Atlus USA Distributing Disgaea 3, Disgaea DS, and Rhapsody DS

[Volcynika]

IRVINE, Calif. - June 30, 2008 Atlus U.S.A. Inc. today announced it will serve as exclusive North American distributor for three highly-anticipated titles from publisher NIS America. Launching August 26, 2008 will be Disgaea® 3: Absence of Justice for PLAYSTATION®3 and MSRP of $49.99. Less than a month later, on September 23, 2008, both Disgaea® DS and Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure will launch simultaneously on Nintendo DS™, each with MSRP of $29.99. “We are honored to continue working closely with NIS America and provide wide distribution in North America for these three great RPGs. The long-running relationship between our companies demonstrates our collective dedication to bringing the very best console and handheld RPG experiences to loyal fans,” said Tim Pivnicny, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Atlus. “Over the years, we have built a strong relationship with Atlus,” said Harusato Akenaga, President of NIS America. “We have worked together on a number of great titles in the past and we are thrilled to partner once again to release Disgaea 3, Disgaea DS, and Rhapsody later this year. Please look forward to some of the most hardcore games to be released for PLAYSTATION®3 and Nintendo DS™!” About Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice Beautiful artwork, funny characters, and deep strategy gaming come to PLAYSTATION®3 Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice, a new entry in the famed strategy RPG series, follows the exploits of Mao, the most honored student at Evil Academy, a school where the tardiest, laziest, and rudest demons receive the highest marks. The son of the school chairman, Mao has never once attended class nor opened a textbook. He longs to overthrow his father and assume the title of Overlord, which he decides he must become a hero to achieve. Join him on his zany adventure filled with witty dialogue, exciting events, and thrilling strategy battles! About Disgaea DS Completely remade to take advantage of Nintendo DS™, Disgaea DS offers a deep strategy RPG experience with an exceptional story, a fantastic script, and a host of loveable characters and settings. An all-new story focus means a completely different experience for the player, not to mention a brand new ending. Geo Cubes add special effects to the battlefield, completely shifting the balance in the blink of an eye. Using local wireless multiplayer support, take your friends on in grand battles of strategy and wit – or try different modes like Defeat the Leader and Capture the Flag. With support for touch screen control and excellent of use of the two Nintendo DS screens, Disgaea has never played better. About Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure Enter the world of Rhapsody, where music and action combine to create a charming adventure! A beautiful remake of the PlayStation original, Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure for Nintendo DS delivers stunning high-resolution 2D sprites, innovative music-based RPG gameplay, and more features than ever before. New features exclusive to the DS version include dual screen navigation and unlockable characters not previously available. Experience a wonderful symphony of RPG fun! * About Atlus U.S.A., Inc. Located in Irvine, California and founded in 1991, Atlus U.S.A., Inc. is renowned for its proud tradition of publishing exceptional role-playing games with strong niche appeal. The Atlus library of critically acclaimed video games includes Odin Sphere, Trauma Center series, and the award-winning Shin Megami Tensei series. For more information, visit http://www.atlus.com. For breaking news, special promotions, insider info, and more, click here to join the ranks of the Atlus Faithful! * About NIS America. NIS America is a subsidiary of Nippon Ichi Software, Inc., a Japanese company famous for its unique line of strategy RPGs including titles such as Disgaea, Phantom Brave, and Makai Kingdom. In 2003, NIS America was established in Southern California to publish exciting and innovative game titles for North America. NIS America’s team members devote themselves to the fans. Our respect for our fans is at the heart of everything we do. As a growing strategy RPG publisher in the U.S., we are committed to continuous improvement and dedication. ©2008 NIPPON ICHI SOFTWARE INC. ©2008 NIS America, Inc. All rights reserved. Disgaea is aregistered trademark of NIPPON ICHI SOFTWARE INC. Distributed exclusively by Atlus. Nintendo DS is a trademark of Nintendo.

oo, spiffy! I've actually not know much about NISA and Atlus USA's relationship.

[TrueReligion]

:o

[zoku88]

Why? Can't NISA do it themselves now? Hasn't that been what they've been doing since after the release of Phantom Brave?

[Xabora]

Hunh... NIS Distro'd Disgaea 2 in US...

I guess the cost bit em a bit. XD

[Kagari]

$49.99 <3

[juicyfruitas]

Great news. Atlus already has a captive audience for its (mostly) niche titles - smart of NIS to tap into Atlus' fanbase and utilize their distribution skill

[Tamanon]

I think it's just that Atlus understands the niche market more as far as shipping goes. NIS had a couple of times when they waaaaay overshipped titles.

Plus some stores might be wary of grabbing much of a NIS game that gamers know will sell well, but stores might be looking at the previous few games that undersold their shipment. But slap the Atlus label on distributor and it's gold.

