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Square Enix introduces 'Ultimate Hits' line for DS in Japan
It's a formula gamers are all too familiar with. First step: Release a game (and hope it sells a bunch). Second step: As time goes on and the sales pile up, gain interest in your product again through a discounted re-release. Rinse and repeat. Enter: Dragon Quest IX, Final Fantasy IV, Dragon Quest IV and Dragon Quest V, a line-up of games to be branded under Square Enix's 'Ultimate Hits' (partial machine translation) line of DS games. Square Enix is gearing up to re-release these games this March, at a discounted ¥2,940 (around $32). That's cheap, considering most DS games release there for around $50. [Via Kotaku]
Dragon Quest V team wants your feedback
Are you thrilled that Square Enix finally got around to localizing Dragon Quest V? Or maybe you're disgusted that the remake didn't include more Dippity-Doo'd amnesiac protagonists or 30-minute-long cutscenes? Let the team know! The company has opened a comment form on the Dragon Quest V website, through which registrants in the Square Enix Members program can leave feedback about the RPG remake. The form promises that "each message will be read," though a response may not be forthcoming. While you're exploring the Dragon Quest V site, why not send out DQV e-cards to all your friends, and grab some wallpapers? %Gallery-12146%
Dragon Quest V: Handout of the Heavenly Slimes
Square Enix has just announced a contest to promote (and give away) the upcoming Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride. If you are a citizen of the US (don't complain to us, we didn't make the contest) are eligible to win a big Dragon Quest V prize pack including a copy of the game signed by series producer Yuji Horii, along with a collection of awesome Dragon Quest toys. We are coveting that plush Slime Knight pretty hard. Entering couldn't be easier. Well, it could be easier if they didn't make you poke around the website, but it's pretty easy. All you have to do is find all the monsters hidden around the official site, which will then lead you to a contest entry form. The site's pretty informative anyway, so it's worth the browse! %Gallery-12146% [Thanks, T.J.!]
Dragon Quest V handed over to Europe in February
Square Enix has announced a European release date for the DS remake of Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride: February 20, just three days after the North American release. Of course, the title will omit the number, because PAL region audiences must not be allowed to know how many Dragon Quest games Enix and Square Enix have failed to release over the years. As with Dragon Quest IV, this DS version of the multigenerational RPG will be the first European release for this game, which was one of the best-selling releases on any platform in Japan in 2008. New screens were released to accompany the announcement, and we've placed them in our gallery. %Gallery-12146% [Via press release]
Dragon Quest V hits a million in Japan
The start made by Dragon Quest V: Hand of a Heavenly Bride in Japan is hardly going to deter Square Enix from releasing more remakes (which we're completely fine with, by the way). Famitsu is reporting that the title has already burst through the million units sold mark, a meager thirteen days after it first appeared on Japanese store shelves. You won't be surprised to hear that it's currently creaming everything else in the charts over there. If a remake of a sixteen-year-old Dragon Quest SNES game can hit seven figures inside its opening fortnight, then perhaps Dragon Quest IX really can reach Yoichi Wada's lofty expectations ... and then some. %Gallery-12146%
DS releases for the week of July 14th
Good thing you'll be caught up with E3 this week, because there's not a whole lot out on shelves -- at least, not in the U.S.. The most exciting thing this week? Metal Slug 7 finally comes out somewhere, with that somewhere being Japan. But that's not even close to being the most exciting Japanese release this week. Mister Slime Nancy Drew: The Mystery of the Clue Bender Society Space Chimps Yamaha Supercross Bounce past the break to see what's out in the rest of the world.
