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TL;DR: Live stream Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League for free on Tabii. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
There are some really interesting Europa League fixtures taking place this week, including Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur. Both sides are unbeaten in this year's competition, with Spurs winning every game they've played.
We're expecting a close game between two strong sides. If you want to watch Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur?Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League kicks off at 5:45 p.m. GMT on Nov. 7. This fixture takes place at Rams Park.
How to watch Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur for freeGalatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur is available to live stream for free on Tabii in Turkey.
If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock Tabii. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Turkey, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Europa League from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur on Tabii by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Turkey
Sign in to Tabii
Watch Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Europa League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur (plus more Europa League fixtures) before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for Tabii?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Tabii, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Turkey
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Galatasaray vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Access Pornhub from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.
The sad reality for fans of Pornhub is that the site is now blocked in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Utah. That's a long list, and Florida could join at any moment.
The popular site has been blocking a lot of users this year, which is frustrating for anyone simply looking to access their favorite site at an entirely appropriate moment. Fortunately, online restrictions like this can be bypassed with a simple hack.
If you want to unblock sites like Pornhub for free from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.
How to unblock Pornhub for freeVPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure server in another location. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.
Access Pornhub by following this quick and easy process:
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub
Access Pornhub from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to your favourite sites.
What is the best VPN for Pornhub?ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Unblock Pornhub for free with ExpressVPN.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for Nov. 7's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for November 7 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Grand prizes
Green: The only move in the game hot potato
Blue: Clubs for short
Purple: True Underdogs will know this one
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow - Awards for winning a title
Green - Pass
Blue - Colloquial MLB Nicknames
Purple - Five Ds of Dodgeball
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #44 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayAwards for winning a title: BELT, CUP, RING, TROPHY
Pass: ASSIST, DISH, DISTRIBUTE, GIVE
Colloquial MLB Nicknames: BUCCOS, HALOS, PHILS, SNAKES
Five Ds of Dodgeball: DIP, DIVE, DODGE, DUCK
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 7 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 7 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Extremely onlineThese words will give you brainrot.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedWords for social media engagement types.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Socialmedia.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for November 7Tweet
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Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for November 7's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for November 7 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for November 7 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A thing that happens.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?The letter E appears twice.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter E.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
EVENT.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 7Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for November 7's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for November 7 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Tossed together food
Green: Perception of you
Blue: Art or album information
Purple: Scrambled artists names
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Food-Related Jumbles
Green: Public Standing
Blue: Info on a Museum Placard
Purple: Anagrams of Famous Painters
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #514 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayFood-Related Jumbles: HASH, SALAD, SCRAMBLE, STEW
Public Standing: CHARACTER, IMAGE, NAME, REPUTATION
Info on a Museum Placard: ARTIST, MEDIUM, TITLE, YEAR
Anagrams of Famous Painters: DIAL, EGADS, MONTE, YOGA
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 5Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
It looks like Apple is about to make history – as the first company to receive a fine under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA).
According to a new report from Bloomberg, the European Commission is planning to slap Apple with a fine of as much as 10 percent of the company's global annual sales.
SEE ALSO: Gaming emulators are now on the App Store after Apple relaxed the rulesThe EU would levy the fine as a result of Apple's failure to let third-party app developers promote cheaper deals for their software outside the App Store.
Mashable reported in June that the Europe Commission was investigating Apple for breaching its DMA laws, which went into effect in November 2022.
Apple was previously hit with a whopping $2 billion fine earlier this year for similarly restricting the music streaming service Spotify from promoting cheaper deals outside of the App Store inside of its app. However, the EU doled out that fine under its traditional antitrust rules.
The EU instituted the DMA in order to further spur competition within industries typically dominated by Big Tech companies. The DMA requires that large tech companies, deemed gatekeepers, allow for open competition from third-party entities on their core platforms.
The DMA has already forced Apple to make sweeping changes to its core platform services, like the App Store, in the EU. Still, Apple is being further investigated by the European Commission for failing to do so in other areas of core platforms that it operates. It's very possible that whatever the final total for this penalty is for Apple, it's just the first in a number of fines to come.
As one of the OG items being stampeded after in those old Black Friday clips you're picturing right now, we've known for most of our adult lives that Black Friday is one of the best times of year to buy a TV.
