Exploring the Finest Japanese Games of 2024: My Ultimate Top 10 Picks!

This year had a remarkably nostalgic gaming essence, especially regarding Japanese game launches, and here are some of my top selections.

This is the ninth year I have compiled this list of top ten Japanese games, beginning from 2016, through to 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Of course, these lists reflect merely my personal tastes in the games I have indulged in throughout the year and should be taken as such.

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10. Assault Suits Leynos 2 Saturn Tribute

This was an incredible mecha game for the Saturn back in its prime, exclusively available in Japan. Fortunately, it has returned to availability, and additional English versions are set to release next year. As someone involved in the launch of Assault Suits Valken Declassified, I’m pleased that the Assault Suits series is receiving greater appreciation.

9. The Legend of Steel Empire

I thoroughly enjoyed this shmup on the Mega Drive, and the remaster was superbly executed. Although I have a fondness for all things steampunk and alternate-timeline tech, this remains a robust console shmup and worth checking out if you haven’t experienced it yet.

8. Front Mission 2: Remake

Following the initial Front Mission remake, the sequel was another title that was originally exclusive to Japan. It’s impressive that it’s now accessible to a wider audience and has been brilliantly updated as well.

7. Tekken 8

This turned out to be much better than I anticipated, and I’m delighted that alongside Street Fighter’s revival, more fighting game franchises are making a comeback. The transition to Unreal Engine 5 has also benefited the game, providing it with a visually impressive and smoothly running experience.

6. Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Done in a similar aesthetic to the Link’s Awakening remake, this time, you get to play as Zelda, albeit with some limitations. The first limitation is that the sword and shield setup available to Link are time-restricted; however, to counter that drawback, you can replicate objects discovered throughout Hyrule. It was an enjoyable experience, although I’d still like to see Zelda wield her own sword and shield in a future iteration.

5. Dragon Quest Builders

The eagerly awaited PC version of this now iconic game was quite well done. While it included some interesting quality-of-life enhancements, I still favor the PlayStation 4 and Switch editions. With the Switch variant likely being my favorite. Nevertheless, the arrival of this game on PC is certainly appreciated and comes highly recommended.

4. Unicorn Overlord

Despite the controversies surrounding the game’s English localization, the gameplay itself remained excellent. Vanillaware did not disappoint in terms of visual quality, and it also functioned beautifully with an engaging storyline. As someone who appreciates the strategic aspects of the role-playing genre, it’s always enjoyable to experience a new functional interpretation, and this game was immensely fun.

3. Ace Combat 7: Deluxe Edition

I never envisioned a title such as Ace Combat 7 could operate on the Switch, yet this new Deluxe Edition pleasantly surprised me. Having thoroughly enjoyed the game on the PlayStation 4 back in 2019, I’m astonished and very thankful I can now experience it while on the go with my Switch. Admittedly, the same could be stated for the PC edition on the Steam Deck, but the battery life on that device isn’t particularly accommodating for when you are out and about.

2. Shadow of the Ninja Reborn

This had no business being this exceptional, and it served as an impeccable remake of an NES classic that was somehow even more technically advanced than the original.

original. It also appeared stunning and is among the finest pixel art games I’ve experienced in years.

1. Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake

This marked the resurgence of the king concerning role-playing games. Crafted in the tilt-shift HD-2D aesthetics, featuring 3D backgrounds paired with 2D pixelated characters, this has reintroduced one of the most remarkable games ever created into the limelight again on a worldwide scale. Not only does it function superbly, with various practical updates and modifications from the original game, but it also appears charming. I genuinely cannot recommend this title highly enough.

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You might be curious as to why Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is absent from this compilation. The reason is that it is a DLC launch. Additionally, titles like Metaphor: ReFantazio receive a mention here, but didn’t fully resonate with me.

Regardless, 2024 witnessed several ports of modern games and remakes of classic ones. Here’s hoping that the upcoming year will deliver a few more fresh releases for consideration.

Connect with me on X, Facebook and YouTube. I also oversee Mecha Damashii and am currently included in the Giant Robots exhibition that’s currently touring Japan.