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Dragon's Lair Re-Revisited - Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN)
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- Published on Apr 17, 2026
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In Angry Video Game Nerd episode 224, The Nerd revisits a game that he couldn't even get past the first screen on in the past, now with the sole purpose of beating it - Dragon's Lair for the NES!
Thanks to Mike for guidance with playing through this game and how to make it to the end.
Written and Directed by James Rolfe
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Edited by Sean O'Rourke
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Gameplay Script Advising by Mike
Gameplay by James
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#dragonslair #angryvideogamenerd #avgn #nes 
Gaming
![[Spyro the Dragon/Part 4 Finale] Gotta uncrystal our dragon elders!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/FzQapR7rCyA/mqdefault.jpg)
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thats crazy you mentioned Sharknado and giant spider movies... mondo notions dude
You know what beats a VPN? Magnet 🧲 links ;)
Please do Harvester. Its the weirdest game ever. lotta taboo stuff i dont want to type either.
Eight Legged Freaks 🕷🕸
Duke Nukem 3D coop with Jon, thank me later 👍
Man that toilet paper metaphor was deep
I’m uncomfortable with how insightful that metaphor feels. I have the feeling I’m going to remember that one!
It really was. And he brought it back into the story at the end. Very well done.
I thought i was watching Bojack for a second at that part. lol
@SKHarp That was outstanding! I watched it three times, timestamped the video and sent it to my buddy. :)
Amen 🧻
I can’t believe he went back to Dragon’s Lair. The wig is hilarious, but doing his best to recreate the background best as he can and the audio levels the same as the original 2007 video is such great attention to detail.
He really tried to recreate how a nerd episode was back than, he can't swear like back in the day because of all the RUclips censors we have today
You missed one other huge detail. Look at the gameplay footage as he swaps between the two eras. CRT softness to Pixel accurate sharpness
I noticed he has his old glasses on too
@caodesignworks2407 I did notice that.
@paradoxzee6834 if there was any hint of who's right in that fight, look at all the retaliation we're NOT doing against youtube.
The understated "I don't like it" had me laughing harder than I expected. In a sea of hyperbole, it stands out.
The toupee really helps with immersion. 😂
It's not a toupee, it's a summer balayage. ;)
Hahaha
Also helps with male pattern baldness.
What toupee??
@swimthestyx when he’s reacting the past
The people who made this are probably 60-70 years old today. But I still think they should be called into the precinct for questioning. This game is a crime.
Nothing beat the original arcade game!!
Statute of limitations ran out.
@Vicct-g2g Space Ace was close, but the original was better.
It's a crime on gameing
55
8:35 is one of the greatest, most accurately poetic metaphors ever penned, worthy of its place amongst the greatest proverbs of greatest philosophies.
I love when an AVGN episode can combine the best elements of old episodes and newer ones, it pure enjoyment
Exactly my thoughts. This is euphoric entertainment regardless of whether it's an old school or recent fan of AVGN!
New videos are too well lit lol. I miss the cozy amber evening lighting of the past episodes. c: 3:30 comes close tho!
Same here! I love the balance here lately. Lots of content that has that old school AVGN charm while still experimenting and doing crazy stuff like the Glitch Gremlin legacy sequel.
You misused a comma.
The Nerd for smash... no I'm not kidding.
Appreciate the “you die, die, die, die, die!!” callback to Silver Surfer. 👏🏻
Rocky too...get hit and keep moving forward
With the coming Fantastic Four movie, revisiting that game this summer would be fun
i remember this game - had no idea how to play it. lol
“Oh… I can’t stand it…” as he lies on the floor as a pile of bones
He never completed that game either. I wonder if there’s a Silver Surfer Re-Revisited coming down the road.
5:41 Epic callback
The hairpiece is killing me. Excellent as always James!
Male pattern baldness hit him hard 💔
Or he should just go full Willis and shave it
Jeff! Take the finasteride, Jeff!
was just about to say that lol
Serious Sam profile pic!
I really like the idea of going back to previously reviewed games and actually finishing them. It's the perfect way of double dipping and still making content that's actually new and interesting
One game I hope he revisits like this is Battletoads. There's so much potential material in the game that he never covers in the original review because of the focus on the multiplayer aspect.
In addition, it's like the Nerd is getting the justice that's long overdue!!! 😅
Me too. So, episode 3 when?
