Dragon Quest Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · RPG
Dragon Quest III
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1992 (originally 1988) |
| Genre | RPG |
| Developer | Enix |
| Publisher | Enix |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Epic journey (20+ hours of adventure) |
| Series | Dragon Quest |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 7 |
Developed by Enix, Dragon Quest III arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992 as a role-playing game. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Dragon Warrior III. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1988.
It landed about 7 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1992 include Mega Man 4, Mega Man 5 and Yoshi's Cookie. Among the 63 NES RPGs in our database, it ranks #15 by legacy score.
It is part of the Dragon Quest series; on the NES you can also try Dragon Quest, Dragon Quest II and Dragon Quest IV. The series also appears on other systems with Dragon Quest IX (DS) and Dragon Quest VI (SNES). Enix also made Just Breed for the NES.
Dragon Quest III is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to get lost in a long quest
- you have time for an epic journey (20+ hours of adventure)
Maybe skip it if…
- you want instant action rather than menus, story and grinding
- you are looking for something to play with friends
- you only have a few minutes at a time
What playing Dragon Quest III is like
Role-playing games trade reflexes for strategy and story. You build a party, level up, manage equipment and travel across a large world, usually through menu-based battles.
Tip for newcomers: Retro RPGs can require some level grinding and rarely tell you exactly where to go next. Talk to every townsperson, save often and use a guide if you get stuck: there is no shame in it.
Dragon Quest III cheats & codes
477 codes on file (Other codes). Here are a few Other codes codes to start with:
| Unlimited Gold (New Game) | EASPZPAA |
|---|---|
| Shoes of Happiness Increases Experience Points By 255 | NNVUGAPE |
| Shoes Of Happiness Give You 252 EXP. A Step | KNVUGAPE |
| Shoes of Happiness Increase Experience Points By 100 | GVVUGAPA |
| Shoes of Happiness Give 65,793 Exp. Per Step On The Field | PENLAAAA |
| Start A New Game With The Following Magic Spells | NYTLYX |
Dragon Quest III walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Dragon Quest III.
If you like Dragon Quest III, the Matrix also picks…
Dragon Quest VI Classic
Final Fantasy III Classic
Final Fantasy Classic
Final Fantasy II Classic
Mother Classic
Playing NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Dragon Quest III FAQ
When did Dragon Quest III come out on the NES?
Dragon Quest III was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992; the original game dates back to 1988.
Who made Dragon Quest III?
It was developed by Enix.
Is Dragon Quest III multiplayer?
No. Dragon Quest III is a single-player game.
How long does Dragon Quest III take to play?
As a role-playing game, Dragon Quest III typically falls into the "Epic journey" category: 20+ hours of adventure. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Dragon Quest III on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.