Dragon's Lair, Space Ace, Dragon's Lair II Time Warp on PSN/PS3 [MERGED/UPDATED]

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

They're all out on PSN now!

DRAGON'S LAIR:

Includes:

* 1080p HD Remastered Video
* Visual Move Guide
* Classic Arcade Monitor View
* Online Leaderboard
* Trophy Support
* Exclusive Dragon’s Lair PlayStation®Home Reward
* Watch Mode – View the Animation Without Dying!

I'm in. But, you already knew that.

SCROLL DOWN FOR REVIEW ...

SPACE ACE:

1st off, seems to absolutely be worth the price they're asking. If you're a fan of laserdisc gaming, these are some of the best commercial versions I've seen.

Space Ace seems to have suffered from some minor MINOR noise in the transfer/remastering to 1080p. I'm not complaining at all because it looks absolutely beautiful, but on my setup I could see some noise in some of the colors.

Space Ace is a far far "busier" game in terms of animation than Dragon's Lair, so this may have been unavoidable in the frame-by-frame remastering.

And, as far as arcade authenticity is concerned, unlike the real thing, this version of Ace does not advance you forward partially in a level when you die. Personally I see that as a positive, as that was one of the reasons that I never "mastered" Space Ace in the arcade, not being able to re-play the section I died on prevented me from learning what exactly I did wrong until my next full play-through.

This version appears to re-start you at the beginning of the scene you're on when you die. (There may be mid-way points on the larger levels).

It has all the features that Dragon's Lair on PS3 does, plus subtitles, which is nice since Space Ace is a far more "chatty" game than Dragon's Lair.

Going to try to beat the game on the three difficulty settings and get some trophies. Will report back later, but the short-short is that all signs point to BUY THIS.

DRAGON'S LAIR II: TIME WARP:

With the return of the PSN Store we have the release of Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp on the PSN.

Featuring most of the bells/whistles of Dragon's Lair and Space Ace (digital transfer, arcade monitor play skin, Playstation Home Arcade Cabinet for personal space, trophy support, etc.) with the exception of the online leaderboard as Dragon's Lair II didn't have a traditional score system, it's a great value at $9.99 for fans of Bluth/Goldman's laserdisc arcade "trilogy".

This version features a variant "Director's Cut" alternate final stage play through where Dirk actually prevents the "Death Ring" from being placed on Daphne's finger. This wasn't included on the arcade cabinet due to the space limitations of the LD Technology.

While Time Warp, like Space Ace doesn't feature the meticulous clean-up work that the original Dragon's Lair got, it most cases in didn't need it and still looks fantastic as-is.

I especially like the fact that in this version you can pause the game and not only see WHAT golden treasures you've collected (those are the key to getting to the final stage) but also save your progress.

The current Dragon's Lair and Space Ace are on sale for $4.99 each, so it's a good time to pick them up to complete the trifecta.

Now ... here's to hoping that the company who has the rights to Cobra Command and Road Avenger for iOS will port those to the PSN in the future.

[Enigmus]

Finally, someone got the idea to clean it up and copy it at 4K (possibly 8K)!

Now, if only Sewer Shark and Dragon's Lair 2 got this...

[Trebuken]

It's amazing how this game keeps coming back...

[Baloo]

How many systems has this game been on now?

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

How many systems has this game been on now?

This version is the 60th port.

[G-Boobie]

How many systems has this game been on now?

ALL OF THEM. This includes your DVD player.

Didn't a collection just come out on the Wii for thirty bucks? And the first game on iPhone for five? And the DSi for five? And on Blu-Ray for probably too much? And...

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

And for those who think we're joking ...

1983
01 Arcade game LaserDisc Starcom Cinematronics Original Release

1984
02 Coleco Adam Cartridge Coleco
03 Coleco Adam Floppy Coleco

1986
04 Amstrad CPC Cartridge Software Projects
05 Amstrad CPC Floppy Software Projects
06 ZX Spectrum Cassette Software Projects
07 Commodore 64 Cassette Software Projects

1987
08 ZX Spectrum Cartridge Software Projects Budget Release
09 Amstrad CPC Cassette Software Projects Released name: "Escape From Singe’s Castle"
10 Amstrad CPC Floppy Software Projects Released name: "Escape From Singe’s Castle"
11 ZX Spectrum Cassette Software Projects Released name: "Escape From Singe’s Castle"
12 Commodore 64 Cassette Software Projects Released name: "Escape From Singe’s Castle"
13 Commodore 64 Floppy Amazing Software Republished version includes both cassette versions on a single 'flippy'

1989
14 Commodore Amiga Floppy Readysoft
15 Commodore Amiga Floppy Readysoft Released name: "Escape From Singe’s Castle"
16 Atari ST Floppy Readysoft
17 Personal Computer Floppy Sullivan Bluth / Merit Software Released On: 5.25" Floppy
18 Personal Computer Floppy Sullivan Bluth / Merit Software Released On: 3.5" Floppy

