As far as the Star Wars movies are concerned, the Skywalker Saga ended with The Rise of Skywalker, but Marvel Comics is still fleshing out that story in new and unexpected ways. The new Darth Vader series by writer Greg Pak and artist Raffaele Ienco just threw a curveball for the ages by bringing back a character from Darth Vader's past. Warning: full spoilers for Star Wars: Darth Vader #1 ahead! [poilib element="accentDivider"] The comic picks up after the events of The Empire Strikes Back and shows Darth Vader on a personal mission to hunt down those who hid Luke from him. Vader is fixated on punishing those responsible for hiding his son from him and “making him weak.” His investigation takes him back to his home on Tatooine where Luke was raised in secret, which obviously brings back some painful memories about losing his mother Shmi Skywalker and his wife Padme Amidala. Curiously, he finds the gravestones of Owen and Beru Lars, but his forensics droid Z-67 says the bodies are not buried beneath. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=20-most-anticipated-comics-of-2020&captions=true"] Vader leaves empty-handed and heads to Coruscant, where he looks for clues inside the abandoned and sealed apartment of Senator Padme Amidala. Given that she was Luke’s mother, Vader is looking for any evidence that would reveal who helped her hide Luke away. The droid spots a tiny scout transmitter stuck to the wall, and they follow its signal back to its owner on the planet Vendaxa. On Vendaxa, Vader traces the transmitter to a small base under siege by wild beasts. We see a Gungan defender get killed by one of them, and then Vader chops them down with his lightsaber. Once all the commotion has died down inside the base, Vader turns and reacts in shock at the presence of what appears to be Padme Amidala, alive and well. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-big-reveal-in-darth-vader-1&captions=true"] That is quite the unexpected reveal! We saw Padme die at the end of Revenge of the Sith after “losing the will to live,” but given how that’s always been a rather strange and vague cause of death, it could be that she didn’t actually die. Then again, this is Star Wars where the Force works in mysterious ways, so it could be a Force Ghost, or even a Force Memory like Han Solo in The Rise of Skywalker. However, those sorts of Force apparitions are usually based around a Force user, but Padme was presumably fighting off these beasts alongside her Gungan soldiers before Vader even showed up, so she seems to exist separately from Vader and therefore she may not be a vision of the Force.

Perhaps it’s not Padme at all and we’re instead seeing one of her body doubles we saw utilized throughout the Prequels. Padme’s remaining personal guard could be luring Vader into a trap using her lookalikes. Although, surely Vader would be able to detect the deception with the Force.

[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-strangest-lightsabers-in-the-star-wars-universe&captions=true"]

One clue to Padme’s “return” may have been subtly given early on in the issue. When Vader goes off the grid for this personal mission, we see a quick shot of the Emperor, who just does his Emperor laugh. Is he laughing because he heard a funny joke, or is he taking pleasure in watching his servant follow breadcrumbs that he left for him? Perhaps the Emperor used an unnatural power from the Dark Side of the Force to create a false Padme in order to test Vader. That sounds like the kind of twisted thing he might do. Maybe the Emperor even grew a new Padme using the same technology that he used to create Snoke. The possibilities are endless, but as of now, we’re just left to wonder how Vader will react. The next two issues of this series show Padme on the covers (which are viewable in the slideshow gallery above), so in hindsight we should have seen the reveal coming a mile away. Keep in mind that all of Marvel’s Star Wars comics are canon, so this is a real story that is actually taking place within the established continuity. The same goes for the recently relaunched Star Wars series, which just revealed how Luke's blue lightsaber was recovered on Cloud City. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/26/star-wars-breaking-down-the-duels-revenge-of-the-sith"] What are your thoughts on Padme’s return? Is it really her or some kind of trick? Give us your best theory in the comments. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joshua is Senior Features Editor at IGN. If Pokemon, Green Lantern, or Game of Thrones are frequently used words in your vocabulary, you’ll want to follow him on Twitter @JoshuaYehl and IGN.

