The best games of 2024 so far, picked by the NPR staff
NPR staff and contributors share their favorite video games of 2024 so far.
Video Game Reviews
‘Shadow of the Erdtree’ is a confounding delight that wants to kill you with kindness
You'll need a hug after Shadow of the Erdtree gets its claws around you. The follow-up to the 2022 gaming phenomenon presents a new realm to explore, new mysteries to unravel, and new bosses to get utterly demolished by.
'Tales of Kenzera: ZAU': A deep story about grief leavened by satisfying gameplay
New action platformer Tales of Kenzera: ZAU delivers a moving story, sleek traversal, and a brilliant setting gleaming with Afro-futurist highlights. It's just not as meaty as competing Metroidvanias.
Princess Peach transforms from supporting player to leading lady in 'Showtime!'
Princess Peach steals the show in diverse roles like Dashing Thief, Ninja and Mermaid. These delightful transformations elevate a game otherwise weighed down by lackluster boss fights.
'Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth' review: Savor the story, skim the open world
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth excels when it builds on Remake's innovations. But its new open world distracts from its superb character development.
Nintendo amps up an old feud in 'Mario vs. Donkey Kong'
The new remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong delivers ace animation and a welcome "casual mode," but its two-player co-op can be more frustrating than fun.
The best spin-off games, books and more to experience before Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Final Fantasy 7 is more than an iconic PlayStation game. It's a multimedia empire embracing novels, short stories, spin-off games — even a movie. We round up the best of it ahead of Rebirth.
Nintendo and Ubisoft revive overlooked franchises in their first games of the year
Gaming giants Nintendo and Ubisoft each released new takes on old series this week in Another Code: Recollection and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. We review what makes each worth exploring.
Hit your 2024 exercise goals with these VR fitness apps and games
An estimated one to two million people already work out while wearing a virtual reality headset. We break down the best fitness apps and games for VR.
Here's what shook the video game world in 2023 — and how 2024 is looking
NPR's Juana Summers talks with Shannon Liao, deputy Gaming Editor of Inverse, about massive mergers, layoffs and emerging technology that shook the video game industry in 2023.