Full spoilers follow for Pluribus Episode 5, “Got Milk,” which is available now on Apple TV.
Man, the whole planet is pissed off at Carol this week, that’s for sure.
That includes her fellow un-infected, Laxmi (Menik Gooneratne), who calls her from across the world to rip Rhea Seehorn’s Carol a new one for making her son cry. I mean, she made the entire human race cry, save 13 people, but Laxmi is mostly upset about her son.
It’s fun that Laxmi and Carol can’t find common ground no matter what, despite the dramatic shift in human history that took place eight days ago. But what’s most interesting in this episode is how the Joined are all giving Carol the cold shoulder. Like I said last week, it’s hard not to feel bad for what Carol did to Zosia (Karolina Wydra), sending her into cardiac arrest after drugging her and all. And even though we’re talking, again, about an incredible alien-influenced event that has dramatically changed humankind, it’s hard not to see where the Joined are coming from on this one. They just don’t feel like they can be around Carol anymore.
Which means that Pluribus Episode 5 puts Carol in a very The Last Woman on Earth place. We may have seen how Manousos (Carlos-Manuel Vesga) was living his best The Omega Man life last week (or actually his worst life, eating garbage and whatnot), but now Carol is truly getting a chance to have an entire city (and its surrounding area) to herself. It’s maybe not as great as she thought it might be? The mass purge event of Albuquerque, with a church-like choir playing on the soundtrack as everyone loads up in cars, buses, etc. to leave the city, certainly sells the “group” in group-think aspect of the Joined. Hey, they just need a little space!
Seehorn continues to keep the laughs coming – albeit the darkly fatalistic laughs – as Carol tries to navigate this new iteration of the post-Joined world. Her video message to the other 12 non-infected is great as she does her best to convince them that they need to band together not just for their sake, but also for all of humanity. Amusingly, she can’t help but lecture them all, no matter how cheery and optimistic she tries to be, and the stilted sign off of “Good luck and godspeed!”, followed by an awkward clearing of her throat, is just perfect. (It’s a little less fun/more sad later when she deletes the video with her scientific, I guess, finds, as the loneliness and desperation of her current situation really start to kick in.)
Of course, the big question coming out of “Got Milk” is what’s really up with the milk of the title?
“Got Milk” has other moments of humor, like the drone – first glimpsed in the initial and puzzling teaser trailer for the show this past fall – that can’t quite handle the weight of all that garbage, and winds up as the neighborhood’s newest ornament wrapped around a street lamp pole. But it’s also pretty intense at times, particularly when those wolves start staking out Carol’s house. It actually makes sense that they would, since the Joined seem pretty organized and surely would have cleared the area of most of the garbage and food stuffs that the wolves would be attracted to. That means Carol is the only game in town, but it also means that Helen’s fresh grave is open game.
It’s pretty intense when Carol sees the wolves digging at the grave, and when that one wolf snarls at her it’s suddenly driven home how alone Carol is at this point. But Charlton Heston would be proud of her response. Sure, she couldn’t figure out how to get the shotgun out of its holder (turns out you press a button), but her quick wits prevented a potentially horrific (and messy) situation. Seehorn sells it too after she’s smashed through the fence with her cop car and sits parked over the gravesite, just panting before eventually falling asleep during her all-night vigil.
Of course, the big question coming out of “Got Milk” is what’s really up with the milk of the title, the stuff that definitely isn’t milk and which the Joined are so into? Carol may not be great at science, but she’s done a pretty good job on the sleuthing front in terms of following the trail of the milk’s production pipeline – and all without Google Maps apparently! Her gasp which ends the episode, delayed for a beat as she takes in the scope of whatever it is she found under that tarp, is extremely effective.
What did she find!? Tune in next week…
Questions and Notes From Kepler-22b
So they’ve got kids working jobs too, like that one who’s pushing a cart around in the hospital? I guess that clocks. They don’t need to go to school anymore, after all. (Even better: It’s a medication cart he’s pushing around. Because there’s no worry that he might accidentally or intentionally take drugs that aren’t meant for him.)
The constant back and forth with the Joined’s voicemail system might seem kind of familiar to anyone who has tried to make a doctors appointment or deal with customer service one way or another these days, though the Joined are at least way more efficient.
I wonder if the Joined were worried about Carol during the whole wolves incident. Actually, are they still watching her with satellites?
Even though Apple provided press screeners for the first seven episodes, I’ve been watching them one at a time so I don’t get too far ahead for these reviews. So I have no idea what’s under that tarp, but my gut tells me it’s gonna be a Soylent Green is people situation, eh? If so, then Charlton Heston’s legacy really is all over this show!
I’ve read the Harry Potter books at least half a dozen times throughout my life, but it’s been a long time since my last run-through. It’s a lot easier to just turn the movies on in the background at any given time instead of actually sitting down to read the actual books. Since I’d been meaning to crack open The Sorcerer’s Stone again one of these days but just never got around to it, I was all too happy to give the new full-cast audiobook a try.
I was genuinely surprised just how much I liked the story in audiobook form. The narrator is excellent, the voice cast is stacked, and the background noises are absolutely on point for every situation. All of these things together created a depth that stirred up a similar feeling I had the first time I actually read Harry Potter cover to cover. It’s that feeling of being so fully immersed in a book that you feel like you’re actually there.
The convenience of being able to listen to a movie-like version of the book while doing chores was pretty awesome.
Don’t get me wrong, I still think reading the book is the best way to enjoy the story. But these audiobooks are a more theatrical experience, and one you can have while doing other things. The full-cast edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone took more than eight hours to listen to, but I could easily turn it on while doing the dishes or walking my dog (and totally did just that). The convenience of being able to listen to a movie-like version of the book while doing chores was pretty awesome.
I didn't fully realize what I loved about the audiobook until I got all the way through. It wasn't just that it drummed up that same nostalgia I felt when I was a kid, it's because it solved the main complaint I had when the first movie came out. If you haven't read the books in a while, you might have forgotten just how much is left out of the movies. It's impossible to fit all of the little in-between moments into a film, but I remember feeling slightly disappointed after watching The Sorcerer's Stone for the first time in theaters. Where were all of the little things I remembered from the book? The audiobook does a great job of bridging that gap, even if its only in the form of sound.
Is It Worth Getting an Audible Subscription For?
Audible launched the first full-cast Harry Potter audiobook at the beginning of November around the same time it launched its Black Friday Audible deal. This obviously isn't a coincidence, but if you are interested in listening to this I think it's absolutely worth it—especially if you've never subscribed to Audible before. While the deal lasts you can get three months of Audible for only $0.99 cents as well as a $20 bonus credit. You get one book credit per month you can use, so signing up will basically get you The Sorcerer's Stone for only $0.99 cents.
The only down side is that Amazon sets you up to auto-renew your subscription once those three months are up and will start charging you the full $14.95 per month. But as long as you cancel before then, you're fine.
As for whether or not an Audible subscription is worth it in the long run really just depends on how often you listen to audiobooks. I've had a subscription off and on over the years to listen to various things, but ultimately decided I just wasn't listening often enough to justify the cost. So deals like this one are a great way to try it out for cheap before you fully commit.
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 8 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.
Full spoilers follow for Stranger Things: Season 5, Vol. 1, which consists of four of Season 5's eight episodes. Vol. 1 premieres November 26 on Netflix, with the next three episodes debuting on December 25 and the series finale debuting December 31.
There’s been a lot of grousing from critics and audiences alike that it’s taken Matt and Ross Duffer nine years to bring Stranger Things, their ode to ‘80s nostalgia and sci-fi storytelling, to a close. But the thing about Stranger Things as a series is that as soon as fresh chapters drop, you remember exactly why it’s worth waiting three years and four months for new episodes. Pound for pound, the Duffers, their collaborators and their stellar cast use their time away to deliver impactful character moments, surprising mythology twists, and emotional stakes on a level that few blockbuster movies can even hope to achieve.
This is the final season of the series, which means the expectations are arguably the highest they’ve ever been for the Duffers to pay off what is essentially a battle to determine a sovereign reality: the Rightside Up (ours) or the Upside Down (Vecna’s). Aside from a clunky first episode that’s saddled with disseminating the exposition needed to get the audience up to speed, the first block of episodes does an increasingly thrilling job of laying out the stakes for our heroes and setting up the major threats, both militarily and Vecna-wise. And it culminates in a Chapter 4 climax that rivals anything the show has ever pulled off before in scale and cinematic ambition.
