Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King
- October 29, 2019
- Digital Eclipse
All in all, you get exactly what you expect with the Disney Classic Games: The Lion King and Aladdin collection. While Aladdin got some nice upgrades and inclusions with the Final Cut version and the demo, The Lion King feels like it got the short end of the stick. If you adore these games and you think you can get your $30 out of it, by all means, go out and pick up a copy. Otherwise, I’m not sure there’s enough here to warrant a pick up by someone who has no idea what they are getting themselves into.
"Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King" is a compilation of two classic platformers based on beloved Disney movies. This collection includes multiple game versions with updated visuals, improved controls, and quality of life features. It also offers a museum mode with behind-the-scenes materials, making it a must-have for fans of retro gaming and Disney enthusiasts.
Reviews
- The collection offers a nostalgic experience with multiple versions of classic Disney games, including Aladdin and The Lion King.
- New features such as save states and rewind functions enhance gameplay, making it more accessible and enjoyable compared to the original versions.
- The inclusion of behind-the-scenes content and achievements adds value for fans and collectors of retro games.
- The asking price is considered steep, especially since some games are locked behind additional DLC, leading to feelings of being misled.
- The Lion King is noted for its frustrating difficulty, which may deter casual players and lead to a less enjoyable experience.
- Technical issues such as crashes and bugs have been reported, impacting the overall gameplay experience and causing frustration for players.
- graphics18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the crisp visuals and nostalgic charm reminiscent of classic 90s titles, while others criticize the pixelation and performance issues that lead to discomfort during gameplay. Additional content like production sketches and interviews is appreciated, but some players feel that the lack of modern graphical enhancements detracts from the overall experience. Overall, while the graphics are considered excellent by some, they are also seen as outdated and poorly executed by others, leading to a polarized reception.
“The game is easy, the levels are short, the graphics are excellent.”
“The performance was good, graphics are crisp, and I like the extras like production sketches and the soundtrack.”
“It has wonderful music, graphics, and animation, whilst the gameplay itself is also excellent.”
“The graphics make me feel nauseated.”
“Graphics look pixelated, but remember it's classic from the 90s.”
“Try remastering these classics instead of sticking a broken emulation on and tricking people by showing HD graphics; the game has 8GB graphics which are so slow that the game is nauseating.”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding the platforming mechanics, particularly the ledge-hanging feature, to be frustratingly precise and monotonous. While the inclusion of a rewind feature makes the game more forgiving and encourages learning from mistakes, others feel that the controls and systems are somewhat unfinished. Overall, the gameplay is considered solid but not exceptional, with unique level designs and enjoyable references for fans of the source material.
“It has wonderful music, graphics, and animation, whilst the gameplay itself is also excellent.”
“This collection does come with an option to rewind portions of gameplay, which means the game has become more forgiving, but it also in a way makes you play smarter because you learn from your mistakes.”
“The soundtrack and visuals are some of the best on the console and the gameplay itself is pretty solid, though certainly not top tier.”
“There's a mechanic where you can hang off ledges, and the precision required to actually snag on the 'hooks' slows down the already monotonous platforming.”
“The original songs are mostly poor, the gameplay systems and controls feel relatively unfinished, but the level design is unique and there are a few minor cutscenes that seamlessly play from the end of some levels.”
“An interesting addition, as this is like an alpha build of a few levels, but in my opinion, its inclusion is a misstep as it highlights how little the gameplay improved over the course of production.”
- music11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music in both the Aladdin and Lion King games is fondly remembered, often evoking nostalgia for players, particularly those who experienced them on older consoles. While the Lion King's soundtrack is praised for its beauty and fun, some users note discrepancies with their memories of the original music. Overall, the soundtracks are considered a highlight, enhancing the visual experience despite some criticisms of gameplay and original compositions.
“The performance was good, graphics are crisp, and I like the extras like production sketches and the soundtrack.”
“It has wonderful music, graphics, and animation, whilst the gameplay itself is also excellent.”
“The soundtrack and visuals are some of the best on the console and the gameplay itself is pretty solid, though certainly not top tier.”
“The Lion King game music is a bit off from what I remember from it originally.”
“The original songs are mostly poor, the gameplay systems and controls feel relatively unfinished, but the level design is unique and there are a few minor cutscenes that seamlessly play from the end of some levels.”
“- SNES version of Aladdin not included, and PC versions of Aladdin (with higher resolution sprites and different status bar) and The Lion King (with higher resolution sprites and improved music) not included.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent freezes and sound glitches that disrupt gameplay. Users report that the game often becomes unresponsive, requiring clicks to regain control, and there are notable performance problems, particularly in specific levels. Overall, these stability concerns have led some players to seek refunds.
“Load into Lion King, move forward 10 seconds, completely freezes, over and over again.”
“It freezes up until you click somewhere on the game's screen again, but you can't actually alt+tab or use the Windows key.”
“It's a good remaster, though there are some glitches and lags, namely the flames on the last level of the Lion King.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and lengthy, particularly noting that later levels, such as those featuring adult Simba, are especially disappointing and require excessive effort to progress.
“The later levels, when Simba is an adult, were especially disappointing: they are tedious and long.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The monkey-giraffe puzzle was so tedious.”
- story3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The story aspect of Aladdin is minimal, focusing more on gameplay achievements such as exploring secret locations and completing mini-games with Abu, rather than a traditional narrative. Players are encouraged to experience both the demo and final edition to fully engage with the game's challenges.
“No story.”
“Aladdin has achievements related to story progression, finding secret locations, and completing hidden mini-games with Abu, along with completing the game in all its difficulties (demo and final edition for Aladdin need to be played once).”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is noted for its distinctiveness, characterized by unusual bosses that contribute to a unique and engaging environment.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into a world filled with strange and intriguing bosses.”
“The game's atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful, making every moment feel intense and engaging.”
“From the eerie sound design to the stunning visuals, the atmosphere truly enhances the overall experience.”
“The atmosphere feels disjointed and lacks cohesion.”
“While the visuals are striking, the overall atmosphere feels empty and uninspired.”
“The game tries to create a tense atmosphere, but it often falls flat and feels forced.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game is primarily funded through microtransactions, indicating a reliance on in-game purchases to generate revenue.
“The game feels heavily funded by microtransactions, making it hard to enjoy without spending extra money.”
“It's frustrating that so many features are locked behind paywalls, pushing players to spend more.”
“The monetization strategy is aggressive, often prioritizing profit over player experience.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is well-optimized, featuring good performance and crisp graphics, along with enjoyable extras such as production sketches and a soundtrack.
“The performance was good, graphics are crisp, and I like the extras like production sketches and the soundtrack.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to "The Lion King," reminiscing about their childhood experiences and the nostalgia associated with mastering the game across all difficulty levels. This fondness highlights the game's lasting impact and the personal memories tied to it.
“The Lion King is a game from my childhood that I remember playing a lot and even beating on all three difficulty levels on the original hardware many years ago. It will be interesting to see how well I can do it for the first time in years without using the rewind button.”
Critic Reviews
Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King Review — Oh I Just Can't Wait For This to be Over
All in all, you get exactly what you expect with the Disney Classic Games: The Lion King and Aladdin collection. While Aladdin got some nice upgrades and inclusions with the Final Cut version and the demo, The Lion King feels like it got the short end of the stick. If you adore these games and you think you can get your $30 out of it, by all means, go out and pick up a copy. Otherwise, I’m not sure there’s enough here to warrant a pick up by someone who has no idea what they are getting themselves into.
0%Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King Review — Oh I Just Can't Wait For This to be Over
60%Disney Classics: Aladdin and the Lion King Review
79%