Summary
Akira Toriyama helped design one of the most incredible RPG worlds ever. Very few series can compare to the colorful cast of heroes and villains from theDragon Questfranchise that have helped itbecome a standout JRPG series. Like any gaming series, there are highs and lows to each installment. The mainline series avoids falling into the worst category, but not allDragon Questgames are created equal.
Ranking theDragon Questgamesthat have provided players with much enjoyment isn’t easy. Still, looking at the series objectively, eachDragon Questtitle stands alone for several reasons.
Updated February 7th, 2025, by Michael Llewellyn:Even the newer titles in the Dragon Quest series invoke a sense of nostalgia by staying true to what makes the long-running series so special. The latest release is a stunning HD 2D remake of Dragon Quest 3, capturing a classic feel that is both nostalgic and fresh. This list is updated to include the remake and updates to the tags.
Dragon Quest 10is the only game in the series to be an MMORPG rather than a single-player RPG. In many ways,Dragon Quest 10utilizes the MMORPG genre creatively. At the very start of the game, players design their characters - only for them to perish. The player then starts the process over again, except they choose another race for their soul to inhabit.
While it is an interesting twist, especially for an MMORPG, the story falls short of the other mainlineDragon Questtitles.The lack of a Western releaseis also a major disappointment to fans of the series. An offline version was launched in 2022 but is currently restricted to Japanese territories.A translation project forDragon Quest 10makes it playable in English thanks to dedicated fans.
Dragon Quest 2is a classic. It may be harsh to compare the olderDragon Questgames to the newer entries, but the second installment in the series stands its ground quite well. FollowingDragon Quest 1was no small feat, but the sequel polished the RPG mechanics to make it a more enjoyable experience.
As is often the case with revisiting older games,Dragon Quest 2: Luminaries Of The Legendary Linecan be a slog. This is because of the outdated mechanics andthe brutal difficulty.Dragon Quest 2is considered one of, if not the most brutalDragon Questgame, which can make the 16-hour adventure a testing experience. The Japanese version launched in 1987, but Western audiences had to wait until 1990 for its NES release asDragon Warrior 2.
Dragon Questis the game that started it all. It is wonderfully nostalgic to go back and play the first game. The game is not as polished as others in the series, but it still holds up pretty well. More importantly, the game has to get extra points for being the starting point forone of the best RPG series.
For those looking to dive into theDragon Questseries for the first time, the first entry may appear to be the perfect starting point. However, the game is dated today and can be a struggle to endure, even for pre-existing fans. Consequently, starting with the modern entries before seeing how it all began is the best approach. Despite being released on multiple Japanese platforms, the English versions ofDragon Questonly launched on the NES, Game Boy Color, Android, and iOS.
Dragon Quest 3is one of the most popular titles in the series, and it’s clear to see why. The game added several new mechanics, breaking new ground with a title far ahead of its time. The original DQ3 was released in 1988 on the Super Famicom in Japan; However, the acclaimed JRPG wasn’t launched in the West until 2001 for the Game Boy Color.
Innovations like the day and night cycle inDragon Quest 3were genre-defining and made the world feel immersive. It also heavily expanded on the open-world aspects of the first two games, giving it the feel of a sprawling epic.A 2D HD remake ofDragon Quest 3and perhaps the definitive version of this classic title is available now.
Dragon Warrior 7launched on the PS1 in 2001 when the PS2 was already on the shelves. Despite being a massive game, it looked and felt dated whenFinal Fantasy 10launched a few weeks later. Enix’s decision not to release it outside of North America and Japan further diminished its mainstream appeal. However,Dragon Warrior 7,known asDragon Quest 7in Japan,catered more to hardcore JRPG fans who appreciated lengthy stories and had the endurance for relentless random battles.
The seventhDragon Questis a challenging game on the PS1 and can potentially last players up to 100 hours, but it’s not the most accessible to newcomers or old-school fans of the classics. The amount of random battles will test the most dedicated fan’s patience, but it was still a standout JRPG on the PS1.
