Top 5 Disney Video Games

Number 5: Monsters Inc Scare Island

Console: PS1, PC, PS2

Year of release: 2001

Developer: Disney Interactive

The number five spot goes to a fairly unique 3D platformer. The game is also unique in another way in that it isn't just a simple copy and paste job from film to game in the sense that the game doesn't really follow the plot of Pixar's masterpiece movie.

The game takes place on a training facility for Monsters Inc new recruits.You play as either Mike or Sulley as they travel around the island and train themselves to be top scarers ready for their new careers at Monsters Inc. They do this by traditional 3D platforming whilst collecting pots of coloured ooze in order to scare the robotic children known as 'Nerves' which are essential for completing the level. Each are coloured coded, with blue coloured Nerves being the easiest to scare and red representing the toughest kids. The challenge in later levels is actually reaching the Nerves scattered about the level. Some can only be accessed when a certain other sub-objective is complete and some move with pace around a specific portion of a level. The objective of scaring the Nerves gives the game a unique feel. Most 3D platformers tend to follow the tried and tested Mario 64 method of clearing a specific objective and then grabbing the important item which follows. Scare Island's Nerve-scaring based objective combined with less of a focus on collectables seems to differentiate the game from other platformers of the time.

The gameplay and presentation is pretty solid too. Mike and Sulley have different abilities to each other and feel like they should. Mike is the more agile of the monsters but weaker, while Sulley is the slower of the two but can pack a punch. The graphics are pretty good for the time too, especially for the PS2 port. Mike does look a darker shade of green compared to his colour in the movie and Sulley does look a bit jagged in the PS1 version, but overall the graphics are solid. The music is also fantastic and diverse; the city levels especially stand out with the Jazz band in full force. The levels in the game are challenging and different to each other, no one level feels copied. In between levels are also races against the film's main antagonist, Randall, breaking up the 3D platforming even further. Scare Island is a fantastic 3D platformer keeping all the charm of the movie whilst adding something new in terms of the plot and mechanics of the game, earning it the number 5 spot on my list.

Number 4: Toy Story

Console: Sega Megadrive

Year of release: 1996

Developer: Travellers Tales

I'd like to start this particular section by stating if you've never seen the film this game is based on then I do feel immensely sorry for you. The film itself was a complete success when it came out back in 1996; amazing considering it was Disney's/Pixar's first foray in creating a computer animated film. Of course due to its over-whelming success, a video game was bound to follow.

Toy Story the game follows the traditions of late 80's and early 90's video games and is a 2D platformer. What makes Toy Story stand out from other 2D platformers however were the graphics and the fact the game made you feel just like...well, a toy! Lets start with the graphics then. Travellers Tales went for a computer animated look, mimicking what Rare managed to achieve with Donkey Kong Country in 1994. The graphical style very much suited the game though as the goal was to make it look like its older and more popular brother: the film. The graphics looked stunning for the time and each of the lovable characters from the film seem to flow smoothly and look just like their movie counterparts within the game. The gameplay itself was mostly a 2D platformer. But the game stood out from other generic 2D platformers as it included a variety of gameplay styles: from a top-down racer, to a first person 3D style perspective. It really did give the game variety and make it memorable from other simple cut and paste 2D platformers which were rampant during the time.

The game did a fantastic job of making the player feel like a toy and followed the movie's plot, only deviating from it when it could provide the player with a better gameplay experience. You take control as Woody, the cowboy... (you all know who Woody is, why am I bothering to explain it?) As he traverses across various locations looking for and keeping up with his rival counterpart, everyone's favourite space ranger, Buzz Lightyear! Most of the films famous locations are present and correct in the game: from Andy's Room full of recognisable lovable toys from the film, to Pizza Planet, Sid's Room and even the neighbourhood! Each of the locations feel large and are faithfully recreated. Each level has various objectives to complete too keeping them fresh and unique such as helping the toys back into their designated places in Andy's room or dodging spilt greasy burgers and stale fries as you navigate the gigantic arcade of Pizza Planet; being a toy has never felt so fun and adventurous. The game may not of had the breakthrough success the film managed, but it remains a solid film adaptation (not an easy feat) with critics and gamers alike. I personally had the game for the Megadrive and without a doubt was one of my favourite games for the system.

