Disgaea series crosses 5 million copies sold; Disgaea 6 on track to be one of the most successful entries

[Oregano]

So NIS just released a video message celebrating the 5 million copies mark for the series:



They're currently running sales on Steam for the past games, and Disgaea merch on the NISA store.

NIS president Sohei Niikawa also did an interview with Gamesindustry.biz where they talk about the series. Including this tidbit about Disgaea 6.

While the first follow-ups didn't quite live up to that initial game's performance, Niikawa said Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten returned the series to that level of success, with Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance -- particularly the Switch release -- becoming "a huge success" in North America and Europe and Disgaea 6 on track to join the shortlist of most successful entries in the franchise.

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Disgaea's focus on "the road most niche"

The very first Disgaea game in 2003 was subtitled "Hour of Darkness," but Nippon Ichi Software's strategy RPG series ca…

www.gamesindustry.biz

 

[Mr Swine]

Is this the game that is exclusive for the Switch in US and EU while also on the PS4 in Japan? Incredible that is selling that well

 

[Weiss]

I was not expecting that. Every word I heard on Disgaea 6 was about how much it sucked and had some pretty glaring budget cuts.

Well, what the hey. I'm for anything that gets NIS' back catalogue out of the graveyard.

(go buy Soul Nomad)

Is this the game that is exclusive for the Switch in US and EU while also on the PS4 in Japan? Incredible that is selling that well

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Yeah.

Apparently Disgaea 5 sold really well on Switch.

 

[Martin]

Wow, I though Disgaea 5 sold so good because it was a launch game/close to launch on switch.
But it seems that the fan base really is on switch now!

 

[Desma]

Also, I think it's important to note this from the video

Please Look Forward to the Next Disgaea

We just released Disgaea 6, but I'm sure some of you are already wondering what's next for the series. Of course, we're planning to keep it going. Though I can't really talk about when that may be, or what it's going to be like yet, we would like to take into account all of the feedback we've received about Disgaea 6 from players in America, Europe, Japan, Asia, and everywhere else, so that we can make sure everyone will enjoy the next one even more.

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And this quote from the article

"We've gotten a lot of feedback with the release of 6," he says, "so we believe the best way forward for the series is for us to develop 7 with that feedback reflected."

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Disgaea 6 was... very questionable. So I'm glad that they're listening to feedback proper

 

[Oregano]

I was not expecting that. Every word I heard on Disgaea 6 was about how much it sucked and had some pretty glaring budget cuts.

Well, what the hey. I'm for anything that gets NIS' back catalogue out of the graveyard.

(go buy Soul Nomad)


Yeah.

Apparently Disgaea 5 sold really well on Switch.

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It's less budget cuts and more deliberate decisions to cut stuff paired with the switch to 3D meaning it has to be built from scratch asset wise.

It's kind of a reset point that will be built on in the future IMO.

 

[SpoonyBob]

Glad the series is still kicking. I hope to be able to play D6 if it comes to other platforms in NA sometime down the line.

Disgaea 6 was... very questionable. So I'm glad that they're listening to feedback proper

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I haven't kept up with anything D6 related since the Switch only in NA stuff. What are the issues with it?

Is the main character better than Mao at least?

 

[entremet]

It seems like the Switch saved this company right?

I remember there were some murmurs about them not doing too well.

 

[Deleted member 2791]

I've also had many issues with D6 but it was a necessary stepping stone for future entries, and I still liked it. I'm optimistic about the future.

 

[Dekuman]

NIS made the right call supporting Switch early. Disgaea 5 was a launch window game and established the fanbase.

 

[chainlinkspiral]

Hmm. Yeah. Switch was the way to go.

 

[andymoogle]

Neat.

As someone who has barely touched the series, where should I start if I want to get into it? As I understand it, they are all standalone so I might as well go with 6 right away? As I would assume that it's the one with the best gameplay.

 

[Valcrist]

Heard nothing but bad things about 6, so surprised it did well at all honestly.

 

[entremet]

I was not expecting that. Every word I heard on Disgaea 6 was about how much it sucked and had some pretty glaring budget cuts.

Well, what the hey. I'm for anything that gets NIS' back catalogue out of the graveyard.

(go buy Soul Nomad)


Yeah.

Apparently Disgaea 5 sold really well on Switch.

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What budget cuts? It got pretty decent review.

 

[Oregano]

Neat.

As someone who has barely touched the series, where should I start if I want to get into it? As I understand it, they are all standalone so I might as well go with 6 right away? As I would assume that it's the one with the best gameplay.

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That's debateable. Disgaea 5 (Complete) is the most fully featured gameplay wise, but Disgaea 6 is probably more accessible to a newcomer.

 

[Deleted member 2791]

Neat.

