SQUARE ENIX® announced that, the latest entry in the DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS series, DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: THE DARK PRINCE is launching worldwide on December 1, 2023, on Nintendo Switch™. DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: THE DARK PRINCE gives players the power to command and recruit various types of monsters to join them on an epic new adventure.

The announcement trailer for DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: THE DARK PRINCE has also been revealed.

DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: THE DARK PRINCE features Psaro, the demon prince, whose curse prevents him from harming monsters. As a result, he must become a Monster Wrangler, recruiting and fighting alongside monsters throughout the various environments of the fantastical world of Nadiria.

Over the course of this adventure, the seasons will regularly cycle through Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall, which not only changes the landscape, but also opens new areas and players will encounter different monsters specific to that season.

One of the most powerful tools in the player arsenal is the newly evolved synthesis system which allows players to create completely new monsters by combining those already on their roster. Players can experiment and eventually unlock over 500 monsters, including franchise favourites, dark lords, and completely new creatures. Once players have assembled their dream roster, they can take their teams of powerful monsters online, to battle against other Monster Wranglers around the world.

Along with the standard version, DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Dark Prince – Ultimate Edition, a special pack including the full game and additional download contents will be released.

DRAGON QUEST is a legendary series of role-playing games created by Yuji Horii and beloved by millions both in Japan and around the world. The first DRAGON QUEST was released in 1986, and the game made its US debut in 1989 as DRAGON WARRIOR. The critically acclaimed series has shipped more than 85 million units worldwide, spanning 11 main series titles, many spin-off games, as well as films, anime, novels, manga, merchandise and more. Celebrating its 37th anniversary this year, the wildly popular DRAGON QUEST franchise holds various Guinness World Records including "Longest-Running Japanese RPG Series."

The visionaries behind the series, Creator and Game Designer Yuji Horii, Character Designer Akira Toriyama (creator of Dragon Ball) and composer Koichi Sugiyama, have long enchanted newcomers and long-time fans alike, with each new entry in the franchise comprising charming visuals, enthralling storylines, and captivating music. The latest installment, DRAGON QUEST XI S: Echoes of An Elusive Age, was released to much critical acclaim, winning the Metacritic Must-Play game award and becoming Metacritic’s "#2 Best Switch Game of 2019" and "#3 Best PS4 Game of 2020." It has shipped over 6.5 million units globally to date.