There's plenty to do in Dragon Quest V
Dragon Quest V is going to be one of the most feature-packed games on the DS. Don't try and argue with us, for Famitsu's recent look at the title only cemented that fact in our mind. There is a lot going on here. Famitsu's article highlights not only a DS-exclusive character, Deborah, but also documents some of the other timesinks available in the game, should you wish to take a break from the main story. You can enjoy some Poker or Slots over at the casino, or partake in one of the other many mini-games available. You can even enjoy some combat in the Fight Field. If you want to check out some new screens, head on over to Famitsu. %Gallery-12146%
Here comes the Heavenly Bride, all dressed in a DQV promotional trailer
Though Dragon Quest IV hasn't even washed up onto U.S. shores yet (look for it in September), Japan is gearing up for Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride's release on July 17th with a new trailer. We can't complain too much about the wait, however, as publisher Square Enix has already announced that it will be bringing its DQV and DQVI (both originally released for the Super Famicom) remakes to the states eventually, having kept the two games in Japan for over 15 years. Comparatively speaking, a one- or two-year wait for DQV DS isn't that long! %Gallery-12146% [Via NeoGAF]
Dragon Quest V: The Search for Stuff
Rare items will play more of a part in Dragon Quest V's sidequests than just the wireless Item Shop mode. DQV features "special items" that can be collected throughout the game simply for the novelty of having rare items. Some items are found in dungeons, and others are actually purchased as souvenirs. Some items, like the Chizotto Compass, which marks your current location, have in-game use in addition to intrinsic rarity-driven value. Your stuff can be displayed in a Museum found along the journey. Apparently, the more stuff you put in this special museum, the more visitors will come, who will in turn alert you to the locations of more stuff. You can trade your special items wirelessly, and you can populate your shop with rare local goods.
A new bride in Dragon Quest V?
Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride won't just be a straight remake of either the Super Famicom or PlayStation 2 versions of DQV. New characters, both original and pulled from other Dragon Quests, and new features are being put in. The Jailcat enemy from Dragon Quest VIII has been revealed to appear in the new game, and there's a new item shop feature, but Square Enix has something even more significant planned: a new character named Deborah. DQV follows the hero character over 20 years of his life, even including the option to marry one of two women. It seems likely that the newly-announced Deborah will be a third potential wife. You can see the full Jump scan at Jeux-France.
Dragon Quest V for entrepreneurs
The latest issue of Shonen Jump features a nice blowout of screens from the upcoming Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride remake, as well as character and monster art. We quite enjoy Akira Toriyama's art when he's drawing stuff like Slime Knights and not extremely similar-looking protagonists. The scans demonstrate a new feature: the player item shop. Using "wireless communication" of some sort (probably local, but we hope not!), players will be able to operate their own item shops. You can choose your inventory, rename the items, and then set prices. It sounds a lot like the shop system in Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, which did use the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. So there is some hope that we'll be gouging strangers.
Checking out new screens from Dragon Quest V
We all know that the DS has a lot of support from the big RPG house, Square Enix. This year, gamers are preparing for a flood of titles, including remakes in the popular Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy series of games. If you're looking forward to the Dragon Quest V remake, then Famitsu has some goodies for you. Along with some new screens to look at, Famitsu has up some general information about the game and its protagonist. It's basic stuff, which we all pretty much know. But, if you've been holding back on learning anything about the game, Famitsu's preview is a nice overview on what to expect from the game.
