Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

 DS
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 374 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 346 out of 374
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 374
  3. Negative: 12 out of 374
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  1. eefeef
    Aug 31, 2023
    9
    This is the first installment in the PHOENIX WRIGHT series, and while it hints at a sequel, it's a complete game in its own right. The best thing about this game is the characters.
  2. NZXD
    Jul 11, 2023
    8
    This game is consistent, all the cases are good, the characters are amazing, the ost is excelent.. But it really feels like It was planned to be a game without a sequel, you can see this because of the final boss and your story with edgeworth and larry and I think its just great how the sequel (JFA) can continue this game without feeling forced.
  3. hector_bcn98
    Jul 8, 2023
    8
    Roza la excelencia, si no fuera porque muchos casos se hacen demasiado largos, el juego se puede hacer lento con tanta mecánica de menú y sus diálogos eternos. Repetitivo.
  4. MacArron23
    May 15, 2023
    7
    Loved this visual novel, I felt in love with all the characters, just a little bit short
  5. hekoh
    Feb 2, 2023
    9
    first game of the saga, and it aged pretty well. Some of the cases feel pretty slow,but still i nice game, and the ds port added a new chapter, which is crazy good, and crazy long
  6. GDChrome
    Dec 31, 2022
    8
    It's always nice to go back to this game to see how my favorite video game series began. later installments may have tuned the story to perfection, but this one had the basis for writing in the entire series. Turnabout Goodbyes and Rise From The Ashes are the highlights in the game, both have fantastic characters and a really intriguing story. yes, Turnabout Samurai is a low point for theIt's always nice to go back to this game to see how my favorite video game series began. later installments may have tuned the story to perfection, but this one had the basis for writing in the entire series. Turnabout Goodbyes and Rise From The Ashes are the highlights in the game, both have fantastic characters and a really intriguing story. yes, Turnabout Samurai is a low point for the series in general, but other than that, this game served it's purpose well.… Expand
  7. TheLowLevel
    Nov 15, 2022
    10
    I heard about the game and whenever I went to top number x of Nintendo DS games this one and others of the series did show up in the list.

    When I had the chance to play the game, it was a little strange at first. It is not the typical game I'm used to, and I think most are not. But it was really fun. The first case was clearly a tutorial were your mentor is guiding you trough the steps    I heard about the game and whenever I went to top number x of Nintendo DS games this one and others of the series did show up in the list.

    When I had the chance to play the game, it was a little strange at first. It is not the typical game I'm used to, and I think most are not. But it was really fun. The first case was clearly a tutorial were your mentor is guiding you trough the steps you need to take. But it was still fun and the game makers were smart by ending it on a cliffhanger so you want to start the next one. Starting from here you also can investigate crime scenes and collect evidence for your court cases. This gameplay is more like a point-and-click game by moments.

    You meet a lot of interesting characters in the game and they are also clearly the heart and soul of the game. Combined with interesting stories and logical thinking it makes a fun game.    … Expand
  8. YokoHugo
    Jul 30, 2022
    9
    Ninininininininijijijijijojojojojojojojojojjojojojojojojojojojojojojojojojomojojoj
  9. Jofe
    May 16, 2022
    8
    The original, and the most overrated. The game is good, but the first three cases aren't great compared to what the series has offered since. But Rise from the Ashes is a masterpiece.
  10. zach_grech
    May 4, 2022
    8
    Humor, characters, story for the most part engaging and well constructed. Extremely satisfying to win a case in this game. Case quality varies and I think the first case is very boring.
  11. dorohedorofan90
    Apr 3, 2022
    9
    Clásico imprescindible. Uno de los villanos más icónicos, el mítico caso del Samurái de Acero, la rivalidad entre Phoenix y Miles. El inicio de una de las mejores novelas visuales que puedas echarte encima.
  12. Nautalcritzsm64
    Jan 18, 2022
    8
    Miglior gioco che abbia provato su ds probabilmente, personggi carismatici e alla corte momenti di follia pura, un gioco pensato bene, non indimenticabile ma davvero tra i miei preferiti
  13. andrew9
    Nov 17, 2021
    8
    ace attorney .
  14. HammerSeven
    Nov 9, 2021
    9
    Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is the first game in the series and also one of the best. The game splits up into "cases", each their own mystery you slowly solve as you progress. The pacing of the cases are really good, and usually have two parts, the investigation and the trial. In the trial you explore and talk to characters, present them evidence and learn more about the case at hand.Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is the first game in the series and also one of the best. The game splits up into "cases", each their own mystery you slowly solve as you progress. The pacing of the cases are really good, and usually have two parts, the investigation and the trial. In the trial you explore and talk to characters, present them evidence and learn more about the case at hand. Then in the trial you use this information to combat the prosecution. It really works well as a format and I was always really excited to unravel the case at the last trial.

