The Google Stadia version of Final Fantasy 15 has exclusive minigames that aren't quite on par with the rest of the game.

Final Fantasy 15 was one of the big launch titles for Google's game streaming service, Stadia, when it launched in November 2019. It came with all the DLC and an exclusive "Crazy Challenge" minigame collection that's meant to entice players to check out the Stadia version.

But a Twitter thread (pointed out by USGamer) containing gameplay videos of two of the minigames shows that they're of... questionable quality.

noctis r u ok#FinalFantasyXV #crazychallenges #Stadia pic.twitter.com/iBmz2ms81m

— Noah Sanchez (@realnoahsan) March 8, 2020

There are four minigame challenges in total, which you have to select from the main menu, rather than find as you explore the RPG's world. They are Challenge Rally, Expert Duel, Endless Magitek Armor, and Magna Flight.

Expert Duel adds fights to the game that were previously only available in the multiplayer expansion Comrades. The Endless Magitek Armor challenge puts you in an exosuit as you try to defeat as many enemies as possible within the time limit.

The Twitter thread focuses on the other two minigames which both make use of the game's vehicles. Unfortunately, the vehicle physics in Final Fantasy 15 are pretty shoddy and this causes issues, which are sometimes hilarious.

Challenge Rally

I think something is up with the physics lol pic.twitter.com/JFRMgHtARS

— Noah Sanchez (@realnoahsan) March 8, 2020

Challenge Rally tasks you with driving the Regalia Type-D, the monster truck version of the vehicle, around tracks that are fraught with hazards. The problems begin if you drive the monster truck into anything solid as it's prone to flipping over and getting flung into the air.

I would have quit if it weren't for that groovy Chocobo guy cheering me on in the beginning. I had to do it for him! pic.twitter.com/f21IkEY3O2

— Noah Sanchez (@realnoahsan) March 8, 2020

Shout out to the person dressed up in a chocobo outfit who cheers you on at the start and end of the track. What a hero.

Magna Flight

Up next is this flying challenge where you have to fly the Regalia “Type-F” and collect tons of cars and soldiers with your ship for points before heading to the finish line. This is... um pic.twitter.com/RSFvyTSMOB

— Noah Sanchez (@realnoahsan) March 8, 2020

Magna Flight has you flying the Regalia Type-F, which is its flight mode. In this particular challenge, you have to fly around while picking up vehicles and soldiers and take them to drop-off points.

The vehicle physics don't seem to be as much of an obstruction in this minigame. However the vehicles collect in a heap underneath the Regalia Type-F, clipping through each other.

Here's a look at Noctis emptying all his trash, I mean prizes onto the Hammerhead base! Cid & Cindy didn't even bat an eye. Noct left before they could say anything! (Do you notice him flying away at the end)#FinalFantasyXV #Stadia #CrazyChallenges pic.twitter.com/M21UD4Utck

— Noah Sanchez (@realnoahsan) March 8, 2020

Probably the most hilarious clip comes when the player reaches the finish line and all the vehicles and soldiers are dropped off at the Hammerhead base. There's no care given here - some just bounce off the floor and then float in the air.

One person's response to seeing these videos is to compare Final Fantasy 15's minigames to the 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog game. It included sections in which you play as Shadow the Hedgehog in various vehicles, including a hang glider with a gun that was tricky to steer.

Wait a sec, that's just the Shadow hang-glider section from Sonic '06!!

— Star Catinum (@nivrap_nobody) March 8, 2020

Another person compared the minigames to Superman 64, which was notoriously buggy, sometimes letting you accidentally fly through walls.

Ooooh, they included Superman 64 with FFXV, bold move

— massoluk - Localize Ishin and Kenzan, SEGA (@massoluk) March 8, 2020

It's been a few months since Stadia's rough launch, and while the platform still has a way to go, there's the promise of more games coming soon. Stadia's first-party games are being made by Assassin's Creed talent and the former God of War executive producer.

Our Google Stadia review gave it a 6, and said that it "impresses with image quality and its flexibility across all platforms, but the service isn't ready yet." As to our Final Fantasy 15, that got an 8.2 in our review, so don't write the whole game off due to these minigames.

