TOKYO, Feb 19 (News On Japan) –
As we enter the Year of the Dragon, an intriguing city legend has resurfaced, claiming that dragon-themed video video games are launched extra incessantly throughout these years. The years in query are 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, and now 2024. We’ll study the dragon video games launched in every of those years to find out the reality behind this fable.
In 1976, the world of video video games was nonetheless in its infancy, with the discharge of “Breakout” being a serious occasion. There had been no dragon video games to talk of, as even the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) had not but been launched (it could come out in 1983). It’s value noting that the primary version of the role-playing sport “Dungeons & Dragons,” typically thought of the progenitor of RPGs, made its debut in 1974.
It wasn’t till 1984 that we noticed the arrival of main dragon-themed video games, with “Dragon Slayer” by Nihon Falcom and “Dragon Quest” by Enix (now Square Enix) in 1986.
1988 was a golden period for the NES, with main console releases such because the PC Engine in 1987 and the Mega Drive in 1988, alongside a flourishing PC gaming scene with the PC-98. This yr marked the launch of the hit “Dragon Quest III,” though different dragon-related video games had been much less outstanding.
In 2000, with the PlayStation 2’s launch, the gaming business was on the peak of the PS2 period. The standout dragon sport was “Dragon Quest VII,” although there have been few different notable dragon titles.
2012 noticed a various gaming panorama with the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii as the primary dwelling consoles, and the discharge of the Wii U in December. The handheld gaming market was additionally booming with the Nintendo 3DS and PS Vita. Amongst a plethora of video games, “Dragon Quest X” stood out, persevering with the pattern of a brand new “Dragon Quest” installment each Dragon Year.
And now in 2024, the “Yakuza” collection (referred to as “Ryu ga Gotoku” in Japan), one other outstanding dragon-themed franchise, has already launched its newest entry. However, there isn’t any news but of a brand new “Dragon Quest” collection sport, leaving followers to surprise if the custom will proceed.
In abstract, since 1988, a brand new numbered “Dragon Quest” sport has been launched in every Dragon Year (excluding this yr). Could this imply that we’d see the newest installment, “Dragon Quest XII,” someday this yr? The anticipation grows, particularly as we recall the announcement of “HD-2D Dragon Quest III” two years in the past.
Will the Year of the Dragon carry a brand new “Dragon Quest” sport? Only time will inform.
Source: Dengeki