Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

 DS
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Image
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 53 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 248 Ratings

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  • Summary: (Known in Japan as "Gyakuten Saiban") Not everyone is innocent until proven guilty! Players star as a defense attorney, who must prove his seemingly guilty client’s innocence no matter how dire the circumstances may seem. The game presents twisting storylines and intriguing gameplay in a(Known in Japan as "Gyakuten Saiban") Not everyone is innocent until proven guilty! Players star as a defense attorney, who must prove his seemingly guilty client’s innocence no matter how dire the circumstances may seem. The game presents twisting storylines and intriguing gameplay in a comical anime style. Players must collect evidence, weed through inconsistent testimonies, and overcome corrupt agendas to ensure that justice prevails. [Capcom]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 53
  3. Negative: 0 out of 53
  1. Just Adventure
    100
    Character reactions are exaggerated, heck, they’re waaaaay over-exaggerated, the main setting is a courtroom and it is - *gasp* - adventure. In fact, to label Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney as ‘kooky’ would be an understatement, but somehow it works.
  2. VideoGamer
    90
    When a game has this much attention to detail, when the script fizzes along with such humour and throws in plot twist after plot twist during the courtroom battles, it's easy to forgive the linearity.
  3. GameSpot
    88
    Though the game is heavily text-driven and there's little replayability, it's a bright, rich, and lengthy adventure that could hardly have been improved upon otherwise.
  4. NGC Magazine UK
    82
    Wackier than Ally McBeal, but in a good way. Addictive and amusing lawyerly hi-jinks. [Apr 2006, p.38]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Modojo
    80
    Capitalizes on humanity's inherent love for a slightly aggravating puzzle that we secretly relish.
  6. Electric Playground
    80
    This game is different, has a great style, and will give your brain a workout. If you like mystery novels or courtroom dramas, you gotta take this case.
  7. Game Revolution
    50
    A great presentation and even better writing can’t compensate for the fact that the game practically plays itself. This is a good comic book, but a below average adventure.

See all 53 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 56
  3. Negative: 4 out of 56
  1. vahn
    Dec 30, 2012
    10
    The series of Phoenix Wright, even if with few additions and almost no upgrades, always shows new cases and new ways to think out of the boxThe series of Phoenix Wright, even if with few additions and almost no upgrades, always shows new cases and new ways to think out of the box for resolving the cases (not a lot, but still helps). Of course, the series ia also fun to play and great to follow, with a roster of unforgettable characters...and villains too. The game plays as a mix of an adventure game and...sort of quiz game...I think. I have no proper words but the point is that both parts mix very well and they are both fun to play, especially since the story (or stories) behind the game are well thought and will make you think of how to solve the cases. Honestly, my big complains is that out of 5 missions, 2 are rather short and very simple, almost kid-friendly (the first case is literally a tutorial case, while the second is almost impossible to lose). From case 3, the game ramps up in difficulty and become a lot more enjoyable, and the last 2 cases are probably THE single best cases of the entire series (Trial and Tribulation cases are close...but only these are remarkable at their best). Graphics are simple and clean (and oldish, since I heard it was from a Gameboy Advance game), but funcional, and...I really have nothing else to mention, because the flaws are almost non-existants. Maybe the game should have had more endings, and maybe the game should have been more open (you won't go forward until you trigger the right event, which is either the discover of an item, talking to a person, or showing items to a person). Except these, I have almost no complains at all, since it's also very long to play (I think it's gonna last you at least 10 hours, but there's no counter). One of the strongest adventure game on the DS, and possibly one of the best games of the console: must at least try once but if you love adventure game, it' s an instant purchase.… Expand
  2. david___pickett
    Jul 20, 2013
    10
    This game will be loved by people of all ages, if they have the patience and the intelligence of thinking of the possibility and puttingThis game will be loved by people of all ages, if they have the patience and the intelligence of thinking of the possibility and putting pieces together or finding out that things do not fit, that's all i am going to get into on this amazing game its a must buy… Expand
  4. EricM
    Nov 3, 2009
    10
    Oh, what the hell. This is the best game I've played in my whole life, and I'm not just a "casual" gamer. It combines writing, Oh, what the hell. This is the best game I've played in my whole life, and I'm not just a "casual" gamer. It combines writing, humour, gameplay and graphics (2D, yes) in one game.… Expand
  5. Steeldude
    Apr 8, 2015
    9
    The first game in the series is your entry into the adventure as a whole, as it would certainly be unwise to skip games, because the storyThe first game in the series is your entry into the adventure as a whole, as it would certainly be unwise to skip games, because the story follows fluently from the first game to the next and you would miss a lot of references and plot points otherwise.