Number 3: Quackshot

Console: Sega Megadrive

Year of release: 1991

Developer: Sega

So it seems Disney had multiple fingers in multiple pies back in the 80's and 90's. Before they had their own gaming division, Disney Interactive, they had to rely on other developers to create their games for them. While most gamers are aware of their winning partnership with Capcom, most people tend not to forget the games they made with Nintendo rival, Sega. One of the first games Sega created to celebrate their exciting new partnership with the Mickey Mouse Company (literally), was a game called Quackshot starring, lets face it, the best of the original Disney mascots: Donald Duck!

The game itself has an Indiana Jones flavour to it as Donald literally don's an Indy-type outfit and sets out for a quest for the Great Duck Treasure! His quest takes him all over the world and locations, including Donald's home city of Duckburg, to Dracula's Castle in Transylvania and then to the South Pole. It keeps the game feeling fresh as the levels are so diverse taking place in a fictional universe (Duckburg), to real life countries and sites (Egypt). The gameplay is also on the strange side of 2D platformers. Donald is armed with a revolver-type weapon and collects various 'ammo' which he can use to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies with, playing at times like a side-scrolling shoot 'em up. I put the word ammo in quotation marks because the 'ammo' Donald uses, is well, different to say the least. Along the way Donald collects such ammo as various plungers which stun and stick to enemies and walls allowing the angry duck to scale and hold onto them in order to reach new and hidden areas; popcorn ammo which fires in a shotgun spread dealing great damage to enemies in close proximity; and bubblegum ammo which deals damage to enemies as well as breaking certain walls found in Dracula's Castle.

The game not only stands out due to the weapons and ammo Donald can use, but also because the game features multiple dungeons Donald needs to conquer in order to find stronger clues as to where the treasure is found which in turn allows him to traverse more areas of the map. At first only 3 places are open for exploration (Duckburg, Mexico and Translyvania), but that becomes more as Donald conquers the dungeons and challenges ahead of him in these areas. It really does feel accomplishing when you see brand new areas of the map open up to you. Particularly after tackling that bloody confusing great palace in Maharajah! All in all though, Quackshot is a brilliant video game in general and definitely one of Disney's best in my opinion. The only drawback I can think of is the game is quite lengthy and there is no way to save it. But hey, such were the problems back in the good ol' days of cartridge gaming. If you have or are planning to pick up a Mega Drive be sure to grab this game as its one of the best and unique platformers for the system!

Number 2: Aladdin

Console: Super Nintendo

Year of release: 1993

Developer: Capcom

When someone mentions Aladdin the video game they're usually talking about the one which Disney partnered with Virgin Interactive for (another developer Disney sided with!) the Mega Drive. But not me! I was aware of both games growing up. In fact it was due to the video games which made me so attracted to the movie; although there's no denying the movie is amazing in its own right. But for me personally there's no competition between the two versions: the SNES version was and always has been my favourite by quite a distance.

Capcom was no stranger at creating 2D Disney platformers at this point as they had been doing it since the NES days before Disney had their own Interactive division. At this point Capcom had it down to a science. Like most movie games it follows the film pretty faithfully. But its the overall control and presentation which was so charming. Aladdin may not have a sword in this version, but he's much more agile compared to the Mega Drive counterpart. Aladdin can hold onto ledges, sprint, flip like a trained acrobat and even glide using a rag! Aladdin always seemed like a semi-pro parkour artist in the movie and in the SNES version he seems to show of these skills here. The game may not be the most unique 2D platformer in the world, but it is certainly a very strong one. In addition to tight controls Aladdin is able to collect gems, standard platforming stuff, right? But instead of simply awarding Aladdin with an extra life when he has collected 100 gems, he's instead rewarded with an extra heart or hit point giving the game a sense of progression and strength as you journey throughout your adventure. Extra lives and credits can still be earned but only through participating in mini-games with the genie.

