Slime Mori Mori Dragon Quest

Did You Know?

• Slime Mori Mori Dragon Quest was the runner up for IGN's best Japanese exclusive game of 2003.
• The game was praised for its unique control scheme and fun story.

Gameplay

The player controls a slime named Surarin from an overhead perspective. Surarin can attack by stretching its shape and releasing to fling itself forward, hover temporarily in the air, or bury itself in the ground while moving. The player can carry up to three enemies on its head and throw them as attacks, while friendly slimes must be carried to rail carts, airships, or balloons to be rescued. Village slimes occasionally give quests requiring the player to transport enemies or items to these points. Picking up a swordsman enemy enables a faster sword attack. If hit, everything carried is dropped.

Development

Producer Yoshiki Watabe conceived the idea and approached series creator Yuji Horii; together they brainstormed the game's genre and style. They had previously discussed making a children's game while working on a Dragon Quest port for the Game Boy, noting the need for a child-appealing protagonist. An early prototype featuring a blue slime with a sword and shield was rejected because developers felt it resembled a blue Link. The team then reconsidered what a slime could uniquely do, leading to the stretching and launching mechanic.