He should finish Ninja Gaiden 1 then review 2 and 3
@elcee4556Before he finishes his Ninja Gaiden review, he MUST FIRST FEEL.
The way the Past Nerd's inflection is captured here... Truly authentic
Props for not only using an older camera for "past Nerd," but also using an older capture device or cable for his footage, too!
Trust me, James still has that old VHS/DVD combo setup 😅
it makes the look very authentic.
what's the difference between a camera and a capture device?
@narcosis1507 One has a lens and turns light into pictures and video and the other takes a video signal and lets a PC access it
@narcosis1507 filming himself, vs. obtaining images from the game
I really wish there was something I could do to show James how much we all appreciate his long career here
Keep watching the videos is the easiest way to do that
subscribe and a thumbs up is all he asks...
I was just thinking that. I came across his videos I think after number 3. Back when he was still just the Angry Nintendo Nerd. It's amazing how long it's been. Like a literal lifetime.
Thumbs up, subscribe, by merch or his albums and dvds.
He knows...he absolutely knows how much we care about all these years.
Love the "old" footage. I really was left wondering for a moment "wait, that wasn't in the original episode, was it?"
Great episode!
This is some of your best work. The TP speech, the sharp edits between the past and present you, and the story…you truly are a one-of-a-kind artist.
The 15:17 Full Metal Jacket quote
Well said, this is an instant classic episode
I thought the same, one of the best episodes ever.
Don’t get the knife. Don’t get the KNIFE. DON’T GET THE KNIFE!!
Have you seen the movie Knife Out?
Unless you’re playing Ghosts ‘n Goblins. Then get the knife. Get The Knife. GET THE KNIFE!!!
Surprised he didn't make a joke about that
Yes that's right my man
@gignockget the knife
The TP analogy of life is so spot on. 😂
Can't believe you went back to the past for new footage. That's commitment right there
AVGN was revisting old games. Now AVGN is revisting old AVGN. crazy how these games were "old" in 2007, when we still got GTA 5 running since 2013.
Gotta love the Hammer Dracula reference, with the bat vomiting blood on to the bones to bring AVGN back
That made me grin. One of the many reasons I keep coming back.
Scars of Dracula!
@FantasiaProject2491 thanks, couldn't remember the movie, but I remembered him mentioning it during Monster Madness
@derektereve286 You’re welcome! I seen his Sequel-A-Thon several times and remember the one resurrection scene from it.
The bat should've just used A B B A
This was worth following up on. It’s also a worthy addition to the AVGN legacy. The bad toupee, the absurd gameplay, the time travel bit, all the elements of a classic episode.
I love the way Dirk immediately collapses into a pile of bones when killed.
Aw, poor AVGN. He was so close to finishing the NES version of Dragon's Lair.
That toupee is peak costume design 😭
This totally felt like an og episode from the very beginning of the show. We love you, Nerd!❤
This actually had some serious meta call backs to old AVGN. Favorite episode in awhile.
"Points are pointless"
What a beautiful paradox
Anyone else feeling a Battletoads re-revisited?
The AVGN is the godfather of video game reviews on RUclips. Keep making these great videos James. You’re an icon.
We pray he keeps it up, 🙏 RUclips wouldn't be right without him ❤
KrazyHonkyeven if the nerd does random stuff, I would watch it.
Him and Total Biscuit...RIP
@datoorion yes indeed
Sad person
Dude this episode is easily one of the best, if you think about it, he is really taking us back to the past not only because of the games but because of the videos too, avgn is a body of work itself, not just silly RUclips videos
Might be because of the edible I took 3 hours ago but you’re cooking bro
Does that mean he is now the Angry Video-Game Nerd Nerd?
@abatebiral ...could it really be?...
@abatebiral Nerdception
@MuffingDaCabage maybe you're the one that's cooked right now
15:33 the heaviest metal ever set to a game that plays in slow motion.
The fact you're able to recreate that past look so accurately is amazing. You know your craft and that's why I keep watching and rewatching you!
I've thought it many times in the past: We need him to revisit Dark Castle.
I got Dark Castle on C.. D.. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥
he has to revisit lester the unlikely
Mike beat Dark Castle on stream recently so I think the odds are in favor of this happening. Since most AVGN episodes are something Mike streamed. Or they are games from James and Mike Mondays.
