SQUARE ENIX has marked DRAGON QUEST Day 2026 with a suitably chunky batch of announcements, led by the reveal of DRAGON QUEST XII: Beyond Dreams.
The annual celebration takes place on 27 May, the date the original DRAGON QUEST launched in Japan back in 1986. This year is a big one too, as the legendary RPG series celebrates its 40th anniversary. Naturally, SQUARE ENIX did not turn up empty-handed.
DRAGON QUEST XII: Beyond Dreams Gets a New Name and Fresh Start
The headline news is DRAGON QUEST XII: Beyond Dreams, which has been revealed as the new title for the next mainline entry in the series.
As per the press release, the game has undergone a restart in development under a new structure. Its previous title, DRAGON QUEST XII: The Flames of Fate, has now been changed to DRAGON QUEST XII: Beyond Dreams.
Alongside the new name, the game’s logo has also been completely refreshed. SQUARE ENIX has released messages from Yuji Horii, game designer, and Yosuke Saito, executive producer, to accompany the announcement.
There is also in-development gameplay footage, giving fans their latest look at where the long-running RPG series is heading next.
DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Withered World Announced
That was not the only big reveal from DQ Day. SQUARE ENIX also announced DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Withered World, the newest entry in the DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS series.
The game is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Windows.
This new adventure follows dual protagonists Bianca and Nera, who fans may remember from DRAGON QUEST V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride. So yes, the nostalgia switch has been firmly flicked.
DRAGON QUEST XI S Heads to Nintendo Switch 2
SQUARE ENIX also confirmed that DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on 24 September.
This version includes all the features from the previous DRAGON QUEST XI S release. However, it also adds a new display option, letting players choose between two modes that prioritise either graphics or performance.
Pre-orders begin today, 27 May.
With DRAGON QUEST XII: Beyond Dreams, a new DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS title, and DRAGON QUEST XI S making the jump to Nintendo Switch 2, this 40th anniversary celebration has plenty for Slime-loving RPG fans to chew on.