The fifth game in the iconic JRPG series, Dragon Quest V was initially released on the Super Famicom in 1992. Thanks to weak sales of other Enix-published games in the West, the company would decide to pass on localization of the title, resulting in it arriving in North America almost 2 decades later. Japanese audiences would receive a remake of the title on the PlayStation 2 in 2004, which serves as the basis for the version appearing on the Nintendo DS. The Nintendo DS remake of DQV was first released in Japan in 2008, arriving in the West in early 2009.
While the series remains fairly niche in the West, Dragon Quest remains a major cultural force in its native Japan. The original SNES version would sell roughly 1.3 million units on the day of its launch, with similar success carrying over to its later remakes. The PS2 version reportedly sold 1.64 million units, with the DS port moving an additional 1.35 million units. Cumulatively, DQV is one of the best-selling games in the series and marks a major turning point for the franchise thanks to its expansion on several longstanding series mechanics.
Dragon Quest V Premise
©CheatCC
While DQV is technically the second game in a loosely connected trilogy of Dragon Quest titles, its story is a standalone affair with only tangential association with the plot of Dragon Quest IV. Ultimately, Dragon Quest V is the story of the main character, The Hero, and follows the protagonist throughout his entire life. From birth to childhood, to adulthood and beyond, the player controls The Hero throughout various portions of their life as they fight against the nefarious Order of Zugzwang and its leader Grandmaster Nimzo. Nimzo and the other members of the Order are responsible for killing The Hero’s father and selling him into slavery, which he eventually gets revenge for by starting his own dynastic line of heroes.
In terms of its gameplay, Dragon Quest V is very familiar to those who have played previous entries in the franchise. Players explore a vast world map, entering towns and dungeons as part of their main quest. On the world map and in dungeons, players engage in random battles with enemies. Battling these enemies and defeating them rewards experience points, which accumulate toward characters leveling up and growing stronger. There are a total of 8 party members players can recruit (including The Hero), with each of them having 5 available equipment slots to assign weapons, armor, and accessories.
The DS version of DQV includes all enhancements from the PS2 version, including the ability to have 4 party members instead of 3 and the ability to save and heal while traveling the world in the party’s carvan. Notably, DQV is the first game in the Dragon Quest series to introduce monster-collecting and taming elements, which would eventually inspire its own spin-off series with Dragon Quest Monsters.
Dragon Quest V Main Characters
©Dragon Quest V concept art – Original
The second game in what would eventually become known as the Zenithia Trilogy, Dragon Quest V is largely the story of the Hero. The game begins with a view into the main character’s birth, and the player then follows the Hero through roughly 30 years of their life. Following getting to play as the Hero during childhood, a series of tragic events occurs that leads to a 10-year time jump, at which point the bulk of Dragon Quest V‘s story plays out. Following another surprising twist and turn of events, the Hero’s children come to his rescue years later, and the family teams up to stop the game’s main villain, Grandmaster Nimzo. Main characters in Dragon Quest V include:
- The Hero: The main character and protagonist of DQV, The Hero begins his journey as a young adventurer accompanying his father, Pankraz, on his travels. Following Pankraz’s death, The Hero becomes a slave and then escapes, eventually learning his destiny as the Legendary Hero, marrying, and starting a dynastic line of adventurers.
- The Heavenly Bride: One of three female companions that the player can choose to marry, the Heavenly Bride is the woman who will help the Hero start a legendary line of heroes. Players can choose between Bianca (who The Hero has known since childhood), Nera, or Debora.
- The Hero’s Son & Daughter: The twin siblings born of the union between the Hero and the Heavenly Bride, the Hero’s Son is a warrior with skill wielding Zenithian equipment, while his sister inherits the Hero’s Loftinian abilities of monster-taming and spellcasting.
- Grandmaster Nimzo: The main villain of Dragon Quest V, Grandmaster Nimzo is the evil leader of the order of Zugzwang. The group’s main goal is to eliminate the line of the Legendary Hero to remove any obstacles toward world domination.
