Dragon's Lair on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
Quick menu
Haven't heard of Dragon's Lair?! Well, you play the heroic Dirk the Daring, a valiant knight on a quest to rescue the fair princess from the clutches of an evil dragon! Originally released in the summer of 1983, Dragon's Lair has solidified itself as a cultural icon in gaming.
Dragon's Lair is a adventure, classic and arcade game
developed and published by Digital Leisure Inc..
Released on May 17th 2013 is available on Windows and Linux
in 5 languages: English, German, French, Italian and Spanish - Spain.
It has received 660 reviews of which 509 were positive and 151 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. 😊
The game is currently priced at 9.99€ on Steam.
The Steam community has classified Dragon's Lair into these genres:
Media & Screenshots
Get an in-depth look at Dragon's Lair through various videos and screenshots.
Load More
System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- OS *:Windows 8
- Processor:1.8 GHz dual core CPU
- Memory:2 GB RAM
- Graphics:256 MB GeForce 8800, Radeon 3850, or Intel HD 2000 Graphics
- DirectX®:9.0
- Hard Drive:2 GB HD space
- Sound:DirectX Compatible Sound Card
Linux
- OS:SteamOS 2.0
- Processor:Intel Core i Series Processor
- Memory:2 GB RAM
- Graphics:Basic video playback required
- Hard Drive:2 GB HD space
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
✔️ PROS: - Dragon's Lair on Steam - Arcade and home modes and two difficulties - Fun and challenging achievements - Extra content 🔴 CONS: - Unable to hide game interface (moves and pause) - Unable to use Steam overlay and take screenshots on Steam - HD port 2013 , not the original 1983 as described on Steam
Expand the review
Dragon’s Lair, developed and published by Digital Leisure Inc., is one of gaming’s most iconic and historically significant titles, a bridge between the arcade era of pixelated adventures and the cinematic storytelling that would define later generations. Originally released in 1983 and faithfully preserved on Steam through this digital adaptation, it remains a stunning example of interactive animation and a pioneering effort to merge film and gameplay. Directed by Don Bluth, a former Disney animator whose hand-drawn style defined much of 1980s animation, Dragon’s Lair introduced players to the hapless yet heroic Dirk the Daring, a clumsy knight on a perilous quest to rescue Princess Daphne from the dragon Singe. What made the game revolutionary then—and still fascinating now—is that it wasn’t rendered in traditional sprites or polygons but in full-motion animation. Every frame was hand-drawn and colored, creating an experience that felt more like playing a cartoon than a video game. At its core, Dragon’s Lair is a test of reflexes and memorization. The gameplay consists of a sequence of short scenes—animated vignettes in which Dirk must dodge traps, monsters, and environmental hazards by pressing the correct direction or timing a sword attack at exactly the right moment. The player’s input triggers a corresponding animation, seamlessly continuing the scene if successful or ending in an amusing and often gruesome death if not. These moments play out almost like rhythm sequences, where timing and recognition are everything. While the concept may seem simple today, in its time it was groundbreaking, blending film editing techniques with player agency. However, this structure also exposes the game’s limitations: there’s little room for improvisation or exploration, and success often depends on memorizing precise inputs through repetition rather than intuition. What gives Dragon’s Lair its enduring charm is not its mechanics but its presentation. Don Bluth’s animation is a masterclass in expressive, fluid artistry. Every frame bursts with life and character, from Dirk’s exaggerated pratfalls and wide-eyed panic to Daphne’s deliberately over-the-top damsel persona. The environments are lavishly illustrated, filled with dark dungeons, collapsing bridges, enchanted chambers, and eerie creatures that leap from the shadows. The animation’s hand-painted detail gives the world a warmth that digital art often struggles to replicate. Decades later, it still feels magical to see a game so deeply rooted in the tradition of classic animation, where the labor of every frame is visible in its craftsmanship. The restoration by Digital Leisure preserves this legacy beautifully, offering high-definition visuals that maintain the grain and texture of the original LaserDisc footage while enhancing color vibrancy and sharpness. Sound plays an equally important role in defining Dragon’s Lair’s identity. The booming orchestral score and the exaggerated sound effects—clanking armor, echoing roars, the zap of magical traps—lend a cinematic energy to every scene. Dirk’s vocal grunts and Daphne’s melodramatic exclamations reinforce the game’s tongue-in-cheek humor. Despite its dark fantasy trappings, the tone is playful, almost comedic. Every death animation, whether Dirk being electrocuted, crushed, or turned into bones, carries a slapstick quality that softens the frustration of failure. This