The types of TVs spotlighted in the pre-holiday sale have shifted, however. The biggest factor when upgrading your TV this year will probably be the normalization — and subsequently, affordability — of QLED. Over the past few years, QLED TVs have officially gone from "the TV that only the fanciest people you know have" to quite accessible for the average household. Finding a 55-inch QLED under $300 or a 65-inch QLED under $500 during an event like Black Friday isn't hard at all.
Are TV deals better at Amazon or Best Buy?At any rate, the types of TV deals you can find might depend on which retailer you're looking at. In our experience, Best Buy focuses on large screens and has a bigger selection of premium QLED and OLED models from Samsung, Sony, and LG on sale. Amazon gears its TV discounts more toward 43-inch to 65-inch Fire TVs, especially its in-house models. Walmart is known for doorbusters on one or two models that'll make your jaw drop, but are likely to sell out quickly.
SEE ALSO: We track Apple deals year-round — here are the best ones leading up to Black FridayIf you'd rather have your new TV for the entire month of November, you're in luck — a ton of TVs are on sale weeks ahead of Black Friday. We're already seeing a ton of prices within $20 or $30 of October Prime Day prices, with a select few models matching or beating their Prime Day price. This list will be refreshed regularly as we inch closer toward Black Friday week, so remember to check back.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 55-inch QD5 QLED 4K Google TV $249.99Remember when we said QLEDs are becoming way more accessible for the average household? At $249.99, this 55-inch QLED is hovering around the same price point that many regular LED TVs were a few years ago — back then, $250 was a great price for a mid-sized TV even if it wasn't 4K. Now, we can see this 55-inch Hisense QLED being baby's first adult TV purchase for a ton of people.
The difference between those two cheap TVs is that the "Q" in QLED stands for quantum dots, which form a layer of extra light over the traditional LED panel to pump more saturated colors through the screen. QLED TVs are also significantly brighter than regular LED TVs, making them ideal for watching sports, especially in the daytime.
More TVs on sale ahead of Black FridayTV deals at Amazon43-inch TVs
Insignia 43-inch F30 4K Fire TV — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)
Toshiba 43-inch C350 4K Fire TV — $199.99 $279.99 (save $80)
50- to 55-inch TVs
Amazon 50-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $349.99 $479.99 (save $130)
Amazon 55-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV — $359.97 $519.99 (save $160.02)
Amazon 55-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $389.99 $549.99 (save $160)
Amazon 55-inch Fire TV Omni QLED 4K TV — $429.99 $599.99 (save $170)
65-inch TVs
TCL 65-inch QM7 QLED 4K TV — $699.99 $1,099.99 (save $400)
Samsung 65-inch S90D OLED 4K TV — $1,597.97 $2,197.99 (save $600)
Sony 65-inch Bravia 8 OLED 4K TV — $1,698 $2,499.99 (save $801.99)
LG 65-inch G3 OLED 4K TV — $1,996.99 $2,796.99 (save $800)
75-inch TVs and up
Amazon 75-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $799.99 $1,049.99 (save $250)
TCL 85-inch Q65 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,599.99 (save $700)
TCL 75-inch QM7 QLED 4K TV — $998 $1,499.99 (save $501.99)
Sony 85-inch X77L 4K TV — $1,098 $1,498 (save $400)
Hisense 75-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $1,407.99 $1,999.99 (save $592)
LG 77-inch B3 OLED 4K TV — $1,599.99 $2,296.99 (save $697.03)
Hisense 85-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $1,697.99 $2,799.99 (save $1,102)
43-inch TVs
Pioneer 43-inch 4K TV — $159.99 $269.99 (save $110)
Hisense 43-inch QD5 QLED 4K TV — $179.99 $299.99 (save $120)
55-inch TVs
Hisense 55-inch QD5 QLED 4K TV — $249.99 $399.99 (save $150)
LG 55-inch UT70 Series 4K TV — $299.99 $499.99 (save $200)
Hisense 55-inch U7 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $499.99 $799.99 (save $300)
Samsung 55-inch QN90D QLED 4K TV — $1,199.99 $1,799.99 (save $600)
65-inch TVs
LG 65-inch UT70 Series 4K TV — $399.99 $599.99 (save $200)
Samsung 65-inch QN80D QLED 4K TV — $1,099.99 $1,899.99 (save $800)
Samsung 65-inch S95D OLED 4K TV — $2,299.99 $3,099.99 (save $800)
LG 65-inch G4 OLED 4K TV — $2,299.99 $3,099.99 (save $800)
75-inch TVs and up
Hisense 75-inch QD6 4K TV — $449.99 $699.99 (save $250)
LG 75-inch 85 Series QNED 4K TV — $999.99 $1,499.99 (save $500)
Samsung 77-inch S84D OLED 4K TV — $1,799.99 $3,299.99 (save $1,500)
Sony 75-inch Bravia 7 QLED 4K TV — $1,799.99 $2,399.99 (save $600)
LG 77-inch C4 OLED 4K TV — $2,199.99 $2,799.99 (save $600)
TCL 85-inch S5 Series 4K TV — $749.99 $999.99 (save $250)
Sony 85-inch Bravia 7 QLED 4K TV — $2,499.99 $3,299.99 (save $800)
TCL 98-inch Q6 QLED 4K TV — $1,699.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,300)
If you just watched someone play Mario & Luigi: Brothership for an hour or so, you might come away thinking it’s one of the best Switch games and/or RPGs of the year. Unfortunately, the game is much longer than an hour.
