best-known for Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and its sequel, Shadow of War, the former of which pioneered the lauded Nemesis system that WB successfully patented in 2021.
Player First Games, a newer studio established in 2019, was responsible for MultiVersus. The game was well-received critically and saw launch success, but underperformed relative to WB's expectations. WB San Diego, similarly, is a newer studio established in 2019 with a focus on mobile, free-to-play games.
These shutdowns continue a trend going back roughly three years of increasing games industry layoffs, project cancellations, and studio closures. In 2023 alone, it's estimated that over 10,000 game developers were laid off. That number shot up to over 14,000 in 2024, and while 2025 has seen numerous closures, the exact number of impacted individuals is hazier due to fewer companies reporting these layoffs and shutdowns, or specific numbers affected.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
This article contains spoilers for Paradise on Hulu.
Hulu’s new hit show Paradise is usually a pulpy good time. Sure there’s drama in the Dan Fogelman joint, and plenty of tears and family angst (per the showrunner’s M.O. from This is Us). There’s even some action and intrigue, thanks to Sterling K. Brown’s upright secret service agent trying to unravel the mystery of who killed the President, played by James Marsden. It’s all good fun, at least until the seventh episode, “The Day,” which is the most upsetting episode of TV you’ll watch this year.
Is that a bold pronouncement for two months into 2025? Surely. But while the first six episodes are a good time at the ol’ boob tube, Episode 7 will punch you in the gut and bring you to tears for nearly the entire episode. It’s an unrelenting grand guignol of emotion that progresses multiple plot points in the show and sets up the season finale while you watch the world end.
And the focus of “The Day” – or at least what’s so gut-wrenching about it – isn’t the disaster, which we only get to see glimpses of on news footage, and hear about in phone calls and broadcasts. Instead, the episode presents what happened inside The White House in near real-time, and it is horrifying.
In the series, we meet Agent Xavier Collins (Brown), who has been tasked as the lead Secret Service agent guarding President Cal Bradford (Marsden). While it initially seems like Bradford is a young ex-president in the mode of JFK, lazing away his days after two terms in office drinking and womanizing, there’s actually a lot more going on – which becomes clear after Xavier discovers the dead body of Bradford on his bedroom floor.
It’s all very soap opera weepy up until this point.
In fact, up until his death, Bradford was still President – of about 25,000 people, what remains of the human race after an extinction-level disaster, who now live in the fake suburban community of Paradise under a mountain in Colorado. Over the course of the season through flashbacks, we slowly discover what may have led to this disaster, as well as how Paradise was built. Most of it is down to billionaire Samantha Redmond (Julianne Nicholson), who decided to prepare for a coming climate disaster by building this underground community, a little slice of heaven that is inspired by the dying wish of her youngest son. Again: This Is Us, Dan Fogelman, etc, you get the gist. It’s all very soap opera weepy up until this point.
And yes, this is a show about climate change, something that isn’t – as they used to say – advertised on the tin. Redmond encounters an unruly scientist in an earlier episode who warns her that there are about 10 years until a devastating climate-fueled disaster destroys the world… Not slowly, but all at once.
That’s what we get to see happen in Episode 7. Thanks to the melting of the polar ice caps, a volcano explodes in Antarctica, instantly melting a huge chunk of the ice and causing a tsunami hundreds of feet tall to crash over the Earth, destroying everything in its wake. The whole situation certainly seems to be Hollywood, Day After Tomorrow, on the surface – and it is. Having a climate disaster that is, in essence, “we’ll experience unlivable levels of heat over several years” wouldn’t be nearly as cinematic as what happens in the series.
Part of the neat, narrative trick that Fogelman and company have worked into this series is that we already know what is supposed to happen. In an earlier episode, Cal asks Xavier to walk him through the protocol for the disaster, code-named “Versailles” – likely named that due to the quick exit the royal family in France took from Versailles during the French Revolution. As Xavier talks him through the 20-minute plan they joke about Die Hard, chat about their families, and Cal strongly indicates to Xavier that his wife should stop taking business trips. Unfortunately, Xavier doesn’t really know the severity of the situation. So despite Cal’s strong looks at Xavier trying to indicate how bad things are going to get, Xavier merely defers that he can never tell his wife what to do – so of course she’s going to keep going out of town.
The signs are all there that this is going to be an emotional disaster, as well as a physical one. We also know that in the “present” Xavier’s wife is dead, and he’s solo-parenting his two kids in Paradise. We also have an inkling that Cal was drinking himself into a stupor every night before his untimely murder thanks to whatever happened on the day they left The White House. But again, given how pulpy everything has been up until now, there’s no reason to think this episode will be an emotionally harrowing hour that will leave you physically and emotionally drained.
It is, though. And the reason for that is everything starts to go wrong immediately, in big and small ways. Instead of the smooth roll-out that was presented in Cal and Xavier’s late-night walk, the sudden tsunami that destroys Australia – we get constant updates of which major cities are wiped off the face of the Earth as the episode continues – sends the White House into a frenzy. We watch as Cal wrestles with lying to the American people, ultimately telling the truth about the disaster through a final broadcast, urging everyone to spend time with the ones they care about before they die. We see that he does not escape cleanly as the people left behind in the White House realize the President and staff are exiting without them, leaving them to their deaths – those who aren’t shot down by the Secret Service first.
