Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (PlayStation 2)

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Also known as: Dragon Quest VIII: Sora to Umi to Daichi to Norowareshi Himegimi (JP) Developer: Level-5 Publisher: Square Enix Platform: PlayStation 2 Released in JP: November 27, 2004 Released in US: November 15, 2005 Released in EU: April 13, 2006 Released in AU: April 12, 2006 This game has unused animations. This game has unused areas. This game has unused code. This game has hidden development-related text. This game has unused enemies. This game has unused models. This game has unused items. This game has unused music. This game has unused text. This game has debugging material. This game has regional differences.

Dragon Quest VIII takes the concept of "horse girls" to a whole new level.

Sub-Pages

Unused Text

Localization Development Logs

Unused Maps

Debug Menus

Present in the game are a couple of debug menus that can be re-enabled with the below codes. The Japan-exclusive debug menus do not work anymore. Apply the below codes for your version of the game to appear in one of these menus when you first start the game. The Japanese version of the Boot Mode debug menus do not allow you to exit. When exiting the menus in the Japanese version, the game will get stuck in an endless loop.

Master Codes (for cheat devices only):

US	JP
90119B90 0C04668C	9011EA10 0C047A2C

Boot Mode selector codes (where "??" is one of the below):

US	JP
00169360 000000??	0016CDFC 000000??

02 = Movie test menu
08 = File send menu (network mode)

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Boot Modes

Movie Test Menu

This allows you to view all of the pre-rendered movies in the game. There are also some movie names here that are not present on the disc, such as the TEST movie names. The US version of this menu does not have the kana font to render the Japanese text.

File Send Menu

This menu was likely used to send files from a network path to the developer's PlayStation 2 HDD.

Miscellaneous

These are present only on the Japanese version of the game. These are missing proper controller commands for them, and as a result are no longer operable.

BtlDebug

This likely would have reloaded a camera script during battle.

Lighting Editor

This would likely have edited the current lighting settings of the area.

Debug Logging

Within the game are two stubbed printf functions which would have logged various background information to a debug unit. This logs information such as files and maps loaded. It would also report errors if any occurred. To re-enable these, apply the below codes.

US codes:

Re-enable Debug Logging In Battle
20321620 08046542
20321624 00000000

Re-enable printf
20146E20 08046542
20146E24 00000000

JP codes:

Re-enable Debug Logging In Battle
2032C0D0 080478E2
2032C0D4 00000000

Re-enable printf
2014ADC0 080478E2
2014ADC4 00000000

If you are playing the game on a regular PlayStation 2, you will need to use a TOOL, RDB, or a debug version of OPL to view the logs. If you are playing on an emulator, you can see this information by enabling the option "Show Console". Below is an example of what type of information gets logged.

Top Vram = 10752(64word)
load(0) bin/key_data_1.bin o = 0 s = 2048
file cache 1bcdac0 - 1bcdac0
load(0) bin/bin_ext2.pak o = 0 s = 694272
file cache itemdat2.bin
file cache explist3.bin
file cache p_paramlist6.bin
file cache magiclist3.bin
file cache skilllist6.bin
file cache btl_eventinfo.bin
file cache btl_splcolor.bin
file cache btl_motion_8.bin
file cache btl_monster_id_6.bin

