Jonathan Perez's Top 10 Games of 2024
From Past to Present: My 2024 Gaming Odyssey
As I review the games I played in 2024, one common thread kept standing out: nostalgia. 8 out of my top 10 games were made by Japanese developers. You might be asking, How does that make you nostalgic? Well, if we travel back in time to the early 1990s, we’d find my parents living in Japan due to a joint venture for the company they worked at.
I was born in 1997 and was fortunate enough to have a PS1, a binder full of Japanese Pokémon cards, and some VHS tapes of the original Dragon Ball, thanks to their experiences in Japan. The first game I ever remember playing was Spyro the Dragon, and while I was pretty terrible at it (fixated for some reason on just flaming the bushes), it ignited my love for gaming.
Jump ahead nearly a quarter of a century, and these are my top 10 games of 2024.
10. Shogun Showdown
Okay, I know what you're thinking, This isn’t made by a Japanese developer! Quite true. However, it sort of counts since it has Japanese elements. This was a recommendation from my lovely co-host and the perfect Switch game for my Thanksgiving week with family. The unique roguelite mechanics made me think about every single action, theory-crafting amazing combos for that just one more run feeling.
9. Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
Now this is where we really get into the nostalgia. Dragon Ball has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. One of my favorite memories is begging my parents to let me stay up and watch Toonami with my big brother, losing our minds when Goku finally turned Super Saiyan for the first time. It’s an indescribable feeling of hype (you just had to be there).
It wasn’t just the show; the Dragon Ball Z video games were some of my favorites growing up, especially the Budokai Tenkaichi series. Sparking! Zero is a spiritual successor, capturing everything that made the OG games amazing while enhancing many other areas. To this day I still get hyped over every transformation, blood curdling scream, and special move. It’s a part of my DNA at this point.
8. Unicorn Overlord
I got a Nintendo Switch in late 2023, which finally gave me access to every game, no matter the platform. I picked up Unicorn Overlord due to the great rating as well as trying to build my Switch library, and I’m so glad I did.
This incredible tactical RPG had me spending hours assembling my units and abilities just right, only to blow it all up and start over when I recruited a new class. And it was glorious.
7. Metaphor: ReFantazio
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a huge Persona fan. I’ll be honest, I was always going to play this game regardless, but I was worried it would just be a Persona clone (which is funny because Persona is a spinoff of Shin Megami Tensei).
Boy, was I dead wrong.
This game absolutely stands on its own as a phenomenal JRPG, with amazing characters, engaging narrative themes, and a combat system/level progression that I absolutely loved. I even stayed up until 6 AM on the day of our Game of the Year review to ensure I saw credits to be able to talk about every aspect of this game.
6. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
For years, I envied Yakuza fans and their excitement for each new installment. Jumping into a series with so much history was daunting.I felt like I’d be missing out on countless references and legacy moments.
If I’m being honest, I probably should’ve started with the first Like a Dragon game, but here we are.
And man, this game was awesome: hilarious, epic, and simply fun. I completely understand the hype now. One moment, I was laughing uncontrollably at the crazy antics; the next, I was tearing up over a heartfelt character moment. It even had my favorite video game moment of 2024.
You know a game is special when it makes you nostalgic, even though you've never played the previous ones.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth →
5. Persona 3 Reload
As mentioned above, I love Persona. Admittedly, I jumped in with Persona 5 and then played Persona 4 years later. At this point, I’m just playing them backward (which is totally fine by me).
I have a vivid memory of watching X-Play as a kid and seeing them review Persona 3 when it originally came out in 2006 for the PS2. They raved about it, and all I could think was, Too bad you have to shoot yourself to summon powers, mom would never let me play that.
Fast-forward 18 years, and that review was spot on.
From the characters, to the narrative, to the incredible style we’ve come to expect from Persona, this was a near perfect remaster. They even redid all the voice lines, which was one of the best parts of the game. It also had the moment that brought me to tears in 2024, thanks to what has become one of my absolute favorite Social Links in the entire series.
4. Balatro
The next game on the list definitely breaks away from the Japanese theme, but it 100% deserves to be here.
It blows my mind that one person was responsible for such an amazing game. With its stylish presentation, addictive gameplay, funky soundtrack, great progression system, and endless references/puns, Balatro proves you don’t need a massive budget to create one of the best games ever.
It’s the true essence of just one more run, and I wouldn’t blame anyone for putting this as their #1 game of 2024.