Of course, Xavier’s wife is out of town, and watching the usually unflappable agent fall apart as he tries repeatedly to get through to her on the jammed phone lines, working with the President and Joint Chiefs of Staff to get her a route to one of the planes to Colorado, is heartbreaking… As is the way he keeps avoiding his children’s questions about their mother. And the punch, that Cal always knew she wasn’t going to make it, leads to Xavier flipping out on the tarmac in a way that will tear your heart out.
Adding on to that is a trickle-down effect where Xavier, who is dealing with the fact that he may not get his wife out in time, is doling out the same lies to the President’s long-time secretary, who is not on the “to-be saved” list. Once she realizes she won’t make it out, all she asks of Xavier is that they save her special needs son (we don’t see him in the episode), leading to a moment right before the President flees where the action pauses on her. “Mr. President,” she says,” My sister is here with Edward, they’re at the gate. So I’ll go get him.” She turns to leave and pick up her son… But he was never getting taken along. And the level of betrayal at that moment is more crushing than any tsunami destruction footage.
That footage is brutal, though. The one time we get to see what’s happening in the world at large is through a news report from Jakarta, where a reporter is broadcasting from the tallest building in the city. They should be safe – but of course, aren’t. And as the tsunami approaches, the crash of the waves causes a repeated and off-tempo sonic boom that will make you jump in your seat. As the reporter realizes the wave is going to overtake them, the broadcast cuts out, it cuts back to a silent newsroom, and we watch the staff outside the Oval Office, similarly, silent, in tears, the full weight of what’s happening hitting them for the first time both literally and figuratively.
In the middle of this, Marsden gives the performance of a lifetime as President Bradford, initially acting strong and choosing a blue tie over a yellow one because it’s “more calming,” and then ultimately heartsick over getting to leave when everyone else is being left to die. There are classic drama moments like when he asks a White House janitor why he’s still cleaning the building with everything that’s going on, but even these more trope-y pieces of drama work because Marsden’s Bradford is so anguished over his role in not saving more people when he could.
Is “The Day” manipulative? Sure. But it’s to prove a point, and show the weight of a climate disaster that is coming in the real world so slowly we think it won’t happen in our lifetimes when it more than likely will. Thanks to the real-time structure, the performances, the direction, and the unrelenting nature of the hour, there’s no way you can’t come out of it feeling grief-stricken about this potential future of the Earth. In next week’s season finale, Paradise should be back to the pulp and fun that characterized the first six episodes. But for one hour, Hulu’s sci-fi show makes us live on the last day of the human species. It’s shattering and will leave you in despair. Here’s hoping – and dreading – that the team will find something else as traumatic and emotionally urgent for the already-announced Season 2. It’s a lot. But if you can handle it, it’s also a must-watch.
Here are best deals for Tuesday, February 25. New price drops include the current gen Apple Watch Series 10, the classic Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection for all console platforms, a handy little portable smart light for emergencies, a fully featured and well built gaming chair for under $200, and more.
Check out "the best deals under $30" for any impulse buys on items that you never knew you needed until you visited this page. Read on lower for some great deals that cost over $30 and may require a bit more involved decision-making.
The Wild Robot (4K UHD) for $10
A digital copy of The Wild Robot in 4K UHD is currently available to purchase on Amazon for only $9.99 after a 50% instant discount. If you haven't yet watched this movie, you're missing out. In our The Wild Robot review, Siddhant Adlakha wrote that "a deeply human film with no human characters, The Wild Robot is a tear-jerking and unpredictable animated adventure – and another triumph for Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon co-director Chris Sanders."
Apple Watch Series 10 From $329
The most popular Apple Watch deal during Black Friday is back. Right now, Amazon is offering an Apple Watch Series 10 42mm model for only $329 and the bigger 46mm model for $359. If you own an iPhone, the Apple Watch is indisputably the best smartwatch for you. It's sleek and stylish, it's chock full of useful features that complement your iPhone better than any other smartwatch brand, and it's surprisingly affordable. The Apple Watch Series 10 is the newest generation mainstream model. Improvements over the Apple Watch Series 9 include a bigger OLED Retina display, a new S10 processor (that isn't faster but it's thinner, which allows the watch itself to have a slimmer profile), a slightly larger base model size (42mm vs. 41mm), and some admittedly trivial features like a water depth gauge.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 for $19.99
Both Amazon and Best Buy have dropped 50% off the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, now only $19.99 for all three consoles editions. This matches the best price we saw during Black Friday, and happened to be one of our best selling games during that time period as well. This anthology includes Metal Gear (1987), Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990), Metal Gear Solid (1998), Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001), and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004).
