2K Games and Firaxis are giving away Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Platinum Edition for free on the Epic Games Store. Starting today and until July 24th, PC players can visit its EGS page and claim their free copy. The Platinum Edition features the base game and all the DLCs that came out for it. So, … Continue reading Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Platinum Edition is free on Epic Games Store→
SEGA and Atlus have launched the Steam store page for the Persona 4 remake, Persona 4 Revival, revealing that the PC version will use Denuvo. This doesn’t really come as a surprise. After all, all the recent SEGA games have it. Still, it’s good to know so early that this new Persona game will use … Continue reading Persona 4 Remake will use Denuvo on PC→
As glimpsed at the end of the new Mortal Kombat II trailer, Scorpion will confront Noob Saibot, aka Bi-Han, in the highly anticipated sequel. As Sub-Zero, Bi-Han (played by Joe Taslim) was slain by Scorpion/Hanzo Hasashi (Hiroyuki Sanada) at the end of the 2021 movie reboot. But Mortal Kombat fans always knew they hadn’t really seen the last of Bi-Han, especially since Taslim had previously confirmed he’d signed a multi-picture deal to play the character.
Considering that Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage is the main protagonist of Mortal Kombat II, just how much will the Scorpion-Noob Saibot subplot figure into the sequel, especially since Hiroyuki Sanada has become an even more in-demand (and award-winning) actor since the first film thanks to the success of Shogun?
“Without giving any plot points away, they have a very strong history that was unresolved in the first movie that probably needs to be resolved at some point and may or may not be resolved in the second movie,” Mortal Kombat II producer Todd Garner recently told IGN. “But their storylines are instrumental in the plot of the movie, which overall, does involve a tournament.”
Director Simon McQuoid confirmed that Scorpion “plays a pivotal role in this movie,” but added during his interview with us that “it's really just about giving every character a strong reason to exist in the world and giving them a way that each of them can start in one place and end in another. So we did that with Scorpion as well. He does an amazing job, Hiro again, and there's some pretty wild stuff he does with Noob, and it's very satisfying. It's exciting to know that the fans have got them waiting for them this wonderful epic fight that plays out.”
Garner cautioned that Scorpion is in the movie as much as Hiroyuki Sanada’s busy schedule allowed: “We would love to have had him even way more than we had him [in the sequel], but he has a huge career. He's a legend, and so we understand the importance of his character and wanted to give him his due, but also understand that this is for the most part in this movie Johnny Cage's journey, and that therefore, then we had to use Scorpion in the smartest way we possibly could think of to have the most impact on the story, which we hopefully have done, and give him his due in the fighting and the actual turns and twists of the story.”
“Making movies involves physics, it involves real life, it involves actors, it involves schedules, and it's not like we can just pick and choose the schedules of people and get them as much as we would hope,” the producer added.
While Johnny Cage is the biggest of the games characters introduced in Mortal Kombat II, he’s not the only fan favorite making their debut in the rebooted movie franchise. Kitana is played by Adeline Rudolph in the sequel, while Tati Gabrielle plays her best friend and bodyguard Jade.
“Kitana is the ‘daughter’ in inverted quotes of Shao Kahn and Sindel. We tell that story,” McQuoid said of his movie’s incarnation. “So we play out her journey and from very early on to what that then means for our story we have.”
“Then we have Jade,” McQuoid continued, “and they're just bringing a new feeling and a new tonal ingredients to the story and to the atmosphere of what we're creating. And it just made it feel more exotic and beautiful and interesting and brutal. Not to say that our existing characters, I really wanted to respect them throughout it as well. So it's just about fitting it all in and calibrating and balancing up all their stories.”
Given that the first film teased Johnny Cage’s character would be in the sequel, should fans expect a post-credits scene in Mortal Kombat II that could set-up another iconic games character that could be in a third film?
“No, it's not that kind of movie. There is a coda, but again, what we're very aware of, and this really comes to a real theory of New Line and why they're so great, is they don't expect to make a sequel. We have to earn that right,” Garner said.
“So we don't assume that we're going to get another shot at this because who knows, right? If we've done our jobs like we hope we have given the, again, restraints of physics and budget and everything else, and the audience tells us they enjoyed it enough to support it and give us the opportunity to make the sequel, then we will. But we're not going to give you some post-sequence to be like, ‘Oh, this is going to happen in the sequel.’
Because hopefully, look, I will say in the same way that the first movie said, ‘Hey, we got to go find Johnny Cage,’ there is that idea at the end of this movie that this could continue. It's not like we're peeling off all the characters and saying, ‘Okay, we're done.’ Obviously we could do more and we obviously have plans to do more and know what we would want to do if we're given the opportunity to do more, and so if we're given that opportunity, then we will, but we don't want to assume that we can.”
70 years ago today, Walt Disney woke up in his now-iconic apartment above Main Street, U.S.A.'s Town Square Fire Station and, after accidentally locking himself in his bedroom, he welcomed the world into Disneyland. Just a few days ago, I had the immense honor of sitting in that exact same apartment to exclusively speak with Disneyland President Thomas Mazloum for his first national interview about the past, present, and great big beautiful DisneylandForward of the only Disney park Walt ever stepped foot in.
While Mazloum first joined the company in 1998 as a hotel director for Disney Cruise Line and was most recently the president of Disney Signature Experiences, he's only been at the helm of Disneyland for the past few months. Still, he more than understands the weight of guiding over 36,000 employees, two theme parks, hotels, Downtown Disney, and the ambitious DisneylandForward development plan, and he couldn't stop smiling as he told me, "when you lead Disneyland, it's not a job. It's a real privilege."
"Just think about that, right? 36,000 people come to work here every day," Mazloum continued. "Beyond that, think of the impact that it has on Orange County and Southern California. We recently did another study with Tourism Economics, which found that we directly and indirectly support more than 102,000 jobs in the region and annually generate $16.1 billion in economic impact in Southern California. So, Disneyland has changed so many things economically, and it has changed the way people look at family entertainment."
