Square Enix to launch Dragon Quest IX in March

TOKYO Oct 1 (Reuters) - Square Enix Co Ltd (9684.T) said it would launch the latest version of its hugely popular "Dragon Quest" game series in March in Japan, missing the holiday season but ahead of the end of the current business year on March 31.

The specific launch date or selling price for "Dragon Quest IX", which is designed for Nintendo Co Ltd's (7974.OS) DS handheld gear, has yet to be set.

Japan's Square Enix, a major game software maker also known for its another blockbuster game series "Final Fantasy", has sold more than 46 million units of "Dragon Quest" games worldwide.

Timing for the latest instalment's overseas launches have not been decided, Square Enix said on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)