Ubisoft's next change following last week's major company reorganization will be a price increase to its Just Dance+ service.
As Ubisoft tightens its belt across the company, its Just Dance+ streaming service will become more expensive whether you purchase access via a 1 Month Pass, 3 Month Pass or 12 Month Pass.
In a blog post to fans of its veteran music franchise, Ubisoft says it has re-examined the costs of running Just Dance+ over the past few months and come to the decision that price rises were necessary to ensure it remains "meaningful and sustainable for players."
As a result, a 1 Month Pass will increase in price from $3.99 to $4.99, while a 3 Month Pass will rise from $9.99 to $12.99. Finally, a year-long pass will cost $29.99, up from $24.99. These changes will be applied from April onwards.
"Just Dance+ is built around music, and that comes with some important truths," Ubisoft wrote. "Every song available in the service relies on licensing agreements that evolve over time, and these conditions directly affect what we can keep, renew, or add to the catalogue. Taking this into account, we’ve had to make a few adjustments to ensure the service can keep growing in the long run."
Upcoming content coming to Just Dance+ includes songs from the franchise's 2023 and 2024 Editions such as Toxic by Britney Spears, Drivers License by Olivia Rodrigo and Walking on Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves. A new Wonder Tales pack inspired by the Melosia Realms Danceverse will arrive this spring. Another new track, 360 by Charli XCX, will arrive later this year.
Just Dance will sit in the company's "Creative House 5" unit focused on family and casual gaming, which will see it sit alongside Uno, Hasbro, Idle Miner Tycoon, Ketchapp, Hungry Shark, and Invincible: Guarding the Globe.
"We went through a thorough review of projects across December [and] January, with the current market evolution in mind — which is consistently more selective," Ubisoft's chief financial officer Frederick Duguet told IGN at the time. "You've seen the last quarter showing a never-before-seen level of competition. Competition and selection is here to stay."
Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
Capcom has dropped another Monster Hunter Wilds patch that aims to improve optimization for "Steam-specific processes" and address the game's long-standing PC issues.
"After receiving user reports, our internal testing confirmed that CPU load could increase around the Support Desk at Base Camp or the Grand Hub," the developer wrote in the patch notes, below. "This is due to claimed content status check processes to notify the player if there is unclaimed content in the Support Desk, as indicated by an exclamation point (!)."
The notes go on to confirm that this issue — which causes frames to drop only in the Base Camp and Grand Hub, depending upon if you have any "unclaimed content" — is "an unintended bug and will be resolved with this update."
Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 4 — which ushered in a long list of gameplay and balance changes, as well as CPU/GPU improvements, load reduction, and the optimization of "PC-specific processes and addition of options and presets to reduce processing load" — arrived last month. Its development roadmap, detailed in December, hoped to address the myriad issues impacting the PC version.
"We'll follow this up in January with a PC-specific update with even more improvements, and are looking into further optimization for implementation in the February content update," the team explained at the time. "We're committed to making Monster Hunter Wilds a great experience for all players. Thank you for your patience and continued support."
However, last week, one player believed they had discovered that PC performance was dictated by the number of DLCs a user has. As de_Tylmarande explained it: "More DLC = more FPS." The tech-savvy Reddit user uncovered what they believed was a “bug in the code they need to fix” and shared their findings with the Monster Hunter subreddit. Shortly after sharing their theory, the redditor updated the post to report that Capcom had "replied," and was "already looking into and it will be fixed." Which is where Patch 1.040.03.01 comes in.
The developer now insists that "the number of DLCs you own does not affect" performance, but claimed content status check processes does. Applying the latest patch should, according to Capcom, resolve it, though.
"To further improve stability and performance across all platforms, additional improvements will be implemented in the Ver. 1.0.41 update on February 18," it said.
"I don’t have a direct comparison of my old settings on old vs new patch yet, but I can now run full ultra settings at 1440p and it drops to 55fps at worst, usually more like 65-80 though," reported one player. "Comparable to what I was getting with balanced FSR and minor settings optimization before. So basically enough of an improvement that I get a free resolution upgrade. I’d say I’m happy with it, very acceptable smooth 120fps with framegen and it looks incredible at full res. And the high res texture pack is finally fixed. 7600x/7900xt."
Conversely, someone else wrote: "Played for a bit. Framerate went from an avg of 45 to about 52 at 1080p with quality FSR with a mix of high, and medium settings. I played around a little more and moving most settings down didnt really impact things much IMO. I know some people are having a better experience, but the game still just doesn’t look good for the performance it’s asking. Hoping the other performance patch coming next month will help out further."
"Cool, they are updating the game to address the issues people have expressed concerns about since launch, I'm sure there are several people out there who have been waiting for fixes before hopping back on, I wish I had waited [because] at this point I'm a bit jaded and reluctant to even hop back on," added another player.
Here's the full patch notes, which you'll need to install if you wish to access DLC or online play:
Note: Due to revisions to the High-Resolution Texture Pack, a re-download of approximately 31 GB will be required, resulting in an overall reduction of about 45 GB compared to the previous version.
Video Driver Version
Please update to the following driver versions to ensure the most stable experience possible.
– NVIDIA GeForce: 581.57 or newer
– AMD Radeon: 25.9.1 or 25.9.2
Note: Some issues have been identified with AMD Radeon drivers versions 25.10.2 and higher.
Note: This information is subject to change at any time due to factors such as NVIDIA and AMD support availability.
Major Additions and Changes
Improved CPU/GPU processing specific to the Steam version.
Reduced shader warming processes performed outside the shader compilation screen to lower CPU load.
Adjusted texture streaming to improve visual quality while reducing VRAM usage.
Adjusted the High Resolution Texture Pack to reduce VRAM usage and overall package size.
Added a CPU tab to the Options menu, allowing players to adjust settings related to CPU load.
Added new categories to the graphics settings, along with new settings for existing options.
Adjusted graphic presets and added a confirmation window to automatically update your settings on first launch after updating.
Expanded the Volumetric Fog setting in the graphics options from two levels to five. The previous "High" setting has been renamed to "Highest," and "Low" to "High," with three new lower options—"Medium," "Low," and "Lowest"—now available.
Fixed an issue where a warning dialogue incorrectly indicated that the AMD Radeon driver was outdated when using driver version 26.1.1 or later.
Bug Fixes and Balance Adjustments
Fixed an issue where system load could increase around the Support Desk at Base Camp or the Grand Hub due to claimed content status checks.
Adjusted Variable Rate Shading behavior so it is forced off during upscaling to maintain proper effect visuals.
Fixed other miscellaneous issues.
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
A collectible statue apparently due for release alongside the unannounced Assassin's Creed: Black Flag remake has popped up online.
Ubisoft is yet to make its Assassin's Creed: Black Flag remake official, but the game's arrival has long been expected following a constant series of leaks. Now, fans have seemingly gotten a first look at merchandise for the game, in the shape of a new statue designed by collectible maker Pure Arts.
The lavish design features Black Flag hero Edward Kenway sat on a treasure chest that's spilling gold coins, leaning back against his ship's wheel, a cutlass and pistol in each hand. The statue is then topped off by a large billowing flag featuring the game's logo: the Assassin's Creed sigil with a skull in the middle.
⚠️ LEAK BLACK FLAG REMAKE ?
Un gars sur Vinted vend une toute nouvelle figurine de Edward Kenway et prétend qu'elle sortirait cette année.
En sachant que le remake de Black Flag était censé sortir dans moins de 2 mois, serait-ce la figurine officielle du jeu ? pic.twitter.com/ctVWiavA6c
If Ubisoft has made any change to Kenway's character design for its remake, there's no evidence of it here. That said, any alteration to the now-iconic pirate assassin's look would have been a surprise.
What is curious, though, is how this statue has seemingly come to light. Unboxed and with no mention of its origins, the item was reportedly listed via used clothing resale app Vinted. Numerous fans spotted the item pop up, including notorious Assassin's Creed leaker j0nathon, who quickly realized this was not a statue that had been publicly released already.
