Pap the Disney Gamer's Highlights: Disney's Aladdin
System: Super Nintendo, Game Boy Advance
Developed by: Capcom

Disney's Aladdin is easily one of my all-time favorite Disney movies. The beautiful music and animation combined with the endearing characters and hilarious jokes made for an animated movie that was both classic and contemporary in its delivery. Of course, it also yielded its own set of video game adaptations. In 1993, Capcom released Disney's Aladdin for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.

By 1993, Capcom had solidified its relationship with Disney thanks to a string of great Disney based games. Aladdin proudly follows that tradition. While an easy game when compared to the standards of other games, it is a very polished, well designed game. You play as Aladdin as the game re-tells the movie's plot. You will be playing through all the major events of the film, from Aladdin's escape from the palace guards at the market to the final battle with Jafar. Each time a level is completed you get a little piece of the story via a cut scene.

Much like in the movie, Aladdin is a very athletic individual. He can jump very high, swing on poles, throw apples, and even use a piece of cloth as a parachute. This helps him survive long jumps and reach high platforms. This is important as you can collect red gems in every level in order to unlock a special ending.

The music and graphics are very loyal to the aesthetic of the feature film. The colors are very bright, and the levels are very detailed. You can see the palace in the background while you survive the market, see the stairs that lead to the lamp in the Cave of Wonders, and Genie's lamp is a truly magical place. The game borrows many songs from the movie, including 'Friend Like Me,' and, of course, 'A Whole New World.'

Just in time for the Platinum Edition DVD release of the movie, Capcom re-released Aladdin on the Game Boy Advance. The gameplay and graphics remained intact, but the songs from the movie were, unfortunately, taken out.

All in all, Disney's Aladdin for the Super Nintendo won't blow expert players away due to its difficulty, but it is a solid, well designed adaptation that presents to us the best scenes from the movie and more.

Huh, what's that? You say there was ANOTHER Aladdin video game on another system? Why, you are absolutely right! I will talk about that version of Aladdin' sometime in the near future. Stay tuned!