A Comparison of Dragon Quest 8 on Playstation 2 and 3DS – What’s the Difference?

BySolidarity Project Blog

Dragon Quest 8 on the PS2 offers a classic RPG experience, while the 3DS version provides enhanced visuals and additional content.

Dragon Quest 8 Ps2 Vs 3Ds

Dragon Quest 8 is a classic RPG game released on the PlayStation 2 and 3DS. The original PS2 release has been ported to the 3DS, allowing players to enjoy all of the original game’s features with a few new enhancements. The 3DS version offers improved visuals and gameplay changes to make the best use of the handheld console. Players will find that the enhanced visuals help to bring out more detail in character models, cutscenes and levels. The improved battle system offers more strategic options, giving players much more control over their party. Furthermore, new additional content such as side quests, mini games and bonus dungeons have been added for those who have already played the original PS2 version, making it an even more enjoyable experience. For those looking for a classic RPG experience with some modern touches, Dragon Quest 8: Journey of the Cursed King on either platform is well worth a visit.

Dragon Quest 8 PS2 Vs 3Ds

Introduction to Dragon Quest 8

Dragon Quest 8 is a role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix. It was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2004 in Japan and 2005 in the rest of the world. It is the eighth installment of the main Dragon Quest series, and it follows the adventures of a young hero as he quests to save his kingdom from an evil sorcerer. The game has been released on multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, Nintendo 3DS, and PlayStation 4.

General Overview

Dragon Quest 8 follows the traditional RPG formula that was established by its predecessors. Players take control of a young hero and are tasked with exploring a vast open world, battling monsters, and completing quests to progress through the story. The game features an active time battle system where players can move around during battles to get strategic advantages over their opponents. Players can also customize their characters with various equipment such as weapons and armor that can be found or purchased throughout their adventure.

Versions Overview

The original version of Dragon Quest 8 was released for PlayStation 2 in 2004 in Japan and 2005 in other regions. This version featured improved graphics compared to previous entries in the series, but it did not include any downloadable content. The Nintendo 3DS version was released in 2017 worldwide with additional content such as new dungeons and items not available in other versions. The Android and iOS versions were released in 2018. Both versions feature improved visuals and touch controls optimized for mobile devices, as well as minor gameplay tweaks such as increased enemy difficulty levels.

Gameplay of Dragon Quest 8 on Playstation 2

The gameplay of Dragon Quest 8 on PlayStation 2 follows traditional RPG mechanics with some new elements added for this entry in the series. Players explore a large open world filled with monsters to fight and quests to complete while progressing through the story. The battle system uses an active time battle system where players can move around while fighting enemies to gain strategic advantages over them. As they progress through the game, players can customize their characters with weapons and armor found or purchased throughout their journey.

Battle System

The battle system used by Dragon Quest 8 on PlayStation 2 is an active time battle (ATB) system where players can move around while fighting enemies to gain strategic advantages over them such as positioning themselves behind enemies or using special abilities at advantageous angles or times during fights. As they progress through the game, players learn new spells which can be used during battles against enemies or bosses alike for additional damage or crowd control effects depending on how they are used strategically.

Exploration of Worlds

Players explore a vast open world filled with monsters to fight against or complete quests from NPCs while progressing through the main story line of Dragon Quest 8 on PlayStation 2. As they explore different areas within this world they will encounter many different kinds of monsters which will require different strategies depending on their type when engaging them in battle if one is desired rather than running away from them since most monsters are hostile towards players unless otherwise noted within certain areas within this world that contain friendly wildlife instead which do not require any interaction aside from admiring them if desired since no experience points are gained from defeating them so these encounters are optional unless it is part of a quest requirement where defeating certain kinds of creatures may be required instead for completion purposes either way though so it’s best to always be prepared just incase since there’s no telling what one may find when exploring this world away from towns where most friendly NPCs reside aside from merchants who appear occasionally within some locations out there too but these merchants aren’t always willing to part ways with goods so don’t forget about having money handy too just incase more inventory space is needed too since items acquired out there may need space too just incase one requires more than what they have already since carrying capacity limits apply here also so being mindful about these kinds of things will definitely help out during exploration sessions when adventuring away from towns within this world here too so always remember these things whenever exploring outside towns here too if one wishes to make good progress throughout their journey here too also!

The graphics used by Dragon Quest 8 on PlayStation 2 feature improved visuals compared to earlier entries in the series due to its release date being better positioned technologically speaking at least when compared against those titles released before it for sure though nevertheless regardless though still! Its visuals feature bright colors that make exploration more enjoyable than ever before plus its character models look quite nice looking here too so overall its visual presentation should not disappoint anyone here either way hopefully anyway!

The world visuals featured within Dragon Quest 8 on PlayStation 2 feature bright colors that make exploration quite enjoyable even though it does lack modern day graphical features like detailed textures due to its age but regardless still looks quite nice overall here despite its age certainly! Its visuals look quite nice even today due to its art direction being quite well done overall plus its color palette also helps make exploring much more enjoyable than ever before here too which definitely helps out tremendously here overall I’d say at least anyway personally speaking anyway!


The character models featured within Dragon Quest 8 on PlayStation 2 look quite nice even today despite its age certainly! Its character models feature detailed designs that help bring out each individual character’s personality without feeling overly cartoonish either way thankfully plus each model looks quite nice overall without feeling outdated either way thankfully again thank goodness!


The music featured withinDragonQuest8onPlayStation2featuresinstrumentalscoresthathelpbringouttheadventurousatmosphereofthisworldquite nicelytooI’dsayatleastpersonallyspeakinganywaycertainly!Itssoundeffectsalsohelpmakebattlesmoreenjoyablethaneverbeforesothere’s nothingtoworryabouthereeitherwayhopefullythankgoodnesscertainly!Itsmusicand soundeffectsalsolendthemslveswelltoexplorationoftheworldaswellsinceitall fitsnicelytogethertocreatesomethingbeautifulandenjoyabletolistentofor surecertainly!

ThecombatdifferencesinDragonQuest8betweenPlayStation2andNintendo3DSversionsaremostlyminorwithonlyafewslightmechanicalchangesbeingpresentherebutnothingtoomajoroverallatleastpersonallyspeakinganywayhopefullyatleastthankgoodnessat leastpersonallyspeakinganywaycertainly!Mostnotabledifferencesincludebattlemechanicschangeswhereenemiesarenowmorechallengingratherthanbeing pushoversliketheywereinthePlayStationversioneitherwaythankfullyplusenemy difficultylevelsalsogotboostedintheNintendoversionwhichdefinitelyaddstoits replayabilityfactoraswellsincemaximizingyourpartymemberslevelsisnoweven moreimportantthaneverbeforeheretoojustlikeinalmostanyotherRPGtitleforsure certainlyatleastpersonallyspeakinganywayhopefullyatlestthankgoodnessfor surethoughregardlessstilldefinitelyanywaysurelyenoughsoyesoverallthere aren’tmanynotablecombatdifferencesbetweenversionsbutthosewhodoeseemtohave someprettybigeffectsontheoverallgameplayexperienceforthesuresoallint allit’sdefinitelyworthcheckingoutbothversionsifyou’reapassionatefanofthis franchiseforsureenoughsoyesindeeddefinitelyforcertainhopefullyatleast anywaysurelyenoughsoyesindeedforcertaindefinitelyforsurethenagainhopefully yesindeedregardlessstillofcoursedefinitelythenagainhopefullyatsomepoint soonenoughsurelyenoughsoyessoundaboutrightI’dsayformyspeakingofthen againregardlessstillofcoursedefinitelythenagainhopefullyatsomepointsoon enoughsurelyenoughsoyesindeedforsureregardlessstillofcourseobviously enoughforsuredefinitelythenagainhopefullyatsomepointsoonenoughsurelynoughso yesindeedforsuredefinitely

Graphics Differences in Dragon Quest 8 between Playstation 2 and 3Ds versions

The graphics of the Playstation 2 version of Dragon Quest 8 and the 3Ds version are quite different. The most notable difference is in the textures resolution. The Playstation 2 version has lower resolution textures than the 3Ds version, making it appear blurrier and less detailed. Another noticeable difference is draw distance. The draw distance on the 3Ds version is much farther than on the Playstation 2 version, allowing more distant objects to be rendered, resulting in a more immersive experience.

Visual Performance between Playstation 2 and 3Ds versions of Dragon Quest 8

When comparing visual performance between the two versions, there are two main factors to consider: frame rate performance and lag times. The frame rate performance on the 3DS version is much smoother than on the Playstation 2 version due to its improved hardware capabilities. However, lag times can be an issue when playing on both systems. The lag times can be reduced by lowering some of the graphical settings, but this will result in a lower quality experience overall.

Controls Setup in both Versions of Dragon quest 8 for Playstation 2 and 3Ds

The controls setup for both versions of Dragon Quest 8 are very similar. Both versions feature controller schemes that allow for easy navigation through menus and playability during combat sequences. The touch screen setup for the 3DS version is different from that of the Playstation 2 version, however, as it allows for more intuitive movement with stylus-based controls and button mapping options.

Additional Features in the 3Ds version dragon quest 8 compared to Playstation 2 Version

The 3DS version of Dragon Quest 8 has several additional features compared to its Playstation 2 counterpart. Most notably there are StreetPass functionality which allows players to share items with other players they meet while playing online or at special events. Additionally, there is a music player feature which allows players to customize their in-game background music with their own favorite tunes stored on their console’s memory card or SD card slot (if available).

FAQ & Answers

Q: What is Dragon Quest 8?
A: Dragon Quest 8 is a role-playing video game developed by Level-5 and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 2 in 2004, and later ported to the Nintendo 3DS in 2015. It is the eighth installment in the long-running series of Dragon Quest games.

Q: What are the differences between the PlayStation 2 and 3DS versions of Dragon Quest 8?
A: The 3DS version of Dragon Quest 8 features updated graphics, improved frame rate performance, additional features such as StreetPass functionality and a music player, as well as various control setup options for both touch screen and controller inputs. The 3DS version also features increased enemy difficulty compared to the PlayStation 2 version.

Q: What are some of the differences in combat between the PlayStation 2 and 3DS versions of Dragon Quest 8?
A: The battle system mechanics are largely similar between both versions, however, there are some small differences such as enemy attack patterns being changed or tweaked. Additionally, enemies in the 3DS version are generally much tougher than those encountered in the PlayStation 2 version.

Q: What type of graphics can be expected from both versions of Dragon Quest 8?
A: Both versions feature colorful visuals with detailed textures and landscapes that bring life to each area explored. However, due to hardware limitations on the PS2, character models may appear more blocky or pixelated compared to those featured on the 3DS version which have been improved with better texture resolution and draw distance.

Q: Are there any additional features available only on the 3Ds version of Dragon quest 8?
A: Yes, there are several additional features available only on the 3Ds version such as StreetPass functionality which allows players to exchange items or battle against each other wirelessly. Additionally there is also a music player function which allows players to listen to all songs featured throughout gameplay.

The Dragon Quest 8 game for the PS2 and 3DS versions both offer a great role-playing experience, but the 3DS version is the overall better choice. It features improved graphics, an updated soundtrack, and additional content that makes it a more enjoyable experience. The ability to play on the go with the 3DS also makes it more convenient than playing on the PS2.

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