Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King Reviews
Despite the issues with the soundtrack in the main menu (which is going to be fixed in the next update), Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King is a rather nice collection for both older gamers looking for a bit of nostalgia and new gamers wanting to play some decent movie-based games of yesteryear. Although a remaster or remake would have been great, simply allowing us to replay the original versions of the games on multiple platforms, and even some never-before-released editions, is a nice treat to those who grew up with these games. All of the bonus features were interesting and the ‘watch and play’ mode is very unique and something all these older games should support. This right here is why Disney shouldn’t stop making games, even if it’s only as a collaborator to another developer.
This remaster of the 16-bit classics is perfect on the Switch and ideal for reliving one's childhood or for introducing it to one's own children.
Aladdin and The Lion King are pieces of many people’s childhoods, for both fun and frustrating reasons, but this collection is a nearly perfect representation of the two, with plenty of variations to try, history to learn and helpful cheats to abuse.
This collection of Disney video games is a return to the classics, but it won't bring us anything beyond playing on new generation consoles.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
That's essentially what Disney Classic Games boils down to: nostalgia over the features. The same is true for the multiple versions of the game which, while appreciated, are almost overkill. It'd be a hard sell to have someone play the black-and-white Game Boy version right after they beat a console edition. The bells and whistles are attractive for anyone who's already planning on picking up the game, but if you didn't relish the originals, don't expect to suddenly become hooked on retro Aladdin or The Lion King.
An opening admission (and perhaps given my age this will be shocking), of all the SNES-era games I played in my college years I don't believe these two were among them...
Retro game compilations are rarely as fully featured as Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and the Lion King.
The Final Cut of Genesis Aladdin is the game-playing standout, featuring an array of refinements and improvements for a 25+ year old game. But the actual best part of this package is the Criterion Collection-like additions, specifically the bountiful interviews with the original developers. This is an essential entry into the greater view of video game history and I'm so happy that a collection like this exists.
This is a model the entire video game industry should get behind. Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King is the new gold standard for compilations. Long live the king.
Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King is an interesting package, takes the affective memory and transforms it into bonus content, rewind mode, soundtrack menu, and refined versions of the games. The release slightly lost its timing, which could have been when the two films premiered in theaters. However, I felt a lot more attention was given to Aladdin than to The Lion King, and the lack of more games that marked a generation to be appeal more to new players and to the public who doesn't know how to play the same level many times in a row, listening to Hakuna Matata.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King is a nicely presented collection with some nice features, but don’t expect to be blown away by the games.
Replaying Aladdin and The Lion King in 2019 is at once an exciting form of time travel and a frustrating retread through two troubled tie-ins.
However you choose to experience these classics, you'll be glad you did, and you may even gain some insight into why they are so revered.
That is, jacking up prices and releasing things in limited quantities to create a false sense of scarcity.
Overall, the Disney Classic Games pack has added two games that people of any age will love. With the release of Disney +, you can now watch both of the movies and then play the games, all without leaving your console of choice. This pack is available on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch now for the price of $29.99 USD. With the additional features, and the ability to play old games as new, this is a very fair price and it doesn't break the bank.
Not a collection for everyone, but for those gripped by this pure nostalgia. These titles haven’t necessarily aged well, but there are enough added features to mitigate some unfair difficulty with; save features, a rewind button, extra difficulty settings, and the ability to watch a game playthrough and jump in at any point. Also with a lot of bonus content with multiple versions of each game, interviews with the creators and a plethora of original art that grounds you in the context to help you appreciate the games more.
Not content to simply remake these games, this collection offers a nearly complete (sorry SNES Aladdin fans) look into these games and what made them so special. If you weren't a fan in the 90s, you won't be persuaded now, but for older players looking to tap into some sweet nostalgia or a new generation discovering these for the first time, this collection hits all the right notes.
Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King is an admirable package. While some game editions are missing (and Lion King fails to hold up) this bundle shows the kind of care I long to see in all re-releases. It's worth it for Aladdin alone, while the extras should tempt those on the fence.
Overall, this is a great package of some excellent games from the 16-bit era. While I personally believe that the Genesis version of Aladdin is much better than the one seen on the Super Nintendo, the Disney Classic Games collection could've used the Super Nintendo version of Aladdin to make this feel more like a complete package. However, the art gallery, quick-save features, and added extras such as the final cut of Aladdin solidify this collection as the definitive way to experience these games. It would certainly be great to have more Disney compilations following this.