Xbox has been in the news a lot lately, and not for the best reasons, with reports claiming that Microsoft was abandoning plans to make future console platforms. Microsoft denied those reports, but one former executive, Mike Ybarra, said recently that Microsoft getting "out of hardware and exclusive games" might actually be a good business decision in this environment.

Ybarra said it "makes sense" that Microsoft did not put the Xbox operating system on the recently released ROG Ally X, opting for Windows instead. It makes sense, Ybarra said, because he believes Microsoft is "out of the hardware and exclusive games" business.

"That includes the dedicated OS, which is essential for any console device (ease of use, security, etc). They are a publisher who will embrace Windows. Most will just pirate all the games to the devices unless they use Steam. Why does Steam help piracy? Because it's a flawless experience with a great return policy," Ybarra said, adding that Windows is "far from a flawless experience."

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Next year is the 25th anniversary of Halo: Combat Evolved, the game that started the franchise in 2001. As a nod to the past, Halo Infinite is adding the Type-35 Needler from the original Halo.

In the lore of the franchise, Needlers were a weapon that was developed by the alien Covenant and shoot crystalline shards that can track down their targets. Different Needler models are already in Infinite, but the Type-35 is a more advanced model. Players can add it to their arsenal by buying the final Halo Championship Series weapons bundle, which will be available on October 21.

The timing of this announcement is interesting, considering that reports indicate that the Halo World Championships will feature the reveal of a Halo: Combat Evolved remake. Unlike the 2011 remaster, this is reportedly an all-new version co-developed by Halo Studios and The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered developer Virtuos. It's also said to be using a hybrid engine that combines Unreal Engine 5 and the Halo Reach Engine. Although Microsoft has yet to confirm this, the Halo: Combat Evolved remake could be the first version of Halo to hit PlayStation consoles.

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Next-gen Xbox hardware is currently in the works behind closed doors at Microsoft. Xbox president Sarah Bond has reconfirmed the company has new consoles internally in the pipeline, days after the launch of the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X--created in collaboration with Asus.

Speaking with Variety, Bond left no doubt about Xbox's hardware plans. "We are 100% looking at making things in the future. We have our next-gen hardware in development," said Bond. "We've been looking at prototyping, designing. We have a partnership we've announced with AMD around it, so that is coming."

This is the second time this month that Microsoft has declared it's not exiting the hardware business, specifically in regard to new systems in the future. A rumor bubbled up earlier in October that noted future Xbox console plans were "up in the air." A founding Xbox team member has also questioned whether Microsoft has a desire to make new hardware.

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The new ROG Xbox Ally X--and its sibling handheld gaming PC, the ROG Xbox Ally--are now available, but this new generation of mobile gaming is proving to be quite pricy. At $1,000 for the Ally X and $600 for the lower-specced Ally, not everyone can adopt Microsoft's new hardware. In a new interview, Xbox president Sarah Bond spoke about the pricing of the hardware--which she says was determined by manufacturer Asus--and how Microsoft feels that it accurately reflects the value of the new devices.

"We looked at, how do we create multiple options for people? And it really was Asus, because this is their hardware," Bond said to Variety. "That is all of their insight into the market, into the feature set, into what people want, to determine the ultimate prices of the devices. The reaction was overwhelming demand for the device. We sold out on the Xbox Store. We sold really quickly at a number of other places around the world. I feel really good about the value that we’re giving gamers for the price, based off the reception to the hardware."

Bond added that pre-launch sales had reinforced Microsoft's belief that gaming should be more like entertainment in that it could be accessed from anywhere. "You should be able to play any game you want with anyone you want on any device," Bond said.

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If you're struggling to log in and play some of your favorite games like Fortnite and Roblox, you're not alone. A massive outage was reported with Amazon's AWS hosting service, impacting various services that make use of the company's cloud services.

According to the BBC, several of the affected video game services across the world include the PlayStation Network, Pokemon Go, Rocket League, and Wordle, alongside Fortnite and Roblox.