Olight Sphere Smart Night Light for $13.99
Amazon has dropped the price of the Olight Sphere from $20 to $13.99 for Amazon Prime members. The Olight Sphere is a tiny portable light that can be controlled via on-board buttons or mobile app. This is an RGB light that's capable of standard white or warm white lighting as well as a wide range of colors. It's not particularly powerful (it's rated for 75 lumens), but it works great as an ambient night light or a portable emergency light that you can carry around with you. You don't need to swap out batteries, because it recharges quickly over USB Type-C.
Anker 30W USB Type-C Nano Wall Charger for $12.99
Amazon has this compact Anker 30W USB Type-C wall charger for only $12.99 after you apply coupon code "0UDQ9XZX". You don't need to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of this deal, either. The Anker nano charger can output up to 30W of Power Delivery over USB Type-C, which is good enough to max out the charging rate of the Nintendo Switch (18W) and close to the maximum charging rate of the Steam Deck (40W). A USB-C cable is also included.
Aurora Paper/Credit Card Shredder for $22.64
With the prevalence of paperless billing, paper shredders aren't as necessary as they used to be, but there are still plenty of instances when you'll want to destroy physical sensitive documents or old credit cards. Amazon currently has this Aurora shredder for only $22, which is at the bottom end of the scale for a shredder nowadays. It is powerful enough to crosscut up to 8 sheets of paper (up to 8.7" wide), credit cards, paper clips, and staples.
2-Pack LED EDC Flashlights for $6
This is a good deal to jump on if you need some cheap flashlights for emergencies. Amazon has this 2 pack of Hausbell flashlights for only $5.99 after you clip a 40% off coupon. These LED flashlights take three AAA batteries and feature five different light modes (three different intensities, SOS, and strobe), retractable zoom lens, and IPX6 water resistance.
New Release: Anker 25,000mAh 165W Power Bank
Anker quietly released a new high-capacity power bank earlier this year that sits alongside their Anker 737 and Prime series of power banks. This particular model boasts a massive 25,000mAh battery capacity, 165W of total charging output, and two built-in USB Type-C cables in case you forget to bring your own. It's attractively priced at under $100 for Amazon Prime members. This is a great complement to your power-hungry gaming handheld PC like the Steam Deck, Asus Rog Ally, or Lenovo Legion Go.
Andaseat Novis Gaming Chair for $179.10
Use 10% off code: AndaIGN
For 2025, AndaSeat has just released a new line of gaming chair that's sure to be a hit with the budget-minded audience. The Andaseat Novis gaming chair – which retails for just $199 – is now shipping. Even better, you can use our 10% off IGN code "AndaIGN" to drop the price further to $179.10. 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.
Dreamegg Portable White Noise Machine
If you're looking for an affordable noise machine that's small enough to take with you on you travels, then look no further than this Dreamegg portable white noise machine. It's currently on sale for a mere $8.10 after you clip a $5 off coupon and apply another $5 off promo code: P4JUC4GV during checkout. The Dreamegg measures less than 2" cubed, weighs in at under 2 ounces, can easily last all night long on its 1,000mAh battery, and recharges using USB Type-C. The portable sound machine offers 16 soothing nature sounds, including ocean waves, rain, birds, fan sounds, and white noise.
Baseus 10,000mAh Magsafe Power Bank for $19.79
Qi2 certified with up to 15W of wireless charging
I've seen plenty of MagSafe or wireless power banks on sale recently, but rarely one that's rated for Qi2 (15W) charging. Today, Amazon is offering Amazon Prime members only this Baseus 10,000mAh 22.5W Magsafe Power Bank for only $19.79 after you apply coupon code "YT35U53Z" during checkout. This power bank features 15W of Qi2 certified wireless charging, which doubles the 7.5W maximum for Qi1 chargers.
Sofirn SC31T 2,000-Lumen Pocket LED Flashlight for $25.34
Amazon is offering this Sofirn SC31T 2,000-lumen pocket LED flashlight for only $25.34. There's a 15% coupon code that's automatically applied when you go through the landing page, and then clip another 20% off coupon on the product page. Sofirn is a well-known and reliable seller of affordable LED flashlights. This model uses a single powerful SST-40 LED that delivers 2,000 lumens of light with a 6,500K color temp and up to a 206-meter range. It has 6 different intensities all the way down to 1 lumen to extend your battery life. The battery is rechargeable over USB Type-C.
40% Off Stray for PC
Cat lovers rejoice because Stray is currently 40% off exclusive at Humble. This is the PC version and it will install via your Steam client. You star as a brave little orange tabby cat trying to escape a cyberpunk-themed underworld filled with robotic denizens. In our Stray review, Tom Marks wrote that "Stray is a delightful adventure in a dark but endearingly hopeful cyberpunk world, and that’s thanks in no small part to the fact that you are playing as an adorable cat the whole time. Its mix of simple platforming and puzzles with item-hunting quests is balanced very well across the roughly five-hour story... Whether I was scratching at a carpet or curling up into a ball and taking a catnap, Stray does a great job of setting itself apart in a way that feels like more than just a novelty."
