Other DQ Day Announcements Include DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Withered World, DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and New In-Game Events for DRAGON QUEST Smash/Grow
SYDNEY (May 28, 2026) – Every year on May 27, SQUARE ENIX celebrates DRAGON QUEST Day (DQ Day), which is the date the original DRAGON QUEST game launched in Japan in 1986. To celebrate this year’s DQ Day, which is the milestone 40th anniversary of the DRAGON QUESTseries, SQUARE ENIX made several announcements about upcoming games.
DRAGON QUEST XII: Beyond Dreams: DRAGON QUEST XII underwent a restart in development under a new structure, with its title changed from DRAGON QUEST XII: The Flames of Fate to DRAGON QUEST XII: Beyond Dreams. Alongside this change, the game’s logo has also been completely refreshed. To accompany this announcement, messages from Yuji Horii, game designer, and Yosuke Saito, executive producer, have been released, along with in-development gameplay footage.
Watch the video and hear directly from the creators here:
DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Withered World: The newest addition to the DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS series, DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Withered World is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, XBOX Series X|S and PC via Steam and Windows. The title follows dual protagonists Bianca and Nera, famously from DRAGON QUEST V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride.
Watch the DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Withered World teaser trailer here:
DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age: The critically acclaimed DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on Sept. 24. Enjoy all the features of the previous DRAGON QUEST XI S release, as well as a new feature that allows players to choose between two display modes, which prioritize graphics or performance (frame rate). Pre-orders for the game begin May 28. For more information, visit https://www.square-enix-games.com/en_US/games/dragon-quest-xi.
Watch the DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age trailer here:
DRAGON QUEST Smash/Grow: In celebration of Dragon Quest Day, players can take part in a limited-time campaign featuring a range of in-game events and rewards. Highlights include the co-op battle event “Drive Back the Dragonlord’s Army,” the opportunity to obtain Princess Gwaelin’s exclusive equipment and a special DQ Anniversary Login Bonus offering up to 1,000 free Gems. Additionally, the DRAGON QUEST I collaboration remains ongoing, providing players with even more content to explore. Players can download the game now on the App Store and Google Play store.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of DRAGON QUEST, SQUARE ENIX also released a new illustration which pays homage to iconic characters that have defined the DRAGON QUESTseries.
Additionally, SQUARE ENIX also announced on DQ Day that the recently released and critically acclaimed DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake and DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake, which tell the tale of the Edrick Trilogy, have now sold a combined 4 million globally.
First released in 1986, DRAGON QUEST stands as a pioneer in the role-playing game genre and has spawned a critically acclaimed global phenomenon franchise with 11 main series titles, many spin-off games, and a host of films, anime, novels, manga and merchandise. The DRAGON QUEST series has continued to shape the role-playing genre as the gold standard for turn-based combat, story-driven exploration, stirring visuals, stunning soundtracks and player-friendly design. Decades later, it remains one of the most approachable and enduring series in all of gaming. Earlier this month, the original DRAGON QUEST game was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame.
About Square Enix, Inc.
Ranked as the #1 Publisher of the Year in 2025 by Metacritic.
Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX and TAITO branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 209 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST, which has sold over 97 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
More information on Square Enix, Inc. can be found at https://square-enix-games.com
About DRAGON QUEST
DRAGON QUEST is a legendary series of role-playing games created by Yuji Horii and beloved by millions both in Japan and around the world. The first DRAGON QUEST was released in 1986, and the game made its US debut in 1989 as DRAGON WARRIOR. The critically acclaimed series has shipped more than 97 million units worldwide, spanning 11 main series titles, many spin-off games, as well as films, anime, novels, manga, merchandise and more. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the wildly popular DRAGON QUEST franchise holds various Guinness World Records including “Longest-Running Japanese RPG Series.”
The visionaries behind the series, Creator and Game Designer Yuji Horii, Character Designer Akira Toriyama (creator of Dragon Ball) and composer Koichi Sugiyama, have long enchanted newcomers and long-time fans alike, with each new entry in the franchise comprising charming visuals, enthralling storylines, and captivating music. The latest instalment, DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of An Elusive Age, was released to much critical acclaim, winning the Metacritic Must-Play game award and becoming Metacritic’s “#2 Best Switch Game of 2019” and “#3 Best PS4 Game of 2020.” It has shipped nearly 9 million units globally to date.
