New Metroid games are few and far between, so the launch of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond should have been a monumental event for the fanbase. Instead, eight years after its announcement, and 18 years after the previous game, Nintendo’s big December 2025 release landed with a loud thud. Already, this once highly anticipated title is poised to be one of the series' most divisive games, earning a spot alongside Other M and Federation Force.

This isn't for lack of polish, as Prime 4 is indeed visually stunning and perhaps the greatest first-party showcase of graphics on the Nintendo Switch and its successor. But while it has its share of enthusiasts, it’s difficult not to feel underwhelmed by the final product in comparison to prior Prime games and even other, similar entries in the Metroidvania space that has grown in Nintendo’s frequent absence.

The list of Metroidvania games from independent and third-party developers in the past decade alone is astonishing, with Ori and the Blind Forest, Axiom Verge, Hollow Knight, Dead Cells, Animal Well, and others throwing new concepts and innovations into the genre’s well of ideas. Hollow Knight and its follow-up, Silksong, have captivated players with their dense worldbuilding, roaming NPCs, and optional side objectives, all of which have come to define the critically acclaimed series. Nine Sols stood out with its intricate combat system, while more out-there games like pinball Metroidvania Yoku’s Island Express have proven anything can be a Metroidvania with the right amount of determination and creativity. Even Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown changed the game with something as simple as an in-game screenshot system to help with backtracking. The Metroidvania genre is rapidly iterating with a volume of unique takes.

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Oscar-nominated actor Sigourney Weaver has confirmed the reports that she will appear in the upcoming live-action Tomb Raider series on Prime Video.

Speaking to Deadline, Weaver said she is "very excited" to join the cast and work with writer-producer Phoebe Waller-Bridge on the project. "The scripts are incredible and very funny, very charming, very witty, as we've come to expect from Ms. Waller-Bridge," she said. "I've always been a huge fan of hers. So I am delighted."

Also in the interview, Weaver revealed that she's playing a character named Wallace. It appears this may be a new character created for the show.

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Stranger Things Funko Pops & Squishmallows

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Stranger Things is finally coming to an end when the second half of Season 5 arrives on Christmas, followed by the series finale on New Year's Eve (it'll even be in theaters at select locations, if you're looking for a cinematic conclusion). But ahead of the end of the Upside Down, you'll find a bunch of new Funko Pops celebrating the hit Netflix series, most of which are just $15.

This new batch of Stranger Things Funko Pops includes models for Derek, Dustin, Holly, Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Hopper, and Nancy. All of these are traditional Funkos, standing around 3.75 inches tall and giving the cast the iconic Funko makeover. For something a bit different, you can check out the Rockin' Robin with The Squawk set or Steve with the Squawk Van. The latter is already sold out at Amazon, though you can still pick it up at Target. You'll find a list of all new Stranger Things Funko Pops below.

If you're looking for even more Stranger Things Funkos, there are also a bunch of cool Stranger Things Funko Bitty Pops to check out. These tiny figures stand less than an inch tall. These are a nice alternative to the traditional Funko Pops, as they're easy to display on a crowded desktop or entertainment center. They also look absolutely adorable and are a fun choice for young fans of the show. We've included them in the list below as well, including the Byers House Playset you can snag for just $24.84

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Pragmata

$60 | Releases April 24, 2026

Preorder at Amazon

Pragmata (PC)

Save 17% on the PC version

Pragmata Standard Edition Pragmata Digital Deluxe Edition

Capcom has a busy 2026 in store, with numerous big video game releases already slated for the year. But while many of those upcoming titles are from established franchises like Resident Evil and Onimusha, one of the most exciting is the all-new sci-fi action game, Pragmata. The game launches on April 24 and preorders are now live on PlayStation 5, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X, with a surprisingly last-gen price of $60. Pragmata is also coming to PC, and at Fanatical, both the Standard and Digital Deluxe Editions are 17% off.

Pragmata Preorder BonusesPragmata Preorder Bonus Costumes

Preordering Pragmata gets you the Neo Bushido costume for Hugh and the Neo Kunichi outfit for Diana. These bonus in-game cosmetics are included with all physical and digital preorders of the game.