8-Pack Magnetic Cable Clips for $6.39
Amazon is offering this eight pack of Lisen magnetic cable clips for only $6.39 after you clip a 14% off coupon on the product page and apply a promo code "20H4SF7V" during checkout. That averages out to just under 80 cents per clip. They're great for organizing your most used cables, since the magnetic closure means that removing and replacing cables is a quick and easy one handed operation.
If you're searching for your next new game to play, Humble Choice February is now live, and this is the perfect bundle to discover something new! This month, Immortals of Aveum headlines the bundle, with seven other games like Total War: Pharoah Dynasties, Fabledom, and more included. Instead of paying hundreds of dollars to grab these games individually, you can get all eight games for just $11.99 at Humble Bundle for this month only.
Super Mario RPG for $29.99
Woot! (which is owned by Amazon) is offering the excellent Super Mario RPG remake for Nintendo Switch for only $29.99. Amazon Prime members get free shipping (the rest of us pay $5). Super Mario RPG is a remake of the 1996 SNES classic. It was one of the best games to grace the console back then amidst a sea of other incredible titles, and Nintendo did a great job of staying faithful to the game's charm and fun factor.
Sonic X Shadow Generations for PS5 for $26.99
Today Woot! is offering Sonic X Shadow Generations for even lower than what I saw during Black Friday. You can get it for only $26.99 (46% off) and if you're an Amazon Prime member you also get free shipping. Sonic X Shadow Generations is easily one of the best Sonic games in recent history. In our 9/10 Sonic X Shadow Generations review, Jada Griffin wrote that "Sonic X Shadow Generations takes an already excellent game and spring jumps it to new heights with a creative Shadow campaign and an appreciable graphical upgrade." This game is actually a collection of two games in one: a remaster of the 2011 Sonic Generations and - the highlight - an original campaign starring Shadow the Hedgehog.
Anker PowerExpand USB-C Hub for $12.50
Anker's handle little USB hub is 50% off for Amazon Prime members, now only $12.50 (normally $25). This versatile 6-in-1 hub features a USB Type-C port with up to 85W of passthrough charging, two USB-A 3.1 Gen 2 ports, an HDMI port (4K @ 60Hz), an SD card slot, and a 3.5mm audio output.
Preordered the iPhone 16E? Get a Screen Protector for $6
If you're in line to get the successor the the budget-minded Apple iPhone SE series of phones, then here's an early bird deal for you. Amazon has an amFilm iPhone 16e screen protector for only $5.99 after you apply coupon code "5PIM3OFI. Here's your chance to have a screen protector ready before your phone even arrives. AmFilm is an extremely well known and popular screen protector brand, and this particular model includes the auto alignment kit and camera lens protector.
GE Color Changing Night Light for $4.52
Night lights are an inexpensive, efficient way to provide a bit of practical accent lighting to your home at night. This GE color changing night light goes one step further by offering eight different colors to choose from, with a color changing mode for a bit of RGB flair. The built-in light sensor means it will automatically turn itself off when it isn't needed. It's normally well-priced at just $9, but there's a 50% instant discount right now that drops it to under $5.
Not all of the best deals are dirt cheap. Here are some excellent deals if you're willing to spend a little or a lot more depending on the items, including video games, TVs, gaming PCs, gaming handhelds, high-end chairs, and more.
WD Black C50 1TB Expansion Card for Xbox for $109.99
Starting today, Amazon has dropped the price on the officially licensed WD Black C50 1TB Expansion Card for Xbox Series consoles to $109.99 shipped. That's a 30% price drop from its original $158 list price and the best price we've seen for an officially licensed 1TB Xbox expansion card since Black Friday. The C50 is one of the best SSDs for the Xbox, which isn't surprising since your options are pretty limited.
Samsung 990 Evo Plus 2TB PS5 SSD for $129.99
Samsung's newest SSD - the Samsung 990 Evo Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe solid state drive - is on sale today for $129.99, which is actually lower than what I saw during Black Friday. This is an excellent drive for both your gaming PC and your PlayStation 5 console, with speeds of up to 7,250 read and 6,300MB/s write. This is a much faster drive than the 990 Evo non-Pro but not quite as fast as the 990 Pro. The main difference between this drive and the more expensive 990 Pro is that this is a DRAM-less drive. Because it is a single-sided SSD, it is power efficient and doesn't generate much heat, so you probably don't need to stick a heatsink on it, although you certainly could for peace of mind.
WD SN5000 4TB SSD for $199.99
SSD prices have been trending upwards for a while now, so it's much more difficult to find a fast 4TB M.2 SSD for under $200. Fortunately, there's one on sale today. Amazon has dropped the price of the WD SN5000 4TB PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 solid state drive (SSD) to only $199.99 shipped. This is a newer WD SSD that's actually quite speedy given the low price point, with sequential read speeds of up to 5,500MBps and write speeds of up to 5,000MBps.
