Retronauts Episode 226: Aladdin Games

Nope but 16-bit Disney games are definitely on my agenda...

Bob Mackey

What if I want Retronauts to spark an international incident?

Bob Mackey

Game Gear game is just a pale imitation of the Master System game since it's just the same thing at a smaller resolution. I played it a long while back for the HG101 crew and thought it was a pretty solid experience, and certainly very nice-looking as well, though the first couple levels have a pretty simplistic design. I think overall it merges the aggressive action of the Capcom game with the more artistically-inspired and Prince of Persia-ish Virgin game.

Aaron

Need to be careful when calling Doug Perry Irish. He's from Northern Ireland. Is he Irish? Is he British? Could be either, could be both! My tiny part of the world has it's... Troubles...

But what about the terrible Game Gear game! I remember it having terrible overly long unskippable dialogue heavy cut scenes.. The only way to beat the Genesis version is with the invincibility cheat code. The only way to beat ANY of the Virgin/Shiny games was a with their invincibility cheat codes. And they’re STILL too hard and have cheap platforming.

Kevin Peterson

Many games had rough edges, but I do admire the sense of style Shiny had. I don't like that aimless, open platform philosophy either, but something clicked with "Earthworm Jim". That game had a really fun sense of punk anarchy and humor for it's day.. In the same rebellious spirit of gross-out cartoons like Ren and Stimpy. The snot bungee rope and the hamster were spectacular set pieces and you kept on through grueling difficulty just to see the next wacky event (even if it meant pulling your hair out). I also think MDK is a very fascinating game. Probably some of the most interesting art direction any sci fi game has ever had to this day. Kurt Hectic in his black leather and pterodactyl helmet was like something out of Dune, filtered through German expressionism and a French heavy metal comic. The combination of a sniper rifle and a wing suit made for really compelling game play too. I wish some studio would revisit that property again some day!

Did Retronauts ever do an episode on the strange arms race of Mickey Mouse platformers? Castle of Illusion, Mickey's Magical Quest, MickeyMania... Strangely enough that mouse was a big deal in the 16-bit era?

My three dollar opinion: while Capcom's work is undeniably better, SNES Aladdin is a bland paint-by-numbers platformer. Generic levels, simple design, and bad SNES music that's brassy and simply composed. It feels like they put little effort into it especially compared to the unique vision of Goof Troop and Magical Quest. It feels like most of their ideas went into SNES Bonkers of all things. Genesis Aladdin may be poorly designed but it's filled with easter eggs, hidden jokes, and some of the best 16-bit sprite art.

Justen Brown

I remember recognizing that the SNES game was more functional than the Genisis original but was unable to articulate why as a child.

shea dewar

I am very glad that you bring up all my gripes about the genesis game, from the weird lack of reactions to hits to the inexplicable sword. Even as a kid I thought the SNES game did a better job capturing the spirit of the film.

Kevin Bunch

I was getting his name conflated with Doug Perry's, who was in the games press for a long time. Rest assured I know who Doug TenNapel is, and I wouldn't get Dave confused with that trash person.

Bob Mackey

Haha, yeah, getting confused with Doug TenNapel and Dave Perry at the start.

Ryan Langley

I normally just grit my teeth and tolerate the Genesis episodes of Retronauts but I feel sorry for Dave (not Doug) Perry after this one

I lol'd at you guys criticising the Gen version because they changed the plot of a kid's animated movie for a 16 bit era video game

Ken Hoyt