Dragon 32/64
The Dragon 32 and Dragon 64 are 8-bit home computers that were built in the 1980s. The Dragons are very similar to the TRS-80 Color Computer, and were produced for the European market by Dragon Data, Ltd., initially in Swansea, Wales, before moving to Port Talbot, Wales, and by Eurohard S.A. in Casar de Cáceres, Spain, and for the US market by Tano Corporation of New Orleans, Louisiana. The model numbers reflect the primary difference between the two machines, which have 32 and 64 kilobytes of RAM, respectively.
Dragon Data introduced the Dragon 32 microcomputer in August 1982, followed by the Dragon 64 a year later. Despite initial success, the Dragon faced technical limitations in graphics capabilities and hardware-supported text modes, which restricted its appeal in the gaming and educational markets. Dragon Data collapsed in 1984 and was acquired by Spanish company Eurohard S.A. However, Eurohard filed for bankruptcy in 1987.
The Dragon computers were built around the Motorola MC6809E processor and featured a composite monitor port, allowing connection to modern TVs. They used analog joysticks and had a range of peripherals and add-ons available. The Dragon had several high-resolution display modes, but limited graphics capabilities compared to other home computers of the time.
The Dragon came with a Microsoft BASIC interpreter in ROM, which allowed instant system start-up. The Dragon 32/64 was capable of running multiple disk operating systems, and a range of popular games were ported to the system.
Overall, the Dragon computers were initially well-received but faced limitations that hindered their long-term success.
Dragon 32 vs. Dragon 64
Aside from the amount of RAM, the Dragon 64 also has a functional RS-232 serial port which was not included on the Dragon 32. A minor difference between the two Dragon models is the outer case colour; the Dragon 32 is beige and the Dragon 64 is light grey. Besides the case, branding and the Dragon 64's serial port, the two machines look the same. The Dragon 32 is upgradable to Dragon 64. In some cases, buyers of the Dragon 32 found that they actually received a Dragon 64 unit.Product history
Dragon Data entered the market in August 1982 with the Dragon 32. The Dragon 64 followed a year later. The computers sold well initially and attracted the interest of independent software developers including Microdeal. A companion magazine, Dragon User, began publication shortly after the microcomputer's launch.Despite this initial success, there were two technical impediments to the Dragon's acceptance. The graphics capabilities trailed behind other computers such as the ZX Spectrum and BBC Micro, a significant shortcoming for the games market. Additionally, as a cost-cutting measure, the hardware-supported text modes only included upper case characters; this restricted the system's appeal to the educational market.
Dragon Data collapsed in June 1984. It was acquired by the Spanish company Eurohard S.A., which moved the factory from Wales to Cáceres and released the Dragon 200 and the Dragon 200-E, but ultimately filed for bankruptcy in 1987. The remaining stock from Eurohard was purchased by a Spanish electronics hobbyist magazine and given away to those who paid for a three-year subscription, until 1992.
In the United States it was possible to purchase the Tano Dragon new in box until early 2017 from California Digital, a retailer that purchased the remaining stock.
Reception
BYTE wrote in January 1983 that the Dragon 32 "offers more feature for the money than most of its competitors", but "there's nothing exceptional about it". The review described it as a redesigned, less-expensive Color Computer with 32K RAM and better keyboard.Technical notes
Hardware and peripherals
The Dragon is built around the Motorola MC6809E processor running at 0.89 MHz. It was an advanced 8-bit CPU design, with limited 16-bit capabilities.It was possible to increase the speed of the computer by using
POKE 65495,0 which accelerated the ROM-resident BASIC interpreter, but temporarily disabled proper functioning of the cassette/printer ports. Manufacturing variances mean that not all Dragons were able to function at this higher speed, and use of this POKE could cause some units to crash or be unstable, though with no permanent damage. POKE 65494,0 returned the speed to normal. POKE 65497,0 pushed the speed yet higher but the display was lost until a slower speed was restored.The Dragon used the SN74LS783/MC6883 Synchronous Address Multiplexer and the MC6847 Video Display Generator. I/O was provided by two MC6821 Peripheral Interface Adapters. Many Dragon 32s were upgraded by their owners to 64 KB of memory. A few were further expanded to 128 KB, 256 KB, or 512 KB with home-built memory controllers/memory management units.
A broad range of peripherals exist for the Dragon 32/64, and there are add-ons such as the Dragon's Claw which give the Dragons a port that is hardware-compatible with the BBC Micro's user port, though separate software drivers for connected devices must be developed. Although neither machine has a built-in disk operating system, DragonDOS was supplied as part of the disk controller interface from Dragon Data Ltd. The versatile external ports, including the standard RS-232 on the 64, also allows hobbyists to attach a diverse range of equipment.
The computer featured a composite monitor port as an alternative to the TV RF output which can be used to connect the Dragon 32 to most modern TVs to deliver a much better picture.
The Dragon used analogue joysticks, unlike most systems of the time which used simpler and cheaper digital systems. Other uses for the joystick ports included light pens.
Tony Clarke and Richard Wadman established the specifications for the Dragon.
The units had a robust motherboard in a spacious case, reminiscent of the BBC Micro, and so were more tolerant of aftermarket modification than some of their contemporaries, which often had their components crammed into the smallest possible space.
Video modes
The Dragon's main display mode is 'black on green' text. The only graphics possible in this mode are quarter-tile block based.It also has a selection of five high-resolution modes, named PMODEs 0–4, which alternate monochrome and four-colour in successively higher resolutions, culminating in the black-and-white 256×192 PMODE 4. Each mode has two possible colour palettes – these are rather garish and cause the system to fare poorly in visual comparisons with other home computers of the time. It is also impossible to use standard printing commands to print text in the graphical modes, causing software development difficulties.
Full-colour, scanline-based 64×192 semi-graphics modes are also possible, though their imbalanced resolution and programming difficulty meant they were not often utilised.
