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2024 isn’t going to be as jam-packed with new AAA video games as 2022 and 2023 have been, giving us extra time to return and admire the classics. Anniversaries and the celebrations that observe are commonplace within the online game business, particularly if that anniversary is a a number of of 5. Loads of unbelievable, influential video games will hit milestones this yr, however a number of stand out. Some may even provide teasers into what is perhaps in retailer for 2024 if builders plan to have a good time their classics. No matter whether or not these birthdays include any presents, these are 10 online game anniversaries value celebrating this yr.
Warcraft — 30 years
I can’t discuss online game anniversaries in 2024 with out mentioning Warcraft. 2024 is full of milestones for the collection, due to some uniform releases from Blizzard. The whole franchise will flip 30 on November 15, as that’s the day Warcraft: Orcs & People launched and redefined the real-time technique style in 1994. Then there’s World of Warcraft, the preferred MMO of all time, which turns 20 in November 2023. Lastly, the Warcraft digital collectible card sport Hearthstone turns ten on March 11. To have a good time, Blizzard Leisure plans to launch World of Warcraft’s The Conflict Inside enlargement and add Cataclysm to World of Warcraft Basic.
Tremendous Metroid — 30 years
On March 19 in Japan and April 18, 1994 in North America, Nintendo launched Tremendous Metroid on the SNES. It might go on to redefine the action-adventure sport, laying the intricate groundwork for the Metroidvania style that might immortalize the collection’ identify. Nintendo isn’t celebrating this in any important approach at the moment, nor does it seem to be the corporate will have a good time the 20-year anniversaries of Metroid: Zero Mission and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. On the very least, Nintendo Change On-line subscribers can play Tremendous Metroid through its SNES and hope that that is the yr Metroid Prime 4 lastly arrives, maybe as a successor to the Nintendo Change.
Earthbound — 30 years
Though its North American launch wouldn’t come till practically a yr later, in June 1995, Earthbound launched in Japan on August 27, 1994. A cult traditional initially, Earthbound grew to become one probably the most influential RPGs of all time due to its biting humorousness, artistic turn-based fight mechanics, and distinctive modern-day setting. Official accounts for the franchise are teasing collaborations and occasions to look at the anniversary this yr, however it doesn’t seem to be that’ll entail any new video games. Like Tremendous Metroid, the sport is obtainable through Nintendo Change On-line, as is its predecessor, Earthbound Beginnings.
Grand Theft Auto — San Andreas: 20 years
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was first launched on October 26, 2004, shortly cementing itself as probably the greatest open-world video games ever made and bringing the GTA collection’ recognition to new heights. When it comes to celebrations, Rockstar has but to announce any concrete plans. Hopefully, it pays homage to San Andreas not directly in GTA On-line round then and tells us extra about Grand Theft Auto VI all year long. A Definitive Version of the sport is playable throughout PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Change, and cellular, so that is the yr to offer San Andreas a shot if you happen to haven’t earlier than.
Half-Life 2 — 20 years
Half-Life 2 is likely one of the greatest first-person shooters ever made, and it appears like the sport hasn’t aged a day since its launch. That’s why I’m sorry to make you’re feeling outdated by confirming that Half-Life 2 will likely be turning 20 on November 16. Whereas I’m not anticipating Valve to announce Half-Life 3 this yr, I hope it does one thing just like the anniversary replace the authentic Half-Life obtained final November when it turned 25. Perhaps Nvidia’s Half-Life 2 RTX also can come out this yr, impressing as a remaster utilizing expertise like DLSS 3 and RTX IO.
Steel Gear Stable 3: Snake Eater — 20 years
The third entry within the Steel Gear Stable collection got here out on November 17, 2024, and its daring, subversive, and provocative story left an plain mark on the online game business going ahead. It turns 20 this yr, and like the opposite video games within the collection, Snake Eater’s core political themes nonetheless really feel disparagingly related as we speak. These trying to replay Snake Eater this yr can discover it on trendy platforms as a part of final yr’s Steel Gear Stable: Grasp Assortment Vol. 1. Whereas Konami hasn’t confirmed a launch date for it but, I wouldn’t be shocked if its upcoming remake, Steel Gear Stable Delta: Snake Eater, launches this yr.
Nintendo DS — 20 years
Now it’s time for me to really feel outdated, because the system that outlined my childhood turns 20 on November 21. On that date in 2004, Nintendo continued to revolutionize the hand held gaming house with the dual-screened Nintendo DS handheld. In an period earlier than smartphones, it popularized touchscreen gaming, doing so proper from launch with video games like WarioWare: Touched!, Pokémon Sprint, and Tremendous Mario 64 DS. It’s value digging out that DS you most likely have tucked away in a drawer someplace this yr; hopefully, Nintendo brings video games from the system to Nintendo Change On-line.
5 Nights at Freddy’s — 10 years
I used to be nonetheless in highschool throughout 5 Nights and Freddy’s preliminary launch on August 8, 2014, so I skilled the mania surrounding the franchise firsthand. Whereas I by no means acquired that into the collection, this franchise has undeniably impacted a era due to a nonstop flurry of jump-scare-filled follow-ups that dominated on the zenith of YouTube Gaming’s virality. We don’t know the way this yr’s anniversary will likely be commemorated, however contemplating we’re sizzling off the heels of successful movie based mostly on the franchise, I’d count on some type of celebration.
Dragon Age: Inquisition — 10 years
EA’s Dragon Age collection helped set the usual for contemporary AAA RPGs, and two of its video games have notable anniversaries in 2024. First is Dragon Age: Origins, which aptly kicked off the collection on November 2, 2009. Then there’s the tenth anniversary of Dragon Age: Inquisition, which got here out on November 18, 2014. The collection laid dormant over the past decade, however that can change quickly. BioWare and EA have promised to disclose extra about Dragon Age: Dreadwolf this summer time. We don’t know if meaning the fourth sport will come out this fall.
Shovel Knight — 10 years
Whereas loads of different necessary gaming anniversaries are occurring this yr — like Prince of Persia, Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater, and Halo 2 — the final one value remembering is Shovel Knight. Yacht Membership Video games’ retro throwback platform launched on June 26, 2014, and have become one of the iconic indie sport collection ever made. That occurred partly due to the hefty post-launch help Shovel Knight obtained, getting three DLC campaigns, a preventing sport facet mode, and a number of spin-off video games within the decade since its launch. Even when Shovel Knight doesn’t get something new this yr, 2024 could also be when Yacht Membership Video games’ first new IP since Shovel Knight, Mina the Hollower, lastly comes out.
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