Ace Attorney: 20 Best Cases In The Series

Key Takeaways

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.

Across 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

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

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

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

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.

In 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

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

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

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

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

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.

Featuring 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

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.

10 Turnabout Succession

From Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney

The final case in Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney saw a change in courtroom dynamics, with a Jurist system that would eventually become a staple in The Great Ace Attorney. It also involves a key link to Wright’s infamous final trial before he became disbarred for forging evidence.

Turnabout Succession sees Apollo succeeding Phoenix as the game’s main protagonist. It continues to give you everything you love about Phoenix Wright, with courtroom chicanery and humorous anecdotes. It’s the final case of the game, and it goes out with a bang — introducing the new MASON system that allows you to take control of the jury and decide how it all ends.

9 Turnabout Academy

From Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney — Dual Destinies

Athena Cykes is the newest member of Phoenix Wright’s legal team in Dual Destinies. She eventually rises to the occasion in Turnabout Academy when her childhood friend is accused of murder. The case finally pulls back the curtain on some of Athena’s history and helps make her a much more compelling character.

Beyond Athena finally having the time to show growth and development, Turnabout Academy is a riveting case set at a school full of young prosecutors and defense attorneys. It contains a love triangle, a haunting opening cutscene, and plot lines that reach their conclusions during an epic climax.

8 Turnabout Revolution

From Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney — Spirit Of Justice

The fifth and final episode of Spirit of Justice is a two-part finale, seeing Apollo Justice facing Phoenix Wright on opposite ends of the court before heading to Khura’in, where Dhurke Sahdmadhi — the leader of the Defiant Dragons and Apollo’s foster father — is being tried for murder.

It’s a roller coaster of emotions as Phoenix and Apollo battle it out, then dive into investigating a moving and unjust murder together. It’s a conclusion with an engaging and well-written narrative that perfectly wraps up Apollo’s character arc.

7 Turnabout Sisters

From Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

The iconic second case in the original Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Turnabout Sisters sees the death of Phoenix’s mentor, Mia Fey, with the suspect being her younger sister, Maya Fey — someone who can’t seem to catch a break.

This case is the introduction to many of the household names in the Ace Attorney series, including Maya Fey, Miles Edgeworth, Dick Gumshoe, and Marvin Grossberg. It throws just the right amount of curveballs and dramatic reveals to keep you guessing. It gracefully shows series newcomers that Ace Attorney always delivers on the unexpected.

6 The Cosmic Turnabout

From Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney — Dual Destinies

The penultimate case in Dual Destinies sees Apollo’s friend Clay Terran — an astronaut at the Cosmos Space Center — murdered while escaping a sabotaged rocket launch. It’s a complex plot that features the appearance of a mysterious phantom and Apollo’s emotional resignation, leaving Phoenix to handle the case alone.

This case provides the background and depth needed from Apollo’s character. It’s also unique in being interrupted by the events of Turnabout Countdown before being resolved in Turnabout for Tomorrow. It finishes dramatically while tying up the loose threads from previous cases in a way you won’t see coming.

5 The Adventure Of The Unspeakable Story

From The Great Ace Attorney: Adventures

Not only does the final case in the first Great Ace Attorney out the game with a captivating climax, but it also sets up many important clues and threads to the sequel’s excellent story. The Adventure of the Unspeakable Story follows Ryunosuke and Susato as they attempt to clear one of their friends for murder while also putting other important characters on the precipice of life or death.

A series of misunderstandings ultimately lead up to this case, and trying to unravel it will be Ryunosuke’s biggest challenge so far. Between learning about stereoscopes, the introduction of a mysterious man named Eggert Benedict, and a pair of bumbling thieves, you will have to sort through a slew of clues to eventually crack this case and prove that you deserve a spot in the British courtroom.

4 Turnabout Goodbyes

From Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

The original game’s gripping conclusion saw Miles Edgeworth arrested for the murder of former defense attorney Robert Hammond, with Phoenix stepping in as his defense against the inscrutable prosecutor Manfred Von Karma.

The case featured the first investigation using a police dog, fishing pole, and metal detector, as well as the first introduction of Lotta Hart, a staple character in future games. It’s full of twists and turns, ultimately concluding in a connection to the unsolved DL-6 incident of Edgeworth’s father. It also reveals to you the relationship between Larry, Miles, and Phoenix and what ultimately led Phoenix to become an attorney in the first place.

3 Farewell, My Turnabout

From Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney — Justice For All

The final case of Justice for All features the suspicious murder of an action star and, eventually, the kidnapping of Maya Fey to blackmail Phoenix Wright into getting the suspect acquitted.

This is a case that moves away from the lighthearted humor of previous investigations and into a more intense storyline that sees you questioning your motives when defending a guilty suspect you’ve been forced to assist. The ethical and nail-biting decisions keep you on edge until the dramatic conclusion and are a great example of how this series’ engaging and compelling narrative has kept fans coming back after all these years.

2 The Resolve Of Ryunosuke Naruhodo

From The Great Ace Attorney 2: Resolve

The epic conclusion to the Great Ace Attorney games ties up loose ends from both titles in an eloquent and satisfying final chapter, one that is the culmination of everything that came before it. The way everything comes together throughout the case is shocking, but it ultimately ends on a heartwarming note — and helps establish The Great Ace Attorney 2: Resolve as one of the best entries in the series.

While The Resolve of Ryunosuke Naruhodo is technically the second half of the finale, after the Twisted Karma and His Last Bow chapter, it’s the case that draws everything to its proper conclusion. It’s a well-written and dramatic ending, one that will be hard to beat if the series ever receives a new chapter.

1 Bridge To The Turnabout

From Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney — Trials And Tribulations

It’s not surprising to find Bridge To The Turnabout remaining a firm fan favorite and making Trials and Tribulations arguably the best game in the series. It brings everything from the past three games full circle, with a trip to Hazakura temple for Maya to train her spirit-channeling and Phoenix to investigate a girl who looks an awful lot like Dahlia Hawthorne.

This case wraps up every loose thread in the original trilogy, alongside a throwback cast of characters from all three games. It’s an emotional ending and arguably features the series’ most dramatic moment — a final face-off with Prosecutor Godot. It’s the case that sticks the most with fans and the one that, more often than not, has them reaching for their copy to come back for more.