Rewrote the lead section. Reorganized the history section into three "trilogies" (I feel that this is a more accurate/useful conception of the series's history than "Ace Attorney + spinoffs".)
← Older revision
Revision as of 19:41, August 29, 2015
Line 1:
Line 1:
+
{{cleanup}}
:''This page is meant to provide an overview of the entire ''Ace Attorney'' franchise. Links are provided under most section titles for more detailed information on each aspect of the franchise. More information on the main series can be found in the page [[Gyakuten Saiban]].''
:''This page is meant to provide an overview of the entire ''Ace Attorney'' franchise. Links are provided under most section titles for more detailed information on each aspect of the franchise. More information on the main series can be found in the page [[Gyakuten Saiban]].''
[[File:Ace_Attorney_Logo.jpg|thumb|328px|The ''Ace Attorney'' series logo.]]
[[File:Ace_Attorney_Logo.jpg|thumb|328px|The ''Ace Attorney'' series logo.]]
−
'''''Ace Attorney''''' (called '''''Gyakuten Saiban''''' (meaning "Turnabout Trial") and '''''Gyakuten Kenji''''' (meaning "Turnabout Prosecutor") in [[Japan]]) is a meta-series of primarily text-adventure video games created by [[Shu Takumi]] and published by [[Capcom]] for the [[Game Boy Advance]] and [[Nintendo]] [[Nintendo DS|DS]] handheld systems, with ports for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[WiiWare]] and [[iOS]]. The games follow various lawyers in their battles in the [[courtroom]] and their [[investigation]]s of crime scenes.
+
'''''Ace Attorney''''' is a franchise centered around a series of visual novel / adventure hybrid video games developed and published by [[Capcom]]. It began as a trilogy of comedic legal thrillers known as '''''Gyakuten Saiban''''' (逆転裁判, lit. "Turnabout Trial") created by [[Shu Takumi]] and released for [[Nintendo]]'s [[Game Boy Advance]] handheld in [[Japan]] between 2001 and 2004. The trilogy was later ported to the [[Nintendo DS]] between 2005 and 2007 and released internationally. These games follow the exploits of a passionate rookie defense attorney named [[Phoenix Wright]] (Ryūichi Naruhodō in Japan) who fights for his clients in a [[courtroom]] setting loosely resembling that of the [[wikipedia:Criminal justice system of Japan|Japanese legal system]], using [[investigation|investigative skills]], cross-examinations and evidence. Subsequent games have branched off and altered the formula of the original trilogy, as well as starting different protagonists. Among these, two detective games collectively known as ''Ace Attorney Investigations'' (逆転検事 ''Gyakuten Kenji'', lit. "Turnabout Prosecutor") place the player in the role of Phoenix Wright's rival, a genius prosecutor named [[Miles Edgeworth]], as he investigates crime scenes using evidence collection, [[logic]] and [[argument]]s. Also in progress is a series taking place in Meiji-era Japan and Victorian London, called ''Dai Gyakuten Saiban'' (大逆転裁判, lit. "Great Turnabout Trial"), starring [[Ryūnosuke Naruhodō]] and a version of the fictional detective [[Sherlock Holmes]]. As well, the original trilogy has been ported to [[Microsoft Windows]], [[WiiWare]], [[iOS]] and the [[Nintendo 3DS]], and the original ''[[Gyakuten Saiban]]'' formula has continued with [[Apollo Justice]] and [[Athena Cykes]] as new recruits seven years after Phoenix Wright's original adventures.
−
The [[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney|first]] [[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Justice For All|three]] [[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations|games]] (originally released between 2001 and 2004 in Japan) form a trilogy, commonly referred to as the "[[:Category:Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy|Phoenix Wright trilogy]]", and follow defense attorney [[Phoenix Wright]] as he defends his clients in a courtroom setting loosely-resembling that of the [[wikipedia:Criminal justice system of Japan|Japanese legal system]], using investigative skills, cross-examinations and evidence. In 2007, ''[[Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney]]'' was released, and featured a brand new rookie defense attorney called [[Apollo Justice]] as the main protagonist; Wright having been disbarred in the intervening time.
+
==History==
+
===Original trilogy===
+
:''See also: [[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy]]''
+
{{expand}}
+
<!-- There are several sources I'm aware of that provide a lot of detail on the development of the original trilogy. These include:
−
The next two games, the [[Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth|first]] released in 2009, are part of an interquel series known as ''Gyakuten Kenji''<!-- wary of linking or doing anything to this before the GK English name comes out --> in Japan, and follow prosecutor [[Miles Edgeworth]] as he investigates various crime scenes to find the truth behind the crimes using evidence collection, [[logic]] and [[argument]]s with other people. Another game in this spin-off series was released in 2011 in Japan, but there are currently no plans by Capcom to localize it.
