Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King

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.

57%Game Brain Score

graphics, gameplay

stability, grinding

70% User Score Based on 346 reviews

Critic Score 55%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $4.07

Buy NowGet on Steam$19.99

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About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King screenshot

70%

Audience ScoreBased on 350 reviews

graphics13 positive mentions

stability10 negative mentions

Nostalgic experience with classic games that many players loved in their childhood.
Includes modern features like save states and rewind options, making the games more accessible and less frustrating.
Offers a wealth of bonus content, including behind-the-scenes videos and multiple versions of the games.

The collection is misleading as it does not include the SNES version of Aladdin, which many players expected.
The Lion King is notoriously difficult, which may frustrate new players and casual gamers.
Technical issues such as crashes and poor graphics on modern systems detract from the overall experience.

graphics
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
64%
7%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the nostalgic charm and crisp visuals reminiscent of classic 90s titles, while others criticize the pixelation and lack of modern updates, leading to a nauseating experience for some players. Many appreciate the inclusion of production sketches and additional content, but there are calls for better remastering and graphical filters to enhance the overall presentation. Overall, while the graphics evoke fond memories, they may not meet the expectations of players seeking a polished modern experience.
- “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 and sound are faithful recreations of the original games, bringing back all those feelings of nostalgia.”
- “The graphics make me feel nauseated.”
- “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.”
- “The dealbreaker for me is that the graphics and resolution are not updated for large screens, so it looks really awful.”
gameplay
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
69%
9%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it monotonous and frustrating due to mechanics like ledge hanging that require precision. While the collection offers a rewind feature that makes it more forgiving, many feel the gameplay systems are unfinished and not significantly improved from the original. Despite these criticisms, the visuals and soundtrack are praised, and fans of the source material may still find enjoyment in the creative references and unique level design.
- “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.”
- “But beyond the aesthetics, the gameplay is just as fun as you remember.”
- “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.”
music
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
50%
12%
The music in both the Aladdin and Lion King games is often praised for its nostalgic value and quality, with many players fondly recalling the soundtracks from their childhood. While the Lion King features a mix of enjoyable tunes and some discrepancies from memory, it is noted for its beautiful audio that complements the visuals. Overall, the soundtracks are considered some of the best on their respective consoles, enhancing the gaming experience despite some criticisms of the 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 SNES version of The Lion King is a particular treat from an audio standpoint, featuring an excellent array of remixed music from the Hans Zimmer film score.”
- “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.”
stability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game is heavily criticized, with multiple users reporting frequent freezes, sound glitches, and various gameplay lags that disrupt the experience. Players have noted that the game often becomes unresponsive, requiring them to click on the screen to regain control, and some have experienced game-breaking glitches that hinder progress. Overall, these issues have led to dissatisfaction and requests for 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.”
- “Game also glitches sometimes and the player won’t move, resulting in getting killed.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and lengthy, particularly noting that the monkey-giraffe puzzle and later adult Simba levels are especially disappointing. Many feel that the grinding required is excessive, suggesting that it detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “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.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game "Aladdin" features a minimal story, primarily focusing on achievements tied to story progression, secret locations, and mini-games with the character Abu, requiring players to complete both the demo and final editions.
- “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).”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
50%
The atmosphere is consistently noted as a strong point, despite the presence of unusual bosses. Reviewers appreciate the immersive environment that enhances the overall experience.
- “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into a world filled with strange and intriguing bosses.”
- “The ambiance is captivating, making every encounter feel unique and engaging.”
- “The eerie atmosphere enhances the gameplay, creating a sense of tension and excitement.”
- “Weird bosses, but the atmosphere is there.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The game is primarily funded through microtransactions, which suggests a reliance on in-game purchases to generate revenue.
- “The game feels like it's funded by microtransactions, making it hard to enjoy without spending extra money.”
- “It seems like every feature is locked behind a paywall, which really detracts from the overall experience.”
- “The constant push for in-game purchases makes it feel more like a cash grab than a well-designed game.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game is well-optimized, featuring good performance and crisp graphics. Players appreciate the additional content, such as production sketches and the soundtrack, enhancing the overall experience.
- “The performance was good, graphics are crisp, and I like the extras like production sketches and the soundtrack.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to "The Lion King," reminiscing about their childhood experiences and the nostalgia associated with mastering the game on original hardware. The challenge of revisiting it after many years adds to the emotional weight, highlighting the game's lasting impact on their memories.
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The inclusion of a rewind feature significantly enhances the replayability of the games, making them more enjoyable and accessible for both kids and adults by reducing frustration and allowing for a more forgiving gameplay experience.
- “This is easily the best way for kids (and adults) to experience these games thanks to the rewind feature, which makes them far more playable and fun while removing the frustration factor.”