Dragon Quest IX Announced.... for Nintendo DS?!

[Tiael]

Holy fuck this is big news to me, I'm such a Dragon Quest fanboy, the newest installment, which I figured we wouldn't hear about for years, has been announced for Nintendo DS today, and it abandons the turn based system DQ has used for 8 installments, and features an action battle system, plus it's also being developed by Level 5 whom did DQVIII, and Januarys Rogue Galaxy.

Dragon Quest IX: Protectors of the Starry Sky for the Nintendo DS is being developed by RPG powerhouse Level-5 (known for Dragon Quest VIII, Dark Cloud, and White Knight Story), and will feature 3D graphics and network play. Four players will be able to team up, and the battles are apparently action-based, unlike previous games in the series. Creator of Dragon Quest, Yuji Horii, said at the event that working on the new game brings back the same feelings he had when working on the very first game in the series, twenty years ago. Big words indeed for a very surprising announcement. Horii admitted that he recognizes the limitations of the DS but is doing his best to create a groundbreaking adventure on the platform. He wanted to make clear that DQIX is "not a spinoff or a side story; it's a true part of the series." He says he is shooting to have it ready in 2007.

Also of lesser note, Level 5 and SE are working on DQ: Monster Battle Road

And if the Nintendo DS game wasn't enough of a surprise, Square Enix also announced a card-based arcade game called Dragon Quest: Monster Battle Road, also developed by Level-5. Card-based arcade games are all the rage in Japan right now, and this one will no doubt become the most popular of them all, considering its heritage. The video at the event showed the hero of Dragon Quest VIII, and it looks like the game could be based on the Battle Road section of that game. It will be hitting arcades in Japan next Summer.

Series music composer Koichi Sugiyama will once again provide the soundtrack for both titles.

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3155838

Some screenies of DQIX:
http://www.rpgamer.com/games/dq/dq9/screens/dq9ss121206-1.html

Now I'm really glad I have a DS, if not for FFIII and FFXII: RW, DQIX justs makes me giddy as a child, big blow to Sony's PS3 imo too, since DQVII and VIII were released for it, and DQ is the biggest thing in Japan.
Christmas has come early for Tiael this year, this announcement is all I wanted..
but I'll believe it when I see it on store shelves in 2007..

 

[Halifirien]

I saw the news about this over at Joystiq, and it made me smile. I've only ever played the old NES Dragon Warrior and Dragon Warrior Monsters on the Game Boy. I keep thinking I should pick up Dragon Quest VIII and try it out.

My favorite bit from the Joystiq write-up:

The strange and somewhat pathetic sobbing you hear in the background originates from the offices of Microsoft and Sony, where once diligent executives have now completely broken down and given up on much of their lives. Square Enix just handed Nintendo the keys to the Death Star.

 

[Tiael]

That's a great quote lol, Blue Dragon what?

 

[Kurgon]

I'm disappointed because I don't buy handheld units...

 

[Pupusa]

I'm disappointed because I don't buy handheld units...

I'm suprised, there's been many times where I'm at home, with PC, PS2, & Wii sitting right in front of me, and I'll turn on the DS instead for some gaming. DS itself has enough games to match the current consoles, if anything you really need to give it a shot.

 

[Tyrath]

Meh...more reason Im mad at selling my DS...

 

[Kurgon]

I'm suprised, there's been many times where I'm at home, with PC, PS2, & Wii sitting right in front of me, and I'll turn on the DS instead for some gaming. DS itself has enough games to match the current consoles, if anything you really need to give it a shot.

To me the idea of a portable system is to be able to play while on the go. I am just not wired to play games or even think of playing games when I am not at home. Maybe if a traveled more (and wasn't the one driving) it would make more sense but that isn't the case. Guess this will be a DQ I don't play barring a friend just giving me a DS.

 

[Tagrineth]

"Happy birthday PSP, we got you a coffin and a grave. Hope you like it!"

 

[chpal]

heres some gameplay footage:

http://www.gamebrink.com/news/735-Dragon_Quest_IX_First_Gameplay_Footage.html

 

[Acutie]

i hate when i have to travel from system to system to follow my fav series'

 

[Rips]

i hate when i have to travel from system to system to follow my fav series'

Same. I want to play the entire series. I just beat VIII a couple of months ago. Wasn't it called Dragon Warrior before? DW 1 and 2 and then 3 and up were snes?

 

[Kurgon]

1-4 were nes. 4 was the best one ever

 

[Elpon]

Same. I want to play the entire series. I just beat VIII a couple of months ago. Wasn't it called Dragon Warrior before? DW 1 and 2 and then 3 and up were snes?

The Dragon Quest games were called Dragon Warrior in North America, it wasn't till VIII (i think) did they not change it.

 

[Acutie]

it's annoying eh lol. playing system hop scotch with hundreds of dollars at each square