The item's listing states that it is 35cm tall and features a 20cm width, and due for release in 2026. A detailed close-up of the statue's base shows logos for Ubisoft and Pure Arts, with a copyright mark registered for 2026.
Perhaps the most notable confirmation of the project came from Edward Kenway's own voice actor, who initially teased the project before later suggesting he'd been told by Ubisoft in no uncertain terms to stop talking. Finally, last month, the game popped up on the PEGI European ratings board website revealing what looks to be its final title: Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced.
Ubisoft itself previously said it would release an unannounced game before the end of its current financial year on March 31, though this launch has now been delayed into the coming financial year (ending March 31, 2027) due to the company's major recent reshuffle of teams, projects and studios.
Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
If you’ve watched the latest episode of Game of Thrones spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, you might have been left wondering, was that really Ser Arlan Pennytree actor Danny Webb in all his glory? It’s a question that’s been on the internet’s mind ever since Episode 2, titled Hard Salt Beef, was broadcast. Finally, we have a definitive answer.
Warning! Spoilers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 2, Hard Salt Beef, follow:
Following Episode 1’s surprise poop scene — which interrupted the famous Game of Thrones theme song no less — Episode 2 delivered another shock: a full frontal nude scene showing Ser Arlan Pennytree’s penis. And very well endowed the late Ser Arlan was, going by what viewers were treated to in the show.
The scene in question is a flashback to before Ser Arlan dies (one of the themes of the episode is Peter Claffey’s Dunk fondly remembering his former mentor as he bids to join a jousting tournament). The hedge knight emerges from a brothel, naked, to urinate — and he’s not shy about it either.
As you’d expect, Ser Arlan’s Dirk Diggler-esque manhood was a hot topic online, with some wondering if it was the real deal. Well, no, it wasn’t. And we have confirmation from the person who created it.
Prosthetic designer Waldo Mason took to Instagram to confirm a 10” prosthetic penis was created for Danny Webb to wear.
“Luckily, he was a consummate professional and was happy to work with us to make it as realistic as possible, coming in for fittings that culminated in a very intimate application process in a white tent in the Belfast countryside,” Mason continued.
“Because of the size we reinforced the contact area and edges with wig lace for minimal stretch under its weight and makeup designer [Pippa Woods] and [Lucille Harding] applied a knotted merkin, hiding any visible edges. It also contained tubing for urination, which we taped down the back of his leg.”
In an interview, showrunner Ira Parker told Entertainment Weekly he couldn’t remember if it was a prosthetic or not, joking: "I thought he just showed up on set that way.”
So why include it at all? “I felt bad for Ser Arlan at some point,” Parker explained. “He was the only person who's ever looked out for Dunk and really stuck with Dunk. And he died on a muddy road in the middle of nowhere, was buried without ceremony, and now Dunk is going around trying to find somebody who just even remembers him — people that he served for, people that he bled for, these knights and these lords. They can't even remember his name. I felt the need to give him his one special thing, to channel a little Boogie Nights, I suppose."
"I can't say it zips past you at 100 miles per hour because, you know, it's out there, but it's not the story that we're telling,” Parker continued. “It is just a flourish of the story that we're telling. It changes nothing else. In order to survive to be an Old Man Hedge Knight, you had to be made of solid f***ing iron. Those were tough days for anyone, let alone a fighting warrior who lives under trees in the 14th century. So, you know, he's a small guy and he's slim. I figured he's got something that helps him get through those really intense battles. He's got a certain energy about him, if you will."
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.
This review contains spoilers for Fallout Season 2, Episode 7, “The Handoff,” which is available to stream now on Prime Video.
When the easily flustered but incredibly principled Diane Welch (Martha Kelly) turned up for the second time back in Episode 5, I should have realised she was a vital part of the puzzle. By the conclusion of its first season, Fallout had made it clear that everything is connected, and so if a character turns up twice for seemingly no reason, there’s a reveal waiting in the wings. Even if I had put the pieces together, though, I don’t think I’d have foreseen that Welch would be Cooper’s direct line to the President of the United States (a fun small cameo for Clancy Brown). But the fact that Diane was able to help Cooper deliver Cold Fusion into (presumably very temporary) safe hands and save his marriage isn’t this week’s big surprise. No, even given 200 years to theorise, I’d never have guessed Diane’s severed head would turn up two centuries later, apparently functioning as the central processor for Hank’s brainwashing tech.
Lucy’s discovery in the heart of Vault-Tec’s Mojave vault poses multiple questions, not least of all why a gently spoken, staunchly anti-corporation congresswoman was considered the right candidate for this bizarre experiment. My other question, though, is why has Fallout become so reliant on bringing people from the past into its present-day wasteland? In Season 1, the reveal that Hank MacLean and Moldaver were survivors from before the bombs was a shocking twist. But in Season 2, that same twist keeps happening. Last week, we learned that Michael Emerson’s Dr. Wilzig was also from the beforetimes, and now this episode not only reveals that Diane’s head has been (somewhat) preserved for the entire duration of the apocalypse, but also reminds us (and reveals to her fellow vaulties) that Vault 32’s Overseer, Steph, is another member of the 200 Club. I do think Fallout has been incredibly strong at forming meaningful connections between the past and present, ensuring that each flashback feels genuinely essential rather than background reading. But this frequent return to the same concept – basically half the cast having been cryogenically frozen – does erode the uniqueness of The Ghoul’s position as the link between the old world and the new.
While I’m yet to be convinced we need another 200 year-old spanner in the works, Steph is at least an unusual case that allows this week’s cold open to dig into a darker corner of the lore. While we knew that she hailed from Vault 31 and was one of Bud's Buds, her story goes deeper than Vault-Tec conspiracy. As Chet discovered a couple of episodes ago, Steph is a citizen of Canada, which in Fallout’s alternate timeline was brutally annexed by the United States in an effort to build a tactical corridor to the frontlines in Alaska. Seeing this era from Steph’s desperate perspective provides a stark contrast against the Californian and Vegas “glamour” of Cooper’s sequences – this is the first time a soldier wearing power armour has been a genuinely terrifying sight. The scene effectively captures the eerie horror of the original Fallout game’s introduction, which depicted US troops as thugs that eagerly executed resisting Canadians.
That sort of oppression will understandably shape a person, and we now know that Steph has a centuries-spanning thirst for revenge. But how that fits into Fallout’s big picture is still unclear. Her escape from Canada and journey through the US does a great job of threading her needle through a number of established storylines, connecting her to Cooper, Hank, Bud, and potentially even Robert House. Everything is connected. We just don’t know why yet.
There’s also now the sense that all the other Vault storylines are about to spark into long overdue life. Now that Steph has coerced Betty into giving her Hank’s keepsake box, she’ll repay the “favour” by sharing her water supply – that’s the whole water chip storyline solved. But why was all this included? My money is on it all tying into Norm’s discovery of the Forced Evolutionary Virus. When that water starts flowing, I’m almost positive that really bad things will happen when folks start drinking.
There’s also now the sense that all the other Vault storylines are about to spark into long overdue life.
(Side note: Norm has been in Barb’s old Vault-Tec office since Episode 4, and had the “luxury” of spending most of this episode unconscious. Moisés Arias really got the short end of the stick this year.)
Beneath New Vegas, Hank and Lucy attempt to make interesting points about factionalism. This has, of course, been an important part of the season, and is drawn directly from the video game. But Hank’s assertion that The Legion is just as bad as the “vaguely problematic” NCR feels like it’s from another version of the show; one in which the conflict between these two groups was front and centre, akin to The Brotherhood of Steel’s civil war, rather than the focus for a single episode. We really don’t know these groups very well, and neither does Lucy, which lessens the impact of deciding whether or not to brainwash them all. Still, I appreciate this being another space to explore Lucy’s personal ethics and question her own need to find non-violent solutions – just because there’s no bullets involved doesn’t mean you’ve found a peaceful solution.
