Author: Game Infliction

The detractors of Xbox Game Pass are running out of goalposts to move. One of the last remaining legitimate gripes against Microsoft’s game-subscription service is that it’s been more like basic cable rather than HBO. In other words, plenty of good stuff, but very little content that’s truly top-shelf. But just two months into 2023, that argument seems toast too. Take a look at the roll that Xbox Game Pass has gotten started, and how long it’s set to keep going:

• Hi-Fi Rush (January 25) – Many pixels’ worth of well-deserved digital ink have been spilled writing about Tango Gameworks’s viral, shadow-dropped hit. Microsoft didn’t just release a first-party game out of nowhere, it released a much-needed amazing first-party game out of nowhere. IGN gave it a 9 out of 10, and fellow critics agreed, with a Metacritic rating of 88 on Xbox and 89 on PC.

• Just four weeks later, Atomic Heart (February 21) hit Game Pass as it earned an 8 out of 10 from IGN. This highly anticipated first-person shooter has captivated gamers for a few years now, and its release did not disappoint. It’s a third-party game available on PlayStation, sure, but it’ll cost you $70 over there.

• Those two have started the year strong for the service, but fast-forward a mere 10 days (March 3) and Game Pass keeps another potential $70 in your pocket when Team Ninja’s promising new Soulslike, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, marks another big third-party game doing the day-one thing for subscribers.

• Still in March (on the 28th), Sony’s own first-party baseball sim, MLB The Show 23, won’t cost Game Pass subscribers another dime for the third consecutive year. This is extra cool for an annual sports game, where many players don’t purchase it every year. Game Pass subscribers don’t have to worry about that.

• We move to April (specifically April 18), when Minecraft Legends will see the light of day on all major platforms – but only Xbox gamers can just download it from Game Pass without swiping their credit card for an additional charge. Another dub.

• Meanwhile, May will be only a day old when Redfall, the next major game from the decorated developers at Arkane Austin (makers of Dishonored 1 and 2 along with Prey) hits Xbox Game Pass on May 2.

These are merely the top-shelf highlights. I’m leaving out Game Preview stuff like Valheim (March 14), leftovers like Ghostwire: Tokyo (which should hit Xbox Game Pass on or shortly after March 25, when its year-long exclusivity deal with PlayStation should expire), and enjoyable single-A fare like Cities Skylines Remastered and Shadow Warrior 3 Definitive Edition (both of which hit Game Pass last week).

Finally, if Starfield does make it out by the end of June – which I know many gamers doubt at this point, given the relative radio silence from Bethesda, but I still believe it’s in play – then Xbox Game Pass will have delivered quality and quantity, big games and small, across a wide variety of genres in the first half of 2023. It’ll do that even without Starfield, really, but obviously The Next Game From the Makers of Fallout and Elder Scrolls would put quite a bow on the first six months of the year. Xbox Game Pass is unquestionably riding the hottest streak yet since its birth in 2017, and the big winner is us.

Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s executive editor of previews and host of both IGN’s weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our monthly(-ish) interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He’s a North Jersey guy, so it’s “Taylor ham,” not “pork roll.” Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.

PS5 consoles are now regularly available in the UK, so here’s where you can pick one up. Our personal pick is definitely from Amazon as you can get free next-day delivery if you’re a Prime member. There’s plenty of other new deals to check out today as well, including a wonderful discount on the PS5 DualSense Charging Station. It’s down to just £19.99 at Amazon, which is £5 off the original RRP of £25. There’s also an awesome limited-time 50% discount on Keeper Password Managers, £60 off eufy RoboVac vacuums, and a whole lot more as well. See all the other great discounts just below, and make sure you’re following @IGNUKDeals on Twitter for even more UK deal updates.

