Only one week remains until Black Friday 2017, which means you'll soon be able to find a ton of discounts on video games, consoles, and accessories across all platforms. That's also true for 3DS, which will see a number of its recent and older releases go on sale, including the mainline Pokemon series.
The newest Pokemon titles, Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, launch one week ahead of the big shopping day, and while there won't be any notable deals on those games at major retailers this Black Friday, you'll be able to find some nice discounts on the series' previous 3DS installments. Based on the ads that have been released, GameStop will have the best offer for those still looking to pick up Pokemon X and Y or Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Each of those games will be available for $20 apiece, or you can pick up three of them for $40--effectively netting you one of the games for free.
Best Buy will also have discounts on Pokemon X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire. Each title will cost $20; however, there won't be an additional offer as is the case with GameStop, so if you're looking to pick up more than one version, that remains your best choice. Target, meanwhile, will have doorbuster deals on Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire for $25 each.
While Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon won't be on sale, you'll be able to find discounts on the original Pokemon Sun and Moon versions at some retailers. Both Best Buy and Walmart will sell the two titles for $29 each. That's a good price if you've yet to pick up one of the seventh generation titles and you're not interested in the new features and Pokemon in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
You can check out the complete list of Pokemon deals for 3DS below. We'll continue to update this as more Black Friday ads are revealed. You can also find all of our other Black Friday 2017 coverage and roundups through the links at the bottom of this story.
Pokemon 3DS Black Friday Deals
Pokemon X/Y
GameStop -- $20 (or 3 for $40 with Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire)
Even if you're not a fan of DC Comics, chances are you've heard of Gotham City, or Metropolis. You might even have heard of Themyscira--the home of Wonder Woman and the Amazons--too. But names like "Apokolips" and "New Genesis" are probably still a bit vague on associations.
That's OK. In terms of idiosyncratic DC Universe iconography, a map of the Fourth World is a pretty far cry from the comforting black and yellow of the Bat Signal--at least for now.
The release of Justice League marks DC's first attempt at translating the bombast of the New Gods to the big screen. So what does that actually mean? What is the Fourth World, who are the New Gods, and why should you care?
In The Beginning
To call the Fourth World totally arcane wouldn't really be fair--what it lacks in franchise and branding power, it makes up in (admittedly kind of niche) critical acclaim. In the simplest possible terms, the Fourth World is the collective name for a saga created (and when I say "created" I mean created--written, drawn, edited, top to bottom) by the legendary Jack Kirby after he left Marvel for DC in the 70s. The story actually got its start, strangely enough, in an issue of an ongoing book called Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen, but promptly spilled out into its own titles like New Gods, Mister Miracle, and Forever People.
All told, the whole Fourth World saga has 59 issues, hopscotching across multiple books to form an endless, cosmic, mythological spine for the DC Universe that's still looked at as a touchstone for heroes and villains even today.
The story of the Fourth World isn't all that complicated. The twin worlds of New Genesis and Apokolips were created when an ancient planet called Urgrund was torn in two by a war between its immortal citizens called--surprise--the Old Gods. The cataclysm on Urgrund was so terrible that it actually forced both new planets into a new corner of space and time--not a new universe, but a place outside the multiverse entirely, a literal fourth world populated by people who called themselves New Gods for reasons that are hopefully pretty obvious.
As you can probably guess by their rather on-the-nose names, Apokolips was an industrialized wasteland--Kirby's thinly veiled interpretation of hell--while New Genesis was a sparkling utopia--the equivalent of heaven. Apokolips was ruled by the tyrannical war monger Darkseid, while New Genesis was ruled by the cold-but-benevolent Highfather.
The war between the two planets was endless and all-consuming until an unconventional treaty was brokered. Darkseid and Highfather would swap sons--each giving an infant to their sworn enemy to be raised on the opposite planet as a sort of collateral. The son of Darkseid, Orion, would be doomed to forever feel like an outcast in the vain and superficial society of New Genesis, while the son of Highfather, Scott Free (aka Mister Miracle), would be subjected to untold tortures on Apokolips.
It worked--sort of. Nevermind that neither son had much say in the matter. Orion grew to adulthood on New Genesis while Scott scraped by in Apokolips, eventually finding love--a native of Apokolips named Big Barda--and escaping to Earth to be rid of his family tree all together. But eventually Darkseid's lust for power grew too intense for peace and he had his uncle (that's right, uncle, even immortal tyrant gods have to come from somewhere), the elite military general Steppenwolf, assassinate Highfather's wife to reignite the war, and then everything was off to the races once more with both New Genesis and Apokolips consumed by violence without end.
This sort of circular, unwinnable conflict defined much of the Fourth World. Everything from the dueling narratives of two prodigal sons to the nature of war and peace were on the table for exploration--big questions without real or concrete answers, remixed Bible stories that blended in with Star Trek and Lord of The Rings. The New Gods became DC's equivalent of a pantheon, a 70s sci-fi flavored answer to Marvel's super-heroic version of Norse mythology, but with no historical constraints or real world sources to consult.
Into The Future
Now, while the planets of the New Gods were technically isolated from Earth in their own area of space and time, Kirby also invented the technology in fiction to allow them to come and go from the stories of DC's other heroes. Nearly every New God had access to, or carried with them a "living" sentient personal computer called a Mother Box, which were able to (among other things) open and close "Boom Tubes"--point to point extradimensional transportation that would allow a person to travel from New Genesis to Earth, or Apokolips to Earth or--well, anywhere, really.
The barrier between the New Gods and the DC Universe at large became virtually nonexistent, and suddenly heroes like Superman and Batman were able to come face to face with literal immortal superhumans like Orion and Mister Miracle--or even the Lord of Apokolips himself, Darkseid.
This is how the New Gods really began to dig their heels into the DCU in a way that still matters today. Allowing someone like Darkseid, the immortal embodiment of all evil, to come and go from Earth essentially at will was a narrative booster shot for DC's shared universe like no other. Darkseid became the sort of "final boss" for DC's roster of superheroes; certain death, unstoppable destruction, something that even an all-but-invincible character like Superman couldn't face down on his own.
The same way Marvel has been teasing the arrival of their very own end-game villain, Thanos, in the MCU for years, all roads in the DCEU will eventually lead to Darkseid, and we've already seen the first hints. Justice League's Steppenwolf and his Parademons are remixed from their comic book origins, but the spine of the New Gods ideology is still there: The concept of Apokolips is, very much, a component of this world, as well as the idea of the advanced, alien Mother Box. It's probably best to start paying attention now while their cinematic incarnations are still in their infant stages than try to play catch up down the line.
After all, even when he's not immediately on the screen or on the page, the threat of Darkseid and the armies of Apokolips are a shadow looming large over the DC Universe. The presence of the New Gods may be a subtle one--they can even go completely unnoticed if you don't know what you're looking for--but the eventuality that New Genesis and Apokolips's unending, undying war will spill out into Earth and suddenly become the Justice League's problem is all but inevitable. It's one of the most fundamental building blocks of the DCU's shared universe--and it's already making it's way to theaters.
Black Friday is just around the corner and with that comes a plethora of deals on televisions, movies, and electronics. Walmart recently released what it has in store for the day, so shoppers can plan their trips accordingly. In most states, Walmart's doors open on Thursday at 6 PM, so if you're in the market for a new television and movie to watch, you'll be in luck.
Walmart has a couple of extremely cheap TVs available, including a 39-inch Element Smart TV for $125; however, this is not a 4K TV. The best bang for your buck comes from LG. Walmart has a 49-inch 4K Smart TV available for $328. Like most Black Friday deals, these may not be top-of-the-line televisions for your 4K gaming. You can check out television reviews on our sister site CNET to see if these deals are right for you.
