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Dragon Quest IX Out in July in North America, Europe

How many more slimes will have to die?!

By Matt Kessler  |  May 20, 2010


 You're so adorable, but I need what's inside you! I need your XP bad!
 You're so adorable, but I need what's inside you! I need your XP bad!
Let's keep this story short-ish and sweet-esque: Nintendo has announced that Square Enix's RPG sensation, Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies, is set to come to the States on July 12 and Europe on July 23. Japan has been enjoying the ninth entry in the venerable Dragon Quest franchise since last July, so there was some speculation about whether the DS game would show up in English at all. I mean, some people were speculating. I was speculating. I like to speculate. I'm a speculator.
 
Actually, one possible reason that it took Square Enix so long to bring the game to the States is because...well, they aren't bringing the game to the States. Back in February, Square Enix announced that Nintendo would be publishing Dragon Quest IX in those places where people speak English, French, Spanish, German, and Queen's English. It's possible that the distribution deal pushed the U.S release back some time. Or maybe Square Enix doesn't like money.
 
(I have it on good authority that Square Enix does, in fact, like money. I can't tell you how I know that. Just trust me.)
 
Oh, and Square Enix recently announced its sales numbers for the March 2009 to March 2010 fiscal year, and Dragon Quest IX was the second best-selling game the company released, with 4.2 million copies sold in Japan. That's more copies in one region than Batman: Arkham Asylum, the third best-selling game Square Enix released in that same time period, sold in the entire world.
 
So, there you go. Slime beats Batman. 
 
Check out some new screens from the game! 
 
 
Are you looking forward to Dragon Quest IX's summer release?
Filed under: Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
37 Comments
GoatStatikon May 20, 2010 at 10:40 a.m.
Wow neat!
JBirdon May 20, 2010 at 10:40 a.m.

looks good!
poseron May 20, 2010 at 10:40 a.m.
No!
Lilarcoron May 20, 2010 at 10:44 a.m.
I've heard very good things from people who have imported the Japanese version, so I'll probably pick this game up eventually. Probably not at the 40 dollar price point they'll inevitably charge, although maybe since Nintendo's publishing we'll be spared the Squeenix Tax.
bcjohnnieon May 20, 2010 at 10:46 a.m.
I've played a few of the Dragon Quest / Warrior games (working on IV and V on the DS right now) and I have to say I find them waaay more interesting and compelling than the Final Fantasy games (at least the recent ones... I didn't play that series before VII).
 
DQ has always been fairly stripped down JRPG fare from a gameplay perspective, still regular-ass turn based combat, but the music, the characters, and the enemies have always been a lot of fun... I'm looking forward to this one (although I wish it was on PS3 or 360 instead).
needforswedeon May 20, 2010 at 10:47 a.m.
ehhh I have nothing to say
c0mb1neon May 20, 2010 at 10:55 a.m.
I'm excited to see this finally come out in the states!
Sparky_Buzzsawon May 20, 2010 at 10:56 a.m.

Matt Kessler, I like the cut of your jib!  A tip of the hat.
Tsukiyomion May 20, 2010 at 10:57 a.m.
*sigh* Persona 3 Portable AND Dragon Quest IX in July? I'm going to be spending more time on portable systems during the summer than ever before.
dvorakon May 20, 2010 at 11:07 a.m.
You've got a good editorial style, but quit trying so hard.
JJOR64on May 20, 2010 at 11:10 a.m.
About time.  :P          I'm sad that they aren't using the Japanese boxart.   :(
skrutopon May 20, 2010 at 11:12 a.m.
I really liked Dragon Quest 8 (Hey, I even wrote a review on it).  However, I have no desire to revisit the franchise.  I felt like DQ8 gave me a good appreciation for classic JRPGs.  But I don't want to play them again.
auspiciousqueueon May 20, 2010 at 11:24 a.m.
More DQ titles on the DS makes me happy. Thanks for the info.
InsanePotatoon May 20, 2010 at 11:25 a.m.
Thanks for the news Matt
Scrawnto is online on May 20, 2010 at 12:30 p.m.
"Disturbin' turban"? Alright, my interest is piqued.
Robitton May 20, 2010 at 12:38 p.m.
I'm what you might call a Dragon Quest-virgin. Maybe I'll let this game pop my cherry.
 
Ugh.. So sorry for that.
Milkmanon May 20, 2010 at 2:14 p.m.
Looks way "J" and way "RPG". Hence, I'm probably not interested.
Driadonon May 20, 2010 at 2:20 p.m.
FUCKING FINALLY! Dragon Quest always seems to push my buttons in the right way, but I am by no means a big enough japanophile to import the original and play without understanding a single word.
July will be a happy month.
shamanickon May 20, 2010 at 2:36 p.m.
Hooray! July 12 is my birthday.  No better present than DQIX :D
KingOfIcelandon May 20, 2010 at 2:38 p.m.
Finally. Square sure took their sweet time (as always)

Dig Deeper into Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies

The most recent installment of the "Dragon Quest" franchise debuts exclusively on the DS. It features 4 player co-op and turn-based combat.

US Release Date: July 11, 2010

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