News

After reintroducing the Area-51 desktop earlier this year at CES, Alienware has now unleashed a new range of gaming laptops under its Aurora brand. The latest Aurora 16 and 16X laptops are powered by Intel’s Raptor Lake Refresh/Arrow Lake CPUs and RTX 50-series GPUs, and they even have redesigned chassis with a more subtle design compared to what we’re typically used to seeing the brand. The new Aurora 16 and 16X gaming laptops are now up for grabs starting at $1,149.99 and 1,949.99 shipped, respectively, and you can learn more about them below.

Today might be your last chance to secure a Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order folks. Switch 2 pre-orders came and went awfully quick at the tail end of last month. While we did catch a quick re-stock at Walmart that more than a few 9to5Toys readers were able to take advantage of the following weekend, console pre-orders in the U.S. (and basically everywhere else) have been long gone since then. Most major retailers, including Walmart, have now updated their Switch 2 console listings to ready for launch day – this appears to be the next chance we’ll have to score one at retail, but there is still a chance to land a pre-order, is not a big chance, but there is still hope as Nintendo’s invites will go out starting tomorrow. 

The looming and rumored upcoming release of the Sony XM6 headphones are easily the most anticipated thing in personal audio thus far in 2025. Leaks, rumors, and datamined details have been surfacing across the web in full force over the last few months (and well before that) but a listing for the new headphones quickly popped up on Amazon Spain over the last several hours, all but conforming an imminent release while also leaking a potential release date and the specs of the beloved next XM series headphones.

We first heard about an Xbox-branded gaming handheld earlier this year in March when the rumor mill started churning out reports about Microsoft working with an OEM partner for it. Now, a fresh set of leaked images have shown up online, giving us our first look at what appears to be ASUS’ ROG Ally 2 handheld. There are two different models posing for these photos, and one of them features a dedicated Xbox button, which further fuels the rumors of an Xbox-branded handheld. Head below for a closer look and more details of these handhelds.

After the tease we got from Lectric Ebikes regarding the next generation of America’s best-selling e-bike, the veil is finally being lifted on exactly what we can expect from one of the leaders of the e-mobility world. Today, Lectric is announcing the launch of its latest commuting solutions, the XP4 and XP4 750 e-bikes, which come with an array of upgrades from its predecessor, all while sticking to its principles of accessibility. Head below to learn all about these new models and their preorder bundle prices.

The e-mobility world has been quite abuzz since Lectric Ebikes changed its front page with what seems to be a teaser for the next generation of one of our – and America’s – favorite and best-selling e-bikes. As we reported, the clock is counting down towards the big news, and it’s almost time for us to find out just what we can expect from the brand going forward. Head below to tune in and get updates as to what is revealed from the livestream showcase in less than an hour.

In just a few weeks after announcing the launch of its RTX 5060 family of graphics cards, NVIDIA has now confirmed that its entry-level RTX 5060 GPU will hit the shelves later this month on May 19. This is the $299 graphics card that was announced alongside the two RTX 5060 Ti models that went on sale last month and now available at various retailers like Amazon. The RTX 5060 will go on sale on May 19 and will be available to buy from retail partners starting at 12PM ET. Head below for more details.

Just after officially delaying the new most highly-anticipated title in gaming, Rockstar has finally unleashed the second Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer. Simply entitled Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer 2, you can watch the new GTA VI footage down below. 

The Backbone One has largely remained on the short list of the best mobile controllers out there for quite some time, but today the company is going next-generation with the reveal of the new Backbone Pro. The controller carries some added functionality, deeper integration on a wider array of platforms, wireless connectivity, and complete customization. It will be available for purchase any minute now. 

Microsoft has taken to the official Xbox Wire to announce that Gears of War: Reloaded is landing on Xbox, Steam and PlayStation 5 this summer. Reloaded, as the name suggests is a complete remaster of the original Gears game from nearly 20 year ago now, and Xbox is ready to launch it across all platforms (other than Switch 1/2) as well as Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass. 

America’s best-selling e-bike brand, Lectric Ebikes is prepping for the launch of the next generation of one of our favorite e-bikes, teasing the release of its latest iteration of the country’s most popular folding e-bike. Based on all the clues we’ve spotted coming from the brand, the new Lectric XP4 looks to be fast approaching. Head below to check out all the information we’ve collected so far, and check back in here tomorrow for more updates as they come.

