For over a decade, Western fans of the Ace Attorney series have been living a bit of a lie. We’ve been telling people we’ve played every game, but unless you were willing to mess around with fan-translated ROMs on a sketchy emulator, you probably missed the best one.
The Ace Attorney Investigations Collection finally fixes that.
It brings together Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth and its sequel, Ace Attorney Investigations 2: Prosecutor's Gambit. While the first game is a solid enough spin-off, the second is frequently cited by the hardcore community as the pinnacle of the entire franchise. Now that it’s officially localized on modern platforms, we can finally stop pretending.
The Miles Edgeworth Factor
Most people know Miles Edgeworth as the red-suited rival with the logic of a machine and the social skills of a damp sponge. In this collection, he’s the lead.
You aren't standing behind a defense bench here. Instead, you're walking around crime scenes, literally pointing at things and connecting dots using the "Logic" system. It’s a huge departure from the Phoenix Wright games. You actually control Edgeworth as he moves through 2D environments, which feels more like a classic point-and-click adventure than a standard visual novel.
Some people hate this change. They think it's clunky. Personally? I think it makes the investigation phase feel like less of a chore. You aren't just clicking a "Search" button and hoping for a pixel-hunt victory. You’re physically navigating the space.
The New HD Paint Job
Capcom didn't just dump these DS games onto Steam and Switch. They redrew everything. The new "chibi" sprites used in the overworld were designed by the original character designer, Tatsuro Iwamoto. They look incredibly smooth—maybe too smooth for some.
If you’re a purist, don't worry. You can swap back to the original pixel art at any time. There’s something nostalgic about those crunchy pixels, but the HD sprites do a lot to sell the characters' personalities, especially in the sequel where the animations get surprisingly ambitious.
What Really Matters: Prosecutor's Gambit
Let’s be real for a second. The first Investigations game is fine. It’s got some great moments, but the final case drags on longer than a Monday morning meeting. The real draw of the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is Prosecutor's Gambit.
This game was never released outside of Japan until now. For years, it was the "lost" masterpiece. It introduces "Mind Chess," a mechanic where Edgeworth has to outmaneuver witnesses in a timed mental battle. It sounds cheesy. It kind of is. But it’s also remarkably satisfying to "checkmate" a witness who’s trying to hide the truth.
The writing in the second game is also just... better. The cases are more tightly woven. Every single episode feels like it contributes to a massive, overarching narrative that explores Edgeworth’s relationship with his father, Gregory Edgeworth. You even get to play as Gregory in a flashback case, which is a massive treat for long-term fans.
Modern Quality of Life Stuff
Capcom added a "Story Mode" to this collection. If you just want to watch the drama unfold without worrying about which piece of evidence to present to a grumpy detective, you can turn this on. It solves the puzzles for you.
- Chapter Select: You can jump to any specific part of any case immediately. No more replaying three hours of dialogue just to see your favorite witness breakdown.
- History Feature: Did you accidentally click through a dialogue box too fast? You can pull up the backlog and read exactly what was said.
- The Gallery: This is a goldmine. It’s packed with character sketches, promotional art, and 106 background music tracks.
Honestly, the "Mind Chess" alone makes the collection worth the entry price. It’s a much faster-paced mechanic than the "Logic" system from the first game, and it helps bridge the gap between the investigation-heavy gameplay and the high-stakes drama the series is known for.
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The "New" Names Dilemma
Because Investigations 2 had a very famous fan translation, many veterans are struggling with the official localized names. The fan-favorite "Simon Keyes" is now "Simeon Saint." "Raymond Shields" is now "Eddie Fender."
Is "Eddie Fender" a bit of a dad joke? Yes. But Ace Attorney has always been built on puns. "Verity Gavèlle" (the new name for the rival judge) is actually a clever play on words that fits the series' DNA perfectly. It takes a minute to get used to, but the official script is sharp, witty, and captures Edgeworth’s dry humor better than any fan project could.
Should You Actually Play This?
If you’ve already played the original Phoenix Wright trilogy, the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is the logical next step. It fills in the gaps of Edgeworth’s character arc and provides some of the most complex mysteries Capcom has ever written.
Don't go into it expecting a courtroom drama. It’s an adventure game first and a legal thriller second. But if you want to see Edgeworth at his most vulnerable—and his most brilliant—this is the definitive way to do it.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Demo: If you're on the fence, there’s a free demo on all platforms that lets you play the start of both games. Your save data even carries over.
- Toggle the Graphics: Spend ten minutes with the HD sprites, then switch to the "Classic" pixel art in the options menu. Decide which vibe you prefer early on so you aren't distracted later.
- Prioritize Game 2: If you find the first game a bit slow, don't give up. Use the Chapter Select to poke around Prosecutor's Gambit. It's a significantly more polished experience.
- Headphones are Mandatory: The "Arranged" soundtrack options in the collection are phenomenal. Don't play this on tinny laptop speakers; the music is half the experience.