Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse

The Good
This game succeeds in a lot of areas. The graphics are incredibly well detailed, with fluid animation, unique special effects, and diverse backgrounds. The music is catchy and appropriate for each level with plenty of the standard platform sound effects. The challenges throughout the game are interesting, and the control handles well, with no pause or delay in gameplay.

The Bad
The game handles at a leisurely pace. While there is challenge and things to do, Mickey seems to be taking his time throughout the levels, even though he's trying to save Minnie from a Witch. This is also a fairly simple game, so it will be possible to complete this in one sitting.

The Bottom Line
Simply put, it's a beautiful game, and shows off the graphic capabilities of the Genesis. The light and water effects found in this game were generally unheard of at this time, and even by today's standards, it's still a fun game to play and an appealing title to look at. This is definitely a recommended title for those who enjoy Disney games, and just a well-rounded Sega platformer in general. Whether a Mickey fan or not, this game has something to offer gamers.

The Good
An early game to demonstrate the graphical prowess of the Genesis (Mega Drive in the UK) - the levels which saw Mickey leap from leaf to leaf in front of gorgeous multi-parallax scrolling backgrounds were a joy to behold. The game sees Mickey Mouse trying to rescue Minnie Mouse from the clutches of an evil queen with gameplay typical of the side-scrolling platformer. Mickey borrows Mario's trademark 'bum bounce' move as well as having the ability to lob apples at his enemies, who all had a cute, cartoony feel. Levels, which each have a boss at the end, include a forest, a cake/candy world (patrolled by clockwork soldiers) and the eponymous Castle of Illusion.

The Bad
Whilst being ideal for younger players, the game is fairly easy and can be easily completed within an hour. Replay value is good, as quality of the graphics (by 1990 standards of course), draw the player though each of the neatly constructed worlds.

The Bottom Line
A classic Sega platformer.

The Good
Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse is a wonderful single player, platformer game. The game features incredible animation, graphics, music and sound effects. Each level, their enemies and bosses, could easily have been taken out of a Disney cartoon and icons in each level help out with points, extra lives, energy refill and various projectiles to throw. Heck, even the act of jumping on enemies, a clear homage to Super Mario Brothers, is wonderfully animated. Sega would go onto to produce more successful titles feature Disney characters

The Bad
Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse features a damsel in distress storyline that lacks originality. I understand why this is often used as a plot device in games and it is not entirely inappropriate, but it does get recycled a bit too much. Younger or more novice gamers should take note: while the game allows you to adjust the level of difficulty a few of the later levels, on any setting, will be a challenge mainly because you cannot run.

The Bottom Line
Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse is the first, of many, great platformer games Sega published based on Disney characters. It was one of the first games to show off the advanced hardware of the Sega Genesis and remains one of the best video games starring Mickey Mouse.