Guide: Best Dragon Quest Games Of All Time

28. Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai (Switch eShop)

Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai struggles with a persistent absence of focus. The dynamic visuals and enjoyable battle can’t offset the truth that you’ll invest hours doing little bit more than enjoying fixed images inform the plot of the anime. The outcome is a video game that will irritate action RPG fans with an absence of action and stops working to do justice to the story it is attempting to inform.

You may wonder if you’re a big– and we suggest big– fan of Dragon Quest, or the manga/anime it’s based upon, however the latter is possibly the very best method to experience this spin-off.

27. Dragon Quest Wars (DSiWare)

Established by Intelligent Systems, if you can in some way suppress your expectations of Dragon Quest Wars being a common Dragon Quest-design RPG experience and accept it for the basic, yet pleasurable method title it is, then you’ll discover an extremely satisfying and playable video game here.

The stylus control might have utilized a little tightening up and the single-player experience can be a bit boring, however the regional multiplayer modes (if you can discover a buddy with the video game for some DS Wireless play) more than offset its drawbacks. It’s another DSiWare offering that even more shows the saying that often less is more

26. Dragon Warrior II (NES)

Readily available on Switch as Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Linethis got a Japan-only remake for Super Famicom where it was bundled with the initial video game, and this package was likewise ported to a Game Boy Color cart– which was launched in North America– as the creative entitled Dragon Quest I & & II

Set 100 years after the very first video game, Dragon Warrior II did what any follow up must: it developed on what came in the past and sanded away some rough edges from the initial. This 2nd entry is among the hardest video games in the series, so nowadays– specifically with 10 other Quests contending for your time and attention– it’s most likely best delegated diehard fans. It stays, nevertheless, a crucial evolutionary action and a video game which put DQ on the course to franchise popularity and fortune.

25. Dragon Warrior (NES)

The very first Dragon Quest title, Dragon Warrior set the design template that the brave series would follow. A substantial success in Japan from the outset, it took several years (and numerous video games) for this traditional JRPG series to attain traditional success in the West. Publisher Enix didn’t offer up and these days it feels a bit odd to see the word ‘Warrior’ in this video game’s title.

In the West it’s likewise readily available on Switch (and on Video Game Boy Colorand it’ll likewise be on Switch thanks to the HD-2D Remake in 2025.

24. Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors (Wii)

An on-rails first-person RPG utilizing movement controls wasn’t on anybody’s cards back on the Wii. Dragon Quest Swords shocked everybody by altering the Dragon Quest formula. Even for a spin-off, it was quite various. And maybe that’s why it isn’t as well-liked as numerous other video games in the franchise.

Still, the movement controls are respectable, and for an “on-rails shooter” kind of video game, it’s quite available, as there’s no video game over screen and you can set your own speed. Still, this might not be the very best representation of Dragon Quest, however you may wish to examine it out if you’re a die-hard series fan.

23. Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line (Switch eShop)

Dragon Quest II is an action up from the very first in lots of methods– it’s far more open, and you have your very first celebration of characters in the series– however this is likewise the most challenging video game in the primary series without a doubt, and is typically thought about the black sheep.

It’s still a strong RPG, including lots of Dragon Quest staples and an enjoyable and easy fight system that would keep fans coming back for more over the years. Even the weakest mainline Dragon Quest video game is great, and while the HD-2D remake is on the horizon, you can’t fail getting the mobile port for inexpensive.

22. Dragon Quest (Switch eShop)

Certainly not the most beautiful variation of Dragon Quest out there, the mobile port– which pertained to Switch in 2019– is presently the only method to play the initial Dragon Quest on Switch, a minimum of till the HD-2D remake comes out.

While it is extremely standard by modern-day requirements, this video game laid the structure for numerous JRPGs going forward. It’s a breezy, pleasurable experience that’s ideal to play under a blanket with a cup of tea, and you can’t sum up the Dragon Quest series far better than “cosy”.

21. Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation (Switch eShop)

Dragon Quest III may be somewhat more pricey than its 2 more youthful siblings on the Switch eShop, however it stands high as a terrific method to check out the world of Dragon Quest for the very first time. Even when compared to modern-day JRPGs, Dragon Quest III still stands high as one of the very best in the category.