To All Who Come to This Happy Place: Welcome
And just think, it was all started by a mouse. I obviously had to throw that line in there, but the truth of the matter is it all began back on a park bench in Los Angeles' Griffith Park, where Walt Disney was sitting one day and had a very important dream that would change everything.
"It came about when my daughters were very young, and Saturday was always Daddy’s day,” Walt said, as presented in The Official Walt Disney Quote Book. “I took them to different places and as I’d sit while they rode the Merry-Go-Round and did all these things – sit on a bench, you know, eating peanuts – I felt that there should be something built where the parents and the children could have fun together. So that’s how Disneyland started.”
There were many skeptics of this ambitious idea, including Walt's wife, Lillian.
Walt’s response? “I told her that was just the point – mine wouldn’t be.”
Walt and his incredible team made his dream come true and Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955, but it was anything but smooth. As I joked about in the intro, Walt even locked himself in his bedroom by accident in his apartment at Disneyland after not going to bed until 2am, and he could have missed that first day entirely.
“I decided to get some rest, so I got in bed in the little room above the Firehouse,” Walt said, as quoted by the Walt Disney Family Museum. “Everybody kept waking me up, so I got up and locked the door. When I got up this morning, I couldn’t get the darn door unlocked. I had to yell for help!”
But his troubles didn't end there. That first day, which some have come to call 'Black Sunday,' was rough. The blacktop wasn't fully dry and women's high heels would get stuck in it, counterfeit tickets were skyrocketing attendance, electrical fuses blew out on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, the Tea Cups were falling apart, and even the Mark Twain riverboat was sinking as too many passengers were aboard.
Despite these challenges and setbacks, Walt and his team rose above the problems and never gave up. In fact, Walt turned disaster into fortune, as he spoke one of his most iconic lines, which Mazloum told me he still holds close to his heart, to those who criticized Disneyland for not being ready for its first day.
"We will always draw from the past as it's part of our DNA," Mazloum said. "At the same time, we know we don't have to be beholden to everything because Walt himself told us Disneyland will never be complete as long as there is imagination left in the world. I think this was one of his most valuable quotes because, in many ways, it gives us permission to continue to evolve, dream, build, and to not be afraid of trying new things. He certainly wasn't afraid."
The Four Keys to Disneyland's Success
Dreaming is only one piece of the puzzle, however, as so much goes into making these dreams come true. For Mazloum, there are four key reasons as to why Disneyland is as successful as it is, and it all starts with the people.
For those unfamiliar, Disney employees are not just called employees, they are cast members. The areas you don't see at Disneyland are called backstage, which means the parks themselves are the grand stage where these cast members are tasked with performing to their highest ability. And it's all about the cast members. To quote Walt once again, "You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful place in the world… but it requires people to make the dream a reality."
"That is still true today. In fact, I would argue more than ever," Mazloum said with a laugh. "I do think I've always admired Walt as a visionary, and that statement about people, it laid the foundation of how we think about cast members. It laid the foundation of how we think about providing service in the parts and what it really means. It's why we're so focused on our kind of service, how we are providing it, and the friendliness of it."
"It's that feeling of having disconnected a bit from the troubles of the outside world and actually reconnecting inside of ours."
The second piece of the puzzle is the attractions themselves. For Mazloum, they are so much more than rides - they are a gateway into another world and the stories we hold so close to our hearts.
"We don't just have rides. What Walt started, and what we really do, is introduce people to stories," Mazloum said. "If you think about it, even before you go on a ride, we have this pre-show that is really all about immersing you in the stories. And I think Disneyland was really the first place, not only to create and rewrite family entertainment, but to really introduce storytelling into the theme of business in a safe and clean environment."
Speaking of a safe and clean environment, that is the third piece of Disneyland's success, and this responsibility is taken seriously from cast members of all levels.
"Whether it's me as the president of Disneyland or Susie who works in public affairs, when we walk through the park, and you can see it and observe it everyday, when you see something on the floor, whatever trash it is, you know to grab it and then dispose of it. It's just automatic for all of us.
"I often think about the statement by Lillian, of most theme parks back in those days being dirty, and Walt wanting to make sure families could come together in a beautiful place not littered by trash."
Lastly, Mazloum places the proper respect on the ever-evolving and truly delicious food and beverage choices at Disneyland.
"Of course you can get traditional theme park foods like popcorn at Disneyland, but if you look at the offerings today - from Tiana's Palace to Blue Bayou to Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree to Pym Test Kitchen - it's just as much about the story that we tell and understand our food isn't just food."
For Mazloum, there is one snack in particular that keeps calling back to him, and it can be found at Carnation Cafe.
"It's the fried pickles," Mazloum said with glee. "The fried pickles are sensational. I have Walt's Chili too for nostalgic reasons, but having those pickles and watching the people on Main Street going back and forth is, to me, priceless. Honestly, I was literally there last week. I have a little soft spot or weakness about that."
With all four of these keys to Disneyland's success revealed, Mazloum summed it up in a simple yet beautiful way.
"When all of these ideas are combined, they create what we are so grateful for, and that is the feeling that people have when they enter and leave our parks," Mazloum said. "It's that feeling of having disconnected a bit from the troubles of the outside world and actually reconnecting inside of ours.
"One of the most beautiful moments for me is when I see families of multiple generations walking through the gates together, and Mom and Dad tell me how they grew up and their Mom and Dad took them to Disneyland, and now they are choosing to bring their kids to Disneyland. I often feel like they are... it's almost as if they're reliving their own dreams again."
Walt Disney - A Magical Life Is an Inspirational Tale of Success and Failure
On the topic of reliving ones dreams, guests are now able to hear the story of Walt Disney himself thanks to Walt Disney - A Magical Life, which is now open at the Main Street Opera House.
I think it's hard to overstate how monumental of an attraction this is for so many reasons. Not only is Walt being brought back to life as an Audio-Animatronic, but the roughly 17-minute show gives you a glimpse into his life in spectacular fashion, including his greatest successes and, perhaps most importantly, his worst failures and how he never let them stop him.
