AWKWARD ZOMBIE

Don't remember us doing this here before, but since everyone is making game of the year stuff, I figured we should discuss how they're wrong by showing our superior tastes. Feel free to write as much or as little as you want about the games. Fair warning, mine will probably be novels.

To get us started, I'll give some categories. If people want more, feel free to pitch them and I'll add them up here. And for the love of God, mark spoilers if you're going to talk about them:

Categories:

Gotta Go Fast: Best Portable Game

iValve: Best App-esque Game

Went Back For Second Helpings: Games You Had To Play Again (can be remakes, or maybe you broke out the PS2 and fooled around a bit)

The Lamprey: Best DLC

Writers Guild of Kotaku: Favorite Piece of Gaming Journalism

This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things: Biggest Disappointment

SUDDENLY I AM 10 AGAIN: Holy Shit This Game is Radical/Badass/Tight!

You got some (Mario) Paint in my Soul: Most Artsy-Farsty Game

I'll Wake Your Wind, Baby: Best Soundtrack/Piece of Music

It's Dangerous To Go Alone: Best Game Quote

Best Husbando/Waifu: Favorite Character

"I'd Ship That": Best Relationship (romantic/platonic/familial/rivalry/hatesex/hero vs. villain)

Lord of The Plot: Best Story

Wii Music: The Game That Didn't Meet Your Expectations (Not necessarily godawful, but daisies if there wasn't wasted potential there)

The Triumph Forks: The Game That Exceeded Your Expectations (Not necessarily the best game, just one that was a pleasant surprise)

Into the Trash: The Game That Should Not Have Been Released

I Never Knew I Needed This: The Odd Game That Hooked You

I'm Your Biggest Fan: Game You Stalked And Obsessed Over

Muh Fanfiction: Best Crossover Game

Every Puzzle Has a Solution: Best Puzzle Game/Most Intricate Puzzle

So This Is Hell: Best Balls Busting Game

The Abyss Gazes Back: Worst Controlling Game

You're Thinking Too Much: Best Gaming Related Comic (Site or Strip)

Playing Games Is Too Tedious: Best LP or LPer

Mario Party Ruins Friendships: Most Competitive Multiplayer Game

Social Link, Go!: Best Multiplayer Game (could also be the game that got you to socialize the most)

The Cake Is A Lie!: Best Game From Another Year You Just Played This Year

It's Your Kids Marty!: Game Most Hyped For In 2014+

Golden Egg: Best cheddar Spent

Magic Beans: Worst cheddar Spent

I Remember Like It Was Yesterday: Fondest Memory


And now the obligatory ones...

The Year of Luigi: Best Nintendo Console Game

4 Reasons to Play: Best Sony Console Game

One Step Forward, X Steps Back: Best Microsoft Console Game

Springfield's Yellow People: Best PC Game

Goatee Eye At: Best Game 2013

Wizard Level: Estimated Hours Spent Playing Games

Inventory Screen: # of Games Purchased (and probably consoles)

I'll post mine when it's not 5 am.

So do as many as you want.

Do we just post 'em here 'cuz I'm gonna

Gotta Go Fast: Pokemon X and Y

iValve: The Stanley Parable

Went Back For Second Helpings: Wind Waker HD

The Lamprey: New Super Luigi U (or the Yoshi's Island DLC for Lost World)

Writers Guild of Kotaku: /r/gaming (3% of it is gaming news at least)

This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things: Not being able to buy Pikmin 3

SUDDENLY I AM 10 AGAIN: Sonic Lost World

You got some (Mario) Paint in my Soul: Wind Waker HD

I'll Wake Your Wind, Baby: Super Mario 3D World

It's Dangerous To Go Alone: "No, what I mean is, I'm sorry you don't have anything better to do in life." -Sonic

Best Husbando/Waifu: Isabelle (ACNL)

"I'd Ship That": Cousin x Galaga

Lord of The Plot: Link Between Worlds

Wii Music: Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon

The Triumph Forks: 3D World again

Into the Trash: uh

I Never Knew I Needed This: The Stanley Parable

I'm Your Biggest Fan: Super Mario 3D World (and Sonic Lost World, and Animal Crossing New Leaf, and Pokemon X and Y...)