While the retailer lacks sales on 4K movies, Walmart has a ton of Blu-rays and DVDs on sale this upcoming Black Friday, many of which come with codes for digital copies. You can get Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, and Alien Resurrection together on Blu-ray for $10. For more recent releases, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Baby Driver, Logan, and War of the Planet of the Apes are all sold separately for $10 each. Finally, Walmart has a wide selection of $6 Blu-rays and $2 DVDs as well, and we listed some of the better ones below.
Below, you'll find a list of Black Friday deals in TVs, movies, and tech that we think might be up your alley. You can check out the complete listing of deals on Walmart's website. If you're interested in what the retailer has in the way of gaming, check out all of Walmart's Black Friday gaming deals. Otherwise, we have breakdowns of other retailers through the links below:
On Black Friday--November 24 this year--people will be busting down the doors of retailers to get the best deals possible on everything from electronics to toys to clothing. Target recently revealed all its deals for the yearly event--which actually starts on Thursday at 6 PM in most states--and if you're in the market to upgrade your television or smart home, you're in luck.
Target has quite a few televisions on sale during the Black Friday event, but many are not name brands you're probably familiar with. A 43" 4K Polaroid Smart TV will cost $230 and comes with a Google cast with purchase. There are quite a few recognizable brands on sale as well, including a 65" 4K Samsung Smart TV for $850 or the 49" version for $430. You can check out television reviews on our sister site CNET to see if these deals are right for you.
The retailer also has a few deals on smart home tech as well, including Amazon's Echo Dot and Google's Home Mini both for $30. In addition, Google Chromecast and Amazon's Fire TV Stick are on sale for $25.
Below, you'll find a list of Black Friday deals in TVs, movies, and tech that we think might be up your alley. You can check out the complete listing of deals on Target's website. We've also got detailed breakdowns of all the offers at other retailers through the links below:
Black Friday 2017 is right around the corner, and that means tons of sale prices to be had on video game consoles, accessories, and software. Even very recent releases that just came out--things like Need for Speed Payback, Assassin's Creed Origins, and Call of Duty: WWII--will be on sale. Another one of fall's biggest games, NBA 2K18, will also enjoy some steep discounts at a number of retailers.
Based on the ads that have been released so far, GameStop will offer the best price for Xbox One and PS4: It'll be $27 there. If you're planning on shopping elsewhere, you'll still potentially get it for a price in that neighborhood; Walmart will sell it for $29, while it'll go for $30 at Target and Best Buy. Toys R Us will offer it for $35. If you're interested in Virtual Currency, the microtransaction currency used in the game, Best Buy will sell 200,000 VC ($50's worth) for $40.
On the digital side, the Xbox Store's Black Friday sale has begun, but only for Xbox Live Gold members. It can be purchased from there for $42; non-Gold members will gain access to the sale on November 21. Similarly, a PlayStation Store Black Friday sale has started for PS Plus members that will go live for non-members on November 21. NBA 2K18 is on sale for $42 on PSN for Plus subscribers.
If you're wondering whether this year's basketball sim is worth picking up, you can read our full NBA 2K18 review. Seth Macy awarded it an 8/10 and said, "This year's entry is incredible in so many ways, from graphics, to soundtrack, to the different modes and ways to play hoops. It becomes clear early on that the fastest and easiest way to progress is by spending real money, slightly marring an otherwise tremendous experience."
You can check out a complete list of NBA 2K18 deals for PS4 and Xbox One below. We'll continue to update this as more Black Friday ads are revealed. Amazon, for instance, has still yet to announce anything, so there's plenty more to come. You can also check out all of our other Black Friday coverage through the links at the bottom of this post.
NBA 2K18 PS4/Xbox One Black Friday Deals
Best Buy -- $30 [Doorbuster]
GameStop -- $27
PlayStation Store -- $42 [PS Plus only until November 21]
Target -- $30
Toys R Us -- $35
Walmart -- $29
Xbox Store -- $42 [Xbox Live Gold only until November 21]
The biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday 2017, is quickly approaching, and those in the market for new games, consoles, or accessories will find a ton of discounts across every major platform. In particular, a huge selection of titles will be on sale at various retailers this Black Friday, including some of this year's biggest releases, such as Destiny 2.
If you're looking to pick up Bungie's popular shooter on either PS4 or Xbox One, you'll have a lot of options to choose from. Based on the Black Friday ads that have been released, the best price offer will be at GameStop; the game retailer will have the title for $27 with a free Cayde-6 figure. Elsewhere, Best Buy and Target will both sell Destiny 2 for $30, while Toys R Us will have it for $35. However, no sales on the PC version of the game have been announced so far.
If you'd prefer to get Destiny 2 digitally, you'll also find some sizable discounts on Bungie's new title in the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store. Both services have already begun their Black Friday sales, though at the moment only PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold members can take advantage of them. The standard version of Destiny 2 is available in both digital stores for $39. If you're also planning to pick up its DLC, you can purchase the game and expansion pass bundle for $67.49. Meanwhile, the Destiny 2 Digital Deluxe Edition (which also includes the expansion pass and other exclusive content packs) is available for $75. Those without a PS Plus or Xbox Live Gold subscription will gain access to the sales on November 21.
If you're still unsure if Destiny 2 is worth picking up, you can read more about it in our full Destiny 2 review. The game's first expansion, Curse of Osiris, is slated to release for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on December 5. Bungie offered some new story details and a look at other content from the upcoming DLC in a recent livestream. Additional streams for Curse of Osiris will take place on November 21 and 29.
You can see the complete list of Destiny 2 deals for PS4 and Xbox One below. We'll continue to update the list as more Black Friday ads and prices are revealed. You can also find all of our other Black Friday 2017 coverage through the links at the bottom of this roundup.
Destiny 2 PS4/Xbox One Black Friday Deals
Best Buy -- $30
GameStop -- $27
PlayStation Store [PS Plus members-only until November 21]
Destiny 2 standard edition -- $39
Destiny 2 game + expansion pass bundle --$67.49
Destiny 2 Digital Deluxe Edition -- $75
Target -- $30
Toys R Us -- $35
Xbox Store [Xbox Live Gold members-only until November 21]
As with the Xbox Store, Sony has kicked off an early sale on the PlayStation Store ahead of Black Friday 2017. For the time being, this is only available to PlayStation Plus members, but it will expand to include everyone tomorrow, November 21, at which point even more games will be added. If you're a PS4 owner, there are some notable deals here.
This PSN Black Friday Early Access sale focuses exclusively on a limited selection of games for PS4--this isn't nearly as extensive as the hundreds of games in the Xbox Store Black Friday sale. As with that one, many of these prices are not as cheap as what you'll find at physical retailers--you can find a full rundown on all the PS4 Black Friday game deals in our roundup. But if you prefer the convenience of digital, you will be able to save up to 40% off these games' usual prices.
Below, you'll find a full list of all the PlayStation Store deals that PS Plus members currently have access to, or you can see them on the PlayStation Store website. We'll update this story on November 21 once the full sale goes live; that will presumably feature a much more extensive array of titles, including those for PS3 and Vita. If you want to see everything on sale in terms of hardware, physical games, and accessories, check out our PS4 Black Friday 2017 deals roundup. All of our Black Friday coverage can also be seen through the links below.
Black Friday 2017 is still a few days away, yet UK retailers are already announcing their cheap game deals and setting them live. If you're in the US, check out all the PS4 Black Friday deals or a bunch of Xbox One Black Friday deals; otherwise, scroll down to see Game's early Black Friday UK deals--including games and accessories for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Wii U, and more going cheap--all in one place.
