I have played enough of these to be picky, which is exactly why this list exists. Not everything cheap is worth your time, and not everything premium deserves your wallet. This week quietly delivers both value and personality across four platforms, with a few curveballs that reward curiosity. Jump right to the deals with this link.

What's on My Radar Today?

Anyone who reads my stuff on the reg knows I'm an absolute sucker for the gaming axiom that is "friends who slay together, stay together." Horizon Hunters Gathering already looks like my jam as a (PC or PS5) co-op action spin-off set in the Horizon universe. Three like-minded players must team up to cull droves of Dinobots in hunts that lean hard into coordination, roles, and replayability. Think: tactical encounters, rotating mission types like machine incursions and cauldron dives, and a progression system that encourages experimentation rather than rote grinding.

Apparently, there is also a fully canon story campaign and a shared hub where squads prep, customise and plan their next machine (read: monster) hunt. Cross-play and cross-progression are mercifully a thing. If the idea of Terminator taxidermy with mates sounds even remotely appealing, there's an upcoming beta you can sign up for right now. Do it. I'll see you in the mix.

Contents

• Retro
• Nintendo
• Xbox
• PlayStation
• PC
• LEGO

This Day in Gaming 🎂

In retro news, I’m casting magic missiles to light a 22-candle cake for Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II. I remember this top-down hack 'n slash ARPG to be two-player co-op bliss. Better yet, it eclipsed its predecessor by having deeper customisation, letting us craft our own magical equipment, and the roster expanded from 3 to 7 classes. The cream of that crop if you finished it on Extreme? Legendary drow ranger, Drizzt Do'Urden, and his human assassin nemesis, Artemis Entreri.

Aussie birthdays for notable games.

- Legacy of Kain: Defiance (PS2,XB) 2004. Get

- Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II (PS2,XB) 2004. Get

- Sega GT Online (XB) 2004. eBay

Nice Savings for Nintendo Switch

• Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (-70%) A$18 Still the sharpest writing in RPGs, and the Switch version finally runs clean. Slow, talky, and political, but unforgettable if you like decisions that haunt you.
• NieR:Automata The End of YoRHa Ed. (-60%) A$21.90 Platinum combat wrapped around philosophical dread. The frame rate wobbles, but the ideas and music still land harder than most modern action RPGs.
• Untitled Goose Game (-50%) A$15 Still a perfect palate cleanser. Short, silly, and deliberately irritating, but the design discipline underneath the honking joke is genuinely impressive.
• Neo: The World Ends With You (-60%) A$33.90 Stylish, loud, and mechanically dense. Combat sings once it clicks, though the story takes patience. Worth it if you miss Square Enix being weird.
• Lego City Undercover (-67%) A$29.90 Open world Lego chaos with a surprisingly solid crime parody. Long load times persist, but the humour carries harder than most licensed efforts.

Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.

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Exciting Bargains for Xbox

• Aliens: Dark Descent (-65%) A$22 Tactical stress in real time. Smart squad control and genuine tension, though mistakes snowball fast. Feels respectful of Aliens rather than cosplay.
• Borderlands 3 (-90%) A$9.90 The writing still grates, but the gunplay is peerless. At this price, the loot loop overwhelms its flaws without mercy.
• Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap (-75%) A$6.70 A loving remake that respects its roots. Short, charming, and mechanically honest. Feels like comfort food with a modern coat.

Or just invest in an Xbox Card.

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Pure Scores for PlayStation

• Dragon Quest VII Reimagined (-10%) A$89 Not a massive discount, sure. But enormous, traditional, and unapologetically slow. For series lifers only, but the rework smooths enough edges to justify the revisit.
• Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (-50%) A$62.40 Slick traversal and confident pacing. The spectacle is real, but the smaller character moments are what stick.
• It Takes Two (-80%) A$11.90 Still the benchmark for co-op design. Requires a partner and patience, but rewards both generously.
• Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii (-70%) A$29.90 Ridiculous premise, sincere heart. Combat is messy fun, tone swings wildly, and it somehow works if you buy into the bit.
• The Messenger (-80%) A$4.90 Tight platforming with a knowing wink. The humour occasionally overreaches, but the mechanics never do.

PS4

• Gran Turismo 7 (-58%) A$46.10 Still unmatched driving feel. Always online quirks remain annoying, but the racing craft is pristine.
• Persona 5 Strikers (-58%) A$41.70 A musou spin that actually understands Persona. Combat repetition creeps in, but the cast chemistry carries hard.
• Trials Of Mana (-49%) A$39.30 Bright, breezy action RPG nostalgia. Shallow systems, but earnest charm if you want something undemanding.

Or purchase a PS Store Card.

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Purchase Cheap for PC

• Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (-100%) A$0 Chaotic fantasy Borderlands with uneven jokes. Free removes all risk, leaving only the solid gunplay.
• Hogwarts Legacy Del. Ed. (-85%) A$14.90 A lavish theme park RPG. Story is safe, but the world sells the fantasy better than expected.
• Dying Light Essentials Ed. (-88%) A$4.50 Parkour horror that still nails tension. Night cycles remain terrifying, even if the storytelling never quite lands.
• Marvel's Midnight Suns (-85%) A$13.40 Tactical depth disguised as a card game. Social layers are divisive, but the combat loop is quietly brilliant.
• The Quarry (-85%) A$13.40 Interactive horror with uneven pacing. Strong cast, weaker scares, but worth it if you enjoy choice driven chaos.

Or just get a Steam Wallet Card

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We now have our hands on the Nintendo Switch 2, a new console from one of the biggest names in gaming. Alas, a new console is only as valuable as the library of games you can build on it.

Thankfully, Nintendo hasn't been shy about planned releases over the next year, which include a mix of Switch 2 exclusives, third-party releases, and the benefit of backward compatibility with any games still launching on the original Switch. Without further ado, here are all of the new Switch 2 games we can look forward to in 2026.

All Upcoming Switch 2 Games With Release Dates

PGA Tour 2K25 (February 6, 2026)

If you found Wii Sports golf to be a little too easy, here you go. PGA Tour, 2K's golf series, is coming to a Nintendo console for the first time since 2K21. Take on tournaments as your favorite pro player or build up your own character through the MyCareer mode. IGN's 8/10 review gave the game some solid praise, highlighting that "new swing mechanics, paired with the significantly improved graphics, makes for a much more realistic ambiance." Let's hope that performance holds up on the Switch 2.

Tokyo Scramble (February 11, 2026)

Tokyo has been destroyed in a massive cave-in. In the aftermath, Anne wakes up underground to find a subterranean organization filled with creatures called Zeno. If they catch you, they’ll kill you. To escape, you’ll have to focus on stealth. Announced during the February Nintendo Partner Direct, Tokyo Scramble is launching on Switch 2 pretty darn soon.

Mario Tennis Fever (February 12, 2026)*

Mario Tennis is making its return with the first new release since 2018’s Mario Tennis Aces. The sports game will continue the more recent tradition of a Story Mode alongside Tournament, Trial Towers, and Mix It Up modes, all while featuring a whopping 38 playable characters.

A new island just came to Fortnite that features a digital reimagining of Qatar’s capital city, Doha, as well as Hamad International Airport and a Qatar Airways aircraft. Called QVerse Island, it’s meant to give travelers an immersive way to experience the sights of the city and its airport. There are lots of minigames, a glimpse at some of the city’s unique architecture, and a hidden golden ticket that you can find for a chance to win a free Qatar Airways flight.

You can reach QVerse Island within Fortnite by searching for “QVerse” or using code 6020-0265-6735. When you arrive on the island, you’ll pull up to Hamad International Airport and get a look at the skyline of Doha with re-creations of its real-life skyscrapers. You’ll be greeted by Sama, Qatar Airways’ digital cabin crew member, who will give you five quests to complete.

After you’ve talked to her, you’re free to explore the city and do things in whatever order you choose. Right off the bat, you’ll see floating coins that give you 10 gold each. You can spend that gold at the airport vending machines for things like faster running speed, a jetpack that lets you double jump, or consumable items. You can also look for a hidden door that takes you inside the Business Class cabin of a Qatar Airways aircraft, where you’ll join other Fortnite characters as passengers.