Muh Fanfiction: ...I dunno, Project X Zone maybe

Every Puzzle Has a Solution: I didn't get any puzzle games that came out this year, fuck i dunno

So This Is Hell: Sonic Lost World

The Abyss Gazes Back: Sonic Lost World

You're Thinking Too Much: AZ (did you expect anything else)

Playing Games Is Too Tedious: Game Grumps (with Dan)

Mario Party Ruins Friendships: ...I don't have one

Social Link, Go!: Game & Wario

The Cake Is A Lie!: Kid Icarus Uprising (I don't care what year it is that game is amazing)

It's Your Kids Marty!: SSB4, Zelda: Hyrule Warriors

Golden Egg: 3D World again

Magic Beans: ...uh

I Remember Like It Was Yesterday: Playing the drawing game on Game & Wario for the first time

The Year of Luigi: 3D World (did you seriously expect anything else from me)

4 Reasons to Play: No

One Step Forward, X Steps Back: no

Springfield's Yellow People: The Stanley Parable

Goatee Eye At: Disney's Planes just kidding it's still 3D World

Wizard Level: 500+

Inventory Screen: At LEAST 50 or something

You can give me all the fancy schmancy awards you want but the only one that's necessary is Game of the Year itself, and I'd personally give that to Project Diva F. It's just such an amazing rhythm game. Runner up would probably be Revengeance, and I feel the need to give The Wonderful 101 a mention since I haven't played a lot of it but what I have definitely interested me.

My game of the year is Killer Is Dead, it had the most unique experience for me. The gameplay wasn't that special, but it was solid and served it's purpose (stylish, satisfying and over the top) well.

I was going to make a list but it would've been so half-baked that it's not worth it. I'm not even sure what my GOTY is.

morrowind goty

I'll do what I can.

Went Back For Second Helpings: Xenoblade
The Lamprey: Jetstream
Writers Guild of Kotaku: That thing about the modern review environment being incompatible with games like W101 and stuff.
This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things: I wasn't really disappointed in Radient Historia but I lost interest very quickly.
SUDDENLY I AM 10 AGAIN: The Wonderful 101
You got some (Mario) Paint in my Soul: Contrast
I'll Wake Your Wind, Baby: Revengence had some tight tunes.
It's Dangerous To Go Alone: Can I just cite all of the Final Boss dialogue form Revengence here b/c it's rather tight.
Best Husbando/Waifu: Jetstream Sam for best featuring Devil May Cry's Dante
Lord of The Plot: I guess Last of Us could have been better but I liked how screwed up everyone was.
Wii Music: Radient Historia again.
I Never Knew I Needed This: Resogun
I'm Your Biggest Fan: "The WONderful (Fanfare) One-O-One"
So This Is Hell: Revengence is a hard game.
Playing Games Is Too Tedious: Chip Cheezum by default, though special mention goes to the Zaibatsu.
The Cake Is A Lie!: Bayonetta. Special mention goes to NieR
It's Your Kids Marty!: Ground Zeros

gotyayey

Here's a template that I was gonna fill out then realized i basically only played Dark Souls this year

Finally got time for this. Answers are bolded for those of you who want to TL;DR the essays here.

Gotta Go Fast: Best Portable Game

This was a big year for portable gaming for me. College kills a lot of time to play, and spending most of my summer with back pain and rehab made picking up my 3DS easier. However, most portable games, I just played around with while sitting at home or school, so I really could have done something with my laptop or consoles in that situation. However, I'll have to give this to Animal Crossing: New Leaf, as it was probably the game I played the most on the go.

iValve: Best App-esque Game

Robot Unicorn Attack 2. No stop. God that game is addicting, and I kinda hope I don't get back into it. I used to waste about half an hour a night playing it in bed. Now I Just watch youtube videos for an hour. I think it's a good trade off.

Went Back For Second Helpings: Games You Had To Play Again

I played a lot of Zelda this year, but I'd have to say I'm a sucker for Wind Waker HD. More than anything, Tingle Bottles are addictive as hell and fit in the game, and going back through Wind Waker with a fresh coat of paint and some adjustments is just great.

The Lamprey: Best DLC

Honestly, I don't care for much DLC, not that I generally have too much of a problem with it, but I just don't use it. That being said, New Super Luigi U, The Pikmin 3 DLC Stages, and even the exclusive items in Animal Crossing had me going out of my way for DLC. However, I'd have to say the winner of the DLC for me is the bonus case of Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies. For a series where a new game comes out every few years at this point, and you're left wanting for more when you're finished, I only hope they continue this with future games, maybe with more spaced out cases to tide fans over until the next game.