Above ground, Maximus, Thaddeus, and The Ghoul team up to break into New Vegas. The New California Republic’s old gear store provides a great turning point for our nervous knight, as Maximus takes control of the NCR power armor. Designed especially for the show, this suit is admittedly a little goofy – like a salvaged T-45 with an enlarged Ranger helmet welded on top. But I love what it represents for Maximus: it lends him the strength he always wanted from being an armored Brotherhood of Steel knight, but its double-headed bear insignia represents the good fight of the NCR, his original people, rather than the prejudiced cruelty he was forced to carry out with the Brotherhood. Finally, Maximus has become the good man his father said he would, and he’s got the uniform to prove it.
While the armour represents Maximus’ personal growth, it sadly doesn’t guarantee a great punch-up with New Vegas’ resident deathclaws. The epic battle you’ve waited all season for is pretty clunky, and while the choreography would have sufficed for a regular brawl, it doesn’t stand up to the expectations set by the game’s challenging deathclaw standoffs.
Thankfully something more exciting awaits on the other side of the strip: The Ghoul activating Mr. House’s terminal and seeing the screen light up with his green-hued face. His existence in virtual form comes as no surprise – fans know he survived the bombings via unconventional means – but his survival into the here and now is a huge reveal. House’s fate was determined by players at the end of Fallout: New Vegas, so what is the show about to say about any kind of canon ending, especially since it's been so careful to avoid that so far? I think there’s more to this than cementing the “The House Always Wins” ending into Fallout lore, but regardless of what happens, interesting answers surely lie in next week’s big finale.
Warning: This review contains spoilers for Marvel’s Wonder Man. The first half focuses on the basics, but we get into full spoilers for the finale in the second half. You can also check out our spoiler-free review of the first episode.
Few would argue that the Marvel Cinematic Universe hasn’t been in a bit of a rut these last few years. But to their credit, Marvel has placed a renewed emphasis on quality over quantity of late. If you look at the MCU slate over the past year, it’s mostly been pretty solid - Thunderbolts*, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Daredevil: Born Again, even Marvel Zombies. Wonder Man slides right in there as another strong addition to the Marvel mix. It may not add much of note to the larger Multiverse Saga, but it sure is entertaining.
In that sense, Wonder Man is a real proof-of-concept for the “Marvel Spotlight” branding. Like Echo before it, Wonder Man is specifically designed to be a smaller-scale, more character-focused, and more creator-driven outing for the MCU, and that’s exactly what it delivers. The stakes are pretty small as these things go, but you get a good, well-rounded portrait of the MCU’s newest superhero. The fact that he barely even qualifies for that title is one of the show’s charms. Wonder Man proves to be less another superhero origin story than it is a drama about a working-class stiff who just happens to have powers.
It’s a premise that really lives and dies on the strength of its lead actors. That’s where Wonder Man truly shines. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley make for a winning pair as fellow struggling actors Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery, both of whom find themselves up for roles in Hollywood’s much-anticipated remake of the Wonder Man movie. Both Abdul-Mateen and Kingsley are strong performers individually, but it’s their chemistry together that carries the show forward from episode to episode. Simon and Trevor’s unlikely bromance is just that charming. One of the best scenes in the series comes early on, as the two frazzled thespians sit in Simon’s apartment and simply blow off steam by trading monologues. It’s a reminder that both men - the actors and their characters - have genuine talent.
Kingsley is a known quantity in the MCU at this point, as the series is continuing his arc from 2013’s Iron Man 3, 2014’s Marvel One-Shot: All Hail the King, and 2021’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. It might seem a bit random to suddenly thrust Trevor into the spotlight again after all these years, but he makes for a natural companion and occasional foil to Simon. And for a character who was mostly played for laughs before now, it’s nice to see a softer, more genuine side of Trevor Slattery.
As for Simon, Abdul-Mateen brings all the charisma, humor, and pathos to the role that the scripts demand. The series establishes a strong arc for Simon, painting him as a driven, passionate actor who’s constantly held back by his pathological fear of showing his true self. The fact that his true self is a superhuman with destructive ionic powers just further complicates matters. Abdul-Mateen deftly captures all sides of the character and makes us care about Simon’s rise from rags to riches and the difficult crossroads that comes next.
The only problem with having two such compelling main characters is that the rest of the cast struggles to emerge from their collective shadow. Most of the supporting characters are thinly defined and two-dimensional at best, whether it’s Simon’s mother (Shola Adewusi) and brother (Demetrius Grosse) or Wonder Man movie director Von Kovak (Zlatko Burić). Grosse’s Eric Williams is especially bizarre because this is a major Avengers villain in the comics, but here he’s little more than a sternly disapproving older brother figure. All the episodes clock in around the half-hour mark, and it’s hard not to wonder if the series might have benefited from a few extra minutes devoted to fleshing out these supporting characters a bit more.
Frankly, the two leads are strong enough that the series could probably work simply as a drama about two struggling actors, no MCU elements needed. But though Wonder Man definitely downplays the superheroics, it does benefit from them in the end. The early reveal that Trevor is working with Arian Moayed’s Agent Cleary and the Department of Damage Control to spy on Simon is a fun wrinkle that adds some extra tension to their shared journey. And it all pays off nicely in the end when Simon does finally reach the point where he has to choose between being a hero or simply playing one on the big screen.
Note: The remainder of this review gets into full spoilers for the final episode of Wonder Man!
Again, Wonder Man is a fairly low-stakes show as far as MCU series go. The two burning questions fueling the plot are “Will Simon and Trevor get their big break?” and “Will Trevor betray Simon for his own personal gain?” That all comes to a head nicely in the penultimate episode, “Kathy Friedman,” where the two newly minted stars have their friendship torpedoed by the titular, meddling reporter.
It’s interesting how writer/co-creator Andrew Guest opts to resolve that conflict in Episode 8, “Yucca Valley.” There, we get the pivotal sequence where Trevor opts to revive his Mandarin persona to take the blame for the explosion Simon caused at the studio. It’s a funny little development, but also a very fitting way of bringing the character full circle. He’s finally learned to take responsibility for his mistakes and use his most famous role for good. Trevor is hauled off to a DODC prison, and Simon gets to maintain his secret and enjoy being a movie star.
Upon first viewing, it’s a little strange seeing things resolve themselves so quickly into Episode 8, making what follows feel at first like an extended epilogue. It’s only very late in the game, when it becomes clear what Simon is up to with his sudden foray into method acting, that everything falls into place. Simon uses the power of acting to con his way into the DODC prison and break Trevor out. The bromance endures.
As odd as the structure of this episode is, this feels like a very necessary twist for Simon’s story. Up till that point, he had never truly succeeded in opening up and embracing that side of himself he worked so hard to suppress. Even when earning the Wonder Man role, he completely bungled the soul-baring improv challenge and only succeeded by virtue of reading his lines really, really well. The character needed to do something to show he’s finally at peace with himself and his powers, and that’s what we get in the final scene.
The nice thing is that the ending leaves the door completely open for more Wonder Man and his faithful sidekick, Trevor Slattery. What becomes of this dynamic duo? Does Simon make an honest go at being a superhero? Does he go back to the acting grind? Do he and Trevor become fugitives on the run? Do we get a more comics-accurate take on the character in Season 2? Who knows?
There’s no guarantee we’ll ever see these characters again in the MCU. But, then again, plenty of people thought the same thing about the post-Iron Man 3 Trevor Slattery or Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns. You really never know with this shared universe.
I do wonder if Wonder Man will wind up setting the tone for the MCU going forward in one regard. The idea that the Department of Damage Control is aggressively rounding up rogue superhumans could be an important plot point. They may be having trouble filling their prisons now, but what happens when more mutants start appearing on the scene post-Secret Wars? Is this a taste of things to come? Food for thought.
