IGN

Absolute Batman’s first 6-issue arc came to a close this past March, with April’s issue #7 set to introduce a new take on the iconic villain Mr. Freeze. If keeping track of single issue comics isn’t your thing, trade paperpack collections are a must-have for those looking to get completed stories and physical media. Absolute Batman Volume 1: The Zoo, written by comics legend Scott Snyder with art by Nick Dragotta, collects issues one through six and is currently available for preorder. It releases on August 5.

It’s available at a number of different retailers, but is currently discounted at Amazon. You can get the paperback for edition for $16.19 (10% off) and the hardcover for 23.24 (7% off).

Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo Preorder Sale

The Heroes and Villains-themed Disney Destiny is set to make its maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 20, 2025, and Disney just revealed a ton of new info on the latest cruise ship about to join its fleet.

There is a lot to look forward to on the Disney Destiny, including a Lion King dining experience, a Hercules Broadway-style show, and so much more, and we’re here to break down everything you need to know.

The Disney Destiny Is All About Celebrating The Heroes and Villains We Love

Heroes and Villains are the name of the game for the Disney Destiny, and Disney wants its guests to be “inspired, encouraged, and empowered” by these characters during their journey. This sense of wonder will begin the moment you step on the Disney Destiny and are greeted by the Grand Hall and a one-of-a-kind statue of Black Panther. The Grand Hall will also feature 360-degree lighting effects that will, at times, take on the colors of some of our favorite characters to build the mood and immersion even more.

As for who we may see, Disney has revealed Loki will be up to his mischievous ways and will attempt to declare himself ruler of the ship and will cause chaos with “grand proclamations, questionable storytelling, surprise competitions, and more.”

Creuella de Vil will also take center stage as she will let guests “put their personal style to the test on [her] very own wretched runway or take part in a bit of treble-making as they create a lyrical tribute to her marvelousness.”

Furthermore, Cruella is the inspiration for De Vil’s piano lounge that will have exclusive drinks like the Fashionista and Fearless Sir Galahad alongside and a “Hollywood Regency-inspired aesthetic.” Oh, and a piano that looks just like a dalmatian.

The Villains don’t get the only spotlight, however, as The Sanctum will take inspiration from Doctor Strange and some of his artifacts like the Cloak of Levitation and spell books from the library of Kamar-Taj. This lounge will have drinks and food, and you can check them out below.

Lastly, the Disney Destiny will be the first Disney cruise ship to feature a Marvel character on its stern as Spider-Man and his Spider-Bots will grace the filigree on the back of the ship.

These are just a few examples of the heroes and villains that will be the stars of Disney Destiny, and they will join such others as Dr. Facilier, Maleficent, Hades, Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, Captain Jack Sparrow, Bruno, and more.

Hercules’ Broadway-Style Show Will Lead the Charge of Entertainment on the Disney Destiny

Disney Hercules, the Destiny’s Broadway-style show, has us very excited as The Tale of Moana on the Disney Treasure was one of the best shows we’ve seen on land or at sea. This adaptation of the beloved Disney classic will feature all the music and characters you know and love alongside new additions like the song, ‘Shooting Star,’ which was actually cut from the original film.

Hercules himself will be played by Corey J. Bradford, who recently wowed guests at a Disney Destiny media preview with his rendition of ‘Go the Distance,’ and he will be confronted once again by the terrifying Hyrdra, who is being brought to life by award-winning puppet designer Michael Curry.

Disney Hercules will be just one of the shows featured in the Destiny’s Walt Disney Theater alongside Frozen, A Musical Spectacular and Disney Seas the Adventure.

Guests will also be able to enjoy shows and games inside of Saga, the central hub for “daytime family activities and adult exclusive evening entertainment.” Saga’s architecture is inspired by Wakanda, and will feature encounters with Maleficent, Match Your Mate, Family Time Game Show, a new Aquamouse story with villains, and more.

Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King Will Be Just One of the Many Dining Experiences to Remember

While the Disney Treasure had the incredible Plaza de Coco dining experience, the Disney Destiny is getting its own version inspired by The Lion King. The legendary songs and moments from this Disney classic will be just one part of a night to remember at Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King.

Storytells Mwongozo and Shaha will be taking us through the story of the great Simba, and other performers will help bring these moments to life with costumes, props, authentic African instrruments, and more.

As for the meal itself, Disney aims to “balance the wide-ranging flavors of African cuisines with familiar fare that will satisfy the whole family.” Such highlights include Nala’s Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Pan-seared Berbere-spiced Roasted Chicken, Cape Malay Shrimp Curry, Heirloom Tomato Kachumbari, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Warm Chocolate Malva Pudding, and even drinks like the Can You Feel the Rum Tonight? and the Slimy Yet Satisfying.

Other dining experiences on the Disney Destiny include Worlds of Marvel with Rocket and Groot, 1923, Palo Steakhouse, Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement, The Rose, the Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired Cask & Cannon, Cafe Megara, Cafe Merida, and more.

The Incredibles will also be getting there own themed sweets shop with Edna A La Mode Sweets, which will be the place to get handmade gelato, ice cream, cookies, candies, and specialty treats.

The Disney Destiny Has So Much More In Store

There is still so much more to learn about the Disney Destiny, and we’ll be updating this article and more as new details are revealed!

While you wait, be sure to read our Disney Treasure Ultimate Guide as the Destiny is its sister ship, check out more official details on the Disney Destiny and see much we loved the Haunted Mansion Parlor on the Disney Treasure as it will also be on the Destiny.

Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.

Warning: This review contains full spoilers for season 3 of The Wheel of Time

Season 3 of The Wheel of Time is by far its best yet, building on the rich worldbuilding of the first two seasons while largely avoiding their melodrama and pacing issues. Skillfully fusing aspects of three of Robert Jordan’s books – The Dragon Reborn, The Shadow Rising, and The Fires of Heaven – the show condenses plots to keep the action moving while improving on some of the characters by giving them more depth. It makes some bold choices of adaptation, but overall the series is making the sprawling fantasy epic look great while keeping to its themes and ambition.