At this stage, deals for PS4 and Xbox One consoles are looking pretty slim. Your only options from Game are a pre-owned original 500 GB PS4 for £150 or a pre-owned original 500 GB Xbox One for £130.
Finally, Nintendo Switch deals are limited to a single game: The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ is available for £30. Otherwise, only accessories are on offer, with no bundles going cheap right now. You can grab the Joy-Con steering wheel twin-pack accessory for £8 or a case that holds cartridges for £5; check out the rest of Game's Switch offers here.
Below, you'll find our comprehensive list of everything Game will have on sale; we'll update this post as necessary as Black Friday itself approaches. For much more, check out all of our Black Friday coverage through these links:
Star Wars Battlefront II launched on PS4, Xbox One, and PC amid much controversy last week, and now it has failed to top the UK chart for its first week on sale. The sci-fi shooter was "narrowly" beaten by Call of Duty: WWII in that game's third week of availability, according to sales monitor Chart Track.
What's more, GamesIndustry.biz reports that Battlefront II's UK physical sales were down 61% compared to the 2015 series reboot, Star Wars Battlefront. Some of that shortfall would have been recovered in increasing digital sales, but it's unlikely enough units would have been sold over PSN, Xbox Live, and Origin to make up that gulf.
Below the pair of shooters in the UK chart this week lies FIFA 18, while Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon debut at No.4 and No.5, respectively. We enjoyed the pair of new Pokemon games; critic Kallie Plagge said they offer a "fun-filled and uplifting Pokemon adventure" that includes "enough changes to stand apart as the definitive version of the seventh generation games." Read more in our full Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon review.
Other new titles this week include The Sims 4--which has just launched on PS4 and Xbox One following its PC release in 2014--at No.7, LA Noire Remastered at No.8, and Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 at No.10. You can read the full top 10 sales chart below, courtesy of UKIE and Chart-Track. Note this table does not include digital sales data, and so should not be considered representative of all UK game sales.
Black Friday 2017 is still a few days away, but you can already grab some retailers' early cheap deals. If you're in the US, check out all the PS4 Black Friday deals or a bunch of Xbox One Black Friday deals; otherwise, scroll down to see Amazon's early Black Friday UK deals--including games and console bundles for PS4 and Xbox One.
Amazon is also offering the new PS4 Pro deal--which bundles a 1 TB PS4 Pro with Call of Duty: WWII and FIFA 18 for £300--as well as the current PlayStation Plus offer. That bags you 12 months of PS Plus for £37.50.
When it comes to games, Overwatch: Game of the Year Edition is £25 on PS4 and Xbox One, while Destiny 2 is down to £29 on both platforms. The only other standalone game currently on offer is PS4's Yakuza Kiwami, which is down to £21.50.
Some of Amazon's deals are exclusive to Prime members, while others are only good for a few hours. The company is adding more deals multiple times per day; check out the sale page here or keep an eye on GameSpot, where we'll keep you informed of any great deals.
It's almost Black Friday, that wonderful time of the year when seemingly everything is on sale. This of course includes video games. And if you're looking for the newest Call of Duty game, numerous retailers will offer Call of Duty: WWII for a discount next week.
Based on what we've seen so far in terms of Black Friday ads, it appears Best Buy will have Call of Duty: WWII for the cheapest, offering it for $40. Walmart ($43), Target and Toys R Us ($45), and GameStop ($50) are also discounting the game on Black Friday. Those deals may not sound so great, but for a game that only just came out a few weeks ago, and one that is selling quite well at full price, any discount is notable. Black Friday Xbox Store and PlayStation Store sales are now underway for Xbox Live Gold and PS Plus members respectively, dropping the WWII Digital Deluxe Edition to $90. Those digital sales will open to everyone on November 21.
Call of Duty: WWII is getting strong reviews, with GameSpot scoring it a 9/10. It returns to the franchise's origins in World War II, beginning with a D-Day mission. Some of the actors featured in the game include Josh Duhamel from Transformers and Kingdom's Jonathan Tucker. And in multiplayer, that means no more super-powers or exosuits, but instead boots-on-the-ground only. The game also includes a Nazi Zombies mode that we quite enjoyed, along with a brand-new, larger-scale multiplayer experience called War.
You can check out a complete list of Call of Duty deals for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One below. We'll continue to update this as more Black Friday ads are revealed. Amazon, for instance, has still yet to announce anything, so there's plenty more to come. You can also check out all of our other Black Friday coverage through the links at the bottom of this post.
Call of Duty Black Friday 2017 Deals:
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
$12 (Walmart)
Call of Duty: Black Ops III
$19 (Walmart)
$40 (Toys R Us - unconfirmed)
Call of Duty: Black Ops III - Zombies Chronicles Edition
$29 (Walmart)
$35 (Best Buy)
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
$19 (Walmart)
$25 (Best Buy/Target)
Call of Duty: WWII
$40 (Best Buy - Doorbuster)
$43 (Walmart)
$45 (Target/Toys R Us)
$50 (GameStop)
Call of Duty: WWII Digital Deluxe Edition
$90 (PlayStation Store - PS Plus only until November 21)
$90 (Xbox Store - Xbox Live Gold only until November 21)
With Black Friday 2017 a week away, GameStop has still yet to join the ranks of retailers releasing their ads early. Fortunately, the ad has now leaked online, giving us an early look at the many games, consoles, and accessories that will be on sale. And although GameStop sales often are not especially great, this year's Black Friday offerings are, in many cases, the best that have been announced so far. A number of these deals are already even live (more on that below).
According to a leaked ad posted on BFAds, in terms of consoles, GameStop is the lone retailer we've seen with a PS4 Pro 1 TB deal--you'll be able to pick up the 4K-capable console for $350. Similar to other stores, it will have the standard PS4 1 TB on sale for $200, but it's also throwing in a $50 gift card. On the Xbox One side, you can get the 500 GB Xbox One S for $190, just like at many other stores. GameStop will also take $50 off all Xbox One S 1 TB systems; for instance, that brings the Middle-earth: Shadow of War bundle down to $300. Nintendo Switchis shown in the flyer and will presumably be in stock on Black Friday, but it'll available for the standard $300 price. GameStop will be among the retailers to sell the special green Zelda-themed 2DS bundle. Provided you're okay with a mail-in rebate, you'll be able to effectively get a used Xbox 360 for free.
A variety of accessories are also set to be discounted, including the PlayStation VR Gran Turismo Sport bundle for $300; a standalone PSVR headset will go for $200. PS4 DualShock 4 controllers will sell for $38, and the PS4 Gold wireless headset will be $65. The GameStop-exclusive red Xbox One controller will be among those on sale for that system; it'll cost $55. Three- and six-month Xbox Live Gold memberships will be $10 off. Several Razer PC accessories, including the BlackWidow Chroma V2 keyboard ($130) and DeathAdder Elite mouse ($50) will be discounted alongside various Switch accessories.
Certain deals have gone live early, specifically related to Sony. Sony Black Friday Week runs from now until November 27 and provides early access to select deals. PlayStation Plus is $40 (matching a PS Plus Black Friday deal going on now at several retailers), a PS4 is $200, and the GT Sport PSVR bundle is $300. You'll also find a variety of PS4 games on sale, including Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, Horizon: Zero Dawn, and Everybody's Golf for $20 each. You can see these offers here.
