![]() ![]() The font used for the dialogue and menu screen is more pleasing to the eye (seriously). RELEASE DATE: 03/21/91 (JP), 06/1991 (US, EU)Ĭastle of Illusion on the Game Gear is a slightly prettier port of the Master System game. Mickey regrets reading Camus right before his adventure. Genesis Castle of Illusion has the visual prowess to stun a retro gamer in their tracks, but Master System Castle of Illusion keeps them coming back for more. This is why, dare I write it, I prefer 8-bit Castle of Illusion over its beloved 16-bit brother. The simple platforming caters more to the Master System. The level layouts here are more interesting and have slightly more depth than their Genesis counterparts. Downgraded visuals aside, Mickey still looks and moves like a fluid cartoon character. But the Master System? In the States at least, Castle of Illusion was one of the system’s swansongs. ![]() The Genesis would go on to have much better platformers that pushed the genre forward and took more advantage of the hardware. It does what it does really well, arguably better than the majority of Master System platformers. It doesn’t matter that there are few surprises or that you can beat the game in about an hour. Much like Mickey’s unparalleled swagger, Castle of Illusion knows it’s a polished, well-playing game. I say, “mostly.” Castle of Illusion has something that most non-Mario platformers don’t: confidence. There are a couple automatic-scrolling portions that change up the proceedings, but otherwise, Castle of Illusion is mostly Platforming 101. Mickey butt pounds his way from left to right, destroying enemies and uncovering hidden treasures, like coins (for points), cake (for health), and mouse ears (for extra lives). If you’ve played the 16-bit version or any side-scrolling platformer in the last 30 years, you’ll know what to expect here. And while the level design isn’t non-linear by any means, most levels have branching paths that encourage replay value, something 16-bit Castle of Illusion lacked.Įven music itself is against you, Mickey. The carryover levels all have different layouts, making them feel more like remixed imaginings of the same idea. The Enchanted Forest, Toyland, The Library, and the Castle stages all hail from the Genesis version, while the Clock Tower and the Dessert Factory are exclusive to the Master System and Game Gear versions. Not even nightmare-inducing anthropomorphic letters sully Mickey’s stride! A more optimistic video game character, there isn’t. ![]() His girlfriend may be kidnapped, but he knows he’s gonna rescue her ’cause, well, he’s Mickey. He can still throw objects, still butt pound his enemies into oblivion. Mickey can handle a powerful witch, but God forbid he encounter insects.Īs in the Genesis version, Mickey’s out to save Minnie from the evil witch, Mizrabel. While the graphics do take a considerable hit, the quaint, lighthearted platforming feels much more at home here than on the Genesis. Sega’s 8-bit versions of their popular arcade/Genesis titles often suffered during conversion (see: Golden Axe, E-SWAT, among many others). The beautifully rendered environments, Mickey’s smooth animation, the gorgeous storybook presentation: all meant to distract from the 8-bit era hop-and-bop platforming.Īnd then there’s Castle of Illusion for the Master System. The game may have played like a platformer of its day, but its outstanding visuals more than justified the cost of a new console.Ĭastle of Illusion for the Genesis is indeed a visual masterpiece – a Disney cartoon come to life – but the game clearly values style over substance. 3 were “the hotness.” Pre- Sonic the Hedgehog, I can imagine many kids receiving the Genesis with Castle of Illusion and not being disappointed. The NES was still going strong and 8-bit platformers like Super Mario Bros. The SNES was a year out from launch in North America. ![]() Castle of Illusion – one of Sega’s flagship games for the Genesis that year – released in December 1990, only 16 months after the Genesis debuted in North America. Mickey ponders whether Minnie is worth the hassle.īy late 1990, the 16-bit party was just beginning. ![]()
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