    The characters and story are really enjoyable too. Almost all the cases in this game are really really good. My favorite has to be one of the last cases "Turnabout Goodbyes", which is absolutely amazing. The cases always have a good mystery, it's never too easy to figure out what really happened; it's anything but predictable. It's amazing how much the scene can change in only an hour. The characters are really enjoyable in the cases, Miles Edgeworth and Phoenix Wright really are characters that go well in a courtroom. Usually, you're never too annoyed with anybody, but I did really hate a couple characters! All the dialogue for characters is superb honestly.

    The gameplay is in my opinion where the game lacks the most, sometimes its really hard to find out what to do. In the investigations, you present all the evidence a million times, until you realize you forgot to present one piece to a character. And you have to deal with the same looping music tunes over and over when trying to figure out how to progress. In the trials, its usually better, but sometimes if you don't pay enough attention you aren't able to progress easily; and you have to present every single piece of evidence to the judge. Which is a pain because when you present evidence wrong too many times, you start all the way back to the start! This is usually fine if you save and exit a bunch but why in the world do you need to exit to save the game to avoid backtracking? I wish the delevpors found an easier way to stop you from getting the cases easily without sending you back and making you read the exact same dialogue all over again.

    All in all, it's a pretty good game though. I would recommend it to anybody who enjoys games with a lot of dialogue. Honestly, it's not that hard either, despite what I said. If you look stuff up you can progress easier. Obviously I understand the game needs some challenge though and it's not that bad of a deal. Anyway, play this game, it's pretty cheap and I'm sure you'll like it.    … Expand
  15. Granfino
    Oct 22, 2021
    10
    Esse jogo é um must play para qualquer bom apreciador do gênero visual novel. Pra mim  é  um dos melhores do seu gênero. A história é foda, 10/10, bem contada, diálogos muito bem elaborados, engraçada, criativa, original em muitos pontos, repleta de plot twists. A história  se divide em varios  capítulos, cada capítulo apresenta um homicídio e um réu a ser defendido pelo advogado PhoenixEsse jogo é um must play para qualquer bom apreciador do gênero visual novel. Pra mim  é  um dos melhores do seu gênero. A história é foda, 10/10, bem contada, diálogos muito bem elaborados, engraçada, criativa, original em muitos pontos, repleta de plot twists. A história  se divide em varios  capítulos, cada capítulo apresenta um homicídio e um réu a ser defendido pelo advogado Phoenix Wright, protagonista da história. O ambiente do tribunal, do julgamento, é  muito bem representado de forma irônica nesse jogo. O humor do jogo é 10/10. O humor do jogo se materializa nas diversas personalidades representadas por personagens. Possui muitos personagens icônicos. O jogo tem uma pegada retrô, um visual 2D ótimo e uma trilha sonora memorável. As músicas  se encaixam perfeitamente nas situações. Alguns momentos de mudança abrupta da história são de arrepiar os pêlos. O jogo se passa nos tempos atuais, segundo o próprio jogo, no ano de 2016, e possui um universo de ficção para alguns e realidade para outros. Aqui espíritos existem  e podem ser contactados por meio dos métodos mediúnicos. Apesar de não acreditar no espiritismo, gostei muito dessa pegada do game. Deixa o jogo mais interessante. O gameplay do jogo sempre busca fazer com que o jogador pense e interaja com a história. Quase sempre o jogador está  tomando  decisões  no jogo. A boa intuição do jogador faz com que ele avance mais rapidamente na história. Existem raras situações nesse jogo em que a solução do jogador não bate com a solução do jogo, e o jogador se perde e acaba travando por uns 15 minutos. Nesses casos, geralmente o jogador está pensando corretamente, porém não soube executar os comandos na ordem que o jogo esperava. Aqui ocorre um erro de comunicação entre jogador e máquina. Um exemplo clássico é quando o jogador quer apresentar uma evidência  do crime ao juiz antes de chegar o momento ideal para isso. Em suma, esse jogo pra mim é 10/10. Porém  todavia nao é  um jogo que eu recomendaria a todos, visual novel é  um gênero  que não se encaixa em todos os gostos. Considero esta a melhor versão, pois pude jogar no conforto do meu sofá, utilizando apenas a stylus. Outra vantagem desta versão  é  que o jogo original foi desenhado em baixa resolução, então no DS ele mantém  qualidade  gráfica. Existe uma tradução pt-br do jogo. Não recomendo de forma alguma. A tradução muda demais o jogo. Mudam os nomes dos personagens, o texto as vezes muda, e até algumas sprites e sons são trocados. O jogo parece outro.… Expand