One of the biggest drivers behind this attraction is ensuring future generations don't lose sight of the fact that Walt Disney was an actual person with hopes and dreams and not just a company figure. Furthermore, the amount of care and respect put into this project, complete with input from Walt's living family and the Walt Disney Family Museum, is as impressive as the unbelievable tech conjured up by Walt Disney Imagineering.
"It does tell the story of a man who was a visionary and had incredible ideas, but it also tells the other side of the story," Mazloum noted. "He had a few points where other people would've given up, but he said 'No, I'm not giving up. I'm going to work through these hardships and I'm going to continue to follow my dreams.' I do think there's something incredibly inspirational about that and I think it's actually extremely timely for today."
What's also special about Walt Disney - A Magical Life is that its located right at entrance to Disneyland, meaning guests can learn about the history of Walt and the park and understand their importance before embarking on the journey of leaving today and entering the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.
And those words Disneyland fans know all too well actually brings us to our grand finale - the future of Disneyland.
DisneylandForward Will Bring New Marvel, Avatar, and Coco Experiences, But That's Only the Beginning
When you ask most any Disneyland fan what they want to know about regarding the future of the park, they will undoubtedly say DisneylandForward. This exciting development plan, which was approved by the City of Anaheim in May 2024, will not only see a minimum of $1.9 billion invested into Anaheim in the next 10 years, but it will also make way for exciting new experiences from the worlds of Marvel, Avatar, Coco, and more.
While Mazloum wasn't quite ready to share any big revelations on DisneylandForward, he did reveal some exciting new details and insight into what they are most excited about for Disneyland's future.
We first touched upon the Avengers Campus expansion, which will see the Marvel-themed area double in size with two new attractions - Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab. Avengers Infinity Defense will see guests teaming up with the Avengers to go on a multi-world adventure to take down King Thanos, while Stark Flight Lab will see the return of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark and let guests feel what it's like to fly like Iron Man.
"When you see these two attractions, it will almost get the feel of Galaxy's Edge as it will be an entire land filled with Marvel characters," Mazloum said.
The "Avatar Experience" is next up and it promises to draw inspiration from Avatar: The Way of Water and upcoming Avatar films and bring Pandora, which already lives at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom, to Disney California Adventure.
"Avatar is another big one," Mazloum said. "It's going to be extremely unique and a place unlike anything you've ever seen before. It's just absolutely incredible and it will take the entire resort to a complete new level again."
"Coco is one of my favorites," Mazloum said with a smile. "I think it's one of the most beautiful IP that we have that resonates so well, especially with the audience here on the West Coast and in Southern California. It's just so beautiful."
Mazloum also shared that the recently announced parking structure (with approximately 6,000 parking spaces!) and transportation hub will "unlock" DisneylandForward and will start paving the way for Coco's attraction as soon as the garage is finished.
As for what else we might see from DisneylandForward, Mazloum gave an exciting tease about what may be in store for the years ahead and a sign Disneyland will never be content and will always be looking for new ways to excite and captivate guests from around the world.
"I just think right now we have so much left within Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm alone," Mazloum said. "And then of course there's Walt Disney Animation Studios. I think you're going to see some developing of movies that we haven't even announced yet that I would love to see. So, unfortunately, I can't give you specifics, but I think there's so much great stuff coming out from our studios that I'm absolutely convinced a few of them will be around here. We have a lot of stories left to tell."
We may not know the exact details of what secrets DisneylandForward holds, but Mazloum proudly shared what he knows, without a shadow of a doubt, will keep Disneyland the Happiest Place on Earth.
"The real magic behind all of Disneyland, meaning everything we build and how we deliver it, is how we make people feel," Mazloum said. "It's that human connection that's so difficult to replicate that we are going to take with us into the next 70 years. Disneyland is a place where the world is OK, everyone is welcome, and, most importantly, people can reconnect with each other. I think that value, that human value, makes this The Happiest Place on Earth."
Now it’s time for video games to get in on the act. Upcoming PlayStation 5 exclusive Ghost of Yotei is getting its own official popcorn bucket as the video game crosses the divide into blockbuster movie territory.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is working with Sony to showcase five classic samurai films inspired by Ghost of Yotei on the big screen in a programming series called Way of the Samurai, and as part of that it will launch a custom Ghost of Yotei-themed menu featuring appetizers, desserts, and cocktails “crafted to complement the mood and mythology of the films.”
But the big draw is the exclusive, 100-ounce Ghost of Yotei popcorn bucket modeled after a traditional Japanese rice bucket. The popcorn bucket launches today, July 17, at AlamoMart.com and will be available in theaters from August 2 to September 4.
The special Ghost of Yotei menu will be available at Alamo locations nationwide during the Way of the Samurai screenings.
The movies are:
LADY SNOWBLOOD (1973, dir. Toshiya Fujita) – A blood-soaked tale of revenge that
influenced KILL BILL and countless others.
LONE WOLF AND CUB: SWORD OF VENGEANCE (1972, dir. Kenji Misumi) – A
brutal, beautiful saga of a disgraced samurai and his infant son on a path of vengeance.
THE TALE OF ZATOICHI (1962, dir. Kenji Misumi) – The first installment of the
legendary blind swordsman series.
13 ASSASSINS (2011, dir. Takashi Miike) – A modern epic of strategy and sacrifice that
redefined large-scale action.
RAN (1985, dir. Akira Kurosawa) – The master's sweeping tragedy of power, madness,
and betrayal.
As for Ghost of Yotei, Sony recently revealed more information on the game during a dedicated State of Play. Ghost of Yotei launches October 2, 2025 on PS5.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Eyes up, Zelda fans, because The Legend of Zelda movie has its stars. Shigeru Miyamoto officially announced that Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will be taking up the iconic roles of Princess Zelda and Link respectively in director Wes Ball’s live-action Legend of Zelda film, currently set for release on May 7, 2027. It’s the first major update we’ve received on the film in quite a while, and the news plus the images provided by the studio of the pair are sure to stir up plenty of excitement from fans.
That said, the casting of young and relatively unknown performers in such iconic parts has raised some eyebrows. Still, it might actually be the best possible sign for the movie’s prospects.
