What is the best Dragon Quest game of all time?

Dragon Quest is one of the most influential RPG franchises ever made, defining the genre in Japan for decades. From the humble origins of the original to the sweeping epics of later entries, each game brings something unique. Which is the greatest Dragon Quest game of all time?

Dragon Quest XI

Echoes of an Elusive Age is widely ranked as the pinnacle of the series, blending nostalgic charm with modern storytelling in an epic RPG spanning dozens of hours.

1/12

Dragon Quest V

Hand of the Heavenly Bride is celebrated for its emotional, life-spanning narrative — the rare RPG where you follow a hero from childhood through parenthood.

2/12

Dragon Quest VIII

Journey of the Cursed King brought the series to 3D with a sweeping sense of adventure, lush rolling landscapes, and a villain widely considered the best in the franchise.

3/12

Dragon Quest III

The Seeds of Salvation is a beloved classic that revolutionized the series with its job system and is still considered one of the greatest JRPGs ever made, especially in Japan.

4/12

Dragon Quest IV

Chapters of the Chosen introduced an innovative chapter-based structure, letting players experience the story from multiple heroes' perspectives before the grand finale.

5/12

Dragon Quest VI

Realms of Revelation pushed the series' job system to new heights with a dual-world narrative about dreams and reality, earning a devoted cult following.

6/12

Dragon Quest IX

Sentinels of the Starry Skies became the best-selling DS game in Japan with its multiplayer questing, extensive post-game, and one of the most emotional opening acts in the series.

7/12

Dragon Quest I

The legendary 1986 original that launched one of Japan's most beloved RPG franchises, establishing genre conventions that persist to this day.

8/12

Dragon Quest VII

Fragments of the Forgotten Past is the most ambitious entry in terms of sheer scale and world-building, rewarding patient players with an unforgettable epic.

9/12

Dragon Quest Builders 2

The beloved sandbox spinoff that combined the building creativity of Minecraft with Dragon Quest's charming world, widely praised as superior to its predecessor.

10/12

Dragon Quest II

A pioneering sequel that introduced multiplayer party dynamics and a world twice the size of the original, cementing the series as a genre-defining force.

11/12

Dragon Quest Heroes

The action RPG spinoff from Omega Force that brought Warriors-style hack-and-slash combat to the Dragon Quest universe, earning fans worldwide.

12/12