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Walmart’s Lego Disney Pixar Bundle Includes Brand-New WALL-E And EVE Set

by admin September 2, 2025

Lego’s adorable new building set based on Disney Pixar’s beloved 2008 animated movie WALL-E is now available at major retailers, including Walmart and Amazon, and the Lego Store. The 811-piece model features buildable WALL-E, EVE, and M-O figures as well as Hal, the last plant on Earth, and a Garbage Cube. It’s perhaps a coincidence, but the launch of the new set coincides with a limited-time deal on WALL-E’s wonderful Criterion Collection 4K Blu-ray edition.

Pixar fans who don’t already own Lego’s 598-piece recreation of the Up House should check out Walmart’s Lego Pixar bundle deal before purchasing the new WALL-E set. Walmart has WALL-E and EVE bundled with the Up House for $95, which means you’re only spending $25 on the Up House. The Disney Pixar 2-in-1 Bundle is just one of over a dozen Lego bundle deals you’ll find exclusively at Walmart as part of the retailer’s Bricktember Sale. We wouldn’t expect this particular bundle to remain in stock for long.

WALL-E and EVE 43279 (Lego Disney Pixar)

The surprise return of WALL-E is welcome news for Pixar fans who love Lego–and paying retail prices for Lego sets. Back in 2015, WALL-E the robot made its brick-set debut in the Lego Ideas line. The 677-piece set retailed for $60 and was officially retired about a year later. Since then, the value of Lego Ideas WALL-E (21303) has skyrocketed. Today, a brand-new set is valued at just shy of $350. Even preowned sets that are already assembled can pull in $200, according to Brick Economy, a great resource that tracks online marketplace sales. And it’s not just one sale every couple of months; there are dozens of completed over the past few weeks.

So, if you’ve ever considered paying hundreds of dollars for Lego WALL-E, now you can get WALL-E, EVE, M-O, and more for $70 instead. Ironically, the value of the old WALL-E Lego set has only increased in recent weeks. The WALL-E robot in the old set is a bit larger than the new one, but the new model looks more realistic, which isn’t surprising since Lego continues to refine its engineering and design processes as time goes on.

Let’s take a closer look at the adorable upcoming WALL-E Lego set.

$70 | 811 Pieces

Lego’s store page for WALL-E and EVE doesn’t list dimensions for each buildable figure, but we know that WALL-E is over five inches tall. The EVE figure looks to be about an inch or two taller. WALL-E’s yellow body has a rusted, grimy look–the original looked freshly cleaned–which means the buildable M-O figure will probably try to clean the adorable little garbage collector with his spinning brush.

All three robots have movable arms and heads. WALL-E has functional wheels, so he can perform his duties collecting and compacting trash. The openable hatch on his chest has a compartment for a brick-built Garbage Cube. WALL-E’s pet cockroach Hal is built from a handful of bricks and can rest on the robot’s shoulder.

You can also recreate the scene where WALL-E shows EVE the plant he found. The set comes with a small buildable boot holding the tiny plant EVE protects and nurtures by storing it in her chest cavity.

WALL-E and EVE each have storage compartments

$95 (was $130) | Walmart Bricktember Exclusive Bundle

The Walmart-exclusive Bricktember bundle saves you $35 compared to the combined retail prices of WALL-E and EVE and the 598-piece Up House. That said, Walmart is currently selling the Up House for $38.49 (was $60), which means the discount shrinks to $13.49 based on today’s prices.

The Up House has been discounted to slightly below $30 before, but it usually sells out fast. Walmart’s bundle deal lets Pixar fans get the Up House for only $25.

Lego says the 811-piece build employs “advanced construction techniques,” which explains why this set is part of Lego’s adult lineup. These techniques are likely related to WALL-E’s gear and wheel systems. Plus, WALL-E has always been one of the most “for adults” Pixar films due to its filmmaking stylistic choices and heavy themes. With few spoken lines of dialogue, the 2008 animated movie pays homage to the era of silent films. WALL-E uses expressive characters, striking set pieces, and clever camera techniques to deliver a cautionary tale about the destruction of our environment, technology dependence, consumerism, loneliness, and other prescient themes.

Save on WALL-E’s Criterion Collection 4K Blu-ray Edition

WALL-E: The Criterion Collection (4K Blu-ray)

If you want to revisit the film while building the new Lego set, WALL-E has two different 4K Blu-ray editions. Notably, WALL-E is the only Pixar movie in The Criterion Collection. Fans can get WALL-E’s Criterion Collection 4K Blu-ray edition for only $31.46 (was $50) at Walmart and Amazon. This is a limited-time deal, but it’s unclear when it ends. Released in 2022, the three-disc set has nearly four hours of special features and is packaged in a display-worthy case with original art and a booklet with sketches, commentary, script notes, and more cool behind-the-scenes content. The Criterion Collection version was approved by director Andrew Stanton and supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The original Disney 4K Blu-ray edition also comes with three discs, but it doesn’t have as many special features and is limited to HDR10. It’s still a great way to watch WALL-E, but the Criterion version is the definitive physical edition.

