Switch Yuji Horii explains: This is why Dragon Quest VII Reimagined comes before remakes of IV, V and VI

[Dany28]

Following the release of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake last year and the imminent Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake (released in October 2025), the remake series is in full swing. Dragon Quest VII Reimagined was surprisingly announced at the Nintendo Direct in September even before possible remakes of Dragon Quest IV, V , and VI were announced .
Many fans wondered why Part VII was being made first. This question also reached series creator Yuji Horii in a Japanese livestream.

Yuji Horii said: “It just happened first by chance”​

In the stream on the channel Yuubou & Mashirito no KosoKoso Housoukyoku (September 15, 2025), Horii talked about the remake.
When asked why it was “not 4-5-6, but 7,” he replied: A lot of things are happening right now, but it just happened to be completed first.
When asked whether this meant that IV, V and VI were not planned, Horii evaded the question: I didn't say that (repeated three times)

Development of VII went particularly smoothly​

Later in the conversation, Horii emphasized again: As I said, we want to make the games playable on current platforms. With VII, there was simply a development phase that progressed very well.

Host Naz Chris asked whether Part IV's chapter structures might result in longer development times. Horii just laughed and said: In the foot, in the foot ...

Release date for Dragon Quest VII Reimagined​

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined will be released worldwide on February 5, 2026 for:

• Nintendo Switch and Switch 2
• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series X|S
• PC (Steam & Microsoft Store)

Horii indicated that remakes of Dragon Quest IV-VI are not out of the question – but currently Dragon Quest VII is simply further along in development.

 

[Segadude113]

I need to point out that 1-3 and 7 were huge in the west.

 

[Aziamuth]

It looks so good... but it's still Dragon Quest VII. I'll await patiently, but eagerly

 

[Ezri_Muldoon]

Because great games shouldn't be remade, its the flawed gems that showed potential that always deserve a second shot.
You can just go play the great game. It doesn't need improving, unless you're suddenly going to claim its now magically always been bad please give HD graphics

No dice. Go play the Thing Remaster and learn to appreciate IMPROVEMENT

Only asking for the great games to be remade is no different than Bethesda releasing the 35th revision of the Skyrim special edition.
Wow! It's the same! Take my $80usd

 

[030079AR]

I wasnt even fan of 7, and always hate how the main character looks (XI also comes in mind)

But im fine to see how the remake prosper in the future. The 1+2 and 3 2DHD remake is blowing my mind with the graphic style wise.

I wish that octopaths using this colors, instead lomo style tone.

This should be foundation for simpler, less budget for FF1-6, i really doesnt like PR remaster feels, comparing with this treatment of DQ, classic FF is far from cool