Right, Disney. Mickey Mouse. Why were games around your mascot so frustratingly difficult in the 90s? This isn't just a #CastleOfIllusion thing. We had Magical Quest, #MickeyMania , I mean World of Illusion wasn't too difficult from memory... But still! That's a lot of Retro Gaming trauma you dumped on us in that generation!
Castle of Illusion is meaner than it has any right to be. Behind that cute facade is a game that is just a little cruel. From enemy placements and patterns to slightly squiffy hit boxes. Also, you need to hold down the D-pad to prepare Mickey's butt to jump on and defeat enemies. That's a weird nuance and very much a choice that is seldom implemented into a 2D platformer.
Is the game good? It's pretty decent, and offers a challenge, but I have beaten it now and I don't see myself rushing back do that all over again!
It's definitely a game I shouldn't have been playing at a young age. As it is violent, the death animations on the human enemies are impressive. If a little excessive.
Is it as hard as I remember? Probably not! But it can be unfair! Whilst the game was generous with the extra lives, dying carried a potentially run ending penalty, as you can lose the weapon you are currently using and it reverts back to the pistol which, against bosses, is next to useless.
I have a hastily taken photo of a situation I was in against the final boss, where all I had was the pistol in either weapon slot. This turned that fight into an hour long slog where I was farming lives at a fast pace.
Definitely a fun little game that is worth a play, but be prepared for a fair amount of nonsense after the first few levels!