We've only just had a Steam event and now another one is on the way. Get rea??dy for th??e Steam Visual Novel Fest, a celebration of games that put a lot of emphasis on story and narrative.

In a recent video uploaded to the Steam YouTube channel (with a few details over on the Steam website itself), there's a brief run down on what the fest will feature. For a whole week starting August 7, you'll be treated to a host of visual novel-style games, which in??cludes discounts and demos.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHlRY8V-Kig

Immerse yourself in stories

Some of the games that will be part of the event include the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney trilogy, for those of you who like a courtroom drama type of story. There's also Telltale's Walking Dead series, specifically the Definitive edition, which contains all fou??r season?s.

Other titles included in the Steam Visual Novel Fest include The Pillars of Earth, the adaptation of Ken Follett's epic story set in 12th century England, as well as SFB Games' Tangle Tower, Toge Productions' Coffee Talk, and more.

Steam is well known for putting on plenty of festivals and events to keep us out of pocket throughout the year. Recently, we had the Stealth Fest ??which, as you can imagine, was a ??celebration of all things stealthy and clandestine.

Combined with all the sales that happen, it's a wonder any of us have any money left. While there are alternatives when it comes to PC digital storefronts, Steam is the OG, having dominated? the market for 20 years. Honestly, with events like this, it's not really surprising that it continues to reign supreme.

The post Steam’s Visual Novel Fest will feature The Walking Dead, Phoenix Wright, and more appeared first on Destructoid.

Happy holidays, everyone

It's almost always difficult to dole out seasonal video game recommendations, and never is that challenge more apparent than now, at the beginning of the holiday season. We're only a few day?s out from Hanukkah, which means the holidays are here in full force. But with so few festive video games ?in existence, it's hard to figure out what, exactly, to play with hot cocoa in hand.

Luckily for you, I've got ten solid candidates for your playing pleasure over the next couple of weeks. I've ??tried my best to include something for everyone here, whether you're home for the holidays or stuck someplace you'd rather not be.

Let me make two things clear: For one, I'm only focusing on games that are readily accessible in 2022. Wii Sports is obviously the best holiday game, but, unfortunately, it is disqualified from this list (and Nintendo Switch Sports is not quite a worthy successor). Sorry, bowling stans. I'm also not simply compiling a list of Christmas-themed games or games with Christmas levels. While I would love to put Kingdom Hearts 2 on this list for its excellent Nightmare Before Christmas world, that game doesn't feel very holiday-ish to m??e. There are some Christmas-themed games here, but there are also games that simply feel like they belong in the holiday lineup. It's all about vibes. With that in mind, let's dive into the ten best games to play during the holiday season.

1. RuneScape

The holiday season can be a lonely time for many, so it's natural to want to find an online community of some sort. While my personal favorite MMO is Final Fantasy XIV, I think Final Fantasy will get its due on this list. Instead, I'd like to point to a particularly nice little title: RuneScape.

RuneScape is one of those rare MMOs where the community is generally friendly and inviting, and the game itself is downright charming. If you're like me and the falling snow outside always makes you a little nostalgic, then Old School RuneScape, an early-00s ti??me capsule, is an even better option.

2. Spider-Man: Miles Morales

The older Spider-Man is taking a well-earned working vacation, and he's left the new guy in charge... just in time for Christmas. Yes, Spider-Man: Miles Morales is, indeed, one of the few proper Christmas games out there, and exploring a thoroughly winterized take on the gorgeously realized Manhattan of 2018's Marvel's Spider-Man is an absolute treat.

At its core, this game isn't all that diff??erent from the 2018 title, but the 2018 title is great, so that's just fine. Swinging and flipping a??round Harlem is a blast, and there are plenty of engaging side quests that make this a perfect game to burrow into.

3. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

Another rare game with some bona fide Christmas action is Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. I will forever associate this game with the holidays simply because I got it as a Christmas pre?sent in middle school, but the final case in the game is a genuine Christmas story! It's also very good.

Murder mysteries have always been a perfect winter excursion, and the Ace Attorney series has some of the most engaging murder mysteries in video game history. Weeding out the killer from an ensemble of well-realized characters is an absolute delight. This first game in the series is great, but if it leaves you wanting more, you can always do what I do at least once a year and play all five of its sequels in quick succession immediately afterwards. The two newly-localized spinoffs, released as The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, also have some winter-set cases, so you should probably give those a shot, too. Oh, and Ghost Trick, while you're at it.

4. Cave Story

Something about Cave Story will always scream "holidays" to me. Maybe it's the cozy sprite art, or the sense of wondrous exploration. Maybe it's the adorable bunny-like Mimiga and the sense of community in their little village. Maybe it's the holiday overlay t??he game receives every year. Maybe it's just because o??ne of the main characters is named "Santa."

Whatever the case, Cave Story is an excellent way to spend a few cool winter evenings. There's also a free-to-play side story, Cave Story's Secret Santa, that is explicitly about Christmas, which is neat. As a side note, I've f?ound a healthy handful of Christmas games for this list and absolutely no games centered on the other winter holidays. Curious.

5. Christmas Massacre

I know the holidays are usually a time for cheer and high spirits, but I'm also a horror fan, so I know people who enjoy horror do not rest for the month of December. So once you're done watching Black Christmas and Krampus (and Adult Swim Yule Log, a new but worthy addition to the canon), why not try out Christmas Massacre?

Puppet Combo, the one-man army behind a wave of VHS-inspired low-poly horror games, delivered a very Puppet Combo-ish Christmas present with this title. If the idea of a serial killer dressed as Santa Claus ?appeals to you, you'll probably get something out of this one.

6. Final Fantasy IX

A lot of people find themselves with a bit of extra free time on their hands right about now. School breaks are beginning, folks are taking time off from work, and things are winding down before they get hectic all over again. What to do with all that space in your schedule? Why not tuck into a big old JRP??G?

Realistically, any Final Fantasy game could fill this space. Final Fantasy VI and VII are two of the greatest JRPGs ever made, so if you haven't already, you really should give those a shot. I'm currently in the midst of a Final Fantasy XIII replay (and I'm gonna finish it this time, I swear). If RuneScape wasn't your speed and you still need an MMO, XIV is great. But for my money, if you want a game that feels like it was made to be played with a blanket and a warm drink, Final Fantasy IX is the game for you.

7. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

It's not always easy to get the whol??e family onboard with a video game. When I'm at my folks' place, it can be tough to convince anyone to buckle down and play something together - video games just aren't their speed.

You know what everyone can agree on, though? Mario Kart. It is an indisputable fact of life that everyone loves Mario Kart. Your mom loves Mario Kart, and your grandma does, too. Your cousins? Huge Luigi-heads. Anyone who's coming to visit will be happy to play Mario Kart. That's just reality.

8. The Last of Us

I know The Last of Us doesn't exactly mesh well with "Feliz Navidad," but I still think now's a good time to give it a shot. At its core, The Last of Us is a game about a cynical, lonely old man learning to accept love and family into his heart. That is, to be clear, the exact same story as Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

I'm only half-joking with this one. Obviously, The Last of Us is neither whimsical nor cheery. Still, it's the kind of?? non-traditional family narrative that I get a ?craving for right around this time every year. Plus, you're probably going to want a refresher before the HBO show next month.

9. Super Mario 3D World

Yeah, I put two Mario games on the list. Sue me. Super Mario 3D World ??is one of those games that just makes you feel like a kid again. It's not too big, it's not overly demanding, and it's just a dang good time. The unparalleled warmth of a bite-sized Mario running through bite-sized levels is exactly enough to ward off that pesky winter chill??.

10. Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics

When you've exhausted every track in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe but you still want something to play with your gaming-repulsed family, it's probably time to turn to Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics. This collection of games (mostly board and card games, some faux sports) is?? the perfect remedy for a tired holiday gathering.

Every game in Clubhouse Games is simple enough that everyone at your party will be able to understand it. In fact, they probably already know the rules to a lot of these titles. Quite frankly, if your family is like mine, you're going to be spending a lot of time playing board games anyways. Why not play them in this extremely charming and polished package? It's even got bowling! And it almost feels like Wii Sports bowling!

The post 10 best games to play this holiday season appeared first on Destructoid.

What's in store for the franchise's third decade?

Believe it or don't, your honor, but it's been 20 years since the launch of the brilliant legal drama/detective adventure Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. Yesterday, Capcom Japan launched a brand new website celebrating the anniversary.

Since the series made its highly acclaimed, best-selling debut on the Nintendo DS, the Ace Attorney franchise has only grown in scope, scale, and success. With its unique blend of murder mystery, relationship drama, supernatural shenanigans, and a very welcome streak of humor, players have followed the wild-haired attorney, as well as his successors and predecessors, as they have seen justice done time and again, aided and hindered by a huge cast of charismatic friends, sidekicks, and antagonists. Many of whom are celebrated on the Ace Attorney anniversary site.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=68dOTCiez5I

Over the years, the Ace Attorney series itself has experimented and evolved its own format �bringing in new characters and mechanics; visiting alternate time periods; and even spinning off into a range of manga, anime, and live-action adaptations. Wright even stepped into the ring in 2011, becoming a playable character in Capcom's excellent crossover franchise Marvel vs. Capcom. So if you?? ever wanted to see Phoenix Wright take on Dr. Doom... Well, it's possible.

The new Ace Attorney anniversary website is still under construction but features some fresh artwork and a brief message from the development team. Series' fans have already begun chattering in excited whispers, wondering what projects might possibly be planned for the franchise's 20th year. A series of concerts? A new anime? A fresh run of merchandise? or perhaps, finally, a complete collection, featuring every title that has worn the Ace Attorney mantle. Of course, nothing is confirmed, but regardless of what Capcom has in store, h?ere's to many, many more years of madcap cou?rtroom chaos.

Any objections?

The post Phoenix Wright: Ace At??torney launches 20th ann?iversary website appeared first on Destructoid.

The game is afoot

Deduction and logic are at the heart of a good Ace Attorney case, and especially in The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles. Each one has its own rise and fall, building up from a prelude and initial investigation into sometimes massive webs of conspiracy, with all secrets laid t?o bare in the midst of a courtroom battle.

The ?Ace Attorney series marks its 20th anniversary this?? year, stretching back to the first Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney hitting the Game Boy Advance in Japan in 2001. And though North America has seen the mainline entri??es make their way over onto?? various platforms, the side games have been a different story.

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles brings over both of the Great Ace Attorney games, localizing two spin-offs that not only put the focus on a new cast of characters rather than Phoenix and the gang, but take place in an entirely different era too. It's an all-new setting that takes advantage of its time period, historical potential, and even a bit of fiction to create an Ace Attorney duology that is, simply put, fantastic.

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles (Nintendo Switch [reviewed], PS4, Steam)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Released: July 27, 2021
MSRP: $39.99

Set during the late 19th century, as the international relationship between Great Britain and Japan sits precariously atop a new treaty, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles follows the travels and tribulations of accused-turned??-law student Ryunosuke Naruhodo and judicial assistant Susato Mikitoba. As the pair leave Japan and set sail for Great Britain alongside their mutual friend Kazuma Asogi to get some hands-on law study in a global center of innovation, they quickly find themselves mired in international politics and uncovering conspiracies stretching back for years.

Joining them is a cast of characters that, true to Ace Attorney games? prior, is full of odd, quirky, eccentric people trying to make ends meet in London. Most notable among them is Herlock Sholmes, who is essentially Sherl??ock Holmes but renamed for copyright reasons. Herlock and his partner Iris Wilson quickly become regulars and part of the crew, and in Herlock's case, heavily play into the investigation side of things. We'll get to that in a little bit.

A frequent face across the courtroom from Naruhodo during both games' trials is Lord Barok van Zieks, a British prosecutor who's also whispered to be the "Reaper of the Bailey." He seems to hold a grudge against Naruh??odo and all Japanese, and he stands as an intimidating opponent that nevertheless endears himself t?o you over the course of the duology. He's just so expressive and imposing, punctuating his objections with the pouring of a wine glass or the flick of a bottle, it's hard not to love him, even when he's completely destroying your arguments.

Other highlights include some trial characters that slowly ingratiate themselves with the main cast, like Inspector Gregson and the orphaned pickpocket Gina Lestrade. Even the individual trial characters, the culprits and suspects who come and go, have their memorable personality quirks and designs. Ace Attorney games usually have pretty eccentric casts, and The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is no exception.

The way these stories play out is also fantastic. Pairing the two Great Ace Attorney games together makes sense, just to bring both over and offer a pretty sizable amount of Ace Attorney in a single package, alongside a good amount of concept art and extras. But these games flow extremely well together; both within each entry, dubbed Adventures and Resolve, and between the two. Every trial builds up on the mountain of mysteries that Naruhodo and pals are slowly picking apart, until by the end, you're discovering h??uge twists that could change a nation. Alone, they're good; paired together, they're great.

The trials are very solid, with a few in particular already taking a spot in my all-time series favorites. (Resolve's third case, if you're curious.) They all have a very natural flow to them, with the action rising and falling very well. I did still run into a few moments where I was working a few steps ahead of where the story wanted me to be, logically, but that's ultimately part of what I think makes The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles work so well.

What's interesting about The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles' trials are how you get to the truth, and also how you prove it, beyond a reasonable doubt, as the truth. Good mystery games have fun, interesting, twisting webs of story to unravel, but The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles frequently makes a point ??to have Naruhodo, and you, prove that something is the only possible solution. The time period also means there aren't as many modern forensic tools available, or they're only just starting to become commonplace. This results in some really great a-ha moments and logical headscratchers, where you're trying to discern just how a hypothesis you've posited is what really happened.

Summation Examination is one of the ways this best manifests in some of the cases. Trials taking place in Great Britain have a jury, and have a unique twist: each juror can, at any point in the trial, decide they've heard enough and declare for either Guilt??y or Not Guilty. If the jury ??unanimously declares a Guilty verdict, Naruhodo can start a Summation Examination, where he has to pit juror's arguments for why they think the accused is guilty against each other.

These segments serve as good segues between major trial revelations, but they're also pretty interesting in that they demand a lot of pressing and reasoning, rather than presenting evidence to contradict statements. The focus is put on find??ing ways in which jurors' differing views on a matter highlight lingering contradictions in the trial, and uncovering them feels really rewarding.

This sort of logical reasoning also shows up in the Dance of Deduction, which takes place during the out-of-trial Investigation sections. Here, Herlock Sholmes will make a grand deduction, snapping aro?und the room and spotlighting different things he's noticed, and how they indicate some greater t??ruth.

The problem is, Herlock isn't always exactly on point, and so Naruhodo has to step in to clear things up. It plays out as an observation game, where you have to examine the angles from which Herlock is observing different pieces of information and find the real piece of evidence he noticed. A worri?ed glance t?owards one corner of the room might not have been towards a flyer for the circus, for example, but towards a different item on the same table.