In an update, Amazon Web Services said it was starting to see "significant signs of recovery" and it was continuing to process a backlog of queued requests. "We have identified a potential root cause for error rates for the DynamoDB APIs in the US-EAST-1 Region," Amazon said. "We are working on multiple parallel paths to accelerate recovery."

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Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma for Nintendo Switch 2

$50 (was $70) | Full game on card

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Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma for Nintendo Switch

$39.88 (was $60)

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Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma - Earth Dancer Edition (Switch)

$80 (was $100)

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If you're looking for a new game to play on your Nintendo Switch or Switch 2, one of the best console exclusives of the year is on sale for its best price yet. Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, the latest entry in Marvelous' popular action-RPG-meets-farming-sim series, is up for grabs for $39.88 on Switch and $49.94 on Switch 2. Guardians of Azuma was a Switch 2 launch title, and it's one of the rare third-party titles with a true physical edition; the full 18GB file is on the Switch 2 game card. Guardians of Azuma's Earth Dancer Limited Edition for Switch is also on sale at Amazon for $80 (was $100).

The digital edition of Guardians of Azuma goes for $60 on Switch and $70 on Switch 2, so you're saving $20 by opting for the physical edition. If you pick up the Switch version and want the Switch 2 enhancements down the road, you can buy a $10 upgrade pack from the eShop. The Earth Dancer Limited Edition is only available on Switch, so Switch 2 owners will want to snag the upgrade if they take advantage of Amazon's deal.

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Pokemon TCG: Blaziken ex & Volcanion ex Premium Collection

$70 | Amazon Holiday 2025 Exclusive

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Amazon has restocked its Holiday 2025 Pokemon Trading Card Game Premium Collection. The Blaziken ex & Volcanion ex Premium Collection debuted on Amazon in late August and promptly sold out. As of October 19, the $70 TCG bundle is back in stock, but it's likely to sell out again. This Premium Collection comes with 10 Booster Packs , two foil promo cards, and an oversized foil card.

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Phasmophobia developer Kinetic Games has revealed a new map for the game, set inside an abandoned restaurant. The location--Neil's Diner--was unveiled during a TwitchCon panel that celebrated the recent fifth anniversary of the co-op horror game, and players can explore it starting November 11.

Kinetic Games described Neil's Diner as a "run-down, retro restaurant" that's been long-abandoned by staff and diners alike. While this is one of the smaller maps in Phasmophobia, it's still full of authentic details and phantoms hungry for thrills.

"We always thought a diner would fit perfectly, so Nell's was born, and it's been such a fun challenge bringing it to life," lead developer Daniel Knight said in a press release. "Alongside the farmhouse reworks from this year, Nell's is an example of how we want all the maps in Phasmophobia to feel going forward. It's unique, and has been meticulously designed to tell more of a story to our players--beyond the immediate ghost they’re hunting."

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8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller - N40 Edition Bundle

$80 | Limited to 1,985 units | Releases November 15

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Exactly 40 years ago today, the Nintendo Entertainment System hit store shelves in New York City. The October 18, 1985 launch of the NES in the US revitalized home console gaming in North America. To commemorate the console's pivotal role in gaming history, 8BitDo is releasing a new collection of NES-inspired gear over the next few months. The NES40 Collection features three products: a limited-edition Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller bundle, a compact wireless gaming speaker, and an ultra-premium 68-key mechanical keyboard made of aluminum alloy.

Preorders for the NES40 Collection open today. The Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller bundle is limited to 1,985 units, and the N40 Edition wireless keyboard is limited edition, too. The new Retro Cube 2 Speaker is joining 8BitDo's everyday lineup as the first wireless speaker from the manufacturer in a decade.

