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Dragon Quest (universe): Difference between revisions
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|originconsole = Nintendo Entertainment System | |originconsole = Nintendo Entertainment System | ||
|firstinstallment = ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest|video game}}'' (1986) | |firstinstallment = ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest|video game}}'' (1986) | ||
|latestinstallment = ''{{ | |latestinstallment = ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Treasures}}'' (2022) | ||
|interwiki = wikipedia | |interwiki = wikipedia | ||
|interwikiname = Wikipedia | |interwikiname = Wikipedia | ||
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==Franchise description== | ==Franchise description== | ||
In 1982, {{ | In 1982, {{iw|wikipedia|Enix}} sponsored a video game programming contest in Japan which would bring much of the original ''Dragon Quest'' team together, including creator [[Yuji Horii]]. The prize was a trip to the United States and a visit to AppleFest '83 in San Francisco, where Horii discovered the ''{{iw|wikipedia|Wizardry}}'' series of American role-playing games. Fellow contest winners {{iw|wikipedia|Koichi Nakamura}} and Yukinobu Chida, working with Horii, released the Enix game ''{{iw|wikipedia|The Portopia Serial Murder Case}}'' for NEC's PC-6001 in 1983; it was an instant success which set an early standard for non-traditional, open-ended gameplay. This style would influence many games after its release, including Enix's own ''Dragon Quest'', but also inspired other key people in the video game industry such as [[Hideo Kojima]] and {{iw|wikipedia|Eiji Aonuma}} for the {{uv|Metal Gear}} and {{uv|The Legend of Zelda}} franchises, respectively. | ||
A few years later, Horii desired to introduce the concept of role-playing games to the wider Japanese video game audience, distilling the experience to its purest form. To this end, his team began to develop an RPG that would combine elements from the American computer games ''Wizardry'' and ''{{ | A few years later, Horii desired to introduce the concept of role-playing games to the wider Japanese video game audience, distilling the experience to its purest form. To this end, his team began to develop an RPG that would combine elements from the American computer games ''Wizardry'' and ''{{iw|wikipedia|Ultima}}''. These series were popular among computer hobbyists in Japan, but were deemed too difficult and convoluted for the average player to enjoy. In order to make this game more accessible than the usual computer RPG of the time, it was designed to be more streamlined and fast-paced, with a greater focus on exploration, combat, and storytelling. Horii combined the full-screen map of ''Ultima'' with the battle and statistic-oriented ''Wizardry'' screens to create the core gameplay of ''Dragon Quest''. He chose the {{iw|wikipedia|Famicom}} because, unlike arcade games, players would not have to worry about spending more money upon defeat, and could continue playing from a save point. Noted {{iw|wikipedia|mangaka}} {{iw|wikipedia|Akira Toriyama}}, of ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Ball}}'' fame, was commissioned to illustrate the characters and monsters, and the game's logo which is acknowledged for its curved title with the letter "T" shaped like a sword, but also served as an inspiration for other video game logo designs; for example, {{uv|Minecraft}}'s logo made by [https://minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/Markus_Toivonen Markus Toivonen].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/jnkboy/status/1352023746643685380 |title=Junkboy on Twitter |website=Twitter |date=January 27, 2021 |accessdate=January 14, 2023}}</ref> Similarly, music composer {{iw|wikipedia|Koichi Sugiyama}}, known for advertising jingles and pop songs, was hired to compose the game's soundtrack after he sent a postcard to Enix praising their previous work. | ||
While ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest|video game}}'' was in development, many doubted that a fantasy series with swords and sorcery would become popular in Japan, as the more predominant fantasy genre at the time was science fiction; however, the game became an overnight sensation upon its release in 1986, thanks to advertising in the ''Weekly Shonen Jump'' magazine, which ran Toriyama's ''Dragon Ball'' at the time. This ultimately led to ''Dragon Quest'' becoming a game that took the Japanese media by storm, and opened the door for a wider variety of genres for both Nintendo's console and the gaming industry as a whole. The team immediately began work on a sequel, and the ''Dragon Quest'' series quickly became a booming franchise spanning multiple forms of media like spin-off games, novels, manga, anime, live music performances and even a feature-length film. | While ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest|video game}}'' was in development, many doubted that a fantasy series with swords and sorcery would become popular in Japan, as the more predominant fantasy genre at the time was science fiction; however, the game became an overnight sensation upon its release in 1986, thanks to advertising in the ''Weekly Shonen Jump'' magazine, which ran Toriyama's ''Dragon Ball'' at the time. This ultimately led to ''Dragon Quest'' becoming a game that took the Japanese media by storm, and opened the door for a wider variety of genres for both Nintendo's console and the gaming industry as a whole. The team immediately began work on a sequel, and the ''Dragon Quest'' series quickly became a booming franchise spanning multiple forms of media like spin-off games, novels, manga, anime, live music performances and even a feature-length film. | ||
