Earlier this week, Backbone launched an updated version of its popular Backbone One mobile controller, offering wider support for smartphones with cases and slightly tweaking its overall design for better ergonomics. Amazon and Best Buy are already slashing prices on the new model, giving it a nice $20 discount. Alternatively, you can save $40 on the Gen 1 Lightning editions for iOS–if you have an iPhone 14 or older.

The big draw of the Backbone One (Gen 2) is its magnetic adapters that allow it to work with a larger range of smartphones without the need to remove your case. The company has compiled a long list of cases that are supported by the Gen 2, including over two dozen iPhone 15 cases. That’s a big improvement over the outgoing model, which requires you to remove your phone case before launching your game.

Aside from the inconvenience of having to remove your case, the Backbone One was already widely considered as one of the best mobile controllers–though we haven’t had a chance to test the Gen 2 model just yet.

With the release of the Backbone One Gen 2, you’ll also find the original Backbone One discounted to $60 (down from $100). And unlike the above deal, this one is for the Xbox and PlayStation Lightning models.

As mentioned, you’ll find the same deals available at Best Buy. The Lightning controllers also come with a free one-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.

Also, note that Backbone Plus members are eligible for a 30% discount toward the purchase of a Gen 2 controller–so if you’re a member, be sure to check your email for details on how to redeem your coupon.

A new trailer for the DC TV series The Penguin has arrived, showcasing the best look yet at the next chapter in what’s described as the “Batman saga.” This newest trailer shows Oscar-nominated actor Colin Farrell in full makeup as The Penguin, and he’s nearly unrecognizable.

As you can see in the trailer, The Penguin has an axe to grind and it looks like this TV series will have violence galore. Here’s the trailer:

This is Penguin’s first solo series. It also features Cristin Milioti as Carmine’s daughter Sofia Falcone; Michael Zegen as Carmine’s son Alberto Falcone; and Clancy Brown as rival mobster Salvatore Maroni–who famously attacks Harvey Dent with acid, turning him into Two-Face.

Max’s Penguin series will consist of eight episodes and be written and helmed by Lauren LeFranc with The Batman director Matt Reeves serving as an executive producer.

The Penguin series premieres this fall on Max and HBO. That should help ease the wait for The Batman II, which was recently delayed to 2026.

Godzilla and Kong are out for blood, or to be more specific, the American Red Cross is encouraging people to donate a pint of the life-saving liquid by offering a free T-shirt in exchange. Ahead of the release of Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, the Red Cross is offering a stylish T-shirt for anyone who visits a blood clinic and donates blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma from March 25 through April 7. It’s a neat piece of clothing featuring the two Titans, as well as the film’s logo. For more details, you can check out the official Red Cross page.

As a reminder, any donated blood is good blood. These are used to perform lifesaving transfusions and offering your blood is relatively painless. Once the needle has been inserted, the hard part is over. Plus, it gives you a great excuse to avoid any strenuous activity for at least two hours after you’re done donating. You get to play your part in saving lives and you have a valid excuse to chill out on your couch or in a movie theater. Everyone wins!

Tickets are now on sale for Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, as the two Kaiju come together to face a new threat to the planet. A sequel to the well-received Godzilla vs. Kong, The New Empire is once again directed by Adam Wingaard. Just like the Oscar-winning Godzilla Minus One, the new Monsterverse film’s Kaiju king is heavily inspired by cats, particularly Wingaard’s cat Mischief. The director also looked to classic ’80s cinema for more inspiration, and recently revealed how Lethal Weapon’s DNA can be found in the tag team dynamic between Kong and Godzilla.

Returning faces include Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and Kaylee Hottle, and they’ll be joined by new cast members Dan Stevens, Alex Ferns, and Fala Chen when the film releases in theaters on March 29.

Anyone looking for a Switch controller that’s great for both handheld and wired play will find much to love about the Hori Split Pad Compact Attachment Set. This unique device gets you access to the popular Split Pad Compact for handheld mode, plus a wired grip they can attach to when docking your Switch at home. The set is usually quite expensive at $80, though a new Amazon sale is now discounting two versions of the gamepad to $60.

