Developer: Traveller’s Tales Publisher: Sony Imagesoft Release: 10/26/94 Genre: Platformer
Compared to many of his contemporaries Mickey Mouse has had a good go of it in the video game space. While Mickey Mousecapade was a dreadful title things only went up from there as Sega would create video game gold with the Illusion series. Even Capcom would do the mouse proud with the Magical Quest series. Sony would throw their hat in the ring with what could have been the ultimate Mickey Mouse title in Mickey Mania. It certainly has the production values to claim the crown. But the gameplay while solid does not rise to the same level.
Mickey Mania is a celebration of Mickey’s 65th birthday and a trip down memory lane. In the game Mickey visits different eras of his life with the levels themed after one of his films. Starting from his first appearance in Steamboat Willie in 1928 you will come across the set of the Mad Doctor (1933), Moose Hunters (1937), Lonesome Ghosts (1937), Mickey and the Beanstalk (1947), to the most recent at the time, the Prince and the Pauper (1990). In each you will also come across his past selves in a nice bit of fan service. But for the most part this is a platformer through and through.
Let’s get it out of the way: Mickey Mania is a stunning title both technically and artistically and one of the best looking titles of the 16-bit era. World of Illusion set a high bar I think Traveller’s Tales exceeds. The artists absolutely nail the aesthetic of every era you visit, from the black and white of Steamboat Willie to the fantasy setting of Mickey and the Beanstalk. The animation is simply phenomenal. Even the most minor of enemies boasts an absurd number of animation frames. On a technical level the game employs nearly every trick in the book. There are often three layers of parallax scrolling and scaling of objects to give them a 3d look. Scaling is used heavily in a number of set piece moments such as the moose chase and ascending Pete’s Tower. Bottom line, Mickey Mania is a visual spectacle that still holds up today.
Mickey Mania plays near identically to Castle of Illusion. Mickey can either jump on enemy heads or toss marbles you collect throughout the levels. There are no other weapons or items aside from extra lives and stars to restore health. Most levels have objects you can push to solve environmental puzzles, something the game calls on a lot. Mechanically the game is simple. But the many applications of your limited abilities are what give it variety in addition to the multiple time periods.
Variety is the game’s strong suit. Each era is a unique set piece with different enemies and often goals. In the Moose Hunters you must make it to the end of the level while avoiding random moose attacks using Pluto. The Mad Doctor’s Castle is an obstacle course laden nuthouse with a few auto scrolling segments. The Lonesome Ghosts probably has the most environmental puzzles as you must dodge the indestructible ghosts while working through the haunted house. Pete’s castle is the longest stage and uses almost everything you have learned throughout the game before the final confrontation with Pete.
It is good that the variety is high as Mickey Mania is let down by its bad hit detection. The slightest touch on Mickey’s body causes damage and because of the squash and stretch animation leads to cheap hits. Yet the game is very particular when it comes to damaging enemies, collecting items, or jumping on platforms. If you do not hit the exact sweet spot you will miss. I cannot count how many times I fell through a platform or missed an attack that clearly should have landed. This makes some levels a bit nightmarish unless you inch your way through. Even with that the game is still unfairly hard in my opinion.
Mickey Mania is not difficult so much as it feels cheap. The bad hit detection means you will take many cheap hits and life restoring stars are not common. Later levels feature larger enemies that are all but impossible to avoid and in great numbers. You will run out of marbles quickly and the hit detection means it is a crapshoot trying to bounce on their heads. Enemies attack from off-screen and many explode in a shower of shrapnel that is hard to avoid. The boss battles are especially bad; they are aggressive and it often is not clear if you are hitting them properly. The final battle against Pete is a grueling battle that drags on longer than it should. I felt no relief or accomplishment when it was over but frustration that it took so long. This game could have used a balancing pass.
In Closing
Mickey Mania is a little divisive for me. Do not get me wrong, this is a solid title overall. But it had the potential to be better. If its few flaws were fixed it would be up there as one of the better platformers of the era. The different eras give the game huge variety but damned if the dodgy hit detection does not ruin the fun. This is still an adventure worth undertaking. Just be prepared for some frustration in exchange for its arresting visuals.
