Disney’s Aladdin, released in 1993 by Virgin Games, is a vibrant platformer based on the hit animated film of the same name. Players take on the role of Aladdin as he journeys from the bustling streets of Agrabah to the treacherous Cave of Wonders and finally to Jafar’s palace. The game closely follows the plot of the movie, featuring familiar characters like Princess Jasmine, the Genie, Abu, and the villainous Jafar. Through a series of action-packed levels, players relive key moments from the film while enjoying a mix of fast-paced gameplay and lighthearted humor.

The gameplay is a blend of traditional platforming, combat, and exploration. Aladdin can run, jump, swing on poles, and use a scimitar to fend off enemies like palace guards and desert creatures. Collectible apples serve as both a ranged weapon and a way to interact with the environment. Levels are filled with hidden areas, bonus items, and power-ups, encouraging players to explore every corner. The game also features magic carpet rides and other special sequences that break up the platforming with exciting variety.

Visually, Aladdin stands out for its smooth animation and richly detailed environments. Disney’s own animators worked alongside the game developers to ensure that the characters moved and behaved like their movie counterparts, resulting in fluid and expressive animation that was groundbreaking for its time. The colorful backgrounds, dynamic set pieces, and faithful recreation of iconic scenes from the film make the game feel like a playable cartoon. The soundtrack features rearranged versions of the movie’s memorable songs, including “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like Me,” enhancing the nostalgic experience.

Disney’s Aladdin is remembered as one of the best licensed games of the 16-bit era, praised for its tight controls, beautiful animation, and faithful adaptation of the movie. It became a classic on the Sega Genesis, later inspiring ports and variations on other systems. Even today, it remains a beloved platformer that showcases the golden age of Disney tie-in games.

• Developer: Virgin Games
• Publisher: Sega (Genesis version), Capcom (SNES version)
• Release Year: 1993
• Platform(s): Sega Genesis, SNES, Game Boy, Amiga, and others
• Genre: Platformer
• Game Mode: Single-player
• Graphics: Hand-drawn 2D animation created with Disney’s animators
• Sound: Adaptations of the film’s iconic soundtrack
• Key Feature: Faithful recreation of movie scenes with fluid cartoon-like animation