Dragon's Lair from Arcade to Console | Octavius King

[@BlackburnBigdragon]

I tell you what. I was 14 when "Dragon's Lair" showed up in the arcades, and I STILL remember the first moment I saw one in an arcade. It was THAT unique. Seeing it running for the first time just... dropped your jaw. People who are younger, and never experienced that first moment of seeing Dragon's Lair in the arcades in 83, just can't appreciate how damn amazing it looked next to everything else in the arcade. It blew our minds. While the gameplay was... essentially, "Figure out the pattern to get through each scene, and do it with the perfect timing", it was just... AMAZING to watch. It was like NOTHING that had ever been in arcades before. We thought we were looking at the future. The ONLY way to beat that game was to either spend a million dollars of quarters to figure out the patterns, and figure out the proper timings for each scene, or to grab a video game magazine that published all the patterns for each scene and memorize all of them. And even if you memorized the patterns from the magazines, you still had to get the timings of exactly when to push that joystick that direction, or push that sword button, just right. And that game was the very FIST arcade game that I EVER saw that cost 50 cents to play instead of one quarter. It was the game that started the trend of most video games, and pinballs, costing 50 cents to play later in the 90's. At first, the video games stayed one quarter per play, and any game that was laser disk based always cost two quarters to play. Then... slowly but surely, we started to get video games trickling in that cost two quarters per play that weren't laser disk. By the 90's probably 50 percent of games cost 50 cents per play.

[@bearnaff9387]

IT WAS 50 CENTS! I honestly think it was the first arcade game that was $.50. It was certainly the first one I'ld seen.

[@javelinXH992]

It was same in the UK. I remember seeing this in the arcade and we were all mesmerised by it. But it was so expensive. Can’t remember what it was exactly, put probably 50p when all the other arcade games were 10p. And you died very quickly too!

[@mikgus]

I remember that it was even hard to get close enough to see the game with so many people around just staring at the graphics

[@AlistairBrugsch]

I was *8* when it first appeared in the arcades and all of your experiences and feelings were amplified even further. I was no stranger to arcades back then even at that age but absolutely DL was next level and along with Sit-down star wars form my earliest OMGWTF moments of gaming. Upgrading from software rendering to a 3DFX voodoo II mid way through a play through of Quake II to starkly see the changes in all the lighting effects was another...😂

[@WEEPFORBALDUR]

It was a quid a go! I remeber it turning up in a local arcade.​@javelinXH992

[@orangetiki]

Just also wanted to say that you are an amazing creator. I always find your work funny, but I unique, and with a certain flair that is very you and stands out amongst a lot of videos. I will have to check out the other sites but yeah keep doing you. Have faith as us fans will be here for you and I hope the best for you. Ty for sharing as I know it can be hard. We appreciate it ❤

[@michaelelsy2209]

It's just nice to see your uploads, don't worry if there not as often as they used to be. Post whenever you feel upto it.

[@talideon]

John Darnell (the programmer of the C64 version) posted something up on Lemon 64 a few years ago: apparently the Software Projects version was a conversion of a Coleco Adam conversion of the arcade game. The reason why they ended up porting it to the C64, Spectrum, and CPC was that they liked the background multiload that the Adam version did and wanted to do something similar! So yeah, all the 8-bit versions aside from the Adam version were just an excuse to play around with a cool tape loader routine!

[@talideon]

Oh, and the reason the 8-bit conversions didn't have the movement hints is because the Adam version didn't. Software Creations' DL2 was based directly on the arcade version, which is why it doesn't suck and marks its QTEs.

[@frankowalker4662]

All's good Octy. We all love you and look forward to your videos whenever you release one. ❤

[@theodorehsu5023]

We always love a lot of your stuff, Octy.

[@EdinMike]

Just when you thought your weekend was gonna be utter balls, Octavius comes along to cheer you up !

[@marjon1703]

YAAaaaaaay!

[@psychopathyoutubeemployees280]

"Octavius" is an unnecessary thing that will never be as big as a Ed Grimley!