The ta’veren of Emond’s Field started the series as whiny, resentful, or wide-eyed about the change in fortunes brought by the Aes Sedai Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike), but they’ve grown significantly as characters as they’ve gained more power. The most improved is Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski), who has embraced his destiny as the Dragon Reborn by heading to the Aiel Wastes to raise an army. Stradowski brings an intensity to the role that simmers in quieter moments and fully ignites when he ferociously makes his case as the chosen one in the finale.

A major theme of The Wheel of Time is how change cannot be stopped or controlled, and it’s a lesson that many of the characters have to learn the hard way. Egwene al’Vere (Madeleine Madden) tries to cope with her traumatic experience at the hands of the Seanchan by resuming her relationship with Rand. But the childhood sweethearts can’t confront their demons until they make mutual respect, not love, the basis of their connection. It’s a richer portrayal of how those characters evolve together and apart than the books presented, enhanced by Madden’s ability to match Stradowski’s intensity as she blends both deep strength and emotional vulnerability.

Meanwhile, Perrin Aybara (Marcus Rutherford) tries to escape the coming war by returning to the Two Rivers and finds he must instead embrace his potential as a leader. The character often feels tangential in Jordan’s books, but the show’s writers do their best to do right by him, strongly weaving in his desire to avoid violence with the greater arc of the season. Perrin’s plot is strengthened by the addition of Faile Bashere (Isabella Bucceri), who has more personality in the show than on the page, where Jordan’s women often feel too similar. Bucceri brings plenty of charm to the role with her wry smile and teasing of Perrin, a ferocious counterpart to the more reserved blacksmith.

Aes Sedai royal advisor Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan (Shohreh Aghdashloo) makes an even bigger impact as a series newcomer: Her ability to drip contempt with every sentence especially shines opposite her primary rival, Siuan Sanche (Sophie Okonedo), who projects authority with a mix of restraint and folksy wisdom.

The efforts to build up the Forsaken Moghedien (Laia Costa) as one of the biggest threats on the show are less successful. Lanfear (Natasha O’Keeffe) continues to be an excellent villain, attempting to control Rand through a mix of Machiavellian scheming and vamping. Compared to her, Moghedien is just an overtly weird psychopath. At least the smug regality of the Forsaken Rahvin (Nuno Lopes) feels like a better fit for the catty dynamic the show has established among the Chosen.

Showrunner Rafe Judkins has done a great job not only trimming excess characters and storylines but building on Jordan’s work as well. The attack on the White Tower by Liandrin Guirale (Kate Fleetwood) and the Black Ajah is only referenced in a few lines of the book The Dragon Reborn, but 34 years later, writer Justine Juel Gillmer and director Ciaran Donnelly have turned it into an epic battle that kicks off season 3 with a bang. The sword and sorcery combat looks great in the premiere, skillfully blending CGI and choreography, and that strength continues in the multiple big battles throughout the season. There are some issues with monsters created with practical effects for closeups looking much worse when moving, but overall the production value is high. Costuming is an especially strong point for the show, particularly the ornate outfits favored by the Aes Sedai.

Unlike Prime Video’s other fantasy epic, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Wheel of Time never relies fully on spectacle to carry an episode. Pathos is as likely to drive the conflicts as magic is, which makes any moment of sacrifice or loss all the more excruciating. Jordan killed relatively few of his characters, but the show’s writers have a significantly higher body count, which keeps things tense even for book readers who think they know where this story is going.

That tension is broken by some great comic relief. After the first two seasons were tarnished by the departure of Barney Harris, some of the shine has been restored by his replacement, Dónal Finn. His take on Mat Cauthon is a charming rake whose definition of “laying low” involves showing off a powerful magical artifact in a bar. And his tendency to turn everything into a joke makes it all the more meaningful when he asks for help. Princess Elayne Trakand (Ceara Coverney) is the season’s other major source of laughs: She steals the show in episode 6 with a hilariously bawdy musical number.

It all amounts to a season of Wheel of Time that leans into the concepts of reincarnation and cycles of conflict core to Jordan’s marriage of Western fantasy and Eastern mythology. Nowhere are those themes stronger than in the terrific “The Road to the Spear,” which allows Rand to live through the long shared history of the Aiel and the Tinkers and come to an understanding of just how much was lost in the Breaking of the World. It’s another showcase of Stradowski’s acting talent, the makeup and costume team, and the writers. The keen understanding of Jordan’s vision – and ability to bring it to the screen in a satisfying way – in this episode, and season 3 as a whole, makes me eager to see where things go next.

In my opinion, the Amazon Kindle is one of the best electronic devices ever. Maybe the only piece of tech I use more than my Kindle is my phone, but even then, I have the Kindle app if I decide I just want to stick some knowledge into my craw. If you’re on the hunt for a good deal on Kindle devices, there are quite a few on sale right now that are worth checking out.

At the moment our favorite deal is on the Kindle Scribe (32 GB). This has received a 19% discount at Amazon, dropping its price from $419.99 to $339.99 for a limited time. That’s not all, though. You can also score three months of Kindle Unlimited for $0.99 right now. We’ve included those deals and a few more below.

The Best Kindle Deals Right Now

Kindle is one of the devices you’re most likely to find on sale during Amazon events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday. The available Kindle lineup has expanded quite a lot over the years, too. Amazon will oftentimes sneak Kindle deals into its Deal of the Day or offer a bonus deal like free Kindle Unlimited or other Amazon services as well.

Kindle Unlimited Deal

If you own a Kindle, it’s absolutely worth investing in Kindle Unlimited. Right now, when you sign up, you can get three months for $0.99 before its $11.99/month price kicks in.

But you may be wondering: what is Kindle Unlimited, and is it really worth it? The answer is… absolutely, dear reader. With this, you’ll get unlimited access to millions of digital titles, audiobooks, and magazine subscriptions. That way you can read all of the latest bestsellers, classics, biggest hits, and more in the realm of books and comics. What better way to get started on your Kindle adventure?