These deductions aren't all too difficult, as it's usually a case of just noticing the one thing slightly awry in the scene, but they do a lot to break up the Investigation phase and add a little more interaction into them. Rather than the usual point-and-click search through an area, t?hese Dances of Deduction involve viewing the scene from new angles, and usually unveil some i??nteresting truths about the supporting characters.

Both the Deductions and Summation Examinations are really strong additions to the tried-and-true Ace Attorney formula. They blend in naturally with the gameplay, use a lot of the same verbiage as the regular investigation or cross-examination sections, and really emphasize Naruhodo's growing?? ability to deduce and discover the truth behind these situations.

In fact, a lot of what makes Ace Attorney a great series is on display here. The music is absolutely stellar; I've always felt the Ace Attorney doesn't get enough credit for its music, and the sweeping string accompaniments in The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles really work well to highlight the drama and intensity of big?? revelations.

In terms of cinematics, the first game Adventures has a few animated cutscenes to accompany big story book-ends, while Resolve utilizes seemingly in-engine scenes. The jumping around in visual styles isn't bad�em>The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles as a wh?ole looks really good on the Switch—but it does feel a bit jarring. Between those, and the occasional intro from Wilson that frames the coming trial as a Sholmes story in the making, the visual presentation shi??fts around a bit between games, but never too much to its detriment.

There are also cases where I had to poke around a crime scene for a while, or try and figure out which characters needed to still be talked to or shown something to tick the box for the story to progress forward. These moments will probably feel familiar to Ace Attorney fans, and they're not deal-breakers by any stretch, but it is something for newcomers to be mindful about. There will be moments where the right point to break through takes some thinking and shifting your perspective, but I never felt any solution was too difficult to work out.

That said, this is also the Ace Attorney game I would absolutely, wholeheartedly recommend to anyone trying to get into the series. I enjoy the adventures of Phoenix Wright a lot (and the original trilogy has its own collection as well), but if you want something newer and the idea of a good detective story running alongside the courtroom drama is appealing, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles fits the bill beautifully.

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles as a unified duology really captures everything that draws players into this series in the first place. It's got big reveals and turnabouts, clever use of examinations and deductions,?? and a cast littered with memorable, endearing characters. Naruhodo's journey through the legal system of London is one that's been a series highlight. It's nice to finally have these games in the West, as both a great onboarding point for newcomers and a nice treat for Ace Attorney ??fans. No objections here.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles appeared first on Destructoid.

Wallpaper for everyone

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is finally out in the west, compiling several older Japan-exclusive Ace Attorney games. Capcom has always been relativel??y cagey with this series in many respec??ts (including physical releases), but we've come to a crossroads. The publisher wants to know if you want more of these.

Yo????u can answer directly through a poll on Capcom's official site, which is titled "The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles user survey." Questions involve which platform you bought the game on (Switch, PS4, PC, and a delineation between digita??l or physical), whether or not you sprung for the extra edition, why you like the series in the first place, how far you've played, and what you liked most about it ?after playing.

This required question is easily the most telling though: "If a new Great Ace Attorney game is released in the future, do you think you would buy it?" In all the survey takes around five minutes to complete, and you'll get a Chronicles 2560x14??40 or 1920x1200 PC wallpaper for your troubles (or an Android/iOS vertical image). You can partake anytime betwe??en now and September 30.

It's wild to witness this series evolve over the course of 20 years. I remember the first time I even saw the character of Phoenix Wright, and didn't envision an "Ace Attorney franchise" in the slightest. Once we got the Apol??lo Justice and Miles Edgeworth games, you could see it was here to stay.

The post Capcom launches survey asking i??f you want more Great A?ce Attorney titles, with a free reward appeared first on Destructoid.

That's not how you spell 'Rival Schools 3'

Capcom is among the many publishers currently preparing a live stream for this weekend's E3 2021 festivities. Scheduled to take place on Monday, June 14, Capcom has offered fans a brief tease as to some of the franchises it will be bringing to the party, including Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, Pragmata, and Ace Attorney.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU2jch2C7TQ

Resident Evil fans can look forward to potential updates on post-release content for mega-seller Resident Evil Village, which will no doubt feature details on incoming content for the Mercenaries mode and perhaps the delayed multiplayer title, Resident Evil Re:Verse. Over in the fantasy worlds of Monster Hunter, Capcom is expected to focus on the post-release plans for Switch release Monster Hunter Rise, as well as the upcoming Monster Hunter Stories 2.

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, which is currently being localized for the west, is likely to put in an appearance, as is the bizarre sci-fi title Pragmata, of which many of us might need a quick refresher. Of course, there is the possibility that the stream will bring us some brand new game announcements, or some remasters/re-releases in alignment with Ghosts 'n' Goblins Resurrection or Capcom Arcade Stadium. I wouldn't hold my breath for Darkstalkers, Rival Schools, or Capcom Vs. SNK 3, but never say never. Rachel Quirico is Super Pumped, and?? so should you be.

The Capcom E3 stream kicks off June 14 at 14:30 PT / 17:30 ET / 22:30 BST, live on Twitch and YouTube.

The post Capcom E3 stream to inc?lude Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, and Ace Attorney updates appeared first on Destructoid.

' Games today are localized in 10 or more languages, so the cost of localizing the voicing and script for an adventure game is enormous

Nintendo treasure and producer/director Shigeru Miyamoto had a few things to say about adven??ture game?s in a recent company Q&A.

When pressed as to why Nintendo doesn't continue to support the genre in the modern era (with Famicom Detective Club used as an example of the company's legacy), Miyamoto responded that ??adventure games require a great deal of work due to the globalization of gaming: most notably, translation concerns.

Speaking to investors, Miyamoto notes, "As for adventure games, I’ve made a lot of them, starting back with Famicom Mukashibanashi: Shin Onigashima (Famicom Tales: New Dem?on Island; direct translation of the Japanese title), but the environment for production is more demanding these days. Games today are localized in 10 o?r more languages, so the cost of localizing the voicing and script for an adventure game (which generally has a great deal of text) is enormous."

He also plainly states the genre's waning popularity (noting that "older games like [him]" are the main fans), while citing Ace Attorney and Professor Layton as strong recent champions. With the closing of Telltale Games (which wasn't entirely r??elated to the stagnation of the genre, but likely contributed to it) there's even less consistency in terms of releases now.

Miyamoto concludes by telling fans to "not to give up hope," but wants people to understand how challenging the whole prospect is in 2019. Anything on that front may come from Nintendo partners: Miyamoto doesn't confirm that anything is in the works from Nintendo, but name-checks Next Level Games (Luigi's Mansion 2, 3), explaining that said hope could come fr??????????????????????????om a studio close to the publisher.

Q&A [Nintendo]

The post Miyamoto says making adventure games in 2019 is?? difficult, cites localization costs appeared first on Destructoid.

Guilty pleasure

Capcom has announced that the compilation of classic Phoenix Wright titles will be coming to a whole host of platforms this April as part of the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy.

The collection features three of the spiky-headed lawyer's kooky courtroom adventures: Ace Attorney, Trials and Tribulations, and Justice For All. All three of these games launched on the Game Boy Advance, but are best-known for their globally popular Nintendo DS releases. Players must use clever lines of questioning, deductive skills and lateral thinking to conquer a series of tough (and usually very, very weird) cases.

The Ace Attorney has proven to be quite enduring, introducing us to a plethora of great characters besides Phoenix himself, including Apollo Justice, Miles Edgeworth, Franziska von Karma, Mayoi Ayasato and a host of over-the-top suspects and witnesses. The Phoenix Wright brand has even crossed over into other games, such as Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and the Professor Layton series.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy launches digitally on PS4, Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch Apri??l 9 at an expected cost of around $30. No objections here.

