Dragon Quest XI is officially headed to the Nintendo NX, in addition to the 3DS and PlayStation 4 consoles, reveals an official announcement.
The announcement heralds the launch of the next mainline installment in Japan's all-time most popular game series, with a Dragon Quest XI release targeted for 2016.
News of the game headed to both the Nintendo 3DS and the PlayStation 4 (PS4) is already a bit of a surprise, as the series has so far oscillated between Nintendo and Sony, based on their popularity over the years.
Back in 2004, for instance, Dragon Quest VIII was a huge hit when it launched for the Sony PlayStation 2. Dragon Quest IX then launched for the Nintendo DS, after which Dragon Quest X followed up as an MMO for the Wii, Wii U and 3DS.
Square Enix is now finally targeting both Nintendo and Sony instead of bouncing from one to the other and vice versa.
Square Enix will develop the PlayStation 4 version of the Dragon Quest XI internally, using the Unreal Engine. The 3DS variant of the game, meanwhile, will combine full 3D with retro 2D sprites on the top and bottom, respectively. Square Enix did not reveal much about the Nintendo NX version of the game, but will likely reveal more information closer to launch.
It also remains unclear at this point just when the Nintendo NX will enter mass production, but recent rumors hint at May or June 2016.
Nevertheless, Dragon Quest XI is one of the first titles officially announced for the NX, and confirmation of the game's arrival on both the 3DS and the PS4 will likely come as good news as well for fans of the series. Dragon Quest will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next year and it seems it plans to mark the occasion in a big way.
No additional information is available at this point regarding Dragon Quest XI or the upcoming Nintendo NX system, but we'll keep you up to date as soon as more details come to light. In the meantime, check out the broadcast announcement below to get a glimpse of what's to come.
