Top 10 recommended rankings for the Dragon Quest series. Popular titles that even beginners can enjoy

Dragon Quest is a very popular game series that started with the Family Computer game software “Dragon Quest'' released in 1986. It's a classic RPG that maintains a fantasy worldview, and its dramatic story is appealing.

While it is a classic, it is also important to actively incorporate new ways to play. It continues to evolve in line with the era in which it was released, including support for multiplayer, online gaming, and the introduction of character voices. This is a recommended series that is considered one of Japan's three major RPGs.

The charm of Dragon Quest

When talking about Dragon Quest, three people cannot be left out: Yuji Horii, Akira Toriyama, and Koichi Sugiyama. If even one of them were missing, the current Dragon Quest would not have been possible. We will introduce their achievements as well as the appeal of Dragon Quest.

Easy to understand game system

The Dragon Quest series is said to be Japan's first original title RPG for home game consoles. When Dragon Quest 1 was first released, action games such as Mario Brothers were at their peak, and RPGs were not that well-known.

Game designer Yuji Horii planned Dragon Quest to create an RPG that even young children could enjoy. We have thoroughly lowered the hurdles by providing a natural tutorial to teach you how to play, giving subtle hints so you don't get lost, and making it easy to start over even if you are defeated by a monster.

As a result of this kind of attention to detail, Dragon Quest has become a huge hit, especially among children. It succeeded in dispelling the image of RPGs that had been aimed at adults. Dragon Quest, from the beginning of the series to the latest work, is a recommended game software that can be enjoyed not only by beginners who have never played the game, but also by small children.

attractive characters

Akira Toriyama is in charge of character design for Dragon Quest. He is a famous manga artist known for “Dragon Ball'' and “Dr. Slump.'' When Dragon Quest 1 was released, Dragon Ball was being serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump. It can be said that he was one of the most popular creators at the time.

Before Dragon Quest was released, most monsters had a grotesque appearance, literally “monsters.” It seems that Yuji Horii had his mind in that direction at first, and even the signature monster “slime” had a disgusting, mushy design at first. However, Akira Toriyama changed it to an adorable onion-shaped style. In addition, we created a series of unique monsters that were both frightening and cute.

In addition, the main characters such as heroes and their friends are also attractive. Many spin-off works have also been released, such as “Mystery Dungeon'', which features Torneko from Dragon Quest 4 as the main character, and “Dragon Quest Monsters'', which features Terry from Dragon Quest 6. Fan art is still being posted on social media sites, so I'm sure many people learned about Dragon Quest works by seeing cool or cute characters.

BGM full of famous songs

The person in charge of composing Dragon Quest is Koichi Sugiyama, who is active as a composer, arranger, and conductor. At the beginning of Dragon Quest's development, internal staff created the songs, but a problem arose in which the songs got boring after listening to them over and over again. So we approached him, who was composing music for commercials at the time.

Koichi Sugiyama has always been a game fan, so he actively participated in test play. By having a firm grasp of the worldview before composing music, he was able to create masterpieces one after another that were perfect for each scene.

Dragon Quest puts a lot of effort into its music, including the use of orchestral sound sources in some series. The majestic and beautiful music greatly enhances the mood of adventure. Dragon Quest orchestra concerts are also held regularly, so if you are interested, please come and join us.

How to choose Dragon Quest

Select by series

lotto series

By: playstation.com

Three of the Dragon Quest series, “DQ1,'' “DQ2,'' and “DQ3,'' are called the Lotto series. A feature of the work is that it depicts a story related to the Hero of Loto. The main character, the hero, has had his personality erased, making it a game where you can play as an RPG.

The chronological order of the lottery series is “DQ3”, “DQ1”, and “DQ2”. However, each story is complete, so there is no need to play them in order. We recommend that you start playing titles that interest you, such as the story or characters.

sky series

Among the Dragon Quest series, “DQ4'', “DQ5'', and “DQ6'' are called the Tenku series. It is characterized by inheriting the worldview of “The Hero of the Sky''. The drama is stronger than the Lotto series, and many unique characters appear.

