2024 was a year of uncertainty. It wasn't clear which games would dominate the conversation, the list of blockbuster movies didn't seem to start until mid-summer, and there was a constant lack of will regarding Nintendo's Switch announcement. 2. Despite the Big N's best efforts, a lot of information has surfaced regarding a Nintendo Switch sequel, but it's for 2025.
The past 365 days have been filled with exciting media to consume, technology to play with, and events to speculate about. As the editor-in-chief of Game Rant, I try my best to stay up to date on the latest, newest, and best, but it's always stupid. Nevertheless, there were many things that excited me in 2024. Here are my favorite things to do in 2024:
My Favorite Video Game of 2024
My tastes change from year to year, but there's always a throughline when it comes to franchises I grew up with and titles that contain interesting yet challenging combat. I'm lucky to have the opportunity to sample a variety of games from a variety of genres. A good story can take a game much further, but I often get addicted to games with open world charm or a standout art style.
But there are only so many hours in a year, and sometimes that means giving up on games that didn't work for me but that I want to get back to. Will that happen as 2025 approaches? Probably not, but there's still time to clean up the backlog before next year's onslaught of titles begins. I would also like to add this point: Elden Ring: Shadow of Edtree is one of the best DLCs I've played, and it deserved an award at The Game Awards this year.
black myth wukong It caught my attention in a way I didn't expect. It started with a hands-on preview at Summer Game Fest and continued until we played the finished product. The game is beautiful to look at, but what kept me hooked from start to finish were the various bosses and the challenge they presented.
It's been a good year for video games. I had such a pleasant experience. Astrobot and Echo of Wisdom To keep the kid inside me alive, the title is Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Neva It left me with questions to think about (in different ways) long after the credits rolled. With so many video games that I've enjoyed for so many different reasons, narrowing down my choices is always the hardest part. For example, I don't think I would like it very much if I didn't have a friend to jump in with. Helldiver 2.
My Favorite Movies of 2024
Video games are my professional passion, but movies are my personal passion. I try to go to the movies at least once a week, and I'm always looking for the next interesting voice in filmmaking. Don't misunderstand. I also love a good popcorn movie. I'm looking forward to the next movie, which should be reflected in my list as well. Avengers Tap as much as the next Paul Thomas Anderson.
Dune: Part 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine This year gave me a much-needed view: two sides of the same coin. I have become a huge fan of Sean Baker over the years and was very happy to see him win the Palme D'or. Anora. hyaena It was an epic we don't see often. And horror/suspense continues to thrive thanks to movies like: pagan and Here's what's inside.
I don't think there was a movie this year that completely surprised me. But there were plenty of movies that thoroughly entertained me, and quite a few that made me think about difficult questions. As with video games, I'm always looking for a good story, but it's also the core components of a movie, like the cinematography or unforgettable acting, that keep me engaged.
My Favorite TV Shows of 2024
TV doesn't get a lot of love every year amidst video games and movies, but this year we've had some pretty great shows come out. The landscape of TV continues to change as it competes with film thanks to its long-form storytelling potential and actors' willingness to take a closer look at every project that comes their way. Colin Farrell, for example, saw the potential of streaming and worked on two fantastic series.
Thanks to actors like him and a few risk-taking studios, the type of TV available to us is richer and more diverse than ever before. Yes, there's a lot of fluff to sift through, but sometimes fluff can be your favorite show.
A good hook is a huge help to me and my TV viewing. If the first episode can win you over with a compelling or unique premise, I'm more willing to give it a chance than if the show has a slow start, but word of mouth says it gets better with time. Often those seething series turn out to be my favorite series, but there are so many good shows everywhere I go and so many streaming series to subscribe to.
I love that we have another great video game adaptation TV series. fallout. You did not copy the formula you created. the last of us It's successful, but it embraces what makes Bethesda games great without feeling mediocre or ham-fisted. shogun It was packed with incredible performance and took us to eras and settings that video games often use, but it was perfect for a TV series. 3 physical problems This was a show that had a most interesting start, but I'm worried I won't have the legs to see it through to the end. I hope so. Because the concept is so bold.
My favorite technologies of 2024
I use many gadgets and devices in my daily life. If I can make it easier, I'm willing to look into it, but I try not to turn my nose up at anything. Skills that may not initially prove useful often end up becoming essential. At first, I couldn't believe the appeal of a portable PC gaming console, but now I can't imagine going anywhere without a PC gaming console nearby at all times. In other cases, it's just an improvement on what's proven. If something is better than the competition or the best I've ever used, it gets added to the rotation very quickly.
I am fortunate to have the opportunity to try out many different techniques. I love finding 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 respective categories, and the ROG Ally X is currently the best portable in terms of battery life to performance ratio.
But I don't want to overlook smaller technological conveniences, either. The Anker MagGo travels with me everywhere and is especially useful on busy days like visiting Disneyland. And a few of the items on my skills list this year will help me deliver better content in 2025. I would also like to thank the Corsair Platform:6 desk for giving me more space to display my collectibles and toys. .
My Favorite Collectibles and Toys of 2024
That being said, I love collecting. Call it Peter Pan Syndrome or whatever you like, but it's hard for me to pass up the opportunity to indulge in some childhood nostalgia by displaying high-quality toys that represent some of my favorite traits from the past year. I was exposed to a lot of media growing up, so my list of “favorites” was as deep as it was wide. And a growing number of companies are recognizing the value in breathing new life into large, unknown assets. It hurts your wallet but warms your soul.
Look, Mattel is making it street sharks Figures and LEGO finally The Legend of Zelda The set was enough to make my year. Mondo (and parent company Funko) continue 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. Elden Ring Collector's Edition I couldn't resist adding Messmer to my collection, as I hoped Malenia would be a memorable boss and she didn't disappoint.
Now that I have a son, his interests determine my interests. I delved deep. minecraft I learned a lot about the game last year, but it was also interesting to watch my favorite become his favorite without putting pressure on him for any one asset. Becoming a father has changed my life in many ways, but my favorite part is that it allows me to experience the wonder of being a child again.
Almost everything I experience now has a new context, and I gain something new from it that I didn't get before. My list of favorite things is unique to me, but my experience is very different than it was a few years ago. I don't expect that to change in 2025, and I look forward to seeing what new things excite me. I know Nintendo Switch 2. grand theft auto 6And while the new Paul Thomas Anderson is high on my list of things I'm most excited about, it's the video games, movies, TV, technology, and collectibles I know nothing about that make me curious and want to try new things.
Black Myth: Wukong
