NEWS 

Some of you avid role-playing-game aficionados might remember that back in 2007, Square Enix announced its intention to remake a trio of back-catalog Dragon Quest titles on the Nintendo DS with slick new coats of paint and colorful, cartoonish presentations.

Although the project has largely been MIA in the months since, a few sharp-eyed Internet readers happened to notice yesterday that a new website had gone up over at Square Enix's North American branch promoting the first of these remakes. Less than 24 hours after that fact comes the official announcement of localized North American releases for all three titles.

Collectively known as the "Zenithia Trilogy," the remakes are entitled (in order): Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen, Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride, and Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie. Only one of these games -- Dragon Quest IV -- has actually ever been released in North America before, so those gamers curious as to what exactly Enix was up to in the time period prior to Dragon Quest VIII will now have a chance to find out. The first game in the trilogy is set to hit stores on September 16, 2008.

Square Enix promises Dragon Quest IV will have "a tale of epic proportions told through a unique chapter sequence that enables players to experience multiple character perspectives." Much like Dragon Quest VIII, the remakes all contain character and monster art by popular Dragon Ball Z artist Akira Toriyama. The game looks very sweet so far, with colorful twin-screen cartoon environments and the series' trademark silly-but-endearing monsters now fully animated for your whacking pleasure.

With all that Dragon Quest going around, you've got to wonder if Square Enix might not be risking a little Japanese RPG burnout by the time Dragon Quest IX: Protectors of the Starry Sky hits town on November 20. But the RPG ironmen who've already finished a sequential playthrough of all the remastered Final Fantasys and currently shopping around for future endurance challenges will, of course, be right pleased.

	It's been a while
	Author:  garnsr, 05/22/2008
I replayed the first three on Gameboy, and was stoked for 4 to come out, since I never got to play it on NES, but that fell through. Dragon Warrior, as it used to be called here, hasn't cahnged much, but it's held a special place in my heart ... ...Read Full Comment >

	Awesome!
	Author:  trafar94, 05/22/2008
I loved Dragon Quest VIII. It was my first glimpse into the DQ universe, and I'm excited to hear Square Enix will bring the other games to the DS! I can't wait for September to come!

	console!!!!!
	Author:  n25philly, 05/22/2008
Come on, what the frank! Put these on a console. I don't have time to screw around playing games on a screen the size of a postage stamp. Put these games on a console where they belong!

	Aniversary of Pressing the Attack Button
	Author:  Bombader, 05/22/2008
I think I'll wait for the next one then, if playing 8 has told me anything, Dragon Warrior hasn't strayed too far from having a bleh fighting/leveling system. Good story may be, but doesn't do me any good if the battling is the same as the last game's.

	finally!
	Author:  marker01, 05/22/2008
Owns. Finally a known good game for the intellects. I need a game that challenges the mind, not just your thumbs. This will be a great break from all this mindless "moron based" crap like GTA, and all the FSP's being released. Go Square Enix! ... ...Read Full Comment >

	Spiral Sage
	Author:  Serraxor, 05/22/2008
Don;t forget though, these are *not* spin-offs; these are the core games to the series, and V and VI are only just now going to make thier North American debut. They all three are more than worth 40 bucks apeice. Also, the article fails to mention the seventh installment which ... ...Read Full Comment >

	This is good to see...however...
	Author:  SpiralSage, 05/21/2008
I hope Square-Enix doesn't expect us to shell up 40 bucks for a Dragon Quest game...hell, how many copies of Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker sold in America?

	Never played Dragon Quest
	Author:  projectrunaway, 05/21/2008
Gonna give this games a chance then they come out here in the US.

	Please don't remake FFVI...
	Author:  Pero2, 05/21/2008
They've already screwed up parts of the game with their PS1 and GBA versions, I can only pray they don't go full-out George Lucas on it. Unless they do it really, really well--but based on Square's track record for the past decade or so, I'd say that it's pretty unlikely.

	Yeah baby....
	Author:  San_Andreas_666, 05/21/2008
...we're getting some RPG goodness on the DS. It's unfortunate that Enix closed up shop in the mid 90's, and we missed these games on the Super NES, but better late than never.

	Yes!
	Author:  Aresmo, 05/21/2008
OMG, it's like the first time in an article that Enix is used instead of Square as the shortened form of Square Enix...anyway, I'm very excited, it's like a dream coming true. Long live Dragon Quest!

	Long Live the DS
	Author:  FrogPond, 05/21/2008
Between this announcement, Final Fantasy IV, ASH and Final Fantasy Tactics A2; my DS will outlive it's assumed turn over time for me. It's a good time to be an RPG player... ... ...Read Full Comment >

	Awesome...
	Author:  Lance1983, 05/21/2008
I agree they need to remake those other titles grimlock...but those four need to be done perfectly...that said i'll never get sick of these remakes as long as they're funner and more immersive than the origional properties.

	Come on Square
	Author:  grimlock_84, 05/21/2008
There remaking everything under the sun except for Final Fantasy VII, Vagrant Story, Crono Trigger and Crono Cross.

	Thank you Square Enix
	Author:  joeyatog, 05/21/2008
for finally bringing these games to the US. I remember trying to find DWIV for the NES back in the day and it was so expensive (still is!). These upgraded versions are perfect for us old-skool fanboys who could never get ahold of these games! Woot!!

	Awesome
	Author:  tristessa, 05/21/2008
I really want these games! This is one of the better remake announcements I've heard. As an added bonus, I get to play some games I didn't play the first time around =)

	O hai, you maed a mistak.
	Author:  KizulEmeraldfire, 05/21/2008
'...so those gamers curious as to what exactly Enix was up to in the time period prior to Dragon Quest VIII' Hast thou forgotten Dragon Warrior VII? -- I, II, III, IV, VII and (after the name changed to Dragon Quest) VIII have been released in North America, but apparently you ... ...Read Full Comment >

	I might get hit for this...
	Author:  gamr4lif3, 05/21/2008
but I never played the originals. I'm definitly looking foward to the remakes...specially on a portable!

	This is why...
	Author:  jellishot, 05/21/2008
we'll never get Squenix games on Virtual Console or PSN. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against remakes if done well, but I would like to own/play the original versions of classic games as well.