The Dragon Quest brand is as strong as ever in Japan.  Retailers in the eastern nation are reporting that preorders for Square Enix's upcoming RPG title, Dragon Quest IX: Hoshizora no Mamoribito for the Nintendo DS, has topped two million units, according to the Nikkei Industrial Newspaper.

Square Enix's Dragon Quest series has always been a strong player in the videogames market in Japan, spawning many million sellers and topping other brands such as their own Final Fantasy in widespread appeal.  The draw of the series shows no signs of fading: Dragon Quest IX is set to be the biggest release in Japan this year, poised to rejuvenate a slumping Japanese video game market.  Japanese retailers and analysts are expecting big things from the title, with Tsutaya merchandiser Taketo Matsuo saying that it could be "the biggest hit in history", and retailers heavily promoting preorders of the title.

Dragon Quest IX marks the series' first debut on a handheld for a main-numbered title.  While older games in the series such as Dragon Quest I, II, IV, and V have made their way to handhelds at some point in their lifetime, this latest iteration had been first announced for the Nintendo DS.  Many have already predicted the title's near-guaranteed success, with the original announcement setting the internet ablaze.  Originally to be an action RPG, it was later changed to a more traditional turn-based RPG, and was the cause of some of the delays the game has faced.

Come July 11th, however, delays will cease to be an issue when Dragon Quest IX: Hoshizora no Mamoribito is finally unleashed for 5980 yen.  Also launching that day in Japan is a brand new red-colored Nintendo DSi.  Stay with Neoseeker next week for news of the sales numbers of Dragon Quest IX and the rest of the Japanese gaming industry for this week!