Games in the Dragon Quest Series
Widely regarded as the original JRPG, Dragon Quest is one of the most important games ever made, inspiring a host of competitors and other noteworthy series to follow in its footsteps. For more than 35 years, Enix (and, later, Square Enix) has released 11 mainline titles in the franchise along with a plethora of spin-off games. The Dragon Quest series prides itself on adhering to the traditions it established in the original game, delivering a decidedly “classic” experience to JRPG fans despite the visuals and mechanics receiving slight upgrades with each new entry. Games in the Dragon Quest series include:
- Dragon Quest (1986)
- Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line (1987)
- Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation (1988)
- Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen (1990)
- Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride (1992)
- Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation (1995)
- Dragon Quest Monsters (1998)
- Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past (2000)
- Dragon Quest Monsters 2 (2001)
- Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (2004)
- Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime (2005)
- Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker (2006)
- Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies (2009)
- Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 (2010)
- Dragon Quest Monsters: Wanted! (2010)
- Dragon Quest X: Awakening of the Five Walkers Online (2012)
- Dragon Quest Monsters: Super Light (2014)
- Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 3 (2016)
- Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age (2017)
- Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince (2023)
- Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake (2024)
- Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate (TBD)
Dragon Quest V Cheats & Secrets
While there are no official cheats for Dragon Quest V, there are a small handful of secrets and unlockable bonuses. Additionally, the DS version of the game supports cheat codes via the Action Replay device.
Dragon Quest V Secrets
Mini Medal Bonuses
Exchange the following amount of Mini Medals to receive the corresponding rewards.
| Mini Medals | Reward |
|---|---|
| 12 Mini Medals | Powjamas |
| 17 Mini Medals | Glombolero |
| 23 Mini Medals | Miracle Sword |
| 28 Mini Medals | Sacred Armour |
| 35 Mini Medals | Falcon Blade |
| 50 Mini Medals | Metal King Shield |
Secret Characters
There are two secret characters players can unlock in DQV following beating the game once normally. After beating the game, reload your save and head to Mt. Zugzwang. Head south from Mt. Zugzwang and walk into the Poison Swamp to enter Estark’s Lair. Beating Estark unlocks the Stark Raving T’n’T Board, which players need to clear to unlock both characters.
| Character | How to Unlock |
|---|---|
| Starkers | Beat the Stark Raving T’n’T Board |
| Rebjorn | Go to Pothold after recruiting Starkers |
Dragon Quest V Action Replay Codes
Players with an Action Replay device for the Nintendo DS can utilize a wide variety of codes for Dragon Quest V. Alternatively, those playing DQV on a Nintendo DS emulator can enter any of the following codes into the emulator’s “Cheat” menu. Note that for Character Stat Cheats, the character number (first, second, third, etc.) represents the order they join the Hero’s party.
General Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| 9,999,999 EXP After Battle | 7E10FC7F 7E10FD96 7E10FE98 |
| 99,999 Gold After Battle | 7E10FF9F 7E110086 7E110101 |
| 99,999 Gold in Pocket | 7E20199F 7E201A86 7E201B01 |
| 9,999,999 Casino Coins | 7E203C7F 7E203D96 7E203E98 |
| 255 Little Medals | 7E203FFF |
Hero Stat Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| HP (999) | 7E2042E7 7E206CE7 |
| MP (999) | 7E2044E7 7E206EE7 |
| Agility (255) | 7E2046FF |
| Strength (255) | 7E2047FF |
| Vitality (255) | 7E2048FF |