8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller - N40 Edition Bundle $80 | Limited to 1,985 units | Releases November 15

The N40 Edition of the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller retails for $80, which is just $10 more than the MSRP of the standard white, black, and yellow editions. Considering the bundle comes with several notable extras, the N40 Edition is honestly a bargain. You'll get an exclusive transparent black 8BitDo Retro Receiver for real NES consoles. The Ultimate 2 Bluetooth and other 8BitDo Bluetooth controllers can sync wirelessly to original hardware with the adapter. A solid black version of the Retro Receiver, for reference, carries a $25 MSRP. The bundle also includes a travel case, which 8BitDo normally sells separately for $20. Inside the box, you'll find four custom joystick caps, including a pair emblazoned with "NES" and "40," and an 8BitBot keychain.

Though themed around Nintendo Entertainment System with its red face buttons, multiple tones of gray, and special-edition dock matching the design of the console, the N40 is a celebration of 40 years of Nintendo hardware. The handles are decorated with the dates of Nintendo home console and portable device launches around the world. The only exception here is the June 15, 2025 date on the right side of the controller, as this represents the date 8BitDo created the N40. The NES launch date is emblazoned in red, while the rest are in black. Most of the dates reference console launches in North America or global releases, but there are a couple tied to hardware launches in Europe and Japan. From top to bottom on each side, Here's what each date references:

Left handle: Wii U (NA), NES (NA), Nintendo 64 (NA), Nintendo Switch (WW), Switch OLED (WW), SNES (NA), Wii (NA), GameCube (NA).

Right handle: Game Boy (NA), Virtual Boy (NA), Switch Lite (WW), 3DS (EU), DS (NA), Game Boy Color (JP), Game Boy Advance (NA).

See at 8BitDo 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller N40 EditionGallery

Outside of the additional accessories, the N40 is the same flagship controller 8BitDo launched earlier this year. The Ultimate 2 supports 2.4GHz Wireless connections on Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC. It also has Bluetooth support for Switch 1/2, Android, Apple, and SteamOS. It can run for up to 25 hours on a full charge and has a 1,000MHz polling rate. It's fitted with high-end TMR electromagnetic joysticks, two remappable back buttons, and an extra pair of claw shoulder buttons. It also has two trigger modes: Hall Effect linear and non-linear microswitch buttons (rapid-fire mode). Other features include 6-axis motion controls, two rumble motors, a Turbo button, and RGB lighting rings. Control customizations can be made with 8BitDo's Ultimate Software 2, and you can save up to three custom profiles that can be cycled through on the fly.

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Shadow of the Colossus is celebrating its 20-year anniversary today, October 18, 2025. Below, we examine the moral complexity of its narrative as told through its silent protagonist.

Does a silent protagonist equal a self-insert? The logic of many video games dictates yes. Heroes like Gordon Freeman and Link have been forever silent, only grunting or shouting. Even Master Chief, who does have a voice, obscures his face. Under his mask, there could be anyone there.

Despite this common logic, silence is often alienating. Few games embody this better than the works of Fumido Ueda. The protagonists of Shadow of the Colossus, Ico, and The Last Guardian are taciturn, often silent or speaking only a fantastical language, which is either subtitled or not immediately understood. Moments of speech, or even of action outside of player input, are profound and rare.

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Mirror Edition (PS5)

$60 | Amazon Exclusive

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Mirror Edition (Xbox)

$60 | Amazon Exclusive

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The Amazon-exclusive collectible edition of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launches just in time for the holidays. Amazon has updated its store page with a November 27 release date for the $60 Mirror Edition. Available to preorder now on PS5 and Xbox Series X, Clair Obscur's Mirror Edition comes with a physical copy of the hit turn-based RPG, an exclusive steelbook case, collectible cards, and a tuck box with new artwork.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Editions at Amazon

Revealed in August, the Mirror Edition only costs $10 more than the standard edition, which still continues to be a top seller for PS5 on Amazon nearly six months after Clair Obscur's April launch.

