Video Game Report 2024: How Did PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Perform?
The year 2024 was peculiar for the PS5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch consoles. Which of them received the highest rating in our annual year-end report?
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After an intense and activity-filled year, 2024 has been officially recorded. Players have a few weeks to rest before the video game release calendar intensifies in February with a series of major titles. However, that is a problem for next month. Until then, there is time to reflect on what was a year full of ups and downs for the gaming industry, filled with unexpected successes, resounding failures, and surprises that did not arrive. At the center of this landscape are the three major companies in the sector: Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. Although their influence may be waning in the face of the rise of portable PCs like the Steam Deck, these platforms remain the topic of conversation in the gaming community, as every move generates anticipation.
This year, the three companies found themselves in a peculiar situation. The PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X reached an awkward point in their life cycles, while the Nintendo Switch stayed afloat after the release of its anticipated successor, which was scheduled for 2024, was delayed. To conclude the year on a strong note, each had to be creative. The good news is that all three managed to meet this challenge, although none particularly stood out. Each company left a mark that made the year uneven, regardless of which console was played on.
Continuing the tradition from last year, final grades are awarded to Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. All three passed, but they will need to work harder if they want to become exemplary students in 2025.
PlayStation
If I were a strict critic, I would have reasons to fail the PS5 this year. Sony faced flops and disappointments that made 2024 seem bleak in comparison. The main stumble was Concord, a game intended to mark the future of PlayStation's online services, which failed miserably and was pulled within weeks, while the responsible studio closed down. This disaster compromised years of planning, affecting the future direction of PlayStation.
On top of these issues were other delays. The anticipated PS5 Pro launched with specifications that did not meet expectations given its high price, raising doubts about the necessity of such power in a console. Furthermore, the performance enhancement tool, PSSR, had issues at launch. In the hardware realm, it seemed that Sony had abandoned its virtual reality aspirations, offering little support for PlayStation VR2. Generally speaking, Sony's hardware division appeared to have stagnated.
However, looking at the year more broadly, it's evident that PlayStation had significant achievements. The successes did not come from flagship exclusives like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 but from unexpected surprises that expanded its audience. Astro Bot stood out, reviving the platformer style that cemented the first PlayStation. Helldivers 2 also succeeded, compensating for the failure of Concord, while Stellar Blade allowed a Korean developer to achieve success in the international market. Amid these high points, other third-party titles ensured that the PS5 had the best game selection of the year. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth received acclaim that Final Fantasy XVI did not achieve in 2023, while the recreation of Silent Hill 2 satisfactorily addressed one of the greatest games of all time. Despite the year being uneven and Sony relying on unnecessary remasters like Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, one could conclude that it was a year of both light and shadow.
Grade: B
Xbox
Since the launch of the Xbox Series X in 2020, it was evident that the console's life cycle would be peculiar. Microsoft made it clear from the beginning that its focus was not on launching blockbuster games, but on transforming Game Pass into an essential subscription service for every gamer. In 2024, this strategy led to unexpected situations that left Xbox fans confused, alternating between bad news and great games each month.
The bad news was quite severe. The year began with massive layoffs that led to the closure of Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks, which had developed Hi-Fi Rush, one of the best exclusives for the Series X. Subsequently, Microsoft announced a confusing price increase for Game Pass, turning what was promoted as "the best deal in gaming" into something expensive. The launches of some major titles in the service also left much to be desired; both Stalker 2 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 had serious launch issues.
Despite being a complicated year, Xbox did its best where it really matters. It ended the year with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which were well received. Additionally, several "day one" games were launched that helped reinforce the value of the service, such as Dungeons of Hinterberg and Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, which were pleasant surprises. Thus, although the year was not memorable for Xbox, it can be considered an acceptable semester.
Grade: B-
Nintendo
After receiving an A grade in last year's report, Nintendo had the arduous task of maintaining its level. 2024 was expected to be the year for the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, which promised a series of exclusives like Mario Kart 9 or Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. However, that did not happen. After all the anticipation, the new system was completely absent, and although Nintendo acknowledged its existence after years of speculation, it did not show its design or announce features.
This left Nintendo in a tricky position regarding its releases. While it was clear that its most renowned developers were working on new projects, Team B had to fill the release calendar for the last full year of the Switch. Still, at least one exclusive was launched each month. However, many of the released titles were niche and did not manage to stand out as true must-have additions. Among the games released, Super Mario Party Jamboree and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom were the most notable, but neither reached the level of Super Mario Odyssey or Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
Although 2024 was a disappointing year overall, the experimental nature of some titles led to certain standout moments that probably would not have arisen in a conventional year. The resurgence of Famicom Detective Club with Emio — The Smiling Man was a pleasant surprise. Likewise, the Splatoon 3 DLC, Side Order, became a hidden gem, while the remaster of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door was a reminder of Nintendo's potential. Although the peaks were not high, it was an unusual year that, in time, could be remembered with nostalgia.
Grade: C+
