Games

Eight years ago, fans received a special Christmas gift: the fourth season of Black Mirror, featuring six compelling episodes. The season finale, titled “Black Museum,” revealed a major connection that fans had suspected for six years: all episodes of Black Mirror exist within the same shared universe. Creator Charlie Brooker subtly confirmed this long-held fan theory, making the episode a significant moment for the show.

The Konami Code is arguably the most famous cheat code ever created. It’s become a pop culture staple and is frequently hidden as an Easter egg in games and other media. Originally appearing in the 1986 Nintendo game Gradius, it granted players all available power-ups at the beginning, or 30 extra lives when entered in reverse. However, it’s best remembered for its appearance in Contra on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Entering the sequence Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start instantly gave players 30 lives, which significantly boosted the code’s popularity, earning it the nickname “the 30-lives Code.”

After the first season of Stranger Things came out in 2016, a German science fiction mystery series called Dark premiered in 2017 and ran for three seasons, telling a complete story.

Many beloved New Year’s Eve episodes appear in classic TV shows – from comedies to dramas. While most center around parties, some have taken a different approach, making them truly memorable. However you plan to ring in 2026, these New Year’s specials offer a chance to revisit some of television’s most heartwarming and festive moments.

For a limited time, until 11:00 AM Eastern Time on December 31st, the Epic Games Store is giving away the Trine Classic Collection for free! This includes the first four Trine games: Trine Enchanted Edition, Trine 2: Complete Story, Trine 3: Artifacts of Power, and Trine 4: Definitive Edition. Created by Frozenbyte, the Trine series began in 2009 and has become a well-loved puzzle-platformer franchise. Normally priced at $50, this is a fantastic deal and one of the best free offers available on the Epic Games Store this holiday season.

The latest episode of The Simpsons Season 37 surprised viewers by exploring a new backstory for the character Bumblebee Man. The episode also celebrated the show’s Mexican heritage characters, acknowledging that there haven’t been many over the series’ long run. As a humorous nod to this, and a way to briefly revisit them, Homer’s forgotten little brother, Pepi, made his first appearance in 32 years – since Season 4.

Get ready for Send Help, a new survival horror film with a funny side! Starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, the movie follows two coworkers who are the only people left after a plane crash leaves them stranded on a deserted island. They have to put aside their differences and work together to survive, but ultimately, it’s a test of who can outsmart the other to escape. It’s a fresh take on horror from director Sam Raimi, and it looks fantastic.

Many people fondly remember Avatar: The Last Airbender, which originally aired until 2008, as a key part of their childhoods. The show remains popular today because of its strong animation, well-developed characters, creative powers, and compelling story. It even experienced a resurgence in recent years, attracting a new generation of fans. While Avatar is truly one-of-a-kind, especially considering when it first came out, there are several anime series that capture a similar feeling and are worth watching.

The long-running boxing manga Hajime no Ippo, created by George Morikawa and launched in 1989, is taking another break. This time, however, publisher Kodansha hasn’t announced when the series will return or given a reason for the pause. Earlier this month, Morikawa shared that he’d been hospitalized but has since been discharged and plans to rest. Interestingly, he posted about relaxing by building a Gundam model – a hobby he’s been enjoying during his time off.

In 2025, established publishers still did well, but mobile game developers actually generated more overall revenue. One company, in particular, significantly outperformed all others, demonstrating that the industry’s shift towards mobile gaming is now a permanent trend.