In her first case, Mia Fey attempts to unravel the mystery of a stolen jewel and a two-faced witness.


DEFENSE: Mia Fey
PROSECUTOR: Miles Edgeworth
DEFENDANT: Terry Fawles
VICTIM: Valerie Hawthorne
KILLER: Melissa Foster, aka Dahlia Hawthorne

Our list begins with a case where Phoenix technically doesn't make an appearance. Turnabout Beginnings acts as a narrative bridge (ahem) linking elements of the game's first case to the final one, and with the knowledge of the characters and their histories, it's immediately compelling. For instance, Mia's going up against Edgeworth--hasn't he never lost a case? Who's this guy that looks remarkably like Godot? And isn't the apparent killer in this case someone who ends up getting away? How's this case going to end then? The shocking topper really warms up the player for the final showdown in Trials & Tribulations' twisted, compelling narrative.

Rookie lawyer Apollo Justice attempts to solve a murder that took place during a poker game.


DEFENSE: Apollo Justice
PROSECUTOR: Winston Payne
DEFENDANT: Phoenix Wright
VICTIM: Shadi Smith
KILLER: Kristoph Gavin

While most AA games' first trials serve as extended (if entertaining) tutorials, this one broke the mold. Turnabout Trump was a heck of a way to start Apollo Justice, with a large variety of twists and turns usually seen in games' later cases. The identity of the killer is a genuine surprise and tears the player out of their comfort zone, suggesting that this game just may end up being a bit different from the Ace Attorney they know. It also does a good job introducing some of the new characters, and Phoenix's bizarre new personality.

When tragedy strikes a dear friend, Phoenix Wright has to take on a seemingly untouchable tycoon.


DEFENSE: Phoenix Wright
PROSECUTOR: Miles Edgeworth
DEFENDANT: Maya Fey
VICTIM: Mia Fey
KILLER: Redd White

I really like this case because it immediately thrusts you into the action. By opening with the surprise reveal of Mia's death, it lays down the foundation that no one is safe in this series, which is important for a franchise that features no shortage of murders and twists. It's also surprisingly involved for Wright, who finds himself being threatened, physically assaulted, and forced to be his own lawyer! The takedown of the villain is a little weak, and this is the case that introduced the polarizing spirit channeling aspect into the series, but it's surprisingly memorable and effective regardless, especially so early on.

Unsolved mysteries and character histories combine in a desecrated courtroom.


DEFENSE: Phoenix Wright
PROSECUTOR: Miles Edgeworth
DEFENDANT: Athena Cykes
VICTIM: Metis Cykes, Clay Terran
KILLER: The Phantom, posing as Bobby Fulbright

Dual Destinies starts with a literal bang and ends with a figurative one with the now-standard balls-to-the-wall final case. The twist is a pretty major one that had me scratching my head until its reveal, and it was great seeing old faces meeting new ones. It suffers a tad from being split into two (with 5-4 pretty much being the "first part"), but it's still a great finish for a solid sequel.

A reunion with an old friend quickly turns to tragedy as Kurain village is struck with a spirit channeling murder!


DEFENSE: Phoenix Wright
PROSECUTOR: Franziska von Karma
DEFENDANT: Maya Fey
VICTIM: Turner Grey
KILLER: Ini Miney, posing as Mimi Miney

While I'm not wild about the spirit channeling element of the series, I actually love all the cases where it plays a major role. I just think they do cool, out-of-the-box things with it and the general Kurain "atmosphere" is always fun and refreshing to me. I'd rather investigate a magatama-adorned altar than a police station's garage anyday. 2-2 gets bonus points for introducing Maya's well-developed extended family, like stern Morgan and cheerful Pearl. And the villain ends up being the series first sympathetic baddie, coming across as at least a little justified in the actions taken.

Athena defends an old friend when a mock trial at an academy turns all too real...