The post Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy wi?ll? stand trial in April appeared first on Destructoid.

Statues and Limitations

Do you ever feel like you make a ton of mistakes on a day-to-day basis? Like you just can't be trusted not to go down the wrong path when given a decision? Then perhaps you need ??a stern, guiding light in your life, one that can be provided by having a statue of Ace Attorney Phoenix Wright, staring at you from your mantelpiece.

Coming from First 4 Figures, the spiky-haired lawyer is to be immortalised in statue form, wearing his trademark blue suit ?and proudly pointing the accusing finger that has won him many a convoluted trial. There are no details yet on a p?rice, release window or even any Limited Edition bonuses. But as pre-orders open November 23, no doubt F4F will bring us up to speed on all the details of the case.

You can check out a preview of the statue in the teaser trailer below. The original Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy is coming to Nintendo Switch in 2019.

The post Hopefully you won’t object to this Phoenix Wright statue appeared first on Destructoid.

The port looks super great, too

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney will be hitting the 3DS at the end of the month and the Japanese collector's package comes with a soundtrack?? CD. Included on that CD are some brand new songs based around the different characters in the game, including the exceptional prosecutor Klavier Gavin. Capcom has uploaded some short clips to YouTube and they are definitely worth a watch.

If you don't fancy the music, at least you'll get a good look at how the new 3DS port compares to the DS original. That sprite work looks quite great and it actually makes me interested in picking up the Ace Attorney Trilogy alongside thi??s. I do think the original? DS versions are more than competent, though.

As a refresher, Apollo Justice will be hitting the 3DS eShop on November 21 in the US, November 22 in Japan and November 23 in Europe. Japan will also get the aforementioned collector's package, which does look nifty.

3DS『逆転裁判４』 MV 王泥喜法介(CV KENN) [YouTube]

3DS『逆転裁判４』 MV 牙琉響也(CV 楠田敏之) [YouTube]

The post Klavier rocks ou??t in this short Apollo Justice video clip appeared first on Destructoid.

Excellence in a clamshell

The Nintendo 3DS is gradually being put out to pasture, now that it's bulkier, flashier half-brother is taking over. We're bidding adieu to a console that had a pretty impr?essive back catalogue, and dominated the handheld market for a good number of years. 

But what if you're not ready to say goodbye? What if you want to get more use out of the little pocketbook marvel? Or ?what if you want to get an older console for the first time? Well, the 3DS is backwards compatible with the original DS's games, and if you never tried those out, then you're missing something special.

[For where to buy the games/hardware, I've linked to Amazon and eBay sellers??, but that's not an endorsement for buying off of these sites – you m?ight find better deals elsewhere.]

Hardware

If you're interested not only in playing your original DS games on your 3DS, but in actually getting some hardware, there are three different versions of the DS that you could purchase: the original DS, the DS Lite and the DSi.

I would recommend the DS Lite, as it is more elegant and compact than the unwieldy original. The DSi comes with an internal camera and very small selection of exclusive games, but is crucially missing the Game Boy Advance slot in the bottom of the console. It's your choice – between messing around with a by-now pretty low-grade camera, or opening yourself up to Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, or Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, just for starters. I would take my pret??ty white DS Lite any ??day of the week.

The staples

I got a huge amount of use out of my DS Lite, and I still do today, because some of the more popular titles are replayable, distracting fun. One of my favourite aspects of the original DS is that the games were so whimsic??al; I value a game that can completely pull me out of any stress going on in my personal life.

As with a lot of consoles, the titles that are popular have earned that position due to their quality. Th?ere are six of these titles that I would recommend above any o??thers.

1. Trauma Center: Under the Knife (Atlus, 2005)

This game came out around the time I started watching House, M.D. I'd always been fascinated by medical shows, whether it was catching snippets of ER as my parents watched it (I'm still haunted by the surgeon getting his arm chopped off by helicopter blades), or being warned not to run with scissors after watching a particularly grisly episode of Casualty with my grandma. Theme Hospital is also one of my favourite games of all time, so wh??y not take the action a step further and actually remove lumps of tissue from?? patients' chest cavities? Heck yes!

In Trauma Center, you conduct surgical examinations of patients and treat a range of illnesses and injuries that span the mundane to the outright bizarre. Frankly, only Atlus could make draining abscesses with? a syringe this compelling. Needless to say, it's not a game for people who flinch at the sight of cartoon pus, but it's hardly a gorefest, either. A sequel was released in North America and Japan (not an issue for us PALsters, since the DS, aside from DSi games, is region-free), but the original is absolutely worth giving a go first.

2. New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo EAD, 2006)

Getting back to the roots, how can you collect for a Ninty console and not buy a legitimate Mario platformer? Not including this one on the list would have raised a few eyebrows, and for good reason. New Super Mario Bros. is probably one of the more definitive entries to the Mario platforming series. It has very few quirks and twists, though it's undeniable that games that ran away with a theme, such as Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy, are some of the best games ever released for their respective consoles. It's just a simple box-headbutting platform game, which was invaluable for those of us who had long since consigned our Game Boys to the car boot sale. I think this and Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins are the two entries I would give to someone if I wanted them to have an immersive experience with Mario games in a single afternoon.

3. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney (Capcom, 2007)

OK, I get it. Why pick a game from the Ace Attorney series a?nd not go with the real G, Mr Phoenix Wright? Did I not enjoy those games? Did Maya cast some sort of befuddlement hex on me?

No, I am deliberately selecting Apollo Justice above any of the originals, as great as they all are. I remember tearing through the Phoenix Wright games as an activity I did every year, when I went on holiday to Majorca with my family. All of the Ace Attorney games I've played (Justice for All, Trials and Tribulations, and Apollo Justice) have been equal parts taxing and fascinating. But Apollo Justice has the most interesting story, in my opinion.

Seeing a young upstart filling Phoenix's defence attorney big boots spoke to me more than being the loveable oaf, Phoenix, himself. Also, the storyline with Klavier Gavin pipped any of the prior ones to the post. I suppose if you want to understand the story properly, you should start right from the beginning and get the first Ace Attorney game. But if you're not the sort of person who minds jumping into a series halfway through, you will certainly enjoy Apollo Justice as your first entry. You don't have to dig around on eBay for a used DS cartridge, either – it's coming to 3DS via the eShop in November.

4. Professor Layton and the Curious Village (Level-5, 2007)

I'll admit that this is a series I always borrowed off my sister, rather than buying for myself – and one that ev??en my fairly smart 15-year-old brain had trouble with.

Any riddle aficionado will enjoy playing as the Professor as he investigates...well, a curious village, accompanied by his impossibly young assistant, Luke (Layton can expect truancy fines and court summons through his letterbox any time now). You hop from villager to villager, solving the puzzles that they are agonising over, some of which still leave me scratching my noggin. Rather than starting with the most recent iOS release, this is one series where I would advise going back to where it all began, simply because the conundrums have always been flawless. And you'll want to try every single one of them, once you've experienced the Curious Village.

5. Animal Crossing: Wild World (Nintendo EAD, 2005)

This title isn't actually the origins of the series. In this case, there had already been an Animal Crossing title released worldwide for the GameCube, simply called Animal Crossing. Confused yet? Still, I feel like the marriage between Animal Crossing and handhe??ld consoles is an indefatigable one, so you owe it to yourself to pick up the first pocket version o??f the game.