monster_model_info : ver 040726  : date : 2004/10/27 08:16:47

load(0) mons_mem.txt o = 0 s = 20480
file cache btl_monster_param_10.bin
load(0) monster_name_1.txt o = 0 s = 24576
file cache btl_monster_team_ex_5.bin
file cache Habitat_2.bin
file cache mos_owner_1.bin
load(0) btlload_owner_1.txt o = 0 s = 4096
file cache haikai_name_3.bin
file cache btl_action_def_18.bin
load(0) skill_info_1.txt o = 0 s = 6144
file cache actmsg_4.txt
file cache acteffmsg_2.txt
load(0) actmsg_text_3_1.txt o = 0 s = 51200
load(0) acteffmsg_text_2_1.txt o = 0 s = 10240
load(0) actextmsg_text_2_1.txt o = 0 s = 57344
file cache mos_tec_6.bin
load(0) team_tech_1.txt o = 0 s = 6144
load(0) snd2/SY_000.snd o = 0 s = 137216
msin_id = 0
p=9,-1,b=0,hd=cc600,bd=1bc980,hdbd=0
snd id = 6000000
load(0) snd2/rev.bin o = 0 s = 2048
vram 10752 - 16320
tex 1/288
b = 32767,cblur_fix_work0 vram = 64,0
tex 2/288
b = 273,cblur_work0 vram = 64,0
tex 3/288
b = 273,cblur_full_work0 vram = 3584,0
load(0) snd2/MAP_index.txt o = 0 s = 71680
load(0) menu/mcard2_1.pak o = 0 s = 188416
load(0) meswin/font_tex_l3s3_europe_Challenge.pak o = 0 s = 215040
load(0) meswin/sysstr_1.txt o = 0 s = 2048
load(0) meswin/article_1.txt o = 0 s = 2048
load(0) meswin/word_1.txt o = 0 s = 71680
WordStack:37720
Total    :1886
AllocWordStrCnt:29688
Hash:30176 
load(0) meswin/fonttbl_s3_europe_Challenge.bin o = 0 s = 2048
load(0) meswin/fonttbl_l3_europe_Challenge.bin o = 0 s = 2048
load(0) meswin/system_l_1.mes o = 0 s = 18432
load(0) meswin/system_s_1.mes o = 0 s = 18432
load(0) meswin/gaiji2_1.img o = 0 s = 86016
tex 4/288
b = 211,gaiji2 vram = 256,1
tex 5/288
b = 211,nmlcmd5 vram = 64,1
tex 6/288
b = 211,meswinbg vram = 3584,0
tex 7/288
b = 269,work vram = 3584,0
tex 8/288
b = 270,shadow_work vram = 3584,0
tex 9/288
b = 270,shadow_work2 vram = 576,0
tex 10/288
b = 272,glare_work1 vram = 576,0
tex 11/288
b = 272,glare_work2 vram = 576,0
tex 12/288
b = 294,moviework vram = 3584,0
tex 13/288
b = 295,cross_f vram = 3584,0
load(0) bin/bin_ext2.pak o = 0 s = 694272
load(0) itemdat2.bin o = 0 s = 18432
load(0) explist3.bin o = 0 s = 2048
load(0) p_paramlist6.bin o = 0 s = 4096
load(0) magiclist3.bin o = 0 s = 2048
load(0) skilllist6.bin o = 0 s = 4096
load(0) btl_eventinfo.bin o = 0 s = 2048
load(0) btl_splcolor.bin o = 0 s = 2048
load(0) btl_motion_8.bin o = 0 s = 43008
load(0) btl_monster_id_6.bin o = 0 s = 77824

monster_model_info : ver 040726  : date : 2004/10/27 08:16:47

load(0) mons_mem.txt o = 0 s = 20480
load(0) btl_monster_param_10.bin o = 0 s = 77824
load(0) monster_name_1.txt o = 0 s = 24576
load(0) btl_monster_team_ex_5.bin o = 0 s = 8192
load(0) Habitat_2.bin o = 0 s = 4096
load(0) mos_owner_1.bin o = 0 s = 2048
load(0) btlload_owner_1.txt o = 0 s = 4096
load(0) haikai_name_3.bin o = 0 s = 2048
load(0) btl_action_def_18.bin o = 0 s = 61440
load(0) skill_info_1.txt o = 0 s = 6144
load(0) actmsg_4.txt o = 0 s = 63488
load(0) acteffmsg_2.txt o = 0 s = 6144
load(0) actmsg_text_3_1.txt o = 0 s = 51200
load(0) acteffmsg_text_2_1.txt o = 0 s = 10240
load(0) actextmsg_text_2_1.txt o = 0 s = 57344
load(0) mos_tec_6.bin o = 0 s = 6144
load(0) team_tech_1.txt o = 0 s = 6144
load(0) map/map10_1.cfg o = 0 s = 55296
load(0) mapinfo3.bin o = 0 s = 2048
load(0) mapwind.bin o = 0 s = 2048
load(0) btl_map0.cfg o = 0 s = 4096
load(0) worldinfo4.bin o = 0 s = 4096
load(0) fbgpack.bin o = 0 s = 4096
load(0) TreasureList4.cfg o = 0 s = 47104
-------------------------- Tre ver[050801], cre[2005/08/5 15:24:54]
load(0) event/flag_set.cfg o = 0 s = 38912
load(0) title/title_1.mes o = 0 s = 47104
load(0) menu/cmd4_1.pac o = 0 s = 329728
tex 14/288
b = 225,syscmd vram = 256,1
tex 15/288
b = 225,syscmd2 vram = 128,1
tex 16/288
b = 225,syscmd3 vram = 64,1
load(0) title/wmap.img o = 0 s = 462848
tex 17/288
b = 80,mapwok vram = 3584,0
tex 18/288
b = 80,wmap vram = 896,1
tex 19/288
b = 80,title_grade vram = 896,1
create sema 27
create sema 26
create sema 28
start thread 9
create sema 29
load(0) title/title_1.img o = 0 s = 727040
tex 20/288
b = 74,logo0 vram = 128,1
tex 21/288
b = 74,logo1 vram = 896,1
tex 22/288
b = 74,title vram = 896,1
tex 23/288
b = 74,title_w vram = 896,1
fstrm : open cddat:WAV¥BGM¥BG_002.MWV
def_vol = 0.0e+0
loop 0,start 0
mc finish!!
movie vol bgm = 0.0e+1
mwork = 1325980
IOP memory 0x000cee00(size:24576) is allocated
IOP memory 0x000d4e00(size:2048) is allocated
create sema 31
create sema 30
create sema 32
start thread 10
fstrm : open cdrom0:¥MOVIE¥L5_CI_B.MVI;1
fstrm : close
delete thread 10
delete sema 32
delete sema 30
delete sema 31
movie vol off
mwork = 1325980
create sema 30
create sema 32
create sema 33
start thread 14
fstrm : open cdrom0:¥MOVIE¥TAKA_N.MVI;1
PlayBGM Wait:30
sndstrm : play