Anker is offering a huge discount on one of its biggest and most powerful TSA-friendly travel-sized power banks. From now until February 1, you can pick up an Anker Prime 27,650mAh 250W USB Power Bank through Anker's official eBay store for just $98.99 with free shipping after a 46% off coupon code "ANKR26JANSALE". This is for a brand new, not used item. Anker's eBay store has nearly 270,000 feedback with a stellar 99.7% positive rating.
Anker Prime 27,650mAh 240W Power Bank for $98.99
The Anker Prime is a hefty power bank, measuring 6.4"x2"x2.2" and weighing in at 1.5lbs. It has two USB Type-C ports and one USB Type-A port. Each USB Type C port supports up to 140W of Power Delivery or a combined total of 240W (140W + 100W) if you're running both simultaneously. That's powerful enough to charge even the current Apple MacBook Pro 16" laptop, which accepts up to 140W of charging. In terms of gaming handhelds, the Steam Deck supports up to 38W of charging, the Asus ROG Ally X and Xbox Ally X up to 100W, and the Nintendo Switch up to 18W. Basically, that means the Anker Prime can easily charge all three gaming handhelds at their maximum rate. The USB Type-A port supports up to 65W, although it drops to 18W if you're using the other ports at the same time.
A 27,650mAh battery equates to a 99.5Whr capacity. An 80% power efficiency rating (which is about standard for power banks) gives you about 80Whr of available charge. That's enough juice to charge the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, which has an 80Whr battery, from completely empty to completely full. Other handhelds can be charged more than once.
The Anker Prime is TSA-approved, but just barely.
TSA states that power banks must be under 100Whr in capacity for carry-on (check-in is not allowed under any circumstances). This Anker Prime is just barely under that at 99.5Whr, but that is the nominal rating and in real-world testing, it will always be below that. You might get checked simply because the Prime 27,650mAh is a hefty-looking power bank, but you shouldn't have any problems getting it cleared.
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.
The Wrecking Crew streams globally beginning Wednesday, January 28, on Prime Video.
Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa carry the weight of a buddy cop blow-'em-up on their formidable shoulders in director Ángel Manuel Soto's The Wrecking Crew - a slightly higher-grade action film that'll tease you with fresh concepts and funny banter while simultaneously deflating you with by-the-numbers tropes and twists. The Wrecking Crew leverages the combined beef of its two superhero leads for an '80s/'90s-style throwback adventure, but it's only half successful, and every joke that actually lands shines a sad spotlight on all the other lines that are flat and uninspired. It's a step forward, step backwards situation.
Momoa beams brightest here as the hot mess/bull-in-a-china-shop half-brother of disciplined, rigid Bautista, who feels a tad underserved with the straight-man role. Bautista's James is the Roger Murtaugh-type family man, if Roger was a decorated, dry Navy SEAL. Which makes sense as a counterpoint for Lobo-in-real-life Momoa, but it also makes the film feel unbalanced as Momoa's Johnny is given so much fun flare, numerous clever fight scenes, and the movie's best one-liners. It's no wonder that Vin Diesel, reportedly, allegedly, was rumored to resent Momoa for out-classing him in Fast X. The former Aquaman star oozes that rogue, rascally Riggs charisma that these types of movies need.
Bautista is no slouch, but he's very much the quiet(er) storm here. There are moments when the two find their squabbling sibling rhythm and the story comes alive, but again there are many recycled elements dragging the whole operation down - like the entire reveal of the villains and their nefarious scheme, which feels tacked on to the point of being incidental. And perhaps that's the point: keeping intact the rote action-movie building blocks. Adhering to the familiar mold even when more interesting elements loom large.
I'm giving The Wrecking Crew the benefit of the doubt, but truthfully writer Jonathan Tropper has given us much better pulp (Banshee, Warrior, Your Friends & Neighbors). That being said, there is a Yakuza fight scene near the beginning that feels like a rad reminder to rewatch Banshee. It's actually such a lively brawl that it makes you hopeful that the rest of the movie will match it, but only parts of it do.
Writer/director Shane Black helped pioneer the action-comedy mismatched-duo genre decades ago, but even he was able to grow the genre from his own foundations with the likes of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and The Nice Guys. The Wrecking Crew doesn't need to be The Nice Guys, or even a meta-examination of the genre, but it does need a little more confidence to flex (which sounds silly, given the leads). Arguably though, the most important element here is the heroes and their specific dynamic and that, smartly, is The Wrecking Crew's strength.
The most important element here is the heroes and their specific dynamic and that, smartly, is The Wrecking Crew's strength.
Momoa's Johnny, an Oklahoma cop who just lost his job and gal (the invaluable Morena Baccarin) because he's an amusing garbage dump of a dude, returns to his Hawaiian home to attend the funeral of his deadbeat P.I. dad - who, unlike his cranky older bro James (Bautista), he knows was murdered. Johnny's homecoming is physically violent and emotionally tumultuous as he and James deal with their dad's last case, the dirt he dug up, and their own deeply harbored resentments toward each other.
Eventually, the mystery switches gears into a massive murderfest with tons of explosions and an uncomfortable amount of collateral damage. Once the dirty deeds are figured out and the brotherly bothers are sorted, The Wrecking Crew plays out in fairly predictable ways. You'll know who the traitor is. You'll have heard the villain's dialogue before in various other films. And you'll wonder why Johnny and James aren't immediately incarcerated after every incident. But also... you know, Momoa rips a guy's arm off. The Wrecking Crew contains multitudes.
This is a moderate recommendation, for those who may still be hunkered down at home this week, safe from the snow, and want a partially brainless blast to make things loud in your living room. It's what Siskel and Ebert would categorize as slight thumbs up. The Wrecking Crew has strong leads (advantage to Momoa) and fun support - like Baccarin, Jacob Batalon, and Frankie Adams - while also delivering on hyperviolence and spectacle. It's a shame that it's too by-the-book most of the time, with only flashes of inventiveness here and there.
I have a pretty simple rule with sales now. If a discount does not meaningfully change how much I would enjoy a game, it does not matter. What you want is the moment where price and quality finally meet in the middle and quietly agree to stop wasting your time.
That is what this list is built around. Games that were already good, now cheap enough to recommend without qualifiers. Get some.
In retro news, I'm celebrating the 26th bday of Gran Turismo 2, two PS One discs that I played the absolute scratch 'n' sniff off of. (For real—rubbing the label of my launch edition CD-ROMs would cause an "authentic pit stop smell" of petrol and oil.) Aromarrific gimmicks aside, GT2 was brilliant for more practical reasons, like more cars (650) and more tracks (27 plus rallying). Also, due to this being the first GT to include real-life courses, this is the first time I fell in love[/hate] with Laguna Seca's corkscrew. God, how I loved getting awkwardly airborne off it in a Suzuki V6 Escudo.
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (-34%) A$45.90 Still cruel, still precise, still capable of making adults yell at a cartoon marsupial. A remake that proudly refuses to go easy on you.
Undertale (-34%) A$15.10 Looks like a joke, plays like a trap. You will laugh, then feel personally attacked by a skeleton with boundary issues.
BioShock: The Col. (-61%) A$35.00 Three classics, zero filler. Still smarter than most shooters, still asking questions other games dodge entirely.
Super Mario RPG (-14%) A$69 Short, charming, and paced like Nintendo actually respects your time. Mario with jokes that still land.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (-39%) A$49 Tactical combat so good it makes you forgive the Rabbids. Almost. Genuinely clever systems under the chaos.
Monster Hunter Wilds (-64%) A$41.30 Absurd monsters, spreadsheets worth of systems, and combat that makes every win feel earned. Still Capcom at full power.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (-64%) A$40 Big swings, some misses, but when it works it really works. Lightsaber combat with actual weight and intent.
