Friday, August 8, 2025

Here's the 10 Most Valuable Prismatic Evolution Pokémon Cards That I'm Still Chasing in Sealed Boosters

Prismatic Evolutions is still one of the most valuable Pokémon TCG sets out of the whole Scarlet and Violet era. Its main chase card (Umbreon ex-161/131) is commanding over $800, with lower-end SIR cards still pulling well over $100.

The difference between now and a couple of months ago is getting these insanely valuable cards for the right price instead of paying over the odds. Here's a quick look at the top 10 most valuable cards to add to your collection, or deck if you've got Pokécoins coming out of your ears.

I've gone into a bit more detail on every card, a touch more into the article, but the gist is that it's a good time to start collecting Prismatic Evolutions chase cards.

Believe it or not, prices have actually been correcting over the past two months, with some cards holding double their current value just a couple of months ago.

This is very positive, meaning players and collectors can get their chase cards for the right price and watch them climb in value as time goes on.

Prismatic Evolution: Honorable Mentions

Wait! Before we start: My favorite thing about Prismatic Evolutions is the sheer number of SIRs featuring non-Eeveelution Pokémon.

They deserve some recognition too, so I’ve put together this extra list to balance out the usual Eevee dominance. Here are my top ten honorable mentions for Prismatic Evolution, with artwork that’s arguably among the best we have ever seen.

From the fantastical pastel color busts from Terapagos ex SIR and the abract highlight work on Iron Hands ex SIR to The stained glass style of Dragapult ex SIR and the charging yet chaotic pose of Ceruledge ex SIR.

They're considerably more affordable too, peaking at just under $94. That's where the value in Pokémon TCG is for me, the overlooked cards that are fantastic showpieces.

Looking to collect Prismatic Evolutions for cards that will increase in value over time without breaking your credit rating? This is where savvy collectors need to be looking in my opinion.

10. Eevee ex - 167/131 - $112.98

Eevee ex SIR from Prismatic Evolutions is a flexible card with a unique ability that allows it to evolve into any Pokémon ex that evolves from Eevee. Rainbow DNA opens up a wide range of build options and can slot into multiple strategies that rely on type variety or quick evolution plays. It can't evolve on your first turn or the turn it's played which helps keep the ability balanced.

Its attack, Coruscating Quartz, deals 200 damage for three Energy in Fire, Water, and Lightning. That Energy mix makes it a tough addition to a trainer’s deck, especially in formats where consistency and type synergy are key. Most players will lean on it for evolution plays rather than raw damage output.

Eevee ex SIR remains a popular pull for collectors looking to complete their Eeveelution lineup. Its price has softened since release, but at $113, it is still one of the more valuable base Eevee cards we have seen in years and a vital piece for collectors aiming to build the full Prismatic Evolutions set.

9. Roaring Moon ex - 162/131 - $143.67

Roaring Moon ex SIR from Prismatic Evolutions is a high-risk attacker built for aggressive plays. Its first attack, Frenzied Gouging, knocks out your opponent’s Active Pokémon instantly but deals 200 damage to itself in return. It can swing the game fast but leaves you wide open if you don’t have a backup plan. Calamity Storm is a more flexible option, hitting for 100 or 220 if you discard a Stadium in play, which makes it a strong follow-up or setup attack in the right deck.

The triple Darkness Energy cost means it’s better suited to decks that can ramp quickly or recycle Energy efficiently. It’s a tough addition to a trainer’s deck, but one that rewards calculated aggression and tempo-heavy play. Roaring Moon isn’t for slow setups or cautious turns. It thrives when the goal is to close games quickly and apply pressure early.

Roaring Moon ex SIR Is also one of the few Paradox Pokémon in this set that commands significant value, and at over $140, it remains one of the most powerful and visually striking cards outside the Eeveelution lineup. The SIR artwork leans into the Paradox Pokémon’s primal energy with a dark, dramatic design that gives it real shelf presence.

8. Flareon ex - 146/131 - $153.99

Flareon ex SIR from Prismatic Evolutions brings powerful fire-type pressure with two solid attacks. Burning Charge hits for 130 and accelerates energy by letting you search your deck for two Basic Energy and attach them to one of your Pokémon. It’s a strong early or mid-game setup option, especially in decks that need to build up attackers quickly. Carnelian deals a huge 280 damage, more than enough to take down most threats, though it comes with the drawback of preventing Flareon from attacking the next turn.

That limitation makes careful sequencing important. You’ll want to pair it with switching effects or find ways to reset the attack clause. The energy cost across both attacks is manageable for Fire decks that already use acceleration tools, and Flareon’s 270 HP helps it stay on the board long enough to make an impact. It’s a tough addition to a trainer’s deck and shines brightest when built around a fast, punchy game plan.

Flareon ex SIR is now at a reasonable $153.99, and I think it's worth every penny for its design alone. The SIR artwork is warm and energetic, showing Flareon in mid-leap with embers flying around it. It’s one of the more visually dynamic Eeveelution cards in the set, and while the price has dipped, but it's a hot pick for collectors and aggressive Fire-type builds.

7. Glaceon ex - 150/131 - $179.99

Glaceon ex SIR from Prismatic Evolutions is a flexible attacker that can set up pressure early and close out games with precision. Frost Bullet deals 110 damage and chips 30 to a Benched Pokémon, which is useful for spreading damage or finishing off low-HP targets. Euclase is where the real power lies—it lets you instantly Knock Out a Pokémon that has exactly 6 damage counters on it. Timing this move well can swing the game by removing key threats without needing to hit massive numbers.

The 270 HP and one retreat cost make Glaceon reasonably durable and mobile on the field. It slots well into decks that aim to spread damage and play a patient control game. The Euclase setup does require planning, but it rewards clever players who can sequence damage properly. It's a tough addition to a trainer’s deck and particularly rewarding for those who enjoy outplaying their opponents with calculated board control.

Glaceon ex SIR is up for grabs at $179.99 at the moment, making it one of the most valuable cards in this set whilst being much more reasonable than a couple of months back. The artwork captures Glaceon jumping infront of an snowflake-themed stained glass window, glowing with cool tones that perfectly reflect its icy theme. It’s a visually striking SIR and while the price has taken a hit, the card remains a strong pickup for control-focused decks and collectors alike.

6. Jolteon ex - 153/131 - $179.99

Jolteon ex SIR from Prismatic Evolutions offers a lot of burst damage potential in an aggressive Lightning deck. Flashing Spear starts at 60 damage but can scale up fast by discarding up to two Basic Energy from your Benched Pokémon, adding 90 more damage for each. With a proper setup, that’s an easy 240 damage for just two Energy on a Stage 1, which can take out most threats in one shot. Dravite is a powerful finisher at 280 damage, though the downside is Jolteon can't attack next turn after using it.

