Feature: Going Platinum: Aladdin and The Lion King Represented a Weird Full Circle Moment

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Platinum Trophy #15: Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King

Date Earned: 17th October 2019

Dopamine Index:

I was so excited when Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King was announced! It really felt like these two games were made just for me – no other retro collection has ever hit that sweet spot quite the same way.

I grew up playing the SEGA Mega Drive – it was a total staple in our living room when I was a kid. The whole family played it now and then, but honestly, I probably got the most use out of it!

We didn’t own many games, so we used to rent them from a local store that has since closed down.

Kolorama was a little shop with a large Sonic the Hedgehog mural on the outside. It was packed with all sorts of things! A guard dog sat behind the counter, and though I always wanted to pet him, I wasn’t allowed. They had tempting treats like Kit Kats and Panda Pops near the exit, and I really enjoyed spending time there.

We used to browse through all the games available, but we always ended up playing the same few over and over. Aladdin and The Lion King were two of our go-to choices.

I’m aware it’s largely about fond memories, but I still really love these two Mega Drive games. They capture the feel of the movies – which my family and I always enjoyed – but they also have a unique atmosphere and style all their own, thanks to the animation, pixel art, and music.

It’s difficult to put into words, but I genuinely enjoy these two Disney platforming games, even though they aren’t perfect. They just make me really happy.

I often find myself remembering the music from the video games, not the movies. It could be a tune from Aladdin’s desert stage, or the emotional music from Simba’s Exile in The Lion King game.

I actually enjoy the monkey puzzle scene in ‘Can’t Wait to Be King’ – I’ve practically memorized it, along with the ostrich parts. It’s strange to even say that.

I’d spent years enjoying these games with my sisters, but now I had to play them as part of my job, carefully evaluating everything. It felt really odd to approach them that way.

I got that same weird feeling when I finally platinumed the collection. It wasn’t super hard, honestly – the rewind feature helped a lot! – but it was just so strange playing these old-school games on my current console and actually unlocking Trophies for them. It felt… surreal.

It was a strange and satisfying experience, like coming full circle. I found myself enjoying things I loved as a child, but now with a completely different perspective. It wasn’t just revisiting old favorites as an adult, but analyzing and writing about them – because that’s what I do for a living now.

It feels like things have gotten even more complicated! I’m now writing about earning the platinum Trophy in a game I reviewed – a game I also loved playing as a child. It’s making me want to revisit those old games just for fun.

Cheers, Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King.

Have you earned the platinum Trophy in Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King? Let us know in the comments!

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2026-03-07 23:07