What’s happening with Boba Fett? The last time we saw the legendary Star Wars character was at the end of his own show, The Book of Boba Fett, in February 2022. Yes, the Disney+ spin-off series was divisive, with some Star Wars fans feeling it went too far in softening the iconic villain's character. But that can’t be it for Boba Fett, can it?Over three years later, it feels like The Book of Boba Fett Season 2 is stuck in a galaxy far, far away. Lucasfilm has given no indication that the show will return, with next year’s The Mandalorian & Grogu movie perhaps the best chance of a live-action reprisal. Will there be a The Mandalorian Season 4? Lucasfilm has yet to say, but if it does happen, perhaps Boba Fett would pop up there.In truth, the future of Boba Fett and Temuera Morrison, the actor who plays him, in the Star Wars franchise remains uncertain. And based on recent comments from Morrison himself, there is little reason to deviate from that position.PlaySpeaking in an interview with Collider to promote his new film, Ka Whawhai Tonu (In The Fire of War), the 64-year-old New Zealander said he felt "sad" not to have reprised the role since the end of The Book of Boba Fett.“Where [sic] The Book of Boba Fett Season 2? Where the hell is Season 2?" Morrison said. "I know they're doing Ahsoka Season 2. I'm going, 'Ah, where's my Season 2?'"According to Collider, Morrison revealed he actually pitched Lucasfilm on Boba Fett appearing in Ahsoka Season 2 ("can I be Rex and take his helmet off, please?"), pointing out that he plays not just Boba Fett but all the clones based upon the character.He also bumped into Star Wars stewards Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau recently, and reminded them Boba Fett still exists. Apparently “they kind of said, 'Well, well,' they didn't want to say too much, put it that way. There was a few whispers of — they didn't want to say too much — but they just left it at that."That exchange left Morrison feeling like "I've been preserved for a later date, and I'm going to be tastier." He compared his feeling following the encounter to going to grandma’s house and seeing “that preservative jar of peaches up on the shelf.”Every Upcoming Star Wars Movie and TV Show“That's what I think,” he continued. “I'm one of those peaches, and I've been put up on the shelf. I've been preserved for a later date, and I'm going to be tastier.”Morrison could be playing coy, knowing full well he’s coming back to Star Wars in some form. After all, Rosario Dawson had no idea Mark Hamill was returning as Luke Skywalker in The Mandalorian until he walked on set. Lucasfilm has a history of holding its cards close to its chest.But it does sound to me like nothing is in the works for Boba Fett, unfortunately, and indeed last year Morrison offered a reason for why that might be the case. Speaking at the From Clone Troopers to Bounty Hunters panel at Fan Expo Chicago, Morrison cited The Book of Boba Fett's poor reception as the reason for the once beloved character not returning in Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu. He added that Star Wars owner Disney hadn’t asked him to appear in the incoming film or a second season of The Book of Boba Fett.The show, which told the story of Boba Fett as he escaped from the Sarlacc Pit and acted as a miniature season of The Mandalorian, was among the worst received Star Wars shows. "This show's reception does seem to have impacted the future of the character in the franchise," Morrison said at the time. That was in August 2024. Has something changed in the year since? I'm not sure.Morrison originally played Jango Fett in Star Wars: Episode 2 – Attack of the Clones but years later rejoined Star Wars as Jango's son and clone Boba Fett. He's made clear his desire to return to Star Wars, saying he wants a chunk of The Mandalorian's time just as The Mandalorian led an episode of his show.Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage.Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

(Credit: René Ramos; Nintendo; Sora)The Best Games on Every Platform Animal Crossing: New Horizons Animal Crossing: New Horizons (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent No game may end up defining 2020 more than Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Nintendo’s adorable life simulator has always had its fans. However, with the real world under lockdown, countless players have flocked to their own virtual islands to find community. Paying a mortgage to a raccoon is a small price to pay for the freedom to relax in your own social life again. Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re-Boot Camp 4.0 Excellent Fire Emblem isn't Nintendo's only awesome strategy series. If you prefer soldiers and tanks over knights and horses, check out Advance Wars and its terrific turn-based tactics. This remake includes campaigns from the first two Game Boy Advance games, offering hours upon hours of brilliantly designed missions. You can also design your own maps and play against friends online. Advance Wars 1 + 2: Re-Boot Camp review ARMS ARMS (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent ARMS is Nintendo's newest take on the fighting game genre. It combines cartoonish aesthetics, sci-fi weapons, and arm-stretching boxing into an accessible, offbeat fighter with a lot of variety. It's a polished, fun, competitive game that bears more than a passing visual similarity to Splatoon. Though time will tell if ARMS gains any momentum within the esports scene, the game offers plenty of opportunity to swing fists at your friends. Bayonetta 2 Bayonetta 2 (for Nintendo Switch) 4.5 Excellent Bayonetta 2 is another fantastic game that launched on the wrong system. Years later its initial release, Bayo 2 still stands as one of the best action games out there, and now that it's been ported from the Wii U to the Switch it can get the attention and devotion it deserves. Tight controls, robust challenge, and plenty of style make this stand out as a pinnacle of action games. Bayonetta 3 Bayonetta 3 (for Nintendo Switch) 4.5 Excellent Just when you thought Bayonetta couldn’t get any more bewitching, PlatinumGames delivers an absolute master class on video game action with Bayonetta 3. Besides Bayonetta’s familiar punches, kicks, and guns, you can further expand her combat options by summoning giant demons and directing their attacks. Meanwhile, the multiversal story is ridiculous, even by Bayonetta standards. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent If Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night's story of a demonic castle and a lone savior sounds incredibly familiar, it should: the game was spearheaded by Koji Igarashi, the big brain behind many revered Castlevania games. Bloodstained is an excellent Castlevania game in everything but name, hitting the same beats Symphony of the Night, Aria of Sorrow, and Order of Ecclesia did. If you're thirsty for a new, enjoyable Castlevania-like game that calls back to before Lords of Shadow rebooted the series and Mirror of Fate completely failed to capture any of its luster, this is the game for you. Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon 4.0 Excellent Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon isn’t a hard-hitting, nonstop action game like the main Bayonetta trilogy. Instead, this is a relatively relaxed adventure game full of puzzles and gorgeous storybook visuals. Young witch Cereza teams up with a young demon, Cheshire, to tackle challenges neither could complete alone. Although the combat isn’t quite as complex as in the mainline Bayo games, there’s still plenty of flair to the faerie fights. Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon review Bravely Default II Bravely Default II (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent Modern Final Fantasy games have become their own beasts, but games like Bravely Default II remind us why we fell in love with those classic Square Enix JRPGs. In battle, you can either perform multiple actions at once (Brave) or wait to save up for later turns (Default), which opens up many strategic possibilities. On Switch, the diorama world looks more beautiful and nostalgic than ever. Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent Crypt of the NecroDancer was a surprise indie hit in 2015, catching gamers' eyes and ears with its combination of roguelike randomized dungeon exploration with rhythm game beat-keeping. It hit the Nintendo Switch in 2018, and now it's back in a new and much more Nintendo-specific form: Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer, a title that injects rhythm game mechanics into The Legend of Zelda. This Switch game seamlessly combines Zelda and Crypt of the NecroDancer, creating a surprisingly accessible and thoroughly enjoyable experience played to the beat of Zelda's classic and music. Cassette Beasts 4.0 Excellent Pokémon doesn't have a monopoly on monster catching. Cassette Beasts is a stylish, indie RPG that puts its own spin on collecting creatures and pitting them against each other in combat. The open world has many quests, the fighting mechanics have the extra depth that experienced players crave, and the story veers off in cool, surreal directions. Most importantly, there are some great monster designs, like ghostly sheep and living bullets. Cassette Beasts review Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent Forget fancy new video games. Sometimes you just want to play chess, solitaire, or one of the other virtual vintage games that make up this classic compilation. Not only is this a convenient way to play some of history’s most enduring games with friends, but Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics does a great job educating you on that history, including the fascinating early Hanafuda history of Nintendo itself. Game Builder Garage Game Builder Garage (for Nintendo Switch) 4.5 Excellent If you thought Super Mario Maker was a great way to learn about game development, give Game Builder Garage a spin. This incredibly powerful 3D game creation tool lets you make anything from platformers to racing games to puzzle mysteries. Thorough, friendly tutorials explain the robust “Nodon” coding language, so even novices can create hitboxes and manipulate the Z-axis like pros. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent The Switch has gotten a reputation as a machine for game ports, and there's nothing wrong with that. The Wii U wasn't the massive hit the Wii was, but it still had several excellent games that went underappreciated in their time. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is one of them, a sequel to Donkey Kong Country Returns with even more challenge and variety. The Switch version of this game adds Funky Kong Mode, an easier setting and new playable character (Funky Kong himself) that makes the surprisingly brutal platforming feel a little less punishing. Hades Hades (for Nintendo Switch) Hades takes the punishing and divisive roguelike genre and masterfully twists it into one of the year's most addictive games. Fighting your way out of the Greek underworld with randomly changing skills and weapons feels incredible. The family drama at the game’s core gives you that extra narrative push to keep going. Plus, everyone is smoking hot. Indivisible Indivisible (for Nintendo Switch) While many role-playing games draw their influences from Western folklore, even RPGs made in Japan, Indivisible carves out a unique identity with a fresh Southeast Asian flavor. The 2D animation is exquisite, as we would expect from the developer of Skullgirls. Gameplay is a mix of nonlinear spaces to explore and enemies to defeat in tactical battles. Of the two types of play, the exploration sections impress us more. In these bits you find your way forward by using an axe to fling yourself up walls or by shooting arrows to blind sentries. That's just more satisfying than the frantic messes the fights, caught awkwardly between turn-based and real-time combat, can turn into.   Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe (for Nintendo Switch) 4.5 Excellent Kirby’s Return to Dreamland is a traditional, side-scrolling adventure compared to Kirby’s more radical outings. Still, it’s an excellent showcase of what makes even a normal Kirby game irresistible. This Deluxe version enhances the Wii co-op classic with a sweet, new art style; extra powers; and an original epilogue. Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe (for Nintendo Switch) review Kirby and the Forgotten Land Kirby and the Forgotten Land (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent Kirby and the Forgotten Land finally gives the pink puffball the epic 3D adventure that Mario, Link, and Samus got years ago. Float through the skies in creative levels bursting with secrets. Upgrade familiar powers, such as hammers and swords, into formidable new forms. Or just sit back and marvel at how Nintendo made the post-apocalypse look so cute. Kirby Star Allies Kirby Star Allies (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent Kirby games are always fun. Whether they're the simple platformers like Kirby's Adventure or weirdly gimmicky experiences like Kirby's Dream Course, every first-party experience with Nintendo's pink puff ball has been enjoyable. Kirby Star Allies is no different, with a lighthearted campaign filled with colorful friends and abilities, surprisingly challenging extra modes to unlock, and support for up to four players at once. Get on the Friend Train! The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (for Nintendo Switch) 4.5 Excellent Hyrule is in danger again, and Link must save it. That's been the theme for nearly every Legend of Zelda game, and it's still the case in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The series' basic premise and Link/Zelda/Ganon dynamic are present, but nearly everything else is different. The classic Zelda dungeon-exploration structure is replaced by a huge open world that's filled with destructible weapons, monsters, puzzles, and quests. Breath of the Wild's scope is one previously unseen in the Zelda series, and Nintendo executes the adventure-filled world with aplomb. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom - Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, Nintendo Switch Lite 4.5 Excellent The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom turns Nintendo's epic franchise on its head in more ways than one. Instead of the swordsman, Link, you play as Princess Zelda. Likewise, you don't directly attack enemies; you summon useful items and foes to aid you on the mission. The game takes the creative, improv spirit of Breath of the Wild and applies it to a classic 2D top-down Zelda adventure with delightful results. Plus, it just looks adorable. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom - Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, Nintendo Switch Lite review The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (for Nintendo Switch) 3.5 Good No Zelda games are terrible, but no game polarizes the fan base quite like Skyward Sword. Fortunately, this HD remaster speeds up the pacing, enhances the graphics, and offers a button-based control scheme if you don’t care for motion controls. The structure feels especially linear in a post-Breath of the Wild world, but Zelda’s origin story is still worth experiencing. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch (OLED Model), Nintendo Switch Lite 5.0 Outstanding At launch, it was tough to imagine the Switch ever getting another game as good as Breath of the Wild. But years later, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom delivers everything we could have possibly wanted and more in this direct sequel to one of the greatest games ever made. Exploring the skies and underground caves makes Hyrule more vast than ever. New powers let you break the world apart and rebuild it as you see fit. Tears of the Kingdom is an irresistible, hypnotic adventure, and an absolute must-play for all RPG fans. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch (OLED Model), Nintendo Switch Lite review Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent Who knows what the future holds for Star Wars, but Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga provides a terrific toybox take on Episodes I-IX. The Lego recreations of all nine movies gives you plenty to experience as you blast baddies and solve Force puzzles. But what really makes this game so special is how it turns the entire Star Wars galaxy into an open world to explore, whether it’s on colorful planets or through the vastness of outer space in your trusty starfighter. Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (for Nintendo Switch) review Luigi's Mansion 3 Luigi's Mansion 3 - Nintendo Switch Standard Edition What started as a weirdly specific parody of Ghostbusters and Resident Evil has become of one the finest Mario spin-off adventures. Luigi’s spooky journey throughout a haunted hotel is arguably the most visually stunning game on the Nintendo Switch. Along with sucking up ghosts, you can now slam them (back) to death and shoot plungers to pull apart the scenery. Your greatest, and grossest, tool has to be Gooigi. This slimy green doppelgänger expands your puzzle-solving powers and provides an easy option for younger co-op partners. Lumines Remastered Lumines Remastered (for Nintendo Switch) 4.5 Excellent Puyo Puyo Tetris is great for classic, competitive block-dropping, but it's a bit overly perky and anime-ish to really relax to. Lumines Remastered is the ultimate chill-out block-dropper, syncing the mesmerizing pattern matching to dozens of hypnotic electronic and trance tracks. Load it on your Switch, put on your favorite headphones, and space out while you build huge combos. Mario & Luigi: Brothership Mario & Luigi: Brothership - Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, Nintendo Switch Lite 4.0 Excellent Mario & Luigi: Brothership revives a Mario RPG subseries as a grand nautical adventure. The plumbers sail the seas, reconnecting scattered islands and battling foes with familiar, frenetic turn-based combat. On Nintendo Switch, the visuals and animations turn Mario and Luigi into cartoon-like characters. Mario & Luigi: Brothership - Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, Nintendo Switch Lite review Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent Before Minions, there were Rabbids, Ubisoft's manic, sublingual, noseless horde spawned from Rayman: Raving Rabbids. Then the weird, bug-eyed, rabbit-like creatures caused havoc in their own game series. Now, they're running around Mario's stomping grounds in Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle. This strategy-RPG combines two cartoonish worlds with satisfyingly deep, XCOM-like gameplay for a very fun and strange experience. It's a combination of styles that work much, much better than you'd expect. Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle proved that these two mascots could come together for excellent, approachable tactics gameplay. Sparks of Hope is more of the same, but even better. Equipping Sparks lets you further customize your squad’s strategic abilities. Wide open levels provide entertaining exploration between the skirmishes. Mario Golf: Super Rush Mario Golf: Super Rush (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent Leave it to Mario to find a way to make golf games feel fresh again. Mario Golf: Super Rush’s standout gimmick has golfers teeing off all at once, and then physically running across the course to take their next shot. You still have to plan smart strokes, but you also need to keep an eye on the clock. The lengthy, single-player adventure teaches you the ropes before you head online to face real challengers on the green. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (for Nintendo Switch) 4.5 Excellent Mario Kart 8 stood out as the best-looking Mario Kart game yet when it came out on the Nintendo Wii U. Instead of making a new Mario Kart for the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo brought Mario Kart 8 to its new game system. In the process, Nintendo threw in both previously released DLC packs and made some few welcome changes to its multiplayer options, justifying the game's full retail price. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the most robust game in the series so far, and with the optional portability of the Switch, it ranks as a must-own title. Mario Strikers: Battle League Mario Strikers: Battle League (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent Mario has played many sports throughout the years, but Mario Strikers: Battle League gives us the arcade soccer chaos fans have craved for more than a decade. It features fast-paced action, while allowing for depth and skill should you choose to push yourself. Customize your characters with stat-changing gear. Join online clubs to compete in ongoing seasons. And no one animates the Mario universe with as much style and attitude as the developers at Next Level Games. Mario Strikers: Battle League (for Nintendo Switch) review Mario Tennis Aces Mario Tennis Aces (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent You don't need to be a sports fan to enjoy Nintendo sports games. If a sport has "Mario" in front of it, it's probably going to be a fun, very unrealistic romp instead of a serious simulation. Mario Tennis Aces is an exciting tennis game not because of any realistic physics, but because of fast, responsive gameplay and strategic mechanics that make matches feel more like rounds in a fighting game than tennis sets. Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics - Nintendo Switch 4.0 Excellent Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics lets you finally relive six legendary 2D fighters starring Marvel superheroes and Capcom icons. From the humble X-Men: Children of the Atom to the over-the-top Marvel vs. Capcom 2, this is vital fighting game history. An art gallery, modern control options, rollback netcode, and the underrated Punisher beat 'em up sweeten the deal. Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics - Nintendo Switch review Metal Slug Tactics Metal Slug Tactics (for Nintendo Switch) Metal Slug Tactics trades the mainline series' fast-paced running and gunning for methodical, turn-based strategy gameplay. Still, it's just as action-packed as ever. Line up your units for devastating sync attacks. Enjoy the beautiful old-school sprite work. Plan your turns, hop into a giant tank, and obliterate foes. Metroid Dread Metroid Dread (for Nintendo Switch) 4.5 Excellent After nearly 20 years, Metroid Dread brings Samus Aran back to her 2D, bounty hunting roots for the true Metroid 5. In it, you explore a dense, dangerous new planet full of powers to pick up and enemies to eliminate. From uncompromising boss battles to terrifying chases, Dread more than lives up to its subtitle. If there's anyone strong enough to take down the terror, it's Nintendo's leading lady. Metroid Prime Remastered 5.0 Outstanding Metroid Prime is one of the best games ever made. It takes Super Metroid’s brilliant exploratory action and perfectly translates it to 3D with immaculate level design and immersive first-person shooting. This remaster, which ventures into the remake territory, includes everything that worked in the original, and ups the presentation to modern, beautiful standards. Plus, you can now play with dual-stick controls. Bring on Metroid Prime 4. Metroid Prime Remastered review Miitopia Miitopia (for Nintendo Switch) 3.5 Good Miis can do more than just play Wii Sports. In Miitopia, you use Nintendo’s cartoon caricatures to cast yourself, friends, and family as heroes and villains in a fast-paced, whimsical role-playing game. Turn yourself into a brave knight, while your buddy supports you as a pop star. The joke can’t quite sustain the whole runtime, but Miitopia is wildly entertaining.   Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent If traditional Monster Hunter is just too intense for you, Monster Hunter Stories 2 lets you experience this cutthroat world as a turn-based JRPG. Befriend monsters and take them into battle. Hatch eggs to expand your menagerie. Strategic battles draw upon familiar Monster Hunter concepts. And, of course, Rathalos is here. New Pokemon Snap New Pokemon Snap (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent The beloved Nintendo 64 spin-off finally gets the update it deserves. Instead of capturing Pokemon and forcing them to battle, New Pokemon Snap asks you to take beautiful photos of Pikachu and friends in their natural surroundings. The on-rails gameplay feels like a nonviolent version of a light gun game. The gorgeous graphics will inspire you to share your best pics online for the world to see. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent Imagine Super Smash Bros., but instead of playing as video game mascots, you control beloved cartoon characters beating each other senseless. That's Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl. From SpongeBob SquarePants to Ren and Stimpy to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the roster covers all eras of Nicktoon nostalgia. Beyond the ironic meme potential, "Nick Smash" features genuinely fantastic gameplay made by a team clearly passionate about this particular form of "platform fighting" games. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl (for Nintendo Switch) review Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01 Variety Kit Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01 Variety Kit (for Nintendo Switch) 5.0 Outstanding Labo is a weirder concept than the Switch itself. It's based around building cardboard "Toy-Cons" in which you place the Switch's components to let you do new things with them. It's also surprisingly functional, entertaining, and educational. The Nintendo Labo Variety Kit has all of the parts you need to build several different Toy-Cons like a piano and motorcycle handlebars, and walks you through every step of the process. Just building the Toy-Cons is fascinating, but the Toy-Con Garage mode adds surprisingly robust programming options to let you create your own remote-controlled creations. Nintendo Labo: VR Kit 4.5 Excellent It took over 20 years, but Nintendo finally got over its fear of virtual reality after the disastrous Virtual Boy. The Labo VR Kit lets you build your own VR headset that uses the Nintendo Switch and a set of lenses to create a stereoscopic image, and then insert that headset into different Toy-Con controllers to play a variety of games. That's already a ton of fun for $79.99 (or $39.99 for a starter set that only includes one Toy-Con to build instead of five). Add a programming environment on top that lets you create your own 3D games, and you have an impressive package. No More Heroes III No More Heroes III (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent No More Heroes III, like the other games in Suda51’s hack-and-slash trilogy, is a punk art game. Sure, some parts may be “bad,” like the technical jank or empty open worlds. But it’s all in service of larger commentary on everything from schlocky movies to wrestling fandom to the video game industry itself. Plus, cutting aliens down to size feels legitimately fantastic, and really that’s what matters.  Penny's Big Breakaway 4.0 Excellent The creators of Sonic Mania deliver a new indie 3D platformer that feels like a forgotten Sega classic. Use your trusty yo-yo to swing and roll through colorful, tightly designed levels that test your momentum control. Bosses and other enemies are sometimes more annoying than fun, but the movement mechanics are a joy to master. Penny's Big Breakaway review Pikmin 3 Deluxe Pikmin 3 Deluxe (for Nintendo Switch) 3.5 Good Pikmin isn’t the most recognizable Nintendo franchise, but the approachable real-time strategy game carries as much magic as Mario and Zelda. This Wii U port offers more missions and ways to control your army of cute plant creatures. The campaign's local, co-op play opens all kinds of new strategies, too. Veterans of previous Pikmin wars may have seen most of this content before, but Pikmin newcomers should absolutely jump into this tiny, tactical, and tactile world. Pikmin 4 Pikmin 4 (for Nintendo Switch) 4.5 Excellent Pikmin has always been good, but the quirky real-time strategy game has never broken out of its cult status over the past 20 years. Hopefully, that all changes with Pikmin 4. The biggest and best Pikmin game yet, Pikmin 4 gives you new Pikmin to command, a cute and customizable dog companion, and many gorgeous areas to strategically explore whether above ground or in countless caves. The multiplayer could be better, but Pikmin 4 is a top-tier Nintendo game everyone should play. Pikmin 4 (for Nintendo Switch) review Pizza Tower Pizza Tower feels like a fever dream of 1990s cartoons, internet memes, and retro Wario Land games. Don’t let his pudgy exterior fool you. Protagonist Peppino Spaghetti has many incredibly fast and fluid platforming tools, including dashing and wall-running. You’ll need to master those tools to beat levels as fast as possible, without losing your mind. Pokemon Legends: Arceus Pokemon Legends: Arceus (for Nintendo Switch) 3.5 Good Pokemon Legends: Arceus finally gives the Pokemon franchise a long-awaited refresh. Taking place in the distant past of Diamond and Pearl’s Sinnoh region, Arceus lets you capture and study wild Pokemon in a world where humans still fear the creatures. Vast open fields, revamped battle mechanics, and an utterly addictive approach to exploration create the most immersive Pokemon experience yet. Pokemon Let's Go, Pikachu/Eevee! Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee! 4.0 Excellent If the traditional Pokemon RPGs are still just a bit too complex for you, consider the casual adventures Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee. This duo remakes the first-generation Pokemon Yellow, with bright, colorful, HD graphics, and a new capture mechanic based on Pokemon Go. In addition, there are trainer battles and turn-based combat for people who dig classic Pokemon. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Pokémon Scarlet - Nintendo Switch 4.0 Excellent Pokemon Sword and Shield and Pokemon Legends: Arceus experimented with expansive zones, but Pokémon Scarlet and Violet finally turns the monster-catching game into an open-world RPG. As we always suspected, the addictive Pokémon formula works brilliantly when you can go wherever you want, exploring towns and catching whatever monsters you encounter. Lingering technical issues keep it from reaching its full potential, but this is Pokémon's shining future. Pokemon Sword/Shield Pokemon Sword (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee were a nice warmup, but Pokemon Sword and Shield are the real home console Pokemon games we’ve been looking forward to playing. Travel across big, open landscapes to capture even bigger Pokemon. New expansions packs in 2020 give trainers even more regions to explore and more Pokemon to battle without having to buy a third version. The Pokedex will be complete before you know it.  Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown 4.5 Excellent Prince of Persia returns to its 2D roots with The Lost Crown, a standout entry in the crowded modern Metroidvania market. Everything just clicks. The massive map is a joy to explore. Clever puzzles make the most of inventive abilities. Deep combat systems allow satisfying expression. Challenging DLC further expands the adventure. And the presentation combines Persian flair with anime exuberance. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown review Pokemon Unite Pokemon Unite (for Nintendo Switch) 3.5 Good If you’re curious about the MOBA genre, but scared of esports heavy-hitters like Dota 2 and League of Legends, then Pokemon Unite is the perfect place to get started. Two teams of five Pokemon battle each other in real-time to score goals across the map. This free-to-play game is also coming soon to mobile, so you’ll find plenty of aspiring Pokemon masters to challenge. Puyo Puyo Tetris Puyo Puyo Tetris (for Nintendo Switch) 4.5 Excellent Practically everyone in North America has heard of Tetris. Far fewer have heard of Puyo Puyo. Both are block-dropping puzzle games, but while Tetris has been Tetris for decades, Puyo Puyo has had many different tweaks and name changes in attempts to appeal to the west. It came out first as Puyo Pop, then received different licensed incarnations, such as Puzzle Fighter and Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine. Now, Puyo Puyo is making its mark here, thanks to Sega and a double-billing with Tetris. The pairing results in a title that's plump with game modes, unlockables, and solo and multiplayer options. Red Dead Redemption Red Dead Redemption (for Nintendo Switch) Grand Theft Auto put Rockstar Games on the map, but for many the team's true masterpiece is the epic, open-world Western saga known as Red Dead Redemption. John Marston's cowboy odyssey has the scathing tone you'd expect from the developer, but it also has heart and a sense of tragedy. The Nintendo Switch version perfectly maintains the original gameplay experience, from stylish shootouts to riding your horse across the empty desert. It also includes the Undead Nightmare DLC. Finally, a version of Red Dead you can play in a tent under the stars. Rebel Galaxy Outlaw Rebel Galaxy Outlaw (for Nintendo Switch) Rebel Galaxy Outlaw has enough action-packed, visually dazzling spaceship dogfights to excite any Star Fox fan. The real joy, however, is in the quieter moments, when you act out your galactic trucker fantasies by carrying cargo from space stations named after Texas towns. Improving your ship is a bit of a grind, but it’s a rewarding one. If you get bored, you can always shoot down pirates—or become one yourself. Rocket League Rocket League (for Nintendo Switch) Rocket League is soccer, with remote controlled cars and funny hats. It's amazing how compelling a game can be when the entire point of it is to use a car to knock a ball into a goal, but Rocket League nails it. Wild physics, colorful visuals, and simple game types you can keep coming back to while challenging friends and strangers make this one of the best pseudo-sports games on the Switch. Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove (for Nintendo Switch) Platforming excellence comes to the Nintendo Switch courtesy of Yacht Club Games' Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove. This downloadable package includes the original Shovel Knight, one of 2014's top titles, as well as all the previously released DLC including the Plague of Shadows and Specter of Torment campaigns. If you long for some retro, 2D action, Treasure Trove a a game that you should not miss. Splatoon 3 Splatoon 3 (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent Splatoon 3 isn't much different than Splatoon 2 (which in turn wasn't much different from Splatoon 1). However, no other online team-based shooter delivers an experience quite like this. Inking the ground, splatting opponents, and transforming from squid to kid never felt this good. The wealth of solo, cooperative, and competitive modes will keep you busy. Keep the party going with the excellent, roguelike DLC Side Order. Splatoon 3 (for Nintendo Switch) review Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection (for Nintendo Switch) Street Fighter has been the biggest name in fighting games for decades, and Capcom is proud of that fact. While it really got going with Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection lets you play the original Street Fighter in all of its genre-building glory. And, after you realize how bad that first attempt was, you can play the much better sequels like Super Street Fighter II, Street Fighter Alpha 3, and Street Fighter III: Third Strike. You're looking at a dozen games in this collection, with loads of extra content like soundtracks and sprite data. Streets of Rage 4 Streets of Rage 4 (for Nintendo Switch) Streets of Rage 4 pounds life back into the dead sidescrolling beat ‘em up genre. The gameplay may not have progressed that much since Sega’s trilogy in the 1990s, but taking down hordes of goons with your fists has never looked better thanks to a thoroughly modern illustrated art style. A risky new mechanic that burns health to power special moves, unless you avoid getting hit, adds some fighting-game flair.  Super Bomberman R Super Bomberman R (for Nintendo Switch) 3.5 Good Bomberman's return to console gaming was one of the most surprising moments in the Nintendo's January 2017 Switch game showcase. Considering that the little guy's now the property of Konami, a company that's more known for killing P.T. and warring with Metal Gear maestro Hideo Kojima than making video games, it was shocking to see Super Bomberman R announced as a Nintendo Switch launch title. Thankfully, this newest entry in the beloved, bomb-tossing franchise keeps the series' simple and addicting core gameplay intact, and adds tons of modes, collectible items, and characters to keep things fresh. Super Mario 3D All-Stars Super Mario 3D All-Stars (for Nintendo Switch) 3.5 Good This classic Mario collection combines Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. They may not have received the radical visual overhaul of the original Super Mario All-Stars, but these are still three of the finest 3D platformers ever made—now playable in HD and on the go. Nintendo says this collection is a limited release, so get it while you can. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (for Nintendo Switch) 4.5 Excellent Super Mario 3D World seamlessly blends the free-roaming, open-ended platforming of Mario 3D’s adventures with the concentrated multiplayer mayhem of his latest 2D romps. It was great on Wii U, and now it's even better on Nintendo Switch. However, this package’s real star is Bowser’s Fury, an ambitious spin-off that reimagines what an open-world Mario game can be. Super Mario Bros. Wonder Super Mario Bros. Wonder - Nintendo Switch 4.5 Excellent In the beginning, all Super Mario games were wonderful 2D sidescrollers that dazzled us with their sheer imagination. But as Mario set his sights on 3D heights, the New Super Mario Bros. series turned 2D Mario into a safe and bland nostalgia franchise. No more! Super Mario Bros. Wonder fills 2D Mario to the brim with whimsy, creativity, and joyful confusion. Turn levels into psychedelic dreamscapes! Customize your abilities! Compete against friends online! Transform into an elephant! You can do all of this and more in Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Super Mario Bros. Wonder - Nintendo Switch review Super Mario Maker 2 Super Mario Maker 2 (for Nintendo Switch) 4.5 Excellent Super Mario Maker 2 is a welcome update to the original Super Mario Maker. It adds a new skin, new themes, and plenty of new tools for making more creative and challenging Mario levels. You can create levels based on the graphics and mechanics of Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, and New Super Mario Bros., just like in the previous Super Mario Maker. These levels can use one of 10 different themes: Ground, Sky, Underground, Forest, Underwater, Ghost House, Desert, Airship, Snow, and Castle. Sky, Forest, Desert, and Snow are new to Super Mario Maker 2. For more variety, you can toggle each theme to its nighttime variant, which adds unique twists to the gameplay. And, of course, you can share your creations online. Super Mario Odyssey Super Mario Odyssey (for Nintendo Switch) 5.0 Outstanding In Super Mario Odyssey, the heroic plumber returns to open-world game design for the first time since the incredible Super Mario 64. Though Odyssey isn't as technically groundbreaking as its predecessor, the action-platformer is packed to the brim with hat-tossing combat. Yes, hat tossing. This time around, Mario has a new friend, Cappy, who lets Mario dispatch enemies with the flick of the wrist. And, even better, Mario can assume the identity of an enemy, gaining its abilities, by plopping Cappy on the foe's head. Super Mario RPG Super Mario RPG - Nintendo Switch (OLED Model), Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch 4.0 Excellent Forget Paper Mario or Mario and Luigi. The original Super Mario RPG, a collaboration between Nintendo and Square Enix, first showed us that Mario’s charms could translate to a Final Fantasy-style adventure. This faithful remake offers gorgeous new graphics and increased accessibility. At last, find out who Geno is. Super Mario RPG - Nintendo Switch (OLED Model), Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch review Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent Only video games can capture the simple pleasures that come from racing monkeys inside balls. Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania remasters hundreds of classic stages from Sega’s obstacle course series in a single, cool package. Don’t let the bright colors and friendly monkey faces fool you. Rolling your monkey to the goal demands an expert understanding of the game’s unforgiving physics. If you get too frustrated, take a break with Banana Mania's wacky, multiplayer mini-games. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (for Nintendo Switch) 4.5 Excellent Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has everything a fan of Nintendo’s crossover mascot fighting game could want. A faster pace better for competitive play. Every single character who has ever appeared in the series, including third-party icons such as Banjo-Kazooie, Cloud Strife, and Solid Snake. There's a new single-player mode chock-full of even more fan service. The theme song even has lyrics now.  Tactics Ogre: Reborn Tactics Ogre Reborn (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent The original Tactics Ogre enthralled fans in 1995 thanks to its deep strategy and strong narrative. If you missed out the first time, Tactics Ogre: Reborn gives you another chance to check out this lost classic, the prelude to Final Fantasy Tactics. Just don’t expect hugely revamped graphics. Telling Lies Telling Lies (for Nintendo Switch) Her Story was a test for the kind of interactive story game developer Sam Barlow could pull off with just FMV clips and a fake computer interface. Telling Lies is the Aliens to Her Story’s Alien. Instead of just investigating one woman’s interviews, you follow four different characters. Tracing a nonlinear mystery across so many different threads can get overwhelming. Fortunately, Hollywood actors Logan Marshall-Green, Alexandra Shipp, Kerry Bishé, and Angela Sarafyan make the clips compelling watches in their own right. Besides, we’re all pretty used at communicating through video chat these days.  Triangle Strategy Triangle Strategy (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent A tactical follow-up to the gorgeous Octopath Traveler, Triangle Strategy is a luxurious strategy role-playing game that rewards your patience. Soak in the atmosphere on the land. Become invested in the characters and political intrigue. Methodically think through every option during turn-based battles and feel like an absolute strategic genius.  Trombone Champ Trombone Champ (for Nintendo Switch) Rhythm games usually make you feel like an ultra-cool rock god. Not Trombone Champ. This zany title embraces the goofy charm of its titular instrument, delivering an experience that is both awesome and awkward. The purposefully bumbling controls make each song sound like a confused elephant putting on a concert, an effect that's multiplied in local multiplayer. A light progression system unlocks famous trombone players like baseball cards while trying to solve a sinister riddle. The game is also available on PC, but the Switch version deserves props for its hilarious motion controls that take the trombone simulation to the next level. Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore (for Nintendo Switch) 3.5 Good While you wait for Persona 5 to come to the Nintendo Switch, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, a late Wii U port, is the next best thing. This bewildering crossover between Fire Emblem and Shin Megami Tensei has players entering the entertainment industry of Japan’s stylish Shibuya and Harajuku districts. Of course, you also do battle against demons by summoning Fire Emblem characters through the power of song. A streamlined battle system and pop music tone should delight players who don’t even care about anime RPGs.  Unicorn Overlord 4.5 Excellent As a Vanillaware game, we’re not surprised that Unicorn Overlord has an unbelievably beautiful illustrated aesthetic. However, the game backs up its looks with deeply strategic role-playing gameplay that requires tactical thinking. Ogre Battle fans, this one’s for you. Unicorn Overlord review Void Bastards Roguelikes can be a polarizing genre as their repetitive nature, random elements, and punishing difficulty threaten to make the entire experience a waste of time. Void Bastards avoids this trap with a core gameplay loop that’s a joy to repeat and an addictive sense of progression stringing you along the whole time.Each new spaceship you raid is basically a tiny comic book-styled System Shock level with spooky enemies to shoot, machinery to hack, character traits to manage, and equipment to salvage. Use that equipment to construct permanent new weapons and perks that make you eager to start another raid. Our journey across the galaxy stretched on for hours because it’s so easy to say “just one more piece of loot.”Note that Void Bastards is published by Humble Bundle, which is owned by PCMag’s parent company, Ziff Davis. WarioWare: Get It Together WarioWare: Get It Together (for Nintendo Switch) 4.0 Excellent WarioWare is one of Nintendo’s best and most shockingly self-aware franchises. It’s about Mario’s gross, evil doppelganger starting a shady game company to get rich. Fortunately for you, these “microgames” remain a pure blast of weird and wonderful bite-sized entertainment. The new gimmick here lets you and a friend tackle challenges with different characters whose unique move sets make you rethink your approach on the fly. Hurry up! Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition 4.0 Excellent This late-period Wii U gem finally returns to close out the Nintendo Switch era. A standalone entry of the Xenoblade saga, Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition takes place on a lush open-world planet teeming with friendly and hostile creatures. Explore on foot or, eventually, by flying a giant mech. The dynamic RPG combat rewards smart timing and synchronizing party members. Along with improved visuals, this definitive edition adds a new epilogue story. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition review

Science fiction encompasses so much of modern blockbuster cinema. So many big-budget movies these days are based on comic books, video games, and toys — and, in turn, so many comics, video games, and toys are rooted in sci-fi concepts like doctors who inject themselves with experimental serums or alien bounty hunters on alternate planets, or robots in disguise that transform into tractor-trailers or boomboxes.Comics and games and even action figures have inspired some good science-fiction movies, even one or two about robots that can turn into boomboxes. But we tend to not to expect Shakespeare from most of those sub-genres, and we tend not to get Shakespeare from those sub-genres all too often either. (Although I bet Shakespeare would have loved to write a play about a robot boombox ... “To beat or not to beat. That is the question.”)In the last 10 years alone, there have been some truly abysmal science-fiction movies — including then ten listed below, which might be the worst sci-fi films of the last decade. These are films about scientists racing to stop climate disasters, scientists racing to stop alien invasions, and scientists racing to stop themselves from turning into vampires. At this point, I’m basically on high alert from the moment I hear a movie is about a scientist.The worst sci-fi films of recent years are...The 10 Worst Sci-Fi Movies of the Last 10 Years (2016-2025)Fact: These science fiction movies are ... not great.“Honorable” Mentions: Chappie, Don’t Worry Darling, Eternals, Fantastic Four, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Jupiter Ascending, Jurassic World, Jurassic World Dominion, Passengers, Pixels.READ MORE: The 10 Best Sci-Fi Movies of the Last 10 YearsGet our free mobile appThe 10 Best Comic Book Movies of the Last 10 Years (2015-2024)There have been a lot of comic book movies over the last ten years. These are the best of the best.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.Like shopping on Amazon itself, Prime Video can sometimes feel like a jumble sale: a proliferation of TV and movies from every era, none of it terribly well-curated. There’s a lot to sort through, and the choices can be a little overwhelming. Presentation issues aside, there are some real gems to be found, as long as you’re willing to dig a bit—the streamer offers more than a few impressive exclusives, though they sometimes get lost amid the noise. Here are 20 of the best TV series Prime Video has to offer, including both ongoing and concluded shows.Overcompensating (2025 – ) Comedian Benito Skinner plays himself, sort of, in this buzzy comedy that sees a former high school jock facing his freshman year in college, desperately trying to convince himself and everyone else that he's as straight as they come (relatable, except for the jock part). Much of the show's appeal is in its deft blending of tones: It's a frequently raunchy college comedy, but it's simultaneously a sweet coming-of-age story about accepting yourself without worrying about what everyone else thinks. The impressive cast includes Adam DiMarco (The White Lotus) and Rish Shah (Ms. Marvel) You can stream Overcompensating here. Étoile (2025 –, renewed for season two) Amy Sherman-Palladino and David Palladino (Gilmore Girls, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) are back on TV and back in the dance world (following Bunheads) with this series about two world-renowned ballet companies (one in NYC and one in Paris) that decide to spice things up by swapping their most talented dancers. Each company is on the brink of financial disaster, and so Jack McMillan (Luke Kirby), director of the Metropolitan Ballet, and Geneviève Lavigne (Charlotte Gainsbourg), director of of Le Ballet National, come up with the plan, and recruit an eccentric billionaire (Simon Callow) to pay for it. Much of the comedy comes from the mismatched natures of their swapped dancers, and there's a tangible love of ballet that keeps things light, despite the fancy title. You can stream Étoile here.Fallout (2024 – , renewed for second and third seasons) A shockingly effective video game adaptation, Fallout does post-apocalyptic TV with a lot more color and vibrancy than can typically be ascribed to the genre (in the world of Fallout, the aesthetic of the 1950s hung on for a lot longer than it did in ours). The setup is a little complicated, but not belabored in the show itself: It's 2296 on an Earth devastated two centuries earlier by a nuclear war between the United States and China, exacerbated by conflicts between capitalists and so-called communists. Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell) emerges from the underground Vault where she's lived her whole life protected from the presumed ravages of the world above, hoping to find her missing father, who was kidnapped by raiders. The aboveground wasteland is dominated by various factions, each of which considers the others dangerous cults, and believes that they alone know mankind's way forward. It's also overrun by Ghouls, Gulpers, and other wild radiation monsters. Through all of this, Lucy remains just about the only human with any belief in humanity, or any desire to make things better. You can stream Fallout here.Deadloch (2023 –, renewed for a second season) Both an excellent crime procedural and an effective satire of the genre, this Australian import does about as well as setting up its central mystery as Broadchurch and its many (many) imitators. Kate Box stars as Dulcie Collins, fastidious senior sergeant of the police force in the fictional town of the title. When a body turns up dead on the beach, Dulcie is joined by Madeleine Sami's Eddie Redcliffe, a crude and generally obnoxious detective brought in to help solve the case. Unraveling the web of secrets and mysteries in the tiny Tasmanian town is appropriately addictive, with the added bonus of cop thriller tropes getting mercilessly mocked all the way. You can stream Deadlock here.The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022 – , third season coming) All the talk around The Rings of Power in the lead-up to the series had to do with the cost of the planned five seasons expected to be somewhere in the billion dollar range. At that price point, it’s tempting to expect a debacle—but the resulting series is actually quite good, blending epic conflict with more grounded characters in a manner that evokes both Tolkien, and Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films. Set thousands of years before those tales, the series follows an ensemble cast lead by Morfydd Clark as Elven outcast Galadriel and, at the other end of the spectrum, Markella Kavenagh as Nori, a Harfoot (the people we’ll much later know as Hobbits) with a yearning for adventure who finds herself caught up in the larger struggles of a world about to see the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, the fall of the idyllic island kingdom of Númenor, and the the last alliance of Elves and humans. You can stream The Rings of Power here.Reacher (2022 – , fourth season coming) Getting high marks for his portrayal of the Lee Childs’ character (from both book and TV fans) is Alan Ritchson (Titans), playing Reacher with an appropriately commanding physical presence. The first season finds the former U.S. Army military policeman visiting the rural town of Margrave, Georgia...where he’s quickly arrested for murder. His attempts to clear his name find him caught up in a complex conspiracy involving the town’s very corrupt police force, as well as shady local businessmen and politicians. Subsequent seasons find our ripped drifter reconnecting with members of his old army special-investigations unit, including Frances Neagley (Maria Stan), who's getting her own spin-off. You can stream Reacher here. The Bondsman (2025, one season) It's tempting not to include The Bondsman among Prime's best, given that it's representative of an increasingly obnoxious trend: shows that get cancelled before they ever really got a chance. This Kevin Bacon-led action horror thriller did well with critics and on the streaming charts, and it's had a consistent spot among Prime's top ten streaming shows, but it got the pink slip anyway. Nevertheless, what we did get is a lot of fun: Bacon plays Hub Halloran, a bounty hunter who dies on the job only to discover that he's been resurrected by the literal devil, for whom he now works. It comes to a moderately satisfying conclusion, despite the cancellation. You can stream The Bondsman here. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022 – , third season coming) All the talk around The Rings of Power in the lead-up to the series had to do with the cost of the planned five seasons expected to be somewhere in the billion dollar range. At that price point, it’s tempting to expect a debacle—but the resulting series is actually quite good, blending epic conflict with more grounded characters in a manner that evokes both Tolkien, and Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films. Set thousands of years before those tales, the series follows an ensemble cast lead by Morfydd Clark as Elven outcast Galadriel and, at the other end of the spectrum, Markella Kavenagh as Nori, a Harfoot (the people we’ll much later know as Hobbits) with a yearning for adventure who finds herself caught up in the larger struggles of a world about to see the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, the fall of the idyllic island kingdom of Númenor, and the the last alliance of Elves and humans. You can stream The Rings of Power here.The Expanse (2015 – 2022, six seasons) A pick-up from the SyFy channel after that network all but got out of the original series business, The Expanse started good and only got better with each succeeding season. Starring Steven Strait, Shohreh Aghdashloo, and Dominique Tipper among a sizable ensemble, the show takes place in a near-ish future in which we’ve spread out into the solar system, while largely taking all of the usual political bullshit and conflicts with us. A salvage crew comes upon an alien microorganism with the potential to upend pretty much everything, if humanity can stop fighting over scraps long enough to make it matter. The show brings a sense of gritty realism to TV sci-fi, without entirely sacrificing optimism—or, at least, the idea that well-intentioned individuals can make a difference. You can stream The Expanse here. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024 – , renewed for a second season) One-upping the Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie movie on which it's based, Mr. & Mrs. Smith stars Donald Glover and Maya Erskine as a couple of spies tasked to pose as a married couple while coordinating (and sometimes competing against one another) on missions. Smartly, each episode takes on a standalone mission in a different location, while complicating the relationship between the two and gradually upping the stakes until the season finale, which sees them pitted against each other. The show is returning for season two, though it's unclear if Glover and Erskine will be returning, or if we'll be getting a new Mr. & Mrs. You can stream Mr. & Mrs. Smith here. Good Omens (2019– , conclusion coming) Michael Sheen and David Tennant are delightful as, respectively, the hopelessly naive angel Aziraphale and the demon Crowley, wandering the Earth for millennia and determined not to let the perpetual conflict between their two sides get in the way of their mismatched friendship. In the show’s world, from the 1990 novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, heaven and hell are are less representative of good and evil than hidebound bureaucracies, more interested in scoring points on each other than in doing anything useful for anyone down here. It’s got a sly, quirky, sometimes goofy sense of humor, even while it asks some big questions about who should get to decide what’s right and what’s wrong. Following some depressingly gross revelations about writer and showrunner Gaiman, it was announced that he'd be off the production and the third season would be reduced to a movie-length conclusion, date tbd. You can stream Good Omens here. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017 – 2023, five seasons) Mrs. Maisel was one of Prime’s first and buzziest original series, a comedy-drama from Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls) about the title’s Midge Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan), a New York housewife of the late 1950s who discovers a talent for stand-up comedy. Inspired by the real-life careers of comedians like Totie Fields and Joan Rivers, the show is both warm and funny, with great performances and dialogue; it also achieves something rare in being a show about comedy that’s actually funny. You can stream Mrs. Maisel here. The Boys (2019 – , fifth and final season coming) There’s a lot of superhero stuff out there, no question, but, as there was no series quite like the Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson comic book on which this show is based, there’s nothing else quite like The Boys. The very dark satire imagines a world in which superheroes are big with the public, but whose powers don’t make them any better than the average jerk. When his girlfriend is gruesomely killed by a superhero who couldn’t really care less (collateral damage, ya know), Wee Hughie (Jack Quaid) is recruited by the title agency. Led by Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), the Boys watch over the world’s superpowered individuals, putting them down when necessary and possible. A concluding fifth season is on the way, as is a second season of the live-action spin-off (Gen V). An animated miniseries (Diabolical) came out in 2022. The Man in the High Castle (2015–2019, four seasons) From a novel by Philip K. Dick (whose work has been the basis for Blade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly, among many others), The Man in the High Castle takes place in an alternate history in which the Axis powers won World War II, and in which the United States is split down the middle; Japan governing the west and Germany the east. The title’s man in the high castle offers an alternate view, though, one in which the Allies actually won, with the potential to rally opposition to the Axis rulers. As the show progresses through its four seasons, the parallels to our increasingly authoritarian-friendly world, making it one of the more relevant shows of recent years. You can stream The Man in the High Castle here. The Wheel of Time (2021 – 2025, three seasons) An effective bit of fantasy storytelling, The Wheel of Time sees five people taken from a secluded village by Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike), a powerful magic user who believes that one of them is the reborn Dragon: a being who will either heal the world, or destroy it entirely. The show has an epic sweep while smartly focusing on the very unworldly villagers, experiencing much of this at the same time as the audience. This is another mixed recommendation in that, while the show itself is quite good, it has just been cancelled following a third season that saw it really getting into its groove. The show goes through the fourth and fifth books of Robert Jordan's fantasy series, so, I suppose, you can always jump into the novels to finish the story. You can stream Wheel of Time here. The Devil’s Hour (2022 – , renewed for a third season) Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife) joins Peter Capaldi (The Thick of It, Doctor Who) for a slightly convoluted but haunting series that throws in just about every horror trope that you can think of while still managing to ground things in the two lead performances. Raine plays a social worker whose life is coming apart on almost every level: She’s caring for her aging mother, her marriage is ending, her son is withdrawn, and she wakes up at 3:33 am every morning exactly. She’s as convincing in the role as Capaldi is absolutely terrifying as a criminal linked to at least one killing who knows a lot more than he makes clear. You can stream The Devil's Hour here. Batman: Caped Crusader (2024 – , second season coming) I know, there's a lot of Batman out there. But this one's got real style, harkening back to Batman: The Animated Series from the 1990s (no surprise, given that Bruce Timm developed this one too). With a 1940s-esque setting, the show dodges some of the more outlandish superhero tropes to instead focus on a Gotham City rife with crime, corrupt cops, and gang warfare. There's just enough serialization across the first season to keep things addictive. You can stream Caped Crusader here. Secret Level (2024 – , renewed for a second season) This is pretty fun: an anthology of animated shorts from various creative teams that tell stories set within the worlds of various (15 so far) video games, including Unreal, Warhammer, Sifu, Mega Man, and Honor of Kings. It's hard to find consistent threads given the variety of source material, but that's kinda the point: There's a little something for everyone, and most shorts don't demand any extensive knowledge of game lore—though, naturally, they're a bit more fun for the initiated. The voice cast includes the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, his son Patrick Schwarzenegger, Keanu Reeves, Gabriel Luna, Ariana Greenblatt, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. You can stream Secret Level here. Cross (2024 – , renewed for a second season) James Patterson's Alex Cross novels have been adapted three times before, all with mixed results: Morgan Freeman played the character twice, and Tyler Perry took on the role in 2012. Here, the forensic psychologist/police detective of a few dozen novels is played by Aldis Hodge (Leverage, One Night in Miami...), and it feels like he's finally nailed it. There are plenty of cop-drama tropes at work here, but the series is fast-paced and intense, and Hodge is instantly compelling in the iconic lead role. You can stream Cross here. Fleabag (2016–2019, two seasons) Fleabag isn’t a Prime original per se, nor even a co-production, but Amazon is the show’s American distributor and still brands it as such, so we’re going to count it. There’s no quick synopsis here, but stars Phoebe Waller-Bridge as the title character (only ever known as Fleabag) in the comedy drama about a free-spirited, but also deeply angry single woman in living in London. Waller-Bridge won separate Emmys as the star, creator, and writer of the series (all in the same year), and co-stars Sian Clifford, Olivia Coleman, Fiona Shaw, and Kristin Scott Thomas all received well-deserved nominations. You can stream Fleabag here.