Despite its overwhelming success in Japan, ''Dragon Quest'' was not released internationally until 1989, when Nintendo released it in North America (under the name ''Dragon Warrior'', due to copyright conflicts with a pen-and-paper RPG of the same name). The first RPG to be released for the Nintendo Entertainment System, this version features improved graphics and a battery save feature instead of the password system of the original version. In late 1990, the official ''Nintendo Power'' magazine included free copies of the game as a subscription bonus, a move which proved highly successful; the magazine attracted thousands of subscribers and ensured the game's success, as well as earning a dedicated fanbase for future entries. Although it lags behind {{uv|Final Fantasy}} in international sales, the series gradually began to grow in popularity upon the release of ''{{ | Despite its overwhelming success in Japan, ''Dragon Quest'' was not released internationally until 1989, when Nintendo released it in North America (under the name ''Dragon Warrior'', due to copyright conflicts with a pen-and-paper RPG of the same name). The first RPG to be released for the Nintendo Entertainment System, this version features improved graphics and a battery save feature instead of the password system of the original version. In late 1990, the official ''Nintendo Power'' magazine included free copies of the game as a subscription bonus, a move which proved highly successful; the magazine attracted thousands of subscribers and ensured the game's success, as well as earning a dedicated fanbase for future entries. Although it lags behind {{uv|Final Fantasy}} in international sales, the series gradually began to grow in popularity upon the release of ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King}}'', which marked an increase in sales outside of Japan as well as the drop of the title ''Dragon Warrior'' due to the trademark for the pen and paper game finally expiring and Square Enix taking advantage of this by registering the trademark in the USA. The best-selling game in the series worldwide is ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age}}'', in part due to its main [[Hero]] appearing as a fighter in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''. | ||
For later titles, many of the original team members retain their role in the series; Horii serves the role of scenario director, while Toriyama and Sugiyama continue to provide character design and music, respectively. Subsequent ''Dragon Quest'' games build on the formula introduced by the original. For ''{{ | For later titles, many of the original team members retain their role in the series; Horii serves the role of scenario director, while Toriyama and Sugiyama continue to provide character design and music, respectively. Subsequent ''Dragon Quest'' games build on the formula introduced by the original. For ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line}}'', the developers introduced a party system with the player controlling three characters, another idea inspired by ''Wizardry''; this would go on to become a standard gameplay element in the ''Dragon Quest'' series. ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation}}'' introduced a class system, allowing characters to specialize in certain roles, while ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen}}'' introduced chapter-based progression and computer-controlled allies. ''Dragon Quest VIII'', the first main game in the series to be released in [[PAL]] regions and the first to drop the ''Dragon Warrior'' title overseas, was also the first fully 3D rendered game in the series, and it included the ability to control the camera at any angle on the overworld. Though Koichi Sugiyama was seen as a controversial figure for decades, notably for denying {{iw|wikipedia|World War II}} warcrimes and mocking the {{iw|wikipedia|LGBT}} community, he kept contributing new tracks for the franchise until the upcoming game, ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate}}'', through orchestral arrangements of the series' soundtrack. Titled "Symphonic Suite", they were performed in {{iw|wikipedia|Tokyo}} or {{iw|wikipedia|London}} and were either offered in albums or played exclusively in the Japanese release of a ''Dragon Quest'' game. Otherwise, they were re-arranged in a {{iw|wikipedia|MIDI}} Synthesizer for western release of the mainline series, spin-offs, and crossovers including ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''. There were cases where the orchestral and synthesized arrangements were available in opposite regions, like in the PlayStation 2 release of ''Dragon Quest VIII'', or the former available in both regions, like in ''{{iw|wikipedia|Torneko: The Last Hope}}''. ''Dragon Quest XII'' is his last contribution to the franchise, as he passed away from septic shock on September 30, 2021. | ||
