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Dipping your toes into virtual reality? From shooters to woodsy adventures, these are our favorites to play by yourself or with friends.

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Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) review

The Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) is a 10,000mAh MagSafe power bank with a slimmer-than-average profile. One of Anker’s most expensive MagSafe power banks at the time of writing, it’s available at a list price of $74.99 / £69.99 / $139.95 on the Anker website, and can also be purchased at Amazon.

When inspecting the build quality of the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim), it looked and felt sturdy. It has a metal frame around the edge and a liquid silicone covering over the charging area, which proved a little more grippy than other Anker MagSafe power banks I’ve tested. I always love to see a brand incorporate eco-conscious practices into its manufacturing, and Anker has done just that by using 75% recycled materials in the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim).

Using this power bank was a simple case of snapping the phone into place before pressing the small button on the lower right-hand side of the charger once to activate charging. I found the grip to be strong, so I didn’t have any concerns that the phone would fall off at any point.

The curved edges and the finish of the metal frame and matte back panel made it comfortable to hold. I was impressed with the material finish, as it didn’t show fingerprints or get scratched from regular use or after sliding around on my desk. The only scratch it sustained was during photography when it had an altercation with the corner of the small cement block it was sitting on, but it can’t be blamed for that.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

I can say with confidence that the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) is the slimmest power bank I’ve tested, but not quite slim or light enough to be a game changer for me. It’s worth noting that I have smaller-than-average hands, however, so those with average or larger hands may find that the slimmer design does make a noticeable difference. The power bank felt warm as it charged an iPhone 13 Pro; Anker states that they regulate the charging surface to stay below 104 degrees Fahrenheit / 40 degrees Celsius, and it didn’t get uncomfortably warm (quite the opposite in fact, as I was testing it on a winter day in the UK), so this wasn’t a concern.

At 200g, the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) felt a little on the heavy side, despite being just 0.58 inches / 14.7mm deep. But when compared to other 10K power banks such as the Ugreen Uno Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh 15W, which weighs 230g, and the 260g Iniu B43 MagSafe 10000mAh Compact Power Bank, I may have been expecting too much considering they’ve managed to pack a 10K capacity battery into such a small package. One thing I miss compared to other power banks I’ve tested is an integrated stand. That’s just my personal preference, however, and as its slim profile is the key feature, it wouldn’t have made sense for Anker to bulk it up just to fit in a stand.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

I was very impressed with how quickly the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) recharged an iPhone 13 Pro, taking just one hour and fifty minutes to do so. This result makes it the fastest MagSafe power bank I’ve tested, and the second fastest out of the large number of MagSafe chargers I’ve tested, at just twelve minutes slower than the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Stand. When it comes to charging the power bank itself, Anker states that it can recharge fully in up to two and a half hours when using a 30W adapter. When the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) is fully charged, it’s stated to have the ability to recharge an iPhone 15 Pro 1.8 times.

Overall, I was very impressed with the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim). The fast charging speeds, 10K battery capacity, and slimmer profile make it a great choice when traveling. The lack of a stand is a shame, but we can’t have it all, and given the choice I’d rather have the speedy charging. Personally, I found it to be a little on the heavy side, so if you prefer something lightweight I’d recommend looking at a lower-capacity 5,000mAh charger like the Ugreen 5000mAh Magnetic Wireless Power Bank.

If the price tag on the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) is a little steep, or you’d like more features for your money, then there are plenty of other chargers at a range of price points to explore in our best power bank and best wireless charger guides.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell) Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) review: Price & specs Should I buy the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim)? Buy it if…

You want a slim power bank that’ll recharge your phone more than once
While it may not be the slimmest power bank on the market, this power bank manages to squeeze a 10,000mAh battery into a satisfyingly slimline casing.

You want a quick charge when on the go
With the ability to charge an iPhone 13 Pro in just one hour and fifty minutes, this charger is proof that good things really do come in small packages.

Don't buy it if…

You want something lightweight
Despite the slim design, this power bank still felt pretty heavy, especially with an iPhone 13 Pro attached. I’d recommend looking at 5,000mAh batteries if a lighter weight is on your must-have list.