But to start, the Hawkins, Indiana, we return to is much changed from when it was first introduced in 1983 as an idyllic example of middle-class suburbia. In the 584 days since the events of the Season 4 finale, when Max’s (Sadie Sink) brief death tore open Vecna’s (Jamie Campbell Bower) gates to the Upside Down and his realm bled into Hawkins, the town has sort of been cosplaying what it once was. It’s now a militarized zone, quarantined from the rest of the state by barbed-wire fences and checkpoints, and filled with soldiers who monitor the breaches and the residents who didn’t flee.
Amongst those stubborn Midwestern remainers are Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) and her kids, the Wheelers, the Sinclairs, the Hendersons, Robin (Maya Hawke), Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Hopper (David Harbour). Our familiar players have a shared secret purpose, operating under the radar of their fellow citizens and the military while trying to figure out what’s become of Vecna, who has essentially disappeared since Max went into her coma. Under the powerful transmission tower of the WSQK radio station, Nancy (Natalia Dyer), Steve (Joe Keery), Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) and Robin work to use the site’s equipment and remote location to plan covert Vecna scouting missions for Hopper into the Upside Down. All the while, Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Will (Noah Schnapp) and Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) continue to go to school, but assist as lookouts and field support during operations.
The Hawkins, Indiana, we return to is much changed from when it was first introduced in 1983 as an idyllic example of middle-class suburbia.
In general, the united allies are as purposeful and organized as they’ve ever been, with the exception of Dustin, who hasn’t been the same since the death of his buddy Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn). In the aftermath, he’s become bitter, angry and defensive of Eddie, who is still vilified by their community for his perceived demonic pursuits through the Hellfire Club. Dustin’s surly ‘tude is a welcome and realistic turn for the typically sunny character, and it forces the rest of his circle — especially Will — to take up the creative and mental slack as they try to anticipate Vecna’s quiet machinations. Matarazzo remains a cast MVP and his performance ensures that Eddie’s death matters, as his character wrestles with the pain he can’t quite process healthily. His is a standout characterization this season, along with Hawke’s energetic and witty Robin and Schnapp’s more assertive take on Will, who bristles against Joyce’s overprotectiveness and moves away from being the victim of the group.
At this point in the series, there’s also an abundance of Hawkins support characters to weave into the narrative because the town was built out to be a fully realized community. Which means the welcome returns of Karen Wheeler (Cara Buono), loud Murray (Brett Gelman) and Lucas’ salty sister Erica (Priah Ferguson). There’s also a new playable version of a more grown Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher) and even her bully classmate, Derek Turnbow (Jake Connelly), who together bring back the kid vibes that have always made Stranger Things special. In general, few shows have created an ensemble net as successfully as the Duffers have in Hawkins, which means they can draw on even minor players to create unexpected jeopardy, or touchback on the show’s own mythology and history with purpose. And they do.
Aside from the threat of Vecna, Season 5 continues the secret-lab throughlines that originated with Dr. Martin Brenner’s work as revealed in the first season. There’s been a sinister baton-passing to Linda Hamilton’s Dr. Kay, and while her overall motives are unclear, it can’t be good that she’s figured out how to run a lab in the Upside Down where she hoards an abundance of nasty critters (a la Bishop in Aliens) to dissect. She’s also protecting a secret room which El and Hopper, who spend the majority of these episodes together in the Upside Down, will eventually infiltrate. Hamilton is always a positive in any cast but she’s just simmering so far.
Assessing the four episodes as a mini-season, "Chapter One: The Crawl" (written and directed by the Duffers) is the least graceful of the pack as it stuffs its 71-minute runtime with an overwhelming amount of information. There’s a lot of servicing the plot first at the expense of smaller character moments. For example, the new radio station initially functions as a way for Robin to give the audience an exposition dump, which leaves it feeling like the least organic set piece of the whole series. Let’s just say, it’s no Hawkins Lab or Starcourt Mall. Another sin of the episode is several one-note character scenarios that feel below the caliber of the cast. Steve and Jonathan’s basic bitch rivalry over Nancy’s attentions is kind of dumb, and reducing El to just an obsessed training machine, which again triggers Hopper’s worst protectionist instincts, feels like a regression of their dynamic.
However, the Duffers get their mojo back by “Chapter Two: The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler," which returns the series to its horror roots. It opens with a terrifying Demogorgon attack that evokes one of the most memorable scenes in Poltergeist and immediately puts three long-time characters in mortal jeopardy. The episode also signifies a more natural return to the show’s multiple plot structure where the Duffers are able to balance their large ensemble by clustering characters together on their own missions. One of the freshest pairings is having Will and Robin together. As he’s exploring his reactivated connection to Vecna, Robin’s independence and confidence gives him not only someone to look up to but also the only person he can talk to about his burgeoning same-sex feelings.
The legendary Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Mist) directs "Chapter Three: The Turnbow Trap,” which lets him rip with period-piece elements, Commando-style action sequences in the Upside Down featuring El and Hopper, and the establishing of Holly as the unexpected focus of Vecna’s attentions. He gets to showcase the quiet menace of Bower’s Henry persona and show his prowess in working with kids. He’s also gifted with framing an excellent reveal at the end of the episode that puts wind into the sails of the whole show heading into the climactic last episode, "Chapter Four: Sorcerer.”
The Vol. 1 finale, written and directed again by the Duffers, is equal parts love letter to Madeleine L'Engle’s teen sci-fi classic A Wrinkle in Time and to ’80s action films. Sink’s Max returns to the story changed yet even more admirable in her role as protector of Holly and relentless fighter against Vecna. And then the episode shifts into action mode, with the climax especially featuring some of the brothers’ finest work on the series, rivaling prior season finales for its sheer scale and consequential reveals. It also exceeds what’s come before in Stranger Things’ depiction of graphic violence, so be warned if you’re watching with younger viewers.
There’s a lot to admire here about how the Duffers blend their converging storylines into a propulsive The Great Escape-meets-Children of Men mashup sequence. Using oners and exceptional pacing in the edit, this is an audacious closing battle that dares to cross-cut between an Upside Down jailbreak of children with a Demogorgon orgy of violence. It leaves things on a breathless note, but sets the viewer up for the last four episodes with a clearer understanding of Vecna’s plans, an unexpected realignment of how Will’s simmering connection might flip the power dynamic, and provides a path for Max’s return to the fold. There’s also a fantastic callback to Season 2 that might rectify one of the show’s more controversial story arcs. Fans will be feeling the high of the cliffhanger, while knowing there’s only a month before the story gifts audiences with a final resolution.
Looking to keep your next PC upgrade under $1,000? This might very well be the most powerful gaming PC without breaking that threshold. For Black Friday, Walmart is offering an iBuypower Slate RTX 5070 gaming PC for just $999 with free delivery. This is a $100 price drop compared to the previous historical low price I saw during October Prime Day and possibly the first time I've seen any RTX 5070 equipped prebuilt priced under $1,000. The RTX 5070 is an excellent choice for gaming at 1080p or 1440p, especially in games that support DLSS 4.
iBuypower Slate RTX 5070 Gaming PC for $999
The iBuypower Slate gaming PC is equipped with an Intel Core i5-14400F processor, GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card, 16GB of DDR5-5200MHz RAM, and a 1TB M.2 SSD. The Intel Core i5-14400F is a 14th gen Raptor Lake Refresh CPU with a max turbo frequency of 4.7GHz and 10 cores. This is a solid processor for both gaming and productivity work. It doesn't run as hot as a Core i7 or i9 chip, so the 120mm tower heatsink and fan provides more than adequate cooling.
The GeForce RTX 5070 GPU is an excellent choice for 1080p or 1440p gaming
Compared to the previous generation GPUs, the RTX 5070 offers a slight performance improvement over the RTX 4070 Super, which was and still is an excellent GPU. The fps gain is much greater in games that support DLSS 4 with multi-frame generation. At this price point, a prebuilt gaming PC is more likely to be equipped with an RTX 5060 or RTX 5060 Ti GPU, and the RTX 5070 is considerably more powerful than either. This is the best GPU for 1080p or 1440 gaming without overspending. It is fully capable of running non-demanding games at 4K resolution as well. The next card up - the RTX 5070 Ti - is significantly more expensive and really for gamers who want high fps 1440p or high-demand 4K gaming. Check out our GeForce RTX 5070 review for our hands-on impression and benchmarks.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
We have yet to see any Nintendo Switch 2 deals so far during Black Friday sales, but that was pretty much expected. Nintendo announced the entirety of its sale plans earlier this year and consoles weren't mentioned at all. Unfortunately, the same goes for Nintendo Switch 2 accessories. If you're looking for a discount on the new Switch 2 Pro controller, you're mostly out of luck.