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Avatar Legends: 20th Anniversary Physical RPG Bundle

$49 | Valued at $140

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While Avatar fans have a new upcoming animated series to look forward to, those who have ever wanted to strike out on their own unique adventure in the Last Air Bender universe should check out these two big Avatar table top RPG bundles available at Humble for a limited time. The first is the Avatar Legends: 20th Anniversary Physical RPG Bundle, which offers $140 worth of Avatar: Legends The Roleplaying Game materials--including the official starter set with rules, premade adventures, character sheets, and more--for just $49. The other bundle is the Magpie Games Extravaganza, which gets you up to 27 digital edition rulebooks and expansions for multiple TTRPGs, including Avatar Legends, for just $25. You can check out the full contents of both bundles below. Both bundles are available until November 1, and a portion of all sales is donated to charity.

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Microsoft recently announced that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is climbing from the sweaty price of $20 US per month to an eye-watering $30. The "real" gamers around the internet already have a joke for it: "Xbox 360 dollars per year."

But while the jokes write themselves, determining if Game Pass is still of value to me at this new price has taken far more energy. Yes, the company has also added new incentives and moved some features around, but do these additions create value, or just even more confusion? Let's break things down a bit.

Currently, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes access to all Microsoft-published games--as well as many other titles--on their respective release days. It also includes a subscription to EA Play, Ubisoft Classics, and will soon include Fortnite Crew. With Ubisoft Classics coming in at $80 per year, EA Play at $40 per year, and Fortnite Crew at $144 per year, the total value of these subscriptions is $264, which definitely helps sweeten spending $360 a year on Game Pass--if you actually use them.

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Are you wondering about how to get the Master Ball in Pokemon Legends: Z-A? This item is a series staple, as it allows you to catch any creature without fail. Of course, getting it requires quite a bit of effort.

Table of Contents [hide]

• How to get the Master Ball in Pokemon Legends: Z-A
  • Mable's Research rank and Master Ball reward
  How to get the Master Ball in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

  The Master Ball comes from Mable's Research. The NPC herself can be found in the Pokemon Research Center in the southern part of the map. You can't miss it since a main quest takes you there fairly early in the campaign.

  Mable's Research rank and Master Ball reward

  The Pokemon Legends: Z-A Master Ball can be yours upon reaching Rank 49 in the Mable's Research tab. You don't actually need to revisit Mable every time. You can just open the menu and press the X button to obtain rewards as you level up.

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John Wick: Titans of Cult Steelbook (4K Blu-ray)

$52.82 (was $60) | Amazon Exclusive

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John Wick fans have another chance to get the Titans of Cult Steelbook Edition of the first movie in the Keanu Reeves-led action franchise. The Amazon-exclusive 4K Blu-ray edition of John Wick released last fall to commemorate the film's 10th anniversary, but it had been sold out since early March. As of October 17, the Titans of Cult Steelbook Edition is back in stock for $52.82 (was $60).

Along with a stylish steelbook case and some cool extras, the Titans of Cult Steelbook has the distinction of being the only 4K Blu-ray version of the original John Wick with Dolby Vision. The two-disc set comes with 4K Blu-ray and 1080p Blu-ray discs.

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Sonic Prime: The Complete Series Steelbook Edition (Blu-ray)

$24.26 (was $50)

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Sonic Prime: The Complete Series is on sale for over 50% off just a few months after its launch on Blu-ray. Released in June for $50, Sonic Prime: The Complete Series Steelbook Edition is discounted to just $24.26 at Amazon when you click the coupon on the listing. If Amazon sells out, Walmart has the Blu-ray collection for $27.

The Complete Series Steelbook Edition is the only way to get all three seasons of the Netflix animated series on Blu-ray. The first two seasons received standalone Blu-ray editions, but the third and final season didn't get its own Blu-ray release. After checking out the Sonic Prime deal, take a look at the Amazon hubs we created collecting all of the Sonic the Hedgehog animated TV shows and Sonic movie series on 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD.

