32 Years Later, Sega Fans Are Still Sleeping On the Best Game of the ’90s

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Sega has created many classic games that people still enjoy playing, and fans often argue about which one is the very best. While many great titles get attention, some fantastic games are surprisingly forgotten. One example is a Disney game that was actually very important to Sega’s history, but it hasn’t received the recognition it deserves, even though it still holds up today.

The game is Disney’s Aladdin, based on the popular animated film. Many consider both the movie and the Sega Genesis game to be among the best Disney and licensed games ever created. The game perfectly captures the feel of the movie and offers fantastic platforming gameplay. Despite its quality, it doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.

Disney’s Aladdin Isn’t Given The Respect It Deserves

Disney’s Aladdin video game first came out for the Sega Genesis in October 1993. Created by Virgin Games and released by Sega, the bright and lively platformer quickly became popular. It was later made available on the Game Boy Color, NES, and Amiga. More recently, it was even updated for the Nintendo Switch, showing that players still enjoy this beloved game.

Why isn’t Aladdin considered a better game? A lot of Sega fans are hesitant to praise a title based on a Disney movie. While many games based on films came out around the same time and weren’t very good, it’s unfair to assume Aladdin is just another cash grab – it’s a genuinely well-made game.

The numbers prove it: Disney’s Aladdin remains one of the best-selling games for the Sega Genesis, with over 4 million copies sold. Although a version also existed for the Super Nintendo, the Sega game was so well-received that it was later released on other platforms. While the popular movie certainly helped boost its sales, the game also gained a following through positive reviews and recommendations.

Okay, so Aladdin actually won some awards back in the day – GamePro and Electronic Gaming Monthly both called it the best Genesis game ever! But honestly, I don’t think it gets the respect it deserves now, especially with how games have changed. The coolest thing to me, though, is what it made Nintendo do. They saw how good Sega’s Aladdin was and felt like they needed a platformer that could compete, which is why they ended up making Donkey Kong Country – another amazing game! It really shows how influential Aladdin was.

Nintendo revived the Donkey Kong series because they needed a platformer to rival Aladdin. Aladdin boasted amazing graphics thanks to Disney’s animation team, and Nintendo wanted a game that looked just as good. They turned to British developer Rare, who were known for using advanced technology, to create a visually impressive new Donkey Kong game, which is still considered one of the most beautiful games on the SNES.

The Sega Genesis Aladdin Game Had Mechanics & Visuals That Stood The Test Of Time

Okay, so Aladdin was a huge hit, but let’s be real, Sonic the Hedgehog and Mortal Kombat actually sold way more copies back in the day. Still, I think Aladdin deserves a ton of credit because it’s still awesome and easy to play today. Seriously, over 30 years later, you can find it on pretty much anything – I’ve played it on the Switch, PS4, and Xbox One, and it still holds up!

Aladdin is a surprisingly well-designed platformer. Unlike some older games that are frustratingly difficult, Aladdin remains fun to play. The graphics still look great, featuring vibrant colors, fast-paced action, and beautiful backgrounds. It successfully captures the spirit of the original movie, incorporating many familiar elements and themes.

Beyond just fond memories, Aladdin is a genuinely great platforming game. Even without knowing the Disney movie, players would find it incredibly enjoyable. The controls felt perfect for Aladdin, whether he was sliding down ropes or jumping over enemies. Despite the technical limitations of the Genesis console, the game did a fantastic job of bringing the city of Agrabah to life, especially with Aladdin’s sidekick, Abu, always close behind.

Disney’s Aladdin feels surprisingly fresh even today. The animation is incredibly smooth, and the game cleverly updates classic platforming controls. It handles remarkably well – rivaling even some of the best Sega games – and that excellent gameplay makes it feel like a modern title with a retro look.

Modern Generations Are Falling In Love With This Classic Genesis Game

I think Aladdin doesn’t always get the credit it deserves, but it was a really important game. It seriously pushed other platformer developers to up their game, and honestly, it helped move the whole industry forward. What’s cool is that even today, new players are discovering it and loving it just as much as we did back in the 90s!

While Aladdin is a classic platformer, it’s not without its issues. Some games released around the same time handled transitions between levels more seamlessly, and Aladdin’s difficulty can be inconsistent. Despite having impressive animations and fluid character movement, the game occasionally suffered from slowdown, which could leave players vulnerable to attacks.

While the original game had some common issues for its time, most of those were fixed when it was updated for newer consoles. Now, players can enjoy a version of Aladdin that keeps everything great about the classic Genesis game, but with improvements and refinements. It’s a truly enhanced experience, and that’s why Aladdin stands out as one of the best games from the 1990s.

Aladdin is a truly exceptional game, a real treasure like something from the Cave of Wonders itself. The developers clearly put a lot of thought into every detail, from the unique health bar represented by the genie’s bottle to the collectible apple weapons. Beyond that, Aladdin was a huge success for Sega and even inspired Nintendo to step up their game with new titles. While some gamers hesitate to call a game based on a movie the best on the Sega Genesis, Aladdin absolutely deserves that praise and more.

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2025-11-07 21:42