2024 was a year of uncertainty. It wasn't clear which games would dominate the conversation, the slate of blockbuster movies didn't seem to roll until mid-summer, and there was constant will-they-won't-they about Nintendo's Switch announcement. 2. Despite the Big N's best efforts, plenty of information has surfaced regarding the Nintendo Switch's successor, but that's for 2025.
As for the last 365 days, it's been just as full of interesting media to consume, technology to play with, and events to keep us guessing. As Game Rant's editor-in-chief, I try my best to keep up with the newest, latest, and greatest, but that's always a fool's errand. However, there were a lot of things that got me excited about 2024. Here are my favorite things from 2024.
My favorite video games of 2024
My tastes change from year to year, but there's always a line when it comes to franchises I grew up with and titles with engaging yet challenging combat. I'm lucky enough to have the opportunity to try a lot of different games in a variety of genres. A good story can take a game very far, but I often get addicted to a game with good open-world action or a striking art style.
However, there are only so many hours in a year, and sometimes that means letting go of games that didn't click with me out of the gate, but that I intend to return to. Will that happen with 2025 looming large? Probably not, but there's still time to clear the backlog before next year's onslaught of titles start rolling out. I would also like to add that Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree it's one of the best DLCs I've ever played and fully deserved its award at The Game Awards this year.
The Black Wukong Myth it captured my attention in a way I didn't expect. It started with a hands-on preview at Summer Game Fest and continued until I got to play the finished product. The game is beautiful to look at, but the variety of bosses and the challenge they present kept me hooked from start to finish.
It's been a great year for video games. There were joyful experiences such as Astro Bot and Echoes of wisdom to keep the child in me alive while titles like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Neva left me with questions to ponder (in different ways) long after the credits rolled. It's always the hardest to narrow down my video game choices because there are so many that I've enjoyed for so many reasons. If I didn't have friends to jump with, for example, I don't think I'd like it as much Helldivers 2.
My favorite movies of 2024
Video games are my professional passion, but movies are my personal passion. I try to make it to the movies at least once a week and I'm always on the lookout for the next intriguing voice in film. 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 Flick as much as the next Paul Thomas Anderson.
Dune: Part 2 and Deadpool and Wolverine provided the show we needed this year, two sides of a similar coin. I've become a big fan of Sean Baker over the years and was very pleased to see him win the Palme D'or with Anori. The Brutalist it was an epic that we don't see very often. And horror/suspense continues to thrive thanks to films like Heretical and It's what's inside.
I don't think there was one movie this year that absolutely blew me away, but there were plenty that thoroughly entertained me and quite a few that left me pondering some tough questions. As with video games, I'm always looking for a good story, but the core components of a movie, such as cinematography and indelible performances, can also keep me engaged.
My favorite TV shows of 2024
In the midst of video games and movies, TV doesn't get as much love from me year after year, but there have been some pretty stellar shows released this year. The landscape of television continues to change, rivaling film in its long story-telling 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 streaming and was part of two fantastic series.
Thanks to actors like him and a few risk-taking studios, the types of television available to us are richer and more diverse than ever. Yes, there's a lot of fluff to check out, but sometimes fluff can even become your favorite show.
A good hook helps me and my TV. If the first episode can grab you with a compelling or unique premise, then I'm willing to give it more of a chance than if a show has a slow start but word of mouth says it gets better over time. Often these hot shows turn out to be some of my favorites, but there are so many good shows everywhere you look and way too many streaming series to subscribe to.
I love that we have another stellar video game adaptation series Fall out. He didn't copy the formula he did The last of us a hit, but it embraced what makes Bethesda games great without feeling generic or hokey. Shogun it was full of great performances and took us to a time period where video games use a lot but are perfect for a TV series. 3 The body problem it was the show that got off to the most intriguing start, but I'm worried it might not have the legs to carry it through. I hope so – because the concept is so bold.
My favorite technology of 2024
I use a lot of gadgets and gizmos in my daily life. If it's easier for me to do that job, then I'm willing to take a look at it, but I try not to poke my nose at anything. Often, technology that doesn't reveal its usefulness at first ends up becoming essential. At first I couldn't see the appeal of a PC gaming handheld, but now I can't imagine going anywhere without having one nearby at all times. Other times, it's just about improving on the tried and true. If something is better than its competitors or among the best I've ever used, then it gets added to the rotation very quickly.
I'm lucky to have the opportunity to try a lot of different technologies. I love searching for my next favorite controller as much as the next best mouse, keyboard or headset. The Audeze Maxwell and Scuf are now among my favorites in their category, and the ROG Ally X is currently the portable to beat when it comes to performance versus battery life.
But I don't want to overlook the smaller technical facilities either. The Anker MagGo travels with me everywhere and is especially useful on high-use days like visiting 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 give a shout out to the Corsair Platform:6 desk for giving me even more room to 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 what you will, but I find it hard to pass up an opportunity to indulge in the nostalgia of my youth by displaying high-quality toys that represent my favorite properties of yesteryear. Growing up I took in a lot of media and so that list of “favorites” is as deep as it is wide. And the number of companies that see value in breathing new life into both massive and obscure properties is growing. It hurts the wallet but warms the soul.
Look, Mattel does Street Sharks figures and LEGO eventually adding a The Legend of Zelda set were enough to make my year. Mondo (and parent company Funko) continues to operate at a high level, releasing so many exciting toys, collectibles, and memorabilia that it's hard to keep up. I took a risk on Elden Ring Collector's Edition hoping that Malenia would be a memorable boss and she didn't disappoint, so I couldn't say no to adding Messmer to my collection.
I also have a son, so my interests are now informed by his interests. I dove deep into Minecraft over the last year and I've learned so much about that game, but it's also been interesting to see my favorite things become his favorite things without pressuring him into any ownership. Being a father has changed my life in many ways, but my favorite part is that it allows me to be a kid again and experience that sense of wonder through him.
Almost everything I experience now has a new context and I take new things from it that I wouldn't have experienced before. My list of favorite things is unique to me, but my experience is very different from a few years ago. I don't expect that to change in 2025, and I'm looking forward to seeing what new things excite me. i know nintendo switch 2, Grand Theft Auto 6and that new Paul Thomas Anderson are at the top of my most anticipated list, but I have no idea about the video games, movies, television, technology, and collectibles that keep me curious and eager to try new things.
Black Myth: Wukong
