Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Exclusive Age has made a return on the Nintendo Switch eShop, now available at a more wallet-friendly price. As fans eagerly await the next chapter of the iconic JRPG series, some Switch users had been left without the latest release due to a temporary delisting. Fortunately, that pause is over, and those who missed out previously can now dive in without breaking the bank.
Earlier this year, Square Enix revealed plans to remove Dragon Quest 11 S from the eShop temporarily starting February 1, citing minor updates to the game’s listing as the reason. The announcement led many to suspect a change in who publishes the game. Unlike its counterparts on Xbox, PC, and PlayStation, which were already under Square Enix, the Switch version was initially published by Nintendo. Given Square Enix’s history of delisting and relisting titles like Octopath Traveler once they took over publishing duties, it seemed like Dragon Quest was following the same trajectory.
And indeed, once Dragon Quest 11 S reappeared on the eShop, it was under the Square Enix banner. But that’s not all. The official Dragon Quest Twitter feed delivered another piece of good news: the game’s price has been permanently reduced to $39.99. This change wasn’t a total shock to those who follow the trend, as Nintendo is known for maintaining game prices except during periodic sales. Nevertheless, it’s a pleasant surprise for players eager to experience what many consider the crowning jewel of the Dragon Quest series at a better price.
Fascinatingly, this isn’t the first time the game has seen a permanent price drop. Back in 2020, Nintendo took the unusual step of cutting the game’s price to $49.99, merely a year post-launch. While slashing the price of older games is more commonplace, seeing a second price cut on a popular Switch title is quite unusual.
While it’s certainly exciting for Dragon Quest fans that Dragon Quest 11 S is back and more affordable, the anticipation for the series’ next installment remains high. The time gap between Dragon Quest 11 and the yet-to-be-released Dragon Quest 12 is the longest in the series’ history, leaving fans longing for more news. The latest price adjustment might hint at developments on the horizon, though it could equally be wishful thinking on the part of eager fans.
