Dragon Warrior (Dragon Quest) Review! (NES) - The Game Collection 

I disagree about the music. While it's definitely repetitive, there is one music trick that still boggles my mind for an NES game. In every labyrinth, for every floor you go down, the music drops a step and becomes slower. Some of the other tracks became iconic as well. Even compared to something like the original Zelda, there's actually quiet a bit of variation for it's time.

I played this game when it first came out and loved it! My friends hated it and made fun of me for liking it. This game made me an RPG'r

I remember back in the late 80s being like 4 or 5, having a Nintendo, and seeing this game in the local Toys R Us and seeing the dragon and knight box art behind the glass and being blown away. Never bought it back then, actually beat it on my phone when I downloaded a mobile emulator about 5 years ago. Game is a classic intro to the genre. Still holds up today IMO.

Never heard of this game before but great review! :D

The OG. The beginning of a franchise. DRAGON WARRIOR! Gotta go grind slimes brb

Enjoyed this game surprisingly. I never beat it as I got the point of the game where the instructions are "Just grind all the levels so you can beat the final area and boss" and I just said "Nah, I get the gist of the game."

My absolute favorite series. I'm so glad its finally get some love again in the west.

Did you create that XP graph? Great work because I've never seen anyone do that in rpg reviews.nice vid!

My friends and I absolutely loved this game growing up. A classic and one of the best RPG games of all time in my opinion.

I remember when I first got my copy, I played it and Final Fantasy both obsessively. At one point, my NES only ever had one of those two games in it. Objectively, Final Fantasy is a better game, but it came out later and had the benefit of leaning on Dragon Quest. Regardless I love both to this day, and my copies still work fine!

Ya know as many times as I've played this title I never noticed the whacked out leveling curve. Shit I don't think I've ever even questioned the level gains in any sort of mathematical approach before. Thanks for teaching me something new Derek. Video was awesome as always. (:

that intro... that style... catch my atention... after that? an awesome review of dragon Quest... you win man! here is my sub!

Surprised there was no mention of the remakes. I couldn't beat the NES game, but I've beaten the GBC version multiple times. In fact, it's the only Dragon Quest game I've beaten.

Congrats on the milestone! Dragon Warrior was my first JRPG, and has always remained a special game for me. I lucked out to get my hands on one of those free copies from a friend who got it with Nintendo Power. Great review!

mmmm that bulge... er... on the game footage i mean, of course! you can almost smell the ozone coming off it. i always had a hard time getting into DW1, 4 was my preferred NES game of the bunch.

love your roon you had a nes same as me when we were kids. great review

36 years huh kind of late for a review dont you think

Awesome review man. I need to go back and complete DW1 again so I can go through the others in the series. I've recently acquired DW3 & DW4. Have you ever tried the Dragon Warrior Monsters series? The first two are in my top 10 games. Seriously love them. They play a lot like Pokémon games but in my opinion better.

That's so weird, fam. I just finished up with the first 5 Dragon Quests, and started my playthrough of 6. I figured it was a disservice being a huge JRPG fan, and only having played the 8th and 9th installment. I can't fault anything you've said here. Solid review, tbh famicom.

I have to very strongly disagree about what said about the music. Its absolutely iconic and amazing

Wow congrats on 50 reviews and over 10k subscribers (you deserve 20 times that). Dragon Warrior was the very first concole RPG and JRPG I ever played. I still love it

A few hours....? Hahahahahahaha........ (It took me about 25 years to finally finish this game...) :(

I got my copy free with a subscription to Nintendo Power in 1990. Not really knowing how to play this type of game at age 11, it really turned me off to role playing games. It wasn't till about 5 years later where I committed myself to learning how to play and beating the game, which I ultimately did enjoy.

OH SNAP! Derek are you gonna do every single Dragon Quest game?! You have now officially out done 16 bit gems! Love your channel and I always insta thumbs up your vids!

But that spell hath been blocked! :d I really like the nice stereo mixes of the music you are using.

I played the crap out of this game back in the day. It is one of my favorite NES games and one of the handful of boxed games in my collection. I also have some extras for it such as a map, strategy guide and quick reference card. These items were distributed along with the game in the early '90s. I believe it was a special offer in Nintendo Power so there are probably many sets of these items still out there. It is one of the cheaper boxed NES games and makes for a visually appealing display. I think, like myself, many people had their first RPG experience with this game.

Just played like 20 minutes of this game today and it's legit. The game has this appeal to it.

Beat the mobile version the other day. Was pretty basic, but not to the extent that I had initially feared.