You want something with a stand
Many of us enjoy streaming content on our phones, which makes stands very convenient as we can sit back and relax without worrying about our phone batteries taking a nose dive. Presumably, to keep bulk to a minimum, Anker hasn’t included a stand on this power bank, making hands-free viewing a little tricky.

Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) review: Also consider

Anker 621 Magnetic Battery
If you’ve not set your heart on a higher-capacity battery, the Anker 621 could prove the perfect alternative. At just 0.45 inches / 11.4mm thick, it’s even slimmer than the Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim). Plus, as it’s a smaller-capacity battery, it weighs much less at just 4.5oz / 129g, making it satisfyingly lightweight and compact for little top-ups on short trips. If you'd like to learn more, check out the full Anker 621 Magnetic Battery review.

Unai Emery's improving Villains take on a Blues team struggling to replicate its early season success.

The wait is nearly over for more Taylor Sheridan programming.

I’ve just finished watching MGM Plus’ Earth Abides, and for a post-apocalyptic thriller, it was a nice change of pace to the usual grim battle for survival in a future world plagued by zombies and/or cannibals you find in movies like The Road or the long, plodding The Walking Dead TV series, or where everybody lives underground like Silo or Fallout.

Earth Abides, the TV show, is based loosely on the classic 1949 sci-fi novel of the same name written by George R. Stewart. The story follows protagonist Isherwood ‘Ish’ Williams (Alexander Ludwig), a geology student who is working on his thesis in the mountains somewhere in California. Bitten by a rattlesnake he manages to make it back to his cabin in the woods before passing out in a fever from which he doesn’t wake for days, possibly weeks.

When he does come round, he finds that nature biting back was a foreshadowing of what’s to come. Nature has indeed struck back and he’s completely alone. Civilization has been destroyed by a deadly pandemic; everyone he knows is dead, the streets are empty and the TVs and radios are all quiet. Wandering into the city he finds a couple of oddball survivors who were immune to the virus, but it’s only when he retreats to the suburbs that he finds Emma (Jessica Frances Dukes), a woman who seems to be more adept at surviving in a post-apocalyptic world than he is. They decide to make a life together and he gains direction as they slowly start to build a community around them.

If, like me, you trudged through every series of The Walking Dead out of some misplaced sense of duty, only to find out that it essentially repeats the same 'bad guy' plot line over and over every season, you’ll find it refreshing that the main focus of Earth Abides isn’t on how humans are inherently selfish and evil, but on how we need to cooperate to survive in nature.

Sure, they occasionally meet other groups, not all of whom have their best interests at heart, but more often than not the goal is simply to stay alive and the people choose to band together because they want to form a community. As humans it appears that working together gives us our best chance of survival – who knew?

• Watch Earth Abides on Fubo or MGM Plus in the US
• Watch Earth Abides on Prime Video or MGM Plus in the UK
• Watch Earth Abides on Stan in Australia

While Mary Shelley’s The Last Man was the first post-apocalyptic novel, Earth Abides is most likely the original source material for all the ‘waking up to discover civilization has collapsed’ plot lines that you see repeated again and again in sci-fi and horror – 28 Days Later, I’m looking at you. And talking of classic literature, throughout Earth Abides the value of a good old-fashioned public library is continually emphasized, because if you want to know how to do something in a post-apocalyptic world, like say, install solar panels or deliver a human baby, you can’t simply fire up YouTube. The local library turns out to be a lifesaver.

As the title suggests, throughout it all, the Earth abides. We get to watch nature recover and reclaim the world. As every last brick, fibre-optic cable and bridge that humans have created begins to rot away, cities are turning back into forests and wild animals are frolicking in the streets. There’s plenty of action, heartbreak and drama along the way, but we get to see a world where humans live without the concept of money or a social status to chase after, the survivors slowly lose their hangups and become freer to become the sort of people they really want to be, especially when it comes to human relationships.

If you’re looking for something different for your next binge watch of one of the best Prime Video shows (if you're in the UK), then I like to think that Earth Abides offers you a more realistic look at a post-apocalyptic future than we’ve seen so far, one where we don’t all instantly default to cannibalism as our first means of survival, and people find out what it really means to be human after all.

