The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the quest for the perfect gifts. For gamers, 2024 offers an impressive lineup. So, whether you’re shopping for young players or seeking an epic story for yourself, this guide has you covered.
Best Video Games for Kids
These games offer engaging and age-appropriate content that’s perfect for younger players. The games combine fun gameplay with creative elements to keep kids entertained and stimulated.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble
Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is an exciting game on the Nintendo Switch, reviving the classic series with 200 courses of obstacles and challenges.
Players control monkeys in balls, navigating through whimsical levels. You can play in either a story-driven Adventure Mode or take part in battles or races with up to 16 players. Customizable characters and the new Spin Dash mechanic add layers of fun and strategy. This makes Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble a delightful, colorful, engaging experience for kids and long-time fans.
Disney Dreamlight Valley
Disney Dreamlight Valley is a life-simulation game available on multiple platforms including:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- Xbox One
- Nintendo Switch
- PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store
Kids can step into a vibrant world where they meet and befriend Disney and Pixar characters like Mickey Mouse, Elsa from Frozen, and Simba from The Lion King. Through exploring lush environments, completing engaging quests, and decorating their own valley, players can build their dream community.
The game’s soothing gameplay, with an emphasis on creativity over competition, makes it an ideal adventure for younger players who enjoy a low-pressure experience with their favorite characters.
Best Video Games with Epic Stories
For those who appreciate immersive stories, these games offer rich worlds and complex characters to get lost in.
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail is the latest chapter of this popular subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). This video game is available on:
- Windows
- macOS
- PlayStation 4/5
- Xbox Series X/S
The game introduces Tural, a new continent with rich cultures, where players participate in a rite of succession. This blend of fresh gameplay and storyline with the game’s traditional elements promises a narrative-rich, visually enhanced adventure.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree expands the epic saga for:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X/S
- Xbox One
- PC
Dive into the Land of Shadow, explore new areas, defeat bosses like Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, and uncover secrets. With new weapons, magic, and a gripping story, this game delivers a condensed yet rich experience, maintaining the challenging gameplay that fans adore.
Best Indie Games
These titles showcase creativity and innovation from independent developers. Indie games often provide unique experiences that you won’t find in mainstream games.
Animal Well
Available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, Animal Well features a beautifully crafted pixel art world, where dynamic lighting plays a key role in exploration.
Players navigate through intricate mazes, solve puzzles, and interact with a cast of peculiar creatures. The game’s design encourages experimentation and discovery, ensuring the adventure remains captivating for the whole journey.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, and Xbox Series X/S. This indie puzzle-adventure game invites players into a surreal world where each puzzle is a piece of a bigger narrative.
The game’s distinctive visual style, combining monochrome and vibrant colors, complements a mystery-filled storyline where players decode puzzles to unravel the secrets of a mysterious mansion. Gamers will love Lorelei and the Laser Eyes’s innovative approach to puzzles and atmospheric storytelling.
Botany Manor
Botany Manor is a serene puzzle game for Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, and Xbox Series X/S. Players grow exotic plants in a beautifully rendered 19th-century manor, solving botanical puzzles to unlock the secrets of each species.
Its tranquil setting, with gentle puzzles and a narrative exploring the life of Arabella Greene, provides a soothing escape, and is Perfect for a relaxing yet intellectually stimulating experience.
Best Action Games
Action-packed and adrenaline-fueled games deliver thrilling combat and fast-paced gameplay. Our picks for this section are perfect for players who enjoy intense challenges.
Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 is a third-person cooperative shooter game available on PlayStation 5 and PC. The game encourages teamwork with pure gameplay and allows players to customize weapons for different missions.
The engaging, resistance-themed narrative set in a universe fighting for democracy makes Helldivers 2 a perfect choice for those who enjoy tactical, squad-based action.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown breathes new life into the legendary franchise, available on:
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox One
- Xbox Series X/S
- Nintendo Switch
- PC
This 2.5D action-adventure game offers swift combat, precise platforming, and intricate puzzles set within the visually striking Mount Qaf.
The game’s modern non-linear story structure, combined with time manipulation from the other games in the series, provides a fresh yet nostalgic experience that honors the legacy of Prince of Persia.
Best Horror Games
If you or the gamer in your life enjoy frightening and suspenseful environments, these games may have you a little on edge but craving more gametime.
Alan Wake 2: Night Springs
Alan Wake 2: Night Springs is a survival horror game, available on PC, Xbox Series S/X, and PlayStation 5. Trapped in a dark dimension for 13 years, novelist Alan Wake attempts to escape by writing his way out. Joined by FBI Agent Saga Anderson, they face cults, supernatural opponents, and eerie landscapes, using limited resources to survive.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II continues this story on Xbox Series X/S and PC. The game dives deeper into the lead character Senua’s battle with psychosis. And an interesting upgrade is the use of sound to bring the atmosphere to life.
