2018 is a long time ago. It feels like it happened in another dimension, in an alternate (and much nicer) timeline, or some other Marvel universe-typed nonsense. And it’s a timeline we can never get back to. It was also the year that Nintendo dropped its Labo sets, which is infinitely more important and interesting than my ongoing, and seemingly permanent, existential crisis. That’s right, I’m on a permo, kids.
Can you believe the first month of 2026 is already over? Some notable new releases in January included Arknights: Endfield, BrokenLore: Unfollow, and Cairn. Which game was your favorite?
How does it work? At the end of every month, PlayStation Blog will open a poll where you can vote for the best new game released that month. After the polls close we will tally your votes, and announce the winner on our social channels and PlayStation.Blog.
What is the voting criteria? That’s up to you! If you were only able to recommend one new release to a friend that month, which would it be? Note: re-released games don’t qualify, but remakes do. We define remakes as ambitious, larger-scale rebuilds such as Resident Evil 4 (2023) and Final Fantasy VII Remake.
How are nominees decided? The PlayStation Blog editorial team will gather a list of that month’s most noteworthy releases and use it to seed the poll.
The Mega Evolution set’s Ascended Heroes expansion has quickly become yet another collector-driven Pokémon TCG release, with demand greatly outweighing the supply and maxing out the value of certain cards.
With Mega Evolutions returning in force and Special Illustration Rares pushing presentation to extravagant new heights, the set has created another sharp divide between playable staples and true luxury chase cards.
While not every premium pull is destined for competitive dominance, each of the top ten most expensive cards so far has earned a lofty market price with jaw-dropping artwork, gameplay relevance, pure scarcity, or a combination of the three.
Using the dedicated trading card marketplace TCGplayer, we’ve ranked the 10 most valuable Pokémon cards from Ascended Heroes by their current market price at the time of writing, how their artwork stands out, and why their gameplay impact has kept collectors and competitive players chasing them alike.
10. Mega Froslass ex (275/217)
Mega Froslass ex may sit at the bottom of this list, but its appeal is far from modest. The artwork leans into icy elegance, placing Froslass against a stark, wintry backdrop that feels painterly rather than action-packed. That sort of subdued aesthetic stands apart from the chaos of other Mega Evolutions, making it a sure favourite among collectors who value atmospheric art over spectacle.
In play, Mega Froslass ex has carved out a niche as a disruptive attacker. Its ability to punish large hands and inflict Sleep introduces awkward sequencing for opponents, particularly in slower, resource-heavy matchups. While not a format-defining threat, its control-oriented design has kept it relevant enough to justify its premium status.
9. N’s Zoroark ex (286/217)
Another of the most valuable Pokémon cards in Ascended Heroes, this Special Illustration Rare thrives on narrative as much as mechanics. The artwork places N alongside Zoroark in a richly detailed scene that echoes the duo’s moral ambiguity, rendered in muted tones that feel almost storybook-like.
Gameplay-wise, N’s Zoroark ex remains a utility powerhouse. Its Trade ability seems like one of the most efficient new draw engines in the game, while Night Joker’s attack-copying effect grants immense flexibility. That versatility should keep Zoroark shells relevant across multiple formats, making this version a collector favourite that still earns its keep at the table.
8. Iono’s Bellibolt ex (279/217)
Few Pokémon cards in Ascended Heroes feel as vibrant as Iono’s Bellibolt ex; bursting with neon colours and cartoony expressions, the artwork mirrors Iono’s on-screen energy perfectly — instantly giving the card the kind of big personality we know her for.
That personality translates cleanly into gameplay, too. Electric Streamer allows relentless Energy acceleration, enabling aggressive Lightning strategies to overwhelm opponents before they stabilise. While Bellibolt ex requires careful management to avoid overextending, as Thunderous Bolt stops it from attacking the next turn, its all-around explosiveness has made it a popular addition.
7. Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex (287/217)
Dark, brooding, and unapologetically stylish, Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex delivers one of the expansion’s particularly striking character moments — with Marnie’s defiant look pairing with Grimmsnarl’s looming presence, feeling like a thrilling anime snapshot.
Competitively, Grimmsnarl ex rewards evolution-based strategies with efficient Energy acceleration and reliable spread damage. Its consistency has made it a staple in Darkness archetypes, and the Trainer-Pokémon pairing adds enduring collector appeal beyond raw power.
6. Mega Feraligatr ex (274/217)
Another expensive Pokémon TCG entry from Ascended Heroes, this card feels like pure momentum, with Mega Feraligatr’s erupting from crashing water, all sharp angles and violent motion, perfectly communicating its role as a bruiser.
Mortal Crunch excels at punishing damaged Pokémon, allowing Mega Feraligatr ex to close games with alarming speed once pressure is applied. Its straightforward, punishing design should resonate with players who favour decisive turns and collectors who appreciate its unapologetic ferocity.
5. Lillie’s Clefairy ex (280/217)
Few cards in Ascended Heroes are as emotionally resonant as Lillie’s Clefairy ex. The artwork is soft, joyful, and intimate, capturing a tender moment that stands in deliberate contrast to the set’s more bombastic Megas.
Despite its gentle presentation, Clefairy ex carries surprising competitive weight. Fairy Zone’s Weakness manipulation can completely warp matchups, while Full Moon Rondo scales effectively in Bench-heavy formats. Its blend of charm and tactical impact is expected to keep pushing demand well beyond casual collectors.
4. Mega Diancie ex (282/217)
One of Ascended Heroes’ most bedazzling cards, Mega Diancie ex looks like a gemstone brought to life before going under a Sailor Moon transformation. Like Mega Gardevoir ex in the Mega Evolution base set, the pastel-heavy illustration gives off pure elegance and symmetry, creating one of the most visually refined cards in the set.
Diamond Coat grants meaningful damage reduction, while Garland Ray offers flexible scaling that rewards precise Energy management. Mega Diancie ex will likely find a comfortable role in defensive Psychic builds, and its graceful presentation ensures it remains highly desirable even outside tournament play.
3. Mega Dragonite ex (290/217)
The poster child of Ascended Heroes, it’s no surprise that Mega Dragonite ex is one of the most valuable Pokémon TCG newcomers in the expansions, as well as being a pure joy rendered in colour. The artwork is lively and whimsical in an almost magical tone, depicting Dragonite soaring through a dreamlike sky.
On the battlefield, though, Sky Transport introduces constant positional control, while Ryuno Glide delivers devastating damage with surprising efficiency. Dragonite’s popularity as a Pokémon in general, combined with genuine competitive utility, has made this one of the most sought-after pulls in Ascended Heroes.
2. Mega Charizard Y ex (294/217)
Gold cards rarely divide opinion, but Mega Charizard Y ex embraces the style choice’s excess unapologetically. Like those that came before, this Mega Hyper Rare treatment transforms Charizard into a glowing icon, stripped of detail yet radiating prestige.
Explosion Y hits brutally hard, too, with this singular move capable of swinging games in just one attack. That raw power, paired with Charizard’s evergreen popularity, is likely to keep this card a centrepiece of big collections.
1. Mega Gengar ex (284/217)
The most valuable card among the Pokémon TCG’s new Ascended Heroes expansion, Mega Gengar ex stands at the summit of this expensive top ten. Not only is the artwork grippingly chaotic with five menacing, swirling colours, but Gengar’s predatory grin feels alive within the frame, too.
Gameplay-wise, Mega Gengar ex offers both disruption and efficiency. Shadowy Concealment’s Prize manipulation subtly shifts tempo, while Void Gale enables smooth Energy redistribution. Combined with Ascended Heroes’ extreme scarcity at MSRP and iconic design, it’s little wonder this card commands a near four-figure market price.
