Where to Start · Dragon Quest
Where to Start with Dragon Quest
Dragon Quest is Square Enix's classic JRPG franchise running since 1986 — Japan's most beloved RPG series, creator of the turn-based JRPG template, and a cultural institution in Japan where new entries cause school absences and stock market fluctuations on release day. In the West, Dragon Quest has always played second fiddle to Final Fantasy despite comparable quality.
The series has 12 mainline entries plus spin-offs, each with its own standalone world and story. Each game is accessible without knowledge of previous entries — the shared elements are tone, monster design (Akira Toriyama's iconic slimes and dragons), and gameplay philosophy rather than narrative continuity.
If you only play one Dragon Quest game
Play Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age — Definitive Edition (2019). It is the best entry in the franchise and one of the finest JRPGs ever made — the Luminary and his companions across Erdrea, a story that earns its emotional beats, and a post-game Act 3 that recontextualises the entire adventure. The Definitive Edition adds a 2D mode switching the entire game to a 16-bit SNES aesthetic. Available on PS4/Xbox/Switch/PC and the recommended starting point for any JRPG fan.
Dragon Quest VIII — the PS2 peak
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (2004, PS2) is the most acclaimed pre-XI entry — cel-shaded visuals that still look extraordinary, the Hero and his companions following Dhoulmagus across a beautiful open world, and Koichi Sugiyama's orchestral soundtrack at its most sweeping. The 3DS remaster (2017) adds content but the PS2 original is the definitive version for purists. Worth playing after DQ XI for the classic era experience.
Dragon Quest V — the fan favourite
Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride (1992, SNES) is the most emotionally resonant entry in the franchise — a generational saga spanning the Hero's childhood, young adulthood, marriage, and fatherhood. DQV introduced the monster recruitment system where defeated enemies can join your party. The DS remake (2009) is the most accessible version. A cult favourite among JRPG enthusiasts who consider it the best Dragon Quest.
The original Dragon Quest
Dragon Quest (1986, NES) is the origin of the JRPG genre — the Erdrick Trilogy's first chapter, extremely simple by modern standards, but historically essential. Available in various collections and mobile ports. Worth experiencing as a historical document after the modern entries.
Dragon Quest Builders
Dragon Quest Builders (2016) and Builders 2 (2018) are action RPG sandbox games — Minecraft-style building in the Dragon Quest world. Builders 2 in particular is an extraordinary game that stands completely alone without JRPG knowledge. Available on PS4/Switch/PC. A valid alternative entry point for players who prefer action to turn-based combat.
What platforms you need
Dragon Quest XI S — PS4/Xbox/Switch/PC. Dragon Quest VIII — PS2 physical or 3DS. Dragon Quest V — DS physical. Dragon Quest I-III HD-2D Remake (2024) — PS4/PS5/Xbox/Switch/PC. Dragon Quest Builders 2 — PS4/Switch/PC.
Recommended order
Dragon Quest XI S first — the best game and ideal entry. Dragon Quest VIII for the PS2 era peak. Dragon Quest V for the emotional generational story. The HD-2D remakes of I-III for classic era history.