1990
19 Nintendo Entertainment System Cartridge Elite Systems
20 Game Boy Cartridge Elite Systems
21 Macintosh Plus / SE Floppy Readysoft
22 Atari ST Cartridge Readysoft

1991
23 Personal computer Floppy Readysoft
24 Personal computer Floppy Readysoft Released name: Escape From Singe’s Castle, (includes some non original arcade levels)
25 Personal computer Floppy Readysoft Released name: Escape From Singe’s Castle
26 Apple Macintosh Floppy Readysoft Released name: Escape From Singe’s Castle, (This version includes few levels from the original arcade game Dragon's Lair II : Timewarp)

1992
27 Super Nintendo Entertainment System Cartridge Data East

1993
28 Sega CD CD-ROM Readysoft
29 Personal computer CD-ROM Readysoft
30 3DO CD-ROM Readysoft
31 Sega Mega-CD CD-ROM Readysoft

1994
32 Apple Macintosh CD-ROM Readysoft
33 CD-I CD-ROM Readysoft

1995
34 Atari Jaguar CD-ROM Readysoft

1997
35 Windows 95 CD-ROM Digital Leisure Release Name: Deluxe Pack, (Also Contained Space Ace & Dragon's Lair II)
36 Personal Computer DVD-ROM Digital Leisure

1998
37 Home DVD players DVD Digital Leisure
38 Windows 98 DVD-ROM Digital Leisure

2000
39 Game Boy Color Cartridge Capcom
40 PlayStation 2 DVD Digital Leisure

2001
41 Windows XP CD-ROM Digital Leisure Arcade Authentic
42 Xbox DVD Digital Leisure

2002
43 Home DVD players DVD Digital Leisure Release Name: "20th Anniversary Pack"
44 Apple Macintosh DVD-ROM Digital Leisure
45 GameCube CUBE-DVD DragonStone Capcom Remake name: "Dragons Lair 3D"
46 Xbox Xbox-DVD DragonStone UbiSoft Remake name: "Dragons Lair 3D"
47 Personal Computer CD-ROM DragonStone UbiSoft Remake name: "Dragons Lair 3D"

2003
48 Windows XP CD-ROM Digital Leisure Release Name: 20th Anniversary Pack
2004 49 PlayStation 2 PS2-DVD DragonStone THQ Release Name: Dragon’s Lair 3D - Special Edition
50 GameCube CUBE-DVD DragonStone THQ Release Name: Dragon’s Lair 3D - Special Edition

2005
51 Mobile Phone Download Disney Mobile

2006
52 Windows XP DVD-ROM Digital Leisure High Definition WMV
2007 53 Home Blu-ray players BD-R Infinite HD Digital Leisure
54 PlayStation 3 BD-R Infinite HD Digital Leisure
55 Home HD DVD players HD DVD Infinite HD Digital Leisure
56 Xbox 360 HD DVD Digital Leisure
57 Personal Computer DVD Digital Leisure 20th Anniversary Pack released on 1 DVD instead of 4 disks

2009
58 iPhone Downloadable Digital Leisure Electronic Arts
59 Nintendo DSi (DSiWare) Downloadable Digital Leisure

2010
60 Wii Nintendo optical disc Digital Leisure Destineer Release Name: Dragon's Lair Trilogy (Includes Dragon's Lair, Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp, and Space Ace
61 iPad Downloadable Digital Leisure Dragon's Lair LLC
62 Nintendo DS DS Game Card Digital Leisure Destineer

Future Releases
63 PlayStation 3 Downloadable Digital Leisure
64 PSP Downloadable Digital Leisure

[diskoboy]

How many systems has this game been on now?

The better question is - how many years did it take to see a release that was even remotely as good as the arcade version?

The first good version I remember was the PC CD-Rom version in the early 90's.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

The better question is - how many years did it take to see a release that was even remotely as good as the arcade version?

The first good version I remember was the PC CD-Rom version in the early 90's.

Remotely?

Some of the PC DVD versions were decent, but most were subtly flawed.

Very good?

The post-remastering/HD/Blu-Ray versions have had all of the arcade levels, correct level directions, scoring, and the arcade "chime" and "buzz" sound effects in-tact.

Notable very good versions are the Blu-Ray release, iPhone/iPad, DSi Ware.

I assume that the Wii version is a down-scaled resolution port of the HD remaster. I expect that it's going to be formulaic at this point and most future releases will be very good and arcade accurate.