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Chris Priestman is a freelancer who writes news for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

The NFL and 2K Games announced a new agreement today that will see the publisher of NBA 2K and WWE 2K return to football, but EA’s long-running Madden NFL series will remain unchallenged in the high-end simulation market. “The games will be non-simulation football game experiences,” 2K said in its press release, adding, “While specific game titles, developers, and release dates will be announced at a later date, 2K confirmed the projects are in early development and will launch starting in calendar year 2021.” 2K Senior VP of Sports Strategy and Licensing Jason Argent told IGN, “These games will be ‘NFL 2K’ products, definitely.” This is the first time anyone but EA will release an NFL football video game since 2K’s extremely well-received, aggressively priced ESPN NFL 2K5 in July 2004 – after which EA signed a long-term exclusive deal with the NFL. “The NFL is one of the most successful sports brands in the world, known for creating incredible entertainment for fans,” said 2K President David Ismailer. “We’re thrilled to be back in business with the NFL in a partnership that will span multiple video games centered on fun, approachable, and social experiences.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2004/06/16/espn-nfl-2k5-xbox-gameplay-2004-06-16-2"]

Gameplay from ESPN NFL 2K5 on the original Xbox.

Pressed for details on what these “non-simulation football game experiences” would be, Argent said, “Our goal is always authenticity, depth, fun and as it relates to these titles – approachable and social football experiences. We think this is a good opportunity to service a more casual market, and our research shows there’s an appetite for that.” Does that mean mobile platforms, next-gen consoles, both, or everything in-between? Neither the NFL nor 2K would comment as of now. When asked how long this deal has been in the works, NFL Vice President and Head of Gaming and eSports Rachel Hoagland said, “We stayed in touch quite regularly over the course of the past couple of years.” NFL Senior Vice President of Consumer Products Joe Ruggiero added: “Expanding the NFL’s presence in the world of gaming has become a focus for the League as we look to grow the next generation of our fanbase and reviving our partnership with 2K was a natural step in that effort.” In lieu of a proper simulation-focused NFL 2K21, what do you hope to see from 2K? NFL 2K Blitz, maybe? NFL 2K Football Manager? Let us know in the Comments! [poilib element="accentDivider"] Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s Executive Editor of Previews and roots for the Arizona Cardinals. Follow him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan, catch him on Unlocked, and drop-ship him Taylor Ham sandwiches from New Jersey whenever possible.

Doom 64 will have a brand new chapter along with a number of new features and improvements when it is released for modern platforms later this month.

"Persistent players will have the opportunity to unlock a new chapter in the Doomguy's saga, taking place shortly after [Doom 64's] original campaign concludes," Nightdive Studios senior developer James Haley told USgamer.

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"The Mother Demon you defeated in that outing had a sister, and since you've been messing up Hell non-stop, she tries to get rid of you by sending you away. If you can make your way back and take revenge, you’ll be rewarded with a bit of lore that fans of both series, new and classic, should enjoy."

Nightdive's multiplayer developer Edward Richardson also revealed that the Doom 64 rerelease will have autorun toggle, new brightness settings, an option to change the colour of blood from red to green.

The automap can also be navigated with the Switch's touchscreen and the PS4's touchpad. Haley added that the Switch and PS4 versions also let you play the game with motion controls. "Using it to fine tune your aim gives a sense of really being there in the moment," he said.

In the same interview, Doom Eternal's co-director Marty Stratton revealed that Doom 64's most powerful weapon, the Unmaker, will be in Doom Eternal. "You get to unlock the Unmaker if you complete all the Slayer Gates, and those are badass combat encounters," Stratton said.

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This isn't a huge surprise given that id Software's developers previously told IGN that Doom 64 has had a big influence on Doom Eternal. The developers picked out Doom 64's dark mood along with the unnerving art and level design that "constantly feels like it's messing with you," saying that it translated well to Doom Eternal.