The HD-2D Remake is quickly the very best variation of this video game, however the mobile port is still strong, offering you a much more “pure Dragon Quest experience. Whatever variation you play, we can assure that you will not be dissatisfied.

20. Dragon Quest Builders (Switch)

Both timeless Dragon Quest RPG and Minecraft-design structure sim, Dragon Quest Builders takes simply sufficient components from each side of the developmental cooking area and carefully stirs them into a meal that never ever handles to subdue either of its core mechanics.

If you’ve ever wished to attempt Mojang’s common hit however discovered it a little too daunting in its uncertainty, then this is the option for you. Enjoyable, empowering and Dragon Quest to a tee; its battle and electronic camera can be a little irregular, however they never ever handle to thwart your brand-new structure experience.

19. Dragon Quest Treasures (Switch)

If you enter anticipating to sink 100 hours into Dragon Quest Treasures or believe you’ll get the exact same type of detailed plot that the series is understood for, you’ll leave dissatisfied. If you are a more youthful player who is itching for a taste of what a JRPG is like, or you simply desire something laid back to deal with, there is a lot of enjoyable to be had here.

Whatever you ‘d anticipate in a JRPG remains in this video game, simply removed back to the fundamentals, all decorated with that ageless Dragon Quest appeal. It’s a charming little spin-off, and if you’re a huge fan of Erik from Dragon Quest XIit’s well worth taking a look at.

18. Dragon Warrior I & & II (GBC)

Dragon Warrior I & & II gather the very first 2 NES/ Famicom Dragon Quest video games– a set of RPGs that probably developed the design template for the category in Japan– in beautiful portable kind. Enix remastered the 2 video games for release on the Super Famicom in 1993, later on porting the video games to the Game Boy Color in 1999 (2000 in North America).

While the visuals and sound take an apparent hit, a host of enhancements are likewise consisted of which enhance both video games. If you do not expensive pulling the Game Boy Color out of the cabinet, then you can experience both of these titles on Switch. And soon, both will be bundled together in marvelous HD-2D

17. Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation (DS)

Initially a Japanese special up until this Nintendo DS remake pertained to the West, Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation may not be as fancy or elaborate as something like Dragon Quest IX That definitely does not keep the video game from being every bit as captivating and appealing.

Maintaining the 16-bit design of the 1995 Super Famicom initial and not deviating a lot from the traditional formula, it upgrades numerous elements to make the variation we did get in the West look like a lot more modern-day experience. Worlds of Revelation is yet another wonderful addition to the remarkable DS RPG library and a terrific method to review a traditional.

16. Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past (3DS)

An island-hopping experience covering area and time initially launched on PlayStation, Dragon Quest VII is a JRPG work of art. If you played the PlayStation initial, this 3DS variation is as ideal a remake as you might request, with stunning 3D graphics, a wisely structured opening, and great deals of welcome quality-of-life updates. This journey through Estard showcases excellent writing, an enjoyable class system, beautiful animations and an outstanding soundtrack that make for a completely gripping experience throughout.

It’s an enormous video game, however do not let that scare you off; with brief story-style pacing and a substantial range of settings, speech patterns, and situations, it feels less like an impressive tome and more like a shelf-full of storybooks packed into a little 3DS cart. This video game is an outright enjoyment and a must-play for RPG fans.

15. Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker (DS)

Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker is another quality spin-off in the Dragon Quest series, and as the 4th video game in the Monsters series (and the very first video game to utilize online play), it innovates in enjoyable methods. Taking the ability system from Dragon Quest VIII and integrating it with the monster-fusing system, there’s a great deal of customisation on the table.

The plot is likewise truly enjoyable, too, bringing the very best elements of Dragon Quest to a strong spin-off. Even with online play no longer active, this is an enjoyable little experience that all Dragon Quest fans must have a look at.

14. Dragon Warrior III (NES)

Dragon Warrior III (or Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvationput the cap on a trilogy (at the time) of prominent RPGs which would form the category. Set prior to the initial video game, frequently called the Erdrick Trilogy, it included a wide variety of improvements to the turn-based gameplay and open-world adventuring, consisting of a day/night cycle.

