On May 27th, 2021, Yuji Horii’s groundbreaking RPG Dragon Quest celebrated its 35th anniversary. Originally introduced to the West under the title Dragon Warrior, this seminal series debuted on the Famicom in Japan before making its way to the North American NES three years later. Over the past three-and-a-half decades, fans have been treated to ten mainline games alongside a plethora of spin-offs and side adventures.
Almost every mainline title has been localized for Nintendo consoles in the West, often receiving multiple releases. Thus, we’ve taken on the task of ranking all the mainline Dragon Quest games with the assistance of our wonderful community. Below, you’ll find our reader-rated list of the Dragon Quest games, ranked from least to greatest.
In the event of a game being re-released or remade on multiple consoles, we’ve prioritized the first version released in the West. Other versions are mentioned in the text for reference. Additionally, we’ve included the Japan-exclusive MMORPG Dragon Quest X, as it saw releases on four Nintendo platforms in its home country.
This ranking is determined by the User Ratings provided by Nintendo Life readers for the Dragon Quest games in our database. It’s important to note that this list is subject to real-time fluctuations even after publication, as your ratings can still influence the rankings. If you haven’t yet rated your favorite Dragon Quest games, now’s your chance to do so and shape the outcome.
Dragon Warrior II
Originally released in Japan for the Super Famicom, Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line received a remake that bundled it with the original game. This bundle made its way to the Game Boy Color and was released in North America under the title Dragon Quest I & II.
Set a century after its predecessor, Dragon Warrior II exemplifies the essence of a sequel by expanding upon its predecessor while refining certain aspects. Known for its challenging gameplay, it may be best suited for dedicated fans, especially with numerous other Dragon Quest titles available. Nevertheless, Dragon Warrior II represents a significant milestone in the franchise’s evolution, contributing to its enduring fame and success.
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
2009
While well-received when it was released, time hasn’t been especially kind to Dragon Quest IX. It remains a high point in the series for allowing lots of customization for both the main character and party members, but that feature was tied to the game’s online capabilities, and Nintendo shut down its DS network years ago. If you try to play Dragon Quest IX now, you’re just not getting the full experience.
Square Enix has shown a strong willingness to remake and re-release Dragon Quest games over the years, and given that we’ve already seen remakes of the first eight games, it seems like it’s only a matter of time until we see Sentinels of the Starry Skies return in all of its customization glory.
Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past
2000
Arriving at the tail end of the PS1 era, Dragon Quest VII was in many ways a culmination of what many still consider to be the genre’s golden age. Opening on a small island that at first seems to be the only landmass left on the planet, Fragments of the Forgotten Past features one of the most interesting stories in the series, and the challenging gameplay mixed with the deep class system gives it plenty of legs.
But Dragon Quest VII also suffers from a major Achilles’s heel: its monumental length. The game certainly straddles the line of what can be considered too long, with a single playthrough typically taking around 100 hours. You have to really, really like the sometimes meandering story and the gameplay to get through this installment. Still, if you have the time and patience to put into it, Fragments of the Forgotten Past delivers like few other RPGs.
Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation
1988
Dragon Quest III is the first title in the series that really feels like a typical JRPG. It was the Dragon Quest game that introduced the ability to swap between multiple party members throughout the adventure, as well as quality of life improvements like quick item sorting and the ability to fill all HP with a menu command.
Best of all, The Seeds of Salvation features a more fully fleshed out plot than the first two games. Yes, you’re still the legendary hero out to save the world, but this time when you think you’ve won, the “real” evil appears, and it turns out there’s a lot more game to play, a then-innovative plot twist that would become an RPG staple for years to come.
Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age – Definitive Edition
The newest installment in the series Dragon Quest 11 spectacularly carries the torch. The graphics are jaw-dropping, the enemies are goofy, and the characters are incredibly charming. Moreover, with a definitive edition launching with an orchestral soundtrack and a 16-bit style 2D mode, DQ11 is one of the best JRPGs in a generation. DQ11 is everything fans have come to expect from the series and more, with a seemingly endless amount of things to do. The only drawback is that the story is a little cliché. The narrative can still offer surprises with its beautiful world and traditional combat system. Fans of DQ11 should look at Dragon Quest: Treasures, a prequel starring Erik and Mia in their youth. With a release date spanning across various platforms including Nintendo 3DS, PC, PlayStation 4, Switch, Stadia, and Xbox One, this game offers accessibility to a wide range of players. Its availability on multiple platforms ensures that fans can experience its wonders regardless of their preferred gaming device.
Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past (3DS)
An island-hopping adventure spanning space and time originally released on PlayStation, Dragon Quest VII is a JRPG masterpiece. If you played the original, this 3DS version is as perfect a remake as you could ask for, with beautiful 3D graphics, a smartly streamlined opening, and lots of welcome quality-of-life updates. This journey through Estard showcases great writing, a fun class system, lovely animations and a stellar soundtrack which make for a fully engrossing adventure throughout. It’s a massive game, but don’t let that scare you off; with short story-style pacing and a huge variety of settings, speech patterns, and scenarios, it feels less like an epic tome and more like a shelf-ful of storybooks stuffed into a little 3DS cart. This game is an absolute pleasure, and a must-play for RPG fans.
Conclusion:
As we conclude our ranking of every Dragon Quest game, it’s clear that the series has left an indelible mark on the world of gaming. From its humble beginnings to its latest installments, Dragon Quest continues to captivate audiences with its timeless charm and engaging gameplay. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a newcomer to the series, there’s never been a better time to dive into the world of Dragon Quest and experience the magic for yourself. So gather your party, embark on an epic adventure, and discover why Dragon Quest remains one of the most beloved franchises in gaming history. Embark on an incredible adventure with Dragon Quest! Express your passion for this legendary gaming series with our fantastic clothing, accessories, and home decor items. Whether you’re looking for stylish apparel or unique home decorations, Dragon Quest Shop has a wide range of products to satisfy fans of all ages. Visit our website to explore our collection and shop today!
