Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The first hour has a particular kind of pull because this disc asks you to start at the beginning of a long-running series instead of dropping into one isolated entry. You can settle into Dragon Quest I, move on to Dragon Quest II: Akuryō no Kamigami, and then reach Dragon Quest III: Soshite Densetsu e as part of a single anniversary collection. That sequence gives the package a satisfying sense of progression even before you consider the alternate Famicom and Super Famicom versions.

The smartest reason to own it is the chance to choose between the older Famicom releases and their Super Famicom counterparts. That is more interesting than a simple three-game bundle: you are not only revisiting three early Dragon Quest games, but also seeing how the same trilogy existed across two generations of Nintendo hardware. Fans who enjoy game history will have plenty to chew on, while newcomers get a clear route through the series’ opening stretch.

There is also a limit to the novelty. This is a compilation first, and its central activity remains playing versions of Dragon Quest I through III that already existed. If you came hoping for a substantially reworked anniversary project, the package can feel conservative once the pleasure of having everything together wears off. Go in because you want these games, not because you expect the collection itself to transform them.

Graphics

The standout visual attraction is the side-by-side presence of Famicom and Super Famicom editions. You can appreciate the contrast between games built for the Famicom and the versions made for the Super Famicom without hunting down separate releases.

The disc also includes a four-minute Dragon Quest X: Mezameshi Itsutsu no Shuzoku Online trailer. It is a brief bonus, but it makes a fitting piece of anniversary-era viewing after spending time with the trilogy.

Story

Dragon Quest I, Dragon Quest II: Akuryō no Kamigami, and Dragon Quest III: Soshite Densetsu e are presented here as a run rather than three unrelated selections. That matters: starting with the first game and continuing in order makes this collection feel like an invitation to trace the early path of Dragon Quest.

The story payoff is therefore tied to commitment. You are getting three separate adventures, and the compilation gives them room to stand as a foundational trilogy instead of reducing them to bonus material around a newer release. Starting at I is the natural choice if you have never played them; veterans may be tempted to jump straight to a favorite, but the ordered route is the point of an anniversary set like this.

Nothing in the package’s stated extras competes with those three games for attention. The Dragon Quest X trailer is a look forward, while the trilogy is the heart of the disc. That balance works well: the collection honors where the series began without pretending the trailer is more than a short add-on.

Overall Experience

Dragon Quest: 25 Shūnen Kinin is a strong anniversary purchase because it understands that the old games are the event. Bringing Dragon Quest I, II, and III together with both Famicom and Super Famicom versions gives you a focused way to revisit the early series on Wii. It feels curated rather than padded.

The practical question is whether the compilation solves a problem you actually have. If you want one Wii release that gathers this trilogy and lets you explore its versions across two console eras, it earns its place. If you already have easy access to the editions you like, there is little reason to treat it as essential merely for the short Dragon Quest X trailer.

For a newcomer, begin with Dragon Quest I and give the collection time to establish its rhythm before deciding how far to go. For a longtime fan, the stronger draw is comparison and convenience; the related Super Famicom Dragon Quest I & II release is especially relevant context for what this disc gathers. It is not an ambitious reinvention, but it is a respectful, worthwhile home for a landmark trilogy.

Retro Replay Score

8.2/10