The chronology of the Tenku series is “DQ6”, “DQ4”, and “DQ5”. However, just like the Loto series, the three works share a common world view, and there is no clear connection with the previous work. All of these titles are highly rated and popular, so they are also recommended for those playing the Dragon Quest series for the first time.

DQ10 if you like multiplayer

By: rakuten.co.jp

For those who want to enjoy adventures with other players, we recommend the online-only “DQ10”. Although it is a so-called MMORPG and is different from the classic RPG, it has a moving story typical of Dragon Quest, just like traditional numbered titles. We also recommend going on an adventure with real friends.

Spin-off and collaboration works are also recommended.

Apart from the main series, Dragon Quest has also released many spin-off and collaboration works. There are various genres such as “Block Make'' where you can enjoy making things, “Party Games'' where everyone can have fun together, and “Music Games'' with famous songs. If you find a character you're interested in, we recommend playing the original.

Recommended ranking of Dragon Quest series | Main Leeds

1st place Dragon Quest III And then to the legend…[Switch, PS5]

–If you touch it, it will be Armageddon for all of Japan.

“Dragon Quest III and the Legend…” is an RPG released on Family Computer in 1988. It has developed into a social phenomenon, with students skipping school to play the game and working adults being absent without notice because they can't quit midway through the game. The HD-2D remake version will be released in November 2024, achieving an astonishing record of selling approximately 820,000 copies in the first week.

This work is one of the Lotto series with the theme of “The Hero of Lotto.” Chronologically, it is before Dragon Quest 1. The story is about the protagonist, a child of the brave warrior Ortega, who sets out on a journey to inherit the wishes of his missing father and defeat the demon king Baramos.

Dragon Quest 3 is characterized by the use of “character making'' that allows you to create your own original companions. There are many ways to have fun, such as naming your friends after your friends and immersing yourself in the feeling of going on an adventure together, or choosing your favorite occupation and pursuing your strength. First of all, this software is recommended for those who want to enjoy Dragon Quest's “Loto Series”.

・Nintendo Switch version “Dragon Quest III And to the Legend…”

・PS5 version “Dragon Quest III and the Legend…”

2nd place Dragon Quest XI In Search of Past Time[Switch, PS4, 3DS]

–And once again, the legendary time arrives.

“Dragon Quest XI: In Search of Time Past” is an RPG released in 2017. It became a hot topic when it was released simultaneously with the PS4 version, which has beautiful graphics that take advantage of its high-performance specs, and the Nintendo 3DS version, which allows you to play in two modes: 3D polygon and 2D dot. Also, in 2019, a Nintendo Switch version that supports voice will be released. It is a masterpiece that is highly praised not only in Japan but also overseas.

The main character is a 16-year-old young man who grew up in the village of Ishi. Learning that he is the reincarnation of a “hero” who once saved the world, he decides to set out on a journey from his hometown. Up until now, heroes have been welcomed by people as “righteous people,” but in Dragon Quest 11, they are chased as “children of the devil.” A shocking and epic story unfolds under the guise of a royal road.

The key point of this work is that while valuing the traditional Dragon Quest feel, it has been adjusted to modern specifications to make it easier to play. There are plenty of fun things to do, such as the “casino'' where you can play slots and poker, the “horse race'' where you race horses to compete for ranking, and the “quest'' where you help people in need. This game software is recommended not only for those who have played the series but also for those who want to make their Dragon Quest debut.

・Nintendo Switch version “Dragon Quest XI In Search of Time S”

・PS4 version “Dragon Quest XI In Search of Time S”

・3DS version “Dragon Quest XI In Search of Time Past”

3rd place Dragon Quest V Bride in the Sky[DS, iPhone/iPad, Android]

–There is love, there is adventure, there is life.

