Dragon Quest is the beloved series that’s widely credited for founding the entire JPRG (Japanese role-playing game) genre. Every year, fans around the world celebrate Dragon Quest Day on May 27 – the release date of the very first game in 1986. And so: Happy Dragon Quest Day!

Whether this is your first time hearing about the series or you’re a longtime fan, today’s the perfect day to step into the world of these amazing games! So, celebrate with us as we tell you all about the wonders of Dragon Quest.

Introducing Legendary Creators

The Dragon Quest franchise was brought to life by a trio of legendary creators. Yuji Horii is the visionary game designer and creator of the series and has shaped its direction since the original title’s release in 1986. The distinctive character designs were crafted by the late Akira Toriyama, the world-renowned manga artist. Complementing visuals and storytelling is the iconic music composed by the late Koichi Sugiyama.

Together, these three pioneers established a legacy that continues to inspire RPGs today, and each of their specific elements have become the defining traits of the Dragon Quest experience.

Dragon, Quest, Warrior – oh my!

Yuji Horii has stated that the name Dragon Quest is derived from combining the impactful and familiar name “dragon” with “quest,” a word that was relatively unfamiliar in Japan at the time. When Dragon Quest games first came to North America, it was renamed to “Dragon Warrior” because Dragon Quest was already trademarked!

The series continued under that name in the West until Dragon Quest VIII (2005), which marked the first time the Western Market was able to use the Dragon Quest name. Fun fact: this game was also the first Dragon Quest game released in Europe! The franchise has gone by that title globally ever since.

An RPG For Everyone to Enjoy

The first Dragon Quest was designed to be an RPG that anyone could enjoy. Players become the main character on an epic adventure, where they travel through a fantasy world and take on many different threats, from the humble and iconic slimes to the powerful Dragon Lord that threatens all.

The turn-based combat experience meant that battles hinged on careful planning, character roles, and turn order strategy. The game was a critical hit and, as the franchise grew, it gained such popularity that it’s become a true phenomenon in Japan.

Since that first release, right through to the exceptional Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age S – Definitive Edition, the series has maintained a clear identity. While each entry adds new stories, modern gameplay mechanics and other features, they all share the same key traits: that delightful turn-based RPG feel – and an unwavering level of quality.

Remaking the Legendary Erdrick Trilogy in HD-2D

Last year saw a very special release for the series – Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake! The original Dragon Quest III is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most impactful JRPGs of all time. Not only is it beloved by fans, but it also continues to inspire game creators to this day.

Last year’s release reimagined this legendary game with modern features, new content and a beautiful makeover in the HD-2D art style pioneered by games like Octopath Traveller I and II. It’s also a part of the ‘Erdrick Trilogy’ – a saga about a legendary hero and their legacy within the Dragon Quest lore. While each of the three games in the trilogy work as standalone adventures, there are threads and connections between them. As Dragon Quest III is chronologically first, it made sense to release it before the upcoming Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake.

Of course, remaking such an important and beloved game was no simple task, as producer Masaaki Hayasaka told us:

“I was of course aware that this was a legendary title, so my first thought was, ‘If this fails, I won’t be able to stay in this industry. I would be branded as the man who botched the remake of a legendary title for the rest of my life [laughs]. However, I never felt constrained by that pressure – in fact, I think it served as a constant source of discipline in a positive sense. The choice to use the HD-2D graphical style was born out of a desire to maintain the game’s original identity – while still giving it the visual glow-up that people want.

“Dragon Quest has what you might call a Dragon Quest-ness, characterized by its vivid hues and colorfulness. We knew that if we created the game in the same manner as our previous titles, we would lose some of that distinctiveness.

“Even if we were to sum up the Dragon Quest-ness in one word, each member of the development team had their own ideas, so it was quite a challenge to coordinate our ideas and to make sure that we were all on the same page”

The hard work paid off and Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake was a critical success – an epic, approachable RPG that feels classic and modern at the same time! It left many players wondering what’s next for the series. The answer is, of course, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake.

Celebrate Dragon Quest Day & Start Your Journey

Each year, the Dragon Quest team looks forward to celebrating Dragon Quest Day with fans, who express their fandom with congratulatory messages, art and excitement for upcoming games.

The team will continue to do their best to live up to fan expectations – and as such, we are excited to announce the official release date of Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake on October 30, 2025. Pre-order now on Xbox! Can’t wait? Neither can we!

In the meantime, we recommend you start playing the first chronological title in the Erdrick Trilogy, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake – available on Xbox right now!

With that, we thank you for taking the time to learn about Dragon Quest Day and the legacy of a franchise that inspired a genre. We hope you tune in to Dragon Quest Day from now on – that would be slime-tastic!

DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake

SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

The Legacy Begins

DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake
Planned for release in 2025.

DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake

SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.

☆☆☆☆☆
102

★★★★★

$59.99

Get it now

The Legacy Begins

DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake is a stunning reimagining of the beloved masterpiece and narrative beginning to The Erdrick Trilogy.

Story:
Years ago, the great hero Ortega bid farewell to his wife and child as he set off on a quest to defeat the villainous Archfiend, Baramos. Ortega failed his quest, and Baramos still threatens the world. Now, on their sixteenth birthday, Ortega’s only child is summoned by the king of Aliahan and entrusted with a mission of the highest import: to take on Ortega’s quest, vanquish Baramos, and save the world.

Build your perfect party:
Recruit a variety of allies, with three able to join your party to aid you on your quest. Choose their vocations, appearances and their voices. There’s even a brand new vocation exclusive to this remake: the monster wrangler!

Travel across an expansive open world:
Explore a wealth of towns, castles, caves, towers and dungeons to explore on your adventure, with hidden secrets waiting to be discovered.

Strategic, turn-based battles:
Battle a vast array of monsters in classic DRAGON QUEST turn-based battles. Set party tactics and switch up weapons, abilities and spells to take on all of the challenging foes that await you.

Added PC specifications.
12/27/2024