Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Guide

The beloved roots of the Dragon Quest saga come alive again in Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, a reimagined collection bundling the first two legendary chapters of the Erdrick Trilogy. With modern enhancements, gorgeous HD-2D visuals, and new content, this remake aims to bring fresh life to classic JRPGs.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the new game’s systems, gameplay, characters, a party strength tier list, release date, pricing, and how to obtain it.

Table of Contents

What’s New / New Game Overview

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake re-boots the original Dragon Quest I and Dragon Quest II in one package, combining them with enhanced presentation, quality-of-life improvements, and additional content.

In Dragon Quest I, you play as the Hero, descendant of Erdrick, who must defeat the Dragonlord and bring peace to Alefgard.
In Dragon Quest II, the story continues many years later: the kingdoms founded by Erdrick’s descendants are threatened by a rising darkness, and a party of young princes and princesses must band together to face the threat.

The remake adds new story expansions, powers, dungeons, and features not found in the original versions.

Dragon Quest I now supports multi-enemy battles, even though you only control one hero, by using new mechanics like Sigils and Scrolls to gain powerful effects.
Dragon Quest II introduces a new underwater region, enhanced story elements, and a new playable party member — Princess Matilda of Cannock.
Many cutscenes, narrative moments, and ambient details have been expanded to better flesh out the lore.

In short, this is not just a straight remaster — it’s a full reimagining that respects the originals while updating them for modern audiences.

Gameplay: Systems & Mechanics

The gameplay of Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake retains the classic turn-based RPG foundation but incorporates enhancements to improve pacing, balance, and engagement.

Turn-Based Combat & Battle System

Battles remain turn-based, with traditional commands like Attack, Spell, Item, etc.
In Dragon Quest I, rather than only facing one monster at a time (as in the original), you’ll often face multiple foes simultaneously. New spells and mechanics are designed to handle this.
You’ll make use of Sigils and Scrolls to unleash special abilities and manage tougher encounters.
The remake offers adjustable battle speed, easing the grind and making repeated fights less tedious.
Quality-of-life updates include improved menus, auto-battle or fast-forward options (depending on difficulty), and smoother UI.

World Exploration & Overworld

You traverse a world map of towns, castles, dungeons, seas (in II), and new regions unseen in the originals.
Hidden areas, secrets, and collectibles like Mini-Medals make the exploration more rewarding.
The remake blends pixel-art sprites with layered environments in beautiful HD-2D style — a visual aesthetic many fans adore.

Dragon Quest I & II Characters

Because Dragon Quest I & II are older RPGs with simpler casts, the roster is fairly straightforward, but the remake does enrich character backgrounds and add new party options.

HERO

A young man descended from the legendary hero Erdrick. He possesses the courage and strength to face monsters, as well as kindness. He sets out to defeat the Dragonlord carrying on the will of the hero Erdrick

Princess Gwaelin

The only daughter of King Tantegel, she possesses the power to hear the voice of Lady Rubiss. She is bright, friendly, and beloved by her people, but several months ago she was kidnapped by the Dragonlord and has been missing ever since.

Prince of Midenhall

He possesses both strength and kindness. Although he cannot use spells, he defeats his enemies with his brawn and skilled sword combat.

Prince of Cannock

He has a calm and gentle personality, but can also be a little carefree. He is skilled in both sword combat and magic.

Release Date & Platforms

Release Date: October 30, 2025.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC (Windows / Steam)
There is also a digital-only HD-2D Erdrick Trilogy Collection (including DQ I, II, and III) priced at $99.99.

One caveat: the Switch / Switch 2 versions won’t support cross-save or free upgrades — if you buy the Switch version and later move to Switch 2, it will run at baseline Switch performance.

Price & Editions

The digital HD-2D Erdrick Trilogy Collection ( I + II + III ) is priced at $99.99 if you want all three remakes together.
The standalone price for Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is less clearly confirmed, but the bundled collection gives an indication of value.
Pre-ordering the digital version grants a “Trouble-Free Travel Kit” containing items such as elevating shoes, seeds of strength, seeds of defense, seeds of agility, seeds of life, and seeds of magic.
Players who have existing save data from Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake may receive bonus items too (e.g. dog suit in DQ I, cat suit in DQ II).

How to Buy / Pre-Order

Digital Pre-order / Storefronts: You can pre-order on platforms like Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and Nintendo eShop. Digital versions often include the bonus kits mentioned above.
Physical Edition / Retail: On the consoles (Switch, PS5, Xbox), physical editions (or game-key cards) may be available at retailers. Note: for Switch 2, there is no physical cartridge; only a key card format, and it won’t grant enhanced performance.
Buy the Trilogy Bundle: If you plan to play Dragon Quest III as well, the HD-2D Erdrick Trilogy Collection is an attractive option.

Make sure to verify pre-order bonuses and edition content before purchase in your region.

Why Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Matters

This remake represents a celebration of Dragon Quest’s origins, with modern polish and enhancements that make the classic RPGs more accessible and enjoyable for contemporary audiences. The addition of new content, expanded narratives, and quality-of-life improvements ensures that both longtime fans and newcomers have compelling reasons to dive in.

It also rounds out the remake trilogy: after Dragon Quest III HD-2D released, now the first two stories will be reimagined, presenting a complete narrative arc in the HD-2D era.