As far as the Star Wars movies are concerned, the Skywalker Saga ended with The Rise of Skywalker, but Marvel Comics is still fleshing out that story in new and unexpected ways. The new Darth Vader series by writer Greg Pak and artist Raffaele Ienco just threw a curveball for the ages by bringing back a character from Darth Vader's past. Warning: full spoilers for Star Wars: Darth Vader #1 ahead! [poilib element="accentDivider"] The comic picks up after the events of The Empire Strikes Back and shows Darth Vader on a personal mission to hunt down those who hid Luke from him. Vader is fixated on punishing those responsible for hiding his son from him and “making him weak.” His investigation takes him back to his home on Tatooine where Luke was raised in secret, which obviously brings back some painful memories about losing his mother Shmi Skywalker and his wife Padme Amidala. Curiously, he finds the gravestones of Owen and Beru Lars, but his forensics droid Z-67 says the bodies are not buried beneath. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=20-most-anticipated-comics-of-2020&captions=true"] Vader leaves empty-handed and heads to Coruscant, where he looks for clues inside the abandoned and sealed apartment of Senator Padme Amidala. Given that she was Luke’s mother, Vader is looking for any evidence that would reveal who helped her hide Luke away. The droid spots a tiny scout transmitter stuck to the wall, and they follow its signal back to its owner on the planet Vendaxa. On Vendaxa, Vader traces the transmitter to a small base under siege by wild beasts. We see a Gungan defender get killed by one of them, and then Vader chops them down with his lightsaber. Once all the commotion has died down inside the base, Vader turns and reacts in shock at the presence of what appears to be Padme Amidala, alive and well. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-big-reveal-in-darth-vader-1&captions=true"] That is quite the unexpected reveal! We saw Padme die at the end of Revenge of the Sith after “losing the will to live,” but given how that’s always been a rather strange and vague cause of death, it could be that she didn’t actually die. Then again, this is Star Wars where the Force works in mysterious ways, so it could be a Force Ghost, or even a Force Memory like Han Solo in The Rise of Skywalker. However, those sorts of Force apparitions are usually based around a Force user, but Padme was presumably fighting off these beasts alongside her Gungan soldiers before Vader even showed up, so she seems to exist separately from Vader and therefore she may not be a vision of the Force.

Perhaps it’s not Padme at all and we’re instead seeing one of her body doubles we saw utilized throughout the Prequels. Padme’s remaining personal guard could be luring Vader into a trap using her lookalikes. Although, surely Vader would be able to detect the deception with the Force.

[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-strangest-lightsabers-in-the-star-wars-universe&captions=true"]

One clue to Padme’s “return” may have been subtly given early on in the issue. When Vader goes off the grid for this personal mission, we see a quick shot of the Emperor, who just does his Emperor laugh. Is he laughing because he heard a funny joke, or is he taking pleasure in watching his servant follow breadcrumbs that he left for him? Perhaps the Emperor used an unnatural power from the Dark Side of the Force to create a false Padme in order to test Vader. That sounds like the kind of twisted thing he might do. Maybe the Emperor even grew a new Padme using the same technology that he used to create Snoke. The possibilities are endless, but as of now, we’re just left to wonder how Vader will react. The next two issues of this series show Padme on the covers (which are viewable in the slideshow gallery above), so in hindsight we should have seen the reveal coming a mile away. Keep in mind that all of Marvel’s Star Wars comics are canon, so this is a real story that is actually taking place within the established continuity. The same goes for the recently relaunched Star Wars series, which just revealed how Luke's blue lightsaber was recovered on Cloud City. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/26/star-wars-breaking-down-the-duels-revenge-of-the-sith"] What are your thoughts on Padme’s return? Is it really her or some kind of trick? Give us your best theory in the comments. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joshua is Senior Features Editor at IGN. If Pokemon, Green Lantern, or Game of Thrones are frequently used words in your vocabulary, you’ll want to follow him on Twitter @JoshuaYehl and IGN.

