Earlier this month, I played Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective’s demo on PS5 for preview. I focused on how the remaster felt compared to the iOS version across its visuals and controls. Since then, I’ve been playing the full game on both Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck for review. If you’ve not kept up with this release, Capcom is finally bringing Ghost Trick to PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Steam as a remaster following its debut on Nintendo DS and eventual iOS port. Since Ghost Trick was originally a game made for a portable, I wanted to see if it still felt good on portable systems. For my Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective Switch and Steam Deck review, I’m going to cover how the puzzle-solving mystery adventure remains essential even today across its PC and Nintendo Switch versions.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective PC requirements
The Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective PC requirements via the Steam page are below:
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective PC minimum requirements
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 10 (64-BIT Required)
- Processor: Intel Core Core i3 8350k or AMD Ryzen3 3200G
- Memory: 8GB RAM
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630 or Radeon Vega 8 Graphics
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 7GB available space
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective PC recommended requirements
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 10 (64-BIT Required)
- Processor: Intel Core i3-9100F or AMD Ryzen3 3200G
- Memory: 8GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 (2GB VRAM) or AMD Radeon RX550 (2GB VRAM)
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 7GB available space
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective PC graphics options
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective lets you change screen resolution from 320×200 to 4K, adjust screen mode (borderless, windowed, fullscreen), select output display, and toggle v-sync. There are no other options available. The frame rate is also capped to 60fps as expected.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective PC control options
Having played Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective with only touch controls on iOS before, I knew it would feel fine with mouse controls, but this version also has keyboard input options. On the controller side, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective supports DualShock 4, DualSense, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch button prompts. I played on my Steam Deck over the official Docking Station with my DualSense controller and had no issues. It also works using the Steam Deck’s touchscreen.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective remaster vs original visuals
A lot has been done to make the visuals look good on modern displays, but the gameplay is still within the same part of the screen with borders on each side in this remaster. The smoother animations are nice, but the real stars of the visual upgrade in Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective are the portraits and the text. The iPad version looks really bad today, and I hope Capcom brings this new remaster to mobile in the future like it did with the Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Trilogy.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is Steam Deck Verified
When I got review code for the PC version, I was surprised to see it was already Steam Deck Verified. My only complaint with the game on Steam Deck is there is seemingly no way to remove the borders from the top and bottom of the screen. It has no native 16:10 support, so it fills the empty space with gray lines. It works flawlessly barring that issue.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective on Nintendo Switch – the best version?
With the Ace Attorney games, the Switch versions have been my favorite, and that holds true for Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective’s remaster as well. It feels superb to play on the OLED Switch’s screen with touch controls. You can try out the demo and see how you feel about the visuals on your own TV or monitor, but Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is an absolute joy to play in handheld mode on the OLED Switch.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective on Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck
I’m not going to compare the game on both systems, but highlight why a specific version might be better for you. If you have an OLED model, that’s the winner because of its much better screen. If you don’t, go with whatever portable system you want to play it on. If you’d like to play it on your PC and continue on Steam Deck, that’s the one to get. If you just want to play on a portable, the Switch version is what I’d buy. In its current state, there is no bad version of the new remaster of Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective.
Is it worth playing Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective remastered if you already played the original?
If you recently played it, I don’t think it is worth grabbing Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective’s new remaster unless you’re just doing it to support the game. If you played it back on Nintendo DS or iOS, the new version of Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is definitely the best way to experience this superb game. Capcom also included the option to use a new arranged soundtrack or play with the original. You can toggle this from the options at just about any time. While I consider the Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective soundtrack legendary, Capcom has done an amazing job with the arranged music.
If you didn’t enjoy the original because of the trial and error or repetitive feel it can have, this remaster will not change your mind. I was never really bothered by it, but can see why it might be an issue for some. The other point of contention is in the visuals. If you’re ok with the visuals in the demo available on all platforms, you will not be disappointed by this remaster. The other aspect that might put some off is the price point. Capcom released the Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Trilogy for the same price as this single game remaster. I also wish the physical version was available in the West. Hopefully Capcom gets better about this going forward.
This new version of Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is a cleaner and smoother version of the DS classic. You’re in for a treat if you never played it before. Like I said in my preview, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is a game like 999 and 13 Sentinels, where I wish I could experience it all for the first time again. While this month is very busy with Street Fighter 6, Final Fantasy 16, Nintendo’s recently-released Pikmin ports, and the upcoming Master Detective Archives: Rain Code, Ghost Trick with its excellent revival, is a trick you don’t want to miss.