Brothership, the latest in the long-running brotherly RPG series starring Nintendo’s mascot and his idiot brother, has most of the component parts you need for an enjoyable adventure. The turn-based combat is as fun as ever, especially when paired with some of the most charming visuals ever in a 3D Mario game. It’s got a pretty solid set of build-crafting mechanics for a game aimed at a younger audience, too.
Combined with an endearing nautical setting, Brothership should be great — or at least really good. Unfortunately, it settles for something around “fine,” which still falls short of carrying it the distance.
SEE ALSO: 'The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom' review: Princess Zelda shines in her protagonist debut Brotherhip says bon voyage to the Mushroom Kingdom, for better or worseThe latest Mario & Luigi adventure (which does not involve original series development studio AlphaDream, which closed in 2019) has a propulsive enough premise to keep the player going, at least for a while.
Could really use some sea shanties. Credit: NintendoThere’s not much to it: Everyone gets whisked away from the Mushroom Kingdom to a new place called Concordia. At some point in the recent past, Concordia was a big continent united by the power of the Uni-tree. Of course, some bad things happened and now Concordia is a series of disconnected, drifting islands in a giant ocean. Mario and Luigi must journey across Concordia, reconnecting each island to the Uni-tree to restore harmony.
Mario’s various role-playing adventures have generally favored charm and humor over serious, grandiose storytelling à la Final Fantasy — and Brothership is no different. The bulk of the game is spent going from one island to another, spending anywhere between 30 and 90 minutes solving whatever their quirky local problem happens to be, and reconnecting it to the big tree. Most of the islands have pun names, as do many of the characters and enemies you’ll fight. It’s goofy and often clever.
Unfortunately, that’s kind of where the charm ends, at least in the writing. Brothership isn’t anywhere near as witty and outright funny as previous series entries like Bowser’s Inside Story were. It tries, and is never aggressively unfunny or anything like that, but it’s just kind of … there. Much of the dialogue failed to elicit any kind of response in me.
To its credit, Brothership does try to tell a somewhat socially relevant story about the power of connection. Electricity is the aesthetic theme of the day here, with most of the NPCs either looking like living ports or connectors with legs. Everything you do is in the service of bringing a divided people back together, whether in the micro on each island, or in the macro across the entire adventure.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t dig too deep beyond the surface on any of that, and often feels like window dressing to justify having a bunch of enemies and NPCs who look like HDMI connectors. Nearly every friendly NPC in Concordia has a power outlet for a face, which is fun in theory, but in practice, it makes most of them look like interchangeable Funko Pops. They lack personality, broadly speaking.
Compared to the colorful cast of the recent Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door remake, it’s no contest.
That Mario & Luigi combat can still singThankfully, Brothership is still a pretty good RPG at its core. The part where you fight enemies is fun, and that was almost enough for me. Almost.
The hammer attacks are super satisfying. Credit: NintendoBattles remain turn-based, as they always have been, and the basic premise of the older games still holds true here. Every attack involves both Mario and Luigi, so when they attack, they attack together. Every attack, from regular jump attacks to the more flashy Bros. Moves, requires timed button presses of some kind, and the same goes for dodging, defending, and countering enemy attacks.
This structure allows for two fundamental truths that keep the combat in Brothership engaging for most of its runtime. Watching Mario and Luigi do stuff together is really charming, and putting quick-time events in turn-based battles makes the proceedings feel just a bit more exciting. Stats don’t dictate whether an attack lands, you do.