Disk systems
First to market was a complete disk operating system produced by Premier Microsystems, located near Croydon. The system was sold as the "Delta" disk operating system; there was a proposal for Dragon to market this as an addon. Dragon did not enter into such an agreement and instead produced the DragonDOS system. The two systems were incompatible.Delta's lead in availability ensured that software was released in the format, whilst Dragon's "official" status ensured that it, too, gained software published in its format. This led to confusion and frustration, with customers finding they had either purchased a version incompatible with their setup, or that the software was only available for the competing standard.
System software
The Dragon comes with a Microsoft BASIC interpreter in 16 KB of ROM. The BASIC appears to be nearly identical to Tandy Color Computer's Extended Basic with a few changes necessary to interact with the Dragon system.In common with home computers of the time, the entire operating software was included on a ROM chip; therefore, the system starts instantly when powered up.
Some software providers also produced compilers for BASIC and other languages to produce binary code which would run many times faster and make better use of the small system RAM. Towards the end of its life, Dragon Data produced an assembler/disassembler/editor suite called Dream.
In addition to the DragonDOS disk operating system, the Dragon 32/64 is capable of running several others, including FLEX, and even OS-9 which brought UNIX-like multitasking to the platform. Memory-expanded and MMU-equipped Dragons are able to run OS-9 Level 2.
Games
Initially, the Dragon was reasonably well supported by the major UK software companies, with versions of popular games from other systems being ported to the Dragon. Top-selling games available for the Dragon include Arcadia, Chuckie Egg, Manic Miner and sequel Jet Set Willy, Hunchback and Football Manager. There were also companies that concentrated on the Dragon, such as Microdeal. Their character Cuthbert appeared in several games, with Cuthbert Goes Walkabout also being converted for Atari 8-bit and Commodore 64 systems.Due to the limited graphics modes of the Dragon, converted games had a distinctive appearance, with colour games being usually played on a green or white background or games with high-definition graphics having to run in black and white.
When the system was discontinued, support from software companies also effectively ended. However, Microdeal continued supporting the Dragon until January 1988. Some of their final games developed for the Dragon in 1987 such as Tanglewood and Airball were also converted for 16-bit machines such as the Atari ST and Amiga.
There are commercial games for the Dragon 32.
| Name | Year | Publisher |
| 3D Lunattack | 1984 | Hewson Consultants |
| 3-D Maze | Apex Trading | |
| 3D Seiddab Attack | 1984 | Hewson Consultants |
| 3D Space Wars | 1984 | Hewson Consultants |
| 5 Games Tape | Datacom Publications | |
| 6809 Express | 1985 | Quickbeam Software |
| 747 Flight Simulator | 1984 | DACC Ltd |
| A Contar | Eurohard | |
| A Week At The Races | 1983 | B & H Software |
| Ace In The H.O.L.E. | Kayde Software | |
| Acolyte | Dragonfire Services | |
| Action Pack | Shards Software | |
| Adventure Plus | Premier Microsystems | |
| Adventure Trilogy | Dragon Data | |
| Adventureland | Adventure International | |
| After The Fire | Channel 8 Software | |
| Aggressor | Programmers Guild | |
| Air Assault | 1984 | Datacom Publications |
| Air Sea Missile | Twig Systems Software | |
| Air Traffic Control | 1983 | Microdeal |
| Airball | Microdeal | |
| Albert And The Monsters | Algray | |
| Alcatraz II | 1982 | Microdeal |
| Alien Blitz | 1982 | Gem Software |
| Alien Oddessy Parts 1 & 2 | Bamby Software | |
| Aliens+ | Wizard Software | |
| All Systems Go | Anik Microsystems | |
| Amazing | Bamby Software | |
| And All Because | 1983 | B & H Software |
| Android Invaders | 1984 | Lyversoft |
| Anikman | Anik Microsystems | |
| Antigravity | Dragonfire Services | |
| Apples | Computerware | |
| Aquanaut 471 | Microdeal | |
| Arcade Action | Apex Trading | |
| Arcadia | 1984 | Imagine |
| Arcane Quest | Kayde Software | |
| Area Radar Controller | Software For All | |
| Arrow Of Death Part 1 | 1983 | Channel 8 Software |
| Arrow Of Death Part 2 | 1983 | Channel 8 Software |
| Astroblast | 1982 | Dragon Data |
| Athletyx | 1985 | Microdeal |
| Atlantis | Qed Systems | |
| Atom Hunt | Active Software | |
| Attack | 1982 | PSS |
| Autorun | Datacom Publications | |
| Avenger | 1983 | Voyager Software |
| A-Z Chase / Money Bags | 1982 | Apex Trading |
| Baby Dragon | 1983 | Gravesend Home Computers |
| Baccarat | 1983 | Cable Software |
| Back Track | 1984 | Incentive Software |
| Backgammon | 1983 | Microdeal |
| Backgammon | Oasis Software | |
| Bagitman | Aardvark-80 | |
| Bandito | Pocket Money Software | |