Even as children, we in the U.S. learn that June brings good things—warmer weather, ice cream trucks, and most significantly, summer break from school. As an adult, all of those things still matter to me (substitute summer break for outdoorsy weekends), but the arrival of summer produce has crept up to the top of my June list of good things. In this monthly article, I take a look at the fruits and veggies coming into season and some incredible ways you can use them. Let’s dive into June's offerings. Why seasonal and local produce is greatLong distance shipping for out-of-season produce is convenient, but there is usually a price to pay with literal higher prices or lesser quality (or both). Using seasonal produce is a step toward supporting smaller farms situated somewhere closer to where you live rather than a monoculture farm somewhere far away. A big, healthy harvest with shorter shipping distances likely means a cheaper price tag for you. And hopefully the produce exhibits the best possible flavor profile since it doesn’t have to travel great distances to arrive at your market. Buying local and in season means you’ll possibly see a greater variety of tender greens and delicate fruits that don’t travel out of state well. Those little strawberries that pop up at the farmers market are so juicy and delicate you’d never see them packed up and shipped out across the country—they’d be turned into jam before they got a chance to leave. Go to those summer farmers markets downtown and reap the benefits of the juiciest summer fruit.  What’s in season right nowYou’re probably seeing it already, but everywhere from tiny produce markets to big box grocery stores are growing fuller with the very beginnings of summer produce glut, and the prices are dropping. Personally, I’m celebrating the low berry prices with morning smoothies. (If you’re a fruit smoothie-enthusiast like I am, here are a couple great blenders that might interest you.) For those who are growing their own food, keep up with our Home and Garden section for tips.The new produce coming in for June:ApricotsSweet Cherries (not quite yet for tart cherries)StrawberriesBlueberriesRaspberriesBlackberriesBeetsBroccoli Cabbage Garlic scapesGreen peasMustard greensZucchini & summer squashSay, "au revoir" to:AsparagusArugulaRampsParsnipsProduce in peak season:Beet greensLettuceRadishes and their greensRhubarbSpinachTurnipsChardSnap peasSnow peasNote that your specific region may be warmer or cooler, or farther away—so don’t worry if floods of strawberries haven’t arrived yet, or if you still have loads of wild ramps growing in the yard. Nature will do its thing, and we’ll continue trying to keep up.What to cook with your spring bountyFruitsJune is the beginning of having all the fun you want to have when it comes to recipes. Let’s start with fruit. We’re looking at loads of berries for the next few months and the beginnings of stone fruits, so I recommend warming up those ovens. I know that sounds too hot, but think of the pies! Cherry pies, Strawberry-rhubarb, apricot and blackberry, blueberry-goat-cheese tarts—you simply must make some. To help you along, here’s my fail-proof way to lattice pie crust, and my best advice on preventing soggy fruit pies. They’re well worth a read if you’ve had trouble in the past.If you’d rather be stuck in a room with a pack of wild 7-year-olds than make a pie, OK fine. Make a fruit trifle with leftover cake, stuff delicious biscuits with summer fruit and whipped cream, and why not take a crack at your own homemade berry ice cream. I made vanilla bean ice cream with a swirl of fresh raspberry compote and I felt pretty damn pleased with myself. If you’re shopping for affordable ice cream machines, I just tested and reviewed this Cuisinart.As I mentioned, fruit smoothies always welcome a handful of frozen berries. I should mention (and I’ll say this again at the end of the season): Freezing your berries is the best way to reduce waste. (Here’s the best way to freeze fruit.) If you’re using berries to top yogurt or granola, there’s no need to freeze it, but if you’re baking with fruit, making jams, or blending smoothies, freezing is extremely helpful. Pop the fruit in the freezer in the container it came in (hull strawberries first, and halve the big ones). After a few hours, they’ll be solid and you can dump them into a zip-top freezer bag for easier freezer storage.Vegetables All the cruciferous veggies are going strong right now, so go ahead and get that fiber. Use shaved broccoli and cabbage in a salad. Wilt spinach, chard, or mustard greens down in a hearty soup. My absolute favorite thing to do with summer zucchini is to make Thai kai jiao. You can use different vegetables in this dish, but zucchini is my all-time favorite. You also can’t go wrong with grilling big, fat planks of summer squash and drizzling them with a light vinaigrette. Got lots of crisp lettuce? Well, you can always bulk up your warm salads or do what I do and add it to every sandwich. Bacon, egg, cheese, and lettuce. Meatball parm sub and lettuce. Peanut butter and—OK, maybe not that one. Pay special attention to the fleeting produce like rhubarb, ramps, and scapes. They’re around for just a blink so grab them up. Try roasting your rhubarb with strawberries for a sweet, tart, and caramelized treat. Enjoy the best of June produce, and hopefully we’ll get a peek at tomatoes at the end of the month. 

A US Air Force F-16 fighter jet takes off from an airbase in Germany. Photo by Boris Roessler/picture alliance via Getty Images 2025-05-31T12:20:02Z Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? A Russian company said it paid 12 soldiers a combined $195,000 for shooting down an F-16 jet. Fores said it presented the soldiers the cash at a ceremony near the Russia-Ukraine border on Thursday. Kyiv had long coveted the US-made F-16. It received its first of the jets in 2024. A Russian oil company said it had awarded a total of 15 million rubles (around $195,000) to Russian soldiers who it credited with downing the first US-made F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine.In a press release, Fores, a fracking parts manufacturer, said it had presented 12 servicemen with the cash at a ceremony near the Russia-Ukraine border on Thursday."Fores fulfilled its earlier promise and paid 15 million rubles to Russian servicemen for destroying the first F-16 fighter jet in the special operation zone," the company said.The firm announced the bounty system in 2023, promising cash rewards for soldiers who destroyed certain Western-supplied military equipment.The company said it had so far paid out just over 52 million rubles (around $670,000) for the destruction of the F-16 and an unspecified number of Leopard 2 and Abrams tanks.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had long coveted the F-16 as he sought to bolster Ukraine's air defenses, and Kyiv received its first delivery of the jet in the summer of 2024. Ukraine's forces have so far lost at least three F-16s in combat, with the General Staff confirming the first loss in August last year.The F-16 has nevertheless seemingly proved a hit over the battlefield.Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, the US's top general in Europe, told a Senate Armed Services Committee in April that F-16s were flying "every day" in Ukraine and that they had been successful in both air defense and offensive operations."They've defeated a large number of cruise missile threats, and they've delivered an awful lot of offensive attacks as well," he said, adding: "Specifically, bombing attacks in the east."

Rocky Mountain region interior designers, architects, builders, and landscape architects have a bounty of inspiration right outside their doors. Accordingly, their work reflects the beauty of the natural world. The region’s design and construction talents have the ability to bring the surrounding landscape into projects of all types, from modern mountain homes to urban apartments and town houses. If you’re ready to start a project, these AD-approved Rocky Mountain region interior designers, architects, builders, and landscape architects should be your first call.On the listInterior DesignersAshley Scheidel Design StudioAshley Scheidel Design Studio let the natural beauty of the materials take center stage in a Denver home’s tranquil bedroom. Photo by Jess Blackwell PhotographySustainability is a driving force in interiors by Ashley Scheidel Design Studio. The Denver-based interior architecture and design firm specializes in new construction and renovations. Whether they are helping clients reimagine their existing spaces or building new ones from scratch, Scheidel and her team focus on creating timeless environments that balance livability and easygoing elegance. The client’s personal style also drives the design, but natural materials such as warm woods and rugged stone feature prominently in the firm’s portfolio.Beaumier InteriorsIn a renovated midcentury brick ranch home in Denver, Beaumier Interiors balanced warmth and restraint through the use of soft textures, sculptural forms, and quiet tones. The resulting space feels both grounded and welcoming. Photo by Jess BlackwellAfter earning her stripes working for several leading firms in Chicago, designer Ashley Beaumier brought her signature organic modern style to the Denver area, where she founded her eponymous firm. Beaumier Interiors crafts polished interiors, which are layered with natural materials, including striking stone, pale linens, and warm woods. The full-service firm works with clients on projects of all sizes, including large renovations and new constructions, and guides each project from start to finish, ensuring a cohesive look throughout the entire home.Elizabeth Stanley DesignCurated vintage furnishings and lighting by Elizabeth Stanley Design softens the concrete architectural rigor of this austere Austin home. Photo by Shade DeggesFor nearly 20 years, contemporary and minimalist houses have been transformed into welcoming, character-filled homes at the hands of designer Elizabeth Stanley and her eponymous firm. The Aspen, Colorado–based studio focuses on bringing its clients’ personal style to the fore as it guides them through the design process. The resulting tranquil spaces balance functionality and aesthetics and incorporate statement furnishings, natural materials, graphic art, and rich textures.Donna Mondi Interior DesignIn a Michigan living room by Donna Mondi Interior Design, sculptural seating and a floating concrete fireplace strike a confident balance between softness and strength. Cascading fiber art adds an unexpected edge. Photo by Dustin Halleck; Styled by Darwin FitzKnown for her ability to mix traditional and modern design into soulful spaces, designer Donna Mondi has been transforming everything from city penthouses to country estates to desert retreats for almost 25 years. With offices in Denver and Chicago, Donna Mondi Interior Design works on high-end projects across the country, including renovations, new construction, and furnishings. The firm specializes in crafting architecturally driven designs that expertly balance luxury and comfort.Dream Homes Inc.In a Denver home, Dream Homes Inc. moved and redesigned the fireplace with a chevron-patterned Italian granite surround. Photo by David Patterson PhotographySpecializing in large-scale renovations, Denver-based Dream Homes Inc. has been transforming homes in the Rocky Mountain region and nationwide since 1999. Led by founder Joyce Clegg, the interior architecture and design firm is known for its expertly planned and personality-filled residences. Dream Homes oversees every aspect of the construction process, and also works on kitchen and bath remodels. Notably, accessibility and aging is at the forefront of its place design.Duet Design GroupIn a historic Denver neighborhood, Duet Design created a cozy family home in a 1937 Tudor. The original architecture’s charm is elevated with inherited art, classic and modern pieces, and vintage finds. Photo by David PattersonWhether designing an updated log cabin, a historic Tudor home, or a contemporary Mexican beach retreat, Denver-based Duet Design Group has an uncanny ability to bring the beauty of a home’s natural surroundings indoors. Led by founder and principal Devon Tobin, the firm works with clients on residential projects, including renovations and new construction, as well as commercial spaces. While the firm is known for its collaborative process, clients can also expect every logistical detail to be taken care of for a stress-free experience.Jede InteriorsBeauty and functionality meet in this polished Orem, Utah, kitchen designed by Jede Interiors. Photo by Camilia LundNeutral hues and natural materials contribute to the calming, timeless homes created by Orem, Utah–based Jede Interiors. Led by principal designer Jen Dean, the firm is known for its fresh take on traditional style, combining comfortable furnishings with vintage pieces that add patina and history. Jede Interiors works to make every space feel authentic to the clients who live in it—it services those based locally and across the country.Bowen Design StudioThe Red Rocks of Southern Utah were the inspiration for the dining area’s cabinet color, adding a playful yet sophisticated design element. Photo by Lacey Alexander PhotographyBuilding a new home can bring a daunting number of decisions, which is where Bowen Design Studio comes in. Led by designer Hailey Brodale, the Saint George, Utah–based firm specializes in helping clients make their custom homes feel truly personal. Whether it’s devising an organic desert retreat or a dramatic mountain home, Bowen Design Studio takes a hands-on approach throughout the construction process, making sure that the end result is exactly what the client envisioned.Lund Haus StudioFor a mountain home, Lund Haus Studio incorporated thoughtful organization solutions to enhance functionality and ease of living, as well as textures and materials inspired by the raw beauty of nature. Photo by Rebekah WestoverSalt Lake City, Utah–based Lund Haus Studio designs joyful homes that truly work. The firm focuses on functionality, adding creative storage solutions and crafting layouts optimized for family life. Principal designer and professional organizer Sam Lund draws on her background in psychology as she works with clients, helping them express their needs and visions for their homes, and the team boasts extensive experience with construction, allowing the firm to expertly manage projects from start to finish.Eider InteriorsA book-matched stone fireplace is a focal point in the living area of an Eider Interiors–designed contemporary home overlooking the Salt Lake City Valley. Photo by Christina Zolotaia PhotographyA clients’ story is at the heart of every space that Bluffdale, Utah–based Eider Interiors creates. Led by founder and principal designer Mallory Bouchard, the residential and commercial design studio is known for its contemporary interiors that balance modern details with elements of warmth and texture. Eider Interiors works on a wide range of projects, from a modern Miami apartment to a nature-inspired desert escape to a luxurious RV.The FlairhunterHigh on the ski runs of Park City, this custom bunk room was designed by The Flairhunter to comfortably accommodate adults and/or