Play Disgaea DS Online

Summary

When Disgaea DS was first announced in early March 2008, I was instantly intrigued by the idea of bringing the series to the DS – the only non‑Sony console to host a Disgaea title until the Switch got its own entry years later. The developers promised a revamped UI that took advantage of the dual screens, plus multiplayer battles that used the new Geo Cubes, magical items that let you boost abilities, summon monsters, or even launch attacks. Randomly appearing Demon Gadgets spice up each fight, with some capable of catapulting a unit up thirty levels in a single turn. The roster also expands beyond the original cast: hidden bosses like Adell and Rozalin appear in the Cave of Ordeals, and the Dark Assembly guide Pleinair and Overlord Zetta become playable. Released in North America on September 23 2008 and in Europe on April 3 2009, the game dropped the dual‑language toggle and many voiceovers to fit the DS cartridge’s limited storage, but still delivered a solid handheld take on the series.

Storyline

The story of Disgaea DS begins with Laharl waking from a two‑year slumber in his coffin, greeted by his vassal Etna. He learns his father King Krichevskoy has died and vows to claim the throne, heading to Vyers' castle. After defeating the demon Vyers (the “Dark Adonis”), he encounters the angel trainee Flonne, sent by Seraph Lamington to assassinate the dead king. Flonne, fascinated by demons, joins Laharl to see if they can feel love, while the paranoid archangel Vulcanus watches, suspecting treason.

Etna demands Laharl pay the salaries of her hired Prinnies, prompting him to attack the richest demon, Hoggmeiser of Dinero Palace. He spares Hoggmeiser’s son after Flonne’s plea, allowing the demon to keep some money, and Hoggmeiser then joins the party. Later, a compromising photograph of Laharl is used to blackmail him into a challenge for overlordship. The challenger is Maderas, a vampire exiled for stealing the king’s favorite black pretzels, who manipulates Etna’s memory and exploits Laharl’s optimism and attraction to attractive women. Etna eventually turns against Maderas, and together with Laharl, Flonne, and Mid‑Boss they defeat him.

That night Prinnies begin chanting and fleeing the castle; worried about his reputation, Laharl pursues them at dawn. He encounters Death, and the player learns that “Big Sis Prinny” is actually Laharl’s mother, who sacrificed herself and became a Prinny to save him.