Danganronpa Decadence

Truthfully, I don’t think that Danganronpa Decadence is the best way to experience the trilogy. These are three very intense games, each with enough crazy twists and over-the-top cruelty and violence that you should probably take a break between each one. One thing that you’ll be reminded of again and again in each game is that they earn their M ratings beyond a shadow of a doubt. But nonetheless, these are still three of the best games the visual novel genre has to offer, and if you’re even remotely interested in playing murder mysteries, they’re all must-plays.

Danganronpa Decadence works well for several different reasons. Not only is it a great way for fans—both pre-existing and prospective alike—to dive into the three core titles that truly helped to sculpt the series into something spectacular, but the additional bonus title, Ultimate Summer Camp, is a neat, albeit very much noncanonical, way of celebrating the plethora of weird, wonderful, and wild characters that have graced our TV (or Switch) screens. Sure, three-fourths of the game, technically speaking, isn’t “new,” but that’s no reason for anyone to pretend that the decadent, 4-in-1 Danganronpa combo pack is nothing less than spectacular.

Danganronpa Decadence bundles together the 3 main entries in the series, along with the original Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp. While Danganronpa S is undeniably the weakest of the titles, the other 3 entries hold up wonderfully by virtue of their exceedingly well-constructed plots and strong writing. They run great on the Switch, as well, making this bundle an excellent purchase for those who haven't yet experienced the gripping tales of despair that only the Danganronpa franchise can tell.