Pragmata $60 | Releases April 24, 2026

The physical edition of Pragmata includes the base game on, PS5, Switch 2, or Xbox Series X, plus the preorder bonus costumes if you purchase your copy before launch. Note that the Switch 2 edition is a Game Key-Card release--that means none of the game data is included on the cartridge. Instead, it acts as a physical DRM key that grants you access to the digital version of the game. You'll have to download the game to your Switch 2 before you can start playing. Pragmata will take up an estimated 17GB of storage space on your Switch 2's internal hard drive or microSD Express card.

Physical preorders are available at Amazon for $60, and we expect more retailers will have the game soon. Digital preorders are also available on consoles and PC.

Preorder at Amazon Pragmata (PC) Save 17% on the PC version

Speaking of the PC version of the game, Pragmata preorders are currently discounted at Fanatical. The Standard Edition includes the same preorder bonuses as the console versions and is priced at $49.79 (was $60), while the Digital Deluxe Edition is priced at $58 (was $70) and nicludes two more outfits each for Diana and Hugh, additional weapon skins, background music tracks, new gestures for Diana, and you can browse through the concept art of the game via the Data Library.

Pragmata Digital Deluxe Edition:

• Hugh outfits
  • Heavy Lifter
  • Lunar Cat
• Diana outfits
  • Mecha Builder
  • Fluffy
• Weapon Skin: Grip Gun DS
  • Shelter background music tracks
  • Memories Are You (Lo-fi Ver.)
  • Dawn (EDM Ver.)
  • Shelter (Jazz Ver.)
• Diana gestures
  • Drowsy
  • Pumped Up
  • Stepping
• Data Library artwork

Pragmata Standard Edition Pragmata Digital Deluxe Edition

Set in the distant future, Pragmata puts players in the space boots of Hugh, an astronaut stranded on a lunar research station. With the defense mechanisms of the facility activated and hunting him down, Hugh finds an unlikely ally in his quest to escape: Diana, an android who resembles a young girl. While Diana isn't a fighter, she can ride shotgun on Hugh's back and hack them so that their weak points can be exposed. Hugh can then finish them off, using his arsenal of weapons. Together, the duo will have to dodge the hostile machines and solve puzzles on the fly if they hope to return to Earth.

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The release of the upcoming RPG Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic is likely far, far away. While last night's announcement trailer at The Game Awards 2025 was surely exciting for Knights of the Old Republic fans, the truth is that the game, led by original KOTOR and Mass Effect director Casey Hudson, is in a very early stage of development.

According to the official Star Wars website, Hudson's new studio, Arcanaut Studios, was formed just this year, after his previous studio closed in November 2024. The studio's careers page contains listings for several senior-level positions, so the announcement trailer also doubles as a recruitment advertisement, a tactic that developers often employ.

With the lengthy development cycles that high-profile games undergo these days, we're probably years away from seeing anything concrete from Fate of the Old Republic, and even further from a release. Skepticism about the game even releasing this decade is quite reasonable.

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Fortnite's latest collab is with Kim Kardashian, and in a new interview, the megastar discussed how the partnership came to be, how good she is at Fortnite, and how closely she worked with Epic to bring her vision to life.

Speaking to Elle Magazine, Kardashian said she is a "decent" Fortnite player. "I wouldn't say I'm great, but I wouldn't say I'm horrible," she said. She added that her son, Saint, is "definitely better than I am."

"But, you know, he doesn't teach me all of his tricks," she said.

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Gears of War fans hoping to see a new trailer for the upcoming prequel, Gears of War: E-Day, may have been disappointed that it skipped The Game Awards this year. That may be why the official Gears of War social media accounts have shared a message assuring fans that E-Day is still coming in 2026.

The image shared on the Gears of War X account didn't share any spoilers and it was just a skull set against some haunting red and black shades. But it did confirm the 2026 release window.

Emergence Begins. 2026. pic.twitter.com/7rayOKYEL9

— Gears of War (@GearsofWar) December 12, 2025

For now, Gears of War: E-Day is only confirmed for Xbox Series X|S and PC. However, it seems very likely to be the second game in the franchise to make the leap to PlayStation 5, given that Gears of War: Reloaded--a remake of the original game--became the first title in the series to appear on a Sony console. Cliff Bleszinski--the co-creator of the franchise--has mentioned that he's happy that the Gears of War games are no longer exclusive to a single console.

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The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has shot back at Rockstar Games regarding the firing of 30+ staffers, saying that the company's latest statement is "littered with falsehoods and disinformation."

IWGB released a statement clarifying its take on Rockstar Games' justification for terminating the 30+ UK and international employees in October 2025. Parent company Take-Two Interactive explained that the GTA developer fired those workers for "gross misconduct, and for no other reason." More specifically, Rockstar Games told GameSpot that those developers were let go for discussing "specific game features from upcoming and unannounced titles" and other "confidential information" in a public forum. IWGB took issue with that, telling GameSpot that the characterization is inaccurate.

"Rockstar's latest statement is littered with falsehoods and disinformation--they have given multiple, conflicting reasons to explain why the workers were fired, as if attempting to reverse engineer a rationale for the dismissals," the union said in an emailed statement. "Once again, they have chosen to mischaracterise workers speaking about their working conditions in a private forum as 'leaking information.' It is hard to understand this statement as anything but a desperate attempt to deflect from the global scrutiny they have come under over the last month. From the UK Prime Minister in the House of Commons, to the game developers across the world erupting in protest--all eyes are on Rockstar and their lawless attack on the people who make them their billions."

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Donkey Kong Bananza (Digital)

$59.49 (was $70)

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Donkey Kong Bananza + Emerald Rush DLC

$76.49 (was $90)

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Donkey Kong Bananza's digital edition is discounted to $59.49 (was $70) at Amazon until December 12 at 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET. You can also get a nice deal on a bundle with the game and the Emerald Rush DLC that drops the price from $90 to $76.49. Both deals are late additions to Amazon's 24-hour Game Awards Sale. Donkey Kong Bananza was nominated for Game of the Year and won the award for Best Family Game.

Developed by the Super Mario Odyssey team, Donkey Kong Bananza earned fantastic reviews when it launched in July, including a 9/10 from GameSpot. It currently holds a 91 Metascore on review aggregator Metacritic (a GameSpot sister site). The Emerald Rush DLC released in September for $20, so the bundle deal effectively drops the price to $6.50 for new players--but only if you buy the bundle.

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Winter doesn't technically arrive until December 21, but Fanatical is getting a jump on the season with its Winter Sale 2025. Like all sales at the retailer, you'll find hundreds of PC games available for cheap--almost all of which are offered as Steam keys. Some high-profile titles are on sale, including some of 2025's best like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Elden Ring: Nightreign, as well as discounts for upcoming titles like Crimson Desert and Resident Evil Requiem. Along with the discounts, customers can also unlock a free Winter Bonus Drop when spending over $15 on a single order. This could be anything from a free game to a discount coupon.

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If you happened to miss The Game Awards, all you really need to know is that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 walked away with pretty much every trophy. And if you still haven't jumped into the story-rich RPG, you can pick it up for just $36 (was $50). No doubt it's an iconic game, and we'd contend it's worth purchasing even at full price--it was GameSpot's Game of the Year, after all. So at $36, it's hard to pass up. Along with a memorable cast of characters and a fantastic story, its tense, turn-based combat offers plenty of flexibility thanks to some real-time mechanics and dozens of ways to customize your party.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II was also at The Game Awards, and right now you can add it to your Steam library for $36 (was $60). It's a remarkable improvement over the original, and it's a sprawling open-world action RPG that gives you good reason to stay inside during the winter. A similar open-world RPG option that's a bit cheaper is Dragon's Dogma 2, as it's $25.19 (was $70). It doesn't have a traditional fast travel system, but that only means you'll have more time to wander its gigantic open world overflowing with dynamic encounters and side-quests.

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Developer id Software, a Texas-based studio known for the Doom games (including The Game Awards-winning The Dark Ages), has, has formed a union under the Communications Workers of America (CWA). It's a "wall-to-wall" guild built to protect employees from AI while negotiating for ample benefits, such as remote work, and Microsoft appears to have recognized the studio's union.

In a press release on the CWA's website, id Software's 165-person union will join the CWA Local 6215 division in Richardson, Texas. Producer Andrew Willis noted how important it is for workers to fight back against the injustices facing the games industry at the moment.

"The wall-to-wall organizing effort at id Software was much needed; it's incredibly important that developers across the industry unite to push back on all the unilateral workplace changes that are being handed down from industry executives," Willis said. "The union is a way for us, the developers, to take back control of the industry we love and to ensure that it delivers high-quality products from high-quality workers who have health benefits and longevity beyond quarterly profits."

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One of the biggest surprises of 2025 was Microsoft's push to bring even more of its games to PlayStation, its longtime rival in the console gaming space. Not only have those ports been well received, but they've also been best-sellers, and next year will see the arrival of Halo and Forza Horizon on PlayStation. In a new interview, Microsoft's president of game content and studios, Matt Booty, spoke about the success of Xbox games on PS5 and the reaction to Halo's announcement for PS5.

"We had a bit of a moment earlier in the summer from end of April to end of June, where we had six of the top 10 games on PlayStation were our Xbox games," Booty said to Variety. "I look at that as validation for the teams, but most importantly, it's an opportunity for more players to engage with our content, to come into our worlds."

Halo has long been considered the crown jewel of Xbox, and the next game in the franchise, a campaign-only remake of the original titled Halo: Campaign Evolved, will launch simultaneously on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5 in 2026. Booty said the announcement was well received and that Microsoft was really pleased with its efforts to bring its content to more people.

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One of the biggest pieces of news in gaming this year was EA's announcement that it was selling itself for $55 billion to investors including Saudi Arabia. The announcement of the deal has sent shockwaves through the gaming world, and now Head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty has commented on the deal, saying the price tag reflects how big video games have come in the global media landscape.

"Games have really become a foundational part of entertainment," Booty told Variety. "And as such, I think we're seeing these valuations and transactions that really reflect their place in modern entertainment."

The price of the sale "reflects the value that exists in all of" the gaming IP that EA owns, including Madden, FC, and The Sims, Booty said.

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This hasn't been the best year for Call of Duty, with sales for Black Ops 7 faltering compared to 2024's Black Ops 6. Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty touched on this year's installment of the military shooter series, and although he didn't address sales numbers directly, he did acknowledge the hardships of the franchise's annual model.

Speaking to Variety, Booty said that "shipping a major franchise like clockwork every year is a really difficult task, and I’m really proud of what the team did to move the franchise forward in that way."

A new Call of Duty game has been released every year since the franchise's beginning in 2003, and it doesn't appear that Xbox-owned publisher Activision will stop this pattern any time soon. The only change to the release model is that the series will no longer release back-to-back installments of the same subseries, as Modern Warfare and Black Ops have both done.

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Microsoft has announced that the next Xbox Developer Direct broadcast is coming up in January 2026, but it won't have everything Microsoft plans to show next year for Xbox's 25th anniversary.

Speaking to Variety, Head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty said, "We've got a lot of stuff that we're shipping" in 2026.

As for the January 2026 Developer Direct, Booty confirmed that fans can expect to see the new Fable and Forza Horizon 6. "But we'll have more stuff next year to ship than we can fit into one Dev Direct show in January, which is a good place to be," he said.

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A movie based on Activision's Call of Duty series is in the works now at Paramount, which is now led by billionaire and Call of Duty superfan David Ellison. Prolific writer and director Taylor Sheridan is writing the script for the film, with Lone Survivor director Peter Berg attached to direct.

Activision had been trying to make Call of Duty movies for years, so why is it finally happening now? Xbox boss Matt Booty told Variety that "a relationship came about" between people at Paramount and senior executives working on Call of Duty. "They felt like they found a partner who understands the game, people who play the game, and shared a vision of what it could be to bring that forward," Booty said.

Activision originally announced it would make Call of Duty movies through its Activision Blizzard Studios label that was formed in 2015, led by Hollywood producers Stacey Sher and Nick van Dyk, and charged with adapting Activision Blizzard's franchises for film and TV. A Call of Duty movie universe was planned at one point, but, as often happens in Hollywood, nothing ever happened.

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As announced at The Game Awards, Mega Man is officially making his comeback in a new game, Mega Man: Dual Overdrive. Since the franchise began in 1987, the evil Dr. Wiley has been creating robot bosses to challenge Mega Man and keep him from foiling whatever nefarious plans he had. Now, it's your turn to design a robot boss for Mega Man to fight in Dual Overdrive.

The Mega Man: Dual Overdrive Robot Design Contest has already begun, but there are some restrictions. Capcom already has a base design in mind for this boss, and it's looking for a Robot Master with a right arm that has "immense suction powers." Starting from the template shared by Capcom, players aged 13 and up are encouraged to put their own spin on this villain.

The full details are available on Capcom's site, and entries will be accepted from Japan, North America, South America, Europe, and Asia through January 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. Contestants will have to follow the @Megaman account on X to submit their creations. Capcom's staff will narrow the designs down until they pick the six best entries, and the final winner will be chosen from that group.

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Earlier this year, Microsoft announced that it would start charging $80 for new games, beginning with The Outer Worlds 2. The company backtracked on those plans, however, opting to sell the game for $70 and cancelling plans for other $80 games in the future. What happened here? And what does Microsoft think about pricing for its games going forward?

Head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty told Variety that the decision to roll back prices from $80 to $70 came about from listening to player feedback and trying to deliver "player value."

"We've reacted in the last year and I think for us, the real focus is going to be ... meeting people where they are. I think there's going to be less of a focus on what's that top line price of a game, as people start to engage in different ways with games," he said.

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CRKD Nitro Deck 2

Releases Spring 2026

Smokey Black White

The Switch 2 is a fun console, but one of its shortcomings is that it's not the most ergonomic device for handheld play. That's where CRKD is looking to switch things up, as the company has announced the Nitro Deck 2 for Switch 2 consoles. Even better, it's compatible with the Switch 1 and is scheduled to launch in Spring 2026 in two colorways: White and Smoke Black. Pricing for these have not yet been revealed.

CRKD Nitro Deck 2 Releases Spring 2026

Like the original Nitro Deck, the Nitro Deck 2 is designed to be an all-in-one add-on to the Switch 2. The cradle uses a retractable locking mechanism to ensure a tight fit with Switch consoles, and it replaces the Joy-Cons on the sides. The built-in controllers are contoured to fit more naturally in your hands, and they feature an offset right thumbstick for a more ergonomic feel. The console tablet is now held in place with a retractable locking dial located on the rear. It also comes with a legacy adapter for Switch 1 and Switch OLED consoles, as well as another adapter to enable low-latency wired handheld play.

The capsticks on this model aren't Hall Effect sticks, but CRKD claims they can deliver ultra-responsive control, adjustable resistance, and immunity to magnetic interference thanks to a zero-contact design. Programmable back buttons can also be found on the rear of the Nitro Deck 2, which have been expanded to include L2 and R2 buttons. You can also customize the joysticks with swappable tops, and the triggers have been upgraded to tactile Digital Triggers. The cradle is rounded off with a durable metal kickstand and motion control compatibility.

When not in use with a Switch console, it can be used as a wireless or wired controller for PC, mobile devices, and smart TVs.

Smokey Black White CRKD Nitro Deck 2

If you're looking to get something right away for your Switch 1 console, the current CRKD Nitro Deck and Nitro Deck+ come highly recommended. These are priced from around $50 - $60 each, and they come in a wide variety of colors like black, PAL grey, and a retro-inspired purple. The regular Nitro Deck features full-size Hall Effect analog sticks and triggers, a conventional D-pad, four remappable back buttons, motion controls, rumble, turbo function, curved handles, and is compatible with both the standard and OLED Switch models.

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The Dead Zone: Limited Edition Steelbook (4K Blu-ray)

$32 (was $45) | Amazon Exclusive

Get deal at Amazon

Stephen King fans can get the Amazon-exclusive Steelbook Edition of The Dead Zone on 4K Blu-ray for its best price yet. Released in June with a $45 list price, The Dead Zone Limited Edition Steelbook is on sale for only $32. Up until this week, the biggest discount had been a few bucks, so the 30% price cut is by far the best deal since launch. The steelbook case features artwork inspired by the the 1983 film's eerie promotional poster.

Adapted from King's classic 1979 novel, the 1983 sci-fi thriller was directed by David Cronenberg and features a stellar performance from legendary actor Christopher Walken. The Dead Zone is one of the few Stephen King adaptations that is as good as the book--and the book is really good.

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