  16. Luahanseng
    Aug 15, 2021
    9
    Game Completed on Nintendo 2DS
    Date Completed : August 6, 2021
    Playing Hours : 10-15 hrs Its a simulation game on how lawyering works in a surface. It felt satisfying everytime you solve a puzzle. The chapter 4 and most specially 5 is one of the most if not the best closure of a video game i ever experienced. It is very well thought and written where two rivals worked together in the    Game Completed on Nintendo 2DS
    Date Completed : August 6, 2021
    Playing Hours : 10-15 hrs

    Its a simulation game on how lawyering works in a surface. It felt satisfying everytime you solve a puzzle. The chapter 4 and most specially 5 is one of the most if not the best closure of a video game i ever experienced. It is very well thought and written where two rivals worked together in the end to prosecute a high profile official at the same time teach you about real lawyering rules. The negatives though why i didnt give it a perfect score. Some parts of the game feels dumb. Sometimes the judge and witnesses gets stupid but all else are redeemed in the end.    … Expand
  17. DantasVGabriel
    Apr 25, 2021
    8
    Jogo legal, divertido principalmente sua história já que é uma visual novel, sua gameplay é limitada mas compensa com seus puzzles, a história é bem simples e idiota mas não chega nem perto de ser ruim, é bastante envolvente
  18. the_unknown
    Apr 19, 2021
    8
    I really loved this game, the begin of a legend.
    Even thought being limited (very few alternative endings and a straight line to follow in order to proceed in the game), it still gave me a ton of emotions while playing it for the first time, it was more an experience than just a simple game. Suggested to play for an audience of 13 (or more) years old, since a kid could not understand    I really loved this game, the begin of a legend.
    Even thought being limited (very few alternative endings and a straight line to follow in order to proceed in the game), it still gave me a ton of emotions while playing it for the first time, it was more an experience than just a simple game. Suggested to play for an audience of 13 (or more) years old, since a kid could not understand what's going on if they just skip every dialogs.    … Expand
  19. GlebanBC
    Mar 13, 2021
    9
    This game is very good. This is visual novel, where you play as attorney Phoenix Wright. Game include 5 cases - 4 main and 1 bonus. Every case adds new characters and everyone is unique. But there's one micro minus - some characters can be annoying. But I don't think it's a big problem.
  20. GregLobstery
    Feb 10, 2021
    9
    My first real visual novel, and boy am I glad I started with this one. AA1 as well as the whole series to date, has fantastic writing, catchy music, and memorable characters. The trials are clearly the highlight, where all the "OBJECTION" and "HOLD IT" as well as "TAKE THAT" goes down. Trial 5 is the only part of this game which wasn't my favorite only because of how long it dragged on,My first real visual novel, and boy am I glad I started with this one. AA1 as well as the whole series to date, has fantastic writing, catchy music, and memorable characters. The trials are clearly the highlight, where all the "OBJECTION" and "HOLD IT" as well as "TAKE THAT" goes down. Trial 5 is the only part of this game which wasn't my favorite only because of how long it dragged on, but the ending really makes you feel that it was worth it. This game is the start of an incredible series and it's an unforgettable classic.… Expand
  21. obthegeek
    Nov 23, 2020
    10
    this game makes you feel like a god damn genius after you play it for like 3 minutes
  22. Brandjum
    Oct 16, 2020
    10
    The atmosphere of the story(ies) this visual novel delivers is absolutely captivating.
    Well constructured and interesting cases combined with the diverse and interesting lively characters, which all have character development, the excellent soundtrack and the feeling of always being tugged into a corner make this a very awesome game.

