IGN

As Marvel Rivals Season 1 nears its final chapter, Season 2 quickly approaches, promising dozens of hero balance adjustments, new superpowered Team-Ups, and the introduction of Emma Frost and Ultron as playable characters. But as we eagerly await Season 2’s arrival, the fight between good and evil rages on with a slightly different meta. Since the publication of our Season 1 Tier list in late January, Netease Games has implemented the Marvel Rivals Season 1.5 or Mid-Season Patch Notes, which included over 20 hero balance changes, and they made even further refinements to hero balance just under a month ago.

Now, three weeks removed from the most recent hero balance adjustments, the community has had plenty of time to solve the meta and test a near infinite variety of team compositions. With the meta crystallized, standouts like Luna Snow and Hela continue to reign, some dominant characters like Mantis and Storm have lost a bit of luster, and other heroes like Groot and Winter Soldier have improved on their already stellar performance.

This Marvel Rivals Season 1 Tier list will rank all 37 Heroes in Marvel Rivals from S-Tier down to D-Tier, to help you decide which characters to pick in your end-of-season Competitive Matches. Your character selection in these final days is especially important because the arrival of Season 2 on April 11th also brings a rank reset that will drop your rank by 9 divisions, so let’s get on with our Marvel Rivals Season 1.5 Tier list:

Marvel Rivals Tier List

• S-Tier
  • Doctor Strange, Groot, Magneto, Hela, Namor, Star-Lord, Winter Soldier, Wolverine, Invisible Woman, Loki, Luna
• A-Tier
  • Hulk, The Thing, Venom, Hawkeye, Psylocke, Storm, Cloak & Dagger, Mantis
• B-Tier
  • Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Magik, Spider-Man, Squirrel Girl, The Punisher, Adam Warlock, Rocket Raccoon, Jeff the Land Shark
• C-Tier
  • Peni Parker, Black Panther, Black Widow, Human Torch, Moon Knight
• D-Tier
  • Iron Fist, Mister Fantastic, Scarlet Witch

S-Tier

Doctor Strange

Early in Season 1, Doctor Strange was arguably the best tank in Marvel Rivals because of his versatility, ease of use, and fight-winning ultimate. Strange is a strong pick across all ranks, especially when paired with the ideal composition, but the 50 HP nerf he received in the mid-season patch, along with the rise of Magneto, has shifted the meta away from the Sorcerer Supreme in high ranks. Still, Strange just barely hangs on to his S-Tier title because most players understand how to play alongside him, his ultimate remains a threat against most comps, and his well-rounded kit performs well regardless of the game mode or map.

Groot

Despite only receiving a minor buff to his Thornlash Wall placement range in the Season 1.5 balance update, Groot has emerged as the tank with the most carry potential in the game because of his game-changing ultimate and his ability to isolate targets or block incoming damage with his walls. Groot’s early Season 1 partner, Moon Knight, has since received an ultimate nerf through a bug fix, but that doesn’t make Groot’s ultimate any less lethal. Pair Groot’s ultimate with Namor or Winter Soldier to decimate the enemy team regardless of the active support ults.

Magneto

Though Magneto had already earned an S-Tier rank at the start of Season 1, he’s emerged as one of the best, if not the best, Vanguard in Marvel Rivals. In the mid-season patch, Magneto received nerfs to his shield energy consumption and maximum duration but received a slight damage buff on his primary fire as compensation. However, Magneto’s improvement has more to do with his versatility as an enabler. Whether bubbling Venom on dives, Star-Lord as he pops his ultimate, or saving his backline, Magneto is the quintessential off-tank and excels alongside Groot, The Thing, Venom, Doctor Strange, and more. Plus, Meteor M is a great counter to ultimates such as Star-Lord’s Galactic Legend, and the projectile can still be thrown to secure eliminations through many support ults.

Hela

Hela was and remains the pick-or-ban Duelist. So long as her primary fire damage sits at 70, she’ll continue to two-tap headshot most squishies from range and take over your lobbies. As if that weren’t enough, her kit has mobility and crowd control, and she can dominate regardless of the composition, game mode, or map.

Namor

While Namor was placed in A-Tier in our previous tier list because of his ability to stave off flankers, he’s been bumped up to S because of his synergy with Groot’s ultimate and his Team-Up with Luna Snow. The Frozen Spawn Team-Up is even often the target of bans, where Luna is banned not only to avoid her ultimate but to enable a dive composition by weakening Namor. Meanwhile, pairing Namor’s Horn of Proteus ult with Groot’s ultimate unleashes enough damage to cut through most support ultimates.

Star-Lord

In the mid-season patch, Star-Lord received a buff to his Rocket Propulsion’s maximum energy, and though this undoubtedly helped his survivability, we admittedly underestimated his strength in our previous tier list. Star-Lord is heavily favored in 1v1 duels, he can chunk down tanks from range, and he’s only further enabled by the rise of Magneto. Magneto can bubble Star-Lord for added protection when popping his ultimate, or Star-Lord can call for a bubble as he uses Blaster Barrage to farm ult charge off a group of enemies. Very few Heroes can effectively deal with a good Star-Lord, his ultimate is still nuts, and he thrives in just about any situation.

Winter Soldier

Since getting buffs to the base health and bonus health he receives when using his abilities at the start of Season 1, the Winter Soldier has only further established himself among the best Marvel Rivals Duelists across all ranks. Bucky shoots projectiles the size of beach balls, his Bionic Hook can mean instant death to any kidnapped character, and his ultimate synergizes perfectly with Groot’s. Pop Kraken Impact to smash enemies imprisoned by Groot, and if you don’t instantly secure a kill, a couple of follow-up shots will almost certainly reset your slam to enable your team to dismantle your foes.

