Disney might be more associated with animated characters and overly expensive theme parks, but there was a time when they had some of the biggest and most popular video games on the market. In an age of console wars and nostalgic gamers, should Disney make a comeback.
Granted, titles like Epic Mickey and the Kingdom Hearts series are nothing to sneeze at, but some of Disney's best titles were back in the days of cartridges and pixelated graphics. Perhaps it's time they both made a comeback?
Back when Disney had game
The days of the NES, SEGA Genesis, and Super Nintendo might be over, but they were the consoles that contained some of Disney's finest contributions to the video game industry. Titles like Ducktales, Talespin, The Lion King, Aladdin, and Castle of Illusion were more than simple platformers, they were rich, arcadey goodness wrapped in Disney magic.
That might sound like pure nostalgia bait, but these titles have become icons of the gaming field. Titles like Ducktales and Aladdin certainly still have influence on many modern entries, just look at Shovel Knight if you want a recent example.
So what was the secret formula that kept Disney games on shelves everywhere? Simple, a Disney approach to a new medium.
Many of these games were solid platforming adventures with beloved characters, but that wasn't all Disney brought to the table. In fact, many of the '90s games had Disney artists animating the sprite work, bringing the magic of Disney animation to then-revolutionary medium.
Unfortunately, some of Disney's recent video games have left much to be desired. From a villains' cafe game to dozens of cheesy mobile apps, it feels like the interactive magic has drained from Disney Interactive.
In a case of simply knowing the audience, Disney has a lot of work to do. That said, while nostalgia is a double-edged sword for the company, it might be time to apply that favorite flavor of theirs to the modern video game market.
What was your favorite Disney game?