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laserdisc games (anime edition)
systemreactor | 4:02 PM on 05.19.2008 4 comments


Most everyone has heard of Dragon's Lair. It was a Laserdisc game that came out in 1983 with animation from our good friend Don Bluth. The style of the animation was cinema quality Disney-style animation (which is appropriate as Bluth used to work for Disney). What some people may not know is that Japan also released several Laserdisc videogames right when the Laserdisc videogame craze was at its height of popularity.

An interesting side note, most of the animation production for the Japanese Laserdisc games come from Toei Animation. A notable exception is Cliffhanger, which is comprise of footage from Hayao Miyazaki's "Castle of Cagliostro" (The "miss" sequence is actually from "Mystery of Mamo").

I had a particular fondness for Time Gal. Yes, I am aware that the game is not all that great but there seems to be a bit of rose-colored nostalgia associated with that game for me. Ninja Hayate came out around the same time as well (Taito released both games in 1985, the home versions were handled by Wolfteam).

In a piece of worthless trivia, the main protagonist from Time Gal, Reika Kirishima reappears (redesigned) in Shikigami no Shiro III (Castle Shikigami III).

Here are links of some of the anime style Laserdisc games (I've left out the Laserdisc game Bega's Battle which was comprised of footage from Harmageddon).

Cobra Command (part 1/3)
Cobra Command (part 2/3)
Cobra Command (part 3/3)
Road Blaster
Road Blaster (intro)
Road Blaster (Miss Scenes)

Finally, completely anime unrelated am I the only person in the world that remembers playing Star Rider?

Oh yeah and Astron Belt kicked ass.



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4 comments | showing # 1 to 4

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MagicAQ's Destructoid Blog
Just a heads up , your links to NINJA HAYATE are dead or rather the videos have been removed.... coz they infringe on someones corporate standing.

As for Dragons lair.... sigh .... i miss those days... i played the PC version and honestly ... there was a simplicity and charm to games in those days...

never knew laserdisc gaming existed... nice to know its where this legend came from.

Don Bluth is my main man.
NihonTiger90's Destructoid Blog
I did not even realize they made Laserdisc game sin Japan. My world has been enlightened.
Batthink's Destructoid Blog
Gah. I had Road Blaster, Time Gal AND Cobra Command on the Mega CD.

Road Blaster had a theme song that sounded like it was about to slow to a crawl (so much so that an idea about popping money into a slot just to keep it going).

Nah, these games were great to watch, but virtually zero playability. Nice anime, though.
galagabug 's Destructoid Blog
no props to space ace? loved that game.


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 about me

I am an import/retro/hardcore gamer. I've been setting the 68000 heart on fire since the late seventies with video game consoles made with wood trim. Of course, now I play consoles that utilize that fancy-schmancy laser technology we love so much.

I've played a hell of a lot of video games for a really long time, and have loved every minute of it. Even when playing the crappy games. Except for Rise of the Robots.

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That's it.

Well, that and don't expect me to talk about video game themed pastries and cakes. I mean, really.

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