Presentation as mentioned before is fantastic. Aladdin visits the majority of the main locations from the movie and they all look spot on. Who can forget seeing the Sultan's palace in all its glory when Aladdin is jumping from the rooftops high above Agrabah? Or the music which first greets you as you start the first level of the markets of Agrabah? It may not be a familiar tune from the film but the original music score in this game is fantastic! The game is also a fairly simple platformer to get to grips with and complete, which could be seen as a negative point to some. But for me it seems to add replayability. Whenever I dust off my old SNES this is definitely one of the carts I dig out and play to completion. It's also worth noting that the cart does have a password system too, but as I said, one could complete the game within an hour or two. The SNES version may not have the fancy animated graphics which the Mega Drive game was blessed with as the game was animated by animators from the movie, and it may not feature as many hit songs from the film. But, the game for me personally has the best level design, control and overall presentation. This isn't just my 2nd favourite Disney game of all time, but would be in my top 5 SNES games of all time.

Number 1: Toy Story 2

Console: PS1, N64

Year of release: 2000

Developer: Travellers Tales

My number 1 Disney video game goes to the amazingly excellent Toy Story 2 for the PS1 and the N64. Although I've heard negative things about the N64 port, the version I had growing up was the Playstation one. It may be a 3D platformer, which during the late 90's and early 2000s were drowning with them, but Toy Story 2 is a 3D platformer which stands out and is one of the best platformers to grace Sony's debut console.

In the first Toy Story game you took control of Woody, in this game however you get to take control as the other main protagonist, Buzz Lightyear! Complete with all his gadgets and abilities; no more measly pull string whip for you Mr. Gamer! The fun of the game is taking control of Buzz as he uses his gadgets to find his now cowboy buddy, Woody. Buzz is able to utilise his laser, wings and feet as weapons. It gives the player options as to how Buzz can overcome enemies and obstacles. Buzz can even obtain more power-ups throughout his adventure adding even more to the space ranger's arsenal. From rocket boots to a higher-powered automatic firing green laser! It makes you wonder how players were happy to accept Woody's weak single attack in the last game!

All of the main locations from the film are present and correct in this version. From the wonder of exploring the rooms of Andy's house in 3D, from taking to the dark flooded back alleys of... actually, where does Toy Story take place? I actually have no idea! But anyway, the main point I'm trying to make is the fact there are so many different environments for Buzz to explore and all make the player feel like the vulnerable toy he is. Each level has 5 objectives or 5 pizza tokes for Buzz to complete/find. They are all the same type of objective on each level (collecting 50 coins, finding a set amount of items, finding a hidden pizza token etc.) but each level offers a differentiated way of fulfilling these objectives and combined with the difference of the level's environments makes fulfilling the objectives never getting too stale. The music is also fantastic and is full with a mixture of different genres, from grand orchestral scores, to jazz, to country and western. Each track compliments the level perfectly and adds to the atmosphere in addition to the overall presentation of the game; which again, is superb!

There are of course many, many games available for the PS1 but Toy Story 2 really does stand out as a competent and strong platformer. Buzz feels weighted and feels like he should, memorable characters are found throughout the game to aid Buzz in awarding him with Pizza Tokens, the challenge is just right opening the game to both younger children and older more experienced gamers and just... so much more. Too much to write in this list. Perhaps I'll do a more in-depth review of the game some day. But until then guys and girls all you need to know is Toy Story 2 is a fantastic 3D platformer and one of, if not the best for the system and certainly earns that number 1 spot on my list. If you have a PS1 you need to pick it up and play it even if you're not a Toy Story or Disney fan. It stands out as a solid 3D Platformer in its own right and you owe it to yourself to play it.




Thank you all for reading through my first blog post everyone! Please let me know your top Disney games by dropping me a message through: craig1.0@outlook.com
I realise this is my first blog post so if you do have any improvements or subjects you think of which I can cover next please drop me a message! After writing this blog post I feel I'm ready for my trip to Disneyland Paris in a few days time! And who knows, perhaps I'll post a blog about my little trip complete with photos and a few videos.

Thanks once again, everyone!


Stephensonite.