Mickey Mania

"Brilliant! Absolutely Brilliant!"

Here at Kokioki, we have Mickey Mania, a horrible psychological condition in which we are prone to fits of self-destructive behavior in which we are convinced that we are the mouse that has made Disney an icon of all things American. We also have good things to say about Mickey Mania (the game, not the disease).

You play Mickey as he goes through each level. However, each level is based off of a famous Mickey Mouse cartoon through the ages, starting with “Steamboat Willie” from 1927 and working onwards. Each level begins with an animation of Mickey in the style from that particular cartoon (as Mickey's look has evolved over these decades), which is a sweet little touch. Each level has a goal, based on the plot of the cartoon in question. In The Mad Doctor (1930), Mickey must stop a scientist from exchanging Pluto's brain with that of a duck.

The gameplay is not at all original, in fact far from it. But that doesn't matter. It's so well executed and balanced that this game should serve as a template for all other platform games. Levels incorporate monsters, traps, puzzles and tests of skill with ease. A player may have to dodge a bat while minding a dagger that will fall on his head should he stray too close., then, on the next screen, he will try to open a door using a Bunsen burner and a potion concoction (while staying mindful of the bats), then it's a thrill ride avoiding buzz saws and pitfalls while riding on high speed gurneys. It's easy enough that young children will be able to get into the game without being overwhelmed, but older gamers will find it hard enough to keep them coming back without feeling cheated out of a challenge. The game ambles along at a casual pace that keeps the challenges coming at a steady and enjoyable tempo. It's such a nice shift from the itchy-trigger-finger games of today, you'll want to linger to enjoy the view (and you will, but more on that later).

Unlike many other Disney games, Mickey is an extremely capable fighter. He can jump on the heads of monsters and throw marbles at his foes for some long-distance damage, but if he's on the defensive he can duck, jump and take a blow or two as he has a five-bar health meter (not too much, not too little). Monsters will almost never pose a serious threat, just enough that you stay focused and quick-witted.

But the real strength of this game is the graphics. They are simply some of the most beautiful graphics of any game. For any system. Ever. The levels and designs are reminiscent of the cartoons that inspired them. The first level is done in black-and-white to match the “Steamboat Willy” cartoon, and not only does it look wonderful, but the level shifts to color as you progress on through the stage. More importantly, the game makes full use of the technological capacity of the game. Levels have fore, middle and backgrounds not unlike the movies from the golden age of Disney animation (the Pinocchio era, FYI). And each ‘ground' looks wonderful. The sprites parallel the quality of the cartoons that inspired them, and the backgrounds look simply amazing. But when you start to move and watch the ‘grounds' move accordingly, it'll remind you that games can be beautiful and that cel animation has a few up over computers. Speaking of animation, characters are animated perfectly. Mickey walks with a fluid and jovial gait that'll put anyone in a good mood all by itself; never mind his other cartoony (how apt) gestures such as flailing his arms when he is on a ledge, or when he checks his watch after standing still for some time. Everything that moves does so with a smoothness and fluidity rarely seen in gaming then (and now). The only drawback to such great graphics (and the only “fault” in the game) is the load time between screens. But it's so short that I won't even count it against anybody except for people who are so impatient that they can't wait three seconds. Get a grip, you guys.

The music and sounds fit the game superbly. The music adds a sense of calm to a forest romp, a feeling of foreboding to a haunted castle, and touch of whimsy whenever you lose a life. You can discern the actual different instruments used in the making of the musical score (and if they just used a synthesizer, then at least they made it sound like real instruments). The music and sound effects are quiet and ambient, the way that video game music should be.

Mickey Mania is flawless. Absolutely flawless. If you disagree with me, it is because YOU are the one with the problem. Not really, but I think so. Perfectly balanced gameplay, beautiful graphics, gorgeous sound, this is as good as videogames get.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/10/05