The Latest Articles from IGN

Save $50 Off the AirPods Pro 3 Noise Canceling Earbuds

Eric Song — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 23:15:00 +0000

iPhone users, don't miss this opportunity to score a great deal on Apple's best earbuds. Amazon is offering the 3rd generation AirPods Pro noise canceling wireless earbuds for just $199.99 shipped after a 28% off instant discount. This isn't the absolute lowest price I've seen - the lowest was $179 during Amazon Prime Day - but it's still a great deal for a rare Apple product that hasn't suffered price hikes recently, unlike iPads and MacBooks.

Save $50 off the New AirPods Pro 3 Noise Canceling Earbuds

The AirPods Pro 3 launched on September 19 and is the newest generation AirPods Pro. Like its predecessor, this is easily the best earbuds for anyone who uses an iPhone. Although it looks pretty similar to the 2nd gen AirPods, there are some pretty significant improvements under the hood. The most notable new feature is the built-in heart rate sensing (which means you may not need an Apple Watch anymore), but the AirPods Pro 3 improves in other subtle ways as well, including better audio quality, better noise cancelation, long battery life, and a more weatherproof IP57 shell.

Released alongside the AirPods Pro 3 was Apple's "Live Translation", which is an Apple Intelligence feature that translates other languages on the fly. This isn't exclusive to the AirPods Pro since it can also be used with the 2nd gen AirPods Pro and the AirPods 4. First-hand user experiences have generally been positive, including this take from PCMag.

Is the AirPods Pro 3 good for Android phones?

The AirPods Pro 3 is a great earbud for Android in terms of audio quality, noise cancelation, and comfort. However, a lot of the features are incompatible with Android, most notably Live Translation, Siri, and heart rate monitoring. The H2 chip also supports Apple-specific quality of life features that aren't available with Android phones. This is all compounded by the fact that there are other excellent Android-specific earbuds that offer all of these features and more, sometimes at a better price. So although they will work - and work pretty well - I'd suggest exploring other options. Some choices I'd suggest that are currently on sale are the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE for $79.99 (was $150) if you have a Galaxy phone or the Bose Quietcomfort for $129 (was $180) for just about any Android device.

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.

Avengers: Doomsday Runtime Revealed, Ticket Pre-Sales Begin Soon

Cade Onder — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 22:54:43 +0000

Avengers: Doomsday's general runtime has been revealed ahead of early ticket pre-sales.

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Avengers: Doomsday has a runtime of 2 hours and 45 minutes, with tickets for the film going live next week on July 20th. The outlet notes that the runtime is not locked, but ticket pre-sales going up this early means that the film's length can't change too significantly without impacting the showtimes it's selling tickets for. Still, it will likely weigh in as one of the longest Marvel movies to date.

Avengers: Infinity War was two and a half hours long, and Avengers: Endgame was 3 hours on the dot, with Doomsday stacking up right in the middle. The Hollywood Reporter expects that a trailer will drop the same week as ticket pre-sales go live, as Marvel Studios will host its San Diego Comic-Con panel on July 25th. Although we've gotten a few teaser trailers for Avengers: Doomsday, the full trailer has only been seen by CinemaCon attendees up to this point.

It's unclear if that same trailer will be the one released to the public or if it will be something entirely different. That trailer was shown three months ago, so Marvel has certainly had enough time to cut together something new if it wants to. It also wouldn't be surprising if this new trailer is attached to Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which releases on July 31st.

Although there's a plethora of rumors out there about Avengers: Doomsday, we don't really know that much about the film. So far, we know Robert Downey Jr. will play Doctor Doom, a bunch of Marvel heroes like Steve Rogers are returning, and the film will feature most of the original X-Men cast, such as James Marsden and Patrick Stewart. A piece of Avengers: Doomsday concept art was also revealed this past weekend, giving us a first look at the core cast of the film. Beyond that, specific plot points are a bit fuzzy, though that will likely change later this month.

Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN's news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.

The Tiny Aoostar Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H Mini PC With 24GB of DDR5 RAM and USB 4 Ports Drops Below $300

Eric Song — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 22:45:00 +0000

If you're a Windows user who's looking for a PC version of the Apple Mac Mini, then this deal might be right up your alley. AliExpress is currently offering the Aoostar AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H Mini PC for just $268.10 with free shipping after $35 off coupon code "FJUS35". It's sold by Aoostar direct and ships locally from a warehouse in the United States. This is the first time I've seen this mini PC drop below $300. In fact, Amazon still has the same system for $349.

This is a great opportunity to pick up a complete, tiny PC package that includes nearly all the pre-assembled hardware, including the CPU/GPU and 24GB of RAM, and even USB 4 ports. The only component you have to supply is the SSD.

Aoostar AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H Mini PC for $268

Includes 24GB of LPDDR5-6400MHz RAM and USB 4 ports

The Aoostar is really small, measuring 5" x 5" x 2.4", roughly the same size as a Mac Mini. It features a surprisingly snappy AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H 8-core CPU with a max turbo frequency of 4.7GHz and Radeon 680M onboard graphics, and 24GB of soldered LDDR5-6400MHz RAM. It will accept up two three PCI-E 4x4 M.2 SSD modules (none are supplied).

There are plenty of connectivity options here. Running down the list, the ports include two USB 4 Type-C ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two USB 2.0 ports, one HDMI port, one DisplayPort, one 3.5mm audio jack, and two 2.5Gb ethernet jacks. It's also equipped with WiFi 6 wireless networking.

This micro-sized PC works great as a Windows box that can be used for productivity tasks, web browsing, video streaming, and even some light gaming. Attach some local storage to it and it can be used as a home server or a security NVR. It's small enough to tuck away inconspicuously, like affixed to the back of your monitor, it sips power, and it doesn't get very hot. At this low price, it's a better value and a considerably more powerful alternative to Raspberry Pi.