kids. Crafted from reclaimed barn wood, it features pops of color in the bedding and accessories to add an element of freshness and fun. Photo by Doug Burke; Styling by Jen PaulInterior design firm The Flairhunter isn’t afraid to make a statement, incorporating bold colors, unique elements, and eye-catching artwork. Founder Stephanie Hunt leads a team of ten across the firm’s outposts in Salt Lake City and Southern California, and the firm works on projects throughout the United States and globally. The Flairhunter balances custom furnishings with vintage pieces and adds energy and personality by mixing colors, patterns, and materials.DwellifyCheckered floors, butcher block countertops, and vintage finishes revived the kitchen of this 100-year-old home updated by Dwellify. Photo by Katie Griffith PhotographyDwellify streamlines the remodeling process, letting homeowners easily choose a design that fits their personal aesthetic and budget constraints. The company’s technology helps clients visualize their future spaces, and the process also includes virtual meetings with designers and Design Boxes of physical samples. The Salt Lake City–based company works remotely with clients across the country, pairing them with a remodel coordinator and a network of carefully vetted pros to help get the job done.Studio EckströmStudio Eckström revives the living room of a 1927 Spanish Colonial Revival in Omaha. Photo by Daniel Johnson PhotographyDesigners Mark and Mikal Eckstrom bring a sense of whimsy and fun to the interiors they create with their Omaha, Nebraska–based firm, Studio Eckström. Unique details abound in the firm’s projects, from fanciful ironwork to bold wall treatments to unexpected color palettes, and the team isn’t afraid to push clients out of their comfort zones. Studio Eckström relies on a trusted roster of artisans, gallerists, and dealers to help them make each home one of a kind.Trove HomesDrawing inspiration from the breathtaking lake views, Trove Home’s design for a Lake Quivira kitchen features a custom curved island leg—an homage to the natural, flowing beauty of the water. Photo by Nate Sheets PhotographyWith a portfolio full of dramatic before and afters, it’s obvious that Kansas City, Kansas–based firm Trove Homes knows how to completely reinvent a home to fit its clients’ personal styles. Co-owners Jessica and Nate White lead clients through every decision, ensuring that the finished space balances livability and sophistication. Whether tackling a renovation or starting from the ground up with a new build, the firm works in an array of aesthetics, from traditional to coastal.Emily Tucker DesignEmily Tucker Design updated a historic Denver Tudor for a young family, maintaining the history of the home while giving the furnishings a more youthful feel. Photo by David LauerBased in Boulder, Colorado, Emily Tucker Design is a full-service firm helping clients across the country create personalized and highly curated residences. Tucker and her team work in a variety of styles, from modern mountain homes to historical residences, adding unexpected touches, including bold color palettes, playful patterns, and dazzling art. The firm prides itself on designing livable spaces, so it’s no wonder it has become a go-to for families looking for stylish yet durable interiors. Emily Tucker Design works on projects of a variety of scopes, including gut renovations, full home design, and new construction.Nadia Watts Interior DesignNadia Watts Interior Design created a bold dining room in a Denver home. Katie Ridder’s Pagoda wallpaper inspired the room’s unexpected color palette. Photo by Emily Minton RedfieldDesigner Nadia Watts founded her eponymous Denver design firm in 2009, and since then she’s become known for her artful—and often colorful—approach to interiors. The great, great granddaughter of Louis Comfort Tiffany and a former assistant to a curator at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Watts has a special appreciation for the decorative arts and is able to give her client’s collections of art and furnishings the showcase they deserve. In addition to working with clients across the country, Watts recently launched a fabric collection with Kravet and designed a jewel-inspired space for the 2024 Kips Bay Palm Beach Showhouse.Inside StoriesA custom fireplace with walnut panels is the focal point of an Aspen home by Inside Stories. A piece by artist Trevor Kiernander is on display alongside swivel chairs by A. Rudin and a leather ottoman by Lee Industries. Photo by Eric LuceroDenver’s Inside Stories combines the capabilities of a large design firm with the hands-on approach of a smaller studio, giving clients the best of both worlds. Led by designer Miranda Cullen, the company tackles projects of all scopes, from paint consultations to complete redesigns, as well as commercial and hospitality designs. For clients looking for white-glove service, Inside Stories has a Residential X team that handles luxury projects like new builds and full-home renovations. Cullen and her team aren’t afraid of making bold moves in their designs, which showcase a mix of styles from midcentury-modern to rustic.Kristin Dittmar DesignKristin Dittmar Design devised a warm and moody primary bathroom for a home in Aspen. Herringbone marble tile lines the floor, while the vanity showcases warm walnut accents. Photo courtesy of Kristin Dittmar DesignEarthy elements and streamlined details blend beautifully in the work of Aspen’s Kristin Dittmar Design. The firm brings its signature mountain modern style to homes across the country, showcasing the natural beauty of each location with rugged stonework, warm wood accents, and perfectly framed views. Whether they’re designing a retreat in the Rockies or modernizing a 19th-century Victorian, Dittmar and her team are hands-on during each phase of a project, making sure that every space shows exacting attention to detail.Susannah Holmberg StudiosFor the foyer of a Chicago carriage house, Susannah Holmberg Studios used wallpaper, art, and color to create a layered entryway. Ryan McDonald. Stylist: Kimberly SwedeliusWhether it’s in a desert retreat or a storied Tudor house, Salt Lake City’s Susannah Holmberg Studios knows how to set a mood. The firm’s stylish spaces balance beauty and livability, and showcase the client’s personality with unique color palettes, curated art, and iconic design pieces. While they specialize in full-home renovations and new construction, Holmerg and her team work on residential and commercial projects across the country, tailoring the designs to each client, as well as the geographic and architectural settings.Margarita BravoFor a whole-home project in Denver’s LoHi district, Bravo drew inspiration from her client’s adventurous spirit and love of unique design, incorporating a mix of colors, patterns, and textures to create a sophisticated and dynamic space. Photo courtesy of Margarita BravoDesigner Margarita Bravo’s projects are as far-flung as her inspirations. Her eponymous firm is headquartered in Denver and has outposts in Miami, Montecito, Aspen, and Barcelona. Bringing in influences from European and Latin American design, Bravo masterfully mixes natural elements, streamlined furnishings, metallic accents, and delightful patterns in her projects, which range from mountain homes to beachfront condos. The designer is also behind Sorella Furniture, which she created with her sister Maria, and MB Home Collection.Ashley Campbell Interior DesignAshley Campbell Interior Design turned the lower level of a new build in Denver into a party-ready space with a wet bar and a custom concrete coffee table. Photo by Meagan Larsen PhotographyDenver designer Ashley Campbell puts a contemporary twist on mountain style, contrasting natural elements with streamlined furnishings, a crisp black-and-white palette, and minimalist lighting and fireplaces. These sophisticated spaces serve as striking backdrops for her clients’ collections of art and artifacts, and Campbell balances contemporary elements with plenty of texture to bring in a sense of warmth. The firm uses the latest technology to realize its designs, giving clients the full picture of the team’s creative vision.ArchitectsCharles Cunniffe Architects & InteriorsIn the great room of an Aspen, Colorado, home, Charles Cunniffe Architects perfectly framed the mountain views in a seating area. Photo by Aaron LeitzScenic views are treated like works of art in the homes designed by Charles Cunniffe Architects & Interiors. The Aspen, Colorado–based firm has been creating residential, commercial, and institutional structures for over 40 years. They bring a dedication to sustainability and innovation to each project, incorporating innovative materials and energy-efficient systems for spaces that enhance their occupant’s well-being. A project’s context is a driving force in the creative process, and CCA expertly incorporates nature into the design.CLB ArchitectsSituated in the heart of Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana, CLB Architects’ Basecamp residence rises into the dense fir and pine trees, offering a close connection to the natural environment. Photo by Kevin ScottNature isn’t just an inspiration for the work of CLB Architects, it’s an integral part of each design. The cross-disciplinary design studio, which has offices in Jackson, Wyoming, and Bozeman, Montana, takes a site-specific approach and lets the surroundings inform each detail. The firm works on projects across the country and internationally, each rooted in context, whether it’s a ski-in, ski-out mountain retreat or an Upper East Side apartment.Forum Phi Architecture and Interior DesignBlending seamlessly with its surroundings, this home by Forum Phi Architecture + Interior Design pairs rustic textures with modern lines—capturing the spirit of the landscape through thoughtful design. Photo by Dallas & Harris PhotographyForum Phi Architecture and Interior Design brings architecture, interior design, and land planning together under one roof, allowing the team to work collaboratively with clients on all aspects of a project. The resulting structures showcase the beauty of the natural world. With offices in Aspen, Denver, and Carbondale, the team works on residential, commercial, and institutional projects in a wide range of locations and styles, from rustic ranches to historic renovations to modern mountain retreats.CCY ArchitectsClad in stone, wood, steel, and glass, a home by CCY Architects nestles quietly within the natural surroundings of Aspen, Colorado, creating a rugged and durable contemporary interpretation of alpine architecture. Photo by Draper WhiteThe American West and its striking landscapes inspire CCY Architects’ regional modernism. The Colorado architecture and design firm seeks to develop a deep connection to nature and community through its work—whether its residential, commercial, or institutional—and makes sustainability a priority. Cross-disciplinary collaboration is at the heart of the firm’s process, and the team immerses itself in the site, ensuring that the final design is rooted in place.Vera Iconica ArchitectureVera Iconica Architecture was inspired by the Japanese concept of ma, or “the space between,” when designing this Shooting Star sanctuary at the base of the Jackson Hole Resort. A series of small view courtyards are carved out of the massing, giving moments for pause and reflection offset with views of woods, streams, and the majestic Tetons. Photo by Blok StudiosFor Vera Iconica Architecture, architecture and wellness go hand in hand. The firm’s evidence-based approach prioritizes the health and well-being of a client, resulting in spaces that feel restorative and connected to nature. The team finds inspiration in the landscape of the West, incorporating natural materials and sustainable building practices. With offices in Jackson, Wyoming; Denver, Colorado; and Park City, Utah, Vera Iconica Architecture designs globally, working on residential and hospitality projects from Hong Kong to South Dakota to Peru.Landscape ArchitectsStudio CampoStudio Campo devised a three-acre farm and homestead in Portland, Oregon, with stylist Emily Henderson. The property is complete with a seating area, plunge pool, raised beds, and a greenhouse workout facility. Photo by Kaitlin GreenLandscape architecture firm Studio Campo creates outdoor spaces that enhance the ecosystem and the lives of those who enjoy them. Led by founding principal Cali Pfaff, the firm has a naturalistic style and a focus on both placemaking and biodiversity, highlighting native species in its work. Based in Denver and Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Studio Campo works on a wide range of landscape projects, including gardens, public spaces, farms, and habitats.BuildersVitruvius BuiltVitruvius Built collaborated with designer Barclay Butera on a sophisticated Deer Valley mountain retreat that blends rustic charm with modern elegance. Photo by Cristina ZolotaiaFounded by Charles Ochello, Park City, Utah–based Vitruvius Built specializes in luxury construction, realizing even the most ambitious designs. The homes, located across the country, feature the highest quality materials and amenities such speakeasy-style golf suites, entertainment floors, and cozy bunk rooms. From a contemporary A-frame style residence to a mountain retreat made for entertaining, the homes in the firm’s portfolio showcase its ability to harness the latest technology to craft personal sanctuaries.Cadre General ContractorsEast Coast meets Colorado in this home constructed by Cadre General Contractors that blends traditional sophistication with a rich, Western aesthetic. Photo courtesy of Cadre General ContractorsCadre General Contractors has been building custom homes in Colorado for nearly 30 years and its decades of experience shows in its extensive portfolio. The contracting firm works in a wide range of styles from traditional to contemporary, collaborating closely with architects and designers to bring the overall vision to life. Cadre prides itself on its ability to execute ambitious designs while maintaining an exacting attention to detail and quality.The Jackson Home CompanyWithin a newly constructed home by The Jackson Home Company, the expansive great room, with its vaulted ceilings, exposed steel beams, and grand stone fireplace, is framed by floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing breathtaking views of the Teton Range. Photo by David AgnelloThe Jackson Home Company channels the rugged beauty of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, into striking mountain homes. In 2019, Brooklyn Home Company founders Bill Caleo, Lyndsay Caleo Karol, and Fitzhugh Karol expanded west to Wyoming, and since then the division has designed and built over 20 luxury single-family homes, including a 6,414-square-foot ski-in/ski-out home in Teton Village and an artful retreat nestled beside an Aspen grove. The firm prioritizes sustainability in its homes, incorporating elements like green roofs and locally sourced materials.APPLY NOWGrow your business with the AD PRO DirectoryArrowAre you looking for an interior decorator or designer to hire for your next project? Wherever you are, visit the AD PRO Directory to browse our list of AD-approved designers and find your match for a design consultation.

