It’s been nine years since the original release of Disney Afternoon Collection, so what exactly is different now that it’s on Switch and Switch 2?
Two new games, Bonkers and Goof Troop from the SNES, headline this release of Disney Afternoon Collection. Is it worth potentially double-dipping if you already own this compilation on another platform just to get these two additional games? That depends on your nostalgia for the cartoons these games are based on. For everyone else, Disney Afternoon Collection is a great compilation of classic 8-bit games.
Let’s tackle the new games first with Bonkers. Bonkers is about a washed-up cartoon star, Bonkers D. Bobcat, who joins the LAPD to solve crimes in Hollywood. He’s paired up with Detective Lucky Piquel, who is much more serious and grumpier than Bonkers. The show is hilarious, and if you liked Who Framed Roger Rabbit, you’re gonna love Bonkers. In the game, you play as the titular character and pursue a thief who has stolen the Sorcerer’s Hat from Fantasia, the Little Mermaid’s voice, and the magic lamp from Aladdin.
Back to the game; it’s a sidescrolling platformer where you can throw bombs, jump on enemies, and do a speed dash. The graphics are great and feel like an episode of the series. The controls work as well as most 2D platformers, and it’s pretty intuitive. It’s a much easier game than the NES games in this compilation, which might turn off players seeking a challenge. Overall, I wouldn’t say it’s an essential Disney game unless you really love the cartoon. It’s a run-of-the-mill platformer that does a good job with the license.
Next up is Goof Troop. This is based on the TV show of the same name, which led to A Goofy Movie and An Extremely Goofy Movie. This game is a top-down adventure where you can play as either Goofy or Max. The objective of the game is to explore the island and rescue Pete and PJ from pirates. Like Bonkers, it’s a pretty simple game that has a low challenge. Goof Troop also has a multiplayer mode, and given that the puzzles are pretty simple, I could see this being a fun experience for parents to share with their kids. As much as I love Bonkers, I would probably say this is the standout game because of the multiplayer and easy difficulty.
Something I didn’t know until I looked it up was the fact that Goof Troop was designed by Shinji Mikami, who would later direct Resident Evil and Dino Crisis. Needless to say, I’m happy that this early work by one of the greatest game creators of all-time is preserved for future generations to enjoy.
It’s also interesting to compare the two new titles with the original NES titles that were already here. You can really see the progression from 8-bit graphics and sound to the 16-bit era. These games all look great, and you can see the developers used the technology of the SNES to more closely portray the shows they were based on. That’s always a nice feature in a compilation like this to see what developers were able to do with more capable hardware.
Now, let’s run through the original titles in this compilation, assuming that you don’t already have it. Included in the collection are DuckTales, Chip ‘N Dale: Rescue Rangers, TaleSpin, Darkwing Duck, DuckTales 2, and Chip ‘N Dale: Rescue Rangers 2. These are all great examples of classic NES platforming, and are all easy to recommend, even if you aren’t crazy about Disney games. They’re also quite difficult, with the DuckTales games being the hardest.
My favorite from the list is Darkwing Duck, mostly because that was my favorite Disney show when I was a kid, other than Bonkers. It’s a platformer that’s pretty similar to Mega Man since you use Darkwing’s Gas Gun. DuckTales and the Chip ‘N Dale games are more straightforward platformers. In DuckTales,you use Scrooge’s cane to attack enemies. Meanwhile, in the Chip ‘N Dale games, you can throw acorns and other objects at enemies. TaleSpin is actually a shmup and is a pretty good introduction to the genre if you have younger players who would be put off by anything more difficult.
Speaking of difficulty, some of these games are harder than you might remember. In DuckTales,you need to get used to the hitbox of Scrooge’s cane and line up your attacks so you don’t get hit. That’s not a complaint. It’s just a matter of fact, so you can prepare yourself for the challenge.
Don’t jump into these games thinking you’re still the ultimate gamer that you were when you were 10-years-old in 1989. You need to have some patience here and either learn the games or use that rewind feature. Listening to the music and enjoying the graphics makes it worthwhile to just try, lose, and rewind. The presentation of these games is really fantastic.
Disney Afternoon Collection has all the quality of life features you expect from a retro compilation. There are save states and the ability to rewind. There are also time attack and boss rush modes. The compilation features a gallery with original artwork, box art, advertisements, unseen concept art, and soundtracks. Overall, Digital Eclipse and Atari have done a great job paying respect to the people at Capcom who worked on these games and the players who grew up with them.
There are a few variables here that will factor into whether or not this compilation is worth your time. Are you a Disney adult who only owns a Switch, and did these games encompass your childhood? Then this compilation is essential. Do you already own this on another platform? Then you don’t really need this, unless you love Bonkers or Goof Troop. Are you a fan of 8-bit platformers like Mega Man, and do you need something to satisfy that itch further? Then, yes, this compilation is also essential. For everyone else, your mileage will vary. It just depends on how much you love games from this era and how patient you are.
Disney Afternoon Collection feels right at home on the Switch, especially given that these were all Nintendo games when they first came out. The addition of Bonkers and Goof Troop are nice bonuses, but only if you really love one of these particular games. The rest of these games, however, are still great and essential for fans of Disney and NES platformers.
Two new games, Bonkers and Goof Troop from the SNES, headline this release of Disney Afternoon Collection. Is it worth potentially double dipping if you already own this compilation on another platform just to get these two additional games? That depends on your nostalgia for the cartoons these games are based on. For everyone else, Disney Afternoon Collection is a great compilation of classic 8-bit games.