With 260 HP and free retreat, Jolteon is easy to pivot in and out of the Active Spot, making it great in fast-paced, tempo-focused lists. Managing your Energy between the Bench and Jolteon becomes key to maximizing damage output. It’s a tough addition to a trainer’s deck and best suited for players who like high-risk, high-reward plays that can swing a match quickly.

Jolteon ex SIR has dropped in value by nearly half since may, but $179.99 value for an SIR card is still a very valuable card. With this price stablizing, the only way for Jolteon ex SIR value is up a year from now. The artwork is packed with energy, showing Jolteon mid-sprint with lightning crackling around it. The bright yellow tones and motion lines give it a real sense of speed and power, making it one of the most kinetic-looking cards in the set.

5. Vaporeon ex - 149/131 - $200.98

Vaporeon ex SIR is one of the more disruptive cards in Prismatic Evolutions thanks to its board-wide pressure. Severe Squall hits every Pokémon ex your opponent controls for 60 damage, ignoring Weakness and Resistance. It’s a great way to chip at multiple threats at once, especially in formats where players rely on multiple evolved ex attackers. Its second move, Aquamarine, deals 280 damage, enough to take out nearly anything in front of it, though it comes with the usual drawback of preventing Vaporeon from attacking next turn.

With 280 HP and a Water typing, Vaporeon holds its own against a wide pool of current meta threats, especially when paired with support that can move it in and out of the Active Spot. It’s a tough addition to a trainer’s deck and rewards players who enjoy spread damage and multi-turn strategies that slowly wear down the board.

Vaporeon ex SIR Is rocking up at $200.98, and that's now a stable value on a very expensive card, which no doubt will climb as time goes on. The art here is peaceful but detailed, showing Vaporeon calmly hopping atop of a body of water lit with soft blue tones. It’s less action-packed than some of the other Eeveelutions, but the underwater atmosphere makes it visually striking and a beautiful card for collectors.

4. Leafeon ex - 144/131 - $209.99

Leafeon ex SIR delivers high reward for players willing to build around its unique pressure and healing kit. Verdant Storm scales off Energy attached to all of your opponent’s Pokémon, dealing 60 damage per attachment, which makes it a strong counter to energy-heavy decks. Moss Agate hits for 230 and heals 100 damage from each of your Benched Pokémon, creating a swing turn that can punish aggressive decks while helping stabilize your board.

With 270 HP and access to reliable healing, Leafeon ex is hard to remove once established. It fits best in decks that expect long games where sustaining your own board matters just as much as chipping away at your opponent. It’s a tough addition to a trainer’s deck and shines brightest when piloted with patience and timing.

It's a great time to catch Leafeon ex SIR at $209.99, its a highly valued card whilst being at the best price we've seen for it. The artwork features Leafeon resting in a lush, sun-drenched forest, blending soft natural lighting with delicate linework. It’s tranquil and earthy, offering collectors a scenic moment that stands out in a set full of dramatic poses.

3. Espeon ex - 155/131 - $204.99

Espeon ex SIR brings hand disruption and evolution control into one clean package. Psych Out hits for 160 and forces your opponent to discard a random card, which can slow down setup decks or break up combos. Amazez is where the real strategy lies. It devolves every evolved Pokémon your opponent has, shuffling their highest Stage back into their deck. Against evolution-heavy boards, this can completely reset your opponent’s progress and swing the game in your favor.

With 270 HP and a single retreat cost, Espeon ex is easy to slot into Psychic decks that want control elements. It’s a tough addition to a trainer’s deck that rewards careful timing and matchup knowledge, especially against Stage 2-heavy builds or archetypes that rely on multi-turn setups.

Espeon ex SIR is holding its value at just above $200 and is still one of the most premium non-Umbreon options in the set. The art captures a serene moment as Espeon perches in a moonlit field, its gaze piercing through lavender-toned shadows. The subtle lighting and dreamlike backdrop make this one of the more visually contemplative designs in the Prismatic Evolutions set.

2. Sylveon ex - 156/131 - $315

Sylveon ex SIR plays a strong support-control role with disruptive attacks that can shut down your opponent’s strategy fast. Magical Charm hits for 160 and reduces incoming damage from the Defending Pokémon by 100 on your opponent’s next turn. It’s a simple but effective stall tactic that can keep your key Pokémon alive longer. Angelite is the big closer, letting you choose two of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon and shuffle them and all attached cards into their deck. It’s a powerful reset that can dismantle a board in one move, though you can’t use it on back-to-back turns.

With 270 HP and Psychic typing, Sylveon ex is a strong defensive piece in control-heavy decks or formats where board building is essential. It’s a tough addition to a trainer’s deck that works best when played with patience and a plan to disrupt your opponent’s bench-focused strategy.

Sylveon ex SIR is going for $315 right now, which is a reasonable price whilst being the second most valuable Prismatic Evolutions card. The card's art shows Sylveon in a soft, storybook-style meadow filled with blossoms, with warm pink tones and flowing ribbons that capture its fairy-like charm. It’s one of the most elegant designs in the set and continues to attract collectors even at a lower price point.

1. Umbreon ex - 161/131 - $869

Umbreon ex SIR brings high-impact utility and pressure to Darkness decks with two strong attacks. Moon Mirage deals 160 damage and Confuses the opponent's Active Pokémon, forcing a coin flip before their next attack. That disruption can buy valuable time or force a retreat. Onyx is the showstopper. It discards all Energy from Umbreon ex and lets you take a Prize card outright, no matter the opponent’s board state. It’s a massive swing when used correctly and fits well into decks that want to finish games with surprise plays.

At 280 HP and with straightforward costs for its attacks, Umbreon ex SIR is a flexible threat that earns a spot in slower control strategies or as a closer in prize race decks. It’s a tough addition to a trainer’s deck because of the high discard cost, but when timed right, it can steal games.

This is the crown jewel of the Prismatic Evolutions set. Even after falling from its $1300 high, Umbreon ex SIR still holds an incredible value at $869. Let's not forget that the market for this card is now stable, which means it's only going to climb in value as the months go on and Scarlet and Violet becomes the previous generation to Mega Evolution. The SIR artwork is dark, moody and abstract, showing Umbreon sitting on some kind of plynth with darkness energy bursting out and surrounding a moon. It's dramatic and the crazy kind of artwork that makes collectors look closer. Umbreon ex SIR continues to be the most premium chase cards in the set.

