Dragon Quest IX Tag Event Starts This Weekend

So we don’t live in Japan where everyone plays Dragon Quest, population density is huge, and public transportation is extremely common. Nor do we live in the land where having a bar where you can gather to play and exchange game items is not only normal, it’s expected. As a result, many North American players have expected to miss out on the features of tag mode that helped make the game such a success in the land of the rising sun. Nintendo seems to have realized this, and so has organized a series of Dragon Quest IX events at local retailers and malls to spread the word about the game and give US players the chance to get some new treasure maps.

In addition to demos, each event will have its own unique treasure map that you can get via tag mode, provided you have your DS and game with you (and have unlocked the mode in the game). The first event is this weekend, Saturday July 31, at GameStops across the country. The event will take place from 12pm to 4pm, where you can get a chance to receive the “Zoma” treasure map, never before released in the US. The event will also give you an opportunity to tag with other players attending the event. To find out if a store near you will be hosting, check out GameStop’s list.

In case you have other plans this weekend, or don’t have a participating Gamestop nearby, next week, August 7, you’ll have the opportunity to attend the Dragon Quest IX event at your local Best Buy. Similar to the Gamestop party, Best Buy will have product demos and their own treasure map, “Estark,” available via tag mode. This event will also take place from 12pm to 4pm. To find an event near you, check out Best Buy’s website.

Lastly, select malls around the country will be hosting their own events, again with their own map, “Malroth,” from August 7 until September 19. For a list of participating sites, check out the Dragon Quest IX website.

I find this incredibly exciting, as pumped as I am about the game, I was disheartened by the fact that I would probably never get to participate in tag mode. Nintendo promises more Dragon Quest events in the future, so hopefully this is just the beginning. Keep in mind you have to have unlocked tag mode in your game by reaching the Quester’s Rest Inn in the town of Stornway, so if you haven’t started playing yet, get cracking so you won’t miss out on these great opportunities.

[Source: Nintendo]