Dragon Quest IX for Nintendo DS

Dragon Quest IX, the highly anticipated installment of the popular series - known as the biggest selling videogame in Japan - is heading not to the PS2 or PS3 as many expected - but the Nintendo DS.

Dragon Quest is known in Japan as being the series that has decided the fate of consoles - just weeks ago, Microsoft is betting it's Japanese hopes on Blue Dragon, a game very similar to the Dragon Quest series.

In this week's shocking announcement, Square-Enix revealed that Dragon Quest IX: Hoshizora no mamori Hito will be a Nintendo DS exclusive. This will undoubtedly have an effect on the next gen of game consoles - Dragon Quest was vital to the success of the PS2 in Japan, and this is a huge blow for Sony, especially with the release of Dragon Quest-alike Blue Dragon on the 360.

Like Dragon Quest VIII, the game will be developed by Level 5, the makers of Rogue Galaxy and the stunning looking PS3 exclusive White Knight Story. Square-Enix also confirmed the game would have online play, allowing players to team up with friends and create a party of four, not dissimilar to Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles.

More action-based battles were promised, as series director Yuuji Horii wants to give players an all new Dragon Quest experience. Series Composer Kouichi Sugiyama committed himself to the game also, saying he will compose the music for Dragon Quest until he dies.

We'll bring you more on this... dare we say it... megaton as we get it!