Dragon Quest VII Gets Reimagined For Switch And Switch 2 In Early 2026

I was pumped about this. My favorite Dragon Quest game.

This looks so good, my most anticipated game from the Direct.

This will be my second time trying to finish this 100 hour monster. Always loved it but it just went on and on!

Why can’t I get a (another) remake of 4 and 6? That being said I hope this has all the 3DS content because I didn’t finish that. Also has it not been long enough yet to redo 9?

Verdict: Buying. I own 2 versions of this game and still haven’t beat it. Chop Chop.

Hopefully they reimagine that intro lol

This is a bat ***** insane reveal. Time to spend 400 hours on the soon to be three versions of DQVII

Okay, but why 7 again? Is it just for the pun? Cause I remember 8 and 5 being WAY bigger.

I have this on 3DS but never finished it. Looking forward to playing this version. And that ending theme of the intro music gave me chills again as usual.

Sooooo much Dragon quest!

I don't think i need another JRPG in my forever backlog but I thought this looked great.

what happened to the "Fragments of the Forgotten Past" subtitle? I thought they loved to give these things as long-winded titles as possible

Beaten the 3ds one years ago. Looks like I'm going to replay it again lol

By far the coolest thing from the direct

II don't know why, but I kinda hate that it looks like that.

I get it's honouring the original artsyle, but we already had a remake doing that on the 3DS.

I also hate that I'm still going to be playing it again.

The worst entry in the series gets a remake

This is hands down my favorite of the series so PUMPED

It looks really good.
Glad the series is getting more love while we wait for 12.

Unfortunately, still not enough to convince me to get a Switch 2 but it'll add to a nice shopping list when I do.

The Dragon Quest game with the weirdest, ugliest-looking characters is getting a full 3D remake!

Anyhow, I almost finished this on 3DS, but didn't quite manage it. Assuming it's a Game-Key Card, I'll definitely pick this new version up on the eShop once it's 50% off.

Maybe I'll actually finish it this time. Third times the charm, right?

So did anyone else thought this was a new DQ builders game or was it just me?

Absolutely massive unexpected remake. I'm so excited to relive DQ 7! I really enjoyed it on the 3DS.

@Greatluigi no, i thought the same thing until they brought up exploring islands

@Greatluigi I definitely thought it was Builders 3 but I forgot what the series was called, just knew they were up to 3. That considered it could have been Monsters or Jokers or whatever, so many DQ spinoff games.

I've only played 8 and 11, both great, so considering this. Also considering 1, 2 & 3 but I don't like 2D HD, much prefer this graphics style.

Edit: My mistake, I was thinking Heroes 3, not builders. Though now that I think about it I may have been confusing the 2 spinoff series, I thought World Tree Woe was Builders. So. Many. Games.

I'd recognize Akira Toriyama's art style anywhere. I figured it was going to be another Dragon Quest game. Even though I have a passing interest in the series, I have no idea where to start.

Do not like the character design for this.

They all look terrifying.

Also a lot of people gonna be missing out on a lot of games unless they accept Game Key Cards are a thing (or just go digital).

@RupeeClock

When have Nintendo ever included prices in Directs?

Sigh...that's the description tagline you're going with, Nintendo Life? The game looks absolutely INCREDIBLE, but you're choosing to highlight that it's a key card? That's so sad, what happened to you guys... Please get back to focusing on games and gameplay, instead of just feeding the rage topics. Maybe it's just time for me to look elsewhere for Nintendo things.

Key Card...

Nevermind.

@AstroTheGamosian The one that looks most interesting to you, they don't really have any significant connections to each other.
They all look and play very alike, but take place in their own worlds and typically have something unique to offer.
Fan favorites are III, V, VIII, & XI but you can't go wrong with any of them.
DQI & especially DQII can be a little hard to get into nowadays, so maybe wait on next month's remake if you want to start from the start.

PS5 version, it is, then.

This was remade not long ago... Seems odd.

So gaming is gonna be stuck in an eternal loop with remake of remastered of reimaginated of remixed games? Wtf.

They used to crank out amazing scenarios with genuinely fun gameplay for a whole decade and now suddenly nobody’s talented enough to craft fresh, enjoyable stories? Sure, they still release new JRPGs, but they’re nowhere near the same pace or quality as the classics, both story wise and gameplay wise imo.

that's a strong art style. I love hd2d but i'm glad we're still getting unique looking remakes outside of it.

Why 7? The Key-Card I've just learned to wait for the PS5 version if at all; but why remake 7 AGAIN?

Well, I’m going to get this on the Switch 2 no matter what… it might be digital, but I have other DQ games physically. I understand the hurdles Madden, NBA 2K and Star Wars Outlaws could have with a game card, but is this one really need the bandwidth of the MicroSD Express or internal storage? From what I’ve seen on the Direct, it could run on a 64GB card…? Right?

Looks like a usual good Dragon Quest game! Definitely passing on it since I'm already busy enough with XI though. Also really disappointing that it's on a Game Key Card.

@abe_hikura I hate that I've had the PS1 original for years and never found to give a good playthrough. I ought to do that one of these days.

Missed out on the 3DS redo, but maybe I'll dip into this one down the road.

Oh, and "Game Key Card. Grrrr..." and all that while shaking fist before moving on with my day.

Can't say no to more Dragon Quest games, I don't know what it is about this series but every game is just a joy to play.

@Zeebor15
To bring it to more platforms, likely. The first remake was only released on 3DS+Mobile.

This was second biggest surprise for me. I’m already sold. Looking forward to this visual feast big time.

Looks and sounds very charming!

Steam and Switch version for me.

Preordered the collector's edition on PS5. Key cards suck.

@nin10doom Nintendo Everything is more neutral (they still talk about game key cards because clicks but they aren’t as bad) and sometimes faster than NL.

@nin10doom Please do. At least Nintendo Life has the courage to point out how ridiculous Nintendo's practices are this generation.

I'd rather have that than complete silence over Nintendo driving the final nail on the physical media coffin.

It's a damn shame too, DQVII is a fantastic game. I'll wait for the inevitable PS5 version.

@Dimjimmer But why not PORT that instead like Ace Attorney and Dream Drop Distance. Why remake everything from scratch, when that money could be going GEX 4?

Also, editor person, a version for Xbox and Base Switch (with actual 7 gig cartridge) has been confirmed

I'll get this on Switch the same way as Dragon Quest 1&2.

@Zeebor15
Maybe it wouldn't scale well to 4K monitors, who knows. It's not like Square Enix is consistent with what they port and what they remake (see Star Ocean 1 and 2).

I'm glad this isn't a HD-2D game. The trend has started to worn off for me.

@Kingy Part of me wanted to try Dragon Quest Swords, a spinoff game from the main series. Mainly because I developed a bit of a crush on Fleurette when I saw her in an article for the game that ran in an issue of Nintendo Power. But I never got the game.

Might pick it up someday on Switch when I am done with DQ 10 (I have yet to start).

Wonder if 11 is still in the works.

Looks like DQ series is going GKC....

@Pat_trick @Ryu_Niiyama Thanks so much for the suggestion! I love NintendoLife and have followed them for years. I guess I'm just burnt out on the negativity these kinds of topics create. I'd probably have to just leave the internet though to get away from it, lol. Thanks again!

I really want this to be good. The 3ds version looks good on the surface but is a horribly paced game and "ruined" a lot of the pacing of the ps1 version. (Mostly just because cutting the amount of time for the job system made most later boss fights trivial. But the ps1's combat is also much slower so there's definitely some loss there as well.) I love the character designs for this entry though, and while the teeth bothered me at first, I got used to it quickly, definitely some kind of Wallace and Gromit energy though. It looks like they have "reimagined" the islands, or at least parts of them? Looking forward to the idea, but I just want Ruff to actually be a useful character rather than someone I wish I could backline.
Just make it good

@AstroTheGamosian Swords goes for under $20 on eBay if you have a Wii. It's not great but not bad either. It does a well enough job combining Dragon Quest mechanics with a rail shooter (more like an on rails hack & slash).
And yeah Fleurette definitely made me feel things back when I played it in middle school lol, she has an excellent design.
Give it a shot.

@Dimjimmer Star Ocean keeps getting remakes because tri-Ace needs the work. Yhis looks like... Tose. Maybe this is meant to be an easy make-up for the flop of Foamstars. (and I liked Foamstars)

My favorite DQ game! Day 1 buy for me.