You probably know the drill with Animal Crossing: get into fights with bees, rid the landscape of all sustenance, put up with your neighbours' incessant nagging and become an indentured servant. No, but seriously, you plod arou??nd your little town, interacting with a number of delightful animals living in nearby shacks, buildin??g collections and making your abode beautiful.

If you already have the 3DS release, New Leaf, I would still advise getting Wild World, to see all of its little individual quirks. As with all original DS games, you will have to accept that the online functions are no longer functional. But, regardless, you can have hours of aimless fun in your own little town with Wild World, all while failing?? to socialise with your real-life neighbours!? As it should be.

6. Picross DS (Jupiter Corporation, 2007)

This is a very special entry to the list for me, because it's a game I still play on a regular basis. I became interested in on-paper logic puzzles at a very young age, ever since my grandma used to let me try out old puzzle books she hadn't finished. These books always contained a ?couple of nonograms, and as I got older, I started buying books with just nonograms in. My own rule was always that if I scre??wed up, that specific puzzle was a wash, because an eraser usually couldn't get rid of the markings 100% and the grid would become impossibly muddy if I tried to start afresh.

Imagine my joy when I released, in 2017 (oh dear, Charlotte), that nonograms had actually clawed their way onto a handheld! Suddenly, I could undo my shoddy work and try the same grid over and over again. It was an amazing discovery for me, and I snapped up a Picross DS cartridge for a handful of coins.

Picross DS is made all the more enticing by the fact that there are theme categories, various difficulty options and mini-games, and the more you play, the more puz??zles you unlock. I have spent hours in bed watching Netflix and tucking into a nonogram or ten, and I can guarantee that if you love picture-based puzzles, you will love picross, too.

Honourable mentions

I admit that everything I've included so far isn't very obscure. But if you're in the market for some cult classics, the DS also has plenty to offer in this regard. Elite Beat Agents is an unmissable rhythm game, if you haven't got your fill of the genre after the fairly recent Parappa the Rapper Remastered release. The World Ends With You combines RPG elements and hip-hop, while remaining ef?fortlessly cool.

If you want to do something more gruesome with your DS (not an invitation for photos), Resident Evil: Deadly Silence is a commendable port of the game that christened survival horror, with a few of its own neat additions. If you want rock-hard dungeon-crawling, it might be worth keeping an eye out for Etrian Odyssey and its sequel on eBay. For some broodier detective work, check out Hotel Dusk: Room 215 and Flower, Sun and Rain. The graphics for the DS port of the latter are eye-bleedingly awful, but most Suda??51 games are work a peek, at least for curiosity's sake.

Of course, there are a few more obvious entries I would encourage you to consider, even though they didn't make it onto my "staples" list. The Cooking Mama series is a guilty pleasure, as I find being rewarded for repetitive movements quite soothing; admittedly, since I learnt how to cook for myself in real life, it's lost some of its charm. And whether the Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training: How ??Old Is Your Brain? games actually make you sma?rter or not, they do provide a nice level of entertain??ing challenge – plus, you can't go wrong with sudoku.

Which of the original DS games would you recommend to a first-timer? Did you own a DS back in its heyday? If so, what did you think of it? Let me know in the comments down below!

The post A brief buying guide for the original Nintendo DS appeared first on Destructoid.

That's the spirit!

The latest title in the acclaimed Ace Attorney series, Spirit of Justice, released yesterday on iOS and Android for $19.99. It joins the the first five mainline Ace Attorney games on mobile devices. The first Daigyakuten Saiban / The Great Ace Attorney is also on mobile but not localized of course. The Great Ace Attorney 2 and the two Ace Attorney Investigations games are the only games in the series yet to release on mobile (Investigations 2 also not yet localized).

According to reports from several sites, there is a $0.99 option for just the first episode while unlock the rest of the game beyond that is $14.99. Also ?reported is that the special DLC case Turnabout Time Traveler is available for?? download at an additional cost of $2.99. 

Pho??enix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice Is Now Available on Android and iOS Devices [DualShockers]

The post Phoenix Wright: Ace ??Attorney Spirit of Just??ice joins the gang on mobile appeared first on Destructoid.

I've heard of games going gold before...

It was announced this week that Apollo Justice is to be released for the 3DS, bringing the complete run of mainline Ace Attorney titles to the Nintendo handheld. To this end, Capcom ??have announced a box-set of all six games, and even Phoenix Wright himself would have a tough time defe?nding its price.

The Ace Attorney Premium Edition is available to order at a whopping 150,000 yen, roughly $1300. The set, apparently made for Ted DiBiase, features all six titles, a mini-CD of the Apollo Justice soundtrack, a collection? of 15 gorgeous art-cards, signed by art director Takuro Fuse, and a small sketch card by series designer Shu Takumi.

Oh, and a seven-gram, solid gold, comm??emorative tablet.

It's quite the visually-attractive package, I'm certainly not denying what a beautiful collector's piece it is for the ultimate Ace Attorney fan??. But wow, that price tag. Regardless, you earned your money, you can spend it on whatever you choose, I'm not your dad. Unfortunately.

The Ace Attorney Premium Edition is now available for order over at Capcom's Japanese online store.

The post Your?? wallet m??ay object to this $1,300 Ace Attorney set appeared first on Destructoid.

Monokuma strikes back!

That dastardly Monokuma just can't leave enough alone. It looks like he'll be tormenting more super models in the upcoming Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony, which just got a confirmation for the West. The title features an all-new cast and story that focuses?? on a more deadly g??roup of students. The game doesn't have a definitive release date yet, but we will be seeing the title before the end of 2017.

I'm just happy we'll be getting more Monokuma. I'm almost at the end of the first one and his constant banter is just outstanding. The way he antagonizes and tortures the students of Hope's Peak is so fiendish that I can't help but love it. I really like h?ow, during the mid-point of the game, he starts talking with emoticons. The fourth wall doesn't exist, so it would seem.

The post Danganronpa V3 is head?ing to the West for? PS4 and Vita appeared first on Destructoid.

Does anyone care?

For awhile now, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney hasn't been available on iOS or Android. You could have most of the story with the other four games, but one of the most divisive (and important) chapters was absent. That won't be a problem any longer as Capcom has?? announced that the ugly duckling of the series will be making the jump to mobi??le.

Coming on December 1 in the US for iOS (and December 8 for Android), the game will feature higher-resolution assets, much like the Ace Attorney Trilogy HD on iOS. I've always been partial to the more pixelated style of the DS original, but having a smoother-looking version isn't so bad. Apollo Justice was always a lot nicer looking than the? original g??ames.

I feel most fans don't give enough credit to Apollo. Sure, he isn't as interesting of a lead character as Phoenix, but ?the plotline in this title is insane. The more in-depth look at how the legal system can be controlled creates a story that constantly intrigues. Klavier? Gavin is also a kick ass prosecutor.

Apollo Justice marked the last time that series director, Shu Takumi, would direct a main Ace Attorney game. His signature is all over this game and I've found that Dual Destinies and Spirit of Justice suffer for not having him on board.

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney is coming to iOS and Android this winter [Eurogamer]

The post Apollo Justice is finally heading over to mobil??e devices appeared first on Destructoid.

First spirits, now time travel? No wonder lawyers get paid so much

As if challenged to be even more crazy, the "Turnabout Time Traveler" case is now available from the in-game menu for Ace Attorney 6: Spirit of Justice. It's $5.99 / £5.39 / €5.99, which for Europeans and British people (which I can now separate) is slightly pricier than the DLC case released for Dual Destinies. 