WALL-E and EVE are also featured in Lego’s BrickHeadz figure series. Released in 2023, the 155-piece WALL-E and EVE BrickHeadz bundle is $15 and exclusive to the Lego Store.

Lego brick-built M-O, Hal, the boot plant, and Garbage Cube

More Disney Pixar Lego Sets

Adult Pixar fans should also check out the recently released Luxo Jr. Lego set. This 613-piece model lets nostalgic Pixar enthusiasts build the iconic studio mascot and the colorful ball he hops on to form the production logo you see before each movie. Part of the Lego Ideas series, Luxo Jr. launched in June for $70. Lego also launched a cute Toy Story Celebration Train & RC Car set for younger Pixar fans in June.

Neither of those two newer Pixar Lego sets have received discounts yet, but along with the aforementioned Up House, Walmart has Lego’s Inside Out 2 Mood Cubes for an all-time low price of $24.48. Check out Walmart’s Bricktember Sale for discounts on more Disney Lego sets.

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September 2, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

The Stunning Lord Of The Rings Collector’s Box Set Illustrated By Alan Lee Is 60% Off

by admin September 1, 2025

A beautiful box set of the best edition of The Lord of the Rings–the Centenary Edition illustrated by Alan Lee–is on sale for a fantastic price at Amazon and Walmart. Published last October with a lofty $325 price tag, The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set is discounted to only $135.37. The current price is roughly $1 higher than the all-time low ($134.25). In 2025, the price has generally hovered in the $180-$200 range, and the last discount as good as this one didn’t stick around for long.

The Deluxe Illustrated Box Set is is absolutely stunning. As someone who personally owns this edition of The Lord of the Rings–sadly, I paid considerably more for my copy–I think all big Tolkien fans would love to have this in their collection. So if you have a Lord of the Rings fan on your shopping list, the Deluxe Illustrated Box Set would make for a wonderful gift this holiday.

The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set (William Morrow, 2024)

You can read all about The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set below. The store pages at Amazon and Walmart only include one image of the books inside the display case, so I also included some of the gorgeous promotional images from Barnes & Noble’s store page.

We also included a look at the upcoming 2025 edition of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Illustrated Box Set, which is also illustrated by Alan Lee, and a list of deals on other collectible editions of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and Tolkien’s other Middle-earth tales. There are some terrific deals, including a limited-time price cut on the brand-new Great Tales of Middle-earth Box Set.

$135.37 (was $325)

The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set is a revamped version of the gorgeous Centenary Edition from 1992. Across the three hardcover volumes–The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King–there are more than 50 new pencil sketches and full-color paintings by beloved Lord of the Rings artist Alan Lee. All told, the box set has 1,332 pages, which makes it longer than most, if not all, editions of LOTR currently in print.

The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set (William Morrow, 2024)

The top and bottom page edges are sprayed dark blue, while the side edges were designed to resemble billowing smoke from Mount Doom’s eruption. Lee created new artwork for the covers, too. Each cover has a framed rectangular drawing in the center. The illustrations are inset on gray cloth board and surrounded by an elegant, silver foil-stamped border. Each book is quarterbound in blue leather, and the pages are sewn into the spine. You can mark your spot using the attached ribbon bookmark.

The silver-foil text along the spine and on the covers was stamped onto each book. The custom display case was constructed from cloth board and features stamped circular emblems designed by Lee. The case has rounded front edges to make it easy to remove each book. With all three books removed, you can peer inside the fully illustrated interior of the case. Lee’s depiction of Mount Doom’s eruption covers every surface inside the lovingly crafted slipcase.

The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set (William Morrow, 2024)

Inside each book, you’ll find a large art card that can be removed and displayed separately. Along with three art cards, you get a pair of foldout maps of Middle-earth drawn by Christopher Tolkien, the author’s literary executor who edited, expanded, and organized many supplementary writings about Middle-earth, including The Silmarillion and Tolkien’s Legendarium, which became the foundation for the massive 12-part series now known as The History of Middle-earth.

2025 Edition: $139.50 (was $150) | 2020 Edition: $72-$126

William Morrow is publishing another Lord of the Rings box set illustrated by Alan Lee on October 14. It’s not nearly as fancy as the three-volume Deluxe Illustrated Box Set, but it comes with a notable addition: The Hobbit, also illustrated by Lee. This four-volume hardcover set features the Centenary Edition of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit’s 60th Anniversary Edition.

The dust jackets and display box have fully illustrated artwork by Alan Lee. Overall, the exterior design aesthetic is similar to the 2024 History of Middle-earth Box Sets and the recently released pair of box sets: Tolkien Myths and Legends and The Great Tales of Middle-earth.

You’d miss out on the exclusive paintings and sketches from the Deluxe Illustrated Box Set as well as premium features like quarterbound blue leather, cloth board covers, the custom case, etc. In return, you’d get The Hobbit with Lee’s wonderful illustrations.

Due to the deal on the Deluxe Illustrated Box Set, you’d actually pay more for this four-volume, $150 collection–unless you bought the 2020 edition.