[ShockingAlberto]

Hunh... NIS Distro'd Disgaea 2 in US... I guess the cost bit em a bit. XD

They partnered with Atlus for distribution there, too. I don't think it was to this extent, though.

[Yaweee]

$49.99

$29.99

Atlus knows how to price their games, and I love them for it.

(And all of the releases follow the 10-14 week rule! Persona 4 in October, please (and I mean 2008, not 2009))

[Teknoman]

You know what this means...Buy first week or not at all.

[Yaweee]

You know what this means...Buy first week or not at all.

1) I love that picture.

2) That hasn't always been the case with Atlus USA since they've grown, but, yeah, early is better as the games are already cheap to begin with.

[zoku88]

Great news. Atlus already has a captive audience for its (mostly) niche titles - smart of NIS to tap into Atlus' fanbase and utilize their distribution skill

I don't think Atlus's name is going to be put on the game itself. I'm pretty sure this is just a logistics thing, no one would know Atlus did anything if they didn't read this piece of news.

I don't remember Atlus being mentioned on the box for Phantom Brave, at least...

$49.99 $29.99 Atlus knows how to price their games, and I love them for it. (And all of the releases follow the 10-14 week rule! Persona 4 in October, please (and I mean 2008, not 2009))

I don't think they decided the price, though...

(didn't NISA already tell use the price of D3 anyway?)

[Teknoman]

I don't think Atlus's name is going to be put on the game itself. I'm pretty sure this is just a logistics thing, no one would know Atlus did anything if they didn't read this piece of news. I don't remember Atlus being mentioned on the box for Phantom Brave, at least... I don't think they decided the price, though... (didn't NISA already tell use the price of D3 anyway?)

I think the only NIS game Atlus published was Disgaea, after that NIS did the rest im sure.

[Link1110]

Why? Can't NISA do it themselves now? Hasn't that been what they've been doing since after the release of Phantom Brave?

Well, I assume they're just going to throw Atlus's translation in Rhapsody, but the other two are a mystery. Maybe because NIS is releasing a bunch of games so close together?

[zoku88]

I think the only NIS game Atlus published was Disgaea, after that NIS did the rest im sure.

Atlus distributed Phantom Brave.

NISA is still publishing these three games. Atlus is just distributing them...

[KibblesBits]

Atlus US and NIS sitting in a tree.
K-I-S-S-I-N-G!
First comes love
Then comes marraige
Then comes Atlus US with a baby carraige!


First day for Disgaea 3. It's going to be handled well now.
I can't wait to get info from Atlus' E3 booth.
...and Anime Expo.

[Yaweee]

I don't think Atlus's name is going to be put on the game itself. I'm pretty sure this is just a logistics thing, no one would know Atlus did anything if they didn't read this piece of news. I don't remember Atlus being mentioned on the box for Phantom Brave, at least... I don't think they decided the price, though... (didn't NISA already tell use the price of D3 anyway?)

Yeah, they did. I guess it should read that Atlus AND NIS know how to price ($30 FES and EO, $40 Baroque, etc).

[widgetraf]

$49.99 ^_^

[zoku88]

Yeah, they did. I guess it should read that Atlus AND NIS know how to price ($30 FES and EO, $40 Baroque, etc).

Lol, that's right. $30 FES was nice, wasn't it?

Has NISA downsized anything recently? I'm still trying to think of why they think they aren't good enough to distribute games by themselves. Some people say they over allot copies, but I remember Ar Tonelico being kinda rare.

[Mejilan]

Good to see them finally confirmed, but I'm surprised that Atlus is involved again. I thought that Disgaea was basically NISA's bread and butter here in the US. Odd.

[Volcynika]

Oh yeah, I forgot about posting the official boxarts for those that havent seen them. Edited them into the OP.

[Kagari]

I still like the JP D3 boxart better :(

[AniHawk]

Has NISA downsized anything recently?

Not from what I've seen. They have bigger offices and more testers than ever.

[Kusagari]

I could understand why they would go with Atlus for a PS3 game but seems odd they're doing it for DS games too. NIS has been releasing everything themselves lately.

[Mejilan]

Huh. No Atlus logos on the boxart. And no Hour of Darkness/Afternoon of Darkness subtitle for Disgaea DS.

[ChaoticBlue]

this is not good if Atlus was the only one distributing becuase they don't ever print enough copies. remember the persona 3 disaster before FES came out? people couldn't find the original after a month and prices on ebay rose to almost $70 for the game. on the other hand i like NIS america because they always seem to print enough games and i have no trouble finding their games. for example disgaea 1. it was rare until nis america has a hand in its reprinting. however, atlus and NIS america will be working together on distributing the games. that's how its been in the past most of the time and NIS america logo will be on the box which is comforting at least.

