This classic castle is worth exploring once more

User Rating: 8 | Disney Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse X360
Perhaps one of the most memorable classics on the Sega Genesis was Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mous, made by Sega themselves. The game seemed more like a Mario clone, namely the typical rescue the girl from the bad guy routine, but this classic platformer had so much charm to it and it stood out above the other Disney games at the time. With the exception of World of Illusion, Sega never again made another game starring everyone's favorite Disney icon...until now. I couldn't believe it when Sega announced that they were doing a remake to this classic gem. Hopefully it would stay true to the classic while offering us a new experience to fall in love with all over again. As a fan of the first, I am happy to say they didn't disappoint.

The story is pretty much the same. Jealous of Minnie Mouse's beauty, the evil witch, Mizrabel, decides to capture her right in front of Mickey's nose and take her to her castle of illusion, where she plans to swap looks with her; so that she's be beautiful and Minnie will be turned into an ugly old hag. Chasing after them, Mickey arrives at the castle where he must now find the 7 rainbow gems, stop Mizrabel and save his beloved Minnie from her clutches. The story is a pretty typical Mario-esque plot like many games at the time and for the most part, this remake's story is true to the original's (what little there was). The only difference is there is now a story teller who chimes in every now and then and narrates the story. Not everyone will like this direction but to me, it made this game feel more like a storybook and is a nice touch.

This is one remake that just looks absolutely glorious. The art style is spot on to the original and each stage looks as colorful and vibrant as the last. Even the art work that is used to tell the story looks great. The music is also good and [mostly] true to the original soundtrack. Some of the tunes sound like great remixes of the original's soundtrack, but for some reason they didn't remix every tune but the newer scores sound ok. I especially miss the old boss themes. Luckily, you have the option to use the Genesis soundtrack too.

The gamelay itself is also true to the simple and charming style of the Genesis version. The game is mostly a 2.5D platformer where you must jump on enemies, throw projectiles and navigate through a series of platforms to get to the end of each stage. There isn't much to say about the gameplay as it is pretty simple and straightforward. Basically, if you've played the original, you'll know what to expect. It's still as fun as you remember from 1990, but the problem with this version is the controls. After playing for a bit, you can get used to them, but they still feel a little off, mainly when you jump which feels a bit stiff. Like I said, they're not horrible and the game is still playable, but they may take some getting used to.

The level design is excellent. Unlike a lot of remakes which gives you the same level design as the originals, this game gives you new levels that you haven't played before with a few nostalgic segments thrown in. Don't take that the wrong way, the 5 worlds you play through are still the same (the enchanted forest, toyland, the storm, the library, and the castle) but they offer new but familiar levels to go along with them, making an old experience feel new again. Either way, the new levels are large and well designed, throwing new obstacles along the way and staying fresh while reminding you why you loved the original so much. There are even 3D sections of the game which also play just fine. The only time the 3D part ends up being a drag is the apple chase scene in the first level thanks to such a confusing depth perception. Other than that, the 3D sections are short and surprisingly only add to the game. The bosses at the end of each stage are also reminiscent of the bosses in the old game with new surprises to throw at you. Much like the levels, they offer new challenges while throwing the old moves at you two. Furthermore, the game gives you more reason to collect everything now(such as diamonds, playing cards, and Donald's chili peppers); rewarding you with achievements/trophies and even 3 sets of costumes.

If I were to make any complaints about this game, it's pretty short and easy for its $15 asking price. It's easier than the original was with the exception of the final boss, which was actually quite challenging and rewarding. The only thing worse is that you can probably blow through it in a day or two.

However, if you love the original, I'd say $15 is a small price to pay to relive the charm and fun of the first Castle of Illusion all over again. You'll admire the amount of effort and appreciation for the original that Sega had when remaking this classic gem. With great levels, gorgeous visuals and a good mix of new and old, this is a wonderful Disney world worth revisiting.