If you want an arcade perfect version of Dragon's Lair (from the start up hardware checks to the blanking between screens) you just need to download yourself a copy of Daphne and get your hands on the appropriate commercial version of Dragon's Lair/Space Ace/ Dragon's Lair II to unlock the rights to use them.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

FYI - iPhone/iPad/iTouch owners who updated to iOS 4.2.1 yesterday only to realize that it completely BROKE (as in totally non-functional) Dragon's Lair for that platform,

I just got an email response from Digital Leisure that states they're aware of the problem and are working on a fix to be published as soon as Apple approves it.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Review below ... after an hour or so with the game, Digital Press can consider itself #1 in the world on the global leaderboard for Dragon's Lair.

I'll work to maintain that FOR THE GLORY OF OUR FORUMS!!!



*UPDATE* The current top 10 appears to be the first 10 users who achieved the maximum alowable score in Dragon's Lair, of which I was not one of (I was a day, possibly a few hours even, short of that goal) ... but to my surprise MJongo (who clarified for me that the score could only be achieved on easy) turned out to be a DP member: Mingy Jongo!

Nice job Mingy J, we're still #1 in the world!

OK. Review time.

Ladies, gentlemen, critics of Digital Leisure LLC and laser disc enthusiasts of all ages, this may very well be the ultimate edition of Dragon's Lair.

*All of the boards are in tact, un-edited. Authentic standard (on easy) and challenging (on hard) dip-switch move-sets present.

*Authentic audio chimes and buzzes.

*Level branching seems to be authentic after multiple play-throughs.

*BEAUTIFUL RESOLUTION with minimal distortion getting it out to full screen w/o letterboxing.

*Super-cool "arcade monitor" skin (lol, scary looking ghosting on Dirk's face in that picture!).



*Global top 10 leaderboard (. I was bumped from the top 10 before I achieved the maximum allowable score of 427,469 but at least we were #1 on day one!)

*Trophy Support with some very cool goals (including obtaining the maximum possible score of 427,469)

*Functional arcade cabinet for HOME personal space









Like most modern releases of Dragon's Lair, you can turn off the move instructions and set the number of lives (3, 5, or infinte).

If I have one tiny niggling gripe it's that there's no feature to simulate the blanking between levels while the Laser Disc searches and cues up the next level.

Everything else is beautiful. You can NOT go wrong for $10.

[Xtincthed]

wow that collection looks amazing

i'm thinking of getting this game from PSN.. never actually played the original game but it always looked appealing to me

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

wow that collection looks amazing

i'm thinking of getting this game from PSN.. never actually played the original game but it always looked appealing to me

Yeah, wish it was mine. Sadly it's not. It's some fan's personal collection from an old Joystiq article.

I have a lot of the home versions, but not all of them.

I do own an actual marquee from the original arcade machine, but due to its shape (see the picture of the cabinet above) it's tough to display on a wall like a regular flat marquee.

[Mingy Jongo]

Methinks that leaderboard picture on the first page should be updated

[BHvrd]

Omg I actually have a reason to login to Home! ...lol

Btw that's awesome and i'm going to buy this now, all the arcade features has sold me.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Methinks that leaderboard picture on the first page should be updated

Yeah. I was a day late getting my perfect score (which I do have - thanks to some help from you!) on the table. The 10 on the list now are the 1st 10 to achieve that. Whether or not there will ever be any room for anybody else is up to Digital Leisure.

[Jorpho]

Y'know, Castle of Caglistro is on Blu-Ray now. I wonder how feasible it would be to use it as the basis of a frame-accurate fanmade remaster of Cliff Hanger?

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Y'know, Castle of Caglistro is on Blu-Ray now. I wonder how feasible it would be to use it as the basis of a frame-accurate fanmade remaster of Cliff Hanger?

Well, they'd need to do a few things.

Cliff Hanger primarily used Castle of Cagliostro, but it also had scenes from the 1st theatrical Lupin film Rupan Sansei: Rupan tai Kurōn (Lupin: The Mystery of Mamo). The driving sequence with Lupin in his red convertible and the helicopter and the iconic hanging scene used for the death sequence.

While that is on DVD, I'm not sure if it's on Blu Ray.

Additionally, the voice actors/dub and dialog used in Cliff Hanger is not the one that's used in the official US DVD/Blu-Ray release for Castle of Cagliostro ...

so, I suppose a frame-by-frame remaster would be possible for Daphne, but they'd have to get the Mystery of Mamo scenes in there too and they'd have to use the original audio tracks from Cliff Hanger.

That would probably entail a decent amount of work. I'm sure it's possible, whether or not anybody is willing is another story.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

After the downright fantastic job they did with the PSN version of Dragon's Lair see this thread: http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149356 , I'll be snagging Space Ace later this evening.

Expecting more greatness from Digital Leisure (man, if you asked me if I'd be saying that 10 years ago I'd have lol'ed) and I assume it'll have the same bells/whistles as their PSN release of Dragon's Lair (1080p, optional arcade monitor skin/effect, leaderboards, PlayStation Home Arcade Cabinet, etc.).

Will be sure to report back regarding overall quality.

[megasdkirby]

What's the price?