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Unused Title Screen Modes

Present only in the Japanese version of the game are a few unused demo modes. Apply the below code for the Japanese version of the game and start a new game to use these modes. After a certain amount of time passes, the game will send you to the title screen.

Start New Game for Demo Mode
D0468F7C 00000047
004686F0 0000000?

Replace ? with one of the following:

2 = Map m01 (night - not a demo mode)
A = Story Demo (Map m01)
B = Field & Battle Demo (Map s02i01 & n_22)

• While not a demo mode, mode 2 sends you to the first town at night with no NPCs to talk to. You can't do anything here as a result.
• Demo mode A sends you to the first town.
• Demo mode B sends you to the field where you can battle enemies.

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Unused NPCs

Several NPCs featured in an early build of the game can still be found within the game's files. Some of these NPCs were shown in pre-release screenshots.

To change King Trode's model while in Tryan's Gully, go to memory offset 0x003C0DC0 and change that text string to any model found within the folder chara.

Image	NPC File Name	Shown in a screenshot
	p001a.chr	No
	p002a.chr	No
	p003a.chr	No
	p004a.chr	Yes (near the shopping tent)
	p005a.chr	Yes
	p006a.chr	Yes
	p007a.chr	Yes
	p008a.chr	No
	p009a.chr	No
	cat.chr	Yes

Japan-Exclusive NPCs

Located in event\test, the Japanese version of the game has a bunch of NPCs that aren't found in the international versions. Most of them have no animations, meaning they were most likely made just for the pre-release media.

Image	NPC File Name	Shown in a screenshot
	p001a.chr	Yes
	ps001a.chr	Yes
	ps002a.chr	No
	ps005a.chr	No
	ps005b.chr	Yes, although could be a different model since the old lady doesn't actually hold on to her cart in-game.

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Unused Items

There are 30 unused items, which can be added back into the player's inventory with the use of codes.

Access

The code below adds the 30 unused items to the inventory by replacing the first 30 slots in your item bag. These include dummy armor, dummy weapons, dummy dresses, and... dummy cheese. Lots of dummy cheese. None of these items have any special icons. The DUMMY items do not work, however the MIMIC STONE and the BLARNEY STONE do function. The MIMIC STONE lets you recover health in battle endlessly, and BLARNEY STONE instantly wipes out your party.

Inventory Modifier

20409AD0 03E70045 20409AD4 03E70053 20409AD8 03E7005C 20409ADC 03E70061 20409AE0 03E7007A 20409AE4 03E70091 20409AE8 03E700AF 20409AEC 03E700D4 20409AF0 03E700DF 20409AF4 03E700EB 20409AF8 03E700EC 20409AFC 03E700F7 20409B00 03E70101 20409B04 03E70102 20409B08 03E7011B 20409B0C 03E70124 20409B10 03E7012B 20409B14 03E7012C 20409B18 03E70133 20409B1C 03E7013D 20409B20 03E70141 20409B24 03E70146 20409B28 03E70147 20409B2C 03E70148 20409B30 03E70149 20409B34 03E7014A 20409B38 03E70152 20409B3C 03E7015C 20409B40 03E7016A 20409B44 03E70176 20409B48 03E70183 20409B4C 03E70184