This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things: Biggest Disappointment

There was quite a bit of disappointment this year, like Rayman: Legends getting delayed 6 months to become multiplatform, Sim City's launch (Is it STILL broken?), DmC's... everything, but I'd have to say the biggest disappointment this year was the Xbox One. From the initial unveiling to E3, it was clear the product was meant for gaming developers, not gamers. With the added twitter fights and bullshit statements, it turned a console that I had no problem with and might consider getting at some point (If games turned up) into something that was entirely against what I would consider. They took back some of the problem things and abandoned their marketing platform, but it's going to take a lot to fix this problem.

SUDDENLY I AM 10 AGAIN: Holy Shit This Game is Radical/Badass/Tight!

Only 2 real competitors. The Wonderful 101 is really great (though I haven't beaten it yet), but I'll have to give this to Lego City Undercover because of the fun shit you do throughout the game, and the ending sequence which comes out of nowhere but feels natural to a game focused on Lego creations.

You got some (Mario) Paint in my Soul: Most Artsy-Farsty Game

Not the game itself, but I'd have to say the game with the best art style is A Link Between Worlds. The water color painted look of the concept art is just fantastic, and Link is full of personality. It's a bit disappointing that these details don't make it into the actual game, but they perfectly suit the mood and feel of the game. Another notable title would be Pikmin 3, which was absolutely gorgeous in every moment with the blending of realism and cartoon.

I'll Wake Your Wind, Baby: Best Soundtrack/Piece of Music

Really outstanding music this year with a lot of tracks that I had to listen to over and over again, but I'm going to split this category into the best overall soundtrack and the best piece of music.

As far as soundtracks go, Pokemon X and Y had an amazing soundtrack including the credits and Route 18, but A Link Between Worlds really hit it out of the park. Yes a lot of tracks were retreads and remixes from ALttP, but there were plenty of new tracks scattered throughout that fit so well into the game, I didn't even realize they were new at first glance, and that's not to say they're forgettable, but that they fit in without me going "wait, this is a new song."

The addition of the musicians in the milk bar playing airy versions of popular tracks was great too, and despite the fact that the new Dark World Theme wasn't a suitable replacement for the original to some people, the fact that they included a second bombastic version for the endgame just hits you. By the time the credits played, the fanfare for them hit me so hard that I got a bit teary eyed. There's powerful nostalgia in these tracks, but despite that the game stands strong with the original content and remixes, and I would love for an official soundtrack release.

As far as any individual song goes though, this track from Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies is just completely haunting and beautiful:



It's Dangerous To Go Alone: Best Game Quote

Lego City Undercover has a lot of references and witty quips, especially to a number of cult classic cop movies, but the best quote that sticks out to me is Chase McCain's exclamation of "Ahh! French Parrots!".

Sorry Dante, but "Fuck You" just wasn't Shakespearean enough.

Best Husbando/Waifu: Favorite Character

Lots of great characters this year, from Chase McCain, Yuga, almost anyone from The Wonderful 101, and many villagers from Animal Crossing, including newcomer Isabelle. However, I'm going to have to give it to Apollo Justice. I can't say I enjoyed his character as much when he was in his funk (though I can understand his sentiments if I don't agree with his attitude), but being able to get back into his head and see how he has matured (and somewhat stayed the same) since his own game, and then being able to see his dynamic with the new Athena Cykes really gave him some fantastic characterization.

Not to mention his awesome DLC threads, hnnnnng

"I'd Ship That": Best Relationship

I'll have to give this to Ravio and Link from A Link Between Worlds (I can hear the slashfics already). Ravio is quite the quirky character, and I'm sure everyone that's in the know about the Zelda series knew there was some reason why this weirdo would live in Link's house, obsess over Rupees, and start extorting our hero for valuable tools. While I figured that Ravio would be Link's counterpart before the reveal, I liked how they played with the nuanced differences between the Lorulians and their Hyrulean counterparts. Ravio claims to be completely without courage, but he's strong enough to defy Hilda and Yuga's plan and cunning enough to realize that by helping Link, there will be a hero that can put an end to their scheme. He plays up all of the traits of being a coward and seems obsessed with cheddar (which he might actually be), but Ravio knows his limitations and works around them, while Link's blind courage and optimism makes him defy the odds that Ravio would never even attempt. Putting the two together, you have someone that can out-think the other side, and one who can out-play them. They perfectly compliment eachother, in skill and personality, and I hope at some point the tag team duo can come back. I'm sure there'll be an excuse to pull out Lorule again at some point, especially with the second Triforce floating around.