Dragon Warrior was the first game I ever played back as a very young kid. I couldn't make any progress as I just kept dying to the same enemies over and over again (not understanding how to play beyond press the attack button). I picked up a copy of the Dragon Quest 1-3 Collection for switch online and just beat Dragon Quest. It feels amazing and I really enjoyed my time with it. I'm hopping right back in for Dragon Quest II.

Personally, I think the mobile ports are an excellent way to play the first three Dragon Quest games. While DQ1 and DQ2 are excellent games, their simplicity doesnt lend itself to long play sessions on console for the modern gamer. They are, however, perfect for playing on mobile while you are in line, or at work, or whatever. Even though they are simple for a modern console game, compared to most mobile games they are leagues ahead (and no microtransactions!). Also, the updated graphics, rebalancing, and ability to save anywhere are extremely welcome features. If you have always wanted to play the early DQ (or FF) games but didnt think they would hold your attention then get the mobile ports! I beat DQ1 and DQ2 on mobile and enjoyed them both. DQ3 is also the enhanced snes port we never got so its basically the definitive way to play the game. I got like hafway into it but am about to start a new playthrough once I finish FF5 (would def reccomend FF5)

I think it is so sweet when your character carries the princess home in his arms.

5:40 Yes you are right, the music is good but it loops too often. To be honest, though, I didn't place a very high value on music in games back in the 80s and early 90s. I had a boom box *and* a Sony Walkman (I was a very cool dude, obviously!), and so I tended to make my own soundtrack to go with my NES and SNES games. I'd guess that a lot of other people did that too.

I finally own this entire series (thanks to dragon warrior 1-3 releasing on switch) and someday I'll complete them all...(minus that online one?)

I recently played the Android version, it has improved leveling, graphics and quick save features, but I think it's a missed opportunity. The graphics are ok but they look stretched, there's only portrait mode, there's no added content, the spells, monsters and everything else is the same, no improved script and it uses old English translation that I found pretty annoying after a couple of minutes. I wouldn't mind paying more for a proper remake.

Dragon Warrior for the NES popped my RPG cherry and have been playing them ever since.

Replaying these videos and the games themselves, RIP Akira Toriyama

This is a great video! I love the old tv filter when showing gameplay. You did an excellent job with this review.

I was a final fantasy kid growing up. I didn't own this game, not sure why, but I remember playing it at friends' houses. I never was a fan of the 1st person perspective, I want to see my characters in battle.

Can you do a review on Space Channel 5 Parts 1 and 2? It isn't really that long of a game only about 2 hours and its really cheap anyways :D

Right as I'm about to start DQ4 after work today! So excited!

How are you walking so far without an encounter? I'm getting encounters almost every 3-4 squares I move!

I love how you kept the scanline (I recently started doing the same in my videos. I remember watching your Lufia Fortress of Doom way back when. Just recently started watching your stuff again, and your quality has significantly improved. Great video keep up the good work!

Wrapping up vesperia and plan on playing dragon quest . Can’t wait. Sadly hear switch version isn’t great but it’ll have to do

You know, I've never really sat down and played through DQ. I've always preferred having a small party in RPGs. I do remember when the game came out and remember when Nintendo Power subscriptions came with a free copy of the game. It's a shame that those days are long gone. Great look at a true classic.

I agree, it really isn't as bad as one may think, it has annoying things, but it is the story, the beginning of JRPG's.

Hey this game only runs 10$ crazy how cheap it is for the American console hope there helps people want to buy it

Great Video.

Hell I'm buying this full copy

The final level grind before the last boss ruined the game for me. I just couldn't make myself do it. Was having a great time until that point, though.

I got 1 of those free copy's couldn't remember why but it was nintendo

Playing right now on switch - wish the original pixel style was on it but I have been loving it

5:59 - Complete copies for less that 20 dollars? Not when you're in Europe, sadly. Combined with shipping, it's about 50 or 60 dollars for a complete copy.

The game that started it all for me...well..Dragon WARRIOR after that Nintendo Power giveaway. I know for a fact I have Erdrick's blood line in me. Great Review bud!

I got this game for free with a subscription to nintendo power.

Just wanna' point out that I actually much prefer the NA box/manual art for this game than Akira's despite me being a DB/DBZ fan growing up as a kid. Because the NA art was so amazing and epic, the instruction manual had so many beautiful illustrations for all the items, equipment, and spells too.

Nice, but was kind of hoping for a comparison to the other versions.

Please allow me to review as 10 year old me. 1,000,000 out of 10.

Playing the SNES version now and don't you actually need to save the princess to get the location to Roto's token? Which lets you get the rainbow gem.

Man I hope we'll get DQXI in the west...

Did you beat the game without using the internet? I did when I was like 14 years old. Some cryptic shit in this game, like finding a medallion with just coordinates with no marker illustrating where the stupid medal is. Or, the vague riddles given to find paths.

