Giddy Goons

The Giddy Goons are enemies that debuted in the original Dragon's Lair arcade game. They appear in a scene where Dirk the Daring is climbing a flight of stairs, where they proceed to ambush him from above and below. The Goons are purple, animalistic creatures that carry daggers which they plunge into unsuspecting adventurers. Dirk defeats them by slicing them in half with his sword. Their calls sound like a monkey's screeching.

Appearances[]

Dragon's Lair 3D: Return to the Lair[]

The Goons return as common stage enemies in Dragon's Lair 3D: Return to the Lair introducing the new variants of Giddy Goon Warriors armed with crossbows and Fire Giddy Goons (who use daggers) and Fire Giddy Goon Warriors who use crossbows.

Dragon's Lair (Software Projects)[]

The Giddy Goons level appears in the 8-bit home computer version. In this version they look like abstract rodents or kangaroos wandering on tall platforms, instead of stairs. Dirk has to jump from platform to platform.

Dragon's Lair (TV series)[]

Various types of Giddy Goons appear as recurring enemies in the Ruby-Spears animated series, usually attacking the heroes in groups and sometimes supported by a group of Mudmen. Most Goons appear to vaporize after a single blow from Dirk’s sword.

Trivia[]

Along with a few other enemies, the Giddy Goons had their name spelled out by a caption in the original game's intro.
The Giddy Goons scene from the original game is a rare example of a level that can be completed in two ways: the player has the chance of avoiding the second Goon attack by moving at the right time, although this will yield less points for the level.
Marvel Books released a Dragon's Lair coloring book titled Dirk the Daring Battles The Giddy Goons with story by Dwight Jon Zimmerman and art by Don Bluth animation.
In 2002, AnJon Toys released a wave of four action figures as a tie-in with Dragon's Lair 3D: Return to the Lair: Dirk the Daring, Princess Daphne, Mordroc, and Singe. A second wave of figures was planned but the company's financial losses prevented the retail release of additional figures and resulted in the closure of the company. "The Giddy Goons" was planned as a two-pack set of matching figures for a future wave.^[1]
In Cardsmiths' Dragon's Lair trading cards Series One, "THE GIDDY GOONS" features as card #26 with the description: "Avoid or attack is the decision Dirk will need to make. But either way, the Giddy Goons are standing in Dirk's way."^[2] Card #27 ("CHOMP, CHOMP") misidentifies a Centabatacorn from Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp as Giddy Goon, noting "The Giddy Goons are known for their swords, but even without any weapons, they're not completely disarmed. Their attacks still carry some bite."^[3]