    Small issues don't influence the score of the game.
  23. KOROEGG
    Aug 30, 2020
    10
    Literally the BEST visual novel I've ever played! It's just so fun! I haven't had this much fun since the first time I played Viewtiful Joe!
    I definitely reccomend this to anyone who likes to read or likes to think! :)
  24. Matrixgame
    Jun 23, 2020
    10
    Amazing and interesting I Finished all ace attorney series in NDS. The story is interesting and it required your brain to think.
  25. Jacklg
    May 5, 2020
    7
    A really fun time, but the investigation gameplay could be very confusing and needs tweaking. But the courtroom gameplay.... oh man..... its unlike anything else. So good!
  26. Riku1994
    May 4, 2020
    10
    There are two types of people in this world.

    1. Who don't know about Ace Attorney even though it's such a popular series 2. Those who love ace attorney Then there are people who don't like it because they are too dumb or too impatient to play this kind of games. Im not a casual gamer, trust me. I've played a lot of games, but there are too many people who thinks a good game    There are two types of people in this world.

    1. Who don't know about Ace Attorney even though it's such a popular series

    2. Those who love ace attorney

    Then there are people who don't like it because they are too dumb or too impatient to play this kind of games.

    Im not a casual gamer, trust me. I've played a lot of games, but there are too many people who thinks a good game need to have good graphics or rpg elements and such. Real gamers appreciate a good story and twists in a game even if it's a visual novel.    … Expand
  27. SrPepe
    Mar 26, 2020
    9
    Juegazo, me encantaron todos los casos y los personajes son muy buenos. El caso 5 que agregaron es EXCELENTE.
  28. giannis2001
    Mar 8, 2020
    10
    It's the best in its genre. Even tho I had never played a visual novel before, this one was very addictive for me. The cases are amazing, and there is a huge pleasant feeling when you actually feel like you solve the cases and not the game for you. The story is great, thrilling cases, awesome characters(Especially Phoenix Wright and Edgeworth), amazing soundtrack and a lot of humoristicIt's the best in its genre. Even tho I had never played a visual novel before, this one was very addictive for me. The cases are amazing, and there is a huge pleasant feeling when you actually feel like you solve the cases and not the game for you. The story is great, thrilling cases, awesome characters(Especially Phoenix Wright and Edgeworth), amazing soundtrack and a lot of humoristic moments where they are actually very funny and make the game even better (not that it isn't already but who doesn't like jokes?). I recommended for sure. I believe it's the best game out there that has to do with murder cases. Must play.… Expand
  29. sebastianali
    Jan 4, 2020
    8
    La historia me encanto. Un videojuego que influencio bastante a la hora de hacer novelas visuales. Muy innovador el hacer una novela visual con temática de casos judiciales! Aunque es cierto que es exactamente igual a la versión de GBA (que solo salio en japón) y al terminarlo no desbloqueas nada (ya sea arte conceptual, reproductor de música, etc) y no hay mucho mas que hacer... PhoenixLa historia me encanto. Un videojuego que influencio bastante a la hora de hacer novelas visuales. Muy innovador el hacer una novela visual con temática de casos judiciales! Aunque es cierto que es exactamente igual a la versión de GBA (que solo salio en japón) y al terminarlo no desbloqueas nada (ya sea arte conceptual, reproductor de música, etc) y no hay mucho mas que hacer... Phoenix Wright es uno de mis videojuegos favoritos de DS. Totalmente recomendado.… Expand
  30. Just_The_Truth
    Feb 24, 2019
    9
    *SPOILER FREE REVIEW*
    Ace Attorney is a neat series for the DS family of consoles that you may have missed. The first game centers around Phoenix Wright, a rookie attorney who is taking a case as a favor to his friend. This game has an episodic structure in which Phoenix the player tries to get a "not guilty" verdict for the defendant, and in the process find the real culprit of the    *SPOILER FREE REVIEW*
    Ace Attorney is a neat series for the DS family of consoles that you may have missed. The first game centers around Phoenix Wright, a rookie attorney who is taking a case as a favor to his friend. This game has an episodic structure in which Phoenix the player tries to get a "not guilty" verdict for the defendant, and in the process find the real culprit of the crime. Each case is essentially split into 2 parts: collecting evidence, and presenting the evidence in court.