DEFENSE: Athena Cykes
PROSECUTOR: Simon Blackquill
DEFENDANT: Juniper Woods
VICTIM: Constance Courte
KILLER: Aristotle Means

This episode suffers from one of the consistent issues of Dual Destinies, where the murder itself is overly-convoluted. However, what makes it rank this high for me is the sheer number of great characters! Super-intense Robin Newman, girl-in-a-box Miriam Scuttlebutt (who I imagine has a Helga Pataki-like voice), smarmy Hugh O'Connor and Juniper Woods are all super fun to get to know, as is the statuesque Mr. Means. There are a couple hilarious twists mixed in as well, notably one with Robin, and then a later one with the villain. It's all very funny and charming and kinda sweet.

In a strange turn of events, Phoenix finds himself defending an orca.


DEFENSE: Phoenix Wright
PROSECUTOR: Simon Blackquill
DEFENDANT: Ora Shipley and Sasha Buckler
VICTIM: Jack Shipley
KILLER: There is actually no killer in this case! But Marlon Rimes comes closest.

I wasn't sure what expect going into this bizarre DLC case, but it ended up being the best story in the game! It's surprisngly entertaining and compelling from start to finish, with plenty of good plot developments and twists to keep me guessing. I was surprised by the guilty party in more ways than one, and there was plenty of good humor (and solid emotion) to make an all-around great case. In fact, I'd say it's the best non-final case in the series!

Phoenix must defend his courtroom rival and solve a decades-old mystery at the same time!


DEFENSE: Phoenix Wright
PROSECUTOR: Manfred von Karma
DEFENDANT: Miles Edgeworth
VICTIM: Robert Hammond
KILLER: Manfred von Karma

The first game's story wraps up with an amazing case that really ties everything up nicely. We get the most intimidating prosecutor in the series, who challenges everything you've learned in the prior three cases, we get some much-needed development for Edgeworth, we get an origin story for Phoenix, Edgeworth and Butz, and we even get to solve a much older case that ties into the current mystery (which becomes a running theme for the series). It's a case that really has it all, and the only thing keeping it from being higher is that the last two are even better.

Maya's kidnapper demands that Phoenix get his client an aquittal, or else...


DEFENSE: Phoenix Wright
PROSECUTOR: Miles Edgeworth
DEFENDANT: Matt Engarde
VICTIM: Juan Corrida
KILLER: Shelly de Killer, hired by Matt Engarde

This classic case starts off as a sequel to 1-3, with appearances by a few of that story's characters (...hello again, Oldbag). However, it soon raises the stakes when Maya gets kidnapped and threatened, and Phoenix's aim for "Not Guilty" is more important than ever! Complicating matters is (BIG SPOILERS) the slow realization that your client ISN'T telling the truth, and is actually guilty himself! Suddenly, Phoenix finds himself in an incredible dilemma: fight for truth and justice but have Maya die, or allow a guilty man to go free for Maya's safe return? It's an incredible case for Phoenix and Edgeworth that really evaluates their characters and relationships and makes for perhaps the most tense, gut-wrenching moments of the series.

A mystery on a mountaintop leads to everyone working together to solve one last impossible murder...


DEFENSE: Phoenix Wright
PROSECUTOR: Godot
DEFENDANT: Iris
VICTIM: Elise Deauxnim, aka Misty Fey
KILLER: Godot, aka Diego Armando

Here it is--the ultimate case! My goodness, this one is just nonstop greatness. The new characters are great--Elise, Iris and Bikini--but what really shines is all the old returning cast, who each play a role in the story. After the first day, Phoenix gets hospitalized, making for a playable Edgeworth for the first time in the series during the second day! And just when you think you have it figured out, the game pulls the rug out from you, again and again! The final breakdown is super-satisfying and well-earned after a game full of putting up with Dahlia's shiz, and the ending is super heartwarming and will have any PW fan reaching for the tissues. Everything comes together here to wrap up a ton of loose ends--Maya, Pearl and Morgan, Godot, Dahlia, and Iris and Phoenix's story. A fantastic topper to a terrific trilogy.