Prismatic Evolutions Price Watch - Sealed Boosters

Want to pull these cards yourself? Sealed Prismatic Evolutions product pricing is dropping significantly on TCGplayer. You won't find anything for MSRP, but nine times out of 10 it's a cheaper option than big box retailers such as Amazon.

With that being said, I'd still recommend saving up for single cards whilst they're at their lowest, as Prismatic Evolutions is a very hard set to pull hits from.

Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.



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Rod Fergusson Departs Blizzard, Diablo Franchise

Diablo general manager and Gears of War veteran Rod Fergusson has left Blizzard.

Fergusson confirmed the news on his personal Twitter/X account:

"After five years of driving the Diablo franchise forward with four big launches, it's time for me to step away from Blizzard/Microsoft, sword in hand, and see what's next," Fergusson wrote. "The teams are set up for success, with an exciting slate of releases ahead. I'm incredibly proud of what we've built together and looking forward to what comes next for Diablo, and for me."

Blizzard confirmed this news to IGN today as well, but declined to offer further comment as to why Fergusson has left the company, or who will run the Diablo franchise going forward.

Blizzard president Johanna Faries responded on Twitter/X, with the following:

Xbox head Phil Spencer also responded on BlueSky: "You brought strength, hellfire, and vision to one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. Playing Diablo IV with you was a blast—thanks for everything you gave to the game and the community."

Rod Fergusson joined Blizzard in 2020 after leaving Microsoft's The Coalition. Fergusson previously worked on every Gears of War game across his time at both Microsoft and Epic Games. At Blizzard, Fergusson headed up the Diablo franchise, joining shortly after Diablo 4 was first announced. Fergusson has done numerous candid interviews about his vision for the direction and future of the Diablo franchise. In April, Blizzard unveiled a roadmap for Diablo 4 for 2025 that did not go down well with fans. Most recently, Diablo 4 received the Sins of the Horadrim update with new Nightmare Dungeon updates and customizable spells.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.



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Thursday, August 7, 2025

12 Historical Board Games That Take You Back in Time

Board games have the ability to introduce a wide range of themes and subject matters to players in ways that not only entertain but also cause them to think. From woodland critters waging war on each other, fighting off a galactic empire, or even pretending to be your favorite superheroes, there is a board game for everyone. This includes folks who enjoy learning about and experiencing historical events from around the world.

Featured in this article

This list highlights some titles that not only are fun to play, but also offer insights and a deeper look at various historical events. Even though these are all fun games, some of the subject matters they tackle may not be right for all gaming groups, so make sure ahead of time that all of your players are fine with the game first, to have the best time you can!

Above, you'll find a side-scrolling list of all the items on this list. But if you want more info about any of the games, keep on reading.

Watergate

In Watergate, two players take on the roles of either the Press or the Nixon administration during the Watergate scandal from 1972 to 1974. Players use their custom decks of cards to try and secure, or bury, enough evidence to either convict the president if you are on the side of the press, or to finish out your term if you are playing as the administration. Cards are adorned with actual historical photographs and events that took place during this period, with additional blurbs and details that give Watergate an intricate look at what transpired.

The game itself is a fun tug-of-war that's also a quick-playing board game, with average games only taking maybe a half hour or so. And thanks to its small box, it makes it easy to take with you to the coffee shop, brewery, or on vacation. As an added bonus, the back half of the rule book provides even more information about the people, places, and events that are represented on the cards.

For more information on the Watergate scandal, check out this paper from Britannica or this documentary from Timeline.

Molly House

Set during the 18th century in London, Molly House is an exploration of the Molly community of the era (think LGBTQ+) as they looked to spread joy throughout their community while navigating around the Society for the Reformation of Manners and police. Molly House has players maneuvering around a board, managing cards to grow their reputation, and throwing parties to score points. There is always a danger, however, of constables and rebels trying to tear it all down, so players will also have to work to prevent the various houses from being raided, shut down, and individuals from being indicted. Some players can even choose to secretly become an informer, working against the others and the Molly community, adding a "hidden motive" mechanic to mix.

While the game itself is a fun and complex game of strategy and bluffing, it's also a game whose subject matter and historical ramifications are worth considering. Molly House showcases actual people who lived and were prominent members of the Molly community at the time, with the rulebook's last few pages dedicated to further elaborating and giving context to the time and people involved.

But it's also a game where "getting hanged" is one of the end-game outcomes, including imagery of a noose. Molly House is a game that highlights both the joy of that community (yay throwing parties), but also the dire situations that members could find themselves in and suffer through. Something to be aware if you are looking to introduce this game to your game night with fellow history buffs!

For more information on this period and topic, here are two articles from Historic England and the British Newspaper Archive.

Pax Pamir

Set during the period that Western historians refer to as “The Great Game,” Pax Pamir has players assume the roles of Afghan leaders after the fall of the Durrani Empire in the 19th century. One of the central aspects of this game is managing your relations with Russia and Britain, who at the time were gain a foothold in the Central Asian region, while also attempting to create your new state.

From a gameplay standpoint, Pax Pamir is a strategy board game that has you drawing and playing cards in order to perform actions, build your armies, and establish coalitions with groups in an effort to gain dominance in the region. It’s an intricate and surprisingly complex tableau builder of a game with a lot of moving parts that players have to keep their eyes on and work around, to secure a lead of at least four victory points to win.

Inside its box, the Pax Pamir 2nd Edition contains lavish components, including a cloth game board and detailed resin pieces. Perhaps most impressive are the 150+ cards, which all feature archival imagery. In typical Wherlegig style, the back of the rule book contains additional historical information for those who want to know more. The ramifications of the events presented in this game are still felt today, so make sure your players are comfortable with the setting before sitting at the table.

John Company: Second Edition

Perhaps the most complex game on this list, John Company 2nd Edition is a game about positioning your family within various roles and using the historically problematic British East India Company for your own personal gain. Your characters will inhabit a variety of roles throughout, including the company’s Chairman, Director of Trade, or of Military Affairs, while you try to manage various crises and negotiations in the attempt to build this state-sponsored trade monopoly.

The game has you guiding the company as opposed to letting you directly control it, as most games would. Turns consist of retiring family members, choosing how they will invest in the company, hiring for new positions, and accepting bonuses, and moer. The game is a lot, with a lot of moving parts, making John Company a title you probably would only want to introduce to a seasoned group that's comfortable with complex board games. Still, when you figure it out, it's a game whose web of systems results in a thought-provoking experience.

