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 On 01/29/2016 at 10:23 AM by The Last Ninja See More From This User » |
Remembering when Disney video games were amazing
The 80s and 90s were magical times. We like to wax nostalgic about video games during these decades, but there was something else that was booming: Disney movies and TV shows. I don't think anyone would disagree that the late 80s/early 90s was the peak for Disney. I would say it began with Duck Tales in 1987 and continued all the way to Aladdin in 1992. These years gave us such remarkable entertainment as Chip N Dale: Rescue Rangers (1988), The Little Mermaid (1989), Darkwing Duck (1990), and Beauty and the Beast (1991).
But these years also gave rise to amazing Disney video games. Developers such as Capcom and Sega churned out incredible adventures for the NES, Genesis, and SNES starring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and others. We've never seen such an amazing string of years since, in which Disney had awesome TV shows, movies, and games all at the same time. So let's look back at this wonderful time. We'll focus just on these three systems and the developers that gave us these magical games.
Capcom
Capcom is responsible for the most and the best Disney games during this heyday. Almost every game they did was remarkable. Capcom was a strong third party Nintendo developer during this time, so most of these games came out on Nintendo consoles.
On the NES, Capcom developed great games such as Darkwing Duck (which is a lot like playing a Mega Man game), The Little Mermaid (a kid-friendly underwater action game), and Chip N' Dale: Rescue Rangers (a remarkable platformer). But they are best known for the cult classic Duck Tales, which is easily one of the best NES platformers and possibly the greatest Disney video game of all time. In fact, the game was so remarkable that WayForward remade it in 2013 on the Wii U (impressive for a late 80s TV series).
During the Super NES days, Capcom continued to wow us with great Disney games. They did a couple Micky Mouse platformers: The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse and The Great Circus Mystery (which was also released on the Genesis). Goof Troop was a co-op action puzzler reminiscient of A Link to the Past. They also developed the SNES version of Aladdin, which is often overshadowed by the Genesis game; this game is an excellent platformer filled with great levels, music, and isn't ridiculously hard (like the Genesis game). So yes, Capcom gave us a lot of fantastic Disney games during this time, which shows just how amazing they were.
Sega
Next to Capcom, Sega developed the most Disney games during this time. All of their games were released exclusively for Sega consoles, just like Capcom's games were only for Nintendo's consoles. While not as good as Capcom's games, Sega's Disney games were still excellent and captured that Disney magic.
The most famous of Sega's games would be Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse. This excellent Genesis platformer was followed by a sequel, World of Illusion, along with another entry for the Master System and Game Gear entitled Land of Illusion. All of these games were colorful platformers that put many of the Disney characters to great use.
Sega also developed some non-Mickey Disney games for the Genesis such as Bonkers (in which you choose one of four levels that feel like fun minigames) and Quackshot, which is a great platformer in which Donald Duck traverses the world looking for lost treasures. It's sort of Sega's version of Duck Tales, and stands as one of Donald Duck's few solo games. Sega certainly put in some effort in giving gamers some great Disney games. Their games were always colorful and full of that Disney magic.
Virgin Interactive
During this time of awesome Disney games, Virgin Interactive was an important piece of the puzzle. They developed three games based on big Disney movies. Their first game was Aladdin (1993), which was developed exclusively for the Sega Genesis. They actually got some of the Disney animators on their team in order to ensure all the characters looked perfect and moved fluidly. The game is praised for many things, although it's a pretty tough game.
Their other two games were released in 1994. The Jungle Book (Genesis/SNES) was a platformer that focused on speed and precision as Mowgli had to collect a certain number of objects in each stage under a time limit. The Lion King (Genesis/SNES) was another beautifully animated game which allowed you to play first as young Simba (jumping on enemies) and later as adult Simba (he could use fighting moves).
While not as prolific as Capcom and Sega, Virgin shouldn't be left out here. Aladdin is revered by Sega fans, and the other two games are pretty decent and fun. Virgin proved that it knows how to take big movies and make them into fun, magical game experiences.