+
"Columbo" interview (accounted for)
+
Interview on the DGS website
+
Janet Hsu's blog
−
In 2013, ''[[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies]]'', was released for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] and featured a return of Wright (reinstated as an attorney), Justice, and a new protagonist called [[Athena Cykes]]. This game is grouped together with the first four games to comprise the "''[[Gyakuten Saiban]]''" (meaning "Turnabout Trial") series.
+
My plan currently is to focus on each source one at a time. Maybe other sources could be added later that could contribute to expanding this section or development sections of the individual games. -->
+
The first ''Gyakuten Saiban'' (later localized as ''[[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney]]'') was conceived and created by a small team led by [[Shu Takumi]].
−
==History==
+
Takumi has cited ''[[Wikipedia:Perry Mason (TV series)|Perry Mason]]'' and ''[http://ho-lingnojikenbo.blogspot.nl/search/label/A%20Aiichirou%20|%20%E4%BA%9C%E6%84%9B%E4%B8%80%E9%83%8E A Aiichirou]'' as inspirations for his game.<ref name="kono maga ga sugoi">Ash. [http://forums.court-records.net/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=31309 Takumi on Columbo (Kono Manga ga Sugoi interview)]. [http://forums.court-records.net/ Court Records Forums]. Retrieved 2015-08-29.</ref> Takumi has also mentioned ''[http://ho-lingnojikenbo.blogspot.nl/2011/07/unlucky-men-in-rain.html Soutou no Akuma]'' as an influence in the episode ''[[Bridge to the Turnabout]]''.<ref name="kono maga ga sugoi"/>
−
The series, which now spans 15 different game products (including ports), started with three games released on the Game Boy Advance only in Japan between 2001 and 2004, created by a small team led by [[Shu Takumi]] and starring Ryuuichi Naruhodo (Phoenix Wright). These first ''Gyakuten Saiban'' was then remade for the Nintendo DS as ''Gyakuten Saiban: Yomigaeru Gyakuten'' (meaning "Turnabout Trial: Turnabout Rebirth) in 2005, which included English-language mode, making it a popular import title. Later that year, a North American version of the remake was released as ''[[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney]]'', followed by a European version. The remake also featured an extra case, ''[[Rise from the Ashes]]'', which used the microphone and touchscreen features of the Nintendo DS for using forensic tools. Similar remakes for the next two games followed, named ''[[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Justice For All]]'' and ''[[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations]]'' in localizations, though these did not feature extra cases.
+
+
These first ''Gyakuten Saiban'' was then remade for the Nintendo DS as ''Gyakuten Saiban: Yomigaeru Gyakuten'' (meaning "Turnabout Trial: Turnabout Rebirth) in 2005, which included English-language mode, making it a popular import title. Later that year, a North American version of the remake was released as ''[[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney]]'', followed by a European version. The remake also featured an extra case, ''[[Rise from the Ashes]]'', which used the microphone and touchscreen features of the Nintendo DS for using forensic tools. Similar remakes for the next two games followed, named ''[[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Justice For All]]'' and ''[[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations]]'' in localizations, though these did not feature extra cases.
+
===DS era===
The fourth title, ''[[Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney]]'', was built for the Nintendo DS from the ground up, and starred a new lawyer, Apollo Justice. Mechanics from ''Rise from the Ashes'' made a return in various capacities in this game and in subsequent games. The practice of including an English mode was discontinued, the English localization only appearing in international releases. Capcom then partnered with Daletto (a company co-founded by Capcom to work with online games) to release the first three games as episodic content only in Japan between March and May 2008. After ''Apollo Justice'', [[Takeshi Yamazaki]] took over the director's position from Takumi and produced a game starring Phoenix's rival Miles Edgeworth, ''Gyakuten Kenji''. This was localized internationally as ''[[Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth]]'', though only the English language became available. iOS and WiiWare remakes of the original three games soon followed, though in case of the iOS, only the first game made it to North America.
The fourth title, ''[[Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney]]'', was built for the Nintendo DS from the ground up, and starred a new lawyer, Apollo Justice. Mechanics from ''Rise from the Ashes'' made a return in various capacities in this game and in subsequent games. The practice of including an English mode was discontinued, the English localization only appearing in international releases. Capcom then partnered with Daletto (a company co-founded by Capcom to work with online games) to release the first three games as episodic content only in Japan between March and May 2008. After ''Apollo Justice'', [[Takeshi Yamazaki]] took over the director's position from Takumi and produced a game starring Phoenix's rival Miles Edgeworth, ''Gyakuten Kenji''. This was localized internationally as ''[[Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth]]'', though only the English language became available. iOS and WiiWare remakes of the original three games soon followed, though in case of the iOS, only the first game made it to North America.