humor makes the trial-and-error gameplay more palatable, encouraging players to keep trying, not just for victory but to see what absurd demise awaits next. It’s this balance between tension and comedy that has helped Dragon’s Lair remain endearing across generations. From a gameplay standpoint, however, Dragon’s Lair can feel rigid and unforgiving to modern audiences. Inputs must be made with split-second precision, and the window for success is narrow. Without memorization, most players will die repeatedly, sometimes unsure of what went wrong because the visual cues are subtle or inconsistent. This reliance on rote learning and repetition can frustrate those expecting fluid control or freedom of movement. Yet in its own way, this design reflects the arcade philosophy of the 1980s—games were meant to challenge and consume quarters, rewarding persistence and precision over exploration or narrative depth. On Steam, Digital Leisure includes adjustable difficulty settings and optional visual indicators that make the experience more approachable, allowing players to enjoy the cinematic spectacle without being punished by its harsh learning curve. Beyond its nostalgic appeal, Dragon’s Lair represents an important milestone in the evolution of interactive media. It was among the first games to utilize LaserDisc technology, allowing unprecedented visual fidelity at the time. The idea of merging film animation with gameplay inspired a generation of developers and paved the way for later full-motion video games and narrative-driven experiences. Modern interactive films, from quick-time event-heavy adventures to cinematic story games, owe a creative debt to the template that Dragon’s Lair helped establish. Its influence extends beyond gaming as well; Dirk the Daring and Princess Daphne became pop-culture icons, featured in cartoons, remakes, and even referenced in other media. The game’s continued availability on platforms like Steam ensures that its legacy remains accessible not only as a historical artifact but as a living piece of entertainment history. The Steam version of Dragon’s Lair remains faithful to its origins while adding the conveniences expected by contemporary players. Load times are nearly instantaneous, video playback is smooth, and high-definition restoration brings a clarity never possible in the original arcade cabinets. The inclusion of the original arcade mode, along with home console variants and bonus features, gives fans a complete archival package. That said, the gameplay loop remains essentially unchanged, which means that the frustrations of the past—repetitive failure, lack of player freedom, and limited interactivity—persist. But for those approaching it as an experience rather than a traditional game, these quirks enhance its nostalgic charm rather than diminish it. Ultimately, Dragon’s Lair is less about skill mastery and more about witnessing a pivotal moment in gaming history unfold through artistry and innovation. It remains a product of its time—challenging, linear, and occasionally opaque—but it also embodies a timeless ambition: to turn games into animated storytelling. Even today, it stands as a testament to the creative risks developers were willing to take in the pursuit of something new. Digital Leisure’s careful preservation of this classic ensures that players can continue to experience its magic as it was intended: colorful, perilous, humorous, and wholly original. For fans of animation, retro games, or interactive storytelling, Dragon’s Lair is more than just a nostalgic curiosity—it is a window into the moment when video games first began to dream of becoming art. Rating: 8/10
Expand the review
I was impressed how playing with the hints turned on would train the player to memorize the precise timing necessary to play at the original hard mode. i.e. If you can beat the game on hard mode with the hints turned off, you have beaten the game as if you were standing in an arcade in the 1980s. So, if you remember being fascinated yet frustrated at it back then, give it a try again with the hints turned on. Because the overall game's animation from start to a successful finish doesn't take hours upon hours, Dragon's Lair can be beaten with hints turned on and THEN reattempted with hints turned off without you having to dedicate grueling weeks, months, or years to achieve your goal. On the minus side, even when the hints are turned off, the overlay is still faintly visible in the lower center of the screen.
Expand the review
Dragon's Lair is an amazing retro game that was ahead of it's time. I have to give this game a lot of respect after going through and learning to master this game. You play as Dirk, a knight trying to save the princess who just screams "help me" and keeps getting dragged off deeper and deeper into the lair until you finally confront the dragon. Also every room has unique death scenes for every step you can mess up on, some of them are quite hilarious. The experience was fun and difficult, and felt especially challenging to get some of the achievements. I had a blast with this masterpiece of a game. I encourage everyone to try it.