All of these mechanics have been staples of previous Mario & Luigi games, so there’s nothing particularly novel here — even if they work well. Plugs do a lot to alleviate that problem. Eventually, a few hours too many into the game, you unlock the ability to craft and set plugs into a gradually expanding set of personal power outlets. Each plug has a different unique combat effect; one of them adds fire to every attack, while another automatically does quick-time events for you.
Each plug has a limited number of charges, and once those are depleted, it needs time to recharge. Once you’re deep enough into Brothership, this becomes pretty exciting. Hot-swapping plugs in and out during fights (blessedly, this doesn’t cost a turn) to fit each situation is tactically compelling. You have to consider which plugs you want to be active at the same time because there are hidden combos with bonus effects, too.
This plug makes it so attacks hit multiple enemies. Credit: NintendoJuggling plugs wound up being the most fun part of Brothership for me, but it takes entirely too long (think 15 hours or so) to get to the point where you have an adequate number of both outlets and plugs to make this system work as intended.
Boss fights are also a highlight, though they also put a spotlight on one of Brothership’s shortcomings: There just aren’t enough of them. So many islands end with Mario and Luigi anticlimactically winning the day without any kind of dramatic confrontation at the end.
The really big, set-piece story boss fights are great, but I’d estimate there’s a single-digit number of those. What makes them cool is that they use “Luigi Logic,” a new mechanic that mostly manifests as ordering Luigi to smash boxes or hit switches outside of combat. In boss fights, though, Luigi Logic always opens up a unique, bespoke mechanic that can turn the fight on its head.
Here’s the problem: There’s not enough tactical depth to these. Picking the Luigi Logic action is always the right move when it’s available — and doing it right will always stun the boss, opening it up for huge damage. There’s no real consideration to be made about holding it for a big moment or anything like that. And again, this is something that happens far too infrequently in Brothership.
Still, once it starts hitting the right notes, the combat in Brothership does indeed become the best thing about the game. It’s just not without its flaws.
But this adventure asks too much of the combat The platforming here is pleasant, if not especially demanding. Credit: NintendoIt’s problematic, then, that most of the stuff outside the combat ain’t great.
When you’re not fighting enemies, you’re most likely running around a series of relatively small islands that each have their own little stories to tell. Sometimes, you’re helping a star dancer find the right hair wax to keep his groove going, and other times, you’re helping a tribe of ice people become friends with a tribe of fire people.
But in practice, this usually means running to the next objective indicator while fighting enemies and solving relatively simple puzzles along the way. I do dig that Brothership plays more like a simple puzzle-platformer outside of combat than a traditional RPG. Generally speaking, the flow of fighting and puzzle solving is inoffensive, and at times, it’s actively pretty interesting.
The real downfall lies in the side quests. There are a decent number of these peppered throughout the game, and aside from "Very Important" ones that the game marks with red text, almost none of them are really worth doing. They almost all involve going back to some island you’ve already cleared out, talking to one or two people, maybe fighting an enemy, and then getting healing items as a reward.
If you really like Concordia’s characters, maybe that’s enough for you. Over time, though, it becomes tedious, especially in the instances when you have to manually sail somewhere. Sailing is not mechanically dense in Brothership whatsoever, as it mostly involves opening a map and clicking on where you’d like to go. The ship navigates itself very slowly by default, or very quickly if you optionally turn on fast sailing.
The idea, as explicitly stated by the game, is for you to set a destination and then go do other stuff for a while as your boat slowly makes its way over there. This would be fine if the side quests were interesting, but by and large, they are not. On a practical level, you’ll spend a lot of time turning on fast sailing and just staring at the map until your ship gets to its destination.
Wind Waker, this is not.
Last and certainly not least, with regards to gameplay, Brothership is just too long. The runtime can exceed 30 hours and probably a decent amount more if you feel like doing everything, but it runs out of tricks around hour 20.
Brothership is one of the best-looking Mario gamesThis Mario & Luigi game might lack charm in its characters and writing, but the visuals almost make up for that.
Those are my little guys right there. Credit: NintendoSimply put, these are the most charming 3D renditions of Mario and Luigi I can remember. Most of Brothership’s world is lovingly rendered in the style of the old Game Boy Advance Mario & Luigi box/instruction manual art, with flat, solid colors and black outlines around everything. It looks like a polygonal cartoon, and both Mario and Luigi move around the world in exceedingly charming ways. Their proportions bend and stretch during battle animations, and these are by far the most expressive faces the two brothers have ever had.
