Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Encyclopedia
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, released in Japan as , is an adventure
video game published and developed by Capcom
in Japan
, North America
, and Europe
, and published by Nintendo
in Australia
. It was first released as in Japan exclusively for the Game Boy Advance
in 2001, and was re-released for the Nintendo DS as an enhanced remake in 2005 with touchscreen support, microphone support, and exclusive content. This version was first released in Japan, and later in North America, Europe, and Australia. The Game Boy Advance version was also re-released for the PC
as Gyakuten Saiban PC, published by the Japanese company SourceNext shortly after the Nintendo DS release. A mobile phone
version of the same name as the English version was released in 2009 episodically. However, only a portion of the game has been released to date. In a Famitsu
scan, a series of Wii ports of the first 3 games (including the fifth case in Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney) were announced, for releases to go between December 2009 and March 2010. The games were distributed via Nintendo's WiiWare
download system. The game has also been ported to the iOS with episodes 1-2 first being released in Japan on December 21, 2009 and the entire game being released in North America on May 24, 2010.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney stars Phoenix Wright, a rookie defense attorney
in the Fey and Co. Law Offices, owned by fellow defense attorney Mia Fey. Other characters include Maya Fey, Mia's sister; Miles Edgeworth, a rival prosecutor; Dick Gumshoe, a scatterbrained detective, and Larry Butz, an old friend of Phoenix's. The game features five court cases divided into episodes. Each case flips between two game modes: investigation and the actual trial. In the investigation aspect of the game, Phoenix gathers evidence and speaks to characters involved in the case. In the trial aspect of the game, Phoenix defends his client using said evidence, cross examines witnesses and solves the mystery surrounding each case. The court perspective is usually in the third person, while the perspective outside of court is in the first person.
Since the release of the Game Boy Advance version, the series has produced many sequels and spin-offs. Two direct sequels were produced titled Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Justice for All and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations, which feature the same characters and gameplay as the original game and were also remade for the Nintendo DS, though without additional content. Trials and Tribulations is the last game to feature Phoenix as the protagonist. A new attorney, Apollo Justice, is the protagonist of the first spin-off of the series, titled Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney. Another spin-off has been released, titled Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth, which stars Miles Edgeworth and Dick Gumshoe.
version introduces new gameplay mechanics for the investigative portion of the game that take advantage of the DS' features. These include the luminol
spray, a spray that allows people to see blood that would normally be undetectable to the naked eye and aluminum powder, which may be used to dust for fingerprints. Both use the touchscreen, while the latter uses the microphone as well. Players may also view evidence in three dimensions during this episode, which allows them to see things they would be unable to detect in two dimensions. The Nintendo DS version also introduces the ability to play the game entirely with the touch screen, the ability to view evidence and profiles on the bottom screen, and using the microphone to say various phrases in it.
In one case, Edgeworth is charged with murder, and Phoenix steps up to defend him. It is discovered that Edgeworth was set up by his old mentor, Manfred von Karma. Several years earlier, Manfred shot and killed Edgeworth's father, a defense attorney, after he ruined Manfred's perfect record, but led Edgeworth to believe he shot his own father. Phoenix is able to expose Manfred's cover-up and achieve a "not guilty" verdict for Edgeworth. After the case, Edgeworth thinks about taking time off from his position to consider the events, while Maya announces she is going back to her home in Kurain Village to train.
The fifth case, added for the Nintendo DS, iOS, and Wii versions, has Ema Skye begging Wright for help to defend her older sister Lana, who is on trial for murder, compounded by a second murder of the same apparent victim in a different building at the same time. Using Ema's scientific help to establish evidence and the surprising prosecution help of Edgeworth during the trial, Phoenix is able to learn that Lana Skye was blackmailed by the Chief of Police Damon Gant into covering for a murder she thought that Ema had committed several years before. Gant himself is revealed to have committed the murder and pinned the blame on Ema. Though Lana is cleared of murder charges, she willingly goes to jail for being an accomplice; Ema says her goodbyes as she heads to Europe to study forensic science.
created a translation for Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney that makes several references to pop culture and famous quotes in movies. Localization team members JP Kellams and Janet Hsu have confirmed this was their practice in numerous interviews, stating that the original Japanese was filled with references to Japanese culture, most significantly Tokusatsu
shows and their surrounding fandom, which constitutes the cultural backdrop for an entire case. The localization team in turn localized these to appropriate Western cultural references.