44% Off Omron 10 Series Blood Pressure Monitor
One of the best health tracking devices you can get for home use is a blood pressure monitor, and Omron is perhaps the biggest and most reliable brand out there. Today, the Omron 10 Series wireless blood pressure monitor is down to $59.22 after a massive 44% off instant discount. I've owned an Omron blood pressure monitor for years; I test myself regularly and I've gone to the doctor more than a few times for elevated blood pressure, and the readings were hospital verified.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Headset (Refurb) for $79.99
Woot is offering a refurbished SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P gaming headset with 90-day Woot! limited warranty for only $79.99. A brand new model retails for $179.99. The Arctis Nova 7P is one of the best headsets you can get for PS5 and PC. IGN writer Matthew Adler reviewed the PC version of the Arctis Nova 7, saying: "SteelSeries continues to push the boundaries of what a headset is capable of. The Arctis Nova 7’s new design is sleek, lightweight, and still remains one of the most comfortable headsets I’ve ever used." I own a pair of these myself and highly recommend it.
$39.99 Nintendo Switch Video Games at Woot!
Woot! has also dropped several must-have Nintendo Switch video games from $59.99 to $39.99, a savings of 33%. You won't lose out even if you plan to upgrade to the Switch 2, since the new console has been confirmed to be backwards compatible with nearly all Switch games.
Nerf LMTD Halo Needler for $67.18
For you Halo fans out there, have we found a deal for you. Right now you can save 33% off the NERF LMTD Halo Needler Dart-Firing Blaster. It's normally $100, but this discount drops it down to only $67.18 shipped. NERF's LMTD is a collection of fan-service weapons that are designed after iconic weapons from popular movies and video games, and the Halo Needler is definitely one of the coolest looking guns in the lineup, with a lot of cool little touches like the needles and accents that light up whenever you grip the handle, a 10-dart rotating drum (10 Elite darts included, but it will also take standard darts), and a display stand that activates all the light-up features when mounted.
4-Pack Apple AirTags for $67.99
Amazon and Best Buy are both offering a four-pack of Apple AirTags keyfinders for only $6799. That's $30 off the retail price and only $16.99 for each AirTag. This is a very practical accessory for anyone who owns an iPhone and tends to lose small wearables like wallets, keys, or remotes.
Crucial X9 Pro 1TB Portable SSD for $69.99 (2TB for $120)
The Crucial X9 Pro is one of the fastest portable hard drives out there, thanks to a fast SSD drive and USB 3.2 interface that can deliver both read and write speeds of up to 1,050MB/s. The 2TB model is actually $10 less than the best deal we saw during Black Friday and, in my opinion, the best deal to get.
Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme Gaming Handheld for $449.99
Starting this week, Best Buy is taking $200 off the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme gaming handheld, now only $449.99. That's the lowest price I've seen for a brand-new unit, even during Black Friday. In addition, you get a free official ROG Ally travel case, one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and two months of a Crunchyroll Mega Fan subscription. The ROG Ally This is one of the best gaming handhelds currently available, especially if you don't want to be tied to Steam's ecosystem.
Preorder Elden Ring: Nightreign at Best Buy, Get $10 Gift Card
Elden Ring Nightreign is set to release for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC on May 30. A new standalone game set in the world of Elden Ring, Nightreign lets you team up with two other players to slice your way through an oppressive fantasy world. It’s kind of like a faster-paced remix of the original game. It’s available for preorder in a number of editions, so read on for the details about what comes in each one.
Preorder the HP Omen 45L RTX 5090 Prebuilt Gaming PC
HP just added the option to add the GeForce RTX 5090 GPU as an upgrade to one of its flagship HP Omen 45L prebuilt gaming PCs and, fortunately, it is very reasonably priced for a prebuilt RTX 5090 desktop relative to what we've seen from other brands. Put your order in sooner than later because, unless HP has readily available 5090 GPUs in its inventory (unlikely), these prebuilts will probably have a bit of a lead time before they ship out.
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.
IGN showed off an exclusive clip and interview with Scott Gimple, chief content officer of The Walking Dead universe, Maggie actor Lauren Cohen, and Negan actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan during Fan Fest 2025 Day 2.
Cohen described the mental state Maggie is in going into Season 2. “Sadly not everything is quite as rosy as it could be or seems or one would hope,” Cohen explained.
“My son is still a teenage boy and there are these natural tensions of navigating just family life. And I’ve got Ginny in my care and she’s a teenage girl. And so there are very relatable domestic dynamics that are playing out as we come back in Season 2, on top of this apocalyptic world and trying to eat and stay safe and sleep. That’s where we find ourselves before another big bad thing happens.”
Jeffrey Dean Morgan also talked about his character, Negan, who has gone from being despised to a fan-favorite.
“We find Negan very much under the thumb of The Dama and The Croat, and on some ground he’s not real familiar with,” he said.
“He’s going to try flip that script, of course. But he’s in a place that I don’t think he’s enjoying very much. At the beginning of the season we find him having a hard time with all of it. He’s always scheming and trying to figure out how he can get on top of the situation, but he finds himself in a hard spot.”
Jeffrey Dean Morgan also commented about Negan’s iconic baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire, named Lucille after his dead wife.