Thousands of Xbox Players Demand an End to Layoffs, Studio Closures on Microsoft's Own Fan Feedback Website

Cade Onder — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 22:37:35 +0000

Xbox players are taking a stand against Microsoft's layoffs in a place where their voices may be heard the loudest: an official fan feedback website.

As spotted by Kotaku, Witt Yao, a fan of Xbox, took to the Xbox Player Voice forum to pose a general request. The poster asked that Microsoft end the cycle of layoffs and studio closures, as it's creating an abundance of pain and friction with both fans and developers alike.

"The layoff of 3,200 workers at Xbox (across Activision, Bethesda/ZeniMax, Blizzard, King, Mojang, Obsidian, id Software, and Xbox Game Studios) is unacceptable," said Yao. "This continues a pattern that has led to 10,000+ layoffs at Xbox in as little as two years. Multiple studios have been closed or had their futures jeopardized (Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Undead Labs, Ninja Theory, Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin, Alpha Dog Games, and Roundhouse Studios) and numerous games have been cancelled. The developers and players agree that this cannot continue."

Yao called for Microsoft to stop announcing games they don't intend to release themselves, as we saw with State of Decay 3 and Senua in June. Additionally, Yao doesn't want to see Microsoft executives get bonuses after layoffs and asked that Microsoft slow down its pursuit of profit growth so that developers can have a chance to make games without studios being shut down.

The post has become a trending topic on the forum and prompted other users to support it. With over 3,000 votes, many are expressing their frustrations with Xbox's decision making.

"Making fewer games and focusing on sequels and existing IP is a slow death," said one user. "Growth means taking risks and letting creative people try new ideas."

Another user honed in on the lack of accountability from Xbox leadership: "I especially agree that layoffs are a failure of leadership. These are talented developers. If you cannot figure out how to make money with their skill, the failure is with the leadership."

Although this is a place where fans are supposed to be heard, it's on Microsoft to actually take action. These calls echo many other industry-wide frustrations; Microsoft laid off thousands of people last week and is planning for more layoffs over the next 12 months, also offloading first-party studios like Double Fine, Undead Labs, and Ninja Theory, all of which were acquried within the last ten years.

Microsoft's long term future in gaming remains extremely unclear, but hopefully it can get things back on track and keep Xbox alive.

Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN's news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.

The Popular Budget-Friendly Flashforge Adventurer 5M 3D Printer Drops to Just $155 Shipped

Eric Song — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 22:25:00 +0000

If you're interested in dipping your toes in the world of 3D printing, I would suggest Flashforge's entry level model - the Adventure 5M - as your first 3D printer to start. It's currently on sale at AliExpress for just $154.62 with free delivery after you apply $23 off coupon code "SBUS23". The same printer sells for $227 on Amazon during the Prime Day Sale. You're buying it from FlashForge's official store on AliExpress. It ships free locally from the United States and arrives within 1 to 2 weeks.

The Adventurer 5M offers great performance at at outstanding budget price. I would say it is the best 3D printer priced below $150. The 5M is easy to setup, produces great 3D prints with minimal fiddling, and offers plenty of add-on mods including a kit that fully encloses the chamber and another that adds a camera.

Flashforge Adventurer 3D Printer Drops to $155

The Adventurer 5M is Flashforge's least expensive CoreXY printer. In fact, it's one of the least expensive CoreXY printers from any well-regarded brand, but with upgrades where they matter. For starters, the Adventurer 5M features a CoreXY structure typically found in pricier models. In a CoreXY printer, only the print head moves while the motors are permanently fixed. Since the motors are generally the heaviest component, this improves print speed and precision.

The open bed has a build volume measuring approximately 8.7" cubed. A closed chamber offers a more controlled environment that eliminates unpredicatable variables like dust or wind and stabilizes temperatures for consistent result. Usually this costs a premium, but FlashForge sells a kit that converts the open bed into a closed chamber for $39.99. If you want to spend even less and don't care about aesthetics, you can just put a big box over it and call it a day.

The 5M boasts a print speed of up to 600mm/s with 20,000mm/s² acceleration and can print a benchy in 14 minutes. The high-flow 32mm³/s nozzle with 280°C direct extruder can warm up to 200°C in as fast as 35 seconds for consistent filament dispensing. Build quality is solid since all of the structural components are made of metal. The 4.3" color touchscreen control panel is intuitive to use with minimal fiddling and the 5M supports essential features such as auto leveling and vibration compensation. Assembly is quick and easy and you'll be able to print your first object in minutes.

TL;DR:

Open chamber 8.7" cubed working space
CoreXY 3D printer (more stable than other types)
600mm/s print speed with 20,000mm/s² acceleration
Auto leveling and vibration compensation
Easy assembly

Amazon's Audible Prime Day Deal Ends in 3 Days: Pay Just $1 Per Month and Get $20 in Audible Credit

Eric Song — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 21:20:00 +0000

Amazon's Audible promotion was easily one of the best deals to come out of this year's Prime Day sale. It was supposed to end on July 5, but Amazon has extended it for a little while longer.

From now until July 15, both new and returning Audible subscribers can sign up for three months of Audible for just $0.99 per month for three months. In addition to the discounted membership, you also get an extra $20 in Audible credit. You don't need to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of this deal. After the three months is up, your subscription will convert to the standard $8.95/mo, but you can cancel auto-renewal at any time.

3 Months of Audible for $0.99 Per Month and $20 in Audible Credit

Amazon offers two Audible subscription tiers: Standard and Premium Plus. Standard is a lot less expensive - $8.95 per month compared to $14.95 per month. Standard also gets access to the same catalog of million plus audiobooks that Premium Plus does. The difference lies in the credits: Standard gets one free audiobook per month that you can read so long as you maintain your membership. Premium Plus gets you one free audiobook that you keep indefinitely. Unless you really want an audiobook to keep every month, then the Standard subscription is definitely the better deal. You'll save $72 on subscription fees per year not including the discount you're getting with this current deal.