Where to Buy Ascended Heroes Sealed Boosters
The Ascended Heroes expansion has officially kicked off Pokémon TCG’s 2026 run, but there are only a couple of places where you can reliably buy ETBs, booster packs, and collections right now. Note, outside of keeping up with deal trackers, you’ll likely have to pay above retail price for the time being.
Ben Williams – IGN freelance contributor with over 10 years of experience covering gaming, tech, film, TV, and anime. Follow him on Twitter/X @BenLevelTen.
NaissancE developers Limasse Five have released a big update for SenS, their early access open world spelunking game in which you search an enveloping Structure for Unique Places, tools and artefacts. The ExistencE of SenS is news to me, despite it being very much my cup of ImpossiblE ArchitecturE.
Launched on Steam in 2022, it’s a work of torqued cuboids, sunken pockets of city, and vaguely fractal fissures. While there are no living or active threats, as far as I can tell, you do have to worry about traps and Unstable Zones – “simple or even abstract architectural structures at the beginning, but getting more complex, vast and labyrinthine the further you go.” Unstable Zones change in the dark. So you’ll need to use Luces – glowballs – and other tools to solidify paths and access points.
A big band remix of Super Mario themes just won a Grammy Award, beating Wicked star Cynthia Erivo to win in the Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella category.
Featuring tunes from throughout the Mario franchise, from its earliest days through Super Mario Galaxy and beyond, you can listen to the Grammy Award-winning composition below:
Jazz Orchestra ‘8-Bit Big Band’ won a Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental, or A Cappella for ‘Super Mario Praise Break’
Once again, this is an entirely unofficial cover, meaning that Nintendo shares none of the glory (other than having created the original tunes in the first place). The tune beat three other tracks to the award, most notably including Cynthia Erivo, who was nominated for her arrangement of original song Be Okay.
“WE JUST WON OUR 2nd GRAMMY 🤯🤯🤯,” The 8-Bit Big Band wrote on social media. “Thank you to everyone who listened and supported to all of our new releases and huge congrats to my co-arrangers on the now Grammy winning Super Mario Praise Break.”
Video game nominations remain a rare occurrence at the Grammys. Back in 2011, Civilization 4 theme song Baba Yetu scooped the Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals. A year later, Austin Wintory’s soundtrack for Journey became the first video game soundtrack to receive a Grammy nomination in the Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media category, though that award was ultimately won by The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Since 2023, the Grammy Awards have featured a dedicated video game soundtrack category, at least. This year’s award was another gong for Austin Wintory, who won for his work on Sword of the Sea. Losing out this year were Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora — Secrets of the Spires, Helldivers 2, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card & A Pirate’s Fortune.
Despite cover versions from two of its franchises now being Grammy winners, Nintendo has never officially been nominated itself, despite decades of soundtracks and tunes.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
Ready to feel old? It’s been about 13 years since the launch of the 3DS remake of Dragon Quest VII, which itself was released about 13 years after the original on the PSX. That means that it’s time for yet another remake of the storied classic, which has been dubbed Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined this time around. This iteration goes a bit farther than its 3DS predecessor in making various nips and tucks that update the game for a new generation, and I’m pleased to report that this feels like the most enjoyable version of Dragon Quest VII yet.
The narrative places you in the role of a quiet boy living a peaceful life who believes there’s more to the world beyond his small island home. He’s joined in this belief by the adventurous Prince Kiefer and the Mayor’s daughter, Maribel, and it isn’t long until this band of kids discover a mysterious shrine in which ancient stone tablets allow them to travel to various places in the past.
As part of a “month of anniversary surprises,” Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead has formally introduced us to the “face of Freedom, the voice of Victory, the light of Liberty… John Helldiver.”
In a fascinating deep dive into the writing and casting of the iconic character, actor Craig Lee Thomas and lead writer Russ Nickel discussed developing the face and voice of the game that the fandom has dubbed, quite rightly, John Helldiver.
