Dragon Quest I prologue comparisons between the original NES and HD-2D remake shown at TGS 2025

A special program focusing on the Dragon Quest I HD-2D Remake appeared at Tokyo Game Show 2025. It primarily features comparisons of the game's prologue parts between the initial Famicom (NES) release in 1986 and the upcoming HD-2D remake for current-gen platforms.

This show is part of Eiko Kano's Critikano Hit series that has also been filling Square Enix's primetime TGS stream slot in recent years. The Dragon Quest series creator Yuji Horii was also present to give some hints in both story and gameplay. However, the hosts also had a brief reminder of the original FC version's prologue before heading on to the remake.

This is where some of the direct comparison images show up. The broadcast showed not only the comparisons for the event at the King's throne; it also showed return the old man in the castle who can heal the hero's HP and MP when talked with, as well as the visual of the Dragonlord Castle.

These are not the only comparisons shown, as the remake also added more story scenes that were not in the original FC/NES release. Instead of starting right away in the castle, the remake first had the hero rescue the castle's retainers from a monster swarm. Having been then identified as a descendant of the legendary Erdrick, the retainers would then invite the hero to the castle to have an audience with the king. There are also more references added from Dragon Quest III, which chronologically takes place before DQI and also had its HD-2D Remake released earlier.

The show is still available to watch on the Tokyo Game Show YouTube channel, and you can also find it right below. The Dragon Quest I remake will be bundled with the second game into Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, which will be available worldwide for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 1&2, and PC on October 30.