dtgreene: It happens that I've played two of them, but don't really feel like DQ9 or Gurumin at the moment.
(Interesting note: I actually have *two* copies of DQ9, one in Japanese (the one I've played) and one in English. Perhaps I'll play the English version if I do decide to replay it. Of course, there's the issue of how to get the wi-fi quests, which can't be obtained through wi-fi anymore, and connecting to another copy of the game for this purpose doesn't work cross region.
(It's looking like Wasteland 1 will be the game I replay.)
Wasteland 1. I haven't tried it personally but I've heard good things. May have to try it for myself some year.
With DQ IX there's currently a way to connect to the DQVC Wi-fi server by changing the primary DNS address on your DS/3DS connection. Though because the game uses an out dated internet security method it may be best to create a temporary Hotspot using your phone as opposed to changing the security on your main internet connection. The only other method I'm aware of enabling the online content requires getting access to your save and using a program to manipulate the save data.
I have to admit that I'm surprised that you haven't played Romancing SaGa III. I thought you had mentioned SaGa style game mechanics in other threads. Perhaps it was SaGa Frontier? In any case, Romancing SaGa III is one of my favorite SaGa games along with the remake of Romancing SaGa (PS2) and I would highly recommend them to anyone who likes that unique style of game play.