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Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, February 22 (game #622).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #623) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• PICKLE
• GRATE
• MILK
• TEA
• JAM
• SCRAPE
• CAN
• BUTTER
• GRIND
• BEANS
• SYRUP
• FERMENT
• FREEZE
• GUTS
• HOT SAUCE
• GNASH

NYT Connections today (game #623) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• GREEN: Longer lasting produce 
• YELLOW: Smoosh it up
• BLUE: First meal of the day 
• PURPLE: “Drop” into a common phrase

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #623) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• GREEN: WAYS TO PRESERVE FOOD 
• YELLOW: RUB TOGETHER 
• BLUE: BREAKFAST CONDIMENTS 
• PURPLE: PROVERBIAL THINGS THAT ARE SPILLED 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #623) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #623, are…

• GREEN: WAYS TO PRESERVE FOOD CAN, FERMENT, FREEZE, PICKLE
• YELLOW: RUB TOGETHER GNASH, GRATE, GRIND, SCRAPE
• BLUE: BREAKFAST CONDIMENTS BUTTER, HOT SAUCE, JAM, SYRUP
• PURPLE: PROVERBIAL THINGS THAT ARE SPILLED BEANS, GUTS, MILK, TEA

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

I found today tough going and got myself in a real muddle with thinking I was looking for pancake ingredients and then when I ruled that out some combination of breakfast items – MILK, TEA, JAM and BUTTER are all key factors of tea and toast.

WAYS TO PRESERVE FOOD was far easier to get.

The strangest preserved food I’ve ever had was some shark meat that had been covered in salt and buried under sand and rocks for two months. This was in Iceland and I only found out what it was after I’d eaten it, along with being teased (or at least I hope I was being teased) about another way they preserve this particular delicacy. Chewy and pongy is my 2-star review.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, 22 February, game #622)

• YELLOW: MEMBER OF A TEAM WITH THE MOST CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE SPORTS CANADIEN, CELTIC, PACKER, YANKEE
• GREEN: CREATE SOME VOLUME/TEXTURE IN HAIR CRIMP, CURL, FEATHER, TEASE
• BLUE: SUPPLIES FOR MACARONI ART GLITTER, GLUE, MACARONI, PAPER
• PURPLE: WORDS AFTER "GOLDEN" DOODLE, GOOSE, PARACHUTE, ROD

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, February 22 (game #356).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #357) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Oh, this old thing?

NYT Strands today (game #357) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• SHINE
• LINE
• COLT
• COIL
• MALE
• TALL

NYT Strands today (game #357) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Available on eBay

NYT Strands today (game #357) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: bottom, 3rd column

Last side: top, 4th column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #357) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #357, are…

• STAMP
• COIN
• VINYL
• COMIC
• PLUSHIE
• BOBBLEHEAD
• SPANGRAM: COLLECTIBLES

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Today’s puzzle collates items that some may consider junk and that others treasure, depending on your collecting demeanor.

Personally, I’ve always veered on the side of treasure and although my loft is free of a single BOBBLEHEAD it contains plenty of everything else listed here, all of which will bail us out of crisis and pay the mortgage off one day.

Well, that’s the dream of everyone with COLLECTIBLES, but the brutal reality upon perusing eBay is that it is all close to worthless . Having said that, I did once sell a comic for $300. The fact that it’s now worth $1,000 further entrenches my position of holding on to everything.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, 22 February, game #356)

• GRIDLOCK
• BLOCKAGE
• CONGESTION
• OVERCROWDING
• SPANGRAM: TRAFFIC JAM

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

The hosts look to end their eight-year wait for a Calcutta Cup win at Twickenham.

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• 'Sandisk 2.0' aiming for higher investor returns, faster, higher capacity SSDs
• 128TB Data Center UltraQLC SSD launching later this year
• Sandisk plans 256TB SSD next year, and a 1PB model in the near future

Western Digital announced plans to separate its HDD and flash businesses back in 2023 and began the process in October 2024.

Going forward, WD will focus on the hard drive and platforms side, while Sandisk will concentrate on flash technology products, including SSDs, memory cards, and USB flash drives.

