Dragon Quest I & II (Japan) (GBC)

Dragon Quest I & II for Game Boy Color is a collection of two classic Enix role-playing games, remade with enhanced graphics and sound suitable for the GBC platform. Both games retain the traditional JRPG gameplay that made the series famous.

In Dragon Quest I, players take on the role of the Descendant of Erdrick, a hero destined to defeat the Dragonlord and rescue the kidnapped Princess Lora. Gameplay focuses on exploring a vast world, engaging in turn-based combat with monsters, accumulating experience and gold to level up characters, and purchasing new equipment and spells. The storyline is linear but engaging, leading players through various towns, caves, and dangerous dungeons.

Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line expands the experience with a party of heroes. Players start with one character but will later recruit two other descendants of Erdrick to form a three-person party. This adds more tactical depth to battles, as each character can have distinct roles and skills. The main quest is to defeat High Priest Hargon and the demon lord Malroth. The world in Dragon Quest II is much larger, featuring more towns, complex dungeons, and even a ship for intercontinental travel. The magic and equipment systems are also more diverse, encouraging players to explore and customize their party.

Both games utilize a traditional turn-based combat system, where players select actions for each character (attack, magic, item use, defend) during each turn. Battles are presented from a first-person perspective, with animated monster sprites. The user interface is simple and accessible, yet still demands strategic thinking, especially during boss fights. The GBC version significantly improves upon the original NES in terms of color and detail, providing a more visually pleasing experience without losing the classic essence of the games.