Doom 64 originally came out for the Nintendo 64 back in 1997. It's now coming to PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC on March 20, 2020 as a standalone game. It's also available as a free bonus if you pre-order Doom Eternal. However, the Switch version of Doom Eternal is delayed, so if you want Doom 64 on March 20 you'll have to buy it separately.

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Chris Priestman is a freelancer who writes news for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Call of Duty: Warzone players on PS4 won’t require an active PS Plus subscription to play the new battle royale. Those playing on Xbox One, however, will need to have a current Xbox Live Gold subscription to get involved. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/09/call-of-duty-warzone-official-trailer"] Activision confirmed the situation to IGN, explaining that PlayStation Plus is not required to download and play Warzone, although those who do have an active subscription will be able to download the exclusive Warzone Combat Pack for the PS Store. Full details on what the pack contains has yet to be revealed. The situation does not extend to Xbox players, though, as those on Microsoft’s platform will require an active Xbox Live Gold subscription and there is no Combat Pack equivalent. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=call-of-duty-warzone-screenshots&captions=true"] Warzone is the new Call of Duty battle royale based on Modern Warfare. Like Black Ops 4’s Blackout mode, it features a huge map made up of both classic COD multiplayer maps and original areas, and the gunplay and combat features from its ‘parent’ game. It’s free DLC for Modern Warfare, but also available as a standalone free-to-play game, too. It goes live for Modern Warfare players at 11am ET / 8am PT / 3pm UK, and is available standalone from 3pm ET / 12pm PT / 7pm UK today. For more, check out the news of Call of Duty: Warzone’s official reveal, and what was spotted in the early gameplay leak. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter. 

Microsoft has announced a two-day slate of livestreams, billed as a replacement to its talks and panels at the now-postponed Game Developers Conference. One of those talks is titled 'Xbox Series X + Project xCloud = New Chapter in Gaming', leading to speculation that we could learn new details about the next-gen console. Titled Game Stack Live, the series of livestreams will air on Mixer across March 17-18, and will allow viewers to "learn about the latest cloud and game development technologies from Microsoft, go behind the scenes with the creators at Xbox Game Studios and the ID@Xbox program, and level up with deep technical talks and panel discussions led by industry leaders." 'Xbox Series X + Project xCloud = New Chapter in Gaming' will air on Wednesday, March 18 at 11.40am Pacific / 2.40pm Eastern / 6.40pm UK (that's March 19 at 5.40am AET). Microsoft hasn't specifically said the talk will include new information, but the interaction between Series X and xCloud (Microsoft's game streaming service) is still relatively unexplored. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/06/what-xboxs-12-teraflops-actually-do-next-gen-console-watch"] There's a lot more besides the Series X talk, too – talks will come from members of the teams behind Gears 5, Sea of Thieves, Wasteland, and more, and the final talk includes discussion of technical details we know are confirmed as Xbox Series X features. GDC talks are traditionally more developer focused, so all of them are likely to fall on the more technical side. You can see the full schedule (all timings in PT) below: Day 1 - March 17, 2020​

• 10:00 Welcome to Game Stack Live!​
• 10:25 How The Coalition built Gears 5 to be more accessible
• 10:45 Building accessibility into your game - the Xbox Accessibility Guidelines
• 11:00 Panel: The changing nature of today’s game industry
• 11:35 Panel: How to be intentionally inclusive in your game design
• 12:15 What is Microsoft Game Stack?
• 12:30 The Importance of LiveOps
• 1:00 Rare: Building Sea of Thieves with a LiveOps Mentality
• 1:35 What it means to run a game studio – a conversation with Turn 10
• 2:00 Maximizing impact and reach for your independent games with the ID@Xbox team​

Day 2 - March 18, 2020

• 10:00 Previously on Game Stack Live
• 10:15 How inXile used creative iteration to drive Wasteland's development
• 10:40 Panel: How online services are defining the next generation of game development
• 11:40 Xbox Series X + Project xCloud = New Chapter in Gaming
• 12:40 The spark of creativity that drives Double Fine
• 1:20 What’s new in DirectX: Raytracing, mesh shading, and more

We've learned quite a lot about Series X in the last few months, from how it looks, to how powerful it is, to one of its exclusives. Here's everything we know in one handy place.

[poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News, and one thing is missing from all of this coverage, at least in his opinion – a next-gen Dynasty Warriors. Follow him on Twitter.

It wasn't suppose to happen like this. Disney was originally slated to open Mulan in theaters on March 27 -- the film was tracking to have the biggest domestic opening of 2020 -- before the studio postponed it to July 24 and then August 21 before they finally decided to forego a theatrical release entirely in favor of a debut on Disney+ on September 4 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Back in March, those invited to cover the film's L.A. press junket were allowed to share their reactions on social media to having seen director Niki Caro's loose reimagining of the 1998 animated classic. At the time, we rounded up those generally positive social media reactions to this new Mulan, which you can find below (this article was originally published March 9). Little did anyone realize at the time that these lucky members of the press corps would have an experience -- seeing Mulan on the big screen in a theater full of people -- that many around the world will now probably never have. Let's look back at what the media had to say about Mulan all those ages ago, back in March ... [poilib element="accentDivider"] Members of the press were able to attend early screenings of Disney's remake of Mulan, and first impressions are overly positive. Many claim that while there is a bit changed from 1998's Mulan, it more than makes up for it and may even be the best live-action adaptation of a Disney classic yet. Many claim it doesn't even matter that this one isn't a musical. Mulan has great action scenes, a more mature tone, and is "surprisingly sexy for a Disney movie." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/02/mulan-official-final-trailer"] Here's our roundup of the first social reactions to Mulan ahead of its theatrical release on March 27, 2020. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Fandango's Erik Davis said Mulan is "exciting, vibrant, emotional, and different from the animated version." Geekbomb's Maude Garrett loved the film, saying the "costumes & fighting/stunts were incredible." Insider's Kirsten Acuna thought Mulan was "absolutely fantastic," and that it "doesn't even matter that it's not a musical." Yahoo's Kevin Polowy has seen Mulan twice already and thinks it is "easily Disney's best live action reboot." Mashable's Angie J. Han says Mulan is the best Disney live-action remake since Cinderella. Mashable's Alison Foreman said that even though Mulan "leaves a lot behind," it "offers much more in its absence." Slashfilm's Peter Sciretta was not a huge fan of the original, so he was "very surprised" at home much he liked the remake. The Movie Couple's Wendy Lee Szany praised Mulan's cast and said there are "lots of little moments" that will make fans of the original happy. The Geekly Show's Tessa Smith called Mulan "absolutely magical." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN who can't wait and is so excited he just can't hide it. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

The Guardians of the Galaxy might be joining the fourth Thor movie, Thor: Love and Thunder, according to Groot voice actor Vin Diesel. "I am waiting and excited for my friend James Gunn to knock this next one out of the park," Diesel told Comicbook.com in a recent interview. "He took The Suicide Squad so he's about to embark on it. Thor will also, the director talked to me about Thor will incorporate some of the Guardians of the Galaxy." The last we saw of Thor, it seemed that his next departure would be by way of the Guardians of the Galaxy, with speculation that he would appear in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Guardian star Chris Pratt said there's no definitive yes or no to that speculation during IGN's red carpet event for Pixar's Onward, but it would seem that this Thor and Guardians of the Galaxy team-up might be happening in Love and Thunder. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/07/24/thor-can-love-and-thunder-redeem-jane-foster-the-way-ragnarok-did-thor"] Diesel seemingly recognized that this information wasn't yet known during the interview. "That'll be very interesting, nobody knows, maybe I shouldn't have said anything," Diesel said, as neither Love and Thunder director Taika Waititi nor Guardians director James Gunn have yet to confirm this information. If Diesel is right, Love and Thunder director and writer Taika Waititi will be seeing Diesel and the other Guardians this August when Thor 4's production begins in Australia. Love and Thunder is set prior to the events of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, director James Gunn confirmed last year, but he didn't say whether Thor will be in the movie. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=thor-love-and-thunder-6-characters-christian-bale-could-play&captions=true"] Thor and the Guardians of the Galaxy interacting on screen in an upcoming MCU movie wouldn't be surprising considering where we last saw these characters, but we do wonder how the two will interact under the direction of Waititi. We do, however,  know that Love and Thunder will be "bigger and louder and more bombastic," according to Waititi. Christian Bale reportedly will be the villain Thor and possibly the Guardians face off against in Love and Thunder when the film is released on November 5, 2021. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.   

