Two foundational JRPGs rebuilt for a portable screen. The originals defined the genre. Now pocket-sized.
Dragon Quest I+II was released for Game Boy Color in September 1999 — a double pack containing remakes of the two original Super Famicom versions of Dragon Quest and Dragon Quest II, updated for Game Boy Color hardware. Dragon Quest I established the JRPG formula in 1986; Dragon Quest II expanded it with a party system in 1987. The GBC remakes added color graphics, revised interfaces, and quality-of-life improvements while preserving the games' structure. Carrying both games on a single cartridge made it the most space-efficient way to access two of the most historically significant games in the genre. The package was a Japan-only release; the SNES remakes that preceded it had been officially released in North America, making the GBC version sought by collectors in both regions.
— inspired by Yuji Horii
About this game
Dragon Quest I+II for Game Boy Color packages remakes of both Dragon Quest I and Dragon Quest II in a single cartridge. Both games are substantially updated: enhanced graphics, revised interfaces drawing on conventions established by Dragon Quest V (1992), and modernized systems that make the original Famicom titles far more accessible. The compilation connects the 'Erdrick trilogy' — DQ I, II, and III — and was designed to let a new generation experience the foundations of the Dragon Quest series.
Gallery
The Story Behind
The North American version represented a significant localization update: it discarded the pseudo-Elizabethan English of earlier Dragon Warrior releases and used names closer to the Japanese originals. Both GameSpot and RPGamer awarded it 'Game Boy Color Game of the Year 2000.' Developer Tose, one of Japan's most prolific ghost developers, handled the GBC port — as with most Tose projects, their name does not appear in the in-game credits.
Tricks & Tales
The North American Dragon Warrior I & II cartridge reportedly contains a hidden Pikachu sprite in its game data — a nod to the Game Boy Color's dominant franchise at the time. The Super Famicom and GBC combined remakes of DQ I+II sold over 1.94 million copies worldwide. The GBC version restored the 'Loto' naming convention (translated from Japanese as 'Erdrick' in the original NES localization) to match the Japanese canon.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
Like the original DMG, the Game Boy Color is fully region-free. Japanese, North American, and European GBC cartridges all share the same physical format and connector, and the hardware applies no lockout. A Japanese GBC cartridge will run on any GBC from any region without modification. The GBC is also fully backward compatible with original DMG cartridges — when a DMG cart is played on a GBC, the system automatically renders it with one of several colour palettes. GBC-specific cartridges (the 'GBC only' black-tab type) will not run on the original DMG, but will run on the Game Boy Advance as well as the GBC.
Maintenance Tips
Game Boy Color cartridges — the smaller, slightly translucent-shell format — use the same cleaning approach as original DMG carts: a cotton swab with 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol wiped along the contact row, allowed to dry fully before reinsertion. The GBC console's ABS plastic shell faces the same yellowing risk as the DMG when exposed to UV light over time. Notably, several GBC titles — most famously Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal — include a real-time clock (RTC) circuit that runs continuously off a CR2025 coin cell. These batteries are now well over 25 years old; a dead RTC battery means time-based in-game events will not advance, even though the game itself will still load and save normally. This is a distinct issue from save data loss.
Going deeper
Explore the machine this game ran on, and what to check before you buy or care for one:
What to Watch Out For
Before buying, these are the points worth knowing — from someone who handles original Japanese Dragon Quest I+II copies regularly.
Is this a region-free game? Will a Japanese Game Boy cartridge work on any Game Boy console?
Yes. The original Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, and Game Boy Color have no hardware region lock — a Japanese cartridge plays on any Game Boy or Game Boy Color console worldwide without modification. The game itself is in Japanese, but the hardware accepts it freely. Game Boy Advance consoles are also backward-compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges and share this region-free status.
How should I clean a Game Boy cartridge?
Apply 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol to a cotton swab and gently wipe the gold-plated edge contacts on the base of the cartridge. Never blow into the cartridge — breath moisture accelerates contact corrosion. If the shell needs to be opened for deeper cleaning, Game Boy cartridges use 3.8mm security game bit screws. The contacts are small; clean with a gentle wiping motion rather than abrasive pressure.
Before You Buy
Things worth knowing before you buy Dragon Quest I+II
A short checklist for buying a used Game Boy Color cartridge wisely — useful with any seller, anywhere.
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Choose a seller who tests it before shipping
A copy that has actually been powered on and checked is a known quantity. An untested one is a gamble you only settle after it arrives.
Look for a seller who states it was function-tested and says what they confirmed. A serious seller can tell you exactly what was checked.
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Good news — Game Boy Color is region-free
These cartridges are not region-locked, so a Japanese copy plays on any compatible Game Boy worldwide.
Confirm whether the title is Color-only or also works on the original Game Boy.
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If this title saves your progress, check the battery
Cartridges that save use a small coin-cell battery that fades over decades — a dead one wipes your save without warning.
Ask the seller whether the save function was tested. Replacing the battery is possible, but doing so erases any existing save.
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Check that the contacts are clean
Dirty edge contacts are the most common cause of startup and sound trouble in cartridges of this age.
Choose a seller who cleans the contacts before shipping. A note that it was tested and cleaned means the basics were handled.
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Read the seller's reviews and return policy
A 100% positive record across thousands of sales is close to a guarantee — packing, communication and problem-solving all work for everyone. A return policy protects you if something is off.
Read the feedback and confirm a clear return window before you buy.
The last step before buying anywhere is knowing what it's worth.
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Rooms this game lives in
Wander deeper — explore the themed rooms where Dragon Quest I+II sits alongside its kin.
Memories from around the world
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