Ranking the Dragon Quest series that have provided players with much enjoyment isn’t easy. Still, looking at the series objectively, each Dragon Quest title stands on its own for several reasons.
Updated January 24, 2023, by Michael Llewellyn: The Dragon Quest series is one of the most iconic JRPG series of all time. It surpasses Final Fantasy in its home country of Japan as the most popular JRPG franchise.
With more titles on the way and a popular spin-off with Dragon Quest Treasures, the series is as strong as ever. This list has been updated to include information on upcoming mainline titles and extra details for the currently released games.
11 Dragon Quest 10
Release Date: August 2, 2012 Available Platforms: Wii, Wii U, Microsoft Windows, Android, iOS, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch Main Story Completion Time: N/A Best Feature: The MMORPG provides a nice change of pace to the series
Dragon Quest X is the only game in the series to be an MMORPG rather than a single-player RPG. In many ways, Dragon Quest X utilizes 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 the beginning is an exciting narrative twist, especially for an MMORPG, the story falls short of the other mainline games in the series. The lack of a western release is also a major disappointment to fans of the series.
10 Dragon Quest 2: Luminaries Of The Legendary Line
Release Date: January 26, 1987 Available Platforms: NES, MSX, MSX2, Super Famicom, Game Boy Color, Mobile, Wii, Android, iOS, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch Main Story Completion Time: 16. 5 hours Best Feature: The lore that it adds to the series
Dragon Quest 2 is a classic. It may be harsh to compare the older Dragon Quest games to the newer entries, but the second installment in the series stands its ground quite well. Following Dragon Quest 1 was 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 Line can be a slog. This is because of the outdated mechanics and the brutal difficulty. Dragon Quest II is considered one of, if not the most brutal Dragon Quest game, which can make the 16-hour adventure a testing experience.
9 Dragon Quest 6: Realms Of Revelation
Release Date: December 9, 1995 Available Platforms: Super Famicom, Nintendo DS, iOS, Android Main Story Completion Time: 41 hours Best Feature: The engaging job system
Dragon Quest 6 has all the features fans expect from the series. The class system is back and better than ever. The world is unique and fun to explore, and the characters have the usual charm of most in the series.
However,the weakest aspect of Dragon Quest 6 is the story. Some titles in the series do struggle to break away from certain clichés. Despite this, Realms of Revelation is worth a play for its unique world and characters.
8 Dragon Quest 7: Fragments Of The Forgotten Past
Release Date: August 26, 2000 Available Platforms: PlayStation, Nintendo 3DS, Android, iOS Main Story Completion Time: 73 hours Best Feature: The epic campaign length gives the story all the time it needs to develop and flourish.
Dragon Quest 7 is long, which is a good and bad thing. At over 70 hours, Dragon Quest 7 comes packed with quests to complete and areas to explore. This also means that players will be subjected to a fair amount of grinding. Leveling up classes can also be a bit of a chore, but these small nit-picks do not stop Dragon Quest 7 from being a fun game to complete.
Dragon Quest 7 was an enormous commercial success in Japan, becoming the best-selling game on the PS1. This success resulted in the game becoming the first main series entry in the Dragon Quest series to be launched outside Japan since Dragon Quest 4. Hitting North American stores as Dragon Warrior 7, the PS1 version differs significantly from the 3DS remake. The new translation and quality of life improvements on the handheld remake make Fragments of the Forgotten Past the best.
7 Dragon Quest
Release Date: May 27, 1986 Available Platforms: NES, MSX, MSX2, PC-9801, Super Famicom, Satellaview, Game Boy Color, Mobile, Wii, Android, iOS, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch Main Story Completion Time: 9 hours Best Feature: The historical significance and intrigue of seeing where it all began
Dragon Quest is 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 for one of the best RPG series.
For those looking to dive into the Dragon Quest series 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.