| Intelligence (255) | 7E2049FF |
| Luck (255) | 7E204AFF |
2nd Character Stat Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| HP (999) | 7E2096E7 7E20C0E7 |
| MP (999) | 7E2098E7 7E20C2E7 |
| Agility (255) | 7E2070FF |
| Strength (255) | 7E2071FF |
| Vitality (255) | 7E2072FF |
| Intelligence (255) | 7E2073FF |
| Luck (255) | 7E2074FF |
3rd Character Stat Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| HP (999) | 7E20EAE7 7E2114E7 |
| MP (999) | 7E20ECE7 7E2116E7 |
| Agility (255) | 7E209AFF |
| Strength (255) | 7E209BFF |
| Vitality (255) | 7E209CFF |
| Intelligence (255) | 7E209DFF |
| Luck (255) | 7E209EFF |
4th Character Stat Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| HP (999) | 7E213EE7 7E2168E7 |
| MP (999) | 7E2040E7 7E206AE7 |
| Agility (255) | 7E20C4FF |
| Strength (255) | 7E20C5FF |
| Vitality (255) | 7E20C6FF |
| Intelligence (255) | 7E20C7FF |
| Luck (255) | 7E20C8FF |
5th Character Stat Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| HP (999) | 7E204303 7E206D03 |
| MP (999) | 7E204503 7E206F03 |
| Agility (255) | 7E20EFFF |
| Strength (255) | 7E20F0FF |
| Vitality (255) | 7E20F1FF |
| Intelligence (255) | 7E20F2FF |
| Luck (255) | 7E20F3FF |
6th Character Stat Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| HP (999) | 7E209703 7E20C103 |
| MP (999) | 7E209903 7E20C303 |
| Agility (255) | 7E2118FF |
| Strength (255) | 7E2119FF |
| Vitality (255) | 7E211AFF |
| Intelligence (255) | 7E211BFF |
| Luck (255) | 7E211CFF |
7th Character Stat Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| HP (999) | 7E20EB03 7E211503 |
| MP (999) | 7E20ED03 7E211703 |
| Agility (255) | 7E2142FF |
| Strength (255) | 7E2143FF |
| Vitality (255) | 7E2144FF |
| Intelligence (255) | 7E2145FF |
| Luck (255) | 7E2146FF |
8th Character Stat Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| HP (999) | 7E213F03 7E216903 |
| MP (999) | 7E204103 7E206B03 |
| Agility (255) | 7E216CFF |
| Strength (255) | 7E216DFF |
| Vitality (255) | 7E216FFF |
| Intelligence (255) | 7E2170FF |
| Luck (255) | 7E2171FF |
Item Slot Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Slot 1 | 7E2056xx |
| Slot 2 | 7E2057xx |
| Slot 3 | 7E2058xx |
| Slot 4 | 7E2059xx |
| Slot 5 | 7E205Axx |
| Slot 6 | 7E205Bxx |
| Slot 7 | 7E205Cxx |
| Slot 8 | 7E205Dxx |
| Slot 9 | 7E205Exx |
| Slot 10 | 7E205Fxx |
| Slot 11 | 7E2060xx |
| Slot 12 | 7E2061xx |
Weapon Values for Item Slot Cheats
| 00 – Cyprus Stick 01 – Bamboo Pole 02 – Club 03 – Oak Cudgel 04 – Fruit Knife 05 – Bronze Knife 06 – Copper Sword 07 – Chain Sickle 08 – Iron Staff 09 – Stone Ax 0A – Sharpened Bone 0B – Poison Needle 0C – Broad Sword 0D – Sword of Malice 0E – Dragon Killer 0F – Sword of Temptation 10 – Sword of Slumber 11 – Falcon Sword 12 – Multi-edged Sword 13 – Sword of Miracles 14 – Hell Sabre 15 – Zombie Killer 16 – Snake Sword 17 – Blizzard Sword 18 – Papa’s Sword 19 – King Metal Sword 1A – Faerie Sword 1B – Zenithian Sword 1C – Thorn Whip 1D – Chain Whip 1E – Morning Star 1F – Steel Whip 20 – Gringham Whip 21 – Boomerang 22 – Bladed Boomerang 23 – Flame Boomerang 24 – Sword of Decimation 25 – Iron Ball of Decimation 26 – Staff of Force 27 – Staff of Thunder 28 – Staff of Punishment 29 – Staff of Antimagic 2A – Magma Staff 2B – Staff of Benediction 2C – Staff of Revival 2D – Dragon Staff 2E – Staff of Stoross 2F – Iron Claw 30 – Flame Claw 31 – Ice Blade 32 – Stone Fang 33 – Steel Fang 34 – Orahalcon Fang 35 – Demon Claw 36 – Big Mallet 37 – Sledge Hammer 38 – Battle Axe 39 – War Hammer 3A – Demon Hammer 3B – Spear of Zeus 3C – Saw Blade 3D – Poison Needle 3E – Killer Earring 3F – Demon Spear 40 – Big Bowgun |
Armor Values for Item Slot Cheats
