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Not got your Nintendo Switch 2 preordered yet? Fear not, as Smyths Toys might be your best bet if you're heading to a midnight launch event—here's all we knowTech15:41, 28 May 2025Got your Switch 2 yet?(Image: PA)Nintendo Switch 2 finally launches next week alongside Mario Kart World, and it's tipped to be a huge debut for Nintendo's hardware sequel.While some fans have been able to get their hands on one early and others joke about daring heists to secure the system, UK retailer Smyth's Toys is letting eager fans pick up their preordered consoles at midnight.‌Even better, the retailer says it'll offer limited stock in its stores for anyone that hasn't managed to secure one yet, meaning you might be able to join in the fun after all.‌Here's all we you need to know.Content cannot be displayed without consentIf you're absolutely buzzing for the new console, Smyths Toys will be selling them from 12:01 on launch day, June 5.‌While the company can't break the street date, fans that have preordered through the retailer can enjoy a click and collect service from 12:01, meaning you can be, um, downloading the mandatory firmware update before anyone else.You'll need photo ID, and the window closes at 12:30am, by which case you'll likely need to wait until the store is open again.If you've not got your preorder, it might be worth chancing your arm. Smyths says there will be "limited stock available in-store for purchase", and while we're not expecting there to be dozens of systems, you might be lucky enough to secure one.‌Speaking of luck, some stores are holding events at 11pm on June 4 where players will be able to enjoy demos of Mario Kart World, the console's big launch title, and snag some goodie bags if they're in the first 100 people through the door.Switch 2 is just days away(Image: AFP via Getty Images)"We will open selected stores at 11pm on Wednesday, 4th June for an exciting Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Event!" the Smyths site explains.‌"Take part in an exciting Mario Kart World gameplay demo. Plus the first 100 attendees will receive a FREE goodie bag packed with awesome Nintendo merch — while stocks last! No registration needed — play and celebrate the next level of Nintendo gaming with us!"The stores in question are Boucher Road (Belfast), Glasgow, Hull, Romford, and Stockport.Honestly, as someone that used to love a good midnight launch for Call of Duty or EA FC (formerly FIFA), this sounds like a really fun opportunity it's a shame we don't see more of these days.Article continues belowFor more on Nintendo Switch 2, be sure to check out our favourite Switch 1 games, as well as our most-wanted Switch 2 ports.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.‌‌‌

One of the biggest advantages of today's home security cameras and systems is the ability to watch over your home when you're not there or asleep. But that leads to an important question: When are burglars and break-ins most likely to happen? Do they really prefer the dead of night?CNET took a look at the research and expert opinions and arrived at some interesting conclusions. Burglars don't always strike when you think they would, and having a reliably armed security system may be even more important than you think to stop them. I've rounded it up into three times when thieves are most likely to strike at homes and why that helps you plan for better security.Read more: What Burglars Look for When Choosing Homes to Break Into1. The middle of the day (especially early afternoon) Thieves have a lot to gain by acting in the middle of the day. Getty ImagesIf you want to know when burglars try to break in to homes, it's a good idea to ask them. KGW8 out of Portland, Oregon, did just that, interviewing more than 80 (caught) burglars to find out how and when they struck. The answer? Most chose the middle of the day, the hours before or after noon: Homeowners are most likely to be gone at work in the day, thieves have great visibility when exploring a new yard or house, and it's easier to pretend to be a lost friend or family member if they get caught in broad daylight.Burglars commonly strike in the early afternoon -- one specifically said between "12:30pm and 2:30 p.m."  People who go home for lunch or errands have most likely finished and are back to work during these hours, so there's a greater chance the home will be empty. Others KGW8 interviewed preferred the morning when there's also a guarantee people will be at work. That's similar to other studies that report burglaries are most likely to occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Curious about what burglars are after? Most hunt down cash, jewelry, medications and items that can easily sell for money -- notably guns and small electronics. Any signs that these items exist in a house may attract watchful thieves. They also reported that security systems and big dogs were big deterrents (although we don't suggest getting a dog for security purposes).2. During the summer (between June and August) Burglars are caught trying to break in far more often in summer than winter. ArloBurglaries are lowest at the height of winter, and highest during the hottest summer months. Since burglary is often a crime of opportunity and requires quickly casing residential neighborhoods, it makes sense that thieves would prefer longer, warmer days. It's also a lot harder to break into homes if there's ice or snow everywhere. That's why research from places like Arizona State University shows that burglaries reach their height in August, and are generally on the rise between June and August when the weather is warmest.3. At midnight Amazon's Blink Wired Floodlight cam in action. BlinkWe know, we just said that burglaries are most common during the warmest, brightest times of day. But not everything is so simple. Research from companies like Vivint has shown that burglaries also spike around midnight, with data showing around 6% of burglaries occurring at 12 a.m.This is an interesting spike because late evening and early morning hours are the least likely times for burglaries. There's just something about midnight that makes some burglars think it's a good time to strike. They may also believe that homeowners are asleep at this time, or that it's easier to hide in the dark. Read more: The Best Tips to Prevent Burglars and Break-InsWith this info now in your brain, you're ready to make great decisions about when to arm your security system or when to make sure your smart lights and security camera floodlights are ready to work. It's also a good idea to make sure your smart locks are locked during these times because -- you guessed it -- most burglars start by simply trying the front door. To become a master of your home security, check out our guide on the best places to put security cameras, common home security myths you should stop believing, and what to do if someone you're living with is the one stealing. 

