Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse

This article is about the 1990 video game. For the 2013 remake, see Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (2013 video game).
Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
North American Genesis cover art
DeveloperSega
PublisherSega
Directors
  • Emiko Yamamoto (Genesis)
  • Yoshio Yoshida (Master System, Game Gear)
ProducerStephan L. Butler
Designers
  • Emiko Yamamoto
  • Yoshio Yoshida (Genesis)
  • Tomozō Endō
  • Michel Koba
  • Emiko Yamamoto (Master System, Game Gear)
Artists
  • Takashi Yuda
  • Mikarin Nishida (Genesis)
  • Takako Kawaguchi
  • Kyuuzou F. (Master System, Game Gear)
Composers
  • Tokuhiko Uwabo
  • Shigenori Kamiya
SeriesIllusion
PlatformsSega Genesis, Master System, Game Gear, Saturn
ReleaseSega Genesis
Master System
Game Gear
Saturn
GenrePlatform
ModeSingle-player

Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse[a][b] is a 1990 platform game developed and published by Sega and released for the Sega Genesis. An 8-bit version of the game was later released for the Master System and Game Gear. The game follows Mickey Mouse on a quest to save Minnie Mouse from the evil witch Mizrabel. It is the first game in Sega's Illusion video game series starring Mickey.

Castle of Illusion was very well received by critics, especially the original 16-bit version. It was re-released in 1990 in Japan as part of Sega Ages: Mickey Mouse & Donald Duck for the Sega Saturn, which features both Castle of Illusion and QuackShot. A remake of the game by Sega Studios Australia was released for PlayStation Network, Windows, and Xbox Live Arcade in September 2013.[10] The game was also included on the Sega Genesis Mini in 2019.

Plot

Castle of Illusion is a side-scrolling platformer in which the player takes control of Mickey Mouse as he goes inside the Castle of Illusion in order to rescue Minnie Mouse from the evil witch named Mizrabel, who wants to steal Minnie's youth and beauty. Upon meeting and conversing with the castle's true owner and king, Mickey is told that in order to defeat Mizrabel he must find the Seven Gems of the Rainbow. The majority of the seven gems are kept within various illusion-filled worlds (known in the game as levels) and are being guarded by Mizrabel's henchmen – which are known as the Masters of Illusion. Alongside the Masters of Illusion is Mizrabel's army. The army consists of bizarre creatures, such as enchanted mushrooms, toy soldiers, ball-juggling, unicycle-riding clowns, spiders and armored knights. After thanking the castellan and hurrying into the castle hallway, Mickey begins to search through five doors that each leads different levels. The levels are The Enchanted Forest, Toyland, The Storm, Dessert Factory, The Library, and finally, The Castle.

Gameplay

Mickey's main method of attack is to perform a "bounce" whilst jumping, which can be used to defeat enemies or to bounce upwards towards higher areas. Mickey can collect projectiles such as apples and marbles to throw at his opponents. There are various items that earn bonus points, increase the player's health and grant extra tries. Clearing a level also rewards the player with additional points, including a "Technical Bonus" based on how much health the level was completed with and a "Secret Bonus" based on how many projectiles Mickey has left.

Every level ends in a boss battle against each Master of Illusion (Mizrabel's henchmen) where Mickey can earn a gem, although the final two levels award a gem halfway through. After clearing all five levels, obtaining all gems will open up the route to the witch's tower. There, the player faces the final boss: a giant and youthful version of Mizrabel. There is an easy mode available where players play through truncated versions of the first three levels, with no boss fights.

The Master System and Game Gear versions of the game have different game mechanics, enemies, items, levels and graphics.

Release

The game was included on a cartridge entitled Disney Collection, bundled with QuackShot, in 1996.[11] An emulated version of Castle of Illusion was included in a bundle for those who preordered its remake on PSN,[12] this bundle was offered again for PlayStation Plus subscribers in April 2014.[13]

An 8-bit version of the game was released in 1991 for the Master System and Game Gear.

