Dragon Quest IX to be DS exclusive

[JKTrix]

It was announced today in Japan that the next numbered Dragon Quest game will be a DS exclusive. It will be made by Level 5, who did the last Dragon Quest, as well as Dark Cloud and the upcoming Shirokishi/White Night Story for the PS3.

This was a pretty surprising move, but it actually makes a lot of sense. DS is probably the biggest and most accessible platform in Japan, and Dragon Quest is the biggest game there. Why not make it available for the system with the largest userbase? Developing a DS game I'm sure isn't as expensive as developing on a bigger system, and the revenue is almost guaranteed with this game on the DS. As if Nintendo really needed another 'megaton' over there.

It will also have multiplayer battles, though whether or not it will use the Nintendo WiFi Connection is not confirmed. They're hoping to have it on shelves (in Japan) in 2007.

GoogleTranslated Press Release (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.famitsu.com%2Fgame%2Fnews%2F2006%2F12%2F12%2F103%2C1165907676%2C64336%2 C0%2C0.html&langpair=ja%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF8)
1up.com's story in real English (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3155838)

Both links have the same 2 pictures of the game.

And here's a video
http://www.gamebrink.com/news/735-Dragon_Quest_IX_First_Gameplay_Footage.html

[Flying Mullet]

Man, because FFIII and now this, I have to buy a DS. :(

[Bunny]

Ugh. I will buy it but I will not like buying it. The DS annoys the hell out of me. I just can't get used to the damn thing.

[RiseToFall]

I don't have a DS:(

[JKTrix]

Ugh. I will buy it but I will not like buying it. The DS annoys the hell out of me. I just can't get used to the damn thing.

It will grow on you :P It might be how you're holding it. If you hold it crammed up in your palms like GameBoy has trained you to over the years, it could be pretty uncomfortable. You have to kinda hold it in your fingers, rather than right up in your palms.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f128/JKTrix/dsgrip.jpg

In other Squenix related DS news, here are some pics of Crystal Chronicles. (http://www.gamebrink.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12322)

[Roto13]

Well, this certainly is a surprise.

[edczxcvbnm]

That sucks. I don't have 100 hours to waste on a handheld gaming system I play maybe 5 hours a week(train rides). I certainly don't want to spend months playing this game.

[Flying Mullet]

That sucks. I don't have 100 hours to waste on a handheld gaming system I play maybe 5 hours a week(train rides). I certainly don't want to spend months playing this game.
Take longer train rides? :confused:

[Roto13]

Or play at home. :rolleyes2

[Timerk]

I doubt this will stick.

[JKTrix]

Video
http://www.gamebrink.com/news/735-Dragon_Quest_IX_First_Gameplay_Footage.html
Real time combat!

This is a much bigger deal in Japan than it is in the US, I'm sure. Still, the DS breaks out of the 'traditional' role of handhelds as 'something you play when you're on the bus' or something. There are games that you would *want* to play when you're at home, with your Xbox 360 and PS2 sitting in front of you.

[Kawaii Ryûkishi]

http://forums.eyesonff.com/showthread.php?p=2025701

Wrong forum, also. Let's get it together, kids.