Wonderful game music

[Dragon Quest BGM] Iconic and popular tracks from the Dragon Quest series

A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

The Dragon Quest series is a flagship title among Japanese RPGs.

Of course, the games themselves are fantastic, but the in-game music is also hugely popular! All of the in-game tracks were composed by Koichi Sugiyama, who also arranged them himself, and they have even been performed in orchestral concerts.

In this article, we’ll highlight some of the most popular pieces from these meticulously crafted and beautiful works.

Immerse yourself, body and soul, in the world of Dragon Quest!

[Dragon Quest BGM] Masterpieces and popular tracks from the Dragon Quest series (21–30)

Gypsy Dancesugiyama kouichi

[1-Hour Endurance] Gypsy Dance from Dragon Quest IV

Gypsy Dancesugiyama kouichi

It’s one of the battle themes used in Dragon Quest IV.

As the title suggests, it has a gypsy-inspired atmosphere, but rather than just skimming the surface, Koichi Sugiyama said he “studied it thoroughly and composed it.” It’s a well-crafted piece that conveys a strong sense of folk music influences.

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Ole! Silvia!sugiyama kouichi

[15-Minute Endurance] Ole! Silvia! - Dragon Quest XI (BGM)

Ole! Silvia!sugiyama kouichi

This is the theme BGM for Sylvando, the traveling entertainer who joins your party in Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age.

Led brilliantly by a sparkling trumpet, the piece has the feel of a cheerful parade.

Listening to it vividly brings to mind Sylvando’s personality—always bright and eager to delight everyone around him.

The album “Symphonic Suite Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age,” released in January 2018, includes an orchestral performance that adds an extra layer of elegance to the lively in-game arrangement.

Perfect for lifting your spirits!

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A Far Journeysugiyama kouichi

Symphonic Suite Dragon Quest II: A Distant Journey ~ BRASS EXCEED TOKYO

A Far Journeysugiyama kouichi

This is the familiar field theme from Dragon Quest II.

It’s used before all your party members have joined, and even after everyone is together, this track plays again if a party member dies.

Just hearing it conjures up the vast world of Dragon Quest, doesn’t it?

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Across the open plainsugiyama kouichi

[1-Hour Endurance] Into the Vast Plains - from Dragon Quest

Across the open plainsugiyama kouichi

The field BGM used in the very first entry of the Dragon Quest series, released in 1986.

I think it beautifully conveys the loneliness and solitude of venturing alone across a vast land.

It’s no exaggeration to say this piece represents the musical origin of Koichi Sugiyama’s work for Dragon Quest.

It’s a familiar classic, appearing in other entries in the series and sometimes in partially arranged forms.

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Hero’s Hometownsugiyama kouichi

[DRAGON QUEST IV] Hometown of the Hero

Hero’s Hometownsugiyama kouichi

This is the field BGM that plays in Chapter 5 of Dragon Quest IV.

Matching the sad story of Chapter 5, where the Hero’s village is attacked, the music has a somewhat lonely tone.

As the field BGM used in the memorable final part of the story, it’s a highly popular track across the Dragon Quest series.

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Combat -Life or Death-sugiyama kouichi

Dragon Quest IV: The Battle for Glory -Life or Death-

Combat -Life or Death-sugiyama kouichi

This is the battle theme used outside of Chapter 4 in Dragon Quest IV.

If you’ve played Dragon Quest IV, this is probably the track that comes to mind when you think of the battle music.

From the brisk, urgent-feeling intricacies of the brass to the powerful, heroic lines, its depth of expression leaves a strong impression.

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face it boldlysugiyama kouichi

DQ6 BGM: Bravely Confronting the Foe

face it boldlysugiyama kouichi

Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation boasts immense popularity, even seeing a remake release.

When it comes to memorable characters from this game, Murdaw surely stands out—the green one, you know.

The BGM that heightens the excitement of the battle against him is Daring to Defy.

It’s a tense track that perfectly suits a showdown with a formidable foe.

Incidentally, this piece is also used for the Murdaw battle in Dragon Quest X: Awakening of the Five Tribes.

The track often appears in other titles where Murdaw shows up as well, so be sure to check those out.

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