[@psychopathyoutubeemployees280]

@@marjon1703 - BOOooooooo! *Fixed.*

[@theoldar]

It was much more fun to watch someone else play Dragon's Lair than to play it yourself!

[@Diskoboy1974]

Coleco was supposedly designing a Laserdisc add-on for the Colecovision/ADAM. It supposedly was ditched after the ADAM was discontinued.

[@frozentunadeluxe3163]

I worked with one of the creators of DL. We were teaching HS kids. He was very coy about his work until I said how much that game frustrated me. He said and I quote, “Good! I made it that way.” He just laughed at me. He was a great teacher.

[@lancebaylis3169]

😂 Dragons Lair aside, that's the mark of a good arcade game design. Give people just enough incentive to put 50c in the machine, but make it so hard you keep putting 50c into the machine. 😂😂😂

[@RacerX-]

I Loved the video! Humor and reliving the memories as to why I hated and loved these games all at the same time as a kid with a C64. Thanks!

[@TimedRevolver]

The song you mentioned at 4:00 is Chacarron by El Chombo. Just in case anyone wanted to know.

[@Dead-EyeJuncan]

Thank you for spreading the knowledge. It was driving me nuts trying to figure it out. Always the way with something you haven't heard for maybe 15 years at least!

[@jarrodhook]

Ah my old ring tone. A classic YTMND

[@CorporealUndead2024]

@@jarrodhook Haha yeah same, now it's Chum Drum Bedrum.

[@KrusherMike]

That and the Bollywood version of Thriller live in my head rent free. Oli mar!!

[@KingSidJames]

As always, another banger of a video. Your vids are well worth the wait.

[@darksider_video]

It is always a pleasure to see your videos appear on my feed, the amount of work you put into them really shows and is appreciated. ❤

[@RinaRetro]

*OMG I love these Arcade Games. I have the them on Switch! The animation is gorgeous!* 💙

[@Sedric-and-Charlie]

That elevator sequence on the Speccy is what a series-accurate Knightmare game might've been like

[@jonothanthrace1530]

Oooh, nasty!

[@zmadmaxz]

First time watching one of your videos, im 44 so i remember this game in arcades, it was amazing back then. You made an amazing video. I hope this makes your anxiety a little better. All the best wishes, i subbed. Made my 5 am time wasting session worth it.

[@_The_Jim]

What can be said about Dragon's Lair that hasn't been said already? you managed to answer that with an excellent new video. Really loved the gree screen and charcters stuff. I appreciate the effort that goes into these videos.

[@PositivePuppet]

Another great and entertaining review on a classic game franchise. Thank you for the hard work and creativity you put into each one. Never feel pressured to rush yourself to upload content, we all love the unique take you do with your stuff and are happy to wait for the next one.

[@chrisbridges7408]

Always a good day when a new Octavius King video is released. I really enjoy the fun and humour plus mixed with gaming facts. Keep up the great work and remember to take care of yourself. We are not going anywhere.

[@thegreatshamalamadingdong9788]

First time i saw dragons lair i was 6 on holiday in Italy. It absolutely blew my mind to the point i wondered off from my nan and grandad and was lost, they eventually found me in the arcades watching dragons lair

[@DrunkBSshow]

Seeing your video pop up in my feed always brings a smile to my face. Don't ever feel obligated to push yourself for the community, we're just here for it for whenever you wanna release your work.

[@psychopathyoutubeemployees280]

Just like you were there for Victoria Jackson's garbage.

[@DrunkBSshow]

@@psychopathyoutubeemployees280 victoria jackson turned into a maga psycopath. But I was always there for Judy Tenuta.

[@iwasinnamuknow]

It always puts a smile on my face to see a video from you, please don't think we don't appreciate your videos :)

[@JamesShow]

Not only is it a video of yours but a topic I never get tired of. Lovely!!

[@terrywachter]

Was just thinking about your channel yesterday! Good to see you, kiddo!