I say mostly because it is actually possible to save a little bit if you don't mind buying used or going with an import model. These methods will only help you shave off a few dollars, but with how expensive the controller already is, everything helps.
Nintendo Switch 2 Controller Deals for Black Friday
Buy Used From Amazon
The first method that can get a slight price reduction is by buying used from Amazon. This does mean that you'll be buying an item that has likely been opened, so there are risks there, but a discount is a discount. It is worth noting, though, that Amazon's Resale store doesn't have any of these controllers available so you'd be buying through third-party sellers. If you don't want to risk it, you can always just buy it for full price directly from Amazon.
Get an Import Model at AliExpress
Your other option for a discount is to go with the AliExpress route and purchasing an import model. You'll need to use the coupon code AEUS12 at checkout to get the full discount, but that's easy to do. As an import model, you'll be getting a regular Switch 2 Pro controller, but in a Chinese box. AliExpress ships its products from a U.S. based warehouse, so you don't need to worry about shipping delays or tariffs jacking up the price. Since it is an import model, however, it's not the same as a straight up discount from a major retailer like Amazon, Walmart, or Best Buy.
Is a Switch 2 Pro Controller Worth It?
You don't necessarily need a Switch 2 Pro controller, but it is nice to have. I still haven't purchased one myself as I've been able to rely on the standard Joy-Cons and my older Switch Pro controller so far. With that being said, the Switch 2 Pro controller is and upgrade. Our gaming accessories expert Michael Higham did a thorough review of the controller and called it a, "premium product at a premium price." Stating that, "if you mostly play your Nintendo Switch 2 docked, getting the new Pro Controller is a layup – you’ll definitely want something better than using the new Joy-Con with the grip attachment that’s included with the console, and the C button and back buttons give folks who already have a go-to Switch controller a reason to upgrade."
The RedMagic Astra follows on the heels of RedMagic’s earlier Nova gaming tablet, seeming to change little except upgrading to the newer Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. That’s an exciting change, though, as it’s an extremely powerful chip that has made recent Android gaming phones all the more impressive. With a quality display, promising performance, and a $549 price tag, the RedMagic Astra could very well be a worthy alternative to gaming handhelds if you like the Android games available to you and don’t mind dipping your toes into cloud gaming or emulation from time to time.
RedMagic Astra – Design and Features
The RedMagic Astra doesn’t sport the same snazzy looks of RedMagic’s phones, but it’s still a slick and clean design with a hint of style in the form of a clear panel on the back. This shows through to where some of the componentry is ostensibly laid out and gives a peak at the fan in the sealed cooling system, which also has a splash of RGB lighting. The rest of the system is thoroughly blacked out.
Most of the tablet is wrapped in aluminum, providing a clean seam between the back and frame of the tablet. The front sports a 9.06-inch display that has tight and even bezels around it, allowing the device to avoid being much larger than it needs to be. At just 6.9mm thick and 370 grams, the Astra ends up impressively compact and portable. That weight is also great for handheld use. Bigger and heavier tablets become unwieldy to try holding for extended gaming, whereas the Astra is more manageable.
That screen is also a great one. It has a 2400x1504 resolution, which is fantastically sharp at this size, and it’s a smooth 165Hz OLED panel that can deliver 1,600-nit highlights and perfect black pixels side by side, making for vivid visuals. Games and movies alike look great. When viewing the display at extreme off angles (beyond about 45 degrees), black pixels start to look a bit gray, but if you’re looking at the display from more optimal angles, it looks appropriately black.
The tablet packs in a pair of speakers that produce plenty of volume – more than most phones and more than is needed for gaming with the tablet in your hands. They’re over-the-top and a bit grating at full volume, but sound decent when dialed back a bit.
To my surprise, RedMagic has rated the Astra up to IP54 certification for protection against dust and some water. It shouldn’t be dunked underwater, but it won’t be the end of the world if there’s a spill or you get caught out in the rain.
Part of that certification is probably coming from the Astra not using an active air cooling system like the RedMagic 11 Pro. Instead, it keeps all of its cooling elements inside. These include multiple vapor chambers and liquid metal to move heat away from the chipset. The fan inside actually moves air through an internal duct, though how much that actually contributes to the cooling when it can’t directly expel heated air is unclear. On the bright side, what has been a shrill fan on air cooled systems is silent on the Astra.
The Astra has a fingerprint reader built into its power button, though it also supports facial recognition. The former is quick and reliable, but the same can’t be said of the latter. In addition to the power and volume buttons, there’s a red switch I’ve seen on several RedMagic phones now. This launches the phone’s special GameSpace, essentially a custom launcher for games with shortcuts to various settings and tools useful while gaming.
On the bottom of the tablet (or side if held in landscape), there’s a USB-C port positioned off to the right of center. This avoids having the tablet running right into your hand if you’re charging and using it at the same time. The USB-C port also supports DisplayPort output up to 4K/144Hz and has 10Gbps transfer speeds – both exciting to see.
RedMagic Astra – Software
The Astra comes with Android 15 and has RedMagic OS 10.5 running on top of that. It’s not too outlandish an Android skin and doesn’t even seem overly gamer-targeted until you hit the GameSpace switch and encounter RedMagic’s digital assistant Mora – a scantily-clad anime girl that does little, makes a lot of noise, and doesn't even leverage all the AI capabilities of the hardware to hold a virtual conversation. She’ll happily float around on your screen and present notifications though.
The software does have some helpful features, though. The tablet includes controller mapping software that was largely useful, but not quite perfect. It helped me get a controller working in place of in-game touch controls, but some settings simply didn’t behave properly. For instance, it wouldn’t register joystick nuance, so all of my aim adjustments were jerky going from 0 to 100% acceleration instantly.
RedMagic doesn’t plainly state how many software updates or years of Android security patches the Astra tablet will get, but a representative has told me that the tablet will receive five years of OS support and security patches in Europe and three years of each in other markets, including the US. What is still unclear is whether those three years will include three Android version updates.
RedMagic Astra – Gaming and Performance
The Astra offers excellent gaming performance, though not quite to the level I would have expected. Before this, the RedMagic 10 Pro smartphone set the stage for how much performance we could expect out of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and that had me very excited to see what a tablet could do with it. After all, a tablet doesn’t have the tight confines of a phone and ought to have room for more robust cooling systems as well as more surface area for heat transfer.
To my surprise, the Astra simply didn’t squeeze as much out of the Snapdragon 8 Elite as other devices have. It consistently performed in between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Across Geekbench 6 and 3DMark benchmarks, the Astra tended to lag between 10 and 20 percent behind the RedMagic 10 Pro and even the OnePlus 13. This is still strong performance, but not what I would have expected. It seemed to make no difference whether the tablet had different performance modes enabled in the GameSpace either.
With that said, the Astra was at least consistent. It may not be trying to drive itself as hard as it could get away with, but it holds up well under load. Even running the 3DMark Steel Nomad Light stress test – a series of 20 benchmarks in a row – the Astra maintained a 94.5% consistency with scores running from 2095 points to 1979 points.
While the tablet certainly generates heat, it doesn’t put a lot of that where you’ll feel it. After a session playing Delta Force over a half-hour, the tablet was only slightly warm to the touch.
This level of performance is also more than enough to handle everyday use with extremely smooth operation. The Astra never once felt slow.
The tablet runs on a sizable 8200mAh battery, though that doesn’t feel quite as impressive when considering the RedMagic 10 Pro phone has a 7,000mAh battery packed inside its much smaller frame. The battery is still enough to handle hours of gaming, even with fairly demanding usage. And since there’s no cellular modem, the system sips power while idling, so you’re unlikely to find it dead if you leave it alone for a few days.
RedMagic Astra – Cameras
The RedMagic Astra has cameras, but like many other tablets, they’re mostly there because they need to be. In anything less than bright sunlight, the 13MP rear camera takes such blurry, noisy photos that it shouldn’t be relied on for much.
The 9MP selfie camera actually fairs a little bit better but still has a lot of noise and not a terribly sharp image. Even in very bright conditions, they struggle to produce great photos. If you just want to have a video call or pop up in a game stream, it'll do, but neither are quality cameras.
