What's the best Dragon Quest game to start with if you want

3 for sure

1 is too simplistic, 2 is too broken

>>385143436
Release order or start with 5 or 8. Someone post the chart with the guide for the definitive versions of each game.

>>385144873
>1,2 and 3 on SNES
>4 on Mobile or NES of you can't stand touch controls
>5,6 on DS
>7 on 3DS
>8 on 3DS for QOL, PS2 for graphics

I started with 7 and I think it's pretty gud

>>385143436
4 or 8

Either DQ 4 (plays a little close to an FF game) or DQ 5 (totally it's own thing)

Dragon Quest Monsters

>>385145194
I like 7 more on PS1, the difficulty is better and the graphics are much more pleasant

None. DQ being good is a japanese meme. Pick any JRPG and then limit yourself from 95% of the content - There, it's DQ.

>>385144535
As someone who recently played I and II, I can wholeheartedly attest to this. I and II are agonizingly simplistic and didn't age well. They're not games you need to play. If you absolutely have to, don't bother getting to them until after you've finished the rest.

>>385145223
Seconding 7 on the 3DS
I also played 1 and it was okay. But it's too primitive and not really worth it if you don't know if you'll like the series.