Bluth and Co. treat fans as Dragon's Lair turns 25

by Randy Nelson { Jun 20th 2008 at 10:00PM }

It's hard to believe that a quarter-century has passed since the first LaserDisc-based arcade game from former Disney animator Don Bluth hit arcades. Dragon's Lair's use of hand-drawn animation set it apart from anything else at the time, and despite its simple trial-and-error gameplay, the game was a hit.

Digital Leisure, which has worked with Bluth to deliver countless home versions of Dragon's Lair, is offering a treat to fans of the classic for one week only. Anyone who purchases the DVD, PC, or Blu-ray Disc version from its online shop can have their copy signed by Bluth, designer Rick Dyer, and animators Gary Goldman and John Pomeroy. We highly recommend the BD version, which plays exactly like the original coin-op and runs in full 1080p. The company is also offering signed Dragon's Lair "lobby posters" for $80 a pop. Lead on, brave adventurers – your memorabilia awaits!

Tags: digitalleisure, donbluth, dragons-lair, memorabilia

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

copa @ Jun 20th 2008 10:16PM

Space Ace can totally kick Dirk's ass.

Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jun 20th 2008 10:49PM

Didn't Don Bluth also create the Secret of Nimh? This man is a freaking genius! : )

Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ Jun 20th 2008 11:21PM

Don Bluth is a god among men. However, it was the failure of Titan A.E. which has pushed Don Bluth from animation forever... which is sad because Titan A.E. is a fantastic film (among his best) and the ONLY reason why it failed is because it didn't have the "Made in Japan" tag for all the Japanophiles.

ComicShaman @ Jun 20th 2008 11:32PM

"the ONLY reason why it failed is because it didn't have the "Made in Japan" tag for all the Japanophiles."

A baseless claim. Titan A.E. was a theater release and bombed at the box office. Anime is not the competition it faced in the movie theaters. American theater-going audiences have still not embraced animation for adults... and that was even more true in 2000, when Titan A.E. was released.

Titan A.E. was a difficult sell and was poorly marketed. It also mixed CG and hand-drawn animation in a way that audiences weren't used to -- and which was, in my opinion, visually jarring.

It's also worthwhile to note that anime does not exactly have a history of blockbusting success in U.S. theaters. I think your ire is sorely misplaced.

driven2sin @ Jun 20th 2008 11:39PM

that is so bullshit - haters at once cry that no one likes anime and then cry that the stuff they like can't be hits because it isn't anime

head up ass exhibit A

Draco Basileus @ Jun 21st 2008 12:15AM

I picked up Titan AE on DVD about a month ago, because when I saw it in the theaters the first time I was drunk and didn't really remember it.

It was better when I was drunk.

The animation was very cool, but the story and dialogue sucked. Secret of Nimh was way better.

PS. I can't believe they are actually trying to sell Dragon's Lair and Space Ace for $50 a piece. They need to sell the two of these together, on one disk, for $10.

Lord Bowser @ Jun 21st 2008 7:37AM

Fid making baseless comments.

I'm shocked.

monkey3 @ Jun 21st 2008 12:57PM

No, Bluth didn't create The Secret Of NIMH, it was based on the novel Mrs. Frisbee And The Rats Of NIMH. unless you meant, specifically, that Bluth created the film, in which case, nevermind me :P

Gavin @ Jun 20th 2008 11:02PM

I spent a good chunk of my birthday money when I was 13 on that game. It was brand new at the Aladin's Castle in Edgewater Mall in Biloxi, my home town. Damn that really makes me feel old. Think I might have to pick up one of the disks to get one signed by them.

mr nimblewick @ Jun 20th 2008 11:04PM

What is it that people see in this game year after year?

Kid Chemical @ Jun 20th 2008 11:21PM

The animation mostly. At least, that's why my wife still enjoys it.

driven2sin @ Jun 20th 2008 11:18PM

is this a blog or a press release?

Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jun 21st 2008 12:15AM

Its the first one reporting the second one. : )

logemerson @ Jun 20th 2008 11:29PM

Yeah, like I'm going to take a whiz through this $5,000 suit! COME ON!

James @ Jun 20th 2008 11:56PM

You read my mind man...

Ahhh must go watch it nowwwwww

DEEZNUTZ @ Jun 21st 2008 12:10AM

LOL +1 for the GOB reference. I too will now go watch it.

colin @ Jun 21st 2008 5:39AM

i had season 2 stolen from my car :sadface:

Raikage (GOLDEN Gun Of The Patriots) @ Jun 21st 2008 7:44AM

LOLZ I clicked on this thread for the sole reason of finding something like this, not disappointed one bit!

James @ Jun 20th 2008 11:51PM

Did anyone else click on this thinking it would be about Arrested Devlopment?

I did...and I have no idea why.

Desperation?

arkweld @ Jun 21st 2008 12:04AM

Sold!

Signed!

Gavin @ Jun 21st 2008 2:27AM

BTW, I posted this on Metafilter.

http://www.metafilter.com/72688/Your-quest-awaits

Eric @ Jun 21st 2008 3:05AM

I just picked up PC versions of Space Ace and Dragon's Lair for $3 a piece.
According to the box they're "Completely Arcade Accurate".

I'm most excited about the ability to watch the entire thing and actually see how these "games" end.

Haggard @ Jun 21st 2008 6:28AM

Be glad you're not getting the home console version:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/28184.html

Kangstarr @ Jun 21st 2008 3:18AM

Has anybody been able to access the site? I wanted to see how much pricing was just in case I decide to go for it...Sounds like a great collector's item ya know?

colin @ Jun 21st 2008 5:40AM

its a trick ...

tricks are what whores do for money.

t_m @ Jun 21st 2008 9:51AM

The animations are nice, but as a game its TERRIBLE.

I got a free copy of the DVD version of the game with a game mag in the UK a few years back... even free I couldn't force myself to play it for long.

honestly, buy a copy of one of the guys movies instead, they are much better value.

PiemanPieman @ Jun 21st 2008 1:11PM

Only those don't come with signatures on them. Including the 25% discount, that brings a Blu-Ray version of Dragon's Lair from a $50 hell no to a fair bit cheaper signed piece of gaming and animation history for me. I'm in.

I also note that the Blu-Ray version actually makes some nice attempt at extra features, unlike a fair few of the DVD releases of his movies.

beloved console @ Jun 21st 2008 10:06AM

ummm... what is wrong with this statement:

We highly recommend the BD version, which plays exactly like the original coin-op

Meaning what? The blu-ray disc version? Which you play on what? The system bar says, "arcade, retro."

What system is this for? Do I play it on a "dvd" player with a remote? Hello you're stupid?