Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies

Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
Developers: Level-5, Square Enix Publishers: Square Enix (JP), Nintendo (US/EU/AU) Platform: Nintendo DS Released in JP: July 11, 2009 Released in US: July 11, 2010 Released in EU: July 23, 2010 Released in AU: August 2010 This game has unused areas. This game has unused graphics. This game has unused items. This game has debugging material. This game has regional differences. This game has anti-piracy features.

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Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies is the ninth installment in the venerable RPG series. Originally, it was meant to be an action-RPG, but was reworked to be a turn-based RPG after massive fan backlash.

Debug Mode

By using Action Replay codes (12000EC8 00001001 12000EF0 00001000 for the European version), you can access a debug menu at startup. It has an option for accessing a debug room that was removed from overseas versions (but with the name NineWH for the character name) and an NPC/Enemy viewer (see here for more), with some non-functional save data management options.

The title screen from the Japanese version is used here. The text under the logo reads, "2008 Prototype Version", during which the game was being developed as an action-RPG.

Main Menu
In the Debug menu there is an option to view all 3D models and animations, similar to the in-game battled enemies list.

Unused Graphics

Test Graphics

Stored as 3D models, their names ("3dalphatest" and "xfade") suggest these were meant to test transparency and fade-outs on 3D animations.

Sacksquatch Model

An unused variant of the Sacksquatch, using the number 60c (the standard one is 60a) and an otherwise-unused model that may resemble a pillow.

Test Areas

To do: Are the first three rooms different in the Japanese version?

Via a save editor, these testing rooms can be accessed:

• Debug Floor
• Monster Modify
• Encounter Test
• Bed Test

In the international versions, these rooms lead to an unnamed, pitch-black room, except for the Encounter Test pictured below. It has odd textures but is otherwise featureless.

Unused Items

Using a save editor, you can get two unused items. Their names are translated for European languages.

• Mimic Rock
• Rock of Sales Talk (?)

There's also some unused equipment which have their names blanked out.

Anti-Piracy

This game utilizes the DS Protect anti-piracy library to ensure that it is not being run off a flashcart or emulator. If any of the DS Protect checks fail, the game intentionally crashes after finishing the first battle during the opening cutscene.

(Source: TWiLightMenu AP-patched games list)

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Regional Differences

Opening Movie

The game's opening theme, Overture IX, is a live orchestration in the Japanese version. This was changed to a sequenced arrangement based on Dragon Quest Wars in the international versions.

Japan	International

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Character Creation

Japan	International

The international versions changed the skin tones so that the darkest is darker.