New 2024 Kindle Releases

Amazon released quite a few brand-new Kindles in October 2024. Alongside upgraded versions of the standard Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, Kindle Kids, and Kindle Paperwhite Kids, they also revealed the brand-new Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition. This features a color display to make your favorite stories and comics pop. There’s also a new Kindle Scribe with a redesigned display that’s available now.

Current Kindle Bestsellers

Wondering where to start once you pick up your new Kindle? Have no fear, we’re here to help with that, too. Below, we’ve listed out the current Kindle bestsellers so you can start up an exciting new book right away. Some of these titles can be read for free if you’re a Prime member or as part of Kindle Unlimited, or they can be purchased if you’d like to own them.

• Bridesmaid by Chance by Meghan Quinn – Free with Kindle Unlimited, $5.99 to purchase
• Story of My Life by Lucy Score – Free with Kindle Unlimited, $5.99 to purchase
• Wildest Dreams by L.J. Shen – Free with Kindle Unlimited, $4.99 to purchase
• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros – Free with Kindle Unlimited, $14.99 to purchase
• Enchantra by Kaylie Smith – Free with Kindle Unlimited, $4.99 to purchase
• Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros – Free with Kindle Unlimited, $14.99 to purchase
• The Boomerang by Robert Bailey – Preorder for $1.99
• The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose – $8.99 to purchase
• Quicksilver by Callie Hart – Free with Kindle Unlimited, $9.99 to purchase
• Strangers in Time by David Baldacci – $14.99 to purchase

Best Kindle Book Deals

If you want to see the latest and greatest Kindle book deals available, there’s an excellent variety to pick through. Whether you’re looking for new comics to dig into or just want to sink into a thrilling novel, there’s always great book deals available for Kindle users. We’ve listed just a few of our favorites below, but if you want to see the full list of available deals, head to Amazon’s Kindle deals page here.

• Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros – $14.99
• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir – $14.99
• Ultimate Black Panther Vol. 1: Peace And War – $3.99
• Star Wars: Darth Vader by Greg Pak Vol. 1: Dark Heart Of The Sith – $3.60
• Dark Ages (Dark Ages (2021-2022)) – $4.40

Why a Kindle Is Worth the Investment

I’ve been rocking the Kindle since the earliest model was available, and not only do I prefer it to any other method of reading, I’ve found myself reading more than I would have with traditional paper books. Not that there’s anything wrong with reading from a traditional book, I just personally appreciate the ease of use and form factor afforded me by the Kindle.

Since the Kindles use e-ink instead of traditional screens like your phone or iPad, they can be read in just about any lighting. In fact, the pages look like actual paper pages, so any artificial light or even bright sunlight are no factor when using the Kindle. It only uses energy when you turn the page, use the backlight or leave Wi-Fi turned on, so if you go into Airplane mode you can go weeks, even months, between charging your Kindle. Generally I go long enough to completely forget where I put my charging cable.

Hannah Hoolihan is a freelance writer who works with the Guides and Commerce teams here at IGN.

With contributions from Seth Macy.

The latest trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps paints a better picture of a new Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) world and how Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer plays a part in it.

It’s a two-and-a-half-minute clip that reveals more about how Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), the Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) have helped build their universe into a shining utopia. In this world, Marvel’s First Family is celebrated as a (growing) squad of heroes who not only save the day but stand as examples for children and adults alike. However, it looks like their skills will be put to the test when Garner’s Silver Surfer descends from the sky to warn of an impending threat: Galactus.

Today’s trailer is notably more action-packed than the footage we’ve seen thus far. Ben Grimm can be seen barreling through pillars just as we get one of our first real looks at Reed Richards’ stretchy powers. These are new takes on classic powers the Fantastic Four has had for decades, and we’ll get to see a better look at how they’ll all work together this July.

It’s Garner’s Silver Surfer who is the real show stealer this time around, though. Despite only uttering a few words warning that this alternate Earth is now “marked for death,” this version of the Surfer seems especially powerful as she bats away the Human Torch and speeds through explosions. Sadly, we’re still being kept in the dark when it comes to Galactus’ full, updated MCU appearance, though we do get a shot of him stomping through the city upon his arrival.

Fantastic Four: First Steps premieres July 25, 2025. While we wait to see how the MCU will handle Marvel’s First Family, be sure to check out more on Thunderbolts* before it arrives in May. You can also see our list of every upcoming Marvel project here.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Nintendo just wrapped up its April 2025 Mario Kart World Direct, revealing details about new items, modes, and more about those strange snacks players can chomp into when the Nintendo Switch 2 launches this June.

Nintendo’s latest entry into its long-running kart racing spinoff series looks like the next big step for Mario and co. That’s thanks in part to a smorgasbord of both new and returning items, while other familiar features have either been given small tweaks or total facelifts. Mario Kart World dived into a solid slice of everything players can expect in its 15-minute presentation, so we made sure to gather the highlights.

Items

The biggest question block hanging over everyone’s heads has had players questioning which wacky items they’ll be able to toss at their friends come June. Nintendo’s got a fittingly wacky answer that includes spins on items and abilities that may be able to be paired with some of Mario Kart World’s new features.

Items like the Bullet Bill and Lightning appear to function just as you remember. The former sends players flying forward at breakneck speeds, while the latter stops and shrinks opponents, though now it also causes it to start raining in the game now that Mario Kart has introduced weather effects. Meanwhile, classic items like the Feather also remain largely unchanged, but now, players can use them to not only hop over some of the many new track hazards but also reach new areas, high-up rails, and even shortcuts.

New items have plenty to bring to the table, too. The Coin Shell is a golden shell variant that leaves a trail of coins for you – and your enemies – as it moves forward through the track ahead of its thrower. Kamek is an especially wild addition, as the Koopa wizard can be spawned to transform each of your opponents into something completely new. Other highlights include Hammers that now stick in the ground for a short time and a slightly tweaked Ice Flower that can seen multiple opponents spinning at a time.

