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In an amazing surprise to nearly anyone following the Dragon Quest series, Square Enix announced today in Japan that the newest installment, Dragon Quest IX: Protectors of the Sky (not official U.S. name) will be releasing in 2007. On the Nintendo DS. Yes, this isn't a side quest or an offshoot or a rehash, but the real deal. This marks the first time that a new game in the main series is going to debut on a handheld system. The same developers that created Dragon Quest VIII for the PS2 are heading up the sequel. Level 5 will be in charge of creating the new world for the DS, Yuji Horii will head up the game, and even Sugiyama is returning to create the music. According to Famitsu, Dragon Quest IX has been in development for quite awhile now and it will be available later in 2007 in Japan. No information regarding a U.S. release has been announced, but given recent successes with the franchise we should see it over here as well. Not content to leave the series the same, IGN has reported that the game will be more action oriented instead of turn-based like prior installments. In fact, the game will utilize Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection to allow up to four players to adventure through the game together. This is sure to upset some devoted long-term fans of the original series, and is comparable to what Square pulled when Final Fantasy 11 went online and completely changed the battle system. We'll have more on this shocking announcement as details trickle in.  
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