It’s all a bit confusing, but this box set was originally published in the UK in 2020. The upcoming US edition appears to be the same as the old one. The 2020 version is available to buy from resellers at Amazon and Walmart for far less than $139.50. Strangely enough, Amazon actually has it in stock, too–sold and shipped by Amazon–for $126.67.

You can buy the 2020 set from a third-party seller for $89 at Amazon. Notably, your order will still be shipped directly from Amazon. You can buy the set from a reseller at Walmart for $72, and your order will be shipped from Walmart’s warehouse.

2025 Edition

2020 Edition

The History of Middle-earth Box Sets (William Morrow, 2024)

William Morrow’s ongoing series of hardcover box sets with decorative slipcases and reversible dust jackets kicked off last year with the publication of four box sets compiling The History of Middle-earth. Although originally a 12-volume series, the new box set series has 15 books and starts with The Silmarillion, which isn’t technically part of The History of Middle-earth–though you should read it before diving into the wide-ranging collection that further demonstrates Tolkien’s mastery of building fantasy worlds. All four History of Middle-earth Box Sets are on sale for huge discounts. Alternatively, the three-volume, 5,440-page Complete History of Middle-earth is on sale for $106 (was $250). All five box sets below include hardcover books and slipcases.

Tolkien Myths and Legends & The Great Tales of Middle-earth (William Morrow, 2025)

The most recent Tolkien box set edition is a new hardcover collection of The Great Tales of Middle-earth, which are considered the author’s final three novels and were published posthumously from 2007-2018. Released on August 19, this new box set is already on sale for 33% off, dropping the price to $84. It’s worth noting there’s a 2018 hardcover box set edition of The Great Tales of Middle-earth for $50 (was $100). You can also save $55 on Tolkien Myths and Legends, which includes two myths written by Tolkien as well as his personal translations of four epic poems, including Beowulf. The three box sets below include hardcover books and decorative slipcases.

More Tolkien Collector’s Editions & Hardcover Box Sets

Unfinished Tales Collector’s Edition / The Lord of the Rings Collector’s Edition /

We rounded some of the other notable hardcover box sets and collectible editions of Tolkien’s work below. This includes the beautiful Unfinished Tales: 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition, a slipcased, limited edition of The Silmarillion, and Tolkien’s Collected Poems, which were published in a three-volume set last fall.

For a cheaper Lord of the Rings hardcover box set, we’d recommend the 2024 Collector’s Editions and the vintage set with cover art from the 1988 editions. If you buy the 2024 box set, you can also get matching editions of The Silmarillion and The Hobbit separately.

Tolkien Illustrated Edition Series

Tolkien Illustrated Editions

The Tolkien Illustrated Editions of LOTR, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion are probably the most popular hardcover editions of Tolkien’s three best-known works. These are unique because they are illustrated by the author himself. Each one has premium features like sprayed edges with Elvish, Dwarvish, or Tengwar script, gold- and silver-foil trim, stamped cover art, ribbon bookmarks, and two fold-out maps. The Deluxe Special Editions have quarterbound leather spines and cloth board cases. These editions also come with custom slipcases and additional collectible inserts.

If you’re interested in owning collectible editions of Peter Jackson’s adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, all three movies will soon be available as standalone 4K Blu-rays with steelbook cases. The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers launched earlier this year, and The Return of the King’s Steelbook Edition is up for preorder for $30 (was $35) at Walmart.

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September 1, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

How to Set Up Your New Android Phone (2025)

by admin September 1, 2025

If you’re switching from an iPhone, you may want to install Google’s Android Switch app or the Google Drive app. With the Switch app, you can follow the onscreen prompts, but if you opt for the Google Drive app, here’s what to do:

Open the Google Drive app on your iPhone.
Go to Settings and Backup.
Choose everything you want to save and move across to your new phone.

You should also go to your iPhone Settings, head to Messages, toggle off iMessage, and go to Settings, FaceTime to toggle it off so you don’t miss calls and texts on your new phone.

Folks with any two-factor authentication (2FA) apps, like Google Authenticator, should check the apps’ instructions for transferring accounts (do not wipe your old phone until you have done this!) If you use any messaging apps, like WhatsApp, back up your chats on your old phone by going to Settings, Chats, and Chat backup.

Setting Up Your New Android Phone

Put your SIM card in your new phone (skip this step if you’re using an eSIM) and hold down the power button to turn it on. (You can also insert your SIM card after you’ve set up your device.) You’ll be greeted with a series of setup chores, starting with selecting your language and region preferences.

Depending on your new Android phone, you may be able to copy data from your old device directly. While you can do this via Wi-Fi, connecting the two phones with a cable is the fastest, easiest, and usually the most comprehensive way to copy your old data (especially photos and videos), so we recommend doing that if you’re given the option.

If you are switching from an iPhone to an Android phone, for example, you can transfer contacts, photos, videos, and calendar events via Wi-Fi, but you must use a cable if you want to transfer messages (SMS, iMessage, WhatsApp), apps (assuming they are available in the Play Store), music (non-DRM only), and notes. There is a handy Android website with more details about how to switch.