Let’s take a look at why going this route is exactly what the Zelda movie needed.
Character Over Celebrity
Although both Bragason and Ainsworth are not making their debut here (Netflix viewers may recognize them from Renegade Nell and The Haunting of Bly Manor respectively), neither of them would at this point be classified as household names. This is a sharp contrast to Nintendo’s last theatrical franchise offering, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which filled its animated voice cast with known quantities like Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black. Going for big names worked perfectly well for that entry, to the tune of over $1.3 billion at the box office, but Zelda needs a different touch, especially because this film will be live-action and not animated. Although IGN’s Logan Plant previously made the case that the Zelda film should have been animated, Nintendo obviously felt differently.
The fact that we’re not getting major stars leading the live-action film indicates Nintendo understands the importance of how their characters are perceived in popular culture. Their most iconic stalwarts such as Mario, Samus, Pikachu, and most certainly Link and Zelda, are beloved both for their memorable designs and their consistent association with quality games, not because they really have depth in the traditional sense. This is why it didn’t negatively affect the Mario movie when the characters were played by big names. Even if some fans may have preferred the likes of Charles Martinet and Samantha Kelly reprising their most notable roles in the film, the animated characters still looked and acted like themselves, fulfilling audience expectations even with the more well-known voices (in this case Chris Pratt as Mario and Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach).
But live-action is something different. Since we’re getting to see real human faces play Link and Zelda, going with actors the audience are overly familiar with in these parts would have been a detriment. Since so much of Link and Zelda’s characterization is more inferred than directly portrayed in the games due to Nintendo’s heavier emphasis on gameplay over traditional storytelling, throwing big names into the costumes may have given off the air of famous people doing cosplay. Link especially will be a challenge to depict since he famously almost never speaks beyond “hyaah!!” shouts during combat, making us wonder just how the new film will develop his voice, or even perhaps if they’d risk not doing it. It would be faithful to the games if Link were silent, but it might be too unusual of a choice for a four quadrant blockbuster.
The Zelda movie will have to fill in a lot of the gaps in characterization left open by the games, so letting audiences see Link and Zelda as characters first instead of celebrities they have to compartmentalize will give Ball and his team more room to tell their story effectively.
Adapting to Adaptation
Nintendo and Ball selecting these two to lead the Zelda film also indicates that they know this project requires a high degree of creative integrity. Zelda is one of the most beloved video game franchises of all time, with numerous entries that have won Game of the Year awards. Ocarina of Time in particular is often called the greatest video game ever made. The Zelda brand has a standard for itself that Nintendo works hard to maintain, and not allowing typical Hollywood production problems to affect this movie needs to be a priority. Specifically, we’re referencing the unsavory practice of Hollywood producers sometimes necessitating that cast members have a certain number of social media followers, a trend that actress Maya Hawke publicly discussed earlier this year.
Whatever adaptational choices are made, going with unknown actors for Link and Zelda proves that Ball at least has the right mindset.
Going against that trend will allow the movie to focus on story over marketing, which is doubly important because of how hard it will be to adapt this series to a more narrative-driven medium. Not that Zelda games tend to have bad stories, mind you, but they’re generally more premise than plot, a backdrop to allow players the freedom to explore the game’s world and engage with its gameplay. Some players even spend hours just fishing in Ocarina of Time or building random contraptions in Tears of the Kingdom. That makes perfect sense for a video game, but a movie can’t lean on such mechanics, and will need to develop both the characters and setting in ways that gets an audience emotionally invested. There’s been some question as to how you’d even tell a Zelda story on film in the first place, since the games generally have little continuity between them and its principal lead doesn’t speak.
But those facts shouldn’t be looked at as insurmountable barriers. Wes Ball is an underrated genre craftsman, with a strong eye for believable world-building and tangible set piece craft. His most recent film, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, went a long way to show how much attention he pays to specific emotional stakes and great use of VFX. All of those skills make him a prime choice for helming Zelda, since its gorgeous, fantastical world and unique visual identity are such hallmarks of the series. Translating those aspects to film should be straightforward, but finding the right story will be the real task. And no, we don’t mean that he should directly adapt one of the more popular games, since as mentioned earlier, their narratives are suited to gaming, not film. No matter what Ball’s favorite Zelda game may or may not be (Twilight Princess heads unite), a Zelda movie will need to chart its own course, and that starts with performers who can truly disappear into the lead roles.
Whatever adaptational choices are made, going with unknown actors for Link and Zelda proves that Ball at least has the right mindset. We’ll see how the Legend of Zelda movie shapes up in 2027, but for now, this casting leaves us hopeful the movie will live up to its namesake.
Carlos Morales writes novels, articles and Mass Effect essays. You can follow his fixations on Twitter.
There's no shortage of variety in today’s deals. You’ve got Berserk’s original 1997 anime series on Blu-ray for under $36, which is about as cheap as it gets for a proper high-def release of that run. All 25 episodes, English dub and subs included. If you’ve been meaning to revisit it or watch for the first time, now’s not a bad moment.
TL;DR: Deals For Today
Beyond that there’s some surprisingly hefty discounts on proper desk gear. Anker Nano charging station is down to $35.99, which is decent considering it handles up to seven devices at once. And if you’re chasing a gaming monitor upgrade, LG’s 39-inch UltraGear OLED is sitting $550 off. 240Hz, G-Sync support, webOS built in. Let's get into it:
Destined Rivals Elite Trainer Box
Whilst this ETB is out of stock currently on TCG Player, the current pricing on Amazon is a full dollar below market value. Granted, its above MSRP, but if you want this ETB sealed for your collection or to rip it open right now, this is the going rate.
Where To Buy Japanese Pokémon Cards
Japanese Pokémon TCG booster boxes have far better odds at pulling chase cards, have far less bulk and are often half the price of English booster boxes. This also mean said chase cards are worth significantly less, but Japanese cards are far easier to get perfect grades in given they're always busting out of booster packs in perfect condition. Want a Pokémon card collection on a budget? Go for Japanese cards.
