Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen | 
| From: Square Enix
Category: Video Games
List Price: $29.99
Buy New: $17.98
as of 9/4/2010 18:06 CDT details
You Save: $12.01 (40%)
New (25) Used (16) Collectible (1) from $13.98
Seller: shangralia
Rating:  43 reviews
Sales Rank: 687
Platform: Nintendo DS
Genre: role_playing_games
ESRB: Everyone 10+
Media: Video Game
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Number Of Items: 1
Batteries Included: No
Operating System: Nintendo DS
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 5.7 x 5 x 0.6
MPN: 90813
Model: 90813
UPC: 662248908137
EAN: 0662248908137
ASIN: B001AF1NVY
Publication Date: September 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Embark on a journey to explore the land, seas and skies of the DRAGON QUEST universe in this grand entry from the Zenithia Trilogy. Soon to follow are DQ V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride and DQ VI: Realms of Reverie, never before released in North America | | • | Indulge in the colorful DRAGON QUEST world created by Yuji Horii, combined with the charming characters and monsters designed by Akira Toriyama and memorable soundtrack from famed composer Koichi Sugiyama to create an unforgettable gaming experience | | • | Experience the world of DRAGON QUEST through the perspectives of multiple characters with a unique, chapter-driven storyline while you journey through a beautifully rendered 3D world, with dynamic dual screen presentation and newly animated monsters | | • | Enjoy an all-new English translation that incorporates 13 known dialects from around the globe, bringing the diverse world and characters of DRAGON QUEST to life | | • | Unravel the ancient mystery behind a cursed kingdom by expanding your town via Chance Encounter mode, available through local wireless connection |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Dragon Quest IV - Chapters of the Chosen DS
Amazon.com
In a far-off land, a group of disparate individuals soon will come together to embark on a journey they never could have imagined. Among them are two sisters seeking to avenge their father's death, a merchant longing to open his own shop, a princess desiring to test her skills outside the palace walls and a respected army captain. As the hero of this compelling tale, you will join these seemingly unrelated companions for an incredible adventure. Battles, mysteries and an engaging cast of characters await as you take off on an epic journey. | Dragon Quest IV Features - Embark on a journey to explore the land, seas and skies of the DRAGON QUEST universe in this grand entry from the Zenithia Trilogy. Soon to follow are DQ V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride and DQ VI: Realms of Reverie, never before released in North America
- Indulge in the colorful DRAGON QUEST world created by Yuji Horii, combined with the charming characters and monsters designed by Akira Toriyama and memorable soundtrack from famed composer Koichi Sugiyama to create an unforgettable gaming experience
- Experience the world of DRAGON QUEST through the perspectives of multiple characters with a unique, chapter-driven storyline while you journey through a beautifully rendered 3D world, with dynamic dual screen presentation and newly animated monsters
- Enjoy an all-new English translation that incorporates 13 known dialects from around the globe, bringing the diverse world and characters of DRAGON QUEST to life
- Unravel the ancient mystery behind a cursed kingdom by expanding your town via Chance Encounter mode, available through local wireless connection
Exclusive to the Nintendo DSWith Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen, a full-fledged Dragon Quest adventure comes to Nintendo DS for the first time. The talents of series creator Yuji Horii, world-famous manga artist Akira Toriyama and renowned composer Koichi Sugiyama combine in this thrilling, chapter-driven tale that preserves all the beloved charm of the original game while infusing it with additional excitement with incredible 3D graphics, dual-screen presentation and newly animated monsters. Multiple character perspectives bring the game to life as you explore a fantastic, dazzlingly rendered world filled with adventure and surprises. | 
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| Customer Reviews:
 One of My Favorite Games of All Time in Portable Form September 3, 2010
Steven Gargolinski (Boston)
A few months ago Square Enix released Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen for DS, an updated version of Dragon Warrior IV - one of my personal favorite NES games. I had some time off recently and decided to indulge myself a bit in some old-school fun. Just to get everything out in the clear, my review of this game is almost definitely biased - the Dragon Quest series provides a huge amount of nostalgia for me.