    In this game, you play as Phoenix Wright who is a lawyer and your objective is to solve cases and defend your clients. This game is a typical visual novel where most of the time you'll be reading, so if you don't like that, it's not a game for you. However, there is more game play than in most other visual novels, especially during the investigation phrases, where you sometimes get to explore certain evidence or you can simply explore each location in full detail.

    The story of this game is gripping and the characters are lovable while being silly at the same time, making playing through this game a unique experience. I absolutely loved this game, the soundtrack is catchy and the music definitely helps to capture the intensity of some of the situations you'll have to go through in this game.

    The game contains 5 cases in total and if you take your time reading and enjoying the experience, you might as well spend 30 hours playing the game.    … Expand
  6. MrSonicFan
    Jan 30, 2014
    9
    The original Phoenix Wright trilogy is amazing. And the original is the second best out of the trilogy. It's better that Phoenix Wright : AceThe original Phoenix Wright trilogy is amazing. And the original is the second best out of the trilogy. It's better that Phoenix Wright : Ace Attorney justice for all, but is not as good as Phoenix Wright : Ace Attorney Trials and tribulations.

    The story is the the most important part of any Ace Attorney title, and the story in this game is fantastic. All the main characters are interesting. Especially Miles Edgeworth. All the witnesses are fun and quirky in there own unique ways. And the names for the characters are are really amusing, some examples being "Frank Sahwit" the witness in case one. and "Winston Payne" the prosecutor in case one.

    The graphics are nothing technically impressive, most likely due to the fact this game is a port of a Japanese GBA title called "Gyakuten Saiban". But the sprites and actions for some of the witnesses are quirky and amusing.

    The soundtrack is fantastic. Almost every track in this game is memorable and really nice to listen to. The sound effect consist of beeps for the most part and are nothing noteworthy. And the voice clips for the defense and prosecution do there jobs well enough.

    Overall it is a fantastic game. And considering the original trilogy is on most platforms nowadays, (DS, Wii-ware, IOS, and soon coming to the 3DS) there is not much of a reason to pass the games up. As it has amazing writing and characters, and amazing music.

    OVERALL -
    9/10    … Expand
  7. OwtDaft
    May 10, 2018
    8
    + The writing is extremely good in this game, each case has a great story.
    + Love the characters and the music.
    + Despite the games short    + The writing is extremely good in this game, each case has a great story.
    + Love the characters and the music.
    + Despite the games short comings, I love this game.
    - The game play sadly isn't as good and can be quite frustrating
    - It's not always logical how to progress
    - When you fail you have to skip though a'lot of text to get back to the point you was at.    … Expand
  8. SethU
    Dec 12, 2011
    0
    Pheonix Wrong is a terrible addition to the crime genre. In fact, it's a crime of the game developers to have even made this game. It startsPheonix Wrong is a terrible addition to the crime genre. In fact, it's a crime of the game developers to have even made this game. It starts by showing you who did the crime. What's the point in letting us investigate if you have already showed who did it? It's pointless! Not to mention how bad the actual gameplay itself is. All you do is say "Objection!" and a cutscene plays. Do that about eight times and you've pretty much completed the game. If I was in the office while this game was being made, I would have "Objected!" to this game's development being pushed forward.… Expand

See all 56 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Best DS Game of 2005
5
#5 Most Discussed DS Game of 2005
5
#5 Most Shared DS Game of 2005