I was actually one of the lucky hundred-somethings who were able to wipe retail shelves devoid of any Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Justice for All boxes during the first weekend of its release. After playing the first game, you could have bet your bottomest dollar that I was raring to get my hands on the second game. (Not to mention see more of my latest video game crushes, teehee).

Now, instead of giving you the 411 on Justice for All, let's skip all that and go directly to what's new, what's different, what's familiar, and what's the same. Besides, even though you'd surely enjoy this installment without prior exposure to the series, I still recommend you pick up the first game. And I'd assume you already have. So, I consider any further introduction to the phenomenon that is Phoenix Wright as redundant (please forward all objections to incompetent lawyer Mr. Winston Payne).

So, let's start with the familiar: you've got some returning characters, gameplay aspects, and overall look and feel. Graphics were only improved in the sense that there are a couple of short CGI cut-scenes here and there.

We've got the rest of the review waiting behind the "Full Article" link below. Wanna find out how the new and the old? And what's the final verdict? Click below to read on!

 

Hold it! How sure are you that you're ready for more of Nick Wright's legalese? If you've played Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney and found all the flaws in Edgeworth's witnesses' testimonies, chances are, you're pretty "in deep" for more court action. Gyakuten Saiban 4 will be released in Japan on April 12.

We've got confirmation that two versions of the lawyer-sim will be coming out. To be released simultaneously with the regular edition (¥ 4,040; around US$ 40) is a limited edition that's double the price.

Aside from the game card itself, the limited edition will also include Gyakuten Saiban headphones, a DS card containing the Gyakuten Saiban Dictionary  (to help you brush up on your legal jargon), and a DVD showcasing highlights from the entire series, as well as some footage of the TGS stage performance of Gyakuten Saiban.

So, will we be seeing an English version of this limited edition release? We'd have to cross-examine Capcom for that first. We'll give you updates as soon as the judge gives the verdict!

We're guilty of loving Capcom's dramatic lawyer sim, and you could say we've been sentenced to bask in the sheer awesomeness that is Phoenix Wright. While the American version of the game, known as Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice for All, will be out next year, you can actually get by that little problem of waiting by taking a sneaky, yet completely legal, means of getting the game.

The answer's simple really: Get a copy of Gyakuten Saiban 2, the Japanese version of the game, when it comes out in October. In a wonderful stroke of good luck, Capcom's decided to make the title available with English and Japanese languages built into Gyakuten Saiban 2. Now, since the game isn't region-specific, you can play it on any kind of DS.

On an related note, our source also mentioned that pre-ordering from Play-Asia will get you a sticker set with the purchase.  If you're the type who likes stickers or just wants some new decals for his game machine, then it sounds like a pretty good deal.

Till the game comes out though, this court is adjourned. Keep checking QJ for more attorney-action and other game goodies.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Justice For All for the DS made its appearance at the Tokyo Game Show 2006. This is the second game in the mega-hit court room battle franchise. 

In Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Justice For All, expect to meet new characters and prepare to get entangled in new plot twists and gameplay features. Gamers take on the role of defense attorney Phoenix Wright who must save his client from a guilty verdict. It's not going to be a minor traffic violation case. Phoenix must use his wits against the toughest oddballs and ruthless adversaries.

To win the case, players must exercise their legal skills as they collect evidence, cross examine witnesses, analyze testimonies and uncover the truth. Capcom is set ot release Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Justice For All across all PAL territories early next year.

Download: [Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Justice For All - TGS Game Trailer]

In an interview with C3 News the development team of Capcom's Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice for All mentioned several things worth noting. First is that although they're very much interested in the Wii hardware, they currently have no plan for the series to appear on any other consoles apart from DS. Second is that Phoenix Wright: Justice for All will contain brand new episodes and it will be about the same volume as Ace Attorney. They said that they very much wanted the Western players to play a new game rather than just slog through another port of a game already released in Japan.

When it comes to the DS's Wi-Fi connection service, they did mention that they are interested in it, but they have no plans of adopting the service for the series. They said they'll let the gameplay of the series evolve first and focus on that before adopting online capabilities.

What really gets to me is that they mentioned that they'll be very honoured if they will be allowed to feature any of Nintendo's other famous characters in their Phoenix Wright games. This in particular just reminds me too much of Harvey Birdman Attorney at law. Much possible craziness.