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September 1, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Game Boy Lego Set Restocked At Walmart And Lego Store, Sold Out At Amazon

by admin August 30, 2025

In the latest sign that Lego may not be able to keep up with demand for its 421-piece Game Boy building set, preorders have sold out at Amazon. Up until now, Amazon was the only retailer to offer uninterrupted preorders throughout August. Other major retailers and the Lego Store have sold out multiple times since preorders opened in late July. The good news? The Lego Game Boy is back in stock at Walmart and the Lego Store for $60. The highly anticipated Game Boy Lego set launches October 1, just in time for the holiday shopping season.

If you’re interested in the Lego Game Boy for yourself or as a holiday gift, reserving one would be a smart move. Retailers rarely sell out of Lego preorders, but when they do–the Game Boy is always sold out at a couple of retailers–it can be challenging to find one at launch. It’s unknown if Amazon will reopen preorders, but it’s worth noting that preorders at Target sold out in July and never returned, so this could happen at other stores, too.

Lego Game Boy (72046)

The brick-built Game Boy is almost exactly the same size as the handheld that quickly became a worldwide sensation when it hit store shelves in Japan and North America in 1989. This looks like an awesome display piece, and retro Nintendo fans are sure to appreciate the nostalgic interactive elements.

Part of Lego’s display model series geared toward adult builders and collectors, the Game Boy building kit was teased in January and fully unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con in July. The Game Boy is tied with the Super Mario Piranha Plant as the most affordable display model in the Lego Nintendo lineup. It will be the eighth Nintendo-themed kit designed for adults since the pair kicked off their partnership with a replica of the Nintendo Entertainment System.

$60 | 421 Pieces | Releases October 1

Lego’s Game Boy looks like an authentic homage to the Game Boy DMG, all the way down to the font of “Dot Matrix with Stereo Sound” on the screen lens and the colors of the A/B buttons, D-pad, and Start/Select buttons. The switches and dials on the top and sides of handheld are located right where you’d expect them: power switch on the top left, contrast wheel on the left side next to the battery indicator light, volume dial across from it on the right, and the 3.5mm audio jack on the bottom.

The brick-built Lego Game Boy measures 5.5 x 3.5 x 1 inches, which is very close to the dimensions of the real Game Boy DMG (5.8 x 3.5 x 1.3 inches). Lego’s Game Boy can be displayed at an upright angle by connecting it to the buildable black stand shown above.

Load Super Mario Land or Link’s Awakening into the Game Pak slot.

Along with the Game Boy itself and a buildable stand, the set includes replica Game Paks (cartridges) of two timeless classics: Super Mario Land (1989) and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (1993). The cartridges can be loaded into the Game Pak slot just like a real Game Boy. You can display the other cartridge on a second buildable stand.

The Game Boy doesn’t have any electronics, so it won’t interact with Lego Super Mario figures, but it does have a cool trick that makes it appear like a functioning Game Boy. The set comes with three swappable lenticular screens: the boot screen that greets you each time you flip the power switch, a still from World 1-1 of Super Mario Land, and the cutscene in Link’s Awakening where you sit next to Marin on a log and have a pretty strange (one-sided) conversation. Tilting the Game Boy creates the illusion of movement, so the the Nintendo logo slides down the screen just like the real boot sequence; Mario moves across the side-scrolling level; and the memorable Link’s Awakening cutscene (briefly) comes to life.

The Lego Game Boy’s interactive features such as loading carts and displaying scenes from actual games is reminiscent of the Lego Nintendo Entertainment System. Released back in August 2020 to launch Lego’s partnership with Nintendo, the 2,646-piece set included the console with a functional top loader, a Super Mario Bros. cartridge, a wired NES controller, and a CRT TV with a stand. There’s a crank on the side of the TV that moves Mario through a side-scrolling level. Even five years later, the NES is arguably the coolest gaming-related Lego set.

Unfortunately, the Lego NES was officially retired late last year, and it’s sold out at every major retailer. A couple months back we noticed Amazon restocked the discontinued set but with an extra $60 added to the price. When Lego Game Boy preorders opened, we wrote here that we wouldn’t be surprised if Amazon sold out of the Lego NES at the inflated $330 price. And that happened within days. At the moment, the Lego NES is only available via resellers, and some of the prices make $330 look like a deal.

Lego Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi launched last October.

Speaking of deals, Lego Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi is on sale for the first time at Amazon and Walmart. Released last October, the 1,215-piece build features pixel art versions of Mario and Yoshi based on their 16-bit sprites. Yoshi walks when you turn the crank on the side, and twisting the dial on the back recreates the animation of Yoshi sticking out his tongue.

The most recent addition to the Lego Nintendo “for adults” lineup is the 1,972-piece Mario Kart set with a large buildable Mario and his famous red kart. It launched in May on the Lego Store for $170 and arrived at major retailers in July. Check out our Mario & Standard Kart review for more details on this charming display piece.

While you wait for the Lego Game Boy to arrive, you could warm-up by building the 540-piece Piranha Plant from Super Mario Bros. The Piranha Plant and Super Mario World models are the only Lego Nintendo sets for adults on sale right now.

