For me, it started with an ad in a video game magazine.
At first, I didn’t know what to make of it, but when I looked at the screenshots of the game, I was intrigued. The fact that it was on Sega CD was a bit of a drag given that at the time I only had my NES, but it had my attention. Then some time later I went to an old A/V shop in Orlando called Sound-Advice and found a trailer for the off-shoot Space Ace, which was done in the same style as Dragon’s Lair. Of course, given that it was only a trailer and the controllers were nowhere to be seen I was stuck to only watching it but I really wanted to get a chance to find it and play it but I never was able to.
Until many years later, when I transferred from Disney Hollywood Studios to Disney Quest, and to my delight I saw an Arcade cabinet that had not only Dragon’s Lair, but its sequel and Space Ace as well!
So as you can imagine, I quickly got to playing Dragon’s Lair the first chance I got. Given that it was my first time I had no clue as to what I was doing, but I tried. Then I turned on the ability to use hints and I was able to make some headway, but even then, I still had to be on my toes. If you get the timing wrong you’re done. So as you can imagine I died a lot. But tenacity is an Arcader’s trait so I kept at it, and eventually I made it all the way through – slayed the dragon, saved the princess, and won the day!
Then I got my Nintendo Switch, and I managed to buy the trilogy from the eShop, which is amazing. With all the options you have, you can customize the gameplay to how you want, thus making the experience more fulfilling.
So if you played the original way back when and want to experience it again, then look no further, for the trilogy is available for the three consoles. And even if you never have played the original game, give it a shot. You may be surprised how the game will pull you in.
Lead on brave Arcaders!
The Arcade Archives! 