C’mon dude, hasn’t the nerd suffered enough?
Snake: Trust in Usssss! 6:26
Gotta admit, I didn't even know Dragon's Lair had an NES version.
The toupee is killing me
19:10 "WHAT WERE THEY-" "THINKING?!?!?"
25:03 I like the implication that this game is so bulls*%t hard that there needed to be an advisor for the gameplay
8:58 also this is perfect. It’s not the cursing that makes it funny. It’s the philosophy that’s tied to something so…. Benign like toilet paper.
It's high brow toilet humor.
8:26 where it starts
15.04 That reaction...utter disbelief 😂😂
The toupee and I think using old audio software or recording equipment to make it sound like the previous videos was an excellent touch touche. Love you always James
Glasses are different too 🕶️
You can really appreciate James' love of horror when it comes to his regeneration via blood.
22:09 funniest thing I've seen for a while
This really does the old video justice. This one is like a blast from the past, haha. Bravo, Nerd and everybody involved.
Theres nothing that brings joy to my heart as an avgn episode. We love you james, we always have and always will
15:17 Full Metal Jacket reference
The Legend of AVGN A Nerd to the Past
I love these revisited episodes, it's good to see the game in more depth than 2007 RUclips could provide
Also: Ham Egg.
I do hope he revisits Lester the Unlikely.
I miss seeing your name in metokur streams, my man.
@cappynintendo That's a maybe.
I'd love to see his reaction to Lester's character development
I still watch him, chat is just full of people @mellowyello1478
11:02 I mean to be fair, that’s where the only door is.
15:05 was so much despair in one word
Like honest and genuine emotion.
It's like in John Wick 1 where Aurelio tells Viggo that his son just pissed off John Wick and Viggo replies with "Oh........." 😂
Honestly, the thumbnail made me think he was gonna review the original arcade Dragon’s Lair.
I didn’t think he’d actually go back to NES Dragon’s Lair.
This episode is by far one of the best episodes. I felt like I was taken back to the past when youtube was great, watchin nerd on my old beat up Compaq pc.
Keep it up James.
I really do like these episodes of the Nerd revisiting games from his earlier years.
A moment of silence for those who have lost hairlines over the years.
22:42 That's a recolor of the dragon's stomach
Notice how it moves just like the dragon's stomach
The toilet paper analogy was pretty spot on
Amazing episode. The Nerd is aging like fine wine. Thank you for the continued AVGN -- Its a bright spot in a dark world.
Can't say the same about his hairline 😅
@karoomaytrue but that’s just a part of aging sadly
Yeah. His videos are my comfort food lately as the world seems to continue spiraling
I KNOW you hurt your back on that backwards body throw you did against that futon in the last scene, friend... myself and my fucked up 41y/o back recoiled in horror 😂
its 2025 and our boy still drops classics
Mad props for the Eternal Darkness reference. That game deserves all the love it can get.
He should play it. it’s ps2 it’s retro by now
@evyring.2422 Eternal Darkness was on the GameCube, though. And I remember him playing another GameCube title: the Charlie's Angels game.
Tier Pargon Pargon Redgormor Pargon Pargon Mantorok
@evyring.2422 You're wrong it was never on PS2, Nintendo published it for the GameCube... which is still to this day an oddity. Silicon Nights and Nintendo making a game together.
The Pargon and Mantarok audios are etched into my psyche!
Such an amazing game, loved the full ending too, appropriate for this video infact...
2:52 he turns into Ray William Johnson fr
Glitch Gremlin appearing near the end was icing on the cake. I love this episode. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Glitch Gremlin is one the best AVGN side characters
Where is the glitch gremlin? I can't find him
Big Rigs Over The Road Racing is so glitchy it was probably programmed by the Glitch Gremlin.
@markokecman1177 22:34 Here he is!
So the last episode of AVGN was two months ago, so I guess since then you were trying beat the game. We appreciate your sacrifice for making this episode. :)
Bro he hasn’t been the one playing the games for over a decade lol
You mean Mike, Mike is the one who does the gameplay.
@Roninkinxthere's literally ending titles that says "Gameplay by James"
Dude I sincerely hope he used saved states for this. Because it looks MISERABLE
@Roninkinx Only in some earlier episodes. I believe it's been James for many years now.
