New games to try out in Zimbabwe in 2024

In line with the rest of Africa, Zimbabwe has seen an uptick in gaming in the past few years. This is down to a combination of factors coming together as one to make gaming more accessible to everyone. 

Firstly, Zimbabwe’s rapidly expanding internet infrastructure has allowed for better connectivity that’s faster and more secure. This has been matched by hardware technology -computers are more powerful and, increasingly, more affordable- but it’s the smartphone that’s revolutionised gaming in Zimbabwe.

The smartphone has brought gaming out into the open, making it a more acceptable form of entertainment. These days gamers have the chance to play casino games or any number of RPG, sport or adventure games at the click of a button.

So, you’ve got your hardware, a secure connection and you’re up for some gaming. So, what are the best games to play in Zimbabwe in 2024?

Before we take a deeper dive into this, it’d be remiss if we didn’t address the elephant in the room. Grand Theft Auto 6 is rumoured to be coming out in 2025, but there seems to be some expectation that it’s going to be this year…

Don’t hold your breath. Focus on the delights of what’s coming up in the here and now and forget about GTA6 until Rockstar Games make an official announcement.

Okay, let’s get into this.

Minecraft

Here’s the thing, many of the games that’ll be popular in 2024 are already popular! Minecraft is no exception, but it’s worth noting that 2024 will continue to see improvements within the game.

It’s not just that a recent mobile version of the game has allowed players to enjoy Minecraft anywhere with an internet connection either. It’s now widely accepted that Minecraft isn’t just a game for children, this fantastic virtual space is so dynamic and creative it’s perfect for grown-ups too!

This perfect storm of mobility, and acceptability along with forward-thinking developments could even see Minecraft turning into a national obsession. The fact that it can be enjoyed by young and old alike makes Minecraft a lot greater than the sum of its parts.

Candy Crush

It’s a similar story with Candy Crush, even if the game couldn’t be more different from Minecraft if it tried. But a combination of smartphone availability and a succession of different looks/styles make Candy Crush the perfect companion for gamers on the go.

Its easy-to-play format shouldn’t be underestimated here either, but this is also quite deceptive. As the game gets into its groove it becomes ever more absorbing, or frustrating depending on how you’re doing…

And that’s the key to its success. It’s almost impossible to put it down whether you’re winning or losing!

Bingo

Don’t be deceived by its supposed reputation as a game for grannies. While the traditional bingo halls have been in decline for a good few years, the game is a big deal online.

Why? Well, the answer is simple. Bingo isn’t just loads of fun to play, it’s got that touch of peril as you frantically pick off the diminishing numbers, each one closer to a potential win.

There are plenty of ways to get your bingo fix too. Play alone or join a virtual match, and it’s up to you if you want to play for prizes or just for the sake of the game.

And if you’re in any doubt as to how popular Bingo is in this day and age, consider this. Bingo is nearly 500 years old, the fact we’re still playing it with as much enthusiasm as ever speaks volumes.

FIFA and…

I can’t imagine that anyone is surprised to see this on this list. Zimbabwe loves football, so a virtual version of it’s going to be a stone-cold winner.

It’s also an easy one to predict as a top game for 2024. Sure, FIFA 24 may only be a couple of months old, but we’re already eyeing up FIFA 25…

You’ve got until the 24th of September before that happens, plenty of time to enjoy 24, then. Or maybe Football Manager has caught your eye?

It’s rumoured that Football Manager is more popular in Zimbabwe than FIFA. This may have something to do with being able to virtually manage the Zimbabwe team which, when you think about it, is a literal game changer.

Cricket 22

Cricket may not be as popular as it was a decade ago in Zimbabwe, but it still has a huge fanbase. This sort of Cricket version of FIFA is a slow burner, there is something about the stop/start gameplay that makes Cricket 22 deeply satisfying to play.

And you get the chance to play with your friends, quietly work your way up the rankings or even play a test match for your favourite team…