List

#	Name	Notes
0045	DUMMY HAMMER
0053	DUMMY SICKLE
005C	DUMMY WAND
0061	DUMMY STAFF
007A	DUMMY DRESS
0091	DUMMY ARMOUR
00AF	DUMMY SHIELD
00D4	DUMMY CAP
00DF	DUMMY FLEE RING
00EB	DUMMY BRACELET
00EC	DUMMY BRACER
00F7	DUMMY BOOTS
0101	DUMMY SANDGLASS
0102	DUMMY HOURGLASS
011B	DUMMY SAND OF TIME
0124	DUMMY BESTIARY
012B	DUMMY CYMBAL
012C	DUMMY CONCH
0133	DUMMY LIZARD DUNG
013D	DUMMY CHEESE #1
0141	DUMMY CHEESE #2
0146	DUMMY CHEESE #3
0147	DUMMY CHEESE #4
0148	DUMMY CHEESE #5
0149	DUMMY CHEESE #6
014A	DUMMY CHEESE #7
0152	DUMMY CHEESE #8
015C	DUMMY BAG
016A	DUMMY RING
0176	DUMMY CARD
0183	MIMIC STONE	Lets you recover health in battle endlessly.
0184	BLARNEY STONE	Wipes out your entire party in battle.

(Source: wescastro. Item digits.)

To do: I used DeepL to translate the Japanese names and descriptions. If you're a fluent Japanese speaker, please correct any mistakes.

Almost all of the dummy items actually have a Japanese name and a description in the itemstr1.lst file, which contains original names of all the in-game items (translated names are located in itemstr1_1.lst). Below is the list of items using both the Japanese and the English name, their description and theory on what they most likely would've been used for.