The German software ratings board revealed the possibility of a Wii
or WiiWare
version of the game. In the November issue of Famitsu
, this rumor was confirmed by Capcom barely a week later. The first three Ace Attorney games were released monthly via WiiWare
, on December 15, 2009 (Ace Attorney, episodes 1 to 4), and in January 2010 (Justice for All), February 2010 (Trials and Tribulations), and March 2010 (Ace Attorney, episode 5). The North American versions were released in January 2010 (Ace Attorney), March 2010 (Justice for All) and May 2010 (Trials and Tribulations and AA episode 5). These are ports of the DS version and made use of the Wii's features, such as swinging the Wii Remote
to raise a contradiction.
Upon release of the Wii ports, game critics on sites such as 1Up.com and GameSpot lauded the story (which was unchanged from the original games), but criticized the unaltered graphics and faulty motion controls for raising an objection.
The game has also been ported to the iOS and was released with all five cases that were included in the DS edition on May 24, 2010 in the App Store. The game had a revamped control system but is a straight port from the previous version. Unlike the Japanese version, an internet connection is not needed for the game to play.
, is currently being produced by Toho
and will be released in Japanese theatres on February 11, 2012. Directed by Miike Takashi, the movie loosely follows the storyline of the first game and stars Hiroki Narimiya
, Takumi Saito
and Rei Dan
.
and 83% from GameRankings. IGN
's Craig Harris commented that the game was "harshly linear," yet "interesting and well-written." He believed the script was "dumbed down" in contrast to an actual justice system, although the game does reflect Japanese courtroom proceedings. 1UP's
Shane Bettenhausen thought the game had an "entertaining, well-localized story" and "climactic courtroom 'battle scenes'." GameSpot
's Carrie Gouskos stated that the game "revitalizes" the adventure game
genre with its interesting story and characters "in addition to providing a unique way of interacting with them, case evidence, and the game's scenery." She also thought the game's presentation was "unique and outstanding," though she also criticized its linearity, saying that "all choices inevitably lead to the same result." The game was number 178 in Game Informer
s list of the top 200 video games of all time. Destructoid
named it the 48th best game of its decade, saying "With its unbelievably memorable characters and oddly addictive adventure/courtroom gameplay, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is easily one of the most unique and surprising games of the last decade."
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney was very hard to find in stores shortly after its North American release because of a shortage, owing to the unexpectedly high demand for it. Capcom shipped more units in March 2006. They later issued a new shipment in June 2006, which sold out within a week. As of February 2007, Capcom has shipped 100,000 copies of Phoenix Wright.
Adventure game
An adventure game is a video game in which the player assumes the role of protagonist in an interactive story driven by exploration and puzzle-solving instead of physical challenge. The genre's focus on story allows it to draw heavily from other narrative-based media such as literature and film,...
video game published and developed by Capcom
Capcom
is a Japanese developer and publisher of video games, known for creating multi-million-selling franchises such as Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Resident Evil. Capcom developed and published Bionic Commando, Lost Planet and Dark Void too, but they are less known. Its...
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and published by Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It was first released as in Japan exclusively for the Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
in 2001, and was re-released for the Nintendo DS as an enhanced remake in 2005 with touchscreen support, microphone support, and exclusive content. This version was first released in Japan, and later in North America, Europe, and Australia. The Game Boy Advance version was also re-released for the PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
as Gyakuten Saiban PC, published by the Japanese company SourceNext shortly after the Nintendo DS release. A mobile phone
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
version of the same name as the English version was released in 2009 episodically. However, only a portion of the game has been released to date. In a Famitsu
Famitsu
is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Enterbrain, Inc. and Tokuma. Currently, there are five Famitsū magazines: Shūkan Famitsū, Famitsū PS3 + PSP, Famitsū Xbox 360, Famitsū Wii+DS, and Famitsū Wave DVD...