TL;DR – Best UK Deals Right Now

Best PS5 Console Deals in the UK

PS5 availability has massively improved in the UK, with the likes of PlayStation Direct, Very, GAME, and Amazon now having the console in stock consistently. If you haven’t yet secured the console, 2023 is the year to finally upgrade to the latest consoles, ready to play the best games.

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Amazing Password Manager Deal from Keeper (AD)

With Keeper, you can store all of your passwords, credit card info, and other sensitive data in one secure, encrypted digital vault. Plus, they use top-notch encryption technology to keep your stuff safe and have added bonus features like password generation, password sharing, and two-factor authentication.

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DualSense Charging Station is £19.99 Right Now (Save £5)

This is the perfect deal for anyone who purchased an additional DualSense Controller over Black Friday and Christmas sales last year. Now you can charge both your shiny controllers at the same time – result!

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Best Random Deals I Love Right Now

These are the best random-ish deals that I want to highlight, but can’t necessarily fit anywhere else. A favourite of mine today is definitely the unisex hoodie blanket, down to just £12.99. This is a great price considering you’re looking at £20-30 anywhere else for a similar quality blanket. My top tip for when you buy one, wash it immediately on its own, once it’s dry it’ll be 10/10 comfort.

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AD: Avast One Individual Down to £23.99/Year (was £79.99/Year)

With Avast One Individual, you’ll get all the features you need to stay safe online, including advanced antivirus protection, a powerful firewall, and cutting-edge anti-phishing technology. Plus, you’ll get real-time alerts to keep you informed of potential threats and the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your digital life is protected by one of the world’s most trusted names in cybersecurity.

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Perfect PS5 2TB SSD with Heatsink for £150

This is a very good deal on PS5 SSDs, especially as you don’t need to further invest in a separate heatsink for the Samsung 980 PRO. Plus, you can max out your PS5 storage with another 2TB of additional space to store all the very best PS5 games in 2023. Or, check out the superb Patriot Viper VP4300 2TB SSD with Heatsink deal for £149.99, which is back for limited time only.

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Where to Preorder Link Tears of the Kingdom amiibo

Preorders are now live for the Link Tears of the Kingdom amiibo in the UK. This listing isn’t from a third-party seller or anything, this is direct from Amazon who currently has it listed for just under £30. Sure, this is going to be a widely popular amiibo, but I’d be surprised if the price inflation isn’t corrected before May 12. Plus, Amazon has a preorder price guarantee, so you’ll pay the lowest price on the listing even if you order now at £29.54.

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Check Out This Awesome Sale on Nintendo Switch Games

There are some great deals here to check out, with some of my personal favourite Switch games included just below as well. Sonic Frontiers for £32 is a great deal and one of my top games from 2022, and LEGO Star Wars is absolutely one of the best portable games on the market at the moment. I’ve left all the relevant links, just below.

More Video Game Deals to Check Out

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Switch OLED Pokemon Limited Edition In Stock

The limited edition OLED Model features art inspired by Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet with the legendary Koraidon and Miraidon pictured on the system dock. Availability for the Pokemon-themed Switch has been quite sparse since release, so being able to snag one at RRP is fantastic and well worth considering if you missed it during the initial preorder phase last year.

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The Last of Us Part II Is On Sale Right Now

Here’s a great deal for those who are loving the latest HBO hit, The Last of Us. Yes, this is based on the game as many of us know, and many of us might also know that there’s a sequel to that game. The Last of Us Part 2 is a critically acclaimed darling (with a few controversies thrown in), and it can be picked up for just £8.39 if you’re a PS Plus member right now (down from £34.99).

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Where to Preorder The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in the UK

The best Tears of the Kingdom (or Breath of the Wild 2 as many of us called it for years) preorder deal in the UK is still at Hit for £49.85, or ShopTo for the same price. In case you’re wondering, both ShopTo and Hit are 100% legit UK retailers. We’ve linked out to both of them before, and have had no complaints! I’ll leave all the relevant links down below for Tears of the Kingdom preorders.

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Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.