Below, you'll find our comprehensive list everything GameStop will have on sale; we'll update this post as necessary with any changes when GameStop officially releases its ad, or if anything changes with the delayed PowerPass program. For much more, including console-specific roundups, check out all of our Black Friday coverage through these links:
Black Friday 2017 is almost upon us, and it's time to start planning your shopping. Many retailers have released their ads well in advance of the big shopping day, giving us an early look at the deals we'll soon be able to take advantage of. Xbox One has no shortage of deals, both on hardware and games. Below, we've rounded up a comprehensive list of all the deals announced so far. We'll continue to update this post as Black Friday gets closer and we hear about more sales; meanwhile, some deals are already live.
Whereas things are fairly simple for those in the market for a cheap PS4, you'll have many more options to consider when purchasing an Xbox One. At the cheap end, you'll be able to pick up a basic Xbox One S 500 GB with no bundled games for about $190 at a number of retailers, ranging from Walmart to Toys R Us. However, there are some key differences--a Target doorbuster deal will throw in a $25 gift card for $190, while buying one at Kohl's will get you $45 in Kohl's Cash. Alternatively, there are a wide variety of bundles with different games and freebies, as laid out below. What you won't find are deals on Xbox One X.
If you're looking for controllers, again, many retailers will offer a standard discount of $20, bringing the cheapest options to $40. Different Xbox Live Gold subscriptions will be discounted, with perhaps the best option being a three-month membership for $10 at Best Buy. Microsoft has discounted both a month of Xbox Live Gold and a one-month membership to its Xbox Game Pass service to $1, but only for new subscribers. Additionally, a variety of headsets will be discounted.
Meanwhile, the Xbox Store Black Friday sale has just begun for Xbox Live Gold members; everyone else will get access to it on November 21. It includes hundreds of games, bundles, and DLC packs at nice prices (if, generally speaking, not as cheap as their physical counterparts). There are far too many to list below, but you can see them all here. Both Xbox One and Xbox 360 games are included, including a number of backwards compatible titles on the latter.
You can check out our comprehensive list of physical Xbox One deals below. As noted above, this is an evolving list--we'll update it as we find out about more deals. Amazon has not revealed its offerings yet In the meantime, check our what we know about below, or see what's available on other platforms and at specific retailers through these links:
Black Friday 2017 is only a couple of days away, and this year, retailers will offer tons of deals on games, consoles, accessories, and more for each of the major platforms. While many of 2017's biggest game releases will be on sale, you'll also be able to find hefty discounts on some slightly older titles, including EA and DICE's World War I shooter, Battlefield 1.
If you've yet to pick up Battlefield 1, you'll be able to get the game's complete Revolution edition on sale for either PS4 or Xbox Oneat select stores. In terms of price, the best deal will be at Walmart; the retail giant will have the game on sale for $29. Best Buy will have it for roughly the same price this Black Friday at $30; My Best Buy Elite or Elite Plus members will be able to pick it up at that price right now. Target, meanwhile, will sell the game for $35. As of this writing, no sales for the PC version have been announced yet.
You'll also be able to find discounts on the digital version of Battlefield 1 ahead of Black Friday. As part of the Xbox Store's Black Friday sale, you can get the base game along with another acclaimed shooter from EA, Titanfall 2, as a bundle for only $40. You can also purchase Battlefield 1's Premium Pass--which normally retails for $50--for $15. The Xbox Store Black Friday sale is currently only available to Xbox Live Gold members, but it will open up to all others tomorrow, November 21.
The PlayStation Store's Black Friday sale is similarly available early for PS Plus subscribers, but its initial lineup of discounts doesn't include any on Battlefield 1. However, that service's sale will likewise open to everyone on November 21 and add more deals that same day, so there's a good chance you'll find similar discounts as in the Xbox Store. We'll update this roundup with any additional offers as they're announced.
Battlefield 1 Revolution bundles the base game together with its Premium Pass, which gives players access to the game's four DLC expansions: They Shall Not Pass, In the Name of the Tsar, Turning Tides, and Apocalypse. The next expansion, Turning Tides, is set to launch in December. If you're unsure if the game is worth picking up, you can read more about it in GameSpot's Battlefield 1 review.
You can see the complete list of Battlefield 1 deals for PS4 and Xbox One below. We'll continue to update the list as more Black Friday ads and prices are revealed. You can find all of our other Black Friday 2017 coverage through the links at the bottom of this roundup.
Battlefield 1 Revolution PS4/Xbox One Black Friday Deals
Walmart -- $29
Best Buy -- $30
Target -- $35
Xbox Store [Xbox Live Gold members-only until November 21]
Although there were few deals on PlayStation Plus memberships included in the early Black Friday ads that were released, this has turned out to be a good week to subscribe or extend your membership. Those interested in a year of PS Plus can currently pick it up at a nice discount--and you don't even have to wait for Black Friday to actually begin.
A number of the Black Friday offers for PlayStation 4 games, consoles, and accessories have gone live early. In addition to being able to pick up a PS4 for $200 right now, you can purchase a 12-month PS Plus membership for $40 (or £37.50 in the UK). That's $20 less than the usual price, and as cheap as you can ever expect to see it go at most retailers. This price is available right now at Amazon, Best Buy, and GameStop. All three stores treat this as a "download," meaning you won't have to pick anything up or wait for a physical card to be mailed to you; a redemption code will simply be emailed to you.
That's good news, too, because being a PS Plus member right now gets you early access to a PSN Black Friday sale. This discounts a variety of recent, big-name games, including Assassin's Creed Origins ($42), Destiny 2 ($39), and WWE 2K18 ($36). The sale expands to non-Plus members on Tuesday, November 21, at which point the number of games included will also increase. We don't yet know what else will be on sale or if Plus members will receive steeper discounts, as is sometimes the case on the PlayStation Store.
For a full rundown on all the upcoming offers, check out our roundup of all the PS4 Black Friday 2017 deals. We also have extensive coverage of other platforms and retailers, all of which you can see through the links below.
Black Friday is coming up soon, and that means a ton of deals on everything you could want. As expected, retailers have released their deals ahead of the big day, like Best Buy. With the doors opening at 5 PM on Thanksgiving evening--in some states--the retailer is offering up some big deals for TVs, movies, and more.
As far as TVs go, Best Buy has a 50-inch Sharp LED 4K television with Roku for $179.99. Normally, the television costs $500 and is currently on sale for $400 on the retailer's website. In addition, you can get a 60-inch LED 4K TV from Sony for $600, which currently costs $1,000. There is also some pretty decent deals on 4K players, with the most notable being the LG 4K player for $100. It's worth noting that most of the TVs sold on Black Friday aren't of the highest quality, so it may not be the best choice for your 4K gaming. You can check out television reviews on our sister site CNET to see if these deals are right for you.
If you're looking to add to your movie collection, the retailer has a ton of movies on sale, many of which come with a digital copy as well. The most notable of the bunch is The Princess Bride on Blu-Ray for $2. In addition, you can get some of the latest home releases on 4K for $10-15. Best Buy also has movie collections listed, but the retailer does not have the Black Friday prices listed.
Those who are eager to start shopping can take advantage of an early, pre-Black Friday sale that is already underway. While the discounts are not as steep, in addition to the games that are on sale right now, there are sales on TVs, gaming PCs, streaming devices, home theater equipment, and a variety of movies and TV shows. That latter category includes a handful of 4K discs, including the Harry Potter Collection for $150, Westworld: The Complete First Season for $50, and Mad Max: High Octane Collection for $105. You can see the deals that are live here.
A wide variety of deals are actually live right now; if you're a My Best Buy Elite or Elite Plus member, you can purchase Best Buy's doorbusters deals online here. Games, TVs, movies, and more are available without having to actually wait for Black Friday.
