Dragon’s Lair available in true 1080p HD

Classic arcade game Dragon’s Lair has become the first game title ever to be released for the Blu-ray Disc High Definition format using BD-J (Blu-ray Disc Java).

The title was one of the first laserdisc video games. It was released in June 1983 by Cinematronics and was a huge success, largely because of its movie-quality images - the title featured animation created by former Disney animator Don Bluth.

The game has now been digitally restored by Digital Leisure Inc, which specialises in remastering and publishing interactive video-based titles.

Digital Leisure has enhanced Dragon’s Lair with an all-new 5.1 surround sound mix.

The video was transferred from the original film and cleaned frame by frame by Digital Leisure and authoring studio Infinite HD.

The title is the first release to be authored in BD-J, a format which provides a fully arcade-authentic experience.

All the special features on the disc are in full 1080p HD. It includes new interviews with the title’s creators Don Bluth, Gary Goldman and Rick Dyer. There is even a full length visual commentary of the game.

Digital Leisure has a number of other Blu-ray titles in the pipeline, including Space Ace and Dragon’s Lair II: Time Warp.

Dragon’s Lair Blu-ray will be available from 9 April 2008 at software and movie retailers. It will also be available online at www.digitalleisure.com.