Best Dragon Quest Games - Ranked

Included as an honorary mention.

by Armor Project, Bird Studio +1·published by Eidos Interactive, Enix Corporation

Released1998

IGDB76

AdventureRole-playing (RPG)

Included as an honorary mention. This is the game which started my love for the series. The length of the game is impressive for a handheld game of the time of release and the amount of options for team building can be as simple or complex as you care to invest. One of the parts which were magic to me was playing this title in a time before the Internet was as accessible as it is now - you never knew what combinations of your favorite monster would yield something (hopefully) even more powerful. You start with the series' mascot, Slime, and you could use that to breed and breed with monsters until you end up with terrifying monsters to join on your mission of finding your missing sister. Something which took me years, as well as playing other titles in the series, was that you could visit areas of the previous titles while playing this one. Bosses which gave you a headache in the earlier titles would appear again here, but now you could have them join you as friends! Love it.

Dragon Quest X: Mezameshi Itsutsu no Shuzoku Online

Last place: this is a Japanese exclusive title, and an MMORPG - not my cup of tea, and it's weird to have it b…

by Armor Project, Bird Studio +2·published by Square Enix

Released2012

AdventureRole-playing (RPG)

Last place: this is a Japanese exclusive title, and an MMORPG - not my cup of tea, and it's weird to have it be a main entry in a series where this was otherwise never a genre that was utilized. The fact that they made a numbered entry to the series into a region exclusive game of a wholly new genre is honestly a blemish on an otherwise great series. This is especially true when you consider one of the factors people praise about the series is how faithful they are known to stay in the traditional JRPG genre.

Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies

The reason this game is second to last is simply because I haven't played it yet.

by Armor Project, Bird Studio +2·published by Nintendo, Square Enix

Released2009

IGDB85

AdventureRole-playing (RPG)Turn-based strategy (TBS)

The reason this game is second to last is simply because I haven't played it yet. People praise this entry and it will probably adjust after a playthrough but I can't speak to it until I get around to it. It's still better than an MMO, though.

Dragon Quest

What a treat it must have been, to play this game when it first was released.

by Armor Project, Spike Chunsoft +1·published by Square Enix

Released2004

IGDB70

AdventureRole-playing (RPG)

What a treat it must have been, to play this game when it first was released. The scale, the freedom, the ability to grow stronger and to find hidden, legendary equipment. This game must have felt like a whole world that was hidden inside a cartridge. You, a hero of lore, single-handedly travel across the world in your quest to stop the Dragonlord. What a powerhouse of a character. Sadly, it is pretty bare-bones by today's standard. You are silent (as is the tradition of the series, starting here) and there is not much in the way of a story. I can give credit to this entry as the launching point for the rest of the games, but that only goes so far today.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined

by HexaDrive, Square Enix Creative Studio 5·published by Square Enix

Released2026

IGDB90

AdventureRole-playing (RPG)

About the game

DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined is a modern remake of DRAGON QUEST VII, which originally launched on PlayStation in 2000. In this new reimagined version of the game, the core concept of the original title remains, but the battle mechanics, graphics and story have all been updated and improved, providing players with a more streamlined and focused experience. In particular, the graphics in the game were completely overhauled from the original, using real-life doll figures for the characters and monsters that were scanned into the game to create stunning hand-crafted visuals. This definitive version of the game is perfect for fans who want to revisit the beloved story or newcomers who are diving into the world for the first time.

Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line

published by Square Enix

Released2005

IGDB79

Role-playing (RPG)

About the game

This game allows the player to control more than one character, and it is the first one in the Dragon Quest series to do so. The player controls his or her characters as they move in the game world. They can search treasure chests, talk and trade with villagers, equip weapons and armor, and cast spells.

Dragon Warrior III

by Tose·published by Enix

Released2000

AdventureRole-playing (RPG)

About the game

Dragon Quest III: Soshite Densetsu e... is a remake of the third Dragon Quest for the Game Boy Color.

Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride

by ArtePiazza, Square Enix Product Development Division 9·published by Square Enix

Released2008

IGDB85

AdventureRole-playing (RPG)

About the game

Dragon Quest V uses basic role-playing video game mechanics seen in the rest of the series, which includes leveling up by gaining experience points through battle, first person turn-based battles, and equipping weapons and armor. Something new to the Dragon Quest series is the ability to tame monsters into the player's party. The monsters can be used in battle and level-up like the human characters. Monsters sometimes request to join the Hero after battles if the party is strong enough. There are a total of 71 monsters that are capable of joining the Hero's party

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

by Square Enix Business Division 6, Tose·published by Nintendo, Square Enix

Released2015

IGDB95

AdventureRole-playing (RPG)Strategy

About the game

This is a portable version of the classic RPG, with added content and other 3DS enhancements.

Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen

by ArtePiazza, Square Enix Product Development Division 9·published by Square Enix

Released2007

IGDB80

AdventureRole-playing (RPG)

About the game

Embark on a journey to explore the land, seas and skies of the Dragon Quest universe in this grand entry from the Zenithia Trilogy. Soon to follow are Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride and Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie. Indulge in the colorful Dragon Quest world created by Yuji Horii, combined with the charming characters and monsters designed by Akira Toriyama and memorable soundtrack from famed composer Koichi Sugiyama to create an unforgettable gaming experience. Experience the world of Dragon Quest through the perspectives of multiple characters with a unique, chapter-driven storyline while you journey through a beautifully rendered 3D world, with dynamic dual screen presentation and newly animated monsters. Enjoy an all-new English translation that incorporates 13 known dialects from around the globe, bringing the diverse world and characters of Dragon Quest to life. Unravel the ancient mystery behind a cursed kingdom by expanding your town via Chance Encounter mode, available through local wireless connection. The English version of Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen does not include the Party Chat feature.

Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation

by ArtePiazza, Square Enix Business Division 8·published by Nintendo, Square Enix

Released2010

IGDB79

Role-playing (RPG)Sport

About the game

Dragon Quest VI did not receive an enhanced remake on a console until the Nintendo DS. The Dragon Quest VI enhanced remake for the Nintendo DS was announced in late 2007 by Square Enix and was developed by ArtePiazza. A handful of changes were made to the game, some remaining controversial among fans.

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition

by Square Enix Business Division 6·published by Nintendo, Square Enix

Released2019

IGDB85

AdventureRole-playing (RPG)Turn-based strategy (TBS)

About the game

The Definitive Edition includes all the content from the original release of the acclaimed DRAGON QUEST XI, and adds extra character-specific scenarios, the choice of playing with the original soundtrack or a grand orchestral version of the music, the ability to switch between 2D and 3D graphic modes, a Japanese voice-acting option, and much more.

Best Dragon Quest Games - Ranked

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