subdirectory_arrow_right The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles (Game), Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy (Game), Ace Attorney (Franchise)
▲
1
▼
A running gag throughout the Ace Attorney series involves the protagonist and his assistant having a conversation about the difference between a ladder and a stepladder. First occurring in "Turnabout Samurai", the third case of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, a stepladder has appeared in at least one location in each game to date (with the exception of The Great Ace Attorney: Adventures) for the sole purpose of continuing the tradition. The conversation generally goes as follows: after examination, the protagonist and one of their partner characters engage in a debate about the usage of the words "ladder" and "stepladder", and the difference between the two. Usually, one will accuse the other of being too absorbed in the details instead of looking at the big picture to realize that they both serve roughly the same function, to which the latter's response will often vary. Additionally, similar gags in regards to other items in the series have also been used, particularly in The Great Ace Attorney games, which primarily use a variant of the debate involving the difference between a shovel and a spade instead.
Within the various re-releases of the Ace Attorney games, an achievement is added that can be unlocked for engaging in every "ladder vs. stepladder" debate within the games featured in that collection. In the case of The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, a second achievement for engaging in every "shovel vs. spade" debate within the two games is also included.
Within the various re-releases of the Ace Attorney games, an achievement is added that can be unlocked for engaging in every "ladder vs. stepladder" debate within the games featured in that collection. In the case of The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, a second achievement for engaging in every "shovel vs. spade" debate within the two games is also included.
Fandom article about the gag (includes a full list of every instance of the gag in the series, as well as similar debates):
https://aceattorney.fandom.com/wiki/Ladder_vs._stepladder
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy achievement list:
https://steamcommunity.com/stats/787480/achievements
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy achievement list:
https://steamcommunity.com/stats/2187220/achievements
The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles achievement list:
https://steamcommunity.com/stats/1158850/achievements
https://aceattorney.fandom.com/wiki/Ladder_vs._stepladder
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy achievement list:
https://steamcommunity.com/stats/787480/achievements
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy achievement list:
https://steamcommunity.com/stats/2187220/achievements
The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles achievement list:
https://steamcommunity.com/stats/1158850/achievements
Related Games
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth
Gyakuten Saiban
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
The Great Ace Attorney: Adventures
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice for All
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney
Gyakuten Saiban 3
Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations
The Great Ace Attorney 2: Resolve
Gyakuten Kenji 2
The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
Project X Zone 2
Resident Evil 4 VR
Spider-Man
Maui Mallard in Cold Shadow
Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee
Postal III
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Volgarr the Viking
LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
Another Crab's Treasure
Hot Wheels Stunt Track Driver
VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
Wreckfest
Bust-A-Move
Poptropica
The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer
Checkered Flag
The Evil Within
Halo: Reach
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
Sonic Riders
Super Mario Maker 2
A Vampyre Story: Year One
Miraculous: Rise of the Sphinx
Trials Evolution
Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse
Dying Light
Gears of War 3
Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete
Kao the Kangaroo
Double Dragon Neon
Hollow Knight
Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite
Disney's The Emperor's New Groove
Stick Fight: The Game