The bonus $20 credit can be used to buy audiobooks at Audible.com. You'll receive your credit notification via your email. You keep the books you buy with your credit, even after your membership expires.

Catch up the the latest novel releases, audiobook style

Audible is a subscription service that gives you access to over 1.1 million of the best audiobooks without ever having to purchase them. Several best-selling new and recent releases are available in an audiobook format and part of Audible's accessible library. Rebecca Yarros' The Empyrean Series romantasy novels have consistently hit the top of the New York Times' best seller list throughout all of 2025 and they're all available in audiobook format. Sunrise on the Reaping, the latest Hunger Games novel, is narrated by Jefferson White, who you may already know from Yellowstone where he played Jimmy Hudstrom. The audiobook has a listening time of about 12 hours and 48 minutes.

If you're looking for something fast-paced and fun, you can also check out Matt Dinniman's popular Dungeon Crawler Carl series. It's currently the bestselling audiobook on Audible right now thanks to excellent narration from Jeff Hays. This new deal will get you the first three DCC audiobooks for only $0.99.

Ever prolific Stephen King released the Never Flinch crime novel in 2025. It's available as a nearly 15-hour long audiobook narrated by veteran Jessie Mueller. If you're a fan of fantasy, check out Brandon Sanderson's Wind and Truth, book five of the popular The Stormlight Archive series. It was released in December of 2024 and runs an epic 63 hours long.

Hallmark Debuts New PlayStation Console Ornament That Plays the Original Startup Sound

Blythe Dujardin — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 21:09:23 +0000

It might only be July, but Hallmark is already revealing its first wave of 2026 Keepsake Ornaments. The star of this year’s gaming-themed collection is an impressively accurate recreation of the original PlayStation, complete with light effects and the console’s iconic start-up sounds.

The ornament, which is the first time Hallmark has ‘adapted’ a PlayStation console, is now available for purchase exclusively from Hallmark with a retail price of $28.99.

Hallmark Debuts PlayStation Keepsake Ornament in 2026 Collection

For a decoration that only measures four inches wide, Hallmark's take on the PlayStation packs in the details. Artist Orville Wilson managed to squeeze in pretty much every divet and button you'd find on the actual console, including the trio of Power, Reset, and Open buttons.

Given recent news about the digital-only future of PlayStation games, it almost brings a tear to my eye to see that 'Open' button accompanied by a beautiful disc drive. A detailed rendition of the OG controller sits on top of the console and is also 'plugged in' with a true-to-life wired connection. Turn the console around and you’ll even find tiny AC and AV ports.

An ever-growing trend in the Hallmark collections is lighting and sound effects. In this case, when you press the PlayStation’s Power button, you’ll see a little green light and hear the console’s particularly iconic startup sound. To power its special effects, the ornament comes with three alkaline LR44 replaceable button batteries.

More Gaming Ornaments Announced for 2026

The Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Premiere is a week-long event revealing over 250 new ornaments for 2026. A second batch of around 150 new ornaments will be revealed in another premiere event this September. Yes, it really is that serious.

Unlike the Hallmark-exclusive PlayStation console ornament, most other new Hallmark ornaments are available on Amazon.

Nintendo is definitely getting a lot of love from the holiday retailer this year. Yoshi is getting his own high-tech ornament that features real motion reminiscent of the ‘Hatchin Yoshi’ toy that was released alongside The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

The new collection also extends beyond just ornaments. You could make Santa Pikachu the very literal star of your celebrations with a tree topper of the iconic Pokémon on a light-up Poké Ball.

One company name missing from the list of new reveals is Xbox. In Hallmark’s defense, they’ve released tons of Xbox ornaments over the years, including an ornament of the original console that plays the theme music from Halo: Combat Evolved.

Blythe (she/her) is an Audience Development Coordinator at IGN who spends way too much time in character customization screens and tracking down collectibles.

Nova Movie in Development at Marvel Studios, Loki Writer Michael Waldron to Write and Direct

Cade Onder — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 20:40:43 +0000

Marvel Studios is looking to add another fresh hero to the MCU as it begins work on developing a film set around Nova.

Deadline reports that Loki and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness writer Michael Waldron is set to write and potentially direct a Nova film. No details were shared on the project beyond the fact that it is in early stages, but it's not the first time Marvel has tried to adapt the cosmic character. Nova's MCU debut has been in the cards since the early 2010s, when the character was originally planned to appear in Guardians of the Galaxy. However, his character was eventually cut from the script.

Kevin Feige has expressed interest in adapting Nova over the years, and it almost happened. Moon Knight writer Sabir Pirzada was previously developing a Nova TV series, likely for Disney+. However, the project was put on the backburner last year, seemingly as part of a larger shift away from Marvel shows on Disney+. However, it's clear that Marvel wants Nova to be a piece of the MCU going forward by pivoting to a film centered around the character.

For those unfamiliar with Nova, he's a Green Lantern-esque character working with a space police force known as the Nova Corps. They harness a powerful cosmic energy known as Nova Force, allowing them to battle any being that crosses their path and protect the galaxy. It's likely that Nova would be introduced following Avengers: Secret Wars, which is set to release next year. We're not quite sure what the MCU will look like after Doctor Doom's imminent rampage, but one has to imagine it will be pretty different and possibly allow for a bit of a reset for Marvel.

There's oodles of potential for a character like Nova, especially with the Guardians of the Galaxy likely being somewhat retired after James Gunn's departure from the franchise. However, Marvel has had some difficulty introducing new characters post-Endgame, so it remains to be seen if audiences will gravitate to Nova when he makes his debut.

Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN's news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.

Step Into the World of Splatoon Raiders with BRISK Iced Tea at San Diego Comic-Con

coreydemoss — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Looking to level up your San Diego Comic-Con experience?