| 41 – Piece of Cloth 42 – Clothes 43 – Wayfarer’s Clothes 44 – Handwoven Cape 45 – Turtle Shell 46 – Leather Loincloth 47 – Slave Clothes 48 – Leather Armor 49 – Scale Armor 4A – Silk Apron 4B – Fur Coat 4C – Leather Dress 4D – Chain Mail 4E – Breast Plate 4F – Bronze Armor 50 – Half Plate Armor 51 – Full Plate Armor 52 – Dragon Mail 53 – Zombie Mail 54 – Swordedge Armor 55 – Silver Breastplate 56 – Magical Armor 57 – Silver Mail 58 – Flame Armor 59 – Devil’s Armor 5A – Mystic Armor 5B – Blood Mail 5C – Demon Armor 5D – Mirror Armor 5E – Roaming Armor 5F – Zenithian Armor 60 – Royal Cloak 61 – King Metal Armor 62 – Silk Robe 63 – Dancer’s Clothes 64 – Cloak of Evasion 65 – Water Flying Clothes 66 – Mysterious Bolero 67 – Robe of Serenity 68 – Dress of Radiance 69 – Angel’s Leotard 6A – Sage’s Robe 6B – Wizard’s Robe 6C – Lace Bisuch 6D – Silk Bisuch 6E – Princess Robe 6F – Robe of Darkness 70 – Slime Clothes 71 – Combat Pajamas 72 – Boxer Shorts 73 – Naughty Underwear |
Shield Values for Item Slot Cheats
| 74 – Pot Cover 75 – Leather Shield 76 – Scale Shield 77 – Bronze Shield 78 – Iron Shield 79 – Magic Shield 7A – Shield of Strength 7B – Dragon Shield 7C – Aeolus’s Shield 7D – Shield of Reflection 7E – Flame Shield 7F – Shield of Darkness 80 – Shield of Ruin 81 – Ogre Shield 82 – Zenithian Shield 83 – Shield of Radiance 84 – King Metal Shield |
Helmet Values for Item Slot Cheats
| 85 – Pointed Hat 86 – Leather Hat 87 – Wooden Hat 88 – Shell Hat 89 – Fur Hood 8A – Iron Helm 8B – Iron Mask 8C – Silk Hat 8D – Hair Band 8E – Satan Helm 8F – Silver Barette 90 – Hat of Wind 91 – Hat of Happiness 92 – Helm of Wisdom 93 – Echoing Hat 94 – Golden Tiara 95 – Zenithian Helm 96 – Great Helm 97 – King Metal Helm 98 – Sun Crown 99 – Silk Veil |
Accessory Values for Item Slot Cheats
| 9A – Meteorite Armband 9B – Elven Amulet 9C – Bianca’s Ribbon 9D – Armband of Sacrifice 9E – Ring of Flames 9F – Ring of Water A0 – Ring of Life |
Item Values for Item Slot Cheats
| A2 – Antidote Herb A3 – Holy Water A4 – Wing of Wyvern A5 – Leaf of World Tree A6 – Sap of World Tree A7 – Full Moon Herb A8 – Ring of Prayer A9 – Magic Water AA – Fragrance Bag AB – Sands of Time AC – Sage’s Stone AD – Strength Seed AE – Defense Seed AF – Agility Seed B0 – Intelligence Seed B1 – Acorns of Life B2 – Acorns of Magic B3 – Mirror of Ra B4 – Lamp of Darkness B5 – Small Medal B6 – Wayfarer’s Map B7 – Thief’s Key B8 – Magic Key B9 – Final Key BA – Magic Bag BB – Monster Lure BC – Bomb Stone BD – Fighter’s Hair BE – Demon’s Toy BF – Restoration Orb C0 – Elven Medicine C1 – Angel’s Bell C2 – Stone of Life C3 – Monster Munch C4 – Drum of War C5 – Torch C6 – Gold Orb C7 – Flute of Springs C8 – Papa’s Letter C9 – Reinhart’s Key CA – Ruramoon Herb CB – Symbol of Royalty CC – Magic Carpet CD – Flying Shoes CE – Faerie Horn CF – Glowing Orb D0 – Grappling Hook D1 – Dragon Orb D2 – Heaven Bell D3 – Ivol’s Book D4 – Baron’s Horn D5 – Holy Chamberpot D6 – Dragon’s Right Eye D7 – Dragon’s Left Eye |
Dragon Quest V Cheat FAQs
What is the max level in Dragon Quest V?
Similar to many other RPGs, characters in Dragon Quest V max out at level 99. Depending on their class/job type and random stat growth at level up, characters will reach level 99 with varying degrees of HP, MP, Attack Power, and other attributes.
Can you get married in Dragon Quest V?
The subtitle of Dragon Quest V, Hand of the Heavenly Bride, is a reference to a character that the Hero can marry in the game. Dragon Quest V‘s marriage is actually mandatory, and the results of that marriage differ depending on which of the three potential Heavenly Brides the Hero chooses to wed. Additionally, they can also start a family lineage/dynasty from that union.
Who is the main villain in Dragon Quest V?
The main villain of Dragon Quest V, regardless of which version players experience, is Grandmaster Nimzo. He is the leader of the Order of Zugzwang and is the antagonist responsible for wiping out the line of the Legendary Hero.
How long to beat Dragon Quest V?
In terms of its length, DQV is a fairly reasonable JRPG. Most standard playthroughs will take about 30-35 hours to complete. Those hoping to 100% the game and complete all its various challenges can expect to spend 45-50 hours.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Dragon Quest V key art.