Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is Insider Gaming’s pick for the best shooter of 2024, but that is one outlet’s editorial verdict—not a universal ranking. Its list spans very different experiences, from a campaign-and-multiplayer package to cooperative alien combat, hero-shooter battles, survival exploration, and melee-heavy action. The best fit depends on how you want to play and which platform you use.
How to read the 2024 picks
Insider Gaming writer Andrew Highton named Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 the winner in a feature published December 24, 2024. Highton’s assessment considered gunplay, story, sound design, and the overall feel of play, with particular praise for omnidirectional movement, the campaign, round-based Zombies, and multiplayer progression. That makes it an attributed editorial choice, not an official industry-wide award or a claim that it suits every shooter fan. Read Insider Gaming’s selection and reasoning.
Meristation’s December 21, 2024 roundup offers a broader shortlist: Black Ops 6, Helldivers 2, Marvel Rivals, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. It presents those games alphabetically, not as a ranked top five. See Meristation’s 2024 roundup.
Which 2024 shooter suits you?
| If you want… | Consider… | What the 2024 coverage says |
|---|---|---|
| A package built around campaign, multiplayer, and Zombies | Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 | Insider Gaming’s selected winner, praised for movement and its mix of modes. Meristation reported it for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S in 2024. |
| Co-op against AI enemies | Helldivers 2 | Meristation describes a third-person cooperative shooter for squads of up to four. The Game Awards named it Best Ongoing in 2024. |
| Team battles built around hero characters | Marvel Rivals | Meristation identifies it as a hero shooter and reported PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S support in 2024. |
| First-person survival and exploration | S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl | Meristation describes a first-person shooter with survival elements, set in the Zone. Its 2024 platform list was PC and Xbox Series X|S. |
| Third-person shooting mixed with melee combat | Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 | Meristation highlights its shooting-and-melee blend. It reported PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S support in 2024. |
| A classic FPS compilation | DOOM + DOOM II | Meristation included this re-release with additional content as an honorable mention and listed PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch. |
All platform lists above reflect Meristation’s 2024 reporting, not a guarantee of current compatibility, store listings, or service availability. Check the relevant platform’s current listing before buying.
#1 Best Overall
- The story, characters, voice acting, gameplay, and music that made the original a sensation return, remade for modern consoles
- This evolutionary leap breathes new life into every cutscene, and rebuilds every corner of the world
- Incredible new graphics bring the wild growth of the jungles, forests, and swamps to life in exquisite detail
- Characters are rendered in fine detail so that facial wrinkles, pores, & separate eye & iris movements are visible, allowing for rich animations
- Any injuries to his actual body will leave their mark permanently, telling a story of each player's unique journey
What distinguishes the main contenders
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Among the five shortlisted games, Black Ops 6 is the clearest choice if you want several shooter modes in one package. Insider Gaming’s case emphasizes its omnidirectional movement alongside a campaign, round-based Zombies, and multiplayer progression. Meristation reported an October 25, 2024 release and a broad console and PC platform range; those historical details do not establish which editions are currently offered.
Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 shifts the focus from competitive team-versus-team battles to cooperative third-person action against AI-controlled enemies. Meristation describes squads of up to four players. Its Best Ongoing win at The Game Awards 2024 is recognition for an ongoing game, not a ruling that it is the best shooter for every player. The Game Awards’ official 2024 results list the award.
Rank #2
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Marvel Rivals
Marvel Rivals is the shortlist’s hero-shooter option. That makes it the natural candidate here for readers looking for character-based team battles rather than a solo survival campaign or a co-op fight against AI. Meristation reported its December 6, 2024 release and PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S platforms at the time; confirm current platform support and service status independently.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is the first-person survival choice, set in the Zone. Insider Gaming discussed technical concerns around launch, but that is a historical observation and does not establish the condition of a later build. Meristation reported a November 20, 2024 release on PC and Xbox Series X|S.
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- 【Huge Game Library】: The wireless classic TV game console system comes with over 200 built-in games and 29 Interactive & Sport Game, so you can play all your favorite classic games without the need for downloads or an internet connection.
- 【Wireless Connectivity】: With 2.4GHz wireless game controllers, you can play your favorite games from the comfort of your couch without any wires getting in the way.(The package does not include AAA batteries.)
- 【High-definition HDMI Output】: Connect the game stick to your TV using a mini HDMI cable to enjoy retro video games on the big screen in high definition.
- 【Easy Operation】: Simply connect the game stick to the power supply, plug it into the TV, and switch to the HD channel. No complicated setup or installation required.
- 【Ideal Gift For All Ages】: The nostalgia stick game console not only provides hours of fun for kids, but also evokes fond memories of childhood for adults. It's a perfect gift for any occasion, including birthdays and holidays.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Space Marine 2 combines third-person shooting with substantial melee combat, so it is less narrowly focused on firearms than a conventional shooter. Insider Gaming discussed its campaign and replayability while expressing reservations about multiplayer. Meristation reported a September 9, 2024 release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check the platform and current listing before choosing
The 2024 coverage gives useful historical platform snapshots, but it does not establish each game’s present-day support, price, edition contents, or availability. Those details can change, and platform names alone do not confirm that a particular edition is currently sold or playable on a specific device. Verify the live store listing for your platform before purchasing.
One additional caution from Insider Gaming’s roundup: it included XDefiant among contenders and noted Ubisoft’s announced shutdown. The material available here does not verify its current service status, so check for a current official service notice rather than assuming it remains playable.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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