Capcom Entertainment has announced that the latest installment in its immensely popular courtroom adventure franchise, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, is set to come over to North America after selling more than 600,000 units in Japan.

The fourth game in the Gyakuten Saiban series, which follows the first three GBA titles that have been ported to the Nintendo DS under the Western name of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, is scheduled for release in North America in early 2008 and is the first edition to be specifically developed for the Nintendo DS. Also, rather than having Phoenix Wright as the lead, this fourth game takes a change of direction as the storyline introduces a new defence attorney called ‘Apollo Justice’, as well as a whole host of new characters.

“Players star as rookie defense attorney Apollo Justice as he visits crime scenes, questions key witnesses and collects vital evidence before stepping into the courtroom to prove his clients’ innocence. Facing Apollo across the courtroom is the highly talented and flamboyant prosecutor Klavier Gavin who, in addition to being a legal genius, is also lead singer with Gavinners, a highly successful rock band with a string of hits to their name.

“He may be young and inexperienced but Apollo’s confident manner and passion, coupled with his unique ability to uncover witnesses’ lies by studying their body language, will prove invaluable assets in the courtroom as he pleads the case for the defense. Thankfully, Apollo is not alone and is aided both in and out of the courtroom by his assistant Trucy, a mysterious female magician. Apollo also receives invaluable advice from his mentor the ultra-cool Kristoph Gavin, elder brother of Klavier, whose perfect logic and natural instincts have won him numerous cases and the respect of his colleagues.”

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Features

• 1st fully new title to be developed specifically for the Nintendo DS;
• Touch screen interface progresses players through the game;
• Microphone can be used to yell “Objection!” and “Hold it!” as you cross examine witnesses;
• All new “Crime Recreation Mode” that allows players to reveal hidden clues by re-creating the scene of the crime;
• Two distinct gameplay segments:
  - Investigation phase – survey crime scenes, interview witnesses and gather evidence that will be used in court
  - Court phase – present findings from the investigation to support your case, listen to testimonies and examine witnesses;
• Diverse cast of characters.

As for the some of the new characters you will be meeting along the way, here is a quick overview of them:

Apollo Justice: the new main character who leads the series into a new chapter;
Klavier Gavin: in addition to being a top prosecutor, Klavier is also the lead singer in a highly successful rock band who brings his star qualities into the courtroom;
Kristoph Gavin: the coolest character on the judicial circuit, and Apollo’s mentor. His cool headed thinking means he always provides his clients with the best defence;
Trucy: The mysterious magician Trucy started working with Apollo after a chance encounter.

Stick around on Nintendic for more news coverage as the day continues…