| Barmy Burgers | 1984 | Blaby Computer Games |
| Basil Goes Ballooning | 1984 | Sir Basil Spice Software |
| Battle Stations | Anik Microsystems | |
| Bc Bill | Imagine | |
| Beam Rider | 1984 | Microdeal |
| Bean Patch | Orange Software | |
| Beanpatch | Microvision | |
| Beanstalker | Microvision | |
| Berserk | Dragon Data | |
| Best Of Pcw - Software For The Dragon | Century Software | |
| Beyond The Cimeeon Moon | Dragon Data | |
| Beyond The Infinite | Channel 8 Software | |
| Big Six | Audiogenic | |
| Black Sanctum | Dragon Data | |
| Blackjack / Jackpot | 1983 | B & H Software |
| Bloc Head | Dragon Data | |
| Blockbuster Quiz | Computerware | |
| Blockbuster Quiz II | Computerware | |
| Bombs Away Basil | 1984 | Blaby Computer Games |
| Bonka | 1983 | J. Morrison |
| Bopswizzle | Bamby Software | |
| Boris The Bold | 1984 | Blaby Computer Games |
| Boulder Crash | 1984 | Blaby Computer Games |
| Breakout / Middle Kingdom | Dragon Data | |
| Bridge Master | Dragon Data | |
| Brocks Kingdom | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Bubble Buster | 1984 | Microdeal/Pocket Money Software |
| Bug Diver | 1984 | Mastertronic |
| Bugged! | Dungeon Software | |
| Bumpers | 1984 | Dragon Data |
| Bust-Out! | Dragonfire Services | |
| Buzzard Bait | Microdeal / Tom Mix | |
| California Gold Rush | Anik Microsystems | |
| Calixto Island | Dragon Data | |
| Cambridge | Twig Systems Software | |
| Cashman | Microdeal | |
| Cassette 50 | 1983 | Cascade |
| Castle Adventure | Virgin | |
| Castle Blackstar | 1984 | CDS Micro Systems |
| Castle of Doom | 1986 | Giant Byte |
| Cat 'N' Mouse / Space Maze | Diand Software | |
| Catacomb Crisis | Microvision | |
| Catacombs | Premier Microsystems | |
| Cave Fighter | 1983 | Cable Software |
| Cave Hunter | Dragon Data | |
| Caverns Of Chaos | 1984 | Blaby Computer Games |
| Caverns Of Doom | Microdeal | |
| CC Poker | 1983 | Compusense |
| Cells & Serpents | Asp Software | |
| Cesil Interpreter | Wizard Software | |
| Chambers | 1984 | Microdeal |
| Champions! | Peaksoft | |
| Championship Darts | 1984 | Shadow Software |
| Chateau | 1983 | Gem Software |
| Chess | J. Morrison | |
| Children from Space | Dragon Data | |
| Chuckie Egg | 1985 | A & F Software |
| Cimeon Moon | Dragon Data | |
| Circus | Channel 8 Software | |
| Circus Adventure | Dragon Data | |
| City Defence | Shards Software | |
| Clowns | Wizard Software | |
| Colossal Cave | Compusense | |
| Computa Fruita | Wizard Software | |
| Confuzion | 1985 | Incentive Software |
| Connect 4 | Computerware | |
| Conquering Everest | 1983 | Asp Software |
| Convoy Attack | Romik Software | |
| Copta Snatch | 1984 | Blaby Computer Games |
| Copter Patrol | J. Morrison | |
| Cores 64 | 1984 | Microdeal |
| Cosmic Clones | Dragon Data | |
| Cosmic Cruiser | 1984 | Imagine |
| Cosmic Crusader | 1984 | Blaby Computer Games |
| Cosmic Zap | 1983 | Microdeal |
| Courier Pilot | Programmers Guild | |
| Cranky | Dragon Data | |
| Crash | 1984 | Microdeal |
| Crazi Plumber | Wizard Software | |
| Crazy Foota | Computape | |
| Crazy Foota 2 | Computape | |
| Crazy Foota 3 | 1988 | Orange Software |
| Crazy Painter | Microdeal | |
| Creepies / To Boldly Go | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Cribbage | Premier Microsystems | |
| Cruising on Broadway | 1983 | Sunshine |
| Crusader | J. Morrison | |
| C-Trek | Compusense | |
| CU*BER | 1984 | Tom Mix Software |
| Curse of Carmac | PSE Computers | |
| Curse of Comarc | 1986 | Microvision |
| Cuthbert And The Golden Chalice | 1986 | Microdeal |
| Cuthbert Goes Digging | 1983 | Microdeal |
| Cuthbert Goes Walkabout | Microdeal | |
| Cuthbert In Space | Microdeal | |
| Cuthbert In The Cooler | 1985 | Microdeal |
| Cuthbert In The Jungle | 1983 | Microdeal |
| Cuthbert In The Mines | 1983 | Microdeal |
| Cyclops | Romik Software | |
| Cyrus Chess | Dragon Data | |
| DAMS | 1988 | Orange Software |
| Danger Island | 1984 | Software For All |
| Danger Ranger | 1983 | Microdeal |
| Danger! | PSE Computers | |
| Dark Star | Design Design | |
| Darts | Computerware | |
| Data Fall | Microdeal/Pocket Money Software | |
| Dataplan | 1982 | PSS |
| Deadwood | A & F Software | |
| Death Cruise | Virgin | |
| Death Mines Of Sirus | 1983 | Phoenix Software |
| Death'S Head Hole | Peaksoft | |
| Decathlon | Dragonfire Services | |
| Decathlon | Wizard Software | |
| Defense | Microdeal | |
| Demolition Derby | 1984 | Microdeal |
| Demon Knight | Asp Software | |
| Demon Seed | Microdeal | |
| Desert Golf | Compusense | |
| Desperado Dan | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Destiny Trilogy | 1987 | Pulser Software |
| Detective | Asp Software | |
| Detonate / The Alien | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Devil Assault | 1983 | Microdeal |
| Devils Island | 1983 | Apex Trading |
| Devils Triangle | Abacus | |
| Diamond Dash | Starship Software | |
| Diamond Dash 2 | Starship Software | |