English Name	Japanese Name	Japanese Description	Speculative Use
DUMMY HAMMER	びっくりハンマー Surprise Hammer	たたくたびに 攻撃力が変化する ふしぎなハンマー A mysterious hammer that changes its attack power with each strike.	Likely implies occasional critical hits, however no weapon in the game lands a crit and/or changes its attack power with each turn.
DUMMY SICKLE	死神のかま The Grim Reaper's Sickle	斬りつけた敵を ときどき一撃で ほうむるかま A sickle that sometimes buries a slashed enemy with one blow.	A cut scythe that had a possible one-hit kill ability some of the weapons have.
DUMMY WAND	ほほえみの杖 Wand of Smiles	戦闘中つかうと 敵を１ターンの間 ほほえませる When used in battle, it causes enemies to smile for 1 turn.	There is no "Smile" state in the game, but this wand would've most likely caused enemies to skip a turn.
DUMMY STAFF	死者の杖 Staff of the Dead	たたいた敵を ときどき一撃で ほうむりさる A staff that sometimes buries a struck enemy with one blow.	Like with the unused scythe, most likely would've had a chance to cause a one-hit kill.
DUMMY DRESS	テンションドレス Tension Dress	攻撃をうけると 気合いが入る ふしぎなドレス A mysterious dress that fills you with fighting spirit when you are attacked.	The name implies that this armor would've raised one's tension after enemy's hit, but there are no known items which do that in the game.
DUMMY ARMOUR	気合いのよろい Armour of Spirituality	攻撃をうけると 気合いが入る ふしぎなよろい A mysterious armour that fills you with fighting spirit when you are attacked.	Same as the DUMMY DRESS.
DUMMY SHIELD	エルフの盾 Elven Shield	エルフによって 作られたという 軽くて丈夫な盾 A light and sturdy shield allegedly made by elves.	No idea. Besides the Elfin Elixir, there are no other items that would have anything to do with elves.
DUMMY CAP	やまびこのぼうし Yamabiko's Hat	やまびこのように となえた呪文が くり返される Repeats a spell you cast like a mountain echo.	"Yamabiko" is a Japanese folklore yokai, but it is also used to describe the delayed echo in the mountains and valleys, which was believed to be its voice. This unused cap would've likely caused its wearer to perform a spell twice in one turn.
DUMMY FLEE RING	逃げ逃げリング Run-Run Ring	戦いのとき 逃げやすくなる ちょっと臭う指輪 A slightly smelly ring that makes it easier to run away in a fight.	Likely would've allowed the party to flee from every non-boss battle.
DUMMY BRACELET	メガンテのうでわ Kamikazee/Megante Bracelet	身につけていると もしもの時に メガンテが発動 While wearing it, Kamikazee/Megante can activate in an emergency.	"Megante" is the Japanese name for the spell Kamikazee, which damages all enemies, but also instantly kills the user. This bracelet would've likely allowed you to use it in battle to perform Kamikazee without knowing the spell.
DUMMY BRACER	メガンテのうでわ Kerplunk/Megazaru Ring	身につけていると もしもの時に メガザルが発動 While wearing it, Kerplunk/Megazaru can activate in an emergency.	"Megazaru" is the Japanese name for the spell Kerplunk, which has a similar effect to Kamikazee, except you sacrifice yourself to revive and/or heal all your allies. The description implies that the ring would've most likely worked when you were the only party member left to fight and all your allies were dead.
DUMMY BOOTS	あんぜんぐつ Safety Shoes	危険な場所にも 平気で入れる 安心安全なくつ Safe and secure shoes that allow you to go into dangerous places with impunity.	Not sure which "dangerous places" are implied, but it could be the poisonous swamps which are present in some locations and drain digits of your health if you walk in them. These shoes likely would've let you walk in them freely.
DUMMY SANDGLASS	のんきな砂時計 Carefree Hourglass	時間の流れが おそく感じられる 奇妙な砂時計 A strange hourglass that makes the flow of time feel slower.	No clue, but the description implies it had something to do with slowing down time.
DUMMY HOURGLASS	せっかちな砂時計 Impatient Hourglass	時間の流れが 早く感じられる 奇妙な砂時計 A strange hourglass that makes the flow of time feel faster.	Similar effect to the sandglass, but implied speeding up time instead of slowing it down.
DUMMY SAND OF TIME	時の砂 The Sands of Time	戦闘中つかうと 始まりの状態まで 時間がもどる If you use it during a battle, time will be restored to the starting state.	S̶h̶o̶u̶t̶ ̶o̶u̶t̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶P̶r̶i̶n̶c̶e̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶P̶e̶r̶s̶i̶a̶ Would've likely restarted the battle from the beginning, including the party and the enemies' stats.
DUMMY BESTIARY	モンスター図鑑 Monster Book/Bestiary	であった まものが のっている Records the things you have encountered.	There is a bestiary in the game, but it's not an item and isn't even located in the item menu, so either originally you had to access it from the item menu or it implies a different bestiary.
DUMMY CYMBAL	ぜつぼうのシンバル The Cymbals of Despair	敵味方全員の テンションを 下げてしまう楽器 An instrument that reduces the tension of all friends and foes.	Since this item is located right below the Timbrel of Tension, which raises tension of all party members, it would've likely caused a negative effect similar to Angelo's Chilling Chuckle/Sarcastic Snigger ability. What's interesting, however, is that the description implies it'd have affected the party too.
DUMMY CONCH	あきんどのホラ貝 The Merchant's Conch/Horagai	つかうと しょうにんが やってくる When used, a merchant will come along.	"Horagai" is the type of conch which had a military and religious use in Japan. No clue how it relates to the game, but the description and the item's name likely implies either some monetary reward or some debugging function.
DUMMY LIZARD DUNG	大トカゲのふん Large Lizard Dung	大きなトカゲの 大きな落し物 A large lost property of a large lizard.	There is an item in the game called "Dragon Dung" which is used for alchemy, so this one likely would've been an ingredient too.
DUMMY CHEESE #1	ちょい辛チーズ Spicy Cheese	トーポの好きな ちょっとだけ辛い チーズ Topo's favourite slightly spicy cheese.	(Topo is Munchie's Japanese name) Likely an early version of the Spicy Cheese.
DUMMY CHEESE #2	ひんやりチーズ Chilly Cheese	トーポの好きな ほのかに 冷たいチーズ Topo's favourite slightly cold cheese.	Likely an early version of the Chilly Cheese.
DUMMY CHEESE #3	ザラザラチーズ Gritty Cheese	トーポの好きな ザラザラした チーズ Topo's favourite gritty cheese.	Likely an early version of the Chunky Cheese
DUMMY CHEESE #4	どくどくチーズ Poisonous Cheese	トーポの好きな むらさき色の 毒々しいチーズ Topo's favourite purple, poisonous-looking cheese.	This cheese would've likely allowed Munchie to use poisonous breath on enemies.
DUMMY CHEESE #5	ねむねむチーズ Sleepy Cheese	トーポの好きな あまい香りの ただようチーズ Topo's favourite sweet, fragrant cheese.	This cheese would've likely allowed Munchie to use sweet (sleeping) breath on enemies.
DUMMY CHEESE #6	マヒマヒチーズ Numb Cheese	トーポの好きな やけつくほどに 強烈な味のチーズ Topo's favourite burningly strong tasting cheese.	This cheese would've likely allowed Munchie to use burning (paralyzing) breath on enemies.
DUMMY CHEESE #7	くるくるチーズ Curly Cheese	トーポの好きな 混乱しそうなほど 奇妙な味のチーズ Topo's favourite confusingly strange tasting cheese.	There is no breath attack for confusion, but this cheese would've most likely allowed Munchie to confuse enemies. The icon for this cheese might have actually survived into the final game: Every single used cheese has a high-resolution artwork, sans this sprite. The description is also fitting, since this cheese has curls on it.
DUMMY CHEESE #8	みんなのチーズ Everyone's Cheese	トーポの好きな ねずみ仲間を誘う みわくのチーズ Topo's favourite cheese that attracts his mouse friends.	Aside from Hero and the party, Munchie doesn't really have any "friends" in the game. The description implies that the cheese would've most likely called other mice to damage enemies, similar to Yangus' Golden Oldies ability.
DUMMY BAG	においぶくろ Sachet	とくしゅ こうかは ないようだ There seems to be no special effect.	An item that appears to have never even been finished during the development.
DUMMY RING	なし３５７ None 357	とくしゅ こうかは ないようだ There seems to be no special effect.	Shares the description with Sachet and likely had the same fate.
DUMMY CARD	マイレージカード Mileage Card	未定 Not decided yet.	This one seems to have been abandoned before the developers even came up with the idea for it.