Reception

Sega Genesis

At the time of its release, Castle of Illusion received positive reviews. Mean Machines gave the Sega Genesis version of the game a positive review, awarding it a score of 95% while specifically praising the game's graphics and playability.[3] Console XS gave an overall score of 96% and praised the graphics, sound, gameplay and the dynamic gameplay.[20] Mega Action gave a review score 90% and described the game as "a classic game with a massive playing area", they also praised the graphics and sound concluding: "We guarantee that you will be not disappointed".[21] MegaTech opined the game is one of the best platform games on the MegaDrive and praised the game that it combines superlative graphics and excellent gameplay making Castle of Illusion addictive and an enjoyable challenge.[18]

Entertainment Weekly picked the game as the #19 greatest game available in 1990, saying: "Perfect for younger players, but challenging enough to satisfy adults, too. A superbly animated Mickey bops through three different worlds—the Enchanted Forest, Toyland, and the Dessert Factory—in a quest to save Minnie from the evil witch Mizrabel".[22]

Mega placed it at the 21st spot on their 1990 list of top Mega Drive games of all time.[23]

According to GameSpot in 2010, "it wasn't just the levels that made this game so good. The music, the controls, and Mickey's superb animation all contributed to one of the very best Disney games that would heavily influence those to follow".[24] In 2017, Gamesradar placed the game 35th on its "Best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games of all time".[25]

Master System/Game Gear

The Master System version also received positive reviews. Sega Power magazine in 1990 rated it the best Master System game of all time.[19]

ACE called the Game Gear version "basically an unadulterated Mario clone—and not a bad one at that", giving it a score of eight out of ten.[26] Console XS called the Castle of Illusion one of best games on the Master System writing: "Brilliant animation and sprite definition make this a joy to watch".[30] They also praised the Game Gear version saying that it contains most of the levels from the other versions and Mickey looking superb because of the shrunken graphics.[29]

Legacy

Main article: Illusion (video game series)

A sequel, Land of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, was released for the Master System in 1992 and for the Game Gear in 1992. World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck followed for the Genesis in 1992. In 1994, Legend of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse was released for the Game Gear, with a Master System port following in 1990 in Brazil.

Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion, developed by DreamRift, was released in November 2012 for the Nintendo 3DS and serves as a spiritual successor to Castle of Illusion.[31] In it, Mizrabel from Castle of Illusion returns as the main villain, but redesigned to resemble Maleficent.

Remake

Main article: Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (2013 video game)

A remake of the game, developed by Sega Studios Australia, was released for the PlayStation Network, Windows, and Xbox Live Arcade in September 2013.[32] The game features 2.5D gameplay with 3D graphics and was developed under the supervision of the original game's director, Emiko Yamamoto,[33][34] with a reimagined soundtrack by Grant Kirkhope.[35] The original game was made available as a pre-order bonus for the PSN version.[36]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Mega Drive version is known in Japan as I Love Mickey Mouse: Mysterious Castle Great Adventure (アイラブミッキーマウス ふしぎのお城大冒険).
  2. ^ Game Gear version is known in Japan as Mickey Mouse's Castle Illusion (ミッキーマウスのキャッスル・イリュージョン).