“Casting was crazy,” said Russ Nickel, Helldivers 2’s lead writer between 2020 and 2022. “I did all the writing, and then the script went off sort of into the abyss, and I didn’t hear anything for a while. Then I found out that it was going to shoot in a week.
“They actually hadn’t really done any casting. They were just going to use this actor who’s based in Sweden, who was perfectly good, but I was like, ‘This is going to be John Helldiver!’ (I didn’t know that would be his name at the time). We can’t just get someone who’s good! Like, we need to get the funniest person we can possibly find!”
“From the initial audition, you read for what you can as an actor, and you get excited about so many things,” added Thomas, admitting: “But this in particular, as soon as I read it, I was like, ahh, I really, really, really want to do this.” So, with very little notice, he recorded a quick audition tape and sent it off. The video includes Thomas’ audition and even though his portrayal is a little less amusing than we’ve come to expect, there’s no doubting that it’s our John Helldiver.
“Within a couple days, I had gotten self tapes from Craig Lee Thomas, who plays John Helldiver,” Nickel explained. “He’s perfect. I love that man. He’s so good!”
For more, check out the 15-minute featurette on YouTube, complete with insights into the recording and mocap process, and some thoughts from the director of the opening cinematic.
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world’s biggest gaming sites and publications. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
Nioh 3 is slated to release on Friday, February 6, on PC via Steam and PS5, but the game’s latest trailer has revealed that Xbox and maybe even Nintendo Switch 2 owners may not have too long a wait for a version of their own.
According to the small print in the trailer, the PS5’s console exclusivity period looks set to run for just six months. This means Nioh 3 could debut on other consoles, such as Nintendo Switch 2 or Xbox Series X and S, as early as August 6, 2026, potentially marking the first time a Nioh title will be available on any console other than Sony’s PlayStation.
Though none of this is confirmed, of course — and publisher Koei Tecmo may hold off on porting to other consoles for technical and other reasons — it should be good news nonetheless for Team Ninja fans with an Xbox Series X and S looking to give it a go.
Nioh 3 was unveiled at Sony’s State of Play show in June 2025. Here’s the official blurb, as shared in the PlayStation Blog: “In Nioh 3, the protagonist is a young warrior poised to become the next Shogun. Why is he dedicated to battling against yokai? We’ll save those details for another day, but what we can tell you today is as the battles unfold, players will now be able to fight using two distinct combat styles: Samurai and Ninja.
“The Samurai style provides a gameplay experience similar to previous Nioh titles,” it adds. “New actions such as Arts Proficiency, which enhances the power of martial arts, and Deflect, which allows players to block enemy attacks at the last moment have been added, helping create a series of intense and deadly face-to-face confrontations.”
A demo is out now, progress for which carries over into the full game, plus players who complete the demo will receive the Twin-Snake helmet reward when Nioh 3 officially releases. IGN gave the original Nioh a 9.6/10, calling it “an epic, unforgettable adventure carried by a fierce combat system that cleverly balances style and strategy,” and we similarly praised Nioh 2 with a 9/10, too.
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world’s biggest gaming sites and publications. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
Mark’s on holiday today, which means we can’t do our usual thing of workplace-bullying him into writing about Fallout 76 while we sit around in wingback chairs drinking Glenfiddich. But if he were here, he’d surely be thrilled to note this PCGN interview with Bethesda Game Studios creative director Jon Rush, who says he hopes the multiplayer RPG can become “thicker” in 2026. Oh my.
We first noticed Under The Island almost two years ago, when its debut trailer brought all kinds of happy memories from the glory days of GBA Zelda flooding back. This weekend, Top Hat Studios and Slime King Games showcased even more of their upcoming Minish Cap-like, and announced that it’ll arrive on Switch on 17th February.
As you’ll see in the above release date trailer (narrated by none other than our good friend Jon Cartwright, we might add), the GBA charm is strong with this one — that opening dungeon looks more than a little like Deepwood Shrine, no? But that’s not to say that it’s without interesting mechanics of its own.
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