It's been a long time since we've last seen Phoenix Wright's pointy-haired shadow darken our door — six years, in fact — and although we do love the old-timey antics of his predecessor Ryunosuke Naruhodo, we have to wonder if we'll ever get another new Ace Attorney... and if we do, how it'll hold up to the rest of the games.
In the hopes of enticing Capcom into making, announcing, and releasing a new instalment in the Ace Attorney series, we've ranked the top ten of our favourite cases from the games so far.
Some notes before we call this court into session:
- We won't be including Ace Attorney Investigations 2 on this list, since an official release has failed to materialise, but we gather that its cases are very, very good. So, if we ever do get an English translation of AAI2, we'll probably have to revisit this whole list.
- We're also not including Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, even though it's a good game.
- We've really tried to mix things up in this list, so if you're expecting nothing but cases from the original trilogy of Ace Attorney games, you'll most likely be disappointed.
- SPOILERS ABOUND. By the very nature of this list, we will be discussing some of the biggest twists in the Ace Attorney games. Be very careful.
Here are the games titles and our abbreviations for your reference:
- Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (1)
- Justice For All (2)
- Trials & Tribulations (3)
- Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney (AJ)
- Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth (AA:I)
- Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies (DD)
- Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit Of Justice (SOJ)
- The Great Ace Attorney: Adventures (GAA)
- The Great Ace Attorney 2: Resolve (GAA2)
With all that housekeeping out of the way, let's find out which games and which cases took our breath away!
10. Turnabout Time Traveler (SOJ-DLC)
Spirit of Justice had a rather convoluted and gimmicky court system, thanks to its new setting in the Khura'inese kingdom, where the law is dominated by religion, so it was a bit of a relief to return to the comfort of a "traditional" court in the DLC case after an entire game of having to tussle with the stupidity of Khura'in's Divination Séance (a mechanic that is acknowledged as being stupid in the game several times).
But also, Turnabout Time Traveler is just a good old-fashioned romp through the weird magical realism that Ace Attorney cases sometimes bring to the table, with the added pomp of a wedding, a bunch of steampunk weirdos, a pterodactyl, and time travel. It's almost like Phoenix's crossover with Professor Layton had an effect on the kind of cases he gets!
9. Turnabout Serenade (AJ-3)
Love or hate Apollo Justice, you can't deny that this middle case is a bombastic one. A murder at a concert unearths truths about smuggling, hidden identities, and an Interpol investigation, and if you play through the game a second time — knowing more about Apollo, Trucy, and Lamiroir — there's also an extra layer of dramatic irony and pathos surrounding the whole case.
It's always nice when the murderer is someone you least expect, and finding out that it was a member of the police and the prosecutor's close friend is a pleasingly unexpected discovery.
However, the real reason this case is on here is because of the titular serenade — "The Guitar's Serenade" — which is the lynchpin of the story. Comparing the lyrics and the music to the performance on the night reveals several inconsistencies, and the mechanics of being able to isolate the individual music tracks brings a welcome change to the usual way these court cases play out. Bravo. Encore. Etc.
8. Turnabout Goodbyes (1-4)
This OG Ace Attorney case is packed with bangers, including the BANG of the gunshot that gets Miles Edgeworth accused of murder. And you've only just met the guy! Plus, he's a bit of a jerk... so isn't it okay to let him go down for murder? Of course not! You're the lawyer who always believes in his clients, even if said client is a jerk.
Set during "almost Christmas", Turnabout Goodbyes is full of the delicious twisties and turnies that you would expect from an Ace Attorney case, plus a terrifying Manfred von Karma as a prosecutor, and the Ace Attorney house special: A case that's intimately tied to a different case that happened years before. In this one, it's the DL-6 incident, in which Miles Edgeworth's attorney father was shot to death, the Fey family's reputation was ruined, and poor little Miles was traumatised.
The best part of this case? The realisation that you can use an innocuous piece of evidence — the metal detector — to prove that Manfred von Karma was the killer, because he still has the bullet in his shoulder. Brilliant stuff.
7. Turnabout Trump (AJ-1)
Knowing that Phoenix Wright wouldn't be the protagonist of the fourth game in the Ace Attorney series was one thing. Finding out that he's aged into a scruffy, jaded dad who's had his attorney license revoked is another. And defending him in your very first case as the greenhorn lawyer, Apollo Justice, is a shock twist worthy of an end-of-game case — and yet, here it is, in the very first one!