Nintendo Switch 2 is getting an old school midnight launch at major UK toy store Michael Beckwith Published May 27, 2025 5:51pm Updated May 27, 2025 5:51pm A midnight rendezvous at Smyths could nab you a Switch 2 (Nintendo) If you’re yet to secure a pre-order for the Nintendo Switch 2, you may want to consider attending the console’s only public midnight launch. Midnight launch events used to be guaranteed whenever new video games, and especially new gaming consoles, arrived but the whole concept has slowly disappeared over time, along with the shops that used to host them. This is because people are buying fewer physical games than they used to, as well as the decline of local high street shopping in general – something the lockdown-inducing coronavirus pandemic only accelerated. As such, it seems like very few people will be camping outside their local gaming shops to be among the first to grab a Nintendo Switch 2 next week, although one retailer is keeping the dream alive with a country-wide midnight launch. The retailer in question is Smyths, which already offers online and in-store Switch 2 pre-orders. Unsurprisingly, it’s sold out at the moment, but the idea is that there’ll be more stock in for the countrywide midnight launch events. According to its own website, all Smyth stores in the UK will have a limited selection of Switch 2 stock to purchase from 12:01am until 12:30am on June 5. If you’ve already pre-ordered for Click & Collect or In-Store Collection, you can pick yours up during the midnight launch too, but you must have photo ID with you. Be sure to use Smyth’s store tracker to check if there’s one near where you live or at least within reasonable driving distance if you’re interested in taking part. Smyths has also scheduled a separate launch event that’ll run from 11:30pm on June 4 until 12:30am on June 5, where you can play a Mario Kart World demo and, if you’re among the first 100 attendees, claim free Nintendo themed goodies. This is only happening at a small selection of stores, though, at the following locations: Belfast Glasgow Hull Romford Stockport At the time of writing, there’s no mention of any other retailers offering similar events, at least in the UK. US retailers Best Buy and GameStop will open at midnight for people to buy a Switch 2, but that seems to be it. More Trending Aside from a couple of YouTubers who aim to be the first to step into the Nintendo Stores in the US once the Switch 2 launches, we’ve yet to see much evidence of anyone camping outside shops. At least not to the degree of past console launches. This reinforces the idea that nowadays most people prefer to sit at home and wait for a guaranteed pre-order. That said, pre-orders have been frequently selling out since they went live, with the console so popular that Japan has already run out, prompting an apology from Nintendo. Unless you’re able to secure a pre-order within the next week, being first in line at Smyths may be your best shot at grabbing a Switch 2. Hopefully, things won’t get too rowdy. Are you willing to stay up till midnight to grab a Switch 2? (Smyths) Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. GameCentral Sign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set (Leather/Cloth Hardcover) $146 (was $325) See at Amazon See at Walmart The Lord of the Rings Collector's Edition Box Set (Hardcover) $49.45 (was $105) See at Amazon See all Tolkien Collector's Editions (2024) The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien Box Set $68.34 (was $125) See at Amazon The Lord of the Rings enthusiasts and anyone who loves beautiful books should check out the incredible deal on The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set at Amazon and Walmart right now. The premium, three-volume hardcover collection released last October with a staggering $325 price attached to it. If the high cost deterred you from picking up this gorgeous box set last fall, now's your chance to get it for a price that could be far easier to stomach. The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set is on sale for $146, saving you $179. This 55% price cut doesn't have a listed end date, so interested Tolkien fans would be wise to snag it sooner rather than later.You can take a closer look at the Deluxe Illustrated Box Set below. We've also included the 2024 Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Collector's Editions for those who want nice copies of Tolkien's iconic fantasy novels for budget-friendly prices. The Lord of the Rings Collector's Edition Box Set is also on sale for over 50% off at Amazon. Lord of the Rings fans should also check out our buying guide for two upcoming Tolkien box sets: Tolkien Myths and Legends and The Great Tales of Middle-earth. The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set (Leather/Cloth Hardcover) $146 (was $325) The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set is a revamped version of a gorgeous collection first launched in 1992. Across the three hardcover volumes--The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King--there are more than 50 new pencil sketches and full-color paintings by beloved Lord of the Rings artist Alan Lee. All told, the box set has 1,332 pages, which makes it longer than most, if not all, editions of LOTR currently in print. The page