Lord of The Plot: Best Story

There are too many good stories and too many criteria to judge them on. Pokemon had not only a heartfelt back plot that was really neutered by Lysandre's stupid plot and a post-game sidequest probably had the best characterization of Pokemon characters compacted into an hour of gameplay. Lego City Undercover had an action cop film with plenty of laughs and cool parts, much like how The Wonderful 101 does something similar with the hero genre. Dual Destinies had great courtroom antics and probably the most heavy overall story of the series, along with Phoenix finally taking the role of the mentor figure for his young employees. A Link Between Worlds has the same simple plot of ALttP, but with nuanced richness (like how they snuck all of the sages in before Yuga kidnapped them, and you didn't really suspect them to be sages, except Impa of course). And Pikmin 3 delivers a solid and believable story with the charm of a Pixar movie and a light touch.

This one is really hard to pick out a winner, but I feel like I'd have to give it to Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies for how much I wanted to talk to just about everyone that played the game with all of the twists and great characters. A great story is one that I want to share with others above all else. Sure the other games are highly recommendable, but the gameplay holds a heavy sway with them.

----------

So that I don't have a 20 page post, I'm going to either edit in my other picks at a later time or have more posts. Besides, I can't sit here typing for 5 hours at once.

And ahhhhh, there are so many Nintendo games on here, but it's mostly because I did most of my gaming on the 3DS or hung out with friends doing stuff with my Wii U in spring and summer. Next year I'm probably going to do a lot more steam and Sony shit.

For once, 2013 was a year I played quite a few games in the same year they were released. Most of them are for the 3DS.
I'm not gonna go through all the categories, but I'd consider Fire Emblem: Awakening for a few ones in there. It introduced me to the series and turn-based strategy as a whole. (i did play disgaea before, but it didn't appeal to me as much.) I was pretty enveloped in it over late summer and fall and it held my attention in a number of ways like the customization, the challenge of certain chapters, and the music. The supports weren't too bad either, and they provided an incentive to grind which was necessary during some parts. Fighting SpotPass teams is a lot of fun, too.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf was an excellent follow-up on the Animal Crossing series, and it was just about every bit as good as I expected it to be. I still get on it every once in a while provided I'm not deeply invested in another 3DS game. Pokemon X/Y was a good installment in the Pokemon series, but it lacked the breadth of post-game content that the previous generation had. Once I defeated the Elite Four, there were just a few things that appealed to me enough to keep playing for a few days. Still, added enough new things to keep me from pulling the game card for about two weeks, like Pokemon Amie and the training system which made IVs and EVs visible so I would actually pay attention to them every once in a while.

In addition to FE:A, Rune Factory 4 and Shin Megami Tensei IV were my first introductions to existing series. I only got SMT IV about a week or so ago, so I haven't gotten too far in it. So far though, it's one of the best challenges I've had this year without turning me off from the play experience altogether.

Honorable mention goes to Super Mario 3D World, because while I don't have a WiiU to play it at my own leisure, I did play a fair amount of it on a friend's copy at her house and it kept me excited and up just to play one more level. I'm not usually too much into Mario games and I never played the Galaxy titles in full, but I like the 3D platformers and I'm left wondering if the WiiU would sell better if SM3DW was the launch title instead. I know once I can get a WiiU, I'll most likely get that game as well as looking forward to two others which haven't come out yet.

If 3D World isn't enough to justify a Wii U, either you're incredibly stubborn or waiting for SSB4

One game =/= console purchase. The Wii had a weak library and so far Wii U is not doing too hot either.

I TOLD YOU I'D FINISH WHAT I STARTED. AND HERE IT IS:

Wii Music: The Game That Didn't Meet Your Expectations

I'm going to have to give this to Sim City, despite not even purchasing the game. I followed news about the game for awhile, and actually got talked out of a pre-order by some friends, who convinced me to stick it out a week and see how the launch went. And boy how it went.

The fact that I still can't get good information on whether the game is playable or not yet just adds to the disappointment.

The Triumph Forks: The Game That Exceeded Your Expectations

Okay, so a few games fit in this category. Despite being a giant fan of Pikmin, I was immensely surprised with how intuitive the controls were in the game, right down to the gamepad controlled map where you could send your co-captains on a trip to another part of the map without losing time focusing on ordering your Pikmin to do something.

Phoenix Wright: Dual Destinies also exceeded my expectations with how the series has evolved after the team up with Level-5's Layton series. You can tell that had an impact on the development of this game, and the locations and atmosphere of the cases is strikingly deeper than previous titles.

