In a surprise announcement, publisher Square Enix has just revealed the first games for Nintendo’s upcoming NX console. Dragon Quest Xalong with the recently revealed sequel Dragon Quest XI: In Search of the Gone Timecoming to the NX in 2016 alongside the 3DS and PlayStation 4.
While the NX version of the game got little more than a name change, Square Enix revealed during its presentation in Japan (via Siliconera) that – unlike the online MMO Dragon Quest X—Dragon Quest XI will be a standalone single-player title. The PS4 version of the game is being developed in Unreal Engine 4, which suggests Nintendo’s next console will have the horsepower to power Epic’s new engine.
The 3DS version of the game is being developed using Toy Logic and will not be just another port. Instead, the game runs in full 3D on the top screen, while simultaneously displaying a retro 2D sprites version of the game on the bottom screen.
Dragon Quest XI is the first traditional single player Dragon quest game to arrive on a home console in a while. The last wash Dragon Quest VIII for the PlayStation 2 in 2004, but the IX follow-up was only released on the Nintendo DS. The MMO Dragon Quest X was initially only released for the Wii, Wii U and 3DS.
The announcement of an NX version of the Dragon Quest X and Dragon Quest XI is unusual given that we know very little about Nintendo’s next console. Early reports suggest it could be a unique hybrid home and portable console, succeeding both the 3DS and Wii U. Nintendo is finally expanding into mobile games as well, with the first arriving later this year.