“Favorite games of 2024” can mean games released in 2024 or games someone happened to play that year. This list uses the first meaning: it covers games released from January 1 through December 31, 2024. The selections and their order represent the author’s preferences, not a consensus ranking.
How to read this list
There is no set of game titles or personal play history in the available material to support naming specific favorites. Rather than inventing selections or claiming firsthand experience, this article sets out what makes a “favorite games” list meaningful and how to distinguish it from a best-of ranking.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
GameStop Physical Gift Card | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Xbox Physical Gift Card | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Nintendo eShop Physical Gift Card | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Fortnite Physical Gift Card | $30.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Nintendo eShop Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Release year is different from play year
A release-year list includes games that launched during 2024, even if the author played them later. A play-year list can include older releases first experienced or revisited in 2024. Ars Technica’s separate list of favorites played in 2024 that were not released that year illustrates the latter approach: Ars’ favorite games of 2024 that were not released in 2024. Metacritic’s annual PC list illustrates a release-year method, defining its eligible window as January 1 through December 31, 2024: The 20 Best PC Games of 2024.
Favorites are personal; rankings need a stated basis
A personal list should make clear whose preferences it reflects and why each game stood out—perhaps for its story, systems, atmosphere, multiplayer, or the way it suits a particular play style. It need not claim that one title is objectively better than another. Metacritic’s PC ranking uses a different method: review scores, a defined release window, and a minimum of seven professional reviews. A personal order should not be confused with that kind of score-based ranking.
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- Redeemable at US GameStop, EB Games, Babbage's, Electronic Boutique, EBX, Planet X, and Software Etc. stores. Also redeemable online at and GameStop.com and EBGames.com.
- Over 6,100 stores located throughout the United States.
- GameStop. Power to the Players.
- Redemption: Instore and Online
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
That distinction appears across other year-end coverage: Dean Takahashi frames his annual choices as personal, GameSpot distinguishes individual staff favorites from its collective top ten, and Steve Gaynor describes his selections as recommendations based on games that made an impression on him. See GamesBeat’s The DeanBeat, GameSpot’s staff favorites, and Steve Gaynor’s list.
Why a personal list is useful
More than 18,500 games released on Steam in 2024, according to SteamDB as reported by Ars Technica. That figure applies to Steam only, not every platform. With so many releases, a list grounded in a particular person’s tastes can help readers find games that fit their interests—even when it is not a universal verdict. For context, Ars Technica’s account of the Steam figure and its play-year framing is here.
Rank #2
- XBOX GIFT CARD: Buy full digital game downloads, game add-ons, in-game currency, memberships, devices, apps, movies, TV shows, and more.
- DIGITAL GAMES: Choose from hundreds of games, from AAA to indie options. Start playing the moment your most anticipated game is available when you pre-order and pre-download it.
- GAME AD-ONS: Extend the experience of your favorite games with add-ons and in-game currency.
- MOVIES & TV SHOWS: Rent or buy new and popular movies and TV shows from a massive library.
- PERFECT GIFT: Great as a gift for a friend or yourself. Xbox Gift Cards are easy to use, never expire, and give the freedom to pick the gift they want. Enjoy more ways to play without a credit card attached to your Microsoft account.
To make a list genuinely helpful, each selection needs a concrete explanation and enough context for readers to judge whether it might suit them: what kind of game it is, what stood out, and whether the recommendation reflects personal enjoyment or an external measure. Without actual selections and supporting firsthand details, naming games here would misrepresent the basis of the recommendations.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Give the gift of fun with a Nintendo eShop gift code
- It's easy—apply it to your Nintendo eShop account in seconds.
- It ensures that you’ll always have funds on hand to help with purchases of new games and applications
- It’s designed for your Nintendo eShop purchases—no credit card required.
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch system.
Rank #4
- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
Rank #3
- Give the gift of fun with a Nintendo eShop gift code
- It's easy—apply it to your Nintendo eShop account in seconds.
- It ensures that you’ll always have funds on hand to help with purchases of new games and applications
- It’s designed for your Nintendo eShop purchases—no credit card required.
- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch system.
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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