[@leomon32]

You are awesome and take good care of yourself, it is the most important thing to do ❤️ Also, thanks a lot for what you do, always makes me laugh a LOT ❤️

[@vidarlystadjohansen9829]

you are an amazing creator! I didn't know you did all this alone, super impressed and entertained

[@summerlaverdure]

YESSS A NEW VIDEO! 😍 heck yeah dragons lair too this is gonna be great

[@summerlaverdure]

this was amazing, it was cool to see all the old computers try and bring this game home, thank you for making this video!

[@Brian_Rogers]

It doesn't matter how consistent you are, just seeing you post every so often is good.

[@auntjefff]

Just stumbled across your channel and I'm really enjoying it. Love your humor and content! This upload and review was really enjoyable all around!

[@RetroDawn]

Excellent video! I have to say that I have loved elevator sequences of video games. Elevator Action is one of my favorite games, and I was just playing it again last night with my 7yo son (at his request) and at the arcade with the fam earlier this week. And the elevator sequences are better than the escalator ones. My favorite part of Crime City (which is a horrible game, but my son's favorite right now) is the elevator sequence, which is near the end. Out of three games we played last night, two of them have excellent elevator sequences. How ironic that you posted this video, where you lambaste elevator sequences, at the almost the same exact time we were playing them (we're in the US).

[@polishenglish8356]

Such an amazing story...and a stellar video! :) loved it to bits :)

[@AmbersKnight]

Your videos are always worth looking forward to and I enjoy them very much. Make them as and if and when you feel able. You will find a very willing audience to watch them when they come out. I hope you are able to find good help for your health, just know that you are a lovely person and you are deserving of love and good things and I hope you find the help you need to find a balance in your life so you don;t feel so anxious.

[@jasonblalock4429]

21:00 The NTSC version didn't just run "a little" slowly. It ran at basically half the speed of the PAL version. It genuinely looks like slo-mo, and is unspeakably tedious to play. The PAL version is delightfully playable by comparison.

[@michaelturner2806]

As I found out, it's not really an NTSC/PAL difference, but a memory mapper difference. The North American release used UNROM, which used 8k character ram instead of a character rom, and copied all the graphics data it needed from the program rom into the character ram before it could be used. The Japanese version (which was also NTSC) used a much faster more efficient MMC3 chip, making the game run better and the controls much more responsive. The European release used the same MMC3 chip for the same better game, apparently including some bug fixes from the Japanese release, like accidentally skipping over title cards between levels (which were in the game, just skipped over).

[@villehursti]

Once again delightful writing and presentation!

[@ikke1981]

Thanks for the video Octavius, always happy when you pay one. Take care 😊

[@JamesShow]

Thanks for your update, glad I stayed! I'm glad you are cheerful and funny... I'm glad you play the games I grew up with over in the US that someone else would be get raided by the cops for pirating from Europe so always am curious the experience from that time over there. I like when you call things "gubbins" because I never hear that over here, lol. Thanks for continuing to post.

[@adamantyr]

Great video! Loved the green screen bits too. Dragon's Lair was the first arcade game they started charging more than a quarter for, 50 cents to play. Once the arcade owners realized there was a difficulty switch (highest removed the flashes to show you what to do) they always turned it to the max. My favorite version of Dragon's Lair was released only a few years ago, for my TI-99/4a. The developer, Mike Brent, made a special cartridge loaded with like 512MB of graphic and sound data, and then made it work on the stock console (which has almost no CPU memory) and actually perform pretty well at 30 FPS. He only had the license for a short time, so he managed to make 250 or so cartridges, and now it's a relic.

[@jamesthorley4442]

Just discovered your channel by accident, and bloody hell I'm glad I did. Really watchable, clever and hilarious content. Had a massive binge watch last night and was nearly crying my eyes out with laghter at the bad Spectrum games stuff 😂😂😂. My kind of gaming era too, along with the Mega Drive and Master System and stuff. Keep up the great vids 👍 👌 👏

[@patrickblakethesaint]

My favorite character talking about one of my favorite arcade games? Call my month of Oct a total win 💜🖤💜🖤💜

[@dyscotopia]

Your content is always worth waiting for King. As someone who's slogging through each day trying to find answers and treatment as health deteriorates, the fact you get any of your wildly entertaining content out at all is an inspiration... And I'm sure I speak for every other creative soul here who has been dealt a shite hand that gets in the way

[@adammc2]

14:48 "Daaarphnee" Octavius channeling the queen there! Superb video.

