Dragon Quest IX opens to 2.3M in Japan - Report

Square Enix's heavily anticipated RPG for DS secures multiplatinum milestone in island nation within 48 hours.

It isn't common for the delay of a Nintendo DS game to cause significant hardship at a company, but that's just what happened earlier this year with Square Enix.

After stumbling across a "serious software bug" in February, Square Enix delayed its hugely anticipated Dragon Quest IX from late March to July 11 in Japan. In tandem, the publisher also slashed its fiscal-year earnings expectations by 17 percent and its profit projections by 62.5 percent.

The Japanese like their Dragon Quest.

With DQIX making its long-awaited debut over the weekend, it's clear that Square Enix's fiscal-year revisions were not an overreaction. Citing figures from Japanese stat-tracking firm Media Create, Andriasang reports today that DQIX sold 2,318,932 units during its first 48 hours on the Japanese market. Media Create notes that DQIX's Japanese debut was larger than that of DQVIII, which opened to 2.23 million units on the PlayStation 2 in 2004.

While extremely popular in Japan, the Dragon Quest series has been widely eclipsed elsewhere in the world by Square Enix's Final Fantasy series. Square Enix has said that it hopes to bolster the franchise's worldwide appeal with DQIX, giving the game a more action-oriented premise than previous games in the series. DQIX also includes support for four-player multiplayer.

Square Enix has yet to attach a release date to DQIX in regions outside of Japan. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

93 Comments

  • geomyr

    Posted Jul 16, 2009 9:16 am PT

    i haven't played my DQ 4 yet on my ds but think DQ 9 is good

  • psylocke8

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 7:29 pm PT

    I can't wait till this game comes to the US. I am still waiting for DQVI. What is the hold up? I loved IV and V. I respect the Japanese for loving these games so much. I know DQ is not for everyone, but if more gave it a try, who knows, it could be the next epidemic.

  • freakbabyblues

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 4:36 am PT

    Got a perfect score there too. This game is win.

  • bloom467

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 3:45 pm PT

    This will be one of the best games on the DS!

  • Spikedjester

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 12:58 pm PT

    Whats with all the buzz on this game? ill check it out

  • Saprissa9

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 12:50 pm PT

    @ calvin
    no it doesnt look like my avatar retard cant you see the difference chrono looks more mature than the little kids in this picture. RETARD

  • leeko_link

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 11:32 am PT

    So it sells millions in the J-island, now could Square Enix start localizing it so that the whole world could join in on the fun as well.

  • natron557

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 10:30 am PT

    lol I love it
    Japan basically shuts down for a week when a new DQ drops. Awesome sales, this one looks like one of the best yet.

  • Lord_Regnier

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 10:23 am PT

    That's incredible i really the series gets more popular here in europe

  • ScionofEntropy

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 10:04 am PT

    That's quite an impressive start. Hope it does half as well in its North American release. Maybe I'll be one of the people buying.

  • Kitty_Fields

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 9:45 am PT

    @true_hurdler: That's because they have the same character designer, who apparently doesn't have much, um... variety in his art style. Not like his art is bad or anything, but yeah...

  • Gamewako

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 9:41 am PT

    Wow, has a new release EVER sold that well in the states...without the name Madden plastered all over it of course?

  • joynul

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 8:33 am PT

    never really got into the DQ series but hopefullt with this i will sounds like a good game but i played dragon quest swords and havent touched it since like a lot of my wii games

  • trick6952

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 7:55 am PT

    niiice, now im just paitently waiting for a North America release

  • jerahmeela

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 7:54 am PT

    It seems that Famitsu has posted news several hours ago that Dragon Quest IX has reached three million copies sold in Japan. It would be a matter of time that it will break the franchise record in Japan of selling 3.9 million copies currently held by Dragon Quest VII. This is quite remarkable.

  • LeoGoBezerk

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 6:59 am PT

    One of my favorite game series ever! Can't wait for NA release!!! Also i'm looking forward for DQX for Wii.

  • jansdman

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 6:38 am PT

    Very nice, wish I have a DS so I can play this game

  • Lightfellower

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 5:56 am PT

    Those are shocking figures. But then again, we are talking about Dragon Quest and Japan.

  • KathR

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 5:54 am PT

    I've always loved the Dragon Warrior/Quest series.. I'll be waiting for this along with DQVI.. just hurry... lol

  • true_hurdler

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 5:49 am PT

    Why do some of the characters from Dragon Quest look so much like characters from Dragonball? Just an observation lol...

  • lionheart234

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 5:37 am PT

    DQ 9 looks gd for the ds..... i played DQ8 on the ps2 which was a gd game but was so long as theres so much text you have to read...lol

    overall im looking forward to this...

  • InsultToInjury_

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 4:25 am PT

    Very impressive sales. I look forward to it if its ever released in Europe.

  • Shiizuki

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 3:42 am PT

    ...I need that thing...

  • ThunderChunkier

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 3:05 am PT

    That's crazy, selling so much in so little time.