Once you exit the airport and make your way to the street, you’ll see you can summon a car with one button press, making traversal of the city quick and easy. Your HUD will have icons for the island’s biggest attractions, which is also where you can complete the quests Sama gave you. These are some of real-life Qatar’s most recognizable landmarks, like the National Museum of Qatar, West Bay, Katara Towers, and The Pearl Island. And QVerse Island has a persistent day/night cycle, so you can watch the sunset around these locations and see the whole city light up at night.

Each location has a minigame associated with it. At the National Museum of Qatar, you’re given a scavenger hunt to find five lost artifacts that lie scattered around the city. At West Bay, you can use your summoned car to complete a time trial race. At Katara Towers, you’ll need to cross between the towers, high in the air, while a rotating bar tries to knock you off. And at The Pearl Island, you can take on a parkour obstacle course that runs across the rooftops of the city.

While you’re exploring, you’ll notice a timer counting down to the next departure. Once the countdown finishes, you’ll be transported to a multiplayer minigame with other people currently on the island. There are four minigames in all: Wild Wheels Safari, Neon City Drop, Jumpus Maximus, and Home Run Rush. For all four, the last person standing wins.

In Wild Wheels Safari, you drive cars around a desert arena while floor tiles gradually fall away. If you fall into a hole, you’re eliminated. Neon City Drop is a similar concept, but you’re on foot and the floor is made up of brightly colored panels that fall away over time. Jumpus Maximus puts you on a giant spinning wheel in the air while rotating bars of different heights try to knock you off. And Home Run Rush gives everyone a superpowered baseball bat that can launch other players out of the stadium.

In between all the fun and games, you can explore QVerse Island to find the golden ticket. You’ll get an on-screen alert letting you know in what area of the map it just spawned, and then it’s up to you to find it. It only stays in one place for a few minutes, so you need to hurry before it moves again.

Once you find it, take a screenshot of your in-game character with it. Then post that photo to Instagram, Facebook, or X/Twitter with the hashtag #FlyWithQR, follow Qatar Airways on Instagram, and you’ll be entered in a drawing. A winning entry will be randomly selected, and that person will win a Qatar Airways flight ticket. There will be a new drawing each week and the contest will run for 10 weeks. If you don’t win one week, you can try again the next.

QVerse Island is available to explore now, and between February 7–20, gaming content creators around the world will join in on the fun, too. So be sure to check that out. Who knows who you’ll get to face off against in all those minigames? To keep up with the latest news and updates from Qatar Airways, you can follow them on Instagram, Facebook, or X/Twitter.

Bethesda has trumpeted the news that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be squeezed onto a proper Switch 2 Game Card for its physical release — though other titles coming to the console will just be codes in a box.

During today's Partner Direct broadcast focusing on upcoming games coming to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, Bethesda boss Todd Howard briefly appeared to welcome a swathe of games coming to Nintendo's newest console.

In a press release sent to IGN following the broadcast, Bethesda has now detailed its launch plans further, and announced on social media that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle would get a full-fat cartridge launch, rather than on one of Nintendo's widely-disliked Game-Key Cards.

And yes, the game is on Game Card.#IndianaJones https://t.co/jJ0cTDKLLL

— Bethesda (@bethesda) February 5, 2026

Bethesda's social post has received a string of praise, with many fans wondering how the game has been made to fit onto a Switch 2 cartridge. "Wow, totally unexpected," wrote Digital Foundry veteran and game preservation fan John Linneman in response.

Late last year, one Switch 2 developer initially suggested that Nintendo was preparing to make more sizes of Game Cartridge available for manufacturers to ship titles on, rather than relying on Game-Key cards. However, the developer then scrubbed most of this information from the internet, and implied it was unable to announce anything that Nintendo itself had not confirmed officially.

Bethesda's other three titles getting physical launches on Switch 2 this year will not be on Game Cartridges, or even Game-Key cards. Instead, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition will all have physical editions that are "code-in-a-box," Bethesda has said. Of course, all of these games will be available via digital download too, via the Switch 2's eShop.

As announced (and leaked) earlier today, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will launch digitally and physically on May 12. The game's DLC, The Order of Giants, will also be available download separately on that date.

Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition launches digitally on February 24 and physically on April 28. Skyrim Anniversary Edition is available digitally already, and will come in a box on April 28. Finally, Oblivion Remastered has a vague "2026" launch window for now.

For much more, here's everything else announced in today's Nintendo Partner Direct.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Odds are, if Mouse: P.I. for Hire caught your eye, it's because of its unique, hand-drawn, black-and-white 1930s-era "rubber hose" animation style. But it's aiming to be a lot more than just a pretty face. We played Mouse last year – and we'll be doing so again as part of this month's exclusive IGN First coverage – but today we're taking a deeper dive into its wild cartoon arsenal and its boomer shooter-inspired combat.

The developers at Fumi Games told us, "The core combat gameplay revolves around an 'Always Be Moving' approach, encouraging players to stay constantly on the move to survive." Complicating that will be environmental hazards, like freeze, turpentine, fire, and explosive barrels that can either be used against you or used by you. But ammo and health are scattered about, encouraging further exploration of the environment. And you won't be a tank; just a few hits can put hero Jack Pepper in a serious world of hurt.

Meanwhile, an assortment of core abilities and unlockable ones will help you Always Be Moving, such as a slide, dash, double jump, pipe crawl, kick, wall run, and wall climb – along with your multipurpose tail that, over the course of the campaign, can be used for lockpicking, helicoptering, and as a grappling hook.

Power-ups, too, will spice up the moment-to-moment gameplay, like Spinach (think: Popeye), Coffee (activates Cuphead-like finger guns that shoot rapidly), Chili Peppers (damage bonus + rate of fire bonus + fire damage), and Cheese (health powerup that can be activated anytime you want).

But let's get to the stars of the combat show: the weapons (See a bunch of them in the gif gallery above). There are a whopping eleven of them, starting with your fists if you run out of ammo – but you'll probably never use them if given any other choice. Moving up from there, the Micer pistol is what you'd expect, though it does have a burst-shot alt-fire. Your Boomstick, meanwhile, packs a short-range punch – with a hold charge/pump fire as an alt.

Things get more interesting and unique with the Devarnisher, which melts the skin off your foes, Roger Rabbit-style, courtesy of the balls of turpentine it fires. Its alt-fire is a larger blob that explodes to affect more enemies. The James Gun is a Tommy gun that stops enemies from attacking and has a spray fire for an alt.

The Kiss Kiss is a double-barrelled shotgun that adds fire damage thanks to its exploding shells. The alt fire on this one is a larger, area-of-effect explosion. The Loose Cannon, meanwhile, really leans into Mouse's cartoon framework; it's a literal cannon like you'd find on a pirate ship that has knockback effects as well as doing big damage. In alt-fire mode it launches a charged-up burst shot. The Jar Head, on the other hand, fires waves of psionic power that stun and eventually kill enemies – and it carries an AoE. Its beam-attack alt is particularly potent if you aim at the opponent's head.

The last of the arsenal starts with the Portable Freezer, firing a cold beam that slows and eventually freezes foes in their tracks, allowing you to shatter them. The alt-fire spits speedy snowballs. I'm eager to try the Hellrazor, a chainsaw that pummels enemies with fire damage if they get hit with the wave. Its alt-fire is a traditional chainsaw that you do not want to be caught on the business end of.

And finally, the D-namite can take out certain walls and floors in addition to blasting the bad guys to bits. All told, I'm eager to try out all of these toys. Circle March 19 on your calendar, as that's when Mouse: P.I. for Hire will be released on PC, PlayStation platforms, Xbox platforms, and Nintendo Switch platforms.

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.

Fans of 2023's Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, got a delightful surprise this morning during the Nintendo Partner Direct, with the reveal of a surprise sequel coming to Nintendo Switch. It's called Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse, and it's coming out in just two weeks, on February 19.

The Mermaid's Curse follows a young pearl diver named Yuza who one day, while working, sees a ghostly version of himself. This sets off a chain of other strange incidents: corpses washing up, a girl with no memories, and townsfolks with ulterior motives. As Yuza, you'll question people around the island to try and find out what's going on, while also diving into the waters of the bay for clues. All of it has ties somehow to a centuries-old legend of a mermaid, and true to form, it all seems kind of creepy!

The original Paranormasight debuted in 2023 on Switch, PC, and mobile. While thematically similar, it told a different mystery story with different characters, and it's unclear if there will be narrative times between The Seven Mysteries of Honjo and The Mermaid's Curse. The first Paranormasight was well-received, and currently stands at an 85 critic score and 8.9 user score on Metacritic. We're still waiting to hear if the new game will come to other platforms, but given the mobile and PC releases of The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, it seems like a reasonable expectation.

