Play Dragon Quest I & II (Japan) Online

You wander the world solo at first, smacking slimes with a wooden club, then get a full party in the sequel—still grindy, but those SNES colors make everything pop. Miss one villager’s hint and you’ll be wandering forever though.

Developer: Chunsoft

Genre: Role-Playing Game

Released: 1993

File size: 825 bytes

Game Overview

I picked up Dragon Quest I & II on the Super Nintendo back in 1993, a release by Chunsoft that bundled the first two games with a visual overhaul. It was a solid way to experience these classics on a 16-bit system, fitting right in among other RPGs of the era without trying to reinvent the wheel.

You start by controlling a lone hero in the first game, exploring the world screen by screen, fighting monsters in turn-based battles, and gradually upgrading your gear. The main goal is to defeat the Dragonlord, but you'll spend a lot of time talking to townsfolk for clues and grinding for gold and experience. In the second game, you lead a party of three, delving into dungeons and hunting for key items like the Rainbow Drop to progress. The pacing is deliberate, and the difficulty can be unforgiving if you miss important hints. Playing it feels like slowly unraveling a large, patient story through your own persistence.