To celebrate the launch of Splatoon Raiders on Nintendo Switch 2, BRISK Iced Tea is bringing fans the BRISK x Splatoon Raiders Island Hideout, an interactive fan experience packed with competitive challenges, hands-on gameplay, exclusive merchandise, and plenty of refreshing BRISK Iced Tea while supplies last.
Open to the public on July 24–25 from 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., the BRISK x Splatoon Raiders Island Hideout will take over the corner of 6th Ave. and Island Ave. in San Diego’s Gaslamp District. Best of all, no Comic-Con badge is required, so anyone can stop by and get in on the action during one of the biggest weekends in gaming and pop culture, or simply cool off with some refreshing BRISK Iced Tea.

You’ll also be able to put your skills to the test. Start by stepping up to a fast-paced Ink ‘n’ Aim Challenge, where you’ll take aim with a water gun at Salmonid-inspired targets. You’ll compete against other attendees, and you’ll need speed and accuracy to carry you to victory. Then cool down at the BRISK Bar, featuring samples of BRISK Iced Tea. From there, jump into hands-on gameplay demos of Splatoon Raiders and experience the game for yourself.

Along the way, fans can capture photos, explore the BRISK x Splatoon Raiders Island Hideout, and collect exclusive co-branded merchandise and treasure-worthy loot while supplies last. Whether you're attending Comic-Con or simply exploring San Diego, the BRISK x Splatoon Raiders Island Hideout is your chance to step into the world of Splatoon Raiders, challenge your crew, and experience a real-world extension of the game alongside BRISK Iced Tea.

The BRISK x Splatoon Raiders Island Hideout opens July 24. We'll see you there.

Game Shown:

New Look at Kingdom Hearts 4 May Be Coming Next Month

Cade Onder — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 19:59:21 +0000

A new look at Kingdom Hearts 4 may be imminent.

Disney has confirmed its plans for D23, a Disney-specific convention that covers movies, TV shows, and anything Disney related. While you can expect updates on a bunch of major projects, there is one project that gamers are particularly interested in: Kingdom Hearts 4. While Disney hasn't explicitly confirmed a new look at the game at D23, it did confirm that there will be an hour-long panel celebrating 25 years of Kingdom Hearts.

"Join us for a journey through light and darkness as we commemorate 25 years of Kingdom Hearts," reads the description for the panel. "Discover how this saga united Disney, Pixar, and Square Enix, with insights from the creative minds, character voices, and more behind the magic."

It would be pretty surprising if they let a celebratory 25th anniversary panel come and go without some news on Kingdom Hearts 4... but this is Square Enix we're talking about. It's not unheard of for this company or franchise to have a missed opportunity to promote a new game. However, it does seem like we're getting fairly close to its release.

Last month, Kingdom Hearts 4 got its first trailer in four years at a Nintendo Direct. While it didn't exactly set the world on fire with any mind blowing new reveals or release date news, it did show that Square Enix is revving up the marketing machine for the game. Perhaps this D23 panel will feature a glimpse at new content in the game or give us a 2027 release window. Either way, we will just have to cross our fingers and hope Square Enix doesn't let us down.

Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN's news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.

Save 50% Off the Flexispot XL6 Air Power Lift Recliner and Massage Chair, Now Less Than $300 Shipped

Eric Song — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 19:55:00 +0000

Nothing beats lounging in a comfy chair on a Saturday afternoon and playing your video game. Start realizing this idyllic scene with a great deal that just popped up at Flexispot. For a limited time, you can pick up a Flexispot XL6 Air Power Lift Recliner and Massage Chair for just $294.99 with free shipping after you apply 50% off coupon code "XL6AIR". Both color options (Blue or Blue Gray) are eligible for this discount. Flexispot has established a reputation for producing functional furniture (most notably its electric standing desks) at a fraction of the price compared to other name brands.

Get a Power Lift Recliner and Massage Chair for Under $300

The Flexispot XL6 Air is an oversized recliner upholstered in a soft and inviting chenille material. It's amply sized with a 23.8" seat width, 23.6" seat depth, and a weight capacity of 440 pounds. Because the seat is deeper than your standard chair, some people (particularly older folks) might have trouble getting out of it. That's where the power lift feature comes in handy. The XL6 helps by tilting foward almost as if it's literally dumping you out of your seat. This feature actually works very well and is the main reason why power lift chairs are so popular for people with limited mobility.

In addition to the power lifting, the XL6 can power recline. Two separate motors independently control the seat back and leg rest and can extend out to nearly 180 degrees. The chair also has eight separate massage points with 3 modes and 3 intensities as well as a heating element. At this price point, I wouldn't expect the zones to be very precise, but a heat-emitting vibrating chair can still feel good regardless.

Other features include built-in (non-adjustable) lumbar, extra padding in the headrest, hidden cup holder, integrated USB Type-A and Type-C charging ports, and convenient side pockets. Flexispot includes a 3 year general warranty, 3 year warranty on the frame, and 2 year warranty on the motor.

The Excellent SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset Drops to a New Price Low

Eric Song — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 19:55:00 +0000

Steelseries direct is offering the best price I've seen all year on one of its highest end gaming headsets. The blemished box Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro wireless gaming headset - both Xbox and PC and PlayStation 5 and PC variants - are on sale for just $239.99 with free shipping after a hefty 37% off instant discount. That's a better deal than you'll find at any retailer like Amazon, Best Buy, or Walmart and also beats out the lowest price I saw during Amazon Prime Day.

SteelSeries Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset Lowest Price Ever

The Arctis Nova Pro is one of the highest-end gaming headsets in SteelSeries' repertoire. It boasts excellent audio quality with support for 360° spatial sound effects (via SteelSeries Sonar for PC, Tempest 3D Audio for PS5, and Microsoft Spatial Sound for Xbox). It's comfortable to wear even during extended gaming marathons thanks to the suspension-style headband and comfortable leatherette ear cushions. It's durable with high quality materials and flexible steel core headband construction. And it has QoL features like simultaneous 2.4GHz WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, active noise cancelation, and a high-performance retractable boom mic.