You can catch up on everything announced at today's Nintendo Direct right here.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

I may have only played the opening couple of hours of Planet of Lana 2, but I lost count of the number of ways it reminded me of Star Wars. From just a single glance at one of its many gorgeous landscapes, you can see in the geography and architecture what look like Studio Ghibli interpretations of Ralph McQuarrie’s original sketches for Lucasfilm’s immortal sci-fi series. Peek within that frame and you’ll see rickety sci-fi vehicles and clunking robots that wouldn’t be out of place on the streets of Mos Eisley. Lend your ear to that scene, and the whirring sounds of those same droids and digitised radio chatter of enemy guards could easily be coming from R2-D2 and Stormtroopers, respectively. All of these aspects add up to something that is far more than referential, though, instead shaping a confident, expansive puzzle platformer sequel of its own original design.

One of the first things that hits you when booting up Planet of Lana 2 is the music. Again, the soaring of its strings and the twinkle of its brass conjure up strong images of a galaxy far, far away. But, this time, it shouldn’t come as a surprise — the sequel's score is once again composed by Star Wars: The Clone Wars orchestrator, Takeshi Furukawa. Incidentally, he’s also behind the music of The Last Guardian, a game that greatly inspired Wishfully, the small Swedish developer behind Planet of Lana 2. It carries on that same “child on a dangerous, yet wondrous adventure with a fantasy animal companion” legacy, this time with a darker tone as shades of Limbo and Inside come to the fore.

The 2.5D stealth-puzzle-platforming takes place on a bigger canvas compared to its 2023 predecessor. Two years after the events of that game, protagonist Lana has settled back into family life on the planet of Novo, though clearly mystery and intrigue still remain, both on its surface and bubbling below it. After a short tutorial section investigating the corpse of the hulking spaceship that brought her people to this new land, Lana’s sister is taken ill, and you’re promptly sent on a mission to hunt down rare ingredients for a remedy. This journey takes Lana to new regions of the world, which gives Wishfully’s art team new scope to stretch their creative muscles, but also presents welcome new ideas when it comes to puzzle design.

A now older, more confident Lana is more agile than before, able to slide under low-hanging metal for quick escapes and even dive into the ocean to solve whatever conundrums its depths are hiding. Lighter on her feet this time around, she’s practically a backflip and a handstand away from moving more like a Lara than a Lana. Whether clambering through caverns or broaching darkened mine shafts, platforming is more about patience and precision than speed and reflexes. The sequel’s expanded vision also extends to the framing of its puzzles, with larger areas demanding further exploration of the scene – you must look for helpful items in areas high above and further off-screen than you might expect.

That said, many of the challenges I faced through this two-hour demonstration were largely the sort of combat-avoidant stealth sequences that reward patience – as in, you must remain motionless while waiting for obstacles to morph into the required shape, or for enemies to turn the other way, creating a safe passage through. I would never say this becomes tedious, but for those who prefer a bit more zip and thrust to their action, here's a heads up that I wouldn’t necessarily expect that here. To those who didn’t play the original Planet of Lana, it’s much closer to a Little Nightmares than it is to a Metroid in its level design and enemy encounters. But similar to Samus’ space adventures, there’s a great sense of tactility to every heavy lever pull, as heavy machinery and hulking robots lurch and creak inside a mountain facility, dwarfing Lana and her even smaller, spherical companion, Mui.

This little ball of charm provides a furry edge to many of Planet of Lana 2's puzzles, with their newly increased ability set adding welcome extra variety to the mix alongside their existing skillset. I particularly enjoyed further explorations of Mui’s somewhat telepathic ability to control creatures around the world of Novo. For example, fish can be sent to zip around and deploy clouds of ink that masks the vision of larger-finned foes, and sticky balls of blob can create trails of sludge that transform into paths of fire to remove flammable obstructions. These fuse-like puzzles, which task you with examining the level geography as you trace its edges to reach your goal, were some of my favourites in this preview demo.

Although I’ve only seen around a third of the game, even at this early stage, I am wary that some mechanics are already on the edge of being used one too many times, threatening to turn some brainteasers into busywork. But, largely on the whole, the puzzles have proven fun and fair, compelling me to pause and think, but never to the detriment of the momentum of the story. It fits the urgency of the tale being told, with many mysteries lurking in the background. It's this intrigue that drove me through these early hours on the path to discovery, as well as the distinct sense of adventure as you hop around this thoroughly alien planet, painted with beautiful art and soundtracked by a sensational score.

Much like Star Wars does with its flashy lightsaber duels and thrilling space battles, Planet of Lana never forgets to put character front and centre, even in its puzzles. Reassuring nods and moments of murmur in an alien tongue help solidify the bond between Lana and her furry friend, all while keeping the story of their adventure foremost in mind. And, just like The Empire Strikes Back, Planet of Lana 2 teases in these early hours that it’s certainly not afraid to enter darker territory on a grander scale, whilst leaving plenty of time for those smaller moments. It’s all very promising, and a reassuring sign that the heart of its short and sweet predecessor is being carried over into this expanded, more ambitious sequel on March 5th.

Simon Cardy is a Senior Editor at IGN who can mainly be found skulking around open world games, indulging in Korean cinema, or despairing at the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets. Follow him on Bluesky at @cardy.bsky.social.

UPDATE: As leaked earlier this morning, Hollow Knight will indeed launch its Nintendo Switch 2 Edition today. Confirmed by Nintendo during today's Partner Direct, owners of the acclaimed platformer on Switch will be able to upgrade to its Switch 2 Edition for free.

For much more, here's everything announced in today's Nintendo Partner Direct.

ORIGINAL STORY: With just hours to go until today's Nintendo Direct broadcast, an updated ratings board listing suggests Hollow Knight could get an imminent Switch 2 release.

Team Cherry's long-awaited game is now listed for Switch 2 with a February 5, 2026 release date, per the website of European ratings board PEGI. Hey, that's today!

Of course, Hollow Knight originally launched for Nintendo Switch back in 2018, though we learned a couple of months ago that the game would be getting an updated Switch 2 Edition at some point this year. Now, it seems, that new version is moments away.

Nintendo is due to air its latest Partner Direct later today, at 6am Pacific, 9am Eastern or 2pm UK time. This third-party game showcase will include 20 minutes of announcements featuring titles headed to Switch and Switch 2 that aren't developed by Nintendo itself — such as Hollow Knight.

Don't tune in expecting a new Mario game announcement, then, but do keep an eye out for more news on other upcoming Switch 2 releases such as this month's Resident Evil Requiem, and the promising-looking 007: First Light. Oh, and Hollow Knight now too. What will this new edition contain?

Alongside releasing Hollow Knight again on Switch 2, Team Cherry is now busy working on Sea of Sorrow, its first expansion to Hollow Knight: Silksong. Will we see more of this today as well? Time will tell, but as ever IGN will be reporting all of the major announcements live.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Pokémon character designer Yusuke Omura has revealed how he created the designs of the Ultra Beasts, showing that even rejected concepts can prove inspirational to artists later on.

Ultra Beasts first appeared in the 3DS games Pokémon Sun and Moon (known as Generation VII of the Pokémon games) back in 2016. They are extradimensional Pokémon that come from Ultra Space, and occasionally stumble into the Pokémon World through wormholes.

Pokémon series character designer Yusuke Omura tweeted on February 4 about how he designed the Ultra Beasts. For Sun and Moon, Omura was the lead Pokémon character designer, continuing to work alongside original Pokémon designer Ken Sugimori.

Omura explained that he came up with the Ultra Beasts’ looks by thinking back on his Pokémon designs that Sugimori had rejected. Omura then explained: “I then deliberately based the artistic direction (of the Ultra Beasts’ designs) on the reasons that these Pokémon were rejected.”

“In a way, they are like a collective manifestation of my own resentment, which is kind of scary.” Omura noted, before clarifying: “This doesn’t mean that I hate Sugimori or anything like that.”

The Ultra Beasts are more sci-fi or insect-inspired than the cuter, often animal or plant-influenced designs of Ken Sugimori’s original Pokémon, like Squirtle or Bulbasaur. They also often have exaggerated features, like the mosquito-like Buzzwhole’s chunky muscles, or the elegant Phermosa’s long antenna.