  • Bigcol1611

    Posted Jul 14, 2009 1:13 am PT

    Im going to get this when it comes to the UK, just havent got 3 friends to take advantage of the four-player aspect

  • capitalthoughts

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 11:01 pm PT

    Love is coming to the consoles, or console if you will with the so far exclusive Dragon Quest X for the Wii.

  • scarface_dm

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 9:57 pm PT

    Hopefully they bring the love to consoles, specifically on 360

  • TheKungFool

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 9:34 pm PT

    They can delay it until 2071 for all I care.
    I'm not saying that to be a jerk, I hope you guys enjoy this game and it comes out on time for you, but I haven't liked a Dragon Quest game since I played IV back on the NES.
    PSone's Dragon Warrior VII was horrid, and PS2's Dragon Quest VIII just didn't hold my attention, probably due to it feeling overly campy.

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 9:26 pm PT

    @ holenjd
    @ XxTerryH15xX

    Those are some poor complaints. Its obvious why Squar-enix is making so many exclusives on the DS because the DS is currently the best selling console of this generation. Make a game on this one console and it can sale to over ONE-HUNDRED-MILLION people around the world. Would you rather Squar-enix made less successful exclusives on other consoles.

  • joet1973

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 9:02 pm PT

    There's a strange sense of immersion in DQ games when they're at their best. I didn't feel it with DQ IIX; the silent protagonist (which is meant to be "you") wasn't convincing. But I'll buy this one anyway and hope it has that classic charm. Something you can always count on with these games is brilliant battle tunes. (Though great music is wasted if the monsters are push-overs).

  • youngsexynerd

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 8:54 pm PT

    WOW, thats all i can say!!

  • Allicrombie Site moderator

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 8:39 pm PT

    I definitely want some DQIX in the states!

  • punch37

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 8:25 pm PT

    got dragon quest 4 and 5 on ds can't wait for this and 6 to come out on the ds

  • 1valiantknight

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 8:17 pm PT

    When I first saw Dragon Quest 8 I thought it looked really really dumb. Then I played it and realized it was really really awesome. Can't wait for this, very glad to have a DS.

  • Jag-T1000

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 7:59 pm PT

    2.3 million in Japan.They are crazy over there. It won't even sell .3 million in the US!

  • shabulia posted Jul 13, 2009 7:42 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    shabulia

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 7:42 pm PT (hide)

    I've never understood how Dragon Quest was always bigger in Japan than Final Fantasy. To me, there is no comparison. Final Fantasy is without peers and burries all other RPGs... including even Dragon Quest.

  • qubeley

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 7:20 pm PT

    I love love love Dragon Quest VIII! Very looking forward to this one. Although I must say the re-release of IV and V were quite underwhelming

  • Bgrngod

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 7:09 pm PT

    Japan is gaga for Dragon Quest. Always have been. Probably always will be.

  • ChamomileBaths

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 7:02 pm PT

    This game was essential back 2 years ago, but now my DS is gone. Though if Nintendo ever released an add-on to play DS games through Wii I'd buy DQ IX.

  • Dr_Corndog

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 6:58 pm PT

    Over 2 million sold in 2 days. And that's just in Japan. That's nuts.

  • calvinx6

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 6:37 pm PT

    @ Saprissa9
    Don't the character looks just like your avatar.
    Oh wait, isn't DQ IX and Chrono Trigger have the same art style.

  • Saprissa9 posted Jul 13, 2009 6:32 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Saprissa9

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 6:32 pm PT (hide)

    i would buy this game but gosh i dont like the way the characters look. they look like little kids to me, oh well ima keep on playing dragon quest 4, my favorite one.

  • warioband3

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 6:20 pm PT

    @ travisstaggs: It's Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors and Square Enix is planning to release Dragon Quest X on the Wii

  • NuKkU

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 5:35 pm PT

    damn man thats just crazy woah!!!! too bad this is DS only or i would definatly get it when it comes to the US

  • themyth01

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 5:19 pm PT

    So it was only 2.3 million after all, it fell short of Halo 3's record of 2.8 million first day. I heard some reports saying it was around 3 million.

  • travisstaggs

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 3:47 pm PT

    @ jjdomo: There is a Dragon Quest game for Wii look it up and Wii gets DQX.

  • jazilla

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 3:37 pm PT

    i havent played a DQ game since the NES. Too bad I don't own a DS or I am sure I would buy this.

  • agturboninja

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 3:36 pm PT

    2.3 million 2 days in Japan (pop 120 million) is like the equivlant of a Halo or GTA selling 6 million in 2 days.

  • holenjd posted Jul 13, 2009 3:02 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    holenjd

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 3:02 pm PT (hide)

    I am so tired of them making their huge franchises on DS only. I will not buy this because of it even though I have a DS.

  • XxTerryH15xX posted Jul 13, 2009 2:52 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    XxTerryH15xX

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 2:52 pm PT (hide)

    why is square enix making so many ds games i mean cmon! make a game on ps3 already!!!!! i hope dragon quest can come to ps3 and 360

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