edges are sprayed dark blue on the top and bottom, and the side edges have unique illustrations of billowing smoke from Mount Doom's eruption. Lee created new artwork for the covers, too. Each cover has a framed rectangular drawing in the center. The illustrations are inset on gray cloth board and surrounded by an elegant, silver foil-stamped border. Each book is quarterbound in blue leather, and the pages are sewn into the spine. You can mark your spot using the attached ribbon bookmark.The silver-foil text along the spine and on the covers was stamped onto each book. The custom display case was constructed from cloth board and features stamped circular emblems designed by Lee. The case has rounded front edges to make it easy to remove each book. With all three books removed, you can peer inside the fully illustrated interior of the case. Lee's depiction of Mount Doom's eruption covers every surface inside the lovingly crafted slipcase.Inside each book, you'll find a large art card that can be removed and displayed separately. Along with three art cards, you get a pair of foldout maps of Middle-earth drawn by Christopher Tolkien, the author's literary executor who edited, expanded, and organized many supplementary writings about Middle-earth, including The Silmarillion and his legendarium, which formed the massive 12-part series now known as The History of Middle-earth.To be clear, The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated is much different from the popular 2021 version illustrated by Tolkien, but the premium design is reminiscent of the Deluxe Special Edition of the Tolkien Illustrated version. See at Amazon See at Walmart The Lord of the Rings Collector's Edition Box Set (Hardcover) $49.45 (was $105) While the discount on the Deluxe Illustrated Box Set is quite good, $146 is still a lot of money for a single novel. But the great thing about modern editions of Tolkien's work is that there are beautiful collectible editions available at various price points. Case in point: The Lord of the Rings Collector's Edition Box Set.Published just a few weeks after the Deluxe Illustrated Box Set, the hardcover Collector's Edition Box Set carries a $105 MSRP. Right now, however, you can buy this handsome collection for only $49.45.Once again, the Collector's Edition is split into the three distinct parts that make up Tolkien's novel: Fellowship of the Ring, Two Towers, and Return of the King. Each book can be stored in the included display box shown above.The Collector's Editions have foil-stamped cover art, stained page edges, illustrated maps as endpapers, and built-in ribbon bookmarks. The beautiful cover art was previously featured in collectible editions released in the UK, so it's cool that American readers no longer have to import the books to admire the artwork up close.The box set also comes with an exclusive foldout map of Middle-earth.All three volumes in this box set are also sold separately, though it'd cost you about $15 more to buy them that way right now--and you miss out on the display case as well as the poster. But you may want to pair the box set with the matching Collector's Edition versions of The Hobbit and The Silmarillion, which were also published last year and are discounted close to 50%.J.R.R. Tolkien 2024 Collector's Editions (Hardcover)The Lord of the Rings Collector's Edition Box Set -- $49.45 ($105)The Fellow of the Ring Collector’s Edition -- $22.50 ($35)The Two Towers Collector's Edition -- $18 ($35)The Return of the King Collector’s Edition -- $21.47 ($35)The Hobbit Collector’s Edition -- $18.83 ($35)The Silmarillion Collector’s Edition -- $19.40 ($35) See at Amazon See all Tolkien Collector's Editions (2024) The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien Box Set $68.34 (was $125) For a markedly different Tolkien experience, consider picking up The Collected Poems of J.R.R Tolkien. This three-volume hardcover collection follows a similar design philosophy as The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set, so they would look great next to each other on a display shelf.This collection contains poems composed by Tolkien the teenager as well as Tolkien the aging literary giant. The nearly 200 poems across the box set's 1,700 pages were written across nearly 70 years. The poetry is accompanied by commentary about the author's work and life from two Tolkien scholars.Just know that this collection isn't related to Lord of the Rings or Middle-earth in general. While Tolkien included poetry in his famous fantasy novels, the verse in his Middle-earth novels barely scratches the surface of Tolkien's lifelong love of poetry.If you like the idea of reading poetry by Tolkien, you should also check out the upcoming hardcover box set titled Tolkien Myth and Legends. Releasing August 19, this eye-catching collection includes four books of epic poems. Two books feature Tolkien's own poetry: a narrative poem about King Arthur and a Norse mythology-inspired classic poem. The set also comes with Tolkien's personal translations of Beowulf and three other classic poems. See at Amazon The History of Middle-earth Box Set Deals & Tolkien Box Set PreordersThe History of Middle-earth Box Sets 1-4, Tolkien Myths and Legends, The Great Tales of Middle-earthThe History of Middle-earth Hardcover Box Set 1 (4 Books) -- $63.37 ($125)The History of Middle-earth Hardcover Box Set 2 (3 Books) -- $56.42 ($100)The History of Middle-earth Hardcover Box Set 3 (4 Books) -- $72.88 ($125)The History of Middle-earth Hardcover Box Set 4 (4 Books) -- $67.27 ($125)Tolkien Myths and Legends Hardcover Box Set (4 Books) -- $125 | Releases June 10The Great Tales of Middle-earth Hardcover Box Set (2025) (3 Books) -- $125 | Releases August 19The aforementioned History of Middle-earth series edited and compiled by Christopher Tolkien was reissued as 15 stunning hardcover books spread across four box sets, each of which is on sale for very low prices right now. Box Set 1 comes with four books, including The Silmarillion, and is on sale for only $63 at Amazon (nearly 50% off).Continue Reading at GameSpot

