The big difference is that the Mega Drive version's side-scrolling graphics have been replaced by a mix of 2D and 3D visuals. The enemies are all based on the original designs, so once again you'll be amazed at how infuriated it's possible to be by an animated letter 'A'. The worlds are the same thematically, and sometimes structurally - at the end of the toy box level, for example, Mickey has to run back down the mountain of blocks and boats he's scaled, just like old times. The most fearsome boss weapon to be faced is a really big hammer.įans of the original will recognise plenty of stuff in here. Instead of browns and greys, the levels are rendered in bright greens, blues and golds. There are no frag grenades to lob at enemies, just shiny red apples. This is a faithful remake of a game from a time when games were, for the most part, jolly, silly affairs. Not to be confused with Castle of Illusion Starring Leslie Grantham. He must explore seven worlds and defeat seven bosses to collect seven rainbow gems, then smash Mizrabel's face off with a Boomshot grenade launcher while shouting "Lock and load!" and calling her a bitch. The game follows the adventures of the only popular entertainer of pensionable age not to have been arrested on child sex offences as he embarks on a quest to rescue his girlfriend, Minnie, from evil witch Mizrabel. The good news, however, is that new PSN, XBLA and PC effort Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse is the actual successor. This is like tying a ribbon round a dog turd and claiming it's a tribute to a Fabergé egg. Sorry, everyone.)Įpic Mickey: POI was billed as the "spiritual successor" to classic Mega Drive platformer Castle of Illusion.
My once vivid recollections of the precise mechanics of mediocre early 90s platform games have been blurred by the passing of time and the horror of childbirth.
(But then, my memory isn't very good, hence the error in that article about the double-jumping. It's been nearly a year since the release of 3DS title Epic Mickey: The Power of Illusion, a game so forgettable I almost forgot I reviewed it.