View source for Dragon Quest VIII

{{Short description|2004 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Dragon Quest VIII: {{nowrap|Journey of the Cursed King}}
| image = Dragon Quest VIII Journey of the Cursed King.jpeg
| caption = North American PlayStation 2 cover art
| developer = [[Level-5 (company)|Level-5]]{{efn|[[Square Enix]] developed the 3DS version}}
| publisher = Square Enix{{efn|[[Nintendo]] published the [[Nintendo 3DS]] version overseas for Square Enix}}
| series = ''[[Dragon Quest]]''
| engine = [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]] (Android/iOS)
| platforms = [[PlayStation 2]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]], [[Nintendo 3DS]]
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|November 27, 2004}}|'''PlayStation 2'''{{vgrelease|JP|November 27, 2004<ref>{{cite web|url=http://level5ia.com/product/dragon-quest-viii-us-november-2005/?page=1|title=Dragon Quest VIII (US) - November 2005|publisher=[[Level-5 (video game company)|LEVEL-5 International America]]|access-date=May 31, 2012|archive-date=March 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323062356/http://level5ia.com/product/dragon-quest-viii-us-november-2005/?page=1|url-status=dead}}</ref>|NA|November 15, 2005|AUS|April 12, 2006|EU|April 13, 2006}}'''Android''', '''iOS'''{{vgrelease|JP|December 12, 2013<ref name="dq1-8-mobile">{{cite web|url=http://www.jp.square-enix.com/company/ja/news/2013/html/e591cd5d77a896ddd7ae37396d9430d6.html|title=SQUARE ENIX will release DRAGON QUEST VIII for iOS and Android on December 12, 2013 in Japan (For Japan)|publisher=[[Square Enix]]|date=December 2, 2013|access-date=December 2, 2013|language=ja|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051919/http://www.jp.square-enix.com/company/ja/news/2013/html/e591cd5d77a896ddd7ae37396d9430d6.html|url-status=live}}</ref>|WW|May 28, 2014<ref name="itunes_release">{{cite web | title=DRAGON QUEST VIII on the App Store on iTunes | url=https://apps.apple.com/app/id862972069 | publisher=Square Enix | access-date=May 29, 2014 | archive-date=March 12, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312081914/https://itunes.apple.com/app/id862972069 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="google_play_release">{{cite web | title=DRAGON QUEST VIII - Android Apps on Google Play | url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.square_enix.android_googleplay.dq8 | publisher=Square Enix | access-date=May 29, 2014 | archive-date=May 29, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529142756/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.square_enix.android_googleplay.dq8 | url-status=live }}</ref>}}'''Nintendo 3DS'''<br/>{{vgrelease|JP|August 27, 2015<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-05-13-dragon-quest-8-coming-to-nintendo-3ds|title=Dragon Quest 8 coming to Nintendo 3DS|first=Wesley|last=Yin-Poole|work=[[Eurogamer]]|date=May 13, 2015|access-date=May 13, 2015|archive-date=May 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515231810/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-05-13-dragon-quest-8-coming-to-nintendo-3ds|url-status=live}}</ref>|NA|January 20, 2017<ref>{{cite press release|title=The New Year Brings a New World to Save When DRAGON QUEST VIII: Journey of the Cursed King Releases for Nintendo 3DS on Jan. 20|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161103005616/en/|website=Business Wire|date=November 3, 2016 |publisher=Nintendo of America, Inc.|access-date=November 3, 2016|archive-date=November 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104075544/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161103005616/en/|url-status=live}}</ref>|EU|January 20, 2017<ref>{{cite web|title=DRAGON QUEST VIII: Journey of the Cursed King releases for Nintendo 3DS on January 20th 2017|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2016/November/DRAGON-QUEST-VIII-Journey-of-the-Cursed-King-releases-for-Nintendo-3DS-on-January-20th-2017-1152241.html|publisher=Nintendo of Europe GmbH|access-date=November 3, 2016}}</ref>|AUS|January 21, 2017<ref>{{cite web|title=The New Year brings a new (DRAGON) quest, on 21st January 2017!|url=https://www.nintendo.com.au/the-new-year-brings-a-new-dragon-quest-on-21st-january-2017|publisher=Nintendo Australia Pty. Ltd.|access-date=November 4, 2016|archive-date=March 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320052101/http://www.nintendo.com.au/the-new-year-brings-a-new-dragon-quest-on-21st-january-2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}}}
| genre = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
| director = [[Akihiro Hino]]
| producer = {{ubl|Ryutaro Ichimura|Yoshiki Watabe}}
| designer = [[Yuji Horii]]
| artist = {{ubl|[[Akira Toriyama]]|Takayuki Sameshima|Kazunari Matsuo}}
| writer = {{ubl|Yuji Horii|Jin Fujisawa|Atsushi Narita}}
| composer = [[Koichi Sugiyama]]
| programmer = Yasuhiro Akasaka
}}

