Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World Now Rated for Switch 1 & 2

Earlier this week, Square Enix unveiled a fresh installment in the Dragon Quest Monsters saga, marking a milestone in the franchise’s 40th‑anniversary celebrations.

The announcement was brief, simply stating that the title—titled Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World—will arrive “soon” on all platforms. Creator Yuji Horii hinted that the team aims to launch it before the upcoming Dragon Quest XII, which has since been rebooted under a new name.

While an exact release window remains undisclosed, a new ESRB rating has surfaced, signaling that the game is progressing toward launch. Although a classification does not guarantee an immediate release, it provides a tangible milestone following the initial tease.

According to the ESRB details, the game is slated for release on both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. It carries an E10+ rating, with content that includes alcohol references, fantasy violence, and mild language. The rating summary also offers a glimpse into the narrative and mechanics, highlighting the core experience of taming wild monsters and engaging in turn‑based battles.

In the latest gaming news, DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Withered World, a role-playing adventure, has been rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and up) by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). The game contains Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, and In-Game Purchases. Players embark on a quest to help two girls find a magical artifact in a fantastical world, where they encounter and tame various creatures such as slime, dragons, and ghosts through turn-based combat. The battles are accentuated by smacking/zapping sounds and small explosions, with defeated monsters leaving behind coffins. Notably, the word “hell” is featured in the game.

Additionally, the ESRB has also rated Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition following its classification in Taiwan in April. The official release date for this version on Switch 2 is set for 24th September 2026, marking a return to the platform where the game was initially launched in 2019.