When you think of Disney and video games, the first image that comes to your head could be a variety of things. Perhaps it’s Kingdom Hearts, which remains one of the best Square Enix games due in little part to Disney’s influence.
Otherwise, it could be a classic game, since Disney has been mostly absent from the gaming world lately, save for some mobile ventures. Whether it be a nostalgic adventure with classic characters or a movie tie-in that makes an impression, let’s dust off Disney’s videogame legacy and find those quality standouts.
10 Goof Troop
Disney’s always focused on appealing to younger audiences. Because of this, many of their NES and DOS titles lack any sort of challenge. Not to mention, a lot of them are pretty unpolished, with nonsensical mechanics and bland gameplay. Goof Troop changes things up quite a bit, including various items and pickups for unique “combat” wherein neither Goofy nor Max fight but must improvise to defeat their enemies.
The game’s puzzles are still pretty easy, but it makes for one of the best couch co-op experiences to date as enjoyment skyrockets when you must practice teamwork to get through the level. Goof Troop still ranks last since it struggles from lack of difficulty, is fairly short, and its single-player mode is a slog.
9 Alice in Wonderland DS
Of all the collateral to come from Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland remake, the DS tie-in game is surely the least egregious. We specify the Nintendo DS version of this game, as the Wii version relies on an uncanny style attempting to replicate the realism of the film. The DS version re-imagines Wonderland with a cartoonish style that matches the source material perfectly.
It has limited combat, mostly consisting of an escort mission wherein Alice’s friends must guide her through Wonderland. The level design and the aesthetic of the world are unendingly charming, and kinda make you wish the remake looked like this instead of a CGI nightmare. While there’s clearly creative care here, it’s still got the jankiness of a cash grab, made obvious by the horrible vocal reprisals, which keeps it in ninth.
8 Dreamlight Valley
If seeing a bunch of disjointed properties mashed together sets off your corporate propaganda alarm, you’re in good company. Thankfully, Dreamlight Valley is a life-simulator that takes all the components of previously successful games and combines them into a truly addictive experience. Of course, you have to be on board with Animal Crossing-style gameplay where you’re running around during errands, building furniture, and collecting materials.
But what motivates you to build a refuge for wayward Disney characters is interacting with the characters themselves. The writers’ understanding of what makes these characters lovable stands out in how much you’ll want to have them in your town. It loses points for having all the customizable characters look pretty samey, mobile-game-quality graphics, and little endgame payoff.
7 Darkwing Duck
Capcom developed a ton of Disney games throughout the ’90s and early 2000s, including the acclaimed Magical Quest series. Darkwing Duck was meant to imitate the success of DuckTales’ tie-in game, which is still one of the best games based on a cartoon. It features much of what made DuckTales great, including a solid soundtrack, control scheme, and level design.
The enemy types are varied and must be approached strategically. The coolest mechanics are stolen from other games where they’re better implemented, which keeps this entry mid-rank. It doesn’t quite live up to its predecessor, but it’s still a pretty fun game and offers a nice challenge that other entries sorely lack.
6 Epic Mickey
In 2010, Disney Interactive was looking for ways to rebrand for slightly older audiences. Their efforts transformed into Epic Mickey for the Wii, meant to be a darker take on the character. Disney brought on Warren Spector of Deus Ex and Thief fame to direct, and his team created a decrepit yet fantastical world.
The game’s artistic direction is truly one of a kind, with beautiful environments, a well-written story, and characters. The concept of the Wasteland, a world that holds all of Disney’s forgotten characters, is just meta enough to be depressing without losing any whimsy. It would be perfect if there weren’t so many technical issues, with simplistic combat, clunky controls, and awful camera movement.
5 Club Penguin
While Disney was experimenting with online projects, Club Penguin was one of those shot-in-the-dark ideas that managed to be a huge success. Club Penguin gives you a customizable penguin avatar in an online world where you can play games and chat with other players. The internet was awash with MMOs at this time, but CP’s child-centric design, many activities, and balance between paid, and free content make it stand out.
The game is so popular that after it shut down, a fanmade version was made that looks identical to the original. But CP sits in fifth due to its lack of creative affiliation with the Disney brand, even years later, when it remains one of the company’s most popular games.
4 Castle of Illusion Remake
Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse was a 2D side-scroller on the SEGA Genesis, and was remade in 2013 with nearly every component revamped and re-imagined. The Genesis version was incredibly impressive visually, being one of the first forays into 16-bit, and the remake continues that effort. Beautiful level design that adds a twist to the original, great animation, and controls make for an incredibly fun platformer.
So why doesn’t it place higher? Despite improving its predecessor in major ways, Castle of Illusion still suffers from baby-mode difficulty and is almost criminally short. If you’re looking to introduce your little one to gaming in a way that won’t overwhelm them, it’s probably one of the best choices.
3 Aladdin Sega Genesis
There’s a reason that even now, the Aladdin tie-in remains one of the most iconic Disney games. Despite releasing first on the SNES, its Genesis port stands the test of time. It works on the original’s dedication to visuals straight out of the movie and amplifies the level of detail and perfect Disney charm with those signature 16-bit graphics.
Alongside Aladdin having an actual weapon, which alters gameplay significantly, there are also two kinds of bonus stages: a slot machine for items or an extra life, and a section with Abu that gives similar rewards. The visuals, soundtrack, and smooth controls make Aladdin one of the best classic platformers. The sluggish camera movement and strange jumps in difficulty hold it in third place.
2 Marvel Snap
As a card collection and battling game, Marvel Snap works perfectly for mobile, with matches that are only a few minutes long and gameplay mechanics that are easy to learn. Great art and dynamic gameplay that allows you to practice new ways to one-up your opponent make for an addictive gameplay loop. It should be no surprise that Marvel Snap has reached such acclaim despite being out of beta for less than a year, considering its developer Second Dinner was founded by members of the Hearthstone team.
Its accessibility makes it perfect for younger players who’ve grown up watching the MCU, but is still criticized for implementing loot boxes and battle passes. It loses points for being a “pay-to-win” at times, but Marvel Snap is one of the few genuinely enjoyable on its own merit.
1 DuckTales Remastered
Back when Disney Channel’s content was predominantly based on its classic properties, DuckTales was a supremely popular cartoon with a number of television, movie, and video game spin-offs. The game’s levels are varied, all the beloved characters are here, and it’s one of the few Disney games to give you alternate endings based on your score.
The iconic music is the same blend of energetic and melodic that embodies some of the best soundtracks in video games and combines with the seamless movement and rapid combat to make for an exciting platformer. The difficulty hike relative to other titles made this one genuinely fun and was even recognized as one of the SNES’ best games. The Remaster wins out because it does expand what made the original great, with better level design, style, and voice-acting straight out of the cartoon.
