PLEASE tell me I'm not too late for the Ace Attorney talk! Without going on too much of a rant, I'll just list my top 3 cases as well:
1) 2-4 BY FAR, they did two unprecedented things in the case that have not happened since that completely distinguishes it from the rest. And why should they? It was done perfectly and has not just the best moments of that game, not just the best moments in the original trilogy, not just the best moments in the whole of Ace Attorney, but, in my opinion, the best moments in any videogame I have ever played.
2) The Dual Destinies DLC case (cause I don't know what number it is referred to as!) It was Phoenix Wright at its best, brilliant premises, spot-on humour, over the top characters/murder but with some genuinely shocking and sad moments, topped off with the most satisfying conclusion of any of the AA cases. Oh and a couple of catchy songs as well.
3) this is really, really hard, I love 1-4, 1-5, 3-4,3-5, and 4-4 but in the end I have to give it to Ace Attorney investigations' final case. If only for that moments where the Great Thief is unveiled. It was far too long, elaborate and annoying at times but that reveal tops anything in the Ace Attorney series outside of 2-4. Makes the whole game with it.
So there's my rant, even though I said I wouldn't. Hope I might've persuaded people to give them a try, the original trilogy is well worth the eShop price, as is Dual Destinies.