| Diamond Manor | Dragonfire Services | |
| Dickie Space Man | Quickbeam Software | |
| Dickie'S Den | 1985 | Quickbeam Software |
| Dismon | Wizard Software | |
| Dodo | 1983 | Preston |
| Dominoes | Oasis Software | |
| Donkey King | 1982 | Microdeal |
| Don'T Panic | Peaksoft | |
| Dont Squeal | Dragonfire Services | |
| Doodle Bug | Dragon Data/Microdeal/Computerware | |
| Doom | PSE Computers | |
| Downland | 1984 | Microdeal |
| Draconian | 1984 | Microdeal |
| Dragbug | 1982 | PSS |
| Dragon 1 | 1983 | Dream Software |
| Dragon 2 | J. Morrison | |
| Dragon 3D O'S & X'S / Invader Cube | Oasis Software | |
| Dragon 4 | 1983 | J. Morrison |
| Dragon 55 | Nemesis | |
| Dragon Birthday Special | Dragon Data | |
| Dragon Challenge | Premier Microsystems | |
| Dragon Charset | Asn Computers Ltd | |
| Dragon Chess | Oasis Software | |
| Dragon Darts | 1984 | Blaby Computer Games |
| Dragon Double | Mr Micro | |
| Dragon Games 1 | J. Morrison | |
| Dragon Games Pack | Program Direct | |
| Dragon Games Tape 2 | J. Morrison | |
| Dragon Games Tape 4 | J. Morrison | |
| Dragon Hawk | 1983 | Microdeal |
| Dragon Invaders | 1982 | Microdeal |
| Dragon Mountain | Dragon Data | |
| Dragon Othello | Asn Computers Ltd | |
| Dragon Personal Pack | Premier Microsystems | |
| Dragon Racer / Wasp Invasion | 1983 | Cable Software |
| Dragon Selection 1 | Dragon Data | |
| Dragon Selection 2 | Dragon Data | |
| Dragon Selection 3 | Dragon Data | |
| Dragon Selection 4 | Dragon Data | |
| Dragon Selection 5 | Dragon Data | |
| Dragon Startrek | Wizard Software | |
| Dragon Strategy Pack | Premier Microsystems | |
| Dragon Tower | Premier Microsystems | |
| Dragon Trek | 1983 | Wintersoft Software |
| Dragonfly | Hewson Consultants | |
| Dragonfly II | Hewson Consultants | |
| Dragopoly | B & H Software | |
| Dragrunner | 1983 | Cable Software |
| Dragstone | Dragonfire Services | |
| Drawcaster - Australian Pools | 1984 | Acepak Software |
| Drawcaster - British Pools | 1984 | Acepak Software |
| Dream Machine | Dragonfire Services | |
| Droids | J. Morrison | |
| Drone Datatank | 1983 | Cable Software |
| Dungeon Destiny | Microvision | |
| Dungeon Raid | Microdeal | |
| Dungeons Of Death | Premier Microsystems | |
| Eager Edna | Cable Software | |
| Earth Rescue | Abacus | |
| Eddie Steady Go! | 1985 | Incentive Software |
| Eight Ball | 1984 | Microdeal |
| El Bandito | Dragon Data | |
| El Diablero | Dragon Data | |
| Election Fever | Whitsoft | |
| Electron | Tom Mix Software | |
| El-Pea | 1986 | Microvision |
| Empire | 1983 | Shards Software |
| Encoder 09 | 1983 | Premier Microsystems |
| Endless Noughts And Crosses | R&P International | |
| Enter The Dragon | Melbourne House | |
| Escape | Microdeal | |
| Escape Form Pulsar 7 | Channel 8 Software | |
| Escuela de pilotos F1 | 1982 | Salamander Software |
| Everest | 1983 | Salamander Software |
| Evictor | Wizard Software | |
| Execution | Datacom Publications | |
| Exploring Adventures On The Dragon | Ducksoft | |
| Fairground Fantasy | Abrasco Ltd | |
| Fantasy Fight | Cable Software | |
| Fearless Freddy | Microdeal/Pocket Money Software | |
| Feasibility Experiment | Channel 8 Software | |
| Fembots' Revenge | Dragon Data | |
| Filmaster | 1985 | Microdeal |
| Final Countdown | Dragon Data | |
| Fingers | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Fire Force | Quickbeam Software | |
| Fireball | Abacus | |
| Fish Van Scandal | 1989 | Orange Software |
| Fishy Business | Salamander Software | |
| Flag | Dragon Data | |
| Flight | Dragon Data | |
| Flight Simulator | PSS | |
| Flipper | Microdeal | |
| Folly Farm's Chicken Run | 1984 | Impsoft |
| Football Manager | Addictive Games | |
| Forbidden City | Apex Trading | |
| Forest Of Doom | Orange Software | |
| Formula One | Pamcomms | |
| Frankie | Quickbeam Software | |
| Franklin In Wonderland | Salamander Software | |
| Franklin's Tomb | Salamander Software | |
| Free Parking | Active Software | |
| Frogger | 1983 | Microdeal |
| Froggy | Galactic Software | |
| Frog-Hop | Bamby Software | |
| Froglet | CRL | |
| Fruit Machine | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Fruity | Dragon Data | |
| Fun and Games | Shards Software | |
| Fury | Microdeal | |
| Galactic Ambush | 1983 | Microdeal |
| Galactic Gus | Quickbeam Software | |
| Galactic Raiders | Algray | |
| Galactic Slugs | Bamby Software | |
| Galactic Taipan | Hornet Software | |
| Galacticans | 1984 | Softek |
| Galagon | Microdeal | |
| Galax Attax | Dragon Data | |
| Gallactic Survival Pak | Anik Microsystems | |
| Galleons | Wizard Software | |
| Game Of Life | Compusense | |
| Games Compendium | Salamander Software | |
| Games Pack 1 | Abacus | |
| Games Pack 1 | Oasis Software | |
| Games Pack 2 | Abacus | |
| Games Pack 3 | Abacus | |
| Games Pack I | 1982 | Gem Software |
| Games Pack II | Gem Software | |
| Games Pack III | Gem Software | |
| Games Pack IV | Gem Software | |