Tolkien Myths and Legends Hardcover Box Set (2025) $125 | Releases June 10 Preorder at Amazon The Great Tales of Middle-earth Hardcover Box Set (2025) $125 | Releases August 19 Preorder at Amazon See at Amazon (2018 set) J.R.R. Tolkien fans can soon add two display-worthy book box sets to their collection. Tolkien Myths and Legends Box Set, which features lesser-known original works and translations of classic English literature, releases on June 10. It will be followed up on August 19 by new editions of The Great Tales of Middle-earth, which is comprised of the final three prose novels set in Tolkien's iconic fantasy world. The new hardcover box sets feature lavish cover art and display cases. They are considered the fifth and sixth entries in a series of hardcover book box sets that debuted last year with the The History of Middle-earth, which was published by William Morrow in its entirety across four beautiful collections. Tolkien Myths and Legends Hardcover Box Set (2025) $125 | Releases June 10 The Tolkien Myths and Legends Box Set is a unique collection of J.R.R. Tolkien's work, because it doesn't contain stories about Middle-earth. Instead, as the title suggests, it compiles classic myths and legends, two of which were written by the author, while the other two were personal translations of some of his favorite works that inspired him.Like the vast majority of his posthumously published work, these were pieced together and edited by his son, Christopher Tolkien. Each hardcover book comes with a double-sided dust jacket. Just like The History of Middle-earth Box Sets, one side features elaborate artwork, while the other side has a more subdued aesthetic with solid colors. The four books come packaged in an eye-catching display case. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight / Orfeo / Pearl: Translations of a trio of classic epic poems juxtaposed with Tolkien's famous 1953 lecture on Sir Gawain.The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún: An epic verse poem by Tolkien. It was inspired by classic poetry and Norse mythology. Along with Tolkien's composition, you'll find notes and commentary from Christopher Tolkien.The Fall of Arthur: A narrative poem written by Tolkien that chronicles King Arthur's final days. The book includes extensive notes made by Tolkien while drafting his only Arthurian legend. Fans of The Silmarillion will want to read this one, as it clearly inspired the plot of Tolkien's Arthurian-esque Middle-earth book.Beowulf: One of the most famous--and the oldest known---epic poem of Old English literature, Beowulf has received many translations. Tolkien wrote his translation in 1926 and then circled back later. In addition to the translation of the original poem, this book contains a plethora of commentary by Tolkien himself, which will give readers a glimpse into the mind of Tolkien the scholar.If you're interested in the Myths and Legends Box Set, you should also check out The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien, a massive three-volume hardcover box that released last fall. The gorgeous box set, which is on sale for nearly 50% off, compiles Tolkien's life's work as a poet and clocks in at over 1,700 pages. Preorder at Amazon The Great Tales of Middle-earth Hardcover Box Set (2025) $125 | Releases August 19 The Great Tales of Middle-earth is a must-read collection for all dedicated fans of The Lord of the Rings. Though understandably not nearly as well-known as The Hobbit, LOTR, or even The Silmarillion, the trio of novels in this set are the final pieces of prose fiction that take place across the author's iconic brilliant fantasy world. All of the stories take place during Middle-earth's First Age, so while written and published later than Tolkien's other books, these are the oldest full-length stories in Middle-earth.The new 2025 hardcover editions come with reversible dust jackets and feature special color plates, pencil drawings, and illustrated maps by Christopher Tolkien and beloved LOTR illustrator Alan Lee.Here are the three books you'll find in the beautiful display case, which features a fire-breathing dragon.The Children of Húrin (2007): Written after The Silmarillion as a standalone prequel story, The Children of Húrin takes place 6,000 years before the events of LOTR. The story follows the cursed son of Húrin, named Túrin, during an era of intense and constant war and widespread devastation caused by the Dark Lord Morgoth. If you've read The Silmarillion, you will recognize some of the names found in this