John Company is also a game that doesn’t try to mask or hide the themes of imperialism, globalization, or colonization that the British East India Company took part in. Playing this game can stir conversations, but the subject matter may be heavy for some players around your table.

Memoir '44

If you and a friend enjoy World War II and find yourself with a couple of hours of free time, then Memoir ‘44 is a game to check out. This tactical grid-based war game puts one player in the boots of allied forces and the other in the Axis, roughly recreating specific battles that took place during the war. Utilizing card-based movement and three regions of combat to assign orders to, Memoir is relatively easy to pick up and teach, but offers plenty of room for strategy. It also has numerous expansions to not only increase the number of players it allows but also the number of scenarios you can play out.

As mentioned previously, the different battlefield scenarios you can set up and play are based around actual battles, and accompanying each setup guide are historical details of it. These include both the name and date it occurred, which is a neat inclusion, so if you are interested, you can look up additional details after playing.

Omertà: The Five Families

Omertà: The Five Families takes players back to 20th-century New York City as members of five of the most powerful mafia families of the time as they work to push out their competition and secure territory. Included in the box are nine scenarios that highlight various years from 1905 to 1985, including events such as the Second Mafia War, the Havana Conference, or the Castellamerse War.

The game itself is an area control title where each player moves their forces around Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey, playing cards to take actions, gain respect, and unfold the story. As you can expect, though, sometimes violence is required, so players can expect some fighting too.

For fans of mafia history, or just the period of New York, Omertà provides you with a more historical approach, one that isn’t tied to a film or other series, and is more rooted in moments in history. The variety of scenarios also does a good job mixing things up, with different victory conditions and setup alterations, helping keep the game feeling fresh, longer.

Votes for Women

In this asymmetrical card-driven area control game, Votes for Women puts one to four players in the roles of either the Suffragists or members of the Opposition in the campaign to pass the Nineteenth Amendment. Players will be playing cards and trying to win the support of enough states around the United States to secure a victory for their side. The suffragists need 36 states to ratify and win, while the opposition only needs 13 states to reject it to win.

Votes for Women showcases artwork and imagery from the period and movement, including posters and other propaganda used during this contentious moment. As an extra bonus for fans of the period, Votes for Women also includes a number of document replicas, including stories from the August 19, 1920, issue of the New York Times and a supplementary designer notebook detailing.

For more information about the suffrage movement, check out this article over at the National WWI Museum and Memorial site and this short documentary from LucasFilm.

Twilight Struggle

Set during the events of the Cold War from 1945-1989, Twilight Struggle has two players facing off, playing cards and struggling to gain control of regions around the map, while reducing the influence of the other. Both sides draw and play cards that can be used either for a specific effect or for action points they can use to perform various actions.

The cool twist is that the cards (which are broken into Early War, Mid War, and Late War decks) can lean towards North America, the USSR, or neutral. And if you have to play a card that is geareed toward the other side, you may get the action points but your opponent gets the beneficial effect. Depending on the actions that players take and in what regions, it may lower the Defcon rating, pushing the world closer to Nuclear War and instantly losing.

For the Cold War buffs out there, the cards that you play – similar to those in Watergate earlier on this list – feature real photographs and mention of events that transpired during the war. For even more details, the back of the rulebook features more robust descriptions and breakdowns of the events the cards represent, which is a really neat touch.

Axis & Allies - Various Theater Games

The Axis & Allies franchise has been around for more than four decades, letting wargame aficionados command the forces of the Allies and Axis powers during the World Wars. While the mainline games offer a fun representation of the wars themselves, for those looking for something more specific, the series also features a variety of games set around specific encounters in World War II. These games tend to have their own little tweaks to the traditional A&A gameplay but still maintain the same rich strategy gameplay, just on a smaller, more intimate scale.

While some games are out of print, Renegade Games is doing a great job with the brand, not only creating new entries like A&A North Africa but also reprinting previously out-of-print games like A&A Battle of the Bulge, Guadalcanal, and Stalingrad. These are excellent options and may be of more interest for historical war buffs.

Scott White is a freelance contributor to IGN, assisting with tabletop games and guide coverage. Follow him on X/Twitter or Bluesky.



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Where to Stream Every Mission Impossible Movie Online in 2025

After five years away from the role, Tom Cruise returned as special agent Ethan Hunt for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. With "Part 2" of that series, The Final Reckoning coming to digital on August 18, it's the perfect time to watch or rewatch the spy movie saga so far.

Scroll down for our quick guide on how you can watch all of the previous Mission Impossible movies online right now in 2025.

Where to Stream the Mission Impossible Movies Online

Every Mission Impossible movie is available on Paramount+, which is also where we'll most likely see The Final Reckoning streaming later this year. The first five movies are also streaming on Hulu. If you don't have either of those subscriptions, each movie can be rented or purchased through PVOD. You could even buy them on DVD.

Here's our full breakdown of how to watch Mission Impossible online in 2025 with links to where you can stream each movie:

Mission Impossible Movies on Blu-ray

Every film in the Mission Impossible franchise has gotten a physical release (Including The Final Reckoning you can preorder now), with your options including a 25th Anniversary steelbook of the original and a 4K collection of the first six movies. If you're hankering for more physical media to add to your collection, you can also check out our full list of upcoming Blu-rays.

What's the Best Order to Watch the Mission Impossible Movies?

The Mission Impossible chronology does follow its release order, making a chronological binge as easy as watching the movies in the order they're listed above. If you want to be sure about where to begin, our how to watch the Mission Impossible movies in order explainer can help.

Jordan covers games, shows, and movies as a freelance writer for IGN.



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Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Guitar Hero Veterans Announce Plans for New Rhythm Game Revival

A group of rhythm game genre veterans has re-established the RedOctane Games brand, via a new studio set to launch a fresh Guitar Hero-style title.

If the name RedOctane sounds familiar, that's because it was the original studio that partnered with Harmonix to create Guitar Hero back in the early 2000s. That earlier version of RedOctane was then quickly acquired by Activision (which also ultimately shut it down).

Now, this new incarnation of RedOctane has been established as part of Embracer, and will be led by Simon Ebejer, who worked as production director on various Guitar Hero titles during the franchise's Neversoft heyday, before later moving on to Vicarious Visions and Blizzard.

"This game won't be Guitar Hero, DJ Hero, Guitar Freaks or Rockband," RedOctane teased in a statement today. "This is something new. A rhythm game built with love, by people who care, with the community at its core in this fast-changing modern world we live in.

"We firmly believe the expert here is the community and a new generation of development talent, the folks that have kept the lights on these last few years."

