While fans of the classic JRPG series Dragon Quest are already anticipating its 12th mainline installment, Square Enix has suddenly made the surprise announcement of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince. An underrated part of the monster catching game genre, the Monsters games see players capturing and battling creatures found throughout the world in lieu of adventuring with a normal RPG party. Years have passed without an entry in this spin-off line, and this update to the series for the Nintendo Switch is set to allow Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince to revitalize its side of the franchise.
Revealed during the June 2023 Nintendo Direct, The Dark Prince appears to take place within an expanded version of the world of Dragon Quest 4. The upcoming title seemingly takes a subversive approach by focusing on a younger version of a prior antagonist, Psaro. Following Psaro after he has been cursed to be unable to harm monsters, players will see him become a Monster Wrangler as they tame and synthesize hundreds of creatures throughout the world of Nadiria. Many enemies have returned from the mainline series, but the bestiary of The Dark Prince revealed so far also features several monsters that are totally new to Dragon Quest.
The Dark Prince's Returning Monsters
Slime Family
The inarguable icon of the series, Dragon Quest's Slimes are a recognizable face to even those completely unfamiliar with the RPG games. No entry would be complete without Slimes and their plethora of variations, something the Synthesis system of Monsters complements perfectly.
From the slightly superior female variation of the typical ubiquitous Slime enemy known as a She-Slime, which can be seen in a desert-themed environment at the start of the trailer, to the returning rare Sugarstar Slime and Wing Slime, many variations of Dragon Quest's classic mascot's past are set to be available in The Dark Prince.
- Slime
- She-slime
- Sugarstar Slime
- Shadow Slime
- Fright Bulb
- Wing Slime
- Dark Slime
- Snail Slime
- Drake Slime
Bird Family
Seen being synthesized with a Slime, the series’ Dracky returns as the face of the Bird family of monsters. Between stronger variations like Drackyma, the Bird family has a wide array of monsters that also encompasses classic avian creatures such as Hawk Man. Firebird and Phoenix are seen being synthesized together to create Prism Peacock, a muscular mainstay of the monster-tamer spin-off series. Goofy monsters such as the chicken-inspired Bantamweight are able scouted by the player alongside more intimidating creatures such as the dinosaur-esque Pteranodon, which is used by Psaro's mentors to ward of the attacking demons in the reveal trailer.
- Dracky
- Drackyma
- Firebird
- Phoenix
- Prism Peacock
- Bantamweight
- Hawk Man
- Pteranodon
- Cosmic Chimaera
Demon Family
The winged, scythe-axe wielding demons that show up early in the trailer seem to be some instances of Beleth. A blue variation of Dragon Quest’s “Grim Keeper” monster archetype, these members of the Demon family are typically tougher enemies in their game appearances. Perfect examples of typical humanoid Demon monsters, Psaro also controls a powerful enemy from past mainline games that is a variation of Dragon Quest’s Ogre known as a Swingre.
- Grim Keeper
- Beleth
- Swingre
- Demon-at-Arms
- Moosifer
Aquatic Family
Generally a cuter archetype in Dragon Quest, aquatic monsters can vary between the anthropomorphic but cartoonish Briny Bronco and experimental animal fusions such as the Puffpoise. Sightings of the series' staple Khalamari Kid could even signal the eventual appearance of its fully grown giant Khalamari adult form. The strange takes on normal ocean life found in the Aquatic creatures of Monsters can be a reminder of the simple creativity in the art of Akira Toriyama.
- Khalamari Kid
- Briny Bronco
- Puffpoise
Beast Family
A pink Beast monster known as Abracadabrador appears as one of the monsters controlled by the old mentor that approaches the protagonist. A common spin on the Foo Dog design, this intimidating creature is the first of many in its family seen in the trailer. Both the boar-piglet type creature Sham Hatwitch that wears a massive witch hat and fan favorite juvenile Great Sabrecub make cute appearances, as they are seen sleeping in the overworld like normal animals. There are more outlandish examples of this archetype as well, with creatures like the deceptively vicious Bunicorn seen being used by Psaro in battle.
- Abracadabrador
- Sham Hatwitch
- Great Sabrecub
- Platypunk
- Bunicorn
- Vampire Cat
- Feralball
Dragon Family
The giant purple dragon monster known as Rashaverak originated in Dragon Quest 4, and could be a sign of The Dark Prince’s lore connections to the mainline series. Appearing as one of the subordinates of the villainous Psaro in his original appearance, The Dark Prince is likely to chronicle the eponymous Prince's rise to power through his multitude of monster-ruling conquests.