Lenovo's most powerful 16" gaming laptop has just dropped to the lowest price ever for Black Friday. Right now you can pick up a Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 RTX 5090 gaming laptop for just $2,855.05 after you stack two coupon codes "BFEMAILDEAL" and "EXTRAFIVE". You must create a (free) Lenovo account and be logged in to see this price. That's over $1,700 in combined savings and beats the previous historical lowest price by over $200. This is the first time I've seen a Legion RTX 5090 gaming laptop priced under $3,000.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7 RTX 5090 Gaming Laptop for $2,855
Note that you must be logged into your Lenovo account (free to sign up) to see this price.
The Legion Pro 7 is Lenovo's highest end 16" gaming laptop, featuring a full metal chassis (both lid and body), gorgeous OLED display with 2.5K 189ppi resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, HDR 1000 True Black certification, and 100% DCI-P3 color range, and better cooling than the Legion 5 series of laptops. This particular configuration is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, GeForce RTX 5090 graphics, 64GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD.
The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX is a top performing CPU
The Legion Pro 7 is equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX Arrow Lake-HX processor, which boasts a max turbo frequency of 5.4GHz with a whopping 24 cores and 40MB total L2 cache. According to Passmark, this is second most powerful Intel mobile CPU available right now and goes head to head with AMD's Ryzen 9 9955HX.
The GeForce RTX 5090 is without doubt the fastest mobile GPU you can get
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is the most powerful mobile graphics card on the market, performing about 15% better than the RTX 5080. It also has considerably more VRAM (24GB vs 16GB), which can come in handy when playing games at higher resolutions (like on an attached 4K monitor) or if you're planning to use this as a mobile creator or AI workstation.
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.
It’s been two whole weeks since the Steam Machine was revealed to the world, and we still have no idea how much it’ll cost. I still don’t know when Valve is going to announce the price, but in the meantime, you can build a PC that’s pretty close to what the Steam Machine is going to be – albeit you won’t get exactly there. After all, as we’ve written aboutrepeatedly at this point, Valve has said that the Steam Machine will cost roughly the same as a PC with equivalent hardware – so we wanted to see how much that equivalent hardware actually costs.
But it gets complicated, because the Steam Machine is largely going to be using mobile-class hardware, like you’d find in one of the best gaming laptops, rather than the PC components that go into building a gaming PC. So, even though I picked out the Radeon 7600, where the Steam Machine is going to be using the equivalent of a 7600M, the desktop version is going to be measurably more powerful.
The same is true of most of the components here. Just keep in mind that this isn’t going to be an exact one-to-one recreation of the Steam Machine, but it is a good way to estimate how much an “equivalent gaming PC” might cost.
Unfortunately, due to recent jumps in RAM pricing, building out this PC is significantly more expensive than it would have been even a few weeks ago. Let’s just hope that Valve got its hands on memory before the current NAND shortage started.
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600
Just like the Steam Machine’s semi-custom processor, the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 is a 6-core, 12-thread Zen 4 processor. However, unlike the Steam Machine, this desktop processor has a TDP of 65W, compared to the 30W of Valve’s little PC. With twice the power, you get higher clock speeds and more headroom to boost during demanding workloads. Unfortunately to get the kind of power limit that Valve is working with, you either have to go for mobile parts or for CPUs that would be significantly weaker.
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9x65 chromax.Black
When you’re building a mini gaming PC like this, you want to get a CPU cooler that will keep things cool, but not take up a ton of space. The Noctua NH-L9x65 chromax.Black will be more than enough to keep up with the Ryzen 5 7600, and can even keep up with some more power-hungry chips if you choose to upgrade. Plus, this chromax.Black model has a beautiful black colorway that’ll look great in the Cooler Master MasterBox N200.
If you don’t care about having something small, though, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Pro has always been the budget CPU cooler that I recommend, and it’ll be even better at keeping the Ryzen 7600 cool.
GPU: Powercolor Fighter Radeon RX 7600
Just like the processor, Valve is going with a slightly stripped back mobile version of the Radeon RX 7600. The Steam Machine is using an RDNA 3 GPU with 28 Compute Units and a 110W TDP. That lines up pretty neatly with the mobile version of the Radeon 7600, but the desktop version is a little bit more powerful. This graphics card is also an RDNA 3 GPU, but has 32 CUs and a 165W TDP. It’s not going to be a night-and-day difference or anything, but the desktop card is going to be more powerful.
RAM: Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 5600, 16GB
If these were normal times, this kit of RAM would be the most affordable part of this mini PC build. These aren’t normal times, though, and this kit of RAM costs nearly as much as the graphics card. This 16GB kit of Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 will get the job done, but it’s not the fastest out there, and has far from the lowest latency on the market. But it’s still $177 at the time of writing, as opposed to $60-$80 during normal times. Right now, if you’re looking to do a build like this, my recommendation is to try and scrounge up some memory from somewhere else if you have the chance. It’s simply not a good time to buy RAM right now.
Storage: Samsung 990 Evo Plus
The Samsung 990 Evo Plus is still one of my favorite SSDs on the market right now. It strikes a great balance between speed and affordability, and has capacities of up to 4TB if you’re feeling extra wild. And, yeah, I know the Steam Machine starts with 512 GB of storage, but let’s be honest: you don’t want to limit yourself to that unless you’re really trying to save some cash. Honestly, my recommendation here would be to grab a 1TB drive, just to save some extra cash for RAM, even though the Steam Machine comes with either a 512GB or a 2TB drive.
Motherboard: MSI MPG B650I Edge Wifi
This cute little motherboard might not look like much, but the MSI MPG B650I Edge Wi-Fi is really everything you need for a mini PC like this. It’s not packed with the same high-end features that a beefier X670 board would have, but unless you’re going to try and overclock, you don’t really need them. You just need a board that will let you plug everything in, and still fit in a tiny PC case. And, well, this MSI board does that in style. That said, one thing you won’t get by building your own is the custom wireless solution Valve has built into the Steam Machine, which lets you wirelessly connect up to four Steam Controllers without an additional dongle.
Mini-ITX boards do tend to be more expensive than standard ATX boards, though, so if you’re fine with a traditional tower, something like the ASRock B650 PG Lightning will be much more affordable.
Power Supply: Cooler Master V750 SFX Gold
When picking a power supply for this build, I went for something that would fit in a small chassis, but still be affordable without cutting too many corners on reliability. The Cooler Master V750 SFX Gold has a power limit of 750W, which means you won’t be anywhere near its upper limits, which is excellent for power efficiency. And with its 80+ Gold rating, you can be extra sure that this power supply is going to stay reliable for years.
If you don’t care about matching the Steam Machine’s small size and just want something basic to get the job done, the Cooler Master MWE Gold 750 is $50 cheaper and has the same power capacity and efficiency rating.
Case: Cooler Master MasterBox N200
Due to the size of desktop components, it’d be nearly impossible to build a gaming PC that’s the same size as the 6-inch-on-all-sides Steam Machine. Instead, I just went with my go-to mini-ITX case, the Cooler Master MasterBox N200. It’s cheap, and it’s not a complete pain in the ass to build in. And, even though it is bigger than the Steam Machine, it’s still small enough that you’ll be able to fit it into your living room setup without it standing out too much.
Larger cases will usually cost extra unlike most other components. But if you got the larger parts I suggested, you’re probably going to want to get something like the Darkrock EC2 Black. It’s not nearly as nice as this Cooler Master case, but it’s also about the same price.
Is It Worth It?
It’s so hard to recommend anyone go out and buy a bunch of PC components right now, thanks in large part to RAM prices. I’ve seen RAM get expensive in the past, but not to the point where a basic 16GB kit costs almost as much as a graphics card. My advice would be to wait until Valve reveals the pricing for the Steam Machine and then make a judgement call. Because if Valve’s console comes in under $700-800, then it’s going to be a much better deal than building a PC with these specs right now.
All of these parts together, assuming you’re going to be installing SteamOS or Bazzite, will come to $1,156 total at the time of writing. You can save a bit by going for a standard ATX build, but thanks in large part to the high RAM prices right now, you’re still looking at a total build cost of $959.
Almost all of the official Black Friday sales are already live. In fact, a lot of them actually went live last weekend. Black Friday as a sales event has continued to extend further and further every year, and it can be difficult to figure out exactly when the right time to shop is. Do you need to jump on the deals available now before they're gone? Or should you wait for a better discount to drop after Thanksgiving?
Unfortunately, there is no cut and dry answer to this question. Some of the deals live right now will probably be gone before actual Black Friday, and some will be better on the actual day. If you don't want to spend an entire week shopping for savings this year, I can help you cut through the noise.
