Back in the day when Nintendo ruled the roost while Sega was just starting up and Sony was only synonymous with TVs, Nintendo's very own publication, Nintendo Power gave anyone who was willing to subscribe to their magazine the opportunity to receive a free game. This game was called Dragon Warrior. Despite what the naysayers might preach, Dragon Warrior was the first successful RPG to hit the North American market on any platform up to that point, and with good reason. It combined great graphics, rich gameplay and a compelling story; all delivered into one package. I can personally say that Dragon Warrior was one of my favorite games I've ever played on my faithful NES, and with the arrival of Dragon Warrior I/II on the Gameboy Color, veteran gamers such as myself can relive those magical times of dragon hunting and slime bashing.

The story behind Dragon Warrior is; well...there isn't much of a story. Save the princess. Slay the dragon. Keep it simple. While the plot may be paper-thin, it's a stark contrast from the complexity that the game carries beneath its surface. Old timers will find that the interface has been streamlined for easier access to the game. You no longer have to go through several different menus just to talk to NPC's or to buy items at a shop. While some may not welcome this change, I for one welcome it with open arms; anything to make the game play faster than the snail's pace it went when it was first released is good in my books. The simple combat system also rears its head in both games, and while it's definitely showing its age, battling slimes can never get dull. The standard turn-based battles may become drawn out later in the game (especially in DW1), but they never get to the point of being frustrating.

Not satisfied with just releasing a simple port of their games, Enix has made several changes to the translation of both Dragon Warrior I and II. For example, in Dragon Warrior I, you're put at the helm of Loto, who has been selected by the king to rescue his fair daughter Lora. If you remember playing the first game, you'll recognize Loto and Lora as Erdrick and Princess Gwalin. The dialogue between characters has also changed drastically. Gone is the old English way of speaking, and now we're presented with a friendlier, more approachable script that's easy to understand for those who are playing through the game for the first time. Also, most of the portraits in the game have a high degree of cute nuances, targeted for the younger Gameboy audience. Works for me, since I find it to be a little easier on the eyes than the blocky, primitive sprites of yore. The opening of both Dragon Warrior I and II now feature cinema scenes detailing the story before you get started. Although the portraits are a bit on the crude side, they do their job and aren't half as bad as others I've seen on the platform.

One problem I had with Dragon Warrior II in particular is the odd absence of any backgrounds for the battle scenes in the game. All you get are the monsters and a dull black background. I don't think there's really any excuse for this occurring. While I remember the NES version of DWII featured the same black backdrop for combat, Enix could've shown more integrity to develop something spiffy for us to look at while we're smacking around imps and goblins on the world map.

In the end, you're either one of those people who hated Dragon Warrior and all that it stood for, or you already have this game. When playing Dragon Warrior, one must realize that part of its charm is due to its nostalgia factor. While it may interest those who wish to return to their childhood, others might find it too crude or primitive to bother with. For those who are looking for an RPG that's not Pokémon, you should look no further than the game that set the standard for all other RPGs to come.

Bottom Line: Great game, despite it's age. Heavy on the nostalgia, but easy enough for newcomers to get into.

· · · Reno