View Full Version : Why... Dragon *Warrior*?
Veepa
02-10-2006, 11:34 PM
So.. this has been on my mind for quite some time.
The original Japanese game was named Dragon Quest.. Which sounds pefectly fine. So why did they changed the name when it hit the states to Dragon Warrior? What's the big deal here? Did they think a quest wasn't appealing in America at the time?
Also, why did they put that horrible ugly art in the instruction manual for the US Dragon Warrior? Akira Toriyama did the orignal art, did he not?
The original Japanese game was named Dragon Quest.. Which sounds pefectly fine. So why did they changed the name when it hit the states to Dragon Warrior? What's the big deal here? Did they think a quest wasn't appealing in America at the time?
Legal issues. I remember reading that TSR (who had the rights to D&D at the time) owned the rights to the name "Dragon Quest."
FlufflePuff
02-10-2006, 11:47 PM
Wasn't there a board game called Dragon Quest out? Had furniture, treasure, and monsters. I have fond memories of it, but the name eludes me.
Daria
02-11-2006, 12:04 AM
In 1980 SPI released a roleplaying game called Dragon Quest, (the second edition was printed in 1981) they went bankrupt in 1982, and were bought out by TSR. TSR held onto the trademark for 5 years, at which point in '87 they released Dragon Quest as a supplement for D&D. And again in '92 as it's own seperate board game. The trademark's run out now, which is why Enix was free to snap it up.
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=68403&highlight=dragon+warrior+tsr
Veepa
02-11-2006, 12:57 AM
Oh okay...
Thanks.
The Deja Vu avatar is so fitting here. 8-)
studvicious
02-13-2006, 05:11 AM
I guess I'm weird but I liked Dragon Warrior better.
njiska
02-13-2006, 05:26 AM
I guess I'm weird but I liked Dragon Warrior better.
You are wierd. Long live Dragon Quest. :P
Veepa
02-13-2006, 08:07 AM
I guess I'm weird but I liked Dragon Warrior better.
I think they both sound okay.. I would just prefer Dragon Quest since it was the original.
But anyway.. like I was saying.. what is up with that hideous American cartoonish art they used in the manual of the US version?
Lady Jaye
02-13-2006, 09:17 AM
Because back then Toriyama wasn't known to the North American public (Dragon Ball became popular in Europe in the mid 1990s, and a few years later in the US).
I don't know why Nintendo of America had a problem with the cartoonish art, especially considering how The Legend of Zelda had kept all the Japanese illustrations in the manual. Maybe Nintendo was trying to market DW to an older audience by using that ugly dragon and knight colored pencil drawing?
squidblatt
02-13-2006, 09:22 AM
Wasn't there a board game called Dragon Quest out? Had furniture, treasure, and monsters. I have fond memories of it, but the name eludes me.
That's Hero's Quest, which is why Sierra's Hero's Quest had to become Quest for Glory.
Fuyukaze
02-13-2006, 04:42 PM
I for one enjoyed both the name and the art change. Of all the problems, I've mostly found fault with the original art. I have never been much of a fan of Akira Toriyama's art style because for the most part, it just does not differ much. The charcters in the Dragon Quest series have little difference between those in the DB/Z universe. While I know it's a popular anime series, I didnt care for it. Then again, I've never been one to play the series because of its great art, but because of its great gameplay.
On an off note, atleast they released 1-4, 7, and 8 as such and didn't release them as 1-6 like they could have. Look at how square released the FF games. Also, I think it was a bad idea to suddenly drop the warrior name and go with quest for 8 with the domestic release. We know it's original name, why do I suddenly need a name change after all this time for me to know that?
drwily008
02-13-2006, 06:24 PM
I actually prefer Dragon Warrior as well. To me call it Dragon Quest is like calling Final Fantasy III = Final Fantasy VI....blasphemy.
I know I'm probably in the minority here, but it just doesn't sound right!
studvicious
02-15-2006, 03:29 PM
Oh I definately agree, "Quest" is so cliche'. At least Warrior made it sound cool and different.
Snapple
02-16-2006, 12:21 AM
"Warrior" is edgier. In addition to the legal thing, they might've gone with Warrior because the name would've hooked more kids.
Mezmoron
02-16-2006, 09:48 AM
I agree - Warrior was used because it would appeal more to kids. I guess it worked, eh? The titles sold pretty well :P
GameSlaveGaz
02-17-2006, 10:14 PM
Why can't we compromise and call it Dragon Warrior's Quest? I mean, he's a warrior, he's on a quest, there are dragons involved...
I'll go sit in my corner now...
The Manimal
02-18-2006, 12:15 AM
I guess I'm weird but I liked Dragon Warrior better.
I ALSO liked the 'realistic' artwork drawings of characters in the booklets more than the anime style.. :)