'''''Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Dragon Quest VIII: Sora to Umi to Daichi to Norowareshi Himegimi''''', lit. "Dragon Quest VIII: Sky, Sea, Earth, and the Cursed Princess"|ドラゴンクエストVIII 空と海と大地と呪われし姫君|lead=yes}},<!-- See [[WP:JFN]] --> and in Australia and Europe as '''''Dragon Quest: The Journey of the Cursed King'''''.}} is a 2004 [[role-playing video game]] developed by [[Level-5 (company)|Level-5]] and published by [[Square Enix]] for the [[PlayStation 2]]. It was first released in Japan in November 2004, followed by North America in November 2005 and [[PAL region]]s in April 2006.<ref name=jenkins>{{cite web | author=Jenkins, David | date=April 23, 2009 | title=Square Enix Releases Tomb Raider, Dragon Quest Sales Data | url=http://gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23329 | website=Gamasutra | access-date=April 23, 2009 | archive-date=August 12, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812215106/http://gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23329 | url-status=dead }}</ref> It is the eighth installment of the ''[[Dragon Quest]]'' series and it is the first English version of a ''Dragon Quest'' game to drop the ''Dragon Warrior'' title.<ref name="horii">{{cite web | author=Onyett, Charles | date=May 19, 2005 | title=E3 2005: Interview with Yuji Horii | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/20/e3-2005-interview-with-yuji-horii | website=IGN | access-date=June 1, 2009 | archive-date=November 29, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129061010/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/20/e3-2005-interview-with-yuji-horii | url-status=live }}</ref> A version of the game for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[iOS]] was released in Japan in 2013<ref name="dq1-8-mobile"/> and worldwide in 2014,<ref name="itunes_release" /><ref name="google_play_release" /> with a version for [[Nintendo 3DS]] releasing later in 2015 in Japan and 2017 globally.

''Dragon Quest VIII'' uses [[cel shading]] for the characters and scenery and is the first game in the series to have fully [[3D computer graphics|3D]] environments and character models.<ref name="rank">{{cite web | year=2007 | title=Dragon Quest VIII at GameRankings.com | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/583527-dragon-quest-viii-journey-of-the-cursed-king/index.html | access-date=October 13, 2007 | archive-date=August 26, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826035412/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/583527-dragon-quest-viii-journey-of-the-cursed-king/index.html | url-status=live }}</ref> The game retains most of the series' role-playing game elements, such as turn-based combat and the experience level system. ''Dragon Quest VIII'' follows the silent protagonist and his party of allies as they journey towards the goal of defeating the wicked Dhoulmagus, who cursed the kingdom of Trodain and its people. ''Dragon Quest VIII'' was a critical and commercial success, and has since been listed as one of the [[List of video games considered the best|best video games ever made]].

== Gameplay ==
[[File:Dragon quest viii PS2 eng battle.png|thumb|left|''Dragon Quest VIII'' retains the same menu-based battle system used in previous series installments.]]
''Dragon Quest VIII'' is a [[role-playing video game]] in which the player controls the Hero in a fully three-dimensional environment. Players are able to pan the camera a full 360 degrees around the character, as well as look in a [[first-person perspective]] mode.<ref name=kurt /> The visual controls allow players to examine people and objects more closely than the [[top-down perspective]] of the game's predecessors. With a new fully integrated world, towns and dungeons are no longer identified by two-dimensional icons found on the world maps. Players can guide the Hero across vast landscapes to reach full-size towns and buildings.<ref name="horii"/>

Battles are [[Random encounter|randomly occurring]] and [[turn-based]]. When encountering an enemy, the game switches to a battle scene with the enemies facing the party where characters from both sides take turns attacking each other. These battle scenes have visually changed dramatically from earlier games in the series, yet retain a similar text based menu system for battles.<ref name=gspot /> In the earlier games, battles were shown from a [[First-person (video games)|first-person perspective]]. For this installment, the battles are shown in a first-person perspective while choosing what to do, but the view then shifts to a third-person perspective with all of the members of the Hero's party shown on the screen along with the enemies.<ref name=kurt /> During battle, each character in the party has the ability to attack, use items, or use magic and skills. ''Dragon Quest VIII'' also introduced the tension system, which allows the player to choose the "Psyche Up" command for a character during battle.<ref name=brend /> This command allows the player to skip a character's turn in order to build "tension", making that character's next attack stronger. By using it multiple times in succession, the character's attack will do more damage. Another new feature, the Alchemy Pot allows players to mix items in order to create new, stronger items. This can be done while walking on the world map. There is also a monster capturing feature, but it is not as fundamental to the gameplay as it was in ''[[Dragon Quest V]]''.<ref name=kurt /> The player may find enemies visible on the world map that can be recruited if defeated and used during the Monster Arena mini-game and during battle.

Through the traditional [[experience point]] system, characters advance through experience levels and develop their abilities, similar to previous games in the series. Defeating enemies grants experience points and gold to the party, which allows the player to purchase items and weapons at in-game shops. In addition to this, Level-5 incorporated a secondary skill development system to allow players a chance to customize each character to their liking.<ref name="horii"/> After characters gain an experience level past level four, they accrue skill points distributed as the player chooses among five different skills—three different weapon skills (which vary from character to character), "fisticuffs", and a character-specific special attribute. Gaining enough points in a skill can allow the character to gain strength in weapons and learn new abilities and magic spells.<ref name=extreme>{{cite web | first=Ryan | last=Hartman | date=April 20, 2006 | title=Dragon Quest VIII Review at psxextreme.com | url=http://www.psxextreme.com/ads/intergi.asp?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Epsxextreme%2Ecom%2Fscripts%2Freviews2%2Freview%2Easp%3FRevID%3D475 | access-date=October 6, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110031946/http://www.psxextreme.com/ads/intergi.asp?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Epsxextreme%2Ecom%2Fscripts%2Freviews2%2Freview%2Easp%3FRevID%3D475 | archive-date=January 10, 2016 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