The biggest day in the galaxy has finally arrived, as the May the 4th festivities officially begin for Star Wars Day 2025. A string of new releases join a massive collection of deals on just about all things Star Wars today from LEGO and collectibles, to games on all major platforms, clothing, tech accessories, and even life-size figures in the form of functioning droids and the most adorable Jedi in the galaxy. We have collected all of the top May the 4th deals and gear you need to check out today down below with even more on the way shortly.

May the 4th be with you – as LEGO Star Wars Day 2025 is finally here! With three days officially down, we’re now at the titular peak of the global event that is bringing you all the very best of Star Wars merch. Whether you’ve pledged yourself to defend the Republic or embraced the power of the Dark Side, we’ve collected the best promotions and deals in the brick-built galaxy far, far away and put together this one-stop shopping hub for you to peruse at your leisure – but of course, don’t meditate too long on decisions as the official celebrations will only last through May 5, 2025. Head below to check out all the very best LEGO Star Wars deals while they’re still around.

Rockstar has now officially delayed the release of Grand Theft Auto VI until May 2026. In an official announcement on the Rockstar Games site this morning, and after just about all indications pointed to the biggest game on the pending release schedule (or maybe ever) landing this year, Rockstar has confirmed GTA VI will not see store shelves until next year. 

I finally did it—I submitted my Pokémon cards for grading for the very first time. And instead of going with PSA or Beckett, I decided to try something different: TAG. TAG is one of the newer grading companies out there, and what makes them interesting is that they use AI to grade cards, not people. This wasn’t about resale value. I just wanted to experience the entire process and see if it’s worth it for a casual collector like me. I found there to be a lack of content online on the step-by-step nuanced detail, so I figured I’d do it myself.

That PS5 Slim Astro Bot bundle might be your last to score a proper deal on a console this year. Switch 2 pre-orders launched at a higher price than last generation with potential price hikes inbound after launch. Xbox just announced an $80 price jump on all console hardware in the U.S., and Sony has already increased the price of its consoles internationally. The sweeping Trump tariffs are starting to seriously take hold on just about everything to some degree, and especially in the gaming world…That PS5 Slim Astro Bot bundle at $110 off is starting to look seriously enticing. 

Microsoft has now confirmed it is raising the price of all Xbox Series X|S consoles alongside $80 list prices on physical games. In an official announcement made this morning, Microsoft Xbox brand announced sweeping price hikes across its latest-generation gaming hardware alongside first-party peripherals like controllers and headsets as well as some of its upcoming games. 

After a short and sweet leak yesterday, Sony quickly confirmed Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford’s accidental tweet stating the new release date for Borderlands 4, and scheduled in today’s next State of Play showcase. Borderlands 4 is confirmed for release on all major consoles, Switch 2 included, but today Sony will be hosting a gameplay deep dive on the highly-anticipated title ahead of its September launch. 

Arguably the greatest and most adorable new release for Star Wars Day is now up for pre-order as the new life-size Grogu collectible figure from Hot Toys is now live. We loved our time with previous iterations of these life-sized Grogu figures, but this latest Hot Toys release is even more impressive if you ask me – the details in the face alone are seriously impressive. Now up for pre-sale and starting to ship in June, you can secure one right now for $270 before they (probably) sell out. 

May 2025 is almost here, which means builders are getting ready for all the new LEGO sets poised to release, but with the added bonus of the LEGO Group’s May the 4th offers and promotions. Everyone has been quite abuzz with excitement since the nine new LEGO Star Wars sets were revealed two weeks ago, and now that the clock has nearly ticked over to a new month, it’s time for our monthly rundown of everything that is coming. In total, we have 14 new builds that will be hitting shelves, along with some GWPs, redeemable Insiders rewards – plus, 23 sets that will earn you 2x Insiders Points and 3 sets that will score you 4x Insiders points. Head below to get the full breakdown of what new LEGO sets are available in May 2025, as well as all the additional promotions you can take advantage of during the month’s first five days.

Update: You can now preorder Rad Power’s new RadRunner Max Cargo Utility e-bike with a free extra battery (a $499 value) for $2,299 shipped until it begins shipping sometime around May 7.

