As I looked back on my gaming experiences this year, a startling realization struck me: I’ve spent nearly 2% of 2024 immersed in the world of Ace Attorney. This isn't merely 2% of my leisure time but of my entire existence so far this year! Such devotion is hardly surprising, given that five remastered titles from this beloved series were brought back to life in a whirlwind of nostalgia, making Ace Attorney accessible to a new generation of players.

I dove headfirst into both the Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy (released January 25th, logging a whopping 105 hours) and the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection (released September 6th, totaling 60 hours). The thrill of revisiting these narratives and solving intricate courtroom dramas was nothing short of exhilarating. As someone who first fell in love with Ace Attorney through its previous remastered console collections, completing all 10 core games in the franchise is like having my gaming cake and eating it too. Fellow fans surely share in this elation!

However, embracing this immersive experience meant that not much else in 2024 left a lasting impression. Initially, I marked this down as the inevitable aftermath of a phenomenal 2023, a year so packed with groundbreaking titles—many already contenders for Game of the Year—that I thought it would be tough to replicate such success. But by the year’s end, I found that my "hangover" was alleviated with platefuls of Ace Attorney adventures, which undeniably set the tone for my gaming appetite.

That said, 2024 did present a number of hidden gems alongside my Ace Attorney obsession. One standout was the hilarious indie game Thank Goodness You're Here!, a delightful romp about a small creature navigating a world that feels like a fish-out-of-water experience. Intriguingly, it feels like a companion piece to Sega's Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, a visually stunning RPG sequel that managed to be approachable for newcomers like me, who previously felt daunted by the expansive Yakuza series.

Another game that deserves a shoutout is Little Kitty, Big City, which follows an adventurous little cat exploring the bright and whimsical streets of a pastel world. This charming title had a three-year wait on my anticipated list, and it delivered everything I had dreamed of when I finally got my hands on it.

In a completely different direction, Mouthwashing—a retro-style indie game steeped in body horror—unexpectedly turned out to be the most original piece of writing I experienced all year, despite my usual aversion to the genre. Its compelling narrative genuinely took me by surprise.

As I take stock of 2024, it’s undeniable that the sheer volume of remasters released this year has been astonishing. These revitalized classics not only showcased beloved experiences in a fresh light but also appealed to both die-hard fans and newcomers alike.

So, as I crown my personal joint Game of the Year with the Ace Attorney remastered collections, I embrace the indulgence of pure nostalgia. After all, there’s something extra special about celebrating the joy these games brought into my life during this festive season. A week spent solving cases and challenging adversaries alongside Apollo Justice and Miles Edgeworth has filled me with happiness, reminding me why I fell in love with Ace Attorney in the first place!