The ''Dragon Quest'' franchise, owing to its widespread success, has spawned many spin-off series based upon its characters and settings, some of which have become franchises in their own right. | The ''Dragon Quest'' franchise, owing to its widespread success, has spawned many spin-off series based upon its characters and settings, some of which have become franchises in their own right. | ||
*The manga ''{{ | *The manga ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai}}'' related to the series was first published in ''{{iw|wikipedia|Weekly Shōnen Jump}}'' in 1989. It is set in a story unrelated to the mainline series, with original characters such as its main protagonist, Dai. After its publication, it received an anime adaptation in 1991, along with films shortly after. In 2020, numerous video games, and an anime re-adaptation based on the manga were revealed and released throughout the year. Dai also appeared as a playable character in the 2019 crossover arena fighting game ''{{iw|wikipedia|Jump Force}}'', marking the first appearance of a ''Dragon Quest'' character in a ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' crossover game, and in a fighting game, months before ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''; unused data within 2014's ''{{iw|wikipedia|J-Stars Victory VS}}'' implies that he was meant to appear in that game as well. | ||
*Although beginning in 1991 and features references to the series, the ''{{ | *Although beginning in 1991 and features references to the series, the ''{{iw|wikipedia|Itadaki Street}}'' series of board games received many games based on characters from the ''Dragon Quest'' and ''Final Fantasy'' series starting in 2004. It also received a crossover with [[Nintendo]]'s {{uv|Mario}} franchise much later in 2011, with ''{{iw|wikipedia|Fortune Street}}''. | ||
*In 1993, Koichi Nakamura's ''{{ | *In 1993, Koichi Nakamura's ''{{iw|wikipedia|Mystery Dungeon}}'' series of roguelike games was created. It started with a title based on {{iw|wikipedia|Torneko}} from ''Dragon Quest IV'', then later in 2006 with Yangus from ''Dragon Quest VIII'' as a child. It was eventually spun off into its own franchise with an original subseries titled ''{{iw|wikipedia|Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer}}'' in 1995, and also began to cross over with both popular and smaller series: [[Square Enix|Squaresoft]]'s ''Final Fantasy'' (as ''[[Chocobo|Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon]]'') in 1997; [[Bandai Namco|Bandai]]'s ''{{iw|wikipedia|Gundam}}'' (as ''Mobile Suit Gundam: Mystery Dungeon''), Namco's ''{{uvm3|Babylonian Castle Saga|The Tower of Druaga}}'' (as ''{{iw|wikipedia|The Nightmare of Druaga: Fushigi no Dungeon}}''), and [[Konami]]'s ''{{iw|wikipedia|TwinBee}}'' (as ''TwinBee Dungeon'') in 2004; [[Game Freak]]'s {{uv|Pokémon}} (as ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon}}'') in 2005; and [[Atlus]]'s ''{{iw|wikipedia|Etrian Odyssey}}'' (as ''{{iw|wikipedia|Etrian Mystery Dungeon}}'') in 2015. | ||
*In 1998, Yuji Horii's ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Monsters|series}}'' series of monster-recruiting games was created. It is inspired of the mechanics from ''{{ | *In 1998, Yuji Horii's ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Monsters|series}}'' series of monster-recruiting games was created. It is inspired of the mechanics from ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest V}}'' with Pokémon-esque gameplay, and features Terry from ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest VI}}'', and later Keifer from ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest VII}}'' as children, along with other original characters. Later in 2006, the ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker}}'' set of games follow the same mechanics from the aforementioned series but with a new protagonist for each title, and feature 3D environments. In 2022, ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Treasures}}'' participates in this series with Erik and Mia from ''Dragon Quest XI'' as children, though its gameplay also borrows from other action games such as the 3D ''Super Mario'' titles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://jp.ign.com/dragon-quest/52130/news/rpg |title=完全新規のスピンアウト作品『ドラゴンクエスト トレジャーズ』が発表！少年少女時代のカミュとマヤが天下一品のお宝を目指して冒険するRPGに |website=IGN Japan |language=ja |author=馬淵寛昭 |date=May 27, 2021 |accessdate=June 29, 2022}}</ref> | ||