Carrie Pallardy, Contributing ReporterMay 29, 20255 Min ReadWilliam Mullins via Alamy StockJohn Deere hired its first CISO in 2014, and James Johnson has remained in that role at the agricultural equipment company to this day. Johnson sat down with InformationWeek to talk about how he got started in his career, why working through a nation state attack was pivotal to his love of security, and how John Deere is building a talent of pipeline in the time of the cybersecurity skills gap.  From Network Engineer to Chief Information Security Officer Johnson started his career as a network engineer at windows and doors company Pella. He loved working in the network space but soon realized that he might grow bored there given enough time.  Derek Benz, a friend of Johnson’s and now CISO of Coca-Cola, suggested looking into security. Johnson went out and got a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification, which helped him land a job as a pen tester at manufacturing and technology company Honeywell.  During his time at Honeywell, the company was hit by Titan Rain, a series of coordinated cyberattacks carried out by a Chinese APT.  James Johnson, CISO“Getting a chance to see how nation states target companies and what they’re capable of doing, I think really made the mission even more important to me at that point,” Johnson shares. “When you do have the nation-state attack early on your career, it’s kind of a game changer … just thinking about the value of the work that you're doing and why it matters.” Related:He spent 11 years at Honeywell, steadily working up the ranks to become a CISO overseeing various divisions within the company. And then, a call came from John Deere.  John Deere’s First CISO That call came at the right time. Johnson had reached a point at Honeywell where his growth would likely be limited for a period of time.  “I was pleasantly surprised by the opportunity,” says Johnson. “I had a great connection to John Deere coming out of Iowa, growing up in the farming community, seeing a lot of that … great brand and an opportunity to really build something that from scratch again.” While building a security program as a first-time CISO is an exciting opportunity, it comes with its challenges. When Johnson arrived, he noticed how trusting the culture was at John Deere. “It’s a great value that John Deere has … they really try to strive to do the right thing with integrity, but that’s not the way the world operates on the digital front,” he says. One of his mentors early on in his tenure at John Deere told him that he was going to have work on shifting the entire company culture as he built his security organization.  Related:And he has made strides. When he first got there, everyone was using relatively simple passwords. Yet, the process to change those passwords was cumbersome and time-consuming.  “Today, MFA is deployed across the company. We have complex passwords,” he says. “We're trying to find ways to use biometrics more.” An Evolving Role His responsibilities in the CISO role have grown over time. When he first joined, he was overseeing IT security and operations. Financial product security, data security and governance; his team have taken on more and more over time.  “We built the program from about 32 people to … 220 people strong now in our organization,” he says.  Johnson has been with John Deere for more than a decade. Not every CISO or CIO sticks with the same company for that long, but Johnson has found that longevity has its benefits. He has built relationships with the board and his C-suite peers “It's pretty hard to get good at something in two or three years,” he explains. “You’re there longer. You’ve got the relationships. You’ve got the ability to influence things and really make a bigger difference.” Today, he is working alongside John Deere’s leadership to navigate the thrilling possibilities and security concerns of AI.  Related:Building a Talent Pipeline While the possibility of a security incident always looms in a CISO’s mind, Johnson is thinking about talent, too. “We will not succeed without the right people in our organization driving the right change,” he says.  John Deere is taking multiple approaches to bringing the right people to his team. First, he looks to other teams for people who are experts and not necessarily in security. He looks for promising talent and asks, “Can I teach that person security?” And the answer to that question in many cases has been “yes.” “We’ve got folks who used to be lead engineers on the product side who now are running our product security department, and they were never interested in security at all,” he says. John Deere also makes use of cyber talent through its bug bounty program, which has paid out more than $1.5 million since 2022.  Having been a pen tester, Johnson knows how frustrating it can be for someone to discover a vulnerability only for a company to do nothing to fix it. “We have service-level agreements to get certain vulnerabilities that are critical, high, medium, low, fixed within a certain period of time, and in most cases, we beat those numbers,” he says.  John Deere also works with Iowa State University to cultivate talent. “We put some services on campus, part of their tech center, that are services you probably would never get a chance to really work with or learn in college,” says Johnson.  He knows it would be difficult to find cloud security experts, for example, so they are helping develop those experts at Iowa State. “We’ve built a pipeline of talent out of Iowa State University because they know our brand,” says Johnson.  About the AuthorCarrie PallardyContributing ReporterCarrie Pallardy is a freelance writer and editor living in Chicago. She writes and edits in a variety of industries including cybersecurity, healthcare, and personal finance.See more from Carrie PallardyWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore ReportsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also Like

How did the development of Game of Thrones: Kingsroad begin? Considering the Game of Thrones series concluded almost six years ago, what was the driving force behind starting the game?The development of Game of Thrones: Kingsroad wasn't just about leveraging a popular IP. We were well aware that quite some time had passed since the Game of Thrones series ended, But what really stood out to us was the lingering curiosity, a sense that many fans were still eager to explore the world of Westeros.That's where we began. We asked ourselves: What if the player belonged to a noble house that existed within Westeros? Instead of simply following the show's familiar storylines, our goal was to give players a chance to experience the world as seen in Season 4 but through a fresh perspective. We wanted to fill in the gaps left by the original story and allow players to craft their own stories within that space.At its core, Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is a game designed to expand the world of Westeros, to let players explore places, characters, and consequences that weren't fully explored in the show. It's our way of offering a new kind of immersion for fans who still love this universe and want to be part of it in their own way.What kind of world can players expect in Kingsroad? What are the core gameplay mechanics, and how do the solo and multiplayer experiences work together?Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is a story-driven action adventure RPG set in Westeros after the events of Season 4 of the Game of Thrones series. Players take on the role of the heir to a fallen house, navigating a world of politics, war, and survival.As they journey across Westeros through familiar locations like Castle Black, Winterfell, Highgarden, and Oldtown, they'll encounter both iconic characters from the show and entirely new faces and events. At its core, the game combines action-based combat, narrative-driven quests, and open-world exploration. We've integrated a variety of activities, like puzzles, dynamic encounters, and bounty hunting, to keep the experience immersive and varied without feeling repetitive.One of the key features of Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is how organically single-player and multiplayer are connected. While progressing through the story and developing your character, you can also take on large-scale encounters, like the Altar of Memories, or field bosses, such as Drogon, alongside other players. Each mode is self-contained but still influences the other, so whether you play solo or with others, it truly feels like you're living and surviving in Westeros.From a technical perspective, what was the experience of using Unreal Engine to develop Kingsroad? What were the biggest optimization challenges for mobile, and how did you address the technical demands of delivering a cross-play experience? What's it like using Unreal Engine for mobile development?Unreal Engine 5 provided us with a powerful toolset for achieving high-quality visuals, features like Lumen allowed us to create richer, more immersive environments. However, supporting multiple platforms, especially mobile, came with its own set of technical challenges. We built a structure where core logic is handled on the server side, which made it easier to ensure cross-platform connectivity. At the same time, we put significant effort into maintaining a consistent visual and gameplay experience on mobile devices that's comparable to PC.Optimization, in particular, was a major focus for the team to support seamless cross-play. We disabled some of UE5's heavier features and used the mobile renderer while also implementing LOD adjustments, simplified materials, mobile-specific environment settings, and texture atlasing for UI assets. These efforts helped us stabilize memory usage and maintain smooth frame rates across devices. Initially, Unreal Engine felt a bit heavy for mobile use, but we came to realize that with the right tuning and its flexible feature set, it can deliver impressive quality on both PC and mobile platforms.Given that Kingsroad features an original storyline, how does it expand the Game of Thrones world, and does it align with or diverge from the events of the books and the series? Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is set in the world of Game of Thrones, but at its core, it tells a completely original story. The narrative begins after Season 4, following the end of major wars, as the great houses begin to regroup and rebuild.This setting gave us room to explore untold regions and events that weren't covered in the show, allowing us to expand the lore while staying true to the established universe. Our goal as a development team was to create a new and immersive experience from the perspective of "someone else" living within Westeros without disrupting the flow of the original storyline.For example, players step into the role of the last heir of a fallen minor house, House Tyre, and travel across regions like the North, the Reach, and the Stormlands. Along the way, they'll interact with familiar factions such as the Night's Watch, wildlings, and maesters.These touches give fans something that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. In terms of narrative structure, we conducted extensive research to ensure our story wouldn't conflict with major canonical events. Instead, we designed an independent storyline that can be influenced by but doesn't alter the core narrative of the original. In that sense, Game of Thrones: Kingsroad serves as an expanded piece of content that respects the show’s foundations while offering a "possible story" that could exist just beyond its borders.What does the future look like for Kingsroad after launch? Will there be any gap between the Early Access players and the new ones, and how will Early Access players be rewarded for their support?Our main post-launch plans include regular updates that expand the story through new chapters and regions, along with the addition of new content, such as raids.While there may be some differences in progression between Early Access players and new players, Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is primarily a single-player experience where players can follow the story at their own pace. This means that the gameplay remains fully accessible and enjoyable regardless of when a player joins. As a token of appreciation, those who participated in Early Access will receive additional rewards such as exclusive costumes and emblems.Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is now officially available on both PC and mobile, so learn more about the game and download it here.Hyun-il Jang, Executive Producer at Netmarble NeoInterview conducted by Amber Rutherford