It’s been nine years since the original release of Disney Afternoon Collection, so what exactly is different now that it’s on Switch and Switch 2?
Two new games, Bonkers and Goof Troop from the SNES, headline this release of Disney Afternoon Collection. Is it worth potentially double-dipping if you already own this compilation on another platform just to get these two additional games? That depends on your nostalgia for the cartoons these games are based on. For everyone else, Disney Afternoon Collection is a great compilation of classic 8-bit games.
Let’s tackle the new games first with Bonkers. Bonkers is about a washed-up cartoon star, Bonkers D. Bobcat, who joins the LAPD to solve crimes in Hollywood. He’s paired up with Detective Lucky Piquel, who is much more serious and grumpier than Bonkers. The show is hilarious, and if you liked Who Framed Roger Rabbit, you’re gonna love Bonkers. In the game, you play as the titular character and pursue a thief who has stolen the Sorcerer’s Hat from Fantasia, the Little Mermaid’s voice, and the magic lamp from Aladdin.
Back to the game; it’s a sidescrolling platformer where you can throw bombs, jump on enemies, and do a speed dash. The graphics are great and feel like an episode of the series. The controls work as well as most 2D platformers, and it’s pretty intuitive. It’s a much easier game than the NES games in this compilation, which might turn off players seeking a challenge. Overall, I wouldn’t say it’s an essential Disney game unless you really love the cartoon. It’s a run-of-the-mill platformer that does a good job with the license.
Next up is Goof Troop. This is based on the TV show of the same name, which led to A Goofy Movie and An Extremely Goofy Movie. This game is a top-down adventure where you can play as either Goofy or Max. The objective of the game is to explore the island and rescue Pete and PJ from pirates. Like Bonkers, it’s a pretty simple game that has a low challenge. Goof Troop also has a multiplayer mode, and given that the puzzles are pretty simple, I could see this being a fun experience for parents to share with their kids. As much as I love Bonkers, I would probably say this is the standout game because of the multiplayer and easy difficulty.
Something I didn’t know until I looked it up was the fact that Goof Troop was designed by Shinji Mikami, who would later direct Resident Evil and Dino Crisis. Needless to say, I’m happy that this early work by one of the greatest game creators of all-time is preserved for future generations to enjoy.
It’s also interesting to compare the two new titles with the original NES titles that were already here. You can really see the progression from 8-bit graphics and sound to the 16-bit era. These games all look great, and you can see the developers used the technology of the SNES to more closely portray the shows they were based on. That’s always a nice feature in a compilation like this to see what developers were able to do with more capable hardware.
Now, let’s run through the original titles in this compilation, assuming that you don’t already have it. Included in the collection are DuckTales, Chip ‘N Dale: Rescue Rangers, TaleSpin, Darkwing Duck, DuckTales 2, and Chip ‘N Dale: Rescue Rangers 2. These are all great examples of classic NES platforming, and are all easy to recommend, even if you aren’t crazy about Disney games. They’re also quite difficult, with the DuckTales games being the hardest.
My favorite from the list is Darkwing Duck, mostly because that was my favorite Disney show when I was a kid, other than Bonkers. It’s a platformer that’s pretty similar to Mega Man since you use Darkwing’s Gas Gun. DuckTales and the Chip ‘N Dale games are more straightforward platformers. In DuckTales,you use Scrooge’s cane to attack enemies. Meanwhile, in the Chip ‘N Dale games, you can throw acorns and other objects at enemies. TaleSpin is actually a shmup and is a pretty good introduction to the genre if you have younger players who would be put off by anything more difficult.
Speaking of difficulty, some of these games are harder than you might remember. In DuckTales,you need to get used to the hitbox of Scrooge’s cane and line up your attacks so you don’t get hit. That’s not a complaint. It’s just a matter of fact, so you can prepare yourself for the challenge.
Don’t jump into these games thinking you’re still the ultimate gamer that you were when you were 10-years-old in 1989. You need to have some patience here and either learn the games or use that rewind feature. Listening to the music and enjoying the graphics makes it worthwhile to just try, lose, and rewind. The presentation of these games is really fantastic.
Disney Afternoon Collection has all the quality of life features you expect from a retro compilation. There are save states and the ability to rewind. There are also time attack and boss rush modes. The compilation features a gallery with original artwork, box art, advertisements, unseen concept art, and soundtracks. Overall, Digital Eclipse and Atari have done a great job paying respect to the people at Capcom who worked on these games and the players who grew up with them.
There are a few variables here that will factor into whether or not this compilation is worth your time. Are you a Disney adult who only owns a Switch, and did these games encompass your childhood? Then this compilation is essential. Do you already own this on another platform? Then you don’t really need this, unless you love Bonkers or Goof Troop. Are you a fan of 8-bit platformers like Mega Man, and do you need something to satisfy that itch further? Then, yes, this compilation is also essential. For everyone else, your mileage will vary. It just depends on how much you love games from this era and how patient you are.
Disney Afternoon Collection feels right at home on the Switch, especially given that these were all Nintendo games when they first came out. The addition of Bonkers and Goof Troop are nice bonuses, but only if you really love one of these particular games. The rest of these games, however, are still great and essential for fans of Disney and NES platformers.
by Kayla Merritt