The Friday After Thanksgiving Will Still Have the Best Deals
Lets just get this out of the way to start. Despite retailers stating that their full Black Friday sales are live, that isn't really true. Every major online retailer has released their partial Black Friday sale, with more coming later this week. That isn't to say that the current deal prices aren't worth checking out, but that, traditionally, the best deals drop on actual Black Friday because that's when most people will do the bulk of their shopping. Some retailers have already released ads that prove more deals are on their way.
Target released its Black Friday ad recently
Perhaps the most obvious indicator that better deals are scheduled for November 28 is that Target has flat out said so. In its latest Black Friday sales ad, Target has stated that more discounts will be arriving on Friday and hours earlier for Target Circle 360 members. While it hasn't given that many specifics about what will be on sale, we know that LEGO sets will be 40% off and a ton of clothing and outerwear will be 40% off as well. This announcement came alongside Target launching its official Black Friday sale on sale over the weekend.
Costco released a Black Friday ad almost a month ago
The Costco Black Friday sale has been happening pretty much all month long, but we've known for a while that the best discounts at Costco would come on Thanksgiving. That's because Costco released its full Black Friday schedule and holiday ad back in October. Outside of its regularly scheduled sale, it'll offer online-only discounts on November 27 that will then be available in stores on Black Friday. You can check out the full ad scan for those sale dates below to see what's coming tomorrow.
Best Buy has been offering discounts since Halloween, but its official sale didn't kick off until November 20 this year. Every Friday since that first sale went live, Best Buy has been dropping new "Doorbuster" deals on tech that haven't regularly been a part of its sale. You can expect the retailer to do this same thing again on Black Friday this year, but with a lot more gusto. So while there are already some good deals in the Best Buy sale, the best ones are still probably arriving this Friday.
The LEGO Black Friday Sale Starts on Friday
Despite most sales already going live, the LEGO Store Black Friday sale doesn't launch until actual Black Friday. The plastic brick company did offer its usual Insider's Weekend sale just a few days ago, but the official sale that will be available to all will be taking place on November 28. Alongside these discount, LEGO has confirmed that it will be launching its annual Black Friday set, which is the U.S.S Enterprise from Star Trek this year.
Amazon and Walmart Will Price Match New Deals
Of all of the Black Friday sales every year, Walmart and Amazon tend to have the biggest overall offerings. The simple explanation for this is that they have the largest stock of everything and can price match deals across the web. Amazon launched its Black Friday sale on November 20 this year and has been copying whatever new deals arrive whenever they do. As an example, Target launched a "3 for 2" sale on November 23 and Amazon pretty quickly launched its own 3 for 2 sale at the same time. And yesterday, Walmart dropped some great Apple deals that Amazon quickly copied. There are some exceptions to this, but generally speaking, if we know other retailers are lauching better deals on Friday, then so will Amazon and Walmart.
What Deals Should You Shop Right Now?
It's true that bigger and better discounts will arrive starting tomorrow, but some deals you'll want to snap up now while stock lasts, like Black Friday video game deals. These discounts are mostly regulated by the actual gaming companies and have been going pretty fast. The PlayStation Black Friday deals launched on November 21 and the Nintendo Black Friday deals started on November 23. Because stock is limited on things like physical games and the deals are incredibly popular, we're already seeing stuff sell out at Amazon and other retailers.
Nintendo Switch Deals Are Going Fast
All of the Nintendo discounts are live and we're already seeing stuff sell out at Amazon. Most notably both Super Mario Odyssey and Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door are now only available at Walmart and will likely be gone before Black Friday proper. There's also the Nintendo Switch 2 bundles, which aren't on sale at all, but are still incredibly popular ahead of the holidays. If you're planning on picking up the new console, you'll want to do it as soon as possible.
PlayStation Deals Are Also Selling Quickly
The PlayStation deals this year haven't been as popular as Nintendo, but the discounts are currently as good as they're going to get. Most of the items available aren't at that high a risk of selling out, although some discounted PS5 games are no longer available at Amazon. And among DualSense controller deals going on right now, the limited-edition ones that will probably go out of stock before Cyber Monday or earlier. Limited-edition console bundles also tend to sell out faster at these lower prices than a standard PS5.
Xbox Deals Are Limited
This year's round of Xbox Black Friday deals has been fairly disappointing so far. There are some game discounts available, but only a few of the Xbox controllers are on sale. And there are absolutely no Xbox console deals this year to speak of. That's a bummer considering Xbox raised its prices multiple times in 2025, but it is what it is.
Some of the best Xbox controller deals have come and gone (including the recent Xbox Elite Series 2 deal), so if you are looking for a discount there you'll want to act quickly. Most of the Xbox video game discounts have stuck around, however, so you should be find to pick those up any time over the weekend.
Streaming has gotten pricey, and that includes Paramount+, which is home to a lengthy list of Paramount movies as well as cartoons like South Park and SpongeBob. Thankfully, until December 1, you can get two months of any Paramount+ plan, including the ad-free Premium subscription, for $2.99 each month.
Get 2 Months of Paramount+ Without Ads for $6
It's a nice deal for the ad-supported Essential plan, normally priced at $7.99, but an even better one for the ad-free Premium plan, which normally costs $12.99 each month. It's one of the only Black Friday streaming deals that applies to an ad-free subscription, even if it only lasts for a couple of months.
The other benefit of going with the Premium plan is you’ll get access to the Showtime library. I see no reason not to go with the Premium plan, as long as you remember that your plan will auto-renew at $12.99 each month after the deal ends.
What’s on Paramount+?
The new season(s) of South Park are streaming exclusively on Paramount+, so you can catch up on all of the drama happening there without scrolling through Twitter (sorry, X). It’s also the streaming home for Nickelodeon, where classic cartoons like SpongeBob, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and The Fairly OddParents live.
On the movie side, Paramount+ is home to big franchises like Mission Impossible, Transformers, and Star Trek, and also includes some recent additions include Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Smile 2, and Gladiator 2. With the Paramount+ Premium plan, also get access to the Showtime library, which includes otherwise hard-to-find series like Yellowjackets and Dexter: Resurrection.
Blythe (she/her) is an SEO Coordinator at IGN who, when she isn't following streaming news, spends way too much time in character customization screens and tracking down collectibles.
If you're a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2 owner, there is no better series of games to collect than Mario. The plumber has had some of his best adventures ever across the two systems, and this Black Friday, you can save on select Mario games for a limited time. Nintendo rarely puts its games on sale, so now is the time to pick these Mario games up before deals run out.
These Black Friday Nintendo deals have been very popular so far and have mostly sold out at Amazon. We've included the other retailers that still have the games in stock.
Every Mario Switch Game on Sale for Black Friday 2025
First up, it's hard to beat Super Mario Odyssey for only $29.99. Mario's quest to stop Bowser from forcibly marrying Princess Peach sees him traversing various Kingdoms with a new friend named Cappy, a sentient hat creature and this game's central gimmick. Mario can throw Cappy to possess and take control of enemies, inanimate objects, and more. If there's one game from this list I cannot recommend enough, it's Super Mario Odyssey.
Another fantastic Nintendo Switch game on sale is Luigi's Mansion 3, starring Mario's ghost-hunting brother. This time, Luigi enters a giant hotel with Mario, Toad, and Princess Peach for vacation, but as always, things go horribly wrong. One of the great new features involves solving puzzles using a cloned Luigi, named Gooigi, who can walk on spikes and squeeze through bars to get to places Luigi otherwise can't reach.
Paper-Mario: The Thousand-Year Door was one of the best Switch games of 2024, and this Black Friday, you can save 50% on the beloved remake. Originally released for GameCube, The Thousand-Year Door brings a fantastic story, great characters, and a satisfying turn-based RPG combat system. The Nintendo Switch remake added numerous quality-of-life features, like the Partner Ring to switch Partners on the fly, a fast travel system to cut down on backtracking, and more. And that's not to mention the overhauled graphics.
Finally, Princess Peach: Showtime! is on sale for $39.99 for Black Friday. Princess Peach must defend the stage in multiple plays against threats from a new group of enemies in this action-packed adventure. Each play brings a different outfit and ability set for Peach, opening up a completely new gameplay style. This is unlike any other Mario adventure, so if this one went under your radar last year, it's a great time and a worthy addition to your Nintendo Switch library.
More Great Nintendo Switch Black Friday Deals
While there aren't any Nintendo Switch 2 console deals available, you can still get the bundles before Christmas if you buy now. The Mario Kart World bundle includes a copy of the latest Mario Kart game while shaving off some of the cost of buying it separately.
Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.