The one feature that undoubtedly makes the Nova Pro stand out is the ingenious hot-swappable battery system. The Nova Pro includes two removable, rechargeable batteries: one to use in your headset and the other to remain charged and ready to go in a base station that also doubles as a battery charger. This way, you get wireless freedom with zero downtime. Each battery lasts for up to 22 hours of continued use so you don't need to swap out too often.

The base station deserves mention as well. Not only does it charge your battery, it also features a clear and legible OLED display and a handy volume control knob. On the rear are USB inputs for connecting to your PC as well as an optional 3.5mm passthrough should you want to connect your speakers directly to the base station.

The Nova Pro wireless has been my primary gaming headset for years and I highly recommend it. I've since upgraded the stock earcups to these aftermarket WC Freeze gel earpads and quite like them as well. Check out our Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro review by Kevin Lee for yet another positive take.

Astro Bot for PS5 Drops to Its Lowest Price Ever

Chris Reed — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 19:45:00 +0000

I’m going to make a bold proclamation: if you haven’t played Astro Bot yet, you should probably change that. This PS5 exclusive is pure delight. It feels great to play, it has tons of colorful and fun levels to explore, and it offers optional tough challenge levels for Serious Hardcore Gamers. It’s probably my favorite PS5 game. If that doesn’t sell you on it, maybe this will: Astro Bot is currently on sale for $39 at Amazon and Walmart, matching its all-time low price. It hasn’t been this cheap since Black Friday, friends, so grab it if you don’t have it.

Astro Bot for $39

Developed by Team Asobi, Astro Bot is a finely tuned 3D platformer that, like its predecessors, is basically a great big celebration of all things PlayStation. It has you hop, hover, punch, and dash through an assortment of cleverly designed levels.

Most levels give you a new ability to use while you’re there, so you get to do things like slowing time, climbing like a gorilla, and making yourself huge by absorbing water. These abilities are almost all super fun, and they never wear out their welcome.

Every level has a number of hidden robots for you to find. Some of them are dressed like characters from all of PlayStation’s history, ranging from God of War’s Kratos to Jumping Flash’s Robbit. Getting 100% on every level quickly became a high priority when I played Astro Bot. And I didn’t mind replaying levels at all, because they’re just fun.

Check out our Astro Bot review for more info. Our reviewer gave it a 9, but in my heart of hearts, I know it’s a 10.

Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN's board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Bluesky.

The FlashForge AD5X Multi-Color Mixed Material 3D Printer Drops to $215 Shipped at AliExpress

Eric Song — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 19:25:00 +0000

An excellent 3D printer with multi-color print capability just got a huge price drop ahead of Father's Day. AliExpress is offering the FlashForge AD5X 3D Printer with integrated multi-material printing system for just $214.88 after you apply coupon code "SBUS35". The exact same printer currently sells for $349 on Amazon.

Make sure you're signed into your account to see the shipping options (you may have to refresh the page twice). You're buying it from FlashForge's official store on AliExpress. It ships free from the United States and arrives within 1 to 2 weeks.

Flashforge AD5X Multi-Color 3D Printer for Just $214.88

Make sure you're signed into your account to see the shipping options (may need to refresh twice)

The AD5X is the least expensive FlashForge printer that offers multi material printing, which basically allows you to use multiple colors or multiple filament types on a single 3D print. It also features a CoreXY structure, which is rare for a printer in this price range. In a CoreXY printer, only the print head moves while the motors are permanently fixed. Since the motors are generally the heaviest component, this improves print speed and precision.

The AD5X features an open bed design with a working space measuring approximately 8.7" cubed. For those of you who are looking to enclose the chamber in order to create a more stable environment for your prints, you can purchase the official kit for $49.99 that can turn it into a closed chamber setup. Alternatively, you can just build yourself a big box that you can place over the entire printer, probably for an even cheaper price.

The AD5X boasts a print speed of up to 600mm/s with 20,000mm/s² acceleration and can print a benchy in 12 minutes. Other features including solid build quality (all structural components are made of metal), a 4.3" color touchscreen with intuitive controls, auto leveling, and vibration compensation. Assembly is quick and easy and you should be able to make your first test print in a matter of minutes. No camera is included but, again, there's an official kit to add one.

The multi-filament module fleshes out the 3D printing capabilities and is one of the most important features for any mid to pro level enthusiast. With it you can print using up to four different colored filaments or filament materials simultaneously. It features an intelligent filament system that can identify and manage all four spools seamlessly and independently. Multi-filament add-ons in general cost $200-$300 by themselves, so having an integrated solution will save you a lot of money.

TL;DR:

Open chamber 8.7" cubed working space
CoreXY 3D printer (more stable than other types)
600mm/s print speed with 20,000mm/s² acceleration
Includes multi-filament printing module
Automatic filament switching
Auto leveling and vibration compensation
Easy assembly

Former Xbox Studio Compulsion Games Says It's Open to Collaborations

Ryan McCaffrey — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 19:23:40 +0000

Montreal-based developer Compulsion Games, who avoided closure amidst the mass layoffs by Xbox Game Studios this month by negotiating its independence, has taken to LinkedIn to let other developers and publishers know that they are open for business – and seemingly open to working as a support studio and/or co-developer on another team's project.

"With Compulsion Games returning to its roots as an independent developer, we are expanding opportunities to collaborate with studios across the games and entertainment industry," the studio's LinkedIn post reads. "We invite partners to leverage the talent and creativity of the award-winning team behind South of Midnight...We are excited to support the development of memorable experiences that engage and entertain players around the world." The full statement is below:

Compulsion released 2025's South of Midnight to critical acclaim, receiving an 8 out of 10 (Great) from IGN and a "Generally Favorable" rating on the review-aggregate website Metacritic. Xbox acquired the studio in 2018 after it had developed We Happy Few and Contrast prior to that.