Sandisk recently held an investor day session titled "Sandisk 2.0" to emphasize this brand new iteration of the business. The company explained it is focused on generating higher returns and improving margins for investors, in an obvious attempt to quell any concern that might be brewing following its spinoff.

More excitingly, Sandisk also took the opportunity to reveal details of a new, large capacity SSD arriving later in 2025.

1PB SSD incoming

The UltraQLC DC SN670 is an NVMe PCIe Gen 5 QLC Data Center SSD that promises 68% faster read speeds and 55% faster write speeds "compared to the competition". This will be Sandisk’s first 128TB SSD (with 122.88TB usable capacity), following similar drives from Solidigm, Samsung, and Phison. This, along with a 64TB model (61.44TB usable), is expected to debut in Q3 2025.

Blocks and Files notes, “The UltraQLC angle refers to the controller having hardware accelerators, being scalable to the 64 Die/Channel level, able to scale power according to workload demand and including an 'integrated advanced toggle mode bus Mux control.' Toggle mode NAND uses a double data rate interface for faster data transfers and a multiplexer (Mux) manages the data lanes. Sandisk’s version of this technology will be managing the NAND-SSD controller data flow more efficiently."

Although it didn’t provide an exact timeline, Sandisk also teased it is working toward a 1PB data center drive, possibly within the next four years. It did confirm a target of 256TB in 2026 and 512TB in 2027, however.

While Sandisk typically uses TLC NAND for its performance SSDs, and QLC NAND for capacity drives, the firm will be shifting towards QLC for most purposes by 2028 (Sandisk teased BiCS9 with more than 300 layers which will be used to make a 1Tb TLC die).

Later this year will see the arrival of a value PCIe Gen 4 QLC NAND drive in 512GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities, and also a PCIe Gen 5 TLC drive in 512GB, 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities.

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Thunderbolts: key information

- Releasing in theaters globally on May 2
- Three trailers released so far
- Main cast revealed
- Story synopsis unveiled
- Other cast and plot rumors circulating online
- Unclear how it'll set up future MCU events

Thunderbolts is the final Marvel movie to be released – on May 2 – as part of the comic giant's Phase 5 line-up. The highly anticipated flick aims to combine the ragtag, comedy-laced style of Guardians of the Galaxy with the team-up appeal of the Avengers. Based on what I've seen and read so far, it seems like it'll succeed.

Before the next Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie arrives, I've rounded up the latest news and rumors on Thunderbolts* (more on the asterisks later), including its confirmed cast, story specifics, trailers, and potential impact on the MCU's future.

Full spoilers follow for various Marvel projects, including Falcon and the Winter Soldier (FATWS), Black Widow, and Ant-Man and the Wasp (AM&TW).

Thunderbolts release date

Thunderbolts will charge into cinemas worldwide in early May (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

As mentioned, Thunderbolts – or, to give its official title, Thunderbolts* – will leap onto the big screen on Friday, May 2. That's the fifth launch date it's been given since Thunderbolts was first announced by Marvel in June 2022.

Originally, it was going to be released in December 2024. However, the 2023 Hollywood writer and actor strikes led to multiple Marvel movies being delayed, including Thunderbolts*. Its release date was shifted around until its current launch date was settled on.

Filming didn't begin on Thunderbolts until it had ridden out its creative storm last March, either. Indeed, principal photography only started once some cast issues, including the departure of Steven Yeun and Ayo Edebiri, had been resolved. Thankfully, its shooting schedule only lasted five months and, with the end of its post-production stage in sight, it's finally set to be released very soon.

Thunderbolts trailer

The official trailer for Thunderbolts was released during Super Bowl LIX. There's a lot to take in from its humorous, action-packed, and melodramatic two-minute-plus runtime, too, including the revelation that its main villain is someone you probably expected to be a good guy.

That isn't the first trailer we've seen for one of 2025's new movies. Thunderbolts' first trailer was released publicly last September following its exclusive debut at D23 Expo 2024 – check it out below:

Two months later at the Brazilian edition of D23 Expo 2024, Marvel unveiled another look at Thunderbolts that suggested it'll help Marvel Phase 5 end with a bang rather than a whimper, too.

