LOST IN ILLUSION
Here are some more illusory adventures…
Castle Of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
Platform: Mega Drive Year: 1990 The Mega Drive version of Castle Of Illusion is something of a sister product to the 8-bit game, featuring an identical plot and similar themes, but drastically different gameplay. It’s a little easier than the Master System game, but it’s still gorgeous to look at and is easily the best of the pre-sonic platformers on the console. Even if you’ve played the Master System game to death, you still need to play the 16-bit version.
Land Of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
Platform: Master System / Game Gear Year: 1993 The 8-bit sequel to Castle Of Illusion retains many of the same mechanics as its predecessor, while pushing the Master System to its graphical limits and including extra mechanics. More Disney cast members are included in this game, with Goofy and Donald Duck making appearances. The Master System version of Land Of Illusion didn’t appear in North America, but the Game Gear version was released worldwide.
Epic Mickey: Power Of Illusion
Platform: 3DS Year: 2012 Developed as a spiritual sequel to Castle Of Illusion, this 3DS platformer isn’t an official part of the series and wasn’t developed by Sega. It uses many of the same story elements including the casting of Mizrabel as antagonist, while including boatloads of cameos from across the Disney universe and introducing Epic Mickey gameplay elements. The game was given a mixed reception by the press, citing excessive backtracking.
World Of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse & Donald Duck
Platform: Mega Drive Year: 1992 The Mega Drive Illusion sequel introduced Donald Duck to the series, as he collaborates on a magic show with Mickey only to have everything go a bit wrong when they accidentally stumble into a world inside an evil magician’s magical box. Two player co-operative play was the biggest addition, with each player controlling Mickey or Donald – the game was built around it.
Legend Of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
Platform: Master System / Game Gear Year: 1995 Legend Of Illusion places Mickey into an old-world tale as a laundry boy, tasked with retrieving the legendary water of life by King Pete. Developed by a different team to the other 8-bit Illusion games, Legend Of Illusion plays a little differently and is arguably too easy. The Master System version of Legend Of Illusion is exclusive to Brazil and arrived late in 1998, but the Game Gear version was given a worldwide release.
Castle Of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
Platform: Various Year: 2013 This downloadable title by Sega Studios Australia did a stunning job of bringing the Castle Of Illusion look into the modern HD era under the supervision of original designer Emiko Yamamoto, and provided a moderately well-received platformer that received some criticism for its short length and control issues, as well as unskippable cutscenes. It was be the studio’s last game; closure was announced before the game’s release.