Square Enix has released a free demo for Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. It covers the game's first chapter, and the full game lands on 3 December 2026.

The part that makes it worth downloading rather than just watching: up to eight monsters you recruit in the demo transfer into the full game. They arrive back at level 1 with default talents, so it is a head start on the roster rather than a shortcut, but it means the time is not thrown away.

The full game has more than 500 monsters and two protagonists, Bianca and Nera, names that will mean something to anyone who has played Dragon Quest V. Pre-orders are open. No Australian price has been announced.

Monster catching RPGs live and die on whether the collecting loop grabs you in the first hour, which is exactly what a chapter one demo is good for testing.