In response to Omura’s tweet, users chimed in with praise for the Ultra Beasts’ designs. “Thank you for bringing Ultra Beasts into the world!” one user replied. “I think their otherworldly appearance also opened up new avenues for Pokémon.” Omura replied “I designed them hoping that would be the case.”

“It really feels like the Pokémon world expanded thanks to the Ultra Beasts,” another commenter added. “The designer’s hard work really paid off.” Many others hope that the Ultra Beasts will appear in another mainline Pokémon game in the future.

With Pokémon marking its 30th anniversary this year, fans can look forward to at least one new game coming out: Pokémon Pokopia. But it’s likely that there are more announcements in the pipeline. For starters, Jigglypuff will be appearing at the Superbowl (of all places…) in a special anniversary video this weekend.

Verity Townsend is a Japan-based freelance writer who previously served as editor, contributor and translator for the game news site Automaton West. She has also written about Japanese culture and movies for various publications.

PlayStation 5 sales declined year-on-year during the crucial holiday quarter, but it’s pretty much neck-and-neck with the PlayStation 4 at the same point during its lifecycle, and it even outsold the Nintendo Switch 2 during the last three months of 2025.

Sony shifted another 8 million PS5 units during the three months ending December 31, 2025, a decline from the 9.5 million PS5s it sold during the same period in 2024. But there are a number of factors at play here. For a start, 8 million sales isn’t too shabby when you consider the PS5 price rises Sony put in place last year (Sony raised the prices of the PS5, PS5 Digital Edition, and PS5 Pro by $50 each in August). Then there’s the tough economic conditions globally that’s putting pressure on consumer spending generally to contend with.

And it’s also worth noting that the PS5, which is now five years old, actually outsold the six month-old Nintendo Switch 2 during the holiday quarter. This week, Nintendo said the Switch 2 sold around 7 million in the three-month period. PS5 sold 1 million more.

The PS5 has now sold 92.2 million units globally, which means it’s still lagging ever so slightly behind its predecessor, the PS4, at this point in each console’s lifecycle (PS4 had sold 94.4 million by now). But with the release of guaranteed console seller GTA 6 coming in November, the PS5 will receive a shot in the arm that may drive it to outselling the PS4 when the dust settles on both consoles.

And here's a fun stat: the PS5 has now officially outsold the PS3. As mentioned, PS5 has sold 92.2 million, and the PS3 managed 87.4 million lifetime sales (as of March 31, 2017). And while the PS5 has some way to go before matching the PS4's 117 million lifetime sales, with the help of GTA 6, it could eventually beat it.

Speaking during a webcast reviewed and transcribed by IGN following its financial results, Sony pointed to increased monetization of its growing PS5 install base as well as growing software sales as more than making up for the decline in console sales. It pointed to the release of Sucker Punch’s PS5 exclusive Ghost of Yotei, which made a “significant contribution” to the quarter, as well as ongoing revenue from Helldivers 2 and MLB The Show.

“FY25 Q3 sales decreased 4% year-on-year, primarily due to lower hardware unit sales,” Lin Tao, Sony’s chief financial officer, said. “Operating income increased 19% year-on-year, primarily due to the positive impact of foreign exchange rates and the impact of increased sales and network services and first-party software, setting a record for the third quarter in this segment.

“We upwardly revised our FY25 sales forecast 4% from the previous forecast to 4,630 billion yen, and our operating income forecast 2% to 510 billion yen. User engagement trended well during the quarter with the number of monthly active users across all of the PlayStation in December increasing 2% compared to the last December to a record high of 132 million accounts. And total play time for the quarter increased 0.4% year-on-year.

“Although conditions in the console hardware market during year-end selling season were more challenging than expected, we were able to steadily expand our PS5 install base in line with our original plan and exceeded 92 million units on a cumulative selling basis.

“While PS5 hardware unit sales have decreased moderately in the latter half of the console cycle, software revenue from the PlayStation Store reached a record high during the quarter, primarily driven by the contribution of major third-party franchise titles and new hit releases. PlayStation Plus significantly contributed to the results of the quarter as the shift to higher tiers of the service continued.”

Sony even waved away concern about potential further PS5 price rises as a result of the rising cost of memory fueled by the AI boom, insisting it’s already in a position to secure the minimum quantity necessary to manage the year-end selling season of its next fiscal year.

“Going forward, we intend to further negotiate with various suppliers to secure enough supply to meet the demand of our customers,” Lin Tao continued. “Given the stage of our console cycle, our hardware sales strategy can be adjusted flexibly and we intend to minimize the impact of the increased memory cost on this segment going forward by prioritizing monetization of the install base to date and striving to further expand our software and network service revenue.”

Sony also namechecked Bungie’s live service extraction shooter Marathon, which is due out in March after a significant delay. It sounds relatively confident in the game after it was retooled following negative feedback.

“We expect that Marathon, which is scheduled to be released on March 5, will be enjoyed by many users thanks to Bungie having strengthened the gaming experience,” Lin Tao said. “Next fiscal year, we plan to release new titles such as Saros and Marvel's Wolverine, and we intend to enhance our effort to increase the revenue of our studio business.”

Last month, an analyst report coming out of Japan suggested that Sony may push the launch of the inevitable PlayStation 6 beyond 2028 and lengthen the PS5 lifecycle instead.

David Gibson, senior analyst at MST international who focuses on game and tech companies, published a Japanese language report ahead of today’s financials giving insights into the Sony Group's current performance and potential next moves. “Sony expects the PS5 lifecycle to be longer than that of previous console generations,” Gibson said, adding that this is likely to push the PS6 launch back beyond previous predictions. “There’s a high likelihood that the PS6 launch will occur after 2028.” If Gibson is right, we won't see the PS6 until 2029 at the earliest.

Gibson suggested that Sony is more focused on existing PS5 users than boosting console sales, something the latest comments from Lin Tao now back up. Regarding PlayStation Network services and active PS5 users, Gibson observed that “PS5 user activity continues to set all-time record highs according to usage data. Sony is focusing more on retaining active users than expanding hardware sales.”

Photo by Anusak Laowilas/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

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.

I have a bad habit of remembering exactly what I paid for certain games, usually right when they turn up in a sale like this. That sting is useful. It tells me which discounts actually matter. This list is mostly those games. Learn from my mistakes and save.

Contents

• Retro
• Nintendo
• Xbox
• PlayStation
• PC

This Day in Gaming 🎂

In retro news, I’ve whipped up a wumpa fruit-flavoured cake for Crash Bandicoot 2's 27th birthday. I can vividly recall getting my arse handed to me at launch as I tried to jump, spin, body slam, slide, duck, and "death route" conquer my way to every gem needed for its secret ending.

I also have fond memories of a Simpsons pisstake of this franchise deployed around the same year. Apparently, "Dash Dingo" needed to find and devour "seven crystal babies" in the "Down Underverse" lest he spend eternity trapped in deep didgeridoo. Frankly, I'd rather play Knifey Spoony: The Video Game.

Aussie birthdays for notable games.

- Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back (PS) 1999. eBay

- XCOM 2 (PC) 2016. Get

Nice Savings for Nintendo Switch

• Monster Hunter Rise + Sunbreak (-84%) A$12.70 Still fast, still precise, and Sunbreak finally gives the loop real teeth. Enormous value, but it expects commitment and a tolerance for menus that never learned shame.
• Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age (-45%) A$43.70 Political, dry, and quietly brilliant. The Zodiac Job System fixes the original's mushiness, though its MMO pacing still asks for patience.
• Bluey The Videogame (-35%) A$39 I'm stretching the Must Play term here. Charming in short bursts and clearly for families first. Light on challenge, heavy on vibes, and exactly what it needs to be.
• Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Trilogy (-67%) A$13.10 Writing-led, gloriously melodramatic courtroom nonsense. The cases remain clever, the pacing occasionally indulgent, and the value here is almost rude.
• Trine Ult. Col. (-80%) A$17.90 A beautiful physics playground best enjoyed cooperatively. Smart puzzles, floaty combat, and occasional chaos when teamwork collapses.

Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.