Since February, we’ve seen Rad Power Bikes continue offering its RadRunner series of e-bikes at the lowest prices we have seen in their history, which has had fans of the e-mobility brand questioning just what is about to happen to some of the most beloved models under the Rad flag. Today, we’re finally getting our answer as Rad Power launches the next generation of the fan-favorites, with two – The RadRunner and RadRunner Plus – immediately hitting the market, while the third – the all-new RadRunner Max – opens for preorders. On top of these, there’s also a new RadRunner Range Extender being launched for preorder. You can learn all about these new models and their prices below, complete with links to secure your own.

Some new details have surfaced pointing at what appears to be an imminent release of the more than long-awaited Sony XM6 headphones. Rumors, FCC filings, and datamined/import details seemingly point at an upcoming new release from Sony’s over-ear department, but a new leak courtesy of Apple’s Made for iPhone/iPad certification program suggest the next-generation of the beloved headphones could be revealed much sooner than not. 

Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders have now likely come and gone for good, and that leaves us to think about the games we will be playing come June 5 for launch and beyond. And even if you didn’t get a chance to secure a console, all signs point to there being another run of units ready for launch day before the rest of the 2025 Switch 2 titles start to release. We have already detailed and updated our growing list of Switch 2 launch games and launch window titles, but let’s look at some of the other titles still expected to be landing on the next-generation of Nintendo hardware. 

I recently went hands-on with UGREEN’s FineTrack Smart Finder which is a reliable AirTag alternative I still use daily to keep track of my car keys and get notifications if/when I leave it behind. While its compact design works well for keys, backpacks, and travel luggage, it’s too thick for a wallet. So when the folks over at UGREEN reached out asking if I wanted to test their FineTrack Slim wallet tracker, I was immediately intrigued. At 1.7mm thick, it’s perfect for keeping in your wallet without making it feel bulky. I’ve been using it for a while now and it’s time to tell you if it’s worth the price.

PlayStation has now officially announced the next State of Play and this time it’s going to be all about the new Borderlands 4. Right after theGearbox CEO Randy Pitchford “leaked” a new sooner release for the game and all but confirmed there was an upcoming spring State of Play inbound, Sony has now taken to PlayStation Blog to make it official. 

Amazon has now officially announced the upcoming Prime Day 2025. We all assumed it was coming soon, but Amazon has now made its upcoming July Prime Day event official with an update on its news feed this morning. The now twice yearly event comes in the form of a summer sale followed by one in the fall and you can scope out all of the details we have thus far down below.

Update 5/2: After Walmart’s Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch 2 Mario Kart World listings disappeared, they are now back and officially marked as coming back in-stock for launch day on June 5:

• Nintendo Switch 2 Console
• Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle

As I’m sure you know by now, Nintendo finally kicked off pre-orders for Switch 2 in the U.S. and Canada last week – they sold out almost immediately. Some folks were lucky and some folks weren’t on April 24, but just as our sources confirmed, there was a short but very sweet Switch 2 pre-order re-stock at Walmart this past weekend and some folks confirmed to have actually scored one over 48 hours after the internet reported they were entirely sold out. While we may or may not see another pre-order re-stock before launch, there is some light at the end of the warp pipe. 

ESR is debuting a new mouse today that can magnetically attach to laptops and tablets. Called MagMouse, it’s a wireless mouse that snaps on to laptops and tablets with the help of a reusable magnetic base. It’s designed to make your live easier by making it convenient to grab and go between meetings, classrooms, workspaces, and more. There are and have been other magnetic models out there, as well as mice with integrated cables, but according to ESR this is the “world’s first” to add the snap-and-go convenience. This particular mouse is now live on Kickstarter and early backers can score a unit for just $24, which is 32% less than its $36 listed price. Head below for more details.

After Nintendo confirmed that it would not be raising prices on Switch 2 the way it did on the accessories, we also got confirmation that it would be holding strong on Switch 2 exclusive games and the Switch 2 Edition releases as well. Donkey Kong Bananza, Mario Kart World, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Editions, as well as Kirby and The Forgotten Land and Super Mario Party Jamboree Switch 2 Editions, both with the already announced expansion packs, are all going to be big ticket items that are going up for pre-order tonight alongside the console. 

