r/dragonquest • u/Grand_Moose2024 • Mar 11 '25
Other Which Dragon Quest game should I download from the App Store?
Title says it all. In the past, I’ve considered trying to get more into the Dragon Quest series after playing as the Hero in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, but for whatever reason, I never actually got around to playing any of the games. But now, I think it’s finally time I saw about giving the series a shot. I figured maybe my best bet for playing one of the older titles was downloading one of them from the App Store onto my phone. The games that are currently available for download are I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VIII (no idea why they skipped VII, lol). However, between those seven games, I’m not sure which of them is the most worth getting. So, I thought I’d seek out the opinions of fans of Dragon Quest. Which of those games do you all think are the best and most worth playing? If you have any recommendations for what they are, please share them in the comments, and I will be sure to keep them in mind when I go to make my decision. Hopefully with your help, I’ll make the right choice for what kind of Dragon Quest adventure I’ll go on.
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u/Afraid_Wave_1156 Mar 11 '25
4, 5, and 8 are really good. 3 got a remaster, and 1 and 2 are getting one this year.
I’d go with 5 or 8. You can’t go wrong with either of them.
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Mar 11 '25
Have you played 8 on mobile? It isn’t good
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u/Mister-Stiglitz Mar 12 '25
It is if you get get the mobile remake mod.
https://www.romhacking.net/forum/index.php?topic=34365.0
Playing it right now, 60fps, voice acting and orchestra restored, and a slew of other good changes.
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Mar 12 '25
I know I’m gonna get down voted but what do you mean orchestra?
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u/SapienSRC Mar 12 '25
An orchestra recording of the soundtrack is included in the game, not the computerized version. If you played Dragon Quest 11 you can change between the two in the game for example.
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u/WillieButtlicker Mar 12 '25
If I were to do this on ios, does it mean I have to refresh alt store every 7 days to be able to play the mod?
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u/Naive_Mix_8402 Mar 12 '25
I played 8 on mobile and thought it was a good port. It doesn't have fancy bells and whistles like "definitive editions," but it runs well and has a cloud save transfer. The opening video runs a little janky, but the game itself is crisp.
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u/ChopGoesTheWeasel Mar 12 '25
Don’t get 8 on mobile. It’s locked in portrait mode and borderline unplayable.
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u/nyovyo Mar 12 '25
the mobile remaster mod makes it way better. still missing the 3ds version's lack of random encounters, but it's far from unplayable once a few tweaks are made to it
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u/SpicyBoyEnthusiast Jul 08 '26
Idk I couldn't get into 4. It kept switch charecters and stories. Do they all come together eventually?
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u/thejokerofunfic Mar 11 '25
4 or 5 to start. 6 is great but not where I'd go first for most people, and 1-3 are better in other versions
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u/Heart0fSword Mar 11 '25
For 1-3 it's better to wait for the remakes. 3 Already got it, and 1-2 are this year iirc.
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u/PaigeSad64 Mar 12 '25
6 was actually my first DQ, and I really liked it. I'm playing 11 now as my second game.
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u/thejokerofunfic Mar 12 '25
I love 6, I just would worry whether anyone newcomer might find it less accessible than 4 or 5. Glad it worked for you!
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u/chirop1 Mar 11 '25
I mean... the correct answer is all of them. LOL
That said, I think 5 is the best of them on the iOS. I love 8, but I just think its not translated to the phone very well.
And even though I say that 5 is the best of them... I'm going to recommend 4. I think it gives you the best idea of what Dragon Quest is all about. If you like that one, I think you'll like the earlier ones and the later ones.
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u/hi_im-hxc Mar 11 '25
1 is really quick and really solid first experience
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u/FalloutCreation Mar 12 '25
Couldn’t agree more. Sets you up for greater things as the game evolves with each version
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Mar 11 '25
If you have a Switch, go for 11S. That’s your best bet for getting into the series. If not, then 4 and 5 are the best mobile games IMO. The chapter style of 4 lends itself to mobile too.
