8 Bit Madness, Episode 2 - Mickey Mouse 8 Bit Games
0Welcome back to the 8-bit madness.
In today’s episode I am going to talk about 8-bit Mickey Mouse games on Sega Master System. There were three of them, Castle of Illusion, Land of Illusion and Legend of Illusion. If you have not heard of these games, then it’s because they were Master System exclusive titles.
The first game in the series, Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, was released in 1990 and quickly became one of the most popular games on the Master System. You control Mickey Mouse as he sets out on a quest to save his girlfriend Minnie Mouse from the evil witch Mizrabel.
Castle of Illusion is not a bad game, but it is too childish for my taste. I have completed the 16-bit counterpart on the Genesis, and it’s also childish, but I kind of liked it. Castle of Illusion on the Master System however, is a bit let down. First of all, graphically it’s boring. For example, if I compare it with Donald games on the Master System, then I liked those way more. Also, music in this game is not that good. There is no earworm in this game. Game itself plays fine but if you need to play the game – I would recommend you to go with 16-bit version on the Sega Genesis.
The second game in the series, Land of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, was released in 1992 and takes place in a fantasy world where Mickey must gather magical items to restore peace.
In my opinion, Land of Illusion is a way more interesting and better looking game. One of the first things that stands out about Land of Illusion is its colorful and detailed graphics. The environments are well-designed, and the sprites are crisp and well-animated. The game's soundtrack is also impressive, with catchy tunes that match the game's whimsical and adventurous tone.
The gameplay in Land of Illusion is classic platforming, with Mickey running, jumping, and ducking his way through various levels filled with enemies, obstacles, and puzzles. The controls are responsive and easy to learn, and the level design is challenging without feeling unfair.
One downside to Land of Illusion is its relatively short length. The game can be completed in a few hours, and there is not much replay value once the gems are collected and the game is finished. Additionally, the game's difficulty level may be too high for younger or less experienced players, which could lead to frustration.
The third game in the series, Legend of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, was released in 1994 and is set in a fairy tale world.
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Pete, a dark shadow looms over the land, withering crops and making people unhappy. King Pete is told by his royal advisor that only a king can bring back the Water of Life to heal the land. Not wanting to go on a quest for it, the cowardly Pete makes Mickey, a laundry boy, the temporary king
Unlike its predecessors, Mickey defeats enemies by throwing bars of soap (and later rocks) to defeat them rather than by bouncing on them. Mickey can also throw objects at enemies to harm them.
Mickey has a Power Gauge that indicates his health. He loses one point when he is hurt by an enemy or hazard. The game awards the player bonus points for completing each level with more health points. If Mickey loses all of his health points, he loses a try. The game ends if he runs out of tries, but the player has an unlimited number of continues.
In all three games of the series, there are hidden rooms that can be discovered by jumping or crawling through specific walls or floors. These rooms usually contain bonus items such as extra lives, health, or gems.
In Castle of Illusion and Land of Illusion, there are also secret levels that can be accessed by finding hidden exits in certain levels. These secret levels are usually more difficult than the regular levels but offer valuable rewards such as gems or extra lives.
In Castle of Illusion, there are hidden warp zones that can be accessed by jumping on specific platforms or performing certain actions. These warp zones allow players to skip levels and progress faster through the game.
Land of Illusion also contains secret levels and rooms. In Level 3, there is a hidden path that leads to a secret level. In order to access this level, Mickey must jump on the platforms in a specific order: middle, right, left, middle. This level is a challenging bonus level that offers valuable rewards.
In Level 4, there is a hidden room that can be accessed by crawling through a small opening in a wall. This room contains a chest with a valuable item.
In Legend of Illusion, there are two possible endings depending on the player's actions during the game. The first ending is the default ending, while the second ending is achieved by completing specific tasks throughout the game.
Overall, the Mickey Illusion series is a beloved part of the Master System's library and remains a favorite among fans of platforming games and Disney enthusiasts alike.