Back to top

Exciting Bargains for Xbox

• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (-29%) A$119 Big, earnest adventure energy with cinematic confidence. It leans hard into spectacle, sometimes at the expense of player agency.
• Prince of Persia The Lost Crown (-39%) A$29.90 Tight movement, smart map design, and real mechanical bite. Combat asks more than expected, which might surprise returning fans.
• Dead Space (-73%) A$29.90 Still oppressive, still elegant. This remake fixes just enough without overexplaining, though it remains emotionally exhausting by design.
• Borderlands 4 (-42%) A$69 Loud, generous, and mechanically refined. Writing mileage varies, but the shooting finally feels as good as the loot treadmill demands.
• Sid Meier's Civilization VII (-23%) A$69 Iterative but confident. Systems interlock cleanly, turns vanish alarmingly fast, and it remains hostile to sleep schedules.

Xbox One

• Shovel Knight Treasure Trove (-60%) A$22.90 Immaculate platforming with surprising emotional range. Tough but fair, and packed with content that respects your time.
• Bloodstained Ritual of the Night (-45%) A$38.70 A loving, messy return to form. Deep systems and awkward presentation coexist, much like the genre itself.
• Mafia Def. Ed. (-45%) A$38.70 Linear, deliberate, and refreshingly uninterested in bloat. The shooting is stiff, but the story earns the restraint.

Or just invest in an Xbox Card.

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Pure Scores for PlayStation

• Borderlands 4 (-42%) A$69 Slicker systems and better flow make this the strongest modern entry. Humour still divides, loot does not.
• Hogwarts Legacy (-52%) A$52.40 A confident fantasy sandbox with excellent combat feel. Open world padding shows, but the core loop is sturdy.
• Suikoden I and II HD Rem. (-41%) A$41.10 Still politically sharp and emotionally messy. The remaster smooths edges, but these games remain proudly old school.
• Persona 3 Reload (-68%) A$31.30 Stylish, melancholic, and far better paced than before. Social systems still demand time, but the payoff is earned.
• God of War Ragnarok A$69.40 Expansive and emotionally confident. Combat depth shines, though its length occasionally mistakes volume for weight.

PS4

• The Walking Dead The Telltale Def. Series (-55%) A$31.20 Still devastating, still uneven. When it lands, it lands hard. Technical quirks persist.
• Sonic Superstars (-47%) A$50.70 Bright, fast, and occasionally awkward. Momentum shines, bosses less so.
• Resident Evil 4 (-31%) A$38 A masterclass remake that respects tension. Combat is heavier, pacing tighter, and fear more deliberate.

Or purchase a PS Store Card.

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Purchase Cheap for PC

• No Rest for the Wicked (-40%) A$35.90 Weighty combat and bold art direction. Still rough around the edges, but the confidence is real.
• Star Wars Jedi Survivor Del. (-88%) A$14.30 Big swings, uneven optimisation, but a strong arc. At this price, its flaws sting less.
• Quake (-67%) A$4.90 Still pure, still fast. Level design does all the talking.
• Tales of Vesperia Def. Ed. (-80%) A$11.30 Classic JRPG comfort food. Pacing is leisurely, charm is constant.
• Middle-earth Shadow of War (-90%) A$5.90 The Nemesis system still carries this. Structure bloats, emergent stories save it.
• The Talos Principle (-85%) A$6.50 Thoughtful, philosophical puzzling. Asks patience and curiosity, rewards both.

Or just get a Steam Wallet Card

Back to top

Overwatch 2, or I guess as I should call it now, Overwatch, is about to get a massive overhaul as it enters the year-long storyline entitled The Reign of Talon. With the big update coming on February 10, players will get five new heroes (with five more coming over the rest of the season), a number of quality of life updates, new in-game events, and later this spring, an upgrade option for Nintendo Switch 2 players specifically.

Announced during today's Overwatch Spotlight 2026, it was revealed that a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Overwatch 2 is finally on its way later this spring. We didn't get any real details as to what the release was going to entail as of yet. Overwatch 2 is already on the Nintendo Switch and thus playable on Switch 2, but it's just the regular edition, and a Switch 2 would presumably have some upgrades attached. We'll have to wait until Season 2 sometime this spring to find out.

This will be welcome news for Switch players, as there have long been complaints that Overwatch 2 on the Nintendo Switch offers no meaningful technical improvements over the original Overwatch. A Switch 2 edition could also potentially introduce mouse controls, which might be desirable for those wanting something closer to a PC experience.

Overwatch 2 will now be known as just Overwatch going forward, as was also announced during today's Overwatch Spotlight, as the game undergoes a major overhaul headed into a year-long narrative of events, hero trailers, stories, comics, map updates, and more telling the story of a Talon takeover. Ten new heroes are planned for release over the next year, with a new story arc planned to start in 2027 when this one has concluded.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Overwatch 2 is officially ditching the "2" from its name. It's all just Overwatch now as the game enters a "new, story-driven era" with a year-long narrative, 10 new heroes, and a major overhaul.

Announced today at the Overwatch Spotlight, Blizzard revealed its first year-long storyline, entitled "The Reign of Talon". As it sounds, the plot is going to focus on the antagonistic faction Talon as it takes over around the world, while Overwatch continues to fight back. In-game events, hero trailers, animated comics, short stories, and map updates will tell a story across six seasons rolled out throughout the entire year, beginning with the launch of five new heroes on February 10 as Season 1 begins. On the Talon side, new heroes will include Domina (tank), Emre (damage), and Mizuki (support), and on Overwatch we'll get Anran (damage) and Jetpack Cat (support). More heroes will join in the future, with a new hero added in each of Season 2-6 to come. A new story arc is planned to begin with another Season 1 in 2027.

Other updates include a new Meta Event called Conquest, where players choose to align with either Overwatch or Talon over five weeks to compete for rewards including lootboxes, skins, and titles. We'll also be seeing a major UI and UX overhaul with a new hero lobby and a promise of faster navigation. And we're also getting a Hello Kitty-themed in-game event from February 10-23.

Amid all of this, Blizzard is officially dropping the "2" from Overwatch 2, and referring to it going forward just as Overwatch. As a press release explains: "Overwatch is more than just a digit: it's a living universe that keeps growing, keeps surprising, and keeps bringing players together from around the world. This year marks a huge turning point in how the development team envisions the future of Overwatch, so we are officially dropping '2' and moving forward as 'Overwatch'."

The newly-dubbed "Overwatch" will also be getting an upgraded Nintendo Switch 2 edition in the spring (both the original Overwatch and Overwatch 2 are currently available on Nintendo Switch, and thus Switch 2, but do not have dedicated Switch 2 upgraded versions).

It's no surprise that Blizzard might want to wipe the slate clean from the struggle that has been Overwatch 2. The sequel/revamp of 2016's popular hero shooter Overwatch stumbled out of the gate, and while it saw a massive surge of players at the start, those numbers dropped in the following year. As time went on, user reviews complained about a number of issues such as monetization and controversies around the cancellation of the game's long-awaited PvE Hero mode. The game has seen modes, features, and plans come and go over the years, and this isn't even the first major overhaul Blizzard has announced. The fact remains that Overwatch 2 has never quite lived up to the hype levels of its predecessor, Overwatch, and this could be an attempt on Blizzard's part to regain some of that glory - especially by focusing so much on story.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Humble Bundle has dropped a fresh new lineup of PC games as part of its Humble Choice for February, led by Core Keeper, Date Everything, and Resident Evil Village. The timing for including the latter couldn’t be better, considering this month we can finally get our hands on Resident Evil: Requiem. So, if you haven’t played Village yet, what better time to jump into it?

Alongside those three games, you'll get five more as part of this bundle, which costs just $14.99 per month when you sign up for the Humble Choice membership. That’s not all, though, as you also get a free month of IGN Plus as part of this bundle. It’s a real treat for PC gamers, so don’t miss out on this month’s excellent selection of games.

Humble Choice February 2026 Game Lineup

The Overwatch Spotlight has come to an end, revealing a groundbreaking overhaul with five new launch heroes, a year full of story content, a Hello Kitty collaboration, and yes, a title change.

Overwatch is officially dropping the “2” as it moves forward with a yearlong storyline called The Reign of Talon, and it all starts in just one week. Instead of the Season 21 drop many had expected, February 10 will start over with Season 1, a revamped UI, and five heroes: Domina, Emre, Mizuki, Anran, and Jetpack Cat. One new hero will launch each subsequent Season as Blizzard ditches its previous pace, resulting in a total of five additional playable characters by the time Season 6 rounds out the year.