Double Dragon & Kunio-kun Retro Brawler Bundle, a collection of 18 classic games from the two series, is coming to PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on February 20, Arc System Works announced Wednesday. The bundle most notably brings English localization to 11 Kunio-kun games previously published exclusively in Japan, according to Arc System Works. All 18 games — 15 from the Kunio-kun series, three from Double Dragon — will include an online mode. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=double-dragon-kunio-kun-retro-brawler-bundle&captions=true"] Below is the full list of bundled games. Those marked with an asterisk (*) are available outside of Japan for the first time.

• Double Dragon
• Double Dragon II: The Revenge
• Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones
• Renegade
• Super Dodge Ball
• River City Ransom
• Crash’n the Boys Street Challenge
• Nekketsu Renegade Kunio-kun*
• Nekketsu High School Dodgeball Club*
• Downtown Nekketsu Story*
• Nekketsu High School Dodgeball Club – Soccer Story*
• Downtown Nekketsu March Super-Awesome Field Day!*
• Downtown Special Kunio-kun’s Historical Period Drama!*
• Go-Go! Nekketsu Hockey Club Slip-and-Slide Madness*
• Surprise! Nekketsu New Records! The Distant Gold Medal*
• Nekketsu Fighting Legend*
• Kunio-kun’s Nekketsu Soccer League*
• Nekketsu! Street Basketball All-Out Dunk Heroes*

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/03/09/game-scoop-plays-double-dragon-ii"] The most recent Kunio-kun game, Stay Cool, Kobayashi-san! A River City Ransom Story, was released in November; Double Dragon IV, the latest in that series, was released in 2017. IGN's Double Dragon IV review gave the beat 'em up a 3.5, noting it feels "shallow and dated." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan is a freelance writer for IGN.

Double Dragon & Kunio-kun Retro Brawler Bundle, a collection of 18 classic games from the two series, is coming to PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on February 20, Arc System Works announced Wednesday. The bundle most notably brings English localization to 11 Kunio-kun games previously published exclusively in Japan, according to Arc System Works. All 18 games — 15 from the Kunio-kun series, three from Double Dragon — will include an online mode. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=double-dragon-kunio-kun-retro-brawler-bundle&captions=true"] Below is the full list of bundled games. Those marked with an asterisk (*) are available outside of Japan for the first time.

• Double Dragon
• Double Dragon II: The Revenge
• Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones
• Renegade
• Super Dodge Ball
• River City Ransom
• Crash’n the Boys Street Challenge
• Nekketsu Renegade Kunio-kun*
• Nekketsu High School Dodgeball Club*
• Downtown Nekketsu Story*
• Nekketsu High School Dodgeball Club – Soccer Story*
• Downtown Nekketsu March Super-Awesome Field Day!*
• Downtown Special Kunio-kun’s Historical Period Drama!*
• Go-Go! Nekketsu Hockey Club Slip-and-Slide Madness*
• Surprise! Nekketsu New Records! The Distant Gold Medal*
• Nekketsu Fighting Legend*
• Kunio-kun’s Nekketsu Soccer League*
• Nekketsu! Street Basketball All-Out Dunk Heroes*

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/03/09/game-scoop-plays-double-dragon-ii"] The most recent Kunio-kun game, Stay Cool, Kobayashi-san! A River City Ransom Story, was released in November; Double Dragon IV, the latest in that series, was released in 2017. IGN's Double Dragon IV review gave the beat 'em up a 3.5, noting it feels "shallow and dated." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan is a freelance writer for IGN.

