Here's how every Dragon Quest game runs on Switch 2 – DQ11S, DQ3 HD-2D Remake, Builders 2, Monsters, and more

Following my features on the Tales of series and Monster Hunter games, I'm now tackling the many Dragon Quest entries on Nintendo Switch played via backward compatibility on Switch 2. This includes Dragon Quest XI S, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, Dragon Quest Builders 2, Dragon Quest Builders, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, Dragon Quest Treasures, and the original Dragon Quest trilogy. The "every" in this instance is for every localized title since I don't own every game that wasn't localized in the series, but I have included a few impressions for two of those.

For this feature, I've tested them and will compare the experience covering performance, load times, and my general thoughts on the games. I will also be going over what I'd like to see in any potential official upgrades. While some of these were Nintendo Switch exclusives at least initially, they still didn't run as well as they should have and some of the titles ported over also had issues. For the load time testing, I've used the digital version of each game installed to the Nintendo Switch 2 internal memory and the SD card on Nintendo Switch OLED. I've also made sure to mash A to speed up any loading and avoid the publisher and developer logos if possible. Some games seem to have forced splash screens that you cannot skip so keep that in mind. 

Most of the images in the feature have been captured on Nintendo Switch 2 in handheld mode and they have been on either fresh or early game saves to avoid any spoilers. 

How does Dragon Quest XI S run on Nintendo Switch 2?

Dragon Quest XI S is one of the most-impressive Nintendo Switch conversions as far as I'm concerned even today. Square Enix went above and beyond to make sure the full experience was preserved on Switch while also adding new content, features, and more. It unfortunately ran at quite a low resolution even on Nintendo Switch with a poor draw distance. On Switch 2, it feels a bit more responsive and holds its  30fps frame rate target well across the multiple areas I tested. The load times are improved quite a bit as well as you can see in the table below:

What we want from a Dragon Quest XI S Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade

Dragon Quest XI S needs a proper Switch 2 native release that targets 60fps and a much higher resolution with improved draw distance. There's no real saving the visuals on the Switch version when played on Switch 2. If this does get a new version and has save transfer, I'll be there day one.

How does Dragon Quest III HD 2D Remake run on Nintendo Switch 2?

I've already covered how the Switch version runs compared to the PC release here. When played on Nintendo Switch 2, the load times are improved with the performance now being a lot better and more stable than Switch 1. The Switch struggled with Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake in busier areas including early towns. These are no longer an issue on Switch 2. The visuals are unfortunately still blurry. 

What we want from a Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade

Considering Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is getting a Nintendo Switch 2 version, I hope Square Enix does one for Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake as well to deliver a crisp visual experience at 60fps.

How does Dragon Quest Builders 2 run on Nintendo Switch 2?

Dragon Quest Builders 2 launched simultaneously in the West on PS4 and Nintendo Switch. I remember disliking how it ran on Switch back then compared to PS4 (which itself wasn't perfect). Since then, the game has been ported to Steam and Xbox. I put in a good amount of time into the Switch and PS4 versions before, but revisiting the latter on PS5 was great. I was hoping to see the same for it on Switch 2, and it thankfully is a big upgrade in performance. The 60fps target is hit more often and while it isn't a locked 60fps all the time, Dragon Quest Builders 2 on Switch 2 is great outside of custom worlds where all platforms can't handle some busier situations. The load times also see good improvements. Dragon Quest Builders 2 on Switch 2 is a great portable way to play the game now.

What we want from a Dragon Quest Builders 2 Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade

Aside from higher resolution and maybe some more optimization for hitting a stable 60fps or even allowing higher frame rate with VRR, I don't think this game needs a dedicated Switch 2 upgrade. It feels like a massive upgrade already with backward compatibility.

How does Dragon Quest Builders run on Nintendo Switch 2?

The original Dragon Quest Builders ran at an uncapped frame rate on Nintendo Switch with a 720p resolution target when played both docked and handheld. Gameplay was closer to 60fps when docked but not even close to a locked experience while it was closer to 30fps handheld. I've played Dragon Quest Builders itself on every platform including PS Vita and the Japanese PS4 version. The Western PS4 version had a bizarre hitching issue that was not present in the Japanese release. This was even present when playing on PS4 Pro.

After experiencing it on its mobile and Steam releases, I was hoping that the Switch version would deliver a stable experience on Switch 2, but it is a bit lacking right now thanks to a hitching issue that occurs quite often while exploring. While the frame rate is higher in both docked and handheld modes than when you play it on Switch 2, it really needs a patch from either Nintendo to fix the backward compatibility issues or from Square Enix to address this. It feels like it doesn't happen as often after playing for a few minutes, but it doesn't ever stop. I even made sure to retest it with the game installed on the SD Card Ex and from the physical version I own. I had the same results with hitching. 