novel.Beren and Lúthien (2017): Another very early tale set in Middle-earth, Beren and Lúthien was reworked and revised over time and eventually became part of The Silmarillion. This compilation of Lúthien and Beren's story was originally published in 2017. It shows the evolution of the love story between the mortal man Beren and immortal elf Lúthien.The Fall of Gondolin (2018): Founded by King Turgon, the eponymous city of elves was concealed for many years before Lord Morgoth's quest to destroy elven life across Middle-earth. The Fall of Gondolin's main protagonist is Túrin's cousin, Tuor, and his family. Tuor is married to Turgon's daughter, Idril. The story follows their attempt to save their child after the Gondolin (unsurprisingly) falls.It's worth noting that The Great Tales of Middle-earth is already available as a hardcover box set. While it won't match Myths and Legends or the four History of Middle-earth Box Sets, the 2018 hardcover collection is on sale for only $50 (was $100) at Amazon. Alternatively, you can purchase each book individually in hardcover or paperback.The Great Tales of Middle-earth Editions:The Great Tales of Middle-earth Hardcover Box Set (2018) (3 Books) -- $50 ($100)The Great Tales of Middle-earth Hardcover Box Set (2025) (3 Books) -- $125 | Releases August 19The Children of Hurin (Paperback) -- $10.70 ($19)The Children of Hurin (Hardcover) -- $14 ($35)Beren and Lúthien (Paperback) -- $13.69 ($19)Beren and Lúthien (Hardcover) -- $22.50 ($35)The Fall of Gondolin (Paperback) -- $11.69 ($19)The Fall of Gondolin (Hardcover) -- $14.41 ($35) Preorder at Amazon See at Amazon (2018 set) The Great Tales of Middle-earth Hardcover Box Set (2018) $50 (was $100) See at Amazon The History of Middle-earth Hardcover Box Sets (2024)J.R.R. Tolkien - The History of Middle-earth Box Sets (2024)The History of Middle-earth Hardcover Box Set 1 (4 Books) -- $63.37 ($125)The History of Middle-earth Hardcover Box Set 2 (3 Books) -- $57.18 ($100)The History of Middle-earth Hardcover Box Set 3 (4 Books) -- $73.60 ($125)The History of Middle-earth Hardcover Box Set 4 (4 Books) -- $68 ($125)The Complete History of Middle-earth Hardcover Box Set (3 Books) -- $138 ($250)The History of Middle-earth Paperback Box Set (5 Books) -- $28 ($50)The History of Middle-earth was originally published over a 14-year stretch from 1983 to 1996. While creating his fantasy world, Tolkien took extensive notes, building a backstory for Middle-earth across three different ages and 6,500-plus years. You could argue that the author's dedication to crafting the setting that would become home to a pair of landmark fantasy novels turned Middle-earth into the most believable character Tolkien created. His mythopoeic writings formed what is commonly referred to as Tolkien's legendarium.At the time of Tolkien's death in 1973, the exhaustive backstory of Middle-earth remained unpublished. Over the next few years, his son and literary executor, Christopher Tolkien, undertook the daunting project of editing, expanding, and curating the legendarium into publishable works. The legendarium would become a 12-volume series titled The History of Middle-earth.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Heazy IT Tech Verified Oct 28, 2017 4,643 London, UK Nintendo Switch 2 UK £395.99 / £429.99 (w/ Mario Kart World) original screenshot dead From Nintendo UK site  Last edited: Apr 11, 2025 NippleViking Member May 2, 2018 4,702 Jesus. $800 AUD then?   Doctor_Thomas Member Oct 27, 2017 11,467 Ooof.   raspberrymousse Member Mar 19, 2021 5,302 Cheaper than I thought   Stitch AU Member Oct 29, 2017 581 Brisbane, Australia What the fuck, thats $880AU for the mario kart edition.   Type VII Member Oct 31, 2017 2,977 I was expecting £425 so not too bad. At least we know when the preorders go live.   CasuallyDressed Member Jan 13, 2020 1,497 Eek.   Helix Mayor of Clown Town Member Jun 8, 2019 27,003 i thought it was going to be 50 quid cheaper   xendless Teyvat Traveler Member Jan 23, 2019 13,720 Nintendo UK store crashed already it's utterly fucked when preorders drop   Fevaweva Member Oct 30, 2017 7,589 That is about what I expected to be quite honest.   Hutchie Member Oct 27, 2017 1,791 London Decent but will wait n see how much cex sell em so can get rid of my remaining voucher   Charlie0108 Member Oct 29, 2017 4,600 I have £460 set aside for it so ok for me but I was expecting it to be about £50 cheaper.   discogs Member Oct 28, 2017 516 London When are UK preorders coming?   xendless Teyvat Traveler Member Jan 23, 2019 13,720 Hutchie said: Decent but will wait n see how much cex sell em so can get rid of my remaining voucher Click to expand... Click to shrink... On the Switch 1 launch it was way above rrp discogs said: When are UK preorders coming? Click to expand... Click to shrink... The OP image dude....  Swarming1182 Member Jan 14, 2018 534 Hell yeah.   Hutchie Member Oct 27, 2017 1,791 London xendless said: Only Switch 1 launch it was way above rrp Click to expand... Click to shrink... Looks like im waiting 6 months  DECK’ARD Creator of Worms Verified Nov 26, 2017 7,157 UK What I was expecting. Now open the preorders someone!  