References

  1. ^ a b Harris, Steve; Semrad, Ed; Alessi, Martin; Sushi-X (December 1990). "Review Crew". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 17. Retrieved February 10, 2026 – via Video Game History Foundation.
  2. ^ "Software List (Sega Release)". Sega Hardware Encyclopedia (in Japanese). Sega Corporation. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Castle of Illusion - MegaDrive Review" (PDF). Mean Machines. No. 5. February 1990. pp. 16–19. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 3, 2014.
  4. ^ "Fact File: Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 19. February 1990. pp. 104–105. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Mickey Mouse - Sega Review" (PDF). Mean Machines. No. 4. January 1990. pp. 80–82. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 3, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  6. ^ "Electronic Gaming Monthly #23 pg. 24" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. June 1990. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  7. ^ "Sega Power Issue 20 pg. 20" (PDF). Sega Power. July 1990. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  8. ^ "GG Software List (Released by Sega)". セガ 製品情報サイト (in Japanese). Sega. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  9. ^ "Software List (Released by Sega)". セガ 製品情報サイト (in Japanese). Sega. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  10. ^ "Mickey's Castle of Illusion Remake Dated For September". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on September 6, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  11. ^ "The Disney Collection for Genesis (1996) - Mobygames". Moby Games. Sciere. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  12. ^ Purchese, Robert (August 16, 2013). "Castle of Illusion remaster out 4th September for £10". Eurogamer. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  13. ^ Steimer, Kirstine (April 14, 2014). "PlayStation Plus: Castle of Illusion Free for Members". PlayStation Blog. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  14. ^ Richard Leadbetter (February 1990). "Review: Mickey Mouse". Computer and Video Games. pp. 84–85.
  15. ^ The Bohemian (February 1990). "Genesis ProView: Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse" (PDF). GamePro. pp. 66–67.
  16. ^ Les Ellis (March 1990). "Stop Press Review: Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse". Raze. pp. 6–7.
  17. ^ "Castle of Illusion Review". Arcade County. February 14, 2016. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  18. ^ a b MegaTech rating, MegaTech, EMAP, issue 5, page 78, May 1990
  19. ^ a b c "Readers top 10". Sega Power. No. 18. May 1990. pp. 6–7.
  20. ^ a b "A-Z Software". Console XS (1): 128. June 1990. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  21. ^ a b "Mega Library". Mega Action (1): 65. May 1990. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  22. ^ "Video Games Guide". EW.com.
  23. ^ Mega magazine issue #1, page 76, Future Publishing, October 1990.
  24. ^ "Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (Sega Genesis) - Mickey Through The Years". GameSpot. November 24, 2010. Archived from the original on November 28, 2010. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  25. ^ GamesRadar Staff (June 21, 2017). "Best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games of all time". gamesradar. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  26. ^ a b Whitta, Gary (August 1990). "Castle of Illusion - Game Gear Review". ACE. No. 47. EMAP. p. 72.
  27. ^ Famibo, Tofuya; Mizuno, Bucho; Morishita, Mariko; Taco X (April 19, 1990). "新作ゲーム クロスレビュー" [New Games Cross Review]. Famicom Tsūshin. No. 129. ASCII Corporation. p. 19.
  28. ^ "Software A-Z: Master System". Console XS. No. 1 (June/July 1990). United Kingdom: Paragon Publishing. April 23, 1990. pp. 137–47.
  29. ^ a b "Console XS Issue 01". Console XS (1). Paragon Publishing: 147. June 1990. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  30. ^ "Software A-Z: Master System". Console XS. No. 1 (June/July 1990). United Kingdom: Paragon Publishing. April 23, 1992. pp. 137–47.
  31. ^ "Epic Mickey: Power Of Illusion 3DS Release Date Confirmed". My Nintendo News. June 19, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  32. ^ 4/11/13 12:25pm Thursday 12:25pm (April 11, 2013). "The Gamer's Guide". Kotaku. Retrieved April 16, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ 4/15/13 1:00pm Yesterday 1:00pm (April 15, 2013). "HD Re-Make of Castle of Illusion Mickey Mouse Game Coming This Summer". Kotaku.com. Retrieved April 16, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ Matulef, Jeffrey (April 15, 2013). "Castle of Illusion remake unveiled for PSN, XBLA and PC • News • PlayStation 3 •". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  35. ^ "Twitter / grantkirkhope: Sega announce Mickey's Castle". Twitter.com. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  36. ^ "SEGA Blog | Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse Gets Release Date, Price, and Pre-Order Special". Blogs.sega.com. August 16, 2013. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
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