“The Lucille of it all, what can I say?” he said. “I love that thing! But I as an actor, that’s the only prop I’ve ever had my whole life I enjoy carrying around with me. It brought back very fond memories for me. Not for Lauren!”
Gimple also discussed the conflict going into Season 2. “There is no single big bad,” he said. “There’s a lot of shifting as far as the power ranking for this season. It isn’t all antagonistic. It’s a little more complex like that. It’s a little more political. And then we get kinda physical.”
IGN also has the opening minutes of the opening episode of Season 2 of The Walking Dead: Dead City, below.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
IGN Fan Fest 2025 has arrived and we're so excited to be sharing exclusive reveals, trailers, gameplay, deep dives, and interviews with the people behind some of your favorite movies, shows, games, comics, and anime.
IGN Fan Fest 2025 runs through Friday, February 28, and you can check out the full schedule right here. After an exciting first day with the ID@Xbox Showcase, Day 2 has begun and promises to focus on horror among other favorites.
We'll be gathering all the biggest reveals right here, and you can keep checking back as we will constantly be updating this roundup throughout the week!
Day 2
The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 2 Premiere Release Date Confirmed
It was revealed during IGN Fan Fest 2025 that The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 2 will officially premiere on May 4, 2025. In addition to the release date announcement, we also had the chance to interview Scott Gimple, chief content officer of The Walking Dead universe, Maggie actor Lauren Cohen, and Negan actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
Until Dawn Filmmakers on Adapting the PlayStation Game for the Big Screen
Alongside revealing two new photos from the Until Dawn film, director David F. Sandberg and producer and writer Gary Dauberman stopped by IGN Fan Fest to share what it's like to adapt a beloved PlayStation game for the big screen and why it won't just be a straight recreation of what we already know and love.
George R.R. Martin Teases Elden Ring Movie and In The Lost Lands
Game of Thrones' George R.R. Martin spoke with us about Paul W.S. Anderson's upcoming adaptation of his dark fantasy short story known as In the Lost Lands. In addition, he also looks back at working on the mythology of Elden Ring and a potential film adaptaion, his thoughts on The Fantasic Four: First Steps, and more.
Mayfair Witches Exclusive Clip Shows a Tease of Season 2 of the Anne Rice Adaptation
Check out an exclusive clip of Season 2 of Mayfair Witches where you can get a glimpse of the story that is set to unfold beginning on March 2 on AMC and AMC+. In this new season, Alexandra Daddario's Rowan Mayfair must wrestle with the fact that she unwittingly gave birth to the demon Lasher.
Fear Street: Prom Queen Gets a Release Date
With the help of R.L. Stein, IGN Fan Fest 2025 revealed that Fear Street: Prom Queen is set to arrive on Netflix on May 23, 2025. We don't have long to find out why all these "it" girls competing for Prom Queen at Shadyside High keep disappearing.
Last Breath Exclusive Clip Shows the Dangers of Being Trapped Under the Ocean
In this exclusive clip from Last Breath, we get to see a team of deep-sea divers who are doing all they can to help one of their own when they are trapped deep under the ocean. Last Breath, which is based on a true story, will be released in theaters on February 28, 2025.
The Alters' Latest Trailer Showcases Gameplay and Characters
The latest trailer for The Alters, the upcoming sci-fi adventure game from the creators of This War of Mine, puts a big focus on gameplay and the varying personalities of The Alters themselves. Get ready to survive in a high-tech mobile base on a hostile planet when The Alters is released on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5.
To help with the wait, players can check out of a demo of The Alters right now.
The Last Caretaker Is an Adventure on the High Seas All About Saving Humanity
Get your first look at The Last Caretaker, a game where you must sail across the ocean to help save humanity after our species was pushed to the brink. The game unfolds as a first-person survival action-adventure and you'll have to do all you can to "recover the seeds, reactivate the Lazarus Complex, and launch the last of humanity to the stars."
Day 1
Balatro on Xbox Game Pass, a New Look at Lies of P: Overture, and Everything Else Announced at the ID@Xbox Showcase
IGN was so excited to partner again with ID@Xbox for the latest ID@Xbox Showcase, and there were some big announcements from the brightest indie games out now and on our way in the future. From Balatro being available on Xbox Game Pass RIGHT NOW to new looks at Lies of P: Overture and Tron: Catalyst and so much more, there was a ton to celebrate.
NVIDIA has released a new version of the NVIDIA App which brings support for DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Gen to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Thus, I’ve decided to benchmark all its different modes and share my impressions of it. For these tests, I used an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D with a Gigabyte Motherboard X670E AORUS MASTER, G.Skill … Continue reading Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Gen Benchmarks→
Director/producer David F. Sandberg and producer/writer Gary Dauberman appeared on IGN Fan Fest Tuesday to promote their upcoming horror-thriller Until Dawn during which time they shed light on their approach to adapting the PlayStation Studios game for the big screen. We also have an exclusive first look at two new photos from the Screen Gems release hitting theaters April 25th.
(Our video chat with the Until Dawn filmmakers can be watched via the player above or the embed below.)
