Dragon Quest XI
News, coverage and analysis tracking Dragon Quest XI across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World announced for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2
Square Enix has announced Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World, a new entry in the spin-off series, for the Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Details are scarce, but the game is described as 'coming soon'. The announcement follows news that Dragon Quest XI has restarted development.
Dragon Quest XI Gets The 'Definitive Edition' Treatment (Again) For Switch 2
Square Enix has announced Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition for the Nintendo Switch 2, launching on September 26, 2026. This version includes new story chapters, the ability to switch between 3D and 2D modes, and performance/visual toggles. The original game was released on Nintendo 3DS in 2017 and on Nintendo Switch in 2019.
Dragon Quest 11 S coming to Nintendo Switch 2
Square Enix has confirmed that Dragon Quest XI S will be released on the Nintendo Switch 2 on September 24, 2026. This follows recent leaks and a rating classification for the game. The original Dragon Quest XI S was released for the Nintendo Switch in 2019.
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 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.
Square Enix has 8 unlisted videos on Dragon Quest playlist ahead of Dragon Quest Day
Square Enix has posted eight unlisted videos on its Dragon Quest playlist, suggesting upcoming announcements for Dragon Quest Day on May 27th. Potential reveals include Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate, a Nintendo Switch version of Dragon Quest XI, and a Dragon Quest X expansion trailer. The company also announced a demo for Dragon Quest Builders 2.
Dragon Quest lead doesn't think the JRPG series "must always feature turn-based combat," which makes me wonder if Dragon Quest 12 could follow in Final Fantasy's footsteps
Masato Yagi, a lead on the Dragon Quest series, stated that he doesn't believe the JRPG franchise must always adhere to turn-based combat. He referenced Final Fantasy's shift away from turn-based mechanics as an example, noting that while some fans desire a return to traditional combat, the series has still achieved critical acclaim. Yagi also mused on the potential implications for Dragon Quest 12, especially given its rumored darker tone.
Future Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest games could release more quickly as Square Enix makes "steady progress" on a framework for "regular" major game launches
Square Enix is making progress on a framework to accelerate the release of major titles like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. The company aims for more regular launches of its flagship RPGs, addressing the long gaps between mainline entries. Upcoming releases include expansions for Final Fantasy 14 and Dragon Quest 10, alongside Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
Square Enix Wants Its Biggest Games Out The Door Faster
Square Enix is developing a framework to accelerate the production and release of games for its major franchises, including Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. The company aims to reduce the lengthy development gaps seen in recent mainline entries, while continuing to release spin-offs, remasters, and remakes across PC, console, and mobile platforms.
Square Enix is Making “Steady Progress” to Release New Games in Tentpole Franchises More Frequently
Square Enix is making steady progress in enhancing its development pipelines to release major franchise titles more frequently. The company aims to shift from a focus on quantity to quality and implement a multi-platform strategy. Upcoming releases include Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Final Fantasy 14: Evercold, and Dragon Quest 10: Expansion 8.0, with further news expected for Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate.
Persona boss says it out loud: turn-based RPGs never left, it's just that "recent critically acclaimed games have brought renewed attention to them"
Atlus P-Studio head Kazuhisa Wada believes turn-based RPGs never truly disappeared but have recently gained renewed attention due to critically acclaimed titles. He suggests that the perception of turn-based combat as outdated stems from developers shifting towards action-oriented gameplay rather than refining turn-based designs. Wada emphasizes the timeless appeal and exhilaration that turn-based gameplay offers, noting that many series and indie titles have continued to deliver high-quality experiences in the genre.
Hype Is Building for the First-Ever Five-Day Tokyo Game Show, But What New PS5 Games Will Be There?
This year's Tokyo Game Show will be its longest ever, expanding to five days from September 17th to 21st. While exhibitor details are still emerging, anticipation is high for potential reveals of major upcoming PlayStation 5 titles such as Final Fantasy 7 Remake's third installment, Dragon Quest 12, and Kingdom Hearts 4.
Efter fem års tystnad – Dragon Quest XII kan visas upp innan maj är över
Series creator Yuji Horii has indicated that Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate may be revealed during a stream celebrating the series' 40th anniversary on May 27th. Square Enix confirmed the game is in development in early 2020, with a brief teaser shown in May 2021, described as a "Dragon Quest for adults" that will set the tone for decades. This potential announcement follows five years of silence since the initial confirmation and remakes of earlier titles in the series.
Guerrilla Games co-founder developing European game engine to rival Unreal and Unity
Guerrilla Games co-founder Arjan Brussee is developing 'The Immensive Engine' as a European alternative to Unreal and Unity, emphasizing European hosting and compliance with local guidelines. The engine will integrate AI from the ground up, aiming to offer studios more choice and leverage AI for efficient development. Separately, Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii discussed the potential of AI companions in games, envisioning them as friends to players and confirming Dragon Quest 12 is still in development.
Dragon Quest creator thinks AI pals are "not just a convenient tool, but a friend to each individual player"
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii believes AI companions can be more than just tools, acting as friends to individual players. Speaking at a Google Cloud Next conference, Horii expressed his desire to integrate AI characters into Dragon Quest X and potentially other series to enhance player camaraderie and provide empathetic support. He also confirmed that Dragon Quest 12 is still in development.
Next Dragon Quest and more to be announced this month
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii announced that Square Enix will hold a live stream on May 27, 2026, to reveal the next Dragon Quest title and other related news. The announcement coincides with the franchise's 40th anniversary. While Dragon Quest 12 was not explicitly confirmed, the possibility of new titles or remakes, including a potential Dragon Quest 11 S release on Nintendo Switch 2, was teased.
Dragon Quest creator believes AI can make JRPG characters "feel even more human" and "listen to people's concerns with empathy," hopes to add it to "other series too"
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii believes AI can enhance JRPG characters, making them feel more human and empathetic companions for players. He is collaborating with Google on an AI chatbot for Dragon Quest X and hopes to integrate similar technology into other series.
The Best JRPGs You Can Play on Handheld Devices (2026 Guide)
This guide explores why JRPGs are perfectly suited for handheld devices, highlighting the pacing, progression, and flexibility that make them ideal for portable play. It details the best platforms for playing JRPGs in 2026, including the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, classic handhelds like the PSP and PS Vita, retro handhelds, and mobile devices, while also recommending specific titles for each.