Also making an appearance is Larry Butz, the clumsy and ill-witted childhood friend of Phoenix and Edgeworth, the latter of whom will be serving as the prosecutor in this case. Larry is always getting himself in bad situations or even jail due to his endless and fruitless pursuit of love. Looks like he's ??in trouble again, this time trying to marry a time traveler. Larry Butz, his pursuit of love, and time travel sure does sound like quite the quantum conundrum.

Considering the crossover with Professor Layton exists, it makes me wonder if the time-traveling aspect was at all inspired by the motifs in the Layton series. If Ace Attorney starts taking cues from the story in Layton?? games, we're doomed. The stories of those games are quite boring in my per??sonal opinion.

[Via Gematsu]

The post Phoenix Wright has t??o deal with time travel in n?ew Ace Attorney 6 DLC appeared first on Destructoid.

It's on Crunchyroll now

You can watch the subtitled Ace Attorney anime now on Crunchyroll, but the anime provider has also partnered up with Funimation to offer a dubb?ed English version. There's no timeline in sight for the new audio track, but it's in the works, and great news for those of you who aren't into subtitled joints.

This news comes along with several other developments, including new selections (Cowboy Bebop, Psycho-Pass), and simulcast announcements (where a show's debut broadcasts are in several regions at once) such as Puzzle & Dragons X.

The move isn't a merger, it's merely a distribution partnership. But given the wide array of IPs that Funimation has under its umbrella it's a good one for Crunchyroll. Yet, there is still a little bit of muddiness involved as both have their own streaming services -- this FAQ explains?? that "in general" Crunchyroll will feature subbed anime and FunimationNow features dubbed, but if all goes well one service would be a pretty sweet proposition.

Crunchyroll and Funimat??ion Partner to Expand Access? to Anime! [Crunchyroll]

The post The Ace Attorney anime is getting an English dub appeared first on Destructoid.

Order in the afterlife

As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a lawyer. Maybe it was The Firm, maybe it just called to me -- but that's not what ended up happening, despite earning my pre-law and philosophy degrees and prepping for the LS??ATs.

In High School, my AP history teacher told me about a defining moment in his life that led him away from something he thought was a calling. He went to seminary to become a priest, and before he "donned the cloth" (I love saying that), he looked in the mirror, and said to himself "celibacy?" A?f?ter that he went back to school and became a teacher.

It sounds absurd, but that same thing kind of happened to me after getting married, albeit in a different wheelhouse. After talking to all of my law-bound friends about the long hours and all of the other "perks," I recons??idered. In that regard, I'll always wonder what might have been. But that's partially why video games are so great, because they give me the opportunity to dream and escape.

And since the Phoenix Wright series helps me?? cope with that, I'm ext?remely grateful.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice (3DS)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Released: September 8, 2016
MSRP: $29.99

Away from the comfortable courtroom you're probably used to if you've dabbled in a few Wright games before, Spirit of Justice whisks us away to the Kingdom of Khura'in, an indeterminate region in the east. Phoenix and crew are merely there to visit a friend, b??ut they couldn't?? have picked a worse time as the country is currently dealing with a revolutionary uprising.

I think I actually like this setup the most of any Wright title. You have this awesome, high-stakes macro story playing out alongside of each case, with severe religions undertones that define the entire legal process. Defense attorneys are deemed useless, as priestesses can "commune with the dead" and watch the last moments of each victim -- it's all the evidence (they think) they need, Minority Report style. Naturally Phoenix steps in to fix the situation, even in light of a law that states that the defense must be punished alongside of the defendant should he lose (even if it's death). This leads to some hilarious dialogue, and as dark as the whole situa??tion is, new characters that are worth listening to.

Spirit is also caked with lovely anime scenes with English voice acting (A-1, who animates the show, handles ??the games now) and updated character models. It's all so damn charming, and the multitude of emotions Phoenix himself emulates show you first-hand why he translates so well to a fighting game. His boyish enthusiasm and charm are undeniable, especially when juxtaposed to all of the new Khura'in residents, who are strange, but ultimately provide new perspectives that he's not used to.

Never played a Wright game before? That's fine. You can pick up on a few inferred relationships along the way. I?t's essentially an interactive visual novel, with players having the option to present specific bits of evidence at key moments (like showing a contradictory contract while highlighting a state?ment from a witness saying they weren't at a location at a certain time). The "Spirit" part is all-new though, and deals with even more testimony from the dead.

Yet, they can't actually speak for t??hemselves, so you're just going to get jumbled feelings and phrases on the screen to decipher. It's another form of testimony but a unique process, and it'll take several cases to get used to. It's not a massive departure or something out of left field, but it melds well. And if you really want a more traditional setting, Wright's pal Apollo Justice has some antics in LA to follow.

I don't think you'll mind Khura'in at all, though. The cases are wackier, and the spiritual theme adds a whole new tint to everything. That, and the totalitarian backdrop that colors the story, citing Wright derogatorily as a "foreigner." Then you have the seances, the proud judge with an ornate gavel -- Spirit just changes so much it's lovely. Yet, it also returns to some missed fundamentals like the "five strike" system (read: you can't just present evidence over and over and hope to succeed), as wel?l as a toned-down hint mechanic.

Capcom could just keep making these with different time periods in new regions and I'd keep playing them. As long as it employs a good writing crew and delivers satisfying scenarios, I'm in. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice, you made this aspiring lawyer's day.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game prov?ided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice appeared first on Destructoid.

A slice of the first courtroom scenario

Capcom is putting out a demo for Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice on August 25, so you'll have a couple of weeks to get prope??rly acquainted with the Kingdom of Khur??a'in, its strange customs, and its lawyer-hating ways before the full game hits the 3DS eShop on September 8.

It's still ?courtroom drama, but: "Through royal priestess Rayfa and her Divination Séances, players can revisit the last moments of a victim's life and must fight to unravel the discrepancie?s and contradictions between the Royal Priestess's Insight and what is shown in the séance."

Needless to say, there will be f??unny business. Today's tr??ailer offers a look at the wider cast.

The post There’s gonna be a demo for Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice appeared first on Destructoid.

eShop only

Capcom is giving North America and Europe another helping of Phoenix Wright and Apollo Justice this year, thank goodness, but not until September. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice is lined up for a digital-only 3DS release price?d at $29.99 / £24.99 / €29.99.

It's partially set in the Kingdom of Khura'in, a place "where mysterious séance tri??als decide the fate of all defendants," opening up an otherworldly mechanic where Phoenix can examine t??he final moments of a deceased person's life. Ready those objections.

Chris spoke more about this installment's mystical elements in his Tokyo Game Show preview.

The post We’re getting Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice in September appeared first on Destructoid.

Object permanence!

You've seen the animated opening, you've lamented that this game hitting Japan on June 9 don't mean shit for you, now watch 25 minutes of gameplay from Ace Attorney 6, a game which Capcom w??ill definitely bring to Western 3DS players at some point, eventually.

Apollo Justice shows up in the second video, as well as a bald, bearded man to whom I am beginning to bear too much resemblance as I am increasingly seeped of the will power needed for perso?n grooming.

The post I plead the 6th: Watch ?25 minutes of Ace Attorney 6 gameplay appeared first on Destructoid.

No subs though

To help promote Ace Attorney 6, which is launching in Japan this June, Capcom rece?ntly streamed a bit of the game itself, including its 8-minute anime prologue. Although there are no subs provided you can probably gather the basic bits of info, like the new setting and the personality of some of the cast.