Lego Retro Gaming Hardware

Lego Arcade Machine (40805)

Lego has created a few other display model sets based on retro gaming hardware. The other big one is Lego Icons: Atari 2600, a wonderful 2,532-piece build that authentically captures Atari’s legendary home console. Unfortunately, Lego discontinued the Atari 2600 last year. Amazon restocked it recently for normal price, but it disappeared just like the NES.

The Lego Icons: Pac-Man Arcade is still available at major retailers for $270. This impressive 2,651-piece set has a bunch of cool interactive features that make it a stellar collectible for Pac-Man fans. But if you’re looking for a cheaper set in the vein of the Game Boy, check out the adorable 468-piece Lego Arcade Machine. As you can see in the picture above, this isn’t based on a real arcade machine, but it still looks awesome. Plus, the Lego Arcade Machine only costs $40 and includes a gamer-themed minifigure.

It’s not Lego, but there’s also an official brick-built Xbox 360. Part of Mega Bloks’ Collector Series for adults, the 1,342-piece Xbox 360 building set is only available at Target for $150.

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August 30, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Set Is Only $39 At Walmart Right Now

by admin August 29, 2025

If you’re lucky, you can snag a pair of Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Controllers for only $39 at Walmart. This absolutely wild deal isn’t available in all regions across the US. If you’re eligible for the deal, you can click that magical “Add to cart” button and complete your purchase like normal.

We would not be surprised if Walmart updates the price soon. Unless the retailer is trying to clear this particular Joy-Con model from its inventory, the massive price cut may have been a mistake.

$39 (was $80) | MSRP is $90

Along with the vibrant Neon Purple and Neon Orange controllers, the 2-pack comes with Nintendo’s Joy-Con Attachment sets. The removable wrist straps are recommended when playing games with motion controls. They are also useful for games that support single Joy-Con controls, as the attachments include larger shoulder buttons.

Original Switch Joy-Con cannot be used in handheld mode on Switch 2, but you can still play wirelessly in docked or tabletop modes with the first-gen Joy-Con.

At $80-$90, we definitely wouldn’t recommend buying original Switch Joy-Con Controllers specifically for Switch 2, but for $39? You could do a lot worse.

You’ll probably want to buy a grip, so you can turn the pair of controllers into a traditional gamepad. Walmart has the officially licensed Joy-Con Comfort Grip for $11.49.

Unsurprisingly, Walmart’s $39 deal is an all-time low for Switch Joy-Con Controllers at a major retailer. The deal comes on the heels of Nintendo raising the price on original Joy-Con 2-packs to $90, so you’re technically saving $51 compared to Nintendo’s official price.

Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con Controllers now cost $100, an increase of five bucks compared to the $95 launch price. That said, Amazon still has Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con sets for $95 as of August 29.

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August 29, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

The creator of Dread Delusion is making a turn-based JRPG set in another Morrowindy fantasy world

by admin August 27, 2025

Dread Delusion developers Lovely Hellplace and their sinister backers at DreadXP have announced Entropy – a turn-based party RPG inspired by classic Japanese RPGs, which retains Dread Delusion’s fungal pixel aesthetics.

Like Final Fantasy 9, it starts with a theatre show. You play a rank thespian initially equipped with a simple prop sword. But then horrible creatures crash the stage, and it’s time to armour up your troupe and quest forth to snuff out a demon incursion. What’s the best Shakespeare line to invoke here, hmm. Ah yes: “target their elemental weaknesses!” Hamlet said that before he shanked Polonius through the curtain. No, don’t google to check, dear reader – I am in haste. Quickly, watch the below trailer.

Watch on YouTube

“In this dying age, only pockets of humanity remain,” expounds the press release. “There was no grand apocalyptic event to speak of; only the cruel march of time and the inexplicable infertility of the world led us here. Accursed creatures stalk the barren lands between settlements, which are themselves terrible places; squalid, medieval, and mostly ruled by tyrants.” Ah, you’d almost suspect that Lovely Hellspace founder James Wragg lives in England.

Having escaped the backwater-sounding burg of Draenog, you’re left to make sense of an “expansive” world map. I’m interested to know if Entropy will continue with the pocket-sized and Morrowind-flavoured, open world-ish format of Dread Delusion. You’ll gather a party of up to six characters, with the option of hiring mercs if any comrades get slain. There is levelling, needless to say, encompassing stat boosts and unlockable perks.

I’m not wildly convinced by the snippets of battle from the trailer, which seem a bit by-the-numbers, but it’s nice to be engulfed by another dreadful delusion. The new RPG is coming to Steam in 2026.

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August 27, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Nintendo World Championships Deluxe Set Drops To Best Price Yet

by admin August 25, 2025

Best Buy has a handful of awesome deals on first-party Nintendo Switch games this week. Regardless of whether you prefer physical or digital games, you can take advantage of almost all of the offers. The exception is Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition – Deluxe Set, because the eShop cannot dispense collectibles through the vents on your console. On sale for a new all-time best price of $40 (was $60), the retro-fueled party game’s collector’s edition comes packaged in an oversized display box filled with nostalgic merch.

