Castle of Illusion Longplay (Mega Drive) [50 FPS]

Developed and published by Sega in 1990.
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A while back I longplayed and reviewed the 8-bit Game Gear edition of Castle of Illusion and was pretty impressed with the end result. This time, I decided to take the 16-bit version for a spin and see how it compares; as I have found with some Amiga and C64 titles, the move from 8 to 16 bits doesn't automatically equate to a better game!
The game's story is identical to the 8-bit version with Mickey Mouse going up against the wicked witch, Mizrabel, in a quest to rescue his beloved Minnie from the old hag's clutches. To do this, Mickey must reclaim the seven different rainbow gems from various rooms within the Castle of Illusion so that he can gain access to the final tower.
The first and most obvious difference between the Mega Drive and Master System version is the upgrade in visual quality. Whilst nowhere near the quality of later Disney licensed games, the quality of the graphics and artwork is a step-up from the 8-bit version. For an early platform game, it's easy to see why this was included as a pack-in title for the Mega Drive.
The game features three separate difficulty modes, one of which is a practice mode that gives the player additional energy points, but only makes part of the game accessible. To play the full game, the player must select either 'Normal' or 'Hard' difficulties. Even on hard, the game isn't especially tough, but this is still a nice touch considering it's targeted at younger gamers.
One of the most important things that a platform game must have is good controls and Castle of Illusion succeeds here. Controlling Mickey is easy and there's just the right amount of inertia present in the control scheme to give the character weight and for the player to execute moves and jumps with aplomb.
Most of the features from the 8-bit version also feature here, but there are some notable differences. Whereas the Master System/GG version allows players to select which levels to play, the Mega Drive version is completely linear. Also, the MS version featured hidden areas and secrets where Mickey could earn additional health points, something which has been omitted from this version and makes the game feel more restrictive as there are very few secrets to find.
Even though the game is good fun and generally of a high standard, things feel a little by-the-numbers until you reach the library level when everything seems to step up a gear. Not only does this feature some of the best graphics in the game, but there are also some really cool design choices that really don't feature anywhere else in the game. The weight of Mickey dangling from the lamp cords is such that the lamps turn off, dimming the level lighting until he lets go and is a great touch.
Puzzlingly, the game includes features typical of most platformers, but doesn't make enough of them to feel especially significant. For example, Mickey might find diamonds that award bonus points, but they are very few and far between. Collectibles have been a staple of almost every platform game ever made, so it surprised me that developers had bothered including this element and have so few to find.
Similarly, the game includes items that Mickey can collect to throw at enemies, providing a ranged alternative to the butt-stomp. Again, the number of items to collect is few and far between (and the need to use the move at all is even less).
Be it lack of time or resources, the Mega Drive version of Castle of Illusion feels somewhat constrained, particularly when compared to it's 8-bit sibling. The latter version allowed the player to choose the order in which they tackled certain stages, but this feature is absent from the 16-bit version.
Despite perhaps lacking in ambition, Castle of Illusion is still a fun and accessible platform game that gamers of all ages will enjoy. It looks great, sounds decent and possesses solid controls that won't ever frustrate the player. Although maybe not the most ambitious of titles, it at least sets a solid foundation for for future Disney games.
#retrogaming

[@lostandwounded]

one of the best games ever made

[@AL82RetrogamingLongplays]

Castle of Illusion Longplay (Mega Drive) [50 FPS]: Help Mickey resue Minnie from the clutches of the witch, Mizrabel in the 16-bit version of this Sega platformer.
Read the video description for my reivew!

[@SylvesterAshcroft88]

+Al82: Retrogaming Longplays & Reviews one of my favourite games ever made, nothing will ever beat the nostalgia of playing this game on the original sega master system II :D

[@DiscoTimelordASD]

Could you do Michael Jacksons Moonwalker game please?