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Unused Animations

To do: There is a small chance this could be used for a cutscene. Clarify if this is the case.

Unused crouching animations exist in the game for all heroes. It suggests at one point you could crouch down with any hero. Apply the following code to re-enable this animation for all heroes:

Replace Stand Animation with Crouch Animation
20D37D74 435C0000 20D37D78 43620000 20D37D7C 3DCCCCCC 20D51864 43470000 20D51868 434D0000 20D5186C 3E199999 20D6FDC4 436D0000 20D6FDC8 43730000 20D6FDCC 3DCCCCCC 20D87994 431D0000 20D87998 43230000 20D8799C 3DCCCCCC

If there is no animation data present for a hero, they will do a T-pose as shown here:

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Unused Monsters

Quite a few monsters go unused. Most of them are variations on existing enemies, with limited changes in appearance. Around 80 monsters were totally deleted, and can no longer be restored.

Access

Apply the following code to force all encounters to be with a monster of your choice (where "????" is one of the IDs listed below):

Force Desired Monster Encounter
20351FAC 2415????

List

To do: Investigate and document all the differences between monster variations.

Used		Unused		Notes
#	Name	#	Name
0065	Slime	00A8 0177 01C8	Slime Slime Slime	00A8 always drops a Medicinal Herb. The difference between 0177 and 01C8 isn't clear.
00C1	Mucho Macho	0382	Mucho Macho	The unused version has no stats and is labeled as (Deleted) in internal files.
00DB 035D	Treevil	0383 0384	Treevil	The unused versions have no stats and are labeled as (Deleted) in internal files.
010A	Dhoulmagus LV1	01A0 01AB 01C6	Dhoulmagus LV1 Dhoulmagus LV1 Dhoulmagus LV1	The unused versions may be his duplicates, as they have lower stats.
None		018A	(Deleted)	This monster appears as a Capsichum in battle, and gives 2 EXP and 2 gold. It can be restored by having this code active: 208A6208 018A0005
None		018B	DUMMY MONSTER	This monster appears as a Capsichum in battle.
None		0380	Dummy	This monster appears invisible in battle. Defeating it will softlock the game because it does not have proper stats.
018F	Winky (red)	0190	Winky (red)	The unused version is labeled "(Deleted)" in internal files.
0072	Skeleton Soldier	0195	Skeleton Soldier	The unused version has higher stats.
015D	Anchorman	0197	Anchorman (Red)	Is the red version unused?
0199	Dhoulmagus LV2	019A 01C7	Dhoulmagus LV2 Dhoulmagus LV2	The difference between the used and unused versions isn't clear.
019B	Evil Sir Leopold	01A9	Evil Sir Leopold	The unused version has different attack patterns in its internal file. It may be used in the 3DS version.
019D	Marcello	01AA	Marcello	The unused version has different attack patterns in their internal file. It may be used in the 3DS version.
01A3	Evil Jessica	01A4	Evil Jessica	The unused version has different attack patterns in their internal file. It may be used in the 3DS version.
0089	King Squid	01AC	King Squid	The unused version has higher stats.
006E	Boss Troll	01AD	Boss Troll	The unused version has higher stats.
01AE	Rhapthorne (First Form)	01AF 01B0	Rhapthorne (First Form) Rhapthorne (First Form)	Each unused version has different attack patterns in its internal file. One of them may be used in the 3DS version.
0189	Servant of Darkness	01B1	Servant of Darkness	The unused version has higher stats.
00A6	Dancing Flame	01B2	Dancing Flame	The unused version has higher stats.
01B9	Rhapthorne (Final Form)	01BA 01BB 01BC 01BD 01BE	Rhapthorne (Final Form) Rhapthorne (Final Form) Rhapthorne (Final Form) Rhapthorne (Final Form) Rhapthorne (Final Form)	All unused versions have different attack patterns in their internal files. They each appear to have other small differences as well.
01BF	Lord of the Dragovians (Dragon Form)	01C0	Lord of the Dragovians (Dragon Form)	The difference between the used and unused versions isn't clear.
01C1	Lord of the Dragovians	01C2 01C3	Lord of the Dragovians Lord of the Dragovians	All unused versions have different attack patterns in their internal files. They each appear to have other small differences as well.
01C4	Vermillion Dragon	01C5 01EB 01EC	Vermillion Dragon Vermillion Dragon Vermillion Dragon	All unused versions have different attack patterns in their internal files.
01C9	Emerald Dragon	01CA 01CB 01D8 01D9 01DA	Emerald Dragon Emerald Dragon Emerald Dragon Emerald Dragon Emerald Dragon	All unused versions have different attack patterns in their internal files.
01CC	Silver Dragon	01CD 01CE 01DB 01DC 01DD	Silver Dragon Silver Dragon Silver Dragon Silver Dragon Silver Dragon	All unused versions have different attack patterns in their internal files.
01CF	Golden Dragon	01D0 01D1 01DE 01DF 01E0	Golden Dragon Golden Dragon Golden Dragon Golden Dragon Golden Dragon	All unused versions have different attack patterns in their internal files.
01D2	Darksteel Dragon	01D3 01D4 01E1 01E2 01E3	Darksteel Dragon Darksteel Dragon Darksteel Dragon Darksteel Dragon Darksteel Dragon	All unused versions have different attack patterns in their internal files.
01D5	Divine Dragon	01D6 01D7 01E4 01E5 01E6	Divine Dragon Divine Dragon Divine Dragon Divine Dragon Divine Dragon	All unused versions have different attack patterns in their internal files.
01E7	Ultimate Dragon	01E8 01E9	Ultimate Dragon Ultimate Dragon	All unused versions have different attack patterns in their internal files.
00AC	Shadow	017D 01EA	Shadow Shadow	Variation 01EA has less stats than normal. It's unclear whether this is the case with 017D.
0108	Red Horn	01ED	Red Horn	The unused version has less stats than normal.
0109	Blue Fang	01EE	Blue Fang	The unused version has less stats than normal.

