After the success of Dragon Quest III HD‑2D Remake, Square Enix turns its attention to the first two entries in the legendary RPG series. Dragon Quest I & II HD‑2D Remake was a centrepiece of Tokyo Game Show 2025, with a playable demo on Switch 2 that let attendees sample both adventures. Cubed3 went hands‑on, and the results show this is more than a simple visual upgrade; it is a thoughtful reimagining that respects the originals while modernising them for a new audience.
The demo build offers a choice between Dragon Quest I and Dragon Quest II. Opting to trial both gives a sense of how Square Enix is approaching these foundational titles. Dragon Quest I retains its intimate, solitary feel, with the hero venturing out alone into a dangerous world. The HD‑2D presentation gives familiar towns and fields striking new depth, with dynamic lighting and layered backdrops transforming iconic locations into living dioramas. Combat remains turn‑based and straightforward, but the crisp menus, adjustable battle speed, and auto‑battle option make encounters flow more smoothly than in the NES original.
Dragon Quest II showcases more ambitious changes. The party‑based combat system benefits from new interface refinements, including visible enemy weaknesses and colour‑coded health indicators. These additions remove the guesswork of older versions, making battles more strategic without losing their classic rhythm. The TGS demo also highlighted one of the remake’s headline features: an undersea zone previously teased in trailers. Exploring the ocean floor revealed coral‑lined caverns and deep‑blue expanses that felt seamlessly integrated into the world. The transition between surface sailing and underwater exploration proves to be fluid, and the new enemies and environments feel as though they have always belonged.
The HD‑2D visuals are consistently impressive. Towns glow with lantern light, forests shimmer with layered foliage, and dungeons carry a moody atmosphere that elevates the sense of adventure. The blend of pixel art characters and modern lighting effects strikes a balance between nostalgia and spectacle. It is clear that the same care lavished on Dragon Quest III HD‑2D carries forward here, with even greater confidence. As expected, the orchestrated soundtrack shines, re‑arranging Koichi Sugiyama’s classic themes with warmth and grandeur, while new compositions add texture to expanded areas.
Voice acting, introduced in Dragon Quest III HD‑2D, returns here, giving characters more personality without overwhelming the traditional tone. The result is a soundscape that feels both faithful and fresh. The Switch 2 demo ran smoothly. Performance was stable in both docked and handheld modes, with no noticeable frame drops during exploration or combat. Load times were minimal, and the HD rumble feedback included now adds subtle immersion during spellcasting and critical hits. The portability of Switch 2 makes revisiting these classics feel natural, as though they had been designed for handheld play all along.
Square Enix has confirmed that Dragon Quest I & II HD‑2D Remake will launch globally on 30th October, 2025 for Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC. The package includes both games in one release, with expanded content, modernised combat features, and the full HD‑2D treatment. Pre‑order bonuses add flavour, including the Trouble‑Free Travel Kit (items and stat‑boosting seeds) and the Marvellous Makeover Kit (dog and cat costumes unlocked with DQ III HD‑2D save data). A Collector’s Edition is set to bundle the game with acrylic character and monster blocks, exclusive wallpapers, and the Outstanding Outfit Kit of accessories.
