Dragon's Lair, 1983 Don Bluth Productions/Cinematronics/Starcom (20 From 1983 #1)
19Whew! This is the last part of my time capsule of 1983 arcade gaming, and this is the one that really put laserdisc games on the map! It wasn't the first laserdisc game (that would be "Quarter Horse" from 1981 by Electro Sport) but it's the most recognizable one of all time, and animated beautifully by ex-Disney employee Don Bluth! The game is simply a memorization and reaction game as you simply press the joystick a certain way or hit the button at the right time to ensure survival of the protagonist Dirk The Daring, a knight trying to rescue Princess Daphne from the dragon Singe. You go through dozens and dozens of rooms-- some which repeat and usually with reversed left and right directions-- and some just require a few button or joystick pushes at the right time to survive; others require a lot more. The game gives you 5 lives for at least TWO quarters/tokens-- this was highly unusual at the time for a game to require multiple credits for one game! The arcade game had a score counter above the screen and little "ping" sound effects when you made a correct move with the joystick/buttons (which I don't have in this video). If you fail to make a move correctly or at all, you will likely be treated to a death scene-- some of which are hilarious! This newfangled laserdisc system got to be expensive, as was the animation, so usually the voices were provided by the programmers. Dirk's screams, yelps, grunts, etc. seem to possibly have inspired Homer Simpson actor Dan Castellaneta! The game culminates with Dirk slaying Singe and rescuing Daphne-- and they reunite for DRAGON'S LAIR II: TIME WARP a whopping 8 years later (LONG delayed, and released well after the laserdisc fad had passed). Mr. Bluth would try his hand at another gorgeous laserdisc title SPACE ACE. But DRAGON'S LAIR is the one that really set the standard for impressive animation in laserdisc games. Hope you have a hell of a Happy Halloween, folks-- and see you soon with my 1984 time capsule/20 From series!