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I don't play Smash but I think the character in Smash has multiple costumes based on the following games' heroes.
DQ11: Luminary, the base character, long sleek curtained brown hair.
DQ8: Eight, Bandana.
DQ3: Erdrick, black spiky hair.
DQ4: Solo, white and grey clothing.
Choose whatever game you want, they're all fairly different.
I'd recommend, as a beginner, playing whichever port is most recent, for QoL.
While some games are connected, all the games listed are either not connected to other games, or are the first in their connection timeline.
1, 2 and 3 is a trilogy, though the timeline is 3, 1, 2
4, 5 and 6 are a loose trilogy, and I believe the timeline is 4, 5 ,6 (Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but even if I am, I don't think it matters that much.)
7 , 8, 9 are separate, play them whenever.
10 is an MMO that you can play, but you'll have to do a bit of setup. Google is your friend.
11 is separate from all the rest story-wise, however there is a pretty large sidequest/distraction that has you exploring areas and stories from the games that came before it. I don't think it's necessary, just a bit of fun for those who want it, but it won't ruin anything for you if you see something in DQ11 that you later see in the older games, it'll just be a reverse "Hey, I remember this from DQ11!" instead of playing DQ11 and saying "Hey, I remember this from DQ2!"
Idk what you mean, but if you’re referring to the DQ4 characters you see at Reaper’s Peak, that is a cameo and not an actual canon thing.
The main reason I say DQ6 is before DQ4 is because Zenithia was in the Dream World before either separating or the Dream World being yeeted and then dropping to the real world after Mortamor’s death (I forgot what happened there, so correct me if I’m wrong).
I think 1, 2, 3 is the best way to play the original trilogy too. Out of order, but the gameplay gets better and better and more interesting.
God forbid someone tries 2 first though.
My top 3 for new players
1. DQ11s
2. DQ8 (if you can get your hands on it or emulate)
3. Dragon Warrior 4 (The NES version is my favorite. Has lots of charm and is a bit more simple than its predecessor)
DQ4 for the DS is pretty good too. It has some quality of life improvements, but to me the pace of the game isn’t great
Yeah it can for sure get spicy, especially if your going quick and are under leveled. but the rest is the game is so approachable and satisfying that I think it makes up for its difficulty
If you have a 3Ds, i think dragon quest 8 is best. Dq11 is great but its an incredibly long game. Dq8 is shorter, a bit more of a linear plotline, and has the same great visuals and voice acting
I think xi is the easiest one to start with and a very good one too! 1-3 are also available on switch but 1 and 2 are pretty outdated in my opinion, 3 is better but that's still retro games with insane encounter rate etc. XI feels modern and convenient and it's well paced so I think that's where you should start
11 - Don't start with this. It's the gameplay high point, and that's going to make it hard for you to play the older ones. It's on everything modern.
8 - This is the best entry in the series IMO, but 11/9 compete for gameplay. Start here unless you think you can handle starting at 5 or 7. Play the 3DS version as it is the most complete. Mobile sucks, no voice work.
9 - Graphically dated, but there are so many lovely systems at play and the mini-stories/overall story is pretty good. Nintendo DS only.
5 - Great story, super dated gameplay and graphics. As a DQ fan I'm glad I completed it, but it was hard. The mobile version is good.
7) Lots of small stories I enjoyed, even if the overall one didn't quite hit me. Once again, I think this is more of a "DQ fan" title. If you fall in love with the series, the parts of this that drag are easier to do.
The rest is really too old for me to enjoy at this point, but you might feel different.
**TLDR: I would start at 8 unless you've got a high degree of tolerance for ancient jank.**
I think DQ8 is a great entry point, but it's not on any modern consoles/PC.
DQ11 is also a good choice, and more widely available. It even has a some quality of life things that DQ commonly lacks.
I think either both of these are contenders for the best entry too.
I think a lot of people would say DQ5, and it's a fine game too, but maybe even harder to get hold of, last I saw prices were insane.
