Nintendo Entertainment System · RPG
Dragon Quest
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1986 |
| Genre | RPG |
| Developer | Enix |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Epic journey (20+ hours of adventure) |
| Series | Dragon Quest |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 24 |
Developed by Enix and published by Nintendo, Dragon Quest arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986 as a role-playing game. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Dragon Warrior.
It came out in the NES's second year on the market. Other notable NES releases from 1986 include Arkanoid, Metroid and Ikari Warriors. Among the 63 NES RPGs in our database, it ranks #4 by legacy score.
It is part of the Dragon Quest series; on the NES you can also try Dragon Quest III, 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 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)
- you want to experience one of the NES's defining games
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 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 cheats & codes
42 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Walk Thru Walls | AVVLLPSA |
|---|---|
| Infinite Magic Power | SXOIVLSA |
| Take No Damage In Swamp | AEVGUIZA |
| Start With 256 Gold Coins | VVOYYTSA |
| All Spells Use Only One Magic Point | VKOIVLSA |
| Barriers Cause Half Usual Damage | YAKKEVYA |
Dragon Quest walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Dragon Quest.
If you like Dragon Quest, the Matrix also picks…
Dragon Quest VI Classic
Final Fantasy Classic
Final Fantasy II Classic
Final Fantasy III 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 FAQ
When did Dragon Quest come out on the NES?
Dragon Quest was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986.
Who made Dragon Quest?
It was developed by Enix and published by Nintendo.
Is Dragon Quest multiplayer?
No. Dragon Quest is a single-player game.
How long does Dragon Quest take to play?
As a role-playing game, Dragon Quest 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 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.