+
===3DS era===
''[[Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney]]'' (a crossover with the [[Professor Layton (series)|''Professor Layton'' series]]) and ''[[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies]]'' were released in 2012 and 2013, respectively, in Japan, with both receiving North American and European releases shortly afterwards (2014 and 2013 for the two games, respectively).
''[[Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney]]'' (a crossover with the [[Professor Layton (series)|''Professor Layton'' series]]) and ''[[Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies]]'' were released in 2012 and 2013, respectively, in Japan, with both receiving North American and European releases shortly afterwards (2014 and 2013 for the two games, respectively).
−
===Future titles===
−
{{unreleased}}
On December 27, 2013, Capcom announced that the ''Dual Destinies'' team, including director Takeshi Yamazaki, was working "full force" on the next ''Ace Attorney'' game, but did not mention if it would be a main series title, a third ''Investigations'' game, or a new spin-off. It was also revealed that Shu Takumi was working on a new game that would be announced in 2014, but at the time they did not reveal whether it was related to ''Ace Attorney'' or not.<ref>Giuseppe Nelva (2013-12-27). [http://www.dualshockers.com/2013/12/27/capcom-developers-tease-new-games-to-be-announced-next-year-new-ace-attorney-in-the-works/ Capcom Developers Tease New Games to Be Announced Next Year, New Ace Attorney in the Works]. DualSHOCKERS. Retrieved on 2014-03-23.</ref> On February 13, 2014, Nintendo announced during a Japanese edition of Nintendo Direct that Takumi's game is a "totally different" new entry in the ''Ace Attorney'' series for the Nintendo 3DS.<ref>Brian Ashcraft (2014-02-13). [http://kotaku.com/capcom-is-making-a-new-ace-attorney-1522432859 Capcom Is Making a New ''Ace Attorney'']. Kotaku. Retrieved on 2014-03-23.</ref> On April 23, 2014, it was revealed that Takumi's new title was titled ''[[Dai Gyakuten Saiban: Naruhodō Ryūnosuke no Bōken]]'' and would feature an ancestor of Phoenix Wright's called [[Ryūnosuke Naruhodō]] who lived in [[Japan]] during the [[wikipedia:Meiji period|Meiji period]].
On December 27, 2013, Capcom announced that the ''Dual Destinies'' team, including director Takeshi Yamazaki, was working "full force" on the next ''Ace Attorney'' game, but did not mention if it would be a main series title, a third ''Investigations'' game, or a new spin-off. It was also revealed that Shu Takumi was working on a new game that would be announced in 2014, but at the time they did not reveal whether it was related to ''Ace Attorney'' or not.<ref>Giuseppe Nelva (2013-12-27). [http://www.dualshockers.com/2013/12/27/capcom-developers-tease-new-games-to-be-announced-next-year-new-ace-attorney-in-the-works/ Capcom Developers Tease New Games to Be Announced Next Year, New Ace Attorney in the Works]. DualSHOCKERS. Retrieved on 2014-03-23.</ref> On February 13, 2014, Nintendo announced during a Japanese edition of Nintendo Direct that Takumi's game is a "totally different" new entry in the ''Ace Attorney'' series for the Nintendo 3DS.<ref>Brian Ashcraft (2014-02-13). [http://kotaku.com/capcom-is-making-a-new-ace-attorney-1522432859 Capcom Is Making a New ''Ace Attorney'']. Kotaku. Retrieved on 2014-03-23.</ref> On April 23, 2014, it was revealed that Takumi's new title was titled ''[[Dai Gyakuten Saiban: Naruhodō Ryūnosuke no Bōken]]'' and would feature an ancestor of Phoenix Wright's called [[Ryūnosuke Naruhodō]] who lived in [[Japan]] during the [[wikipedia:Meiji period|Meiji period]].
==Setting==
==Setting==
−
The game takes place in an urban city mostly set in the 2010s and 2020s; for the Japanese versions, this city is somewhere in [[Japan]], while other versions place the games in [[Los Angeles]], [[United States|California]]. Cases tend to be localized within the city, though some take place well outside city limits, such as [[Kurain Village]] and [[Flight I-390]]. The main characters of ''Ace Attorney'' are lawyers who investigate crime scenes and then take their evidence to court. Throughout the stories, these lawyers work under an intricate system of rules in the crime scene as well as the [[courtroom]].
+
Most of the games take place in an urban city mostly set in the 2010s and 2020s; for the Japanese versions, this city is somewhere in [[Japan]], while other versions place the games in [[Los Angeles]], [[United States|California]]. Cases tend to be localized within the city, though some take place well outside city limits, such as [[Kurain Village]] and [[Flight I-390]]. The main characters of ''Ace Attorney'' are lawyers who investigate crime scenes and then take their evidence to court. Throughout the stories, these lawyers work under an intricate system of rules in the crime scene as well as the [[courtroom]].
===Trials===
===Trials===