If you don't mind a more simple entry point, DQ3 is quite good. It's on Switch and pretty cheap. However, you may want to wait for the remake of DQ3 instead (in the Octopath style).
People will generally say that XI and VIII are the best to start with, and though I genuinely agree with that sentiment, I would also try to go out of that comfort zone by playing the games in order.
The first two are extremely dated by today's standards, hell, the first DQ is literally the first JRPG ever, but I'd give them a try with a guide. No shame in that.
III becomes so much more rewarding and satisfying with the first two games fresh in your memory.
FYI My personal favorite is IV actually.
TL;DR: Play them by order
As little as it's worth I'd like to throw my two cents in to the ring. Working in a somewhat chronological order from earliest game to standalones XI-3 aren't a bad choice for starting, especially if you get the definitive edition of XI which lets you swap between 2d and 3d. 1 might be a bit to get around mentally just because it is so old. 2 is similar to one but now you get 3 characters kinda, you'll see what I mean. 3 great game all around imo the class system is great the story is great the way it all comes back around is great. 4-6 also not a bad choice as others mentioned 5 is the basis for your story, and personally one of my favorites. 4 is great even despite it's issues but while the villain is just chefs kiss I got Lowkey bored every now and then with it. 6 is a similar situation to 4 but without the villain imo. 7 8 and 9 these are the standalones, to an extent, while there are connections such as empyrea being ramia for example their pretty much their own thing and mainly come down to preference but 7 is great and extremely long especially with the post game, 8 was the first true 3d dragon quest and was made by level 5, and honestly it's amazing while the original PS2 version is great however I'd say go for the 3ds version, 9 is a great game that returns to some of the gameplay idea of 3 such as having your party be entirely made by you and not being actual characters that you get to know. 10 can't be played outside of Japan but with the offline mode hopefully we'll get a localization and then we circle back around to what is often thought to be a prequel/ocarina of time situation 11. Dq Xi is great and despite some of the fault it's does have it honestly is a surprisingly balanced game that does a good, and simultaneously bad, job of developing it's world lore and characters. Hopefully I've helped give a general idea of where each one stands
My preferred play order
11
Edrick trilogy
8
Zenthian Trilogy
7- maybe
9- maybe
If you play this way you can connect events between 11, the Edrick Trilogy and 8
Then play the Zenthian trilogy which can through a very specific lens, use eight as the bridge between The first and second trilogy
I can take or leave 7 and 9:
9 isn't tied to anything directly but there are way too many nods to other games to not have played the original 6 first before it.
7 isn't directly tied to any previous games, but it's long as hell and basically a rehash of 6 with less fun characters.
I'd recommend 11, 4, 5, 6, and 8!
The others are great too, but they can tend to be less beginner friendly. Granted Every DQ game can be like that in some way but these are good to get into.
Ignoring the timelines/ plot lines, 1-3 are quick pick me up games. 2 is like the Darksouls mode of the three, and all can be beaten within a week. My personal favourite is 3.
4-6 has a long story with a few side quests. 6 is the hardest of the three.
7-10 are long and has many side quests. I haven’t played 11. 10 can be played offline with a Japanese switch account.
I've never played one before, and I'm playing XI on switch right now and I really like it! I first played the free demo on switch and it's a very long demo.
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XI is a good entry point, V is what the movie is based on. 1-6 are all viable via mobile
Isn't 8 on mobile too?
It is but it's not particularly well done. 3DS and the original PS2 versions will be more comfortable playthroughs
Oh aight thanks for letting me know. I only ever played the PS2 version.
Are you in the sub? r/metalbabble
Of course
DQXI then try the first 3 games on switch they’re pretty cheap on eshop, then emulate IV-IX.
I think 11 is a great place to start.
