The classic Aladdin and The Lion King 16-bit Sega Genesis games are being re-released in a collection for PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch called Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King.
Well, actually, the Sega Genesis versions, while generally regarded as the superior versions of these games, are just one way players will be able to experience these games again. That’s right, Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King will actually include the following versions of these two games:
- Disney’s Aladdin (SEGA Genesis version)
- Disney’s Aladdin (Game Boy version)
- Disney’s Aladdin Final Cut
- Disney’s Aladdin Trade Show Demo (a demo version of the game that was never shown to the public before now)
- The Lion King (SEGA Genesis version)
- The Lion King (Super Nintendo version)
- The Lion King (Game Boy version)
Despite being a comprehensive list of variants of these two games, a few versions are actually missing. The most notable one being the Super Nintendo version of Disney’s Aladdin, famously designed by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami. Also missing are the Sega Game Gear versions of both Aladdin and The Lion King.
It is important to note that the variations in third party games were usually much greater back in the 90s than they are now. For example, while a game like Star Wars: Battlefront 2 is virtually the same game on PS4 and Xbox One, back in the day that wasn’t so much the case. In fact, the SNES version of Aladdin was created by Capcom, while the Sega Genesis version was made by Virgin Games. So, not only were these games different just by virtue of being on different hardware, but they were virtually entirely different games based on the same movies. The Sega Genesis version might be notable to Disney fans, as Sega and Virgin Games worked with Disney animators to get the graphics for the game to look as movie-like as possible.
Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King is being made by Digital Eclipse, who also helped put together the Disney Afternoon Collection a few years back. Also aiding in the creation of this retro collection is Nighthawk Interactive, a team that aids in development of a lot of smaller and mid-tier games today.
Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King includes a handful of new features, including enhanced graphics, visual enhancement filters, customizable controls, and rewind and fast forward functions to help players through more challenging sections of gameplay. The collection also includes an “explorable museum” where players can discover behind-the-scenes developer interviews, art, and music.
Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King will be out on October 29, 2019 for PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch for $29.99.