Dungeons & Dragons
By Will Wade,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Dated swords'n'sorcery cartoon series pumps up teamwork.
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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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Based on 1 parent review
Corny 80's humor
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What's the Story?
Six kids are magically transported to a mysterious realm of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, populated by wizards, unicorns, warlocks, and other fantastical beings. Each is transformed into a specialized type of character -- the magician, the knight, the barbarian, the acrobat -- and they must work together to find their way home. The enigmatic Dungeon Master sometimes appears to give them guidance and clues, directing them from one adventure to the next in this animated series based on an enormously popular role-playing game.
Is It Any Good?
This series was originally developed as a companion to the popular role-playing game of the same name, and its efforts to fit into the D&D structure is now, decades later, somewhat limiting. People who remember the game will know why the mysterious guide is named Dungeon Master (the term for the person who guided players through the games -- a laborious task long since handed over to computers), but today it might seem confusing -- there really aren't many dungeons on the series. And why does Dungeon Master make such a big deal about each character's specialized type? The answer is because these classes were very important in the game, but they don't add very much to plot here.
Because it is explicitly linked to a game that is no longer popular, the series is dated. Elements that made sense to gamers then may not make sense to kids who are now unfamiliar with the conventions of the original game. Without that connection, the show seems like just another old TV series with standard villains, predictable plots, and so-so animation. It could have nostalgia value for adults with fond memories of playing, or watching, Dungeons & Dragons, but is unlikely to win new fans.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about teamwork. Each character has specialized skills. How do they all work together to overcome challenges?
The show was based on the wildly popular Dungeons & Dragons game. How do you think the series hold up, years after the game has faded from popular culture?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 17, 1983
- Cast: Don Most, Katie Leigh, Willie Aames
- Network: CBS
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: February 25, 2022
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