With over 20 years of history, ten mainline games, and several spinoffs and adaptations, the Ace Attorney franchise has become a cultural phenomenon. From iconic characters like Phoenix Wright and Miles Edgeworth to gripping storylines full of plot twists and turns, this series has something for everyone. In this article, we will look at all Ace Attorney games released so far.
While the games do follow a rough timeline, they don’t necessarily need to be played in order, and there are even spinoff titles that take place outside of the main series. Additionally, some games have been re-released with updated graphics and added features, further complicating the decision-making process.
For those looking to experience the world of Ace Attorney from its humble beginnings to its latest iterations, here are all Ace Attorney games in the series in the order of their original release
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All Ace Attorney Games in Release Order
#1 – Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (2001)
This is where the humble journey of an Ace Attorney began. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney was released in 2001 in Japan but got the Europe and US released four years later in 2005. This innovative visual novel game allowed players to take on the role of Phoenix Wright, a rookie defense attorney, and solve mysteries through a combination of witty investigation and humorous courtroom drama, revolutionizing the interactive narrative genre.
Each case involves gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and presenting evidence to a judge to prove your case. Along the way, Phoenix must also face off against rival prosecutors and solve several puzzles to uncover the truth behind each case.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is now available as part of Ace Attorney Trilogy on:
#2 – Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Justice for All (2002)
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Justice for All was originally released for the GameBoy Advance game in Japan. It was later released for Nintendo DS in 2006 (Japan) and 2007 (Europe & US). This game is divided into four cases, each involving new characters and captivating story plots.
Like all Ace Attorney games, your only goal is to unravel the truth and prove your client’s innocence before a judge. This game is also part of the Ace Attorney Trilogy and can be downloaded from here:
#3 – Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Trials and Tribulations (2004)
Trials and Tribulations is the third installment in the Ace Attorney series, where we once again play as a more experienced and knowledgeable Phoenix Wright. Pheonix has learned a lot in the past two games, and it would be unfair to call him a rookie.
In this game, players are tasked with five intriguing cases, each with dangerous crimes and accusations. The stories in Trials and Tribulations involve the past, present, and future of many characters in the Ace Attorney franchise.
Trials and Tribulations is the third and final game of Ace Attorney Trilogy. Interested players can get it from here:
#4 – Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney (2007)
Apollo Justice takes place seven years after the incidents of Ace Attorney Trilogy. In Apollo Justice, we play Apollo Justice, a young apprentice of our previous main character – Pheonix Wright.
The game follows Apollo as he takes on a series of cases, including defending his childhood friend, a young musician named Lamiroir, and a wealthy businessman accused of murder.
Apollo Justice is available for Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS. Get Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney from:
#5 – Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth (2009)
Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth, released in 2009 in Japan and 2010 in the West, is a spinoff title in the Ace Attorney. Here, we play as the prosecutor, Miles Edgeworth. In all previous games, players had to play as defense attorneys trying to protect their clients. This game features Miles Edgeworth, the iconic antagonist from the Ace Attorney trilogy, as the main character.
Throughout the game, Edgeworth teams up with various characters, including fellow prosecutor Franziska von Karma and rookie detective Dick Gumshoe, to solve various cases, ranging from murders to thefts to international espionage, leading him to a large conspiracy.
Get Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth from:
#6 – Gyakuten Kenji 2 (2011)
Gyakuten Kenji 2 is a Japan-only sequel to Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth, released in 2011. It has been over a decade, but no official English translation release exists. Like in the last part, you play the role of Miles Edgeworth and investigate a series of mysterious cases leading to a secret organization called “Prosecutor’s Killer.”
Despite not having an official English translation, the passionate fanbase of the Ace Attorney series has created fan translations of Gyakuten Kenji 2, allowing non-Japanese-speaking players to experience the game’s gripping storyline and engaging storyline gameplay.
Gyakuten Kenji 2 is available for Nintendo DS, Android, and iOS. Here are the direct links for Android and iOS players:
#7 – Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies (2013)
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies, released in 2013 for the Nintendo 3DS, takes place about a year after the events of the previous game, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, and sees Phoenix Wright returning to the courtroom after a seven-year hiatus.
The game features a total of five interconnected cases, each with its own set of unique challenges and plot twists. Players switch between playing Phoenix Wright, Apollo Justice, and newcomer Athena Cykes as they defend their clients and uncover the truth behind each case.
Here are the official download links:
#8 – Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (2012)
Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a crossover game released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2012 in Japan and in 2014 in the West. The game features characters from Professor Layton and Ace Attorney series, with the story taking place in a medieval setting called Labyrinthia. The game follows Professor Hershel Layton and his assistant Luke Triton, as well as Phoenix Wright and his assistant Maya Fey, as they try to unravel the mysteries of Labyrinthia and defend their clients in court.
The gameplay of Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a blend of the puzzle-solving and exploration of the Professor Layton series and the courtroom drama of the Ace Attorney series. It is available for Nintendo 3DS only.
#9 – Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice (2016)
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice is the sixth main installment in the Ace Attorney series, released in 2016 for the Nintendo 3DS. The game takes place in the fictional country of Khura’in, a land with a legal system based on the power of spirit mediums, where lawyers are not allowed to defend in court.
Phoenix Wright and his protégé Apollo Justice are summoned to Khura’in to help a rebellion fight against the corrupt regime of the Queen of Khura’in, who is also the younger sister of Phoenix’s former assistant, Maya Fey. The game’s story deals with themes of religion, tradition, and family and sees the return of several fan-favorite characters from previous games.
Download Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice from:
#10 – The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles (2021)
The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is a collection of two games, The Great Ace Attorney: Adventures and The Great Ace Attorney 2: Resolve. The games were originally released only in Japan in 2015 and 2017 but were finally released globally in 2021.
The games occur in the Meiji and Taisho eras of Japan and follow the adventures of Ryunosuke Naruhodo, an ancestor of Phoenix Wright, and his partner Susato Mikotoba as they solve various cases and navigate the intricacies of the Japanese legal system.
Download The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles from here:
With over 20 years of history, all Ace Attorney games have proven to be a beloved and enduring franchise with a dedicated fanbase. Each game in the series offers a unique blend of mystery, humor, and memorable characters that keep players returning for more.
Let us know which of the games is your favorite and why down in the comments below!
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All Ace Attorney Games, in Order – Everything You Need to Know