This content is a substantial piece of downloadable content (DLC) released in 2016, designed to extend the experience of the main title, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice. It functions as a standalone, self-contained narrative episode that requires the base game to access. This special episode focuses on delivering a unique, high-stakes courtroom drama that brings together familiar faces from across the entire original trilogy, offering fans a chance to see beloved characters interact in a new context.

Core Content and Narrative Focus

The narrative of this additional episode, titled "Turnabout Time Traveler," centers on a peculiar murder case involving a defendant who claims to have traveled through time to evade an attack, only to be subsequently accused of killing her supposed assailant. The story heavily explores themes related to temporal displacement, the past, and future expectations within the established legal framework of the series.

What new characters and returning favorites are featured?

A significant draw of this DLC is the return of characters who have been absent from the main series installments for some time. Most notably, this episode features the reappearance of Larry Butz, a recurring figure from the original trilogy, alongside other major characters from the series' history. This gathering of established personalities provides a unique dynamic not present in the main campaign of Spirit of Justice.

Gameplay Integration and Scope

As a DLC, this content is not a separate purchase but an add-on to the base game, meaning it utilizes the established point-and-click adventure and puzzle-solving mechanics inherent to the visual novel genre. Players will engage in investigation segments followed by intense cross-examinations in the courtroom, searching for contradictions and presenting evidence to uncover the truth.

Scope Compared to the Main Game

The scope of this episode is comparable to a standard case found within the main game, offering a complete, albeit brief, new adventure. It does not introduce entirely new gameplay mechanics or systems beyond the core framework of the parent title; rather, it applies those existing mechanics to a fresh, self-contained mystery.

Platform Availability

This special episode was made available across multiple platforms following its initial release in June 2016. It is accessible on the Nintendo 3DS, as well as mobile platforms including iOS and Android devices.

What makes this content unique compared to the main story?

The primary unique feature of this DLC is its focus on fan service through character reunion and its specific time-travel premise. While the core gameplay loop remains familiar—investigate, find evidence, and argue in court—the narrative structure is specifically crafted to leverage the history of the franchise by bringing back long-absent characters to solve a mystery deeply rooted in concepts of past actions and future consequences.