Game · in order
Ace Attorney Games in Order
The Ace Attorney visual-novel courtroom series in order. Start with the original Phoenix Wright trilogy, then continue through Apollo Justice, Dual Destinies and Spirit of Justice; the Great Ace Attorney is a standalone Victorian prequel you can play anytime.
Ace Attorney Games in Order — complete list
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Why this order?
Ace Attorney is a courtroom visual-novel series where you gather evidence, cross-examine witnesses and shout "Objection!" to break their testimony. Because the main games tell one continuous story with recurring characters, the order you play in genuinely matters, and for the six mainline games release order and story order line up perfectly.
The default Release order is the way to go. Begin with the original Phoenix Wright trilogy: Ace Attorney, Justice for All and Trials and Tribulations. These three are collected as the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy and set up the relationships and callbacks the later games lean on. From there, play Apollo Justice, then Dual Destinies and Spirit of Justice. Skipping ahead spoils major twists and robs reveals of their punch, so resist the temptation to jump straight to the prettier 3D entries.
The one real gotcha is The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles. Although its collected release came worldwide in 2021 and so sits last in pure release order, it is a Victorian-era prequel spin-off starring a new lead, Ryunosuke Naruhodo, and connects only loosely to the main line. That means you can play it whenever you like, including first, which is why the main-continuity order simply leaves it out. The Miles Edgeworth-led Ace Attorney Investigations spin-offs are a separate detective-style track and are optional.
If you enjoy this style, the closest cousins are Danganronpa and the Zero Escape series, which share the dialogue-heavy mystery DNA, while Capcom's own Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective comes from the same creator, Shu Takumi. Stick with release order and the series unfolds exactly as intended.
Timeline 2001–2021
Every entry plotted by release year — see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Frequently asked questions
What order should I play Ace Attorney in?
Play in release order. Start with the original Phoenix Wright trilogy (Ace Attorney, Justice for All, Trials and Tribulations), then Apollo Justice, Dual Destinies and Spirit of Justice. The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is a standalone prequel (worldwide collection 2021) you can play anytime.
How many Ace Attorney games are there?
There are six mainline games plus the two-game Great Ace Attorney prequel duology (sold together as Chronicles). Counting the Miles Edgeworth-led Investigations spin-offs, the franchise has around ten releases in total.
Do I need to play the original trilogy first?
Yes. The later games rely heavily on characters and twists from the original Phoenix Wright trilogy. Playing it first preserves major reveals and makes the callbacks land.
Is The Great Ace Attorney connected to the main series?
Only loosely. It is a Victorian-era prequel starring a different lead, Ryunosuke Naruhodo, and is collected separately as Chronicles. You can play it on its own, including before the main games.
Where can I play the Ace Attorney games today?
The Phoenix Wright Trilogy, the Apollo Justice trilogy collection and The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles are available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox and Steam.
What are the Ace Attorney Investigations games?
They are detective-style spin-offs starring prosecutor Miles Edgeworth rather than a defense attorney. They are optional and run parallel to the main courtroom series.
Last updated · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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