Xbox's parting of ways with Compulsion (and Double Fine, Undead Labs, Ninja Theory, and Arkane) comes as the first-party publisher looks to focus its efforts on its biggest franchises – a strategy I've got an idea for regarding how it might play out.

Ryan McCaffrey is IGN's executive editor of previews and host of both IGN's weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our semi-retired interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He's a North Jersey guy, so it's "Taylor ham," not "pork roll." Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.

Save 45% Off the Logitech G29 Racing Wheel and Pedal Set and Driving Force Shifter Bundle for PS5, PC

Eric Song — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 19:10:00 +0000

Update: This deal is now expired.

Amazon is offering an excellent deal on Logitech's most popular racing wheel bundle, which includes:

Logitech G29 Racing Wheel and Pedal Set for PS5 and PC
Logitech G Driving Force Shifter

for just $194.99 when you clip the $85 off coupon on the product page. This is the best price I've seen all year for the combo. The products are all brand new, ship for free, and come with a 2-year warranty.

45% Off Logitech G29 Racing Wheel Set and Driving Force Shifter

Clip the coupon on the product page

If you're a big fan of racing games like Gran Turismo or Forza Horizon 6 and you've been using a DualSense controller or gamepad this entire time, then this price drop might be the excuse for you to step up your immersion to the next level. The G29 and G920 were already one of the best racing wheels under $300, and definitely the best racing wheels under $200.

Standout features include a gorgeous hand-stitched leather steering wheel with 900 degrees of rotation, sturdy metal base, durable steel ball bearings in the shaft, gear-driven dual-force motor feedback, stainless shifter and pressure-sensitive pedals. The force feedback does an excellent job of simulating providing force and resistance and certain adds to the immersion; if you want something better than this, you'd have to shell out a lot more money for a direct-drive or belt-driven wheel, like Logitech's own $1,000 G Pro direct-drive racing wheel we reviewed.

If you're a PC user and wondering which model to get, PlayStation's G29 model is actually a bit nicer than the Xbox's G920 variant. The G29 has LED shift lights located on the top of the wheel's spokes. These LEDs light up progressively as the car's RPMs rise in-game. The G29 also has a rotary knob on the wheel that can be customized to different functions, like traction control, brake bias, or split differential.

Gran Turismo 7 is on sale today

The best racing game for the PS5 is now 44% off at Amazon. No other PS5 racing game comes close to matching the sheer amount of customization that GT7 gives you. Whether you prefer casual racing games (a la Forza Horizon), more realistic racing sims, or you're just into tweaking your car to the extreme, this game caters to all.

Forza Horizon 6 is out for PC, and it's a Masterpiece

IGN's Luke Reilly awarded the recently released Forza Horizon 6 a well-deserved 10/10 "Masterpiece" review. The latest iteration of the open-world arcade racing franchise allows you to traverse the varied vistas of Japan, from the snowswept mountainous paths of the Japanese Alps to the concrete jungle of the Tokyo Expressway. The game launches with 550 cars for you to customize and tweak, and dozens of single-player and online challenges for you to flex your skill, including the return of the Eliminator battle royale mode.

Final Fantasy Resonance Isn't Getting a Physical Edition on Xbox

Chris Reed — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 19:08:21 +0000

Final Fantasy Resonance is set to release for PS5, Switch 2, Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on October 22. It’s a new turn-based RPG with HD-2D graphics and a story based on the mobile game Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius. Resonance is available to preorder now in two different editions. Below, we dive into what comes in each edition, as well as what preorder bonuses to expect. Let’s take a look.

Final Fantasy Resonance

PS5

Get it at Amazon - $49.99
Get it at Best Buy - $49.99
Get it at GameStop - $49.99
Get it at Target - $49.99
Get it at Walmart - $49.99
Get it at PlayStation Store (digital) - $49.99

Switch 2

Get it at Amazon - $49.99
Get it at Best Buy - $49.99
Get it at GameStop - $49.99
Get it at Target - $49.99
Get it at Walmart - $49.99
Get it at the eShop (digital) - Not yet available

Switch

Get it at Amazon - $49.99
Get it at Best Buy - $49.99
Get it at GameStop - $49.99
Get it at Target - $49.99
Get it at Walmart - $49.99
Get it at the eShop (digital) - Not yet available

Xbox Series X|S

Get it at Xbox Store (digital) - $49.99

Get it at Steam - $49.99

The standard edition is available in physical format at all the usual retailers. A couple things are noteworthy here: first, there is no physical edition for Xbox — sorry, folks. Second, the Switch 2 version of the game will come on a Game-Key Card, which is disappointing.

Whatever version you preorder, you’ll get the base game, plus the preorder bonus, which is detailed below.

Final Fantasy Resonance - Digital Deluxe Edition

Get it for PS5 - $59.99
Get it for Xbox - $59.99
Get it for PC - $59.99
Get it for Switch 2 - Not yet available
Get it for Switch - Not yet available

The deluxe edition comes with the base game, preorder bonuses, and the Magitek & Grimoire Deluxe Pack. Here’s how Square Enix describes these digital extras in the game’s description: it “contains an item that transforms your chocobo's appearance into magitek armor, an item exclusive to this pack that unlocks a certain character's Fel Meteor Limit Burst, and useful items to aid you at the start of your journey.”

Here are the deluxe edition’s extras:

Magitek Armor Key x1
Archwitch’s Grimoire x1
Mastery Ring x1
Tent x5
Mist Potion x5
Mist Ether x5
Phoenix Down x5
Remedy x3

Final Fantasy Resonance Preorder Bonuses

Preorder Final Fantasy Resonance, and you’ll get the following in-game goodies:

Magitek Airship Passkey (transforms the appearance of your airship into a Magitek vessel)
Chestplate of Preparation
Knight’s Greatsword
Magicite Shard x1
Tent x3
Mist Potion x3
Blessed Cuirass
Mist Ether x1

What Is Final Fantasy Resonance?