Traveller's Tales
The developer best known for Leander and Puggsy, Traveller's Tales would go on to develope several Disney games. During this peak, they developed two games. The first was Mickey Mania: The Timeless Adventures of Mickey Mouse (Genesis/SNES). This fun platformer took you through several of Mickey's historical cartoons and films such as Steamboat Willie, Mickey and the Beanstalk, and Prince and the Pauper. TT really outdid themselves as this is one of the best Mickey Mouse games of this time.
The second game TT developed was Toy Story for Genesis/SNES. This fun platformer captured the characters and story of the movie as you played as Woody through more than a dozen levels. A couple of the levels even had you controlling R.C. as Woody rode him through some fast-driving sections. Traveller's Tales would go on to develop several other Disney/Pixar games, including A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, and Finding Nemo. If anything, we can thank the developer for an excellent and creative Mickey Mouse game.
Misc. Developers
Before we end, there are just a few more games I wanted to point out. Maui Mallard in Cold Shadow (1996, SNES) is an excellent action platformer developed by Eurocom. It doesn't star any famous Disney characters; instead you play as Maui, a detective who uses a bug gun. At certain points of the game he can transform into Cold Shadow, his ninja alter ego, and fight with a staff. This may be one of the coolest Disney games you've ever seen.
Another excellent Disney game is Gargoyles, based on the TV series of the same name. Developed by Disney Software, this action platformer was exclusive to the Genesis and was released in 1995. It's highly praised as one of the best Genesis games out there due to its excellent gameplay and beautiful graphics. And let's be honest, you get to play as a tough gargoyle; what's not to love?
And let's not forget Pinocchio, a colorful platformer based on the movie. It was developed by Virgin Studios London and released for the Genesis/SNES in 1996. While not amazing, the game is fun and will hold your interest to the end. Plus, there's a level where you explore inside a whale! Pretty cool! And let's not forget that Pinocchio was an important Disney movie.
What are some of your nostalgic memories involving classic Disney video games?
Artistically, I prefer what Disney was doing in the 30s and 40s, but that's a hell of a run of product in the 80s and 90s. I played Castle of Illusion, Quackshot, Virgin's Aladdin, Fantasia.
It was only a few years ago that I discovered that the Duck Tales game was held in high regard. I never heard anyone talk about it back in the NES days.
Coincidentally, I came across this before I read your blog:
Duck Tales is a cult classic today, but like Earthbound, it probably wasn't as revered back in the day. It was a good game, but it didn't have celebrity status like it does now.
My favorite is hands down The Lion King. Tons of nostalgia with that game, my second favorite Genesis game actually
That's a great game. The young Simba/adult Simba thing is really neat.
That Maui Mallard game looks interesting. I never knew they releases a Pinnochio game. I'm gonna have to check that out.
Maui Mallard is really cool. The Pinocchio game is decent, but the graphics are very bright and cheery.
Man! All these look so great! I love the art style! It'd be something to go back and play all these. I played some of Castle of Illusion when I was collecting NES/Genesis games. Darkwing Duck is one I'd really like to play.
I wish I had more of these games too. The ones I DO have are great, so keep an eye out because all of these are stellar.
I remember renting Mickey Mania a few times back in the day. Bummed I missed out on a Ducktales Remastered sale on Steam.
Well, I know DTR is a pretty cheap game, so get a copy bc it's totally worth it!
One of my favories' was QuackShot. I'd play that game all the time. I really enjoyed both Aladdin games too.
I really want to play Quackshot. I love Duck Tales, and Quackshot looks really fun.
i actually have better memories playing Capcom's Disney and Mega Man games on the NES more than I do playing Mario!
DuckTales Remastered is not only on Wii U, but also PS3 and Xbox 360. They even had a disc copy you could get for the PS3.
Did you know that the cable channel Disney XD is making new DuckTales episodes in 2017 and new Darkwing Duck episodes in 2018?
I hated the Goof Troop cartoon, but the SNES game is awesome. Did you know the team at Capcom that worked on that game later on helped Nintendo make some Zelda titles?
There is actually a third Magical Quest Starring Mickey and Donald game in Japan that never came out over here, but the port of the GBA version did.
I don't have as good memories playing Sega's and Virgin's Disney games, but then, I didn't have a Genesis as a kid. From what I have played, I still prefer Capcom's stuff.
I also prefer the Capcom games, although the others are good too. As usual, thanks for all the info, Cary!
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