This sequel offers stunning visuals, intense combat, and a narrative that tackles mental health with sensitivity. Its exploration of Senua’s inner turmoil, set against the backdrop of Norse mythology, creates a gripping journey. Therefore, this makes the game a standout title for those who like strong stories in their horror games.
Best Remasters & Remakes
If you’re looking for some nostalgia with modern upgrades in your video games, check out these remasters and remakes. These revisited games have enhanced graphics and updated features that you’re sure to love.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster breathes new life into the classic zombie game, available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. This game revisits the Willamette Parkview Mall from the original game. But, it features upgraded visuals, refined controls, and smoother gameplay.
Players again use an array of improvised weapons against hordes of zombies. This remaster keeps the original’s blend of survival horror, action, and satire, but enhances it with modern technology for the perfect mix of nostalgia and fresh gameplay.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is remade for the Nintendo Switch, preserving its beloved RPG elements. The game features turn-based combat, where Mario teams up with quirky allies and explores a world with paper-thin items.
This version of the original GameCube classic arrives with sharper graphics, improved performance, and quality-of-life changes while keeping the wit and creative puzzles intact.
Besides the humor, this update offers innovative battle mechanics like the interactive “Audience System” which influences Mario’s abilities based on crowd reactions. The world of Mario plus these upgrades ensure this adventure appeals to new and veteran players alike.
Best Multiplayer Games
These games emphasize online or local multiplayer experiences, so gamers can connect and compete or cooperate together.
Destiny 2: The Final Shape
Destiny 2: The Final Shape wraps up its epic tale on:
- Xbox Series X/S
- Xbox One
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 5
- PC
This expansion brings a chilling campaign inside the Traveler, introducing three new Supers (special abilities), a fresh destination, and tons of new gear. Competitive modes are also available, allowing players to test their skills in player-versus-player combat across various modes and maps. This makes The Final Shape a rich mix of cooperation and competition.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Its PvE mode lets up to three players tackle hordes of Tyranids with an array of Space Marine weapons, promoting teamwork with its class-based system.
The game offers missions filled with cinematic action, deep narrative, and varied enemies. This title stands out for its intense combat, cooperative gameplay, and the rich Warhammer 40K universe.
Best Strategy Games
For players who enjoy tactical thinking, these games offer strategic challenges. They’re perfect for gamers who like to use planning and foresight to overcome obstacles and opponents.
Capes
With a compelling narrative and engaging combat system, the superhero game Capes offers a strategic experience on:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X/S
- Nintendo Switch
- PC
Players command a team of superheroes, each with unique powers, in battles against evil forces. The game emphasizes tactics through combo moves and strategic positioning, set in a world where superheroes were once banned.
Homeworld 3
Homeworld 3 revives the acclaimed sci-fi series on PC. It features stunning 3D space environments where players command massive fleets, navigating through tactical battles with a focus on fleet composition and 3D maneuverability.
With its deep strategic layers, visually impressive space battles, and a narrative that continues the saga of the Hiigaran people, Homeworld 3 provides a complex and thrilling experience for series veterans and newcomers.
Best Sports Games
Get ready for realistic sports with attention to detail in these video games. These appeal to fans looking to engage with their favorite sports in interactive ways. So if you have a sports fanatic who also loves to game on your list, don’t miss these titles.
MLB The Show 24
MLB The Show 24 delivers a top-tier baseball simulation experience, available on:
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox One
- Xbox Series X/S
- iOS
New for 2024 is over 400 new animations, refined pitching mechanics, and the introduction of female players in Road to the Show mode.
The game honors baseball history with its storyline mode, featuring legends like Josh Gibson and Derek Jeter while keeping up with real MLB rule changes like bigger bases.
With its realistic gameplay, extensive customization, and educational content, it remains the go-to choice for fans craving an authentic baseball experience.
F1 Manager 2024
F1 Manager 2024 lets you run an Formula 1 racing team across:
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation 4/5
- Windows
- Xbox One
- Xbox Series X/S
With deep customization, you’ll design liveries (the color scheme and visual design of the cars), negotiate contracts, and manage staff.
Meanwhile, the game’s strategic layers involve race weekend planning, driver development, and facility upgrades, all set within the official 2024 F1 season. It’s a perfect choice for those who enjoy intricate strategy and the drama behind the scenes of Formula 1 racing.
Finding the Best Video Games for the Holidays
The holiday season offers so many gaming options for gifting to others or yourself. From epic narratives to engaging multiplayer adventures, there’s something for every gamer on this list.