Expand the review
Pretty good version of this arcade classic. The visuals are good quality, which is what this game is really about. It was hand-drawn animation at by top tier animators. Good options to set to arcade mode (skip to a new room if you die) or home mode (keep playing each room until you succeed), option to show correct inputs or not show them (they weren't shown in the original), and to continue (the original arcade version had no continue option, meaning you only had 5 lives to win, otherwise you had to start over!). The game auto-saves if you quit, which isn't clear right away, but when you start again it will ask if you want to continue or restart. It would be nice to have the option to completely remove the on-screen buttons when the prompts are turned off. These weren't on the original version, and aren't really useful. You should be using a keyboard or gamepad, you'll never succeed trying to click on-screen buttons in time. A room select option would be nice too, to skip right to a particular part of the game. If you're completely new to this game, it may not be for you. This was a big deal when it was released and it's great for nostalgia value or for 80s arcade enthusiasts. It's just a bunch of quick-time events so it may not be for you if you're looking for more depth of gameplay.
Expand the review
Similar games
View all
ARCADE GAME SERIES: DIG DUG
First appearing in arcades in 1982, Dig Dug finally comes to Steam! Control Dig Dug to make underground tunnels and inflate or crush the enemies!
ARCADE GAME SERIES: PAC-MAN
First released in arcades in 1980, the masterpiece PAC-MAN comes to Steam! Move PAC-MAN up, down, left, and right to avoid the ghosts and gobble up all the Pac-Dots!
Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection
8 KONAMI arcade classics of the 80s, from Nemesis to TwinBee. Including bonus eBook packed with new information never before revealed to the public.
Disney's Hercules
Become a true hero in a battle of mythic proportions.
ARCADE GAME SERIES: Ms. PAC-MAN
Developed in America and first released in 1981, Ms. PAC-MAN finally comes to Steam! Move Ms. PAC-MAN up, down, left, and right to avoid the ghosts and gobble up all the Pac-Dots!
Toki
The return of the wacky monkey!Toki sets off on a new adventure! The cult action/platform game originally released on arcade machines in 1989 is back with a super-simian new version, featuring all-new hand-drawn graphics and re-orchestrated music!
PAC-MAN™ Championship Edition DX+
It's time to gear up!Get ready for more ghost chain gobbling and frantic action in PAC-MAN® CE-DX+! The award-winning chomping game makes a shattering debut on Steam with even more content and a refined user-interface to compare high scores with your friends!
Indiana Jones® and the Infernal Machine™
The year is 1947. The Nazis have been crushed, the Cold War has begun and Soviet agents are sniffing around the ruins of the fabled Tower of Babel. What are they up to? The CIA recruits renowned archeologist and adventurer, Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones, to find out.
Indiana Jones® and the Emperor's Tomb™
As Indiana Jones, you’ll travel to 1935 China to prevent a powerful artifact from falling into evil hands. This globe-spanning adventure pits you against evil Nazis and the Asian underworld. It’ll take more than just a trusty whip and pistol to avoid the perils of the Emperor’s Tomb.
PAC-MAN™ CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION 2
The much-awaited sequel to PAC-MAN™ CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION! Featuring eye-popping 3D graphics and funky visuals! New modes include Score Attack and an Adventure mode!
Owinka Shooter
Owinka Shooter throws you into an action packed mad-dash through an evil facility. Get ready to fight for your escape!
Arcade Mayhem Juanito
Arcade Mayhem Juanito is a retro experience about arcade-hopping. Teleport into different video games, play with unique mechanics inspired by well-known arcade games, face stunningly animated bosses and join the fight against the clonocell invasion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dragon's Lair is currently priced at 9.99€ on Steam.
Dragon's Lair is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 9.99€ on Steam.
Dragon's Lair received 509 positive votes out of a total of 660 achieving a rating of 7.33.
😊
Dragon's Lair was developed and published by Digital Leisure Inc..
Dragon's Lair is playable and fully supported on Windows.
Dragon's Lair is not playable on MacOS.
Dragon's Lair is playable and fully supported on Linux.
Dragon's Lair is a single-player game.
Dragon's Lair does not currently offer any DLC.
Dragon's Lair does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
Dragon's Lair does not support Steam Remote Play.
Dragon's Lair is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.
You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for Dragon's Lair.
Data sources
The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.
Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.
Last Updates| Steam data | 24 January 2026 06:35 |
|---|---|
| SteamSpy data | 26 January 2026 06:44 |
| Steam price | 28 January 2026 20:44 |
| Steam reviews | 27 January 2026 14:08 |
If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Dragon's Lair, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.
- SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about Dragon's Lair
- SteamCharts - Analysis of Dragon's Lair concurrent players on Steam
- ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Dragon's Lair compatibility
Game modes
Features
Online players
1
Developer
Digital Leisure Inc.
Publisher
Digital Leisure Inc.
Release
17 May 2013
Platforms