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Trode's Fight Cheer

Though used, you can hear Trode cheering for Yangus for only 4 seconds before the cutscene fades out. However, in reality, it lasts for 19 seconds. Located in DATA2.DAT\trode_fight_cheer.mwv

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Unused Voice Clips

a03

Located in DATA2.DAT\a03.mwv is a voice clip spoken by a Japanese person. Since there are no characters voiced in Japanese, its purpose is unknown.

File Name	Audio	Transcript	Translation
a03.mwv		こちらランク～の優勝賞品です。	This is the Rank ~ prize!

There are also two files named a01 and a02, which contain the first and the second part of the clip respectively.

File Name	Audio
a01.mwv
a02.mwv

(Source: Original TCRF research)

b, c & d

Voiced by the same Japanese person, these three files most likely had something to do with a03. The file names don't match the spoken syllables.

File Name	Audio	Transcript	Translation
b.mwv		エー	A!
c.mwv		ビー	B!
d.mwv		シー	C!

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Unused Event

If you force yourself through the chamber wall during the escape from Maella Abbey, you'll be able to play an unfinished stealth-like event. Unfortunately, the game hangs after you use the main door, likely due to lack of scripted events which would follow.

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Unused Royal Hunting Ground Lines

A cut portion of the event that occurs at the Royal Hunting Ground after the party and Prince Charmles decide to rest. In the game it cuts to Hero waking up and seeing the Prince trying to ride Medea, but it appears the scene was originally supposed to involve all of the characters. Interestingly, all of the lines were voiced and even got carried over to the 3DS version (where they also weren't used), indicating that this part of the event was cut relatively late into localization:

File Name	Audio	Transcript
10040010.mwv		Angelo: What's this? It's barely even light yet!
10040020.mwv		Jessica:Grrrr...!!
10040030.mwv		Jessica: What's that noise? Are we under attack or something?
10040040.mwv		Yangus: Wot's goin' on, eh?
10040050.mwv		Yangus: The 'orse-princess don't sound too 'appy this mornin'...

The scene that follows afterwards is Trode protecting Medea from Charmles until the latter gets distracted by the Great Argon Lizard's roar, but originally all of the party members, sans Hero, were supposed to confront the Prince. It also features a slightly different version of Charmles' lines:

300
//ゼシカ「ちょっと　やめなさいってば！
//　今のは　誰が見たって　悪いのは
//　王子様のほうじゃないの！
Jessica: Hey! Give it a rest! If anyone's in the wrong, it's you!

