Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright - YES, REALLY!

[Ezlo's Apprentice]

Mario & Sonic at the Olympics? Boring. Lego This, That and The Other? Being slowly run into the ground. Marvel vs Capcom? That shit's getting old. The video game crossover you could only dream of is coming, as Level 5 and Capcom join forces to unite two of the Nintendo DS's most unlikely heroes.

It reads like an early April Fool, but at a press event in Japan today, the top hat-wearing king of puzzles and the spiky haired prince of the courtroom were seen briefly together, as shown in the video below. Currently titled Phoenix Wright vs Ace Attorney it's just... words fail me, although "Squeeeee" might cover it.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gufhYicCUs4" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gufhYicCUs4</a>

Also expect Maya and Luke to battle it out in a high pitched sidekick battle royale. Okay, maybe not that last part, but there's a lot of potential as these two brain busting juggernauts come together for 3DS.

Source: Official Nintendo Magazine

This post was carefully edited from my initial "OMG OMG OMG OMG x1,000,000 *fangasm*" reaction.

EDIT: Artwork, via Kotaku.jp. It's a real finger point to the death.

[hupla]

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3ALwKeSEYs" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3ALwKeSEYs</a>

[hisak]

Holy shit. And it's a 3DS game too!

(click to show/hide)

Still need to play a game in either franchise.

[Bidet to you sir]

Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

[hisak]

EA is a prophet.



3DS sales just tripled.

[hupla]

Just think of layton explaning how he solved a difficult puzzle all the time this is playing


<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYMDQRVuXtA" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYMDQRVuXtA</a>

[hupla]

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilj_MFj1tvk" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilj_MFj1tvk</a>

[Bidet to you sir]

Christ.

[hisak]

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=270695

This doesn't mean that we'll never see it, though. Localization plans change all the time.

[ZeldaMaster]

This is absolutely glorious. I played the first Ace Attorney and the first Professor Layton and enjoyed them both. This going to be just....fresh....fresh to death. Haha

[Ezlo's Apprentice]

It's been almost two years since this was first announced and about that long since we had any news. UNTIL NOW!

Ace Attorney creator Shu Takumi has told Famitsu that the project is heading into the final stages of development, saying:

Production on Layton vs Ace Attorney is at its climax. It's like my entire life is focused on it. While I still can't say much, it's progressing well, so please wait a bit more.

How long is a bit more? I'd say within the next 18 months, possibly even Q1 2013 in Japan. Part of me thinks it could make for a good filler between Laytons 5 and 6, giving Level-5 time to strengthen the sixth Layton game for release in 2014. Just so long as we in the West get it some time, I'll be happy. Actually, I'll be borderline delirious.

[Ezlo's Apprentice]

Layton vs Phoenix will feature at next month's Tokyo Gameshow.

And when I say "will feature" I mean "will actually be goddamn playable"! At last we'll get a proper idea of how Level-5 will combine Layton's knack for puzzles with Phoenix's love of logic. And if they could slip in confirmation of Western localisation, all the better.

[Ezlo's Apprentice]

_{(Triple post objection?)}

Talk of a possible Japanese release date on the back of the latest issue of Famitsu - November 29. Meanwhile, Phoenix is returning to the courtroom for Ace Attorney 5! After stepping aside for Apollo Justice and Edgeworth's own games, the main man is putting on his familiar blue suit and I couldn't be happier. Presented in full 3D and with a yellow-garbed new assistant it could be a terrifically busy 12 months for fans of finger pointing if the localisation teams pull their own fingers out!

[Ezlo's Apprentice]

I'm not going to apologise for a quad-post. You should all just be embarrassed you're not excited for this game like I am... New trailer from TGS. Translated. Only negative came when I remembered the UK edition will probably be treated to the helium-guzzling Luke voice actor.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZavZRx005M" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZavZRx005M</a>

But still awesome!

There are also new trailers for Layton 6 and Attorney 5. Seriously, you guys. Get onboard the attorney/archaeologist hype train.

[hisak]

Has this been officially announced for the West yet or is Capcom planning on being terrible again?

[Ezlo's Apprentice]

The last I heard of a Western release it was in Level 5's hands, and they've been good with their Layton releases. In Europe they've all had 1,000,000+ sales (2m for Curious Village) so I think they'd be mad to skip this.