3. Tekken 8
I don’t have much experience with fighting games. As mentioned earlier, I loved Dragon Ball fighting games, but to the FGC, those hardly count. My real fighting game experience boils down to SoulCalibur II, button mashing with my cousins. I played the dude with orange hair and a scimitar. (Apparently, his name is Hong Yun-seong)
Funny enough, Heihachi Mishima was in SoulCalibur II, which might be one of the longest foreshadows of any gaming journey ever.
I absolutely loved listening to my podcast partner's passion/fondness as he recounted the insane lore and personal experiences in Tekken. Tekken 8 was my chance to finally jump into the series. It sparked a new rivalry between us, one that’s up there with Naruto/Sasuke, Light/L, and Goku/Vegeta (he’ll definitely at least get the last reference).
Few things feel better than finding your perfect main in a new game, and let me tell you, I AM IN LOVE with the blonde assassin from Ireland.
2. Astro Bot
This game won Game of the Year, and let it be known, it deserved it.
3D platformers are such a pivotal part of video game history, and I was lucky enough to grow up during their golden age (IMO). As mentioned earlier, Spyro is my first gaming memory, and Astro Bot evoked those same feelings, sparking my imagination as I traveled through fun, unique worlds collecting pieces of the PS5. The premise is simple, but the gameplay, music, and style are a masterclass in game design.
Astro Bot is a game that just reminds you why video games are so special.
1. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
In the introduction paragraph, I mentioned two key details. First, I was born in 1997, exactly 13 days before the original Final Fantasy VII came out. Second, my first video game console was a PS1. Perfect storm for FF7 to be my favorite game of all time, right?
Well, unfortunately, I was too young, and I got a JRPG called Guardian’s Crusade instead (look it up, great game).
Fast forward to 2020, and I discovered Final Fantasy VII Remake. I can’t even put into words how quickly that game pulled me in. The moment I finished it, I immediately bought the original on Steam and played through the entire game. The world, the characters, the emotional weight of the story; everything about Final Fantasy VII resonated with me on a deep level, and awakened my love for the series.
Final Fantasy VII may have some of my favorite characters in any game I’ve ever played, and it is only enhanced in this modern version of the game. For example the english voice cast for this series is perfect, I couldn’t think of any changes I would make even if I could.
For 4 years, I eagerly anticipated Rebirth, and even now, after finishing it, I still can’t believe how incredible it turned out. This game picks up where Remake left off, expanding on the world beyond Midgar in a way that once seemed impossible. Sure, maybe it doesn’t have the most groundbreaking open-world mechanics, but that’s not what makes it special. It’s the heart and soul poured into every moment, the breathtaking cutscenes, the exhilarating combat, the sheer joy of exploring this world, and of course, the soundtrack. My god, the music in this game is something that deserves to be cherished. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s understanding of thematic music is unparalleled in my humble opinion.
One of the major themes of this game is fate, and in some ways, I feel like I was always destined to love this story. Final Fantasy VII is more than just a game; it’s an experience, a legacy, a piece of gaming history that continues to impact generations. I truly believe Rebirth honors the original in the best way possible while delivering something fresh, emotional, and unforgettable. If you have friends who play video games, I’d wager at least one of them has Final Fantasy VII as their favorite game of all time. And now, after experiencing this incredible entry in the saga, I can say with absolute certainty that it’s one of mine, too.
Looking back on my favorite games of 2024, I realize that gaming has always been more than just a hobby; it's a part of who I am. From the first time I picked up a controller as a kid, mesmerized by the purple dragon who bravely leaped into portals that led us into incredible new worlds, to now, where I find myself still just as captivated by a small but equally brave robot willing to risk everything traversing the galaxy to rescue his friends, and restore the mothership.
These games remind me why I fell in love with gaming in the first place. Whether it was the thrill of competition, sparring with one of my best friends on earth, honing our skills to conquer the King of Iron Fist Tournament; the emotional storytelling of a bunch of high school students saving the world from the dark hour; two spirited ex-Yakuza members trying to make the world a better place; a group of champions attempting to erase prejudice from their world; reliving a cherished memory of incredible transformations and overcoming limits; or simply the joy of discovery with characters you feel eternally connected to.
Each of these titles left a lasting impression on me. More than anything, they reinforced that games have a unique power to connect us, to our past, to our passions, and to each other. No matter how much time passes, that feeling of wonder and excitement will always be there, waiting for us in the next adventure. Thank you to the amazing 2024 games that remind me of where I come from and what's important.
Here's to a great 2025. Cheers!
For the record, I knew at least 2/3 of the rival examples 😌