One caveat, though: Performance isn’t great. The Switch is showing its age because this game occasionally chugs below its 30 frames per second target, even at times when there’s not much going on. Combat is mostly safe from this, at least.
The audio presentation is solid, too, if not quite as spectacular. Most of the music is brassy and jaunty, as one would expect from a modern Mario game. Very little (if any) of it will stick around in my brain for long, but that’s fine. I also enjoy that Mario and Luigi speak to people in fake Italian-sounding gibberish, which I’m pretty sure would get Nintendo canceled if it were done with almost any other language on Earth.
Is Mario & Luigi: Brothership worth getting?I suspect where a given individual lands on Brothership will have a lot to do with how they feel about previous Mario & Luigi games.
If you’ve never played one, this could be a good starting point. Brothership’s brotherly combat is a real highlight, something that’s consistent across the whole series. Good combat and great visuals will likely be enough to hold your interest. I feel that it overstays its welcome, but you might not.
But anyone with any reverence for previous entries like Superstar Saga and Bowser’s Inside Story may feel like this is a case of too little, too late from Nintendo. Brothership is the first new game in this series in nearly a decade, and in some respects, it’s one of the worst. That doesn’t make it a bad game, but it’s merely OK, and by the standards of its predecessors, that’s not good enough.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch on Nov. 7.
Black Friday season is officially upon us, meaning if you want to avoid the chaos of the actual sale, shopping early deals is the way to go.
Apple Watches have a decent showing of deals so far, with a near $45 markdown on the brand new Series 10 and $100 off the Series 9. We don't anticipate the latter watch to stay in stock past the shopping holiday for long, if at all, so grabbing it early is a great way to make sure you get your hands on one.
SEE ALSO: Best Buy is treating most of November like Black FridayBelow, you'll find all the best Apple Watch deals live in the weeks leading up to Black Friday.
Best Apple Watch deal ahead of Black Friday Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS) $354.28 at AmazonRead more from Mashable about the Apple Watch Series 10.
Just two months after its release, the Series 10 is down to a record-low price. We've seen fall Apple Watch releases get marked down $50 closer to Black Friday in years past, but this is a solid early deal if you want to avoid the chaos of the actual day. The Series 10 upgrades include a larger display, a slightly thinner watch, and an inbuilt speaker for playing audio directly from your watch. At the time of writing, this price is only available on the rose gold aluminum watch with a plum band.
More Apple Watch dealsSeries 10
Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm, GPS) — $401.99 $429 (save $27.01)
Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS + cellular) — $470.36 $499 (save $28.64)
Series 9
Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS) — $329 $429 (save $100)
SE
Apple Watch SE, 2nd Gen (40mm, GPS) — $189 $249 (save $60)
Apple Watch SE, 2nd Gen (44mm, GPS) — $219 $279 (save $60)
Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS + cellular) — $239 $299 (save $60)
Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS + cellular) — $269 $329 (save $60)
Ultra
Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + cellular) — $721.89 $799 (save $77.11)
Influencers run marathons. Or maybe marathon runners become influencers? It's a chicken and the egg kind of question, but it's a scenario that has been a constant since the dawn of running culture online — especially on TikTok — and one that has only picked up since the pandemic.
This is normally not a problem — in fact it's a benefit. Marathons have gotten more popular, in part, because of influencers, which most people see as an overall positive addition to the sport. But something hit the fan over the weekend when one influencer was disqualified from the New York City Marathon after running the course with what was basically a team of folks filming him.
"After a review and due to violations of World Athletics rules, and New York Road Runners' Code of Conduct and Rules of Competition, NYRR has disqualified Matt Choi from the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon and removed him from the results," the New York Road Runners, which organizes the marathon, said in a statement, according to Runner's World. "He has been banned from any future NYRR races."
Choi is a Texas-based influencer who finished the marathon in under three hours — 2:57:15, to be exact. It's a pretty killer time, but not one that will be reflected in official results because the 29-year-old "ran with the assistance of two unauthorized people riding the course on electric bicycles, obstructing runners," the statement said, Runner's World reported.
There has been mixed reactions from social media. In one video with nearly half a million views, TikTok creator Michael Brandt said Choi "inspires a lot of people to go sign up for their first marathon or their next marathon."
