Summary
- The Ace Attorney series offers riveting cases with jaw-dropping twists, suspense, and emotional conclusions.
- The final episode of each game always knocks it out of the park, but many early cases are just as exhilarating.
The Ace Attorney series has been entertaining aspiring detectives, prosecutors, spirit mediums, and defense attorneys for over 20 years while also becoming one of the most popular and recognizable visual novel titles of all time. Phoenix Wright, Apollo Justice, Ryunosuke Naruhodo, and Miles Edgeworth have allowed fans to join their investigations of a plethora of cases, examining crime scenes, cross-examining witnesses, and sifting through evidence before going toe-to-toe with some of the best prosecutors Ace Attorney has to offer.
RelatedHow Many Cases Are In Each Ace Attorney Game?
We're on the case. We've counted every case in each Ace Attorney game to see exactly how many you'll need to solve over the series.
PostsAcross 11 titles, some of these cases have become more memorable for their jaw-dropping reveals, thrilling suspense, and emotional conclusions. While every case in the Ace Attorney series offers a riveting look inside the world of law and order, some are remembered more than others for their compelling characters and unpredictable twists and turns.
Updated on September 19, 2024, by PJ Molloy: After years of waiting, Capcom finally launched an official English localization of Ace Attorney Investigations 2, thanks to the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection. It was difficult narrowing it down to just two, but nonetheless, we've updated the list with the very best cases from Edgeworth's latest adventure.
20 Turnabout Legacy
From Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor's Gambit
Defense
Client
Rivals
Gregory Edgeworth, Miles Edgeworth
Samson Tangaroa
Manfred von Karma, Eustace Winner, Verity Gavèlle
Turnabout Legacy switches between the past and present as Gregory and Miles investigate the same murder nearly two decades apart. When an 18-year-old corpse is discovered, Miles must delve into his late father's final case for answers.
In the past, you're treated to a glimpse at the legendary battle between Gregory and Manfred von Karma, providing context to the trial that ended with the former's murder. In the present, you get to witness many shocking twists as Miles finally solves the mystery that got his father killed. Not only does this episode deliver excellent world-building, but it also offers an exhilarating mystery that puts Edgeworth through the emotional wringer.
19 Turnabout For The Ages
From Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor's Gambit
Prosecutor
Client
Rival
Miles Edgeworth
None
Shi-Long Lang
The President of Zheng Fa has been assassinated, Verity Gavèlle's son has been kidnapped, the ruthless serial killer Bodhidharma Kanis has escaped from prison, and previous murderers Fifi Laguarde and Excelsius Winner are rigging the court system to get acquitted of their crimes. Edgeworth has only a few hours to put all criminals behind bars, find Gavèlle's son, and figure out the mastermind behind it all.
Welcome to Turnabout for the Ages, a non-stop roller coaster ride brimming with nail-biting suspense. On top of the exciting plot, this case delivers heart-wrenching character arcs for Miles and Eustace Winner, both of whom rediscover what it means to be a good prosecutor. It's a worthy ending to a fantastic game.
18 Turnabout Ablaze
From Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth
Prosecutor
Client
Rivals
Miles Edgeworth
Kay Faraday
Shih-na, Shi-Long Lang
Turnabout Ablaze is the final case in Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth and puts his assistant Kay Faraday at the center of a murder investigation when the body of a man is found in a burnt-out embassy office.
It's the conclusion the game's been working towards and one of the most complex and exhilarating cases to solve in the series. It ends with Miles Edgeworth resolving the mystery of the Great Thief Yatagarasu and ending the smuggling ring's reign of terror. It also includes iconic throwbacks, with characters Larry Butz and the ever-Edgeworth-smitten Wendy Oldbag making surprising cameos.
17 Turnabout Reclaimed
From Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies
Defense
Defendants
Prosecutor
Phoenix Wright
Orla Shipley, Sasha Buckler
Simon Blackquill
DLC for the Ace Attorney series was first introduced in Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright and returned throughout later entries as self-contained cases with zero impact on the main narrative. Turnabout Reclaimed was the only DLC for Dual Destinies, but it's become a fan-favorite for its unique storyline and characters.
Related10 Best Cases In The Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Only the finest legal wangling will get you through these!
PostsIn almost every other case in the series, you must defend someone from a wrongful accusation. However, Turnabout Reclaimed subverts the usual formula once you meet your client. Instead of defending a human, you must defend an orca whale that's under arrest for killing its captain. Phoenix Wright, Athena Cykes, and Pearl Fey must work together to get to the bottom of this fishy case and find enough evidence to prove that killer whale is just a nickname for orcas.