Amazon's buy 2, get 1 deal on books doesn't just include single books. You can apply this deal to various boxed set collections if you do a bit of digging through the sale. This special Black Friday promotion makes it the perfect time to bolster your collection on the cheap or pick up a set of books as a gift for the reader in your life. Most of these are already discounted between 41% and 47% off individually, so bundling in another one is essentially netting you savings on top of your savings..
Buy 2 Book Sets, Get 1 Free at Amazon
Popular series like A Song of Fire and Ice (Game of Thrones) and The Hunger Games have their individual books on sale as part of this deal, but not the box sets. But the available selection of discounted book sets are some of the best around. You have The Witcher boxed set, which compiles the main five novels of Geralt's saga, all seven Harry Potter books with awesome interconnected spine arts, and the Chronicles of the Avatar 4-book collection, which details Avatars Kyoshi and Yangchen's time as the Avatar. Amazon changes which boxed sets are available literally over night, so now you can pick up the Twilight Saga Deluxe Hardcover Collection and the 5-book boxed set of Percy Jackson and the Olympians as part of this deal.
Most of these boxed sets comes with paperback books, save for Sarah J. Maas' Crescent City trilogy. The hardcover is actually a few cents cheaper than the paperback collection, so if hardcover is more your style and you've been curious about the popular author's standalone trilogy, this is the deal for you. There's also the massive Chronicles of Narnia 7-in-1 Deluxe Edition hardcover book, giving you the entire Narnia saga in one conventient printing, but it's no longer part of the buy 2, get 1 free deal, although it is still discounted to $52.37 (30% off).
More books included in the sale
If you're more interested in finishing existing collections or checking out standalone stories, the buy 2, get 1 free sale has a great selection of single books. These discounts will likely last as long as the Amazon Black Friday sale remains live. There's a similar promotion going on during Target's Black Friday sale you can check out for more options as well.
If you're seeking the absolute best of the best in PC gaming performance, look no further. Just for Black Friday, Dell has kicked off the best deal I've seen on a top-shelf Alienware Area-51RTX 5090 equipped gaming PC. Right now you can get a very well-equipped configuration for $4,249.99 after a massive $1,250 off instant discount. Complementing the uber powerful RTX 5090 GPU is a liquid cooled Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and a generous amount of RAM and SSD storage.
Alienware Area-51 RTX 5090 Gaming PC (New) for $4,250
This system is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor with upgraded 360mm liquid cooling, 32GB of DDR5-6400MHz RAM, and a 2TB SSD. The 1,500W 80Plus Platinum power supply is generously rated to take on even the most power hungry of gaming PCs, and that's important in this case because a GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card has a minimum recommended rating of 1,000W. A 1,500W power supply will leave you plenty of room for upgrades down the road.
Alienware Area-51 RTX 5090 Gaming PC (Refurb) for $3,720
Dell Outlet has just kicked off its Black Friday Sale with some incredible pricing on Clearance, Like New (Refurbished) and Scratch & Dent Alienware Area-51 gaming PCs, equipped with your choice of GeForce RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 graphics cards. You're saving up to $1,600 compared to buying an identical system brand new.
All PCs purchased through Dell Outlet include the same warranty as buying new. Dell's certified refurbished systems are submitted to a rigorous refurbishing process. These previously owned products could have observable minor blemishes that do not affect performance, or could look as good as new.
New for 2025: The Alienware Area-51 Chassis
Dell unveiled the new Alienware Area-51 gaming PC at CES 2025. The chassis is a super-sized upgrade to the 2024 R16 system with aesthetic and cooling redesigns and updated components. The I/O panel is positioned at the top of the case instead of the front, and the tempered glass window now spans the entire side panel instead of just a smaller cutout. As a result, the side panel vents are gone, and instead air intakes are located at the bottom as well as the front of the case. Alienware is now pushing a positive airflow design (more intake than exhaust airflow), which means a less dusty interior. The internal components have been refreshed with a new motherboard, faster RAM, and bigger power supply to accommodate the new generation of CPUs and GPUs.
The RTX 5090 Is the Most Powerful Graphics Card Ever
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 has emerged as the most powerful consumer GPU on the market. Although with this generation Nvidia has prioritized software updates, AI features, and DLSS 4 technology to improve gameplay performance, the 5090 still boasts an impressive 25%-30% uplift over the RTX 4090 in hardware-based raster performance. If you want the absolute best performance for your gaming PC, there is literally no other option from any other brand.
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.
Calling all Xbox fans: whether you're on the hunt for new games to add to your library or just you're doing a bit of Christmas shopping, this year's Black Friday sale event is stacked with stellar discounts. Across a few different retailers we've gathered up some of the best Xbox game deals available right now, including Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater for $30 at Walmart, Silent Hill f dropping to $49.94 at Amazon, and even Elden Ring plummeting to just $15 at Walmart.
These deals are just the tip of the iceberg, though. Have a look at our selection of all of the best Xbox video game deals available right now as part of Black Friday sales below.
Black Friday 2025 Video Game Deals
Some of the games above have even hit their lowest prices yet – such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Space Marine 2, and Star Wars Outlaws – so there's no better time to grab them. And alongside physical video game deals, Xbox's Black Friday sale officially kicked off last week with a great selection of digital game and controller deals. Unfortunately, no console deals have dropped yet.
If you're looking for even more video game deals outside of Xbox, both PlayStation and Nintendo have similarly huge selections of game deals right now. Check out our breakdowns of PS5 games already on sale and every Switch game already on sale.
Hannah Hoolihan is a freelancer who writes with the guides and commerce teams here at IGN.
No matter how much you may prefer a mouse and keyboard for PC gaming, some games and genres are just built with gamepads in mind – and play much better with one as a result. That's why I've tested dozens of gamepads during my PC-centric career, and why I feel confident in recommending the nine picks below. Whether you're looking for something simple and inexpensive for occasional use, or something more advanced for competitive or accessible play, you should find at least one great option here.
TL;DR – These Are the Best PC Controllers:
1. Xbox Core Controller
Best PC Controller
Although the Xbox Core Controller doesn’t necessarily revolutionize the standard Xbox controller we once knew and loved, it does offer some necessary updates that PC gamers will appreciate, which we’ve highlighted in our Xbox Core Controller review. The new cosmetics are a nice touch; the all-black Xbox button, for instance, matte bumpers and triggers, and an overall more comfortable design. There are also a ton of Xbox controller colors to choose from.
The controller's hybrid D-pad is extra responsive and allows for an easier distinction between the cardinal and diagonal inputs, which is ideal for those who love fighting games. Of course, the rest of the buttons and sticks remain reliable and consistent, and the textured grip on the triggers, bumpers, and back case keep the controller in hand even during heated moments. All of these improvements mean a new level of precision and control. There’s also now a dedicated Share button that makes capturing screenshots and video clips a breeze.
Many of the Xbox Core Controller’s buttons, triggers, and sticks can be customized via the Xbox Accessories app when downloaded from the Microsoft Store on PC, and you can save profiles to avoid the hassle every time you switch games. Remapping can also be done using Steam; however, there will be more limitations than when using an Xbox Series X|S. Connecting to a PC is simple, as USB-C support provides a plug-and-play solution. For wireless connectivity, Bluetooth is available or Xbox Wireless via a dongle with supported devices. The Core Controller's biggest flaw is that it uses AA batteries; you can shell out some extra dough for a rechargeable battery pack.
2. PowerA Advantage Wired Controller
Best Budget PC Controller
During our hands-on testing of the PowerA Enhanced wired controller, we found it to be an excellent and affordable PC controller option. PowerA’s updated model, the Advantage, makes some meaningful improvements without increasing the price tag. It comes with a removable 10-foot USB-C cable, a significant upgrade from the MicroUSB on the Enhanced model, for seamless PC connection. Unfortunately, wireless and Bluetooth connectivity are still excluded from this budget gamepad, but you do get a 3.5mm jack to plug in a great gaming headset.
The PowerA Advantage sticks to the familiar shape and feel of the Xbox Core Controller, featuring all the typical Xbox controls, even taking a page out of the Xbox Elite Controller’s book with two small, easy-to-reach buttons on the underside for shortcuts; it’s slightly less robust, but still punches far above its price class. The backside of the grips feature a slight texture, although it’s not enough to add significantly more control like rubberized grips can. Dual rumble motors and impulse triggers are even available for better immersion. And don’t worry, they’re accurate and subtle.