Dominique “SonicFox” McLean won first prize at the Mortal Kombat Final Kombat 2020 tournament and managed to get out an endorsement to democratic primary candidate Bernie Sanders.

SonicFox really just won the Mortal Kombat world championship, came out in fursuit wrapped in the trans flag, grabbed the mic and said "Vote Bernie" Legendary shit pic.twitter.com/Vu63DuWfXo

— BedWords (@snacklesbian) March 9, 2020

McLean wore their SonicFox fursuit and a transgender pride flag during their trophy acceptance, which came with a large commemorative hammer because this is Mortal Kombat. While they were unable to offer a full acceptance speech, McLean was able to get the mic briefly to tell the audience at home to ‘Vote Bernie.’ [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-mortal-kombat-game-review&captions=true"] The 2020 Final Kombat tournament was not held in front of a live audience due to coronavirus concerns. The open qualifiers meant to be held a week before Final Kombat was also canceled, with the spot being awarded to Zoulfikar ‘Kombat’ Dayekh. SonicFox was able to win using their Injustice 2 and Mortal Kombat 11 main, Joker, and earned a $40,000 prize. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/01/17/mortal-kombat-11-gameplay-reveal"] McLean, who identifies as non-binary, is a proud proponent of LGBTQ+ rights and has used their platform to show support for the community. During the 2018 Game Awards after winning Esports Player of the Year, McLean said on stage, “I’m gay, black, a furry — pretty much everything a Republican hates.” They’re also now world champion of both NetherRealm’s fighting games, Mortal Kombat 11 and Injustice 2. Meanwhile, Mortal Kombat 11 finally revealed its latest guest character, Spawn, which you can check out here. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter. Photo credit: Robert Paul, NetherRealm Studios

Season 4 of Netflix's Stranger Things will be bigger than its previous seasons, according to Netflix Vice President of Physical Production Momita SenGupta (via Deadline). SenGupta and another Netflix physical production vice president, Patty Whitcher, sat down for a fireside chat with Deadline's Mike Fleming Jr., and SenGupta teased some of what Stranger Things fans can expect in the upcoming season. "Season 4 is bigger, bolder and more intricate than ever," SenGupta said. "So this is the first time the show will be traveling beyond Atlanta." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=stranger-things-season-3s-80s-references-a-side-by-side-comparison&captions=true"] The first three seasons of Stranger Things were shot in Atlanta, but portions of Season 4 were shot in New Mexico, Deadline reports. According to Deadline, Netflix purchased Albuquerque Studios in New Mexico in 2018, committing to spend more than $1 billion on production on Netflix movies and shows there over the next decade. The company has already spent over $150 million, Deadline reports, and has employed 2000 vendors alongside 1600 cast and crew members. What the new shooting location for Stranger Things means is still to be seen. SenGupta wouldn't share if any of Stranger Things' Jim Hopper's Russian-set scenes were shot in the state. "If I told you that, I would be disappearing into the Witness Protection Program," SenGupta said. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/08/14/15-even-stranger-things-to-check-out-after-stranger-things"] She did share, however, that Netflix's new facilities in New Mexico "lent themselves to the story" being told in Season 4. A release date for Season 4 of Stranger Things is currently unknown, but we have some theories on when the show will return. In the meantime, read up on some of the big surprises teased for Season 4, and then check out the first episode's title. Check out some Stranger Things cast bloopers and funny moments while you're at it too. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=stranger-things-11-amazing-times-eleven-used-her-powers&captions=true"] If you can't get enough Stranger Things while waiting for Season 4, check out Nancy Wheeler and Steve Harrington in Dead by Daylight. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBland is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.