Diablo IV (-73%) A$30 The rare live game that eventually found its footing. Excellent campaign, less nonsense, much easier to recommend now.
Dead Space (-57%) A$47 A horror remake that understood the assignment. Scarier, cleaner, and still deeply unpleasant in the right ways.
Sonic Frontiers (-76%) A$24.40 Messy ideas, genuine ambition, and the most interesting Sonic has been in years. Rough edges included.
Xbox One
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove (-59%) A$23.90 Pixel art perfection with controls that never lie to you. Every expansion is better than it has any right to be.
Mass Effect Leg. Ed. (-69%) A$31 Still the benchmark for squad based storytelling. You will replay it saying you will make different choices. You will not.
Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age (-49%) A$40.70 Political fantasy with MMO bones and phenomenal systems. Not loud, not flashy, but quietly brilliant.
Adam Mathew is a passionate connoisseur, a lifelong game critic, and an Aussie deals wrangler who genuinely wants to hook you up with stuff that's worth playing (but also cheap). He plays practically everything, sometimes on YouTube.
If you're seeking the absolute best of the best in PC gaming performance, look no further than Alienware's flagship Area-51 prebuilts. Following CES 2026, Dell has discounted an Alienware Area-51 AMD Ryzen X3D Edition RTX 5090 gaming PC to $5,049.99 after a $600 discount. The Ryzen X3D Edition is essentially the second generation version of the Area-51 with a more powerful CPU replacement from AMD instead of Intel.
Alienware Area-51 Ryzen Edition RTX 5090 Gaming PC
The Alienware Area-51 is Dell's flagship gaming PC. Unveiled during last year's CES, the Area-51 is a super-sized upgrade to the mainstream Aurora R16 system. The significantly larger chassis features more premium build quality and a redesigned cooling system with greater net airflow. In fact, this is the only model that Dell feels comfortable enough to equip with the hot and power hungry GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card. The first wave of Area-51 systems featured Intel CPUs exclusively, with AMD X3D options only available since late November.
This particular configuration is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU, GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card, 32GB or DDR5-6400MHz RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Additional system details include a 360mm all-in-one liquid cooling system for the CPU and a massive 1,500W 80Plus Platinum power supply that allows plenty of headroom for future upgrades.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the best gaming CPU for most people
The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is considered to be the best gaming processor currently on the market and outperforms any Intel or AMD non-X3D chip in games thanks to AMD's 3D-V-Cache technology.
Although the 9800X3D is an absolute speed demon for gaming, it only has eight cores. If you regularly use your PC for non-gaming applications that benefit from as many cores as possible, then you can upgrade to an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 16-core processor, which doubles the core count while offering similar gaming performance, for an additional $300.
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.
USB Type-C has become the standard for charging and data cables alike, so it's good to have extra on hand. Amazon is offering a two-pack of Lisen 6.6ft 240W USB Type-C cables for just $5.60 after you apply coupon code "WMO2UM2U". That averages out to $2.80 per cable. USB-C cables typically go for about $10 each at your local big box store. Use these to charge or sync any device with a USB-C port, including your Nintendo Switch 2, iPhone 16, or even a laptop.
2-Pack of Lisen 6.6ft 240W USB Type-C Cables for $5.60
Keep your cable collection simple. These cables measure 6.6 feet in length, which is a great general purpose length: long enough to still be able to use your device while the cable is plugged in, but not so long as to be an unnecessary nuisance. These cables are also rated for up to 240W of power delivery, which means they can be used to charge even high powered electronics like your laptop. They're encased in a braided nylon sheath for extra durability and aeshetics. Lisen claims that they've been lab tested for up to 40,000+ bends and 175lb tensile pulls, "equivalent to a decade of daily extreme use". These cables have 5,000 ratings on Amazon with an average 4.6 star rating.
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.
Give your desk area a good cleaning as part of your New Years resolutions. Compressed air canisters used to be the standard but nowadays electric air dusters have taken over as a more convenient and less expensive option. Amazon is currently offering the JVSCAM Cordless Rechargeable Electric Air Duster for just $19.98 after coupon code "4OIDBVTT". Normally this deal is reserved for Amazon Prime members, but this time is available for everyone.
JVSCAM Cordless Electric Air Duster for PC for $19.99
The JVSCAM cordless rechargeable electric air duster is a fairly straightforward device. An internal fan spins at up to 130,000RPM to move an appreciable amount of air. A nozzle funnels the air into a tight, high-velocity stream that's more than strong enough to kick up layers of dust that's been sitting on top of your computer components. It has three speed settings, although I would recommend keeping it at the max speed for optimal results. You also get four different sized nozzles, including a narrow funnel for tight spaces like between your keyboard's keys, and a wider nozzle for AoE damage.
The best thing about an electric duster as opposed to a compressed air canister is that it isn't disposable. It's rechargeable via the included USB-C cable, and its battery lasts more than long enough for your PC maintenance. And that's not all it's good for; I use a similar duster for other tasks, including cleaning out my coffee grinder and blowing leaves off the car.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
There's no need to pay $500 for the Bowflex SelectTech adjustable dumbbells when there are equally well-built options at a much lower price point. For a limited time, FED Fitness is offering its owned house brand DB1 Adjustable Dumbbells - weighing up to 52.5 pounds each, or 105 pounds total - for just $311.99 with free delivery after you apply 20% off coupon code "NEWYEARSSP20". This is a good price for a complete dumbbell package with nearly all-metal construction, compact design, and a solid 3 year warranty.
FED Fitness DB1 Adjustable Dumbbells (up to 52.5lbs each)
Each FED Fitness DB1 dumbbell is adjustable from 5 pounds all the way up to 52.5 pounds. The adjustmet mechanism works very similary to the Bowflex SelectTech series; you turn a dial in 2.5 or 5 pound increments, which locks in a specific combination of plates that add up to the desired weight. Unlike traditional free weights that take up a decent chunk of space, these adjustable dumbbells are neatly contained in a compact package that measures just 16" square.
The build quality and materials is what you'd expect from a good, solid pair of dumbbells. Nearly the entire dumbbell is made of a tough steel alloy. The handle is rubber coated to eliminate slippage. The plates are hexagonal shaped so they won't roll around when you put them down. The adjustment dial and locking mechanisms have loud clicks for easy feedback. FED Fitness backs these dumbbells up with a 30-day money back return policy and a 3 year warranty.
Free weights are a great choice for anyone who wants to work out at home but is limited on space. A pair of dumbbells is all the equipment you need to get access to a wide range of exercises that can target just about every muscle in your upper and lower body. Supplement your free weight exercises with cardio and other workouts that use your own body weight as resistance (like pushups, burpees, or squats) and you may never need to purchase more equipment.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
If you need to buy a new Apple Watch charger, there's a better option than paying $29 for the official - but basic - charger. Amazon is offering Amazon Prime members the Joyroom Portable Apple Watch Charger featuring an internal 2,000mAh battery for cordless charging for just $9.91 after you apply coupon code "T6STW6AM". Now you can charge your Apple Watch on the road, even when there's no outlet nearby.
Joyroom 2,000mAh Portable Apple Watch Charger for $9.91
You no longer need to be near an outlet to charge your Apple Watch
The Joyroom charger works similarly to the official Apple charger. Like the official charger, you can plug the Joyroom charger into an available USB Type-C port. Then you simply set your Apple Watch on the base without having to plug anything in. The Watch magnetically attaches and starts charging wirelessly. However, that's where the similarities end.
The Joyroom also has a built-in 2,000mAh battery that allows you to charge your Apple Watch even when no outlet is readily available. The battery is good for two to four complete charges depending on which Apple Watch model you have. A 3.3 feet USB charging cable is included to recharge your Joyroom.
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.
Samsung has announced it is just about ready to take orders for the Galaxy Z TriFold, the grotesque foldable monstrosity the company made official last month. Starting on January 30th, you'll be able to order one in black, starting at a mere $2,899. Why, that's only a few hundred dollars more than the trade-in value of my (admittedly quite old) 2004 Lexus SUV. What a deal!