With the Tokyo Game Show getting closer and closer, another title has been confirmed to make an appearance as a playable game at the said event, and right now, we're just happy to hear that Devil May Cry 4 (DMC4) will be gracing gamers with its presence.

Capcom has just announced that there will be several playable units for DMC4 at the show floor when the Playstation 3 makes its public debut in the country. The event, which will run from September 22 to 24 is expected to draw large numbers of gamers and game news reporters, so Capcom decided to put on their best face, which just so happened to be Dante's and his equally-good-looking alter ego, Nero's.

In any case, other titles at the show that can be added on top of Sony's PS3 list, are the following:

• Lost Planet: Extreme Condition (Xbox 360)
• Monster Hunter Portable 2nd (PSP)
• Gyakuten Saiban 4 aka a new Phoenix Wright (DS)
• Power Stone Collection (PSP)
• Capcom Classics Collection (PSP)
• God Hand (PS2)
• Rockman Rebirth (DS)

As we reported earlier, an orchestrated soundtrack for Capcom's Gyakuten Saiban (the series we know as Phoenix Wright) is coming out in Japan. Nintendo's official website has some samples of the soundtrack, and it's absolutely beautiful. We're listening to some of them as we type this now and it's just awesome. Anyone who's played the first game will love it!

If you want to stream the songs from the website instead of downloading, click "Read" for the page with the tracks and scroll down to where it says "GYAKUTEN MEETS ORCHESTRA". I can't wait for the actual soundtrack! The music is taken from the first three games in the series.

According to Angela Liu of NeoGAF, the English names of the songs are as follows:

Download: [Naruhodou's (Phoenix) Theme]
Download: [Ayasato (Fey) Theme]
Download: [GS1 Trial Mix]
Download: [Godot's Theme]
Download: [Village Remix]
Download: [Gyakuten Saiban 3 End Credits]
Download: [Hero Medley]

Gyakuten Saiban 2, the Japanese version of Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Justice for All, will be released in Japan on the 26th October. Something we've been wondering for a while now is whether or not the game will feature both Japanese and English text like in Gyakuten Saiban. The answer to that is a resounding yes according to Play-Asia. You'll be able to switch between Japanese and the English localization.

Now why is Capcom releasing the Japanese version with English localization in Japan months before the North American release? We don't know. They should be able to do a simultaneous launch with no problem. Now people are faced with a decision: import the cheaper Japanese version with English text early, or wait for the English version to help sales so we get the sequel. I haven't decided what I'll do yet... I'm thinking of waiting for it to be released here. How about you?

  

Phoenix Wright has been one of the most beloved franchises to appear on the Nintendo DS. Although the franchise has been going on for years in Japan, we never had a chance to experience it until last year. Now, in Japan, Capcom is getting ready to release an soundtrack full of orchestrated music from the game! The OST will feature two different covers depending on where you get it. If you buy it online at tanomi.com, it will feature the Fey sisters, Phoenix, and Harry Butz. If you get it at the Tokyo Game Show or buy it in retail stores, you'll get the cover with the prosecutors and police officers! The soundtrack will feature music from the first three games so it should be a hot buy!

If we ever find ourselves neck-deep in legal troubles (and that's not such a far-fetched scenario) we have lined up a list of attorneys we want to represent us. There's Ally McBeal and the Biscuit, Denny Crane (preferably dressed as Capt. Kirk) and Phoenix Wright.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice for All, set to be released in the first quarter of 2007, is an updated port of the Game Boy Advance game and introduces the Psyche-Lock feature. This is where Phoenix Wright will have to unlock several locks in a witness' mind in order to discover the truth.

There's also a new feature called a health meter during court (instead of a miss counter) which is depleted according to the kind of risk taken by one of our fave lawyers. For example, accusing someone of being the murderer without basis for the accusation could end up in a game over. The dwindling health meter can be refilled by correctly unlocking Psyche-Locks, however.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice for All will introduce new characters Franziska von Karma, the upcoming prosecutor and daughter of Phoenix's rival Manfred von Karma, and Pearl Fey, Maya Fey's younger cousin with strong psychic ties.