Inside the box, you’ll find a replica gold NES cartridge with a sleeve and display stand, 13 Nintendo art cards, and five enamel pins featuring 8-bit depictions of Mario, Link, Samus, and Donkey Kong as well as the Nintendo World Championships logo.

Nintendo Switch Game Deals at Best Buy

Here’s a list of the Switch exclusives on sale at Best Buy. The other one that stands out is Emio – The Smiling Man, as this is the first discount yet for the latest entry in Nintendo’s Famicom Detective Club series. Walmart and Best Buy have a couple of these Switch game deals, too.

$40 (was $60)

We’ve only seen one other discount for the Deluxe Set since Nintendo World World Championships: NES Edition launched in July 2024; Best Buy offered a $10 discount right before Christmas last year. Since then, the Deluxe Set has disappeared from most major retailers. GameStop is the only other retailer with units, but buying from there means paying full price. In short, Switch and Switch 2 owners should grab this great deal from Best Buy while they can.

Over at Walmart, you can get a physical copy of Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition without the collectibles for $19.45 (was $30).

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition – Deluxe Set

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition – Deluxe Set:

Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition is an ode to the original Nintendo console and the real-life 1990 Nintendo World Championships. It compiles over 150 minigames spread across 13 NES titles, such as racing through the first level of Super Mario Bros., eating enemies the fastest in Kirby’s Adventure, and defeating Octoroks as possible in The Legend of Zelda. If you have a Nintendo Switch Online membership, you can compare your scores to players around the world.

If you aren’t a NSO member, you can still enjoy local multiplayer for up to eight players. After each round, you’ll receive a letter rating to let you know how well you’ve performed. You’ll earn in-game coins based on your performance, which can then be used to unlock additional challenges.

Here’s a look at all 13 games in the collection:

Balloon Fight
Donkey Kong
Excitebike
Ice Climber
Kid Icarus
Kirby’s Adventure
Metroid
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. 2
Super Mario Bros. 3
Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels
The Legend of Zelda
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

Super Mario Bros.

Gallery

The collection is meant to be played with NES controllers, but there are some great alternatives to the $70 pair only available to Switch Online members. The 8BitDo SN30 Pro Wireless Controller is available for $40.49 (was $45). This controller is modeled after the SNES controller, but it also has thumbsticks and both triggers and bumpers, so it has the added benefit of working well with modern games, too. Alternatively, you can get the 8BitDo Pro 2 for only $42.49 (was $50). The Pro 2 is has longer handles and feels fairly similar to the DualSense controller. It also has customization options, including a pair of remappable back buttons.

8BitDo recently launched the Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad for $70. The price difference may sound like a lot, but we’d recommend reading our review that highlights all of the impressive upgrades and new features.

All three 8BitDo controllers mentioned above are compatible with Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.

For another rarely discounted, retro Nintendo product, check out the deal on the 1,215-piece Lego Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi building set at Walmart and Amazon. Like Nintendo World Championships, the Mario & Yoshi Lego display model has almost always sold for full price since launching last year. Plus, it’ll help you pass the time until Lego’s highly anticipated Game Boy building set releases October 1.

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August 25, 2025 0 comments

Hermen Hulst, managing director and co-founder of Guerrilla Games, speaks during a Sony Corp. event ahead of the E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, California, U.S., on Monday, June 15, 2015.

Gaming Gear

After cancelling 8 of the 12 live service games Sony promised to release by 2025, PlayStation studios boss says the number doesn’t really matter: ‘What is important to me is having a diverse set of player experiences’

by admin August 25, 2025

By the time Sony started printing money releasing its exclusives onto PC, the company had made a name for itself delivering the biggest and best singleplayer games on the market. Its run of solo PS4 exclusives from Bloodborne to The Last of Us Part 2 was so strong that it blew Microsoft’s console strategy out of the water, in a way that the Xbox has arguably never recovered from. Even we PC heads with our vast Steam libraries had to acknowledge those games were pretty great.

Yet for the PlayStation 5, Sony decided it would almost completely ignore that legacy, and instead be all about live service. In 2022, former CEO Jim Ryan promised Sony would make and release 12 live-service games by 2025. As of 2025, only one of these—Helldivers 2—has enjoyed a successful launch. Seven were cancelled before release. Three are supposedly still in development (including the deeply troubled Marathon) and one of them was Concord.

It’s a strategy that has, so far, proven catastrophic, leaving the PS5 largely bereft of quality first-party exclusives. But if you thought gazing upon this virtual graveyard might cause Sony to reconsider its priorities, think again.

Concord – Gameplay Trailer | PS5 Games – YouTube

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Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Studio Business Group CEO Herman Hulst was recently asked about Sony’s live-service strategy by the Financial Times (via GamesRadar), as part of an in-depth article about the company’s broader business strategy. “The number [of live-service releases] is not so important,” Hulst told the FT. “What is important to me is having a diverse set of player experiences and a set of communities.”

