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DS

Dragon Quest IX Set for Summer Release

by Andy Goergen - May 19, 2010, 8:27 am EDT
Total comments: 15 Source: Nintendo Press Release

The Japanese best-seller will hit North America and Europe this July.

Today Nintendo announced the release date of Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies to be July 11 in North America, and July 23 in Europe.

The game, which pits players on an epic role-playing quest, will launch in North America exactly one year after the Japanese game, which launched July 11, 2009. The game has gone on to sell more than four million copies in Japan.

This ninth installment marks a return of the Dragon Quest mainline series to Nintendo platforms. The last brand new game in the Dragon Quest series to appear on a Nintendo platform in North America was Dragon Quest IV on the NES. In Japan, Dragon Quest V and Dragon Quest VI were released for the Super Famicom, then later ported to the Nintendo DS. With Dragon Quest VII, the series moved to the PlayStation platform.

DRAGON QUEST IX: SENTINELS OF THE STARRY SKIES LAUNCHES ON JULY 11

Character Customization, Cooperative Multiplayer Adventuring and an Epic Story Make for a One-of-a-Kind Nintendo DS Experience

REDMOND, Wash., May 19, 2010 - Launching in the United States on July 11, DRAGON QUEST® IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies™ for the Nintendo DS™ family of systems lets players enjoy an adventure that is entirely their own, yet can be shared with others anywhere, anytime. Developed by Square Enix Co., Ltd., this game has already become a phenomenon with players of all ages and backgrounds in Japan, with more than 4.2 million units sold.

Before setting off on their adventure, players can create their own heroes, deciding how they would like their face, hair and clothing to look. As the story unfolds, players become stronger, smarter and more powerful, and can customize companions who join their group. Players will have fun discovering more than 1,000 pieces of clothing, armor, weapons and other items that will provide them with a unique appearance and special abilities. Players can also change the class of their character at any time, choosing from a variety of vocations that will affect their abilities and strengths in the game.

In DRAGON QUEST IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies, players begin their adventure as a city guardian who is sent to retrieve a sacred tree's fruits, which have the power to grant wishes. Players travel the world, conquer fearsome monsters and unravel an epic storyline. During their journey, players will encounter mighty opponents in fast-paced battles, and also interact with a colorful cast of characters.

DRAGON QUEST IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies contains special modes that let players share their adventure with others, allowing up to four players to team up via a local wireless connection and experience the fun of tackling challenging monsters and dungeons cooperatively with their own characters. Players can even leave the game active in their backpacks, pockets or purses and still interact with other players via an interactive "Tag Mode." Information about players' characters can be wirelessly transmitted to others, and treasure maps and customized greetings can be exchanged automatically by players who come within range of one another when their games are set to Tag Mode.

Players looking to enjoy a variety of different game activities can take on special side quests. Some of these quests will be earned by progressing through the game, while additional quests will be made available for free download for players with broadband Internet access after the game launches, providing hours of additional content for virtual adventurers to enjoy either on their own or with friends. Some downloadable quests will continue the main storyline of the game, while others offer standalone missions.

"DRAGON QUEST IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies is one of the biggest games ever to hit Nintendo DS, with an incredible amount of content for every kind of player to enjoy," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "This new game has all of the elements of an instant classic: customization options, a great story, and the ability to share a nearly limitless experience with friends."

For more information about DRAGON QUEST IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies, please visit dragonquest.nintendo.com.

Talkback

NinGurl69 *hugglesMay 19, 2010

This is a real 3rd Party project.

Not Monster Hunter.

vuduMay 19, 2010

I'm so disappointed the game doesn't include online multiplayer.  Why the Hell did it take a year for the localization if they didn't add anything?

Multiplayer in this game is now effectively out-of-reach for 90% of the people who might otherwise buy this game.

NinGurl69 *hugglesMay 19, 2010

Gamers, 90% of you don't have friends.

vuduMay 19, 2010

Gamers, 90% of you don't have friends who meet all of the following requirements.

1)  live nearby
2)  play video games
3)  own a DS
4)  plan to purchase a copy of Dragon Quest IX
5)  have the same schedule as you
6)  are willing to devote numerous hours to playing the game with you in the same room as they are

NinGurl69 *hugglesMay 19, 2010

Gamers, vudu is 90% not your friend.

vuduMay 19, 2010

Forumers, ProDaisy trolls 90% of the time.

Quote from: vudu

Forumers, ProDaisy trolls 90% of the time.

Agreed.

Nice to see this FINALLY announced.  But you're right Vudu, the multiplayer component of this is extremely Japan-centric, where people are more apt to gather in public areas for multiplayer gaming (see: Hunter, Monster).

NinGurl69 *hugglesMay 19, 2010

Quote from: NWR_Lindy

Quote from: vudu

Forumers, ProDaisy trolls 90% of the time.

Agreed.

Nice to see this FINALLY announced.

BnM posted the ProDaisy announcement some 17 weeks ago in the main forum topic.  NWR's slow with the news, as usual.

Quote from: NinGurl69

Quote from: NWR_Lindy

Quote from: vudu

Forumers, ProDaisy trolls 90% of the time.

Agreed.

Nice to see this FINALLY announced.

BnM posted the ProDaisy announcement some 17 weeks ago in the main forum topic.  NWR's slow with the news, as usual.

When he's this good, you've just got to let the man work. He's raised the bar for trolling for the entire Internet, and I for one am proud that he chooses our forum to display his talent.

Mop it upMay 19, 2010

The first new Dragon Warrior since IV on NES... and despite the name change, it still plays exactly the same!

AzagthothMay 19, 2010

JULY! Argghh, the liars at Gamestop just took my preorder and told me the First of June.

Quote from: NinGurl69

BnM posted the ProDaisy announcement some 17 weeks ago in the main forum topic.  NWR's slow with the news, as usual.

Keep it up man, keep it up.

Mop it upMay 19, 2010

Looks like Lindy's driving force is to win NinGurl69*huggles approval. That'll keep him plenty busy for years to come.

NinGurl69 *hugglesMay 19, 2010

Excluding online play is pretty disastrous.  Really, how else can you enable all those Pokemon players "getting together to play" without a robust online mode?  How could Nintendo's handhelds survive the past decade without it?

PeachylalaMay 19, 2010

Bad Answer: Slime just isn't as robust and cute as Pikachu?

<=/

Quote from: Mop

The first new Dragon Warrior since IV on NES... and despite the name change, it still plays exactly the same!

Will probably sell the same too.

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