[@OneCreditClassics]

Good to see you back Office Cat. Even I wouldn't attempt a 1CC of this one. Cracking video!

[@MikaelGuggenheim]

Wow. Finally someone that also have the "huhuuhu" playing in your head from time to time reading some messy technical stuff.

[@gacutube]

Love the videos, always ammusing.

[@johnsensebe3153]

I have a version of Dragon's Lair that one can play on a DVD player. The main issue is that DVD players weren't made with fast action in mind, so the latency between pressing a button on a remote and the player actually doing something varied wildly.

[@ronnycook3569]

I have the same DVD. There were also versions for Dragon's Lair 2 and the Space Ace games.

[@johnsensebe3153]

@@ronnycook3569 Yep. And I have Sega's Time Traveler, even though it's awful.

[@Jamesfo8rf]

I had dl 2 on the cpc it was brutally hard but I had lots of fun with it. Thank you for the video and bringing back the memories.

[@Mauvecube]

I always love your videos Octy! ❤

[@alexdolling]

Watched until the end, sending love ❤

[@raoullangner-macmillan7655]

What a great Video. 🙂Thanks so much for your work and have a nice week-end.

[@branchonequal]

1:57 ERMEGHERD, Lasers! Pew pew! 3:54 You mean the inofficial Coconut Theme? 12:21 Aw, don't be so hard on yourself. 13:00 OOF. 16:47 I still have nightmares about this friggin' screen! 27:18 Seriously, how can he be so useless! More like Dirk the Desk. 28:50 Hmmm, I think I've seen that one before. 😀 29:47 Thank YOU for continuing to make videos, I know it's not easy with the challenges you're struggling with. I'm always happy when you upload something. 30:52 Absolutely! And I'm by no means the only one. ❤ Thank you for another fun video! Stay awesome!

[@RaposaCadela]

Hey this video was awesome, you did great! I honestly think you're extremely cool

[@TopherCorkery]

Thank you for this, this was THE GAME in the arcade back in the day!

[@Reciclador]

Before Skyrim, before Doom, even before Tetris, there was Dragon's Lair, a game that had to be ported to every entertainment system known to mankind no matter how horrible the resulting version was. The fact that we can still buy it for all our current gen consoles really says something about the impact the game had and how good it still looks. In my case, I played the Amiga version, which was pretty shitty even with all the floppy disks it required. Great video as always, Octy, take care of yourself and thanks for your awesome content.

[@jimbotron70]

You had to play the Amiga version with linked Laserdisc 😊

[@roberttaylor2058]

Hard to comment on Dragon's Lair after watching your epilogue - I hope everything is ok. Although these comments are from strangers, they see that you put you heart (and a lot of hard work by yourself it seems) into your vids and they love you for it. You are really funny too. I thought I'd already subscribed since Octavius Kitten but definitely have now

[@zakmarsh3150]

Thank you so much for uploading such a delightful video about Dragon's Lair, so pleased I never had to endure the home versions, that ZX Spectrum elevator fiasco is nightmare inducing, and oh my eye-faces that bowling ball disco was arrrrrrrgggggggghhhh! 😃 Retro gaming oddities for the win????????🕹🕹 🖤

[@chrisshipman6253]

It's always lovely to see a video from you, but it's a bonus, not a right! Please don't feel under pressure: I for one will just enjoy them when they turn up. In the meantime, take care of yourself.

[@Elfman126]

Hi Octavius King, I have been enjoying your content about video games recently and, this was really cool. I always did like Dragon's Lair yet, didn't know too much about it's history until, this video so thanks is all I can say.

[@WhatHoSnorkers]

That was a delight! Thank you for that! I played Dragon's Lair a couple of times on the arcade for actual money and never got very far... but it was very pretty. I had a DVD version that was pretty good though, with infinite lives, and saw all the scenes! Marvellous.