“Dragon Quest V: Bride in the Sky” is a game software released for the Super Famicom in 1992. This work is said to be one of the best Dragon Quest masterpieces, and has been ported to many hardware such as PS2, Nintendo DS, and smartphones.

It's an epic story about three generations of father and son defeating the Demon King, and the story of a father and his children is centered around the protagonist, who is controlled by the player. When you reach adolescence, you can choose between two partners to marry: Bianca, your childhood friend, or Flora, the daughter of a millionaire. In the DS version, Flora's older sister Deborah participates as the third bride candidate, further intensifying the marriage partner issue that has been going on since the game's release.

The appeal of Dragon Quest 5 is that you can recruit some monsters. If you make them your allies, you can adventure together as an ally unit. This system was very popular and was carried over into the “Dragon Quest Monsters” series. This is a recommended game software with plenty of fun elements such as monster scouting and training, casino, etc.

・iPhone/iPad version “Dragon Quest V: Bride in the Sky”

・Android version “Dragon Quest V: Bride in the Sky”

4th place Dragon Quest VIII Sky, Sea, Earth, and Cursed Princess[3DS, iPhone/iPad, Android]

–There is a world as far as the eye can see.

“Dragon Quest VIII: Sky, Sea, Earth, and the Cursed Princess” is an RPG released for PS2 in 2004. For the first time in the series, 3D graphics are used to view playable characters from a rear perspective. You can now enjoy even more realistic battles. A smartphone version was released in 2013, and a remake version was released for Nintendo 3DS in 2015, and it became a huge hit with over 3.7 million units shipped in Japan alone.

The main character of Dragon Quest 8 is a former Imperial Guard who serves the Kingdom of Trodain. As the only survivor of the Curse of Thorns that destroyed the kingdom, she sets out on an adventure with her friends to break the curse of the king, who has been turned into an ugly figure.

The key point of this work is that one of Dragon Quest's most popular characters, Jessica, appears. She is extremely popular among male players due to her beauty, good style, and strong young lady personality. The 3DS version adds a scenario where you bond with her, so fans must check it out. Recommended not only for first-time players, but also for those who have already played the PS2 version.

・iPhone/iPad version “Dragon Quest VIII: Sky, Sea, Earth, and the Cursed Princess”

・Android version “Dragon Quest VIII Sky, Sea, Earth and Cursed Princess”

5th place Dragon Quest IV: The Guided Ones[DS, iPhone/iPad, Android]

–Hero, wake up.

“Dragon Quest IV: The Guided Ones” is a game software released on Family Computer in 1990. The basic system was almost completed in the previous work, Dragon Quest 3. This work is an ambitious work that introduces various new systems to expand the possibilities of RPG.

This work is unique in that it consists of a total of 5 chapters. Each chapter depicts the backbone of each companion and creates individuality for each. Then, in the final chapter, a passionate story unfolds in which all the friends gather to face the “King of Demons''.

Because the characters are fixed, the degree of freedom in role-playing is slightly lower than in the previous work, Dragon Quest 3. However, you can enjoy a dramatic story with the appearance of unique characters such as the tomboy princess Alina, the gag merchant Torneko, and the sexy dancer Manya. Currently, the games being ported are PlayStation, Nintendo DS, and smartphones. This is a game software recommended for those who place emphasis on scenarios.

・iPhone/iPad version “Dragon Quest IV: The Guided Ones”

・Android version “Dragon Quest IV: The Guided Ones”

6th place Dragon Quest VI: Phantom Earth[DS, iPhone/iPad, Android]

–The only thing that surpasses DQ is DQ.

“Dragon Quest VI: Phantom Earth” is an RPG released for the Super Famicom in 1995. A remake version was not released for a long time, but a Nintendo DS version appeared in 2010. Furthermore, a smartphone version was released in 2015, making the title easier for new users to play.