Other powerful Dragon family representatives like the Dragonlord similarly share the distinction of being a final boss from the mainline Dragon Quest series that has become available to scout in the spin-off games. Several less epic examples of dragons are available too, with a Damselfly seen being synthesized and Dragon Quest 6's Raptile appearing in a battle.
- Rashaverak
- Dragonlord
- Damselfly
- Raptile
Elemental Family
In another fusion sequence, a Dancing Flame fire elemental monster can be seen being combined with the fan-favorite Dark Slime. A more niche family of Monsters, the signature Dancing Flame of the series can be seen used in synthesis with a fan favorite Dark Slime. While the Elemental family encompasses common concepts like fire, it also extends to monsters such as the enigmatic Shadows that appear roaming the world of Nadiria.
- Dancing Flame
- Shadow
Humanoid Family
A more uncanny side of the monsters in Dragon Quest, these anthropomorphic monsters are reminiscent of the strangeness of humanoid Pokemon. A smiling creature with a massive tongue known as the Drooling Ghoul is seen as one of the monsters used by Psaro's old mentor, and a more colorful variation of the same monster known as the Frolicker lurks in a fiery part of the overworld.
- Drooling Ghoul
- Frolicker
Machine Family
A mainstay of the franchise ever since Dragon Quest 2, the Killing Machine is one of the series’ only mechanical monsters. With the Machine family being one of the edgier groups in the series, more are sure to show up in The Dark Prince.
- Killing Machine
Material Family
One of the more recent monsters featured, Iron Maiden is a variation on one of Dragon Quest 11’s boss fights and represents the Material family as an inanimate object given life. In a similar vein, a green version of the normal Restless Armour monster called the Roseguardin can be seen in battle.
- Iron Maiden
- Roseguardin
Nature/Plant Family
Sometimes known as the Plant family, the Nature family of monsters contains creatures based on typical lifeforms found in environments like forests. While veritable freaks of Dragon Quest such as the disturbing duo of bell peppers that live bound together in a skewer called Capsichum and the spear wielding summer squash known as Cruelcumber are considered Nature monsters, so are the adorable creatures Dragon Quest 10's Dandelion Fluff (now known as Tufty Tot) and the supposedly human-sized Toady monsters.
- Capsichum
- Tufty Tot
- Leafy Larrikin
- Stump Chump
- Cruelcumber
- Toady
Undead Family
While only a couple of Undead monsters can be seen in The Dark Prince's trailer, they tend to be some of the most iconic enemies in Dragon Quest. Psaro's Skeleton Soldier could signal the return of classic enemies like the Mummies and Walking Corpse variations.
- Skeleton Soldier
- Float-o-Copier
??? Family
Generally reserved for the playable versions of past series bosses, the??? Family is confirmed to be making a return through the presence of Zoma. Originally a major character and the final boss of Dragon Quest 3, Zoma being playable has always been a feature in the Monsters series, and The Dark Prince continues the trend.
- Zoma
The Dark Prince's New Monsters
Fizzy
Seemingly a new Nature monster that is especially important to the main characters of The Dark Prince, Fizzy is a cute creature that somewhat resembles the Monsters series’ original Fluffy. While its actual characteristics are still unconfirmed for now, it's highly likely that Fizzy will end up in the Nature category in a similar fashion to its mascot predecessor.
White Foo Dog Variation
In a look at a mountainous region, a new version of the Foo Dog enemy archetype from the Dragon Quest series can be seen during The Dark Prince's announcement trailer. This version of the Shisa inspired monster features a lighter coloration and scary red eyes, hinting that it may be the toughest iteration of the monster yet. With returning enemies dominating the world of Nadiria, more variations of several other monsters could be in the cards.
Vegandragora
The first truly brand-new monster introduced in The Dark Prince, the result of fusing Fright Bulb and Damselfly is shown to be Vegandragora. Appropriately a plant dragon, this round monster evokes Pokemon’s Venusaur with its sense of goofy cuteness. A sign of what lovable new monsters could appear in The Dark Prince, this new Dragon family monster has already begun building up a fan base after only a small part in the trailer.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince will be released December 1 for Nintendo Switch.