==Synopsis==

=== Plot ===
The game begins with the court [[jester]] of the kingdom of Trodain, Dhoulmagus, stealing an ancient scepter and casting a spell on Trodain castle. The spell turns the king, King Trode, into a troll; the princess, Medea, into a horse; and the rest of the castle's inhabitants into plants. The only one left unaffected is the unnamed protagonist, a Trodain guard. The guard, King Trode, and Princess Medea set out on a quest to track down Dhoulmagus and break the spell.<ref name=kurt>{{cite web | first=Kurt | last=Kalata | url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/the-history-of-dragon-quest | title=The History of Dragon Quest | date=April 4, 2008 | access-date=October 5, 2009 | website=[[Gamasutra]] | archive-date=November 11, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091111103125/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3520/the_history_of_dragon_quest.php?page=9 | url-status=live }}</ref> They are joined by Yangus, a bandit whose life the hero saves from a collapsing bridge; Jessica, a mage seeking to avenge her brother; and Angelo, a Templar Knight with a penchant for flirting and gambling. Tracking Dhoulmagus' murderous path, the party journeys west, across the ocean. Eventually, the group hunts down Dhoulmagus and kills him, but Dhoulmagus' death fails to break the spell. Jessica claims Dhoulmagus' scepter, and soon after disappears.

Jessica later returns, possessed by the staff and battles the remaining party members in an attempt to murder a young man. After the party releases Jessica from her possession, Jessica tells them that the scepter contains the spirit of Rhapthorne, the Lord of Darkness, who was imprisoned in the scepter long ago by seven sages. He seeks to escape from his prison by killing the descendants of the sages. She proceeds to speculate that it is Rhapthorne, and not Dhoulmagus, who maintains the curse on Trodain: therefore, Rhapthorne must be defeated if the curse is to be broken. When Jessica explains this, the scepter takes control of a magician's dog, Sir Leopold, and kills the magician's assistant, who was one of the descendants of the sages. The party attempts to seek out and defend the remaining descendants, but Leopold manages to murder another descendant of the sages. Eventually, the scepter comes into the possession of Marcello, Angelo's power hungry half-brother. Marcello kills the last remaining descendant of the sages, but manages to contain Rhapthorne for a time. Eventually, the party engages Marcello and exhaust him to the point of losing control and releasing Rhapthorne. The party, aided by the godbird Empyrea, faces Rhapthorne and defeats him. With Rhapthorne dead, King Trode, Princess Medea, and the people of Trodain are returned to normal. Months later, the protagonist escorts Medea to Savella [[Cathedral]] for her arranged marriage to the spoiled Prince Charmles of Argonia, but before the ceremony can take place, the protagonist and Medea escape from Savella Cathedral and live happily together. In an unlockable extended ending, it is discovered that the protagonist is the lost prince of Argonia, and upon this revelation, the King of Argonia decides to allow the protagonist to marry Medea. In the 3DS version, the player can choose to instead begin a romance with Jessica. In the traditional ending the hero goes traveling the world with Jessica while in the unlockable ending the hero can choose to marry Jessica instead of Medea.

=== Characters ===
''Dragon Quest VIII'' focuses on four main characters, each joining the battle party early in the game. The main protagonist of the game, an eighteen-year-old royal guard of Trodain and the only person present in the castle to escape Dhoulmagus' wrath unscathed, is a silent hero, and named by the player. He is the most balanced party member, able to equip swords, spears, boomerangs and use magic. He is immune to all curses. His special attribute is courage.<ref name=kurt/> He is accompanied by Yangus, a former thief and friend of the Hero's who owes the Hero a life debt after the Hero rescues him from the side of a cliff. Yangus is a physically strong character and speaks with a [[Cockney accent]] in the English versions, and wields axes, clubs, and scythes. His special attribute is humanity. Jessica Albert, the only woman to join the party, is a sorceress from the town of Alexandria who seeks to avenge her murdered brother, Alistair. She uses magic but can also equip whips and knives, and she can stun enemies with her special attribute Sex Appeal skills. She is also the only character who can change her appearance in battle through various costumes, with the exception of one costume for the Hero.<ref name=kurt/> Angelo is a womanizing noble who was raised in a monastery following both his parents' deaths by a [[plague (disease)|plague]].<ref name=gspot /> He is a member of the Knights Templar and decides to battle against Dhoulmagus when the villain sets fire to his abbey and kills the abbot. In battle, he can use both magic and physical attacks effectively and has the most healing spells. He can wield swords, bows, or staffs. His special attribute is charisma.<ref name=kurt/>

Two [[non-player character]]s journey with the protagonists: Trode, the titular cursed king who rules over Trodain but was transformed into a toad-like creature by Dhoulmagus; and Medea, Trode's daughter, who is the same age as the Hero.<ref name=extreme /> Medea was transformed into a horse by Dhoulmagus and has a romantic interest in the Hero. Munchie, the Hero's pet mouse, becomes temporarily playable under certain circumstances. Other important non-player characters include Empyrea, a powerful god-like bird; Marcello, Angelo's illegitimate half-brother and the Captain of the Templars; Red, a female bandit and former colleague of Yangus' with whom she shares a rivalry; and Morrie, the proprietor of an underground monster-fighting arena. The antagonist of ''Dragon Quest VIII'' is Dhoulmagus, a jester who steals an ancient scepter from Trodain Castle and uses its power to curse the inhabitants of the castle, setting the game's events in motion.<ref name=kurt /> He proceeds to embark on a murder spree as the protagonists chase him. Dhoulmagus is eventually revealed to be a pawn of Rhapthorne, a demonic lord and the game's true antagonist, who is manipulating the jester in an attempt to free himself from the scepter inside of which he has been imprisoned.

