Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies

Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
Developers: Level-5, Square Enix Publishers: Square Enix (JP), Nintendo (US/EU/AU) Platform: Nintendo DS Released in JP: July 11, 2009 Released in US: July 11, 2010 Released in EU: July 23, 2010 Released in AU: August 2010 This game has unused areas. This game has unused graphics. This game has unused items. This game has debugging material.

This needs some investigation. Discuss ideas and findings on the talk page.

Dragon Quest IX is notable for having initially been developed as an action-RPG, only to be completely reworked into a turn-based RPG after massive fan backlash.

Unused Graphics

Stored on 3D models, these seem to be graphics meant for testing transparency and fade-outs on 3D animations, judging on their name ("3dalphatest" and "xfade").

Debug Mode

By using Action Replay codes (12000EC8 00001001 12000EF0 00001000 for the European version), you can access a debug menu on start-up. It has an option for accessing a debug room that was removed from overseas versions (but with the name NineWH for the character name) and an NPC/Enemy viewer (see here for more), with some non-functional save data management options.

It uses the Japanese title graphics. It also has a 2008 copyright, which may be a leftover from the action-RPG period of development.

Main Menu
In the Debug menu there is an option to view all 3D models and animations, similar to the in-game battled enemies list.

Unused Model

An unused variant of the Sacksquatch, using the number 60c (the standard one is 60a) and an otherwise-unused model that may resemble a pillow.

Unused Items

Using a save editor, you can get two unused items. Their names are translated for European languages.

• Mimic Rock
• Rock of Sales Talk (?)

There's also some unused equipment which have their names blanked out.

Test Areas

To do: Are the first three rooms different in the Japanese version?

Via a save editor, one can access some rooms meant for testing:

• Debug Floor
• Monster Modify
• Encounter Test
• Bed Test

In the international versions, these rooms lead to an unnamed, pitch-black room, except for the Encounter Test pictured below. It has odd textures but is otherwise featureless.