Lego City Undercover was a lot more fun than I anticipated. Having played other lego games before, I figured the gameplay would be incredibly boring and level oriented, and the focus would be on collecting everything. While part of that was there, the open world nature of the game mixed with the wit of the story and sheer scope of everything made it a much more fun romp.

But ultimately, I think A Link Between Worlds wins this. I expected them to play it safe with the game (and in some ways, they did), but the plot, fresh gameplay, open world environment, and overall feel of the game were just great, along with introducing ideas that may influence future Zelda titles in the same way ALttP shaped the entire series.

Into the Trash: The Game That Should Not Have Been Released

Sim City. Fucking EA.

I Never Knew I Needed This: The Odd Game That Hooked You

Rainbow Unicorn Attack 2. Daily challenges, levelling up, and competing between two different factions was really addicting. I was almost even tempted to buy more music, but then I realized what the game was doing.

Other than that, I got bit big by the Fire Emblem bug, but that's always been a series I've liked (when I could get into it).

I'm Your Biggest Fan: Game You Stalked And Obsessed Over

Pokemon X and Y. I stalk every Pokemon game, and this was no different. Watching Pokemon Sunday with friends was really great too, especially when it meant watching old Pokemon episodes in Japanese. Hell, I even watched The Origin live, and freaked out over MegaCharizard X.

Other than that, Animal Crossing had me stalking playthroughs before it's painfully long release.

Every Puzzle Has a Solution: Best Puzzle Game/Most Intricate Puzzle

A Link Between Worlds would be the simple answer, but I'll have to give this to Pikmin 3. The Challenge mode of trying to get all of the treasure back to the ship in a certain time and beat a high score was addictive. You had to puzzle out the best strategy and do it on the fly perfectly. I still haven't conquered many of them, and I might have to do co-op to do so.

So This Is Hell: Best Balls Busting Game

Pikmin 3's challenge mode will bust your balls if you want to collect everything. Even if you were to watch videos to see how other people do it, implementing their strategies will not make it easy enough to win.

The Abyss Gazes Back: Worst Controlling Game

I will have to say, despite the amount of stuff you can do in the game, The Wonderful 101 does take a bit of getting used to for controls, and sometimes my scribbles don't go through the way I want them to.

It's Brain Age all over again.

You're Thinking Too Much: Best Gaming Related Comic

I... really can't get away with saying anything other than Awkward Zombie, can I? Especially after meeting Katie in San Antonio (please come back, Katie!).

I will say, out of all of the comics this year, the Fire Emblem ones were my fave. Especially between the Nowi and Gregor ones.

Playing Games Is Too Tedious: Best LP or LPer

Normally I'd give this to the Dangan Ronpa LP on Something Awful for their spectacular work (which probably resulted in the game getting a stateside release in 2014), but I feel like that's a bit of a copout response (and technically it's an LP for a game coming out next year, ehehe).

So since I'm an impatient butt when it comes to certain games, I followed some LPs of Animal Crossing: New Leaf. If anyone else here did so, they were probably watching the LP that I was, LinandKo on youtube. Lindsey and Kohei are a couple in Japan that play Japanese games for American viewers that either might not get the games, or have incredibly long waits. They're a charming pair, and often they make videos about life experiences in Japan and some of the culture shock Lindsey has experienced since moving there from America. It's a very nice channel (that I haven't been keeping up with recently;;), and I highly recommend it.

Mario Party Ruins Friendships: Most Competitive Multiplayer Game

Nothing says competition like Pikmin 3. Fighting against your friend in some Bingo Battle will probably result in some hurt feelings at some point. Especially when you teleport them away from their entire squad, leaving the defenseless Pikmin to be eaten by that Bulborb you were sneaking up on.

Oh yeah, and those Pikmin that were carrying your marble back to base kinda exploded when I threw a bomb at them. My bad.

Social Link, Go!: Best Multiplayer Game

Lots of good Multiplayer games, but I definitely have to give it once again to Pikmin 3, if only because of one night of playing it with a friend.

I've done a lot of bingo battling with people, usually just a few rounds at a time, but also I've had the ability to play through the whole game and learn strategies. When I was playing with one of my newcomer friends, I had to dial back the skills a bit to allow them to catch up, but still, there was some learning curve issues.

At one point, he finally got a bit frustrated with the structure of the game, and asked if we could play bingo battle non-competitively. Meaning just killing everything, building our armies up, dicking with eachother on occasion, and when everything on the map was dead and harvested, making a wild dash to complete the board.

This gave him a bit more of an edge, as he could spend time learning about the opponents and the map rather than running around hoping to beat me to the bingo. Plus it was fun to tag team some of the more unruly enemies.

