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Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations (Nintendo DS)

common sense media says

Compelling courtroom drama promotes reading.

parents & educators say
See all 8 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that because the game takes place in a courtroom and deals with crime as its subject matter, players will be exposed to mature topics including death (by electrocution), theft, assault, poisoning, and jail. Due to the game's anime cartoon style, none of these are rendered especially graphically. Fairly advanced reading and reasoning skills are essential to fully grasp the nuances of the game's dialog and to pick up on important clues to solve the case.

Educational value: The game hones reading and comprehension skills, and requires critical thinking to solve cases.
Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Occasional pools of blood or a blood stain will be seen in flashbacks of witnesses' testimony or in photos of the crime scene. Crimes like murder are discussed in court, including exploring characters' motives for committing them. No violence is actually enacted by the player.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about whether they enjoy games driven completely by dialog and clicking through menus or whether they would have preferred some action elements as well. In what ways does the game introduce conflict without resorting to combat? If you could be a lawyer, would you choose the prosecution or the defense?

What's the story?

What's the story?
PHOENIX WRIGHT ACE ATTORNEY: TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS is the third game in Capcom's popular courtroom simulation series starring defense lawyer Phoenix Wright. In Trials and Tribulations, Phoenix has five new cases to solve as he attempts to prove the innocence of his falsely accused clients. In the investigation phase, Phoenix and his team gather evidence and background information by speaking to witnesses and searching the crime scene for clues (achieved by tapping objects of interest with the stylus). In the trial stage you listen to witnesses' testimony and can press for more information, cross-examine, or present evidence in order to strengthen your case.

Extremely well-suited to the Nintendo DS, the Phoenix Wright series eschews traditional video game action sequences in favor of a completely menu-driven system in which players use the DS stylus to engage characters in conversation, investigate crime scenes, collect and present evidence, and finally present a case before the judge.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
This game isn't the best entry point into the Phoenix Wright series, since it makes a lot of references to events and characters that have appeared in past games. If you're already familiar with the series, however, Trials and Tribulations delivers more of the same investigative problem-solving and dramatic courtroom scenes that you've grown to love.

Trials and Tribulations is as compelling as any TV courtroom drama, provided you don't mind scrolling through the endless dialog boxes that make up the game's narrative -- or starting over again at the beginning of the trial if you make too many mistakes along the way, such as presenting the wrong evidence or asking the wrong question. Players can get even further into the spirit by shouting "Objection!" or "Hold it!" into the DS microphone at the appropriate moment (instead of just tapping the appropriate dialog box with the stylus). In short, Trials and Tribulations lives up to the Phoenix Wright moniker by delivering another satisfying courtroom adventure that emphasizes reading and problem-solving.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Nintendo DS
Not available online
Genre: Adventure
Developer: Capcom
Released on: October 23, 2007
Price: 19.99
ESRB Rating: T for Mild Blood, Mild Violence
This review was written by Erin Bell
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Spectral_Timer ...
adult
 
Hold It!
Have you played this game? Then open a new window to the Internet and buy the first one from eBay RIGHT NOW! The Ace Attorney series is a work of genius, and this game is the culmination of every other before it. Players will indeed be lost without having played the first two. But, Phoenix's epic, funny, touching journey makes for excellent gaming, and the satisfaction one gets from presenting a particularly powerful point is undercut by great music and sound. I cannot recommend it enough.
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Pokeloverz
teen, 15 years old
13
 
We must remember to always think outside the box right?
The game is genius. Apart from your regular hand-to-hand combat games, you think your way through tough cases and help justice prevail every time for good or for bad. User-friendly commands are simple enough for a 6 year old to play too~ I sound like a walking advertisement don't I? Well, the game is that good so think about playing it okay?
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Animegirl12
teen, 14 years old
13
 
Objection!
This game is a great for ppl who want 2 become a lawyer and there is perivous series 2
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reagulardude123
adult
11
 
Make sure to have a MATURE pre-teen play this
Well, I'm gonna review the wiiware version even though this is the DS version. Ok, so there isn't much to worry about language wise, a few hells and dam**t's. Then, also, pretty much all of the woman in the game are like what you would find in a japanese T-rated game. All of them are supper skinny, and most of them have very low-cut shirts. Also, there are some who use their prettiness against other players. There is blood. I would trust a pre-teen girl to play this, but because of the... um... not so modest woman in the game, I suggest waiting for the a 14th birthday for a guy.
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Mintbubblr
kid, 12 years old
13
 
OBJECTION!
All the cases have murder. You have to look closely for clues. I saw they swore, but otherwise its fun. Its a great time passer. The cases send me chills, and can be hard for little kids. But after the first case, you will love going ''OBJECTION!''
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bizzy67
kid, 12 years old
11
 
So fun!
This game would be perfect for who ever loves solving stuff! I finished the whole series! (except for the new ones)
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dr duck
teen, 15 years old
13
 
Fun, fast challanging game is hard to put down!
Violence seems like part of a PG-13 movie. Never weak but still violence. Some mild language.
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Adventure Writer
teen, 17 years old
13
 
O-B-J-E-C-T-I-O-N: Investigative Video Game
Violent images for crime scenes gives this game a 13+, including some content that is not suitable for kids under 12. It makes you think, read, and has many oppurtunities for sharpening your problem thinking skills.
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