It got a Super Famicom remake which never ever concerned the West, although an exceptional Game Boy Color variation did get here in 2001, and you can likewise play it on Switchboth by means of the mobile port and the incredibly great HD-2D Remake (which is our choice).

13. Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 (DS)

The fantastic feature of Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 is that as soon as the story ends the genuine enjoyable starts. With a nearly endless variety of beast and ability variations, you’ll discover plenty to do even after the credits roll.

Square-Enix has actually created another pleasurable experience and bundled in a wealth of regional and online beast battling and trading functions for gamers to sink their teeth into. While you can’t assist however want the experience mode was created with a little bit more aspiration, it’s challenging to fault offered the almost limitless quantity of replay worth the competition elements give the table.

12. Dragon Warrior Monsters (GBC)

There are extremely couple of Game Boy titles which contain the massive quantity of playability that Enix has actually had the ability to squeeze into Dragon Warrior MonstersWhile the mission itself will quickly keep you immersed, it’s the beast catching and reproducing that will keep you returning to the title for numerous hours, even after you’ve most likely completed the mission itself.

Whether you’re a fan of the Dragon Quest series or not, you owe it to yourself to examine this incredible title out. It’s quickly one of the most gripping Game Boy titles ever produced and a real testimony to what might be done on the Game Boy system when designers took the time to get it.

11. Dragon Warrior Monsters 2: Tara’s Adventure & & Cobi’s Journey (GBC)

With over 300 beasts to record, Dragon Warrior Monsters 2 is a monster (sorry) of a video game, and truly constructs on the great seen in the initial. Taking a leaf out of Pokémon’s book, the video game is readily available in 2 variations: Cobi’s Journey and Tara’s AdventureWhile both titles are basically similar in regards to story, they have distinct beasts and secrets which are just present because specific variation. If you desire the complete experience then you’ll require both video games.

The huge selection of beasts available truly does make this a great RPG experience. Square Enix would remaster Dragon Warrior Monsters 2 for the Nintendo 3DS with Dragon Quest Monsters 2: Iru and Luca’s Marvelous Mysterious Key (just in Japan, though) that included both variations instead of splitting them into 2 releases.

10. Dragon Warrior IV (NES)

The last NES/Famicom entry in Chunsoft’s critical RPG series, 1992’s Dragon Warrior IV (or Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen as it’s more. typically understood nowadays) would be the last title in the series to show up in the West for a long time. It included 5 chapters, each of which focuses on among the abovementioned ‘picked’ characters. It was likewise the very first of the mainline DQ series to get its own spin-off titles: Torneko no Daibōken: Fushigi no Dungeon included this video game’s merchant, Taloon, and was the extremely first video game in Chunsoft’s Mystery Dungeon series, no less.

The Nintendo DS is the very best method to take pleasure in the video game nowadays if you can discover it for an affordable rate. The great character chapter-based structure suggests this RPG feels exceptionally fresh, any place you play it.

9. Dragon Warrior III (GBC)

A great portable entry in this influential line of JRPGs Dragon Warrior III is based upon the Super Famicom remake of the initial Famicom Dragon Quest III and it’s one of the most enthusiastic RPGs readily available on the Game Boy Color, submitting a (then) huge 32 Mb ROM cart.

This variation boasts a wide variety of enhancements when compared to the initial, consisting of a brand-new character class (burglar), mini-games, medals, dungeons and a new intro series. It’s little marvel, then, that Dragon Warrior III is thought about to be among the finest examples of the category on Nintendo’s portable system. Whether it’s here, the NES, or the Change remakeyou can’t fail.

8. Dragon Quest Builders 2 (Switch)

Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a lot more positive video game than its predecessorboldly broadening on its ideas, repairing a number of its defects, and offering a general more robust adventure experience that fans will not wish to lose out on. The melding of JRPG conventions with the open-ended and artistically focused beliefs of sandbox gameplay shows to discuss much smoother than you ‘d anticipate, particularly now that Square Enix understands what it’s making with this sub-series.

Captivating characters, a well-tuned gameplay loop, and near-endless replayability make sure that you’ll be returning to this one for rather a long time, and though the efficiency problems are frustrating, Dragon Quest Builders 2 is still worth it.

7. Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime (DS)

This spin-off title of the age-old RPG series is a follow up to a Japan-only Game Boy Advance title which follows the exploits of a Slime called Rocket. A charming spin-off it might be, however Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime is anything however a fast cash-in.

Just like numerous spin-offs, Dragon Quest developer Yuji Horii contributed to this and while it’s manipulated towards a more youthful audience, designer Tose crafted a terrific experience that benefited from the host platform’s functions and is still worth finding today.

6. Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake (Switch)

It’s been a long period of time coming, however Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake mainly measures up to expectations. Efficiency concerns aside, this is a devoted adjustment of a valued RPG classic that raises its greatest elements while doing its finest to offset any imperfections. Some might resent its relative simpleness however, refreshingly, it neither overstays its welcome nor spreads itself thin with a lot of half-baked concepts.

It goes without stating that fans of the original will wish to snap this up, however if you’re trying to find a great ‘entry-level’ RPG or you simply need to know what the long-running franchise is everything about, Dragon Quest III is the video game for you. This is the conclusive variation of Dragon Quest III in our eyes.

5. Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen (DS)

A remake of the Chunsoft-developed NES video game, Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen was made by ArtePiazza, a studio accountable for a variety of boosted remakes of the Dragon Quest series (and later on the Super Mario RPG remake).

This DS variation included a brand-new translation and an additional chapter on top of the initial video game’s 5, however the base video game is quite the winning RPG legendary it was when it was referred to as Dragon Warrior IV in North America method back in 1992. This video game appeared once again in 2014 on Android and iOS gadgets, however the DS variation is the very best method to review it.

Gamers can likewise get a hit of DQIV fond memories by taking control of the Hero from this video game (Solo) in Super Smash Bros. Ultimateamong the 4 offered variations of the DLC fighter.

4. Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies (DS)

A video game made solely for Nintendo DS, often you can’t assist however admire how designers had the ability to squeeze home console-sized RPG impressives onto small portable systems with the most modest of specifications, and Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies stands as a remarkable accomplishment.

Boasting a wealth of brand-new gameplay functions, Wi-Fi compatibility, and multiplayer action too, this stays a substantial turning point in portable video gaming and assisted increase Western interest in this hallowed Japanese series. It’s an embarassment the online functions do not work, so in the meantime, we hope Dragon Quest IX will sooner or later get ported to a brand-new console.

3. Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (3DS)

Initially launched on PS2, this 3DS remake is yet another dazzling instalment in the famous series. Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King showcases its hallmark design with fantastic music, a remarkable lineup of characters and all the quality-of-life enhancements you ‘d anticipate with a more contemporary remake of an RPG classic. Extremely, this was the very first video game in the mainline series to introduce in PAL areas, and it was likewise the very first to ditch the ‘Warrior’ from the North American variation.

The 3DS variation includes brand-new characters, too, many consider this the conclusive variation of an all-time favourite. And, unlike some other video games in the franchise, its sprightly rate makes it an exceptional option for brand-new gamers, too. 200-hour grinds are all well and good, however how are you going to suit all the other 3DS gems?

2. Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride (DS)

The very first in the RPG series to come to the Super Famicom, it ultimately made its method to the West in the type of this DS remake. That Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride is a carefully crafted RPG needs to come as little surprise offered its heritage, however it’s perhaps the poignant, individual storytelling which raises this video game as one of the best in a series filled with greats.

Developments such as beast gathering would go on to affect other video games, and while it does not have improvement in some locations of its style, it’s still a legendary experience. The DS variation likewise includes a brand name brand-new character love. Basically, as far as traditional Dragon Quest goes, Dragon Quest V may well be the very best the series needs to provide.

1. Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition (Switch)

Initially launched for 3DS (and PS4) in Japan, Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition is among the very best video games Square has actually ever put its name to, plain and easy– and this Switch release was a great port, too.

Including a heartfelt, well-paced narrative supported by a cast of wonderful characters, a thick and intriguing overworld loaded with lots of hours of material, and among the finest soundtracks we’ve heard in a JRPG, all of it combines to make this an extraordinary modern-day classic. Whether you’re a newbie to the series (or category) or a returning veterinarian, do yourself a favour and obtain a copy of Dragon Quest XI pronto.