[@jarrodhook]

I’m just here to say I appreciate you supporting Louis so much! I’ve been watching them for years and you’ve always been there with the support. You’re a good sort!

[@WhatHoSnorkers]

@@jarrodhook Good videos deserve support!

[@JoeFpoc]

I got screwed over by that NES version. Remember seeing it in the arcade and got that for Christmas. Probably played it for like a hour total and never picked it up again

[@CortinasAndClassics]

The last couple of minutes- totally relatable. Great video overall

[@firecrest3325]

One of the most underrated KZbinr out there....

[@tommyboy9998]

The Kitn Delivers.. Epic vid babes..

[@ShadowRune]

Always great to see a new video

[@robvalue]

Recently found your channel, it’s awesome!

[@jasonjones7461]

Its a great feeling to see one of your vids in my feed and realize its a NEW one!

[@mooseyman74]

Good video, I enjoy your content, very honest segment at the end, hope you are well 🙏🏻

[@squeakyelbows]

Hello, I used to have a very high amount of anxiety as well and it was freaking torture. Thankfully doing an online cognitive behavioural therapy course during the covid years helped me figure out ways of dealing with anxiety and has made my life a lot easier. Please keep going! 💛

[@Xpun3414]

A game 20 years before it's time. Loved it from the first time I saw it. I was blown away in the arcade.

[@JamesShow]

"Get rekt, kid" ... pretty much sums up every game you review and I love it.

[@Chosen1_of.the.NONexistent_God]

Take the time that you need. I understand, I got the same anxiety/anguish problem. I think you are courageous. Thank you for bringing joy to our lives :)

[@roberttaylor2058]

This is my favourite comment of the day ✌

[@TheThisk]

Thanks!

[@Azphreal]

As i am ancient i remember it coming out in the arcade and it blew everyone's mind. We had no idea what a laser disc was and how it could just jump to different scenes depending on your input. Great to see a vid from you as i love your content.

[@808GT]

Finally a geeat, new video by my favourite retro game king

[@analogmoz]

This video shows a level of maturity and competence that is the new hallmark. If you keep to this, I imagine this channel should grow exponentially. But what do I know? I hate all "successful" channels.

[@DocZFlux]

Really shows you how ahead of its time Dragon’s Lair was that it took over a decade after its initial release for home consoles and PCs to properly port the game.

[@strain42]

My introduction to Dragon's Lair was actually playing the arcade cabinet in the arcade at the Excalibur casino in Vegas. It felt very fitting and I died immediately.

[@deBaer]

There was a home version of LaserDisc Dragon's Lair, Thayer's Quest and possibly other games, at least in Germany, in 1992: The LDG from Softwarecorner. You'd get an LD player, the Dragon's Lair disc, an interface for C64, Atari ST, Amiga or IBM PC and the software to run the game for the low low price of 1300 DM, around 400 £ at the time. I wonder why it wasn't a success.

[@TheJeremyHolloway]

Because it cost $500+ back then. The same reason why the Roland MT-32 - despite Sierra’s heavy support of it - wasn’t very popular on the Atari ST/Amiga for games. When an accessory costs almost as much as the actual system, it generally does not become popular.

[@ErectedGasCan]

I love it 😂😂😂 And thank you for your work, Louis. 😊

[@bigd5090]

Thanks for your service, totally understandable! Do what you can.

[@bearnaff9387]

One day, hopefully soon, a brilliant unlicensed port of Dragon's Lair will drift into our lives. A port of the in-arcade version of Dragon's Lair, for the Atari 2600. This one terrifying genius figured out how to stream low-resolution video from hardware inside of a cartridge casing to an unmodified 2600. The underlying video player software already accepts input from joysticks, so it's most likely a matter of getting a full script for the game and re-making the control ROM. I look forward to the day this happens with fear and amazement. I mean, you can already get Dragon's Lair multicade machines that are perfectly sized for Barbie and Monster High dolls, a working port of the arcade game for the 2600 is just the rational endpoint for the process.

