# Square Enix Dragon Quest 2026 announcements > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/video-game-studio-development-updates > Updated: 2026-08-16T03:30:03.000Z. Sources: 53. Developments: 13. In late May 2026, Square Enix used its 40th-anniversary livestream to announce a full development reset for the main-line RPG Dragon Quest 12, dropping the subtitle *The Flames of Fate* in favor of *Beyond Dreams*. Executive producer Yosuke Saito said the reboot, now built on Unreal Engine 5, pushed the expected launch to 2027-2028 and introduced a new story about a young hero haunted by visions. The same broadcast revealed the spin-off *Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World* and a definitive edition of Dragon Quest XI S for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. June 9 confirmed that *The Withered World* will launch on 3 December 2026 for PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and Switch (including Switch 2). The following week Square Enix announced *Dragon Quest Monsters 4: The Withered Tree Country's Bianka & Flora* for the same date, with multiple editions ranging from a standard version to a ¥25,000 “Super Masters” collector’s set. Anniversary merchandise expanded throughout the summer. In July, metal figurines, “Mini Puppet” toys, and a nine-piece monster diorama set were announced, alongside the “Smile Slime” lifestyle line. In August, Square Enix and HobbyLink Japan detailed two “Dragon Quest Bath Ball” collections for December 2026: the “Hell Emperor Revival” set and the “Slime Friends” set, both featuring scented bath tablets and random collectible figures. Additionally, new commemorative items scheduled for 11 November 2026 include the ‘Monster Gallery’ capsule toys—featuring gold-colored variants of Slime, King Slime, and Metal Slime—as well as ‘Mini Puppet Plushies’, ‘Squeeze It!’ plush series, and commemorative pins. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-16: Square Enix announces Dragon Quest 40th anniversary merchandise Square Enix has announced new Dragon Quest 40th anniversary merchandise, including monster mini-figures, finger puppet plushies, and commemorative pins, set for release in November 2026. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/square-enix-announces-dragon-quest-40th-anniversary-merchandise ### 2026-08-10: Dragon Quest merchandise expands with new Taito prizes and Shimamura Park items New Dragon Quest merchandise is arriving via Taito and Chambre, featuring 40th-anniversary themed items including plushies, figures, and accessories. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dragon-quest-merchandise-expands-with-new-taito-prizes-and-shimamura-park-items ### 2026-08-05: Square Enix Announces Dragon Quest Bath Ball Release for December 2026 Square Enix will launch two Dragon Quest Bath Ball sets in Dec 2026, featuring characters like Esterk and various slimes, with pre‑order boxes priced at ¥7,656. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/square-enix-announces-dragon-quest-bath-ball-release-for-december-2026 ### 2026-07-30: Square Enix releases Dragon Quest ONE MARK capsule toy collection in Japan Square Enix launched a ¥500 Dragon Quest capsule‑toy set on 20 July 2026, featuring nine monster charms and sparking fan excitement in Japan. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/square-enix-releases-dragon-quest-one-mark-capsule-toy-collection-in-japan ### 2026-07-24: Square Enix launches new Smile Slime merchandise in Japan on July 25 Square Enix will release four new Dragon Quest‑themed Smile Slime items, including dust‑boxes, an ice‑tray, storage boxes and a cushion, on 25 July in Japan. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/square-enix-launches-dragon-questthemed-home-goods-in-japan ### 2026-07-18: Square Enix launches new Dragon Quest monster figurine collection Square Enix will sell a nine‑piece Dragon Quest monster figurine set on Nov 11, while analysis highlights how the series reimagines mythic creatures like the Chimera. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/square-enix-launches-new-dragon-quest-monster-figurine-collection ### 2026-07-14: Square Enix unveils Dragon Quest 40th anniversary metal figures and plush toys Square Enix’s e‑STORE opened reservations for Dragon Quest 40th‑anniversary metal figurines, mini‑puppet plush toys, hand‑sized plush items and pins, all set for release on 11 Nov 2026. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/square-enix-unveils-dragon-quest-40th-anniversary-metal-figures-and-plush-toys ### 2026-06-14: Square Enix schedules Dragon Quest Monsters 4 launch on Dec 3 2026 Square Enix set the Dec 3 2026 launch of Dragon Quest Monsters 4 across PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, Switch 2 and PC, with over 500 monsters, two main characters and multiple DLC packs priced from €59.99 to €219.9 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/square-enix-schedules-dragon-quest-monsters-4-launch-on-dec-3-2026 ### 2026-06-12: Dragon Quest Monsters 4 launches Dec 3 2026 with special edition bonuses Square Enix's Dragon Quest Monsters 4 releases Dec 3 2026 on Switch, PS5, Xbox and PC, featuring Bianka and Flora; a save‑data seed set from Dragon Quest VII Reimagined and a limited Super Masters edition with 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dragon-quest-monsters-4-launches-dec-3-2026-with-special-edition-bonuses ### 2026-06-09: Square Enix's Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World slated for Dec 3 launch Square Enix and TOSE's Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World launches Dec 3 on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Switch (incl. Switch 2) and PS5, featuring monster befriending, synthesis and online battles. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/square-enixs-dragon-quest-monsters-the-withered-world-slated-for-dec-3-launch ### 2026-05-29: Square Enix revamps Dragon Quest 12, unveils “Beyond Dreams” and new Monsters spin‑off Square Enix resets Dragon Quest 12, renaming it “Beyond Dreams” and sets a 2027‑28 release, while also announcing the ESRB‑rated monster‑taming spin‑off “The Withered World” for Switch and other platforms. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/square-enix-releases-first-dragon-quest-12-trailer-after-fiveyear-silence ### 2026-05-27: Square Enix Restarts Dragon Quest XII, Unveils New Title Beyond Dreams Square Enix has scrapped Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate, restarting development and unveiling the new title Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams, with a teaser shown but no release date yet. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/square-enix-restarts-dragon-quest-xii-unveils-new-title-beyond-dreams ### 2026-05-26: Square Enix revamps Dragon Quest 12 as “Beyond Dreams” after development reboot Square Enix rebooted Dragon Quest 12, dropping ‘The Flames of Fate’ for ‘Beyond Dreams’, citing a team reshuffle and new story about a hero plagued by dream visions; no release date or platform yet. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/square-enix-rebooted-dragon-quest-12-now-titled-beyond-dreams --- Cite as: Square Enix Dragon Quest 2026 announcements. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/video-game-studio-development-updates