scan, a series of Wii ports of the first 3 games (including the fifth case in Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney) were announced, for releases to go between December 2009 and March 2010. The games were distributed via Nintendo's WiiWare
WiiWare
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
download system. The game has also been ported to the iOS with episodes 1-2 first being released in Japan on December 21, 2009 and the entire game being released in North America on May 24, 2010.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney stars Phoenix Wright, a rookie defense attorney
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
in the Fey and Co. Law Offices, owned by fellow defense attorney Mia Fey. Other characters include Maya Fey, Mia's sister; Miles Edgeworth, a rival prosecutor; Dick Gumshoe, a scatterbrained detective, and Larry Butz, an old friend of Phoenix's. The game features five court cases divided into episodes. Each case flips between two game modes: investigation and the actual trial. In the investigation aspect of the game, Phoenix gathers evidence and speaks to characters involved in the case. In the trial aspect of the game, Phoenix defends his client using said evidence, cross examines witnesses and solves the mystery surrounding each case. The court perspective is usually in the third person, while the perspective outside of court is in the first person.
Since the release of the Game Boy Advance version, the series has produced many sequels and spin-offs. Two direct sequels were produced titled Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Justice for All and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations, which feature the same characters and gameplay as the original game and were also remade for the Nintendo DS, though without additional content. Trials and Tribulations is the last game to feature Phoenix as the protagonist. A new attorney, Apollo Justice, is the protagonist of the first spin-off of the series, titled Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney. Another spin-off has been released, titled Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth, which stars Miles Edgeworth and Dick Gumshoe.
Gameplay
Players take on the role of Phoenix Wright, who acts as a defense attorney. There are two segments: trial and investigation. During trial, players must do a variety of court tasks, including cross examining witnesses, presenting evidence, and objecting to contradictory statements or evidence presented by the prosecution. Players are given five exclamation points representing their health, which is depleted when the Judge punishes them for making a severe enough mistake. While in the first episode, players do not leave the courtroom; later episodes have the Judge put the trial on recess if something is brought up that the Judge feels the trial must be delayed so that the attorneys may look into it. On these days, players control Phoenix in the first person and investigate related areas in various cases. There are four options - Talk, which allows players to speak to anyone present; Present, which allows players to present evidence to anyone present; Examine, which allows players to search an area; and Move, which allows players to leave the area. The new episode introduced for the Nintendo DSNintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
version introduces new gameplay mechanics for the investigative portion of the game that take advantage of the DS' features. These include the luminol
Luminol
Luminol is a versatile chemical that exhibits chemiluminescence, with a striking blue glow, when mixed with an appropriate oxidizing agent...
spray, a spray that allows people to see blood that would normally be undetectable to the naked eye and aluminum powder, which may be used to dust for fingerprints. Both use the touchscreen, while the latter uses the microphone as well. Players may also view evidence in three dimensions during this episode, which allows them to see things they would be unable to detect in two dimensions. The Nintendo DS version also introduces the ability to play the game entirely with the touch screen, the ability to view evidence and profiles on the bottom screen, and using the microphone to say various phrases in it.
Plot
The first case of the game presents defense attorney Phoenix Wright at his first trial under Mia Fey's watchful eye, successfully defending his childhood friend Larry Butz for murder. However, in the game's second case, Mia is murdered for being aware of corporate blackmail, and her younger sister Maya Fey is charged with the crime because her name was found on a piece of evidence. While defending her, Phoenix is reintroduced to another childhood friend, Miles Edgeworth, who is the prosecutor for Maya's case and has established himself as a "genius" for the prosecution system. Maya is found not guilty of the crime, and becomes Phoenix's assistant in further cases, offering her channeling ability as a "Spirit Medium" of Kurain village to bring the spirit of Mia to help at critical times. Phoenix and Edgeworth find that while they have their friendship from their youth, they continue to face off against each other in the courtroom.In one case, Edgeworth is charged with murder, and Phoenix steps up to defend him. It is discovered that Edgeworth was set up by his old mentor, Manfred von Karma. Several years earlier, Manfred shot and killed Edgeworth's father, a defense attorney, after he ruined Manfred's perfect record, but led Edgeworth to believe he shot his own father. Phoenix is able to expose Manfred's cover-up and achieve a "not guilty" verdict for Edgeworth. After the case, Edgeworth thinks about taking time off from his position to consider the events, while Maya announces she is going back to her home in Kurain Village to train.