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Preorders
This is it, the beggining of a new expansion for Pokémon TCG. Best Buy have gone live with their preorder allocation for Mega Evolutions today, which mean Target and Walmart won't be far behind. Here's all the links you need and good luck trainers!
Pokémon TCG Price Updates
I can't believe I'm writing this, but Amazon has quite a bit of sealed Pokémon TCG product for under market value. Whilst that unfortunately means it's still way above MSRP, some of these sets are at the best prices they've been in the last month.
This Weeks Crashers and Climbers
Scarlet and Violet base set prices have been shifting noticeably ahead of the final sets Black Bolt and White Flare, with Psychic-type Illustration Rares like Ralts 211/198 and Kirlia 212/198 each climbing 28 percent this month while Gardevoir ex 245/198 now sits at $54.99 after a 25 percent jump. Miraidon ex and Koraidon ex are both trending upward as well, holding value around $23.99 each. At the same time several cards are sliding down as Fidough 213/198 dropped 15 percent, Armarouge 203/198 is down 11 percent, and Pachirisu 208/198 fell 19 percent. The steepest dips hit Dondozo 207/198 and Starly 221/198, now around $9.99 each after dropping 30 percent and 37 percent respectively, reflecting a market that is narrowing in on long-term playability and collector interest.
Last Weeks Crashers and Climbers
As newer Pokémon TCG sets grab the spotlight, Paradox Rift is seeing its high-rarity SIR ex cards drop in value while several Illustration Rares quietly climb due to shifting collector interest and low inventory. Cards like Altaria ex, Gholdengo ex, and Steelix have dropped between 16% and 25%, while Illustration Rares including Morpeko, Plusle, Minun, Groudon, and Iron Valiant ex are climbing fast, with Morpeko leading at a 43% increase. This mirrors earlier trends where less flashy cards gain traction as availability tightens.
MTG Edge of Eternities Preorders
Magic: The Gathering’s next set, Edge of Eternities, officially launches August 1 with preorders now live on Amazon for bundles including Play Booster Boxes, Commander Decks, and Collector Booster Boxes. Blending Magic’s iconic gameplay with science fantasy themes such as flying space whales and alien races, Edge of Eternities introduces four new mechanics: Void, Warp, Station, and Lander Tokens. Fan-favorite tribes like Eldrazi and Slivers return alongside reprints of coveted Shock Lands. Wizards of the Coast is gradually revealing more details, with a full card gallery arriving July 18 and prerelease events happening July 25 through 31, so now is the time to lock in your preorder if you want first access.
MTG Pricing Updates
It's a bit of a mixed back for Magic: The Gathering prices this week, so it's always worth double checking eBay before TCG Player and Amazon for a last minute bargain. Also, whoever thinks a Theros Beyond Death booster is worth north of $700 needs to have a word with themselves.
Berserk Complete 1997 TV Series Blu Ray
I keep circling back to this version of Berserk. It doesn’t rely on flashy effects or modern polish; it’s rough, it’s grim, and that’s exactly the mood it needs. For under $40, having all 25 episodes in HD on disc feels like the easiest way to revisit it or finally get around to it if you’ve been putting it off.
Anker Nano Charging Station(100W Max)
I finally grabbed one of these a couple of months back because I was fed up with cable chaos on my desk. Two USB-Cs, a couple of USB-As, plus normal outlets all in one spot. Now I just plug everything in and get on with things instead of hunting for spare sockets. It’s just less hassle.
JBL Xtreme 3
I don’t need a speaker this loud most days, but when friends are over or I’m out in the garden, it’s worth having. It’s chunky, sure, but you get enough sound and bass out of it that nobody’s asking you to turn it up louder. Plus I don’t have to worry about a bit of rain or dust wrecking it.
39 Inch UltraGear OLED
Sitting in front of a curved OLED like this feels like moving up a level from your usual flat screen. I wouldn’t have thought 240Hz would make much difference until I tried it, now everything else feels sluggish by comparison. If I was looking to upgrade, this would be high on the list.
Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD 2TB
I’ve swapped these into a couple of rigsnow, and it’s one of those upgrades where you notice the speed straight away. Big game installs or moving chunky files just don’t take as long anymore. For a couple minutes of swapping out a drive, the boost is kind of ridiculous.
Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle
Still struggling to get your hands on Nintendo Switch 2? The Mario Kart World bundle is available on Amazon right now, but it's invitation only. Make sure to request one, you've got nothing to loose. Unlike most invitation only products, Amazon was quite responsive when preorder invitations rocked up, so fingers crossed this is your golden ticket.
SanDisk® 512GB GamePLAY microSD Express Card
A $35 saving on a Micro SD card is a cracking deal right now, and will come in handy whilst trying out your OG Switch library on your brand new Nintendo Switch 2. These cards also guarantee fantastic performance playing Nintendo Switch 2 games, so it's a win-win.
Superman (2025) (4K Ultra HD Steelbook)
Superman 2025 is arguably DC movies returning back to form, not to mention Krypto being a good boy. It's already sold out once on Amazon, so get your preorder in whilst it's still available, I think this will be a gem in anyone's steelbook collection.
USB Type-C to A Cable 5 pack
More than 50% off a pack of five USB a to C cables? Yes please. These are always handy to have around, and no one wants to pay out of the nose for USB cables.
INIU Portable Charger 10000mAh 45W
This is ideal for carrying around when you've forgot to stick your phone on charge overnight, 45W is more than enough power to charge anything whilst using it, from phones to Nintendo Switch 2. So who can argue for $12?
TCL - 55" QM6K Series
144Hz refresh rate on a 4K HDR QD Mini LED 55" screen for under $450? There you go, that's all the selling this TV needs. TCL have a hell of a reputation for undercutting big brand TV names, and this deal is no different.
INIU 140W Power Bank
Need serious power on the go? INIU’s 140W PowerNova Power Bank delivers laptop-level charging with a massive 27,000mAh capacity that is airline approved. Charge up to three devices at once via two USB-C ports and one USB-A, including a dedicated 140W PD 3.1 output to top off a MacBook Pro 16" to 59% in just 30 minutes. The smart LED display shows real-time battery status, so you’re never guessing. Includes a USB-C cable, travel pouch, and INIU’s industry-leading 3-year warranty.
Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker
The Fitbit Charge 6 makes tracking your health and workouts easier and more connected than ever, with 40+ exercise modes, built-in GPS, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, and YouTube Music controls. Link it to compatible gym equipment to see your stats live as you move. It comes with both small and large bands, a sleek porcelain and silver finish, and a 6-month Fitbit Premium membership for deeper insights. Charge 6 works with both iOS and Android, and pairs perfectly with other Google products like Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Personal Fan with LED Display
Stay cool anywhere with TUNISE’s wearable neck fan, featuring a whisper-quiet motor and three adjustable speeds up to 4100 RPM. Its 5200mAh battery delivers up to 12 hours of cooling, while the clear LED display keeps tabs on battery life and fan speed. With a foldable, adjustable-angle design, this bladeless fan is as portable as it is stylish.
9-Outlet Anker 332 USB C Power Strip Surge Protector
Simplify your workspace with Anker’s 332 USB C Power Strip, packing six outlets, USB-C 20W Power Delivery, and Anker’s signature 8-Point Safety System. It protects against surges, fire risks, and overloads while keeping your devices topped up. The 5-foot cord and compact three-sided outlet design make it easy to fit anywhere in your home or office setup. Reliable charging meets smart safety in one sleek package.
INIU USB C Charger Block x 2
Charge two devices at once with INIU’s 30W dual-port USB-C charger set. Featuring GaN tech for cooler, safer charging, each block is 30% smaller than standard chargers and comes with foldable plugs for easy travel. Power up an iPhone 16 to 71% in just 30 minutes or juice up a MacBook Air with ease. This set includes two 60W USB-C cables, a user manual, and INIU’s industry-leading 3-year warranty for peace of mind.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection (Switch)
I picked up the Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection for Switch and it’s been a solid throwback to the old Duel Monsters days. I grew up playing these games, so jumping back in with the ability to duel online and unlock classic cards feels pretty great. The save-anywhere feature makes it easy to squeeze in a match during a break and come back to it later. I also like that you can rewind or fast forward during duels which makes testing out new strategies a lot more flexible.
Superman (Blu-ray + Digital)
I was hoping to grab the steelbook edition of Superman but it looks like that’s already sold out. The standard Blu-ray is still available though if you’re just looking to watch the movie without the collectible packaging. James Gunn delivers a Superman story that feels fresh while staying true to the character. There’s a solid balance of action, humor, and heart, and it sets a strong tone for what’s next in the DCU. If you’re into superhero movies that keep things grounded while still feeling big and cinematic, this one’s worth picking up.
Split Fiction (PS5)
I grabbed Split Fiction on PS5 recently and it’s been a great pick for co-op sessions. We gave it a 9 out of 10 and after playing it I can see why. It focuses on split-screen teamwork where you and a partner have to sync your actions to clear each challenge. I really like how each level introduces new mechanics and switches between sci-fi and fantasy settings so it never feels repetitive. Mio and Zoe’s story adds some extra depth too since they do not get along at first but that dynamic makes the whole adventure feel more personal as things ramp up.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds
AirPods Pro 2 are one of those earbuds I keep noticing for their mix of sound quality and thoughtful features. At $199, they offer a strong balance of value and performance. The active noise cancellation blocks out a lot of background noise while adaptive audio automatically adjusts based on your surroundings. You get four sizes of silicone tips for a customizable fit, and once those are set they stay comfortable even through longer listening sessions. The personalized spatial audio and hearing aid features add extra depth, giving them more flexibility than just a standard pair of wireless earbuds.
DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake (Switch)
DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake caught my attention for how it brings that classic RPG feel into a modern format. At $34.99, it’s a pretty big discount compared to the usual price, which makes it an easy pick if you’ve been waiting to try it. The HD-2D visuals really stand out with that mix of pixel art and depth that makes the world feel fresh but still familiar. Battles stick to the traditional turn-based system but with small updates like adjustable speed and auto-battle, so it doesn’t feel stuck in the past. The soundtrack ties it all together with that same timeless vibe DRAGON QUEST fans already know.
The Lord of the Rings Illustrated (Tolkien Illustrated Editions)
The Lord of the Rings Illustrated Edition feels like more than just a regular hardcover. At $30.07 it is a big drop from the usual $90 which makes it a sound deal. What really sets this edition apart are the illustrations with Tolkien’s own drawings maps and sketches included throughout. The full text is printed in red and black ink and there are details like sprayed edges and a ribbon bookmark that make it feel more like a collector’s item.
Suikoden I & II HD Remastered (Switch)
Suikoden I & II HD Remastered at $48.31 for the Day One Edition is an essential pickup for JRPG fans. The updated pixel art looks sharp without losing the original style and the new environmental sounds add a little more atmosphere as you move through towns and dungeons. Fattle fast forward and auto-save features make revisiting these games more modern and easier to play in shorter sessions.
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
Julian LeFay, former chief engineer at Bethesda and co-founder of OnceLost Games, is stepping back from game development due to his ongoing battle with cancer, the company announced yesterday.
In a video from OnceLost Games, producer Victor Villareal announced the news. "Our technical producer Julian LeFay, who I'm sure needs no introduction, has been fighting a battle with cancer for the last several years," said Villareal. "He's fought bravely and strongly, but it seems he doesn't have very much time left. He has stepped away from the project to spend that remaining time with his family and loved ones."
LeFay is often referred to as the "father of the Elder Scrolls" series, as he joined Bethesda Softworks after its founding in 1987 and led the company as Chief Engineer through games like The Elders Scrolls: Arena, The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, and Battlespire. Julianos, the God of Wisdom and Logic, and one of the Nine Divines in The Elder Scrolls, is named after LeFay.
Dabbling in various projects over the years, LeFay co-founded the studio OnceLost Games in 2019 with former Bethesda colleagues Ted Peterson and Vijay Lakshman, to work on a Daggerfall spiritual successor called The Wayward Realms.
Peterson penned a statement, released in the description of the announcement video from OnceLost games, tracing his history with LeFay.