A new console generation is almost here, but even though there are flashes of the old console rivalry with the imminent release of the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, Xbox boss Phil Spencer says he’s more worried about Amazon and Google. In an interview with Protocol, Spencer explained how Microsoft and Xbox “see Amazon and Google as the Main competitors going forward.” This is because those tech companies both have top-end global cloud infrastructure, which Microsoft also has thanks to its Azure platform. “I don’t want to be in a fight over format wars with [Nintendo and Sony] while Amazon and Google are focusing on how to get gaming to 7 billion people around the world. Ultimately, that’s the goal.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=igns-top-25-xbox-one-games&captions=true"] Cloud infrastructure is a multi-billion dollar industry led by companies like Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. Although cloud technology is used for a variety of different services, like web hosting, the technology has been incorporated into gaming as well. Google Stadia uses Google’s cloud technology to stream games to homes, as does Xbox’s Project xCloud with Azure. In 2019, Microsoft and Sony announced a joint agreement that would allow the two companies to work together on developing “future cloud solutions in Microsoft Azure to support their respective game and content-streaming services.” The agreement could pave the way for Sony to use Microsoft’s Azure data centers to power its streaming services. There are rumors that Nintendo is also looking to work with Microsoft’s Azure on streaming. While Sony and Microsoft are considering the imminent launch of each other company’s console, as Sony says when the company recently talked about pricing for the PS5, it appears that Microsoft is looking beyond hardware and sees cloud services as a new battleground. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/22/google-stadia-review"] “That’s not to disrespect Nintendo and Sony, but traditional gaming companies are somewhat out of position,” says Spencer. “I guess they could try to re-create Azure, but we’ve invested tens of billions of dollars in cloud over the years.” Check out IGN’s Console Watch 2020 series for more on next-gen news. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter.

A new console generation is almost here, but even though there are flashes of the old console rivalry with the imminent release of the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, Xbox boss Phil Spencer says he’s more worried about Amazon and Google. In an interview with Protocol, Spencer explained how Microsoft and Xbox “see Amazon and Google as the Main competitors going forward.” This is because those tech companies both have top-end global cloud infrastructure, which Microsoft also has thanks to its Azure platform. “I don’t want to be in a fight over format wars with [Nintendo and Sony] while Amazon and Google are focusing on how to get gaming to 7 billion people around the world. Ultimately, that’s the goal.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=igns-top-25-xbox-one-games&captions=true"] Cloud infrastructure is a multi-billion dollar industry led by companies like Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. Although cloud technology is used for a variety of different services, like web hosting, the technology has been incorporated into gaming as well. Google Stadia uses Google’s cloud technology to stream games to homes, as does Xbox’s Project xCloud with Azure. In 2019, Microsoft and Sony announced a joint agreement that would allow the two companies to work together on developing “future cloud solutions in Microsoft Azure to support their respective game and content-streaming services.” The agreement could pave the way for Sony to use Microsoft’s Azure data centers to power its streaming services. There are rumors that Nintendo is also looking to work with Microsoft’s Azure on streaming. While Sony and Microsoft are considering the imminent launch of each other company’s console, as Sony says when the company recently talked about pricing for the PS5, it appears that Microsoft is looking beyond hardware and sees cloud services as a new battleground. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/22/google-stadia-review"] “That’s not to disrespect Nintendo and Sony, but traditional gaming companies are somewhat out of position,” says Spencer. “I guess they could try to re-create Azure, but we’ve invested tens of billions of dollars in cloud over the years.” Check out IGN’s Console Watch 2020 series for more on next-gen news. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter.