Final Fantasy Resonance is the beloved series’ first foray into the bold new(ish) world of HD-2D. It takes the story of the now-defunct mobile game Final Fantasy Brave Exvius and re-fashions it into an entirely new game, free of the gatcha trappings of the mobile game. This is a single-player RPG through and through, complete with a new overworld and battle system.

It has plenty of Final Fantasy signifiers, like world crystals being sought out by the villain, chocobos and airships to ride, battle summons, and (probably, I’m just guessing here) a guy named Cid. You can even call iconic heroes of other Final Fantasy games, like Cloud, Zidane, and Lightning, to help you in battle.

It looks pretty cool. For more, check out our in-depth Final Fantasy Resonance hands-on preview. And maybe if we all buy it, Square Enix will make Final Fantasy VI in HD-2D graphics. A guy can dream, anyway.

Other Preorder Guides

Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN's board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Bluesky.

University Gives Students Up to $15K in Scholarships for Rare Gaming Achievements

Virginia Glaze — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 19:01:50 +0000

The University of Silicon Valley is turning heads for its unique scholarship program, which awards thousands of dollars to students who can prove their leet gaming skills.

Some colleges have esports programs, while others offer game development courses. The University of Silicon Valley has a few of those, too — but they also have a ‘Max Achievement Scholarship,’ which is turning heads across the internet due to its unusual requirements.

More specifically, USV is awarding scholarship money to students who are really good at games. A wide variety of titles are on offer, including MMORPGs like Final Fantasy XIV and Old School Runescape, Roguelikes like Hades and Risk of Rain 2, Sandbox games like Minecraft, and many more.

To earn the scholarship cash, students must prove they’ve earned specific in-game achievements across two separate tiers: Mastery and Legendary. Mastery earns students up to $2,500 per term, while Legendary nets them up to $5,000 per term, with each year consisting of three terms.

For example, they can submit their achievement for Old School RuneScape by getting Max Cape (earned after getting all 24 skills to level 99). In Final Fantasy XIV, players can submit for Legendary Tier by getting all 20 combat jobs and 8 crafter/gatherer jobs to level 100.

While this might seem like an odd means of financial assistance, USV argues this scholarship rewards “the same qualities that drive academic excellence: disciplined practice, strategic problem-solving, and the pursuit of mastery beyond minimum requirements.”

“These are the same traits that define our Polymathic Domains — including Systems Thinking & Engineering, Computational Fluency, and Agentic AI Collaboration. USV believes mastery is mastery — whether expressed through code, art, design, or virtual worlds,” the site says.

While achievements across quite a few games are up for grabs, the University tells students not to worry if their title of choice isn’t listed on the website; they can still submit it, as long as they include documentation of its rarity (specifically, a <5% completion rate), and an explanation of the mastery involved. The scholarship committee reviews all applications on a case-by-case basis.

This year marks the debut of the Max Achievement Scholarship, which aims to reward 10 - 15 students in the 2026 - 2027 academic calendar. Expansion of the program is subject to change based on the quality of applicants, as well as the program’s overall success.

This is far from the first time a University has turned heads with unusual academic offerings; in 2021, the University of Glasgow went viral for offering a philosophy course based on The Simpsons titled, ‘D'Oh! The Simpsons Introduce Philosophy.’

Virginia (she/her) is IGN’s News Editor. With ten years of experience reporting on games and entertainment, she’s got a storied background in the fighting game community, influencer news, and viral online trends. Find her on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze.

Today’s Top Deals: 27" Samsung OLED Gaming Monitor, MTG x Marvel, and Logitech G29 Racing Wheel

Danielle Abraham — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 18:45:00 +0000

Whether you’re looking for summer trip essentials, like a portable fan and power strip, or want to amp up your gaming setup with a new gaming chair and monitor, there’s a deal for you today. You can even pick up a Switch 2 Camera for just $10 at GameStop or grab an MTG x Marvel Super Heroes Draft Night Box for its lowest price yet. Check out those discounts and plenty more below:

TL;DR - The Best Deals for July 13

27" Samsung G5 OLED Gaming Monitor Hits New Low Price

Amazon discounted the 27" Samsung G5 OLED Gaming Monitor to the lowest price I’ve seen. With this QHD display comes a quantum-dot OLED panel delivering deep blacks, near-infinite contrast, and a wide color gamut for a stunning picture. The near-instantaneous response times, 180Hz refresh rate, and Nvidia G-Sync support also solidify the Samsung G5 OLED as a top-tier gaming monitor.

Aoostar AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H Mini PC for $268

Includes 24GB of LPDDR5-6400MHz RAM and USB 4 ports

MTG x Marvel Super Heroes Draft Night Box Hits New Low

Magic’s Marvel Super Heroes Draft Night Box has dropped to its lowest price yet. It’s also shipped and sold by Amazon for added peace of mind. In the box comes a Collector Booster, which you’ll obviously want to keep for yourself. 12 Play Boosters, 90 Basic Land cards, and 10 double-sided token cards are also included, ensuring you have everything needed for a 4-player draft.

Logitech G29 Racing Wheel, Pedal Set, and Shifter Bundle Deal

If you’re after a great discount on a fantastic entry-level racing wheel, the Logitech G29 Racing Wheel, Pedal Set, and Driving Force Shifter bundle is down to just $194.99 on Amazon. From the high-quality build and 900 degrees of wheel rotation to the gear-driven dual-force motor feedback and three-pedal set, this racing wheel will amplify the playing experience in driving games. The shifter also helps execute super-smooth gear transitions.

