For the First Time in Decades, Dragon Quest Monsters Is Coming to PlayStation
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World will launch on PlayStation 5 on December 3rd, marking a historic moment for the franchise. This is the first Dragon Quest Monsters game to release on a PlayStation console in over two decades, breaking a long exclusivity era on Nintendo platforms.
The last PlayStation entry was Dragon Quest Monsters 1+2, a Japan-only collection released on PS1 in 2002. Since then, the spin-off series has remained firmly within Nintendo’s ecosystem, with Nintendo-exclusive releases dominating the franchise for 24 years.
The Withered World’s multiplatform approach signals a significant strategic shift for the Dragon Quest IP. This decision reflects Square Enix’s intention to reach a broader audience beyond Nintendo’s traditional user base and represents a departure from the franchise’s long-standing platform exclusivity.
Based on available footage, the game features turn-based monster recruiting and RPG-style combat mechanics. The December release date positions the title as a significant holiday launch for PS5 owners, allowing the game to avoid the competitive September and October gaming season.