2024 was a year of uncertainty. It wasn't clear which games would dominate the conversation, the blockbuster slate didn't seem to kick into gear until mid-summer, and with the Nintendo Switch announcement, there were constant “will-they-won't-they” noises about the Switch announcement. 2. Despite the Big N's best efforts, a lot of information has surfaced about the successor to the Nintendo Switch, but it's for 2025.
As for the last 365 days, it ended up being filled with exciting media to consume, technology to play with, and events to keep us guessing. As Game Rant's editor-in-chief, I try to keep up with the latest and greatest, but it's always a fool's errand. However, there were many things that excited me about 2024. Here are my favorite things of 2024.
My favorite video games of 2024
My tastes change from year to year, but there's always a through line when it comes to the franchises I grew up with and titles with exciting yet challenging combat. I've been lucky enough to get the chance to try out a lot of different games from a wide variety of genres. A good story can take a game very far, but often I become addicted to a game with a good open world appeal or a striking art style.
However, there are only so many hours in a year, and sometimes that means giving up games that I'm not interested in, but that I intend to return to. Will this happen as 2025 approaches? Probably not, but there's still time to clear the backlog before the onslaught of next year's titles begins. I would also like to add that Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is one of the best DLCs I've ever played and it fully deserved its award at The Game Awards this year.
The black myth of Ukun caught my attention in a way I didn't expect. It started with a hands-on look at Summer Game Fest and continued until I played the finished product. The game is beautiful to look at, but the variety of bosses and the challenges they present kept me hooked from start to finish.
It's been a great year for video games. There were also joyful experiences Astro Bot and Echo of Wisdom keep the child in me alive while names like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Neva left me with questions to ponder (in different ways) long after the credits rolled. It's always harder to narrow down video games because there are so many that I like for different reasons. If I didn't have friends, for example, I don't think I would have as many crushes Hell divers 2.
My favorite movies of 2024
Video games are my professional passion and movies are my personal passion. I try to go to the movies at least once a week and am always looking for the next intriguing voice in filmmaking. Don't get me wrong, I love a good popcorn movie too, as my list should reflect, but I'm looking forward to the next one Avengers click as much as i do next paul thomas anderson.
Dune: Part 2 and Deadpool and Wolverine provided the spectacle I needed this year, two sides of the same coin. I've become a huge Sean Baker fan over the years and was delighted to see him win the Palme d'Or with Anora. Brutalist was an epic that we don't see very often. And horror/suspense movies continue to thrive because of movies like this A heretic and It's what's inside.
I don't think there was one movie this year that completely blew me away, but there were a lot of movies that really entertained me, and quite a few that made me think about some tough questions. As with video games, I'm always on the lookout for a good story, but the core components of a film, such as cinematography and indelible acting, can also hold my interest.
My favorite TV shows of 2024
With the video games and movies behind it, I don't enjoy television as much from year to year, but this year has seen some great shows. The landscape of television continues to change, competing with film for its long-form narrative potential and thanks to actors' willingness to take a closer look at every project that comes their way. Colin Farrell, for example, saw the potential in broadcasting and was part of two fantastic series.
Thanks to actors like him and a few venturesome studios, the kinds of television available to us are richer and more diverse than ever. Yes, there's a lot of fluff to sift through, but sometimes the fluff can even become your favorite show.
A good hook helps me and my TV viewing. If the first episode can grab you with a compelling or unique premise, I'm willing to give it more of a chance than if the show starts off slow but word of mouth says it gets better over time. Often these heartwarming series end up being some of my favorites, but there are so many good shows everywhere and too many streaming series to subscribe to.
I love that we have another stellar television series adapted into a video game Precipitation. He didn't copy the formula that did The last of us successful, but embraced what makes Bethesda games great without feeling generic and cheesy. Shogun was packed with stunning features and transported us to a time period and setting often used in video games but perfect for TV series. 3 Body problem was a show that got off to a most intriguing start, but I'm concerned that it might not have the legs to carry it through. I hope so – because the concept is so bold.
My favorite tech of 2024
I use a lot of gadgets and gizmos in my daily life. If it makes the job easier for me, then I'm willing to look at it, but I try not to turn my nose up at anything. It's often the technology that doesn't show its usefulness at first that ends up being important. At first, I didn't see the appeal of a portable PC gaming device, but now I can't imagine going anywhere without it always by my side. Other times it's just about improving the tried and true. If something is better than the competition or among the best I've ever used, then it gets added to the rotation very quickly.
I've been lucky enough to get the chance to try out a lot of different technologies. I love searching for my next favorite controller as much as I love searching for the best mouse, keyboard or headset. The Audeze Maxwell and Scuf are currently some of my favorites in their respective categories, and the ROG Ally X is currently the pocket device to beat when it comes to performance versus battery life.
But I don't want to overlook the smaller technical conveniences. The Anker MagGo travels with me everywhere and is especially useful on busy days like going to Disneyland. And some of the items on my tech list this year will help us bring you even better content in 2025. I also want to commend the Corsair Platform:6 desk for giving me even more space to display my collectibles and toys.
My favorite collectibles and toys of 2024
By the way, I like to collect. Call it Peter Pan syndrome or whatever, but I can hardly pass up an opportunity to indulge in the nostalgia of my youth by showcasing high-quality toys that represent my favorite properties of yesteryear. I watched a lot of media growing up, so the list of “favorites” is as deep as it is wide. And the number of companies that see value in giving new life to both massive and obscure objects is also only growing. Hurts the wallet, but warms the soul.
See, Mattel does Street sharks numbers and LEGO finally adding a The Legend of Zelda the set was enough to make my year. Mondo (and parent company Funko) continues to perform at a high level, releasing so many exciting toys, collectibles, and memorabilia that it's hard to keep up. I took a chance on Elden Ring Collector's Edition hoping that Malenia would be an unforgettable boss and not fail, so I couldn't resist adding Messmer to my collection.
I also have a son, so my interests are now aligned with his interests. I dove deep into Minecraft has learned so much about the game over the past year, but it's also been fun to watch my favorite things become his favorite things without forcing him to any one property. Being a parent has changed my life in many ways, but what I love most is that it allows me to be a child again and experience that sense of wonder through it.
Almost everything I experience now has a new context and I take new things from it that I didn't before. My list of favorite things is unique to me, but my experience is much different than it was a few years ago. I don't expect that to change in 2025, and I'm looking forward to seeing what new things I'm excited about. i know nintendo switch 2 Grand Theft Auto 6and that new Paul Thomas Anderson are at the top of my most anticipated list, but it's the video games, movies, TV, tech, and collectibles that I have no idea about that keep me curious and wanting to try new things.
Black Myth: Ukun