Wolverine

Wolverine has received no balance changes since the start of Season 1, but his ability to cut down tanks and kidnap targets remains uniquely invaluable. Wolverine can also deal with Groot if he’s not paired with Magneto or Invisible Woman, which elevates his stock in the current meta. Unfortunately, Wolverine’s biggest weakness is making it past the ban selection screen.

Invisible Woman

Invisible Woman was an S-Tier Strategist on arrival, and little has changed since because the only balance change she’s received is a slight ultimate cost nerf. Her ultimate grants extreme healing to all teammates within its radius, her push and pull allow her to repel divers or punish bad positioning, and she provides some of the most consistent healing and damage output in the role. Invisible Woman slots in well to just about any composition or Strategist pairing, and she can grant extra shielding to her fellow Fantastic Four members.

Loki

Though Loki was placed in A-Tier at the start of Season 1, the community has further solved this hero, and his true potential places him among the best Strategists in the game. Loki’s healing and damage are amplified by his clones, his Regeneration Domain lamp can save you or your teammates from incoming ultimates, and Loki’s copy is still broken, especially when there’s a Luna in play. Finally, don’t forget that Hela’s prevalence in the meta lets them abuse the overpowered Ragnarok Rebirth Team-Up.

Luna Snow

The frequency of Luna Snow’s ultimate was reduced in the mid-season patch, but it’s done little to remove her from the top spot in the Strategist role. Luna’s ultimate continues to provide 12 seconds of near invincibility if the enemy team hasn’t built a coordinated ult combo, her healing and damage output are excellent, and her freeze and Ice Arts provide plenty of survivability. Luna is an easy S-Tier, and she’ll likely retain the title until her ultimate receives major adjustments.

A-Tier

Hulk

Hulk’s Team-Up Anchor health bonus took a hit in the Season 1.5 patch, and though this undoubtedly impacted the length and effectiveness of his engagements, Hulk has fallen to A-Tier because other tanks get more value with less effort. Venom is better in true dive comps, The Thing is more effective when brawling, and Invisible Woman and Winter Soldier can easily disrupt his disengagements. Nevertheless, Hulk continues to be an elite Vanguard that is underutilized in the current meta.

The Thing

The Thing is the best tank in A-Tier, and he may even make a convincing argument for the final spot in S. The Thing’s Earthbound CC effect can make it near impossible to play certain Duelists, he’s immune to Invisible Woman’s pushes, and he pairs beautifully alongside a Magneto that’s generous with his bubbles. Still, The Thing suffers if Groot makes it past the ban phase, so be sure to communicate with your teammates to ensure your game isn’t miserable.

Venom

Bumped up to A-Tier in this tierlist, Venom is the best dive tank in Marvel Rivals. When paired with synergistic dive characters, Venom can slaughter enemy backlines if they’ve forgone a triple Strategist comp, and he pairs incredibly well with Magneto, who can bubble engages or disengages to maximize Venom’s uptime. Venom is also helped by his ultimate cost reduction in the mid-season patch and the Frenzied Arrival adjustment that now knocks enemies inward upon landing to set up follow-up damage.

Hawkeye

In the mid-season patch, Hawkeye received several buffs despite already sitting in A-Tier on our previous tier list. His base health was bumped up to 275, the cooldown of Crescent Slash was cut by three seconds, his ultimate now increases his bow draw speed, and its damage multiplier was increased. Hawkeye was already a formidable Duelist because of his one-shot potential, but his usage has surprisingly decreased toward the end of the season, likely because he still can’t match Hela’s hitscan firepower. But with Hela as a high priority ban, more people should be picking up the bow and selecting this A-Tier Duelist.

Psylocke

Psylocke’s only balance change in the mid-season patch was a buff to her Psionic Disc Team-Up with Magik, which improved the conversion ratio of lost health to improve her sustained combat potential. Still, her pick rate has unexpectedly plummeted in the current meta. Psylocke continues to be an A-Tier Duelist, and while she thrives in dive-centric compositions, she can also play on an off-angle to chunk down tanks and secure kills on low-health targets.

Storm

After being a terror toward the start of Season 1, Storm received nerfs in the mid-season patch, including a damage falloff nerf and a reduction to her personal damage amplification, but her ally damage amplification was slightly increased. Storm is still an excellent pick in most ranks, but her usage has seen a decline in large part because of the prevalence of Hela, Winter Soldier, and The Punisher.

Cloak & Dagger

Cloak & Dagger were a definitive S-Tier pick at the start of Season 1, but their ultimate received a hefty nerf in the Season 1.5 patch. The nerf increased the ultimate cost, its duration was reduced, and most importantly, Cloak & Dagger’s ultimate no longer stacks when the trails overlap. In a game featuring busted ultimates like Loki’s and Luna’s, this nerf has left Cloak & Dagger in a bit of an awkward spot. But because their neutral game is a reliable source of healing and damage, Cloak & Dagger are still a proficient Strategist in triple support comps or when chosen due to bans. With all this in mind, Cloak & Dagger just barely hold on to an A-Tier ranking, but they’re not far off from the Strategists in B.

Mantis

In Season 0, Mantis was praised for her consistent damage and ally damage amplification, but a nerf in the Season 1 patch has similarly knocked her down a tier. The nerf noticeably reduced Mantis’s movement speed, which has made it easier for divers and flankers to eliminate her. With that said, Mantis can still excel in triple support comps where she can focus on enabling her team, and she shines when paired with Adam Warlock for the Nature’s Soul Team-Up rez.

B-Tier

Captain America

Previously ranked in C-Tier, Captain America has since received several buffs to increase his survivability, reduce the time it takes to build his ultimate, and provide improvements to his iconic shield. These buffs have made Cap a viable pick in many situations, especially when you master the ebb and flow of engagements, but he’s still more likely to thrive in lobbies below Grandmaster.

Thor

Thor is another Hero in an awkward spot in the current meta because he essentially operates as a beefy Duelist that farms insane damage and can provide disruption in both the frontlines and backlines. Unfortunately, the nature of his playstyle and ultimate have the God of Thunder sitting on the bench behind the likes of Magneto, Groot, and The Thing. But make no mistake, Thor can be near unkillable in low elo lobbies, and his Team-Up with Hela only augments his power.

Iron Man

Early in Season 1, Iron Man was often only selected when paired with the Hulk for the Gamma Overdrive Team-Up that enhanced nearly all of his abilities. Iron Man’s has since received noteworthy damage buffs that have increased his viability without his green-colored pal. However, like Storm, Iron Man’s potency is greatly reduced by the excellence of Hela, Star-Lord, and Winter Soldier, who can handily take him down. This places Iron Man in B-Tier, but he bumps up to low A-Tier on maps with advantageous architecture.

Magik

On paper, Magik would receive a higher ranking because of the lethality of her combos and her elite brawl potential when paired with a supportive cast. Yet, Magik simply doesn’t play well into the S-Tier Heroes on this tier list, which relegates her into more of a niche role than she’s been used to. She can still farm against some team comps or on specific maps, and she grants Black Panther and Psylocke a powerful recall Team-Up to enhance their dives, but there are more prolific options in the Duelist roster.

Spider-Man

Since the Season 1.5 balance patch, Spider-Man has climbed up to high B-Tier. In the mid-season patch, his Web-Cluster uptime was increased, and his Suit Expulsion Team-Up with Venom was adjusted to provide invincibility for 1 second instead of granting 4 seconds of 50% damage reduction. This change alone has drastically increased Spidey’s pick rate and viability and arguably made him the best dive Duelist in this meta, particularly on console. But if you’re up against a reliable triple support comp or lack a Venom, you may want to consider swapping to a Hero that provides more value for less effort.

Squirrel Girl

Squirrel Girl remains on the lower end of B-Tier because of her ease of use, crowd control combos, and high burst damage. She’s far from the most reliable character in the game because securing kills can be inconsistent, but her impressive burst damage and improved ultimate can be irritating in lower elo lobbies.

The Punisher

The Punisher has always been a solid pick because of his reliable damage output, but he lacks the quick lethality and utility provided by some of the better Duelists on this list. Still, he’s the perfect character for new players because of his ease of use, and his Team-Up with Rocket drastically improves his effectiveness.

Adam Warlock

You may be surprised to see Adam Warlock in B-Tier because of his presence in pro play, where his passive, Team-Up, and ultimate abilities help keep his team in the battle. Soul Bond is also among the most powerful Strategist abilities in the game since it enables his team to survive many fight-winning ultimates. Unfortunately, Adam loses some of his luster in uncoordinated play, but he can still perform well in triple support comps or when paired with Star-Lord and Mantis.

Rocket Raccoon

The slippery Rocket Raccoon is among the most beloved Strategists in Marvel Rivals, and though we still have him in B-Tier, he’s definitely raised his stock within the tier. This is largely due to his Team-Up ability that enables The Punisher and further augments an already lethal Winter Soldier. Rocket’s rez, consistent healing, and movement make him a larger asset than we gave him credit for in the previous tierlist, but we remain unconvinced of his viability outside of triple support compositions because his ultimate doesn’t compare to the likes of Luna, Loki, Invisible Woman, and Mantis.

Jeff the Land Shark

In our Season 1 tier list, we gave Jeff the honorable badge of the worst Strategist in the game, even though many Jeff connoisseurs can turn the Land Shark into a seemingly unkillable pest. This placed him in C-Tier because we were unconvinced that the flanking Jeff playstyle was a viable one. We’re happy to report that we were wrong, as Jeff has carved a niche for himself in many triple support compositions, and he even earned some playtime in the Marvel Rivals Grand Finals. Though Jeff is still arguably the worst Strategist in the game, he’s far from a throw pick and thrives when picked in a composition that enables him to distract and eliminate unsuspecting enemies.

C-Tier

Peni Parker

Despite receiving an impressive buff to her Armor Expulsion Team-Up, Peni is still the worst Vanguard in Rivals. Though she likely farms in low elo lobbies where her mines can see a massive uptick in value, her ultimate is virtually useless, and nearly all of her abilities are comfortably outclassed by the other tanks. Thankfully, the Season 2 balance patch will increase her base HP by 100, and her primary fire will drastically improve because she’ll be able to deal critical damage, and her movement reduction when firing will get cut in half.

Black Panther

Black Panther received heavy-handed nerfs to his survivability in the Season 1 Patch, and he hasn’t recovered since. Black Panther’s viability is further damaged by the continued prevalence of triple support compositions in many ranks. This makes it far more difficult to pick off supports, and other divers like Spider-Man and Psylocke simply bring more to the table.

Black Widow

Though this may just be the most controversial ranking on this tierlist, Black Widow is moving from the depths of D-Tier to a niche C-Tier. Obviously, making the most of your Black Widow pick will be determined entirely by the consistency of your aim, but her magazine size has nearly doubled, and her ultimate has been improved. So, while Black Widow remains vulnerable to all the dive characters in the game and only thrives in compositions and maps that ensure long sightlines, she’s no longer an instant throw pick in lower elo lobbies.

Human Torch

Making his debut on our tier list, Human Torch is a mediocre Hero that’s sadly outclassed by his fellow flyers, Star-Lord, Iron Man, and Storm. Johnny received some damage buffs in the most recent balance update, but they’ve proven to be insufficient fixes, especially in a meta where his soft counters like Hela are dominating lobbies.

Moon Knight

Moon Knight was ranked in A-Tier on the previous tier list because of his ease of use and insane ultimate damage that paired perfectly with Groot’s ultimate. This combo still works in many situations, but Moon Knight’s ultimate was heavily nerfed by a bug fix that makes it far easier to survive. Pair this with the fact that his ankh gets little to no value in high-tier lobbies, and Moon Knight is, at best, a situational pick.

D-Tier

Iron Fist

Since our previous tier list, Iron Fist has gone through a bit of an identity crisis as Netease aimed to position him as more of a tank buster and less of a flanker. Iron Fist now deals damage based on the enemy’s maximum health, and he got a slight HP buff to improve his survivability. Still, his telegraphed engagements are easy to fend off with attentive supports, and he lacks the frontline presence needed to reliably take on Vanguards on his own. In the end, Iron Fist’s micro-rework is seemingly a failure, and he should only be selected by specialists who fully understand the Hero’s current limitations.

Mister Fantastic

On release, Mister Fantastic was marketed as a Vanguard and Duelist hybrid, and sadly, this identity continues to be his downfall. Sure, Mister Fantastic has impressive survivability for a Duelist, but you might as well select a Vanguard with more HP and frontline presence. Similarly, Mister Fantastic lacks the lethality of even the most average of Duelists, so selecting him can be hard to justify. Mister Fantastic sat at a niche C-Tier in our last tierlist, but he’s become one of the worst characters in the game.

Scarlet Witch

In Season 2, Scarlet Witch’s primary fire is being fine-tuned, her damage is being amplified, she’s receiving a new Team-Up, and she’ll move faster during her ultimate. Unfortunately, these balance adjustments won’t arrive until next Friday, so for now, Scarlet Witch continues to be a great pick in lower elo and a difficult one when you reach Diamond or above. She simply lacks the neutral firepower provided by most of the Duelist roster, and her ultimate is incredibly easy to avoid unless she pulls out some trickery alongside Doctor Strange.

Dio Lacayo is a freelance contributor with IGN who has an unhealthy obsession with platformers, Paddington, and Overwatch. And before you say anything, no, it’s not a Jojo’s reference.

If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly telling yourself you won’t buy more Pokémon cards while also keeping a mental checklist of which sets still have a shot at pulling something ridiculous. That’s exactly why I grabbed the Azure Legends Tin the second I saw it back in stock on Amazon for $29.99. Five packs for under $30 is solid, but two of those are Surging Sparks, and that alone makes this thing worth cracking open.

Pokémon TCG: Azure Legends Tin Has Two Surging Sparks Packs

My Favorite Surging Sparks Cards

I want more excuses to open Surging Sparks packs because pulling something like Pikachu ex (SIR) feels like finding a winning lottery ticket, except way cuter and slightly more legal. I think the art alone justifies framing it, and its ability to hang in top-tier decks makes it that much sweeter. I also love Latias ex (SIR) for finally giving me a reason to hunt down the matching Latios and live out my “twin dragons soaring through art” fantasy. And if you’re sleeping on Milotic ex, that’s your loss. It’s stunning, shuts down Tera Pokémon like a pro, and honestly deserves more hype.

My Favorite Stellar Crown Cards

I’m chasing Terapagos ex (SIR) like it’s a gem-studded unicorn. It’s visually ridiculous and feels like the set’s “trophy card.” I think Bulbasaur (Illustration Rare) is perfect if you like your pulls with a side of nostalgia and Pidgey cameos, which I do. And Dachsbun ex (SIR)? It’s a bread dog. A literal loaf with glitter. I shouldn’t love it, but here we are. Don’t tell my competitive brain.

My Favorite Temporal Forces Cards

I open Temporal Forces hoping for Raging Bolt ex (SIR) and fully expecting disappointment, which somehow makes pulling it even better. It’s one of those cards that looks like it came straight out of a boss fight and hits just as hard. Iron Crown ex is another top-tier choice. It boosts Iron Hands ex damage, which basically means you’re stealing Prize cards like it’s a Black Friday brawl. And then there’s Walking Wake ex (SIR). In my opinion, it looks like a dream sequence in a prehistoric fever dream, and I mean that in the best way.

My Favorite Obsidian Flames Cards

I think it’s illegal to talk about Obsidian Flames without mentioning Charizard ex (SIR). It’s the card everyone wants, including me, and somehow still feels special no matter how many versions of this dragon exist. I’m also a big fan of Pidgeot ex (SIR), which is basically the MVP of utility cards dressed like it walked out of an indie graphic novel. And then there’s Cleffa (Illustration Rare) — a tiny cosmic marshmallow that looks like it wandered into a Studio Ghibli scene. I want five copies just to look at them.

Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of “Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior”. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.

Editor’s note: This interview was conducted on April 3, 2025, prior to Nintendo’s announcement about delaying Switch 2 pre-orders in the United States due to the potential impact of tariffs. Parts of this interview were edited for clarity.

After getting hands-on with Nintendo Switch 2 at last week’s reveal in New York, IGN spoke with the hardware leads spearheading the development of Nintendo’s newest console. Kouchi Kawamoto and Takuhiro Dohta from Nintendo’s Entertainment Planning and Development Department, along with Tetusya Sasaki from Nintendo’s Technology Development Division, talked to IGN’s Brian Altano about the technology behind Switch 2, the classic Nintendo handhelds that have inspired them and the impact former Nintendo president Satoru Iwata’s legacy had on the development of the console.

IGN: Can you talk about the SOC system on a chip the Nintendo Switch 2 was running? Is it Nvidia Tegra? If not, can you reveal which graphics architecture it’s based on?

Nintendo: I think you’ll find a lot of the details in NVIDIA’s information that they’ve shared.

IGN: One of the notes in the direct suggested to hit 4K in dock mode, upscaling may be required. What kind of upscaling is this system using? Is it using AI upscaling?

Nintendo: I think probably the main kind of easiest upscaling to use is the DLSS that Nvidia provides. So from that standpoint, I guess you could say this AI.

Nintendo: That said, we’re planning on providing other options of upscaling through software and so ranging from something that uses AI to something that’s not. I think you’ll see that as time passes. And lastly, I’ll add that even though there is upscaling, there’s also the option to not upscale and just output natively. So that’s also an option that developers can use.

IGN: What about ray tracing? Is that something that your team experimented with?

Nintendo: Just like DLSS, that’s when we’re kind of making the graphics of a game. We consider ray tracing as just another tool to do that – it’s not that we’re going to try to use ray tracing on everything, but really trying to figure out what types of graphics, what types of screens, what types of situations are best suited for ray tracing, and then trying to apply that. That’s the approach we took when we did all of our researching and experimenting.

IGN: We saw that the switch two supports third party cameras. What about third-party mice?

Nintendo: You’re talking about USB mice, things like that?

IGN: Yeah, not the animal!

Nintendo: [Laughs] It really depends on the game software with the structure. So if that software supports third-party USB mice, yes.

IGN: I have a six-year-old daughter. She took my Switch and I don’t get to play it anymore. She also has dropped it a lot and it’s okay. What have you done with Switch 2 to make sure that it can survive a kid dropping it on the floor or dropping it down the stairs?

Nintendo: Nintendo has made very sturdy devices through the ages and I believe that this time around as well, we’ve made something that will be sturdy.

Nintendo: Yeah, you can drop it a little bit. I don’t recommend it though!

IGN: I also have a Steam Deck and I like it, but the fan gets very loud when I’m playing high end games. It’s almost distracting. What did Nintendo do to make sure that that was taken into account when designing the hardware for Switch 2?

Nintendo: When a fan is loud it really does affect one’s gameplay, so that is definitely something we had in the back of our mind during the development of the Nintendo Switch 2. The system is made to adapt depending on the processing capability so I’m kind of curious to hear from the others here what their experience has been like.

Nintendo: When I was playing it it’s not like, “Wow, there’s a fan in there”. It hasn’t really gotten to the point where, even through development of the hardware, it has bothered me in any way.

Nintendo: The hardware team put quite a lot of effort into making sure the airflow was smooth. So a lot is coming in but there’s a lot coming out, and as such the fan noise isn’t too significant.

IGN: Nintendo invented the directional pad and it’s been important for video games for my entire life. What did your team do to ensure that the Dpad on the Switch 2 was great for fighting games, puzzle games, platformers, all that fun stuff?

Nintendo: You may think that every time you see the directional pad that it’s just the same button being reused, but the truth is we do make small adjustments and add small changes every time. I have people – our development and game development teams – try them out when we make a new one.

Nintendo: This is a more detailed point but for the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller directional buttons, we made it so that it’s even more difficult to have mistaken input. Of course, it doesn’t completely eliminate that possibility but it should reduce it.

IGN: I’m a big fan of Nintendo handheld systems and always have been since the original Game Boy. What are each of your personal favorite classic Nintendo handhelds?

Nintendo: I have fond memories for each of the systems that have come out but for me personally, I think the original Game Boy really has a special place in my heart. Part of the reason for that is that since then there’s obviously new systems that came out, like the Game Boy Advance for example. But I just distinctly remember my mother with the original Game Boy playing Tetris, and that’s just burned into my memory.

IGN: Some of you worked with the legendary Satoru Iwata. Is there any specific part of his legacy that inspired the Nintendo Switch 2 design?

Nintendo: There are various aspects but what comes to mind first is the magnet connector. We originally didn’t adopt it for the Nintendo Switch because it wasn’t as secure as we would’ve liked. However, we put a lot of effort into this aspect and that has come to fruition.

Nintendo: It was Mr. Iwata’s concerns about the magnets that meant it didn’t come to fruition [for the original Switch]. So being able to actually address all of the issues and create something that probably would’ve met his standards is moving and meaningful.

IGN: I love it. I think I took the JoyCon on and off 20 times yesterday!

Nintendo: I actually have a question for you. You saw the footage of the JoyCon 2 snapping on and off. Was the impression you got from that footage different from actually snapping it on and off?

IGN: Yes. I thought it was going to be like a refrigerator magnet and it was going to be wobbly loose and instead it just goes ‘snap’ and clicks in. And I was like, “Oh, that feels really nice.”

Nintendo: I’m very relieved to hear that!

IGN: Yeah, they told me I had to stop doing it!

Brian Altano has been playing Mario Kart for 30+ years, and it’s crazy that 10 of those years were spent with Mario Kart 8. We haven’t seen Battle Mode for Mario Kart World yet, but he’s still holding out hope that Block Fort can come back. Bring back Block Fort!

While Nintendo’s official UK preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 aren’t set to begin until April 8, the console is already proving elusive. Most major retailers—including EE, Argos, GAME, and Smyths—have gone live early, only to sell out fast. There’s even more turmoil in the US, where preorder delays and tariff concerns have muddied the waters.

But there’s good news: Amazon UK has begun sending out its latest wave of preorder invitations for Switch 2. If you requested an invite, now’s the time to swing by the Switch 2 listings just below, and check your inbox—this could be your best (and possibly only) chance to lock in a launch-day console without the chaos.

Unlike the US, UK preorders and pricing remain rock solid, with no delays and no price hikes. For instant alerts on preorder drops, restocks, and bundle deals, make sure to follow @IGNUKDeals on Twitter/X or Bluesky so you’re always first in line.

• See at Amazon
• See at EE
• See at Argos
• See at Currys

If you haven’t yet requested a preorder invite from Amazon UK, now’s the time to act. Stock is vanishing fast across major retailers, and Amazon remains one of the last places where you can still secure a Nintendo Switch 2—or the sought-after Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle—without resorting to scalpers or second-hand listings.

Amazon is continuing to accept invite requests and will be sending out invitations right up until June 5. The catch is invites aren’t guaranteed, they’re not based on playtime like Nintendo’s own system, and once you receive one, it expires after just 22 hours. That means speed is everything—delay too long and your shot is gone.

But the good news, there’s no upfront cost either, so Amazon won’t charge you a penny until your order is dispatched, making it a risk-free way to secure your console ahead of launch. While Some users have reported a June 7 delivery estimate, but Amazon support has confirmed this is just a system glitch—launch day delivery on June 5 is still locked in.

And if you’re building your day-one kit, some key accessories are already up for grabs. A Switch 2 screen protector is currently 50% off, while a high-speed Samsung 256GB microSD Express card—fully compatible with Switch 2—is just £47.35, the lowest price we’ve seen. You can also preorder the new Switch 2 Camera for £49.99.

35% Off NSO Expansion Pack Memberships

GameCube games coming exclusively to the Switch 2’s exclusive online library is one of the best features of the new console. To make those membership costs just that little bit easier, UK retailer ShopTo has NSO at 35% off right now, and there’s an extra 5% when you use code SPRING at checkout. As you get your Nintendo Switch 2 preorders in, this is an absolute bonus bargain to consider.

While some Nintendo Classics catalogues are unlocked with the base online subscription, you’ll also need the Expansion Pack to play GameCube titles on Nintendo Switch 2. What’s more, while you can subscribe to a monthly model for just Nintendo Switch Online, the Expansion Pack is only available on the 12-month plan, so make a note when purchasing. So, if you’re the only Nintendo Switch players in your household, you can buy the individual Online + Expansion Pack plan for £24.55 or the Family Membership for £43.55 with the promo code SPRING.

MCU fans are known for analyzing footage to within an inch of its life as they hunt for plot clues. Now, they have turned their inquisitive gaze upon Robert Downey Jr’s hair.

The Iron Man actor recently sent out a Doctor Doom-themed invitation for this 60th birthday party, and as you’d expect it popped up online. It shows the MCU star with slightly longer curly hair; this is not the haircut of Tony Stark, that’s for sure.

Photos of RDJ at the party itself show the actor sporting a similar curly hairdo, sparking speculation about how his version of Victor Von Doom will look in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.

Robert Downey Jr.’s Doom-themed birthday invitation featured him sporting a new curly hairstyle, a look he was also seen wearing two days ago.

Could this be an early glimpse at his portrayal of Victor Von Doom in ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAYʼ? pic.twitter.com/MltjPLCkoE

— Nexus Point News (@NexusPointNews) April 6, 2025

Robert Downey Jr.’s Doom-themed birthday invite showed him with a new curly hairstyle — the same look he had just two days earlier.

Possible first look at his take on Victor Von Doom in ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’ 👀 pic.twitter.com/YPJKhYNcRI

— MCU Film News (@MCUFilmNews) April 6, 2025

“He has this exact hairstyle right now in pictures,” redditor Overall_Affect_2782 said. “People are going to absolutely freak when it turns out this is his Doomsday look.”

“This is likely a fun little unofficial prototype version of the eventual look that we will see in Avengers: Doomsday,” added PhanStr.

Erik Voss of the New Rockstars YouTube channel suggested Marvel and RDJ may be taking Doctor Doom in an Oppenheimer-style direction, but from another universe.

“Doctor Strange? It’s Doom. I feel I have blood on my hands.” https://t.co/c7hhIL2v8U pic.twitter.com/ccD85JG1Uv

— Erik Voss (@eavoss) April 6, 2025

Others are unconvinced. “Based on this and the recent photos, I feel like Marvel just wanted Oscar Issac’s hair from Moonknight to play Doctor Doom,” joked NerdyDadOnline.

“I’m laughing so hard that people think this is the legit design,” declared FewWatermelonlesson0.

Of course, this may all be nothing. It seems unlikely that RDJ would spoil Doctor Doom’s look in the MCU via a birthday party invitation. But now production on Avengers: Doomsday has begun in London, all eyes are on Marvel for secrets.

Last month’s Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal was heavy on veteran X-Men actors. Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden are all now set to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, confirming the X-Men are in the film in a big way. Grammer famously played Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise before making his MCU debut via The Marvels’ post-credits scene. Stewart played Charles Xavier/Professor X in the X-Men films before appearing briefly in the MCU via Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as a member of the Illuminati. McKellen, who played Magneto, has yet to appear in the MCU. Neither has Cumming, who played Nightcrawler, Romijn, who played Mystique, nor Marsden, who played Cyclops. It begs the question: is Avengers: Doomsday secretly an Avengers vs. X-Men movie?

Marvel and Robert Downey Jr. have teased they’re not done yet with the Avengers: Doomsday casting announcements, leading fans to believe other superhero stars could be on the way. Halle Berry, who played Storm in the Fox X-Men films, recently cast doubt on her chances of reprising the role.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

It looks like Nintendo Korea’s website briefly gave away what sidekick may be joining Kong in the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza.

Though the image was quickly switched out with a less revealing one, it wasn’t quite quick enough for ResetEra, which managed to grab a screenshot before the website was changed.

Warning! Potential Donkey Kong: Bananza spoilers follow:

In most key art associated with the game, we see Kong smashing a fist into the ground, throwing up a shower of rocks and rubble, with the purple, rock-like Odd Rock behind him. The image on the Korean website essentially showed the same, but with one key difference: Odd Rock is missing, and a young Pauline is holding on for dear life to Kong’s necktie.

I’ve got today’s top deals lined up and honestly, it’s a bit of a vibe. There’s a handcrafted MainGear rig that looks like it belongs in a design museum and crushes modern games, a Pokémon TCG tin that leaves your pulls up to fate, and a Humble Bundle full of giant alien bugs and unapologetic chaos.

MainGear Custom RTX 5070 PC, Pokémon TCG, and a Skyrim Dragonborn Helmet

Waiting on Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders? I’ve found a great deal on a Sandisk 256gb Micro SD Express card too . Oh, and if you’ve ever wanted to cosplay as a Dovahkiin desk ornament, the IGN Store has something special. I think it’s a solid haul; useful stuff, actual value, no sketchy third-party sellers in sight (Although Amazon is getting a bit cheeky with their Pokémon TCG mark-ups). Let’s break it down.

MainGear North RTX 5070

Pokemon TCG: Azure Legends Tin – 5 Packs

Humble Bundle: Earth Defense Force Collection

SanDisk 256GB microSD Express microSD Card

Pokémon TCG: Shining Fates Collection Pikachu V Box

The Elder Scrolls Skyrim – Dragonborn Helmet – Replica

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box

DC Studios boss James Gunn has confirmed an August 21 release date for Peacemaker Season 2 on Max alongside a few seconds of new footage.

In a tweet, Gunn said the Season 2 premiere is “one of my favorite things ever.” The new footage shows John Cena in action, at one point smirking to the camera as a fire rages in the background. Peacemaker is “a superhero now,” he’s told.

Counting the days until Peace on Earth. I just finished the DI & Mix on the Season Premiere yesterday and wow it’s one of my favorite things ever. DC Studios’ #Peacemaker Season 2 coming soon only on @StreamOnMax August 21. pic.twitter.com/df3yOcCsdn

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) April 7, 2025

Peacemaker Season 2 arrives after the July 11 release of Superman, the big movie kick-off for Gunn’s rebooted DCU. It will actually be the third entry in the DCU, coming after last year’s Creature Commandos TV series and this summer’s Superman.

The revamped cinematic universe from Gunn and co-CEO Peter Safran moves away from the widely panned DC Extended Universe, headlined by Justice League, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Man of Steel, but some elements will remain.

Peacemaker is a key example of this, as Season 1 of the show arrived in the scrapped DCEU, while Season 2 arrives in the new DCU.

Gunn has said previously that “many strands will remain consistent as far as Peacemaker’s story goes,” though it remains unclear what will and won’t make the jump from DCEU to DCU. He has confirmed all of Team Peacemaker return with the same actors, meaning John Cena in the leading role will be joined by the likes of Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr., Freddie Stroma as Adrian Chase, and Danielle Brooks as Leota Adebayo.

Gunn has also said the show will canonically take place after the events of Creature Commandos and Superman, with the events of the latter even affecting Peacemaker.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Drug dealer simulator Schedule I has continued its astonishing overnight success as one of Steam’s most-played games, and now it has its first “proper” post-launch update alongside patch notes revealed by its developer.

Schedule I version 0.3.4 is available to test on the beta branch, developer Tyler announced on the game’s Steam page. He said it will sit on the beta branch for a day or two before being released fully, but anyone can opt into the beta branch to test it.

“This beta doesn’t quite contain 100% of the features coming in the full release,” Tyler explained. “I’ll be adding a few more decorative objects tomorrow [April 8]. I wanted to get this beta out ASAP so that the new wall-mounted objects and pawn shop interface can be thoroughly trialled.”

Schedule I version 0.3.4 patch notes:

Additions

• Added Bleuballs Boutique interior and functionality.
• Added Pawn Shop interior and functionality. You can now sell pretty much anything (excluding product) to Mick at the pawn shop.
• Added wooden sign.
• Added metal sign.
• Added wall-mounted shelf.
• Added safe.
• Added antique wall lamp.
• Added modern wall lamp.
• Added grandfather clock.
• Added Ol’ Man Jimmy’s.
• Added Château La Peepee.
• Added Brut du Gloop.
• Added silver watch.
• Added gold watch.
• Added silver chain.
• Added gold chain.
• Added gold bar.

Tweaks/Improvements

• Improved phrasing for customer recommendation dialogue.
• Added some extra null checks and validity checks.

Bug fixes

• Fixed delivery destination dropdown overflowing outside of phone screen.
• Fixed player lists sometimes not clearing properly when exiting to menu.
• Fixed non-host clients sometimes not receiving ‘on day pass’ and ‘on week pass’ events.

Schedule I was the top-selling game on Steam upon launch, with more players than big hitters such as Monster Hunter Wilds, GTA 5, and Marvel Rivals after going viral across social media, Twitch, and YouTube. In the game you go from being a small-time dope pusher to kingpin, manufacturing and distributing a range of drugs throughout the grungy city of Hyland Point. You can expand your empire with properties, businesses, employees, and more.

It’s developed and published by TVGS, aka Australian indie developer Tyler, who has called Schedule I’s explosive launch “amazing but pretty overwhelming.”

“I never expected this kind of response!” Tyler said in a post on reddit. “At the moment I’m just trying to stay focussed and get patches out ASAP. Also looking forward to getting started on content updates as soon as all major bugs are patched.”

See IGN’s Schedule 1 guide where you can learn all about the basics of mixing recipes and creating new blends to maximise profit, as well as how to access console commands, and the quickest way to jump into multiplayer co-op to take over Hyland Point with friends.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Video game companies across Japan have suffered a dramatic stock market plunge sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

White House officials signalled what they describe as specific reciprocal tariffs on roughly 60 of the “worst offenders” to go into effect on 9 April. Japan is one of the countries subject to these customised tariff rates, at 24%.

Trump’s officials say these countries charge higher tariffs on U.S. goods, impose “non-tariff” barriers to U.S. trade, or have otherwise acted in ways they feel undermine American economic goals.

Tariffs are essentially taxes placed on the cost of importing certain goods. While it’s possible for companies in the supply chain to simply eat these costs, more often than not these taxes are passed onto consumers. And unfortunately for gamers, rising prices are very likely to impact tech and gaming goods.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 benchmark index closed down 7.8%, the ASX 200 in Australia lost 4.2%, and the Kospi in South Korea ended 5.6% lower. The Shanghai Composite closed 7.3% lower and Taiwan Weighted Index lost 9.7%. The Hang Seng was down by 12.5% in afternoon trading.

Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, rounded up the decline in video game stocks based in Japan as the market opening in the morning of April 7. Nintendo was down 7.35%, Sony 10.16%, Capcom 7.13%, and Sega 6.57%.

It’s Monday 10am in Japan where Japanese game stocks currently react to these insultingly dumb tariffs like so:

Nintendo -7.35%
Sony -10.16%
Bandai Namco -7.03%
Konami -3.93%
Sega -6.57%
Koei Tecmo -5.83%
Capcom -7.13%
Square Enix -5.23%

The mobile game companies do even worse.

— Dr. Serkan Toto (@serkantoto) April 7, 2025

Last week Nintendo shocked the video game world by announcing a delay to pre-orders of the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S., blaming tariffs and the uncertainty they have caused across the world. The pre-orders were set to go live on April 9, but in the U.S. specifically they were postponed, with the June 5 release date said to be on-track. Pre-orders go live elsewhere on April 9 as planned.

Nintendo announced the Switch 2 at $449.99, with a Mario Kart World bundle priced $499.99. Mario Kart World itself is priced $79.99.

Nintendo Switch 2 comes with the following:

• Nintendo Switch 2 console
• Joy-Con 2 controllers (L+R)
• Joy-Con 2 Grip
• Joy-Con 2 Straps
• Nintendo Switch 2 Dock
• Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable
• Nintendo Switch 2 AC Adapter
• USB-C Charging Cable

Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad had warned that Trump’s surprise tariffs on countries such as Vietnam, where Nintendo had shifted some of its Switch 2 manufacturing in anticipation of U.S. tariffs on China, might have caused a rethink.

“While the company has shifted some of its manufacturing to Vietnam to offset U.S. tariffs on China, the looming threat of reciprocal tariffs prior to the Switch 2 showcase will have also forced Nintendo to consider a higher price for the rest of the world,” Ahmad said. “The reciprocal tariffs on Vietnam and Japan have come in higher than expected, and Nintendo will feel the impact of this if the tariffs go into full effect.”

Nintendo fans and analysts are now concerned Nintendo will raise the price of the Switch 2 and its games even further, even as it suffers a backlash to its pricing following the console’s reveal.

There are question marks over Sony, too, which manufactures PlayStation consoles, including the $700 PlayStation 5 Pro. IGN has asked the company if it has any comment on the prospect of increased prices in the U.S.

Goldman Sachs now forecasts there is a 45% chance the U.S. will fall into recession in the next 12 months, up from a previous estimate of 35%. JPMorgan now sees a 60% chance of a U.S. and global economic downturn.

According to a report by the BBC, Trump has defended the tariffs, saying “sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something.”

For more, check out everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct, and what the experts have to say about the Switch 2 price and Mario Kart World’s $80 price tag.

Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.