Gamefings logoimg
Retro Game Review banner

Review of Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen on Nintendo DS

by Tanya Krane Tanya Krane photo Sep 2008
Cover image of Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen on DS
Gamefings Score: 9
Platform: DS DS logo
Released: 16 Sep 2008
Genre: Role-playing
Developer: Chunsoft
Publisher: Enix

Introduction

Welcome to the wacky and whimsical world of Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen, where brave heroes rise, questionable decisions are made, and slimes are... well, still just slimes. This classic RPG gives you not one, not two, but five, yes five chapters, each showcasing a protagonist on their individual misadventures. Hop into your wagon, equip your best jokes, and let's dive into the character shenanigans!

Gameplay

In this chaptered adventure, players get to experience storytelling as plush and layered as a seven-layer dip. Each chapter introduces a unique protagonist, from the slightly brooding Ragnar to the unapologetically peppy Alena, and yes, the game even gifts us with a merchant named Torneko whose dream involves more inventory management than monster-slaying. Who doesn't love some good old-fashioned capitalism, right? Gameplay mechanics are both classic and comfortable, featuring turn-based battles and a range of strategies, thanks to the nifty "Tactics" system, letting your party members focus on specific objectives-kind of like when everyone at lunch tries to decide whether to go to Taco Bell or Chipotle. New elements like the ability to save at any time (not just when talking to royal jerks in castles) made this title accessible even for the laziest of players. Add mini-games and side quests as sprinkles on this RPG sundae, and it's hard not to have fun in this bumpy pixelated ride! Also, who wouldn't want to run around collecting shiny medals that lead to equally shiny prizes? If achievements had a baby with collectibles, Mini Medals would be it. The excitement of finding those during exploration is truly thrilling, considering many of us are often just searching for the bathroom at home, much less in fantasy worlds.

Graphics

When it comes to visuals, Dragon Quest IV excels in that 'nostalgic charm' department, with graphic designs that pull at your heartstrings like a nostalgic yanking of your childhood. Each character and environment is lovingly crafted in a colorful art style directly from Akira Toriyama's sketchbook. The remastered version for the Nintendo DS takes this aesthetic and gently spruces it up with flair and tradition-truly, it's like putting a designer bow tie on a classic suit. Character sprites pop with personality, making battles feel not just engaging but entertaining-seeing your colorful crew tackle each mob of monsters is enough to invoke feelings of both nostalgia and joy. Sure, it's not like we have hyper-realistic graphics, but who needs that when you can enjoy fantastical baddies all wrapped in pixelated glee?

Conclusion

In summary, Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen is a delightful dive into an epic tale that intertwines the lives of engaging characters through an adventure rich with humor, heart, and battles so thrilling you'll want to face-palm with every time Psaro the Manslayer shows up to ruin the fun. Whether you're scraping for mini medals or dodging baddies as you traverse vibrant lands, this game is a must-play on the Nintendo DS. Score: 9/10 for the memories, the monsters, and for people who understand that the only thing cuter than a slime is a dragon questing, and if you've cracked a smile, congrats! You've just completed your first chapter in our review-who knows, maybe we'll see you in the next adventure?

See Prices for Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen on DS on Ebay

See Latest Prices for Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen on DS on Amazon

Related
Latest
image for news article 'Sophie Turner Is Lara Croft — How Tomb Raider's Brutal Skill Ceiling Will Shape Amazon's TV Take'
Hemal Harris - 04 Sep 2025
Sophie Turner will play Lara Croft in Amazon's Tomb Raider series. Here's how the show can capture the games' brutal challenge loo...
image for news article 'Gamescom 2025: From Hornet's Revenge to Gunfights in the Future — The Biggest Reveals, Ranked by Hype (and Probability of Screaming)'
Gemma Looksby - 27 Aug 2025
Gamescom 2025 unleashed release dates, surprises, and enough nostalgia to power a retro arcade. Hollow Knight: Silksong finally la...
image for news article 'From Sidekick to Symptom: An In-Depth Look at How Game Characters Grow (and Break) Over Time'
Tanya Krane - 22 Aug 2025
A witty, in-depth analysis of how video game characters evolve - from antiheroes and companions to tragic villains - and how gamep...
image for news article 'Helldivers 2: The Ultimate Skill Test — How to Survive When Friendly Fire Is A Feature'
Hemal Harris - 22 Aug 2025
Helldivers 2 turns cooperative shooters into a terrifying teamwork exam. From friendly-fire fiascos to stratagem juggling and glob...
image for news article 'PlayStation Plus August Drop: Mortal Kombat 1, Spider-Man, Sword of the Sea and Two Resident Evils — Sony’s Buffet of Beatdowns and Beachside Introspection'
Chucky - 22 Aug 2025
Sony's August PlayStation Plus drop mixes Mortal Kombat 1 and Marvel's Spider-Man with day-one indie Sword of the Sea, EDF6 co-op ...
image for news article 'Tariff Drama and Console Character Arcs: How the PS5 Price Hike Recasts PlayStation's Story'
Tanya Krane - 21 Aug 2025
Sony just raised PS5 prices in the US - but this is more than a number. We break down the cast, the catalyst (hello, tariffs), and...
image for news article 'The Nintendo Switch 2: An Overhyped Second Date That Actually Went Well'
Chucky - 14 Jun 2025
Nintendo Switch 2 has hit the market, and it's selling like hotcakes! Here's what you need to know about this slightly improved se...