Dragon Quest 6 is a story about finding yourself. The game is characterized by progressing through the story by moving back and forth between two world maps: the Upper World and the Lower World. Whereas the previous work Dragon Quest 5 had an almost linear story, the key point of this work is that you can act freely from the middle onwards. This is a work with a high degree of freedom.

This work completely updates the occupation system used in Dragon Quest 3. Mastering the basic jobs “Warrior'' and “Martial Artist'' will unlock the advanced job “Battle Master,'' so you can now choose even stronger jobs based on specific combinations. Dragon Quest 6 has expanded its strategy with new spells and techniques. This is a game software recommended for those who like battles and training.

・DS version “Dragon Quest VI Phantom Earth”

・iPhone/iPad version “Dragon Quest VI: The Land of Illusions”

・Android version “Dragon Quest VI: The Land of Phantoms”

7th place Dragon Quest[Switch, PS4, iPhone/iPad, Android]

–A new legend is about to be born.

“Dragon Quest” is a game software released for Nintendo's Family Computer in 1986. It was released as Japan's first original title RPG on home game consoles. This game was the first to introduce a “command input system'' that allows you to select an action from options such as “Talk'', “Tools'', and “Search''. It can be said that this is the work that created the prototype for Japanese RPGs.

The main character is a descendant of the legendary hero Lot. The story is about a person going on a journey to subjugate the Dragon King in order to save a world that has been shrouded in darkness. This development can now be said to be one of the most popular RPGs, but the origin of it is Dragon Quest 1. Recommended for those who like classic fantasy RPGs.

Dragon Quest 1 is a work created to convey the fun of RPGs. The game system is intentionally designed to be simple, so even small children can complete the game. This game is recommended not only for those who played the original Famicom version, but also for those playing for the first time.

・Nintendo Switch version “Dragon Quest”

・PS4 version “Dragon Quest”

・iPhone/iPad version “Dragon Quest”

・Android version “Dragon Quest”

8th place Dragon Quest II: Gods of Evil[Switch, PS4, iPhone/iPad, Android]

–A new legend is about to be born.

“Dragon Quest II: Gods of Evil” is an RPG released on Family Computer in 1987. Coupled with the popularity of the previous work, it has been out of stock in various places immediately after its release. It can be said that this is the title that made Dragon Quest popular.

The setting is 100 years after Dragon Quest 1. The story is about the descendants of a hero going on a great adventure to defeat the evil high priest Hargon. While the previous work was about a hero traveling alone, this work is a journey of three people. The characters have their own unique personalities, such as the power-type Prince Loresia, the balanced-type Prince Samartria, and the powerful spell-wielding Princess Moonburg, making it possible to enjoy strategic battles.

In the Famicom version, saving was password-based, so if you messed up or lost your notes, you had to restart the adventure. However, in the remake version, you can easily save. We rarely experience despair. A download version was released on PS4 and 3DS in 2017, so be sure to give it a try.

・Nintendo Switch version “Dragon Quest II: Gods of Evil”

・PS4 version “Dragon Quest II: Gods of Evil”

・iPhone/iPad version “Dragon Quest II: Gods of Evil”

・Android version “Dragon Quest II: Gods of Evil”

9th place Dragon Quest VII Warriors of Eden[3DS, iPhone/iPad, Android]

–A person can become someone else.

“Dragon Quest VII Warriors of Eden” is an RPG released on PlayStation in 2000. Dragon Quest has been consistently released on Nintendo hardware since the beginning, but it became a hot topic when it was released on Sony hardware for the first time.

The main character of Dragon Quest 7 is a boy who lives on the only island in the world, Estard Island. A “mysterious stone tablet'' that he obtained out of curiosity becomes the trigger for him to travel to the past world. While scenarios depicting connections between people are highly rated, solving puzzles and collecting stone tablets is difficult. It is a software that has both pros and cons.