Below, you'll find a list of Black Friday deals in TVs, movies, and tech that we think might be up your alley. You can check out the complete listing of deals on Best Buy's website. If you're looking for deals around video games and accessories, make sure to check out our comprehensive list of everything in gaming Best Buy has available for Black Friday, or every retailer through the links below:
Black Friday 2017 is nearly upon us, and that means plenty of game deals are on the horizon. While more limited than those available for PS4 or Xbox One, that includes offers for Nintendo Switch games, as well as an opportunity to pick up the hardware itself--albeit without any kind of discount. Some discounts are even live early, ahead of Black Friday.
Nintendo Switch itself appears in a variety of the Black Friday ads we've gotten a look at so far, but this is seemingly only intended to signal that it will be in stock. All of them--GameStop, Best Buy, and Target--list it for its usual $300 price (except for Walmart, which sells it for $299). Likewise, we've unfortunately seen no discounts on Joy-Cons or the Switch Pro Controller, although Walmart will have third-party wired controllers for $17. Other accessories on sale include a PowerA Joy-Con Charging Station for $20 at Best Buy, and Mario- and Zelda-themed controller chargers (for both Joy-Cons and Pro Controllers) for $25 each at GameStop.
Nintendo's first-party games are known for rarely going on sale, and this Black Friday demonstrates that. There's no sign of Super Mario Odyssey, while the lone deal we've seen on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild features its new Explorer's Edition dropping to $49 at Walmart. 1-2-Switch, Nintendo's minigame collection, was deemed overpriced at launch by many, but you'll be able to pick it up for $20 at Toys R Us. In terms of third-party titles, The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+, Disgaea 5: Complete Edition, and Puyo Puyo Tetris will be $20 each at Best Buy. The store will also sell Super Bomberman R for $25. If you're a My Best Buy Elite or Elite Plus member, you can take advantage of some of this pricing early by heading to the company's website right now.
We've compiled all of the Nintendo Switch deals we've seen so far below. One thing to note is that some Toys R Us prices may end up being lower, as its ad only lists savings, not specific prices (leaving us to calculate costs based on MSRP). There are sure to be more deals still to come, with Amazon's Black Friday offering yet to be announced, among other retailers. We also don't know if Nintendo has any plans to provide discounts on the Eshop, but we'll update this story as more deals become available. For our full Black Friday coverage, hit the links below.
With Black Friday 2017 right around the corner, we've gotten a look at the deals many retailers will offer this year. That includes a wide variety for Sony's PlayStation 4--and virtually none for its older platforms, PS3 and Vita. We've rounded up all of the deals for those with a PS4 (or those looking to purchase one) below, and we'll continue to update this as Black Friday draws nearer and we learn about more.
On the console side, things are very simple (at least at this point). Rather than bundling the system with a variety of games, you'll be able to pick up the standard, 1 TB PS4 Slim for about $200 at a number of retailers. (Walmart will offer it for $199, just because it can.) The best option might be at Kohl's, which is giving away $15 Kohl's Cash with every $50 you spend. It will also be selling the PS4 for $200, letting you earn $60 in what are effectively limited-time gift cards; this Kohl's Cash has to be used between November 26 and December 6. GameStop will sell the system for $200 with a $50 gift card. A number of stores are selling it straight-up for $200 right now, including GameStop, Amazon, and Best Buy.
For those looking to pick up Sony's 4K-capable console, the PS4 Pro initially looked like it might have no deals. However, GameStop's leaked ad has revealed it will be on sale for $350. Barring any other as-of-yet unrevealed offers, your only other options would be at the system's regular $400 price (or $450 for the special-edition Destiny 2 and Star Wars Battlefront II models).
DualShock 4 controllers will see a pretty standard $20 price cut, dropping them down to $40 at many stores; that includes special colors which can only be had at Best Buy (Red Crystal) and Walmart (Blue Crystal).PlayStation VR will also be on sale--it will go as low as $200 at Target, but that only gets you the headset itself, and not the required camera (which you might already own). Elsewhere, you'll find the GT Sport PSVR bundle for $300 and the Skyrim PSVR bundle for $350. Various headsets will be discounted, too. In terms of deals you can pick up early, PS Plus is $40 at Amazon, Best Buy, and GameStop as of this writing.
In terms of games, there are a ton on sale, with specific pricing varying by retailer. Walmart frequently has the best prices, but that's not true in all cases, so you'll want to plan ahead if you're hoping to maximize your savings. These discounts include many recent releases: at their cheapest, you'll be able to get Call of Duty: WWII for $40 (Best Buy), Assassin's Creed Origins for $35 (Best Buy/Target), Destiny 2 for $27 (GameStop), NBA 2K18 for $29 (Walmart), Need for Speed Payback for $35 (Best Buy/Target), and Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus for $25 (Best Buy). Some of the year's biggest PS4 exclusives also see discounts, such as Persona 5 for $29 (Walmart), Horizon: Zero Dawn for $19 (Walmart), and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy for $29 (Walmart). Some deals are going live early; for instance, if you're a My Best Buy Elite or Elite Plus member, you can take advantage of many of the store's sales prices ahead of Black Friday.
Sony has launched the PlayStation Store Black Friday sale early, but only PS Plus members have access for now. The sale will widen to all PSN members on November 21, at which point it will also expand to include more games. There's a limited selection for the time being, and the discounts aren't as steep as those on physical versions, but the sale includes big recent games like AC Origins ($42), FIFA 18 ($36), and South Park: The Fractured But Whole ($42). You can see all of the digital games on sale here.
Below, you'll find our comprehensive list of physical PS4 deals. As noted above, we'll update this as we get the word on more deals from retailers. We don't yet know what to expect from Amazon, for instance. There are sure to bring even more deals to come, while others may be unlisted for the time being, so check back with us in the lead up to Black Friday. For more, check out retailer-specific deals breakdowns through the links below.
We're days away from Black Friday 2017, and numerous stores have revealed the deals they'll have on offer this year. That includes Best Buy, which actually has an early, pre-Black Friday sale going on right now (more details below). But it's Thanksgiving evening and the day after where the full selection of deals will be available, and we've rounded up everything you can expect to see discounted across PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, and 3DS--and even a single, solitary deal for those looking for something new to play on Wii U and Wii.
In a trend we're seeing at a number of retailers, there isn't a wide array of hardware deals. Switch will be in stock but at its regular price of $300. Neither the PS4 Pro nor Xbox One X will be on sale, with the sale prices instead coming on the older hardware. A 1 TB PS4 can be had for $200, but that doesn't include any free games. On the Microsoft side, you can get the Madden 18 Xbox One S 500 GB bundle for $230, and as a bonus, you'll receive a free Xbox One controller. A free controller is also available with another bundle, which swaps in Forza Horizon 3 in place of Madden.
Controllers and accessories will also be discounted. The PlayStation VR Gran Turismo Sport bundle drops to $300. All PS4 DualShock 4 controllers will be $40, including the Red Crystal color version that is only available at Best Buy. Xbox One controllers will also be available for $40, although some will cost more--presumably the special edition colors and designs. Those looking for a headset will have several options, including the Turtle Beach XO Three wired headset (which works with Xbox One, PS4, and PC) and Turtle Beach Recon 150 (which also works with those devices) for $40 each. Astro headsets will be up to 25% off, while a handful of Switch accessories (including a Joy-Con charging station) will be $20 each.
Ahead of Black Friday, you can take advantage of many of these deals (and those on non-gaming items) early. If you're a My Best Buy Elite or Elite Plus member, you have access to Black Friday Doorbuster deals right now by going here. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of everything we could find on sale at Best Buy this Black Friday. Some specific pricing was not shared and the exact time your local store opens will vary. You can check out the full details on Best Buy's website. For more, check out our roundup of the details at other retailers:
Microsoft has its own set of Black Friday deals coming up later this month, but the company has now rolled out some offers you don't have to wait for. Microsoft is offering one-month subscriptions to Xbox Live and the Netflix-style Game Pass service for only $1. You cannot re-up for this price, as it applies only for new subscribers. Still, it's a solid offer if you're just getting into either service.