One of Mario Kart World’s more mysterious items are those new food-related abilities. These are called Dash Foods and come in the form of tasty burgers, plates of sushi, kebabs, and more. These are collectibles that can be acquired around Mario Kart World’s giant map and, once gobbled up, unlock new outfits to use elsewhere. In case you were wondering, yes, the Moo Moo Meadows Cow can, in fact, eat burgers.

New Tricks

Tricks have been an important part of Mario Kart since 2008’s Mario Kart Wii, and in Mario Kart World, they’ve been given added importance. You can charge jump straight from the track this time around, allowing you to not only short hop over items but fully clear hazards like other vehicles, too. It should help reach those out-of-reach rails to grind on as well, with additional tricks in the air giving players the ability to gain a bit of extra air.

Tricks will also help players leap toward and latch onto walls, which can be hopped between to find new portions of a track and even some hidden item blocks. Chaining tricks together can be tricky, so if you find yourself missing a particular jump to a high-up ledge, a new Rewind feature will help you turn back the clock for a few moments to hone your skills.

Modes

While modes like Grand Prix and Time Trials are back, Mario Kart World comes with loads of new modes, too. Knockout Tour is one of the more substantial additions, as it allows players to compete to stay ahead of the pack across extended races. Those who fall behind are in danger of being, well, knocked out.

Time Trials are one returning mode that have been beefed up to accommodate Mario Kart World’s improved multiplayer functionality. When hopping online, players will have the option to download data from other racers from around the world. Longtime Mario Kart fans will also be happy to know that fan-favorite modes like VS Race, Balloon Battle, and Coin Runners are back and feature some of those new tracks to fight off friends with. There’s also a full-on photo mode, which can be used to capture iconic moments when cruising around the world.

Of course, Mario Kart World’s biggest new mode is its open-world-inspired free roam feature, which allows players to explore its vast map and all of the tracks it houses. We explained everything you need to know about this major addition to the Mario Kart universe and how you can play it with your friends here.

Mario Kart World launches alongside the Switch 2 June 5. We’re still waiting for Nintendo to set a new date for pre-order options in the US and Canada following their delay earlier this month. Meanwhile, the topic of the console’s price remains one detail that continues to take over Nintendo comment sections. Today’s Mario Kart World Direct was no exception, as players made sure its chat sections were filled with comments like “drop the price.”

For more on Mario Kart World, you can read up on all of the new characters and tracks arriving this June. You can also see how players have been reacting to the title’s controversial $80 price tag and how Nintendo attempted to address it. Finally, for everything else announced during today’s Direct, you can click here.

Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Let’s be real: I don’t need another Pokémon card bundle. But the moment I saw the Charizard ex Super Premium Collection on sale, something in my brain short-circuited. My body? Fully ready for yet another unnecessary purchase. And at under $50, this box is stacked.

You’re getting a foil Charizard ex promo, plus matching Charmander and Charmeleon to complete the fiery trio. There’s even a Charizard display figure (because, of course, there is), and—get this—ten booster packs. Not five. Not six. Ten. That’s ten chances to pull something ridiculous.

Nintendo hosted a Mario Kart World Direct this morning, showing off all the features of the upcoming launch game for the Nintendo Switch 2. Amid all the new tricks and modes, Nintendo also confirmed a slew of new and returning tracks and racers for Mario Kart World.

On the course side, there were several new courses shown off as part of the roamable world. From the streets of Crown City to the water of Salty Salty Speedway, there are plenty of places to explore and shortcuts to discover. Mechanics like wall-riding and grinding seem like they’ll add quite a bit for players to uncover. Here’s what we spotted in today’s Direct.

Mario Kart World Confirmed Courses Shown in Today’s Direct

• Mario Bros. Circuit
• Crown City
• Salty Salty Speedway
• Starview Peak
• Boo Cinema
• Toad’s Factory
• Peach Beach
• Wario Shipyard
• Whistletop Summit
• DK Spaceport
• Desert Hills
• Shy Guy Bazaar
• Wario Stadium
• Airship Fortress
• DK Pass
• Sky-High Sundae
• Koopa Troopa Beach
• Faraway Oasis
• Crown City
• Peach Stadium
• Dino Dino Jungle
• Great ? Block Ruins
• Rainbow Road

But what’s a world full of courses without a universe’s worth of racers to speed across them? Mario Kart World looks to be making some deep pulls from Mario’s history. The usual suspects of Mario, Peach, Luigi, and Yoshi are joined by the likes of Spike, Conkdor, Penguin, and more. Here’s everyone we spotted in a kart during today’s Mario Kart World Direct.

Mario Kart World Confirmed Racers From Today’s Direct

• Mario
• Luigi
• Peach
• Daisy
• Rosalina
• Pauline
• Yoshi
• Toad
• Koopa Troopa
• Baby Mario
• Baby Luigi
• Baby Peach
• Baby Daisy
• Baby Rosalina
• Wario
• Waluigi
• Bowser
• Goomba
• Spike
• Cow
• Lakitu
• Toadette
• Bowser Jr.
• Birdo
• King Boo
• Shy Guy
• Donkey Kong
• Nabbit
• Pirahna Plant
• Hammer Bro
• Monty Mole
• Sidestepper
• Cheep Cheep
• Dry Bones
• Wiggler
• Cataquack
• Pianta
• Rocky Wrench
• Conkdor
• Chargin’ Chuck
• Penguin
• Stingby
• Swoop
• Dolphin
• Para-Biddybud
• Pokey
• Coin Coffer
• Peepa
• Snowman
• Fish Bone

It’s quite a line-up so far, and will probably only expand as we learn more about this game. Today’s Mario Kart World Direct went over everything from Grand Prix and Knockout Mode to the camera-fueled social options.

Mario Kart World is set to arrive on the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch day, June 5, as an exclusive for the newest Switch console. There certainly seems to be quite a bit to do here, which will hopefully measure up to its $80 price tag. The newest Kart is being sold both standalone and as part of a hardware bundle though, and given Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s massive popularity, World is likely to find a home on many Switch 2 consoles.

You can catch up on everything announced at today’s Direct right here.

Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

During today’s Mario Kart World Direct, we finally got more details on the game’s brand new Free Roam mode, including a bit about how multiplayer it will be (very) and what you’ll be doing while driving around Mario Kart World’s…well, world.

Though we went hands on with Mario Kart World last week, we didn’t really get a proper look at Free Roam mode or what it entailed until today. Free Roam is a new feature to Mario Kart World, where you’re literally able to go anywhere on the game’s big, Forza Horizon-like world map. Unlike past Mario Kart games which have their race tracks separated out and only enterable when you’re racing, Mario Kart World scatters them across an open world, meaning you can drive from track to track in certain game modes and goof off in the spaces between.

When you’re not racing, Free Roam mode is a way to essentially have a little adventure. The world contains all sorts of hidden collectible goodies, like coins and ? panels, though we’re not sure just yet what collecting those actually does. There are also P-Switches scattered around, which can be hit to activate a small challenge such as collecting some blue coins.

Additionally, Free Roam mode allows you to activate a Photo Mode any time to take photos of your racers in various poses and angles. And Free Roam isn’t just a solo mode, either. You and your friends can drive around together in Free Roam, take photos, complete challenges, or just hang out. Free Roam supports up to four players roaming together on the same system via split screen, or up to eight total via local wireless play (two per system).

We saw a number of other details about Mario Kart World today in the Mario Kart World Direct, including new characters, courses, and modes. You can catch up on everything announced right here.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Civilization 7 introduces a few massive changes to the series, most notably the Ages mechanic that has you swap out your civilization for a new one as the game progresses through Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages. Your choice of leader, though, sticks with you throughout the entire game.

While they don’t provide as many traits and units as Civilizations, Leaders still have powerful abilities that can create some excellent combinations when mixed and matched. To help you out, we’ve created this tier list of every Leader and highlighted their strengths and weaknesses. This should help you choose who you want to be the face of your empire as you build your future all the way into the Modern Age.

Civilization 7 Leader Tier List

S-Tier – Confucius, Xerxes King of Kings, Ashoka World Conquerer, Augustus

A-Tier – Ashoka World Renouncer, Benjamin Franklin, Charlemagne, Harriet Tubman, Hatshepsut, Himiko High Shaman, Isabella, Jose Rizal, Machiavelli, Trung Trac, Xerxes The Achaemenid

B-Tier – Amina, Catherine The Great, Friedrich Oblique, Ibn Battuta, Lafayette, Napoleon Emperor, Napoleon Revolution, Tecumseh, Himiko Queen of Wa

C-Tier – Friedrich Baroque, Pachacuti

S-Tier Leaders

S-Tier: Ashoka, World Conquerer

• +1 Production for every 5 excess Happiness in Cities.
• +10% Production in Settlements not founded by you.
• Declaring a Formal War grants a Celebration. +5 Combat Strength against Districts for all Units during a Celebration.

Ashoka, World Conquerer is all about keeping your own citizens happy while terrorizing other civilizations. Happiness is a very strong yield, and as long as you can keep a strong flow of excess Happiness, you will get continual benefits. Settlements not founded by you and excess Happiness result in extra Production meaning you can make a lot of Units and maintain a strong base to fuel your war efforts. Also, declaring a Formal War grants you an automatic Celebration. This gives you an instant +5 Combat Strength against Districts and All Units. This makes you excellent at putting your enemy on the back foot immediately once a war is declared.

With all the excess Happiness, you can likely get one or two extra Celebrations during a war, so you go through periods of extreme military power. The only thing to manage is, as you take over Settlements from your fellow civs, dealing with the unrest they bring. However, if you can manage that and keep everyone happy, Ashoka, World Conquerer is one of the strongest leaders in the game.

S-Tier: Augustus

• +2 Production in the Capital for every Town. Can purchase Culture Buildings in Towns.
• +50% Gold towards purchasing Buildings in Towns.

Augustus gets a lot of benefits from a relatively straightforward style of play. He is all about going wide with his Settlements and establishing as many Towns as possible, be that through settling or conquest. Interestingly though, his value comes in not upgrading Towns to City. That saves him Gold, but he gets a nice bonus to Gold and Production for maintaining as many Towns as possible.

He can turn his Capital into a powerhouse, with all of his towns feeding his central base. On top of he can buy buildings cheaper in Towns, and has access to buying Culture buildings. This can really add up, both giving him immense amounts of Production and Culture, but also saving him money along the way. It’s a nicely rounded style of play with great benefits and an easy-to-understand goal. Just get out there and settle lots of Towns – or take them by force.

S-Tier: Confucius

• +25% Growth Rate in Cities.
• +2 Science from Specialists.

Confucius is a master when it comes to expanding his Cities. The natural +25% Growth Rate in Cities is just powerful, especially early on when land-grabbing is important. You can expand your borders much faster than your opponents, absorbing key Resources before they can. And you can do it without the pain of going to war.

He also has ease becoming one of the best producers of Science in the game thanks to getting +2 Science from Specialists. This can make him particularly potent, especially in the end game where his Specilasits stack up, and he has access to much more advanced Technology than other civilizations. He may need a little help defending his lands, so a strong Civilization pairing, or making a powerful ally can go far. Outside of that though, there’s not a lot that’s going to stop Confucius from gobbling up all the land he can, all while being one of the most technologically advanced.

S-Tier: Xerxes, King of Kings

• +3 Combat Strength for Units that are attacking in neutral or enemy territory.
• Gain 100 Culture and Gold per Age upon capturing a Settlement for the first time. +10% Gold in all Settlements, increased even further in Settlements not founded by you.
• +1 Settlement limit per Age.

Xerxes, King of Kings is as straightforward as it gets. He has one specialty – attacking other players and taking their Settlements. It’s not complicated or highbrowed, but it is undoubtedly effective, especially if you are looking for a Military Victory.

