If you had to name the most famous and venerated RPG series in gaming, well, if you’re outside Japan you would probably say Final Fantasy. But Dragon Quest is easily up there, and the Strong National Museum of Play announced that the original Dragon Quest has been inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame.
And it’s just in time for the series’ 40th anniversary!
Released in 1986 (one year before the first Final Fantasy) on the Nintendo Entertainment System, Dragon Quest wouldn’t reach Western shores until 1989, where it was known as Dragon Warrior.
The story and gameplay, while rudimentary by today’s standards, where revolutionary at the time, featuring classic heroic fantasy storytelling, turn-based battles, and level progression. The multi-layered window interface was a critical component in translating complex computer RPGs onto the NES.
Dragon Quest was designed by Yuji Horii, who was inspired by tabletop RPGs such as D&D, as well as 80s computer RPGs Wizardy and Ultima (Ultima was inducted in 2024). Popular Manga artist Akira Toriyama’s beloved, colorful artwork has become synonymous with the franchise, as has Koichi Sugiyama’s bombastic orchestral score that accompanies each game.
The series has spawned 10 sequels, including several trilogies that share stories and events, as well as numerous spinoffs, from the Pokémon-like Dragon Quest Monsters to the Minecraft-like Dragon Quest Builders.
The original Dragon Quest was recently remade in the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, which brings the original game and its sequel with the retro-friendly art style. They join the previously released Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, completing the Erdrick Trilogy. Both games are available on PC, PlayStation, Switch, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X/S.
The World Video Game Hall of Fame is located in the National Museum of Play in Rochester, NY. It was established in 2015 to recognize electronic games that have achieved legendary status, and significantly influenced the video game industry, and the wider pop culture. This year’s other inductees are Angry Birds, FIFA Soccer, and Silent Hill. Previous inductees include Sid Meier’s Civilization, Myst, The Last of Us, and Barbie Fashion Designer.