This case also serves as a gentle-ish welcome into a Phoenix-less courtroom, because, of course, it's not a Phoenix-less courtroom. He's right there the whole time, coaxing you out of your Ace Attorney comfort zone and into an Apollo Justice world. Just that one twist makes this the only intro case on this list, because typically they're quite dull and usually involve Phoenix forgetting how to be a lawyer, but instead Turnabout Trump sets the stakes high from the very beginning.
Little did players know that this case would end up developing into a tangled knot of familial ties that would have lasting effects on the entire series...
6. The Adventure of the Runaway Room (GAA-3)
After a sedate and distinctly Japanese experience in court at the start of The Great Ace Attorney, Ryunosuke Naruhodo is finally in England, and finally in a British courtroom to boot. For players, this feels like a long time coming, especially if you know the premise of the game (all the promotional stuff went heavy on the London setting, after all), but for Ryunosuke, it's an overwhelming and confusing new legal system to get used to.
The jury system is quite obviously corrupt and broken from the start, but the novel mechanic mixes things up nicely for veteran Ace Attorney fans, allowing you to meet a wider range of weird characters in quick succession, as well as having a slight spin on the usual way the court cases play out. After all, who doesn't like proving people wrong with clever application of logic and evidence? Isn't it more fun to get to do that with six easily-swayed idiots members of the public?
The most delicious part of this case comes near the end, once you realise that your client, Magnus McGilded, is pretty obviously guilty. However, in defending him, you've basically made him untouchable, and he gets off scot-free...
...only to get his just deserts in a mysterious arson accident immediately after the end of the trial.
Continue on to page two for our top five...
Comments 46
I’m sorry to say as soon as I saw the first 2 cases this list lost all credibility with me
Even as someone who's only played the original Trilogy and TGAA Duology (sequel trilogy when Capcom), there's so many I could choose from. The final cases of the original Trilogy tying everything together so beautifully, 2-1/3-2/TGAAR-3 just being plain fun to go through and TGAAA-3 for introducing my favourite character in the series are all great contenders. However, there's only ever been one case that I've adored ever since I've played it and one that I will probably love until the end of time: Rise from the Ashes.
Not only does it introduce many cool and interesting gameplay mechanics. Not only does it introduce some of the most likeable characters in the entire series (and set the stage for what's to come in Apollo Justice). And not only does it have one of my all time favourite AA villains (one that struck fear into my heart when I found his doppelganger in TGAA). But the story and twists that it takes you on is utterly enrapturing and heartbreaking throughout and turned the Skye's from just 'Fey but again' into two of the most multi-faceted, uncannily real people I feel like I've ever seen. The final case TGAA Resolve comes exponentially close (and that one is still utterly brilliant), but for my money? RftA is perfection and I can't wait to see Ema again in the future.
Interesting choice of cases. Glad someone else seems to appreciate The Great Ace Attorney's third case as much as I did. It does something similar to Farewell, My Turnabout from Justice For All, but in a far more compelling and organic fashion. And while the jury system becomes a bit wearisome over the course of two games, I felt it was brilliantly implemented here.
Turnabout Trump is the only AJ case I'd put anywhere near a top ten, though. What a disappointing game.
Turnabout Revolution from Spirit of Justice is a top three case for me, very much in the vein of Bridge to the Turnabout. Then again, Spirit of Justice is also dangerously close to being my favorite game in the series overall, as I loved the change in location, the new characters, the way it wraps up Apollo's arc, Ace Attorney: Civil War (you know what I mean if you've played it), the gorgeous presentation, and found it refreshing to be on the receiving end of magic shenanigans for a change.
Rise From the Ashes is a bit too long, but will probably always be my favorite case from the first game. It's such an epic.
Surprised to see only an honourable mention for Rise from the Ashes. Personally it’s way too long for me but there’s undoubtedly a lot more reasons to include it than, well, anything from Apollo Justice for starters, as much as I do quite enjoy that game. I’d stick Turnabout Beginnings in there too, my favourite court only case by a mile.
Eh, its an okay list. I do disagree with a few choices here but oh well.