Thunderbolts cast: confirmed and rumored

Thunderbolts will feature plenty of familiar faces (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Potentially big spoilers follow for Thunderbolts. Major spoilers also follow for multiple MCU projects, including Captain America: Brave New World.

Here's the confirmed cast list for Thunderbolts* so far:

• Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova
• Sebastian Stan as James 'Bucky' Barnes/The Winter Soldier
• David Harbour as Alexei Shoshtakov/The Red Guardian
• Wyatt Russell as John Walker/US Agent
• Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr/Ghost
• Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster
• Lewis Pullman as Bob Reynolds/Sentry/The Void
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
• Geraldine Viswanathan as Mel

Everyone except Pullman's Bob Reynolds and Viswanathan's Mel will be familiar to MCU fans. But, if you're new to the franchise or need a quick refresher on who they are, read on.

Pugh's Belova, who's positioned as the movie's lead, was first introduced in Black Widow. She's the sister of Natasha Romanoff, who sacrificed herself in Avengers: Endgame to allow Clint Barton/Hawkeye to retrieve the Soul Stone as part of the titular group's plan to reverse 'The Snap', aka the event that saw half of all life wiped out of the MCU. Belova was last seen in Hawkeye on Disney+ where, suspecting Barton was behind Romanoff's death, tried to kill him. However, after finding out that he wasn't responsible for her sibling's demise, Belova ended her quest for vengeance.

Harbour's Shoshtakov and Kurylenko's Dreykov also made their MCU debuts in Black Widow. Shoshtakov is Romanoff and Belova's father, and he's also Russia's answer to Steve Rogers' iteration of Captain America – i.e. a super-soldier who wields a shield. Meanwhile, Dreykov is also known as Taskmaster, aka an individual who can mimic any person's combat skills.

James 'Bucky' Barnes was last seen in Captain America: Brave New World (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Stan's Barnes needs no introduction. He's been ever-present in the MCU since 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger, appearing in nine Marvel properties. Another super-soldier with a vibranium arm, formerly a brainwashed Russian assassin called The Winter Soldier, Barnes will either be running for Congress in Thunderbolts* or have been elected by the start of the movie. This story beat was revealed in Brave New World – read my Captain America 4 ending explained piece for more details on how it sets up events in this flick.

Wyatt's Walker was an antagonistic figure in Falcon and the Winter Soldier. He was enlisted as the new Captain America in that TV show after Rogers gave up the shield, but eventually lost the title to Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson. He was later hired by Louis-Dreyfus' duplicitous CIA Director to become a black ops-like version of Cap called US Agent.

Speaking of Fontaine, she first appeared in Black Widow's post-credits scene and has since shown up in FATWS and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She's responsible for sending Belova after Barton, too. Oh, and she'll be helped by Viswanathan's Mel, who's her aide in this flick.

Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is behind the Thunderbolts team's formation (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

John-Kamen will reprise her role as Starr/Ghost, the primary antagonist of AM&TW whose abilities allow her to phase through solid objects. Like Belova and Walker, it appears Fontaine hires her to conduct secret missions for the CIA.

Rounding out the main cast is MCU newcomer Pullman, who'll portray Bob Reynolds. In the comics, he's an amnesiac middle-aged man who doesn't know he's one of the world's most powerful superheroes and goes by the pseudonym Sentry. However, Reynolds harbors a dark secret. Due to the super-soldier serum he receives, he also possesses a demonic persona called The Void. If it manages to mentally overpower Reynolds and Sentry, it uses its abilities to cause wanton destruction. We catch a very brief glimpse of The Void in action in the final trailer for Thunderbolts*, so don't be shocked if Reynolds ends up being its Big Bad.

Want even more details on these characters and their comic book backstories? Check out our exclusive deal with Marvel Unlimited, the online service that grants you access to over 30,000 Marvel comics – but, be quick! The offer expires on March 4.

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Thunderbolts story synopsis and speculation

It seems that the titular group of anti-heroes weren't assembled for a righteous cause (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Possible spoilers follow for Thunderbolts.