"It's fundamentally driving a lot of attention to ... a sport that can be boring," Brandt said in the video. "He's making it really electric and exciting."
But, on the other hand, Brandt admits, "a lot of people try to get tickets and can't get tickets. Space is very limited, and so to just add a couple of friends on bikes onto the course that you're not supposed to be on goes against the rules."
Choi, for his part, apologized on TikTok on Wednesday admitting he endangered people and got in the way of other participants.
"I have no excuses, full stop," he said. "I was selfish on Sunday."
Choi added that he would not appeal NYRR's decision to ban him.
"I made my bed, so I'm going to lay in it," he said.
Overall, the general consensus on TikTok and on Reddit within the running community is that people are not happy with Choi's choice to bring other people onto the course — even if he is trying to make a statement about the importance of the sport. After all, dozens of influencers ran the race this year, and they found ways to make their race inclusive of their fans without alienating people who were actually racing it, too.
Sony's PlayStation 5 is finally here and the reviews are in.
Sony’s refresh of the PlayStation 5 is garnering moderate applause across the tech world as reviewers dive into its features. Early impressions from The Verge, IGN, Tom’s Hardware, and others suggest the PS5 Pro has leveled up and is now the ultimate way to experience gaming on the console. All that said, the biggest standout so far has been PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) — Sony’s new AI-powered upscaling tool.
SEE ALSO: 'Metaphor: ReFantazio' review in progress: The 'Final Fantasy XV' I've always wantedNot only is the PS5 Pro a performance beast, but it’s also a feat of thoughtful redesign. It’s smaller, lighter, and operates more quietly than its predecessor, addressing a few of the more common critiques of the original PS5.
In The Verge’s review, Senior Editor Sean Hollister summed it up well: “In every title I tried — while sitting no more than eight feet away from a 65-inch TV — the PS5 Pro was clearly the better place to play.”
However, just because the graphical fidelity is more visually appealing doesn't mean it's an easy recommendation. Here's the bad:
1. The PS5 Pro is too expensiveIt’s no shocker that the price tag has become a sticking point across reviews. At $700, the PS5 Pro isn’t an easy sell for the more casual gamer who might be content with the base PS5’s already impressive performance. For most players, the jump in visual fidelity may not feel quite worth the extra cash, especially when the base model continues to deliver a stellar experience at a far more accessible price.
As Rory Mellon from Tom’s Hardware put it, "It’s an extravagant purchase that doesn’t offer the same value for money that can be found in the base PS5, which remains an extremely capable console." Many echo this sentiment. While the PS5 Pro brings enhancements, it doesn’t fundamentally change the gaming experience enough to warrant a premium for those outside the enthusiast bracket.
2. There's no disc driveOn top of the high barrier to entry, the PS5 Pro doesn't come with a disc drive. "Considering its price, you’ll be disappointed to find that the PS5 Pro does not come with every possible bell and whistle," said Michael Higam in his IGN review.
However, Sony has tossed in some marginally good news. If you’re in the physical media camp, you can add a disc drive to the PS5 Pro. But brace yourself — that’ll run you an extra $80. The vertical stand is another separate purchase, too. It’s a curious move by Sony, considering that if there were a Venn diagram of hardcore console fans ready to drop $700 on the Pro, and those who still prize physical copies of games, it’d likely be one big circle.
For a company banking on its most devoted players, charging extra for essentials feels like a tone-deaf strategy.
3. Lack of gamesNot to add to the annoying "but PS5 has no games" discourse, one of the minor complaints of the Pro is that, well, there aren't any games to sell you on buying the console.
Sony’s flagship first- and third-party titles have received quality patches to take advantage of the PS5 Pro’s enhanced capabilities, but they’re just that — patches.
As Polygon's reviewer Cameron Faulkner notes in his review, the graphical improvements between the 50 Sony games that got patches are a "mixed bag."
The consensus among reviewers is that, with the next few years of the PS5's life cycle, games in 2025 and beyond will be able to take full advantage of the graphical and performance enhancement of the console. If they're able to do that, maybe the Pro won't be such a hard sell for its price tag.
With Election Day finally over, you might find yourself scrolling social media for hours on end — either elated that Donald Trump won, or devastated that he defeated Kamala Harris.
Either way, you might instead consider a hard-earned break from the 2024 election altogether.
Whether you call the act of signing off next Wednesday a mental health day, social media detox, or simply touching grass, there is nothing you can gain from election-related hypervigilance, says Dr. Richard E. Cytowic, author of Your Stone Age Brain in the Screen Age: Coping with Digital Distraction and Sensory Overload.
