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Game Info

Cover art of Princess Debut

3.8 / 5

Platform
Nintendo DS
Developers
CAVE Interactive
Publishers
Natsume Inc.
Release date
October 30, 2008

Summary

Princess Debut, released for the Nintendo DS, is a rhythm‑driven otome title that stands out for its unexpected development pedigree. While Natsume Inc. handled publishing, the actual creation was entrusted to Cave, a studio better known for its fast‑paced shoot‑‘em‑up games. The visual identity—illustrations and box art—was crafted by manga artist Kotori Momoyuki, whose work appears regularly in Kodansha’s Nakayoshi magazine. Notably, this was the first game Natsume commissioned directly from its U.S. office rather than licensing a Japanese product, a move sparked by president Hiro Maekawa’s desire to reach a young female audience. In Europe the game appears under the longer name “Princess Debut: The Royal Ball,” but the core experience remains the same quirky blend of music and romance.

Storyline

Princess Debut opens with the player character chatting with a friend about her boredom and longing to be swept away by a prince. After the conversation, a girl and a creature emerge from her closet; the girl claims to be the player’s counterpart from the Flower Kingdom, where she is a princess scheduled to dance at the prestigious Ball of Saint‑Lyon. Lacking any talent or taste for dancing, she asks the player to take her place, and the player agrees, starting a 30‑day countdown to practice and find a prince partner. Throughout each day the player can choose where to go and which dialogue options to select, leading to many possible events before the final ball. The game’s ending varies depending on the chosen partner and the amount of love built between them.

Edited by Maya Carter

Game Screenshots

  • Screenshot 1 of Princess Debut
  • Screenshot 2 of Princess Debut