On November 12, streaming service Disney Plus will be available to anyone who spends $6.99 a month. By subscribing to Disney Plus, you’ll have the ability to instantly stream hundreds – if not thousands – of Disney properties.
While many have groaned at the thought of adding yet another subscription to their ever-growing list of things to pay for, hardcore Disney fans are rejoicing at the opportunity to have all of their favorite content in one place.
For us, it’s a bit of both. We love Disney and are eager to rewatch all of our favorite shows and movies, but we’re definitely starting to feel the subscription fatigue. To help reinvigorate our excitement for Disney Plus (because there’s a lot to be excited for), we thought it’d be fun to take a look back at some of the most magical Disney games!
6 magical Disney games to get you in the mood for Disney Plus
© Square Enix
Kingdom Hearts
A list of “magical” Disney games would be woefully incomplete without Kingdom Hearts. Whether you’ve been playing the series from the very beginning with Kingdom Hearts in 2002, or you became acquainted with Sora and the gang via Kingdom Hearts 3, there’s a lot to love about the series.
Let’s start with the obvious, it works Disney characters into its expansive plot in fun, creative ways. Not only can you tag along with Mickey, Donald, and Goofy, you’re also given the opportunity to interact with other popular Disney characters. Without the iconic Disney references, Kingdom Hearts is capable of standing on its own as phenomenally unique IP.
Add Disney into the mix, and you have a timeless classic. One that can be confusing at times, yes, but always a blast to play as long as you’re open-minded and pure of heart.
Aladdin and Lion King
© Disney
Aladdin and Lion King re-released back in October, and after playing them again on Nintendo Switch, we were overcome with waves of nostalgia. The games for Aladdin and Lion King were originally developed for NES in the early 90s as a way to promote the animated films.
Similarly, the re-release of these games as a packaged set for modern consoles came on the heels of the 2019 live action remakes of each film. Not only will the original animated classics be available to stream on Disney Plus, but so will the live action remakes as well. What better way to get hyped than by revisiting the Aladdin and Lion King games for NES?
Despite feeling somewhat dated, the game duo nevertheless offers a fun glimpse at how properties were developed for the NES in the early 90s. Plus, with the availability of these games on Switch, you can take them with you wherever you go to help pass the time until Disney Plus becomes available!
Epic Mickey
© Junction Point Studios
Epic Mickey is one of our personal favorites, and will always have a special place in our hearts as one of the “best” Disney games ever made. The concept of Epic Mickey is interesting in that it incorporates a magic paintbrush and art to move the story along, as opposed to more “traditional” gameplay.
Sure, there’s platforming involved, but the player is given the freedom to create their own solutions. No two playthroughs of Epic Mickey ever feel alike. Furthermore, there’s a surprisingly fleshed out system of morality that even gives the player the ability to completely bypass bosses if they play their cards right.
For artists, Epic Mickey appeals directly to their inner sense of creativity. For gamers, Epic Mickey promotes “outside the box” thinking that can cultivate an appreciation for art and design, even for those who’ll never have a desire to pick up an actual paintbrush.
While it’s hard to go back and replay Epic Mickey as opposed to its sequel (which released on Steam to mixed reviews in 2012) those who own the original game should absolutely take the time to revisit it.
Castle of Illusion
© SEGA
Joining the likes of older NES and SNES games on this list is Castle of Illusion from 1990. As one of the oldest games on this list, you may be happy to hear that replaying this Disney gem is easier than you might think, as a revamped version was released in 2013 to playforms like Steam.
Looking at Castle of Illusion today, we feel it’s an interesting platformer that, while straightforward enough, offers some unique properties in terms of story and gameplay mechanics that help it stand out. Controlling Mickey Mouse, you’ll need to explore the Castle of Illusion, collect the Seven Gems of the Rainbow, and ultimately rescue Minnie Mouse from Mizrabel.
The concept of a witch looking to steal youth from Minnie reminds us of Hocus Pocus (which will be available on Disney Plus), while the castle exploration has become a treasured staple in side-scroller games. The enemies are unique, the levels stand out, and in general, Castle of Illusion is just a great game.
Disney Infinity
© Disney
Disney Infinity had its fair share of problems, there’s no doubt about that. However, it’s commendable in how it played upon Disney’s trend of daring to be different. On the surface, Disney Infinity is your average action-adventure game.
What sets it apart is how it incorporates “collectible” figures into the mix and how they can be played with both in and out of Disney Infinity. Kids love toys, and from a marketing standpoint, it made sense to try and combine toy sets based on popular Disney properties in a single game. Unfortunately, Disney Infinity struggled to find footing as the figures themselves felt reminiscent of Nintendo amiibo in aesthetic and usage.
With stagnant growth, Disney discontinued the series, and developer Avalanche Studios closed. There were a number of planned expansions to Disney Infinity that were shelved at this time, which is a shame as the toys were cool and are worth a purchase even to those with zero interest in the actual game they pair with.
Heck, we own several Disney Infinity figures because of how well they were made and how well they fit beside the amiibo on our desk. The good news is even if you missed out on Disney Infinity, you can still purchase figures online. Given its tragic history, it’s worth revisiting Disney Infinity now, especially on the heels of Disney Plus. Who knows, maybe Disney will find a way to revive Disney Infinity in the future?
DuckTales (NES)
© Disney
With the mere mention of the name “DuckTales” you’re apt to start humming its iconic its theme song. If you don’t hear it now, just wait until you’re in bed trying to sleep and, “Life is like a hurricane here in Duckburg...” pops up in your head. You know the rest. DuckTales is one of those animated TV series you can watch and rewatch over and over again.
To help you do this, DuckTales will indeed be available on Disney Plus along with other animated classics like Gargoyles, Tailspin, Rescue Rangers, and Darkwing Duck. That side, iIf you’re looking for a different way to pal around with Scrooge McDuck, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, what not try out the game for NES (and Game Boy)?
Like the aforementioned Castle of Illusion, the DuckTales game is older, having released to NES in 1989. It was later ported to the Game Boy in 1990 so if you don’t have access to a NES but still want to try out the DuckTales game, the Game Boy version is the same experience but tailored to the Game Boy’s lower resolution screen.
No matter how you play it, DuckTales the game is an absolute blast as well as a fun way to pump yourself up before you binge the entire series on Disney Plus.
Disney Plus will be available starting on November 12 and will offer up a smorgasbord of shows and movies for fans to sink their teeth into.
If you choose to get a gaming session in before the launch of Disney Plus, we’re curious to hear what games you think offer the best “Disney” experience. Are you working your way through Kingdom Hearts 3, or would you rather revisit DuckTales on NES or Game Boy? Is there a game we didn’t include that’s worth recommending? Comment below!