Take that! First Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright screens released

Professor Layton Vs. Phoenix Wright is 3D, new screens reveal. And not just in the "stereoscopic visuals" meaning of the term -- of course, it is that kind of 3D, being a 3DS game. The character art is composed not of flat drawings, but of 3D models, much like Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle.

Famitsu details the premise of the game: both characters find themselves in "Labyrinth City," home of an unfortunate series of "witch trials" that Phoenix Wright works to put an end to. Naturally, this city has an unorthodox legal system, with "mob juries" overriding the rules of court.

It's due in Japan next year, but there's some faint hope for a western release -- GameStop UK has a placeholder pre-order page for the game.

[Thanks, Jeff.]