Instead of changing strategy to avoid massive live-service failures like Concord, or cancellations like The Last of Us Online, Hulst says he basically wants Sony to fail better. “I don’t want teams to always play it safe, but I would like for us, when we fail, to fail early and cheaply.”

To change these massive failures into, er, smaller failures, Hulst says PlayStation has implemented several new safeguards, such as “more rigorous and more frequent testing in many different ways.” According to the FT, this includes a higher priority on group testing, more cross pollination of ideas within Sony, and “closer relationships” between top executives. “The advantage of every failure…is that people now understand how necessary that [oversight] is.”

I would be more convinced by what Hulst says if Sony had demonstrated its PS4-era strategy no longer worked before going all in on chasing the theoretical live-service money train. Those glossy singleplayer titles were often enormously expensive to make, and selling games in general has become significantly harder over the last five years. But while Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 seems to have been a commercial disappointment, God of War: Ragnarok was the fastest-selling PlayStation title ever on launch in 2022, and had sold 15 million copies a full year before it came to PC in September last year.

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August 25, 2025 0 comments

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Arkham Horror RPG Starter Set

by admin August 25, 2025

Hungering Abyss is intended as an introduction to Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game. As a module, its goal is to teach both players and GM the game and to have a fun experience while learning. It comes packed with monsters, allies, characters, and maps. Importantly for the Arkham Horror seal of approval, it is equipped with evidence and enough detail in universe to have the players actually investigate instead of playing as investigators. While this might sound daunting for a newbie GM, the module facilitates GMing in a way that feels natural.

Starting at the beginning, the module first gives you some background and conversation starters for a quick session 0 with the group. It’s not a trigger warning, it’s a group conversation around how to deal with death and the supernatural. The module also makes sure to call out that it’s possible to earnestly engage with the works of Lovecraft, without also being a racist sexist too, which is important because… Lovecraft.

The story itself is three acts with ten scenes total. Depending on the group, it’s possible to do each of the three-scene acts in a single sitting (Act 2 has an optional scene). But don’t expect to blaze through the acts. There’s lots to explore and investigate; if there’s a Poirot or Holmes at the table, it’s going to take more time. The pacing feels right, with a mix of investigation and combat, but it’s absolutely possible to follow bad leads or flounder with next steps, especially at the beginning.

There’s a lot of information for the GM in Act 1, mostly before a scene even starts. This is my biggest gripe about the way information is presented here. There’s simply too much irrelevant info in the first few pages. The first scene is unstructured investigation, so why are you telling me about movement in combat and complex actions that are not going to be used until later? There are scenes that introduce rules as they become relevant, so it’s not like the designer and writer didn’t realize that was an option.

Hungering Abyss is walking a fine line between railroading players and GM, and letting everyone flail about for leads. In the case of the investigatory scenes, the module gives a good bit of set dressing, clues, and nearby objects but also reminds GMs to use their imagination to provide more detail for the players. In early narrative scenes, the module gives GMs advice on how and when to nudge players in the right direction. In the first combat scene, there’s balancing options for helping the team if they are struggling. I personally like both aids, since most players don’t like spinning their wheels uselessly and no GM wants to have a TPK in their first combat.

I’m not getting into spoilers for any future investigators, but one thing I really like about Hungering Abyss is that there’s so much flexibility. There are NPCs who can join your party, but aren’t required to progress. There’s breadcrumbs for each pre-made character to care about so that each player can be hooked into the story. Scenes can have multiple solutions and resolutions. Where this really shines is Act 2, where there are eight different locations in town to visit as the team pleases. There’s really only one required location to visit to make it to Act 3, but gathering more information is almost certain to be educational. And I’ve yet to meet a table of players who pass up the opportunity to shop.

As a tool to teach both players and GM about the Arkham Horror roleplaying game, this booklet does a pretty good job. Keywords are in bold, mechanics are mostly introduced slow enough to not overwhelm, it’s long enough for everyone to feel comfortable with most mechanics by the end, and you get to level up twice. As a GM, I love the clear reference materials and direction, as well as the flow of the booklet, as you aren’t constantly flipping across the whole thing. As a player, I like to not feel like I’m drowning. The booklet is sturdy enough to fold over to show single pages as needed, as well as standing up to reuse if you get to introduce the Hungering Abyss to lots of people.

Review Guidelines

Arkham Horror RPG Starter Set – Hungering Abyss

Great

Arkham Horror RPG Starter Set is a good way to teach its mechanics and rules to a fresh audience. There’s plenty to do and you aren’t on rails.

Pros

Flexibility in gameplay
Covers vital mechanics
Durable for reuse

Cons

GM information overload at first

This review is based on a retail copy provided by the publisher.

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August 25, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Stunning New H.P. Lovecraft Complete Box Set Restocked At Amazon

by admin August 24, 2025

H.P. Lovecraft is responsible for a long list of classic horror stories that continue to be highly influential in the world of literature, film, television, and video games. The author’s blend of unsettling cosmic horror with sci-fi/fantasy and Gothic settings–almost always with an ample dose of weird–is so recognizable that the word Lovecraftian is used to describe stories inspired by his work. Stories like The Call of Cthulhu and At the Mountains of Madness are still well-worth reading nearly 100 years after they were first published. Those stories and the rest of Lovecraft’s writings are now available in a premium box set that looks absolutely stunning.