[DMPrince]

Time to preorder

[Teknoman]

Atlus distributed Phantom Brave. NISA is still publishing these three games. Atlus is just distributing them...

Oh well I guess that would explain why you cant find PB very easily either

D3 preordering time then.

EDIT: I just realized the ONLY NIS game i've beat to date is Phantom Brave I'll get to the rest one day, but im still getting D3 for the simple fact that I wont be able to find it once im up to that point.

[Yaweee]

this is not good if Atlus was the only one distributing becuase they don't ever print enough copies. remember the persona 3 disaster before FES came out? people couldn't find the original after a month and prices on ebay rose to almost $70 for the game. on the other hand i like NIS america because they always seem to print enough games and i have no trouble finding their games. for example disgaea 1. it was rare until nis america has a hand in its reprinting. however, atlus and NIS america will be working together on distributing the games. that's how its been in the past most of the time and NIS america logo will be on the box which is comforting at least.

The Persona 3 disaster was a result of them halting production once they determined that they would be bringing FES over, as far as I can tell.

[Stumpokapow]

this is not good if Atlus was the only one distributing becuase they don't ever print enough copies.

Rhapsody sold less than 20k on the PSX. If Atlus prints more than 50k, it would be magically assuming that an audience that clearly didn't want the game ten years ago magically wants it now.

Furthermore, NIS would not have went to Atlus for distribution if they didn't think Atlus could do better than them. Standard distribution fee across media industries is around 15%.

[dionysus]

Please tell me Disgaea 3 has the much anticipated resurrection of the Prism Rangers!

[Facism]

any news on Euro release?

[Yaweee]

Please tell me Disgaea 3 has the much anticipated resurrection of the Prism Rangers!

All 7, as far as I can tell.

[k1s3k1]

any1 know if disgaea 3 has japanese voice with english subtitle?? i prefer that ><

[Kagari]

any1 know if disgaea 3 has japanese voice with english subtitle?? i prefer that ><

It will have Japanese voice.

[Guled]

GOTY save mgs4for me, can't remember the last time I play a good SRPG

[Althane]

Disgaea DS is the full game, yes? Nothing cut out?

Hmm... still gonna have to get it Day 1. Not sure I'll be able to get it any time else. >_>

[Teknoman]

any news on Euro release?

If not, then its Region Free...though that might be a little more costly to import.

[Mejilan]

Disgaea DS is the full game, yes? Nothing cut out? Hmm... still gonna have to get it Day 1. Not sure I'll be able to get it any time else. >_>

Last I heard, it was to have all of the new content added to the PSP revision, plus a bit more (including a new playable character). I do expect the graphics, music quality, and VA quality and/or quantity to take hits, however.

[madhtr]

First day for Disgaea 3. It's going to be handled well now. I can't wait to get info from Atlus' E3 booth. ...and Anime Expo.

They're not going to be at E3.

Huh. No Atlus logos on the boxart. And no Hour of Darkness/Afternoon of Darkness subtitle for Disgaea DS.

There is no subtitle.

[jj984jj]

Huh. No Atlus logos on the boxart. And no Hour of Darkness/Afternoon of Darkness subtitle for Disgaea DS.

They're just distributing it, NIS USA still did the localization.

[Kagari]

If not, then its Region Free...though that might be a little more costly to import.

Maybe not with the shit US dollar :(

[Jiggy]

If Rhapsody DS gets positive feedback, I guess that'll make three DS remakes I buy in September. On that note, ya know--being set right between Square-Enix (Dragon Quest IV) and Nintendo (Kirby Super Star) would be an insane position to hold if this were anyone but Atlus, who'll sell out regardless of surrounding competitors due to their understandably-low print run.

[Gig]

Please tell me Disgaea 3 has the much anticipated resurrection of the Prism Rangers!

Screw those guys, it's all about the 38th Defender of Earth.

[Koshiba]

I said "HELL YEAH" when I read this news. I'll be picking of Rhapsody DS right away!

[Olaeh]

Great news! I had a bad feeling Disgaea DS wouldn't make it here, so this news is comforting. Could've had better boxart, but oh well ;p

[shouamabane]

I like the Disgaea DS boxart the best of the three. It's really colorful and showcases the character designs.

[Prime crotch]

Isn't Disgaea DS, like....shit? What about Raphsody?

[Vorador]

49.99$!!. I was going to import Disgaea 3 on day one either way, but Atlus it's as awesome as always.

PD: Rhapsody i suppose it's the remake of the PSX SRPG game of the same name.

[Schopenhauer]

Koei didn't want to distribute NISA's quality titles in NA anymore? LOL poor Atlus USA.