Dragon Quest 6has all the features fans expect from the series. The class system is back and better than ever. The protagonists will explore three worlds plagued by an unknown evil, which makes it feel unique and fun to explore, and the characters are well-written, charming, and funny. The game begins with the protagonist waking up from a nightmare before getting woke up by his story and starting his journey.
Realms of Revelationis a solid entry in the series and fans of traditional JRPGs won’t be disappointed. It features a Real and Dreamworld mechanic that cleverly integrates. It’s surprisingly well-paced and the mechanics and progression open up to the player, keeping things interesting.Dragon Quest 6has an excellent job system.
Players can change their class, retain the abilities earned, and move on to something else without spending too much time grinding.Dragon Quest 6was initially launched in Japan in 1995. However, Western audiences had to wait until 2011 to play its remake on the DS. The DS version features a better translation with quality-of-life improvements that utilize the handheld’s dual screen. For example, the maps of both worlds are displayed at the top.
Dragon Quest 7is a lengthy game with substantial content on the PS1 and 3DS. Like the original, the game’s 70-plus hour length may attract or deter gaming fans, but the 3DS version’s portability makes it a better experience overall. Additionally, the 3DS version made the seventhDragon Questgame accessible to European fans who missed it the first time without needing to import it.
The appeal of Dragon Quest 7 extends beyond its availability; it is an outstanding remake incorporating significant quality-of-life enhancements. The relentless random battles from the PS1 version have been removed with enemies that can be avoided. The visuals have been upgraded over the PS1 original with better-looking character models and more colorful environments.Dragon Quest 7’sstory is still huge with a healthy amount of side quests and content, but the pacing feels better on the 3DS. It’s shorter than the original because random battles aren’t interrupting the party every three or four steps. Still,Dragon Quest 7is the biggest game in the series and one of the best titles on Nintendo’s handheld.
Dragon Quest 4has gameplay mechanics that make it unique in the series. The game is split into five chapters focusing on the hero and the supporting cast. This narrative structure was and still is groundbreaking and offers a unique way to build toward character development.TheOctopath Travelerserieshas a similar method of character building and so doesFinal Fantasy 6.
Players connect with their companion charactersas they see their entire backstory through their eyes. The last chapter is dedicated to the main character, who is joined by four beloved characters from the preceding chapters. Its story is straightforward, but the character chapters, excellent script, and the localization featuring multiple regional accents, makeDQ 4feel like a step up for the series.
Dragon Quest 9has one unique feature that sets it apart from others in the series.Sentinels Of The Starry Skieshas a cooperative story. There are a couple of kinks when playing multiplayer. The co-op mode will unlock after around 4-5 hours of playing through the story and it’s better short bursts. The loot and story progression is only saved on the host’s profile and there’s no way to transfer treasure and items to the guest player. Moreover, some parts of the game’s story are restricted to solo mode only. Despite that, co-op mode is a fun gimmick that runs surprisingly well for the most part.
Dragon Quest 9tells a simplistic but engaging story that follows an angel trying to reclaim their wings and find their way back to heaven. The protagonist travels from town to town, helping the locals. The story develops quickly with rewards that keep the gameplay interesting. Visually, it’s one of the most impressive-looking and colorful games on the DS and holds up very well in the genre.
Dragon Quest 5might be one of the greatest RPGs of all time. While other entries in the series can water down their story somewhat,Dragon Quest 5shakes things up by having one of the best stories in the series. Throughout the game, players believe they are the prophesied chosen one that will defeat the great evil. This multi-generation story tells an epic that keeps players on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.
Again it’s an easy-to-pick-up and understandDragon Queststory that does away with needless complexities but manages to tell one of the most gripping narratives in the series. It’s a familial story that takes players on a journey of love, loss, and reconnecting with loved ones to conquer the evil that has been stealing women and children for generations.