Game Pass is still relatively new, so if you've been on the fence about signing up, this offer may be exactly what you're looking for. You can use the links here to sign up for Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass at the discounted, $1 price: Xbox Game Pass - 1 Month, Xbox Live Gold - 1 Month.
As for Microsoft's Black Friday deals, it doesn't look like the newly released Xbox One X will be on sale. But there is a great deal on Xbox One S where you can get a 500 GB system, a free game of your choice, a one-month Game Pass trial, and 14 days of Xbox Live Gold for only $190. Here are more of Microsoft's Black Friday deals.
GameSpot is working to find the best deals, and you can follow our coverage to make sure you don't miss any of them.
Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon have been released for 3DS, and while the two games are largely based on the previous Sun and Moon versions, they set themselves apart from last year's titles with a host of new content. Along with an expanded story that sheds more light on the mysterious Legendary Pokemon, Necrozma, the pair introduce a handful of new features and even Pokemon to the series.
If you've already played Sun or Moon and are unsure if the upcoming titles differ enough to warrant a return trip to Alola, we've rounded up all of the new Pokemon, moves, and features Nintendo has announced thus far to give you a better idea of what's new in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. You can read more about the games in our Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon review. And if you're unsure which version is right for you, we broke down the major differences between Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
New Pokemon
Ultra Beasts
In the original Sun and Moon versions, Ultra Beasts are powerful, unidentified Pokemon that traveled to the Alola region from other worlds through wormholes. Naturally, they once again play a major role in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and this time the games introduce a couple of new ones to the series.
At least three new Ultra Beasts appear in the titles: UB Burst, UB Assembly, and UB Adhesive. The former two are exclusive to a specific version. The jester-like UB Burst only appears in Ultra Sun and is a Fire/Ghost-type Pokemon that learns an exclusive move called Mind Blown. UB Assembly, meanwhile, is a defense-oriented Rock/Steel-type Pokemon that's exclusive to Ultra Moon.
The third new Ultra Beast, UB Adhesive, is a Poison-type that is said to be able to understand humans if it spends enough time among them. It first appears with the Ultra Recon Squad, a mysterious new group of trainers that travels to Alola through a wormhole. Which members of the Ultra Recon Squad you encounter depends on the version you're playing.
Dusk Mane / Dawn Wings Necrozma
While the mysterious Legendary Pokemon Necrozma appeared in the original Sun and Moon versions, it plays a much larger story role in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Depending on which version you pick up, it merges with the games' mascot Pokemon, Solgaleo or Lunala, to turn into its new Dusk Mane and Dawn Wings forms, respectively.
Along with taking on a new appearance and typing, Necrozma is able to use Solgaleo and Lunala's signature attacks when it merges with the two Legendaries. Dusk Mane Necrozma is a Psychic/Steel-type and can unleash Sunsteel Strike, while Dawn Wings Necrozma is a Psychic/Ghost-type and can use Moongeist Beam. Both forms also have the ability Prism Armor, which reduces the damage Necrozma takes from super-effective attacks.
Dusk Form Lycanroc
Depending on which version you played, the Rock-type puppy Pokemon Rockruff would evolve into one of two possible forms in Sun and Moon; in the former game, Rockruff would become Midday Form Lycanroc, while in the latter it would evolve into Midnight Form Lycanroc. Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon introduce a third possible variant, this one called Dusk Form Lycanroc.
Like its name implies, Dusk Form Lycanroc is a cross between its Midday and Midnight forms. It has an orange and white coat and can learn both forms' signature attacks, Accelerock and Counter. It also comes with a different ability, Tough Claws, which increases the power of attacks that make direct contact with an opponent. Dusk Form Lycanroc is exclusive to Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and so far, the only way to obtain one is to purchase either game by January 10; do that and you'll receive a special Rockruff that evolves into Dusk Form Lycanroc as a free gift.
New Features
Team Rainbow Rocket
In addition to the Ultra Recon Squad, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon introduce another new villainous group called Team Rainbow Rocket. Nintendo hasn't revealed many details about the team, but we know it is led by Team Rocket boss Giovanni and is made up of the leaders from every previous enemy team, including Archie and Maxie (Team Aqua/Magma from Ruby/Sapphire), Cyrus (Team Galactic from Diamond/Pearl), Ghetsis (Team Plasma from Black/White), and Lysandre (Team Flare from X/Y).
Ultra Wormholes
Ultra Wormholes were an important story element in Sun and Moon, allowing the Ultra Beasts to arrive to Alola from other worlds. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, you'll actually be able to travel through these wormholes atop either Solgaleo or Lunala and visit the worlds the Ultra Beasts come from. You'll also be able to encounter other powerful Pokemon by traveling through Ultra Wormholes, including previous Legendaries such as Mewtwo and Ho-Oh, neither of which appeared in the original Sun and Moon versions.
Beyond encountering Legendary Pokemon, you'll also use Ultra Wormholes to travel to a new area known as Ultra Megalopolis. Nintendo hasn't revealed many details about the mysterious city, but it has been described as "a world that has had its light stolen by Necrozma" and will undoubtedly play an important role in the games' story.
Battle Agency
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon introduce several new areas to the Alola region, as well, one of which is a new battle facility called the Battle Agency. As in the Battle Tree, players can take part in a series of three-on-three Pokemon battles against a gauntlet of AI opponents; however, you can only take rental Pokemon into battle. The variety of Pokemon you can rent at the Battle Agency increases the more you use the games' communications features with other players.
Move Tutors
The reward for winning battles in the Battle Tree and at other facilities across Alola is Battle Points, or BP, which can be spent on a range of rare, competitive battling items like Mega Stones. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, you'll also be able to spend your BP on new moves for your Pokemon, including some that they cannot normally learn through leveling up or with TMs.
Rotom Dex
The Rotom Dex plays an expanded role in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. In the new games, you'll be able to form a bond with your Rotom Dex the more you interact with it, which in turn will affect its personality. If you develop a strong enough bond with your Rotom Dex, you'll unlock its own unique Z-Power, which allows you to use a second Z-Move during battle.
Your Rotom Dex also has a new feature called Roto Loto, a slot machine-style mini-game that you can play at any time to get new items. The items can have a variety of different effects; some increase the amount of experience or money you earn for a period of time, while another temporarily decreases the amount of time it takes for Pokemon eggs.
New Z-Moves
Mega Evolution was one of the most notable features introduced in Pokemon X and Y, but in Sun and Moon, it was largely replaced with Z-Moves. At the start of your journey, you're given a Z-Ring, a special bracelet that allows your Pokemon to perform these ultra-powerful moves once per battle when it is equipped with a particular Z-Crystal.
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon expand on this by introducing a handful of new Z-Moves to the mix, many of which are exclusive to a particular Pokemon. In the new games, the Pikachu lookalike Mimikyu can use a new Z-Move called Let's Snuggle Forever when it's equipped with Mimikium Z. All three forms of Lycanroc can also use an exclusive Z-Move, Splintered Stormshards, while the Fighting/Dragon-type Kommo-o gets its own signature Z-Move called Clangorous Soulblaze.