ItsBradazHD Member Nov 21, 2018 835 35 quid extra for mario kart is crazy value   J Snow Member Oct 25, 2017 452 About what I expected Hutchie said: Decent but will wait n see how much cex sell em so can get rid of my remaining voucher Click to expand... Click to shrink... I was thinking this but I went in today and they're selling second hand games more expensive than Argos a few doors down, I would really love to know what "algorithm" they use to calculate pricing   Tora The Enlightened Wise Ones Member Jun 17, 2018 8,983 Easily justifiable   Ara63 Member Nov 21, 2023 1,185 Given the other pricing news, if you care about Mario Kart at all buying that UK bundle is likely the cheapest deal for anyone worldwide.   Lowrys Member Oct 25, 2017 14,664 London discogs said: When are UK preorders coming? Click to expand... Click to shrink... 8 April. Gives all the scalpers and bots time to get ready ans vacuum them all up. Ridiculous. Just make them live now and let consumers have a chance.   Hutchie Member Oct 27, 2017 1,791 London Anyone got software prices? Apparently mario kart is €90 physical   Raiden Member Nov 6, 2017 3,032 Okay i'll take it. Do we have a official release date?   Axe Member Oct 27, 2017 3,590 United Kingdom I honestly was bracing for worse pricing for us.   geehepea Member Aug 5, 2024 358 about what I expected   Byron Hinson Member Nov 14, 2017 1,361 UK It'll be the cart pricing that's the killer   Swarming1182 Member Jan 14, 2018 534 Annoyed they chose to delay pre-orders. it just lets scalpers and bots grab them. The price is incredibly reasonable given the evident horsepower of this device, and especially with the Mario Kart World bundle, crazy good value.  Gowans Moderator Oct 27, 2017 5,833 North East, UK What about UK games prices?   Helix Mayor of Clown Town Member Jun 8, 2019 27,003 ngl though i'm not keen on getting MK World, it's crazy not to get that bundle cuz MK is just expensive on its own lol   harry the spy Member Oct 25, 2017 3,376 Do we know where we will be able to preorder from   Mutedpenguin Member Dec 5, 2017 1,392 Obviously I'll get the Mario Kart bundle(if I can)...but I feel it would be a much easier sell to the masses, if it was £399 including the game.   GovernWort Prophet of Truth Member Feb 20, 2020 1,093 Gowans said: What about UK games prices? Click to expand... Click to shrink... View: https://imgur.com/yzDDQ4Y   Bishop89 What Are Ya' Selling? Member Oct 25, 2017 42,772 Melbourne, Australia Stitch AU said: What the fuck, thats $880AU for the mario kart edition. Click to expand... Click to shrink... More than a ps5, crazy.   Willy Member Oct 27, 2017 402 I said £379 at the lowest previously so I wasn't far off. Honestly, not the worst price if you want Mario Kart World in the bundle. I think I'll be waiting for more first party games to come out though. edit - £75 physical games. Ouch.  cursed beef Member Jan 3, 2021 946 so physical is just dead dead huh? nintendo said fuck families   Gowans Moderator Oct 27, 2017 5,833 North East, UK Thank you, £75 seems wild esspecially in an age of cheap PC games and Game Pass.  GovernWort Prophet of Truth Member Feb 20, 2020 1,093 This is on the Nintendo UK site. Pro controller is £75 and the GC controller is £59  IIFloodyII Member Oct 26, 2017 27,432 Was expecting 400 so not too bad ther. But they can absolutely fuck off with the £75 for games.   Helix Mayor of Clown Town Member Jun 8, 2019 27,003 75 quid for flagship Nintendo games?…..   geehepea Member Aug 5, 2024 358 Prices for all accessories and software announced in the direct Edit: also noticed this smallprint on the page Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 digital games, upgrade packs and amiibo will open on My Nintendo Store from 24/04.  Koukalaka Member Oct 28, 2017 10,399 Scotland ItsBradazHD said: 35 quid extra for mario kart is crazy value Click to expand... Click to shrink... Yeah, I expect the bundle will fly off the shelves considering it's a £30 saving  Snarfington Avenger Oct 25, 2017 3,154 GovernWort said: This is on the Nintendo UK site. Pro controller is £75 and the GC controller is £59 Click to expand... Click to shrink... Hmm I think I qualify but will have to check on the emails, wonder where I can do that? Hope it's not some rando newsletter  GokouD Member Oct 30, 2017 1,348 Game prices could be worse really, given the euro/dollar prices. And that's from the Nintendo store, you can probably knock £10 off at Amazon or Smyths.   shadowman16 Member Oct 25, 2017 41,549 Not super happy about the prices... but Im a fool and will be getting DK and MK for sure... ANd Yakuza and SF...   jazzfunkgreats Member Oct 7, 2019 307 I fit the criteria for the invitation thing on playtime and subscription length but I've only just turned on newsletters now, so I'm not expecting much. I knew I should have just embraced the spam   JayCB64 Member Oct 25, 2017 11,418 Wales Honestly I thought it would be a little worse lol   IDreamOfHime Member Oct 27, 2017 16,363 I don't actually mind that price, especially the Mario Kart bundle price. Hoping to buy from Amazon....kept my Xmas gift vouchers for this. My plan this gen is digital only, I don't have the space for boxes anymore.  Ocarina_117 Member Oct 26, 2017 9,887 Not as angry as others with this pricing to be honest. I get a tonne of time out of Nintendo games and their first party releases are spaced out nicely.  LewieP Member Oct 26, 2017 19,822 I was expecting £399 for the system to saved a cool £4.  