As someone who has barely touched the series, where should I start if I want to get into it? As I understand it, they are all standalone so I might as well go with 6 right away? As I would assume that it's the one with the best gameplay.

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6 was made to jump in the series, go with that one.

 

[Kouriozan]

Huge fan of the IP, recently I replayed all the ones that were available on Switch, so yes very happy about this and can't wait to see what the future hold for Disgaea <3
And I agree with above, Disgaea 6 is the one to jump into if you never played those games, and if you like what you play then consider 5 Complete, which has more (and complex) features.

If you replay the old games after 6, like I'm doing right now, you're going to miss the amazing QoLs this on added, haha.

 

[Broseph]

Switch is pretty much the perfect type of console for these kinds of games. Some other Japanese devs/publishers need to take advantage of this

 

[Weiss]

Neat.

As someone who has barely touched the series, where should I start if I want to get into it? As I understand it, they are all standalone so I might as well go with 6 right away? As I would assume that it's the one with the best gameplay.

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Yeah they're all standalone games (except for Disgaea D2 which is a direct sequel to the first game and stars the main trio again) and the latest release is the benchmark.

 

[kimbo99]

Switch is pretty much the perfect type of console for these kinds of games. Some other Japanese devs/publishers need to take advantage of this

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Bamco was late. Capcom took advantage of fully supporting the Switch.

 

[NoalleGospell]

While I enjoyed my time with 6, it's definitely my least favorite and I'm glad that they are using the feedback going forward.

 

[Desma]

Glad the series is still kicking. I hope to be able to play D6 if it comes to other platforms in NA sometime down the line.



I haven't kept up with anything D6 related since the Switch only in NA stuff. What are the issues with it?

Is the main character better than Mao at least?

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Honestly, I couldn't even stomach the demo on Switch. I'm just waiting for 'em to release it somewhere else.

But there are a few obvious issues, like cutting classes in half, getting rid of weapon abilities and auto mode trivializing post game (Just leave the game running overnight lol)... also post game being a shadow of it's former self.

Also, you better like Zombie jokes

 

[mpak]

Hope one day it will launch on Xbox to be available on XCloud

 

[Edge]

That's so sad tho. Why 6 of all games.

 

[Weiss]

That's so sad tho. Why 6 of all games.

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It's D5 too. D5 showed there was a market for NIS games on Switch, and a bigger one than the traditional Playstation releases.

 

[Gnorman]

Is it one of the most successful based on sales alone or because it was cheaper to develop. 6 is missing a lot of content compared to 5.

 

[entremet]

Is it one of the most successful based on sales alone or because it was cheaper to develop. 6 is missing a lot of content compared to 5.

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Sales, of course.

The series was dying on PS platforms. The company almost went under due to the mobile game flopping hard.

 

[Oregano]

Is it one of the most successful based on sales alone or because it was cheaper to develop. 6 is missing a lot of content compared to 5.

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I very much doubt it was cheaper to develop. The cheap route would have been to build on the last game like the last few did rather than create all new assets like they did with Disgaea 6.

 

[Weiss]

I very much doubt it was cheaper to develop. The cheap route would have been to build on the last game like the last few did rather than create all new assets like they did with Disgaea 6.

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Yeah I saw it much more as a Make or Break kind of thing for NIS. Like they put this effort in for D6 to hit a new height or they shut down.

 

[Jaded Alyx]

Hmm 🤔

 

[convo]

Having put the most time on these games on the vita ports of D3 and D4, the handheld market seemed just right especially to the Nintendo only crowd. Still wack that D6 has a ps4 port and a localization but not out overseas, guess Nintendo really helped out with bringing it over.

 

[darkside]

"on track to be one of the most successful entries"... makes it sound like its not a success right now at this very moment? Kinda weird wording, though it seems like it did well enough for them. Can't say I care much for how this whole release went though

 

[entremet]

"on track to be one of the most successful entries"... makes it sound like its not a success right now at this very moment? Kinda weird wording, though it seems like it did well enough for them. Can't say I care much for how this whole release went though

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What a weird reading of a very direct and simple statement.

 

[Oregano]

Yeah I saw it much more as a Make or Break kind of thing for NIS. Like they put this effort in for D6 to hit a new height or they shut down.

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It's probably the better move in the long run, but it at least appears it paid off straight away with D6.

Having put the most time on these games on the vita ports of D3 and D4, the handheld market seemed just right especially to the Nintendo only crowd. Still wack that D6 has a ps4 port and a localization but not out overseas, guess Nintendo really helped out with bringing it over.

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Nintendo didn't do much other than give it some much needed marketing via Nintendo Direct.

Interestingly NISA just announced western released of two visual novels for Switch, one of which has a PS4 version that they're apparently not bothering with.

