The announcement of Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster was fantastic and surprising, however one particularly box-art worthy bit of the original release seemed to be absent. In the original Nocturne release you could both fight and potentially recruit Dante (from the Devil May Cry Series) to your side. This was due to longtime Character and Demon Designer Kazuma Kaneko designing Dante’s (and Vergil’s) Devil Trigger forms in Devil May Cry 3.
In an updated, Japan-only release of Nocturne (called the Chronicle Edition) Dante was nowhere to be seen. In his place was recurring Devil Summoner character Raidou Kuzunoha the XIV, filling the same role and having a functionally identical skillset (outside of a notable buff) without requiring any permissions or deals with Capcom. With that in mind and considering Raidou appeared in the Nocturne HD Remaster trailer, it was safe to say the Son of Sparda was going to be left out.
Well, worry not, as this party’s getting crazy after all:
Yes, Dante is returning in MegaTen 3 HD. There is a catch, however. Per the above trailer and the MegaTen 3 HD Japanese website, Dante will be paid DLC for the game. By purchasing the Maniax Pack (named for the version of the game in Japan that Dante first appeared in), you can opt to replace Raidou with the demon hunter. On top of that, he’ll keep the skill buff that was previously exclusive to Raidou, finally giving Dante access to Pierce.
In Japan the Maniax Pack Featuring Dante from the Devil May Cry Series will cost 980 yen, or about ten dollars, and will release alongside the game on October 29th. There’s no word on availability or pricing for other territories at this time, and with Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne not due worldwide until 2021 we may not know for a while yet.
Written by Ricky Berg
When he isn’t writing for Nintendo Wire, Ricky’s anticipating the next Kirby, Fire Emblem, or if the stars ever align, Mother 3 to be released. Till then he’ll have the warm comfort of Super Smash Bros. to keep him going.