Staffed by a mix of new and veteran developers, RedOctane's rhythm project will be overseen by brothers Charles and Kai Huang, founders of the original RedOctane, as part of a special advisory board. Further details on the game, including a name and project release date, currently remain under wraps.

Of course, this isn't the first attempt at a rhythm genre revival. Back in late 2023, Epic Games launched Fortnite Festival, a Guitar Hero-style mode developed by Harmonix (now a part of Epic) that allowed players to tap along via standard controllers or more recent instrument accesories. The offering is still kept updated with weekly tunes, but has not attracted the same player numbers as Fortnite's main battle royale modes.

"Music has done extraordinarily well in Fortnite, but ironically, not so much in music games," Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney told IGN earlier this year, "more just in Battle Royale and elsewhere. Our next step is to figure out music at a large scale." Now, it seems like Epic Games and Harmonix has some competition.

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



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Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Persona 5 Royal Leads August's Humble Choice Bundle Alongside Tons of Cozy Games

Humble Bundle has announced its Humble Choice lineup for August. For just $14.99, you’ll get access to a solid selection of games, including one of my personal favorites, Persona 5 Royal. For reference, P5R’s lowest recorded price on Steam is $23.99, making just that game alone a crazy steal. Even better, you get seven more games (and the feeling of giving back) out of it.

Humble Choice August 2025 Game Lineup

Each month, Humble Choice curates a selection of games for members to redeem. These games are sent as Steam codes, which you can keep forever, making Humble Choice one of our favorite gaming subscriptions. Here's what Humble Choice members are getting in August:

  • Persona 5 Royal
  • Banishers: Ghost of New Eden
  • My Time at Sandrock
  • Let’s School
  • Lil Gator Game
  • Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip
  • Wildmender
  • Warpips

As noted, the highlight this month is certainly Persona 5 Royal. In IGN’s 10/10 review, Leana Hafer goes so far as to say, “Persona 5 was already a strong front-runner for being the best JRPG ever made, and Royal really gets me wondering what else could even compete.”

The social links in Persona 5 Royal are a big standout for me, even compared to the rest of the Persona franchise. Every “Palace” (basically a dungeon) feels like a full season of an anime, with solid character development, laughs, and yes, plenty of emotional moments.

If you recently played IGN’s 2024 Game of the Year, Metaphor: Refantazio, this is a great chance to check out Atlus’ hallmark series with plenty of the same mechanics. Otherwise, I highly recommend this entry point to anyone who’s considered getting into the modern generation of turn-based JRPGs.

August’s Humble Choice bundle also includes a solid selection of more casual games, including the co-op gardening survival game, Wildmender, and the cozy farming sim My Life at Sandrock, which, like many cozy games, is a lot like Stardew Valley. You’ll also pick up Banishers: Ghost of New Eden, an action RPG IGN’s review describes as having “a solid concept and a stellar paranormal investigation system.” Again, all of this for just $14.99.

5% of Humble Choice Proceeds Go to Charity

Every month, 5% of the proceeds from Humble Choice members go to a charity chosen by Humble itself. This month, those proceeds are going to DonorsChoose.org, an organization that helps teachers and educators get access to the resources they need in the classroom.

You spend a lot of time in P5R studying for exams (I promise it’s fun), so this bundle makes sense to me. Charity Navigator and GuideStar have also awarded DonorsChoose, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, their highest ratings for transparency and accountability.

Humble Bundle is part of IGN Entertainment, the division of Ziff Davis that includes GamesIndustry.biz, IGN, and MapGenie.



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Peak Dev Says It Would Rather Players Pirate the Game Than Play 'Microtransaction-Riddled Roblox Slop Ripoff'

Aggro Crab, the developer of Another Crab's Treasure and the recently-released co-op survival climbing game Peak, took aim at a Roblox clone version of the latter in a Twitter/X post today, in which the studio said it would rather people pirate Peak than play "this microtransaction-riddled Roblox slop ripoff".

The post in question shows screenshots of a Roblox game called "Cliff", which does look suspiciously similar to Aggro Crab's Peak. Both games feature a round-headed protagonist whose goal is to climb a mountain at the center of an island, an activity that can be accomplished either alone or with friends. Cliff even calls out in its description that it's inspired by Peak!

Though, "inspired" might be a bit generous. Take a look at the two game descriptions side-by-side. Here's Peak:

PEAK is a co-op climbing game where the slightest mistake can spell your doom. Either solo or as a group of lost nature scouts, your only hope of rescue from a mysterious island is to scale the mountain at its center. Do you have what it takes to reach the PEAK?

WORK TOGETHER
Need a Hand? You’ll need to rely on your friends to have any hope of scaling the mountain, which changes every single day. Help each other up ledges, or place ropes and climbing spikes to make the way easier for those who come after.

And this is Cliff:

⛰️CLIFF is a challenging climbing game where even the smallest mistake can be your downfall. Trapped on a mysterious island, your only way to escape is to reach the top of the towering cliff. Do you have the skill and courage to make it to the summit?
✋WORK TOGETHER
Need some help? You’ll have to rely on your friends if you want any chance of reaching the top. The mountain is tough, so help each other up ledges and watch out for dangers to make the climb easier for those who come after you.

Woof, that's...the same? It's essentially just the same description copied wholesale with some swapped synonyms. And a comparison of the Badges for Cliff and the Steam Achievements for Peak reveals that Cliff also named its "Shore" and "Tropics" biomes directly after Peak's locations of the same names.

The biggest material difference between the two games, apart from things like quality and scope, is that Cliff has microtransactions. You can buy certain items using Robux including a Climbing Pickaxe, a Parrot Friend, and a Starterpack. Peak doesn't have any such thing. It's $8 for the game itself, and that's it.

This is unfortunately a common phenomenon on Roblox. Plug the name of just about any game, AAA or indie, into Roblox's search feature and you'll find countless clones. On just a quick search I was able to find microtransaction-filled variations on Pokemon, Mario, Sonic, Undertale, Untitled Goose Game, Five Nights at Freddy's (woof, there are LOADS of those), Fortnite, Elden Ring, Stardew Valley, Celeste...I could go on. Some of these games are marketed as homages or fangames, but many just straight-up use stolen assets from the games they're based on, and others are pretty blatant clones trying to disguise themselves by changing some proper nouns around.

Given Roblox's historical whack-a-mole approach to moderation it's hard to say whether or not Aggro Crab's callout will have any effect on Cliff. But at least the studio has made its wishes known. Probably, the solution is just to buy Peak. But if you're so desperate you're going to play Cliff instead, the developers would prefer you engage in some piracy instead.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.



