Dragon Quest I & II (Japan)

This is a Game Boy Color port of the Super Famicom remake of Dragon Quest I and II, two of the earliest Japanese RPGs ever made. Originally released on the NES by Enix in the mid-80s, these games were completely overhauled for the 16-bit system in 1993, with improved graphics, sound, and gameplay tweaks. That enhanced version then made its way to the Game Boy Color in 1999, but only in Japan. So if you're picking this up, you're getting a beautifully condensed version of the first two entries in a legendary series, complete with updated visuals and a more polished dungeon crawl. In Dragon Quest I, you control a lone hero tasked with defeating the Dragonlord and rescuing the princess. It's a straightforward, single-character RPG where you explore an overworld, talk to townsfolk for clues, buy equipment, and battle monsters in turn-based fights. Dragon Quest II expands things dramatically, introducing a small party of three heroes, a larger world map, and more complex dungeons. The core loop is the same: wander from town to town, grind for levels and gold, and follow the story by finding key items and speaking with NPCs. The port faithfully recreates the Super Famicom version's balance and presentation. For retro RPG fans, this is a neat way to experience the Dawn of Dragon Quest on a handheld, but be warned: the game is entirely in Japanese, menus and all. That's a significant barrier if you don't read the language. However, if you know the games already or are okay with some trial-and-error navigation, this compilation offers a solid, polished take on two foundational titles. It's not the most accessible entry point, but it rewards patience with classic turn-based combat and a genuine sense of adventure that defined the genre.

Controls

• Arrow Keys = D-Pad
• X = A button (jump/confirm)
• S = B button (run/attack/cancel)
• Z = Y button
• A = X button
• Q = L shoulder
• E = R shoulder
• Enter = Start
• V = Select

To start, load the ROM and press Start (Enter) on the title screen. The main menu is in Japanese, but the first option is usually 'New Game' (the second is 'Continue' if you have a save). Once inside, you'll find yourself in a small town. Talk to everyone by approaching them and pressing the A button (X key). The king gives you the initial quest; your first goal is to buy a weapon and some armor from the shop, then head out to fight slimes and gain a couple of levels. The core loop is classic Dragon Quest: explore towns for hints, equip the best gear you can afford, and grind battles until you're strong enough to tackle the next dungeon. Since the menu text is in Japanese, you may need to memorize item names by their icons or use a guide. The game uses battery saves, so you can save at any church (the building with a bell icon) by talking to the priest and selecting the second option. Can players save progress in Dragon Quest I & II? Save data is written to the cartridge's battery-backed RAM. To save, visit a church or save point in town, speak to the priest, and choose the save option (typically the second choice in the dialogue menu). The game retains saves on the cartridge without a password system. Which regions was Dragon Quest I & II released in? This Game Boy Color version was released exclusively in Japan. The original NES versions came to North America under the Dragon Warrior name, but the SNES and GBC remakes never saw an official release outside Japan. Is Dragon Quest I & II exclusive to Game Boy Color or did it appear on other systems? The compilation first appeared on the Super Famicom in 1993, then was ported to the Game Boy Color in 1999. The individual NES originals were also released separately on various platforms via re-releases and compilations, but the specific 'Dragon Quest I & II' package as a single cart is primarily associated with the SNES and GBC.