Game Boy Color · Role-Playing Game

Dragon Quest III

ドラゴンクエストIII そして伝説へ…

Released as Dragon Warrior III in North America; GBC remake adding new dungeons and a monster medal system

Japan: December 8, 2000 · Dev: Tose · Music: Koichi Sugiyama

About this game

Dragon Quest III for Game Boy Color is widely regarded as the definitive version of what many fans consider the finest entry in the Famicom-era Dragon Quest trilogy. Built on the Super Famicom remake (1996), the GBC version adds substantial new content: two bonus post-game dungeons, a Monster Medal system (tradeable via Game Link Cable), and a new Thief character class. Its Famicom original launched in 1988 caused student absences from school across Japan; this remake let a new generation experience the series' high-water mark in portable form.

The Story Behind

The North American Dragon Warrior III received a 'Teen' ESRB rating — the first Game Boy Color RPG to do so — because the new translation restored adult thematic content that had been censored from the original 1992 NES release. The GBC version's added dungeons include Xenlon, a dragon boss who grants wishes to players who survive his dungeon — a feature unique to this GBC release not present in any other Dragon Quest III version.

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Tricks & Tales

The original Famicom Dragon Quest III (1988) caused a reported increase in school absences when released — a cultural phenomenon that led to a Japanese law restricting the release of Dragon Quest games to weekends and holidays. The GBC Monster Medal system, where collected medals could be traded with friends via Link Cable, was an early example of the kind of social collection mechanic later popularized by Pokémon.

Collector's Guide

Rarity uncommon
Japan Release December 8, 2000

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