He benefits from being the aggressor in every situation, getting free combat strength, that doesn’t require anything to activate past initiating fights in foreign territory. He’s also incentivized to take over as many Settlements as his limits will allow, though he even gets a higher Settlement limit. For doing so, not only is he advancing the Military Legacy Path, he gains Culture and Gold further fueling his military aims.

A-Tier Leaders

A-Tier: Ashoka, World Renouncer

• +1 Food in Cities for every 5 excess Happiness.
• +10% Food in all Settlements during Celebration.
• All buildings gain a +1 Happiness adjacency for all Improvements.

While not as militarily spooky as the World Conquerer version of Ashoka, the World Renouncer is certainly nothing to sniff at. While the other version is about turning Happiness into military might, this version of Ashoka is all about turning Happiness into population.

This changes the play from trying to take over as many Settlements with your units, into going for a land grab and establishing Districts. This can be excellent in the right hands, especially those who know how to manage big populations and city construction. You can also bypass the unrest of taking over Settlements, so there is an argument the World Renouncer is as strong or even stronger. That said, it requires a little more finesse and doesn’t receive the powerful production bonuses. Either way though, as long as your population is happy, your borders should be expanding if you choose to go the World Renouncer route.

A-Tier: Benjamin Franklin

• +1 Science per Age on Production Buildings in CIties.
• +50% Production towards constructing Production Buildings.
• +1 Science per Age active Endeavors you started or supported.
• Can have two Endeavors of the same type active at a time.

Benjamin Franklin is an exceptional and versatile Leader if you intend to go down the Science route in your game. What’s nice is his specialties are in Science and Production, meaning not only can you research a lot of Technology quickly, but you can then make the product of your labor soon after too.

His traits create a nice feedback loop around Production Buildings where constructing Production Buildings can be done fast, and he then gets extra Science for each one. He also benefits from having good relations with those around him, and can further his Science generation by entering into Endeavors.

A-Tier: Charlemagne

• Military and Science Buildings receive a Happiness adjacency for Quarters. Gain 2 free Cavalry Units, once unlocked, when entering a Celebration.
• +5 Combat Strength for Cavalry Units during a Celebration.

Military and Science are always a powerful combination, allowing you to be on the cutting edge of new warfare Technologies, and then pressing that advantage. Charlemagne is encouraged to push for Military and Science buildings to help prop up some powerful Happiness traits.

As long as he can keep his population happy, he can continually enter Celebrations, which in turn gives him free Cavalry Units. While that’s going on too, these already strong early and mid-game units gain even more strength. It’s a very horse-centric strategy, but stampeding over your fellow Civilizations is a very strong tactic in the early parts of the game. While he may struggle more in the Modern Age once the likes of Tanks and Planes are introduced, he should be established with a very strong empire by then.

A-Tier: Harriet Tubman

• +100% Influence towards Initiating Espionage Actions.
• Gain 5 War Support on all wars declared against you.
• Units ignore movement penalties from Vegetation.

Harriet Tubman is undoubtedly one of the stealthiest choices in Civilization 7. Influence can be a powerful yield, and Harriet can wield it perhaps most powerfully of all. She can cause some real trouble for other Civilizations by messing with them through means of Espionage, allowing you to disrupt or steal advantages from others.

Even if you get caught and anger a powerful force, the 5 War Support you get when a war is declared against you is an enormous drain on them, that should allow you to grind out a victory. On top of that, her armies are nimble, and able to ignore vegetation, making her hard to pin down, tricksy, and a pain to deal with when she’s defending.

A-Tier: Hatshepsut

• +1 Culture for every imported Resource.
• +15% Production towards the construction of Buildings and Wonders in Cities adjacent to Navigable Rivers.

Hatshepsut can get access to really strong spikes in Culture. It benefits her to have good relationships and establish Trade Routes for imported Resources. She gets +1 Culture for each one, so every time she enters into a trade with another civilization, it gives her a nice boost of Culture.

She’s also one of the very best at producing Wonders, but also, Buildings in general. This makes her very strong in the early Culture Legacy Paths. While she needs to be utilizing a Navigable River, most cities should be on one anyway, so this is not a difficult requirement to satisfy.

A-Tier: Himiko, High Shaman

• +2 Happiness per Age on Happiness Buildings.
• +50% Production towards constructing Happiness Buildings.
• +20% Culture but -10% Science, and these effects are doubled while in a Celebration.

Himiko is perhaps the best producer of Culture in Civilization 7. Her traits are very powerful, and the mixture it has with Happiness is a potent one. Constructing Happiness Buildings is fast thanks to the production bonus, and the Happiness Buildings only get stronger with age. She also gets a ridiculous +20% passive boost to Culture, which doubles during Celebrations, further feeding into Happiness.

However, it comes with drawbacks. She also has a -10% passive to Science, which also doubles during a celebration. This will require you to be aware of your handicap and work around it. That said, as long as you either utilize Endeavors or compensate for the Science loss with Buildings and resources, these potential peaks of Culture boosts far outweigh the negative Science nerf.

A-Tier: Isabella

• Gain 300 Gold every time you discover a Natural Wonder, doubled if the Natural Wonder is in Distant Lands.
• +100% additional tile yields from Natural Wonders.
• +50% Gold towards purchasing Naval Units, and -1 Gold maintenance cost for Naval Units.

Isabella can absolutely catapult herself early on if she can find a Natural Wonder. Especially in the Antiquity Age, if found early enough, 300 Gold is a massive boon. This allows her to buy units or buildings that should put her quite a bit ahead if done at the right time. If she is able to incorporate the Natural Wonder into her borders too, she will get massive tile Yields, making it again, very powerful the earlier you can do it.

That said, this of course is dependent on your finding and securing the Natural Wonders. She can fall victim to unlucky map placement. If there’s no nearby Natural Wonder early on, then she’s not going to be getting many benefits. That said, no matter what, she should have a strong Navy, by buying water-based Units and maintaining them with no problem.

A-Tier: Jose Rizal

• When gaining rewards from Narrative Events, gain an additional 20 Culture and Gold per Age.
• Has additional Narrative Events.
• +50% Celebration duration.
• +50% Happiness towards Celebrations.

Jose Rizal is a master of Celebrations. The 50% Celebration Duration and +50% Happiness towards Celebrations tandem is very strong. This can help him make massive gains with powerful Celebration effects, especially if he moves in the direction of Culture. He will have Celebrations often and have them active for longer. That’s excellent.

He also gets nice boosts of Culture and Gold for the Narrative Events he participates in and thankfully they happen more frequently to him than over civs. While these likely won’t sway a game on their own, they are a nice garnish on the Celebration synergy available to him.

A-Tier: Machiavelli

• +3 influence per Age.
• Gains 50 Gold per Age when your Diplomatic Action proposals are accepted or 100 Gold when they are rejected.
• Ignore Relationship requirements for declaring Formal Wars.
• Can Levy Military Units from City-States you are not Suzerin of.

Machiavelli is a great option for those who like to get positively devious. He has a powerful synergy of Influence and Gold that makes him a threat at all times. While he may not be on the offensive every second, his ability to ignore Relationship Requirements to declare wars means even allies aren’t safe from a stab in the back.

Even his apparent power level can be deceptive, as thanks to his ability to gain a lot of Gold from Diplomatic Actions made with his Influence, he can buy meaningful military force quickly. On top of that, he has the very powerful ability to levy units from City-States he isn’t Suzerain of. He’s not best at taking on strong armies and has to be considered in his actions, but he excels at a smash-and-grab playstyle, even at the expense of his friends.

A-Tier: Trung Trac

• Gain 3 free Levels on your first Army Commander.
• +20% Commander experience.
• +10% Science in Cities in Tropical Spaces. This bonus is doubled while in a Formal War you declare.

Trung Trac is the master of utilizing the powerful new Army Commander units. These units let you command multiple units at once while providing them with powerful bonuses. While they aren’t necessarily the strongest to begin with, the more levels they get, the more of a deciding factor they become. Trung Trac not only gets 20% Commander Experience, but her Commanders spawn with three free levels. This can make for some pretty sizeable spikes in military power that can influence wars. If her Commanders get really powerful and get multiple Commendations too, her armies will be some of the most powerful on the map.

She also gets a nice boost to Science on Tropical Spaces, a whopping 20% boostwhen at war, supercharging the formidable Science and Military combo. That said, it’s map-dependent, as she will need access to those Tropical tiles.

A-Tier: Xerxes, The Achaemenid

• +1 Trade Route limit with all other leaders.
• +50 Culture and 100 Gold per Age when you create a Trade Route or Road.
• +1 Culture and Gold per Age on Unique Buildings and Unique Improvements.

Xerxes, The Achaemenid has access to a nice variety of yields and benefits. The 100 Gold and 50 Culture he gets from creating Trade Routes and Roads are excellent and can provide you with massive spikes of both if you set up multiple around the same time. Considering he gets access to one extra Trade Route too for each Leader, there is a nice synergy here.

That’s only helped by his buff to Culture and Gold on Unique Buildings and Improvements. Make no mistake, this is a massive amount of both, and when utilized properly, it’s very, very strong.

B-Tier Leaders

B-Tier: Amina

• +1 Resource Capacity in Cities.
• +1 Gold per Age for each Resource assigned to Cities.
• +5 Combat Strength on all Units in Plains or Desert.

Amina is definitely a decent Leader who does well with Resources. Resources are powerful in Civilization 7, so having access to more is not a bad thing. While the +1 capacity is nice to have, the +1 Gold per Age for each Resource assigned to Cities is an excellent Gold generator.

Of course, you will need to get access to as many Resources as possible while housing them too, so that is where your game plan should be focused. Her Units getting a +5 Combat Strength on all Units in Plains or Desert is a bit situational, but it could come in clutch in the right circumstances.

B-Tier: Catherine the Great

• +2 Culture per Age on displayed Great Works. Building with Great Works slot gain 1 additional slot.
• Cities settled in Tundra gain Science equal to a percentage of their Culture per turn.

Catherine the Great is generally a great producer of Culture. Displaying Great Works is a part of the Culture Legacy Path, so her getting access to extra slots to display them can be useful when trying to run through that as fast as possible. The Culture boost for doing so will also feed more Great Works, making a nice feedback loop.

That said, she can be a little situational. Her cities being on Tundra do make for excellent Science output in tandem with her Culture generation. That said, if you can’t settle on Tundras or their barrenness ends up hurting you in terms of resources, she can be a little trickier to utilize.

B-Tier: Friedrich, Oblique

• Army Commanders start with the Merit Commendation, granting them additional Command Radius.
• Gain an Infantry Unit when you construct a Science Building.

The Oblique version of Friedrich is likely his better option, though he’s still far from the best in the game. That isn’t to say he isn’t without merit though. Army Commanders are strong Units and the Merit Commendations provide the most powerful effects among them. Starting with one of those is a good way to boost your army’s power early on. The additional Command Radius is as powerful as any buffs and debuffs, allowing you to affect more Units.

He also can get an Infantry Unit when constructing a Science Building, which is a nice incentive to put your Gold and Production into those. That said, he has no access to Science, Influence, or Culture buffs. Even for a scientific-focused Civilization, he can end up hurting his viability a bit as he will likely lag behind other specialists.

B-Tier: Ibn Battuta

• Gain 2 Wildcard Attribute Points after the first Civic in every Age.
• +1 Sight for all Units.
• Gain a unique Endeavor called Trade Maps that allows you to gradually see other Leaders’ Explored area.

Ibn Battuta could become a powerful Civilization if played correctly, though he is so versatile, his strengths may not be apparent to those not sure how to utilize Attribute Points. Getting 2 of these after the first Civic in each Age means that he is flexible, and can spec himself into the situation he finds himself in. That said, with that flexibility comes more choice and complexity that might be a little unwieldy for new players.

