Battle of the Aladdins

[Classic Speedy]

In 1993, two entirely different versions of "Aladdin" were released; the one for Genesis was developed by Virgin, while the SNES version was by Capcom. Which was your favorite?

I'd have to go with the Genesis version. It's more challenging, Aladdin runs faster, the sword is a more fun weapon than lobbing apples, and the animation style is more like the movie on which it's based (no surprise, since actual Disney animators worked on it!). It also utilized more music from the movie, which is always a plus.

That said, I feel the SNES version gets too much hate. I like how much more acrobatic Aladdin is, and the stages are gorgeous, per usual for SNES. I also felt it had the better orchestration of "A Whole New World" and "Friend Like Me", but I'm a SPC700 nut so of course I'd think that. Oh, and the level cinemas were much better; on the Genesis, they were mostly text.

So while there are aspects of the SNES game I like, ultimately I'd have to go with the Genesis game. Your choice?

 

[Shawn Hopkins]

The Genesis game is a little more unique and certainly prettier to look at, so I'd have to give it he nod. But it's not one of those things were for it to be good, the other has to be bad. The SNES Aladdin game is quite fun and a very solid platformer.

 

[Punisher]

I've only ever played the Genesis version, but man did I love that game. Very challenging, I don't think I ever actually beat it, though. I haven't played it in a long time, the last time I did I got stuck on that lava stage with the awesome music where you have to pretty much run as fast as you can or die. I remember how awesome Disney movies were as games back then. Aladdin, The Lion King, and Toy Story....all awesome games.

 

[OnePark]

We had Aladdin on the SNES, and I loved every second of it. I still to this day struggle with the carpet levels. I remember playing the Genesis version a little, but I always loved the SNES version. To this day I still remember a cheat-code to get to Genie-world.


'Genie-Jafar-Alaadin-Aboo'

 

[Simpler Simon]

Genesis for me. Both were solid licensed platformers, but the opening level of the Genesis version just aped the feel of the movie so well, from the midi version of "One Jump Ahead" to smooth character animations and little touches such as being able to drop a guard's pants. Totally makes sense for Capcom to get the SNES version as they'd done good work with the Disney license in the past, but Virgin pretty much churned out a whole slew of Disney games in this style afterwards.

 

[Trevor]

I remember playing a version of Aladdin on a TV console almost twenty years ago, but I completely forget which console it was on, and I don't really remember that much of the gameplay.

The one Aladdin that I do remember (and still have) was the Gameboy version (and from what Wikipedia says, that version was ported from a European NES port of the North American Sega Genesis game) and it was fun to play and I beat it many times.

 

[ensatsu-ken]

Back when they were out, I had only played the SNES version which I loved. It was an extremely well-made platformer, and I can't help but feel that the people who hate on it are only people who have fonder nostalgic memories of the Genesis game and didn't grow up playing the SNES game.

I'll be honest, and say that while the Genesis game is good, I find it to be highly overrated. Its more challenging than the SNES game for sure, but I never found it to be nearly as challenging as most people make it out to be, and in all honesty the gameplay mechanics feel a bit more dated in the Genesis version to me. Plus, I always felt that the acrobatics and platforming of the SNES game by Capcom felt more like what Aladdin would do rather than fighting off enemies with a sword (which I don't remember him ever doing in the film). On the whole, though, I just found the SNES version to be more fun. Putting nostalgia aside, its not necessarily a great platformer, but like I said it was a very well-made one and I was highly entertained (and once again, that's without my nostalgia-glasses on). When I replayed the Sega game a couple years back, I just got pretty bored with it after a few stages, honestly.

 

[Classic Speedy]

Genesis for me. Both were solid licensed platformers, but the opening level of the Genesis version just aped the feel of the movie so well, from the midi version of "One Jump Ahead" to smooth character animations and little touches such as being able to drop a guard's pants. Totally makes sense for Capcom to get the SNES version as they'd done good work with the Disney license in the past, but Virgin pretty much churned out a whole slew of Disney games in this style afterwards.

When it comes to Virgin Disney games, I liked The Lion King but felt they dropped the ball with The Jungle Book. It's way too easy to die and Mowgli felt a bit slippery to control. And it isn't helped by how wildly the camera moves around. Too often you run straight into enemies and can't react in time to avoid them.

Haven't played Pinocchio so I can't comment on that.

 

[Desensitized]

I think if Sega made the Genesis game then it might be a closer contest for me.

I'm not much of a fan of Virgin's platformers (Lion King was pretty good, though) and have always enjoyed Capcom's platformers far more, so the choice is easy for me. It's also more of a classic style platformer, which I'm a sucker for.

 

[defunctzombie]

I only ever played the SNES version, but it was pretty fun.

Never beat it, though. I usually die after the Cave of Wonders.

 

[Nightwing]

You're in luck! Aladdin was my favorite 2D Disney movie growing up so I can totally weigh in here! Or maybe that means I'M in luck, whatever you like.

I've made a lot of animated GIF images from SNES and Sega Genesis games that had gorgeous sprites and both of these games were definitely up there on the list. I loved them both a lot, but I preferred the SNES game at the time.

Here is why, so I don't have to type it myself:

...I always felt that the acrobatics and platforming of the SNES game by Capcom felt more like what Aladdin would do rather than fighting off enemies with a sword (which I don't remember him ever doing in the film).

He used a sword for a few short minutes at the end with Jafar. He has used it since, and it's a trademark weapon for him when he needs a weapon, but that was it as far as the movie.

Honestly, I think it's weird how that's not a more widely held reaction to both games. Sega Genesis Aladdin was extremely gorgeous, and fun, and well made, but obviously the SNES game was geared more toward the actual character in terms of his fighting style, which is more passive.

Listen to how crazy complicated and over analytical I'm getting, but that's actually how the SNES game was and, be it intentional or not, it was more in-character for Aladdin.

If anyone wanted to make an argument about the desire FOR the sword, don't forget how you could only use apples to beat Jafar. Plus the ground was on fire so you had to keep running around like crazy. It was awkward to watch and awkward to beat him. Gorgeous sprites though, especially the snake.

Genesis Aladdin: Magic Carpet ride levels were super cool and gorgeous, but they don't top the Super Nintendo ones. As a kid the Lava Cave of Wonders carpet ride was my favorite ANYTHING in ANY game. You could fly around like crazy almost anywhere you wanted. There were so many ups and downs in more ways than one.

*sigh* I miss the Disney Afternoon cartoon. It was my absolute favorite.