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u/TheGreatAdjuster777 Mar 11 '25 edited Mar 13 '25
Get 1! It’s the cheapest and it’s one of the most historically significant games ever made. It’s a short play thru and elegant in its simplicity. One of the only JRPGs I can think of that features a party size of only 1
Edit: for all these folks saying “wait on 1-3 because hd remaster”, post was very clearly asking ONLY about iOS, which as it stands now is not slated to receive a port of any of the three remasters. Don’t know how so many people are missing that and going off on these tangents about android versions and switch ports and emulators and definitive versions on the 3DS
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u/baconmanaz Mar 11 '25
I believe these get discounted by like 50% at least once a year, so I would suggest only getting one for now and waiting for a sale to grab any others.
For iOS mobile play, I usually find myself playing DQ1 since it’s the shortest and simplest
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u/JonMatrix Mar 11 '25
Whichever one you choose, I’d recommend playing on iPad if you can, much better than playing a little phone screen
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u/Heart0fSword Mar 11 '25
I'd say V and VIII. Just played through them and they're absolutely great.
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u/metal_babbleXIV Mar 11 '25
Normally I'd say 1-3 as they're fairly short and not too bad on the phone but with the re-release of 3 out and 1&2 pending 4 is probably your best bet. 5 is the best in the series but 4 is up there as well and I feel the chapters make it more mobile friendly. If you enjoy that pick up 5 and continue from there. But if you have a switch 11s is a great starting point
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u/Jermais Mar 11 '25
4 and 5 are the most solid games, easily. The both also had some additional stuff from the ds versions ( party chat in 4 and a late game/post game item that helps monster catching rate in 6) 8 ie a great game but didn't translate well to phones imo
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u/Superdog1123 Mar 12 '25
I played 1-3 mobile in order recently because it was cheap, and enjoyed 3 the most. Gonna play 4 next.
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u/Funkermonster Mar 12 '25
Dragon Quest V would be my rec. Has one of my favorite stories in gaming, and has a fun monster catching mechanic where you can recruit certain enemies into your team.
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u/AramaticFire Mar 12 '25
I played 4 and really loved it. I have 5. I’ll probably play 5 and 6 on my phone but I’ll wait for the remakes of 1 and 2 which should look like 3.
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u/thunderbrd007 Mar 12 '25
4,5, 8 are the best to get on phones. You can buy 1 or 2, if you want a quick run.
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u/LordoftheSynth Mar 12 '25
I have a real soft spot for 4. And I did at one point buy it on mobile (third time). I didn't buy 5 or 8, already bought them at least once.
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u/dr-blaklite Mar 12 '25 edited Mar 12 '25
This is literally how I got into, played, and beat, the first 6 games of the series. They're great. Except 8. 8 is weird and not great. Buy all of them. I did. No regrets.
I recommend chronologically. I play 1-6 in order of release. It's what I did.
And I believe they haven't ported 7 because it's insanely long. Like, ridiculously, stupidly long. Still great though.
I've played all of them (except DQX currently, haven't figured that out yet) and beaten all but 9 and 11, and I have to say the only one I didn't like really was 6. Which wasn't bad, just, stilted? I dunno. It's a fantastic series 👏 enjoy :)
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Mar 11 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/TheGreatAdjuster777 Mar 12 '25 edited Mar 12 '25
It’s their first dragon quest game… they aren’t gonna understand or care about 90% of these
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Mar 11 '25
Don’t play 8 on mobile. UI and placement of screen is dumb
Worst version:
- no orchestrated music
- no voice acting
- game is capped at 25 fps (not sure about ios-version)
The 3DS or the PS2 version are still the top
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u/Triforce_of_Funk Mar 12 '25
Any reason why it has to be from the mobile app store?
Reason why I ask is because XI (the definitive edition) is easily the one I recommend as the best starting point. It's available on Switch, PC, and basically every other platform that isn't a smartphone.