Nintendo Switch 2 Camera for $9.99

The Nintendo Switch 2 Camera has dropped to just $9.99 at GameStop. This top Switch 2 accessory supports in-game video chats with up to 12 people via the new GameChat feature. All you need to do is slot the camera into the gaming handheld's USB-C port to stream in 1080p at up to 30fps, and it also doubles as a webcam for PC. If you picked up Star Fox when it dropped a couple weeks ago, it’s possible to even turn yourself into one of the characters, as the camera tracks and mimics your face.

Score 46% Off the Razer Iskur V2 X Gaming Chair

Amazon-owned Woot has a killer deal on the Razer Iskur V2 X. This top-notch budget gaming chair is down to just $159.99, which is $90 off the current price on Amazon. With it come premium features like a steel frame, an aluminum wheel base, durable fabric, and a supportive, comfortable design. However, there will be sacrifices in adjustability. Read IGN’s full Razer Iskur V2 X review to find out more.

Portable Turbo Fan for $6.99

It’s getting toasty outside, and the Lerat Rechargeable Portable Turbo Fan will help keep things a little cooler. The 14,550rpm fan has five different speed settings and can be angled in different directions. The USB-C rechargeable 4,000mAh battery delivers 3 to 12 hours of cooling and is compact and lightweight, weighing under half a pound. Best of all, when using the code "OAV6TF7I" at checkout, this handy little fan will cost just $7.

Pokémon Chaos Rising ETB In Stock on Amazon

The Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box, shipped and sold by Amazon, is also in stock and down to $78. With the ETB, you get 9 booster packs, 1 full-art foil promo card featuring Fennekin, 65 card sleeves, 6 damage-counter dice, and more. Now, this is still above MSRP, but the price is sitting near market value according to TCG Player.

$2,500 Off a Loaded Alienware 16X Aurora Gaming Laptop

Dell has an awesome 50% off deal on an Alienware 16X Aurora gaming laptop that’s packing a ridiculous amount of memory and storage under the hood. There’s 64GB of RAM and 4TB of SSD storage, while the GeForce RTX 5070 graphics and Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processors are pretty brilliant, too. This laptop should have no problem hitting 60fps on the laptop’s 2560x1600 display. Plus, the all-metal build ensures extra durability.

Save 56% on a Travel-Friendly Power Strip with AC and USB Ports

Make traveling with electronics even easier with this compact Orico Power Strip. It's a 7-in-1 solution offering 1,250W AC outlets, two 65W USB-C ports, and two 18W USB-A ports to top up electronics fast. The power cord is 4.5’ for way more reach than a charging block, and it even wraps and tucks away. That makes its dimensions for packing just 4.8" x 2.3" x 1.6". With the coupon code "A8UMXXK6", the Orico Travel-Friendly Power Strip can be yours for less than $20.

Danielle is a Tech freelance writer based in Los Angeles who spends her free time creating videos and geeking out over music history.

Summer Games Done Quick Cancels Sponsored SNK Stream Due to 'Human Rights Concerns'

Virginia Glaze — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:52:27 +0000

Summer Games Done Quick canceled its sponsored stream with SNK, citing ethical concerns regarding the developer’s majority ownership by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.

The cancellation occurred just two hours into the org’s speedrun of Metal Slug in a partnered celebration of the classic run-and-gun action shooter’s 30th anniversary.

The broadcast was interrupted with an announcement from the run's host, Twitch streamer Ateatree, who informed the game's speedrunning duo that he’d received a notice from GDQ regarding the stream.

“Due to ongoing concerns and statements from people watching, we do plan to rain check the rest of the runs for tonight. We all thank you very much for watching. Please be good to yourselves and each other," he said before the stream returned to an interim screen of the show's schedule.

We're so excited to be working with SNK to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Metal Slug with a speedrunning showcase!!

Tune in now and stay in touch on their socials!

Watch: https://t.co/yplBSxDmEz

FB: https://t.co/f0fdzqNmKT
TikTok: https://t.co/A2TompsFyR @METALSLUG_EN pic.twitter.com/oijwKOiYtY
— Games Done Quick (@GamesDoneQuick) July 12, 2026

Games Done Quick (GDQ) also published a statement to its official X account on July 12, explaining that this decision was made in part due to concerns from the speedrunning community regarding “human rights concerns tied to the Saudi government.”

GDQ also said it will neither accept funds from the sponsorship nor work with said sponsor again, arguing that the partnership “conflicted” with its values of “supporting human rights and inclusivity.”

The speedrunning charity group issued an apology to the community, saying it “failed to conduct the level of review our community should expect from us and that was an oversight we deeply regret and take full responsibility for.”

We have canceled our sponsored stream with SNK.

We have heard the concerns from our community regarding this partnership, specifically the company’s majority ownership by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, and the human rights concerns tied to the Saudi government.
— Games Done Quick (@GamesDoneQuick) July 12, 2026

“We especially want to apologize to the runners and our host on this stream, who had nothing to do with this decision and whose runs were disrupted as a result. This isn't a reflection on them and we are grateful for their understanding.”

Finally, GDQ promised to bolster its review process in regards to sponsors and partnerships, “including closer examination of companies’ ownership, to make sure they're aligned with our values.”

Japanese game developer and publisher SNK notably came under majority ownership by the MiSK Foundation in November 2020, a nonprofit organization owned by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman.

In August 2021, MiSK Foundation CEO Badr bin Hamoud AlBadr was appointed as a director of SNK, and in the nearly six years since then, MiSK has gone on to acquire roughly 96% of the company.

SNK addressed concerns of Saudi involvement back in 2022, with producer and designer Yasuyuki Oda telling VideoGamesChronicle, “We're not a political company or anything like that, so it doesn't affect us in any way.”

"It has no – no – effect on our creative output. We have full freedom on what we want to create,” he added.

Summer Games Done Quick, the org’s annual charity speedrunning festival, ended on July 12, raising a grand total of $2,408,701 for Doctors Without Borders and bringing its 16th iteration to an end with a bang.