16 Turnabout Samurai
From Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Defense
Defendant
Prosecutor
Phoenix Wright
Will Powers
Miles Edgeworth
Turnabout Samurai is the third case in the original Ace Attorney game and introduces many memorable characters while you unravel a captivating whodunnit. After a murder on a TV production set, Phoenix and Maya are tasked with defending an actor, Will Powers.
As the third case ever, Turnabout Samurai sets a high bar for anything that comes after it. With unpredictable twists and motivations, it's hard not to feel the suspense as you slowly discover the truth. You also got to meet Wendy Oldbag for the first time, who leaves a first impression that is very hard to forget.
15 The Adventure Of The Runaway Room
From The Great Ace Attorney: Adventures
Defense
Defendant
Prosecutor
Ryunosuke Naruhodo
Magnus McGilded
Barok van Zieks
The Great Ace Attorney: Adventures loves to keep you on your feet, and Ryunosuke Naruhodo's first case in Britain is one worth remembering. Tasked with defending the highly suspicious Magnus McGilded, your main goal is to investigate a murder that took place in a small carriage, which presents a myriad of unique obstacles and solutions. The case itself is intriguing, and it plays a major role in The Great Ace Attorney's arch.
It's fascinating, but the case shines when it begins to become clear that not everything is what it seems, and Ryunosuke enters an internal battle of morals and justification. It's his job to defend his clients, but can he really do that when he might not believe their innocence? It's a complex situation and one of the many reasons Great Ace Attorney separates itself from the main series.
14 Reunion, And Turnabout
From Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice For All
Defense
Defendant
Prosecutor
Phoenix Wright
Maya Fey
Franziska von Karma
The second case in Justice for All shows how Maya reunited with Phoenix after their tearful goodbye from the first game. In this case, Maya is accused of the murder of Dr. Turner Grey after using her powers to channel his former nurse in an attempt to get her to admit responsibility for damaging his clinic's publicity before she died.
This locked-room murder case was the first to introduce the Psyche-Lock mechanic. It also lays the groundwork for the trilogy's biggest case, Bridge to the Turnabout. It remains a fan-favorite for providing a look into the inner workings of the Fey clan, alongside the introduction of Franziska von Karma and Pearl Fey.
13 Turnabout Serenade
From Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney
Defense
Defendant
Prosecutor
Apollo Justice
Machi Tobaye
Klavier Gavin
At this point in the series, Apollo, Phoenix, and the rest of the protagonists should know that whenever they go out to an event, there will almost always be a murder for them to solve. So, after they receive an invitation to The Gavinners concert, ironically named the "Guilty As Charged" tour, it's less than surprising when a dead body is found backstage.
The setup is familiar, but the path to justice is just as exciting as seeing your favorite band perform live. Similar to most cases, nothing is as it seems, and with the murder taking place at a concert venue, there are a lot of smoke and mirrors involved that make even the supernatural seem plausible. An extra layer of tension is added because the prosecutor is directly involved with the case as the guitar player for The Gavinners.
12 Rise From The Ashes
From Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Defense
Defendant
Prosecutor
Phoenix Wright
Lana Skye
Miles Edgeworth
Rise From The Ashes is one of the longest cases to date and contains the most evidence in any Ace Attorney case ever. It's set two months after Turnabout Goodbyes and features Phoenix investigating a mysterious confession to murder from Lana Skye, a friend of his late mentor Mia Fey.
Related8 Best Ace Attorney Crossovers And References
We have no objections to these crossovers and cameos.
PostsFeaturing a hunt for a serial killer, police corruption, and evidence tampering, it also allows you to work with Miles Edgeworth to sift through a mountainous pile of evidence and tough cross-examinations to learn the awful truth of what really happened. Rise from the Ashes is a truly legendary case that signals Phoenix Wright's return to law after his break.
11 The Memoirs Of The Clouded Kokoro
From The Great Ace Attorney 2: Resolve
Defense
Defendant
Prosecutor
Ryunosuke Naruhodo
Soseki Natsume
Barok van Zieks
The Memoirs of the Clouded Kokoro is the second case in the second Great Ace Attorney game and a direct sequel to one of the cases from the first game. Set only a day after The Adventure of the Clouded Kokoro, this case has you defending Soseki Natsume once again as he finds himself wrongfully accused of murder — again.
After spending the night drinking tea and debating with his neighbor — the unforgettable William Shamspeare — Natsume is accused of murdering him when he is found unconscious the next morning. What ensues is a baffling case full of liars, the return of John Garrideb, and so much more as Ryunosuke tries to wrap his head around this theatrical mystery.
