Key Takeaways
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- Yuji Horii, creator of the Dragon Quest series, was awarded Japans Order of the Rising Sun for his significant contributions to the video game industry, making him the first game designer to receive this recognition.
- The latest installment in the Dragon Quest series, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, was released and is available across multiple platforms.
- The previous remake, Dragon Quest III, was a major success in Japan, selling over 820,000 copies in its first week and becoming the bestselling game of the year.
- Koichi Sugiyama, who composed music for Dragon Quest, received posthumous recognition alongside Horii.
Our favorite Goodies
Dragon Quest Pioneer Yuji Horii Honored with Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun for Groundbreaking Contributions to Video Game Industry
Yuji Horii, the 71-year-old creator of the Dragon Quest series, has received Japan’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Rising Sun, for his significant contributions to the country, making him the first game designer to receive this recognition. Upon receiving the award, Horii stated, “I’ve been making games for nearly 40 years now, but I couldn’t have done it without my team and all our amazing fans. I’ve grown a lot, done so many things, and it’s all been worth it.” Dragon Quest’s immense popularity in Japan often causes widespread disruption upon each main series release, with people calling in sick from work or skipping school to purchase the game. This cultural impact has earned Horii a place alongside manga legends like Go Nagai and Studio Ghibli’s Joe Hisaishi, all recipients of the Order of the Rising Sun. Koichi Sugiyama, who composed music for Dragon Quest, also received posthumous recognition. Horii has been involved with the series since its inception in 1986. His company, Armor Project, co-owns the franchise with Square Enix.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Launches Across Multiple Platforms in Succession to Record-Breaking Dragon Quest III Sale
The latest installment in the series, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, was released last week and is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and PC. The previous remake, Dragon Quest III, was a major success in Japan, selling over 820,000 copies in its first week and becoming the bestselling game of the year.
In Case You Missed It
Welcome back, gaming enthusiasts and cinephiles! We’ve got a trio of treats for you today. First up, we’re branching out from our usual gaming insights to share some musical magic: the incredible 54-track soundtrack for Towa And The Guardians Of The Sacred Tree has just been released on major streaming platforms! Composer Hitoshi Sakimoto has truly outdone himself in bringing Towa’s courageous journey to life. Dive into Marcus Thompson’s recent article, “Soundtrack of Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree Now Available on Top Music Streaming Platforms” Soundtrack of Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree Now Available on Top Music Streaming Platforms to experience the mesmerizing tunes for yourself.
Next, our resident movie buff Bruno Pferd has curated a must-read for all you film lovers out there. His latest post, “Netflix: This Week’s Releases Featuring Cult Films and a Highly Anticipated New Release” (published on October 20, 2025), takes us through Netflix’s latest lineup with highlights including cult classics like “The Blair Witch Project” and the much-lauded thriller “A House of Dynamite”. Plan your streaming week by checking out Bruno’s insightful rundown here Netflix: This Week’s Releases Featuring Cult Films and a Highly Anticipated New Release.
Last but not least, Marcus Thompson has unearthed a fascinating tale of a gaming masterpiece that almost was. In his latest post, “The Almost Realized Matrix Game by Hideo Kojima” (published on October 27th), he delves into the untold story of The Wachowski sisters’ attempt to collaborate with legendary game designer Hideo Kojima during the late ’90s. Ever wondered what a Matrix game helmed by the mastermind behind Metal Gear Solid could have looked like? Don’t miss this intriguing deep dive – check it out here The Almost Realized Matrix Game by Hideo Kojima.