The Reign of Talon marks a return to what Overwatch players believed long-forgotten story content, as the developers promise new in-game events, cinematics and hero trailers, live map and visual updates, a treasure trove of loot boxes, and much, much more. Whereas Overwatch 2 promised to deliver content but was unable to follow through, the next chapter is just days away from launch. You can read about every last detail shown during the Overwatch Spotlight 2026 presentation below.

Yes, Overwatch Is Dropping the 2

Old name, new era. Welcome back “Overwatch” ✨ #OWSpotlight2026 pic.twitter.com/Chte98RxhR

— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) February 4, 2026

The Overwatch team caught a lot of flak when Overwatch 2 launched a few years ago and failed to deliver on many of its promises. It seems like Blizzard wants to win back fans with next week's update, as it has decided to turn back the clock and remove the 2, leaving only the name is started with back in 2016: Overwatch. It means a complete UI refresh, a ton of new playable characters, and so much more as the once-troubled hero shooter takes on a new chapter.

Blizzard Starts the Show With the First Proper Overwatch Cinematic in Years

Season 20 character Vendetta was the focus for the beginning of today's show in what is the first proper Overwatch cinematic in years. The video sees her take down Doomfist in front of Reaper, Sombra, Moira, and more as she ushers in a new era for Overwatch – and Talon.

The Reign of Talon Is Here

As teased by a surprise update last week, Overwatch is launching into a new annual story event called The Reign of Talon. The narrative arc will unfold throughout 2026, beginning with Season 1 on February 10. Director Aaron Keller says the narrative will feature comics, animated Hero trailers, and more, with everything fully integrated in-game. Then, as the story reaches its end later this year, a new Season 1 will begin a new chapter in 2027.

A whopping 10 Heroes will launch between now and the end of the year, promising to make Overwatch in 2026 the hero shooter's biggest year yet. Part of these evil-themed festivities will see players earning new Talon and Overwatch cosmetics, with Season 1 introducing a meta event that rewards players as they join either (or both) of the factions.

Meet Your New Overwatch Launch Heroes

As Blizzard kicks off a new chapter for Overwatch, it's giving players an unprecendented five new playable character to control – and they launch next week. Starting with Season 1 on February 10, players will have access to the following three Talon members and two Overwatch Heroes:

• Domina (Talon/Tank)
• Emre (Talon/Damage)
• Mizuki (Talon/Support)
• Anran (Overwatch/Damage)
• Jetpack Cat (Overwatch/Support)

Domina is the first new character we get to meet, and she's also the first Poke Tank since Sigma. Using medium-range beams and abilities that recharge shields, she'll be a massive benefit to any team and one of the more powerful members of Talon.

Emre, the long-rumored former Overwatch member, is officially with Talon. Blizzard describes him as a fast-paced hero-turned-villain with an Ultimate that transforms him into a living weapon.

Talon is taking over each major role in Season 1, with Mizuki arriving as the villainous group's Support rep. This member of the Hashimoto clan is described as a "detached and hardened" character with a healing aura passive, a chain ability called the Healing Kasa, and an Ultimate ability, Kekkai Sanctuary, that protects and aids allies.

Anran joins Overwatch to team up with her water-bending brother, Wuyang, but instead of swift currents, she brings fire technology to act as each team's assassin. Her ranged attacks will pair with her quick movement abilities as players learn to utilize an Ultimate ability that can either take down groups of enemies or offer a second chance in a pinch. She joins via Hero Trial starting February 5.

Finally, after years of teasing, Blizzard is adding one of the most highly requested Heroes in Overwatch history: Jetpack Cat. Nearly a decade of waiting has finally brought the always-flying feline to the game as a Support character with tether abilities for crowd control and an adorable aura. The team stopped short of spilling just how she ties into the lore, but it sounds like Jetpack Cat has already curled up next to everyone's favorite shield-wielding Support, Brigitte.

Five of 2026's 10 new Heroes are out in just one week. The other five will launch throughout the rest of the year, with Blizzard continuing to shake things up by promising to launch one new playable character every Season.

Overwatch Season 1 Features Valentine's Day and Rainy Day Skins

The Overwatch Spotlight featured a brief look at some of the new Valentine's Day skins and Rainy Day outfits coming in Season 1. Along with faction skins for Talon and Overwatch faithfuls, the loot box pool is getting a refresh to include the last six seasons of non-collab and non-Mythic cosmetics, and players can soon seek out new eSports loot boxes to collect.

Some of Your Favorite Overwatch Heroes are Getting Mythic Skins and Mythic Weapons in 2026

Get your first look at Season 1’s suite of new Mythics!

🪽 Mythic Celestial Guardian Mercy Hero Skin
👽 Mythic Star Shooter Juno Weapon Skin
💖 Mythic Mei Hero Skin#OWSpotlight2026 pic.twitter.com/FCNXUpJboM

— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) February 4, 2026

Blizzard has kept from releasing new Mythic skins for Heroes who may have already received them in the past, but that all changes next week. Overwatch Season 1 introduces a second Mythic Skin for Mercy called Celestial Guardian, with Juno getting her Mythic weapon in the form of Star Shooter.

Icy DPS Hero Mei will then get her first Mythic skin with a mid-season patch, with the developers showing off a sneak peek thanks to some newly revealed concept art. Other Mythic plans for the future include skins for Soldier: 76, Illari, and Mauga, with weapons planned for Genji, Hanzo, and Sojourn.

Hello Kitty Comes to Overwatch

Overwatch 2 took a break from collabs for the last few seasons, but crossover skins are finally coming back with a cute new set with a Hello Kitty theme. Some of the cosmetics featured in today's trailer showed off new looks for Lucio, Juno, Mercy, Kiriko, Widowmaker, and D.Va.

Overwatch Is Getting a Proper Nintendo Switch 2 Update

Overwatch came to Nintendo Switch in 2019 but technical issues have kept it from being a solid platform choice for fans. That may change in Season 2 when Overwatch gets its Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade when Season 2 eventually launches.

Post-Match Accolades, Hero Reworks, and More are on the Way

A new era for Overwatch begins ✨

🦸 5 New Heroes & More to Come
⚔️ Conquest Meta Event
🎂 Overwatch’s 10 Year Anniversary
💪 New Hero Sub-Role Passives

Reign of Talon - Season 1: Conquest starts Feb 10 🗓️

Learn more: https://t.co/zZxf5oSs1B pic.twitter.com/Gy1xxxC5L1

— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) February 4, 2026

Overwatch is changing forever when it turns the page to a new chapter next week, but it doesn’t stop there. In future seasons, Blizzard is making more adjustments and adding more content. One of the additions teased during today’s Spotlight event include a post-match accolades update that brings a revamped version of the cards that original Overwatch players may remember.

Instead of player cards, though, fans will see their team’s Hero models alongside stats that highlight performance with more detail. You’ll also soon be able to congratulate teammates with more enthusiasm than ever thanks to a “Praise” feature on the communication wheel. Hero reworks and new maps, as well as updates for map voting, Hero bans, drives, and more, are also planned to arrive through the year.

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).

Fresh from starring in the new Super Mario Galaxy Movie trailer, Yoshi is headed to Nintendo Switch Online today.

Mario's ridable dinosaur pal arrives via Switch Online in the form of his item-matching Game Boy puzzle title that's simply named "Yoshi." Originally released in 1991, the classic game is available again today for Switch Online subscribers.

Also available today is Balloon Kid, the side-scrolling platformer where you can collect balloons to aid in your jumping and hovering. It was first available in 1990, some 36 years ago.

#NintendoSwitchOnline members can now play these two classic #GameBoy titles on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch!

☑️ Balloon Kid
☑️ Yoshi pic.twitter.com/Aq3V9HoXnt

— Nintendo UK (@NintendoUK) February 4, 2026

If you have access to the Japanese Nintendo Switch Online app, it's worth noting that the addition of Balloon Kid is substituted with the arrival of Balloon Fight GB — a separate title with a more obscure history. Released only in Japan for the Game Boy Color, this title is a souped-up version of the original NES Balloon Fight that never made it across to the West. The game then later arrived on 3DS via its Virtual Console, though again only in Japan.

Nintendo recently featured Yoshi as the star of its latest Super Mario Galaxy Movie trailer, which showed Mario and Luigi befriending the dinosaur and quickly welcoming it to their gang of heroes. Yoshi is expected to play a major role in the upcoming Super Mario Movie sequel following a cameo appearance (really, just Yoshi's egg) at the end of the prior film.

