Nintendo Switch Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Review

Some games stand the test of time, earning their place among the best RPG games ever made. Dragon Quest III is undeniably one of them. Square Enix's ambitious HD-2D remake transforms this legendary title into something both nostalgic and remarkably fresh. The original Dragon Quest III shaped the RPG genre back in 1988, introducing systems that games still use today. This remake doesn't just slap a new coat of paint on a classic - it rebuilds the entire experience from the ground up. With modernized combat, stunning visuals, and quality-of-life improvements, the game proves that truly great design never goes out of style. Let's explore how this reimagined version brings new life to a beloved classic while preserving what made it special in the first place.


The HD-2D visual transformation of Dragon Quest III represents a masterful blend of nostalgia and innovation. Square Enix's distinctive art style serves as the perfect foundation for modernizing this classic while preserving its original charm.

HD-2D Graphics Analysis

The remake's visual presentation stands as a testament to thoughtful modernization. The HD-2D approach creates a stunning visual experience where pixel-art characters seamlessly integrate with detailed 3D backgrounds. Enhanced lighting and bloom effects bring unprecedented vibrancy to the classic environments, while maintaining the game's iconic esthetic. The Promontory Passage, for instance, showcases how modern technology can breathe new life into familiar locations without sacrificing their original essence.

Performance Across Platforms

Performance varies significantly across different gaming platforms:

• PC/Xbox: Maintains 60FPS at 1080p with full graphical features
• PS5: Offers both performance and graphics modes
• Nintendo Switch: Runs at 30FPS with optimized textures

The PC version particularly shines with customizable graphics settings, including shadow quality, ambient occlusion, and render scaling options. A thoughtful addition is the live preview feature behind the settings menu, helping players fine-tune their visual experience.

Art Style and Animation Details

The visual evolution extends beyond mere graphical upgrades. Combat sequences now transition to full-screen encounters, replacing the traditional pop-up windows of earlier versions. While character animations maintain their classic style, new special effects during spell casting add modern flair to battles.

The world design draws inspiration from contemporary games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, particularly in how distant landmarks entice exploration. Environmental details paint a more vivid picture than ever before, with meticulously crafted landscapes that give the world a greater sense of scale.

However, this visual evolution isn't without its nuances. The combination of stiff character animations with the vivid HD-2D presentation occasionally creates an uncanny valley effect. Combat animations, while improved, maintain a deliberate pacing that stays true to the original's turn-based roots.

The attention to detail extends to the water effects and environmental elements, though these vary by platform. Higher-end versions showcase enhanced texture quality and atmospheric effects, particularly noticeable in overworld scenes and during night-time sequences in towns.



Square Enix has masterfully modernized Dragon Quest III's core gameplay systems while preserving the strategic depth that made it one of the best RPG games ever. The careful balance between tradition and innovation creates an experience that feels both familiar and fresh.

Enhanced Combat Mechanics

The turn-based combat system receives thoughtful updates that enhance strategic depth without sacrificing its classic charm. Players can now utilize tactical profiles for party members, choosing between options like "conserve MP" or "go all out." While auto-battle options streamline routine encounters, challenging boss fights still demand careful strategic planning and manual control. The combat speed adjustment feature lets you fine-tune the pace of battles, though the animations remain deliberately measured to maintain tactical clarity.

Quality-of-Life Improvements

Modern conveniences transform the gameplay experience with several standout features:

• Recall Function: Instantly review important NPC dialog
• Quest Markers: Clear indicators for objectives and points of interest
• Enhanced Navigation: Chimera Wings now work in towns and dungeons
• Auto-save System: Prevents progress loss during lengthy sessions

The addition of group-based targeting and status effect indicators makes combat more intuitive, while preserving the strategic elements that veterans appreciate. The improved menu system streamlines item management and party organization, addressing one of the original's more cumbersome aspects.

Accessibility Features

The remake introduces three distinct difficulty modes that cater to different player preferences:

• Dracky Mode: An easier experience where bosses can't regenerate HP
• Dragon Mode: The balanced, traditional experience
• Draconian Mode: Enhanced challenge with tougher bosses and reduced rewards

Combat accessibility sees significant improvements through variable battle speeds and clearer visual indicators for enemy health and status effects. The new objective marker system helps navigate the more open-world portions while remaining optional for purists who prefer traditional exploration. These thoughtful additions make the game more approachable for newcomers while maintaining the challenge that made the original so rewarding.



Character progression in Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake introduces one of the most comprehensive customization systems seen in classic RPGs, elevating it beyond its original incarnation. The intricate personality system combined with flexible class changes creates nearly endless possibilities for character development.

Expanded Vocation System

The remake's vocation system allows characters to change classes at level 20, retaining all previously learned abilities while opening new advancement paths. When changing vocations at Alltrades Abbey, characters reset to level 1 with halved stats, but maintain their spell repertoire and abilities. This creates powerful hybrid characters capable of filling multiple roles.

The personality system adds another layer of customization:

Party Building Strategies

Effective party composition requires careful consideration of both vocations and personalities. The most successful combinations include:

• Balanced Approach:
  • Hero (damage/healing)
  • Warrior (tank/damage)
  • Priest (healing/support)
  • Monster Wrangler (utility/damage)

The new Monster Wrangler class adds unprecedented flexibility to party building, capable of learning enemy abilities while maintaining strong defensive capabilities. This makes it an excellent choice for both newcomers and veterans seeking to optimize their team composition.

Monster Recruitment Features

The Monster Wrangler vocation revolutionizes monster recruitment with the Animal Instinct ability, unlocking at level 10 to detect catchable monsters nearby. This system allows players to build an impressive roster of monster allies, each bringing unique abilities to complement the party's strategy.

