Dragon Quest IX for the DS

[Timerk]

How is this game not going to seem ultra-outdated and watered down compared to the games which will be out for the PS3/Wii/360 by that time?

It is a very daring move, but I don't think it is going to do much for the franchise going into the future (at least in the US).

[JKTrix]

I think considering that it's going to be on a handheld, the 'watered down'-ness wouldn't be as bad. I'm sure there will be more 'twists' to the game instead of it being a mindless hack n' slash, though if it's done right a mindless hack n' slash works fine. Level 5 has a good track record, it will be interesting to see what they pull out of their hat.

Besides, the PS3 has Genji. DQ9 will be fine.

The US versions of Dragon Quest, at least in recent years, are pretty much throwaways to sate the english-speaking fans. SE knows it's hardly a big deal outside of Japan, but they know there would be some backlash if they cut the franchise off. They can afford to 'lose' money by bringing out Dragon Quest here, because they've already profited exponentially by it over in Japan.

As for the 2-cart data transferring thing, I'm sure Nintendo would show them a way to allow you to download the data to the ds, freeze the system/put it on standby, stick the 2nd cart in, then load it back up. Currently no game can do that, but if the 2-cart thing does happen, Nintendo will find a way for it to work.

Of course, 2 DSes would be a lot easier, which was also the best way to transfer data between games in Golden Sun. If they revert to using 100 digit password though... I would not be impressed.

[Clouded Sky]

There's no doubt in my mind the DS hardware could easily handle transferring data from one catridge to another, in some way, shape, or form. And just because it's two cartridges doesn't mean it's going to be any more expensive. In any case, I'm very excited!

[Erdrick Holmes]

If there truly are two cartridges, perhaps data could be saved to some sort of wireless memory card that interacts with the DS?

Or you can just swap carts without turning your DS off. Like on games where you gotta swap discs, when the game says something like 'Insert disc 2' you just take out the cart and put in the other one. I heard the DS can work like that with the carts.

[Wenco]

I've heard so many complaints about the change from systems.

I'm terribly excited about the change!

For years, I have wanted to play an epic RPG on a handheld. I'm hoping this will satisfy my itch.

Level 5 is producing this! Their track record is excellent. (Ok, a few scrapes with the Dark Cloud series) Otherwise, they have brought us solid titles.

I have faith in this game. When the game comes to the states, I will buy it on day one regardless of reviews. Level 5 knows what their fans want and they usually deliver.

Oh, and some of those screenshots look gorgeous. Particularly, the ones that show character equipment options.

[Angi-Kaiser]

Hmmmm... It seems to me that when you take a card out of the DS, the system freezes up. I know that if you take a card out while you are in the main DS menu, it freezes up. However, I'm sure that there are ways to make two cartriges work. I would think that they would have talked about it being a multi-card game wqhen they talked about the new steps they were taking with it. I mean, they talked about how they were mixing things up with cahnging character costumes. Time will tell, I guess.

[Zeromus_X]

A pretty trailer!

Looks like we might have some Zenithian action going on.

[LunarWeaver]

Oh my That trailer was so...pretty and booming. I think it looks fun myself. Not being turn-based is going to piss a lotta people off, but I don't mind it at all. Now a slime can approach in real-time~

[Larahl]

Luner is right, removing the turn-base battle system going to piss off a lot of Japanese gamers, and maybe some Amercian gamers...

I also don't mind, it looks hell a lot of fun.
Thanks for the trailer Zeromus, I'm pretty much excited for this one...Need to get a DS first...

[Crossblades]

http://www.allrpg.com/rpgnews/news_show.php?newsid=3000

IGN is reporting, via Jiji News, that Square Enix plans to release their new DS RPG, Dragon Quest IX: Protectors of the Sky, towards the end of this year. The current president of the company, Yoichi Wada, stated, "We're aiming to begin sales for the year end sales season."

Since there was a preview recently, many speculated that the title would not be too far off from a final release date. Unfortunately, Wada's comments mean that the game won't hit Japan until November or December.

Also, no plans of a US release date have been announced up to this point. Updates will be made when available.

[Roto13]

You could transfer data from one copy of Golden Sun to another by putting your GBA to sleep, taking out the game and replacing it with the second copy. Then when you took it out of sleep mode, it was in exactly the same spot with exactly the same stats and items and things as the original cartridge. You could then save over one of the files on the second game. I don't see any reason they couldn't use something similar to that in Dragon Quest IX.

[Erdrick Holmes]

Well that's actually a dumb idea. If you need to continue your game after completing cart 1 you need to chase down a friend with a DS to transfer the data or buy another DS.

[Roto13]

That's why you probably won't need a second DS.

[escobert]

This is awsome and I'm so glad I have a DS. I love the system!

[Crossblades]

Four new screenshots

http://www.rpgamer.com/games/dq/dq9/...s011407-1.html