The H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society worked with publisher Weldon Owen–an imprint of Insight Editions–to craft a comprehensive two-volume collection called The H.P. Lovecraft Experience Deluxe Box Set. It quickly sold out on release day (August 5) earlier this month, but it’s back in stock for $97.64 (was $100) on August 22.

$97.64 (was $100)

This is almost certainly the most stunning Lovecraft collection you can find at a major retailer or bookstore.

The 1,888-page collection is spread across two striking, dark green volumes hardbound in leatherette to resemble high-quality books from Lovecraft’s time. The cover and spines have foil-stamped insignias and lettering.

The H.P. Lovecraft Experience includes all of the author’s work, so this is a one-stop shop for his novels, novellas, short stories, and other writings.

The two books are packaged inside a sculpted display case featuring a new 3D depiction of Cthulhu. When we say 3D, we mean that Cthulhu rises from the surface of the case, which makes the cosmic entity more terrifying than it already is.

The oversized display box houses more than just the two books, though. The H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society created a brand-new Reader’s Guide that examines 10 of Lovecraft’s short stories. The guidebook was written by Sean Branney and Andrew Leman, the co-founders of the Lovecraft Historical Society, and should be an interesting read for newcomers and experienced readers alike. The Reader’s Guide matches the look of the two main volumes, but it’s sized like notebook. The format here keeps with the overarching theme of the collectibles.

All of the supplements are tied to Miskatonic University, a fictional Massachusetts college that plays a major role in many of Lovecraft’s stories, including all of his work related to the Cthulhu.

Big Lovecraft fans will probably want to frame their diploma from Miskatonic University that’s included here–but only after you follow The Undergraduate Course Book, presented as a small booklet. Other Miskatonic-themed collectibles you’ll find in the box include a bookmark, a library card, a patch, and a decal.

The H.P. Lovecraft Experience is also available as a Kindle ebook for $20. Obviously, you’ll miss out on the collectibles and premium presentation, but you’ll still get both volumes and the Reader’s Guide.

The H.P. Lovecraft Experience Deluxe Box Set

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More Lovecraft Box Sets & Collections

Since most of Lovecraft’s work is in the public domain, you can read many of his horror stories for free online. You’ll also find a dizzying number of Lovecraft collections on Amazon. But keep in mind that Lovecraft being in the public domain means that there are a lot of terribly designed editions created by random people across the world.

Strangely, The H.P. Lovecraft Experience is one of the rare editions of the author’s complete writings that actually looks nice. There are cheaper options that that readers like, but they aren’t always as comprehensive.

One solid budget-friendly option is The H.P. Lovecraft Collection: 6-Book Deluxe Box Set. The set includes clothbound editions of six of the author’s best-known works in a display box. The artwork and cover designs aren’t super exciting, but the books themselves are well-made. It’s on sale for $28 (was $60) at Amazon. Here’s the list of books included in the box set:

At the Mountains of Madness
The Dunwich Horror
The Call of Cthulhu
The Shadow over Innsmouth
Polaris
The Color Out of Space
Rats in the Walls

The same publisher released The Necronomicon: 5-Book Box Set in paperback in 2021. The Necronomicon includes Lovecraft stories as well Cthulhu Mythos tales by other authors. You can get The Necronomicon Box Set for $23 (was $40).

H.P. Lovecraft: The Complete Fiction – Barnes & Noble Collectible Edition

We’d also recommend the Barnes & Noble Collectible Edition of Lovecraft’s Complete Fiction. This beautiful hardcover edition has a premium binding, illustrated endpapers, and a ribbon bookmark. Plus, it’s only $27 (was $30) and is eligible for Barnes & Noble’s Buy One, Get One 50% off Collectible Edition sale until September 2.

For another respected edition, check out The Complete Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft for $14 (was $18). This 1,112-page hardcover was published by Chartwell Books in 2016 and remains a great option today. The Complete Tales of H.P. Lovecraft, published in 2019 by Rock Point, is essentially the same book, but it has more evocative cover art–though it costs roughly $19.60 (was $35).

H.P. Lovecraft Manga Adaptations

H.P. Lovecraft manga adaptations by Gou Tanabe (Dark Horse Manga)

Lovecraft fans and horror manga readers in general should definitely check out the manga adaptations of Lovecraft’s work. Written and illustrated by Gou Tanabe and translated to English by Zack Davisson, the manga is hauntingly beautiful. You can probably already tell by the cover art above, but Tanabe’s illustrations are simply incredible.

Five Lovecraft manga adaptations have already been published in the US by Dark Horse Manga, including the 288-page adaptation of The Call of Cthulhu for $13 (was $20) and At the Mountains of Madness, which has a 626-page hardcover Deluxe Edition for $26.65 (was $50). The English translation of The Shadow Out of Time releases December 23 and is available to preorder for $22.

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August 24, 2025 0 comments