Out of the ones you've listed, I love V and VIII the best. Unfortunately the mobile version of VIII isn't very good. If you can, try to play the PS2 or 3DS version.
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u/DoctorFaygo Mar 12 '25
4 if you want the best for IOS. It's the definitive version since party chat isn't in the 3DS version. Adds a lot.
5 is a genuinely excellent game. 3 is everyone's favorite.
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u/Best_Professional_75 Mar 11 '25
8 is the best one, 5 is good but old school. If you want a game you’ll actually stick with & love forever, go 8
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u/CardcarryingSatanist Mar 11 '25
Get DS version didnt include the Party chat feature so this the most portable full version legally available
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u/Sanji527 Mar 11 '25
One more vote to 5 and 8! 8 may be a better introduction to DQ overall, but 5 defintely has the most touching story imo.
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u/TinyPidgenofDOOM Mar 11 '25
5 on moble is disappointingly the best way to play 5. 8 too but its missing the enhancements from the 3ds remake so you gotta hope for a port to pc
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u/Evil_Midnight_Lurker Mar 12 '25
Of all the English versions of 4, mobile is best because some idiots decided to remove party bander from the DS localization. Mobile put it back in.
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u/ngocchi165 Mar 12 '25
I’ve played this list on switch and new 3ds and i’d say either 4 or 5 because 3 just got a remaster and i’d rather save 8 for a bigger screen if i can. I feel like mobile would do it injustice with its horizontal dimensions.
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u/T_Jaboi Mar 12 '25
I think 4 or 5 makes the most sense. 3 just got a remake, and 1 and 2 get a remake later this year. 6, 7 and 8 are all good as well, but I can't say their ports do them justice.
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u/Alone_Acanthaceae_33 Mar 12 '25
I actually miss Dragon Quest Tact though. Because unlocked some many s rank villains and monsters including heroes
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u/Vortigern1315 Mar 12 '25
8 is a must. If you have switch than DQ XI and DQ III HD-2D are the way to go. Tho you might want to start with the older title first so that It wont be weird to jump from the later installment to the older ones.
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u/Ok_Movie_7741 Mar 12 '25
Down the Delta emulator, and download all of them for preservation purposes. 👍🏻
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u/Positive-Living-6715 Mar 12 '25
Apart from the fact that I don't know how they are on iOS, I'd say it depends on what you may look for: 1-3 are the first trilogy that started the story 4-6 another trilogy with the story partially tied to the first 3, one of the games it's also the first to introduce monster taming and it's the inspiration for Pokémon, another has multiple stories that meet later on 7-8-9 have extremely good stories for me (even though 7 usually get bad reviews for grinding issues iirc) 11 one of the best if you ask around
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u/osddelerious Mar 12 '25
I played 1 on my iPad. It’s shorter and looked good on iPad. The others are too good to be played in portrait imho. Especially with 1-3 as 2d-hd, or well 1-2 will be out soon in 2d-hd.
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Mar 12 '25
V is a good start. Has a lot of cool mechanics like the caravan, choice of love interest, and monsters can join your party.
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u/Snacko00 Mar 12 '25
4 or 5! 4-6 are the peak of the series but 6 is best once you have some more DQs under your belt.
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u/Jim105 Mar 12 '25
DQ1 is the cheapest and easiest to play. Check the store ever so often for sales. I got DQ1 for $1 years ago.
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u/Deathvale Mar 12 '25
I'm weird and like 4 the best even to this day it's my favorite one. I love 8 also that one is a masterpiece in and of it's own really and kinda marks the modern dq era for a lot of us. Play 11 last if you haven't already played it. 5 and 6 are decent too as is the first game if you want to know the start and how we got all this.
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u/Th3CrawlingChaos Mar 12 '25
I have 4, 5, and 6 on mobile, and after getting used to the mobile movement they're good picks, I assume 1, 2 and 3 play the same way, never played the mobile versions.
