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I wanna play the Dragon Quest 1-6 which versions are best? Are they even worth playing still?
- Thread starter mogster7777
- Start date
DQ 1-3: GBC or mobile
DQ 4-6: DS or mobile
DQ 7: 3DS
DQ 8: 3DS or PS2
DQ 9: DS
First console is my preferred, second if listed is also acceptable if available
DQ 4-6: DS or mobile
DQ 7: 3DS
DQ 8: 3DS or PS2
DQ 9: DS
First console is my preferred, second if listed is also acceptable if available
Yeah, all six are great on iOS (or DS), but VI lost a lot stylistically in the translation to the generic, VII-like artsyle they gave it. I mean, it looks no worse than the other ones, but it was a beautiful game in it's own right and now it just looks the same.
Mr. Opposite here.
You'd be wise to not take this advice.
OP
OP
Thanks guys. So should I just play them in order you reckon. So far most people are saying skip the first two and start in 3 or 4?
I played 1-3 on GBC and 4-6 on DS. 1 is really quick, 2 is like 1.5 (similar, just bigger), 3 is my favorite of those! It has wonderful monster animations and the job system is so great. Don't skip 3. :)
Edit: I played 4 and 5 before 1-3, and still thought extremely highly of 3. Of the pre-7 era, 3-5 are pretty interchangeable as my favorites for various reasons. 7 is up there too.
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If you can, playing a couple hours of 1 just for the historical significance and enjoying the music would be cool. But I think 4 is a good entry one, it's one of my favs. Can go out of order with this series as well.
I highly recommend the DS version of Dragon Quest V (or mobile, PS2 remake/fan translation, Super Fami original/fan translated version but DS and mobile are much more accessible of course). It was my first DQ game and it's now in my all time favorite top 3 JRPGs along with Chrono Trigger and Earthbound. The father/son dynamic while growing up, getting married and having your wife or kids in your party along with monsters you recruit and a lovely and sometimes heartbreaking story all adds up to a really epic, fun, charming game. You really do feel like you're going on a grand storybook adventure when you play it. Main quest is only about 35 hours but I had so much fun just side grinding, wandering around and recruiting monsters and having it as my go to chill time RPG that I ended up pouring 115 hours into my file.
Edit: Ignore anyone who tells you to skip DQ V, that's terrible feedback and flat out Bizarro-world talk, yikes.
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I would 100% agree with that... but they really made the game too easy for that version. But that soundtrack ! Yeah hard choice !
OP
OP
How is the DS DQ games? Do they have good music compared to the other versions? How is IX on DS too? Better than the others? Are there any 3DS remakes too apart from VIII?
What is Chapters of the Chosen on DS? Is that IV?
Did V get localised on PS2?
There's so many version and different recommendations.
So I should skip VI on DS and play the Snes fan translation?
What is Chapters of the Chosen on DS? Is that IV?
Did V get localised on PS2?
There's so many version and different recommendations.
So I should skip VI on DS and play the Snes fan translation?
whatever you do, avoid IV on DS, it doesn't have party chat so your party members essentially lose their personality once they join up. the iOS version has it apparently, so go for that
i recommend V on DS. cant help you with VI - why dont people like the DS version?
i recommend V on DS. cant help you with VI - why dont people like the DS version?
The DS versions are great. I played 4 in 2008 so it was the best version, but as people point out the mobile version keeps the NES party chat which is cool. The music is great. 6 on DS is good, SNES is another solid option. It would be tough to play 5 on PS2, and the DS version is great. 8 on PS2 or 3DS rules. 9 is actually less good than the other games to me, a pretty average one with less story/character.
I played 1 and 2 on the GBC. They're based on the SFC versions and have significantly less grinding than the NES, but on the GBC the viewing area is very small compared to the console version which was okay for 1 but made 2 wayyyyy harder without a map. I'd probably recommend a fan translation of those two games on the SFC, but the GBC version was officially released in English if you're a stickler for that. The GBC version is definitely playable, but you'll be tearing your hair out wondering how long until the next town before looking at a map and realizing you've already walked right by two but couldn't see them.
I played the rest of the series besides 3 on the 3/DS. The lack of party chat in 4 on the DS is pretty lame though. I think the iOS version added it back so if you don't mind touch controls you should probably play that version.