What do you get for this nearly $3,000 phone? Features include: a 10-inch, 120Hz OLED display when unfolded; 3.9mm thickness at the Z TriFold's thinnest point (or 12.9mm when folded); a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor; a 200MP camera; and gobs of AI features you may or may not ever use. Internally, it sports a lot of the same hardware as the Galaxy Z Fold 7, a great foldable that earned an 8/10 in IGN's review last year. Could it unseat the Z Fold 7 as IGN's favorite foldable? Only time and testing will tell.
Samsung brags that the phone's main display has undergone "a 200,000-cycle multi-folding test," which it says is "equivalent to folding the device approximately 100 times a day for five years." Of course, durability is about more than how many times the phone can fold and foldables have been a bit of a step back when it comes to dustproofing. Samsung claims an IP48 ingress rating – which means it can resist solid objects larger than a millimeter. Small solids like you'll find in dirt and sand still seem to be a crunchy issue for the phone in YouTuber Zack Nelson's rundown of the phone on his JerryRigEverything channel last month.
Anyway, if you've got the money and the sort of gentle disposition that would keep the TriFold in ship shape long enough to justify its cost, then rejoice friend, for you'll be able to order it straight from Samsung in but a few days.
Wes is a freelance writer (Freelance Wes, they call him) who has covered technology, gaming, and entertainment steadily since 2020 at Gizmodo, Tom's Hardware, Hardcore Gamer, and most recently, The Verge. Inside of him there are two wolves: one that thinks it wouldn't be so bad to start collecting game consoles again, and the other who also thinks this, but more strongly.
Best Buy is offering a fantastic deal on a powerful 4K-capable gaming PC during a month when prebuilt prices are constantly on the rise. Right now you can pick up this Skytech O11 Vision AMD Ryzen 7 7700 Radeon RX 9070 XT gaming PC for $1,629.99 with free shipping. The Radeon RX 9070 XT is an outstanding graphics card that can run the latest games in 4K, and it's considerably less expensive than a comparable GeForce 5000 series GPU.
Skytech O11 Vision Radeon RX 9070 XT Gaming PC for $1,630
The Skytech gaming PC is generously equipped across the board. It features an AMD Ryzen 7 7700 CPU, Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB GPU, 32GB of DDR5-6000MHz RAM, and a 1TB M.2 SSD. The Ryzen 7 7700 is an 8-core, 16 thread CPU with a max boost clock of 5.3GHz. This is a solid CPU for gaming and you won't need to upgrade it for a long time. It's cooled by a robust 360mm all-in-one liquid cooling system and paired with DDR5-6000MHz RAM, which is rare nowadays.
The system is contained in the gorgeous Lian Li O11 Vision case, which is often touted as one of the best panoramic glass cases (or, as often lovingly described, fish tank cases) on the market. It offers great airflow, plenty of room for components, and enough glass to show off your fancy setup. The entire system is run off a 850W 80Plus Gold certified power supply with headroom for future upgrades.
The Radeon RX 9070 XT Received a 10/10 at IGN
The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is the only 2025-released GPU that we gave a 10/10 score. Even though it costs $150 less than the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, the 9070 XT beats it out in several of the games we tested. In a few benchmarks, the results aren't even close. The 9070 XT approaches the performance of the $1,000 RX 7900 XTX but with better ray tracing and upscaling performance than its predecessor.
This is the least expensive graphics card from either AMD or Nvidia that I would comfortably recommend for playing the latest and most demanding games in 4K at 60fps or higher framerates. Check out our AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT review.
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.
Lionsgate is heading back to the dance floor, as the sequel to Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey’s ‘80s classic, Dirty Dancing, has finally found footing with a new creative team.
The company announced its plans to revisit the beloved romance film’s universe are back on track today, confirming development has kicked up again, with new members of its core creative team already in place. Production is now set to begin later this year, with Grey still signed on to reprise her role as Frances “Baby” Houseman.
Hunger Games and Crazy Rich Asians producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson have boarded to oversee Dirty Dancing 2, with Glow, New Girl, and Only Murders in the Building writer Kim Rosenstock attached to pen its screenplay. Meredith Wieck and Maria Ascanio will oversee for Lionsgate, and Grey is also on board as an executive producer.
“The role of Baby has held a very deep and meaningful place in my heart, as it has in the hearts of so many fans over the years,” Grey said in a statement. “I’ve long wondered where we might find Baby years later and what her life might be like, but it’s taken time to assemble the kind of people that I felt could be entrusted to build on the legacy of the original film… and I’m excited to say that It looks like the wait will soon be over!”
Director Emile Ardolino’s Dirty Dancing premiered in 1987 and tells the dance-infused love story of Baby and Johnny Castle (Swayze). Beyond leaving its mark with standout performances from its leads, the quintessential ‘80s movie is known for its all-time great soundtrack, featuring songs like Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes’ (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life and Eric Carmen’s Hungry Eyes.
Lionsgate’s first announced its Dirty Dancing sequel in 2020, confirming Warm Bodies’ Jonathan Levine had been brought in to direct a screenplay from Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis (Five Feet Apart). Although Levine is still involved as an executive producer, he will no longer direct, leaving the spot vacant for now.
“Dirty Dancing is that rare film that is as emotional, exhilarating, and rebellious today as it was the year it was released,” Jacobson said in a statement. “To be able to work with Jennifer Grey and Lionsgate on the sequel is a genuine joy for Brad and me. We feel so fortunate to have been invited back to Kellerman’s for one more dance.”
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer 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 Ascended Heroes expansion is about to kick off the Pokémon TCG’s 2026 run with its 30 January release date fast approaching, and there are only a couple of places where you can reliably buy preorders for ETBs, booster packs, and collections right now.
That’s along with not every product being launched on that 30 January release date.
As expected, the usual drops at MSRP at sites like the Pokémon Center US and UK are already sold out. Preorders at Target are already sold out as well, while Best Buy’s selection is merely marked as “Coming Soon”.
With that, outside of keeping up with deal trackers, you’ll very more than likely have to pay above retail price for the time being.
That said, we’ll give you a full breakdown of the best places to get your buy for Pokémon preorders for whichever Mega Evolution: Ascended Heroes products you’re looking out for.
Only a handful of Pokémon TCG products for the Ascended Heroes expansion are launching right away on 30 January, with the Charmander and Ghastly Tech Collections preorders being the best to buy first — the cheapest being at Walmart for $39.97 each (random), or at Amazon for around $43 each.
Each collection gets you three Ascended Heroes booster packs, a titular promo card, and a tech sticker sheet.
Pre-orders for individual Ascended Heroes booster packs are sold out over at TCGplayer and aren’t listed at Amazon or Walmart, so the Tech Sticker Collections give you the best value for money.
Ascended Heroes Collection Blisters — Erika & Larry
One of the first Ascended Heroes products releasing with the set’s launch on 30 January, the Erika and Larry blister packs are arguably the second-hottest to buy right now — and pre-orders can be bought cheapest for $34.99 at Amazon.
However, whichever one you get between the Larry and Erika edition (Larry’s has a Komala promo card, and Erika’s with Tangela). If you want Larry’s specifically, you can spend a little more at Amazon, with the cheapest listing available being $39.95.
Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Boxes
As is normally the case with a new expansion in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Ascended Heroes is the most in demand, but pre-orders can be bought right now at TCGplayer for $117.85 or Walmart for $149.99.