    The game starts with a sample trial, which is the real meat of the game. Trials are presented as a battle of wits between Phoenix and the Prosecutor. This mostly plays out like a visual novel, but the player has input in the form of pressing relevant parts of the testimony and presenting evidence to contradict the testimony. This is where the game really shines. Trials are tense and the cases are almost always stacked against the player, meaning you essentially have to turn the case on it's head to win. Usually Phoenix has no idea what actually happened during the crime, so the player has to fill in the blanks as to what happened. Your role in this game is to make up the defense on the spot, which is pretty amusing. What really happened in each case typically borders on the absurd. There is never a cut-and-dry case in Ace Attorney. It should be noted that the presentation of the trials in Ace Attorney is great, with the music building tension and creating the feeling of triumph. In particular, the Objection and Cornered themes are great. The music in this first game is a standout in the entire series. The presentation of the trials is also notable with the character's reactions and artwork, as well as the way the camera pans back and forth from the defense, prosecution, and witness. There's a lot of character in this game that is shown through the character's expressions as well as the writing. I was surprised to learn that this was a GBA game originally, given the quality of it all.

    The other part of the game is exploring and collecting evidence. I think the game is better for including these parts, but they are not my favorite part of the game. You go to the crime scene and search the landscape for evidence to use in court, as well as talk to potential suspects. It's like a detective game, which is neat, but it's not without faults. The game occasionally fails to give the player an idea of what to do during these sections, which means you just have to present every piece of evidence you have to every person until you find the dialogue that lets you progress the game. This takes a little longer than it needs to. The game could really benefit from a fast forward button for all of its text. These sections are not bad, but its easy to get stuck on them when you just want to progress the story.

    Without spoiling anything, this first game has a collection of really strong cases that set the standard for the entire series. The first case will hook you on this game as you have likely never played a game like this. The second case will hook you on the entire series because of how clever the writing is. The fourth case will make you a fan as it delivers a fantastic conclusion to the first game in the series. This game is an easy recommendation for anyone, and its a great game to play between classes or during your lunch break.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Best DS Game of 2005
3
#3 Most Discussed DS Game of 2005
5
#5 Most Shared DS Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 53 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 53
  3. Negative: 0 out of 53
  1. Nintendo Power
    80
    Keeps its legal-eagle fantasy flying much of the time - it's a welcome DS addition. [Nov 2005, p.109]
  2. Play Magazine
    85
    I can only hope this game does well enough for Capcom to bring the other games in this series to the U.S. [Oct 2005]
  3. Siliconera
    75
    The unique cast of characters and entertaining story makes Phoenix Wright worth playing, once. After you've seen all the plot turns and twists the game loses its appeal. [JPN Import]
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