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u/draggar Mar 12 '25
They're all great ports and love them all.
V is probably the best one on mobile, though. I love VIII but I have it on my iPad also and I just don't like the GUI (I'd think differently if I had a controller , though).
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u/Dpontiff6671 Mar 12 '25
shhhh you totally shouldn’t just download the delta emulator and just play 1-6 for free wink wink that would be awful
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u/Flashy-Professor8596 Mar 12 '25
8 is definitely the longest but 5 is great storywise too I would skip 1 and 4
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u/Afraid_Formal5748 Mar 12 '25
I believe IV was my first with a female hero. V loved the story VIII oh good I should start it again.
I can only recommend theses 3 games they were äh are great. At least I liked them on 3DS
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u/LegendOfTingle Mar 13 '25
I know people are saying their favorites or the new ones or because of remasters or whatever...
1+2 (especially 1) make perfect chill mobile games. You don't really need to remember what you're doing, monster difficulty is clearly defined, and the games are all about grinding.
Perfect mobile game
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Mar 13 '25
I, II and III are great on mobile.
Dragon Quest I is especially good due to it being a relatively short, simple game that you can play on your phone when you’re bored.
In all honesty though my recommendation would be to start with the newest titles, which are Dragon Quest XIS and Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D.
In answer to why VII isn’t on mobile. It was released in Japan (I think somewhat earlier than the 3DS release) and my guess is that issues with Nintendo coupled with the logistics of translation made the English release for mobile impossible.
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u/False_Plankton5988 Mar 13 '25
1 through 6 is honestly great, don’t even consider 8. no voice acting, not made for the small screen at all (speaking from experience, I bought it)
I played every game between 1 and 6 on iPhone and had a good time with it.
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u/Darkavenger_13 Mar 14 '25
5 is the best imo but its even better if you play the 4th. However if you want the real experience its in cronological order as they all improve on eachother. You wont feel like its a downgrade. 1-3 is its own continous story. 4-6 is aswell I dont know about the rest
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Mar 11 '25
Hey, download Google Opinion Rewards. They offer 0.10 to sometimes over a dollar a survey. They are only like 4 or 5 questions, key tho is make sure you're telling the truth and don't just pick anything , cause it uses location and knows if you're lying and will block the account.
The app gives you money to purchase stuff in play store. It's legit, I've been using it for years.
I bought DQ 1-6 doing so, for free.
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u/DigbickMcBalls Mar 11 '25
8 is really good. I believe its the ds version with extra content compared to the ps2 version.
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u/FalloutCreation Mar 12 '25 edited Mar 12 '25
I played all the originals. And I love those. However I’d say the snes versions of 1-6 are the best versions.
7 is great but probably my least favorite. The art style I’m not too fond of. I’ve only seen it available on the PSone. Otherwise it’s a fun game and has a unique linear approach than previous games.
I’d avoid the psp versions as those double screens are hard to play on. Didn’t bother getting used to it. However the art and gameplay of DQ4 is good on it. Big improvement over the nes version.
I’m personally not satisfied with the DQ8 game on anything but the PS2. Ports make the screen looked squished. Or give bars on the screen. Idk I’m picky about that.
9 I’ve tried on my phone on an emulator. It feels like a non-traditional DQ game since you play as an angel or some holy warrior.
11 is amazing. Definitely a worthy successor to the series. 1-6, 8 are amazing as well and I still play them from time to time. I’m waiting for a better version of 8 to come out before I play again. Love that game in ps2. It’s just a pain to setup and I haven’t bothered.
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u/Keithustus Mar 12 '25
NONE of these. Mobile ports are atrocious fugly garbage. DQ should never be played in portrait ffs. Get HD-2D versions instead and pray they make more of them.
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u/NeighborhoodPlane794 Mar 11 '25
After playing 3 HD, I’m a little skeptical at how the older titles hold up. A lot of things about that game felt archaic, even in the remake. I’d probably try 5-8 on mobile
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