Here's the short review:
If you think that you'll like Dragon Quest IV, then you probably will. If the idea of playing an 8-bit RPG with some minor updates sounds miserable to you, then you will probably hate it.
If you want more data, then here's the longer review:
The new version of Dragon Quest IV, of one of my favorite games as a small child, is pretty much exactly what a remake should be. The graphics are completely redone (and in 3D), but keep the same feel as the original. There are lots of bright and vibrant colors, and a wide range of characters, monsters, and environments. Just like most of the games I actually enjoy on the DS, the stylus isn't used at all. Neither is the microphone input or anything else funky. Just screen real estate.
The controls are very much streamlined when compared to the 8-bit version, updated to take advantage of some of the advances in video game interfaces that have happened over the past fifteen or so years. In addition there are more modern conveniences that didn't really exist in the olden days, such as the ability to QuickSave instead of hoofing it all the way back to a King whenever you need to take a break.
The gameplay is much faster paced than it was on the NES. I don't have comparison data, but I'm pretty sure that the experience levels have been adjusted to provide a more easily accessible experience. Dragon Quest IV isn't as much of a grind as it could be, and a very small amount of dedicated leveling is required - at least compared to the NES version. The combat is also fairly simple RPG fare, consisting mainly of attacking, item use, and choosing from a variety of spells and skills - but not nearly as tedious as it was in the original version.
The translation is also completely redone, which is always something that RPG nerds go crazy over. I didn't find anything offensive about it personally, but things are much different in the new DS version. The olde english is mostly out the window, and each different worlds in the game adopts an exaggerated real-world accent. One chapter you'll be hearing everything in a crazy Russian tone, and the next chapter you'll be exposed to French or Scottish. This will either be seen as charming or infuriating, depending on your point of view.
Speaking of chapters, one of the coolest things about Dragon Quest IV (and a major innovation at the time) is the chapter system. A brief prologue introduces the hero of the game, and then the main protagonist disappears until the fifth chapter - some fifteen or twenty hours later. The chapters in between are used to introduce the supporting cast, who all unite in chapter five to team up with the hero to take down the evil in the world.
Each chapter has a different feel. In the opening frame you play as an aging castle knight named Ragnar, trying to rescue lost children. Later on you'll meet Princess Alena, desperate to escape the safety of her castle in search of adventure. The most original chapter sees Torneko Taloon building up an inventory in an attempt to become the world's greatest merchant. You can do things the old fashioned way and search through caves and towers for treasure to sell, or you can focus on buying and selling - flipping your current inventory through markups at your store in search of big profits.
In addition to the upgrades discussed, there's a decent amount of additional content. There's an additional chapter after the main story is over, and a large bonus dungeon to explore. There's a new character for your party with some cool abilities, and some tough new bosses at the end game. There's plenty here to keep you going for a really long time. This was all engaging enough for me to complete pretty much everything, but your mileage may vary.
That's about it. If you're into this sort of game, then I would highly recommend it.
Freaking Awesome Remake! August 5, 2010
Christopher Barrett (Portland, Oregon)
I am a huge fan of classic RPGs, having grown up playing the original DQ series (and yes, I did own DQ4 or Dragon Warrior 4 as it was called). Though Dragon Quest 3 had always been my favorite, I have enjoyed this sequel but never really played all the way through.
I have to say that this is a better DS edition that DQ9. For one, the game sticks with the classic world map, the classic battle system and random encounters. The graphics are truly amazing for a handheld system.
I like FF3 for the DS, but I think that this is the best DS remake of an old NES game.
Dragon Quest IV (DS)- EPIC! June 24, 2010
Michael H. Graves Jr.
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The original Dragon Quest IV, released in Japan on the Famicom, and in the USA on the NES under the title "Dragon Warrior IV, was the first console RPG, and one of the great games of it's time. Even now, in the era of the PS3, the XBox 360, and the Nintendo Wii, any of which outstrips the capabilities of the old NES/Famicom by an ungodly margin, it remains a fun, challenging, in depth game.
So, naturally, when I heard that they were doing a remake of the game, I began to plan how I was going to fit a copy into my budget, and had some VERY high expectations. After all, the other NES classic remakes for the DS have been nothing short of epic, and this, after all, WAS the game that hooked me on the genre. Let me tell you, folks... I wasn't disappointed.