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My Arcade Atari Gamestation Go

$180 | Releases October 31

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There's no shortage of retro handhelds and consoles with Atari's branding, but the newest flagship device from My Arcade aims to offer the definitive portable experience. The Atari Gamestation Go is a 7-inch handheld with over 200 games and a few unique control methods, including a paddle, trak-ball, and even a numeric keypad. Retro enthusiasts interested in the Gamestation Go may want to secure one soon. Preorders for the $180 portable are sold out on Atari's website, but you can still snag one from Amazon ahead of its October 31 launch.

The Atari Gamestation Go releases the same day as the the Pac-Man Edition of the cartridge-based Atari 2600+. Take a closer look at the Gamestation Pro below.

My Arcade Atari Gamestation Go $180 | Releases October 31

The Gamestation Go aims to replicate the experience of playing over 200 Atari classics by offering numerous different control options. On the left side of the handheld, you'll find a D-pad, trak-ball, and integrated paddle. Below the four face buttons on the right side is a 12-button numeric keypad with 0-9 as well as the number sign and asterisk. It also has four shoulder buttons.

Atari 8-bit and 16-bit games made use of a variety of controllers, and the Gamestation Go looks to offer the most comprehensive experience yet in a handheld form factor. One interesting feature is called SmartGlow, which illuminates the controls for each game you boot up.

The built-in game library includes a wide range of arcade and console games from the Atari 2600, 5200, 7800, and Atari Arcade. Notable publisher partnerships include Bandai Namco (Pac-Man), Jaleco, and Piko Interactive. It also comes with the modernized "Recharged" versions of five classics, including Asteroids and Centipede. Another highlight is Balls of Steel, a pinball game with seven different tables. The full list of games can be found on Amazon's store page.

The Gamestation Go's built-in 7-inch display looks nice in promotional videos and images, but if you want the home console experience, you can connect the included HDMI cable to your TV or monitor to game on a big screen.

It's unclear exactly which controllers will work with the Gamestation Go, but the handheld has a pair of USB-C ports on the back for multiplayer. We know My Arcade is making an official controller and joystick, but we'd expect the Gamestation Go to support other controllers similar to the Game Station Pro home console.

Preorder at Amazon My Arcade Atari Gamestation Pro $80 (was $100)

The Atari Gamestation Pro is My Arcade's dedicated home console. Released in late 2023, the Gamestation Pro also has a library of 200-plus games and is bundled with two wireless joysticks. If you're primarily interested in gaming on TV, the Gamestation Pro would be the better option, as it's only $80 at Amazon right now. Alternatively, you can get a refurbished version in "excellent" condition from Amazon Renewed for $60.

The joysticks that are included aren't the best, but you can use many third-party controllers with the Gamestation Pro via a hardwired USB connection.

See at Amazon See at Amazon Renewed My Arcade Retro Handhelds Budget-friendly portables for $40 or less.

My Arcade is one of the most popular manufacturers of budget-friendly retro handhelds themed around arcade classics and early home console games. If you're interested in playing some old Atari or arcade games on a handheld device without spending $180, you have a lot of options in the $25-$40 range.

We created an Amazon hub collecting three different series of My Arcade portables. You can get themed handhelds based on Tetris, Atari, Mega Man, Street Fighter, Pac-Man, and other classics.

You can take a closer look at My Arcade's Pocket Player Pro, Pocket Player, and new Pixel Pocket Pro handhelds below.

See at Amazon My Arcade Pocket Player Pro Handhelds

The Pocket Player Pro is a series of portables with 2.75-inch color displays, ergonomic form factors, and wrist straps. Each Pocket Player Pro retails for $45, though you can get deals on several models right now. Notably, the Atari Pocket Player Pro includes 100 preloaded games and is up for grabs for only $40. The Pocket Player Pro can be recharged via USB-C or powered by four AA batteries.

