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Nippon Ichi signs up for Wii, Disgaea a tantalizing possibility
We already knew that Nippon Ichi would have some kind of presence on the Wii (news of an NIS WiiWare game, Let's Hitchhike, was leaked last month), but now Nippon Ichi and Nintendo's platform are a super official couple, because the publisher has signed up as a Wiiware and Wii developer.It's the "and Wii developer" bit which is significant here. Naturally, the first property which springs to mind where Nippon Ichi is concerned is Disgaea. The company has been only too happy to spread the series across multiple formats (some would say it's been spread too thinly), so the world's best-selling home console seems like a logical next stop. Make it happen, NIS![Via Siliconera]
Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero? coming to the US in February
The awesomely-named Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero? is coming to the States this February, according to Siliconera. The gorgeous 2D platformer features Disgaea's oft-pathetic mascot, Prinny, in a new adventure which is said to be "tough as nails." Uh-oh. For those of you that want some Contra-like bad memories, you may want to try the Hell Mode, which will kill your character in just one hit. Yay?%Gallery-31250%
Prinny screens show new enemies and vehicles
Gpara has a ton of new screenshots from Prinny: Is It Okay If I Am The Main Character? They show Prinny fighting various enemies; such as the Mothman, archers and ninjas. A crab-like vehicle was also spotted. Another fact revealed was that some stages will contain hidden records, an item which allows you to change the background music of that level. Take a look at all the screenshots here.[Via PSPHyper and Siliconera]
Deal: Disgaea or Dragoneer's Aria for $18 each
The critically-acclaimed strategy RPG Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness is going for $14.90 + $3.40 = $18.30 over at Play-Asia.com. Most places still have the game for $29.99. Be aware that while this is not the US version of the title, this Asia version has English text and menus and otherwise identical to the US release. Take advantage of this deal here. Another RPG from NIS, Dragoneer's Aria, is also $18.30. The game was released last year in the US and received average to negative reviews, so we might want to skip this one unless you really love RPGs. The Asia version (which is again, identical to the US version) is finally coming out October 2nd of this year, and you can preorder it here. [Via PSPHyper]
Prinny: Is it okay to star in some video footage?
For those of you without Japanese PLAYSTATION Network accounts, it'll be pretty much impossible to play the current Prinny demo. Thankfully, our friends at PSP GadgetZ have recorded footage of the demo in action. Enjoy the energetic, upbeat music and classic 2D platforming action ... after the break.
PSP Fanboy hands-on: Prinny: Is It Okay If I am the Main Character?
Disgaea fans probably jumped in excitement upon hearing the news that Prinnies would be getting their own game for PSP. Prinny: Is It Okay If I Am The Main Character? is the aptly cute pseudo-2D side-scroller which is also being released in North America. While fans may be squealing in delight over that, here's one more tidbit that's going to make your day: you can play the game now off a demo on the Japanese PS Store. If you can't download it or just plain old stuck at work and can't get to it until you're at home, then we're providing our very own impressions for your convenience. Getting right into it, the demo was a short, one-level adventure taking us through scenery we've seen in screenshots previously (namely the one posted above). As you can see, the environmental objects are 3D models and there will be times when certain actions will cause the camera to shift into this 3D perspective; however, the game is mostly in the 2D perspective, side-scrolling from left to right. Before you start the level you'll be given two optional difficulties: either a "one-hit you're dead" game or a "three-hit chance." The number of hits you can take will be displayed by icons placed in the upper left corner of the screen. If you die, you'll use up a life point which are all displayed in the bottom left.%Gallery-31250%
Prinny Disgaea title coming to the States
The fine folks over at Siliconera got a chance to speak to the marketing manager of NIS America, Jack Niida, about Disgaea DS. Those sneaky snakes managed to surprise Niida with a question about the possibility of a localized version of the PSP-exclusive platformer Prinny: Is It Okay If I Am The Main Character? -- and yes, the game is confirmed to come to the US. The publisher will be NIS America and the release dates are still up in the air at this time. We can't wait![Thanks, Jennifer!]
Disgaea and Rhapsody: A Voice Acting Adventure
Siliconera spoke with NIS's Jack Niida about the DS versions of Disgaea and Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure, both of which happen to be out this week. Much of the interview focuses on the voice acting in the two games, which we imagine is somewhat of an important issue for the otaku who comprise the majority of the Nippon Ichi audience. There's more to read, as well, about Rhapsody's battle system and new characters in Disgaea, among other things. Rhapsody will use the original Japanese songs from the PlayStation game, along with new tracks recorded by the original cast. The voice acting outside of songs will be in English. The English musical tracks will not be present due to space concerns. The script is also pulled from the PlayStation release, but the English text has been cleaned up! As for Disgaea, the same seems to be true. Niida told Siliconera that "All the voice acting is there, but unfortunately, we had to compromise on the dual language and English musical songs." %Gallery-17933%
DS releases for the week of September 22nd
Not only are there dozens -- well, almost two dozen -- games slated for release in the U.S. this week, but included in the list are a few particularly interesting titles. Kirby Super Star Ultra, though announced some time ago, comes seemingly out of nowhere after some recent wacky promotions, and My Japanese Coach finally makes it to shelves (we hope). Barbie Fashion Show: An Eye for Style Brain Quest Grades 3 & 4 Brain Quest Grades 5 & 6 Di-Gata Defenders Dinosaur King Disgaea DS DropCast Hi! Hamtaro Ham-Ham Challenge Kirby Super Star Ultra Lego Batman Margot's Word Brain My Japanese Coach My Little Pony: Pinkie Pie's Party My SAT Coach Nancy Drew: The Hidden Staircase Pipe Mania Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure Shaun the Sheep SimCity Creator Time Hollow
A plethora of Disgaea spinoff screenshots featuring Prinny
Want more Prinny action? There are almost 65 screenshots from Prinny: Is It Okay If I Am The Main Character? over at Game Watch right now, just waiting for you to check them out. Most of the screenshots explain the mechanics of the game: dashing, jumping, throwing, and more. Then there are fancier moves like a hip attack, cutting and finally, the Prinny blast.This platformer will be headed to Japan at end of November, but a demo will be landing the Japanese PS Store on September 29th. No release info yet for anywhere else in the world. Check the rest of the screenshots of our favorite tormented souls in action here.[Via PSPHyper]
Disgaea's the limit: Prinny-starring platformer dated for Japan
Look, we honestly don't care what you think about the Disgaea franchise and its peculiar, thoroughly unhinged take on role playing. All we know is that if the description of its upcoming spin-off -- a side-scrolling platformer starring a tenacious, twirling penguin who, by the way, occasionally pilots an enormous tank -- doesn't do anything for you, then we'd like to ask you to leave. Leave the internet.The internet is also where you'll find the game's official website, along with word that Prinny: Is It Okay If I Am The Main Character? is due to arrive on Japanese PSPs on November 20th. If you have a "friend" with a Japanese PlayStation Store account, you'll also want to check out the demo as of September 29th.
Disgaea plaformer starring Prinny arriving on November 20th in Japan
Download to PSP Wanna know more about Prinny: Is It Okay If I Am The Main Character? The new Disgaea series spin-off will be a side-scrolling action title featuring the exploding penguins, and here's the story: Etna had her favorite candies stolen; you are the poor Prinny assigned to look for them, or deal with a fate worse than death. Other highlights include an extreme difficulty level, "200% better pixel graphics," gameplay data exchange and a promise of new maps and bosses in the form DLC in the future. The official site has also been updated, with information on the controls of the game, the release date, as well as a date for the demo -- the full game will arrive on November 20th for 5,229 yen (including tax) while the demo will arrive on the Japanese PS Store on 9/29. We got the trailer above and some screenshots in the gallery below, so check them out! [Via PSPHyper] %Gallery-31250%
Disgaea 3: online gaming mode and new characters in Asia via DLC
Siliconera noticed a little new add-on for Disgaea 3 that provides an optional online gaming mode. You pick either beginner, intermediate or advanced difficulty level and then you are sent to a special version of the item world. Specific criteria must be met in order for a gate and its respective enemy gate keeper to appear. Ten floors must be completed before you are ranked based on moves you've made and how efficient you were with your characters and resources. This all sounds rather complicated, but the reward is a special character called Angel Solider that specializes in bows and staff. Their native evilty is called Angelic Protection which reduces non-elemental damage to a nearby ally by 50%. The price for this upgrade is $6.19 SGD (about $4.30 USD). In other Disgaea 3 news, Yukimaru and Tink from Disgaea 2 and Prier of La Pucelle Tactics are the newest downloadable characters for the game in Japan. They cost 200 yen (about $1.50) each. Keep in mind, none of this has been announced for the US yet, but we shall keep our fingers crossed and hopefully hear something soon. We'll keep you updated! Source -- Siliconera Source -- Siliconera
New Disgaea platformer coming to PSP
A new 2D platformer starring everyone's favorite penguin pals from Disgaea has just been revealed. Very little is known about the game, but the initial screenshots look quite promising; look at the quality of these sprites! More info about Prinny: Is it Okay if I'm the Main Character? will undoubtedly come when its official website launches in September.[Thanks, Zach M.!]