== Development and release ==
{{multiple image
|align = right
|direction = vertical
|width = 250
|image1 = Dragon quest viii PS2 eng menu.png
|caption1 = The international PlayStation 2 release uses a new menu interface, allowing its players to access items and equip their party.
|image2 = Dragon quest viii PS2 jpn menu.png
|caption2 = The original Japanese PlayStation 2 ''(pictured)'' and the Nintendo 3DS versions retain the same menu interface used in previous series installments. 
}}
Like the other games in the series, [[Yuji Horii]] was staffed as the scenario director.<ref name=1upnews>{{cite web | author=1up.com staff | date=November 29, 2004 | title=Dragon Quest VIII Launch Report | url=http://www.1up.com/news/dragon-quest-viii-launch-report | work=1up.com | access-date=October 6, 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019233006/http://www.1up.com/news/dragon-quest-viii-launch-report | archive-date=October 19, 2012}}</ref> Critics praised the colorful designs done by art designer [[Akira Toriyama]] of ''[[Dragon Ball]]'' fame.<ref name=ign /><ref name=1up /> [[Koichi Sugiyama]] composed the music for the game.<ref name=rpgfan>{{cite web | first=Mike | last=Wilson | year=2005 | title=Dragon Quest VIII OST | url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq8ost/index.html | publisher=RPGfan.com | access-date=October 6, 2009 | archive-date=May 14, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514032524/http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dq8ost/index.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Dragon Quest VIII'' was released in Japan on the morning of November 27, 2004, with a celebration at [[Starbucks]] in [[Shibuya, Tokyo]], starting at 6:30&nbsp;am. Horii and Square Enix President [[Yoichi Wada]] both made appearances at the event, and several of the first buyers in line received a toy [[Slime (Dragon Quest)|Slime]].<ref name=1upnews />

From August through October before the game's US release, the "[[Simon Property Group|Simon dTOUR Live]]" Mall Tour featured playable demos at participating malls across the US. These free events gave away ''Dragon Quest'' merchandise and also featured live entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|author=Square Enix |year=2005 |title=Dragon Quest VIII Official Website |url=http://www.dragonquest8.com/tour.php |work=DragonQuest8.com |access-date=October 6, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920094909/http://www.dragonquest8.com/tour.php |archive-date=September 20, 2008 }}</ref> A demo disc for ''Dragon Quest VIII'' was also released during the fall of 2005 through ''[[Shonen Jump (magazine)|Shonen Jump]]'' magazine.<ref>[[Shonen Jump (magazine)|Shonen Jump]] volume 3, issue 8, pg. 3. [[Viz Media]]. Retrieved October 8, 2009.</ref> The game was released in North America on November 15, 2005, and shipped with a playable ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'' demo disc.<ref name="rank" /> Additions and changes to the North American version of ''Dragon Quest VIII'' included voice acting, new animations, enhanced music and sound effects, additional spells and attacks, and a new menu interface.<ref name=ign /> In a [[Nintendo Direct]] in November 2015, it was shown that the game would be releasing for the 3DS in 2016.

''Dragon Quest VIII'' was the first game in the series to bear the ''Dragon Quest'' name (rather than ''Dragon Warrior'') in North America.<ref name=ign /> ''Dragon Quest'''s North American name had been changed due to a trademark conflict with the [[Tabletop role-playing game|pen-and-paper role-playing game]] ''[[DragonQuest]]'', published by wargame publisher [[Simulation Publications]] in the 1980s, until the company's [[bankruptcy]] in 1982 and purchase by [[TSR, Inc.]], which then published it as an alternate line to ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' until 1987.<ref>{{cite web | title=The GameSpy Hall of Fame: Dragon Warrior  | publisher=GameSpy | url=http://uk.gamespy.com/articles/492/492001p1.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603150607/http://uk.gamespy.com/articles/492/492001p1.html | archive-date=June 3, 2011 | first=William | last=Cassidy | date=February 1, 2002 | access-date=May 29, 2005}}</ref> In 2003, Square Enix registered the ''Dragon Quest'' [[trademark]] in the US, making the ''Dragon Warrior'' name obsolete. As this installment of the series was the first after 2003 to be released outside Japan, it was the first to receive the ''Quest'' in its title.<ref>{{cite web|first=Sam |last=Kennedy |date=December 2, 2005 |title=Dragon Quest vs. America |url=http://www.1up.com/features/dragon-quest-america |website=[[1UP.com|1up]] |access-date=June 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019134259/http://www.1up.com/features/dragon-quest-america |archive-date=October 19, 2013 }}</ref>

Unlike the original Japanese version, the North American and European localizations of the game mark a departure from previous ''Dragon Quest'' titles due to the inclusion of voice acting in certain parts of the adventure pertaining to the advancement of the storyline.<ref name="horii"/> The game retains the series' tradition of allowing the player to name the lead character, reconciling the two by having the voice acting script skip incidences of the Hero's name, (e.g. the line "Okay, Hero, my boy..." appears on-screen, while the voice acting says, "Okay, my boy...") and occasionally replacing the name with Yangus' nickname for him, "guv" (as in "governor", pronounced with a Cockney accent).<ref name=brend>{{cite web | first=Brendon | last=Erikson | date=December 13, 2006 | title=Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King | url=http://www.gamecritics.com/review/dragonq8/main.php | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114220854/http://www.gamecritics.com/review/dragonq8/main.php | archive-date=January 14, 2009 | access-date=October 6, 2009}}</ref> Unlike some earlier games in the series, which were censored during localization for North America, ''Dragon Quest VIII'' had no such censorship. The English translation is credited to Plus Alpha Translations and [[AltJapan Co., Ltd.]] Richard Honeywood, of Square Enix's localization office and famous for his work with ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'' and ''[[Chocobo Racing]]'', was the main force behind the game's English localization.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jeremy |last=Parish |date=March 11, 2007 |title=GDC 2007: The Square-Enix Approach to Localization |url=http://www.1up.com/news/gdc-2007-square-enix-approach-localization |website=1UP.com |access-date=October 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015222641/http://www.1up.com/news/gdc-2007-square-enix-approach-localization |archive-date=October 15, 2012 }}</ref> The iOS and Android version removed the voice acting, akin to the original Japanese PS2 version due to hardware limitations at the time.

