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An infamously useless Dragon Quest weapon that's been a series mainstay for 39 years owes its existence to a Famicom limitation, according to the JRPG series' creator
Dragon Quest series creator Yuji Horii explained that the series' iconic, weak "Cypress Sickle" weapon originated from a Famicom hardware limitation. Due to cartridge space constraints, the game could not use kanji and had to use hiragana, leading to a name that sounded like "snack" if translated directly. The name "hinoki" (Japanese cypress) was chosen to avoid confusion, making a simple stick an iconic part of the JRPG series.
Dragon Quest I, II, and III HD-2D remakes top 4 million copies
Square Enix announced that the Dragon Quest I, II, and III HD-2D remakes have collectively sold and shipped over 4 million copies worldwide. The remakes are available in two packages: Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake and Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, across multiple platforms including PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.
GOG’s Square Enix Sale Includes 11 Classic Final Fantasy, Mana, And SaGa Games
GOG is hosting a Square Enix Publisher Sale featuring discounts of up to 70% on 11 classic games from the Final Fantasy, Mana, and SaGa series. The sale, which runs until June 6, includes titles like Final Fantasy VIII Remastered, The Legend of Mana, and SaGa Frontier Remastered, all offered DRM-free for PC.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World Announced, Should Launch Before Dragon Quest 12
Square Enix has announced Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World, featuring two new female protagonists and a trailer showcasing various monsters. The game is slated for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch, with series creator Yuji Horii hoping for a launch before Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams, which is undergoing a development restart.
Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary Livestream Announced for May 27th With An “Update” From the Team
Square Enix has announced a Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary livestream for May 27th, which is expected to provide an update on Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate. The stream will also feature a special anniversary page and a segment hosted by Eiko Kano. This event follows recent news about the development of a remake for Dragon Quest 7.
Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age is Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on September 24th
Square Enix announced that Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age will be released for the Nintendo Switch on September 24th. This enhanced edition of the RPG includes new scenarios, Japanese voice acting, an orchestral soundtrack, and an optional 2D mode. The company may also reveal details about the upcoming Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate, which is being developed on Unreal Engine 5.
Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate Renamed to Beyond Dreams Following Development Reset
Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate has been renamed Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams following a development reset at Square Enix. Executive producer Yosuke Saito cited numerous hurdles with the original vision, leading the team to restart from scratch. The new iteration promises new elements while retaining character designs by Akira Toriyama and music by Koichi Sugiyama.
Second Final Fantasy House Grooves Album Covers FFX
Square Enix will release "FFX – House Grooves," an arrangement album of songs from Final Fantasy X, on July 22, 2026. Similar to a previous album for Final Fantasy IX, this release will feature energetic, electronic-infused remixes with added vocals, available worldwide on CD and digital platforms. Final Fantasy X is available on PlayStation 2 and bundled with FFX-2 on multiple modern platforms.
Sephiroth Added as ‘Limited’ Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy Character
Sephiroth has been added to Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy as a limited-time character, available until June 29, 2026. He is a ranged unit specializing in Fire damage and features unique abilities like Hell's Gate and Octaslash. Square Enix also revealed a roadmap for future character additions from various Final Fantasy titles.
Raita Kazama Designed NieR: Automata 9th Anniversary Merchandise
Square Enix is releasing new NieR: Automata merchandise designed by Raita Kazama to celebrate the game's 9th anniversary. The collection, featuring characters 2B, 9S, and A2, includes acrylic keychains and stand dioramas, with pre-orders available on Square Enix's Japanese e-Store and AmiAmi for international shipping. The items are scheduled for release in late August 2026.
Celebrate the Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary with my favorite merch from across the series
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Dragon Quest franchise, Square Enix is releasing a variety of merchandise, including Slime-themed mugs, plushies, and model kits. Special anniversary items like a crowned Slime plush are also available. The article also highlights other collectibles such as a Nendoroid figure from the Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai anime and an artbook featuring Akira Toriyama's work.
Dragon Quest Series 40th Anniversary Update Covers Games This Week
Square Enix will host a 40th anniversary worldwide stream for the Dragon Quest series on May 27, 2026, to share game updates and plans. The 10-minute presentation is expected to provide news on Dragon Quest XII, the potential worldwide release of the offline version of Dragon Quest X, and a possible Nintendo Switch launch for Dragon Quest XI S. The most recent entry, Dragon Quest Smash/Grow, is a mobile roguelike released in April 2026.
Dragon Quest's 40th Anniversary Show Confirmed, But It's Only 10 Minutes Long
Square Enix will host a 10-minute broadcast on May 27th to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Dragon Quest series. The event will be available in Japanese with English subtitles and is expected to feature a brief introduction from creator Yuji Horii and potentially trailers, possibly for Dragon Quest 12.
Update from the Dragon Quest team live stream announced
Square Enix will host a live stream on May 27th to announce future plans for the Dragon Quest series, coinciding with its 40th anniversary. Series creator Yuji Horii has teased new game announcements. A potential Nintendo Switch version of Dragon Quest XI was also hinted at through a leaked classification listing.
MMOs don't need 'to be 200 hours of unique content' at launch, says industry vet
MMO design veteran Jack Emmert argues that new Massively Multiplayer Online games do not need to launch with an excessive amount of unique content. He suggests that focusing on a strong core experience and a committed live team allows for organic growth based on player desires, contrasting this with the current industry trend of over-scoping.
Square Enix reveals more information on Dragon Quest 40th anniversary broadcast
Square Enix has announced further details for the Dragon Quest 40th anniversary broadcast scheduled for May 27th. The ten-minute event, airing at 6am PT/2pm BST, is expected to reveal future plans for the beloved franchise. Square Enix has also teased surprises and announcements for Dragon Quest and Nier in 2026.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined gets making of dev diary
Square Enix has released a new developer diary detailing the creation of Dragon Quest VII Reimagined. This modern RPG remake features updated visuals, refined gameplay, and an enhanced story, building upon the original game's multi-island adventure. It is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5.
Trials of Mana and Legend of Mana enter the GOG Preservation Program with a Square Enix sale
Trials of Mana and Legend of Mana are now available DRM-free on GOG as part of the Preservation Program. This coincides with a Square Enix JRPG sale on GOG, featuring discounts on titles like Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy IX, and Romancing SaGa 2, ending June 8th.
Dragon Quest 40th anniversary ‘Update from the Dragon Quest Team’ broadcast set for May 27
Square Enix will host a special "Update from the Dragon Quest Team" broadcast on May 27 to celebrate the Dragon Quest series' 40th anniversary. The event is expected to provide updates on the franchise's future.
Dragon Quest 40th anniversary ‘Update from the Dragon Quest Team’ live stream set for May 27
Square Enix will host a "Update from the Dragon Quest Team" live stream on May 27 to celebrate the Dragon Quest series' 40th anniversary. The stream will provide updates from the development team regarding the franchise.