Dragon Quest VII Remake Set for 2026, Fans Wonder If It’s The Right Move

Square Enix is reportedly working on an HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past, aiming for release in its 2026 or 2027 fiscal year. The news comes from internal documents cited by mp1st and shared by Polygon.

This follows the pattern set by earlier titles. After the successful HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest III in November 2024, Square Enix will release a bundled Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake on October 30, 2025, completing the so-called "Erdrick Trilogy." The rumored sequel would then tackle Dragon Quest VII, originally released on PlayStation in 2000 and later remade for 3DS in 2013.

History shows that Dragon Quest VII was a massive technical leap for the series. Announced in 1996 and moved to PlayStation from Nintendo 64DD, the game shipped on August 26, 2000, and sold over 4 million copies in Japan, making it one of the best-selling titles on the platform. It introduced 3D graphics and a deep vocation system alongside a sprawling story spanning many islands and timelines.

Even after a faithful 3DS remake—featuring visible encounters and a retranslated script that set a high bar for localization—Dragon Quest VII remained known for its length. Many fans clocked well over 80 hours to complete a casual playthrough, with some reporting 100-hour-plus marathons. Retronauts even reported over 113 hours needed to finish the 3DS version.

Critics are now asking if Dragon Quest VII should have waited. Many believe that remaking Dragon Quest 4: Chapters of the Chosen or Dragon Quest 5: Hand of the Heavenly Bride would make more sense. These entries are only available on the aging 3DS and have strong emotional resonance with fans. Dragon Quest 5 even inspired a 2020 animated film and remains one of the series’ most beloved titles.

While Dragon Quest 7’s potential remake could address pacing and length issues, critics argue those improvements won't matter if other mainline classics are left behind. The remakes so far have taken a chronological approach—III, then I & II—but skipping IV, V, and VI breaks that flow. And skipping over the so-called Zenithian trilogy (IV–VI) seems odd, given their narrative importance.

Adding context, the HD-2D remake style has gained praise, especially with III. However, players also noted that III fell short in terms of quality-of-life improvements like faster battles and better save mechanics. This highlights the balance Square Enix must strike when updating older games—keeping the original spirit while modernizing gameplay.

The series is huge in Japan, and Square Enix is banking on nostalgia. After all, it’s not just the first seven—there are plenty of titles after that. Dragon Quest VIII cemented the series’ 3D era, IX flourished on DS, and spin-offs like Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince (2023) kept the franchise active. Meanwhile, a remake of Dragon Quest X offline version is also in development.

Bringing VII to modern systems makes sense: it’s a classic with barely any presence outside Nintendo 3DS today. A new HD-2D version could freshen up its visuals and condense the long story. But with fans eager for remakes of more emotionally impactful entries, the question becomes: what should Square Enix pick next?

History shows Square Enix isn’t afraid to go big. Dragon Quest V got a fully 3D PlayStation 2 remake in 2004, selling over 1.5 million copies. That remake included orchestrated music and extra content, making it a standout example of how to modernize a classic.

As VII moves toward an HD-2D remake, fan communities on Reddit are divided. Some welcome the update, eager for easier access and new visuals. Others feel IV and V need modern remakes more desperately.

Whatever happens, the Dragon Quest remake roadmap is expanding quickly. With I–III nearly done, VII on the horizon, and X offline also in the works, Square Enix has a packed schedule. What comes next—IV–VI, VIII, or even XI—could define the series’ next decade.