''Dragon Quest VIII'' was released in PAL regions in April 2006 under the title ''Dragon Quest: The Journey of the Cursed King'', dropping the Roman numeral. This marked the first time a main game in the series had been released in the PAL region.<ref name=jenkins /> In an interview with Horii, he mentioned that the 2003 merger between [[Square (video game company)|Squaresoft]] and [[Enix]] (creating Square Enix) allowed the company to release more games in more localities, with producer Ryutaro Ichimura adding that "European tastes have changed because of the influence of [[anime]] and cartoons, so Europeans are more willing to receive this type of artwork."<ref>{{cite web | first=Patrick | last=Garrat | date=January 16, 2006 | title=Mr Dragon Quest: The Cursed King | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/i_dragonquestviii_ps2 | publisher=Eurogamer.com | access-date=October 6, 2009 | archive-date=July 26, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726015119/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/i_dragonquestviii_ps2 | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Music ===
As with most ''Dragon Quest'' games, [[Koichi Sugiyama]] wrote the game's original score. An official soundtrack for ''Dragon Quest VIII'' was released in December 2005, published by [[Aniplex]].<ref name=rpgfan /> In the Japanese release of the game, the game features sequenced music, whereas the North American and PAL versions contained the symphonic suite orchestral recordings performed by the [[Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra]], with Sugiyama serving as the conductor. The 3DS versions swaps the soundtracks with the Japanese version using the symphonic suite orchestral recordings, while the North American and PAL versions use the sequenced music, which was entirely remastered, other than the original sequenced music in the Japanese PS2 version. The iOS and Android version uses the sequenced music from the Japanese PS2 version.

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| state = 
| MC = PS2: 89/100<ref name="MC_PS2">{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dragon-quest-viii-journey-of-the-cursed-king/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 | title=Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King for PlayStation 2 Reviews | work=[[Metacritic]] | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | access-date=October 1, 2009 | archive-date=August 25, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825091906/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/dragon-quest-viii-journey-of-the-cursed-king | url-status=live }}</ref><br />iOS: 78/100<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dragon-quest-viii-journey-of-the-cursed-king/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad | title=Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King for iPhone/iPad Reviews | work=[[Metacritic]] | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | access-date=July 14, 2019 | archive-date=June 16, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616143612/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/dragon-quest-viii-journey-of-the-cursed-king | url-status=live }}</ref><br />3DS: 85/100<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dragon-quest-viii-journey-of-the-cursed-king/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds | title=Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King for 3DS Reviews | work=[[Metacritic]] | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | access-date=July 14, 2019 | archive-date=July 31, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731173321/https://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/dragon-quest-viii-journey-of-the-cursed-king | url-status=live }}</ref>
| 1UP = A<ref name=1up>{{cite web | first=Nich | last=Maragos | date=November 14, 2005 | title=Dragon Quest VIII Review | url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/dragon-quest-viii_5 | website=1UP.com | access-date=October 1, 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019233029/http://www.1up.com/reviews/dragon-quest-viii_5 | archive-date=October 19, 2012 }}</ref>
| Edge = 8/10<ref name=edge>Edge staff. Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King review. January 2006, p.78.</ref>
| EuroG = 9/10<ref name=simon>{{cite web | first=Simon | last=Parkin | date=December 22, 2005 | title=Dragon Quest VIII Review | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_drgonquest8_ps2 | website=Eurogamer | access-date=October 1, 2009 | archive-date=April 12, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412030704/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_drgonquest8_ps2 | url-status=live }}</ref>
| Fam = 39/40<ref>{{cite web|author=Famitsu |year=2005 |title=Famitsu scores |url=http://fs.finalfantasytr.com/search.asp?query=dragon+quest |access-date=October 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822172448/http://fs.finalfantasytr.com/search.asp?query=dragon%2Bquest |archive-date=August 22, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GSpot = 9/10<ref name=gspot>{{cite web | author=Massamilla, Bethany | year=2005 | title=Dragon Quest VIII | url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dragon-quest-viii-journey-of-the-cursed-king-revie/1900-6139759/ | access-date=October 1, 2009 | archive-date=October 18, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018055017/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dragon-quest-viii-journey-of-the-cursed-king-revie/1900-6139759/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
| IGN = 9/10<ref name=ign>{{cite web | first=Jeremy | last=Dunham | date=November 16, 2005 | title=Dragon Quest VIII at IGN | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/16/dragon-quest-viii-journey-of-the-cursed-king | website=IGN | access-date=October 1, 2009 | archive-date=May 18, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518151812/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/16/dragon-quest-viii-journey-of-the-cursed-king | url-status=live }}</ref>
| PG = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/059761/dragon-quest-viii/ | title=Dragon Quest VIII | last=Slater | first=Harry | date=May 30, 2014 | website=[[Pocket Gamer]] | publisher=[[Steel Media]] | access-date=July 14, 2019 | archive-date=July 14, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714111509/https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/059761/dragon-quest-viii/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
| TA = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://toucharcade.com/2014/05/29/dragon-quest-viii-review/ | title='Dragon Quest VIII' Review – One Of Japan's Most Epic RPGs Gets A Slightly Less Epic Port | last=Musgrave | first=Shaun | date=May 29, 2014 | website=[[TouchArcade]] | access-date=July 14, 2019 | archive-date=July 14, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714114510/https://toucharcade.com/2014/05/29/dragon-quest-viii-review/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
| XPlay = 5/5<ref>{{cite web | first=Darryl | last=Vassar | title=Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King for the PlayStation 2 Review | url=http://www.g4tv.com/games/ps2/18391/dragon-quest-viii-journey-of-the-cursed-king/ | date=January 10, 2006 | access-date=October 1, 2009 | archive-date=January 21, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121184234/http://www.g4tv.com/games/ps2/18391/dragon-quest-viii-journey-of-the-cursed-king/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| NWR = 10/10 (3DS)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/44096/dragon-quest-viii-journey-of-the-cursed-king-3ds-review|title=Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (3DS) Review|accessdate=February 8, 2017}}</ref>
}}

