Summary
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake has exceeded initial sales expectations, surpassing two million copies sold globally. The MMO division also saw a boost due to the release of Dawntrail, the latest expansion for Final Fantasy 14. The sequel to Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake is scheduled for release in 2025.
Square Enix stated in its latest fiscal report that Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake exceeded its initial sales expectations. The company is known for setting a high benchmark for its titles and rarely announces when a game surpasses projections. Nevertheless, since its launch, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake has registered impressive sales figures, prompting Square Enix to comment on its success.
The remake of Dragon Quest 3 from the NES has been reimagined using an HD-2D graphical engine, offering numerous quality-of-life enhancements. It debuted on November 14, 2024, achieving close to one million physical sales in its first week in Japan. In December, Square Enix confirmed that Dragon Quest 3 Remake sales surpassed two million copies worldwide, considering both shipments and digital downloads.
Financial Report Insights
Square Enix’s latest financial document revealed that the remake performed better in sales than anticipated. The company attributed the JRPG’s success to an uptick in operating income within its HD Games division, which encompasses console and PC titles. Additionally, the MMO segment experienced growth from the release of Dawntrail for Final Fantasy 14. However, despite this, net sales remained down compared to the previous year.
Historically, Square Enix’s financial reports often include remarks indicating that certain games did not meet sales expectations, even after successful launches, as seen with Final Fantasy 16. This inconsistency highlights the challenges companies face in maintaining anticipated sales over time.
In light of these sales results, Square Enix is shifting focus toward multi-platform releases. Traditionally, the company maintained exclusive partnerships with both PlayStation and Nintendo, but it plans to move away from exclusivity arrangements for future game launches across various platforms.