The set is officially licensed by Nintendo, so you know it’ll work well with your Switch or Switch OLED. Our Hori Split Pad Compact review said it has “everything you could want in a Joy-Con replacement,” including great sticks, a reliable D-pad, remappable back buttons, and impressive ergonomics.

When coupled with the Attachment Set for docked play, the Hori Split Pad Compact becomes even easier to recommend at this price. Along with a 10-foot cable, you’ll get on-board audio controls and a headset jack. A few downsides include the lack of rumble support or motion controls–but at this new low price, it’s even easier to recommend.

If you’re not sold on the Hori Split Pad Compact, you’ll find deals on the newer Nitro Deck controller below. The Nitro Deck has Hall Effect analog sticks, remappable back buttons, a built-in kickstand, and it comes in a variety of retro color schemes that pay homage to old Nintendo consoles. You can save up to $30 on the Nitro Deck with a dedicated carrying case.

Nitro Deck Switch controller deals

1996’s Happy Gilmore is one of the most beloved golf films and Adam Sandler movies ever, and 26 years later, a sequel might be happening. Christopher McDonald, who played Shooter McGavin in the film, said this week that Sandler recently showed him a script for it.

“I saw Adam [Sandler] about two weeks ago. He says to me ‘McDonald, you’re gonna love this.’ How about that? He shows me the first draft of Happy Gilmore 2,” he told Cleveland’s 92.3 sports radio. McDonald went on to say that the radio show producers should maybe cut that part of the interview out, but it was left in, and McDonald said more.

“It’s in the works–fans demand it, dammit,” he said.

If there is indeed a script for Happy Gilmore 2, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be made, but it does sound like a positive development for fans awaiting a sequel. Sandler has a deal with Netflix, so if Happy Gilmore 2 gets made, that could be where it lands.

Sandler played the title character, Happy Gilmore, a failed hockey player whose powerful slapshot translated to a booming power on the golf course. The movie also featured the late Carl Weathers as Happy’s coach, along with Julie Bowen, Kevin Nealon, Ben Stiller, and Allen Covert. Frances Bay, who played Happy’s grandmother and was the entire reason Happy sought a career in professional golf to help save her house with prize money, passed away in 2011. The film also featured a memorable sequence where the late Bob Barker beats up Happy.

The film’s violence helped inspire developer Digital Eclipse to pitch a Happy Gilmore hybrid fighting and golf game, but unfortunately it never went anywhere.

Happy Gilmore celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2021. To mark the occasion, Sandler performed his character’s iconic and unconventional swing in real life, and he’s still got it.

After Happy Gilmore, Sandler’s hot streak continued with The Wedding Singer (1998), The Waterboy (1998), Big Daddy (1999), Little Nicky (2000), Punch-Drunk Love (2002), Mr. Deeds (2002), Anger Management (2003), 50 First Dates (2004), The Longest Yard (2005), and Click (2006), just to name a few. Sandler now has a rich deal with Netflix that covers numerous films, the latest of which was this month’s sci-fi drama Spaceman.

Preorders for the Pastel Pink Joy-Con controllers for Nintendo Switch sold out rather quickly earlier this year, but launch day has arrived and stock has been replenished. You can snag a pair of Pastel Pink Joy-Con–the third set of pastel controllers for Switch–at multiple major retailers, including Best Buy. The new set released alongside Princess Peach: Showtime, the latest Nintendo Switch exclusive. Alternatively, you can get the new controllers in a bundle with the game at Walmart. Plus, you’ll get a free pair of Peach-themed scrunchies.

If you want to complete your pastel controller collection, the Pastel Pink and Pastel Yellow Joy-Con are available right now for $80. The same goes for the Pastel Purple and Pastel Green Joy-Con, which are also listed for $80.

Peach’s first leading role since Super Princess Peach for Nintendo DS earned a 7/10 in our Princess Peach: Showtime review.

“Princess Peach Showtime is a friendly, inviting game that’s made to be easy to digest,” critic Steve Watts wrote. “Some of the genres work better than others in this format, but none of them are too tricky or off-putting, and most of it will come down to personal taste. None of these stages are fleshed out enough to support their own game, but they’re an invitation for novice gamers to explore a bunch of different game types, with a charming (and apparently polymath) princess offering her gloved hand to welcome them in.”