SEE ALSO: Jon Stewart shares a powerful post-election night message"Whether you're obsessed about it or not, the vote count is going to be what it's going to be," Cytowic told Mashable prior to Election Day.
Still, many people have spent the past several weeks or months agitated and anxious about the election.
They're not just experiencing average stress, either. The American Psychological Association's recent poll of U.S. adults found nearly three-quarters of respondents worried that the election results could lead to violence, and more than half believe this election could be the end of democracy in America. With such incredibly high stakes in mind, it's no surprise that people have struggled with the uncertainty of knowing who will become president of the United States, and under what circumstances.
Yet, Cytowic says people also need an off-ramp from this anxiety, rather than letting it persist and fester. You may become fearful for other reasons now that the election results are clear, but at least you'll have a reprieve before new worries fully dominate your thoughts.
To help create this break, Cytowic, who is also a clinical professor of neurology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, recommends the following strategies:
Accept that you don't have control over what happens. If you voted, try considering that the end of your election season journey, because you did what was within your power to help determine the outcome, Cytowic says.
You may want to start or continue activism and organizing, but much of that work involves direct action, not impulsively checking social media. Plus, you'll need to come to that work rested and ready to engage; self-care is a political act and always has been.
There will be plenty of opportunities to get involved in politics in the coming months (remember: the Women's March didn't happen until the January after the November 2016 election).
Log off as much as possible. Cytowic says that people are overwhelmed because they're being bombarded by political advertising, social media content, and media coverage about the election, all of which can make them more anxious. Now that the election is over, you may be scrolling for election post-mortems, as well as guidance for how to cope with what the New York Times described on Wednesday as the "precipice of an authoritarian style of governance never before seen in [the United States'] 248-year history."
You can try pausing or silencing notifications, so your phone doesn't lure you back into a vicious cycle of checking for updates. If it's helpful, decide in advance to only check the news at certain times, such as after meals.
Tweet may have been deletedSpend time with someone you care about. Social media and tech devices tend to pull us away from in-person interactions. But being with a friend or loved one with whom you enjoy spending time can be restorative, Cytowic says. So the days after the election could be a great time to grab coffee with a co-worker (you can choose to avoid politics), invite a friend to dinner, or speak to a family member (instead of texting them).
Do non-purposeful activities. Cytowic says that the human brain needs time to do nothing, because it's straining to be constantly stimulated. Bonus points if you're able to go outside to clear your mind.
The Dutch refer to such idling as Niksen, Cytowic says. The point is to shift your mental focus and use this time as an opportunity to reset the brain's proverbial circuit breakers. Cytowic particularly recommends looking at trees or the sky, or listening to birds. Even a quiet minute under a tree in a park can be beneficial.
Do a meditative activity. Quitting your device and social media for the day won't be easy if you don't plan alternative activities. Cytowic recommends hobbies that help you stay in the present moment or achieve a sense of flow. These can include meditation, cooking, playing cards, gardening, sports, and other engaging pursuits.
However you choose to give yourself a break after Election Day, just be sure to give yourself a meaningful opportunity to transition away from any stress or anxiety you've been living with for days, weeks, or months.
Cytowic says that if people can seize that chance, they'll be much happier than if they never stop their "relentless exposure" to screens, politics, and the turmoil they often create.
UPDATE: Nov. 6, 2024, 9:46 a.m. PST This story was written prior to Election Day. It was updated to reflect the election's results.
Well folks, it's about that time. Black Friday 2024 is just around the corner, and the deals are already starting to trickle in, especially on big-ticket tech items.
If you're hoping to pick up a new laptop during the holiday sales, you're in luck, because Black Friday (and pre-Black Friday) is always a great time to snag some fantastic offers. MacBooks normally show up to the Black Friday party in a big way, and the discounts are already brewing (even the latest M4 MacBook Pro is on sale).
SEE ALSO: M4 Pro and M4 Max benchmarks just leaked — the new MacBook Pro should terrify Windows laptopsWhile they may be scarce at the moment, there are some worthwhile MacBook deals out in the wild as we speak. Here are the best ones we could find so far, but be sure to keep checking back, as we'll be updating this page as new deals go live.
