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Dragon Quest creator comments on why DQ9 was a Nintendo DS exclusive, team was "a little disheartened" by the fan reaction
Nintendo Everything • • technology
Key Points:
- Yuji Horii, creator of Dragon Quest 9, explained that the decision to make the game exclusive to Nintendo DS was driven by the console’s ability to support quick and easy local network play, including four-player multiplayer features.
- This marked a departure from previous mainline Dragon Quest games, which debuted on home consoles with rich 3D graphics, such as Dragon Quest 8 on PlayStation 2.
- The announcement of Dragon Quest 9 on Nintendo DS received mixed reactions from fans, with some expressing disappointment, as many expected a continuation of the 3D style from Dragon Quest 8.
- Horii revealed that the team was initially disheartened by the criticism but believed that features like easily downloadable quests and cooperative play would offer a fresh and enjoyable experience.
- Although Horii was eventually convinced to support the DS exclusivity, it was Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino who played a key role in persuading him; currently, Dragon Quest 9 remains a DS exclusive but may be ported to modern platforms in the future.
