Slime (Dragon Quest)

The Slime is the mascot of the "Dragon Quest" console role-playing game franchise. Designed by Akira Toriyama of Dragon Ball fame, the basic slime resembles a water drop with two large eyes and a big smile. It made its first appearance in "Dragon Warrior" as the weakest enemy in the game, and usually the first the player encounters. [cite web | author=Cary Woodham | year=2006 | title=Rocket Slime review at Gamerdad | url=http://www.gamerdad.com/detail.cfm?itemID=3412 | work= | accessdate=Sept 6 | accessyear=2007] It continues its history as a weak enemy in the series.

The Slime is also the protagonist of its own spinoff games, "Slime MoriMori Dragon Quest", a Japanese Game Boy Advance title. It was followed by "", which was released worldwide, for the Nintendo DS. These games follow a nation of slimes who are intelligent, and civilized, but also cute and somewhat comical. [cite web | author=Cody Musser | year=2006 | title=Rocket Slime review at MoDojo | url=http://www.modojo.com/reviews/ds/dragon_quest_heroes_rocket_slime/20060926/384/ | work= | accessdate=Sept 6 | accessyear=2007]

It can be often seen representing the Enix side of the Square-Enix merger. Its counterpart is the chocobo, which represents Square. The two creatures decorate the front of the official Square-Enix store, as well as its shopping bags.

(It must be noted that Dragon Quest was not the first video game to have an enemy monster called a "Slime". Namco's The Tower of Druaga, released two years prior to the first Dragon Quest game also has an enemy monster called a "Slime".)

Types of slimes

There are many different types of slime found throughout the series, including slimes in different colors, nautical slimes (wearing conch shells), metal slimes (with extremely high defense), and cureslimes (who have tentacles and use magic). In some "Dragon Quest" titles, slimes also appear as friendly NPCs and peaceful inhabitants of cities. [Horii, Y. (2004). "Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King". Tokyo, Square Enix co., Ltd.]

Merchandise

As the most recognizable symbol of the best-selling video game series in Japan, the slime has been featured prominently in "Dragon Quest"-related merchandise. It now has their own section called 'Smile Slime' on the Square Enix JP shopping website. Slime merchandise includes:

* Plush toys
* Pencil cases
* Cell phone charms
* A Sony PlayStation 2 game controller in the shape of a slime with the controls located on the bottom surface by Hori, a company specializing in video game products. Available in blue (regular slime) and silver (Metal Slime/Metaly).
* A Nintendo DS Lite Stylus with the slime on top of the stylus.

References

External links

* [http://www.draque-tsuhan.com/dragon/smile.html Variety of Slime merchandise]
* [http://www.square-enix-shop.com/jp/list_product.cfm?game_cat_id=18&site_id=2 Smile Slime on the official Square Enix JP shopping site.]
* [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C40HYI Playstation Slime controller]
* [http://www.slimeshrine.net/plush/Plushies.html Slime plush toys, mostly from 'UFO Catcher' type skill crane machines]