| Games Tape 1 | Active Software | |
| Games Tape 1 | B & H Software | |
| Games Tape 2 | Active Software | |
| Games Tape 2 | Apex Trading | |
| Gee Up Neddy | Anik Microsystems | |
| Ghost Attack | Dragon Data | |
| Ghost Town | Adventure International | |
| Giants Castle | 1983 | Dungeon Software |
| Gis A Job | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Glaxxons | Microdeal | |
| Goblin Caves | Apex Trading | |
| Golden Apples Of The Sun | 1983 | Bamby Software |
| Golden Oldies II | Pamcomms | |
| Golden Voyage | Adventure International | |
| Golf | Apex Trading | |
| Golf | Audiogenic | |
| Golf | Gem Software | |
| Golf | 1983 | Microdeal / Tom Mix |
| Golf | PSS | |
| Golf | 1983 | Salamander Software |
| Gordon Bennet | 1985 | Computape |
| Grabber | Microdeal | |
| Grand Prix | Salamander Software | |
| Gridrunner | Salamander Software | |
| Guardian | Hornet Software | |
| Guardian Angel | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Halcon | Cibercomp SA | |
| Handicap Golf | CRL | |
| Hang It! | Peaksoft | |
| Hareraiser | Haresoft | |
| Hareraiser | Haresoft | |
| Hide & Seek | Dragon Data | |
| Hole | Dragonfire Services | |
| Home Base | Cable Software | |
| Hooked! | Shards Software | |
| Horace Goes Skiing | Melbourne House | |
| Horror Atoll | Kayde Software | |
| Horror Castle | 1983 | A & F Software |
| Hotel On Mayfair | Datacom Publications | |
| Hubert | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Hunchback | Ocean Software | |
| Hungry Horace | Melbourne House | |
| I Ching | Virgin | |
| Ice Castles | Spectral Associates | |
| If I Had A Million | Phoenix Software | |
| Impossiball | Pulser Software | |
| Impossiball! | Dragonfire Services | |
| Indoor Football | Quickbeam Software | |
| Inform | 1984 | Premier Microsystems |
| Inspector Clueseau | Eurosoft | |
| Intelligent Disk Copier | Dragonfire Services | |
| Intergalatic Force | 1983 | Microdeal |
| Interplanetary Trader | Bamby Software | |
| Invader / Simon | Apex Trading | |
| Invaders | Alligata | |
| Invaders Revenge | 1982 | Microdeal |
| Island Adventure | Apex Trading | |
| Jaws | Alligata | |
| Jerusalem Adventure 2 | 1982 | Microdeal |
| Jet Boot Colin | Pocket Money Software | |
| Jet Set Willy | 1983 | Software Projects |
| Johnny Reb | 1983 | Lothlorien |
| Journey To The Centre Of Phobos | Dragonfire Services | |
| Jumbos Troubles | 1985 | Wizard Software |
| Jumpjet | Dragon Data | |
| Jungle Juice | Fantasy Software | |
| Junior's Revenge | 1983 | Dragon Data/Microdeal/Computerware |
| Juxtaposition: Barons of Ceti V | Wintersoft Software | |
| Karma Carzy | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Katerpillar II | Tom Mix Software | |
| Keys Of Roth | CRL | |
| Keys Of The Wizard | Microdeal | |
| Kids Pack 1 | 1988 | Dragonfire Services |
| King Of Valley | Abacus | |
| King Tut | Microdeal | |
| Klartz And The Dark Forces | Dungeon Software | |
| Kriegspiel | Beyond | |
| Kung Fu - The Master | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Land Of Tezrel | Omen | |
| Larkspur Waldorf 2 | PSE Computers | |
| Laser Blast | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Laser Gates | J. Morrison | |
| Laser Racer | CRL | |
| Laser Run | 1984 | Blaby Computer Games |
| Laser Zone | Salamander Software | |
| Lazer Cycles / Mission Dru / Hangman / Breakout | Lasersound Software | |
| Leggit! | 1983 | Imagine |
| Leopard Lord | Kayde Software | |
| Line Up 4 | Terminal Software | |
| Linkword | Computerware | |
| Lion Heart | Peaksoft | |
| Livingstone | Cable Software | |
| Lord Of The Dragon | Item Limited | |
| Lost In Space | Salamander Software | |
| Lucifer'S Kingdom | Orange Software | |
| Lunar Rescue | B & H Software | |
| Lunar Rover Patrol | Dragon Data/Microdeal | |
| MacDougal's Last Stand | 1984 | Blaby Computer Games |
| Mad Monty | Screenplay | |
| Madness & The Minotaur | Dragon Data | |
| Man Hunt | 1984 | Omen |
| Manic Miner | 1984 | Software Projects |
| Mansion Adventure 1 | Microdeal | |
| Mansion of Doom | Dragon Data | |
| Master Cards Player | Program Direct | |
| Matchmaker | Orange Software | |
| Maths Games Pack | Premier Microsystems | |
| Maths Trek | 1983 | Dungeon Software |
| Maurice Minor | 1983 | J. Morrison |
| Mazerace / Spellbase | 1985 | Dragonfire Services |
| Metal-On-Metal | Quickbeam Software | |
| Meteoroids | Dragon Data | |
| Micropoly | Temptation Software | |
| Mid Winter | Channel 8 Software | |
| Midas Maze | Dungeon Software | |
| Middle Kingdom / Breakout | Dragon Data | |
| Mind Games Compendium | Oasis Software | |
| Mindbenders | Anik Microsystems | |
| Mined-Out | 1983 | Quicksilva |
| Mini Games | Bamby Software | |
| Miser'S Dream | Microvision | |
| Missile Command & Graphics Demonstration | Djl Software | |
| Missile Defender | Tiger Software | |
| Mission 1 - Project Volcano | R&B Software | |
| Mission Attack | 1984 | Blaby Computer Games |
