Square Enix dates a bold reimagining of a JRPG epic
After months of rumors, Square Enix finally put a day on the calendar: Dragon Quest VII Reimagined arrives February 5, 2026. The announcement landed during the September 12, 2025 Nintendo Direct, backed by a trailer that showed a sweeping visual overhaul and a hand-crafted art style the team calls a “living storybook.” It’s not a touch-up. This is a ground-up reimagining of a classic, aiming to make a beloved — and famously massive — adventure easier to approach in 2026.
The original Dragon Quest VII launched on the PlayStation in 2000 and later returned on Nintendo 3DS as Fragments of the Forgotten Past. It’s remembered for its sprawling island-by-island structure, a deep job system, and a story you literally piece together. It’s also remembered for a slow burn at the start and a huge time commitment. Square Enix says this remake tightens pacing, refines systems, and keeps the heart of that puzzle-box world intact.
The reveal trailer made the pitch clear. The scenes carry a painterly, storybook look, with expressive animation and atmospheric lighting that leans into the series’ warmth rather than gritty realism. Gameplay snippets showed exploration and battles presented with a more cinematic eye than past versions, while staying unmistakably Dragon Quest. The intent seems simple: keep the charm, remove friction, and let the journey flow.
There’s another notable shift: the launch is truly cross-platform. The remake arrives day-and-date on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store on Windows. That’s a big deal for Dragon Quest, a series that historically rolled out unevenly across platforms. If you’re in, you won’t have to wait for your platform of choice.
The story setup remains classic series DNA. A small-town hero and a tight-knit crew venture across a chain of islands, uncovering lost histories and reconnecting places that have faded from memory. Every new island is a new self-contained arc, and the larger mystery slowly comes into focus as you restore pieces of the world. Fans loved that patchwork design the first time; the remake leans into it with cleaner storytelling and smoother momentum between chapters.
The promise of “tightened pacing” is doing a lot of work here. The original was legendary for making players wait before the combat systems opened up and the plot really moved. The remake’s pitch suggests faster on-ramps, less downtime, and more clarity without losing depth. That matters for newcomers who bounced off older JRPG rhythms, and for returning players who want the nostalgia hit without the pain points.
For long-time fans, the real test will be feel. Dragon Quest lives or dies by its tone: earnest heroes, gentle humor, memorable towns, and a sense that even small quests matter. The new art direction is designed to preserve that warmth. It looks crafted, not synthetic — more like a world you page through than one you simply pass by. If the systems match the mood, Square Enix might thread the needle between old-school heart and modern comfort.
Platforms, editions, and practical details
Square Enix opened pre-orders right after the showcase, and the breakdown is straightforward:
- Standard Edition: $59.99
- Deluxe Edition: $74.99, which includes DLC items and 48 hours of early access (meaning you can start playing on February 3, 2026)
- Collector’s Edition: $249.99, available through Square Enix’s online storefront
One detail Switch owners should note: the Nintendo Switch 2 physical release will be a Game Key Card. That’s a boxed product with a code you redeem to download the game, not a cartridge. It’s the same idea publishers have used when file sizes outgrow traditional media, and it sets expectations early for how Switch 2 will handle larger titles at retail.
Valve has already marked the PC version as Steam Deck Playable. That means the game runs and controls on Deck, but it hasn’t hit “Verified” because some text may be too small on the handheld screen. If you plan to play on Deck, expect the core experience to work, with the usual caveat that interface readability could improve with patches or settings adjustments closer to launch.
There’s less good news for anyone planning to juggle the two Nintendo platforms. Square Enix’s Japanese FAQ confirms there’s no upgrade path from the Nintendo Switch version to the Switch 2 version, and save data won’t transfer between them. If you’re eyeing a Switch 2 purchase next year, pick your platform carefully before you start.
Beyond platforms and price, the studio’s message is about modernization. The team calls it a “complete reimagining,” not a remaster, and that implies changes that go beyond sharper textures. Expect cleaner quest flow, updated UI, and systems that respect your time while keeping the series’ traditional feel. Square Enix has been clear that the core story — traveling across islands and restoring what’s been lost — is still the backbone. The job system and party growth should still be key, even if the knobs and dials are tuned to be less grindy and more readable.
The timing also matters. February is becoming prime real estate for big RPGs, far enough from the holiday crush to stand out, close enough to tax returns and new-year hardware to benefit. Landing early in 2026 gives Dragon Quest a clear runway, especially with a simultaneous launch on every major platform. For a series that has often been staggered across regions and devices, this is a statement of intent.
Why revisit VII now? Because it’s the one that many fans adore but fewer have finished. It’s huge, it’s layered, and at times it asked for more patience than modern players can give. A thoughtful rebuild could turn a revered classic into a game people actually complete — and talk about again — in 2026. The living-storybook look helps, but the real swing is removing friction without sanding off identity.
There’s also the broader strategy. Square Enix has been methodically bringing its legacy forward, sometimes with careful remasters, sometimes with bolder reinterpretations. This sits in the latter camp. It gives the company a tentpole for early 2026, and it gives the Dragon Quest series a chance to meet a wider audience on all platforms at once. That’s good for long-term health, not just a one-off nostalgia play.
Expect more specifics in the months ahead: how the battle system flows, whether encounter rates or job progression have changed, what the save structure looks like, and how the team handles quality-of-life features fans now consider standard. The trailer set a tone; the next wave of info will need to show the decisions behind it. If the pacing feels right and the systems are transparent from the start, this could be the most approachable version of a great — and once daunting — JRPG.
For now, the pitch is clean. A classic adventure, rebuilt with care. A cross-platform launch that doesn’t make anyone wait. Clear pricing, clear early access timing, and clear notes about Steam Deck status and Switch-to-Switch 2 limits. The rest comes down to execution. If Square Enix nails the flow and preserves the heart, February could belong to Dragon Quest again.