Dragon Quest 12’s Long Wait Might Finally Make Sense

If you have been wondering why Dragon Quest 12 feels like it has been stuck in development limbo forever, you are not alone. It has been years since the game was first teased, and since then, updates have been rare, vague, and frustratingly quiet. 

But when you look closely at what has been happening behind the scenes, especially with the recent performance of Dragon Quest 7 Re-Imagined, the long wait starts to make a lot more sense.

Right now, game development is more expensive and risky than ever. Every major release feels like a high-stakes gamble, and for a series as important as Dragon Quest, Square Enix cannot afford to get things wrong. 

You are not just talking about another RPG. You are talking about one of the biggest franchises in Japan, a series that still shapes how publishers think about release timing, platforms, and marketing. So when something interesting happens with a recent release, it is almost guaranteed to affect future plans.

That is exactly what seems to be happening with Dragon Quest 7 Re-Imagined.

When the latest Famitsu sales charts dropped, covering early February 2026, they revealed something that probably made Square Enix stop and take notes. In just a few days on sale, Dragon Quest 7 Re-Imagined moved over 456,000 retail copies in Japan alone. That number does not even include digital sales, where the game was also ranking near the top of the eShop charts.

The game sold best on the original Nintendo Switch, with around 177,000 units. That was expected. The Switch has a massive install base in Japan and has been home to Dragon Quest fans for years. 

What surprised people was how well it performed on the Nintendo Switch 2. Despite having a much smaller user base, it still sold roughly 160,000 copies, beating out PlayStation 5 and coming close to the original Switch.

From Square Enix’s point of view, this is a clear signal. The Switch 2 is becoming a major platform for RPGs in Japan, faster than many people expected. Even with fewer systems in homes, players are showing up and buying games in large numbers. That kind of engagement is gold.

So if you are Square Enix, what do you do with that information?

Instead of rushing Dragon Quest 12 out the door, you slow down and make sure it launches in the right place, at the right time, and in the right way. You start prioritizing the Switch 2 version. You make sure it is ready to stand alongside PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. You avoid treating it like an afterthought.

And if that means taking more time, you take it. This mindset probably comes from experience. Back in 2017, Dragon Quest 11 launched on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo 3DS, but not on Switch. 

The Switch version came much later, and it was not a simple port. Square Enix had to rebuild it using Unreal Engine 4, which caused delays and technical challenges. The result was a two-year gap that likely cost them money and momentum.

Even though Dragon Quest 11 eventually did very well on Switch, that situation was far from ideal. It created confusion, split the audience, and forced extra development work. You can be sure Square Enix does not want to repeat that mistake.

With Dragon Quest 12, the goal seems to be simple: launch everywhere at once, with no major compromises.

Modern game engines, especially Unreal Engine 5, are powerful but demanding. If Dragon Quest 12 is using it, which many people suspect, optimization alone is a massive job. UE5 has had performance issues on several platforms, and getting it to run smoothly on Nintendo hardware takes serious time and effort.

On top of that, Dragon Quest 12 is not just another sequel. The developers have already said they want to change things up. It is not going to play exactly like Dragon Quest 11. There will be new mechanics, systems, and ideas. When you think about everything involved, it adds up quickly.

In today’s gaming landscape, how you reveal a game matters almost as much as the game itself. A bad reveal can kill hype instantly. A good one can carry momentum for years. So far, Dragon Quest 12 has only had a basic CG teaser. It set the tone, showed the logo, and confirmed the project exists. That was it.

Now comes the real challenge.

Square Enix needs to decide when and where to show proper gameplay, story details, and platform information. And based on recent trends, the best place to do that might be a Nintendo Direct.

Dragon Quest has a strong history with Nintendo showcases. Major reveals in Directs have boosted visibility and excitement in the past, and Dragon Quest 7 Re-Imagined itself benefited from that exposure. If you want maximum impact in Japan, a Direct is hard to beat.

That is why many people believe Square Enix is waiting for the right Direct, possibly later this year, maybe even September, to properly unveil Dragon Quest 12. If that happens, it would make sense.

By then, they could have solid footage, confirmed platforms, and a clearer release window. They could show the Switch 2 version running well. They could reassure fans that this time, everyone gets the game at once.

Another interesting piece of the puzzle is how players are responding to physical releases on Switch 2. Dragon Quest 7 Re-Imagined used a key card system, which some fans criticized. Despite that, people still bought it in huge numbers. Many players either went digital or accepted the key card because they wanted the game.

That sends another message to Square Enix: if the game is good enough, the format matters less.

For Dragon Quest 12, that flexibility gives them more options. They can focus on performance and content first, knowing fans are likely to support it anyway. Sales numbers also show that Switch 2 hardware is still moving well in Japan, even during slower months. 

With over 65,000 units sold in a typically quiet period, the system is proving it has momentum. Stores are seeing sellouts and strong demand. That kind of stability makes it an attractive platform for a major RPG launch.

Square Enix sees that Switch 2 is becoming essential. They remember the mistakes of Dragon Quest 11’s launch. They are working with new technology. They are redesigning parts of the gameplay. And they want to avoid rushing anything.

From your perspective as a fan, the wait is frustrating. You want updates. You want trailers. You want dates. You want something to hold onto. But from their perspective, silence might be safer than promises they cannot keep.

Right now, Dragon Quest 12 feels like it is in the final stretch. Re-releases and remakes are slowing down. Yuji Hori keeps saying development is ongoing. Square Enix has fewer older titles left to fill the gaps. At some point, they will have to show the next mainline game.

When that moment comes, chances are it will be big. It will probably involve Nintendo. It will highlight Switch 2. It will show real gameplay. And it will make it clear that this is not just another sequel, but a carefully planned flagship release.

Until then, all you can really do is wait and watch the signs. And if Dragon Quest 7 Re-Imagined has taught us anything, it is that Square Enix is paying close attention to where players are showing up. And right now, they are showing up on Switch 2. That might be the biggest reason Dragon Quest 12 is taking so long.