What makes this controller a true standout is the three-level trigger stop switches, which are not available on the PowerA Enhanced model and are a rarity in controllers of this price range. It's a boon for fans of FPS who want to step away from the mouse and keyboard occasionally without shelling out tons of dough for a pro-level controller. The thumbsticks are shorter and feature a good amount of tension. While those sticks are great for precision, the extra force required can be a hindrance in certain games. The rest of the buttons are responsive and reliable, putting it on the level of a first-party controller.
3. Hyperkin Competitor
Best Wired PC Controller
In our hands-on review of the Hyperkin Competitor, we found it offered a convincing simulcrum of the Sony DualSense controller for PC and Xbox, with PlayStation-style symmetrical sticks, a similar black-and-white color scheme and upgraded internals. That includes Hall Effect sensors under each thumbstick and trigger, which boost durability and aid precision with smaller deadzones. The sticks themselves are particularly worthy of praise, with anti-friction rings and metal stems that produce a fluid, linear feel, though it is a touch light in comparison to the console controller it emulates.
In terms of pro-level features, the stand-out is the inclusion of two rear buttons, mapped to A and B by default. These are placed directly where your middle fingers can actuate them, with locks nearby to prevent accidental presses if you're not using them and a mapping button to reassign them.
The Competitor feels quite light and is made of plastic, but it's still reasonably well-constructed given its middling price. The rear grips have a fine texture to them, preventing them from sliding out of slightly sweaty hands, the D-pad feels bouncier than the DualSense's, and the face buttons are a bit small but responsive. Neither too wide nor too narrow, most hand sizes are accommodated here (something you couldn't say about the Xbox Duke remake Hyperkin is also responsible for).
The Competitor sits at an interesting place in the market, coming in around the same price as a first-party controller from Xbox or PlayStation, while offering some advantages (HE sticks, rear buttons) and some disadvantages (wired connectivity and a slightly toy-like feel). Overall though, it does enough right to earn the nod.
4. Sony DualSense Controller
Best PC Controller for PlayStation Games
We spent a lot of time reviewing the Sony DualSense Controller, and it's another great first-party option for PC, whether you connect it with a cable or via Bluetooth. It's particular niche is playing PS5 ports that support its Adaptive Triggers, which add surprisingly amounts of granularity to the experience. If you're a fan of the output of Sony's game studios, then this might be what sways you to choosing the DualSense over the Xbox Core controller. And unlike the Xbox Core, there’s a rechargeable battery for wireless use, though it's relatively limited at around 10-13 hours during our testing.
As you might be aware, the DualSense was made for the PS5 and continues the company's tradition of opting for symmetrical analog sticks, like the Hyperkin Competitor above. Unlike the Competitor though, this gamepad feels a bit better heavier and better built, while remaining balanced, easy to grip, and ultimately more ergonomic. There are also plenty of DualSense color options available if you don't like the standard look.
With handy support from Steam as well as fan-made software packages, plus increasing numbers of PlayStation-exclusive games ending up not so exclusive thanks to PC ports, full DualSense functionality on PC makes for the best way to play those games.
5. Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller
Best High-End PC Controller
If you're after a controller that offers the familiar Xbox design but amps up its capability, our review of the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller shows you why it's perfect for your needs. This model features four rear paddles that can have their own actions or can change the function of the face buttons. Plus, all of the buttons on the gamepad are remappable. The D-pad, back paddles, and analog sticks are magnetically swappable for added customization, ensuring the controller feels exactly how you want. Xbox also kept the tunable triggers from the original Elite.
While all of these features sound great on paper, they deliver in real life, too — for the most part. Swapping out sticks and D-pads is easy and helped improve the feel for our reviewer in certain genres, like platformers or fighting games. Setting up hair triggers kept reaction times on point in shooters. The rear paddles may take a minute to master, but are poppy and responsive. However, they don’t make up for the mushy ABXY buttons, which are a major disappointment for such a premium controller.
At least the Elite Series 2 controller adds the rechargeable battery that the Xbox Core controller lacks, and lasts an impressive 40 hours on each charge. In addition to Xbox Wireless when using an adapter with PC, Bluetooth is available for easy pairing with your PC or smartphone. A low-latency wired connection via USB-C is also supported.
6. Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra
Best Customizable PC Controller
One of the most enticing things we found in our review of the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra is its unique “Connected Command Display.” It’s a compact, full-color screen directly on the controller that displays phone notifications and allows on-the-fly setting adjustments, like swapping between 10 different profiles, fine-tuning the vibration intensity, and modifying RGB lighting, which can even change colors to indicate phone notification alerts or a low battery.
The Stealth Ultra features some slightly buggy software that works with a PC to provide a full suite of options for tuning the controller and creating profiles for specific games or desired feels. Everything from joystick and trigger deadzones to joystick response curves and rear paddle button mapping can be done with this software.
Turtle Beach’s offering is wireless, so there’s a 2.4GHz dongle for a lag-free connection to your PC or Xbox. Bluetooth support is handy for your gaming phone. However, when you start experimenting with the display and RGB lighting, the advertised 30-hour battery life quickly drops to around 10 hours.
While all the customizability is great (and honestly overkill), real-world performance is what matters, and the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra is one beast of a gamepad. It features an Xbox layout with tactile micro switches that are sharp and precise, which proved helpful in Dead Cells during testing, where the button timing was flawless. While drifting has plagued other Turtle Beach controllers, the Hall Effect sensors on the sticks prevent drifting and provide nuanced control. The trigger toggle even helped cut milliseconds of crucial time in FPS.
7. Razer Kitsune
Best PC Fight Stick
If you play a good deal of arcade or fighting games, do yourself a favor and pick up a great fight stick, and for PC, the Razer Kitsune we've reviewed is a standout option. Rather than including a typical stick on the controller, it has a leverless design offering buttons that move in a full range of directions. Admittedly, there’s a bit of a learning curve to master the Kitsune, but the quicker input speed (milliseconds matter in fighting games), improved accuracy, and easier execution of certain moves are worth the effort to KO opponents.
The Kitsune is a PlayStation-licensed device, so beyond directional controls are the essential PlayStation buttons. Razer opted to use optical switches on this fight stick, and in testing, inputs were fast and reliable while remaining surprisingly quiet, but still delivering a keyboard-like feel. While those buttons offer a distinct feel, the controls are hot-swappable to easily customize the board to your liking.
Like any good fight stick, the Razer Kitsune is sturdy, durable, and large enough to let both hands rest comfortably on it with the buttons perfectly spaced. On top is a removable aluminum plate to add your own flair to the controller, and the bottom features a nice grip, ensuring it stays in place during heated moments. It does all of this while remaining light enough to carry around to tournaments, weighing under 2lbs. Razer also includes a flashy light strip around the edge of the controller and a tournament lock to prevent you from accidentally getting disqualified. Even if it’s designed for the PS5, this controller works flawlessly with PC and seamlessly connects via a USB.
8. Logitech G Pro Wheel and Pedals
Best PC Racing Wheel
Anyone into sim racing on PC needs a great racing wheel for a deeper level of immersion, and Logitech's Pro Racing Wheel and Pedals are an awesome option – even if they do cost a little over $1,000. As the name suggests, this direct drive motor connects directly to the steering wheel, providing much better control and force feedback than gear or belt-driven alternatives. The system delivers up to 11Nm of torque, which is plenty to feel acccurate feedback about the road surface and how well your tires are gripping it.
You also get additional colour through the wheel in games that support Logitech's TrueForce feature, which adds an extra dimension of telemetry-based feedback beyond what's possible through standard DirectInput. It's also easy to reduce the strength of the force feedback via the Logitech G app or the wheel itself, which has an integrated display and controls to adjust this and many other settings.
The Pro Racing Wheel is available in PC-only, PC/Xbox and PC/PlayStation varieties, with the PC option costing $100 less than the two consoles models. The button layout doesn't change between each model, just the labels, and I found the buttons well-placed and satisfying to push, even while wearing gloves. The 300mm rim is also well-sized, with a slight D-shape that's fine to use for all genres of racing, though rally and drift enthusiasts might prefer to fit the RS Wheel Hub and the RS Round Wheel, while Formula racers have the option of the RS Track Wheel. On the default wheel, the magnetic shifters provide suitably clunky feedback, with dual analogue paddles that are ideal for clutches or handbrakes.
The Racing Pro Pedals are built to the same high quality standard, with the three-item set including a clutch, brake and throttle. The highlight is the brake, which uses a load cell to measure how hard you're hitting it, rather than how far down it's been pressed. This feels more similar to a real race car, and can help you brake more consistently to ultimately improve your lap times. All three pedals are adjustable, though the dialling in the feel of the brake is the most important.
