Square Enix has announced another Dragon Quest mobile game. Titled Dragon Quest Smash/Grow, it’s a roguelike action RPG that reminds me of games like Hades and Vampire Survivors.
It’s holding a beta next month ahead of a wide release on Android and iOS sometime in 2026. I wouldn’t get too excited for it, though, as Square Enix doesn’t have the best track record with mobile Dragon Quest games.
What is Dragon Quest Smash/Grow?
It’s different than previous Dragon Quest mobile games
As the trailer shows, Dragon Quest Smash/Grow is an action-RPG where players fight Dragon Quest enemies from a top-down perspective. After encounters, players choose “Blessings” that enhance their abilities for that specific run. If you’ve played games like Vampire Survivors before, you should have no trouble understanding what this game is going for.
Alongside its announcement today, Square Enix confirmed that it will hold a closed beta test for Dragon Quest Smash/Grow on Android and iOS between October 14 and October 21. It’s currently possible to sign up for it on the game’s website. Dragon Quest Smash/Grow is then set to launch globally in 2026.
While the game does look fun, the Dragon Quest series has not had the best track record with mobile games. Over the past several years, games like Dragon Quest Tact, Dragon Quest of the Star, and Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai – A Hero’s Bonds have all been released on Android and iOS, and all have ended service not very long after release.
As such, I don’t have faith in the long-term viability of Dragon Quest Smash/Grow, even if it does look enjoyable. Hopefully, Square Enix can prove me wrong.
Thankfully, Dragon Quest isn’t a video game series that relies solely on its mobile games. It’s healthier than ever and has gotten new games annually for the past several years. On October 31, Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake will release, recreating the first two games in the series in the style of games like Octopath Traveler and The Adventure of Elliot: The Millennium Tales.
During the latest Nintendo Direct, we also learned that a remake of Dragon Quest VII, aptly titled Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, is in the works and will also come out sometime next year. That’s the Dragon Quest game I’ll personally be keeping an eye on throughout 2026 as we wait for Dragon Quest 12 to eventually reemerge.
Maybe Dragon Quest Smash/Grow does take off and become a mobile hit, but I’ll put more faith in these console Dragon Quest games for now.