Actually I will say though that Rise from the Ashes is one of the top AA cases/episodes ever imo. It always makes me sad that AA2 & 3 didn't get a exclusive DS episode of their own.
Very weird list, but I love having ace attorney content anywhere and it's very interesting! Turnabout Serenade should be nowhere near this list imo, one of my least favourite ace attorney cases, and Turnabout Succession shouldn't be either, it's a very lacklustre finale. I'd personally chuck both Turnabout Revolution and The Rite of Turnabout on there, but I'm a lot more partial to SoJ. I'd also definitely put the Return of the Great Departed Soul from GAA2, which is my favourite case in my favourite ace attorney game! So yes, very different opinions from me, but I'm glad you enjoy Apollo Justice so much, balances out my disdain for it!
When I saw Turnabout Time Traveler and Turnabout Serenade as the first two, I had to double check the title to make sure that it didn't actually say worst cases.
Bridge to the Turnabout is all about Godot - the most tragic villain of the whole series. How can you put it in the top spot and not write about Godot!
You know I disagree with some of the choices, but massive respect for putting Turnabout Serenade on this list. I don't even like the case much, but it takes some guts to put it at number two considering how often AA fans hate it
@depwnz I think probably because it's a MASSIVE spoiler! Maybe edit your comment slightly so people who are interested in playing the series by this list don't have one of the best twists in the franchise ruined for them!
I mean, yeah. Bridge to Turnabout isn’t really even contested as the best case. However I would make a strong case for Farewell My Turnabout and Resolve of Ryunosuke being really high up there
checked to make sure bridge to the turnabout was #1. left pleased
serenade is like the worst case in ace attroney history how the ***** did it make top ten?
Kind of surprised Turnabout Big Top didn't make this list. It was one of my favorites, and gave me inspiration for a fanfic involving Regina Berry and Bat, the guy who was rendered comatose.
I always felt like Regina grew up a little at the end of this case, from being a naive teenage girl taking her first steps into a larger world, when she learned about the implications of her actions and resolved to fix them, hence her declaration to stick by Bat's side until he woke up.
I agree with the top 5 for the most part, although Turnabout Succession probably doesn't rate quite as high for me.
Turnabout Serenade and Turnabout Trump wouldn't have made the top 10 for me. Apollo Justice was a fun game, but it felt much weaker when compared to the original trilogy for me.
I'd at least have The Stolen Turnabout (2-2) on the list; the case as a whole was quite fun, and the twist at the halfway point after you (seemingly) prove your client Not Guilty is really solid.
@BranJ0 To be fair, the list already has some spoilers itself (aside from The Great Ace Attorney since that was recent). Also, isn't every main prosecutor an antagonist with a tragic backstory?
I know the logic behind solving the case wasnt exactly logical but I'm sad Turnabout Big Top didn't even get an honorable mention. It's absolutely been one of my most favorite cases so far. At least, Reunion and Turnabout did make the honorable mention
A lot of the murderers have just been comically evil (not that that's necessarily a bad thing for a series like this) so when these 2 cases introduced mysteries and villains that were just steeped in tragedy, they hit really hard
Those 2 cases alone shot up the 2nd game as my favorite so far. Really hoping the 3ds games have at least 1 case like those 2
What timing! I've just started another replay of the entire series including spin offs and Great Ace Attorney
This list is mostly good, but the first two choices I strongly disagree with. Spirit of Justice's DLC is the most forgettable, half complete case of the entire series. Like it starts being a thing...and then suddenly its over, and I was like "that's it?" To me the only standout things about it are the cool location and that Phoenix and Maya have more character chemistry than in the actual main game, somehow.
And the 3rd case of Apollo Justice is just ruined by that video you watch 500 times, it just kills the pacing. Though in general I feel weird about Apollo Justice, a game I absolutely adored at launch and now look back on and really don't.
Just off the top of my head, my top 10 would be closer to (in no particular order): 1-4, 2-4, 3-2, 3-5, 5-3, 5-5, 6-5, GAA2 3, 4, and 5.