Snake Eyes star Henry Golding has revealed a new photo from the set of the G.I. Joe movie. This new image gives fans their first glimpse of how the iconic ninja hero will look in the prequel. Golding posted the photo on his Instagram account, along with the message, "Because its my birthday today and I'm playing Snake Eyes... Here's your first look." Check it out below: The photo appears to show Golding's Snake Eyes in full training garb making his way to a temple. Production shifted from Vancouver to Japan in January 2020, so we're probably seeing a glimpse of a scene where Snake Eyes is training to become a member of the Arashikage Clan. This photo is also noteworthy because it shows a small glimpse of the character's unmasked head, a significant deviation from the usual G.I. Joe formula. Golding recently confirmed fans will see Snake Eyes' face in the movie, describing it as essential in order for fans to connect with the character. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=snake-eyes-movie-every-confirmed-actor-and-character&captions=true"] “Snake Eyes was always seen as a weapon, as almost an inanimate object," said Golding at a press junket. "But when you get to see someone’s eyes you get to see that past, their future, the personality behind that.” Snake Eyes is being directed by Robert Schwentke. The cast also includes Andrew Koji as his Cobra rival Storm Shadow, Iko Uwais as Hard Master, Ursula Corbero as Baroness, and Samara Weaving as Scarlett. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/10/snake-eyes-henry-golding-on-why-its-important-to-show-him-without-his-mask"] Snakes is slated to hit theaters on October 23, 2020. It's one of nearly 60 movies we're geeking out over in 2020. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Snake Eyes star Henry Golding has revealed a new photo from the set of the G.I. Joe movie. This new image gives fans their first glimpse of how the iconic ninja hero will look in the prequel. Golding posted the photo on his Instagram account, along with the message, "Because its my birthday today and I'm playing Snake Eyes... Here's your first look." Check it out below: The photo appears to show Golding's Snake Eyes in full training garb making his way to a temple. Production shifted from Vancouver to Japan in January 2020, so we're probably seeing a glimpse of a scene where Snake Eyes is training to become a member of the Arashikage Clan. This photo is also noteworthy because it shows a small glimpse of the character's unmasked head, a significant deviation from the usual G.I. Joe formula. Golding recently confirmed fans will see Snake Eyes' face in the movie, describing it as essential in order for fans to connect with the character. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=snake-eyes-movie-every-confirmed-actor-and-character&captions=true"] “Snake Eyes was always seen as a weapon, as almost an inanimate object," said Golding at a press junket. "But when you get to see someone’s eyes you get to see that past, their future, the personality behind that.” Snake Eyes is being directed by Robert Schwentke. The cast also includes Andrew Koji as his Cobra rival Storm Shadow, Iko Uwais as Hard Master, Ursula Corbero as Baroness, and Samara Weaving as Scarlett. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/10/snake-eyes-henry-golding-on-why-its-important-to-show-him-without-his-mask"] Snakes is slated to hit theaters on October 23, 2020. It's one of nearly 60 movies we're geeking out over in 2020. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Masahiro Sakurai, the director of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, agrees with fans that there are too many Fire Emblem and sword-based characters in the game. As posted by Ryokutya2089, a column in Japanese magazine Famitsu saw Sakurai discuss the current situation with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s character roster. “I know it as well. There are too many Fire Emblem characters,” he said. “And too many swordsmen. But when something’s decided, I move ahead with it.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/30/super-smash-bros-ultimate-byleth-dlc-review"] He also explained that the choice is out of his hands when it comes to new characters. “New fighters aren’t decided by my preference, but are put forward by Nintendo,” he said. While Sakurai recognises the large number of sword fighters in Ultimate, he hopes they all offer something individual. “Because there are too many swordsmen, we designed tactics only for that fighter.” he said, explaining that incorporating the heritage of fighters through three weapon choices is an example of this. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-super-smash-bros-ultimate-fighter&captions=true"] At the end of January Nintendo announced that Fire Emblem: Three Houses protagonist Byleth was being added to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and the character was met with a less-than-happy response from the fan base. While the fighter is an easy pick-up-and-play character worth checking out, it’s easy to see why Sakurai has felt it important to discuss the situation with fans in his Famitsu column. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter. 

Masahiro Sakurai, the director of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, agrees with fans that there are too many Fire Emblem and sword-based characters in the game. As posted by Ryokutya2089, a column in Japanese magazine Famitsu saw Sakurai discuss the current situation with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s character roster. “I know it as well. There are too many Fire Emblem characters,” he said. “And too many swordsmen. But when something’s decided, I move ahead with it.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/30/super-smash-bros-ultimate-byleth-dlc-review"] He also explained that the choice is out of his hands when it comes to new characters. “New fighters aren’t decided by my preference, but are put forward by Nintendo,” he said. While Sakurai recognises the large number of sword fighters in Ultimate, he hopes they all offer something individual. “Because there are too many swordsmen, we designed tactics only for that fighter.” he said, explaining that incorporating the heritage of fighters through three weapon choices is an example of this. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-super-smash-bros-ultimate-fighter&captions=true"] At the end of January Nintendo announced that Fire Emblem: Three Houses protagonist Byleth was being added to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and the character was met with a less-than-happy response from the fan base. While the fighter is an easy pick-up-and-play character worth checking out, it’s easy to see why Sakurai has felt it important to discuss the situation with fans in his Famitsu column. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter.