Which DragonQuest game should I play first?

[Jackstick]

I'm trying to get into the DragonQuest series, but I don't know where to start.

I'd like to play it on my DS, so I guess my options are IV, V, VI, and IX. How does the series work? Are any of the games connected?

What would be a good one to start with?

 

[jthm]

If you care about the graphics, get the latest one. Otherwise, doesn't matter. They're all pretty much the same.

 

[Jackstick]

I don't really care about graphics.

What do you mean by "latest one"? IX or VI? Because VI was re-released after IX.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

DQ5 of the DS games.

DQ8 if you're willing to hook up to ol' PS2.

They aren't connected except by recurring spells and monsters.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

Much like the Final Fantasy series, most of the Dragon Quest games operate independent of each other as far a story goes. The only exceptions being I believe IV, and V which I believe all centered around this legendary sword or other. I'm not sure. Of those 2 I've only played V and I didn't get very far. Suffice it to say you could pretty much pick up any game in the series and it wouldn't matter. The first one I played through start to finish was Dragon Quest VIII.

 

[Fumofu]

My favourite is Dragon Quest 8 (only on PS2 though) however they are all pretty similar to each other. There is no interconnecting story at least between the ones I played so you should be able to pick up any one of them

 

[Jackstick]

Are there any games in the series that *really* stand out among the others?

I hope they don't all blend together... surely there's a significant difference between the games, and perhaps some which are superior to others.

If it helps to know, I love Final Fantasy games.

 

[Jackstick]

Does anybody else have a recommendation? I would really appreciate it...