If you’ve ever played a visual novel, you know the "tutorial" is usually a bit of a slog. It’s a lot of "click here to move" and "this is how you open your inventory." But Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations first case, titled Turnabout Memories, hits different. It doesn't start with our spiky-haired hero Phoenix Wright behind the defense bench. Instead, we’re thrown five years into the past, playing as his late mentor, Mia Fey.
And Phoenix? He’s the one in the defendant’s chair.
Honestly, seeing "Feenie" for the first time is a trip. He’s wearing a pink sweater with a huge heart on it, sneezing constantly because of a cold, and crying over a girl. He looks absolutely nothing like the legendary lawyer we know. It’s weird, it’s funny, and it’s kinda heartbreaking once you realize what’s actually going on.
The Setup: A University Murder
The case centers on the death of Doug Swallow, a pharmacology student at Ivy University. He was electrocuted on campus, found lying face-down next to a snapped power line. The prosecution’s argument is basically: Phoenix was jealous because Doug used to date Phoenix’s girlfriend, Dahlia Hawthorne. They had an argument, Phoenix pushed him, and zap—dead student.
But here’s the thing about Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations first case—nothing is ever as simple as "jealous boyfriend."
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The prosecutor this time around isn't Miles Edgeworth or some legendary figure. It’s Winston Payne. Back then, he actually had a full head of hair (it's hilarious how the trial literally blows his toupee off by the end) and was known as the "Rookie Killer." He’s smug, he’s annoying, and he’s convinced Phoenix is a cold-blooded killer.
Key Characters in the Trial
- Mia Fey: The defense attorney. This is only her second trial, and she’s still visibly shaken by her first one (which we don't learn about until later in the game).
- Phoenix Wright: The defendant. An art student who is hopelessly, blindly in love with his girlfriend.
- Dahlia Hawthorne: The star witness and Phoenix’s girlfriend. She looks like an angel, complete with a parasol and fluttering butterflies, but she’s the most dangerous person in the room.
- Marvin Grossberg: Mia’s mentor, who sits at the defense table with her, mostly to remind you how to play the game and complain about his hemorrhoids.
The Villain Nobody Saw Coming
Dahlia Hawthorne is easily one of the best villains in the entire series. In most tutorial cases, the killer is obvious and kinda dumb (looking at you, Frank Sahwit). But Dahlia? She’s a master manipulator. She has Phoenix wrapped around her finger. Every time Mia points out a contradiction, Phoenix jumps up to defend Dahlia instead of himself! It’s frustrating but brilliant writing.
The real mystery isn't just "did Phoenix do it?" (we know he didn't, he's the protagonist). The mystery is why Mia seems to have a personal vendetta against Dahlia. She speaks to Dahlia with a coldness we’ve never seen from her. There's a history there, a dark one that involves a poisoning and a man named Diego Armando.
The Poisoned Necklace
The most iconic part of Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations first case is the pendant Phoenix wears. He claims it was a gift from Dahlia, a "symbol of their love." It’s actually a small glass bottle.
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As the trial progresses, Mia realizes that bottle didn't contain a love note or lucky sand. It was used to carry a deadly poison—the same poison used to nearly kill Diego Armando in the courthouse cafeteria months earlier. Dahlia didn't give it to Phoenix because she loved him; she gave it to him to hide the evidence. She figured the police would never check a "gift" held by a clueless art student.
Why This Case Matters for the Rest of the Game
You can't skip Turnabout Memories. Well, you physically can't because it's the first episode, but narratively, it’s the foundation for everything that happens in Trials and Tribulations.
- The Origin of Phoenix: We finally see why Phoenix became a lawyer. It wasn't just to save Edgeworth (though that’s part of it). It was because Mia Fey saved his life when he was at his lowest, most pathetic point.
- The Godot Connection: The prosecutor for the "present day" parts of the game, Godot, has a massive grudge against Phoenix. This case explains the "why." Godot is actually Diego Armando, and he blames Phoenix for failing to protect Mia and for "stealing" her away from the law.
- Dahlia's Legacy: Dahlia isn't just a one-off villain. Her actions in this case ripple through the entire story, leading up to the massive finale in Case 5.
Common Misconceptions
A lot of players think Mia is just being mean to Phoenix in this case. Sorta, but not really. She's desperate. She knows Dahlia is a literal monster who has already ruined lives. Mia isn't just trying to win a case; she's trying to save a kid from a predator.
Another thing: people often forget that Doug Swallow actually tried to save Phoenix. He was the one who stole the poison bottle back from Dahlia to keep it out of Phoenix's hands. He wasn't a "rival" in a love triangle; he was a victim trying to do the right thing.
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Tips for Getting Through the Trial
If you're playing this for the first time, don't overthink the early contradictions. It's a tutorial, after all.
- Watch the umbrella: The position of the umbrella at the crime scene is a huge clue. It shouldn't be where it is if Doug fell the way Payne says he did.
- The Union Jack: Phoenix mentions Doug's shirt has a "British flag" on it. But Doug was wearing a leather jacket. How could Phoenix see the shirt unless he was standing over the body? Or... maybe he saw it earlier?
- Don't trust the butterflies: When Dahlia starts getting flustered, her "sweet girl" act starts to crack. Pay attention to the music. When her theme song stops and the "Cornered" track kicks in, that’s your cue to go for the throat.
Actionable Insights for Players
If you want to fully appreciate the depth of Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations first case, I'd suggest a few things.
First, pay close attention to the dialogue about the courthouse cafeteria. It seems like flavor text, but it's the key to the entire overarching plot of the game. Second, once you finish the game, come back and replay this case. Knowing who Godot is and what happened to Mia’s first case (Case 4) makes the interactions between Mia and Dahlia ten times more intense.
Basically, Turnabout Memories isn't just a tutorial. It’s a tragedy disguised as a murder mystery. It’s the moment Phoenix Wright’s life truly began, and the moment Mia Fey’s fate was sealed.
- Re-read the evidence descriptions: Often, the text in the Court Record changes slightly as the trial progresses.
- Press everything: Even if you know the answer, pressing the witnesses in this case provides some of the best character development for "young" Phoenix.
- Observe Mia's "Inner Voice": Unlike Phoenix’s internal thoughts, which are often panicked, Mia’s are calculated and sharp. It’s a great way to learn how a "pro" handles the courtroom.
The game doesn't just want you to solve a murder; it wants you to understand the weight of the badge. By the time the gavel bangs for the final time in this case, you'll realize that being a defense attorney isn't just about "not guilty" verdicts—it's about the people you leave behind.
Next Steps for Your Playthrough:
- Review the Dahlia Hawthorne profile in your Court Record; the details about her past will be relevant in Case 4.
- Save your game before the final testimony to witness both of Dahlia's unique "breakdown" animations.
- Focus on the connection between the Pharmacology Department and the Coldkiller X bottle, as this specific type of poison reappears later.