GAA probably has my fav collection of cases for a game. they each tie together so smoothly for one big story, and usually has a twist on the conventional bad guy killer ending
if anything it probably just felt refreshing, with the recent games being more over the top and bloating with characters and mechanics
I loved the original trilogy, the Apollo Justice and Miles Edgeworth games were fun, but didn't match the originals, Duel Destinies seemed like a return to form... And then they lost me with Spirit of Justice. I liked the stories enough in SOJ, but there were too many times I had to look up what I was supposed to do. Working out the puzzles in the game seemed very random and counter-intuitive compared to the previous games.
What baffles me is why the games starring Apollo are stuck in the 3ds. I would love to see them and play them again in modern platforms... As for the list Turnabout Serenade is very boring having to watch the same bad video over and over again. And in the Great Ace Attorney I didn't like the jury system that much. Seemed like a way to make the game artificially longer.
Also there one or two twists in the end of Apollo Justice that were abandoned in the next games.
I wish I could read through the whole list without spoiling myself. I own all Ace Attorney games, but have only played the original trilogy and the Professor Layton spin-off. So I only read those parts. Thanks for the reminder to make work of the other games on DS, 3DS and Switch!
@AstroTheGamosian Turnabout Big Top can burn in the fiery depths of hell.
Bridge to the Turnabout, and the end of the third game in general, hit me unexpectedly hard. I didn't realize until the very end that almost every case resulted in capital punishment. It only clicked after seeing the drawing of all the characters after the last case, with Mia, Misty Fey and Godot being on the top page and Phoenix and friends being on the bottom. The one connection I could find was that everyone on the bottom page was alive. Since Misty was the victim of the case and Mia was killed in an earlier game, that implied Godot was dead too. Guess I didn't expect the semi-future of the Phoenix Wright universe to still have the death penalty.
Amazing Article! Really makes me wish for a Switch port of the 3ds Ace Attorney games and Apollo Justice!
Would be fun to have a X10 worst cases too from the series as a counterpart. 2-3 Turnabout Bigtop springs to mind.
@AstroTheGamosian Massive props for defending the TRUE MVP of Justice For All! Take an upvote.
I think some people didn't notice this isn't a "Top 10", but "the 10 best cases in no specific order". I mean, it starts at #1.
And I really appreciate that Turnabout for Tomorrow made it to the list.
This article is spicy and the comments seem to agree. That's all that I'm going to say 😂
Turnabout Time Traveler???? That disappointing nostalgia pandering DLC case that drops the ball on many levels? Only thing of note it gave us is the implication that Edgeworth is asexual.
@Ralizah NO
Turnout Time Traveler and Turnabout Serenade are two of what I'd call the worst cases in the series, especially the latter. Think the only one I dislike more than that one is Kidnapped Turnabout.
For a personal favorite not on here that a lot of people don't tend to cite I really love Turnabout Academy. It's just so dumb it's amazing.
Not gonna lie, I'm SHOCKED that the 3rd case from Great Ace Attorney Resolve is not on here. One of the longest and best "regular" cases in the series, awesome music and characters throughout (Drebber and his theme are so good), and a somewhat surprising culprit that helped tie into the overall corruption theme.
@Lizuka yeah Time Traveler was one of my least favorite. Academy was such a mess but the characters were so good, especially the final breakdown lol
Now do a top 10 worst. Starting with big top.
Thanks for motivating me to replay the trilogy and relive them epic cases.
Here are the real top 10 and it’s not even close! In no particular order: AA-4, AA-5, JFA-4, TT-4, TT-5, AJ-1, DD-4/5, DD-DLC, GAA-3, GAA2-2
@Aurumonado she won’t but I will! AA-2, JFA-1, JFA-3, AJ-2, AJ-3, DD-2, SOJ-DLC, GAA-2, GAA-4, AAI-5
AAI-5 wins the award for worst case of all time
A few notes:
1. The list is in reverse order, my bad! I was sick last week and my brain was not working properly. Bridge to the Turnabout should be #1 and Time Traveler is #10 😅 I'll fix that.
2. It turns out that a lot of lists out there are exactly what you'd expect — they're heavily biased towards the OG trilogy, and they include Rise From The Ashes in the top ten. If you want one of those lists, they exist! We wanted to mix it up a little and include some of our favourite cases, even if they're not necessarily everyone's favourites.
