Square Enix has announced that the Zenithia Trilogy (Castle in the Sky) will be released on the Nintendo DS in Europe, PAL territories and North America. The trilogy includes Dragon Quest IV: The Chapters of the Chosen, Dragon Quest V: The Hand of the Heavenly Bride and Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie.

The trilogy will begin with Dragon Quest: The Chapters of the Chosen, an update of the NES title Dragon Quest IV. The game will ship on the 16th of September in the US with the European release date listed as September.

This is the first time these titles have been released in Europe. Dragon Quest IV was released on the NES in the US but it will be the first time that Dragon Quest V and VI arrive on North American shores.

Dragon Quest IV was originally released in Japan for the Famicom in February 1990. The North American version, titled Dragon Warrior IV, was released on the NES in December 1992. It is the final Dragon Quest/Warrior series title for the NES.

Developed by ArtePiazza, Dragon Quest: The Chapters of the Chosen is different to the rest of the series because it consists of five chapters, the first four being told from the perspective of the Hero’s future companions and the final one from the Hero’s perspective.

Players will embark on a journey, meeting new characters, battling monsters and discovering treasures along the way. The game will feature 3D graphics, newly animated monsters, an arranged orchestral score along with dual screen presentation and DS wireless communications.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “Dragon Quest: The Chapters of the Chosen is another excellent addition to the beloved Dragon Quest series. I hope that game players throughout Europe will enjoy the humour and excitement and look forward to future adventures with Dragon Quest: The Hand of the Heavenly Bride and Dragon Quest: Realms of Reverie.”

The first Chapter is entitled Ragnar McRyan and the Case of the Missing Children and follows the story of the Royal Knight Ragnar McRyan after he was ordered by the King to investigate kidnappings in the Burland kingdom.

Alena and the Journey to the Tourney is Chapter 2 and sees curious, troublesome and combat skilled Alena escaping the Tsar’s castle. Chapter 3 is called Torneko and the Extravagant Excavation and apprentice merchant Torneko Taloon setting off on a great adventure to become the greatest merchant in the world.

Meena and Maya and the Mahabala Mystery is Chapter 4 and follows dancer Maya and her fortune teller sister on their travels to exact revenge on their father’s murderer, a famous alchemist who is already dead. Chapter 5 is The Chosen and takes place in a quiet village in the mountains where you, the hero, live with your parents and best friend Eliza before fate changed your life.

Head over to the Dragon Quest website for more information.