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Battlefield 6 Producer Admits 2042 Was 'Missing' The 'Excellence' Of Predecessor Battlefield: Bad Company 2

Battlefield 6 producer Jeremy Chubb says fan-favorite Battlefield: Bad Company 2 was a "huge inspiration" for developing the shooter's upcoming instalment.

In an interview with PC Gamer, Chubb identified Bad Company 2 as "excellence in [Battlefield's] legacy," and admitted prior instalment, Battlefield 2042, "was kind of missing" some of the destructive elements that the series is famous for.

"When you look for excellence in our legacy, [Bad Company 2] is where you find it," Chubb said. "That game particularly delivered on a level of fidelity and a sort of intimate destructive experience. Blasting out a single wall, bringing down a partial building, or entire buildings. It was comprehensive, and it felt like the identity of that game more than anything else.

"We know that was kind of missing from our last game, and we really wanted to go back to that."

If you're eager to find out if he's right, the good news is that you don't have to wait long. An open beta goes live on August 7, and will run for 48 hours. Further 48-hour tests will also launch on August 9 and August 14.

"Battlefield 6 casts its eyes back to the series' best years, mixing what we loved from the likes of Battlefield 3, and Battlefield 4, but is this resurrection of past glories actually exciting?" we asked in IGN's Battlefield 6 preview. "From resurrecting its core class structure of Assault, Support, Engineer, and Recon, to whether or not Battlefield's staple game modes like 64-player Conquest are still just as fun as before." Read on for more on why we think BF6 feels like a "safe, yet explosive return to the shooter's past."

First announced way back in 2021, Battlefield 6 is out on October 10 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X and S (although EA currently has no plans to bring Battlefield 6 to Nintendo Switch 2, unfortunately). Unlike Battlefield 2042's lukewarm reception, fans seem pretty pleased with what they've seen so far, and for quite some time, EA wasn't even trying to take leaked assets down.

We recently got a look at the shooter's upcoming battle royale mode which, according to previous leaks, is set in California, with insertion via CH-47 Chinook. The destructive ring is apparently made out of a compound called "NXC.” Despite the rumors, however, Battlefield 6 won't be $80, but it may include skill-based matchmaking.

Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.



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Monday, August 4, 2025

The First Fourth Wing Board Game Was Just Announced Based on Rebecca Yarros' Empyrean Series

The Empyrean book series has reached epic levels of popularity. Rebecca Yarros has been dominating the romantasy genre since Fourth Wing first came out and the trend has only continued with the release of the third installment, Onyx Storm, earlier this year. And now that these books have reached new heights in popularity, the first ever board game collaboration is on its way.

Hasbro just recently announced that a Fourth Wing version of Priorities and it's set to release on October 1, 2025. If you're not familiar with Priorities, it's a party game that has been around since 2020 that has players rank five cards based on whatever criteria they wish. The Fourth Wing version is exactly the same, but with moments, characters, and events from the books. You can preorder the new game at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Target ahead of its release.

Preorder Priorites Fourth Wing Edition

Like I mentioned above, the game is fairly simple. There's a huge stack of cards featuring things from the books and players pull five cards and rank them from best to worst. Since it's a Fourth Wing Edition of the game, there is one Wingleader and the rest of the players are part of the Iron Squad. If the squad is able to guess correctly how the Wingleader ranked a card then the team wins that card. If they don't, then the game wins it. Each card has a letter on the back, and If the players are able to spell out PRIORITIES before the game is able to, everyone wins. This is a cooperative game, so everyone in the squad is in this together.

As someone who has read all of these books, I definitely wouldn't advise playing this game with a group who has not read them. It's meant for three or more players and you'll want to make sure everyone involved has read at least Fourth Wing before you start playing. Since all of the cards are based on characters and scenes from the books, it would be rather difficult for someone to just jump in and start guessing a Wingleader's priorities without knowing who Jack Barlowe is, for example. Where I think this type of game makes the most sense is for a book club, or a book party for when the next installment in the series arrives.

When is the fourth novel in the Empyrean series coming out?

If you're thinking it would be fun to pick up this card game ahead of the next book's release, you likely still have plenty of time. Onyx Storm just recently came out back in February this year and the fourth book isn't coming out any time soon. The Goodreads page had listed a release date of January 2026 for the next title, but Rebecca Yarros took to Instagram to clarify that that is in no way happening. Yarros previously had fairly short gap between Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, but took a bit longer for Onyx Storm. With that in mind, we likely won't see the next book until 2027 or later.

The good news is, there is more Fourth Wing content on the way outside of books and board games. Prime Video currently has a Fourth Wing TV series in the works that will bring Yarros' work to the screen. Unfortunately, we do not yet have a release date for that either.



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Virtua Fighter 6's Combat Gameplay First Look Has Old Martial Arts Movie Vibes

Virtua Fighter 6 has its first proper gameplay video, and the fighting game continues to look amazing on the graphics front.

Sega has only released reveal videos and a tech demo for its upcoming 'New Virtual Fighter Project,' so this new trailer, revealed during the EVO fighting game tournament, shows us just how impressive the visuals and animations are shaping up to be in actual gameplay.

We see series stalwart Akira, wearing an outfit fans of Donnie Yen’s Ip Man film series will know well, going up against new character Stella on the Training Stage.

In truth, the gameplay here doesn’t look that far off the eye-catching tech demo that was shown at Nvidia’s CES event in January. At the time, Sega released what it called a “pre-development concept video” for Virtua Fighter 6, but made clear it did not reflect how the upcoming fighting game would look and play when it eventually comes out.

The video, below, shown during Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote speech at CES 2025, features incredibly realistic and fluid animations for a fighting game. We see an Akira mirror match with the kind of combat usually reserved for a martial arts movie.

But this new video, which Sega is calling a ‘Combat Gameplay First Look,’ shows buttery smooth animations and cool transitions, with a slow-motion effect for whiffs that makes Virtua Fighter look much more realistic than its fighting game rivals.

“No infinite juggles, no crazy magic, no stupid invincible ex, no stupid rage art, no spamming rage drive, focus attacks etc. Just pure fighting, I like that,” commented one fan on YouTube.

“VF6 is feeling like those old martial arts films,” added another. “No drive impact, no heat system, no rev system, just straight up hands. I cannot wait for this to drop.”

We do see some sort of debilitating effect in the gameplay, where Stella appears to suffer damage to her face, but overall it’s a very clean, back to basics approach for video game fighting.

Virtua Fighter 6 is in development at Yakuza / Like a Dragon studio Ryo Ga Gotoku and is without a release window or target platforms. Virtua Fighter hasn’t seen a mainline release in years, leaving mini-game appearances in Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s Yakuza games and the 2021 release of Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown to tide fans over.

Expect more on the battle system at the Tokyo Game Show in September. There is no release date yet.

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.



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Sunday, August 3, 2025

Guilty Gear Strive DLC Character Lucy From Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Can Quickhack Like She’s in Cyberpunk 2077 — Here’s How It Looks in Gameplay

At the Evo 2025 fighting game tournament, Guilty Gear Strive developer Arc System Works revealed a first look at Lucy from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, and confirmed an August 21 release date for the DLC guest character.

Lucy is the final playable character from Strive’s Season Pass 4, and is lifted from the hugely popular Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Netflix anime that followed the release of CD Projekt’s Cyberpunk 2077. And anyone who’s played the game will instantly recognize the hacking mechanic we see in the gameplay trailer, below.

Time pauses as Lucy selects from a number of Quickhacks, such as Algorithm Malfunction, Optics Inhibition, and Energy Siphon, using Cyberdeck Ram in the same limited fashion you do in Cyberpunk 2077.

We then see Lucy’s opponent afflicted with the hacking debuffs via icons that display above their character. These icons are the same from Cyberpunk 2077, and appear to clear quite quickly.

So, does Lucy mark the end of DLC for Guilty Gear Stive? Four years after its launch, it seems more is to come. Arc System Works tweeted to say Guilty Gear Strive “will continue… we look forward to your continued support.”

That message came alongside a video that revealed Strive has had 3.5 million players since launch, and announced Guilty Gear Strive 2.00, coming at some point in 2026. What that means for gameplay is anyone's guess right now. Perhaps of more interest, the video teased two new characters, which fans are speculating are Robo-Ky and Jam Kuradoberi.

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.



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Of Course Omni-Man Is a Playable Character in Invincible VS — Here’s Our First Look at Gameplay, and Some Info on How He Works

Invincible supervillain Omni-Man is a playable character in fighting game Invincible VS. The announcement came as part of the EVO tournament alongside a first look at gameplay.

Invincible VS is the upcoming 3v3 tag fighting game set in the Invincible universe. It’s developed by Skybound Entertainment’s first in-house game studio, Quarter Up, and already has a number of confirmed playable characters, including Mark Grayson (Invincible), Atom Eve, Thula, Bulletproof, Rex Splode, and Battle Beast. Now we can add Omni-Man to the list.

Here’s the official blurb on Omni-Man:

A versatile and brutal fighter, Omni-Man is an excellent pick for or against any team composition. His versatile move set offers options at all ranges: he can apply pressure from a distance with his concussive blast, punish reckless advances with anti-air tools, or close the gap in an instant with his sudden and devastating takedowns. Balanced, efficient and relentless, Omni-Man is a top-tier “point” character for players who want to set the pace from the very first hit.

Of course, this isn’t Omni-Man’s first foray into the world of fighting games. He was a popular guest character in the equally gory Mortal Kombat 1, which included some of his iconic scenes as Fatalities.

So, we now know seven playable characters in Invincible VS. There will be more, of course. But just how many? Based on comments from Invincible creator Robert Kirkman in an interview with IGN at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, Invincible VS will have a massive roster.

Fresh from his SDCC 2025 panel where he announced Battle Beast for Invincible VS, Kirkman told IGN that if fans are wondering if a specific character from either the Invincible comic or the Prime Video animated series will be in the game, there’s a “99%” chance they will be.

“There's so much care being put into being true to the Invincible universe,” Kirkman began. “So if you're a fan of the comics or the show and you're like, ‘Oh, there's a fighting game coming, who would I like to be in that fighting game?’ There's a 99% chance they're going to be in the game. I'll just say that. That's a spoiler. I might get in trouble for that. I don't know.”

Kirkman continued: “The lineup is going to be absolutely insane. I'm so glad that we announced Battle Beast. You can't do an Invincible fighting game without having Battle Beast be one of the playable characters. There are other characters like that that will more than likely be in the game. So we'll see. We've got a lot of announcements to roll out. There's a really great team working on this and I can't wait for people to see everything is going into it.”

Who would you like to see playable in Invincible VS? Let us know in the comments below.

As for when Invincible VS will be released, Kirkman said 2026, which we already knew, but then he added: “Sooner than you may think… But next year. I'm not being specific.”

Check out IGN's roundup of everything announced during Robert Kirkman's Invincible panel at SDCC 2025 for more.

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.



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The Best Deals Today: Elden Ring Nightreign, Razer BlackShark V2 X Headset, and More

We've rounded up the best deals for Sunday, August 3, below, so don't miss out on these limited-time offers.

Elden Ring Nightreign Deluxe Edition for $39.49

Elden Ring Nightreign is a great time with friends, and you can save on the Deluxe Edition of the game this weekend at Amazon. This edition of the game includes additional DLC content, featuring additional playable characters and bosses, in addition to a digital artbook and mini soundtrack. Bandai Namco has continued to release new content for Nightreign, so this is a great time to jump in.

M4 MacBook Air for $799

This weekend at Amazon, you can save $200 off an M4 MacBook Air. This 13-inch model includes 16GB of Unified Memory and 256GB of SSD storage, making it ideal for multitasking and running intense applications. All 2025 models support Apple Intelligence features as well.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake for $34.99

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake was one of the most enjoyable RPGs of 2024, featuring a gorgeous remade HD-2D world and voice acting. If you haven't had the chance to check this one out yet, Amazon has copies available for only $34.99. The Nintendo Switch version even got a Nintendo Switch 2 update this week, so you can experience the game with higher resolution and frame rates on your new console! This is by far the definitive way to experience this classic, and now is the perfect time to catch up before Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake this Fall.

Nintendo Switch 2 Available at Walmart & Target

While Nintendo Switch 2 has been quite challenging to find if you didn't secure one at launch, both Target and Walmart have the highly popular console in stock. This is the Mario Kart World bundle, too, which packs in a digital copy of Mario Kart World for $50. The Nintendo Switch 2 is an upgrade to Nintendo Switch in almost every way possible, featuring a 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate, improved Joy-Con, and much more.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition for $46.99

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition launched earlier this year, and it's still one of the biggest RPGs you can jump into on any platform. The remaster introduced numerous quality-of-life updates that were much needed, in addition to a brand-new epilogue chapter. We gave the game a 9/10 in our review, stating, "Xenoblade Chronicles X was already one of the Wii U’s best games, and this Definitive Edition does more than enough to justify another trip to planet Mira."

