Summary
TheDragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remakesold over 800,000 physical copies in its first week in Japan, split between the Switch and PS5. This achievement makesDragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remakethe best-selling game in the country in 2024, solidifying the enduring popularity of theDragon Questbrand in Japan.
The remake is a faithful recreation of the classicDragon Quest 3, initially released in 1988. Utilizing Square Enix’s HD-2D graphical engine, the game modernizes its visuals while retaining many of the original features, alongside a few quality-of-life improvements. Square Enix has been producing HD-2D remakes of several classic RPGs, suggesting the formula has been a winning one for the developer. In addition toDragon Quest 3 Remake, the company has confirmed the development ofHD-2D remakes forDragon Quest 1and2, with releases planned for 2025. Together, these games form the iconicErdrick Trilogy.
Judging by Japanese fans' reception, the remakes of the first threeDragon Questgames are shaping up to be a home run for Square Enix. During the launch week ofDragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake,Famitsureported sales of 821,770 physical copies. According to estimates, 641,195 of those were on Nintendo Switch, while 180,575 were on PS5. This milestone highlights both the strength of theDragon Questbrand in Japan and the continued dominance of the Switch in the region. All signs point to theupcomingDragon Questremakesbeing similar sales juggernauts.
Dragon Quest Sold Almost 1 Million Physical Copies at Launch in Japan
It’s worth noting that these figures account only for physical sales ofDragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, excluding any numbers from the Steam version. Famitsu remarked that this was Japan’s most significant game launch sinceThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomin 2023. Additionally,Dragon Quest 3has been Square Enix’s biggest success in Japan sinceDragon Quest XI, released in 2017. The latter sold 2 million copies within its first two days of release. One can only imagine the impact thealready-announcedDragon Quest 12: Flames of Fatewill have upon its release.
It’s no surprise that, in the past, a deal was struck between the Japanese government and Nintendo to releaseDragon Questgames exclusively on Sundays, as fans would skip school and work to immerse themselves in the RPG phenomenon. Although this arrangement no longer applies today, it underscores how culturally significant the franchise is in Japan. With this remarkable success, fans are speculating about Square Enix’s next steps forthe future ofDragon Quest. The next mainline entry,Dragon Quest 12, was announced in 2021, but aside from a few brief updates from series creator Yuji Horii, little else has been revealed.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
WHERE TO PLAY
DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake is a stunning reimagining of the beloved masterpiece and narrative beginning to The Erdrick Trilogy.Story:Years ago, the great hero Ortega bid farewell to his wife and child as he set off on a quest to defeat the villainous Archfiend, Baramos. Ortega failed his quest, and Baramos still threatens the world. Now, on their sixteenth birthday, Ortega’s only child is summoned by the king of Aliahan and entrusted with a mission of the highest import: to take on Ortega’s quest, vanquish Baramos, and save the world.A fully modernized remake of the original:Stunning HD-2D visuals fuse pixel art with 3D graphics, bringing players into the world of DRAGON QUEST III like never before, along with an improved and modernized UI, and other quality of life improvements.Traditional DRAGON QUEST style battles:A refined take on the classic turn-based battle system, featuring new animations, additional improvements such as an adjustable battle speed, an auto-battle setting, and more.Immersive world:Deep exploration of a vast world map with an abundance of rich and captivating locations to discover, challenging players to overcome many unexpected encounters during the journey.