6 Dragon Quest 4: Chapters Of The Chosen
Release Date: February 11, 1990 Available Platforms: NES, PlayStation, Nintendo DS, Android, iOS Main Story Completion Time: 27 hours Best Feature: The excellent range of side quests
Dragon Quest IV has gameplay mechanics that make it unique in the series. The game is split into five chapters that focus on a different hero. This narrative structure is phenomenal and one that other games should try and replicate.
Players connect with their companion characters as 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.
5 Dragon Quest 3: The Seeds Of Salvation
Release Date: February 10, 1988 Available Platforms: NES, Super Famicom, Game Boy Color, Mobile, Wii, Android, iOS, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch Main Story Completion Time: 28 hours Best Feature: The day and night cycle is well implemented and was groundbreaking at the time
Dragon Quest 3 is one of the most popular titles in the series, and it’s clear to see why. The game added several new mechanics leaving jaws on the floor.
Innovations like the day and night cycle were genre-defining and made the world feel lived in. It also heavily expanded on the open-world aspects of the first two games, giving it the feel of a sprawling epic.
4 Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age - Definitive Edition
Release Date: July 29, 2017 Available Platforms: Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Stadia Main Story Completion Time: 56. 5 hours Best Feature: The art design is stunning and makes the world a delight to explore
The newest installment in the series Dragon Quest 11 spectacularly carries the torch. The graphics are jaw-dropping, the enemies are goofy, and the characters are incredibly charming. Moreover, with a definitive edition launching with an orchestral soundtrack and a 16-bit style 2D mode, DQ11 is one of the best JRPGs in a generation.
DQ11 is everythingfans have come to expect from the series and more, with a seemingly endless amount of things to do. The only drawback is that the story is a little cliché. The narrative can still offer surprises with its beautiful world and traditional combat system. Fans of DQ11 should look at Dragon Quest: Treasures, a prequel starring Erik and Mia in their youth.
3 Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels Of The Starry Skies
Release Date: July 11, 2009 Available Platforms: Nintendo DS Main Story Completion Time: 48. 5 hours Best Feature: DQ9 is one of the best-looking games to grace the Nintendo DS
Dragon Quest 9 has one unique feature that sets it apart from others in the series. Sentinels Of The Starry Skies has a full cooperative story. There are a couple of kinks when playing multiplayer.
The loot and story progression is only saved on the leading profile. Despite that, co-op mode runs surprisingly well. There are very few cooperative RPGs around, and Dragon Quest 9 manages to tell an engaging story that players can play with a friend.
2 Dragon Quest 5: Hand Of The Heavenly Bride
Release Date: September 27, 1992 Available Platforms: Super Famicom, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, Android, iOS Main Story Completion Time: 30. 5 hours Best Feature: The memorable story that is one of the very best.
Dragon Quest 5 might be one of the greatest RPGs of all time. While other entries in the series can water down their story somewhat, Dragon Quest 5 shakes 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.
1 Dragon Quest 8: Journey Of The Cursed King
Release Date: November 27, 2004 Available Platforms: PlayStation 2, Android, iOS, Nintendo 3DS Main Story Completion Time: 62 hours Best Feature: DQ8 is one of the most accessible entries in the series, making it the perfect starting point for new players
Dragon Quest 8 was a return to form for the series. Every mainline Dragon Quest game ranged from good to great, but the eighth installment in the series elevated the series to a new level and brought in more fans than ever.
Interesting characters? - check. Engaging story? - check. Cute hamster sidekick? - check. Throw in some arena monster wars, a gorgeous open world, and graphics that still hold up today, and it becomes the best Dragon Quest game to date.
Dragon Quest Quest Titles In Development
There are currently two more mainline Dragon Quest games in development. Dragon Quest 3 is getting an HD-2D remake in the style of Octopath Traveler. A date is yet to be announced, but it will get a global launch. The recently announced Dragon Quest 12 also lacks a release date, but Square Enix has trademarked Flames of Fate, and all signs point to a darker entry in the series.
Fans of the Dragon Quest anime will be happy to know a console game based on the series named Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventures of Dai has been confirmed. Unfortunately, like the two mainline titles above, a launch date is TBA.
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