@KateGray hey, it's your list! I love the original trilogy, but some of the newer games had better cases for sure. Did you guys not like case 3 from Resolve? That may be my favorite case of the newer games. And honestly, any list with Ace Attorney games makes me happy!
Yeah I can't get behind this list at all. All games are awesome in their own right though, so anything works.
Bridge to the turnabout is a standout case for me - not just in AA but in gaming in general. Such a fantastic finale.
It’s mentioned honourably at the end but I’d have Rise from the Ashes in my personal top 3. A little long sure but masterful storytelling and linking to prior cases. Actually the only thing I’d knock it down for is how it fits in the Edgeworth storyline seeing as it was written post AA2
Cool article, however I can only agree with half of the list... but that's okay, everyone has different opinions. I don't think any case from Apollo Justice is good enough to be on the list (4-3 is especially flawed)... also, imo there are 4 cases in Spirit of Justice which are better than Turnabout Time Traveler...
Here are my Top 10:
10.) AA6 The Rite of Turnabout (6-3)
9.) AA5 Turnabout Reclaimed (5-6 - DLC)
8.) AA2 Farewell, My Turnabout (2-4)
7.) AA1 Rise from the Ashes (1-5)
6.) GAA2 The Resolve of Ryunosuke Naruhodo (G2-5)
5.) GAA2 The Return of the Great Departed Soul (G2-3)
4.) AA5 Turnabout for Tomorrow (5-5)
3.) AA1 Turnabout Goodbyes (1-4)
2.) AA6 Turnabout Revolution (6-5)
1.) AA3 Bridge to the Turnabout (3-5)
@BenAV
I did the same thing, those two are among my least favorite.
@Savage_Joe
I concur it's not the best, and they thoroughly miss the mark with Athena being a quivering mess here... But I loved the split personality witness, so interesting! Saw a few people talk about this condition and it's the closest to scary they describe as their experience I've ever seen in media!
And that walking meme of a murderer, come on that was fun!
I actually hated the first two divination trials waaaaaay more! (Except the old guy one, that was the case that made all divination stuff worth it! )
I love ace attorney so much, just An amazing series front to back! ❤️
I'm going for a case per game, because that seems like fun!
1-4 goodbye: So good it created this whole series. Has everything I love about these games and wraps up the first arc wonderfully!
2-2 reunion: I always loved the Fey storyline, and this is my favorite case involving them. The way this is done was so devilishly smart! I prefer shorter investigation-trial-done cases too.
3-4 beginnings: This raised so many questions! Seeing everyone being young, the time line inconsistencies... And it all coming together in that brilliant ending.. Goosebumps! (And of course Bridge is amazing, but that ending is so sad I don't feel like repaying it! )
AJ succesion: I love a good time skipping story! The hopping between then and now, using all the cool new tech, and the amazing courtroom finale. Definitely amazing!
Although I seriously want to stand up for cornered (case 2). I was so into the random stuff coming together in the end, and really liked the lighthearted nature. Finally a case where the world doesn't end if you would get a guilty verdict!
Aai1 reminiscence: Come on, this whole game could be played just for this one! It also showed what this gamestyle could do, something they really took advantage of in Aai2!
AAi2 forgotten: this is hard because this game is the most consistent of all AA games. Not my most favorite, but all VERY VERY good. But I love a good amnesia story and this felt like the best character wise!
PLvsAA The golden court: High stakes, twists and an excellent use of the jury system an grimoire. I really loved this strange game, it's worth the plunge if you haven't played it yet!
DD Academy: I really wanted justice for this victim, something that doesn't always feels that strong in this series. (Usually the emotion is more in getting you're defendant free.) I really liked the setting, I loved the witnesses (Only time I really loved the 3d effect!) and the villain was just loads of fun!
SOJ Rite of: seriously, all the divination stuff led to this case for me! Truly the best use of it, and the ending! After all these games they still manage to make me gasp with some of these! Pretty brilliant!
Tgaa1 the runaway room: see the exanation in this article. Such a great use of the jury setting, amazing characters and a puzzle that's amazingly hard to crack... And then that ending! Wow!!
Honorable mention : adventure of the clouded kokoro: the Garidebbs are a hoot in the jury books and investigation sequences. I still can't believe how brilliant that murder method was, loved it!
Tgaa2: playing and loving every second of it right now!
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