Love it when AVGN gets philosophical. It always ends up being as deep as it is obscene.
18:30
That might be one of the most evil design choices this game made
James written avgn is still pure and solid gold. After all these years you still got it
A split alternate timeline
I love the fact that he uses 4:3 aspect ratio for the "past' scenes
It really felt like old nerd episodes
That and the difference in game footage. Present is that sharp blocky appearance, past has that CRT smudging effect I remember
Having to move with platforms is nuts lol
Do you ❤ Mega Man?
8:21 wow, such philosophical.
What a great idea using the older film equipment for the past sections. The Nerd always delivers.
The toupee is kino
Gameplay script advisor: MIKE
16:36 nice Rocky reference
Also I love that whenever James mimics himself from the past he always uses the phrase "all over again" twice in the same sentence 😂
I must say, this really felt a classic old AVGN episode!
10:31 “putrid polyrhythm” is genius
4:01 the review must go on
AVGN and NC are bonded together for The eternal.
Isn't that a Nostalgia Critic reference?
Angry Video Game Nerd vs Angry Nintendo Nerd
In the end, his worst enemy turned out to be himself. SOOO CLOSE! I hope you do actually beat the game someday.
I could see that happening a mile away too 😂 didn't take away from the enjoyment tho
I wanted to see the ending =/
Either it was never going to be beat or the ending was just a the end screen
@JohnyTheWizKid the ending is a the end screen.
He should beat the game. WITH AN AX
Love the Rocky quote
12:57 Hey, at least the Stooges survive all their slapstick shenanigans. Your guy dies again, and again, and again.
22:34 Glitch gremlin returns haha. Kevin's still got it.
James, this is the best one in at least a decade. You've been around long enough that there's nothing wrong with being inspired by your own past. Good shit, man!
Dragon's Lair was my first AVGN video ever. I had it on repeat at work the entire week.
Which videogame is your least favorite?
15:05 that “oh f***”, I felt that one
24:35
That may have been the meanest thing The Nerd ever did to his audience.
Die, die , die , die, die. Silver surfer throwback. Love it.
Wow nerd has really mellowed out over the years, maybe he won't, 23:36 no nvm there he is, there is the nerd I come to admire.
What's the music's name? I Must know!
that toilet paper comparison was great
Never thought AVGN would drop an Eternal Darkness reference! 14:08
He should review Eternal Darkness
I love eternal darkness. For some reason it was always a zelda game to my mind, and gets replayed at the same frequency
@joeyandrews1921 I'd love to see it, but it's not an old game and it's not a bad game, so there's a pretty slim chance.
@iansrife5107 Not old? It's old enough to think its opinions matter, grandpa!
@iansrife5107 The second point is arguable
Dood! You even used the same camera when filming the flashbacks!!! It looks JUST like an old AVGN episode. The room and everything. Excellent attention to detail dood! Cheers!
And the old 4x3 SD Aspect Ratio. ☺
Even the game footage is different in the past, with blurry pixels instead of the modern sharp pixels
You said it dood!
You didn't end that last sentence with dood you must now start your rehabilitation over again from level 1
AAAAH! *DOOD! DOOD! DOOD! DOOD! DOOD LIGHTYEAR TO THE RESCUE!!* lolofl
Breaking Bad actors playing their younger versions in Better Call Saul:
The toupee is the chefs kiss.
How many videogames have you played?
Woke up and there is a new AVGN episode. It's gonna be a great day.
Can't believe I ignored this episode. It's one of the best!
6:42 really loving this bit:
In his making of a nerd episode video, James talked about how he tends to double some expressions in his scripts, the 'all over again' being his example there. This is such a niche callback it's incredible. Next level attention to detail here.
I've never felt more seen than the toilet paper analogy at 8:28
he's gonna take you back to the past
to take you back to the past again
"He's gonna take you back to the past" reaches another level
After all these years, Nerd is still angry, and hasn't lost his momentum. Except when encountering doors.
Atleast he beat Jekyll and Hyde and that’s a major milestone !!
It never ceases to amaze me on how unforgiving these older games were.
the big reason why they were so difficult was that because renting games was more popular than buying, so they intentionally made the games harder so you wouldn't be able to complete them during the rental period and have to rent it again
@CaptainJZH Like the Lion King game on N64........