You know the best thing about calling something “classic”? It’s impossible to prove! Thus the marketing masters at Disney can apply it to even its biggest failure and rerelease them as if they’re in the same league as Snow White and Aladdin.
The Black Cauldron
Above: Based on the least “Disney” Disney movie
After over a decade in development hell, Disney’s adaptation of Lloyd Alexander’s book series landed in theaters with all but a whimper. The game, however, has the distinction of being the most remade Sierra adventurer outside of the original King’s Quest.
Perhaps most of that is due to the involvement of miscreant developer, Al Lowe, creator of the immensely un-Disney Leisure Suit Larry games. Lowe received all of the beautiful, hand drawn backgrounds to work with, but whereas the movie is a disjointed product of twelve years and too many cooks, he rewarded players with more points for not following the action of the film. The game even featured six different endings! And we dare you to discover all of them, since you can download the game for FREE here.
Oliver and Company
You certainly shouldn’t worry, and you damned sure shouldn’t care if you missed this Disney game that hit the Amiga, Atari and PC. The best thing Oliver and Company had going was the Billy Joel tunes we just referenced. So, we won’t bore you with the details concerning collecting hotdogs on the streets of New York with an orphaned cat voiced by Blossom’s Joey “Whoa!” Lawrence.
Above: Street savoir faire circa 1989
The Great Mouse Detective
An American Tail may’ve shamed The Great Mouse Detective, but Spielberg’s mouse didn’t get a game of his own until 1994… so there! Basil of Baker Street received top billing in his very platformer released in 1987 on a bunch of systems you’ve probably never heard of. Download it for free here.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid II Pinball Frenzy
The Game Boy Color was hardly a system of restraint. If you could license it, Nintendo had a portable place for you. Even Disney’s most moronic direct-to-DVD title got a GBC game to call their own, but The Little Mermaid II: Pinball Frenzy really set the bar sky high in terms of sheer exploitation. Finally, a game no one asked for, based on a sequel fans hated, representing a genre its intended demographic was too young to remember… Remarkable!
Above: Yes it was
