Dragon’s Lair on the 3DO is a visually mesmerizing, if occasionally maddening, testament to the golden age of arcade gaming. Ex Disney animator Don Bluth’s and computer programmer Rick Dyer created Dragons Lair for the arcades in collaboration with Starcom/Cinematronics in 1983. The game was unique at the time as it displayed hi-resolution graphics that were streamed directly off a Pioneer LD-V10000 laser disc player. The game was ported to every console imaginable including the 3DO in 1993, with the FMV quality on the 3DO and CDi versions being far superior to the Sega Mega CD – which looked very low-res and blocky.
There is also a version for the Switch which is incredibly good looking and incorporates Dragon’s Lair II and Space Ace.
This game was a massive crowd pleaser back in the 80’s when it was released. Compared to the simple graphics of the likes of Space Invaders or PacMan, this colourful game looked stunning and drew huge crowds and a huge payday for Don Bluth at the time.
This was in fact a very difficult game to master, as it basically required you to memorise certain joystick and sword button combos to progress further in the game. The same mechanics have been translated to the 3DO where left and right, up and down joypad directions and the sword B button are used to progress through the scenes.
The 3DO version stays true to the original’s aesthetic, delivering Don Bluth’s richly detailed, hand-drawn animations- the only downside being that the colour does seem a little washed out at times.
Complementing the lush visuals is the game’s sound design, which includes a memorable score with some crisp sound effects and the occasional yelps and gasps from Dirk and Daphne, the voluptuous princess. These audio elements are essential in creating the tense, often whimsical atmosphere that defines Dragon’s Lair.
It’s here that the divisive nature of this game resides, as Dragon’s Lair is fundamentally a series of quick-time events, demanding precise timing and sharp reflexes. For some, this trial-and-error gameplay will be a delightful challenge, evoking memories of the arcade era’s relentless difficulty. For others, the repetitive nature and high difficulty curve may prove very frustrating and annoying. The 3DO’s controls are generally responsive, but the game’s demands for precision can occasionally expose their limitations.
The game starts with 5 lives and the exact timing requirements can be very draining on a player, as this 3DO version has very few visual or audio clues as to where you should be heading in a scene and when.
The replay value of Dragon’s Lair is inherently tied to one’s tolerance for its challenging gameplay. For those captivated by the prospect of mastering each scene and viewing the outcomes, the game offers a rewarding journey. However, once the sequences are memorized, there’s little variation to entice repeated playthroughs, making it a more finite experience.
As a piece of interactive entertainment history, Dragon’s Lair on the 3DO is invaluable. It’s a faithful port that preserves the pioneering spirit of the original while showcasing the 3DO’s capability to easily handle such FMV heavy content without any add-ons. It stands as both a relic and a masterpiece, a glimpse into a time when Don Bluth and Rick Dyer believed they were heralding a new gaming era that would bring together Hollywood animators with computer game programmers (sounds like they were drinking the same Kool-Aid as Trip!).
Dragon’s Lair on the 3DO is a lovingly crafted homage to a bygone era. Its stunning animation and evocative sound design are its greatest assets, while its gameplay remains a polarising aspect. For enthusiasts of classic 80’s arcade games and animation, it’s a must-have; for others, it may serve better as an intriguing piece of gaming history than as a staple of their gaming library.
There was a sequel to this game called Dragons Lair II Time Warp which hit arcades in 1991. This game was also meant to be released on 3DO and a preview FMV of the game exists on the BrainDead 13 3DO game (see video on this page).
Space Ace was also released for the 3DO with the exact same quick time event format with a few more options and looked slightly more colourful than Dragons Lair.
If you want to play the original arcade game on Windows (along with Dragons Lair 2, Space Ace and others) then you need to download and configure an emulator called Daphne . This complex emulator simulates the laserdisc player and requires you to also locate the correct converted arcade .m2v and .ogg video/audio files from the original games or DVD’s.
Dragon’s Lair on 3DO is a classic arcade game renowned for its stunning, hand-drawn animation by Don Bluth.
The 3DO version maintains the game’s visual appeal but suffers from slightly washed-out colours. While the audio complements the visuals with a memorable score and sound effects, the gameplay is its Achilles’ heel. As a quick-time event game, players must memorize specific button combinations to progress, leading to a high difficulty curve and potential frustration.
Despite this, the game remains a significant piece of gaming history and a must-have for fans of classic arcade games and animation. While the 3DO version is impressive for its time, later releases like the Switch version offer enhanced visuals and additional content.
For those seeking the original arcade experience, emulators like Daphne can provide an authentic playthrough.
In the realm of 3DO’s grand spectacle, few images resonate as deeply as the arrowhead FI 77 gracefully traversing the Earth’s expanse. While sceptics may dismiss it as mere theatrics, the 3DO multiplayer experience embraces this spectacle as part of its allure.
Wing Commander III is based on the groundbreaking (for 1994) Wing Commander PC series by Chris Roberts. This version converted from PC in 1995 takes advantage of the 3DOs ability to render impressive FMV CGI scenes and stars Mark Hamill.
Released in late 1994, Gex became one of the memorable platformers available on the 3DO, alongside games like Soccer Kid, Flashback, Another World, and Johnny Bazookatone. It was even later bundled with the console. Gex managed to sell over 1 million copies on the 3DO, making it a top seller. After the demise of the 3DO, Gex became available on many other consoles.
