Dragon Quest IX is going to be on...

Nintendo DS?

I don't like this.

I mean, it makes perfect sense from a business standpoint. Nintendo DS has already established a huge following so the success of the platform (as in, whether or not PS3 or Wii sell well) will basically be irrelevant. On the DS, instant sales are basically guaranteed.

But from a gamer's standpoint, this decision has me floored. DQVIII prided itself with a huge, sprawling, fully 3-D world. In fact, the exploration aspect was the best part about it. I love the DS, but there is simply no way in hell you can replicate that much beauty on it.

Of course, that's not to say the game won't be great. DQI-VII all provided addictive, quality gameplay on hardware even more limited than the DS. Also, Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker attempts to emulate DQVIII's graphical style on the DS and does quite well. It looks quite blocky and nowhere near as gorgeous, but it works.

In the end, though, this is going to be a definite step back for a series that was really starting to show its colours. It's still going to be a great game, but I would have preferred to see it on a console. Not only will the overall presentation suffer a bit, but I just can't see myself enjoying it as much on such a small screen.

This is also going to put a damper on the declaration of an "J-RPG console" this generation. If it had appeared on the XBox 360, for instance, even though that console sells terribly in Japan, there's no doubt in my mind that it would have become commonplace in many Japanese homes had DQIX been released on it. DQ is Japan's biggest RPG franchise, and whereever it goes, other Japanese RPG developers go.

EDIT: Okay, the leap to the DS is now officially the least of my worries. It has been announced that the game will be an action-RPG, effectively switching tge genre of a franchise that has prided itself with its classic turn-based RPG gameplay for years. Not only is this bad news to me, but it's also just plain weird. I'd be fine with a little battle system refinement, but I'm sorry, turning DQ into an action-RPG completely ruins the point. If this was a spin-off I wouldn't be complaining at all, but this is a main series title and, like I said, the DQ series is supposed to provide old school RPG gameplay. I don't like this one bit.

Here's the logo and some screenshots:
Logo
Screenshot #1
Screenshot #2

Source: GAF

Am I the only one who thinks DQM:J looks better? And is that logo a mango?

I'm still getting over the shock of all this. There's no doubt in my mind that Yuji Horii and the gang will deliver and I'll love this game regardless, but all this news is just plain weird and it's a lot to take in for a lifelong DQ fan like myself. I'll get over it eventually, but for now this all sounds like an April Fool's joke come five months early.

EDIT Again: More screens...
Screenshot #1
Screenshot #2

Edit #3: Gameplay video

The game's graphic stlye looks a little cartoony. They should've done it more similar to FF III, the graphics were pretty decent and weren't that blocky. This on the other hand looks a little worse.

Graphically it would've been a better game on the PSP! It should've been on the PSP. Of course the DS is taking off faster so. I can see why the decision was made. But Sqaure still has it's Sony support by pretty strong.

That's....ridiculous. As said, it's one thing to put a side game on a handheld, but the next main game? Ridiculous. Either way, I think it only means we'll see DQX even faster. This might be simply to tide us over.

My biggest worry though is how are they going to fit a full scale huge 80 hour plus RPG onto a handheld? With the memory limitations as they CURRENTLY are, they cannot, without giving up a fair amount of things.

And the action RPG gameplay? Can you say first blunder the DQ series has ever seen from it's fans? Eh. It better be full blown and fantastic.

Keep in mind that one day it may be possible for 2 gig DS carts to exist- SD cards anyone?

Had it simply been on the DS I probably would've been fine, The DQ games have always gone to the system that has sold the best, in this case that's the DS.

However, I'm...nervous about them making it an Action RPG, if for no other reason then I want a good, turn based, J-RPG to be released for a modern Nintendo system at some point.

I tought it seemed like a great game at first. The grafics aint that bad, not for a Nintendo DS game, as a matter of fact, I like them! But now that you found out that it was an action rpg... well... seems like a step in the wrong direction for me too. Seems like they want to create a new chrystal chronicles. I like the ablility to go online with Wi-Fi though.

I've sort of gotten over it now. I'm feeling more of a "WOOT New DQ GAME WOOTz!!!" feeling than anything. I too, actually love the graphics. Though I still wish the DS did higher res.

I'm with you. I was shocked and appalled and all that good stuff yesterday, but now I can't wait to hear more. Deep down I'd love for it to be turn-based, but meh. There's no doubt in my mind that it will be really fun. And bringing a DQ game with me on the bus and on trips and such will be awesome.

And the fact that it's almost done and might be out in a few months has me really excited. Hopefully there'll be some new information and media at Jump Fiesta on Saturday.

And the multiplayer mode seems to be like a mini MMORPG over WiFi. Slime, if there ends up being some greatness to it, as S-E is making it sound, it would be awesome to play together and be in the same party.

Edit: Better Trailer.

Damn, that trailer was awesome! After seeing that all my doubts are gone. For serious. I can't wait for it to come out.

And, most definitely! Taking out Slimes and Drackies in multiplayer sounds like my kind of game.

New Scan.

So now they're saying it's going to be turn based again. Ok. Cool, I guess, though I was excited for something new. But look at the latest screens. Those graphics are amazing.

But for the full story: Source.

Dragon Quest IX Battle System Revealed
Contrary to previous reports, game retains turn-based combat system.
By Yoshi Sato, 04/25/2007
The latest issue of Weekly Shonen Jump reveals that the combat system of Dragon Quest IX for the DS will retain the traditional turn-based system as opposed to a more action-oriented one suggested in earlier reports.

Enemies will be visible on the field, and players will enter into battle once in contact with them. Like Dragon Quest VIII, the battle will be presented in 3D with players selecting commands for attacking enemies, casting spells and others. In the case of multiplayer, each of the players will select commands for their characters shown at the bottom part of the screen.

Dragon Quest IX will also be the first time players can customize their appearance including physical features such as your height, weight, face, hair as well as your costume. It is not yet known whether the costumes will be dependent on the class you have selected.

Scheduled for a 2007 release, Dragon Quest IX: Protectors of the Starry Sky for the DS will be featured at the Square-Enix Party event next month in Japan.

Creating your own character looks pretty awesome. Eh. This is probably the one and only guaranteed to be fantastic RPG for the DS. Can't wait!

This is what I bet happened: This was originally planned as a spinoff with the action RPG battle system, but then the business decision came down from on high that the DS needed the next main game. So they renamed it DQIX, and when they first revealed this they hadn't had a chance to change the battle system. Then they decided to retool the battle system to match the main series.

Voila. You have the game that's shaping to be DQIX. And it's quite a beautiful one.

Originally Posted by Mr. Wonderful

And the multiplayer mode seems to be like a mini MMORPG over WiFi. Slime, if there ends up being some greatness to it, as S-E is making it sound, it would be awesome to play together and be in the same party.

Edit: Better Trailer.

I felt like I was watching a trailer for the next big blockbuster, not a game.

It looks impressive, I think I'll wait for the reviews though.

Wow, thanks for that Mr. Wonderful! It looks great. I can't wait!

Though they should have changed the battle system back when I completely hated it. I was starting to warm up to the idea.