Retro publisher and developer Elite have announced the re-release of 1991’s Dragon Lair: The Legend for the Nintendo Game Boy. The new release offers players new and old to experience the timeless adventure of Dirk the Daring. There are two formats that players can can choose from, a Complete-in-Box Edition and a Digital Edition. Pre-orders are available now and will be shipping in April.
Unlike the original version of the heavily QTE-focused Dragon’s Lair, The Legend’s gameplay is more active and is focused on mastering jumps, dodging hazards, and keeping your cool when things go horribly wrong. The objective of the game is to collect all 194 fragments of the Life Stone across 11 distinct regions, each packed with tricky platforming, moving platforms, and spike traps that will test even the bravest adventures. There are no enemies to fight – just you, your reflexes, and the ever-present risk of mistiming a jump. If you still have lives left, you’ll respawn right where you fell. But if you run out? Well… let’s just say you’ll be getting very familiar with the starting screen.
This new release of Dragon’s Lair: The Legend is based on the European version of the game which added several adjustments to make the game slightly more managable. Other versions of the game, there was fall damage so Dirk would die from high falls. In the EU version, Dirk will no longer die from high falls, allowing for more freedom in platforming. An extra life is added for every 42 Life Stones collected, up to a maximum of 10. The EU version also included refined jumping mechanics. Instead of holding the button to perform infinite jumping, players have to tap the button repeatedly, thus preventing unintentional exploits.
The Standard Edition of the game costs $44.99 and includes a sealed box, clear cartridge, clear cartridge protector, instruction booklet, stickers sheet, and silkscreened PCB with the Dragon’s Lair logo on the back side.
The Digital Edition costs $4.99 and includes the game ROM, pdf instructions booklet, and game cover art.