| Mission Moonbase | Phoenix Software | |
| Mission Xk1 | 1984 | J. Morrison |
| Mission-Empire | Hornet Software | |
| Module Man | Microdeal | |
| Monster Mine | 1982 | Gem Software |
| Monsters | Softek | |
| Monsters & Magic | Dragon Data | |
| Moon Cresta | Incentive Software | |
| Moon Hopper | Dragon Data/Microdeal/Computerware | |
| Moonhopper | Dragon Data | |
| Morbid Mansion | 1984 | Blaby Computer Games |
| Morocco Grand Prix | Microdeal | |
| Movie Producer | 1983 | Silly Software |
| Mr Dig | Microdeal | |
| Mr Eater | Programmers Guild | |
| Mublingly / Cecil Plays 21 / Roulette / Craps / Telepahy | Preston | |
| Mudpies | Microdeal | |
| Mutant War | 1984 | Blaby Computer Games |
| Mystery Fun House | Adventure International | |
| Nerble Force | Dragon Data/Microdeal/Computerware | |
| Night Flight | Salamander Software | |
| Nightmare Park | Item Limited | |
| Ninja Warrior | Programmers Guild | |
| Noah'S Ark | Item Limited | |
| North Sea Action | Orange Software | |
| North Sea Oil | 1984 | Shards Software |
| Number Chaser | Dragon Data | |
| Number Gulper | Dragon Data | |
| Number Puzzler | Dragon Data | |
| Oil Baron | Whitsoft | |
| Oil Recovery | Premier Microsystems | |
| Olympia | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Operation Safras | 1984 | Shards Software |
| Orb | Impact Software | |
| Ossie | Peaksoft | |
| Othello | Oasis Software | |
| Othello | Software For All | |
| Othello | Twig Systems Software | |
| Pacdroids | Programmers Guild | |
| Pairs | Premier Microsystems | |
| Pairs | Software For All | |
| Pane Damage | Anik Microsystems | |
| Patti-Pak | 1983 | Eurosoft |
| Pedro | 1984 | Imagine |
| Pendragon Space Trader | Abacus | |
| Pengon | Microdeal | |
| Pepper'S Games Pack | Wintersoft Software | |
| Perilous Pit | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Perseus & Andromeda | Channel 8 Software | |
| Pettigrew's Diary | 1983 | Shards Software |
| Phantom Slayer | 1983 | Microdeal |
| Pharohs Curse | 1984 | Apex Trading |
| Phasor Power | Anik Microsystems | |
| Photo-Finish | Peaksoft | |
| Picnic Adventure | Kayde Software | |
| Picture Puzzle | Lyversoft | |
| Pimania | 1982 | Automata |
| Pinball | Apex Trading | |
| Pinball | 1983 | Microdeal |
| Pirate | Abrasco Ltd | |
| Pirate Adventure | Adventure International | |
| Pirates Ahoy | Compusense | |
| Pit Fiend | 1984 | Microdeal/Pocket Money Software |
| Planet Conquest | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Planet Invasion | Microdeal | |
| Pogo-Jo | J. Morrison | |
| Poker | Compusense | |
| Pontoon | Computerware | |
| Poseidon Adventure | Dragon Data | |
| Pratfall Pearly | Scorpio Software | |
| Program Pack 1 | Microdeal | |
| Program Pack 2 | Microdeal | |
| Program Pack 3 | Microdeal | |
| Program Pack 4 | 1983 | Microdeal |
| Program Pack 5 | 1983 | Microdeal |
| Protector | Algray | |
| Protector | Programmers Guild | |
| Pub Crawl | B & H Software | |
| Puzzler | 1983 | Shards Software |
| Pyradventure | 1987 | Dragonfire Services |
| Pyramid Of Doom | Adventure International | |
| Qiks | Spectral Associates | |
| QMON | 1986 | Microvision |
| Quazimodo | Cable Software | |
| Quest | Dragon Data | |
| Quest | Impact Software | |
| Questprobe - Spiderman | Adventure International | |
| Questprobe 1 - The Hulk | Adventure International | |
| Quickshot I | 1984 | Microdeal |
| Quickshot II | 1984 | Microdeal |
| Quinky in the Caves of Doom | PSE Computers | |
| Quiz Pack | 1983 | Shards Software |
| Racer Ball | Microdeal | |
| Rail Runner | 1982 | Dragon Data |
| Rail Runner | 1985 | Microdeal |
| Rainbow Writer | Microdeal | |
| Rally Adventure | 1988 | Pulser Software |
| Red Alert | Wizard Software | |
| Red Meanies | Salamander Software | |
| Renju - Radio Ham | PSE Computers | |
| Return of the Ring | Wintersoft Software | |
| Return To Pirates Island | Adventure International | |
| Reversi | Trojan Products | |
| River Of Fire | J. Morrison | |
| Robin Hood | Pocket Money Software | |
| Robin Hood | Portent Adventures | |
| Rola-Ball | Compusense | |
| Rola-Ball 2 | Starship Software | |
| Roman Empire | Lothlorien | |
| Romik Cube | Romik Software | |
| Rommel 3D | Microdeal | |
| Rommel's Revenge | Design Design | |
| Ruby Robba | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Ruby Runabout | Scorpio Software | |
| Samsim | Dragon Data | |
| Samurai Warrior | Lothlorien | |
| SAS | Peaksoft | |
| Savage Island Part 1 | Adventure International | |
| Savage Island Part 2 | Adventure International | |
| Scanner 13 | Bamby Software | |
| Scarfman | Microdeal | |
| School Maze | Dragon Data | |
| Screaming Abdabs | 1985 | A & F Software |
| Scribe | Premier Microsystems | |
| Sea Quest | Dragon Data | |
| Secret Mission | Adventure International | |
| Setter | Dragsoft | |
| Sewer Rat | PSE Computers | |
| Sewer Rats / Raiders | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Shaft | 1983 | Dragon Data |