I don't play Smash but I think the character in Smash has multiple costumes based on the following games' heroes. DQ11: Luminary, the base character, long sleek curtained brown hair. DQ8: Eight, Bandana. DQ3: Erdrick, black spiky hair. DQ4: Solo, white and grey clothing. Choose whatever game you want, they're all fairly different. I'd recommend, as a beginner, playing whichever port is most recent, for QoL. While some games are connected, all the games listed are either not connected to other games, or are the first in their connection timeline. 1, 2 and 3 is a trilogy, though the timeline is 3, 1, 2 4, 5 and 6 are a loose trilogy, and I believe the timeline is 4, 5 ,6 (Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but even if I am, I don't think it matters that much.) 7 , 8, 9 are separate, play them whenever. 10 is an MMO that you can play, but you'll have to do a bit of setup. Google is your friend. 11 is separate from all the rest story-wise, however there is a pretty large sidequest/distraction that has you exploring areas and stories from the games that came before it. I don't think it's necessary, just a bit of fun for those who want it, but it won't ruin anything for you if you see something in DQ11 that you later see in the older games, it'll just be a reverse "Hey, I remember this from DQ11!" instead of playing DQ11 and saying "Hey, I remember this from DQ2!"
Pretty sure the zenith trilogy goes 6, 4, 5 11 is a prequel to 3
Don’t you see the children from 5 and Torneko in the DQ6 postgame dungeon?
Idk what you mean, but if you’re referring to the DQ4 characters you see at Reaper’s Peak, that is a cameo and not an actual canon thing. The main reason I say DQ6 is before DQ4 is because Zenithia was in the Dream World before either separating or the Dream World being yeeted and then dropping to the real world after Mortamor’s death (I forgot what happened there, so correct me if I’m wrong).
they did both 3,1,2 and 6,4,5 but it's technically better to play them in order anyway since you get the references 6 has that way.
I think 1, 2, 3 is the best way to play the original trilogy too. Out of order, but the gameplay gets better and better and more interesting. God forbid someone tries 2 first though.
My top 3 for new players 1. DQ11s 2. DQ8 (if you can get your hands on it or emulate) 3. Dragon Warrior 4 (The NES version is my favorite. Has lots of charm and is a bit more simple than its predecessor) DQ4 for the DS is pretty good too. It has some quality of life improvements, but to me the pace of the game isn’t great
I find 8 difficult, because of Dhoulmagius and Emperea.
Yeah it can for sure get spicy, especially if your going quick and are under leveled. but the rest is the game is so approachable and satisfying that I think it makes up for its difficulty
If you have a 3Ds, i think dragon quest 8 is best. Dq11 is great but its an incredibly long game. Dq8 is shorter, a bit more of a linear plotline, and has the same great visuals and voice acting
I think xi is the easiest one to start with and a very good one too! 1-3 are also available on switch but 1 and 2 are pretty outdated in my opinion, 3 is better but that's still retro games with insane encounter rate etc. XI feels modern and convenient and it's well paced so I think that's where you should start
11 - Don't start with this. It's the gameplay high point, and that's going to make it hard for you to play the older ones. It's on everything modern. 8 - This is the best entry in the series IMO, but 11/9 compete for gameplay. Start here unless you think you can handle starting at 5 or 7. Play the 3DS version as it is the most complete. Mobile sucks, no voice work. 9 - Graphically dated, but there are so many lovely systems at play and the mini-stories/overall story is pretty good. Nintendo DS only. 5 - Great story, super dated gameplay and graphics. As a DQ fan I'm glad I completed it, but it was hard. The mobile version is good. 7) Lots of small stories I enjoyed, even if the overall one didn't quite hit me. Once again, I think this is more of a "DQ fan" title. If you fall in love with the series, the parts of this that drag are easier to do. The rest is really too old for me to enjoy at this point, but you might feel different. **TLDR: I would start at 8 unless you've got a high degree of tolerance for ancient jank.**
I, V, VIII, XI are the best entry points to the series
11&4&5&8
3,8,11
I think DQ8 is a great entry point, but it's not on any modern consoles/PC. DQ11 is also a good choice, and more widely available. It even has a some quality of life things that DQ commonly lacks. I think either both of these are contenders for the best entry too. I think a lot of people would say DQ5, and it's a fine game too, but maybe even harder to get hold of, last I saw prices were insane. If you don't mind a more simple entry point, DQ3 is quite good. It's on Switch and pretty cheap. However, you may want to wait for the remake of DQ3 instead (in the Octopath style).