If you're investing this much into a wheel and pedals, then hard-mounting to a rig like the Logitech x Playseat Trophy makes a lot of sense, and I really enjoyed the stability and portability this provided. However, it's also possible to mount the wheel to a desk, which works well enough if you can prevent the pedals for slipping backwards and may be preferable to a fixed setup for some use cases.
Overall, the Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel and Pro Racing Pedals are tremendously powerful pieces of kit that continue to improve as new accessories are released and more games are supported.
9. Xbox Adaptive Controller
Best Accessible PC Controller
The Xbox Adaptive Controller was an innovative controller when it was released back in 2018, and it’s still great today. Unfortunately, the accessible controller market is relatively small, with most top options coming at a premium; that doesn't even include all the necessary peripherals required to make the controller work for your specific needs. While the Xbox Adaptive Controller isn’t cheap by any means, its inclusive, simple-to-use design and compatibility with PC continue to push it above others.
Rather than a typical gamepad, the Adaptive Controller is more of an input hub with a body similar to a fightstick. Its extreme modularity and customizability allow the controller to be adapted for specific abilities. The built-in controls are limited, but it still features two massive remappable buttons on its face, along with a D-pad, view button, and home button.
However, the reason you’ll want the Adaptive Controllers is for the excess of inputs. 19 3.5mm jacks correspond with all the typical controller inputs, including bumpers and triggers, allowing foot pedals, switches, joysticks, and other adaptability aids to be added. I’d recommend picking up the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, which includes the stick, four buttons, and a mounting thread. While it adds $30 to the price tag, the buttons can be remapped, ergonomics are solid, and 3D-printable thumbstick toppers are supported. The joystick can also plug into a standard Xbox controller.
The Xbox Adaptive Controller is an invaluable tool for accessibility, but that doesn’t mean it’s flawless. The learning curve is steep when mastering all the different controls, and sometimes simultaneous inputs aren’t supported, leading to limitations in games. The biggest downfall is the cost of all the extra peripherals required to make this functional controller, but it does support third-party options. Still, gamers have reported that, for the most part, this controller works great, allowing them to play games that weren’t always feasible.
How to Choose the Best PC Controller
Choosing the best PC controller for gaming can seem daunting, especially given the excess of options available. However, it’s easier to nail down the right choice by assessing what kind of gamer you are, what types of games you play, and whether you want to use your controller across other devices.
Sticks and triggers
While almost all classic controllers use potentiometers to sense when a thumbstick has been moved or a trigger has been depressed, many modern options now use more advanced HE (Hall Effect) or TMR (Tunneling Magnetoresistance) magnetic sensors instead. These tend to be more expensive than potentiometers to include in a controller, but they allow for more precision, in the form of smaller deadzones. These technologies also tend to offer better long-term durability, with fewer physically interacting parts, helping prevent stick drift. HE sensors typically require more power than potentiometers, potentially reducing battery life in wireless controllers, while TMR sensors are more power-efficient than either option. However, implementation by manufacturers also matters, so while TMR and HE sticks and triggers are worth looking for, they're not a guarantee of a good-quality experience.
Ergonomics
One of the biggest factors to consider is the ergonomics and comfort of the controller. Since you'll likely be using it for extended gaming sessions, it's crucial to pick a controller that feels comfortable. Look for controllers with well-placed buttons, responsive triggers, and a shape that fits naturally in your hands. Beyond that, grips can be important in games that require extra control.
Controller type
Think about the types of games you'll be playing. Different genres may benefit from specific controller designs. For instance, if you're into racing or flying simulators, a controller with analog sticks and precise triggers might be ideal. On the other hand, if you're primarily playing fighting or platformer games, a controller with a good D-pad and responsive face buttons could be more suitable. Playing a lot of FPS, a gamepad with adjustable triggers and a tighter stick will make for quicker reactions and better control. Of course, if you’ve got the budget, you can also grab specified controllers for certain games, like racing wheels, PC joysticks, and fightsticks.
Compatibility
While the majority of controllers are designed to work seamlessly with Windows PCs, it's always a good idea to double-check compatibility with your specific gaming setup. If a controller offers a wired connection via USB, using it with a PC should be relatively simple. Oftentimes, there will also be software that allows for button remapping and other customizations.
Wireless controllers may be trickier. Most come with Bluetooth support, which makes them great phone controllers. However, a good deal of latency is often introduced. Sometimes wireless controllers offer a 2.4Ghz USB dongle to plug into PCs for a faster and more stable connection; if you're a competitive gamer, this is the way to go. Luckily, most wireless offerings come with the option for a wired connection.
Features and customizations
Don't forget to consider additional features and extras. Many controllers come with programmable buttons, vibration feedback, or even customizable lighting effects. Adaptive triggers are a boon in FPS or sensory-focused games. Some higher-end controllers even come with swappable controls and a degree of modularity to adjust the feel for certain games. While these features may not be essential, they can enhance your gaming experience and provide added value for your money.
Cost
Perhaps the biggest factor in choosing a PC controller is cost. If your controller will only be used occasionally, since you’re more of a mouse and keyboard hero, a budget controller is perfectly suitable. Expect to find some great options in the $30 to $60 range. Upping the budget slightly to somewhere between $60 and $100 will bring a great balance of features, comfort, and quality. Stick to this price if you're more of a casual player. Anything above $100 should bring awesome customizability and durability; competitive players should expect to shell out a bit more for a high-end, reliable controller.
PC Controller FAQ
Is PC gaming better with a controller?
Compared to a keyboard and mouse, some gamers opt to use a controller. However, it comes down to your personal preferences, as each of these input devices has its own advantages and disadvantages.
A keyboard and mouse combo will be much larger and more spread out than a controller, which means you’ll need a great gaming desk or reliable lap desk to use them successfully. But thanks to a larger size, there is a wealth of inputs that a typical controller just can’t offer. Many of the keys and buttons are customizable with secondary functions. When gaming, keyboards and mice usually pull ahead in precision, accuracy, and responsiveness, which is especially beneficial to competitive players.
Now, don’t get me wrong, controllers are equally great. They are much smaller and more ergonomic than a mouse and keyboard, making all the inputs easy to reach. Great controllers will also have customizable or remappable buttons and triggers. The analog sticks bring smoother control over certain movements, and with some controllers offering a dose of haptic feedback, gaming can be more immersive.
Ultimately, it tends to depend on the game. Many titles are designed with one input method or the other in mind, so having the flexibility of a good controller to hand is frequently useful.
Do all controllers work with PCs?
While not every controller is guaranteed to work with PC, almost all current controllers are supported in some way. Xbox controllers are your best bet for native compatibility. Whether it's connected via wired USB, Bluetooth, or Xbox Wireless (with adapter), the devices should be instantly detected by either Windows or Steam. With the Xbox Accessories app, remapping, vibrations, and more should be supported. Be sure to check out our guide on how to pair an Xbox controller to PC for even more info.
The latest PlayStation 5 controllers are another safe bet when it comes to compatibility with PC, especially when you connect using a wired USB or Bluetooth. You can always grab a great Bluetooth adapter for your PC if your PC doesn’t support it. Steam and the majority of modern games recognize PlayStation gamepads, allowing for button remapping and other customizations. However, adaptive triggers and haptics will only work with certain games. Still, for the most part, a PS5 controller pairs seemlessly with PC.
Third-party controller brands, like Turtle Beach, Razer, and PowerA, should also be completely compatible with PC and recognized by Steam if not Windows. These devices connect either using a wired USB connection or wirelessly via Bluetooth or a 2.4Ghz USB dongle. Now, not all the controllers' features may necessarily work with PCs, but you should have no problem with basic controls.
Of course, it’s always good to check that a controller supports PC and what limitations it may have when used with PC before purchasing. All the ones I’ve selected for this guide will make a great addition to your PC battlestation.
Can you play any PC game with a controller?
Not all PC games are designed to work well with a controller. If you’re playing games on Steam, you can visit the store page to see if the game is compatible with a controller before buying the game. However, other platforms, such as Epic Games, do not list if the game is compatible with a controller, but you can often find out which games support a controller with a quick Google search. The PCGamingWiki is another great resource for checking what input methods PC games support, including fan-made fixes where relevant.
Will is deputy tech editor for IGN, specialising in PC hardware, sim racing and display tech. He has been publishing about games and technology since 2001 (age 12). Will was formerly Deputy Editor at Digital Foundry. He is currently playing Battlefield 6.
Additional contributions byDanielle Abraham, a tech freelance writer based in Los Angeles who spends her free time creating videos and geeking out over music history.
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