The fifth case, added for the Nintendo DS, iOS, and Wii versions, has Ema Skye begging Wright for help to defend her older sister Lana, who is on trial for murder, compounded by a second murder of the same apparent victim in a different building at the same time. Using Ema's scientific help to establish evidence and the surprising prosecution help of Edgeworth during the trial, Phoenix is able to learn that Lana Skye was blackmailed by the Chief of Police Damon Gant into covering for a murder she thought that Ema had committed several years before. Gant himself is revealed to have committed the murder and pinned the blame on Ema. Though Lana is cleared of murder charges, she willingly goes to jail for being an accomplice; Ema says her goodbyes as she heads to Europe to study forensic science.
Localization and cultural references
The localization team, led by translator Alexander O. SmithAlexander O. Smith
Alexander O. Smith is a professional English/Japanese translator and author. While his output covers many areas such as adaptation of Japanese novels, manga, song lyrics, anime scripts and various academic works, he is best known for his software localizations of Japanese video games...
created a translation for Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney that makes several references to pop culture and famous quotes in movies. Localization team members JP Kellams and Janet Hsu have confirmed this was their practice in numerous interviews, stating that the original Japanese was filled with references to Japanese culture, most significantly Tokusatsu
Tokusatsu
is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects ....
shows and their surrounding fandom, which constitutes the cultural backdrop for an entire case. The localization team in turn localized these to appropriate Western cultural references.
Limited edition
Available only in Japan to customers who pre-ordered early, a limited edition version of the game was available, packaged in a special black cardboard box with an enlarged logo for the game on the front. The version cost slightly more than the standard release, but compensated by including a bonus sound disc featuring music from the game, a "Gyakuten Saiban" branded phone strap, a keyring in the shape of an exclamation of "Igiari!" (Japanese for "objection"), and a stylus with a pointing finger on the end with which to touch the screen. Buyers of the pack also received a full softback manga volume following the adventures of the "Gyakuten Saiban" cast, which was not available through any other channels.Ports
A Microsoft Windows version of the game was created for publication in Japan; the game was released in episodic form, using graphics of the Game Boy Advance version.The German software ratings board revealed the possibility of a Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
or WiiWare
WiiWare
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
version of the game. In the November issue of Famitsu
Famitsu
is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Enterbrain, Inc. and Tokuma. Currently, there are five Famitsū magazines: Shūkan Famitsū, Famitsū PS3 + PSP, Famitsū Xbox 360, Famitsū Wii+DS, and Famitsū Wave DVD...
, this rumor was confirmed by Capcom barely a week later. The first three Ace Attorney games were released monthly via WiiWare
WiiWare
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
, on December 15, 2009 (Ace Attorney, episodes 1 to 4), and in January 2010 (Justice for All), February 2010 (Trials and Tribulations), and March 2010 (Ace Attorney, episode 5). The North American versions were released in January 2010 (Ace Attorney), March 2010 (Justice for All) and May 2010 (Trials and Tribulations and AA episode 5). These are ports of the DS version and made use of the Wii's features, such as swinging the Wii Remote
Wii Remote
The , also known as the Wiimote, is the primary controller for Nintendo's Wii console. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via gesture recognition and pointing through the use of accelerometer and...
to raise a contradiction.
Upon release of the Wii ports, game critics on sites such as 1Up.com and GameSpot lauded the story (which was unchanged from the original games), but criticized the unaltered graphics and faulty motion controls for raising an objection.
The game has also been ported to the iOS and was released with all five cases that were included in the DS edition on May 24, 2010 in the App Store. The game had a revamped control system but is a straight port from the previous version. Unlike the Japanese version, an internet connection is not needed for the game to play.
