Being the first NDS exclusive of the series, the lawyer game "AJ:AA" features fancy new 3D animations when the murders are being re-enacted – which helps visualize the scenario; not necessary but helpful, regardless – and screen-wiping and mic-blowing in order to acquire fingerprints. Neat, but nothing more than a gimmick and not essential to the game.

More importantly, there is a new protagonist, Apollo Justice, while Phoenix Wright (who is eponymous for the series in the West) has become a supporting character – which is something that I found very refreshing.

In terms of gameplay, the "chains & locks" enhancement of the interrogations is a variation of the same, just with more layers. Which felt more natural if you ask me, but at the same time, having to re-do so much after a fail state had the unwanted side effect of breaking the immersion, imho.

Apart from that, it's more of the same, but thrillingly so, and I was *very* delighted.