Here's the movie's official story synopsis: In Thunderbolts*, Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes – Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker. After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts. Will this dysfunctional group tear themselves apart, or find redemption and unite as something much more before it’s too late?

The "death trap" aspect of that plot brief won't come as a surprise to anyone who's seen the trailers. Indeed, the footage we've seen so far suggests Fontaine sends Walker, Starr, Dreykov, and Belova on a mission to eradicate Reynolds. Of course, the quartet doesn't know about Reynolds' abilities or dark side, so they wouldn't stand a chance against him.

US Agent and Ghost are two of Fontaine's mercenaries who are seemingly sent on a suicide mission (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

The big question on everyone's minds is why Fontaine is sending these mercenaries to their apparent deaths. Is she simply trying to tie up some loose ends as Director of the CIA? In my view, that's the most likely explanation. Unfortunately, the trailers reveal that Fontaine's plan goes awry, the group escapes alongside Reynolds and, after teaming up with Barnes and Shoshtakov, confronts Fontaine at her new headquarters in the building formerly known as Avengers Tower. Yes, that's the same skyscraper that Tony Stark owned until his death in Avengers: Endgame. How and why Fontaine has acquired it is another of Thunderbolts' big mysteries.

Anyway, away from that, each team member will be dealing with their own insecurities throughout this Marvel Phase 5 film. The trailer shows a disenchanted Belova going through the motions before she seeks out Shoshtakov for emotional support. Unfortunately, the wisecracking super-soldier appears ill-equipped to help as he struggles with his own demons of being a dead-beat dad and yearning for new adventures despite his aging body.

Walker will be grappling with his dark past and raising his son alone after his wife's death in FATWS, while Barnes will likely need to face up to his own murder-laden history and attempts to make a difference as a newly-elected Congressman. Then there's Reynolds who, as I discussed in the cast section, has a huge, supervillain-esque internal issue to continually quell.

Say hi to Bob, everyone (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Thunderbolts won't be a wholly melancholy affair. There'll be plenty of trademark MCU humor to enjoy, especially once this group of oddball heroes and anti-heroes join forces for the greater good. Per Variety, Stan has even likened it to the iconic 1985 teen movie The Breakfast Club, which featured a similarly eccentric group of misfits who realize they have more in common during a Saturday detention.

But back to something I mentioned at the start of this article: what could the film title's asterisk be alluding to? Some fans have suggested it's a placeholder for a subtitle, which will be revealed in its third act or just before the credits roll. Right now, fans have two suggestions for what it'll be: Dark Avengers or New Avengers. The former would befit this team of not-so-morally upstanding individuals. However, the latter appears more likely, especially in light of Fontaine claiming that the world needs a new Avengers-like team in Thunderbolts' latest trailer. We'll see if either of those theories is correct soon enough.

What Marvel movies and shows do I need to watch before Thunderbolts?

Yelena Belova has appeared in two other live-action MCU projects (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

I've already hinted at the MCU movies and TV shows that you'll need to stream on Disney+, aka one of the world's best streaming services before the final Phase 5 film is released.

However, if you scrolled past this guide's cast and plot sections, here's a quick round-up of what you'll want to stream before Thunderbolts* arrives (NB: you can read more about each one in my Marvel movies in order guide, too):

• Ant-Man and the Wasp – introduction of Ava Starr/Ghost
• Falcon and the Winter Soldier – introduction of John Walker/US Agent
• Black Widow – introductions of Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, and Taskmaster
• Hawkeye – progression of Belova's MCU journey
• Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – more details on Valentina Allegra de Fontaine's history and CIA role
• Captain America: Brave New World – details on Barnes' campaign to become a Congressman

How will Thunderbolts impact the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Thunderbolts* could establish plot threads that'll be explored further in the next two Avengers films (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

The short answer is: I don't know, but that won't stop me from speculating.

If Belova and company are installed as the newest version of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, I wouldn't be shocked if some of them appear in Avengers: Doomsday and/or Avengers: Secret Wars. The pair, which are currently set to release in theaters in May 2026 and May 2027, are expected to bring down the curtain on the Marvel Multiverse Saga. And, aside from Robert Downey Jr's shock casting as the villain in both films, plus the inclusion of Mackie's Wilson/Cap 2.0 and The Fantastic Four, there's no word on which other heroes will appear.

