When The Disney Afternoon Collection was first released nine years ago, it was a joyous moment for games to see classic Capcom Disney games return, but there was something missing. The collection came to everything but Nintendo platforms, which many were confused by, especially since the games were originally released on Nintendo’s platforms. But now thanks to Atari and Digital Eclipse, the games have arrived on Switch and Switch 2, and with more content than before that is now exclusive to the Nintendo platforms.
The Disney Afternoon Collection is a brilliant throwback to the classic era of Disney cartoons on TV, and while not every show in the lineup was great, many were memorable and spawned fantastic video games. The Disney Afternoon Collection on Switch and Switch 2 contains the NES games DuckTales, Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, TaleSpin, Darkwing Duck, DuckTales 2, and Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers 2, but now also comes with the SNES games Goof Troop and Bonkers, along with some new boss rush options and improvements.
DuckTales is a classic platformer that inspired many later titles with its Pogo mechanics and sees Uncle Scrooge go off on a journey for treasure. Considering how the original Carl Barks comics were full of action and adventure, this works extremely well with the source material. The soundtrack is also famous, especially for the Moon stage, something that was referenced in later Disney media such as the 2017 Ducktales series.
I have to admit, I am mixed on DuckTales 2. It actually feels a bit better than the first game in some ways, and Capcom did make some improvements to the experience, but it just is not as memorable. This is not due to a nostalgia factor either, as I had only played one game in the collection when I was young, I just feel DuckTales 2, while being a better experience, does not do enough to stand out on its own.
The same is not the case for Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers 2, which manages to feel like it is more than just more of the first game. This is because the sequel is faster, with increased speed in every aspect and that makes a big difference in how the game feels and plays. This being said, I am going to say something a bit controversial. I love the Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers games more than the DuckTales games. Both had mechanics that were far more satisfying to use, both had amazing soundtracks, and both were just extremely fun uses of the license and the fact that Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers 2 felt like a better version of the first game, whereas DuckTales 2 is just more of the same did make a difference in how I enjoyed the games.
TaleSpin is a game that not only I never played in my youth, but I never watched the show at all as a kid ( though my nephew is watching it on Disney+ and I sit with him as he watches), but I actually really enjoy the game adaptation. This is a shmup title, and while rather basic in some aspects, for instance it may not have the best music, and the shooting mechanics seem simple at first, but the game manages to require precision and careful movement in a way that appeals to me as a shmup fan. The different maneuvers you can take are extremely fun, and after getting the hang of it, I came to really enjoy this unique shmup,and I was rather surprised to hear the game has a mixed reputation, especially with how good the visuals are and how unique this is as a game.
Darkwing Duck is the one game I played in my youth and it holds up extremely well. Part of the reason is that Darkwing Duck was made using the Mega Man 6 engine and plays very much like a Mega Man game with some fun touches, like multiple ammo types you use for different enemies although not in the same way as Mega Man’s different abilities mind you. There are some deviously clever level design choices and clever gameplay mechanics that make you think, while requiring you to act quickly. With its inventive use of the license to create environments from the cartoon, this is a fun action platformer that will challenge you.
As for the SNES titles, Goof Troop is an interesting one. This was the first game from legendary game designer Shinji Mikami and is a bit of an outlier in the collection since it is not a side-scroller. In fact the game is a bit of a spiritual sequel to the earlier Capcom title Pirate Ship Higemaru, and sees you navigating a top-down environment with each screen presenting a small selection of light puzzles. You need to kick blocks to reveal secrets, while chucking items at enemies, and using a hookshot to get out of sticky situations. It sounds great but there is a problem in that it is clearly designed for two players. There are no real gameplay changes if you play alone either, and given that the game is meant for two players, this is not gonna be easy for a single player experience, but it still is fun.
Lastly, we have Bonkers. This was based off a strange Disney cartoon that tried to replicate the Roger Rabbit formula unsuccessfully, but the game is rather fun. It is a decent platformer that has a gimmick of a dash mechanic that you can use to defeat enemies and destroy items, but it does take some getting used to. This is a gorgeous 16-bit game and has some great music as well, and while not the best game, is enough for a great time.
One thing I appreciated about The Disney Afternoon Collection is the fact that the NES titles also include Time Attack and Boss Rush modes, which are a lot of fun, but it must be stressed that the SNES games do not have these additions. In addition to the games, The Disney Afternoon Collection has plenty of concept art, packaging material, and original advertisements that can be found in the Gallery feature, as well as some neat annotations to add context. There are also various visual options such as TV and monitor filters, screen size options and custom borders. The Disney Afternoon Collection also has a music player that lets you replay your favourite tracks at any point and customize how you set up the tunes. Lastly, there are a number of QOL options including a rewind feature, which helps cut down on the frustrating aspects of the games.
Ultimately, The Disney Afternoon Collection is a great collection of classic Disney games from Capcom and the new inclusions make this Switch and Switch 2 release the definitive version of this compilation. While not every game is a masterpiece, most of them are, and are a lot of fun to spend even a few minutes at a time, something that is easy to do in handheld mode. Atari and Digital Eclipse picked up the torch from Capcom and ran with it, and gave us a must play experience for fans of classic Disney, retro games and good games in general. This one is easy to recommend.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided