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''This article is about a series of role-playing games by [[Enix]]. For the first game in this series, see '''[[Dragon Warrior]]'''''.
{{Italic title}}
<center>{{for
|about=the original game in the Dragon Quest series
|for=series information
|see=Dragon Quest (series)
}}</center>
{{Infobox VG
| type=Main series games
| title=Dragon Quest
| image=[[File:DQ Logo.png|325px]][[File:DQ Laurel Wreath art.png|325px]]
| caption=
| developer=[[Chunsoft]]
| publisher={{vgrelease|JP=[[Enix]]}}{{vgrelease|NA=[[Nintendo]]}}
| designer=[[Yuji Horii]]<br />[[Kōichi Nakamura]]<br />Yukinobu Chida
| artist=[[Akira Toriyama]]
| composer=[[Kōichi Sugiyama]]
| released= '''Nintendo Entertainment System'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=May 27, 1986|NA=August 1989}}'''MSX2'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=November 21, 1986}}'''MSX'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=December 18, 1986}}'''Super Famicom'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=December 18, 1993}}'''Game Boy Color'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=September 23, 1999|NA=September 27, 2000}}'''Wii'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=September 15, 2011}}'''Android & iOS'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=November 8, 2013|NA=September 11, 2014|AUS=September 11, 2014|EU=September 11, 2014}}'''Playstation 4 & 3DS'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=August 10, 2017}}'''Nintendo Switch'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=September 27, 2019|NA=September 27, 2019|EU=September 27, 2019}}
| genre=[[Wikipedia:Console role-playing game|Console role-playing game]]
| modes=[[Wikipedia:Single player|Single player]]
| ratings=[[Wikipedia:Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]: E (Everyone) ({{GBC}})
| platforms={{Famicom}}/{{NES}}, [[MSX]], [[Wikipedia:NEC PC-9801|NEC PC-9801]], [[Wikipedia:Sharp X68000|Sharp X68000]], {{Super Famicom}}, {{Game Boy Color}} (hybrid cartridge), [[Cell phone|Mobile phone]], [[Wii]], [[Cell phone|Android & iOS]], {{PlayStation 4}}, [[Nintendo 3DS]], [[Nintendo Switch]]
| media={{vgrelease|NA=640-[[Wikipedia:kilobit|kilobit]] NES [[Wikipedia:cartridge (electronics)|cartridge]]}}{{vgrelease|JP=512-kilobit Famicom cartridge}}GBC/SFC/MSX cartridges
| requirements=
| input=
| series={{Main Series}}
}}
{{Translation|'''''Dragon Quest'''''|ドラゴンクエスト|Doragon Kuesuto}} is the original ''Dragon Quest'' game which preceded the entire {{DQSeries}}. It was developed by [[Enix]] and released in 1986 in Japan for the [[MSX]] and {{Famicom}} consoles. The game was localized for North American release in 1989, but the title was changed to ''Dragon Warrior'' to avoid infringing on the trademark of the pen and paper game ''[[wikipedia:DragonQuest|DragonQuest]]''. The North American version of the game was greatly improved graphically over the Japanese original, and added a battery backed-up save feature and 5 password systems, whereas the Japanese version used a password system.  [[Nintendo]] was impressed with the Japanese sales of the title and massively overproduced the cartridge; the end result was that Nintendo gave away copies of ''Dragon Warrior'' as an incentive for subscribing to ''[[Nintendo Power]]'', the company's in-house promotions magazine.


''Dragon Quest'' was the first turn-based role playing game to debut on a video game console and is considered a pioneer in the development of the genre. ''Dragon Quest'''s immense success proved that RPGs had a place in the industry, and would spawn a successful franchise that would become one of the de facto standards for role playing video games.


Dragon Quest was a console styled RPG (Role-playing game) first released as Dragon Quest in Japan and Dragon Warrior in North America. Due to some problems with the titles, they put behind Dragon Warrior and made all new titles called Dragon Quest. Dragon Quest took elements from other existing RPG's like ''Ultima'' and created of what is now the best selling video game series in Japan. The series has sold so well in Japan that after [[Dragon Quest III]] was made, the Japanese government put effect a law stating that future games could only be sold on Sundays or holidays.
==Gameplay==
''Dragon Quest'' is set on a sprawling overworld with towns and dungeons to be explored throughout. The player selects actions from a menu, including talking to {{NPC}}s (non-player characters); opening doors; and opening [[treasure chest]]s. The towns have inns where the player can rest to restore their {{HP}} and {{MP}}; and shops to buy weapons, armor, and items from. Most {{NPC}}s give useful information to help the player progress.
 
The battle system is turn-based, with enemies seen in a first-person perspective. As in the overworld, the player selects actions from a menu, including attacking; casting magical spells; using items; and attempting to flee the fight.
 
==Plot==
The {{Hero 1}}, a descendant of the legendary hero Erdrick, is called on by [[King Lorik]] retrieve the [[Sphere of Light]] and save the land of Alefgard from the [[Dragonlord]]'s dark forces. To do this, the Hero must retrieve several artifacts spread all across the country, including [[Erdrick's Sword|sword]], [[Erdrick's Armour|armor]], and [[Mark of Erdrick|heirloom]]; and [[Staff of Rain|two]] [[Sunstone|relics]] to build the Rainbow Bridge, which allows the Hero to enter the Dragonlord's castle.
 
Optionally, the Hero may save Lorik's daughter [[Princess Gwaelin]] from the clutches of a green dragon.
 
==Differences from later games==
*The stat improvement algorithms depend on the player's name, deciding if the player will be more proficient in {{Strength}}, {{Agility}}, or magic ({{MP}}).
*There is no party, only a single player character.
*Although his sprite changes when the princess is rescued, to show him carrying her, the princess does not participate in any battle.
*Enemies attack the Hero 1-on-1, never in groups.
*There are no [[vehicle]]s; one can only traverse the overworld map on foot, or by using a [[Chimaera wing]] or [[Zoom]] spell to travel to [[Tantegel]] Castle.
*Tantegel is the only save location in the game. Likewise, the [[Zoom]] spell can only return to [[Tantegel]]. This is because the spell's Japanese name, ''rura'', derives from the English word ''Ruler''.
*Acquired weapons, armor and shields will automatically replace the previous item, which is then discarded or sold to the store. This is changed in the remakes.
*[[Key]]s are consumed when used; new ones can be purchased at one of the "key houses" in Tantegel, Rimuldar, or Mercado. The first key in any quest must be purchased in Rimuldar, since the others are behind doors that require a key to open.
*There are separate shops for buying [[Holy water]], unlike later games where it is sold in item shops.
*Caves are dark, and must be lit up with a [[Torch]] or the [[Glow]] spell. These have limited range, which diminishes as the spell or torch wears out. The range is effectively reduced in the remakes, since the scale of the caves is larger, but the range is not increased to compensate.
 
==Characters==
*The {{Hero 1}}: A descendant of the legendary Hero [[Erdrick]]. He arrived from an unknown location to help the land of [[Alefgard]].
*[[Erdrick]]: He rescued Alefgard years earlier. He had left items and clues for his descendant to aid in defeating the Dragonlord.
*[[King Lorik]]: The king of [[Tantegel]], and ruler of the land of Alefgard.
*[[Princess Gwaelin]]: Daughter of  [[King Lorik]]. Imprisoned in the [[Quagmire Cave]] southwest of [[Kol]], by servants of the [[Dragonlord]].
*[[Dragonlord]]: The villain of the story, he has stolen the [[Sphere of Light]] in order to infest Alefgard with horrid monsters.
{{clear}}
 
==Plot==
{{spoiler|start}}
Long before the game began, a man named [[{{Hero (III)}}|Erdrick]] returned peace to the land of Alefgard by defeating a [[Zoma|A great demon]]. This peace came in the form of the sacred [[Sphere of Light|Ball of Light]]. Erdrick bequeathed this sacred artifact to [[King Lorik|King]], and bestowed two sacred artifacts to wise sages. The descendants of the aforementioned sages eventually hand over these artifacts to the {{Hero 3}}, Erdrick eventually left [[Alefgard]] and was never seen again. Years passed and everyone was happy. Everyone but one person, that is. This man was not happy with the way things were. He lived in the western mountain cave, far from Tantegel's walls. One day, whilst exploring deep within the cave, he came across a sleeping [[Dragon family|dragon]]. Suddenly, the dragon awoke and the man became very frightened. When he closed his eyes to stop himself from seeing his demise, nothing happened. The man grew tired of waiting and threw a stick to distract the dragon. To his surprise, the dragon picked it up in his mouth and brought it back to the man, like a dog. After that he discovered he could make the dragon do whatever he wanted. He then named himself the Dragonlord. Naught but a few minutes later, a disaster occurred: [[Dragonlord's Castle|Charlock Castle]] rose from its dirt grave, and everyone, even the children playing in the streets, knew this was a bad omen. A few moments later, a swarm of [[Slime]]s, [[Ghost]]s, [[Dragons]], and other monsters attacked Tantegel and the villages across [[Alefgard]]. Though they fought bravely, the years of peace had made the people weak, and the Ball of Light was stolen by the Dragonlord.
 
After this terrible attack, the people were terrified to walk outside again. Many men were killed traveling between towns, and people locked their doors at night. At night, they could hear [[Slimes]] and [[Drackys]] scratching and mumbling along the walls of Tantegel. [[Princess Gwaelin]], the daughter of the king, was kidnapped by the minions of the [[Dragonlord]], and so the King fell into a deep depression over his kidnapped daughter, even though the legends told of a descendant of Erdrick coming to restore peace. The King believed it to be a myth until one day a [[scrawny-looking young man|Hero (Dragon Quest)]] appeared at the King's feet and asked permission to retrieve the Ball of Light and save Princess Gwaelin. Since many other proud warriors had volunteered and failed, the King had nearly given up hope. But he saw a light in this young man's eyes, and so suddenly he knew this man was the descendant of Erdrick. Giving him a few items and some gold, the King sent the warrior out to slay the Dragonlord.
 
After traveling the length and breadth of Alefgard and becoming more and more powerful, the {{Hero 1}} eventually discovered Princess Gwaelin in the clutches of a [[Green dragon]], who was hiding her in a [[cave|Quagmire Cave]]. After slaying the dragon, the Hero lifted her onto his back and carried her all the way back to Tantegel, to the delirious joy of everyone there.
 
Finally, after strengthening himself through all the battles he had fought and the mystical items he had uncovered, including Erdrick's very  own sword, the Hero entered Charlock Castle, the Dragonlord's domain, and killed him, temporarily freeing Alefgard from the terror of evil. Gwaelin proposed to him and King [[King Lorik]] offered him the throne; he accepted the former offer but declined the latter, opting instead to venture to lands unknown and establish his own kingdom.
{{spoiler|end}}
 
==Legacy==
===Influence on the Video Game Industry===
[[File:DQI + II Hero.png|right|thumb|''Dragon Quest'' allowed players to assume the role of a {{Hero 1}} and live out his adventure.|200px]]
Before the release of ''Dragon Quest'', the video game marketplace consisted of fast-paced, reflex dependent action titles. The majority of these were originally developed as arcade quarter-munchers, and retained the immense difficulty of such even when ported to a home console. Storytelling was sparse, if text was even programmed into a game, and titles relied on the player's imagination to fill in the gaps.
 
When [[Yuji Horii]]'s dream project proved to be a smashing success, the entire perception of what a video game could be changed. Countless RPGs flooded store shelves to cash in on the newfound hype surrounding the genre, and action titles began to experiment with deeper plotlines and character interaction instead of merely pushing level complexity.
 
A humble title from a small publishing company changed everything for games.
 
===Remakes===
{{Main|Dragon Quest I & II}}
 
Being the original game in the series, ''Dragon Quest'' has been remade and re-released on a variety of different platforms; most notably for the Super Famicom.  Most of the remakes feature localizations which differ from the original, as well as additional features such as an item/gold vault and streamlined menu system.  Other changes include tweaks to the leveling system to make it easier to gain levels without excessive [[grinding]].  Most fans consider almost all remakes to be easier than the original release for this reason. See [[List of version differences in Dragon Quest I]] for a listing of version differences.
 
Note that only some of the remakes have been released outside of Japan.  For a full list of releases and dates, visit [[List of games]].
 
===Broadcast Satellaview version===
A special free version of the game known as ''[[BS Dragon Quest]]'' was available to play on the [[Satellaview]] peripheral during the early months of 1996. This version of the game used the art assets of the 16-bit remake, included voiced dialog for additional scenes, and additional features not seen in any other version since.
 
===Sequels===
''Dragon Quest'' was closely followed by {{DQ2}} which met with similar success. ''Dragon Quest II'' featured the same timeline and setting as the original, a concept which was further extended into {{DQ3}}. Together, the first three games comprise what is known as the [[Erdrick trilogy]].  All three games were designed for the Famicom/NES and share similar artistic styles.
 
===Recurring monsters===
As the first game in the series, ''Dragon Quest'' introduced several monsters that proved instant favorites among fans. In particular, the [[Slime]], [[Dracky]], and [[Chimaera]] are featured in almost every other game in the main series and spinoffs.
 
==Credits==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Original Famicom version
! Role
! Staff
|----------
| Scenario writer
| [[Yuji Horii]]
|----------
| Character design
| [[Akira Toriyama]]
|----------
| Music composer
| [[Kōichi Sugiyama]]
|----------
| rowspan="3 | Programming
| Koichi Nakamura
|-
| Koji Yoshida
|-
| Takenori Yamamori
|----------
| CG design
| Takashi Yasuno
|----------
| Scenario assistant
| Hiyoshi Miyaoka
|----------
| rowspan="2" | Assistant
| Rika Suzuki
|-
| Tadashi Fukuzawa
|----------
| Title screen design
| Kazuo Enomoto
|----------
| Instruction manual illustrator
| Takayuki Doi
|----------
| Special thanks
| Kazuhiko Torishima
|----------
| Director
| Koichi Nakamura
|}
==Trivia==
[[File:Dragon Quest jp manual art.png|right|border|325px]]
*Despite the [[iron helmet]], [[leather hat]], and helm of [[Ortega]] being featured in official illustrations, there is no equipment slot for helmets. It is assumed that these helms are included in the armor sets.
*In the original versions, there are special menu commands to climb stairs and open chests (done automatically in later games), and in the Japanese version to select directions for certain commands, since characters do not have facings in these versions.
*The original Japanese Famicom and MSX versions of this game (and {{DQ2}}) have a [[Spell of Restoration|Spell of Health Multiplication]] (password system), in place of the "Imperial Scrolls of Honor" (battery save system). The password does not save current {{HP}} and {{MP}}, or the contents of the chests. So all of these will be reset on a reload.
*Whether a treasure chest has been opened or not is never recorded.  By reloading the game, you can collect a chest multiple times.
*The [[Game Boy]] Color release had a more direct translation of many character and town names.
*Erdrick's Sword is used during an optional boss fight in ''[[Final Fantasy]] XII'' and is also the prize for winning that battle. This also marks the first time the mix of ''Final Fantasy'' and ''Dragon Quest'' has happened in the light of both Square and Enix merging to be noticed in the Western world (though the crossover had happened a few times previously in the ''[[Fortune Street]]'' series).
 
==Soundtrack==
[[Kōichi Sugiyama]] served as composer for the soundtrack. He would go on to write most of the music for the entire Dragon Quest series.  ''Dragon Quest I's'' symphonic suite was bundled with ''Dragon Quest II's'' symphonic suite and a disc of original compositions as ''Dragon Quest in Concert''. Here is the track listing for the ''Dragon Quest I'' portion of that release:
 
#[[Overture]] March (序曲/''Overture'') (3:59)
#Château Ladutorm (ラダトーム城/''Castle Ladutorm'') (3:25)
#People (街の人々/''People of the Town'') (3:36)
#Unknown World (広野を行く/''Going to the Plain'') (2:07)
#Fight (戦闘/''Fight'') (2:12)
#Dungeons (洞窟/''Cave'') (3:40)
#King Dragon (竜王/''King Dragon'') (3:08)
#Finale (フィナーレ/''Finale'') (2:40)
 
==Gallery==
<center><gallery>
Dragon Quest 1 box.jpg|Famicom box art.
Dragon_Warrior_NES.png|NES box art.
DQ Famicom guide.png|Famicom guide.
Higuchi_Dragon_Quest.png|Adventure novel.
Shousetsu Dragon Quest.png|Novelization.
Dragon Quest Suite.png|Dragon Quest Suite.
DQI CD Theater.png|CD Theater.
DQ 4koma Gekijou Extra 9.png|4koma comics.
Dragon Quest NES Slime battle.png|Battle against Slime.
DQIGroupArt.png|
DQI iOS Android.png|iOS/Android.
DQI 25th Anniversary wallpaper.png|25th Anniversary wallpaper.
DW NES Characters.jpg|Characters. ({{NES}})
Adventure Time S6 Episode 30.png|Unnamed video game from ''Adventure Time'' S6 Episode 30 resembling the NES Version of ''Dragon Quest''.
</gallery></center>
 
===Videos===
{{Videos|The original TV commercial for ''Dragon Quest''.|{{#ev:youtube|D2ve2cpcLi4|340}}
|The original TV commercial for ''Dragon Warrior''.|{{#ev:youtube|1qL5_3EhqK8|340}}
}}
{{clear}}
{{DQI}}
{{Dragon Quest series}}
[[Category:Dragon Quest I|*!]]
[[Category:NES games]]
[[Category:Wii games]]
[[Category:Game Boy games]]
[[Category:SNES games]]
[[Category:Android/iOS games]]
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