Summary
- Nintendo is delisting Dragon Quest 11 S from the Switch store temporarily due to a minor update in the listing.
- Those who already own the game can continue playing, but new purchases will be halted until the game returns.
- The change in publishing rights could affect sales and pricing due to Square Enix taking control.
Nintendo will temporarily delist Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age from Switch's digital store. The reason is a minor update to the store listing, likely a change in the game's publisher. However, those who already own a copy of Dragon Quest 11 S can keep playing without any issues, while anyone looking to purchase it digitally on the Switch storefront will have to wait a while.
Dragon Quest 11 was initially released for Nintendo 3DS and PS4 in 2017, followed by PC in 2018. In 2019, an enhanced version titled Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition was released for Switch and later ported to PS4, Windows, and Xbox One. With the launch of the definitive edition, the original Dragon Quest 11 was delisted from PS4 and Steam, leaving only the enhanced version available for purchase. On Steam and PS4, Dragon Quest 11 S was published by Square Enix, while on the Nintendo Store, the publisher was Nintendo itself.
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The publishing rights are expected to change soon, now that Dragon Quest 11 S will be temporarily delisted on Switch. As announced on Twitter, the JRPG will be unavailable for purchase on the Nintendo Store starting February 1, but it should return soon. In the past, Nintendo has delisted other Square Enix games, such as Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy. However, those games were Nintendo exclusives before the delisting, so it made sense for the Japanese gaming giant to be their publisher. Once Octopath Traveler returned to digital storefronts, its publisher changed to Square Enix, and the game was announced for PS4. Triangle Strategy also saw a publisher change but has yet to be announced for new platforms.
Dragon Quest 11 S Is Being Temporarily Delisted From Nintendo Store
The main difference with Dragon Quest 11 S's delisting is that the JRPG was already available on multiple platforms, with Square Enix as its publisher. Some fans speculate that this change could affect sales and even lead to a price drop since Square Enix will now be in full control of pricing. Although Nintendo holds multiple sales throughout the year, the company is notoriously known for having higher prices than the competition and rarely lowering prices, even for games released years ago.
The frequent publisher changes involving Square Enix games could be tied to the company's new business strategy, which was announced last year. Dubbed "Square Enix Reboots and Awakens," it's a mid-term strategy aimed at achieving long-term growth. This business plan will impact the publisher's entire development lineup, with a stronger focus on AAA games from its renowned IP catalog. One of the key pillars of this strategy is multi-platform releases for future Square Enix games, which may suggest that the company will handle publishing for all its titles moving forward.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- September 27, 2019
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Crude Humor, Simulated Gambling, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Mild Blood, Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo, Square Enix
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Franchise
- Dragon Quest
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- September 27, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
Awaken your power and protect the land!
You are the Luminary, the hunted hero who will protect the land from destruction in the latest RPG from the iconic DRAGON QUEST® series. With a ragtag band of adventurers, you’ll engage in well-balanced, turn-based battles and embark on quests across the kingdom of Erdrea. Forge gear, develop party members’ skills, and alter their outfits without changing gear in this edition of the game! This version also lets you ride and attack with monsters on the field to earn experience points, as well as change between HD or 16-bit visuals, symphonic or synth music, and English or Japanese audio. Complete the tale with new character-focused stories, and travel to past DRAGON QUEST worlds!
Across the land, you’ll meet the mysterious Tockles—creatures that allow you to visit 2D, 16-bit versions of areas from popular entries in the series like DRAGON QUEST IV and DRAGON QUEST VIII! It’s fun to see these classic worlds reimagined in retro style, meshing perfectly with the main game’s 2D mode. Like all past DRAGON QUEST games, this one’s character designs are based on the signature style of famed artist Akira Toriyama. Paired with the voiced dialogue, the rich personalities of your most loyal companions and fiercest enemies are brought to life, so you can fully immerse yourself in this quest to discover the Luminary’s true heritage and awaken your power. For a greater challenge, start the game with the Draconian Quest setting, and capture your favorite moments with Photo Mode!
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 60 Hours
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
