The best apps, games, and entertainment from 2021 for all of your new tech – The Verge
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Our staff lists their choices for the best of the year
It’s been a difficult year, and with the appearance of the COVID-19 omicron variant, it looks like 2022 may have a rocky start. But whether you’re spending the holidays sheltering at home or hanging with friends or family, you can make things more cheerful and fun by using your brand-new hardware — or your current tech — to watch some great streaming movies or TV, play games, and refresh your computer or mobile device with some cool new apps.
We’ve asked the staff of The Verge to tell us about their favorite streaming videos, games, and apps. These have not gone through scientific testing or public polls — they are what we have used and enjoyed and think that you will like (or love) as well. We’ve compiled our favorite streaming shows from HBO Max, Hulu, and Netflix; our best-loved games for iOS, Android, and Windows devices; and our top choices for the OLED Switch, PS5, Xbox, and for your VR headset. We’ve even got a list of some great TikTok creators. And when it’s time to do some serious stuff, we’ve recommended our favorite apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS.
We’ll be putting these up over the course of the holiday season. So check out our best of the year picks, and enjoy!
The best games you can play on the Vive, Rift, or Quest 2
Make your Mac more useful and easier to use
Some great ways to tweak your new PC
There’s a lot to play on Apple’s game subscription service
Load your phone with these recommendations, many of which are free
Armies, aliens, automobiles, the legendary mascot of the Xbox, and more
New phone, new start
A privacy-minded roundup of apps, including a self-care penguin
Many of these games play well on Series S, too
If you’re lucky enough to have one, that is
The best games to play together or alone
Put these great creators into your algorithm
Follow the white rabbit
Something for everyone this holiday season
A handy guide for finding the best stuff released this year