The game is essentially identical to the original, but the graphics are (naturally) vastly improved, the storyline is fleshed out even more, and of course, some new/changed features of gameplay. Most of these changes are wonderful. Some are mixed blessings, and a very few... Well, they should have been killed in committee. We'll go over that last group first, since it's a much shorter list, and then we will get into the things that make the game more interesting, and the things that make it truly GREAT.
The worst change, from my perspective, is the fact that you can no longer buy the Metabble Shield as a casino reward. In fact, since I have yet to find one in the game file I am playing currently, I have no proof one way or the other as to whether this godly defensive item even exists anymore. It has been replaced (at the same cost, mind you) with the Falcon Sword. So, instead of a shield that makes you a tank fit to make even the final boss (no spoiler here) weep, you are given a weapon that allows you to double-strike. Not a bad payoff, right? One minor caveat... The attack bonus it gives you is so low that, until much later in the game, you will actually do BETTER damage with a single strike using the strongest weapons you can buy/find.
Whereas the Metabble Shield is really, really useful right from the beginning (I never left Chapter 2 without enough of them for every single character who would be able to equip them, ever... Yes, I know I am a munchkin), the Falcon Sword is only useful late in the game, and even then, you probably have better options available.
The only other feature change that I intensely disliked was many of the name changes (of places, people, items and monsters). When did people get the idea that it was okay to do this in a remake? No matter... On to better things.
The big mixed blessing item on our list is the dialogue. Depending on what region you are in, everyone speaks with an accent mirroring that of a nation in our own world, adding a world of depth and flavor... and occasionally, annoyance. For instance, all of the people inhabiting the region encompassing Chapter 1 have a thick Scottish accent, Chapter 2 features Russian/Polish (can't be completely sure on that one, but DEFINITELY one of the Slavic tongues), etc. This includes PCs, by the way, making inter-party dialogue more entertaining.
The biggest positive change in gameplay, in my book, is the fact that the old "8 items per party member" inventory system so familiar to old players of Dragon Warrior/Quest games, has been thrown out the window. You now have a few more inventory slots, in which you can hold STACKS of items up to 99 in size (not single items), and JUST in case that's not enough for you, don't worry. You have a "Bag", which I have NEVER succeeded in filling, so I don't even KNOW it's capacity. Let's just say, "enough". One item of warning... Items placed in the bag are NOT usable during combat. Don't forget this (I did, and paid for it).
Other great new features are a rotating map, usable with the shoulder buttons. This gives the entire world much more of a multi-dimensional feel, though if you are not careful, it can also make it slightly easier to get lost in big dungeons. Also, many items that players of the earlier game might have missed, due to having to search for them in specific spots after certain event-battles, are now automatically given to you at the end of those battles.
Last but not least, we have the new tactics system. In the old game, you could set tactics which would determine the behavior of all non-hero characters in Chapter 5. That is still the case, for those who like streamlining their battles. But unlike in the old version, one of the tactical settings allows you to MANUALLY control characters other than the hero. This eliminates MANY problems I used to have in the NES version. Also, many of the random battle abilities of the merchant have been changed into zero-cost spells that he can use at will, making him more useful as a character.
All in all, this game is a phenomenal addition to the old NES remakes. If you are a fan of the series, or just like a good in-depth RPG with good storylines and great gameplay, give this one a go. You'll thank me later.
The best of the rereleases May 25, 2010
D. J. Paz (us of a)
I simply love the threading together of the stories of the chosen. FF3 (FF6 in Japan) tried this device, but in my opinion it didn't quite render the same drama and anticipation as in this game. Plus: there's enough side-action to keep you playing this one for a long time. One problem is that to get the good ending you have to level up your characters really high which means literally scores of hours worth of grinding! Still though, I just love this game.
Love the whole series of Dragon Quest Games May 12, 2010
undertheshrine (Albany, CA USA)
If you know the series and love it like I do, then I don't have to say anything to convince you to purchase this game. I've played DQ games for over a decade and love it. If you like RPG's, this is for you.
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