Joystiq impressions: Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice
Five months ago we asked NIS America why its forthcoming turn-based strategy game, Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice, would make the next-gen leap to the PS3."It's simply because PS2 lacks the processing power and memory capacity to support Disgaea 3," commented marketing coordinator Jack Niida at the time, a response we didn't buy entirely back then and after pouring over the game in recent days we're even less convinced. Not that the game isn't fun. The fact that this article is being penned at 4am after 9 hours spent playing and losing track of time should be a testament to Disgaea 3's addictive nature, a trait that the series has had in spades since its freshman effort. Gallery: Disgaea 3 (PS3)
The first ten minutes of Disgaea 3 (in English)
The upcoming SRPG, Disgaea 3 is coming exclusively to PS3 at the end of the month. Retailing for $50, NIS's upcoming sequel features the same over-the-top presentation that franchise veterans should be familiar with. Find out more about the game's premise, and the unique characters of this demon school in this video from GamersPlatform. Ten minutes will give you a good taste of how this game will feel when it finally comes out in America.
Disgaea 3 has three bundles: regular, mediocre, hardcore
You've got to hand it to Nippon Ichi Software of America; they really know how to rope you in. Not only does Disgaea 3 ship with a discounted price at $50 and a fan-chosen soundtrack as a pre-order bonus, but you'll also have a choice of three bundles to choose from if you pre-order from NIS's online store, Rosenqueen. The game will ship in three sets: Alma Mater, Delinquent Pride, and No. 1 Honor Student. The Alma Mater set is the standard game at $50 and contains the game disc, custom soundtrack, and a main theme CD. The Delinquent Pride set is the same but with a strategy guide and priced at $70. The last one is for the hardcore fan; No.1 Honor Student set includes all of the above plus a digital media disc (over 700 storyboard stills, art, and screens) and any one of the following: original soundtrack CD (2 discs, 37 songs), 36-page art book, or a school flag. All that comes at a hefty $90 price tag. You can see all of that in the picture above. Check this link for larger images. [Thanks Gambit 07!]
Get a glimpse of Disgaea DS
Both veteran Disgaea fans and new fans who want to experience the series for the first time are getting ready for the release of Disgaea DS. The strategizing won't begin until September 23rd, but until then, it's a good idea for us to know exactly what we're getting into by observing some gameplay action. We think that the presentation is pretty nice on the DS, and although the graphics may have toned down in the translation, the visuals aren't wanting for anything. As for the gameplay, Disgaea virgins will notice from the videos that while the grid-based style is familiar, the actual execution differs from many other strategy games. Come September, we're ready to sacrifice hundreds of hours of our lives playing this title. Are you with us? More battle footage lies after the break!
Characters galore appear in this Cross Edge trailer
It's time to get your translating hats on, everyone. A Japanese trailer for Cross Edge has hit the airwaves and we have no idea what it's saying. We see a ton of cast members, from Darkstalkers, Disgaea, the Atelier series (including Mana Khemia) as well as Ar Tonelico, doling out some voice-acting skills and massive damage. We're not quite sure what the game is about or how all these characters end up fighting alongside the main characters of the game, but the battles seem frenetic and entertaining. We're itching to see more because 2D is far from dead. [Via Siliconera]
Rumorong: Nintendo DS redesign not leaked by Disgaea DS ad
The internet speculation switchboard lit up this weekend when a print ad for a trio of new Nintendo DS titles -- Disgaea DS, Rhapsody, and A Witch's Tale -- from NIS America in the August issue of Nintendo Power was found to show Nintendo's touchable handheld with noticeably wider screens. Some might even call these widescreens. But was this a simple Photoshop snafu, or an unintentional peek at Nintendo's E3 plot? With Nintendo brushing aside the supposed leak as "purely rumour and speculation," we followed up with NIS America, the proverbial horse's mouth. "We placed screenshots on a DS backing to emphasize the platform, and edited them for effect," explained NISA marketing swami, Nao Zook. "These games are specifically for the current Nintendo DS, and as far as we know, there is no 'widescreen DS' in the works." She offered apologies for any confusion or elevated hopes the ad might have caused, adding, "we also agree that a widescreen DS would be really cool." We agree, almost as cool as being asked to purchase Nintendo's portable yet again ...