Update 4/26: Walmart is now showing Nintendo Switch 2 and the Mario Kart World bundle pre-orders in-stock:

Walmart – Nintendo Switch 2 preorder 

• Nintendo Switch 2 Console
• Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle

Did Switch 2 pre-orders sell out? Yes, and quick too, but there might still be hope. Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and GameStop all sold out shortly after going live yesterday, as just about everyone expected. It seems as though plenty of folks were able to land one, but not everyone was so lucky. That leaves some of us waiting, wondering, and hoping that someone, somewhere might still have some stock on the way, and it appears as though some of the retailers that might not have been on the top of your list might still be readying some pre-sale options for Switch 2. 

Razer has added two new mice to its catalog – the Pro Click V2 and Pro Click V2 Vertical. The standard Pro Click V2 replaces the original Pro Click model whereas the Pro Click V2 Vertical is a completely new mouse in the brand’s mice collection. It’s the brand’s first vertical mouse with which it aims to compete directly with the likes of Logitech in the vertical mouse space. The Razer Pro Click V2 is now up for grabs at Amazon for $119.99 shipped while the standard model is “coming soon” exclusively at Razer’s online store. Head below for a closer look and more details.

The official listing for the new wireless Nintendo GameCube controller is now live on the Nintendo site and we now know when it will go up for sale. Nintendo announced its new Switch Online GameCube library for Switch 2 as part of its Direct presentation at the top of the month and, along with it, the new modern take on the GameCube Controller we know will be available for purchase starting next month. 

Let’s take a look at the official Switch accessory pre-orders. Securing an actual Switch 2 console has been a frustrating process for some and an exciting one for others, whether you got one or not really, and while the big three – Walmart, Target, and Best Buy – are currently out of stock on the console, we might very well see additional units go live throughout the day and the coming weeks, not to mention some of the hold out retailers like Sam’s Club and Newegg that already have listings up that haven’t gone in stock yet. All of that said, if you did get lucky and secure one, or know you will at some point, the Switch Edition/Exclusive games are still in-stock right now and so are the official Switch accessories like the Switch 2 Pro Controller. 

Following the latest LEGO news, I’m sure many folks are buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming LEGO May the 4th event, especially with the lineup of new Star Wars sets that were revealed not long ago. But as we are approaching May, that also means we’re entering the 2025 LEGO summer reveal season, and the brick-built company is officially ripping the veil off three new Fortnite sets that will be hitting the market in June and one that will be coming in August, with preorders opening on the latter. Head below to learn more.

Update 4/24: Switch 2 pre-orders are scheduled go live again this morning at GameStop.

Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders are now live at Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and more. Nintendo hosted its long-awaited Switch 2 Direct on April 2, 2025 after officially unveiling the new Switch 2 console back in January, and, after pre-orders were initially delayed, they are finally set to go live at (just about) all major retailers in the U.S any minute, and it might be a good idea to go get in the queue folks, just in case.

We are now under 12 hours out from the launch of Switch 2 pre-orders and it’s going to be a total free-for-all in quite potentially the worst way possible. Will there even be close to enough Switch 2 units to go around tonight? Probably not. Will everyone who actually goes to pre-order one at midnight tonight actually get one? Almost certainly not. But while everyone is refreshing like ravenous dog at Best Buy, Target, and Walmart, there are some other sources of Switch 2 pre-orders to consider if you don’t have any luck later tonight. 

Update: Pre-orders for the upcoming Ghost of Yōtei are now live at Best Buy for $69.99 – the $250 Collector’s Edition is live at PS Direct. 

Back in September 2024 Sony hosted a PlayStation State of Play showcase and the new Ghost of Yōtei completely stole the show. It was honestly hard for just about to care about any other mention in the show and the game has gone mostly dark since then, but Sony just took to the official PlayStation Blog to officially announce the 2025 release date. 

Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders are going live tonight at just about all major retailers across the U.S. and Canada. Nintendo has announced that pre-orders will begin on April 24 – they will actually start late tonight on April 23 if you’re on the west coast (more details below on this) – and at the same price it initially announced in early April. Despite the delays and market uncertainty in the wake of global tariffs, Nintendo has held firm on the June 5 releases date as well as the price both of the standard Switch 2 console and the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle, and pre-orders will go live in well under 24 hours now. 