Sandberg, who began his career directing horror films like Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation, was eager to return to the genre after directing two Shazam! movies in a row. “Well, what horror do I want to do? A slasher or supernatural or whatever? And then Gary came along with this idea and I was like, ‘This is perfect because I get to do all of it,’ you know? So it couldn't have been a more perfect project to do after that.”
The Until Dawn movie follows a group of young friends who find themselves stuck in a horrifying time loop where each are slain over and over by a variety of terrifying threats. Their only hope to escape this vicious cycle before their limited numbers of lives run out is to finally survive until, well, dawn.
Scroll through the gallery below for two exclusive new photos from Until Dawn.
“I thought it was a great idea to do because the game is already a movie. It's the most cinematic game that I've played, the closest thing to a movie,” Sandberg said. “So it felt like doing the exact same thing would be just cutting out eight hours of stuff and condensing it into a movie and removing the interactive stuff, and that wouldn't have been as interesting to me.”
Dauberman, who shares screenplay credit with Blair Butler, echoed that sentiment. “I didn't want it to feel as if you're watching someone else play the game,” said Dauberman, who previously scripted the It and Annabelle movies. “So if we're not going to do that, we still want to be true to the spirit of the game, and how can we really explore the story further and push it further and expand the mythology, make the game part of a larger narrative?”
Until Dawn embraces a variety of horror movie sub-genres, from body horror to found footage to slasher films. Not wanting to reveal spoilers, Sandberg was coy about the reasons for the in-world shifts in sub-genres throughout the film: “What's mentioned in the movie is what's scarier than not knowing what comes the next day? You cannot prepare. Maybe you're dealing with the slasher villain one day, like, ‘Okay, we know how to deal with that,’ but then the next day it's like a supernatural movie, and all those rules you just learned just go out the window. It has to do with keeping people as afraid as possible.”
Dauberman was a bit more generous in his explanation, citing the character played by actor Peter Stormare. “The answer lies with Dr. Alan Hill, who is in the game and is in our movie and sort of that connective tissue from one to the other, and I think he has the answer to the question that you're looking for.”
IGN Fan Fest runs through this Friday, February 28, and includes exciting reveals and new looks at a wide array of upcoming games, movies, TV shows, anime, comics, and collectibles.
This year’s lineup includes Monster Hunter Wilds, WWE 2K25, Daredevil: Born Again, Mythic Quest, Devil May Cry, Novocaine, The Monkey, Godzilla, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Sonic the Hedgehog to name just a few properties.
A24, Mattel Films, and Daniel Kaluuya's 59% Productions are partnering to bring Barney to life on the big screen, and they're bringing on some more talent. The trio have announced Ayo Edebiri will be writing and potentially starring in the live-action Barney film.
Edebiri, who's won numerousawards for her work on the restaruant drama The Bear, is set to write the screenplay and is in talks to star. Alongside her work on The Bear, Edebiri's also recently voiced Envy in Pixar's Inside Out 2.
Few details have been released yet as to the actual story of this Barney film, or how the purple dinosaur will translate onto the silver screen. Barney & Friends was a staple for any kid growing up in the '90s, airing for 14 seasons on PBS and embedding the "I love you, you love me" song for decades after.
"Barney taught us, ‘I love you, you love me. Won’t you say you love me too?’ That’s one of the first songs I remember, and what happens when that isn’t true? I thought that was really heartbreaking," Kaluuya told EW.
With the success of other Mattel projects like Greta Gerwig's Barbie in 2023, it's easy to see how Barney could become a similarly twisting and nuanced take on a nostalgic property. Edebiri could be an X-factor when it comes to bringing Barney and pals to life.
The project will be overseen by Kevin McKeon and Andrew Scannell from Mattel Films, with Robbie Brenner as producer. Daniel Kaluuya and Rowan Riley will also produce. Kaluuya's 59% Productions recently released The Kitchen, which the actor co-directed, co-wrote, and produced, for Netflix.
Blue Moon will open in theaters at a date TBD. This review is based on a screening at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival.
While ostensibly a biopic of famed Broadway songwriter Lorenz Hart, Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon unfolds over a single evening in 1943. A fun, tragic, and impeccably focused film, its seemingly stage-like presentation soon gives way to wild cinematic energy centered around Ethan Hawke, who delivers a fine-tuned performance as the verbose, balding, five-foot-nothing Hart. Robert Kaplow’s screenplay reverse-engineers the story both from real reports and apocryphal whispers about one of Broadway’s most infamous evenings: Opening night for Oklahoma!, when Hart’s former creative partner, Richard Rodgers (Andrew Scott), kicked off his legendary run with lyricist Oscar Hammerstein (Simon Delaney), and Hart disappeared down a bottle while waiting to toast the creators and the cast at storied afterparty spot Sardi’s. Despite the compressed timeline, it unfurls entire lives, histories, and relationships from the minutiae of fleeting interactions, as Linklater’s theatrical staging takes on greater symbolic meanings while its literal, grounded drama passionately unfolds.