The recruitment mechanics extend beyond simple collection, as caught monsters can be organized into teams for tournament battles. This feature adds depth to the monster-taming system, making it more robust than previous iterations in the series. The Monster Wrangler can enhance their abilities as the monster collection grows, creating a rewarding progression loop that encourages exploration and monster hunting throughout the adventure.

The combination of these systems – vocations, personalities, and monster recruitment – creates a depth of character customization that stands among the best RPG games ever, while maintaining accessibility for new players. Each character can be tailored to specific roles while retaining the flexibility to adapt as needed, making every playthrough unique.



Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake demonstrates impressive technical achievements across various gaming platforms, with each version offering distinct advantages and compromises. A thorough analysis reveals how Square Enix has optimized the experience for different hardware capabilities.

Platform Comparisons

Performance varies significantly across platforms, with each version targeting specific optimization goals:


The PC version stands out with its superior flexibility, while console versions offer platform-specific optimizations. The Steam Deck version runs particularly well, achieving a stable 60 FPS at 720p with high preset settings, though it displays with slight letterboxing due to aspect ratio limitations.

Graphics Settings and Options

The PC version offers extensive customization options that showcase the game's technical sophistication:

• Display options include resolution scaling from 720p to 4K
• Frame rate locks at either 30 or 60 FPS
• Advanced graphics settings include:
  • Shadow quality and area adjustment
  • Anti-aliasing options
  • Texture quality controls
  • Ambient occlusion toggle
  • Depth of field settings

A particularly useful feature is the live preview system, allowing players to see immediate visual changes while adjusting settings. The GPU usage indicator helps players optimize performance for their specific hardware configuration.

Load Times and Optimization

The remake demonstrates excellent optimization across all platforms. Load times remain consistently brief, particularly on systems with SSD storage. The PC version requires modest specifications, running smoothly on hardware featuring an Intel Core i3-6100 or equivalent, with just 8GB of RAM and 20GB of storage space.

Performance scaling is impressive, with the game maintaining stability even during complex battle animations and elaborate spell effects. The Steam Deck version particularly impresses with its power efficiency, though users might notice minor foliage shimmering in certain areas.

The PS5 version's dual performance modes offer flexibility between visual fidelity and smooth gameplay, while the Xbox version includes the added benefit of PC cross-compatibility. Switch users will find the handheld experience well-optimized, despite running at a lower frame rate than other platforms.



The modernization of Dragon Quest III brings thoughtful updates to the classic gameplay experience, transforming how players interact with this beloved RPG while maintaining its core charm. These quality-of-life improvements make the game more accessible without sacrificing the strategic depth that fans cherish.

User Interface Improvements

The tactical menu system represents one of the most significant interface enhancements, offering unprecedented control over party behavior. Players can fine-tune their party's combat approach through a sophisticated yet intuitive system:


The interface now includes a convenient conversation bookmarking feature, allowing players to review important dialog at any time. This proves invaluable when tracking quest objectives or reviewing crucial story elements.

Control Scheme Updates

The modernized control scheme introduces intuitive party management without compromising tactical depth. Combat controls have been streamlined with a new Tactics section that appears in the lower-left portion of the screen during battles. This system allows players to:

• Switch between automated and manual control for each party member
• Adjust tactical preferences on the fly
• Implement different strategies for different party members simultaneously

The addition of quest markers and an enhanced minimap system provides clear navigation while remaining optional for purists who prefer traditional exploration methods.

Save System and Auto-Save Features

Dragon Quest III's save system has been completely revamped to meet modern gaming standards while respecting the series' traditions. The game now offers nine Adventure Log slots, providing ample space for multiple save files and different playthrough attempts.

The save system maintains its classic charm through Church locations and Nun outposts, marked by the distinctive three-arrow symbol on maps. This traditional approach is now complemented by modern conveniences:

• Auto-save functionality provides a safety net during lengthy sessions
• The "Stop Adventuring" option saves progress before returning to the title screen
• Quick-save features for unexpected interruptions
• Church locations strategically placed near major quest hubs

The Chimera Wings fast-travel system has been expanded to work within towns and dungeons, making it easier to reach save points when needed. This thoughtful balance between convenience and challenge ensures that while players have more save options, they still need to approach dungeon exploration with strategy and preparation.

The game's difficulty options further enhance the accessibility of these modern features. The "Dracky Quest" setting provides a more forgiving experience for newcomers, while the "Draconian Quest" setting maintains the challenging nature of classic RPGs for veterans seeking a more traditional experience. These options, combined with the modernized interface and save systems, make Dragon Quest III one of the best RPG games ever for both newcomers and longtime fans alike.



Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake stands as a masterclass in modernizing a classic while preserving its soul. Square Enix has achieved something remarkable - transforming a 1988 RPG into a game that feels perfectly at home in 2024. The stunning HD-2D visuals breathe new life into familiar locations, while thoughtful gameplay updates make the experience more accessible without sacrificing depth.

The expanded vocation system and personality mechanics offer unprecedented customization options, making each playthrough feel unique. Technical performance impresses across all platforms, though PC players benefit from additional graphical options and smoother framerates. Modern conveniences like auto-save and enhanced navigation remove dated frustrations without diminishing the sense of adventure.

Dragon Quest III proves that great game design transcends time. This remake doesn't just preserve a classic - it elevates it, showing why the original earned its place among the best RPG games ever made. Whether you're a series veteran or newcomer, this reimagined version offers an RPG experience that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with modern titles while honoring its legendary roots.