What we want from a Dragon Quest Builders Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade

Given the age of this game, I don't expect a patch, but I would like to see the new mobile and Steam version brought over to Switch 2 in some form so it actually runs smoothly instead of how it is right now. A higher resolution would also be great to have.

How does Dragon Quest Treasures run on Nintendo Switch 2?

Dragon Quest Treasures was quite a blurry experience on Switch with a 30fps target. Combat also saw some slowdown on Switch. When playing this on Switch 2, the overall visuals and draw distance don't see much improvement, but the frame rate hits its target well even in combat. There are also good load time improvements.

Note: Dragon Quest Treasures does not support Save Data Cloud backup on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Make sure to manually transfer your data if you didn't do a system transfer.

What we want from a Dragon Quest Treasures Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade

Dragon Quest Treasures would benefit tremendously from a 60fps upgrade with higher resolution like you see when playing this on Steam Deck. Despite it not being the strongest Dragon Quest game on Switch, I enjoyed my time with it and would love to see it reach its full potential through an upgrade.

How does Dragon Quest Monsters The Dark Prince run on Nintendo Switch 2?

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is one of the best Dragon Quest games on Switch and while it was a technical mess at launch, it improved quite a bit with patches. Even though it has since been ported to mobile and Steam, I thought it was a good experience on Switch. When playing Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince on Switch 2, the 30fps target holds well, but it has the same visuals more or less. There are some load time improvements as well.

Note: Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince does not support Save Data Cloud backup on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Make sure to manually transfer your data if you didn't do a system transfer.

What we want from a Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince would benefit from a 60fps upgrade with higher resolution in a potential Switch 2 upgrade. Until then, at least it feels stable on Switch 2.

How does the Dragon Quest I II III trilogy run on Nintendo Switch 2?

The original Dragon Quest ports on Switch were not great with bad sprites and regular scrolling issues. All three games still have the same issues on Switch 2 when played via backward compatibility. There isn't much else to say here outside there being some load time improvements. I don't recommend playing these with the HD-2D remakes existing or coming soon.

What we want from a Dragon Quest I II III trilogy Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade

There is no saving these games unless Square Enix goes and fixes the sprite issues with new ones and addresses the scrolling issues. While they feel better to play on iOS than Switch, I still don't recommend them with the HD-2D Remakes available or coming soon for Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake.

How does Dragon Quest X Offline run on Nintendo Switch 2?

For this test, I used the Japanese Dragon Quest X Offline demo. The demo on Switch targets 30fps and has blurry visuals with cut-scenes that have some slowdown. On Switch 2, the experience based on the bit I played was the same, but with no slowdowns albeit the cut-scenes. Load times see a good improvement though. I haven't put in as much time as I had hoped into this demo for today's feature, but I wanted to include it for those who are curious. 

What we want from a Dragon Quest X Offline Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade

Given how the demo runs on Steam Deck, I would love for this to get a 60fps upgrade, higher resolution, and more importantly a localization in English. I've been waiting so long to play this and I hope it shows up officially in English on Switch 2 at least if Square Enix does a native version.

How does Dragon Quest Heroes I and II run on Nintendo Switch 2?

Dragon Quest Heroes I and II remain a bundle I wish Square Enix brought to the West on Switch. I played the demo around launch and thought it ran poorly, but it wasn't the worst performing game in the genre by the end of the Switch generation at least. It targeted 30fps on Switch and saw constant drops. When playing on Switch 2, the frame rate holds 30fps a lot better, but it has the same draw distance issues. The load times are also a lot better with Dragon Quest Heroes I and II on Switch 2. 

What we want from a Dragon Quest Heroes I and II Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade

This is another title I want to see localized. Square Enix skipped the Switch version so a potential Switch 2 upgrade would be lovely to see localized. Beyond that, there isn't much else to say for what I'd like to see in a potential Switch 2 patch for this one.

How does Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai run on Nintendo Switch 2?

Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai wasn't bad on Nintendo Switch, but it had some minor technical issues. When playing Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai on Switch 2, it holds its frame rate well and has faster load times, but there's no other real benefit right now. 

What we want from a Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade

The main upgrades I'd like to see is a 60fps option, higher resolution visuals, and better post-processing. I don't expect anything from Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai in terms of upgrades though since it felt like a one and done game that didn't set the world on fire. 

I will be revisiting this feature when Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake releases to cover both the Switch and Switch 2 versions of the game.