While The Super Mario Galaxy Movie launches in theaters on April 1, Yoshi's retro appearance on Game Boy is available to play again via Switch and Switch 2 now.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Nintendo has discussed the fact that Switch 2 hardware sales were lower than expected outside Japan towards the end of 2025.

Speaking to shareholders this week, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa acknowledged that "overseas sales were slightly weaker than our expectations," something that had previously been reported and discussed with IGN by analysts, though not stated out loud by the company itself.

Still, in an investor meeting following the release of this week's latest financial earnings, Nintendo shareholders repeatedly questioned the company on its western sales shortfall, even as the Switch 2 overperforms within its homeland of Japan.

"While our forecasted global hardware and software sales volume remains unchanged, the breakdown by region and product is based on different assumptions from the revised forecast announced at the time of our second-quarter financial results announcement," Furukawa said, via machine translation.

"Furthermore, as you understand, domestic hardware sales volume exceeded our expectations, while overseas sales were slightly weaker than our expectations," he continued.

Sales figures collated by The Game Business last month showed that U.S. Switch 2 sales over the holiday period were down around 35% versus the Switch 1's first holiday sales performance back in 2017. In the UK, a similar comparison saw Switch 2 lagging Switch 1 by 16%. Even in Nintendo's homeland of Japan, Switch 2 holiday sales couldn't match Switch 1, and were down by 5.5% over the year's final nine weeks.

In France, 2025's final tally of Switch 2 sales was down by "over 30%" versus the amount Switch 1 notched up back in 2017, meanwhile.

While these numbers may take some of the shine off of a successful first year for Switch 2 overall, it's not all doom and gloom. Switch 2's lifetime sales in Japan are still above what Switch 1 managed in its first year, with less time on sale. And in the UK, Switch 1 continued to sell well enough that it made up Switch 2's holiday sales deficit.

Asked for more detail on why hardware sales in Japan were doing better than expected, Furukawa has now highlighted the release of two games in particular that had resonated with the country's audience: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and the Switch 2 exclusive Kirby Air Riders.

"We believe that the reason for the stronger-than-expected hardware sales in Japan is that, amid the continued momentum of the initial launch of the Switch 2 hardware, new titles such as Pokémon Legends: Z-A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and Kirby Air Riders, released during the holiday shopping season, [leading] to a relatively high trend of existing Switch owners switching to the Switch 2 compared to overseas."

While the Pokémon franchise is hugely popular globally, it enjoys a particular level of devotion within Japan. Kirby games also sell especially well in the country, with mixed success historically overseas. Essentially, then, Furukawa is suggesting that the Switch 2's level of success in Japan has been fuelled by two titles that have resonated particularly well with Japanese audiences.

It's a statement that gels well with what a recent, unnamed western Nintendo source reportedly said of the company's softer Switch 2 sales overseas, which were blamed on the lack of a key first-party game for the holidays. The remark raised eyebrows at the time due to the fact it appeared to overlook Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (as Metroid Prime has traditionally been seen as a sub-franchise with a stronger western following than in Japan). However, as we learned this week, Metroid Prime 4 has indeed gotten off to a slow start sales-wise, something Nintendo appeared to have anticipated to some degree.

There was next to no mention of Metroid Prime 4 in Nintendo's financial results this week, and no sign of its Switch or Switch 2 versions on the company's lists of million copy-selling games. Switch 2 exclusive Kirby Air Riders was recorded as having sold 1.76 million units since its arrival on November 20, but there was no mention of how well Metroid Prime 4 had fared following its arrival on December 4.

Following the launch of Metroid Prime 4, Nintendo admitted that it knew the game's open-world concept risked feeling outdated. Last month, Metroid Prime producer and Nintendo veteran Kensuke Tanabe abruptly announced that the game would be his last project for the company after four decades of service. When contacted for more detail by IGN, Nintendo did not comment.

Overall, Switch 2 remains Nintendo's fastest-selling console at launch ever, with an explosive arrival propelled by the recent success of the original Switch (something it, in turn, didn't have as it followed Wii U). But all eyes will be on Nintendo now to shore up its line-up of Switch 2 games for the rest of 2026 — when fans hope they'll finally get a new 3D Mario platformer in time for Christmas.

Upcoming first-party Switch 2 games include Mario Tennis Fever (February 12), Pokémon Pokopia (March 5), Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park (March 26), Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream (April 16), and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, which has a vague "spring" launch window. Simply listed for 2026 are Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, Rhythm Heaven Groove and Pokémon Champions, while Splatoon Raiders has a "TBA" launch date.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Sales usually flatten everything into the same beige promise of value. This one does the opposite. It exposes which games were always quietly confident and which ones needed a price correction before they made sense. I only identify and highlight the actually buyable, my friends. Scroll downwards to reap the benefits of a glorious life spent video gaming (and not much else). No regrets.

Contents

• Retro
• Nintendo
• Xbox
• PlayStation
• PC
• LEGO

This Day in Gaming 🎂

In retro news, I’m using the explosion of a faux Camaro to light 27 candles on a cake baked for Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA. This N64 cult classic expanded on its predecessor, San Francisco Rush, with more tracks, wild shortcuts, and exaggerated physics that typically turned me or my split-screen multiplaying pal into a twisted, burning wreck.

I remember this fondly for its stunt-heavy, exploratory courses and some fully sick unlockables (think: an F1 race car, a Mountain Dew dragster, and a fricken Rocket on Wheels). Oh, and a gaming mag once taught me a button combo to change the colour of the horizon fog. That's gotta be the most N64 cheat code ever.

Aussie birthdays for notable games.

- Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA (N64) 1999. eBay

- MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf (XB) 2005. eBay

- Dante's Inferno (PS3,X360) 2010. eBay

- Yoshi's Woolly World (3DS) 2012. eBay

Nice Savings for Nintendo Switch

• Persona 5 Royal (-35%) A$64.80 Still the gold standard for stylish JRPG pacing. Long, talkative, occasionally smug, but the daily loop remains dangerously moreish once it gets its hooks in.
• Catherine: Full Body (-35%) A$52.20 A puzzle game having an identity crisis on purpose. Smart systems, abrasive tone, and not especially welcoming. Worth it if you like games that argue back.
• Dragon Ball FighterZ (-50%) A$44.90 Gorgeous animation carrying a legitimately good fighter. Online is still inconsistent, but the fundamentals reward anyone willing to stop mashing.
• Prince of Persia The Lost Crown (-40%) A$29.90 Movement first design done properly. Combat opens slowly, but traversal feels sharp from minute one and never really lets up.
• Lego Star Wars The Skywalker Saga (-80%) A$17 Excessive in the best Lego way. Jokes land more often than they miss, combat is simple, and the sheer scale justifies the chaos.

Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.

Back to top

Exciting Bargains for Xbox

• Black Myth Wukong (-25%) A$74.90 Striking spectacle with a heavier combat feel than expected. Uneven difficulty spikes, but the confidence in presentation carries a lot of weight.
• Metaphor ReFantazio (-48%) A$60 Familiar Atlus structure wearing new clothes. Dense opening, slower burn, but once the systems align it justifies the patience it demands.
• Hogwarts Legacy (-64%) A$39 Comfort food design done well. Exploration does the heavy lifting, combat improves late, and the fantasy sells itself despite the safe structure.
• Diablo IV (-73%) A$30 Excellent moment to moment combat wrapped in confused long term planning. Works best in short bursts once you stop expecting permanence.
• Streets of Rage 4 (-65%) A$13.10 Tight, disciplined, and refreshingly short. Demands precision, not nostalgia, and my boy Axel is still the goddamned Man.

Xbox One

• Mass Effect Leg. Ed. (-69%) A$30.50 Three classics with the edges gently sanded. Shooting still shows its age, characters still carry everything that matters.
• Assassin's Creed Valhalla (-62%) A$38.30 Enormous, deliberate, and overfed. Best enjoyed slowly. The world building is strong, the restraint less so.
• Borderlands 3 (-66%) A$34.20 Shooting still feels excellent. Writing still thinks louder is funnier. Worth it for co op chaos if you tune out the noise.

Or just invest in an Xbox Card.