It's possible, then, that the likes of Belova and Barnes (at the very least) will feature in these Marvel Phase 6 projects. Stan was in the last two Avengers flicks, while Pugh is one of the most popular actors on the planet right now so, in my opinion, she's a shoo-in to appear. I'm not so sure if Russell, Harbour, or any other Thunderbolts* cast members will show up, though.

As for whether this movie will set up any story threads for Avengers 5 and Avengers 6, I don't think that's likely. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the final MCU film that'll land in theaters before Doomsday, so I'd expect it to do most of the heavy lifting (from a plot perspective) for that duo. We'll see if I'm right in early May.

For more Marvel coverage, read my guides on the best Marvel movies, Daredevil: Born Again, and Spider-Man 4.

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JBL Quantum Stream Talk: One-minute review

The real highlight of the JBL Quantum Stream Talk are its design and feature set, which punch above its budget-friendly price point.

It’s super compact and very stylish, with a robust stand that incorporates metal elements to look and feel premium. It’s incredibly easy to adjust and position too, thanks to a small, foam-footed base and a smart swivel mechanism that allows the microphone to be rotated by a full 360 degrees.

The prominent LED ring indicator is a smart inclusion and something that you wouldn’t necessarily expect at this price point, providing a convenient and easy way to check whether the microphone is muted and even adjust some basic settings on the fly.

That said, the recording quality is a let-down out of the box. Its default configuration sounds very jagged and does a poor job of cutting out background noise. Luckily, the compatible JBL Quantum Engine software gives you everything that you need for better recordings. With a few settings tweaked, namely the EQ profile and noise reduction level, it’s perfect for chatting with friends or dialing into meetings - but still not clear enough to rank among the best microphones for streaming.

If you're interested in picking up a streaming microphone on a budget, there are options out there that look and feel substantially worse, but sound noticeably better such as the AKG Ara. If you can wait for a sale, you can regularly find old favorites like the Blue Snowball for not that much more than the price of the JBL Quantum Stream Talk which offers far more bang for your buck.

(Image credit: Future) JBL Quantum Stream Talk: Price and availability

• Costs $49.95 / £39.99
• Available via Amazon and JBL
• Easy to find in the US and UK

The JBL Quantum Stream Talk is readily available from both Amazon and JBL in the US and UK. It costs $49.95 / £39.99, making this the cheapest entry in the JBL Quantum Stream line right now. At this price, it’s a good value option overall for general use, especially if you’re looking for a more affordable choice that doesn't take up a lot of space on your desk.

That said, those seeking a microphone for content creation would be better off waiting for a sale and spending a little more on something like the HyperX DuoCast - which routinely drops down to around the $60 / £40 mark and offers higher quality recordings.

JBL Quantum Stream Talk: Specs JBL Quantum Stream Talk: Design and features

• Stylish and compact
• Feels premium
• Good set of features

The JBL Quantum Stream Talk is very stylish for a microphone of its price. It’s compact, with a circular plastic base complete with a small foam ring to help keep it in place on your desk.

It has a simple stalk-like design, with a cylindrical metal column and a small plastic capsule connected by a ball joint that allows it to be rotated a full 360 degrees. Also joining the column and capsule is a short wire with an orange and black braided that introduces subtle splash of color.

At the end of the capsule is a translucent ring illuminated by an LED. This is a bright green by default, turning red when the microphone is muted. The option to dim or even turn off this light would be appreciated, but it’s not particularly intrusive either way.

On the base, you will find a gray JBL logo and an adjustment dial. It's a good size and can be used to adjust the monitoring headphone volume when you’re connected to a 3.5mm headphone jack on the rear. It can also be pressed down to quickly mute the microphone, or held for a few seconds to adjust the microphone gain - indicated by the mic’s LED turning purple. It’s all very intuitive and one of the biggest reasons to consider the JBL Quantum Stream Talk.

While the microphone itself is a single unit, there is a removable USB-C cable. This is a good 6ft length and feels high-quality, matching the orange and black aesthetic of the wire found on the mic.