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Ghost of Yotei wastes no time drawing you in. Set amid the beauty of feudal Ezo, its tale of revenge soon gives way to something deeper--a journey of healing and reflection for its protagonist, Atsu.

Revenge and grief are still powerful motivators in the game, and these are grim themes that PlayStation gamers might be familiar with, thanks to titles like The Last of Us Part 2 and God of War Ragnarok. So what is it about the cycle of violence and anguish that makes it so appealing to developers, who have all put their own stamps on these ideas?

Speaking to GameSpot, Ghost of Yotei lead writer Ian Ryan and creative director Jason Connell explained how Atsu's quest might have started with revenge in mind, but over the course of the game, evolved into something greater.

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Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro Limited Edition Steelbook (Blu-ray)

$50 | Releases December 12

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Before co-founding Studio Ghibli, the storied director Hayao Miyazaki made his directorial debut in 1979 with the animated heist film, Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro. Written and directed by Miyazaki, the film is based on the popular Lupin III manga series from the 1960s. It is considered a landmark animated film that ushered in a new era of animation in both Japan and the US--and soon, the legendary movie is getting a brand-new steelbook Blu-ray release on December 12 that features crisper video quality and a selection of special features. You can preorder the Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-ray exclusively from the Crunchyroll Store for $50.

Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro Limited Edition Steelbook (Blu-ray) $50 | Releases December 12

The Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro Limited Edition Steelbook features new cover art based on the film's 45th anniversary IMAX poster from 2023. Distributor Discotek previously released the film on Blu-ray back in 2015, and if this new release is based on the same edition, then you can expect a high-quality 1080p presentation with reduced grain effect and a richer color palette. For audio, you can watch with the original Japanese language track or the new English dub featuring Tony Oliver, Richard Epcar, Michelle Ruff, Lex Lang, and Doug Erholtz (several of whom reprise their roles from the original US dub). Special features include a full-length commentary track with Discotek's Reed Nelson, original production storyboards, interviews with the film's cast and crew, an art gallery, and more.

Preorder at Crunchyroll Store Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-ray special features

• Feature-length original storyboards
• Interviews with cast and crew
• Commentary with Reed Nelson
• Art gallery
• Original trailers
• Opening and ending credits collection
• Translation notes
• Deleted storyboard opening

While this new steelbook edition looks to be a great new collector's piece, it's not the only version Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro available now. A 4K version dropped in 2021, and you can pick it up for $28 at Amazon. You'll miss out on the new steelbook case, but this version features 4K presentation, reversible cover art, and a slipcover, plus all the same special features as the

Adapted from the popular manga written and illustrated by Kazuhiko Katō, The Castle of Cagliostro follows the infamous thief Lupin III and his frequent partner-in-crime Daisuke Jigen as they attempt to track down the source of counterfeit cash following a recent heist. It's not long before the duo find themselves caught in the middle of a scheme to rescue a damsel in distress and claim a legendary treasure. Despite it being almost 50 years old, the film has aged well over the years thanks to its stylized animation, fast-paced action scenes, and a sense of artistry that would become hallmarks of Miyazaki's work at Studio Ghibli. The Castle of Cagliostro is considered one of the best adventure movies of all time, and other directors like Steven Spielberg and Pixar's John Lasseter cite it as a major influence.

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When World of Warcraft's new expansion, Midnight, arrives this winter, it's going to allow everyone to get player housing. Not every home is going to be created equal, but there's a way to get a leg up on your fellow players so you'll have a house full of furniture when the feature launches in early-access on December 2 for those who preorder Midnight.

Players can earn furniture by completing achievements, and it's all going to be awarded retroactively if you've already finished the ones you need. The full list of housing-related achievements was revealed on WoW's Public Test Realm, and now there's an add-on called Home Bound that makes it easier for everyone to see what they have to earn.

The add-on was created by a player called Bettiold, and it lays out over 100 different items--complete with 3D decor images--that can be earned by in-game achievements. Players can even filter out achievements they've already achieved to focus on the ones that they want.

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