New Wave Toys Dragons Lair Replicade Review

This is the new wave toys Dragons Lair Replicade . It’s a 1/6th scale replica of the original 1983 Dragons Lair arcade game. It’s using the exact software or ROM that was used in the Arcade. It also features a fully functional digital score board. The back of the unit sports an HDMI out, two USB ports, and a charging port.

This is an officially licensed product.

I purchased it as a part of a Kickstarter about a year ago.

2,383 backers pledged $269,797 to help bring this project to life.

At my pledge level, I ended up paying $105 and was promised the Arcade machine, 1 mini laserdisc player, 1 micro USB charging cable, and an owner’s manual. When received it, I had forgotten that it also included a mini disc, mini coins, and a nice decal.

Taking a closer look at the unit, you will see it sports a 4.2-inch display, has a fully functional scoreboard, including player score, lives, and credits. It includes the arcade operators menu which features dip switch settings and cabinet controls.

The top marquee can be illuminated, a setting that can be toggled from the menus. The coin door can be opened.

It has vinyl overlays and a built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery.

You can connect external controllers via the two included USB ports and there is also the option of plugging your TV into the device through an HDMI port on the back of the unit.

It features a pull-out drawer on the back of the device which contains the mini-laser disc player.

Now let’s talk about the display. When you first power on the device, it plays the opening sequence, which I had not seen in years. You mimic inserting coins by pressing the left coin box button. The right coin box button will bring up the dip switch and cabinet control settings. You have two sword buttons, for lefties or righties and the joystick works in four directions, up/down/left & right. There are single and two-player mode options. I am not sure why this game ever a included two-player option to be honest though. I tried playing two-player mode, and have very little time to switch between players when you die, which unless you have practiced a lot, it will happen quickly.

The game sports three difficulty levels, easy, medium, and hard. From what I gathered in my research this has to do with how much time it gives you to react and can change the number of plays required to complete the game.

There is one other difficulty setting, the number of lives you are granted can either be 5 lives or unlimited plays. I could not get very far without the unlimited option.

All around it’s a really neat device. The mini-disc player, CD, and mini-coins are really nice touches. The packaging it comes in is awesome. The box and mini-cabinet have really nice artwork spread throughout.

When Dragons Lair first came out back in 1983, there was nothing else like it on the market. The graphics blew everything else out of the water. However at 1 dollar per play and given the difficulty of the game, at the time it was also way out of my budgetary means to play. Speaking of the difficulty, this game is so darn hard to play even on easy mode. You have to be prepared to act fast! Even if you know what you are supposed to do, you cannot react too soon or too late or you will lose a life. I found this website:

http://www.dragons-lair-project.com/games/related/walkthru/lair/easy.asp

Which is essentially a “play through guide” for the various difficulties.

My main frustration is just how bad I am at playing the game. I believe it is especially hard since this game was originally designed to suck money from it’s players. As I’ve learned the moves, I have gotten better, but it’s along road to complete this game. My understanding is you have to successfully maneuver 200 moves to beat it.

I wish they had included a few more even easier levels like “baby mode”. I also would have appreciated having a battery indicator.

Again, this game was meticulously redesigned to a 1/6th scale, taking into account all the Arcade purists out there, trying to incorporate all the important details and I have to say New Wave Toys did a great job! Essentially the game ROM is the same one used in the original arcade game back in 1983, ensuring it plays exactly like the arcade version. Although the display is small, it is really beautifully detailed and quickly comes to life once powered on. The sound booms from behind the device. The volume is easily adjusted with a handy dial.

I am really happy with the build quality and appreciate all the attention to detail and effort that was put into making this a great little device.

Highly Recommended!

Youtube Description:

This is my quick review of New Wave Toys 1/6th replica of Dragons Lair!

Vendor website:
https://newwavetoys.com/products/dragons-lair-x-replicade

Play Through guide:
http://www.dragons-lair-project.com/games/related/walkthru/lair/easy.asp