Linklater is hardly the kind of filmmaker who demands homework. You don’t need to know much about Hart going into Blue Moon (named for the popular standard ballad he penned with Rodgers), and the essentials are summarized through a radio broadcast early in the runtime. While “Rodgers and Hart” were an impeccable duo, they would arguably be eclipsed in theatre history by “Rodgers and Hammerstein” – an inevitability of which Hawke’s version of Hart seems painfully aware. A small man in more ways than one – he’s charmingly diminutive, but repulsively (albeit hilariously) condescending – Hart occupies an isolated bar room at Sardi’s for much of Blue Moon, lobbing faint praise and catty criticism at Oklahoma! until the guests of honor arrive. This sprawling section features only Hart, his bartender friend Eddie (Bobby Cannavale), the young bar pianist Morty (Jonah Lees), and a quiet writer often seated in the background and soon revealed to be Charlotte’s Web author E.B White (Patrick Kennedy). The latter isn’t merely a historical easter egg; Blue Moon’s who’s-who of mid-century New York royalty is purposeful in its construction.
In this cordoned-off area, Hart doesn’t just wait anxiously to congratulate Rodgers (despite feeling abandoned by him). He’s also giddily anticipating the arrival of his collegiate protégé, Elizabeth Weiland (Margaret Qualley). Hart, who was most likely queer, has a wonderfully complicated dynamic with Weiland: 27 years his junior, she’s a cross between gossip partner, breathtaking muse, and potential lover (who also happens to tower over him in every shot). Before she appears, Hart speaks of her excitedly to each of his companions at Sardi’s. As Blue Moon goes on, this trio slowly begins to reflect different aspects or projections of his personality, be it Eddie’s forced, outward masculinity, Morty’s wide-eyed, youthful optimism, and White’s measured reserve – as though he were some dignified, idealized version of Hart that could never be. They, along with Weiland, all come to personify the possibility and sheer beauty that exist around Hart, just outside the edges of the frame. In Linklater and Kaplow’s telling, the tragedy of Lorenz Hart is his ability to convey love, and the feeling of being loved, through words – whether or not he fully loves, or is ever fully loved himself.
Blue Moon, like Hart, has an intense love of language, so the fact that it’s largely made up of monologues (or swift dialogue exchanges once Sardi’s gets more crowded) is perhaps its biggest strength. Hawke pores over every word, and Linklater in turn moves his camera along with nearly every sentence, creating a relentless momentum even when nothing in particular seems to happen. These scenes may feel like a filmed stage play, but the moment Hart leaves his refuge and begins interacting with the other guests, the more the camera is forced to follow him on an intimate and chaotic journey through his most all-encompassing personal and professional fears.
All the while, Hawke is magnificent to behold, chomping on cigars and delivering a wonderfully magnetic performance that radiates the specific and familiar (as in snobbish and presumptuous) energy of the era’s New York theatre scene. He speaks in movie references, searing literary criticisms, and knowing riddles that reveal both adoration and desperate self-loathing. And while Hakwe’s stagey comb-over reveals the distinct borders of his actual hairline, the shaven portion of his forehead makes him seem almost like a monk worshipping at the altar of transformative arthouse performance. It’s the kind of acting born not from showiness (well, not only showiness), but from a deep and thoughtful understanding of the character.
Hart may be physically centered, and his purpose on this particular evening may simply be to congratulate the cast (and aggressively bump elbows with Rodgers on occasion), but Hawke imbues him with a melancholy verging on destructive. (It’s widely believed that the party pushed Hart off the wagon for good; he was dead just seven months later.) His mouth says one thing – usually something polite or passive-aggressive – but his expression betrays a deep, internal void born from fears of obsolescence. The blue-eyed Hawke wears jet-black contact lenses for the role, but you can see the whole world, and all its terrors, swimming in his eyes.
Ethan Hawke is magnificent to behold in Blue Moon.
In sharp contrast to the shifty, short-statured Hart, Scott’s handsome, no-nonsense version of Rodgers – for which he was awarded Berlin’s Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance – seems to channel James Stewart. He adores and abhors Hart in equal measure, eager to please and praise him while equally desperate to grab him by the collar and shake him out of his self-destructive stupor. You can intuit this all from the way Scott gazes upon Hawke.
Thanks to their proximity, Rodgers’ words cut his former partner deeply when the duo disagrees about their respective approaches to art and entertainment in the final years of World War II. This thread in particular adds a relevant thematic layer to their interpersonal drama: Both Hart and Rodgers (and several other characters in Blue Moon) are Jewish, and a moment rife with conflict and antisemitism forces them to take stock of how best to reach people through their work. Rodgers, through shows like Oklahoma!, is far more nakedly sentimental, while Hart harbors a more cynical, satirical streak. Fittingly, both these approaches feel ever-present in Blue Moon, a film that proves deeply captivating the further it gets into its runtime. Even at a mere 100 minutes, it feels like an entire lifetime lived and explored, all through the lens of regret, artistic disappointment, and the ways in which they trickle down into even the smallest of interactions and the most fleeting glances.
Connexion