Reason has been given for why the game has been re-made again: so they can make it SHORTER https://x.com/Chad_Concelmo/status/1966508250645332301

7 is an interesting choice. I mean, I like that one, but hm. 5 really deserves this level of treatment imo

@PinderSchloss since this remake will have a streamlined experience, dont expect the same amount of hours

I. Knew. It.

I bought the damn DS version last week!

I definitely want this, but it'll be awhile before I grab it. For one thing, I played Dragon Quest VII on the 3DS within the last few years. Plus, I have two mainline Dragon Quest games backlogged + a couple spinoffs. AND Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake releases next month.

This is a massive game, but very much worth playing for any Dragon Quest fan IMO. However, I'd recommend other entries for a series first timer before diving into this one.

The worst of the series, this game never ends and not in a good way. I’ll give everyone a heads up, when the old geezer is forced into your party, level him up as for some reason you are forced to play as him.

@nin10doom I'm not abandoning ship just yet but agree, the key card obsession got stale a long time ago.

Are we going to have this for the next 5-10 years as a theme on the road to all digital?

I'm here just to enjoy the games. Whatever the media. Im sticking with my hobby.

@poyo_pie I actually want them to restore the intro from the PS1 original. They dumbed it down and took out all the puzzles in the 3DS remake. Baffling decision to me, because aside from that I prefer the 3DS version in every way!

is this reimagined of the game made easier? i hope not i enjoyed this game for the incredible length it took me forever to finish it on the ps1 back in the day.

this game is also coming to switch 1 so if you want a physical copy you can get it..

@NicolausCamp I think 3-4 hours of no combat is a boring way to start a JRPG

Another pathetic Square Enix release on a Game-Key Card on Switch 2. Probably no upgrade path either, like with Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D and Octopath Traveler 0.

I'll stick with the 3DS version. Though I might consider the Switch 1 physical once it hits 50% off. Never gonna buy Square Enix games at full price again unless they change their ways.

And I guess they'll pull the ugly "no upgrade from Switch 1 edition available" move again, right?

Anyway, great game, in my Top 3 in the series, beat it on 3DS and I guess I could do it again, but in a few more years.

@progx This absolutely does not need fast memory bandwidth. It's an old-school turn-based JRPG with a top-down camera. This is just Square Enix cheaping out on a real physical cartridge to save money.

Beat this back on the PS1 when it first came out, got the 3DS version as well. It's not my favorite entry, but it's cool that it's getting a remake. Personally I'd love to see 4-6 get the remake treatment (or at least get rereleased even if it's the DS ports).

It seems like this is the most hit or miss entry in the franchise. Least from what I've heard on Reddit. The people who love it REALLY love it. But those who hate it really despise it. I never played it back in the day but the mixed response to it sorta scares me off. Considering this is based on the 3DS Remake, which apparently made some major changes, does that make it more enjoyable?

I still never got around to playing my 3ds copy. I think I'll try that first. This was the only announcement in the entire direct that excited me.

i still have my original ps1version of the game..

@Scposteel they will and will be hd-2d versions i think..

Never played a Dragon Quest game, so will be getting this.

@ecco6t9
Apparently a bunch of this version has been reworked to streamline the pacing among a bunch of other changes (i imagine thats why they went with "reimagined" aside from just being a fancier name for remake)

Not sure on the extent of it but it feels like those who found the whole thing too long and meandering may enjoy it more this time wheres some fans of the original may be dissapointed depending on how they felt about the pacing (i know some found the more cut-down intro of the 3ds release took away from some of the atmosphere in that part)

I am a fan of the DQ series & I loved 7 on the 3DS but that was already a remake. So why remake it yet again? TBH with you I would have preferred a Switch 2 version of 5, 8 or 9 if they were going down this road. That would have been amazing.

Having said all that, dagnamit, I think I'll probably eventually download this as I am a DQ fan, as I said.

Ugh - another GKC, someone kill me!
My PS5 library's gonna be stacked.

Either Switch 1 or PS5 copy I guess. Square man there is NO way this is larger than 64gb even in Unreal engine. Square you suck.

i don't think i will ever beat this game in my mortal life