Released for the PlayStation 2 on November 27, 2004, in Japan, ''Dragon Quest VIII'' sold 2,167,072 units in two days,<ref name="usgamer">{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Mike |title=Dragon Quest XI's 3DS/PS4 Split Release Takes The Series To Uncharted Sales Territory |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/dragon-quest-xis-3dsps4-split-release-takes-the-series-to-uncharted-sales-territory |access-date=18 February 2021 |work=[[USgamer]] |date=2 August 2017 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302112352/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/dragon-quest-xis-3dsps4-split-release-takes-the-series-to-uncharted-sales-territory |url-status=live }}</ref> {{nowrap|3 million}} in three days,<ref name="DQ8-Eurogamer">{{cite news |last1=Garratt |first1=Patrick |title=Mr Dragon Quest: The Cursed King |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/i_dragonquestviii_ps2 |access-date=13 February 2021 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |date=16 January 2006 |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023220002/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/i_dragonquestviii_ps2 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last = Gantayat | first = Anoop | title = Dragon Quest Ships Triple Platinum | website = IGN | date = November 15, 2005 | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/29/dragon-quest-ships-triple-platinum | access-date = November 16, 2005 | archive-date = May 17, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190517220313/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/29/dragon-quest-ships-triple-platinum | url-status = live }}</ref> and more than {{nowrap|3 million}} within a week, becoming the fastest-selling PlayStation 2 title in Japan.<ref>{{cite web | last = Sahdev | first = Ishaan | title = Notable Japanese Game Developer Level-5 | publisher = Gameguru.com | date = September 25, 2009 | url = http://www.gameguru.in/features/2009/25/notable-japanese-developers-level-5/ | access-date = December 11, 2009 | archive-date = January 10, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160110031946/http://www.gameguru.in/features/2009/25/notable-japanese-developers-level-5/ | url-status = live }}</ref> By September 2008, total worldwide shipments of ''Dragon Quest VIII'' surpassed 4.9 million copies,<ref>{{cite web | title = Dragon Quest IX: About the Developers | publisher = Level-5 | date = March 31, 2009 | url = http://www.level5.co.jp/products/dq9/staff.html | access-date = February 26, 2012 | archive-date = May 18, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190518033637/https://www.level5.co.jp/products/dq9/staff.html | url-status = live }}</ref> of which over 430,000 were from the North American release.<ref>{{cite web | last = Niizumi | first = Hirohiko | title = Four million Dragon Quest VIIIs shipped | website = GameSpot | date = January 30, 2006 | url = http://www.gamespot.com/articles/four-million-dragon-quest-viiis-shipped/1100-6143340/ | access-date = February 9, 2007 | archive-date = July 20, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160720222041/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/four-million-dragon-quest-viiis-shipped/1100-6143340/ | url-status = live }}</ref>   ''Dragon Quest VIII'' is the biggest selling game ever for the PlayStation 2 in Japan.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2006/12/dragon_quest_on/ | title=Dragon Quest on DS: What It Means | access-date=March 17, 2011 | author=Kohler, Chris |date=December 12, 2006 | magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]}}</ref> It was the first ''Dragon Quest'' game to receive a score of 39 out of 40 from ''Famitsu''.<ref>{{cite web | author=Edge staff | date=November 30, 2005 | title=Inside Famitsu: Rogue Galaxy and More | url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/inside-famitsu-rogue-galaxy-and-more/ | work=Edge-Online.com | access-date=May 28, 2009 | archive-date=February 18, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218154853/http://www.edge-online.com/features/inside-famitsu-rogue-galaxy-and-more/ | url-status=live }}</ref> It won both ''[[1UP.com]]''{{'s}} and [[GameSpy]]'s "Best RPG of [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] 2005" award, ahead of runner-up ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''.<ref>{{cite web | author=1up.com staff | year=2005 | title=Best of E3 2005 | url=http://www.1up.com/features/e3-2005 | website=1UP.com | access-date=October 9, 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605011618/http://www.1up.com/features/e3-2005 | archive-date=June 5, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=GameSpy.com staff | year=2005 | title=Best of E3 2005| url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/618/618469p8.html | publisher=GameSpy | access-date=October 9, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050601005903/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/618/618469p8.html |archive-date=June 1, 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref> During the [[9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]] (now known as the [[D.I.C.E. Awards]]), ''Dragon Quest VIII'' received a nomination for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Role-Playing Game of the Year|Role-Playing Game of the Year]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2006&idGame=154 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Dragon Quest VIII |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |access-date=21 July 2023}}</ref> The iOS version became the 2nd top-seller of Japan AppStore in the debut half day, highlighting the influence of the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://app.famitsu.com/20131212_282646/|title=国民的RPGの底力を見た 『ドラクエVIII』が早くもトップセールス2位!! [ファミ通App]|website=famitsu.com|access-date=December 12, 2013|archive-date=December 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213172504/http://app.famitsu.com/20131212_282646/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Nintendo 3DS version was nominated for "Handheld/Mobile Game of the Year" at the [[Golden Joystick Awards]],<ref>{{cite web | last=Gaito | first=Eri | date=November 13, 2017 | url=https://www.bestinslot.co/golden-joystick-awards-2017-nominees/ | title=Golden Joystick Awards 2017 Nominees | publisher=Best in Slot | access-date=January 21, 2018 | archive-date=January 10, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110003232/https://www.bestinslot.co/golden-joystick-awards-2017-nominees/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> for "Best Portable Game" at ''[[Destructoid]]''{{'s}} Game of the Year Awards 2017,<ref>{{cite web | last=Moyse | first=Chris | date=December 13, 2017 | url=https://www.destructoid.com/nominees-for-destructoid-s-best-portable-game-of-2017-476453.phtml | title=Nominees for Destructoid's Best Portable Game of 2017 | website=[[Destructoid]] | access-date=January 21, 2018 | archive-date=December 4, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204142915/https://www.destructoid.com/nominees-for-destructoid-s-best-portable-game-of-2017-476453.phtml | url-status=live }}</ref> and for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Mobile Game of the Year|Handheld Game of the Year]]" at the [[21st Annual D.I.C.E. Awards]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Makuch | first=Eddie | date=January 14, 2018 | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/game-of-the-year-nominees-announced-for-dice-award/1100-6456107/ | title=Game Of The Year Nominees Announced For DICE Awards | website=GameSpot | access-date=January 21, 2018 | archive-date=January 31, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131140616/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/game-of-the-year-nominees-announced-for-dice-award/1100-6456107/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2023, Time Extension included the game on their "Best JRPGs of All Time" list.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bell |first1=Lowell |title=Best JRPGs Of All Time |url=https://www.timeextension.com/guides/best-jrpgs-of-all-time |website=Time Extension |publisher=Hookshot Media |access-date=25 February 2023 |date=25 February 2023 |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226130311/https://www.timeextension.com/guides/best-jrpgs-of-all-time |url-status=live }}</ref>

