40 Years of Dragon Quest: 4Gamer Plays Six Versions of the First Game
The feature offers a concrete, playthrough-based look at how one foundational RPG has evolved across four decades of hardware and design trends, using the same game as a fixed reference point.
Reporting from 1 sources: 4Gamer.net.
On May 27, 2026, the 40th anniversary of the original Dragon Quest's release on the Famicom, 4Gamer.net published a feature comparing six versions of Dragon Quest I: the Famicom original, its Super Famicom remake, the Game Boy port, a feature phone version, a smartphone app version, and the latest HD-2D remake. The article examines how each iteration reflects the technology and design philosophy of its era, from the Famicom's sparse but deliberate tutorial design to the HD-2D version's modern presentation.
On the 40th anniversary of the original Dragon Quest's release, 4Gamer.net published a detailed comparison of six versions of Dragon Quest I, from the 1986 Famicom original to the 2024 HD-2D remake. The piece plays each version to its ending and catalogs how the same basic story and systems changed across platforms.
The Famicom version, released on May 27, 1986, was an original RPG for the system, not a port, and stood out in a market dominated by action and shooting games. Its tutorial at the start of the game, teaching basic commands like talking and item use, was advanced for its time. The combat is always one-on-one, and many spells that later became series staples-Hoimi, Gira-already appear here. The article notes the game's balance is harsh by modern standards: the player starts nearly helpless, gold and experience from early enemies are scarce, and crossing the bridge into harder territory without warning can lead to quick death.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.