Super Mario Bros. 3 Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer / Adventure
Dragon's Lair
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1990 |
| Genre | Platformer, Adventure |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Elite Systems |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Dragon's Lair |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 5 |
Dragon's Lair is a platformer released in 1990 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Nintendo and published by Elite Systems. It blends platformer and adventure elements.
It landed about 5 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1990 include Final Fantasy III, Dr. Mario and Mega Man 3.
It is part of the Dragon's Lair series. The series also appears on other systems with Dragon's Lair (GBC) and Dragon's Lair: The Legend (Game Boy). Nintendo also made Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario Bros. 2 for the NES.
Dragon's Lair supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you have a friend to play against
- you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
What playing Dragon's Lair is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
Dragon's Lair cheats & codes
40 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | AAXITVNY |
|---|---|
| Start With 1 Extra Life | NNXSGSUY |
| Start With 6 Extra Lives | KNXSGSUN |
| Start With 9 Extra Lives | NNXSGSUN |
| Start With Axe | PEUIGIAA |
| Start With Fireball | ZEUIGIAA |
If you like Dragon's Lair, the Matrix also picks…
Super Mario Bros. Classic
Super Mario Bros. 2 Classic
Ice Climber Classic Co-op
Kid Dracula Classic
Donkey Kong Classic
The Bugs Bunny Birthday Blowout Classic
Playing NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Dragon's Lair FAQ
When did Dragon's Lair come out on the NES?
Dragon's Lair was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990.
Who made Dragon's Lair?
It was developed by Nintendo and published by Elite Systems.
Is Dragon's Lair multiplayer?
Yes. Dragon's Lair supports up to 2 players.
How long does Dragon's Lair take to play?
As a platformer, Dragon's Lair typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Dragon's Lair on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.