The Legendary cover Pokemon Solgaleo and Lunala get their own exclusive Z-Moves in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, as well, which can also be used by Necrozma when it takes on its two new forms. Solgaleo and Dusk Mane Necrozma can use the Steel-type attack Searing Sunraze Smash when equipped with Solganium Z; Lunala and Dawn Wings Necrozma can unleash the Ghost-type Z-Move Menacing Moonraze Maelstrom when they hold Lunalium Z.
Mantine Surf
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon introduce a new mini-game called Mantine Surf. When you summon Mantine, you can use it to manually surf between the different islands of the Alola region. You can also perform a variety of tricks while surfing, which will increase your high score and reward you with BP.
Totem Stickers
Like last year's games, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon eschew traditional gym battles for island trials--different challenges that culminate in a battle against a Totem Pokemon. What sets these monsters apart from regular Pokemon is their size; Totem Pokemon are much larger than normal ones and are surrounded by an aura that boosts their stats.
This time around, you'll be able to add your own Totem-sized Pokemon to your team thanks to new Totem Stickers. These collectibles are hidden throughout the entire Alola region, and you'll be able to get your own giant Pokemon depending on how many Stickers you collect. Some of the Totem-sized Pokemon are exclusive to a specific version; Ultra Sun players, for instance, can get a giant Lurantis, while those with Ultra Moon can get a Totem-sized Salazzle.
The pictures also include fresh looks at two of the franchise's newest stars--Laura Dern as Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo and Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico. Check some of the images out in the gallery below, and the rest over at EW.
The Last Jedi is directed by Rian Johnson and stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Carrie Fisher, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, and Andy Serkis. It hits theaters on December 15.
In a recent interview with the New York Times, Johnson spoke about his experience of first meeting Star Wars legends Mark Hamill and the late Carrie Fisher. "It took a while before I could sit across the table with Mark and not, every three seconds, think, I'm talking to Luke Skywalker," he said. "With Carrie, I felt we connected as writers very quickly. She spoke her mind, man. They both did.
"Anyone whose life is that weirdly tied to a character like this, where you drop a script in their lap and say, 'Now it's this,' there's no way it's not a discussion. But they were both so engaged in the process, and trusting. The fact that both of them at some point said, 'OK, even if this isn't what I was expecting, I'm going to trust you'--that was really touching."
Unsurprisingly, the movie is expected to have a huge opening weekend at the box office. Early first-weekend projections have predicted that the film will make $215 million in the US over its first three days. While that would be below The Force Awakens' first-weekend haul of $247 million, it would still be the second-biggest of all time, ahead of Jurassic World's $208 million opening in 2015.
Netflix has announced what's coming and going in the month of November. As usual with the streaming service, many titles--both original and not--will be added to the service leading throughout the month. One particularly interesting addition is the upcoming documentary Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond, which is made up of behind-the-scenes footage of Jim Carrey during production of Man on the Moon--the Andy Kaufman biopic.
Of course, the most anticipated release of the month for Netflix is none other than Marvel's The Punisher. The streamer's first Marvel series after Defenders is streaming now, with Jon Bernthal playing the gun-toting vigilante. November will also see the arrival of new seasons of Lady Dynamite and Broadchurch, along with movies like Chappie, Men in Black, and Piranha.
Leaving Netflix isthe Matrix Trilogy, V for Vendetta, and The Human Centipede: First Sequence, to name a few. On the TV front, the streaming service will also remove all nine seasons of How I Met Your Mother, along with four seasons of Jessie.
The next pair of Pokemon games, Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, have released on 3DS, marking the series' final installments for Nintendo's dual-screen handheld. The titles are based on last year's Sun and Moon versions but tell an "alternate" story that revolves around the mysterious Legendary Pokemon Necrozma. While the core adventure remains the same across both versions, each game has some some distinct elements, so you may be unsure of which to pick up. We break down the biggest differences between the two versions below to help you decide which one to play. For more, you can also check out our Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon review and breakdown of the new Pokemon (and everything else) in Ultra Sun and Moon.
Which Version Should You Get?
We recently had the opportunity to interview the developers of Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and one of the topics they weighed in on is which version players should pick up. "In essence there's no real problem with whichever one you buy, you're going to get a really good experience of Pokemon," said Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon director Kazumasa Iwao.
"But one point users might want to consider is that the Pokedex in Pokemon Ultra Sun is based on the Pokedex in Pokemon Sun and the same for Ultra Moon and Moon. So if something the players are really looking for is Pokedex completion, they might find it better to go for the opposite version this time round in order to help complete their Pokedex. So if they bought Pokemon Sun, they might want to choose Pokemon Ultra Moon this time."
However, those who care more about the games' narrative may want to consider sticking with the same version this time. As producer Shigeru Ohmori explained, "[I]f you're looking for a story-based experience then those who played Pokemon Sun may want to go for Ultra Sun as there are some small details that remain consistent throughout the two that might appeal to people looking for a story-based game."
General Differences
Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon tell the same story and feature the same cast of major characters, but there are some slight differences between the two titles that will make the experience unique depending on the version you choose to play. As in the original Sun and Moon, the two games are set 12 hours apart. Ultra Sun will reflect the time that is set in your 3DS clock, while Ultra Moon will be 12 hours ahead--meaning if you play during the day, it will be night in the game.
Additionally, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon introduce a mysterious new group called the Ultra Recon Squad. This team arrives in Alola through an Ultra Wormhole and has some sort of connection to the Ultra Beasts; in one trailer, the group can be seen commanding the new Ultra Beast, UB-Adhesive. You'll encounter different members of the Ultra Recon Squad depending on which version you play. In Ultra Sun, players will cross paths with Dulse and Zossie; in Ultra Moon, players will meet Phyco and Soliera.
Ultra Recon Squad, from left to right: Dulse, Zossie, Soliera, and Phyco
Version-Exclusive Pokemon
As with every pair of Pokemon titles, the primary difference between Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon is the kinds of Pokemon you can encounter in each version. While both games feature most of the same monsters, each one is also home to a handful of exclusive Pokemon that cannot be captured in the other version. Below you'll find a list of all the version-exclusive Pokemon that have been confirmed so far:
Ultra Sun-Exclusive Pokemon
Alolan Vulpix
Alolan Ninetales
Houndour
Houndoom
Cranidos
Rampardos
Cottonee
Whimsicott
Tirtouga
Carracosta
Rufflet
Braviary
Lurantis (Totem-sized)
Passimian
Turtonator
Ultra Moon-Exclusive Pokemon
Alolan Sandshrew
Alolan Sandslash
Electrike
Manectric
Shieldon
Bastiodon
Petilil
Lilligant
Archen
Archeops
Vullaby
Mandibuzz
Salazzle (Totem-sized)
Oranguru
Drampa
Legendary Pokemon
The Alola region is also home to a diverse array of Legendary Pokemon, and thanks to the appearance of Ultra Wormholes in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, players will be able to encounter Legendaries from past regions, as well. Every single Legendary Pokemon from previous gens returns in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, though as is the case with regular Pokemon, some can only be encountered in a specific version. Here's the list of all the version-exclusive Legendaries that appear in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
Ultra Sun-Exclusive Legendaries
Ho-oh
Raikou
Groudon
Latios
Dialga
Heatran
Reshiram
Tornadus
Xerneas
Buzzwole
Kartana
Dusk Mane Necrozma
UB-Burst
Ultra Moon-Exclusive Legendaries
Lugia
Entei
Kyogre
Latias
Palkia
Regigigas
Zekrom
Thundurus
Yveltal
Lunala
Pheromosa
Celesteela
Dawn Wings Necrozma
UB-Assembly
Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon release for 3DS on November 17. Along with an expanded storyline, the games introduce many new features and characters, including a new surfing game and Team Rainbow Rocket, a villainous supergroup comprised of the leaders from past teams. Players who purchase either title by January 10, 2018 will receive a free gift: a special Rockruff that evolves into the new Dusk Form Lycanroc.