Adopts the same job change system as Dragon Quest 6, which has a high degree of freedom in training. With the addition of a new “monster job” that allows you to learn monster skills, the range of training has expanded significantly. There are plenty of elements to play with, such as the “Monster Park'' where you can collect monsters, and the “Monster Encyclopedia'' where you can view data on the enemies you've fought. This is a game software recommended for those who like leveling up and exploring.

・3DS version “Dragon Quest VII Warriors of Eden”

・iPhone/iPad version “Dragon Quest VII Warriors of Eden”

・Android version “Dragon Quest VII Warriors of Eden”

10th place Dragon Quest IX Guardian of the Starry Sky[DS]

–And we were called angels.

“Dragon Quest IX: Guardian of the Starry Sky” is an RPG released on the Nintendo DS in 2009. This is the first numbered title in the Dragon Quest series to be released exclusively for mobile game consoles. The total number of units shipped worldwide has exceeded 5 million units, making it the largest number in the Dragon Quest series.

The main character is one of the “angels”. The protagonist falls to earth due to a certain incident, and sets out on a journey to find the Goddess Fruit in order to return to the angelic world. The main story is a little short, but there are plenty of sub-stories. You can play the game endlessly even after clearing it.

This game can be played in multiplayer with up to four people using the Nintendo DS's communication features. There are plenty of elements to play with, including a job change system that allows for unlimited growth, automatically generated dungeons (treasure maps), and missions that allow you to enjoy over 180 short adventures. Although it's fun to play alone, Dragon Quest is especially recommended for those who want to play with friends.

Extra Dragon Quest X: Awakening of the Five Tribes Online[Switch, PS4, Windows]

–Connecting everyone and connecting the world

“Dragon Quest This is the first numbered title to be played online, and it is currently being released on a variety of platforms including PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC.

Even when it becomes an online game, the emotional story that is the charm of Dragon Quest is still alive and well. By applying additional discs, you can enjoy a variety of stories, such as the royal road story of subjugating the demon king in Ver. 1's “Five Awakened Tribes'', and the story of saving the world with the hero princess Anlucia in Ver. 2's “Sleeping Hero and Guiding Ally''.

In Dragon Quest 10, you can not only form a party and go on an adventure together, but you can also play as a single player by hiring AI characters called “Support Friends'' at a bar. Just because it's an MMO doesn't necessarily mean you have to play with other people. It is also recommended for those who want to play at their own pace.

・Nintendo Switch version “Dragon Quest X All-in-One Package version 1-7”

・PS4 version “Dragon Quest X All-in-One Package version 1-7”

・Windows version “Dragon Quest X All-in-one package version 1-7”

Extra edition: Dragon Quest series recommendations | Spin-off collaboration

Dragon Quest Builders 2 God of Destruction Shido and the Empty Island[Switch, PS4, Steam]

Enjoy block makeup in the world of Dragon Quest!

An action RPG that combines a moving story typical of Dragon Quest with “manufacturing” using blocks. The previous game was the first in a new series, so it had some rough edges, but this time the problems have been improved and it has evolved into an interesting game not only as a crafting game but also as an RPG.

Although peace once came to the world, the evil “Hargon Cult” is expanding its influence. The player takes on the role of an apprentice builder who has the power to create things, and sets off on an adventure around various islands with his partner, a young boy named Shido.

The key point is that the height reduction has been eased, and a large amount of furniture and items have been added, increasing the degree of freedom in manufacturing. It also supports online multiplayer for up to 4 people. The Nintendo Switch version also allows offline cooperative play. This is a recommended game software that can be enjoyed even by those who have not played the previous game.

・Nintendo Switch version “Dragon Quest Builders 2: God of Destruction Shido and the Empty Island”

・PS4 version “Dragon Quest Builders 2: God of Destruction Shido and the Empty Island”

Dragon Quest Monsters 3: Journey of the Demon Prince and the Elf[Switch, iPhone/iPad, Android]

Let's go on a journey with Dragon Quest monsters!