Lexar microSD Express 512GB Card Available

The Nintendo Switch 2 requires microSD Express Cards, so you aren't able to use the standard microSD cards that worked on Nintendo Switch. As a result, microSD Express Cards have been incredibly hard to find, often only having a few minutes worth of stock at a time. Right now, Amazon has the Lexar 512GB Play PRO microSD Express Card in stock, so if you've yet to upgrade your Switch 2 storage, don't wait to do so.

Marvel VS Capcom: Ultimate Complete Works Up for Pre-Order

Amazon has opened pre-orders for the brand-new Marvel VS Capcom: Ultimate Complete Works hardcover art book from Udon Entertainment. This book contains 336 total pages, with over 140 pages of new artwork to discover. Set to release in December, this is the perfect time to lock in your pre-order.

Wall-E & EVE LEGO Set Up for Pre-Order

New LEGO sets are always being announced, and this one is no exception. You can now pre-order the LEGO Disney & Pixar Wall-E & Eve set, featuring WALL-E, EVE, M-O, and Hal as buildable characters. Each character has movable heads and arms, so you can pose them however you'd like.

Razer BlackShark V2 X Headset for $30

Amazon has the wired Razer BlackShark V2 X Gaming Headset on sale for only $30 right now. While this is a wired headset, you're not sacrificing on sound quality, as the BlackShark V2 X packs in 50mm Drivers into its lightweight design. If you're looking for a cheap, quality headset to use for Xbox or PC, look no further than this one. However, if you want something more high end, don't hesitate to check out the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro.

2TB Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD for $129.99

Amazon has this huge 2TB Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD listed for $129.99 this weekend, and if you're the owner of a PlayStation 5 or PC, this is a great option for upgrading your storage. Especially for PlayStation 5 owners, 2TB of extra storage is a godsend, as you no longer have to enter the cycle of uninstalling and reinstalling your favorite games to save space.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for $34.99

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was my favorite game of 2024, and it's available for just $34.99 at Woot this weekend. This is the lowest I've seen the PS5 copies so far, and I cannot recommend picking it up enough. Cloud and the rest of the party leave Midgar to step into the open world of Gaia for the very first time, and there is well over 100 hours of content available for you to complete.



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5 Pokémon Puzzles That Make Great Gifts for Adults and Kids

Pokémon is one of those franchises that has infiltrated pretty much every medium. Whether you're a fan of the Pokémon games, anime, or the trading card game, there is a seemingly endless amount of new content for you to peruse at any given time. There's so much, in fact, that it can almost be hard to find the perfect Pokémon gift for yourself or the fan in your life without trudging through piles of search results.

Thankfully, if you're specifically looking for a really cool Pokémon jigsaw puzzle, I have scouted out this specific topic for you. Below I've listed out some of the very best options currently available on Amazon for both adults and kids of varying ages. Some of these puzzles are a lot more challenging than others, so just make sure you check the piece count before you bite off more than you can chew.

Ravensburger Pokémon Challenge Jigsaw Puzzle

A good challenge for adults

The first Pokémon puzzle I'd recommend is for more advanced puzzlers. It's 1,000 pieces and is stamped with the Ravensburger "Challenge" title, meaning it's not going to be a quick one. Featuring all of the original 150 Pokémon all in one picture, it's a nostalgic blast from the past and fun to put together. It also comes from Ravensburger, which is one of the most-trusted jigsaw puzzle brands out there.

Buffalo Games Retro Pixel Pokémon Chart Puzzle

For fans of the video games

If you're anything like me, you likely have fond memories of playing Pokémon on your Game Boy for hours on end and this puzzle hits a similar nostalgic vein. This glorious 2,000 piece jigsaw puzzle from Buffalo Games showcases the original 150 Pokémon once again, but this time they are pixelated and perfectly organized. With the higher piece count and nice blue border around the edges, this Pokémon puzzle is a great option for anyone looking to proudly frame and display their completed work.

If you like the piece count on this puzzle, you should also check out our list of the largest puzzles available now. They scale up beyond 40,000 pieces.

Buffalo Games Pokémon Fan Favorites Puzzle

For younger kids

The first two puzzles on this list are targeted more toward adults, but if you're looking for a good option for younger kids, this 100 piece puzzle is my top pick. It features a ton of fan favorite Pokémon, primarily from the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation. You can see Rayquaza right in the middle there and Pikachu all the way at the bottom. At 100 pieces it's fairly easy for younger kids to piece together while still providing a really cool image for fans of the franchise.

Buffalo Games Four Pokémon Puzzle Boards

Starter option for preschoolers

If you're looking for a good puzzle gift for kids just getting into puzzles, this four pack is an excellent option. It says it's made for ages 4+, but I got this same pack for my niece and nephew when they were around three years old and they had no problem putting it together. Each puzzle depicts a different set of Pokémon and features between 12 and 48 pieces so kids can scale up the difficulty if they are really into it.

3D Master Ball Puzzle

The best Pokemon puzzle gift

Some of the absolute best Pokémon toys on the market are Poké Balls. So naturally, there is a 3D puzzle version available. At only 54 pieces, it's fairly easy to put together and even easier to display. It comes with a stand that will hold your completed puzzle up on a shelf or a desk. This is one of the best puzzle gifts currently available for Pokémon fans right now.

Tips for Buying Pokémon Puzzles

As someone who has done quite a bit of puzzle research (and quite a bit of puzzling), I have a few suggestions to help you narrow down your search for the perfect fit. Here are a couple of key things to look out for when buying a Pokémon puzzle:

Make sure it's a trusted brand

The first thing you'll want to do before you buy any jigsaw puzzle online is check what brand it's from. There are some puzzle brands that are more trusted than others, many of which I've featured on this list already. A good brand tends to have higher quality puzzles, which means higher quality materials. And for Pokémon puzzles specifically, they will likely be selling the puzzles in an official capacity via licensing the IP.

When in doubt, I'd suggest reading through Amazon reviews to see what people thought. Things to watch out for are missing pieces, thin cardboard, and obvious AI usage.

Get the right piece count for the occasion

Another important thing to think about is who you're buying the puzzle for. If it's a gift for an experienced puzzler, 1,000 pieces and above is probably ideal. But if it's for a novice or a younger audience, then 500 or below is probably your best bet. Larger puzzles tend to take a lot longer and if you don't have a dedicated space set up for puzzling you'll likely never finish. This is where a decent puzzle table really comes in handy.



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Here's the 10 Most Valuable Prismatic Evolution Pokémon Cards That I'm Still Chasing in Sealed Boosters

Prismatic Evolutions is still one of the most valuable Pokémon TCG sets out of the whole Scarlet and Violet era . Its main chase card ( U...