Square Enix announced on September 16, 2026, that the Dragon Quest franchise has surpassed 100 million cumulative shipments and digital sales worldwide as the series celebrates its 40th anniversary.
First launched in 1986 on Nintendo's Famicom, Dragon Quest has grown into one of Japan's most enduring role-playing game (RPG) properties, appearing across multiple Nintendo platforms over four decades.
The publisher shared the milestone via the official Dragon Quest publicity account, posting a video message from series creator Yuji Horii.
The announcement specifies that the total figure covers both shipped units and digital downloads, reflecting the franchise's long history on cartridge and disc-based systems as well as modern storefronts such as the Nintendo eShop.
Yuji Horii’s message to fans was delivered in the official video; in journalistic terms, Horii said the development team will continue to work diligently to create compelling adventures for players and asked fans to keep supporting the series.
That brief statement underscores the franchise's ongoing focus on delivering narrative-driven JRPG experiences.
Across its history, Dragon Quest has been closely associated with Nintendo hardware.
The original title debuted on the Famicom in 1986 and subsequent entries and spin-offs have appeared on platforms including the Game Boy, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, and Nintendo Switch.
Notable recent entries and spin-offs have kept the series visible on modern consoles and digital storefronts, contributing to long-term sales.
Square Enix's confirmation of the 100 million milestone arrives amid anniversary celebrations and serves as a formal sales benchmark for one of the company's flagship IPs.
The figure reflects the combined impact of mainline titles, remakes, and spin-offs that have reached global audiences through physical retail and digital distribution.
For players on Nintendo platforms, Dragon Quest remains a recurring presence, with multiple titles and definitive editions available on the Nintendo Switch and previous Nintendo consoles.
As the series moves beyond its 40th year, Square Enix and Yuji Horii’s public remarks signal continued support for Dragon Quest’s future releases and ongoing engagement with its global fanbase.
First launched in 1986 on Nintendo's Famicom, Dragon Quest has grown into one of Japan's most enduring role-playing game (RPG) properties, appearing across multiple Nintendo platforms over four decades.
The publisher shared the milestone via the official Dragon Quest publicity account, posting a video message from series creator Yuji Horii.
The announcement specifies that the total figure covers both shipped units and digital downloads, reflecting the franchise's long history on cartridge and disc-based systems as well as modern storefronts such as the Nintendo eShop.
Yuji Horii’s message to fans was delivered in the official video; in journalistic terms, Horii said the development team will continue to work diligently to create compelling adventures for players and asked fans to keep supporting the series.
That brief statement underscores the franchise's ongoing focus on delivering narrative-driven JRPG experiences.
Across its history, Dragon Quest has been closely associated with Nintendo hardware.
The original title debuted on the Famicom in 1986 and subsequent entries and spin-offs have appeared on platforms including the Game Boy, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, and Nintendo Switch.
Notable recent entries and spin-offs have kept the series visible on modern consoles and digital storefronts, contributing to long-term sales.
Square Enix's confirmation of the 100 million milestone arrives amid anniversary celebrations and serves as a formal sales benchmark for one of the company's flagship IPs.
The figure reflects the combined impact of mainline titles, remakes, and spin-offs that have reached global audiences through physical retail and digital distribution.
For players on Nintendo platforms, Dragon Quest remains a recurring presence, with multiple titles and definitive editions available on the Nintendo Switch and previous Nintendo consoles.
As the series moves beyond its 40th year, Square Enix and Yuji Horii’s public remarks signal continued support for Dragon Quest’s future releases and ongoing engagement with its global fanbase.