| Shaolin Master | Quickbeam Software | |
| Shaolin Master Plus | Quickbeam Software | |
| Shape Up | Dragon Data | |
| Shaper | Shards Software | |
| Shark Treasure | Dragon Data/Microdeal/Computerware | |
| Shenanigans | Dragon Data | |
| Sherlock | Orange Software | |
| Shocktrooper | Microdeal | |
| Show Jump | Computerware | |
| Shrunken Scientist | 1988 | Orange Software |
| Shuttle Zap | Eurohard | |
| Shuttlezap | Dragon Data | |
| Simon | Apex Trading | |
| Simon Says | Touchmaster | |
| Simon Shapes | Touchmaster | |
| Simon Squares | Touchmaster | |
| Simply Simon | Touchmaster | |
| Sir Leapin' Lancelot | Anik Microsystems | |
| Sir Randolf of the Moors | Griffin Software | |
| Sirius Iv | Wizard Software | |
| Six-Aside-Soccer | Quickbeam Software | |
| Sketch-A-Puzzle | Diand Software | |
| Skid Row | Microdeal | |
| Skier | CRL | |
| Skramble | Microdeal | |
| Skyjoust | 1983 | J. Morrison |
| Slide | Microdeal/Pocket Money Software | |
| Slow But Sure | Dragsoft | |
| Smash | Wizard Software | |
| Snakebite | Diand Software | |
| Snow Queen | Cambrian Computersolve | |
| Snow Queen 7+ | Shards Software | |
| Sorcerer Of Claymorgue Castle | Adventure International | |
| Space Castle | Wizard Software | |
| Space Fighter | Microdeal | |
| Space Mission | Gem Software | |
| Space Monopoly | Microdeal | |
| Space Race | Compusense | |
| Space Raiders | Microdeal | |
| Space Shuttle | Microdeal | |
| Space Trek | Dragon Data | |
| Space Trek | Trojan Products | |
| Space Trek 1 | Dragonfire Services | |
| Space Trek 2 | Dragonfire Services | |
| Space Trek 3 | Dragonfire Services | |
| Space War | Microdeal | |
| Space Wrek | Microdeal | |
| Speed Racer | Microdeal | |
| Spellbound: Besieged | Sulis Software | |
| Spider | 1983 | Premier Microsystems |
| Splosh | Abacus | |
| Sporting Decathlon | Paramount | |
| Sprite Designer | 1983 | Orange Software |
| Spy Against Spy | Pulser Software | |
| St George and the Dragons | CRL | |
| Stalag / Eno | Dragon Data | |
| Star Cargo | Scorpio Software | |
| Star Defence | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Star Spores | Microdeal | |
| Star Swoop | 1984 | Blaby Computer Games |
| Star Trek | Salamander Software | |
| Star Trek / Reversi | Preston | |
| Starfighter | Dragon Data | |
| Starfighter | J. Morrison | |
| Stargate | Abacus | |
| Starjammer | Salamander Software | |
| Starke Island | Orange Software | |
| Starman Jones | 1984 | Blaby Computer Games |
| Starship Chameleon | Dragon Data/Microdeal/Computerware | |
| Starship Destiny | Pulser Software | |
| Starting Fractions | Wizard Software | |
| Startrek | Impact Software | |
| Startrek | PSS | |
| Starword | Wizard Software | |
| Stockmarket | Asp Software | |
| Stockmarket | Bamby Software | |
| Stone Raider Ii | Microdeal | |
| Storm | 1982 | Microdeal |
| Storm Arrows | Dragon Data | |
| Strange Odyssey | Adventure International | |
| Strategic Command | Romik Software | |
| Strategic Command | Touchmaster | |
| Strategy | Wizard Software | |
| Submarine Command | Program Direct | |
| Submarine Commander | B & H Software | |
| Sultan's Maze | Gem Software | |
| Sunken City | Slik Software | |
| Sunken Ghost | Dragonfire Services | |
| Supa Nova | Orange Software | |
| Super Fruit Machine | Premier Microsystems | |
| Super Skill Hangman | 1983 | Salamander Software |
| Super Spy | Ampalsoft | |
| Super Spy | 1983 | Richard Shepherd Software |
| Superbowl | Cable Software | |
| Superkid | Quickbeam Software | |
| SuperNova | 1988 | Orange Software |
| Surprise | Bamby Software | |
| Swashbuckler | A & F Software | |
| Syzygy | Microdeal | |
| Table Adventures | 1984 | Dragon Data |
| Take The Strain | Twig Systems Software | |
| Talking Android Attack | Microdeal | |
| Tangle Wood | Microdeal | |
| Tank Battle | Premier Microsystems | |
| Taskship | J. Morrison | |
| Taskship | Programmers Guild | |
| Tea Time | 1984 | Pocket Money Software |
| Tee Off | Dragon Data | |
| Temple Of Doom | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Temple Of Zoren | Dungeon Software | |
| Ten Little Indians | Channel 8 Software | |
| Terror Castle | Quickbeam Software | |
| Terror From The Deep | Kayde Software | |
| Tetris | PSE Computers | |
| Textstar | 1982 | PSS |
| The Animator | Screenplay | |
| The Bells | Blaby Computer Games | |
| The Bomb! | Dragonfire Services | |
| The Chocolate Factory / Fabrica de Chicles | 1983 | Eurohard |
| The Count | Adventure International | |
| The Cricklewood Incident | 1983 | Salamander Software |
| The Crystal Chalice | Dungeon Software | |
| The Curse of Camarc | 1988 | Orange Software |
| The Dark Pit | Microdeal | |
| The Dragon Composer | Microdeal | |
| The Emperor Must Die | Phoenix Software | |
| The Fall Of Rome | Asp Software | |
| The Filing System | Active Software | |
| The Games Cassette | Datacom Publications | |
| The Golden Baton | 1984 | Channel 8 Software |
| The Great Fish Van Scandal | Orange Software | |