I'm saving 3 for a rainy day since everybody says it's the best one. For that I'll play a SFC translation.
I played every DQ game for the first time last year and thought the older ones aged very well. They're very charming games and it's fun to see where so many JRPG tropes originate.
I played the rest of the series besides 3 on the 3/DS. The lack of party chat in 4 on the DS is pretty lame though. I think the iOS version added it back so if you don't mind touch controls you should probably play that version.
I'm saving 3 for a rainy day since everybody says it's the best one. For that I'll play a SFC translation.
I played every DQ game for the first time last year and thought the older ones aged very well. They're very charming games and it's fun to see where so many JRPG tropes originate.
I'd say they're very playable, but maybe that's me who has no problem going back to retro games. I got to experience a series that defined JRPG genre.
Play them in order, and I played on these systems:
DQ 1 & 2 double pack: SNES - this one is JP only, but I managed to find a fan translation.
DQ3: GBC - this version has added content and a new sage class which is very cool and powerful. Definitely play this version
DQ4: DS. I don't know about the other versions, but I had a blast playing this on DS.
DQ5: IMO the best game in the series and this is a top 10 favourite game of mine. I also played this on DS.
DQ6: I haven't played this one yet, but I have it on DS as well.
Play them in order, and I played on these systems:
DQ 1 & 2 double pack: SNES - this one is JP only, but I managed to find a fan translation.
DQ3: GBC - this version has added content and a new sage class which is very cool and powerful. Definitely play this version
DQ4: DS. I don't know about the other versions, but I had a blast playing this on DS.
DQ5: IMO the best game in the series and this is a top 10 favourite game of mine. I also played this on DS.
DQ6: I haven't played this one yet, but I have it on DS as well.
4 and 5 are some of the best games ever made. They are absolutely worth playing.
And I say that as someone who discovered the series last gen with DQ9.
4, 5 and 6 are great on the DS.
I played 1, 2 and 3 on android and also the Game Boy Color versions. Honestly, I thought the android versions were great. Very playable despite the touch controls. I also played 4 on android and that one was a little bit more awkward to play and the DS graphics looked kinda shitty on my tablet. But still worth it if you have no other option.
Or you can also play the fan translated roms on your SNES classic or emulator of choice.
Honestly, all the easily available versions of these games are fine. I would advise starting with 4 or 5 though. The early games are great but very simple obviously.
And I say that as someone who discovered the series last gen with DQ9.
4, 5 and 6 are great on the DS.
I played 1, 2 and 3 on android and also the Game Boy Color versions. Honestly, I thought the android versions were great. Very playable despite the touch controls. I also played 4 on android and that one was a little bit more awkward to play and the DS graphics looked kinda shitty on my tablet. But still worth it if you have no other option.
Or you can also play the fan translated roms on your SNES classic or emulator of choice.
Honestly, all the easily available versions of these games are fine. I would advise starting with 4 or 5 though. The early games are great but very simple obviously.
4 is still great on DS. One of my favs, didn't ruin it or anything. Beats not playing it, if not going for the mobile version or NES.
OP
OP
I'd prefer if I could play them on the TV rather than handheld or mobile. I have access to the fan translations and can play these on tv too. However if the DS versions have much better music and QOL improvements is it even worth playing the snes versions?
Okay will have to try one of these out. I don't have a lot of time to play through all these, so tell me out of all the ones I can get on mobile, which one should i play?
I enjoyed the DS ports of 4-6, those were my only exposure to those games though. 5 of course being the best one.
I'm kind of in the same boat as OP. Bought the DS version of DQ4 long ago, didn't get far because I really didn't like the pseudo 3D graphics and I wanted to play the originals instead. Then I never did, lol.
Wasn't aware the 1-3 games had SNES versions too. Neat.
Wasn't aware the 1-3 games had SNES versions too. Neat.
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Is the SNES fan translation of DQ III good? Is it a decent version to play instead of the DS one?
Personally, I was disappointed to see the mobile version had a translation change from the NES version which is what I was familiar with.
I don't know anything about authenticity to the story, or anything else, but I just like the cheesey dialogue of 1 on NES.
"Fortune has smiled upon thee, for you have gotten thee torch!"
I don't know anything about authenticity to the story, or anything else, but I just like the cheesey dialogue of 1 on NES.
"Fortune has smiled upon thee, for you have gotten thee torch!"