So having a mode where we could play (mostly) co-op when it was meant to be a competitive game was a lot of fun.

The Cake Is A Lie!: Best Game From Another Year You Just Played This Year

Persona 4. Really love the game and can't wait to get into more Persona games in the future. I'm currently playing through Golden as we speak, and enjoying the adjustments.

It's Your Kids Marty!: Game Most Hyped For In 2014+

Dangan Ronpa. Okay yes, I already know the plot twists, but I really can't wait to experience it again in English and with actual gameplay.

Other than that, Persona Q and Persona 5 are interesting aswell.

Golden Egg: Best cheddar Spent

Pikmin 3, although pre-ordering it and getting it later than if I bought it at release was a big bummer. Gamestop, man.

Magic Beans: Worst cheddar Spent

Might've went a bit overboard on getting physical and digital copies of Wind Waker HD. Oh well, now I can send one to a friend. Ganondorf will always be by my side.

I Remember Like It Was Yesterday: Fondest Memory

Getting the high score at the Pikmin 3 demo was pretty great, though granted I kinda cheated since I watched everyone before me play through blindly and figured out the strategy. It was still pretty cool though to chat with the local Nintendo associate. She brought an inflatable Donkey Kong that she's had since Donkey Kong Country came out, along with some other cool Nintendo stuff. Definitely a cool day.

Other than that, playing Mario and Luigi: Dream Team and listening to all of the music while flying on a plane was pretty cool. Even if I suddenly got sharp pains in my eye and had to stop.

... Okay maybe that wasn't the best memory.

The Year of Luigi: Best Nintendo Console Game

Ugh, do I really have to pick one?

I'm going to make it a three-way tie (for the sake of having some mystery to the GOTY) for Pokemon X and Y, Pikmin 3, and A Link Between Worlds.

4 Reasons to Play: Best Sony Console Game

Well, none from this year, but I guess it'd have to go to Persona 4 by default. Really wonderful game.

One Step Forward, X Steps Back: Best Microsoft Console Game

I... don't even think I've played my 360 this year. Hell, I tried selling it in August. I guess nothing is the answer?

Springfield's Yellow People: Best PC Game

I haven't even really played any PC games. Does Cookie Clicker count? Yeah, I'm just going to say it does.

Goatee Eye At: Best Game 2013

So, for this, I'd probably have to give it to a game that I'd continue coming back to time after time. So for that reason, I'm naming my GOTY to be Cookie Clicker.

No wait, I'm kidding. All 3 of the winners in The Year of Luigi section qualify for that, but I'd also need to considering what will still offer the most to me. I play through Zeldas a lot and enjoy them, but I find myself coming to a pattern, doing the same things I did before, or going to most efficient pathway to get everything. There's less spontaneity. Even with the free choices that ALBW gives, I feel I'll find myself repeating the same dungeon order because it just feels right to me.

For Pikmin and Pokemon, that's not as much an option. sure, I can try doing that, but the chances of getting it down exactly is low, and who plays Pokemon with the same team when they replay through the game?

In Pikmin, you get a bit smarter and a bit faster in each run-through, and with being able to access any day for redoing, I can see myself going back and figuring out how to shave off the time and lose days for a higher score.

But, I think more than anything, Pokemon X and Y are my GOTY. Not only will replaying them offer new horizons with over 450 Pokemon to make teams out of in the Kalos region (assuming I don't trade a team in or do a wonderlock), but I'm still coming back almost daily to my X file and doing something, whether I'm hunting around for Pokemon, hatching Pumpkaboo in the hopes of a shiny, or helping organize tournaments in my club. Pokemon is a big part of my life, and X and Y fit neatly into it. I wouldn't put in these hours playing if I didn't love it more than most any other game.

But to be fair, there were an amazing amount of great games this year, and finding the cheddar for them all was a bit hard at times when the launches piled up on eachother.

Wizard Level: Estimated Hours Spent Playing Games

Considering I've put 250 hours into Pokemon, 350 into Animal Crossing, and about 100 each into Persona 4 and Pikmin 3, I'd say my gaming this year has been well over 1000 hours. Probably not more than 1500 though.

Inventory Screen: # of Games Purchased (and probably consoles)

2 3DS systems (1 regular red and 1 XL Pokemon edition), and... 28 games? (not including second copies of X and WW).

Now I'm going to go collapse in bed and contemplate my life.

Kamak I love you for loving Pikmin 3 that game is fantastique