"I could talk stories about our friendship and how we’ve worked together recently with our team on Wayward Realms as creative and technical directors, but I need to come to the point of this," wrote Peterson. "Julian has been courageously battling cancer. His doctors have informed us that his time with us is limited, and we are preparing to say goodbye to a true legend of the industry."
Peterson invited fans to share thoughts, prayers, well-wishes, memories, or simply the impact LeFay's life and work has had on them.
"To me, this is deeply personal, and I regret every second I didn’t spend with one of the most charming, smart, funny, and interesting people I’ve ever met," wrote Peterson. "It’s also a spur to action for me: I will not let down his legacy.
"That said, a final quote from the eminently quotable Julian LeFay," he continued. "He said this at our last team meeting, and I believe it represents him and his beliefs well. 'It is personal. And if it’s not personal, then you’re just doing work for hire and you’ll never have the motivation to accomplish a significant goal.'"
Jeopardy’s got one of us, folks. Current reigning champion Scott Riccardi just completed an insane 10-day streak on the beloved game show — and it turns out he’s an active Super Smash Bros. competitor online. Can we get a W in the chat for Scott, please?
Riccardi has amassed a whopping $262,101 over the course of his streak so far, and it seems he isn’t showing any signs of hitting the breaks in the competition. He beat the record for the most wins in season 41 back on July 15 when he hit his 9-day streak, so he’s really giving his other competitors a run for their money at this point.
As for his Super Smash Bros. life, Riccardi is an active competitor and his most recent bout was posted on YouTube — under his competitor name Biscotto — just four months ago. Eventhubs.com noted he’s not “winning major tournaments per se” but that he is currently playing competitively.
Interestingly enough, Riccardi’s earnings so far exceed the competition earnings of Super Smash Bros. legend LG|MkLeo by $100,000.
Prior to hitting day nine on Jeopardy, Riccardi beat out Laura Faddah, who was the reigning 8-day champ. Before that, three contestants were able to hit the six-day mark since the season began in September 2024.
Ultimately, Riccardi is one of only 18 who have managed to make it 10 days on the iconic game show, but in order to make his mark on the all-time leaderboard, he has to hold on for at least another week. If he hits 17 days, he’ll knock contestant Ryan Long from the top 10 with 16 days, but that alone might prove difficult. Speaking of records, host Ken Jennings holds the No. 1 spot with a 74-game streak.
Even if Riccardi never meets the heights of Jennings, though, he’s still killing it — and there will be tons of time for Smash Bros. when it’s all over.
The Epic Games Store is giving away Sid Meier’s Civilization 6 Platinum Edition away for free on PC for an entire week starting today.
The latest addition to the Fortnite maker’s free game offerings is no doubt one of the biggest deals of 2025, giving players a chance to pick up 2K and Firaxis Games’ 2016 strategy title at no extra cost from July 17 – 24. It’s an $80 value that nets players the base experience along with a whopping six DLC packs and two premium expansions, all free to own even after the offer expires. You can click here to claim the offer for yourself.
Everything Included in Sid Meier’s Civilization 6 Platinum Edition
Sid Meier’s Civilization 6
Civilization VI: Rise and Fall expansion
Civilization VI: Gathering Storm expansion
Civilization VI – Vikings Scenario Pack
Civilization VI – Poland Civilization & Scenario Pack
Civilization VI – Australia Civilization & Scenario Pack
Civilization VI – Persia and Macedon Civilization & Scenario Pack
Civilization VI – Nubia Civilization & Scenario Pack
Civilization VI – Khmer and Indonesia Civilization & Scenario Pack
Firaxis launched Civilization 6 nearly 10 years ago, with the historically based 4X strategy game now available to play across PC, mobile devices, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It’s an experience we gave a 9.4/10 in our review upon its release, saying at the time that it was “fully loaded with features and makes some very smart changes to its winning 4X strategy formula.”
The project was the primary way for fans to enjoy the Civilization franchise all the way up to February of this year, which saw Firaxis release its long-awaited follow-up, Sid Meier’s Civilization 7. Although the 2025 iteration adds new features, updated visuals, and more tools from across history to play with, it’s still got a few scratches to buff out. We gave it a 7/10, and in May, Take-Two addressed its “Mixed” Steam reviews (which have now dropped to the “Mostly Negative” for recent reviews), promising that Firaxis' work will result in a better game in the future.
Civilization 6, meanwhile, remains a complete experience, boasting “Very Positive” overall Steam reviews and a 4.7/5 stars from players on the Epic Games Store. If you play your PC games through the latter – or even if you don’t – there’s no reason not to pick up the Platinum Edition for free now that the deal is live.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
The 2021 reboot of Mortal Kombat, also directed by McQuoid, was released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max during the COVID-19 pandemic, where it became the streamer’s most successful movie launch ever.
“When we made the [first] movie, Warner Bros. didn't know how people were going to react. They didn't know. We didn't have a huge budget to do whatever we wanted to do,” Garner recalled. “We certainly couldn't compete with the huge superhero movies by any stretch of the imagination, so we were limited by the scale and scope of that movie because they didn't really know what they had.”
“The fact that the movie did so well on HBO Max, and obviously now that we have Mike De Luca at Warner Bros. and Pam Abdy, they really knew not only what they had from the numbers from HBO Max, but they also knew, Mike knew because he has such a fondness for the series. They gave us more scale, more scope to do the fights, more fighting, which is expensive quite frankly.” (De Luca, it should be noted, was a young executive at New Line Cinema in the 1990s where the original Mortal Kombat movies were produced.)
Watch the new red band Mortal Kombat II trailer:
"Most franchises don't start with the prequel. Most franchises start with the movie and then you do the prequel, because we have a movie that sets up the rules and sets up the world. It doesn't have a tournament, and now we wanted to make sure that we did the tournament and what people expect from the Mortal Kombat franchise," Garner explained. "And so coming into the movie with Johnny Cage being new to the tournament, [it's] not hard to follow."
Director McQuoid said a very large percentage of the film was shot in IMAX, which allowed for the scale of not just the fight scenes but the world of Mortal Kombat itself to level up.