Nomad’s Glow Apple Watch bands can be hard to score in-stock, and it is officially bringing the Icy Blue glow treatment to its Rocky Point variant today (starting right now). These bands tend to sell out very quickly when they do come back (or debut), so there’s no telling how long this might stick around for. Check it below. 

After nearly two full years of rumors, Bethesda has finally now confirmed the existence of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered and today is the day it will finally give us an official look at it. That is providing you don’t count the seemingly official images that were uncovered on the developer’s site last week, but either way Bethesda is set to host what appears to be a livestream or to at least launch some sort of trailer/showcase for the game this morning and you can check it out below. 

Now just 24 hours away from go time, we now know what time Switch 2 pre-orders will go live at Best Buy. Up until now, only Target, Walmart, and GameStop had officially confirmed exactly what time pre-orders would begin for Switch 2 on April 24 this week, leaving Best Buy as the last major hold out to confirm the go time. 

Arc finally expanded its horizons, reaching beyond the aerospace-grade metal smartphone bumper cases it cut its teeth on (and made a name for itself with) by releasing its all-new Arc Pulse AirPods Pro 2 case. Leveraging a similar design and installation process, I love its iPhone 16 Pro Bumper Case and couldn’t wait to see if it could bring that magic to AirPods – spoiler alert…it totally did. My complete hands-on impressions await below. 

I guess it won’t come as much surprise to anyone who has been following our coverage and the near endless number of rumors and leaks over the last few months, but Bethesda has now officially confirmed The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered release. 

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, according to a recently spotted PEGI rating. We already have a good idea of the games that will be launching for Switch 2 starting right from day 1 on June 5 through to holiday 2025 and even beyond – FromSoftware’s Switch 2 exclusive The Duskbloods has been slated for a 2026 launch. On top of a slew of all new Switch 2 exclusive titles from Nintendo, the Switch 2 Edition enhanced titles, and a collection of third-party ports, after Ubisoft confirmed the release date for its latest AAA Start Wars release last week it looks as though the latest entry in the long-running and beloved Assassin’s Creed series will be following along shortly. 

Let’s take a look at all of the new Mario Kart World characters now that Nintendo has fully revealed its new flagship Switch 2 game. The Mario Kart series has been one of the most popular Nintendo releases for years and the new Mario Kart World is going to get off to a serious Boost Start if the Switch 2 bundle sells out as fast as it seems like it’s going too. This year Nintendo is not only taking its mascot racer open-world, but it is also introducing some new Drive-Thru costume mechanics, a host of new courses, new items to throw at your friends, and a sizable expansion to the roster of racers. 

Update 4/21: Confirmed Switch 2 pre-order start times as of today:

• Best Buy April 24 at 12 a.m. ET online
• Target April 24 at 12 a.m. ET online
• Walmart April 24 at 12 a.m. ET online 
• GameStop April 24 at 11 a.m. ET online (and when local in-store opens)

Nintendo has officially announced the new April 24 pre-order date for its highly sought-after next-generation console, but what time will Switch 2 pre-orders begin that day? It’s hard to imagine there actually being enough consoles to go around next week, but only time will tell and being ready to pull the trigger in a timely fashion is likely going to be very important.

Let’s-a-go! Nintendo has now officially announced that Switch 2 pre-orders will begin next week in the U.S. No more leaks, no rumors, no maybes, this is it…the real thing (again). And on top of that, pricing will remain exactly the same as was initially announced. 

As a country girl from Mississippi, I was never much a fan of camping – for one, because that far south, temperatures and humidity were unbearable during certain times of the year, and for another, because we already lived in a rural area so I would always rather enjoy nature near home and return to the comforts of AC when I was exhausted and dehydrating. It wasn’t until I moved northward, now living in NYC for 17 years, that I came to enjoy the disconnect camping – or even just hanging out all day in a park – could afford. Of course, this usually involves filling and refilling a cooler with more and more ice as the hours went on, which is no longer a problem when introducing an electric cooler into the equation. Enter the Anker SOLIX EverFrost 2 58L Electric Cooler with its dual-zone compartments, which I’ve been testing out despite New York’s still-chilly spring weather, but will certainly be a useful companion once the recreational baseball season here picks up later this month, running through summer. Head below to read about my experience so far with this all-new model that makes ice runs a thing of the past.