Film adaptation
A live-action film adaptation of the video game, Gyakuten SaibanGyakuten Saiban (film)
is an upcoming Japanese theatrical film based on Capcom's Ace Attorney video game series, which is being directed by Miike Takashi. The film stars Hiroki Narimiya, Mirei Kiritani, and Takumi Saito, and is scheduled to be released in Japanese cinemas on 11 February 2012.-Premise:Based primarily on...
, is currently being produced by Toho
Toho
is a Japanese film, theater production, and distribution company. It is headquartered in Yūrakuchō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, and is one of the core companies of the Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group...
and will be released in Japanese theatres on February 11, 2012. Directed by Miike Takashi, the movie loosely follows the storyline of the first game and stars Hiroki Narimiya
Hiroki Narimiya
, better known as , is a Japanese actor.-Early life:He was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. His parents are Okinawan, so he is of Okinawan descent. His parents divorced when he was young, and in his third year of junior high school, his mother died and he and his brother were raised by his...
, Takumi Saito
Takumi Saito
is a Japanese actor, model and singer.-Movies:* Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - The Movie as Miles Edgeworth* Saijo no Meii as Saijo Mikoto* Space Battleship Yamato as Yamamoto...
and Rei Dan
Rei Dan
is a Japanese actress. She began her career as a member of the Takarazuka Revue. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 32nd Japan Academy Prize for Kabei: Our Mother.-Filmography:* Kabei: Our Mother * Snow Prince...
.
Reception
The game received mostly favorable reviews, holding an aggregate score of 81/100 from MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
and 83% from GameRankings. IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
's Craig Harris commented that the game was "harshly linear," yet "interesting and well-written." He believed the script was "dumbed down" in contrast to an actual justice system, although the game does reflect Japanese courtroom proceedings. 1UP's
1UP.com
1UP.com is a video game website owned by IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation. Previously, the site was owned by Ziff Davis before being sold to UGO Entertainment in 2009....
Shane Bettenhausen thought the game had an "entertaining, well-localized story" and "climactic courtroom 'battle scenes'." GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
's Carrie Gouskos stated that the game "revitalizes" the adventure game
Adventure game
An adventure game is a video game in which the player assumes the role of protagonist in an interactive story driven by exploration and puzzle-solving instead of physical challenge. The genre's focus on story allows it to draw heavily from other narrative-based media such as literature and film,...
genre with its interesting story and characters "in addition to providing a unique way of interacting with them, case evidence, and the game's scenery." She also thought the game's presentation was "unique and outstanding," though she also criticized its linearity, saying that "all choices inevitably lead to the same result." The game was number 178 in Game Informer
Game Informer
Game Informer is an American-based monthly magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of popular video games and associated consoles. It was formed in August 1991, when FuncoLand started publishing a six-page magazine, free in all its retail locations...
s list of the top 200 video games of all time. Destructoid
Destructoid
Destructoid is an independent video game-focused blog based in San Francisco, California that was founded in March 2006. It has since grown into one of the most widely read video game sites on the Internet, reaching more than 3 million unique visitors per month...
named it the 48th best game of its decade, saying "With its unbelievably memorable characters and oddly addictive adventure/courtroom gameplay, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is easily one of the most unique and surprising games of the last decade."
Sales
The several versions of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney have been very successful. In Japan, the original Game Boy Advance version sold 58,877 units to date, and the Japan-only budget-priced version of it sold significantly more, selling 129,630 units. The Nintendo DS version sold 128,842 units, while its Japan-only budget-priced version sold 148,552 units. By the end of 2007, the Japan-only budget-priced version has sold 254,681 copies, with 141,681 sold in that year and 130,020 the year prior.Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney was very hard to find in stores shortly after its North American release because of a shortage, owing to the unexpectedly high demand for it. Capcom shipped more units in March 2006. They later issued a new shipment in June 2006, which sold out within a week. As of February 2007, Capcom has shipped 100,000 copies of Phoenix Wright.