The island of Bolga, just visible off the starboard bow during the trial voyage onboard ‘Skårungen’ in May 2022, is an important traditional landmark that may have featured in Viking Age seafaring itineraries from the Arctic towards southern Scandinavia and mainland Europe. Credit: Journal of Archeological Method and Theory / Jarrett Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Greer Jarrett has spent the past three years sailing Scandinavia’s waterways in historically accurate Viking ships. The voyages aren’t part of some reenactment fantasy or preparation for an upcoming film role. Instead, the archeologist wants to show that exploration based on historical knowledge can help us better understand how an ancient culture lived, explored, and interacted with the world around them. Last year, Jarrett contributed to research suggesting the Vikings participated in more complex trading routes with Indigenous Arctic tribes than previously believed. After his latest excursions along the eastern coasts of Norway, Jarrett now says his team believes that rather than solely relying on concentrated trading outposts, Norse sailors frequently utilized a decentralized network of ports on the region’s numerous islands and peninsulas. Their argument is detailed in a study published earlier this month in the Journal of Archeological Method and Theory. Over 3,100 miles at sea Since 2022, Jarrett and his intrepid crews have navigated multiple voyages aboard an open, square-rigged clinker boat built in the style of those used during the Viking Age (roughly 800–1050 CE). Their first trip traveled to and from the Arctic Circle from Trondheim, a common route for sailors after the Norwegian city’s founding in 997 CE. The researchers have since sailed more than 3,100 miles along historic Viking trade routes, as well as into the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat waterway separating Sweden from Denmark. These expeditions, coupled with interdisciplinary analysis and evidence, has provided substantial evidence that the original Viking travelers journeyed further from land than historians long theorized. However, these trips weren’t undertaken with the aid of a compass, sextant, or even a map. Instead, the Norse relied on mental maps informed by cultural myths tied to coastal landmarks. “Examples include Viking stories about the islands Torghatten, Hestmona and Skrova off the Norwegian coast,” Jarrett explained in a Lund University profile. “The stories serve to remind sailors of the dangers surrounding these places, or of their importance as navigation marks.”  These tales were passed down through generations to help seafarers, or what Jarrett refers to as a “Maritime Cultural Mindscape.” He also conducted interviews with present-day fishermen and sailors about various routes known to have been utilized in the 19th and early 20th century, before motorized boats were common. The Norðvegr, with the coastal regions mentioned in the text, the tracks of the project’s two trial voyages (black and white dashed lines), and the traditional sailing corridor along the west coast of Norway (blue shaded zone), known in Old Norse as leið. Credit: Journal of Archeological Method and Theory Coastal trips After previously demonstrating that Viking vessels can handle open oceanic waters even in tough conditions, Jarrett was determined to explore their capabilities close to land and among the fjords. He and his team sailed two trips along Norway’s western coast towards the Lofoten Islands, an archipelago in the Arctic Circle. While their rigging and ship were modeled after ancient technology, researchers also utilized digital geospatial reconstructions of the region to envision the surrounding landscapes as they would have existed at the time of the Vikings. According to Jarrett, the daily challenges are “just as great, but not as obvious” as ocean sailing. These included underwater currents and katabatic winds—the wind generated as a mountain’s dense, cool, high-altitude air flows into a lower elevation. Weather proved an additional challenge, particularly the cold temperatures in the Lofoten Islands. “Our hands really suffered. At that point I realized just how crucial it is to have a good crew,” Jarrett said. Extensive socio-cultural knowledge also didn’t keep the voyages free from danger, either. At one point, the boat’s mainsail yard snapped, forcing Jarrett and his crew to improvise a solution using only Viking-era materials. “We had to lash two oars together to hold the sail, and hope that it would hold,” he said. After returning home, Jarrett and colleagues combined their data with historical documentation and cultural knowledge. It was clear to them that the numerous environmental and oceanographic variables made coastal journeys difficult in their own special set of ways. “With this type of boat, it has to be easy to get in and out of the harbor in all possible wind conditions. There must be several routes in and out,” he said. “Shallow bays are not an issue because of the shallow draft of the boats. Getting far up the narrow fjords, however, is tricky. They