Source: Game Fan – December 192 – Page 37 (Super NES Review)
Although this review of Dragon’s Lair for the Super Nintendo from the December 1992 issue of GameFan is very positive, overall reviews for this game were decidedly mixed. Part of the problem is that it is nothing at all like the arcade version. The original arcade version was laser disc based and was more of a timing/puzzle type games where you had to react quickly with the right moves, the result of which would them be shown with full motion, high quality video. It was like watching a cartoon with the animation done by the legendary Don Bluth. Some people loved it and some hated it but the Super Nintendo version is nothing like it in any case.
The Super Nintendo version by Data East is a pretty standard 2D platform action/adventure game. The storyline remains much the same as the arcade (rescue the princess from the dragon) but it obviously plays much different. As a platform game it is pretty average though the graphics and sound are very well done. They managed to make the graphics quite reminiscent of the arcade despite being a completely different style of game. Control is a little awkward but it’s something you can get used to.
If you are a fan of the Dragon’s Lair games then this one is probably worth playing. Just don’t expect the same type of game as the arcade. Though there have been many home conversions of Dragon’s Lair, this particular iteration is unique to the Super Nintendo and to the best of my knowledge hasn’t been re-released on any more modern platform. Original cartridges can be found reasonably priced as long as you don’t care about it being new/sealed in the box or there is always the emulation route.