As a reminder, we still haven't gotten Dai Gyakuten Saiban: Naruhodō Ryūnosuke no Bōken (the one with Sherlock in it), which was released on 3DS last year in Japan. The Phoenix Wright serie??s has an o??dd history in the west, but I'm glad it exists in some form.

The post Watch Ace Attorney 6’s anime prologue here appeared first on Destructoid.

Maya Fey returns!

Capcom hosted a live stream today to reveal some more details about Ace Attorney 6. The new trailer shows off some of the main characters battling i?t out on the courtroom floor, including the return of fan favorite Maya Fey! We could always use more of Maya's beaming smile and enthusiasm.

The live stream also highlighted a few pre-order bonuses, which include two extra episod??es and some special costumes for Athena, Phoenix, and ??Apollo.

For those interested in an early look at the game, there is a web browser version of the demo available to play here, although it might help to know some Japanese.

Ace Attorney 6 is set to release for Nintendo 3DS on J??une 9, 2016 in Japan.

The post Ace Attorney 6 is coming to Japan on June 9 appeared first on Destructoid.

Great news

I had a chance to play Phoenix Wright 6 at TGS, and even though I can't read Japanese, I got the gist, and it seems like it's going to be another worthy entry. Fans will probably be excited to know that Apollo Justice's role was recently revealed in an issue of Famitsu, and he wil?l play quite a large part in the story.

In fact, Apollo will be a secondary protagonist alongside of Phoenix himself, and both of them will go up against an undefeated prosecutor at some point. Also, Japan wil?l be a featured location besides the Kurain Kingdom.

Yep, I'm down for all of this. I haven't been this excited for a Wright game in years.

Phoenix Wright 6 [Hachima via Siliconera]

The post Apollo Justic??e will play a big role in Phoenix?? Wright 6 appeared first on Destructoid.

Also, dead people vision

I'm pretty happy that Phoenix Wright has permeated throughout the gaming industry. He has a full-on combat appearance in Marvel vs. Capcom 3, his own live-action film, a crossover with Professor Layton, and now, as a summon in Project X Zone 2.

Oh, and his core games are actually pretty good. Based on my playthrough of Phoenix Wright 6 at TGS, I have nothing to worry about with the latest entry in the?? series.

Eschewing the typical setting for the series, Phoenix departs for the eastern country of Kulain, which itself houses its own unique culture, shrouded in mystery. Phoenix Wright 6 takes a more mystical stance with its presentation, allowing players to ?see the last moments of victims using "spirit vision." This particular mechanic allows for more depth during court cases, as you can use their last moments as an actual defense -- provided that you sift through the details.

Although the demo was in Japanese I was able to get some background on?? the scenario at hand, and since it controls similarly to the previous games, it was easy to fumble my way through. The mission I encountered featured a young tour guide, who was accused of murder and theft. As usual, the prosecutor (sporting a crown and an absurd haircut) and the judge were over-the-top and extremely dramatic in their movements, which all adds to the allure of the series as a legitimately fun courtroom drama. Phoenix, of course, is still lovable based on his facial expressions alone.

I didn't end up solving the case within my allotted time limit, but I had a lot of fun playing it. The 3D looks great and isn't overused, with Capcom instead opting to utilize the effect to let text and objects pop where they need to. I also adore the new visual style of the courtroom, and the mystica??l aspects are all well implemented well from a thematic standpoint.

Every game in the Phoenix Wright series iterates in some way, and 6 is perhaps one of the more noticeable shifts. While I tend to pick up the core entr??ies some time after launch, I may be changing my tune for this one.

The post Phoenix Wright 6’s setting marks the biggest departure for the core series appeared first on Destructoid.

Nice beard, judge

Capcom has a new Japanese trailer up for the recently announced Ace Attorney 6. Though I don't know what they're saying, it has all the desk-pounding and witness-badgering we have come to expect from the series. Also, check out that mystical character above. She almost reminds me of Final Fantasy X's Yuna. I think it's the staff.

Judging from the environments and the poorly translated YouTube description ("that lawyer absence in the foreign country of the court"), our pal Phoenix Wright has gone from his normal home country that kind of resembles the modern United States to a new country that looks a lot like ??feudal Japan. See for yourself below.

The post Ace Attorney 6 trailer is looking pretty feudal appeared first on Destructoid.

Think of the children

This week the critically lampooned Pixels movie opens in theaters nationwide in the United States, and if you'd rather spend your time and ?money on movies that don't blow consider these other video game-related films. Don't worry though, this list won't just be ??the movies you've all seen before, because I'm so much cooler than that.

Ace Attorney (Gyakuten Saiban)

Whether or not you're a fan of the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney games, the movie based on the series ??is pretty decent. All the characters look and act like their game counterparts and even with the subtitles the movie still nails the games' humor. Sadly the f?ilm has never officially been released for sale in the US, but if you have a way to watch it I highly recommend it.

Sweet Home

Sweet Home had a Famicom game by the same name, which Resident Evil was planned as a spiritual sequel to. It might not be the best horror film but it is certainly worth a watch. Those who go in thinking the movie will be a Resident Evil movie will be disappointed, as this is more a haunted mansion story than a zombie story. The Sweet Home game inf?luenced a lot of survival horror games and could be pain??ted as the original survival horror game.

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters

This documentary follows Steve Wiebe as he attempts to take the world record high score in Donkey Kong from (at the time) current champion Billy Mitchell. While that alone may not sound exciting, the real life characters in the movie make it something special. The film plays more like a drama than a documentary, so much in fact that a scripted film adaptation has been said to be in the works. The documentary was also parodied in a South Park episode where? Randy Marsh attempts to take a larger shit than?? U2 frontman Bono Vox. It's one of my favorite movies ever and highly recommended.

Dead Rising: Watchtower

When the free-to-watch Dead Rising: Watchtower was announced I wasn't too excited, and upon release I went into it with low expectations. Turns out it is a rather competent zombie film and has enough fan service to make Dead Rising fan??s happy. Frank West may not be the lead character but he makes many appearances throughout the film as part o?f a news program, dickish charm intact. 

Animal Crossing (Dōbutsu no Mori)

Does anime count? Well I'm saying it does and you should watch the Animal Crossing anime film that was released in Japanese theaters. The anime follows the same plot as the games; a new girl moves to town, is an indentured servant to Tom Nook, and befriends and helps the other animals in town. Animal Crossing's anime adaptation was never officially released outside of J?apan but a fan dubbed version is out there somewhere.

The Lawnmower Man

What list of video game-related movies would be complete without The Lawnmower Man, a movie that is more relevant now than when it came out as it deals with virtual reality headsets. A dumb dumb lawnmower man in town is approached by a scientist to be his human guinea pig in an experiment usin??g drugs and a VR headset, a??nd this somehow turns him into a genius with magical powers...

I remember watching the movie when it came out and being amazed at the cutting edge special effects, though today they look extremely dated. Strangely enough the effects were made by Angel Studios, which later became Rockstar San Diego and went on to make Red Dead Redemption, L.A. Noire, and Grand Theft Auto V. 

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

Whether or not you've read the graphic novel series you should give the Michael Cera-led Scott Pilgrim vs. the World a shot, as it may be the best video game movie out there. The film is basically oozing with references to video games from band names, to Zelda music, to epic fight scenes that would feel at home in any beat 'em up. Speaking of which, if you haven't already, give the game a try because it is just as good as the film and plays very similarly to one of the greatest beat 'em ups of all time, River City Ransom.