are difficult to sail upwind with a square rig, and the boats are sensitive to katabatic winds.” Continuities in boatbuilding traditions from the Viking Age are evident in the shape and rig of this fyring, a smaller type of Åfjord boat similar to the vessels associated with non-elite Viking Age farmsteads. Credit: Tora Heide Viking havens His resulting study argues it is highly unlikely that Vikings only docked at well-established, populated towns and harbors. Instead, sailors probably relied on a decentralized network of smaller port hubs located farther out to sea that Jarrett refers to as “havens.” “A lot of the time, we only know about the starting and ending points of the trade that took place during the Viking Age. Major ports, such as Bergen and Trondheim in Norway, Ribe in Denmark, and Dublin in Ireland,” said Jarrett. “The thing I am interested in is what happened on the journeys between these major trading centers.” Jarrett has now identified four potential sites along the Norwegian coast that could have served as Viking havens. He hopes that archeological teams may soon investigate these areas to see what they might unearth. Evidence could include jetty and mooring post remnants, ballast stones, boatbuilding pits, temporary shelters, and artifacts indicating local commerce. At the same time, he acknowledges that these suggestions are starting points, not necessarily final destinations. “Due to the nature of the evidence, the methodology presented here can uncover potentials, but not realities,” Jarrett and the study’s co-authors write. “The list of possible Viking Age havens… is intended as a working document, which can shape and be shaped by future archaeological surveys and excavations.”

The ocean. Inspiration doesn’t come much bigger than that, and it’s the theme French artist Jean Jullien is celebrating with his latest work – Osaka Kaiju. The installation, now on display in the France Pavillion at EXPO 2025 in Osaka, is an enormous whale-like being, which might just be the biggest piece in the artist’s career so far. Kaiju come from Japanese folklore and continue to feature in popular culture, in Japan and around the world. They’re the monsters you see in the Godzilla films, but Osaka Kaiju isn’t bent on destruction. His mission is a peaceful one: his skin tells the story of the ocean so people realise the importance of the sea and protecting it. (c) Yuki Onishi (c) Nanzuka (c) Nanzuka “Osaka Kaiju’s body is covered in drawings, lines, scars or tattoos – however you want to see it – creating a panorama of the many myths, gods and legends that tell of our relationship with the ocean,” says Jean. “From Poseidon to European sea dragons to Inca deities, with a large emphasis on Japanese Yokai as well.” As the artwork continues along his flanks, new mythical creatures appear, which Jean has created to represent topics like over-fishing, dangerous migration by sea, climate change, plastic pollution and more. “I’ve always been fascinated by storytelling and how mythology manages to sum up big, complex notions and funnel them into characters. I wanted to use that language to address contemporary matters,” he adds. Typically, Jean Julien’s work consists of highly accessible, humorous, hand drawn, comic strip-style artwork. Here he is taking it into three dimensions, painting directly onto the surface of the sculpture. Inside Osaka Kaiju is a metal and wooden frame, which is covered in a balloon-like material. The installation was built in a warehouse in Tochigi by AD Japan and the Nanzuka art gallery for Jean. (c) Balthazar Jullien (c) Balthazar Jullien (c) Balthazar Jullien When complete, the skin was removed, and the artwork transported to the pavilion and reconstructed. To accompany the piece, the artist’s brother Nicolas Julien has composed thematic music which plays as Osaka Kaiju floats among colourful fish, illuminated in its darkened space. Evenly lighting the creature was one of the trickiest parts of the display. “The ocean is important to me for two reasons. Sentimentally, first, because of my upbringing and family roots in Britanny. I grew up in Nantes and we would go to Lesconil where the fishing industry was alive but slowly declining,” says Jean. “Secondly, it’s important to me as a human being, because we literally can’t live without it. It’s an essential part of life. Without it we all die.” (c) Nanzuka (c) Nanzuka And the big message in this enormous work? “You have to know where you come from in order to know where you’re going,” says Jean. “It's important to realise that as our knowledge of the ocean has deepened, how we tell its story has lightened. In mythology it’s often threatening, dark, mysterious and a bringer of death. Now, when we tell stories its incarnation is often very friendly and joyful. I'm hoping installations and narratives like the Osaka Kaiju can inspire younger generations to become positive actors for the future.” Osaka Kaiju is a collaboration between Jean Jullien and the Tara Ocean Foundation, in partnership with AXA, Cofrex and Nanzuka. The gentle creature will be on show at EXPO 2025 until 12 June.