| The Immortal Strain | Dragonfire Services | |
| The Ket Trilogy | 1985 | Incentive Software |
| The King | 1982 | Microdeal |
| The Lost Tower Of Tintagel | Portent Adventures | |
| The Manager | Dungeon Software | |
| The Meddler | Nemesis | |
| The Mystery Of The Java Star | 1984 | Shards Software |
| The Puzzler | Computerware | |
| The Quiz | Twig Systems Software | |
| The Ring Of Darkness | Wintersoft Software | |
| The Roundsby Incident | Kayde Software | |
| The Seven Hills | Anik Microsystems | |
| The Shrunken Scientist | Quickbeam Software | |
| The Swamp | Kayde Software | |
| The Sword and the Sorcerer | 1984 | Blaby Computer Games |
| The Tiger Grand Prix | 1983 | Tiger Software |
| The Time Machine | Channel 8 Software | |
| The Tower | Twig Systems Software | |
| The Trial Of Arnold Blackwood | Nemesis | |
| The Valley | Asp Software | |
| The Valley | 1983 | Kayde Software |
| The Vortex Factor | Microdeal | |
| The Water Of Life | Abacus | |
| The White Barrows | Asp Software | |
| The White Cliffs Of Dover | Salamander Software | |
| The Wizard Of Akyrz | Channel 8 Software | |
| The Wizards Lair | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Thirteenth Task | Orange Software | |
| Tick Tock | 1984 | Gravesend Home Computers |
| Tim Love's Cricket | Peaksoft | |
| Time Bandit | 1984 | Microdeal |
| Time Jumper | Lothlorien | |
| Time Lord | Incentive Software | |
| Time Machine Search | Dragonfire Services | |
| Time Port 1 | Wizard Software | |
| Time Port 2 - The Staff Of Life | Wizard Software | |
| Time Traveller | Sulis Software | |
| Tiny Touch'N'Go | Dorling Kindersley Software | |
| Tombstone & Codcreek | PSE Computers | |
| Tombstone And Cod Creek | Quickbeam Software | |
| Toppler | Microdeal/Pocket Money Software | |
| Total Eclipse | PSE Computers | |
| Touchdown | Wizard Software | |
| Touch'N'Go | 1984 | Goldstar |
| Touchstone | 1984 | Microdeal |
| Trace Chase | Wizard Software | |
| Trace Race | 1983 | Cable Software |
| Transylvanian Tower | 1983 | Richard Shepherd Software |
| Treasure Tombe | Dungeon Software | |
| Treasures of Barsoom | Microdeal | |
| Trekboer | Microdeal | |
| Triplet | Wizard Software | |
| Trivial Crosswords | Quickbeam Software | |
| Trun | Blaby Computer Games | |
| Tubeway Army | Design Design | |
| Turnover | Orange Software | |
| Tyrant Of Athens | Lothlorien | |
| UGH! | Softek | |
| Ultimate Adventure 4 | 1982 | Microdeal |
| Ultrapede | Softek | |
| Underbeings Of Croth | Dragonfire Services | |
| Up Periscope | Beyond | |
| Usurper of Rune | 1985 | Wintersoft Software |
| Utopia | Dragonfire Services | |
| UXB | 1984 | Virgin |
| Variety Pack | Qed Systems | |
| Vegas Jackpot | 1984 | Mastertronic |
| Video Challenge 1 | Qed Systems | |
| Video Challenge 2 | Qed Systems | |
| Viking | Dragon Data | |
| Volcanic Dungeon | Carnell Software | |
| Voodoo Castle | Adventure International | |
| Vulcan Noughts And Crosses | 1982 | Salamander Software |
| Vultures | J. Morrison | |
| War Hammer of Gilibran | 1988 | Orange Software |
| Warlord | 1982 | Lothlorien |
| Waxworks | Channel 8 Software | |
| Weetabix Versus The Titchies | Romik Software | |
| Weirds Of Kesh | Quickbeam Software | |
| Whirlybird Run | Dragon Data | |
| White Crystal | Romik Software | |
| Who Said That | Item Limited | |
| Wild West Destiny | Pulser Software | |
| Williamsburg Adventure 3 | 1982 | Microdeal |
| Willys Revenge | Abacus | |
| Wings of War | 1984 | Salamander Software |
| Wizard | Wizard Software | |
| Wizard Pinball | Wizard Software | |
| Wizard War | 1982 | Salamander Software |
| Wizards Lair | Preston | |
| Wizards Quest | Microdeal | |
| Word Search | 1986 | Computerware |
| Worlds Of Flight | Microdeal | |
| Wormtube | Hornet Software | |
| Yahtcee | Anik Microsystems | |
| Yakzee | 1983 | Automata |
| Zak'sson | Cable Software | |
| Zorakk the Conqueror | Icon Software | |
| Zotoka | Preston |
Differences from the TRS-80 Color Computer
Both the Dragon and the TRS-80 Color Computer are based on a Motorola data sheet design for the MC6883 SAM chip for memory management and peripheral control.The systems are sufficiently similar that a significant fraction of the compiled software produced for one machine will run on the other. Software running via the built-in Basic interpreters also has a high level of compatibility, but only after they are re-tokenized, which can be achieved fairly easily by transferring via cassette tape with appropriate options.
It is possible to permanently convert a Color Computer into a Dragon by swapping the original Color Computer ROM and rewiring the keyboard cable.
The Dragon has additional circuitry to make the MC6847 VDG compatible with European 625-line PAL television standards, rather than the US 525-line NTSC standard, and a Centronics parallel printer port not present on the TRS-80. Some models were manufactured with NTSC video for the US and Canadian markets.