“We've got some new characters coming in and some of those new characters are wild and otherworldly, like Shao Kahn. And when you've got characters like that, you have to swing for the fences, really,” McQuoid said. “I wanted to use what Mortal Kombat had by going to new realms and giving it a bigger, more wild [feel], more scope, and use the material that's just sitting there ready to be used. And so, in pushing into those new realms, and we go to Edenia and we spend a lot of time there, and that was exciting because it hasn't really been portrayed all that much… It was great to bring massive scale to that. And also some of the levels from the game, we were able to take those things and scale them up to a big and beautiful place.”
The director added that “there's some things in the IMAX version, some little story moments and little gems for the super fans that, if you see the IMAX version, you'll see something in that version that you won't see in the regular theatrical version. I just wanted to try and innovate and use the format in a way that really makes it a rewarding experience for the audience.”
“We didn't know if the general audience would buy an arrogant actor as the lead of the first movie, or would it be strange that it would be this arrogant actor in this basically martial arts movie? Did it feel weird?,” Garner said.
“For people who didn't know the game and didn't know the franchise, would it just feel like, ‘Wait, you have these guys with these superpowers that are doing incredible martial arts and this arrogant actor from the nineties? What is this?" It just felt like it was all over the place. So Liu was used in the first movie as the sage, the teacher, the wise one, which he is, and we knew we had to ultimately get to Johnny Cage because he's such a big presence in the franchise.”
Garner was candid about the challenges of casting Johnny Cage while also keeping fans happy. “I get it. Everybody comes to the franchise with their own love of it and their own feeling of what it should be,” the producer admits. “I'd have to make a hundred thousand different movies to please everybody.”
Garner specifically cites the factions of fans who lobbied for wrestler-actor The Miz, martial artist-actor Scott Adkins, or movie stars like Ryan Reynolds and Glen Powell. “Those two gentlemen have massive careers and schedules and they make untold lots and lots of money that probably wouldn't have necessarily fit into our budget, let alone our schedule,” Garner said.
“What we tried to do with this movie in the casting from the get-go is not have celebrity casting of like, oh, it's so-and-so playing Liu Kang. We wanted it to be Liu Kang, we wanted it to be Scorpion, we wanted it to be Sub-Zero, Jax, and so forth. So it wasn't like we were going for the biggest star. We wanted to try to bring the best to the characters, and Karl, he's an incredible actor. I'll put him up against anybody, and for this journey of this movie, we needed somebody to embody Johnny Cage, and he did that.”
The Johnny Cage of Mortal Kombat II, however, is not quite the same blowhard typically depicted in the Mortal Kombat games or past film and TV adaptations. Not initially, anyway. “When we first discover Johnny, he is sort of lacking a lot of that quintessential spark that I think fans of the game will know,” Urban told IGN.
“We start him at a very low point. His career is completely in the dumps. He has no self-confidence. He has neglected his martial arts training. And at his lowest point, he gets called up to, essentially, be a warrior that represents the Earthrealm and fight for the very future of humanity. And as I read the script, I found it just such a compelling, interesting, dynamic journey. We start this character in one place, and as an audience, we get to see him evolve and grow.”
“A wonderful facet of the writing is they really humanize the character of Johnny and he's not some [two-dimensional] character, not that he ever was, but he has room to grow. And he certainly does that as he gains his confidence and gains his belief in his self, [and] some of that sort of cockiness and swagger starts to come through.”
While Urban has long known of Mortal Kombat, he credits playing the game with his kids – and losing soundly to them – with making him fall in love with the franchise. “When Mortal Kombat first came out, and I think it was around '92, I was so broke, I couldn't even afford a PlayStation, let alone the game, so I sort of missed out on the initial wave in it,” the Star Trek and The Boys actor recalled.
“When I heard that they were doing a second installment of the film and that Johnny Cage was going to be a huge part of it, we were very proactive about seeking out the director and the producers and getting a hold of the script, which was fantastic,” said Urban. “Jeremy Slater wrote an amazing script. And yeah, I just couldn't be more thrilled, not only to portray this version of Johnny Cage, but just to be a part of the Mortal Kombat world.”
To prepare for the role, Urban consumed everything he could about his iconic character and the Mortal Kombat franchise and he also underwent training that he described as “the most difficult fighting that I have ever done in my career.” But while the physical aspects were “a huge challenge,” Urban said his main objective as an actor was making Johnny Cage feel like a real person.
“For me, the challenge, really, was to ground the character in a reality and to give him a backstory. And my research, apart from absorbing everything I could about Mortal Kombat and what had been done with Johnny Cage previously and what had been done with him in the games, was to then really formulate a backstory,” Urban said.
“Part of my research is I went along to a bunch of karate tournaments and looked at young kids coming through and just absorbing myself in the culture and imagining young Johnny before he was plucked out of that into movie stardom, what that was like. And I found that just a really wonderful and fascinating experience and a real eye-opener.”
"Mortal Kombat II is to Mortal Kombat what The Road Warrior is to Mad Max.
Urban assured me that “fans of Johnny Cage are going to be super delighted by the signature moves and all the nods and elements that we've worked so hard to infuse into the movie.” While Urban spoke of the reverence and fan service the filmmakers have put into Mortal Kombat II, he also acknowledged that “the objective is also to make it accessible to a new audience. We are making this film also, not only for fans of Mortal Kombat, but for fans of cinema and for fans of fun, action, adventure, martial art movies. And you don't have to have even played Mortal Kombat or even seen the first film to jump straight into this.”
Urban then paid the film one of the highest compliments an action movie could receive: “I think Mortal Kombat II is to Mortal Kombat what The Road Warrior is to Mad Max. I think that everybody across the board has leveled up in a significant way right across the entire production. And I think this representation of this world and these characters is the best we've seen. And I'm super excited for an audience to see it. As you've seen from the trailer itself … it looks like a significant level-up.”
Mortal Kombat II opens in theaters October 24, 2025. Look for more from IGN’s exclusive interviews with the filmmakers soon.
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