AKA: Kingdom: The Far Reaches

Arcade Release: 1984
Other Platforms: 1995
Number of Players: 1
Publisher: Digital Leisure
Developer: RDI Video Systems
Type: Adventure



Thayer's Quest was released as "Kingdom: The Far Reaches" for 3DO, CDI, and Home Computers

Produced by RDI Video Systems as a conversion kit for existing Dragon's Lair and Space Ace machines, Thayer's Quest is an arcade version of a laserdisc game Rick Dyer originally envisioned as the launch title for the failed RDI Halcyon home video game system. Players guide Thayer, a young man descended from kings, on a mission to find five hidden items that can be combined into a powerful artifact known as the Hand of Quoid; if Thayer doesn't find this all-powerful item, an evil overlord will use it to gain control over the entire kingdom. Thayer's Quest is unique in bringing a full QWERTY keyboard to the arcade, though it was a flimsy (and therefore easily breakable) backlit membrane keyboard, similar to those found on such home consoles as the Odyssey 2. Thayer's Quest did not have a joystick or an action button.

A sequel incorporating the rest of Thayer's journey was planned, but the company went bankrupt before it could be completed. In the mid-1990's, Thayer's Quest was released to home computers and CD-based consoles titled Kingdom: The Far Reaches, with the characters' names changed.

In 1998 Kingdom 2: Shadoan was released, including the final two kingdoms and the final battle with Torlock.

The original Thayer's Quest is available as a DVD video game by Digital Leisure and can be played on an ordinary DVD player using the remote control.

-From Answers.com