*In 2003, Yoshiki Watabe's ''{{ | *In 2003, Yoshiki Watabe's ''{{iw|wikipedia|Slime MoriMori Dragon Quest}}'' series of action-adventure games was created. It is focused on the franchise's most iconic monster, [[Slime]], and the main protagonist that incarnates it named Rocket. | ||
*In 2007, the ''{{ | *In 2007, the ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest: Monster Battle Road}}'' set of arcade games was created. The games dispense real-life cards representing monsters, which are then used to take part in battle. | ||
*Also in 2007, the action role-playing game ''{{ | *Also in 2007, the action role-playing game ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Swords}}'' was released for the Wii, and uses the Wii Remote's internal motion sensor. | ||
*In 2015, the ''{{ | *In 2015, the ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Heroes}}'' set of hack and slash game was created. It is based on the mechanics of the ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dynasty Warriors}}'' series, featuring playable original characters and side characters from ''Dragon Quest IV'' onward. | ||
*In 2016, the ''{{ | *In 2016, the ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Builders}}'' set of sandbox games was created. It combines the setting of ''Dragon Quest'' with crafting and survival mechanics similar to Minecraft. | ||
*In 2017, a card battling game inspired by ''{{ | *In 2017, a card battling game inspired by ''{{iw|wikipedia|Hearthstone}}'' titled ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Rivals}}'' was released for mobile devices. It features many characters and monsters throughout the ''Dragon Quest'' mainline and spin-off series. It was later renamed to ''Dragon Quest Rivals Ace'' in 2020, with an additional single player mode. Both games would be shut down later in 2021. | ||
*In 2019, an augmented reality, role-playing game inspired by ''{{ | *In 2019, an augmented reality, role-playing game inspired by ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon GO}}'' titled ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Walk}}'' was released for mobile devices exclusively in Japan, along with its service. | ||
*In 2020, a tactical game titled ''{{ | *In 2020, a tactical game titled ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest Tact}}'' was released for mobile devices in Japan, then worldwide in 2021. It features new monsters, along with veteran monsters throughout the ''Dragon Quest'' series, and characters from the mainline and spin-off series. | ||
Remakes of the mainline entries have appeared on Nintendo's handheld systems, starting with ''Dragon Quest I'', ''II'', and ''III'' on the Game Boy Color in 2000. On the Nintendo DS, there was ''Dragon Quest IV'' in 2007, ''V'' in 2008, and ''VI'' in 2010. Then, remakes of ''Dragon Quest VII'' and ''VIII'' were released on the [[Nintendo 3DS]] in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Finally, ''Dragon Quest III'' would obtain another remake, titled ''Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake''. All of the remakes include reworked graphics and new gameplay features. The latest released installment of the core series, ''Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age'', was released in Japan in July 2017 for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo 3DS, and internationally in September 2018 for Steam, PlayStation 4, and barring the 3DS release. An enhanced port initially for [[Nintendo Switch]], as ''Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition'', released worldwide in September 2019, with enhanced Switch ports of ''Dragon Quest I'', ''II'', and ''III'' following. The ''Definitive Edition'' was later ported on Steam, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in 2020, and Google Stadia the year after, making it the first time the franchise has a game published in a [[Microsoft]]-produced console. Since 2021, the latest installment of the core series is titled ''Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate'', as it was announced in a teaser during the livestream of the franchise's 35th anniversary. | Remakes of the mainline entries have appeared on Nintendo's handheld systems, starting with ''Dragon Quest I'', ''II'', and ''III'' on the Game Boy Color in 2000. On the Nintendo DS, there was ''Dragon Quest IV'' in 2007, ''V'' in 2008, and ''VI'' in 2010. Then, remakes of ''Dragon Quest VII'' and ''VIII'' were released on the [[Nintendo 3DS]] in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Finally, ''Dragon Quest III'' would obtain another remake, titled ''Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake''. All of the remakes include reworked graphics and new gameplay features. The latest released installment of the core series, ''Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age'', was released in Japan in July 2017 for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo 3DS, and internationally in September 2018 for Steam, PlayStation 4, and barring the 3DS release. An enhanced port initially for [[Nintendo Switch]], as ''Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition'', released worldwide in September 2019, with enhanced Switch ports of ''Dragon Quest I'', ''II'', and ''III'' following. The ''Definitive Edition'' was later ported on Steam, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in 2020, and Google Stadia the year after, making it the first time the franchise has a game published in a [[Microsoft]]-produced console. Since 2021, the latest installment of the core series is titled ''Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate'', as it was announced in a teaser during the livestream of the franchise's 35th anniversary. | ||