Great series of games. Also one I played completely out of order. I think Dragon Warrior VII was the first one I played. I was more of a Final Fantasy guy growing up.

Why do people call it dragon quest if it says dragon WARRIOR right on the label ?

My first console RPG.

Super video, Derek! ;) Dragon Warrior is a game that I have many fond memories of and will still pop in from time to time to this day. That being said, I haven't played any of the Dragon Warrior/Quest series past the NES days. I'm going to have to start seeking out the remakes for the DS at some point. Great review! Looking forward to the rest of the series.

Hi Derek. I love the channel. I was wondering if you could do the review of Alundra 2? I know you just did the 1st one last year but Im a huge Aludra fan but I wanted to know If its even worth a buy.

That is such a weird EXP graph. That makes me curious to see what the EXP graphs look like for other games of that era. Might be worth doing a video about!

That was a real slick move at 0:35 when you hold up the game. I'm impressed.

The music is burnt into my brain though.

The newer dragonquest games are better 5 and on are the best

I still gotta get the box and manual. I got the game itself as a graduation present when I graduated middle school

Saw you´ve review some other shin megami games. I must recommend shin megami tensei: nocturne(or lucifers call in EU). It is great thats why, especially the version were "DmC Dante" is a boss and recruitable character!!

My sought out game of all time . The game that started it all. I loved this one even though your alone in this one. I really want a reboot of all of them in PS4

Just bought this game today! Huge FF fan but I've always overlooked Dragon Quest for some reason.

Niceee as usual Derek! You gonna do every dragon quest?

The Dragon Warrior series on the Nintendo is quite possibly my favorite video game series of all time. Objectively, I couldn't say it's the best, just likely my favorite. Something about these games just seems pure and unspoiled and for this they have remained relevant to me and something I still revisit now and then.

I still hum the over world tune... And the one on the title screen but the game will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the first game I remember playing, and I was like 3 or 4. I could not read yet but I loved looking at the monsters. Swear I must have beaten ten thousand slimes to death with my fists, though I likely died more to ghosts and wizards. I just remember playing it. Every thing else I put down are assumptions I've made. I do know I walked to Kol, and that's the part I remember... I did not know the name of the town just that it was full of people. I love Dragon warrior.

I love this game. Talk about rpg grind! Great review. After watching this I will definitely be playing this one on my channel soon!

Man! You'll be pleasantly surprised when you'll reach to and finish Dragon Quest(Warrior) IV for NES, and would have to make a longer video.

Played this on my NES in 1989 and have been addicted to RPGs ever since. This game should be a rite of passage.

Yay, new Super Derek! Informative stuff, as always. I was a Final Fantasy kid, I think I may have rented one of the Dragon Warrior games and played it for a weekend, but I never owned any. So you're saying that there was a single NPC, the king, that you had to go to to save? That sounds really inconvenient. Also, most Japanese people don't own computers? That really surprises me if that's true. Do they just rely on their smartphones?

man i hope you review all the DQ series....man i want a game adaptation of the manga adventures of dai

Solid

Glad that you enjoyed it in spite of its age. I really liked it when I was a kid, and it was fun to watch you play it. Can't wait until you get to the third game. It's one of my favorites. I'm currently playing IV on DS, and eager awaiting the 3DS release of VII.

I remember I never played a Dragon Quest game and bought Monster Joker and as I saw it at a store and thought oh yes I need a new game to play this should be good. At first I was very disappointed to learn it was like a Pokemon rip off but the more I played the more I liked the game. I put many hours into it.

Great Video! Very insightful. 👍👍

what is your favorite RPG game??

what did u mean by there was some inconsistencies? i thought it was very consistent for the time lol, great review, i forgot how much i loved this game, i thought dragonlord was one of the greatest villains ever lol

Glad to see that this crazy-go-nuts series got the Super 'Do Super Review! Good Jorb!

Hey homie, recently subbed, keep up the great work! I see you like the persona games - I'm totally addicted to shin Megami Tensei 4 atm, on the 3DS. Have you checked it out?

thk u for giving this classic a shout out, i always felt like it doesnt get the credit it deserves so this is great!

I got a copy at a swap meet a few months back for $8.

Super Derek or Kyle Schwarber? 🤔 The world may never know

Congrats on 10,000 subs!

I remember really liking this game for what it was but forgetting a lot about it plot wise.

Accept his offer and start the events of Dragon Quest Builders \o/

Has anyone ever defeated the Golem without the flute?

your subscriber graph just went +1

balls of light

Man that XP graph is nuts. Reminds me of OG everquest when it still had "hell levels" which bascially used the same concept.

Are you kidding me? The music of Dragon Warrior, all of them is great!