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NEWS
Universal Japan announces plans for 'real battle attraction' with Dragon Quest experience
POSTED 20 Dec 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
USJ has promised 'adventures you were formerly only able to experience in videogames coming to life around you' for the attraction
Universal Studios Japan is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Dragon Quest by announcing plans for a new visitor attraction based on the popular videogame series.

Debuting on 17 March, ‘Dragon Quest: The Real’ will equip guests with a weapon and send them on a quest through a labyrinth, working with their friends to battle monsters appearing in the dungeon.

Dubbed a “real battle attraction”, USJ has called the plan the first of its kind, promising “adventures you were formerly only able to experience in videogames coming to life around you”, with players able to “really be the hero”.

While Universal has been quiet on the details, it did say the attraction would be using its “technological and creative abilities to bring a wide range of media content to life with realistic attractions”.

The Dragon Quest series is incredibly popular in Japan, having debuted on the Famicom games system in 1986 and going on to release 10 games spanning multiple platforms. To date, the game has sold 66 million units worldwide, though it has never been released in Europe.

“The day has finally come for everyone to experience the world of Dragon Quest in real life,” said Ryutaro Ichimura, head producer on the Square Enix Dragon Quest 30th Anniversary Project.

“As a conclusion to the project, we’re working as hard as we can with Universal Studios Japan to bring you an amazing experience, so you won’t be disappointed.”
RELATED STORIES
  First images of Universal's Super Nintendo World released


Universal Studios Japan (USJ) has released the first images of its world-first Nintendo attraction, coming to the park in 2020.
  Universal confirms Nintendo presence for all of its parks


Universal will expand its Nintendo presence beyond Japan by building similar attractions in its Orlando and Hollywood theme parks.
  Political turmoil in South Korea threatens to unravel Universal park plans


Plans for a Universal Studios development in South Korea have been severely hampered after political scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye led to uncertainty over the government and its related businesses.
  Nintendo promises immersive situations and smartphone interactivity for Universal parks


As Universal prepares for launch of its first Nintendo theme park attraction in 2020, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime has revealed some details for the upcoming attraction, promising “immersive amusement interactive situations” and potential smartphone interactivity for the highly-anticipated addition.
MORE NEWS
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming.
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and private membership under one roof.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
+ More news   
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NEWS
Universal Japan announces plans for 'real battle attraction' with Dragon Quest experience
POSTED 20 Dec 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
USJ has promised 'adventures you were formerly only able to experience in videogames coming to life around you' for the attraction
Universal Studios Japan is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Dragon Quest by announcing plans for a new visitor attraction based on the popular videogame series.

Debuting on 17 March, ‘Dragon Quest: The Real’ will equip guests with a weapon and send them on a quest through a labyrinth, working with their friends to battle monsters appearing in the dungeon.

Dubbed a “real battle attraction”, USJ has called the plan the first of its kind, promising “adventures you were formerly only able to experience in videogames coming to life around you”, with players able to “really be the hero”.

While Universal has been quiet on the details, it did say the attraction would be using its “technological and creative abilities to bring a wide range of media content to life with realistic attractions”.

The Dragon Quest series is incredibly popular in Japan, having debuted on the Famicom games system in 1986 and going on to release 10 games spanning multiple platforms. To date, the game has sold 66 million units worldwide, though it has never been released in Europe.

“The day has finally come for everyone to experience the world of Dragon Quest in real life,” said Ryutaro Ichimura, head producer on the Square Enix Dragon Quest 30th Anniversary Project.

“As a conclusion to the project, we’re working as hard as we can with Universal Studios Japan to bring you an amazing experience, so you won’t be disappointed.”
RELATED STORIES
First images of Universal's Super Nintendo World released


Universal Studios Japan (USJ) has released the first images of its world-first Nintendo attraction, coming to the park in 2020.
Universal confirms Nintendo presence for all of its parks


Universal will expand its Nintendo presence beyond Japan by building similar attractions in its Orlando and Hollywood theme parks.
Political turmoil in South Korea threatens to unravel Universal park plans


Plans for a Universal Studios development in South Korea have been severely hampered after political scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye led to uncertainty over the government and its related businesses.
Nintendo promises immersive situations and smartphone interactivity for Universal parks


As Universal prepares for launch of its first Nintendo theme park attraction in 2020, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime has revealed some details for the upcoming attraction, promising “immersive amusement interactive situations” and potential smartphone interactivity for the highly-anticipated addition.
MORE NEWS
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming.
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and private membership under one roof.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
San Antonio Zoo reports $283 million economic impact as expansion plans progress
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade- long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas attraction.
Great Barrier Reef attraction set for AU$180 million reinvention
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef education and conservation.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
instantprint

We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

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