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====Source Tracks==== | ====Source Tracks==== | ||
*'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Dragon Quest|Adventure - DRAGON QUEST III}}''' ([[DLC]]): The overworld theme of ''{{ | *'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Dragon Quest|Adventure - DRAGON QUEST III}}''' ([[DLC]]): The overworld theme of ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation}}'', which appears in the Hero's reveal trailer. However, in-game, the song is a MIDI arrangement taken from ''{{iw|wikipedia|Fortune Street}}''. | ||
*'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Dragon Quest|Fighting Spirits - DRAGON QUEST III}}''' ([[DLC]]): The main battle theme of ''Dragon Quest III''. Sourced from ''{{ | *'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Dragon Quest|Fighting Spirits - DRAGON QUEST III}}''' ([[DLC]]): The main battle theme of ''Dragon Quest III''. Sourced from ''{{iw|wikipedia|Theatrhythm Dragon Quest}}''. | ||
*'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Dragon Quest|Battle for the Glory - DRAGON QUEST IV}}''' ([[DLC]]): The main battle theme of ''Dragon Quest IV''. Sourced from ''Fortune Street''. | *'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Dragon Quest|Battle for the Glory - DRAGON QUEST IV}}''' ([[DLC]]): The main battle theme of ''Dragon Quest IV''. Sourced from ''Fortune Street''. | ||
*'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Dragon Quest|Wagon Wheel's March}}''' ([[DLC]]): The overworld theme from the last chapter of ''{{ | *'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Dragon Quest|Wagon Wheel's March}}''' ([[DLC]]): The overworld theme from the last chapter of ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen}}'' if the player chose Solo or Sofia on the lead. Sourced from ''{{iw|wikipedia|Fortune Street}}''. | ||
*'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Dragon Quest|Marching through the Fields}}''' ([[DLC]]): One of the overworld themes of ''{{ | *'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Dragon Quest|Marching through the Fields}}''' ([[DLC]]): One of the overworld themes of ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King}}''. Sourced from the 3DS version of the game. | ||
*'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Dragon Quest|War Cry}}''' ([[DLC]]): The main battle theme of ''Dragon Quest VIII''. Sourced from ''Theatrhythm Dragon Quest''. | *'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Dragon Quest|War Cry}}''' ([[DLC]]): The main battle theme of ''Dragon Quest VIII''. Sourced from ''Theatrhythm Dragon Quest''. | ||
*'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Dragon Quest|The Hero Goes Forth with a Determination}}''' ([[DLC]]): The main overworld theme of ''{{ | *'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Dragon Quest|The Hero Goes Forth with a Determination}}''' ([[DLC]]): The main overworld theme of ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age}}'', sourced from the original MIDI version. | ||
*'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Dragon Quest|Unflinchable Courage}}''' ([[DLC]]): The main battle theme of ''Dragon Quest XI'', sourced from the original MIDI version. | *'''{{SSBUMusicLink|Dragon Quest|Unflinchable Courage}}''' ([[DLC]]): The main battle theme of ''Dragon Quest XI'', sourced from the original MIDI version. | ||
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==Media with elements appearing in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series== | ==Media with elements appearing in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series== | ||
{{main|Dragon Quest (universe)/Elements appearing in the Super Smash Bros. series}} | {{main|Dragon Quest (universe)/Elements appearing in the Super Smash Bros. series}} | ||
The ''Dragon Quest'' universe has media represented throughout the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series with a total of 21 games and medias. The latest game represented in this universe is ''{{ | The ''Dragon Quest'' universe has media represented throughout the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series with a total of 21 games and medias. The latest game represented in this universe is ''{{iw|wikipedia|Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age: Definitive Edition}}'', released on September 27, 2019. | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||