Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince review

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince suits players who care most about building a team. Square Enix lists over 500 monsters drawn from across the Dragon Quest series, the biggest roster here, and synthesis is the core system: you combine two monsters to create a stronger offspring. You play Psaro, who is cursed so he cannot harm anything with monster blood and must become a Monster Wrangler instead. The world of Nadiria cycles through seasons that change the weather, which monsters appear and which paths open. The Steam release bundles the console DLC (the Mole Hole, Coach Joe's Dungeon Gym and Treasure Trunks), and Quickfire Contests pit your team against the saved parties of 30 other players. The console's real-time Online Battles are missing on PC. Its list price is $39.99, and it was 80% off at $7.99 when we checked on November 11, 2026.

Who it is for

players who love breeding and building the perfect team

Price

$39.99 list price on Steam (on sale for $7.99 when checked on November 11, 2026).

Recruit monsters from the DQ series, synthesize new creatures and compose your ideal team.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Over 500 monsters to recruit and synthesize
• Synthesis combines two monsters into a stronger offspring
• Seasons in Nadiria change the weather, the monsters that appear and the paths you can reach
• Steam version includes the console DLC: the Mole Hole, Coach Joe's Dungeon Gym and Treasure Trunks
• Quickfire Contests: automated battles against the party data of 30 other players

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Over 500 monsters, the largest roster on this list
• Strength: Console DLC packs are included in the Steam version
• Strength: Minimum spec is 8 GB of RAM and 10 GB of storage
• Weakness: The console version's real-time Online Battles mode is not included on Steam
• Weakness: Single-player only, with no co-op
• Weakness: $39.99 list price outside sales

Key facts

• Developer: Square Enix
• Released on Steam: Sep 11, 2024
• Monsters: Over 500
• Minimum RAM: 8 GB
• Storage: 10 GB

Where it ranks

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is No. 6 in our Best Monster Games verdict.