Likewise, his visibility of the map granted from stealing other Explored areas and the extra sight from units is something that can be powerful in experienced hands. However that value might not be apparent to those less versed in how to make use of that information. He brings a lot to the table and is very flexible. Just be sure you know how to utilize that.

B-Tier: Lafayette

• Gain a unique Endeavor called Reform, which grants an additional Social Policy slot. Supporting this Endeavor also grants the other leader an additional Social Policy Slot.
• +1 Combat Strength for every Tradition, but not Policy, slotted into Government.
• +1 Culture and Happiness per Age in Settlements, doubled in Distant Lands.

Lafayette has access to some nice traits, though they aren’t the most eye-catching in isolation. Him being able to use Reform to get additional Social Policy Slots is nice, and can help provide yield boosts. The +1 Combat Strength he gets from Traditions too is nothing to sniff at. That said, even with yield-focused policies, he may struggle to keep up with more specialised Leaders.

The +1 to Culture and Happiness per Age, which is doubled in Distant Lands, is a completely unconditional buff though. That’s nice to have. This all comes together to make him a good Civilization, with a nice selection of good traits, though nothing here is entirely compelling here on its own.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Emperor

• Gain a unique Sanction called Continental System that reduces the Trade Route limit of the targeted Leader to all other Leaders. Causes massive Relationship penalty, and costs more to reject.
• +8 Gold per Age for every Leader you are Unfriendly or Hostile with.
• Can reject endeavors for Free.

Napoleon, Emperor is for those who like being a bit of a brat. He gets benefits from being a troll, gaining a very good +8 Gold for every Leader he is Unfriendly or Hostile with. That can be a lot if he’s annoying everyone. His Continental System Sanction messes with other civilizations’ ability to trade, making it an excellent option to tick off his neighbors.

The difficulty comes in managing that dislike. This means it will be very hard to enter into Endeavors, or even keep Open Borders with those around you. Of course, it will also paint an enormous target on your back. Since he provides no buffs to his Units militarily, that’s a dangerous game. So, if you’re going to be a jerk to everyone, make sure you have the army to back it up just in case the consequences of your actions catch up to you.

B-Tier: Napoleon, Revolutionary

• +1 Movement for all Land Units.
• Defending an enemy unit provides Culture equal to 50% percent of its Combat Strength.

Napoleon, Revolutionary is an interesting Leader. All of his land units get +1 movement which is helpful when trying to both traverse large areas, as well as being nimble when maneuvering around enemy units.

However, how you utilize his other trait is likely going to be what decides if you do well with him or not. Culture equal to 50% of enemy Combat Strength when defending can be very spikey, giving you a lot of Culture if you find yourself defending multiple times per turn. However, to make the best of this, you need to find yourself in this position relatively often. That means you’re going to want to be provoking enemies, but holding your ground. It’s a pretty unique playstyle and may be a bit awkward for some. But if used well, it could be a big source of Culture. Just expect to be putting other resources into maintaining your army as you continually take hits.

B-Tier: Tecumseh

• +1 Food and Production per Age in Settlements for every City-State you are Suzerain of.
• +1 Combat Strength for all your Units for every City-State you are Suzerin of.

Tecumseh has the potential to be very good, but it will need time and setup. He is all about becoming the Suzerain of City-States. If you can rack up three or four of these, that’s a significant bonus to Food and Production, as well as Combat Strength.

The issue is that becoming a Suzerain takes a lot of Influence and he doesn’t have an inherent trait that helps. So he will need a good pairing with a Civilization, Policy, and Buildings/Districts to facilitate this. On top of that, it will just take time for you to get the Influence you need and convince these states they should come under your wing. However, if you have the infrastructure for it, the rewards can be pure and consistent value.

B-Tier: Himiko, Queen of Wa

• Gain a unique Endeavor called Friend of Wei that can be performed in an Alliance to grant you and your ally +25% Science.
• +4 Science per Age for every Leader you are Friendly or Helpful with.
• Can support Endeavors for free.

Himiko, Queen of Wa is the opposite of Napoleon, Emperor. She is all about being everyone’s best friend, and if you can maintain that, you will reap enormous benefits. The +4 Science per Age for every Leader you’re Friendly or Helpful with is only helped by the Friend of Wei Endeavor. Multiply that by several allies, and that’s serious Science production.

However, you do have to be a little careful with it too. Make sure being nice to everyone doesn’t come at the cost of your defensive military. Your Technological advances and sunny demeanor may make others jealous, so don’t get caught out thinking everyone is your friend. That can go out the window quickly when they want what you have.

C-Tier Leaders

C-Tier: Friedrich, Baroque

• Gain a Great Work when you capture a Settlement for the first time.
• Gain an Infantry Unit when you construct a Culture Building.

Friedrich, Baroque has two traits and neither is particularly strong or distinct. Gaining a Great Work for capturing a Settlement for the first time is decent, but is unlikely to outright help you win games. In a field of very strong Leader traits, this feels merely ‘fine’.

Gaining an Infantry Unit when building a Culture Building is also useful, and can help fuel your military ambitions, but it’s not exactly going to make up for having no yield bonuses here. There are just many stronger options when it comes to Culture and your Military.

C-Tier: Pachacuti

• All Buildings gain a +1 Food adjacency bonus for Mountains.
• Specialists adjacent to Mountains do not cost Happiness maintenance

Pachacuti is not a bad Leader. In fact, in some games, he can be exceptional. The problem is, he can also do next to nothing if the map hasn’t favored you. To excel, you need Mountains. If he can settle near them, then he will get good access to a good amount of Food and have little drawback from Specialists. That can be really good, especially when paired with Civilizations that utilize Mountains too.

The problem is, that’s a strict requirement. Without Mountains, he provides little else, so if you spawn on a map with none around you, you’re out of luck. Of course, you can start over, or move the map sliders in your favor before picking him, but if you want a neutral experience where you start and play on a normal map, know you’re rolling the dice when you start.

Patrick is a a freelance journalist with over 13 years of experience who loves going deep on games and getting into their systems. His four-figure hours into both Overwatch 2 and Destiny 2 are a testament to that.