The US release of ''Dragon Quest VIII'' received mostly positive reviews, receiving a score of 89 out of 100 on [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MC_PS2" /> Critics were quick to praise the 3D cel shaded visuals, noting that it was the first game in the series to be fully three-dimensional.<ref name=gspot /><ref name=ign /> A staple of the ''Dragon Quest'' series is the simplicity of its gameplay, a factor which has been criticized in the past.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dragon-quest-vii-fragments-of-the-forgotten-past/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation | title=Dragon Warrior VII for PlayStation Reviews | work=[[Metacritic]] | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | access-date=October 6, 2009 | archive-date=August 11, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811124115/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/dragon-warrior-vii | url-status=live }}</ref> However, several critics pointed out that the simple gameplay works for ''Dragon Quest VIII''. Bethany Massimilla of ''[[GameSpot]]'' wrote that the lack of "dozens of characters of all types" allows the game to remain simple, letting the player become very familiar with the main characters.<ref name=gspot /> ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' magazine, however, commented that the game's substance seemed out of place for 2005.<ref name=edge />

A majority of reviewers cited the English localization of the game as one of its best qualities.<ref name=gspot /><ref name=ign /><ref name=1up /> Nich Maragos of ''1UP.com'' praised the game's British tinted localization, saying how the humor is often successful except for "a few puns that will, on occasion, make you want to die."<ref name=1up /> Parkin described the voice acting as "a mash up of [[Monty Python]] and ''[[The Princess Bride (film)|The Princess Bride]]'': fantasy farce driving the cute narrative in the ideal aural vehicle."<ref name=simon /> The game's [[Overworld|world map]] has also been a major topic of praise for critics. The ''1UP.com'' staff suggested that the player stop playing "to just look around and absorb the scenery" and said that it rivals ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]''{{'}} map of [[San Andreas (GTA)|San Andreas]] in size and detail.<ref>{{cite web | author=1up staff | date=November 15, 2005 | title=journey of the Cursed King | url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/dragon-quest-viii_4 | work=1up.com | access-date=October 7, 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019233108/http://www.1up.com/reviews/dragon-quest-viii_4 | archive-date=October 19, 2012}}</ref> ''[[IGN]]'' writer Jeremy Dunham wrote that the "only exception in the game's mass list of progression is the plotline," explaining that it has one of the more basic ''Dragon Quest'' stories; but he also mentions that the game still manages to take a simple plot and make it entertaining.<ref name=ign />