Dragon Quest V site takes turn to update
Eager fans anticipating the release of Dragon Quest V, get your eyeballs wrapped around some of the new content on offer at the game's official Japanese website. Within, you'll find some descriptions for the characters that will be populating the game world, as well as various other goodies. On top of that, you can also enjoy the Dragon Quest IV and Dragon Quest VI sites. So, go click crazy over there and check out the content. %Gallery-12146% [Via Go Nintendo]
Dragon Quest trilogy also headed to PAL territories
Is today the DS day of awesome for Europe, or what? The latest trio of games announced for the continent are none other than the Dragon Quests. We only reported this morning that Dragon Quest IV, V, and VI were North American bound, so hearing about a European (and other PALs) confirmation so soon afterward was a pleasant surprise. Not only that, but DQIV will be releasing in PAL nations this September, too -- maybe Square Enix really meant it when they said they were aiming for simultaneous worldwide releases. (Yes, we know it came out in Japan ages ago.) Together, these three games combine to form the Zenithia Trilogy. There's no word on when to expect Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride or Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie, but that's okay. We're just glad to know they're coming. Also, check out our brand-spanking-new Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen gallery below if all this Squeenix news has you gushing. %Gallery-23400% %Gallery-12146%
Square Enix reveals Dragon Quest IV US release date, confirms V and VI releases
The first official news is out regarding a North American release for Dragon Quest IV, in the form of the official website. The site doesn't have much information up about the game -- except its release date, September 16. English screens and stuff can come later! The real news is on the new Dragon Quest series site, which shows pretty unambiguously that the Dragon Quest V and VI remakes are on the way as well, with matching alliterative subtitles (Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride, Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie). This will be the first U.S. release for these two games (IV was released on the NES) and their availability will mean that, for the first time since IV, every main Dragon Quest game has had a U.S. release. %Gallery-12146% [Via NeoGAF]
More Dragon Quest DS decor: DQV cover
Just yesterday, NCSX began taking preorders on adorable Dragon Quest slime DS Lite styli. Today, they've revealed a thematically appropriate companion piece: this Dragon Quest V DS protector. Much like other Hori Protect Cases, this is a transparent hard plastic cover for the DS, with attractive monochrome artwork on the top. This one features artwork of the Hero and the game's logo, and looks cooler than we expect things with Akira Toriyama art on them to look. This one doesn't come with any other accessories, which in our minds is just another excuse to go ahead and spend the $7 on a Slime Stylus. The Dragon Quest V Accessory will ship in July for $13.90. Try not to scuff up your DS before then!
Dragon Quest V: Heavenly Screens
The website for the Dragon Quest V re-remake (probably to be titled Dragon Quest V: Heavenly Bride in its probable U.S. release) has been updated with character art and a little bit of history about the game. Most importantly for English readers, it's been updated with screens -- tons of them, in one- and two-screen format. You can look at pictures of the party (tiny horse and carriage and all) walking in towns, fields, and dungeons and pretty much get the idea. Dragon Quest V appears to be cleaning up beautifully, proving that even if developer Artepiazza isn't the most adept at creating Wii RPGs (except by default), they're certainly up to the task of recreating RPGs on the DS. [Via NeoGAF]
New Square trademark points to DQV localization
Dragon Quest fans, this could be a very good day for you. You see, the fine folk over at Siliconera stumbled upon an odd Square Enix trademark on file with the U.S. Patent Office. It's a trademark for "Hand of the Heavenly Bride," which you may know is just a longer version of the Japanese game's subtitle, Heavenly Bride. Coincidence? We should think not! This means that the chance of Dragon Quest V being localized to the United States just got a lot better. The catch is that we probably won't see the game for quite some time, as it's due for release in Japan this July. Sadly, you still have some waiting left to do. %Gallery-12146%
Dragon Quest V date confirmed for Japan -- July 17th
If you've been anxious to hear an official announcementon Dragon Quest V: Tenkuu no Hanayome's (Bride of Heaven) release date, you'll be happy to hear that you can finally mark your calendars ... for the day someone else in Japan can buy the game. Square Enix has posted three updated screenshots and confirmed the rumor we reported just two days ago about a possible July 17th release for the 3D remake. While this is all great news, we're anxious to hear when Square Enix plans to finally bring DQV (and DQIV DS!) to the states, as the original Super Famicom game never left Japan. While we're at it, when are we getting the next non-remake for the series, Dragon Quest IX? %Gallery-12146%
Rumor: Dragon Quest V dated for Japan
Word is that we're about to find out that Dragon Quest V will be released in Japan this summer, thus ensuring that nation has just as great a summer as we'll have here in the U.S. The remake was originally slated for this spring, but, clearly, it's been delayed. Of course, we've still not heard whether or not Dragon Quest IV will make it across the ocean, but that doesn't mean they won't. After all, in recent memory, Professor Layton was all over Japan long before we heard about the English localization, and we're pretty sure that Square Enix enjoys money, so it seems likely that the Dragon Quest remakes will make it over here eventually. For now, however, those of you with an eye toward importing DQV, look toward July, and keep your fingers crossed for us poor saps who can't read it in Japanese. %Gallery-12146%