The one thing to keep in mind with each option here is that these are individual or third-party retailers trading on each platform, but what they’re offering with their listings for Ascended Heroes Trainer Boxes is all the same:
Nine Ascended Heroes booster packs
N’s Zekrom foil promo card
65 themed card sleeves
40 Energy cards
Player’s guide
Six damage-counter dice
Coin-flip die (competition legal)
Plastic coin
Code card for the Pokémon Trading Card Game Live
Collector’s box, plus six organizational dividers
For the very serious collector’s out there, TCGplayer is also stocking resales of the Exclusive Pokemon Center edition of the Ascended Heroes ETB — the lowest for a whopping $399 plus $200 shipping; all of that extra money gets you an extra N’s Zekrom foil promo card, but also emblazoned with the Pokemon Center Logo, and arriving in an alternative box.
Keep in mind, however, that the Pokémon Company announced a delayed launch date of 20 February 2026 for Ascended Heroes ETBs to 20 February 2026. So, even if you do get a pre-order in before January 30, you’ll need to wait a few more weeks.
Ascended Heroes Mini-Tins
Also, with a delayed release date of February 20, listings for the Pokémon TCG’s Ascended Heroes Mini-Tins are still incredibly expensive on TCGplayer — making Walmart’s pre-order price of $29.99 the cheapest to buy right now.
Granted, whichever style of tin you’ll get among these is totally random, but is cheaper than paying over six times the price to get a specific one on TCGplayer.
Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collections
Packing ten Pokémon TCG: Ascended Heroes booster packs, a titular promo card (Mega Gardevoir ex or Mega Lucario ex; and a poster to go with it, you can buy a pre-order of the Premium Poster Collections right now at Walmart for $124.99 each.
This is currently the only place to buy, with TCGplayer being sold out. Plus, keep in mind that whichever one you get of the two will be random.
Also, The Pokemon Company also announced these collections will be released at a later date of 20 March.
Ascended Heroes Booster Bundles
Offering a box of six Pokémon TCG booster packs, the Ascended Heroes Booster Bundle is best to pre-order at Walmart — offering the lowest price of $77.95, compared to TCGplayer sellers asking for $82.44 plus $200 shipping at best.
We expect better TCGplayer sellers with better offers to be closer to the Ascended Heroes Booster Bundles’ release date, which was also announced as an even further delayed date of 24 April 2026. In the meantime, though, Walmart’s the best go-to.
Ben Williams – IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are on sale again today, with $50 knocked off the price tag, bringing the earbuds back down to the lowest price ever. That’s not all, if you have your eye on the MTG’s TMNT release, a preorder for the 30-pack Booster Box is only $124.99 right now, and after, grab MTG's Marvel Super Heroes preorder that dropped on Amazon. Best Buy also has Persona 3 Reload for Nintendo Switch 2 for $30 off and a nice gaming TV discount. Check out all the top deals for today below:
TL;DR: Today’s Best Deals:
$50 Off Apple AirPods Pro 3
Best Buy dropped the AirPods Pro 3 back to its lowest price last week, and Amazon and Walmart have matched it this week. You can grab Apple's latest earbuds for $50 off, bringing the price down to $199. The AirPods Pro 3 makes some solid improvements on its predecessor, offering better noise cancellation, improved sound quality, a longer battery life, and higher waterproofing. A new heart rate sensing feature is even built into the earbuds for added functionality.
Magic: The Gathering TMNT Booster Box (30 Packs) Preorder is Down to $124.99
If you’ve been waiting for the prices to drop on the MTG x TMNT, now is the time to jump on that pre-order. The booster box is down to $124.99 on Amazon. In the box are 30 packs, which means each one comes out to about $4.17. Amazon even has a nice preorder price guarantee, so whether the price goes up or down, you’re paying the lowest amount. This is the first “Universe Beyond” release of the year, and it’s set to drop on March 6th.
After you’ve secured the MTG x TMNT, you can grab the preorder for the MTG x Marvel Superheroes set that comes out June 26. The 30-pack Booster Box for $209.70, the Collectors Booster Box for $455.88, Commander Deck Bundle for $299.96, and more are all up for preorder on Amazon, so grab them while you can.
Score Half Off Persona 3 Reload for Nintendo Switch 2
Persona 3 Reload for Nintendo Switch 2 is only $29.99, which is the lowest price I’ve seen for the game on Nintendo’s latest console. Yes, at launch, there were some frame rate hiccups, but ATLUS seems to have resolved the problem so you can enjoy this classic RPG adventure in all its glory. In our review of Persona 3 Reload, Michael Higham even said, “With a stellar visual overhaul and countless small but impactful changes, Persona 3 Reload tells a timeless story of tragedy and hope with sharp emotional sincerity.”
DREO 8L Smart Humidifier Hits Low Price
Blasting the heat at home means you’re probably feeling unbearably dry, from your throat to your skin. The DREO 8L Smart Humidifier is a nice way to remedy the problem, adding much needed moisture to the air in rooms up to 600ft². It features a warm mist for these cold months and cool mist for hotter days, while the 8L tanks should last up to 80 hours. Smart home features are also supported, letting you use the Dreo app for added control. Best of all, this humidifier is down to its lowest price on Amazon. Be sure to grab this deal while it’s still live.
Get the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 Pro for a Steal
AndaSeat has a solid limited-time deal on its Kaiser 3 Pro seat. This top-notch gaming chair can be yours for just $359.10 when you use the coupon code AndaIGN. However, you’ll need to grab the Weiboo Limited Edition to get this awesome discount, which puts this Pro model cheaper than the regular Kaiser 3. A lumbar pillow and magnetic headrest are even included in this package, on top of 4-way adjustable lumbar support, 5D armrests, rocking recline, and more on this premium seat.
Save 55% on the 65" Samsung S84F 4K OLED Smart TV
A top gaming TV got a healthy discount. You can grab the 65" Samsung S84F 4K OLED Smart TV for just $899.99 at Best Buy. That’s 55% off the list price. Now, this TV has a lot going for it, including the W-OLED panel, bringing deep blacks, near-infinite contrast, and solid 4K HDR performance. As for gaming, a near-instantaneous response time, 120Hz refresh rate on its HDMI 2.1 ports, VRR, and ALLM make it a real standout, especially given the price.
The Legend of Zelda Complete Box Set is 47% Off
Score 47% off the list price of the Legend of Zelda Complete Box Set. For just $55.20, you’ll get all 10 volumes of the Legend of Zelda manga series, which is based on the iconic video game. The artwork in this box set is stunning, and the stories are equally brilliant, making it ideal for Zelda fans of all ages. That’s not all, as you’ll also receive a free poster with this box set.
Get $20 Off a Waterpik Water Flosser
Kick up your oral hygiene with a water flosser, and the brand you want is Waterpik. It’s the top water flossing brand for a reason, and right now, you can buy Waterpik’s Aquarius model for only $59.99. While that’s not as low as Black Friday, it’s still $20 off the list price, making it a solid deal. I have this exact water flosser, and let me tell you, it has some serious cleaning power, especially when you have it cranked up to 10, the top setting. The Aquarius even comes with seven different tips for multiple users or easy replacements.
Get Tales of Graces f Remastered for PS5 for Only $16.30
Tales of Graces f Remastered for PS5 is only $16.30 on Amazon. This remaster modernizes Bandai Namco’s classic action-RPG series, originally released in the US for PS3 in 2012. With this update comes a dash button, autosave, accessibility features, improved graphics, and more. Fans of the original and newcomers will love Tales of Graces f Remastered, especially given that nice low price.
Danielle is a Tech freelance writer based in Los Angeles who spends her free time creating videos and geeking out over music history.
The release of GTA 6 may still be a long way off, but indie filmmaker Todd Wiseman Jr. has made an ambitious new short film, titled Six Stars, that essentially brings Grand Theft Auto into live-action. The short film is available on YouTube and can also be watched via the embed below.
Wiseman Jr. (The School Duel) wrote and directed Six Stars and also produced it with Christa Boarin. Trevor Gureckis (M. Night Shyamalan's Old) composed the score.
