Square Enix marked the 40th anniversary of the Dragon Quest series on May 27, 2026, the date the original game launched in Japan in 1986 [1]. The company held a 10-minute livestream event on the official Dragon Quest YouTube channel to celebrate the milestone and announce upcoming projects [1].
The series' creator, Yuji Horii, teased during a pre-event livestream that announcements about the next main game and more would be shared during the anniversary stream. He said, "We'll be doing a live stream on May 27. I think we'll be able to make an announcement about the next game. We'll also have various other things besides the next game, so please look forward to it" [1].
Square Enix confirmed that Dragon Quest 12 is still in development but has undergone a restart with a new subtitle, Beyond Dreams. Producer Yosuke Saito explained the team reshuffle to improve the quality means fans will have to wait longer for the release. He said, "We're hard at work on 12, but due to a reshuffle of the team and a restart of development, it's going to be a bit longer till it's in your hands. I believe it was the right [decision] to ensure the next Dragon Quest game will be one that all you fans of the series will really love" [2].
In addition, Square Enix announced that Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition will launch for the Nintendo Switch 2 on September 24, 2026. The release will feature improved graphics and new performance modes [2].
A new Dragon Quest Monsters game titled The Withered World was also revealed. It will release on PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and Nintendo Switch versions 1 and 2, though no specific date was provided [2].
Recent remakes in the franchise include Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake in 2024, Dragon Quest 1 + 2 HD Remake in 2025, and Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined in 2026 [1].
The next concrete date fans can look forward to is the September 24 release of Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition on Nintendo Switch 2 [2].