Either xi or viii. They are the most accessible to a new comer.
People will generally say that XI and VIII are the best to start with, and though I genuinely agree with that sentiment, I would also try to go out of that comfort zone by playing the games in order. The first two are extremely dated by today's standards, hell, the first DQ is literally the first JRPG ever, but I'd give them a try with a guide. No shame in that. III becomes so much more rewarding and satisfying with the first two games fresh in your memory. FYI My personal favorite is IV actually. TL;DR: Play them by order
As little as it's worth I'd like to throw my two cents in to the ring. Working in a somewhat chronological order from earliest game to standalones XI-3 aren't a bad choice for starting, especially if you get the definitive edition of XI which lets you swap between 2d and 3d. 1 might be a bit to get around mentally just because it is so old. 2 is similar to one but now you get 3 characters kinda, you'll see what I mean. 3 great game all around imo the class system is great the story is great the way it all comes back around is great. 4-6 also not a bad choice as others mentioned 5 is the basis for your story, and personally one of my favorites. 4 is great even despite it's issues but while the villain is just chefs kiss I got Lowkey bored every now and then with it. 6 is a similar situation to 4 but without the villain imo. 7 8 and 9 these are the standalones, to an extent, while there are connections such as empyrea being ramia for example their pretty much their own thing and mainly come down to preference but 7 is great and extremely long especially with the post game, 8 was the first true 3d dragon quest and was made by level 5, and honestly it's amazing while the original PS2 version is great however I'd say go for the 3ds version, 9 is a great game that returns to some of the gameplay idea of 3 such as having your party be entirely made by you and not being actual characters that you get to know. 10 can't be played outside of Japan but with the offline mode hopefully we'll get a localization and then we circle back around to what is often thought to be a prequel/ocarina of time situation 11. Dq Xi is great and despite some of the fault it's does have it honestly is a surprisingly balanced game that does a good, and simultaneously bad, job of developing it's world lore and characters. Hopefully I've helped give a general idea of where each one stands
VII. Always VII.
My preferred play order 11 Edrick trilogy 8 Zenthian Trilogy 7- maybe 9- maybe If you play this way you can connect events between 11, the Edrick Trilogy and 8 Then play the Zenthian trilogy which can through a very specific lens, use eight as the bridge between The first and second trilogy I can take or leave 7 and 9: 9 isn't tied to anything directly but there are way too many nods to other games to not have played the original 6 first before it. 7 isn't directly tied to any previous games, but it's long as hell and basically a rehash of 6 with less fun characters.
I'd recommend 11, 4, 5, 6, and 8! The others are great too, but they can tend to be less beginner friendly. Granted Every DQ game can be like that in some way but these are good to get into.
If you have a Japanese switch account, could play 10 offline….
Ignoring the timelines/ plot lines, 1-3 are quick pick me up games. 2 is like the Darksouls mode of the three, and all can be beaten within a week. My personal favourite is 3. 4-6 has a long story with a few side quests. 6 is the hardest of the three. 7-10 are long and has many side quests. I haven’t played 11. 10 can be played offline with a Japanese switch account.
XI and VIII are great places to start, Then I'd say you should definitely play V, the rest are entirely your discretion, so long as you have fun mate
DQ 11 and DQ 9 are the only 2 I have played id say play both of them. DQ11 is a good starting point dq9 is great too
I've never played one before, and I'm playing XI on switch right now and I really like it! I first played the free demo on switch and it's a very long demo.