Exploration
Gaining the ship dramatically opens the world and turns progression into a broad search for routes, crests and clues
3rd generation
Dragon Quest 2
Dragon Quest 2 expands the original into a party adventure with three descendants of Erdrick, ship-based exploration, multi-enemy battles and a much larger world.
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Official release platforms
NESSNESGame Boy ColorWiiNintendo 3DSPlayStation 4Nintendo SwitchNintendo Switch 2PlayStation 5Xbox Series X/SWindowsiOSAndroid
Should you play Dragon Quest 2?
Key strengths: Gaining the ship dramatically opens the world and turns progression into a broad search for routes, crests and clues. A three-character party and groups of enemies make healing, crowd control and party roles far more important than in DQ1.
About 12 hoursA tierTurn-based
How Long to Beat
About 12 hours
Approximate playtime recorded for this entry. Side content, difficulty, play style and version can change the total.
See it in action
Gameplay Gallery
A selective set of official screenshots, favouring exploration, battles and story scenes where available.
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Gameplay · View full image ↗
Gameplay · View full image ↗
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Gameplay · View full image ↗Official media sourceSquare Enix Press Hub ↗
Pros & Considerations
Battles
A three-character party and groups of enemies make healing, crowd control and party roles far more important than in DQ1
Story
The descendants-of-Erdrick structure expands the first game's legacy without abandoning its simple heroic tone
Music
Several field and town themes became long-running series favourites
◇Consider
Difficulty spike: The original late game, especially the road to Rhone, is notoriously punishing
Track improvements and releases
All game updates →Latest Updates
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Best Way to Play
Fabled Cartridge recommended setup
PlayStation 5 / Xbox Series X/S / Nintendo Switch 2 / Nintendo Switch / Windows
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake — Dragon Quest 2
The HD-2D remake is the definitive way to play Dragon Quest 2 today. It keeps the sequel's party-based combat and broad world exploration while substantially improving balance, usability and presentation and adding expanded story material. The original remains worthwhile when you want its much harsher 1987 design.
Pros
Modern HD-2D presentation and interface
Major balance and quality-of-life improvements over the notoriously punishing original
Expanded scenarios and additional content
Available on current consoles and PC
Cons
Rebalancing and expanded content make it a different experience from the 1987 original
Settings / notes
- Play the Dragon Quest 2 chapter in Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake for the default modern experience
- Choose an original-version route below if you specifically want the original difficulty, progression and presentation
Availability
Available digitallyCurrent digital route available
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Compare versions
Version / way to playVersion typeWhat changes
PlayStation 5 / Xbox Series X/S / Nintendo Switch 2 / Nintendo Switch / WindowsRecommendedThe HD-2D remake is the definitive way to play Dragon Quest 2 today. It keeps the sequel's party-based combat and broad world exploration while substantially improving balance, usability and presentation and adding expanded story material. The original remains worthwhile when you want its much harsher 1987 design.
NESOriginalOriginal 1987 release for the authentic difficulty curve and progression. Original hardware or NES emulation such as Mesen is the closest route to that design.
SNES / Game Boy ColorEarlier remakeEarlier official remakes smooth parts of the original while retaining a much more traditional presentation than HD-2D.
Nintendo SwitchClassic-style portThe 2019 classic-style port is a convenient official pre-HD-2D version.
iOS / AndroidMobile portOfficial mobile ports provide a readily accessible classic-style version.
Ready to play this version?See recommended-version buying options →
Buy Here
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SteamDragon Quest · Steam PC
Steam storefront purchase — availability and pricing are localized by Steam for your country.
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¥7,678
Open Steam store ↗SteamDragon Quest · Steam PC
Steam storefront purchase — availability and pricing are localized by Steam for your country.
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NZ$94.95
Open Steam store ↗SteamDragon Quest · Steam PC
Steam storefront purchase — availability and pricing are localized by Steam for your country.
Steam link · non-affiliate.
CA$79.99
Open Steam store ↗SteamDragon Quest · Steam PC
Steam storefront purchase — availability and pricing are localized by Steam for your country.
Steam link · non-affiliate.
$59.99
Open Steam store ↗SteamDragon Quest · Steam PC
Steam storefront purchase — availability and pricing are localized by Steam for your country.
Steam link · non-affiliate.
A$89.95
Open Steam store ↗SteamDragon Quest · Steam PC
Steam storefront purchase — availability and pricing are localized by Steam for your country.
Steam link · non-affiliate.
PLN 249.00
Open Steam store ↗SteamDragon Quest · Steam PC
Steam storefront purchase — availability and pricing are localized by Steam for your country.
Steam link · non-affiliate.
£49.99
Open Steam store ↗SteamDragon Quest · Steam PC
Steam storefront purchase — availability and pricing are localized by Steam for your country.
Steam link · non-affiliate.
€59.99
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