--

These are some of the best video game-related movies I've seen and surprisingly I don't see them getting the credit they deserve. Also don't let me stop you from watching Pixels, by all means tell Hollywood you want more garbage Adam Sandler films if you so wish. I know I'll probably be watching Pixels sometime this weekend because clearly I'm a masochist, and I'm part of the problem. 

The post Video game movies to wat??ch this weekend instead of Pixels appeared first on Destructoid.

Canine/10

While the new Ace Attorney--The Great Ace Attorney coming July 9 to 3DS in Japan--looks great and all what with Phoenix Wright's ancestor palling around around with Sherlock Holmes and Watson in Meiji era Japan and the British Empire, does Capcom really think people wouldn't rather play this fake The Great Dog Attorney?

April Fools is a bit of a bummer because aside from my job being slightly harder, most companies cut?? fake trailers for much more creative things I'd rather they be making.

The post Phoenix woof: Capcom cuts trailer for fake The Great Dog At??torney appeared first on Destructoid.

This old lawyer hasn't lost his appeal

The visual novel has been ubiquitous in Japan since the early ‘90s, but in the West they've never truly caught on. Whether it was the U.S.’s love for its own home-grown adventure games like Sierra’s King’s Quest, the SCUMM games by LucasArts, or the absolute pain it is to translate games from Japanese that can be over 450 English pages long, it's never been clear as to why that is. In fact, it wasn't really until the early 2000s that they finally started catching on. The Nintendo DS was the platform many English-speaking gamers experienced their first visual novel on, through none other than Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy (Nintendo 3DS)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Released: December 9, 2014
MSRP: $29.99

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney had the right blend of Japanese humor and adventure aspects to break into the Western market. Hardcore gamers weren't the only audience to fall in love with Phoenix Wright though. The DS was in part responsible for the now multi-billion-dollar casual gaming industry and the Ace Attorney himself gained fans from all walks of life. The series has only continued to grow in scope and fanbase, and a new sequel is said to be in t?he works for the Nintendo 3DS.

The English version that debuted the character of Phoenix Wright, which released on the Nintendo DS, is actually a port. The original version of the game was released on the Game Boy Advance and has since been ported to Windows, iOS, Wii, and recently the first three in the original Phoenix Wright Trilogy were ported to Nintendo 3??DS. Going into reviewing the 3DS trilogy, I was initially concerned that the series wouldn’t stand the test of time, but I was pleasantly surprised.

The first game is by far the simplest of the series. It follows the titular Ace Attorney Phoenix Wright during his first cases straight out of law school, and focuses on his relationships with his law firm boss' sister Maya Fey and childhood friend turned rival Miles Edgeworth. The story still holds up solidly throughout the game's main four cases (and one bonus case), but compared to the later entries in the series, the cases are played in a fairly straightforward manner, with cross-examinations, introduction of evidence, and objections being fairly obvious and non-branching. It’s still an absolute blast to play th??rough, especially if you’ve never experienced it before, but like I felt in 2005, I wish there had been multiple ways to get a verdict. The fifth case is a bit more exotic though, as it’s the bonus case made specifically for the Nintendo DS and as such uses the touch screen and microphone for dusting for prints, or spraying luminol.

The second game, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Justice For All, is probably my favorite of the three and is where the series really came together to define the formula that would take Ace Attorney from merely good to excellent. The game takes place roughly a year after the first and all the familiar faces return. It offers four cases to solve, involving amnesia, mediums, circuses, kidnappings, and dirty, dirty, murder. It features the best pace and variety of the three games, and the cases don’t go by too fast or too slow, remaining challenging without being frustrating. It introduces the Psyche-Lock system, in which Phoenix can use the correct evidence to “unlock a witness's heart” and allow questioning that they would otherwise clam up at. Unfortunately though, this game&rsq??uo;s cases received none of the DS treatment the bonus mission did in the first game, so after completing it, this game can feel like a step back, even with the addition of Psyche-Locks.

Unfortunately, the finale of the trilogy, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations, is for me the weakest in the series as far as gameplay is concerned, lacking the originality of the first, or the innovation of the second. It feels like more of the same, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, as the story is still quite strong in its own way. Trials and Tribulations serves as a prequel focusing on Mia Fey, Phoenix’s first boss, and on the events directly after Justice For All. However, this game can be quite frustrating because of its expansion of a concept introduced in the second. At times Phoenix can get an answer so wrong that the Judge instantly gives you a game over. In the second title this was fairly rare, and easy to recover from, but in Trials and Tribulations the frequency has increased qu?ite a bit, and for a game that is at its core fairly linear, making a player repeat 15 or twenty minutes of dialogue is a sure way to get them to turn off their 3DS.

While the games are still excellent, there’s not really anything new added for their 3DS release. These are basically a port of the iOS version, with a simple yet adequate 3D layer tacked on. What you see is what you’ll get. There are no new bonus cases or ways to play -- just regular old Phoenix Wright un, deux, and trois?. It is somewhat disappointing that these games aren’t a true remaster, but at ten dollars a game, it could be a lot worse. I typically do my handheld gaming on my 3DS, so it’s nice to have a copy of the three games that’s sharp, easy on the eyes, and digital.

If you’ve never played Phoenix Wright, or if you’ve only played one or two of the original trilogy, this collection is a great way to finally rectify that. However, if you’ve picked them up for the DS, or the Wii, or iOS (or Windows for our Japanese friends), you may want to pass unless you're looking for a convenient way to experience the games. With no new features aside from the rudimentary 3D, this collection is meant to satisfy those who haven’t come to love the unique and colorful world of Phoenix Wright. If ?you know someone who hasn’t been so fortuitous, take one of those shiny new gift cards you just got and get them a copy. You&rs??quo;ll be doing them a favor.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy appeared first on Destructoid.

Revealing interview with one of the original Ace Attorney translators

The Ace Attorney series has gradually built itself a small but loyal following outside of Japan. One of the reasons for that is how the games offer an experience that you can't get anywhere else in gaming. Their popularity has slowly helped the text-focused, clue-hunting genre to become a little more prominent in gaming, but for the most part, Ace Attorney is a unique series. 

Part of that comes from the way the games were translated. The characters and situations in the Ace Attorney series are almost realistic. They may feel slightly ?familiar to fans of TV lawyer dramas, but the games always find a way to spin off from reality in ways that keep things fresh and o??riginal.

Case in point, Ace Attorney lead Phoenix Wright is named Ryūichi Naruhodō in Japan, which according to my one semester of Japanese in college roughly translates to "Rising-Number-One I-Understand-Now". Phoenixes are known for rising and "I understand" and "Right!" can mean the same thing depending on the context so it sort of makes sense, though Alex Smith (original Ace Attorney translation/localization team member) originally suggested he be named "Roger Wright" because of the alliteration and "Also, if you've ever seen the movie Airplane, ['Roger'] is a great sou?rce of silly jokes as well. So that seemed like a name with a lot of potential."

Original Phoen??ix Wright: Ace Attorney translator says the character was almost ?named Roger Wright [GoNintendo]

He also came up with the name "Phoniex" but put that one near the bottom of his list. Apparently "They ended up going for 'Phoenix' because they liked the heroism of it, and there was a comment from the Japanese dev team—they felt like 'Roger Wright' sounded too ?much like 'Roger Rabbit'". 

The full interview with Alex over at USGamer offers a lot of interesting insights on the creative decisions involved in localizing a game with as much humor and culturally dependent content as Ace Attorney. The localization/translation teams are unsung heroes to many fans of Japanese comedy/drama games. It's great to see ?the spotlight on them for a change.&nbs??p;

The post Phoenix Wright was almost named ‘Roger’ appeared first on Destructoid.