== Legacy ==
Characters from the game have made appearances in other Square Enix properties. Jessica and Yangus are playable characters in [[Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below|''Dragon Quest Heroes'']]. In the sequel ''[[Dragon Quest Heroes II]]'', Jessica is instead accompanied by Angelo. ''[[Dragon Quest: Shōnen Yangus to Fushigi no Dungeon|Dragon Quest Yangus]]'', a [[roguelike]] ''[[Mystery Dungeon]]'' game by [[Cavia (company)|Cavia]] for the PlayStation 2, follows the storyline of a young Yangus<ref>{{cite web | author=Gantayat, Anoop | date=April 24, 2006 | title=Dragon Quest Yangus: Import Playtest | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/04/24/dragon-quest-yangus-import-playtest | work=IGN.com | access-date=May 28, 2009 | archive-date=May 16, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516155518/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/04/24/dragon-quest-yangus-import-playtest | url-status=live }}</ref> and was released in Japan in 2006.<ref>{{cite web | author=Alfonso, Andrew | date=May 1, 2006 | title=Dragon Quest Yangus | url=http://uk.ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/dragon-quest-yangus-mysterious-dungeon/704045p1.html | work=GameSpy.com | access-date=December 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060701170244/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/dragon-quest-yangus-mysterious-dungeon/704045p1.html |archive-date=July 1, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Jessica, Angelo, and Yangus also appear opposite other ''Dragon Quest'' characters, as well as ''Final Fantasy'' and ''[[Mario]]'' characters in titles of the ''[[Itadaki Street]]'' franchise, a crossover board game spanning multiple platforms.<ref>{{cite web | author=Jenni | date=April 30, 2008 | title=How to get to Itadaki Street Portable | url=http://www.siliconera.com/2008/04/30/how-to-get-to-itadaki-street-portable/ | work=Siliconera.com | access-date=May 28, 2009 | archive-date=October 7, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007054204/http://www.siliconera.com/2008/04/30/how-to-get-to-itadaki-street-portable/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Appearances include ''Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable'' for the [[PlayStation Portable]], ''Itadaki Street DS'' for the [[Nintendo DS]]<ref>{{cite web | title=Itadaki Street at Square-Enix.com | url=http://www.square-enix.co.jp/itastds/spec.html | publisher=Square-enix.com | access-date=December 11, 2009 | archive-date=October 4, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004203659/http://www.square-enix.co.jp/itastds/spec.html | url-status=live }}</ref> and ''Itadaki Street Wii/Fortune Street'', an enhanced remake of ''Itadaki Street DS'' for the [[Wii]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Itadaki Street Coming to Wii in 2011 | url=http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/06/08/itadaki_street_wii/ | access-date=June 12, 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718014450/http://andriasang.com/comw76/itadaki_street_wii/ | archive-date=July 18, 2012}}</ref>  ''Dragon Quest VIII'' characters also make appearances in ''[[Dragon Quest IX]]'': Jessica, Angelo, and King Trode appear as special Wi-Fi guests in the Quester's Rest inn in Stornway,<ref>{{cite web | title=Dragon Quest IX full guest list revealed | url=http://www.qj.net/qjnet/nintendo-ds/dragon-quest-ix-full-guest-list-revealed.html | access-date=June 12, 2011 | archive-date=March 29, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329140156/http://www.qj.net/qjnet/nintendo-ds/dragon-quest-ix-full-guest-list-revealed.html | url-status=live }}</ref>  Dhoulmagus and Rhapthorne appear as optional legacy bosses, and the player can acquire a "Trodain Royal Guard" costume to dress as ''VIII''{{'s}} Hero.<ref name="brady">{{Cite book
  | last1 = Lummis
  | first1 = Michael
  | last2 = Owen
  | first2 = Michael
  | title = Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies (Brady Games Signature Series Guide)
  | year = 2010
 | publisher = Brady Games
  | isbn = 978-0-7440-1238-5 }}</ref> The protagonist's outfit was also a free downloadable add-on for the Hero in ''[[Dragon Quest XI]]'' via the Champion's Pack, and select songs from ''Dragon Quest VIII'' can be played in place of the game's usual soundtrack.

The protagonist appears as a [[playable character]] in the 2018 crossover [[fighting game]] ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. He is one of four ''Dragon Quest'' protagonists that collectively share a moveset under the moniker of "Hero," alongside the protagonists of ''[[Dragon Quest III]]'', ''[[Dragon Quest IV|IV]]'', and ''XI''. To further differentiate him from the other protagonists, he is also referred to by the name "Eight".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Minotti|first1=Mike|title=Dragon Quest characters join Super Smash Bros. Ultimate|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/06/11/dragon-quest-xi-characters-join-super-smash-bros-ultimate/|work=VentureBeat|access-date=June 12, 2019|archive-date=June 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617191324/https://venturebeat.com/2019/06/11/dragon-quest-xi-characters-join-super-smash-bros-ultimate/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was specifically chosen due to ''Dragon Quest VIII'' being the most popular entry in the West at that point.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Khan |first1=Imran |title=Smash Bros. Director Comments On Dragon Quest And Banjo Kazooie Additions, Finds Console Wars Boring |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/06/27/smash-bros-director-comments-on-dragon-quest-and-banjo-kazooie-additions-finds-console |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701231247/https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/06/27/smash-bros-director-comments-on-dragon-quest-and-banjo-kazooie-additions-finds-console |url-status=live }}</ref> The character would be voiced for the first time by [[Yuki Kaji]] who, according to ''Ultimate''{{'s}} director [[Masahiro Sakurai]], said it was a dream of his to do voicework for both the ''Super Smash Bros.'' and ''Dragon Quest'' series.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ciLEX04BVFM|title= Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – Mr. Sakurai Presents "Hero"|website=[[YouTube]]|date=30 July 2019}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://dragonquest.nintendo.com/dq8/}}

{{Dragon Quest series}}
{{Level-5}}
{{JGA GOTY}}

{{Good article}}

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