 

[Gnorman]

Yeah I saw it much more as a Make or Break kind of thing for NIS. Like they put this effort in for D6 to hit a new height or they shut down.

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Most people would say that D6 doesn't get anywhere close to D5 though.

 

[Weiss]

Most people would say that D6 doesn't get anywhere close to D5 though.

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As in creating a new artstyle/engine/presentation/whatevs in service of future games.

I don't play Disgaea. Sometimes I think of buying the D1 remake but mostly I just simp for Soul Nomad.

 

[Desma]

Interestingly NISA just announced western released of two visual novels for Switch, one of which has a PS4 version that they're apparently not bothering with.

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Source? Haven't heard anything about that

 

[Oregano]

Source? Haven't heard anything about that

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Horror adventure game Shadow Corridor for Switch coming west on October 26

Publisher NIS America will release Kazuki Shiroma-developed horror adventure game Shadow Corridor for Switch via Nintendo eShop on October 26 in the west under licensing from Regista, the company a…

www.gematsu.com

The PS4 could be coming still but NISA only announced the Switch version.

 

[Desma]

Horror adventure game Shadow Corridor for Switch coming west on October 26

Publisher NIS America will release Kazuki Shiroma-developed horror adventure game Shadow Corridor for Switch via Nintendo eShop on October 26 in the west under licensing from Regista, the company a…

www.gematsu.com

The PS4 could be coming still but NISA only announced the Switch version.

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Oh ok. Not would I'd call VN, but fair

 

[W.S.]

6 was made to jump in the series, go with that one.

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Hope one day it will launch on Xbox to be available on XCloud

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If Disgaea 6 was made to be more accessible then I hope another publisher can pick it up and port to Xbox & Playstation platforms if NISA won't do it.

Seems like the perfect game to get a bigger audience with.

 

[Deleted member 2791]

If Disgaea 6 was made to be more accessible then I hope another publisher can pick it up and port to Xbox & Playstation platforms if NISA won't do it.

Seems like the perfect game to get a bigger audience with.

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.... it's NIS's game, no other publisher will port it to another platform if NISA won't do it.

 

[DontHateTheBacon]

I really hope this comes to PS4 at some point but I'm not sure that's going to happen. Just doesn't feel right on my Switch for some reason.

 

[Oregano]

Oh ok. Not would I'd call VN, but fair

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No, you're totally right. Not sure why I thought VN. The other game they announced is a roguelike!

I might need some sleep lol

 

[fiendcode]

I really hope this comes to PS4 at some point but I'm not sure that's going to happen. Just doesn't feel right on my Switch for some reason.

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I still think we'll see D6 Complete later on. But for PS5 rather than PS4.

 

[W.S.]

.... it's NIS's game, no other publisher will port it to another platform if NISA won't do it.

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I should clarify and say I meant if NIS won't do it due to financial obstacles.

A company like an Atlus has published for them before in the past right?

 

[Onlywantsapples]

I just recently picked up a Switch and realized most of these games are on there.

Amazing how well this series did there.

 

[Oregano]

I should clarify and say I meant if NIS won't do it due to financial obstacles.

A company like an Atlus has published for them before in the past right?

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A PS4 version already exists in Japan and in the Gamesindustry interview there's doubt cast on the possibility of Xbox releases.

 

[W.S.]

A PS4 version already exists in Japan and in the Gamesindustry interview there's doubt cast on the possibility of Xbox releases.

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Yeah PS4 in Japan but I meant other territories like US & Europe, etc. I have all the Disgea games on PS4 and thought it was weird that 6 skipped PS4 but then again I don't follow the sales reports of these games.

NIS not having it on Xbox wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary but it just seems like a missed opportunity to bring the game to another platform. I get that they're struggling though so I'm not expecting unrealistic ports, just something I would be interested in. Interestingly Disgaea 5 is on PC Gamepass/Windows Store, would be cool if Microsoft dropped the bag on them to get D5 & 6 ported consoles.

 

[Deleted member 63122]

Yeah PS4 in Japan but I meant other territories like US & Europe, etc.

NIS not having it on Xbox wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary but it just seems like a missed opportunity to bring the game to another platform. I get that they're struggling though so I'm not expecting unrealistic ports, just something I would be interested in. Interestingly Disgaea 5 is on PC Gamepass/Windows Store, would be cool if Microsoft dropped the bag on them to get D5 & 6 ported consoles.

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They aren't bringing it to the West on PS4 because the fifth entry flopped.

 

[Deleted member 2791]

I should clarify and say I meant if NIS won't do it due to financial obstacles.

A company like an Atlus has published for them before in the past right?

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Clearly it's not financial troubles, it's a choice they decided to make.