While I very much like the integrated stand setup, you should bear in mind that this microphone cannot be mounted to a boom arm unlike other budget picks, so is not suitable if that’s your preferred setup.

(Image credit: Future) JBL Quantum Stream Talk: Performance

• Audio quality isn’t great out of the box
• Sounds much better when you tweak the EQ
• Noise reduction also helps

When you first plug the JBL Quantum Stream Talk into a computer, a popup automatically appears asking whether you would install the compatible JBL Quantum Engine Software - a convenient feature that saves you from having to dig around on a support website to find it. I would highly recommend installing it, as I found that tweaking the microphone’s settings is almost essential.

Out of the box, I was unimpressed with its performance - recordings sounded choppy with a flat, almost nasal quality to them. Booting up Discord for a quick call, background noise was very noticeable, as was any movement of the surface on which the mic was placed. This is a little strange, as the JBL Quantum Stream Talk uses a super-cardioid pickup pattern that should, in theory, really help it hone in on just your voice.

Still, you can achieve decent sound with the JBL Quantum Engine Software in hand. For me, the sweet spot was enabling the “Bright” EQ profile, which bumps up the level of almost every frequency, and turning up both the noise gate and noise reduction settings to medium. Listening back to recordings made with Audacity, my voice sounded a little sharp but otherwise more than ideal for casual chatting. With a few more tweaks, I am sure I could get it to sound even better.

(Image credit: JBL)

JBL notes that the microphone is compatible with the PlayStation and Nintendo Switch too. Plugging it into my PS5, it provided significantly better sound than the integrated microphone of the DualSense Wireless Controller but is not up to par with any of the mics on the best PS5 headsets. Still, the option to use this model with your console is appreciated and increases its utility somewhat.

That said, this is also marketed as a streaming microphone and I am hesitant to recommend it for that purpose. If you’re able to spend a little more, you can find models that sound better out of the box.

This is doubly true if you’re shopping over a sale period, where the likes of the iconic Blue Snowball routinely have their prices slashed to just $20 / £20 or so more. Still, if your budget really can’t extend beyond the $49.95 / £39.99 mark and you just need something quick, this should just about suffice until you’re able to upgrade.

Should I buy the JBL Quantum Stream Talk? Buy it if...

You want a small microphone
The JBL Quantum Stream Talk is a good option if you’re looking for something compact - its small size makes it easy to fit on your desk and it’s very stylish overall.

You want a good set of features
Its LED indicators, useful mute button, and decent set of options in the JBL Quantum Engine software all help the JBL Quantum Stream Talk punch above its modest price tag.

Don't buy it if...

You’re a content creator able to spend more
If you’re keen to get into streaming, then I would recommend spending a little bit more on a model that sounds better out of the box. Alternatively, wait for the sale and pick up a favorite like the Blue Snowball for cheap.

Also consider...

Want to weigh up your options? Here are two gaming microphones to consider alongside the JBL Quantum Stream Talk.

AKG Ara
The AKG Ara is a decent alternative at a similar price. It sounds better out of the box but lacks the gain control, looks worse, and feels cheaper in the hands.

For more information, check out our full AKG Ara review

HyperX DuoCast
The HyperX DuoCast is frequently available on sale for only slightly more than the JBL Quantum Stream Talk. This entry-level streamer mic offers better sound, two distinct polar patterns, and pleasant RGB lighting if you’re able to stretch the budget.

For more information, check out our full HyperX DuoCast review.

(Image credit: Future) How I tested the JBL Quantum Stream Talk

• Used for over a week
• Tried with PC and console
• Tested with calls and local recording

I used the JBL Quantum Stream Talk as my daily driver for over a week. During that time I tested it with both PC and console with a range of tasks including making calls to friends, recording audio files locally, and attending virtual meetings for work. I made sure to thoroughly test the compatible JBL Quantum Engine software, experimenting with its features to find the best setup.

Throughout my time with the microphone, I compared my experience with my hands-on testing of other models all across the price spectrum ranging from the likes of the Blue Snowball to the Blue Yeti and SteelSeries Alias.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed January 2025.

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