Released by Enix in 1988 for the NES, Dragon Warrior set the standard for console RPGs. It
featured all the basic elements that future RPGs would build upon: towns with weapon and item shops, an
overhead world map with simple tiled terrain, a battle system with attack/spell/run/item options,
multi-level dungeons to explore, and NPCs who wander aimlessly, their sole purpose in life to impart
their one line of dialog to you, the adventurer.
Unlike modern day console RPGs that move quickly and focus the gameplay around progressing
the plotline, Dragon Warrior focuses on slowly building up your character through repetitive battles. Though
it can sometimes grow tedious, after spending an hour hacking cute little slimes with your wooden sword and
finally earning enough gold for that shiny new copper sword there's a sense of satisfaction that
just isn't present in quickly paced, modern day RPGs.
For those looking to relive the classic RPG experience, Dragon Warrior I and II have been enhanced and
re-released on the Game Boy Color. There's also an interesting looking project to create a Dragon Warrior
clone for the TI-83 graphing calculator which can be found here:
http://dqnn.virtualave.net/Project.html