Best MacBook Pro deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4,16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,549.00 at Best BuyThe newest MacBook Pro is here, and it's already on sale. The M4-chip-equipped powerhouse is the fastest the MacBook has ever been, and you can save $50 on one at Best Buy ahead of Black Friday. You do have to be a My Best Buy Plus member, though — just log in to your account before you check out, and bask in the savings.
More early Black Friday MacBook Pro dealsApple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,199.99 $1,599 (save $399.01 with on-page coupon)
Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M3 Max, 48GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $3,268.75 $3,999 (save $730.25)
When it comes to MacBooks, going back a few generations isn't a huge sacrifice, and it'll almost always save you a bunch of money. The M2 Air is still a fantastic laptop, and you can snag one for just $749 ahead of Black Friday. That's $250 off the original price and a pretty sweet deal if you need some new tech on short notice.
More early Black Friday MacBook Air dealsApple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $799 $999 (save $200)
Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $949 $1,199 (save $250)
Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,099.99 $1,299 (save $199.01 with on-page coupon)
PRE-ORDER NOW: As of Nov. 6, you can pre-order Stray for Nintendo Switch for $39.99 at Amazon and get 6 free art cards with purchase.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Stray' for Nintendo Switch $39.99 at AmazonThere are tons of great games out right now, whether you want to explore a fantasy world or hang out with your buddies and fish — and there's still more to come before the year ends. But there's another game you might have missed when it debuted a few years ago that's well worth getting into now that it's headed to Nintendo Switch: Stray. After racking up accolades and awards, it's making the leap from PS5, Xbox, PC, and Mac to the handheld Nintendo console later this month. If you love cats, you're not going to want to miss this one.
As of Nov. 6, you can pre-order Stray on Nintendo Switch at Amazon for $39.99. This price is for the physical edition of the game, which comes with six full-color art cards depicting Stray's feline protagonist.
SEE ALSO: Snag a Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma controller for $90 off, plus more gaming deals at AmazonStray puts you into the paws of a stray cat, as you may have surmised by the title. Said cat accidentally falls down into a strange cyber city, apparently the aftermath of an apocalyptic event, and must find a way to return to the surface. Of course, this kitty isn't alone. With the help of a drone named B-12 and an adorable kitty backpack, the cat can navigate the city by jumping from roof to roof, climbing, and other catlike moves.
There are plenty of puzzles to solve as well, most of which use items the cat can store in its backpack, all while staying out of reach of enemies known as Sentinels and Zurks. Oh, and there's bacteria and machines everywhere, too. What happened to this city? There's a gorgeous story that plays out throughout your feline adventure that makes Stray such an exciting and inspirational play. Oh, and cats — because that's all we really need to know to want to play.
Stray is out on Nintendo Switch on Nov. 19. Be sure to pre-order your copy with free art cards before then.
SAVE 50%: An annual membership to Calm Premium is just $34.99, down from the typical price of $69.99. That's a savings of $35.
Opens in a new window Credit: Calm Calm Premium annual membership $34.99 at CalmThere's a lot going on in the world that feels overwhelming. On top of that, we're coming into the holiday season, which can be stressful for many of us. If you're looking for some serenity and chill vibes, check out this early Black Friday deal on mental health app Calm.
As of Nov. 6, an annual membership to Calm Premium is just $34.99 for new members, down from the list price of $69.99. That's 50% off, or a savings of $35.
SEE ALSO: Grab a great deal on the Apple AirPods 4 before Black FridayThe Calm app focuses on mental health, offering solutions for anyone who deals with stress, anxiety, or struggles to fall asleep at night. Calm offers two tiers of membership, with the Premium version offering unlimited access to the entire Calm library. Calm's catalog includes over 500 Sleep Stories that are designed to lull you into a calm and restorative sleep. You can also take advantage of hundreds of guided meditation practices or put some calming nature sounds on in the background.
The app also has specific music that caters to your needs and moods, including playlists to help with focus, relaxation, or sleep. For kids, Calm Premium has a collection of lullabies and sleep stories, which means this could make for a great holiday gift for parents.
Conveniently, the Calm app is available in many forms. You can download it on your iOS or Android smartphone, use the web service, or connect it to your Apple TV, Google Home, or Samsung Health, to name a handful.
If you're focusing on mental health and wellness, a Calm Premium subscription could be a great way to add in relaxation and meditation. New users can sign up for Calm Premium for just $34.99, which is 50% off the usual price. Before the hectic holiday season kicks off, add the Calm App to your toolbox of relaxation techniques.
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