Ahead of Black Friday this week, Sony has cut the RRP of its PS4 Pro bundles and PlayStation Plus subscriptions in the UK. The PS4 Pro is now available in a number of bundles for £300, while a year's worth of PS Plus now costs £37.50, just below what 12 months used to cost before this year's PS Plus price increase.
Two PS4 Pro deals have come into effect with the price cut: one bundling a PS4 Pro system with FIFA 18 and Call of Duty: WWII, and one featuring either the Jet Black or Glacier White PS4 Pro along with Call of Duty: WWII and Gran Turismo Sport. Both of these bundles will cost £300 (where the system usually costs £340 by itself), a price that is available from now until 11:59 PM GMT on Monday, November 27. The PS Plus offer, meanwhile, applies from "participating retailers" and from the PlayStation Store until 10 AM GMT the following day (Tuesday, November 28).
Finally, a number of games will be discounted by up to 60% on the PS Store from 12:01 AM this Wednesday, November 23. Those discounts are already live for PS Plus members, and they include games like Mirror's Edge Catalyst (£6.19), Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception Remastered (£6.19), and Rayman Legends (£5.50). Those deals are good until 11:59 PM GMT on Monday, November 27.
Some fans have already gotten a taste of Star Wars Battlefront II thanks to its early trial on EA/Origin Access, but today marks the game's official release. While much of the conversation around it has centered on its controversial handling of microtransactions and fan backlash (which ultimately forced EA to temporarily drop them just prior to release), developer DICE has built on the previous Star Wars Battlefront in some notable ways with Battlefront II, one of which is its new campaign.
Unlike its predecessor, Battlefront II features a full-fledged single-player storyline that's set between the events of Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. The campaign puts players in the role of Iden Versio, the commander of an Imperial special forces unit known as the Inferno Squad and the primary character you play as throughout the campaign's 5-8-hour runtime.
Battlefront II's campaign is a canonical part of the franchise, filling in important details that lead up to the rise of the First Order in The Force Awakens and dropping clues as to what could be in store the next Star Wars film, The Last Jedi. If you're eager to see what happens in Battlefront II's story without the need to play through the campaign, we've compiled all of its cutscenes and some gameplay clips together in the video above so you can watch the entire tale unfold as if it were its own Star Wars movie.
Star Wars Battlefront II is available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. In our Battlefront II review-in-progress, critic Alessandro Fillari said the game's campaign "does a decent job of showing the internal strife within the Empire's ranks," though it ultimately "falls a bit short of making it a remarkable journey for its characters."
The Dragon Ball FighterZ roster continues to grow. Three more characters were confirmed for the highly anticipated Dragon Ball fighting game in the latest issue of Japanese magazine V-Jump: adult Gohan, Gotenks, and Kid Buu.
The magazine includes a few screenshots of each character, as well as details about the attacks they use (via Gematsu). Adult Gohan's special is the Ultimate Kamehameha, and he can unlock his potential depending on the amount of ki in his gauge. Trunks and Goten's fused form, Gotenks, is shown in his Super Saiyan 3 form and can use his "Charging Ultra Buu Buu Volleyball" and Super Ghost Kamikaze attacks. Majin Buu's final form, Kid Buu, has "tricky attacks" thanks to his elastic body, and he can unleash his devastating "Planet Burst."
The magazine also reveals some details about the in-game shop and Arcade mode in Dragon Ball FighterZ. Players can use the Zeni they accrue from battles to purchase titles and different character color variants from the shop. Arcade mode, meanwhile, pits you in a predetermined number of battles, with your route through the fights changing depending on whether you win or lose.
A new selection of deals is now available in the PlayStation Store in the US. This week doesn't see any publisher-specific sales, though PS4, PS3, and Vita owners can still get some interesting games at a discount. [Update: This is your last chance to take advantage of the following deals before they expire tomorrow, November 21. PS Plus members, meanwhile, still have early access to PS4's Black Friday PSN sale, which will add more games and expand to include non-Plus members also on November 21.]
On PS4, players can pick up two of Two Tribes' fun titles, Toki Tori 2+ and Rive, for very cheap. The former runs for $3.74, while the latter is $5.09. You can also purchase a bundle of the two game together for $8.09. In addition to that, the retro-inspired RPG Citizens of Earth is available for $3, while River City Melee: Battle Royale Special drops to $8. Some other PS4 games on sale include Blade & Bones ($9.74), Tokyo 42 ($16), and Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition Duke Nukem Bundle ($40.49).
Most of these deals are only available for a limited time and run until 11 AM ET on November 21. You can find the full list of discounts available this week on the PlayStation Store. There are also some great retail and digital PlayStation deals for Black Friday next week. You can find full breakdowns of all the other Black Friday offers at retailers through the links below:
Sony has launched the next set of free games for PlayStation Plus members. We're now well into November, and subscribers can download a total of seven titles across PS4, PS3, and Vita. That's one more than usual, as Sony is again offering a bonus PlayStation VR game following the headset's recent one-year anniversary. As usual, PS4 owners have the widest and best selection of games, but you've got something to look forward to regardless of platform.
PS4 owners with PS Plus have four games in total to nab for free right now: strategy game Worms Battlegrounds, the gorgeous (but hard-to-describe) Bound, and PSVR shooter Until Dawn: Rush of Blood; the latter will be available for longer than the other games, as it's not a part of the standard monthly lineup. Additionally, Cross-Buy provides PS4 players with a fourth title at no cost, the action RPG Dungeon Punks.
All of the standard PS Plus freebie can be claimed until December 5, when they'll return to their regular prices. By adding them to your library before then, you can play them for as long as you remain a Plus subscriber. Until Dawn: Rush of Blood, meanwhile, remains free until January 3. You can see the full list of this month's PS Plus freebies and grab them from the links below. Additionally, a Black Friday sale will begin soon ahead of the actual big shopping day, with PS Plus members getting early access.
It took a bit longer than some other retailers, but Toys R Us has finally given us a look at its Black Friday 2017 deals. The retailer's ad has been released, and while its focus is on toys, as you'd expect, there are also quite a few deals to be had across PS4 and Xbox One, as well as some for Nintendo Switch and 3DS.
In terms of hardware, we're seeing similar offers to elsewhere. The Switch console itself is not listed, nor is Xbox One X or PS4 Pro. However, the older models of those two consoles are on sale. You can pick up a 1 TB PS4 for $200, or a 500 GB Xbox One S for $190. In both cases, you won't get any bundled games. The LucidSound LS20 wired headset, which works with both consoles, will be on sale for 50% off, dropping its price to $40. Select controllers for Microsoft and Sony boxes are $20 off, bringing the cheapest options to $40.
A number of games are on sale as well, although frustratingly, the ad only lists the amount you'll save--not the actual price. In our comprehensive list of deals below, we've calculated the sale price using the currently listed MSRP on the Toys R Us website. In some cases, this results in prices that are markedly higher than what the competition is offering, while other prices are roughly in line with what you'll find at places like Best Buy and Walmart. In other words, some of the actual prices may end up being lower than what we've listed, but you can at least get a sense of what the possible costs will be. None are likely to end up higher than what we've laid out.
You can find the full list of games, consoles, and accessories in Toys R Us's flyer below or on its website. The ad doesn't make it clear if it will have more games on sale than those included. Also of note is the special green Zelda 2DS, which is launching on Black Friday at select retailers, is not shown, so you may need to head elsewhere if you're interested. For a complete rundown on Black Friday deals, hit the links below to check out our other sale roundups.
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