Top 10 Disney Video Games

Script written by Nick Williams

Top 10 Disney Video Games

It's no secret that most licensed video games tend to suck. But Disney seems to go against this trend … Most of the time.  Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’ll be counting down the Top 10 Disney video games.

For this list, we’ve included any video game based on an original Disney property, be it animated, or live action.

#10: “Disney’s Hercules” (1997)

“Hercules” took all of the best parts of Disney’s legendary 16-bit platformers and expanded on them with the PlayStation’s improved hardware.  Combining action-packed sidescroller with spectacular graphics and sound – this was one of the first Disney games that felt almost like playing an actual animated movie.  The story stays very true to the film, following Hercules on his quest to thwart the evil Hades.  This game also introduced some 3D elements, enabling Hercules to interact with his environment and move between the fore and background of the levels.

#9: “Epic Mickey” (2010)

Fans that had grown up with Disney were excited when “Epic Mickey” was announced, because it promised a darker, more adult adventure starring Disney’s most iconic character.  Even more tantalizing was the fact that development was headed by Warren Spector, who is best known for PC classics like “Ultima” and “Deus Ex.” “Epic Mickey” is an underrated adventure that incorporates complex elements like branching, choice-driven narrative and the ability to manipulate your environment with Mickey’s magical paint brush, resulting in one of the most creative games on the Wii.

#8: “Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers” (1990)

Developed by Capcom, “Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers” is a perfect example of classic Disney side-scrolling.  One of the most awesome things about this game was the two-player co-op, a feature that was not widely available for platforming games of the era.  Chip & Dale are tasked with rescuing their friend, Gadget, from the diabolical Fat Cat.  The graphics and sound were top notch, the gameplay was simple but rewarding, and the challenge was just right for kids and adults alike. 

#7: “The Lion King” (1994)

The best thing about “The Lion King” is that it really captured the drama and spirit of the legendary Disney film.  At a time when hype for the movie was at a fever pitch, it would have been easy for Virgin Interactive to crank out a sloppy movie port to capitalize on the buzz.  Instead, “The Lion King” is an amazing platformer filled with memorable sequences, tough gameplay, extremely fun minigame sections, and a visual design that stayed impressively true to the movie.  That cliffside battle against Scar is an epic video game moment!

#6: “Disney Infinity” (2013)

When “Disney Infinity” was announced, it came under fire for ripping off the popular “Skylanders” franchise by combining collectible figurines with a digital gameplay experience.  Fortunately, Disney went above and beyond by forging a memorable gaming experience.  Though its hard to defend games like this from being called a cashgrab, “Infinity’s” Toy Box mode is totally awesome.  Similar to “LittleBigPlanet”, the Toy Box allows Disney and now Marvel fans to create their own playable worlds and missions, share them with friends, and transport you to a time where your imagination was the only limit.

#5: “Tron 2.0” (2003)

With thrilling action scenes, memorable visuals, and a creative storyline, the “Tron” franchise was just begging to be turned into a video game.  Sure we got the Acrade game that came out the same year, but we had to wait until 2003 to get a long awaited game that lived up to its source material.  “Tron 2.0” is a fun, innovative, story-driven first-person-shooter with exhilarating shooting sequences and lots of story and ambience to keep “Tron” fans engaged.

#4: “The Magical Quest: Starring Mickey Mouse” (1992)

With his pals Goofy and Pluto disappearing into the forest during a game of catch, it’s up to Mickey to embark on an epic quest to track down his lost friends and thwart the plans of Emperor Pete.  A fun and energetic adventure with beautiful, vibrant graphics and satisfying gameplay, “The Magical Quest” is relatively straightforward. Mickey’s ability to change costumes adds some variety, however, and some of the boss fights are pretty tough!  The game later got 2 sequels if you can’t get enough Magical Mickey.

#3: “Disney’s Aladdin”  (Genesis Version) (1993)

The rivalry between Genesis and Super Nintendo fanboys in the early ‘90s was downright nasty!  The “Aladdin” games, which were completely different for each console, only added more fuel to that fire. Both games are awesome, but we have to give the nod to the Genesis version for its exciting swordplay elements. With character animations that were designed by Disney certified animators, “Aladdin” is an amazingly fun game that feels like a labour of love.  As the second best-selling game in Genesis history, “Aladdin” is a classic that still holds up.

#2: “Duck Tales” (1989)

“Duck Tales” is the quintessential Disney adventure, often ranking near the top of best all-time NES games. It puts you into the shoes of Scrooge McDuck as he attempts to add to his already staggering wealth.  Capcom was at the top of its platforming game, and “Duck Tales” borrows elements from games like “Mega Man,” while incorporating a classic Disney vibe thanks to a timeless soundtrack.  The game also got a full remake by WayForward who was able to recreate the 80’s cartoon feel with faithful hand drawn animation and the former voice cast reprising their roles more than 20 years after the show went off the air.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Castle of Illusion” (1990)
“Mickey’s Speedway USA” 
“Darkwing Duck” (1992) 
“Mickey Mania: The Timeless Adventures of Mickey Mouse” (1994) 
“Donald Duck in ‘Goin Quackers’” (2000) 

#1: “Kingdom Hearts” (2002)

You probably saw this one coming, after all Square somehow managed to create one of the most beloved action-RPG franchises in gaming history with the unusual combination of characters from Disney and Final Fantasy.  Kingdom Hearts includes some of the environments are spot on and the combat gameplay is frenetic, fast-paced, and amazingly satisfying. With the series FINALLY about to come to a close with Kingdom Hearts 3, countless spin offs later, you can bet your Keyblades the story is going to be insanely complex.

Agree with our list? Did we forget any classic Disney adventures? For more magical top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.