@310
//ククール「よぉよぉ　王子様。
Angelo: Well, well, well!

@320
//ククール「馬が相手だと　威勢がいいねぇ。
//　トカゲと戦うときも　今と同じくらいの
//　気迫を見せてほしいもんだなぁ。
Angelo: You certainly come to life when there's a horse to be beaten! If only you showed this kind of fire around Argon lizards, eh!? You'd be quite an asset!

@330
//ヤンガス「おっさん　やめときな。
//　そんな　駄々っ子の遊びに
//　つきあうこたぁねえよ。
Yangus: Just ignore 'im, grandad. He's actin' like a spoilt brat, if you ask me.

@340
//チャゴス「この無礼者め。
//　平民のぶんざいで　王族に意見するとは。
Prince Charmles: Such rank impertinence! How dare you filthy lowlifes speak to, to...MY MAJESTY like that!?

@350
//チャゴス「おい　聞いたか！　今のは
//　アルゴリザードの　鳴き声じゃないのか！？
Prince Charmles: Oh! Did you hear that!? It was an Argon lizard!

@360
//チャゴス「気が変わった。馬のことはいい。
//　今の鳴き声を　たしかめに行くぞ。
Prince Charmles: I've changed my mind! I don't care about the silly horse any more. Let's go and find that lizard!

All text lines are located in the e1004_1.txt file.

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Development Text

DARK3

This line can be found inside the game's ELF file:

S:/DARK3/DC3_SOUND/

While "DC3" may stand for "Dark Cloud 3", referring to Level-5's other games, Dark Cloud and Dark Cloud 2, it might have just been a codename for Dragon Quest VIII.

(Source: Original TCRF research)

map.lst

DATA.DAT\map\map.list contains a list of all .map files as they were stored on a developers system. This file is identical in all versions of the game, containing the the full list of maps include in the Japanese version (including the unused maps found on disc).

Q:\DQ8\data\datav3\map
Q:\DQ8\data\datav3\map\c01\c01.map
Q:\DQ8\data\datav3\map\c01\c01i01.map
Q:\DQ8\data\datav3\map\c01\c01i02.map
Q:\DQ8\data\datav3\map\c01\c01i03.map
Q:\DQ8\data\datav3\map\c01\c01i04.map
...

Leftover at DATA.DAT\map\make.bat is the batch script used to create this file.

cd > map.lst
dir /b /s *.map >> map.lst

Interestingly, when using this batch script to regenerate the list and diffing the output with the list on disc, 2 maps are named in map.list that are not found in the Japanese version.

Q:\DQ8\data\datav3\map\wm4\_Twm4.map
Q:\DQ8\data\datav3\map\wm4\__wm4.map

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Alternate Hero Costume

This costume is only seen in one of the flashback sequences which is in greyscale and you cannot normally ever see its color, nor can you ever equip it. However, you can apply the following code to make the Hero wear it. With the code on, equip the Dragovian Armour and Dragovian Helm.

Change Dragovian Costume to Alternate Hero Costume
209239E8 00326E69

Alternate Hero Costume

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Unused Music

Inside DATA2.DAT\data2\wav is two unused versions of the opening song, one being an uncompressed wav file, and the other being in the game's native ADPCM format. The used version that plays is located in DATA2.DAT\data2\wav\bgm\bg_002.mwv.

DATA2.DAT\data2\wav\bgm\bg_039.mwv in the North American release of the game is an unused sequenced song of "Memories of an Ancient Ocean".

DATA2.DAT\data2\wav\bgm\bg_037.mwv in the North American release of the game is an identical copy of bg_005, which is the overworld music.

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Regional Differences

• The Japanese version has sequenced music, whereas the international versions feature live orchestrations, sourced from the album Symphonic Suite Dragon Quest VIII: Sora to Umi to Daichi to Norowareshi Himegimi.
• The Japanese version lacks voice acting, which was added to the international versions.
• The menu system was modified for the international versions.

Oddities

To do: Check if this is in the EUR version. Also, so far I've only seen the log thing happen on the song "Peaceful Community".

Despite the streamed orchestral soundtrack playing instead, the USA version of Dragon Quest VIII still has the JPN version's entire sequenced soundtrack in the same folder as it would be in the JPN version: DATA.DAT\snd2\bgm.

• If you turn on the logging cheat, you will notice that sometimes (at least in "Peaceful Community"), the sequence is set to play, but the function is set at zero, and the stream plays instead.

• Some music in the USA version wasn't replaced by streamed audio, and thus the sequenced version plays instead.