OP
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How are the mobile iOS versions of 4 to 6? Do they have controller support? I'd like to beam them to my Apple TV and play with a controller.
Also do they have orchestral soundtrack and generally considered better or as good as the DS ones?
Also do they have orchestral soundtrack and generally considered better or as good as the DS ones?
They're perfectly fine if you have no other option but they are better with a dual screen display and the 3d models look like shit when not displayed on a DS screen. I can't tell you about controller support, I used the touch controls.
As I said earlier, 4 and 5 are best played on the DS or 3DS, but you'll still have a great time with the IOS versions so go for that if that's the easiest option for you.
6 is a good game but not nearly as memorable as 4 or 5. I think most DQ fans would agree that 5 > 4 >>> 6.
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Yes listen to this. Do not play 4 on DS. Party chat is actually really important and one of 4's best features and they stripped it out for DS.
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Thanks. I have the iOS versions of 3 to 6 as well as the fan translations on SNES. Playing on tv is essential so I don't really want the DS ones. At least with iOS I can stream to tv. I just wondering which are the best to play iOS or fan made translations on SNES.
I think I'm gonna skip 1 and 2 too as they're a bit redundant and dated today.
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4 is very linear and mechanically boring compared to 6, which has a full-on job system, monster taming, etc. It also has the best OST.
6 > 5 > 7 > 8 > 3 > 4 > 1 > 2
#JusticeForDQ6
Hah. I don't hate DQ6 at all, I think it's a very good game.
But as someone who discovered the entire series in the last decade, I'd say it's the least remarkable of that era. Still absolutely worth playing of course.
My own ranking:
5>4>9>3>6>2>1>8
I've never beaten 7 and 10 so I have not included them.
Yeah the ios versions are fine in my experience. I would say that they are better than the fan translations from a QOL perspective.
Yes, Chosen is IV. Mobile version is better as it has party talk which is missing from the DS version.
PS2 V wasn't localised, but the fan translation is very good - far better then the official DS translation on the DS version imo.
The Japanese version is cheap and easy to get on ebay, but the catch is unless you happen to have a modded PS2, you need a computer capable of running the PS2 emulator PCSX2 to play it. Which is probably most computers these days, but something to check before buying.
PS2 V is by far the best dragon quest experience there is imo
Play the SNES version of DQVI with the fan translation, the DS version was a botch job. Sadly the SNES version was never entirely translated, but it was 98% done and I think only one important line of dialogue in the entire game is missing.
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OP
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Which versions, if any have orchestral versions of the soundtrack as you play, like DQVIII did?
1 and 2, I'd go for GB or Mobile, though the fan translation works too. Ditto for 3. The originals are a bit too grind-intensive and dated (i.e. having to select "STAIRS" to descend stairs in #1).
I liked 4 NES better than the DS version since I wasn't a fan of the overbearing accents written into the English script. I'd take faux 'medieval' stuff over that any day of the week. Also not too big a fan of the art styles of the DS games. The NES version is more challenging, with a few less conveniences than the DS version, though.
5 I'd say go for the DS version even though the SNES fan translation isn't too bad either. Haven't played the PS2 remake yet.
6 is a toughie. I liked the SNES version much better, they flesh out some story details more, and the graphics are gorgeous, but it's not available in English.
I liked 4 NES better than the DS version since I wasn't a fan of the overbearing accents written into the English script. I'd take faux 'medieval' stuff over that any day of the week. Also not too big a fan of the art styles of the DS games. The NES version is more challenging, with a few less conveniences than the DS version, though.
5 I'd say go for the DS version even though the SNES fan translation isn't too bad either. Haven't played the PS2 remake yet.
6 is a toughie. I liked the SNES version much better, they flesh out some story details more, and the graphics are gorgeous, but it's not available in English.
DQV PS2 is the only other one I'm personally aware of (well, VII & VIII do in their 3DS JP versions, but it's midi for the west).
I did hear that Dragon Quest IV mobile got orchestral, but I already own that game 3 times so never bought it to check. I didn't hear that claim for V/VI mobile interestingly, maybe someone who bought them can comment.
Also, it seems that the SNES version look better and it as lighting effects. Mobile one look soo flat.
SNES
MOBILE
The mobile version of 4 is the best one because it has the Party Chat that was removed from the DS remake.