The short film stars Anatomy of a Fall’s Milo Machado-Graner as a French teenage gamer who, according to the logline provided to IGN, “goes on an ‘American rampage’, spiraling through a world that can’t look away... where violence is packaged, shared, and applauded.“
Watch the entire seven-minute short film Six Stars via the player embedded below.
The logline adds: “Shot against the backdrop of Tampa, Florida, Wiseman Jr.’s hometown, Six Stars questions the representation of masculinity in today's entertainment while simultaneously confronting the glorification and entertainment value placed on violence, one of The United States' chief exports.”
Check out the poster and some select still photos from Six Stars by scrolling through the slideshow below.
Plus, watch this behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film here:
After the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles expansion in March, Magic: The Gathering returns to the in-universe plane Strixhaven in April of 2026. Secrets of Strixhaven is our second outing at the School of Mages, and with it comes a host of new cards and sealed product to get your hands on, with preorders now live over on Amazon. Some things are already going out of stock, so get your order in quickly.
Preorder MTG: Secrets of Strixhaven - Out April 24, 2026
Magic is releasing an unprecedented seven mainline expansions this year, each with their own collection of different products to pick from. Secrets of Strixhaven is the next true Magic set, taking place at a previously-explored plane. With some new and returning card mechanics, this is one to keep an eye on.
See below for a breakdown of each product and their prices. And if you're curious about what to expect from Magic in 2026, we have a helpful roadmap guide to explain it all. The next big release after this one is Marvel Super Heroes, which is also available to preorder.
Play Boosters
Play Booster packs are what you'll use to build out your collection and update your decks. You can purchase packs individually or get the Play Booster box, which contains 30 packs.
Commander Decks
Commander is easily the most popular format among serious and casual players alike. With Secrets of Strixhaven, we'll be getting five new preconstructed Commander decks based around the five classes at the School of Mages.
Collector Boosters - Out of Stock
Collector Boosters are like regular Play Boosters, but you'll receive many of the set's rare chase cards and alternate art foils. There's a reason they're so expensive!
Bundle
Bundles make a great gift or stocking stuffer Magic players. You'll receive nine Play Booster packs, an alternate art foil card, 40 basic lands, and a 20-sided spindown life counter.
Codex Bundle - Out of Stock
Details are still scarce on the Codex Bundle, but we do know this includes two Collector Booster packs, six Play Boosters, two foil promo cards, 20 foil basic lands, and a 20-sided spindown life counter.
Draft Night
While you can use a Play Booster box to draft, the Draft Night kit is specifically set up for groups of four players to do a quick Pick-Two draft.
Magic: The Gathering is about to have a busy year, with an unprecedented seven mainline sets dropping before year's end. One of these is the highly-anticipated Universes Beyond set Marvel Super Heroes, featuring our favorite heroes, villains, locations, and more from the iconic comic books. The set releases in June after Secrets of Strixhaven, and preorders are now live on Amazon and some are already going out of stock.
Preorder MTG: Marvel Super Heroes - Out June 26, 2026
We already got a small tease of how Marvel characters would look through both Secret Lairs and the main Spider-Man set, but with Marvel Super Heroes, Wizards of the Coast will be expanding into its own MCU (Marvel Card Universe, please clap).
A massive selection of sealed products will be available to preorder and at launch, and we've broken each of them down individually, detailing prices and contents. We've also put together a handy roadmap for Magic's 2026 releases, so you can plan ahead.
Play Boosters
Crack play boosters to open up cards out of the main set. You can use these packs to build your decks, bolster your collection, and even do a Booster Draft (more on this in a bit).
Commander Decks
Magic players new and old can agree that Commander is one of the best ways to play the game. With Marvel Super Heroes, we'll be getting four brand new pre-constructed Commander decks featuring some of our favorite heroes and villains throughout Marvel history. You can get them individually, in an all-in-one bundle, and even get Collector's Edition decks, which feature Surge Foil alternate art cards.
Collector Boosters - Out of Stock
Similar to Play Boosters, the premium Collector Boosters are where you'll find the set's chase cards, like rare alternate editions, fancy reprints, and plenty of foils.
Beginner Box
If you're new to Magic in general, the Beginner Box is the perfect place to start. It comes with premade guided decks and an easy-to-follow explanation of the rules.
Jumpstart Booster Box
Jumpstart boxes serve players in a way similar to how Core Sets used to. They're Standard legal, easy-to-play expansions that feature both reprints and new cards.
Bundle
Essentially a miniature Play Booster Box. You'll get nine Play Booster packs, a foil promo card, a 20-sided spindown life counter, and a pack of 40 basic lands to customize your decks.
Gift Bundle
Gift Bundles function similarly to regular bundles, but it comes with a Collector Booster and retro comic art packaging. As of writing this, there are minimal details on what you'll get with this.
Scene Boxes
Scene Boxes are great for collectors and fans of Marvel Comics. Each one contains six alternate art cards that can be placed together to form one big scene. It also comes with a display case.
Draft Night
Draft Boxes are built specifically for Pick-Two Draft in a pod of four players. It's a much quicker and easier way to draft, but instead of traditional draft you'll (you guessed it) pick two cards instead of one.
Lenovo's most powerful 16" gaming laptop just dropped back down to Black Friday pricing. Right now you can pick up a Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 RTX 5090 gaming laptop for just $3,274.99 after you apply coupon code "EXTRAFIVE". The mobile RTX 5090 is the most powerful GPU you can get in a laptop; it's more powerful than most desktop GPUs.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7 RTX 5090 Gaming Laptop for $3,277.49
The Legion Pro 7 is a premium gaming laptop featuring a full metal chassis (both lid and body), impressive OLED display with 2.5K 189ppi resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, HDR 1000 True Black certification, and 100% DCI-P3 color range, and an aggressive cooling system that can handle even the most powerful of GPUs. This configuration is equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, GeForce RTX 5090 24GB mobile GPU, 64GB of DDR5-6400MHz 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. It's paired with 64GB (two sticks of 32GB) of DDR5-6400MHz RAM, which is generous considering the ridiculous price of memory these days.
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. Everyone is also aware by now that current generation VRAM is in extremely high demand, so getting 24GB of GDDR7 in a $3K laptop sounds like a great "deal" at the moment.
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.
Lenovo is offering an excellent price on one of its highest end laptops to start off the new year. For a limited time, you can score a Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 gaming laptop, equipped with a 16" OLED display and RTX 5080 GPU, for just $2,279.99 with free delivery after coupon code "EXTRAFIVE". That's nearly $1,100 off in savings and one of the best deals right now for an RTX 5080 equipped gaming laptop.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7 Gen 10 RTX 5080 Laptop for $2,279.99
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 a 16" 2560x1600 240Hz OLED display, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU, 32GB of DDR5-6400MHz RAM, and a 1TB SSD. This 2025 model has been updated with Wi-Fi 7. Connectivity options include a Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort 2.1, a USB Type-C port with up to 100W of Power Delivery, three USB Type-A ports, an RJ45 ethernet port, and an HDMI 2.1 port. The 99Whr battery can charge to 70% in just 30 minutes.
The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX is a top performing CPU
The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor has 24 cores and a max turbo frequency of 5.4GHz. This is the second most powerful Intel mobile CPU currently available (the Ultra 9 285HX has a slightly higher clock speed) and goes toe to toe with AMD's flagship Ryzen 9 9955HX processor. This is an excellent CPU to pair with a powerful GPU like the 5080.
The GeForce RTX 5080 mobile GPU is better than the RTX 4090 mobile
The Legion Pro 7 laptop offers a robust cooling design that allows it to accomodate a more powerful GPU like the RTX 5080 without throttling it. That's important if you want to be able to play games comfortably on the display's enhanced 2560x1600 resolution. The RTX 5080 mobile GPU is roughly 15%-20% more powerful than the RTX 4080 mobile GPU that it replaces. In fact, it's slightly more powerful than the RTX 4090, which was the previous generation's flagship card. You should be able to run any game out there at consistent 60+ fps framerates.
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.
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