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Pure Scores for PlayStation

• Ghost of Yotei (-21%) A$99 Gorgeous, patient, and very sure of its tone. Not in a hurry to impress, which will either soothe you or test you.
• Street Fighter 6 (-45%) A$55.20 Deep without being hostile. Excellent onboarding, strong online, and enough solo content to justify learning properly.
• Final Fantasy XVI (-40%) A$50.60 All spectacle, minimal friction. Combat looks busier than it is, pacing wobbles, but the peaks are genuinely impressive.
• Gran Turismo 7 (-40%) A$74.80 Meticulous driving wrapped in glacial progression. If the handling model is the point, the rest becomes tolerable.
• Armored Core VI (-55%) A$44.90 Fast, technical, and unapologetic. Missions stay lean, builds get obsessive, and mastery feels entirely earned.

PS4

• Octopath Traveler II (-47%) A$44.80 Beautiful presentation masking very traditional design. Stories vary wildly, combat stays satisfying throughout.
• Grand Theft Auto The Trilogy Def. Ed. (-71%) A$29 Still awkward, still compromised, finally honest about what it is. Nostalgia does most of the work.
• Enter the Gungeon (-75%) A$5.70 Fast, fair, and relentlessly demanding. Death is constant, progress is slow, improvement is unmistakable.

Or purchase a PS Store Card.

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Purchase Cheap for PC

• Doom The Dark Ages (-67%) A$39.50 Heavier, moodier Doom with a surprising sense of place. The rhythm shift will divide fans, but the confidence is real.
• Unravel Two (-85%) A$4.40 Gentle co op built on trust and timing. Occasionally fiddly, but perfect for low stress sessions.
• Wild Hearts (-93%) A$6.90 Ambitious and uneven. Performance hiccups persist, but the monster design and construction systems still feel novel.
• Red Dead Redemption II (-75%) A$22.40 Slow by design, stubbornly immersive. Controls fight you early, atmosphere rewards you forever.
• Dead Space Rem. (-80%) A$17.90 A remake that understands restraint. Cleaner flow, smarter sound, same oppressive dread.

Or just get a Steam Wallet Card

Legit LEGO Deals

• Super Mario Mario Kart (-12%) A$218 Premium plastic with real shelf presence. Build is satisfying, cost is the real challenge.
• Star Wars At At (-15%) A$85 Sensible scale, solid structure. Not the dream walker, but far easier to justify.
• Star Wars Logo (-19%) A$89 Clean, bold, and instantly readable. Straightforward build, strong visual payoff.
• Lego Game Boy A$99.90 Nah, no discount. I just love this thing. Nostalgia done carefully. More display than play, but the detailing earns the sentiment.
• Ocarina of TIme Final Battle A$199.99 Same deal, sadly. No discount, but I'm buying this sucker full price anyway. Because OOT is everything.

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It's never a bad time to get into the Legend of Zelda. Nintendo's legendary action-adventure franchise has seen over 25 mainline games and a handful of great spinoffs, and if you own a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 and subscribe to their online service, you have access to just about every single Zelda title to date. But the green-clad Hero of Time transcends just video games, so we've put together a gift guide for that special Zelda fan in your life. From the video games and controllers, books to apparel, and even an amazing LEGO Deku Tree set, there's quite literally something for both new and old Legend of Zelda fans alike. If you're looking for a Valentine's Day gift with a touch of Hyrule, you can start right here.

Top Legend of Zelda Gifts for 2025

If you're in the market for a video game gift for someone, all of the options below are excellent choices for any Zelda fan out there. And it never hurts to get something for yourself while you're at it.

Legend of Zelda Video Games

With the Nintendo Switch 2 now here and both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom receiving performance upgrades as launch games, you can still pick up two of the best games the original system still has to offer. Skyward Sword HD and the Link's Awakening remake are the best ways to revisit these older titles, while Echoes of Wisdom finally allows players to take control of Zelda. The first two Hyrule Warriors titles are incredibly fun action games, so be sure to check them out before picking up Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment on Nintendo Switch 2.

Legend of Zelda Controllers and Accessories

Now what if you already have all these Legend of Zelda games, what are you supposed to play them with to show your support of the franchise? Luckily there are tons of great Zelda-themed controllers and accessories to deck your system out with. From official Zelda Joy-Con (I have Skyward Sword HD set, they look incredible!) and pro controllers to third-party Nintendo Switch dock covers, you'll be sprucing up your game room setup in no time.

For more things like this without the Zelda theme, you can check out our guide to the best Switch accessories. There are not yet any Zelda-themed Switch 2 accessories available just yet, unfortunately.

LEGO Legend of Zelda sets

Legend of Zelda Encyclopedias

Legend of Zelda Manga

There are an impressive amount of Legend of Zelda manga and encyclopedias that look great on a shelf or coffee table. We put together a breakdown of all the Zelda books you should know about, like the wide breadth of manga covering the games from the Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and even both Oracles of Ages and Oracle of Seasons. The encyclopedias are great collectibles for any Zelda fan, as they offer closer looks at the lore and history of Hyrule, complete with old concept art and sketches. There is even a deluxe edition available that looks like a retro NES cartridge if you're looking for a display book.

Legend of Zelda Puzzles, Cards, and Board Games

There are tons of great jigsaw puzzles for adults, and the Legend of Zelda-themed puzzles are among our favorites. The 1.000-piece Hyrule map puzzle would look right at home framed over a fireplace once complete. You can also find a handful of classic board games with a Legend of Zelda skin, such as the Monopoly Legend of Zelda Collector's Edition or Legend of Zelda Uno. Also, be sure to have a look at the official Zelda playing cards (these are Japanese imports only!).

Legend of Zelda Amiibo and Action Figures

There are dozens upon dozens of available Nintendo Amiibo figures, and the Legend of Zelda characters make up a healthy chunk of them. You can scan these figures on your Nintendo Switch system to unlock different features in various Nintendo Games. Check out our breakdown of every Legend of Zelda Amiibo. You can also grab a couple of Legend of Zelda action figures from the IGN store, like super detailed Zelda and Ganondorf Figma action figures from Tears of the Kingdom.

Legend of Zelda Apparel

Also available on the IGN store are tons of great Legend of Zelda apparel items. T-shirts, hoodies, and crew necks all with sweet Legend of Zelda designs are available in various sizes. The designs vary from retro pixel art to stylized images of classic scenes from throughout the series' entire history. I'm a big fan of the Wind Waker stained glass crew neck, myself.

Legend of Zelda Replica Weapons, Drinkware, Vinyl Records

Everything listed here is just scratching the surface of the awesome collectibles and items you can get with a Legend of Zelda theme tacked onto it. On the IGN store, you can pick up a replica Master Sword and Hylian Shield, great for future cosplays or game room displays. I highly recommend the 2LP vinyl record set from iam8bit which includes a collection of the some of the series' best tracks. On Amazon, you can find an array of Zelda memorabilia like mugs, thermoses, and coasters. You can even buy a working ceramic ocarina!

Legend of Zelda Ornaments

Right in time for the winter holidays, the Legend of Zelda Hallmark keepsake ornaments are the perfect way to decorate your living space and Christmas trees with more legendary flair. The retro Link ornament even plays iconic music and sound effects at the push of a button.

Myles Obenza is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Bluesky @mylesobenza.bsky.social.

Fresh from her appearance at the Grammys, Pink Pony Club singer Chappell Roan is hot to go in Fortnite this week.

Roan is the latest music icon set to headline the game's Fortnite Festival mode, which will feature a redesigned main stage decorated like a medieval castle — inspired by her recent tour.

Music Pass owners, including Fortnite Crew subscribers, will get the basic Chappell Roan outfit included, alongside themed instruments. But, as ever, there will be a snazzier, second skin available from the Fortnite Shop: the Roan of Arc outfit, inspired by her 2024 VMAs costume.

Several of Roan's best-known songs are already available as Jam Tracks in Fortnite, including Good Luck, Babe!, Hot To Go and The Giver. The infamous Pink Pony Club will also soon join this number — and there will even be a Pink Pony Sidekick pet for you to take along for the ride.

Roan herself is a Fortnite fan and previously noted her desire to appear in the game. Fans have expected her arrival ever since, which has recently been teased in-game and online, as Epic Games promised that February would be a "pink" month.

Fortnite's Chappell Roan collaboration will officially kick off this week on Thursday, February 5, as the game's previous Festival star Lisa (from Blackpink) departs. Previous Festival faces have included Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Metallica and Snoop Dogg. Who might be next?

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social