One of the biggest games ever to launch for the Nintendo DS family of systems has arrived in North America, giving U.S. consumers a chance to experience the hand-held gaming phenomenon that has already attracted more than 4.2 million players in Japan. With unique features that let players customize characters and connect with friends via a local wireless connection to take on epic adventures, DRAGON QUEST IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies, developed by Square Enix Co., Ltd., gives people of all ages, backgrounds and gaming experience levels a remarkable way to combine imaginative game play and social fun.
Players begin by creating fully customized heroes to guide on their quest, choosing from different face, hair and even eye color. As they journey forth, characters are further developed and enhanced as they choose from more than 1,000 items and pieces of equipment, change jobs and abilities, and join up with new customizable companions. Using a local wireless connection, up to four players within range of each other can band together at any time to explore mysterious dungeons and tangle with fearsome monsters throughout a spellbinding world of adventure.
In addition to a wireless multiplayer mode, DRAGON QUEST IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies includes an interactive Tag Mode that allows players to keep the game active even while their Nintendo DS system is stored in their pocket, purse or backpack. When two players come within range of one another, Tag Mode enables them to wirelessly – and automatically – exchange character information, customized greetings and treasure maps. These treasure maps allow players to find otherwise inaccessible dungeons called grottoes featuring special boss monsters and even rare items.
“There’s no limit to the fun of DRAGON QUEST IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “The ability to create your own characters and enjoy the game with friends makes every adventure as unique as players themselves. Better yet, the Nintendo DS family of systems makes the game easy for people to enjoy anytime, anywhere.”
Interacting with different characters will unfold the story and point players toward their next quest. Players might be asked to find a missing item or to defeat a monster in a particular way. All quests come with a reward, which might be anything from a rare item to a new, unlocked occupation. During their journey, players will encounter mighty monsters in fast-paced battles. The more foes players defeat, the stronger they become. Players who get the urge to upgrade their characters can visit an in-game online shop (broadband Internet access required) to acquire new items using in-game currency they have collected while playing. The selection of items changes daily. Players can also connect online to download new weekly quests for about a year from the launch of the game, each with its own challenges and rewards.
For more information about DRAGON QUEST IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies, visit www.dqnine.com.