[@matthewpere1975]

They ported one to the psp. I have it on psvita now with all its glory and can save my quarters.

[@ed.puckett]

I had fun watching your video, thank you!

[@Dr.Dawson]

So great to see you acting out characters again!

[@askjacob]

You don't owe us anything. I come here to see you have fun. So just do this when it is fun. Take care.

[@ProBreakers]

I still remember arcades in the 80’s and being excited to hear the teaser for Dragon’s lair going off.

[@rogerpugh8712]

Thank you for the last few minutes at the end…. All the best..

[@tufif]

I used to have Dragon's Lair 2 Time Warp on a regular DVD, you'd play it with your normal DVD player remote and it felt a lot like the arcade. It was the only game I'd ever played on just a normal DVD, so that's a fun memory for me

[@bencheyne1333]

Thanks, great video, wish you all the best.

[@robertsissco2439]

2:27 That moustache will haunt my dreams and will now appear on my sleep-paralysis demon.

[@johnlloyd8109]

Just recently found this channel (been on a huuuuge binge) - so great to see new content! Edit: Classic content too - I lolled, lots 😀 I used to work in a record shop in Cambridge where the owner had bought heavily into Laserdisc back when it looked like it might be a success. Massive piles of them all over the place - wish I'd kept a few because they were beautiful things,)

[@pinguinposted990]

Heyho. Just do what you do. You are delightful.

[@captainnintendo]

They should make a game called "Proactive Princess" or "Dangerous Damsel" where you play as a captured princess that has to figure out and fight her way out of a fortress/dungeon and get out before Prince Charming shows up xD As for Dragon's Lair, I think the most technically impressive port is probably the Game Boy Color version. I have no idea how they did it but somehow they crammed a ton of FMV looking footage in there. As for the regular Game Boy version, stick to the PAL version, then you don't have to deal with falling damage. As for the NES game, I believe the Japanese Famicom actually runs even faster than the PAL version. I know that the guys at Something Nerdy Studios that are working on that really impressive new NES RPG that pulls off all kinds of crazy visuals the NES should not really be able to do, they got FMVs running on the NES at 60fps and with pretty decent video quality. I wonder if an actual proper FMV based port of Dragon's Lair could be done on the NES using their new NES mapper?

[@ViegasSilva]

That was literally a Strip TEASE at the end😼

[@shia_labeouf]

Despite what the algorithm might say, I actually prefer people who upload less frequently. I have a busy life already and, honestly, if the channels I subscribe to all uploaded every few days, I wouldn't have time to watch them. I already don't. I love seeing a new Octavius video appear though. It's more of an event and I take the time to sit down in front of the TV with a cuppa and watch it properly. It's brave to share your real life stuff with us too and I bet it's hugely helpful to people going through similar things to see you continue to progress and achieve. Keep on keeping on.

[@johnbee1574]

fantastic video, :) i think we would all agree only upload when you can its worth the wait

[@ChaseMC215]

A bit of a fun fact for the Amiga Dragon's Lair game (at least for Dragon's Lair: Escape from Singe's Castle), it was actually programmed by Randy Linden, who would also be involved with the SNES version of Doom.

[@starsiegeplayer]

Great video! Funny, good research, great history.

[@linamishima]

Amazing vid ❤❤❤ And as a millennial, there’s a good chance you’ll know what I mean when I say huge Violet Berlin vibes! ❤ No matter how infrequently you upload, I’ll be here and loving every second. Just the thing I needed today! And friend of blahaj represent, yo 😉

[@LuckyBonusYes]

I had not expecting a Chacaron reference four minutes in - nice!

[@ao7153]

"He moved like a millennial who slept wrong" 😂 thank you for making me laugh that hard! ❤

[@johnsensebe3153]

I never understood the ball room in Dragon's Lair. Dirk is moving through a medieval castle, fighting monsters, etc., and all of a sudden, he's in the pinball machine from _Sesame Street!_ And you don't even get the catchy Pointer Sisters counting song!