A technically stunning Lion King platformer but frustratingly hard. Beautiful, demanding and merciless, a sour memory for many.
Your verdict
Category
Platformer1 player3+
Description
Disney platformer featuring Simba traversing the savanna and forest from The Lion King film. Published by Virgin Games, released in Japan in 1994. Levels inspired by the Disney film with African savanna enemies, claw attacks and roars, film-inspired bosses and animation visuals faithful to the film. Super Nintendo adaptation of The Lion King film.
Lion King, The review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
An African savanna bathed in golden light, animation worthy of a Disney cartoon and warm colours: every screen looks like a scene from the film. The fluidity of the sprites and the richness of the settings overflow with majesty. This art direction, polished and sumptuous, magnificently restores the spirit of the feature film.
Adapting the compositions of Hans Zimmer and Elton John, the music revives the African savanna with a breadth and emotion rare for the console. From the majestic "Circle of Life" to adventure themes, each track carries Simba's destiny. This sonic triumph splendidly extends the magic of the Disney masterpiece.
A highly ambitious Virgin adaptation of the Disney film, famous for its graphical beauty, fluid animation and fearsome difficulty. Simba crosses sumptuous stages where every jump counts, in staging modelled on the movie. The extreme rigour of the level design frustrated many, yet the production stays impressive. Today it is played for its Disney flair and old-school challenge, embracing a demand that forgives nothing.
