
As some of you are likely aware, Dragon Fantasy: The Volumes of Westeria has been made available on the 3DS eShop in addition to the Wii U eShop. If you'd like a more in-depth analysis of why we love this excellent JRPG, you can find all the details here. So, how does Dragon Fantasy play on the 3DS? Extremely well, easily matching its home console version.
At its core, Dragon Fantasy on the 3DS is largely the same experience as the Wii U version. It still features the same retro visuals & music and the full storyline is completely playable. The map and the management of items are handled by the lower screen and you can still operate the game entirely by the touch screen if you so choose. Perhaps one minor difference is that the text of dialogue in cutscenes is positively massive. This isn't either a good or bad thing; it's just a curious design choice considering that the text in the Wii U version wouldn't have been difficult to read on even an original 3DS model's screen.

Easily the biggest feature that sets the 3DS version apart is its excellent usage of stereoscopic 3D. Pixel art looks particularly nice when a 3D effect is applied to it, and this is no more evident than in the battles your protagonist will engage in with countless monsters and baddies. The distance between the background and the sprite of whatever enemy you happen to be fighting creates a nice contrast and gives the visuals an extra bit of flair. Additionally, the overworld map is given a nice layer of depth when the 16-bit graphics are enabled.
It is mildly disappointing that there doesn't appear to be any sort of cross-save functionality, but perhaps that's more of an issue on Nintendo's part than the developer's. It'd be nice if there was a way to share progress both at home and on the go, but it's no deal breaker.
Conclusion
All told, it's really just a matter of individual player preference as to which version to play through. For all intents and purposes, you'll be getting the same JRPG experience either way and it's a great journey however you choose to experience it. Perhaps fans of stereoscopic 3D will get a little more mileage out of the portable version, but otherwise it's a toss up.
Comments 16
I might give it a go.
I have too many games, but this looks neat. I'll wait for a sale.
No care.
Tbh the 3d is barely there and doesn't make it any better. This is coming from someone that loves the 3d feature far more then most. It's the reason I get the 3ds version over the Wii U often.
I want Hyrule Warrior's on the 3ds just for the 3d alone. It better have 3d that is or I may just skip it.
As much as I'm enjoying this game, one thing I am uneasy about is the dialogue box. I mean, why is it so large!? I can see this as a helper for some troubled eyes, but my eyes are just fine.
Also, cross-saving would've been nice, indeed.
@Spoony_Tech I personally liked this one better for the 3D. While it is fairly unnoticeable in the overworld, I though the battle screen really benefitted from it.
This one has completely gone under my radar, looks good though!
@Spoony_Tech aren't the menus the only 3d in Dragon Fantasy Spoony? I actually like that but I'm a 3d nut myself and want to see what the game can do. I want Xenoblade Saga so bad. I'm just not getting the new 3DS at this time. It doesn't seem that they are even doing games for it except for Xenoblade. So I'm also going to wait out buying a new system until we know for sure which one is going to start getting the software.
What about Europe?
I'll get the 3DS version, eventually; I'd pick on-the-go over the big screen, any day.
So I played this game back around the time it first came out on iOS (so there was only Ogden's story) and it was pretty good albeit short (hoping the extra chapters are longer). Anyways, I got this for Wii U (which gave me a free code for the 3DS version, score!)... however early impressions are not good. I just tried the Wii U version and it was extremely laggy/sound was messed up. The 3DS version seems way better so far, my one gripe is the controls, I guess they really wanted the Y button to have a use, so they made that the run button while A is for talking/etc... which makes it really awkward and uncomfortable. Fix the Wii U version and give me the option to set up my controls where B does both running and canceling and I'll be happy.
I wasn't too into this game at first, but this review is nuts. So I will be getting it.
I'd get it, if it was available in Europe.
@SquirrelNuts As I said in the initial review, this is a game for the JRPG fans, so you'll have a blast. It's pretty much an old RPG with Paper Mario-like humor.
@Windy Man, if you are a 3D nut, then go on and buy a New 3DS. I was still happy with my original system but the New one is just awesome. This is what the system should have been from the very start. I simply can't think of anything negative to say about it.
@MC808 I would buy the new 3DS in a heartbeat if I could. I have been very sick for the last 5 years and havent worked in 2 years. ItsIts about all I can do to pick up on a good game sale and get me 1 Eshop game for 4.99 each month. I haven't bought a retail game in about 6 months.
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