The latest numbered work in the popular derivative series “Dragon Quest Monsters'', in which befriended monsters fight in battle. This is the long-awaited sequel title for fans, released 22 years after the previous work “Dragon Quest Monsters 2: Malta's Mysterious Key”.

The main character is Pizarro, who appeared in “Dragon Quest IV: The Guided Ones”. Pizarro is cursed by his father, a demon lord, to be unable to fight monsters, and decides to become a Monster Master. Let's take on the powerful enemies that stand in our way while borrowing the power of the monsters we meet during our adventures.

This series is characterized by the use of a “composition” system that combines monsters to create new monsters. In addition to the combinations that have appeared in past series, new combinations have also appeared, allowing you to create more monsters.

・Nintendo Switch version “Dragon Quest Monsters 3: Journey of the Demon Prince and the Elf”

・iPhone/iPad version “Dragon Quest Monsters 3: Journey of the Demon Prince and the Elf”

・Android version “Dragon Quest Monsters 3: Journey of the Demon Prince and the Elf”

Dragon Quest Heroes II: The Twin King and the End of the Prophecy[Switch, PS4, PS3, Vita]

Dragon Quest series 30th anniversary work

“Dragon Quest Heroes II: The Twin King and the End of the Prophecy” is an action RPG created to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Dragon Quest main series. You can enjoy an exhilarating battle where you can fight off hordes of monsters with simple controls.

All-time popular Dragon Quest characters such as Manya from Dragon Quest 4, Terry from Dragon Quest 6, and Jessica from Dragon Quest 8 will participate. When you go on an adventure, you can form a party of up to four people. Also, the main character can change jobs. The appeal of the game is that you can choose from a variety of professions, such as warriors, martial artists, and magicians, and fight in your own preferred style.

For Nintendo Switch, “Dragon Quest Heroes I/II for Nintendo Switch'', which is a set of this work and the previous work, has been released. In addition to new characters participating, all additional features for PS4, PS3, and Vita are included. The difficulty level has also been adjusted so you can play comfortably. If you have a Nintendo Switch, we recommend the set version.

・Nintendo Switch version “Dragon Quest Heroes I/II for Nintendo Switch”

・PS4 version “Dragon Quest Heroes II: The Twin King and the End of the Prophecy”

Theatrhythm Dragon Quest[3DS]

Dragon Quest's first RPG style rhythm game

“Theatrhythm Dragon Quest” is the first rhythm action game in the Dragon Quest series. Carefully selected songs from Dragon Quest 1 to Dragon Quest 10. The sound source is thoroughly supervised by Koichi Sugiyama, who has been in charge of composing since the beginning of the series.

The operation method is easy, just touch, hold, or slide with the pen according to the “trigger” that plays during the song. There are three difficulty levels: normal, difficult, and extremely difficult, so it can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to serious players.

Although it is a rhythm game, it is equipped with RPG-like battle and growth systems. By gaining experience points and leveling up, you can learn spells and special skills. Another appeal is that there is a “Sugorokuba'' that is familiar to those who have experienced the series. This is a highly recommended game software with plenty of elements to play with.

Itadaki Street Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy 30th ANNIVERSARY[PS4,Vita]

Dragon Quest and FF are now available as board games! Roll the dice and aim to become rich

This title was created to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the national RPGs “Dragon Quest” and “FF”. The “Itadaki Street” series is a board game invented by Yuji Horii, the creator of Dragon Quest. The player who rolls the dice, buys land and stocks, and becomes the richest player wins.

Popular characters from Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy will participate as playable characters. Another point that fans will be happy about is that there is interaction between characters that transcends the work itself. The maps are based on famous scenes from each series, and have different numbers and shapes of squares, as well as unique gimmicks. It requires luck and strategy.

Local play supports up to 4 people. The appeal of this game is that you can play by passing one controller between players, so you don't have to prepare multiple controllers for each player. This is a recommended game software that everyone can enjoy together.