If you've ever wanted to hunt down buried treasure with Scrooge McDuck or solve crimes with the Rescue Rangers, then I've got some great news for you – Capcom's excellent Disney Afternoon Collection is out now on the Switch 2. This retro compilation features genuine classics like DuckTales, Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, TaleSpin, Darkwing Duck, DuckTales 2 and Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers 2 on the Nintendo Entertainment System. What's more, this new Switch 2 release will include the two Super NES games – Goof Troop and Bonkers. Yeah, that's a lot of Disney, but are any of these games actually worth playing? To answer that question, I decided to flip through the pages of Electronic Gaming Monthly, Raze, Nintendo Power and more classic magazines that reviewed these games back when they first came out. Race cars, lasers, aeroplanes, it's a duck blur in this episode of Disney Afternoon Review Crew!


Even in the late 1980s, it wasn't a surprise that Capcom chose to go after the DuckTales license. After all, this was a company that had published Mickey Mousecapade one year earlier and still had Adventures in the Magic Kingdom in their quiver. What ended up being a big surprise was how well DuckTales turned out. This was 1989, and you could count the number of must-own games based on TV shows on one hand. But Capcom defied all odds, giving us a great game that kickstarted a string of popular games based on the Disney Afternoon. Let's see what the critics thought of Scrooge McDuck and his globe-trotting adventure.

Looking at Electronic Gaming Monthly, this is one of those times when I have to remind people that while you may have played DuckTales when you were a kid, the critics were full-grown adults in their twenties and thirties. Jim compared the game to Mickey Mousecapade, noting that “it has some decent play mechanics that are toned down a bit for younger players. While I'm sure this is nice for kid brother or sister, you'll probably enjoy this game, but find it beaten after the first day of play.” Ed ended up giving the highest score, a 9 out of 10: “The best game ever made for the younger player. After a dog of a game in Mickey Mouse, Capcom comes back with a game that combines all the right features to catch the younger players, hold their interest, challenge their abilities and keep them coming back. Only for the very young.” EGM ended up giving DuckTales an average score of 8 out of 10.

That turns out to be the same score you saw from Nintendo Power, who went with a straight 4 out of 5. N-Force liked the game a bit less, going with a 74%, while Video Games & Computer Entertainment went down to a flat 7 out of 10. “In general, there's nothing unusual or original about DuckTales. It's a decent arcade game that will give many hours of enjoyment. Kids who are fans of the cartoon series will probably like it the most. Is DuckTales everything it was quacked up to be? Close enough.”

As we continue our descent, we see GameZone giving DuckTales a frustrating 4 out of 6, while the UK version of Total went with a surprisingly low 69%. Not nice. They complained about the glitchy visuals and the lack of challenge, noting that “being able to play any level takes away the mystery.” They concluded that DuckTales is “pretty playable, but you've probably already got half-a-dozen games which are almost identical. For Disney duck addicts only.”

If we flip to the other side of the reviews, we saw that Computer Entertainer liked the game enough to give it a strong 3.25 out of 4. Raze went a bit higher, going with an 83%. And then there's Mean Machines, which gave the game its highest marks – 90%. “DuckTales is a fine arcade adventure and features some exceptional graphics and some very tough and challenging gameplay. I like the idea of being able to tackle any level, which means you don't have to play early levels over and over again. But even though you can practice, it requires plenty of skill to get all the way through the game in one go. With its many neat touches, and beautifully balanced difficulty level, DuckTales provides laughs and addiction in equal doses. You'd be ‘quackers' to miss it.”

While some of the critics harped a bit too much about it being aimed at a younger demographic, DuckTales was still liked by a large majority of the critics. I'm sure some will complain that the overall average was a mere 79%, but spoiler alert: Only one of these Disney Afternoon games managed to earn anything above an 80%. Adjust your expectations accordingly.

When Disney went to follow-up the hugely successful DuckTales cartoon, they decided to go with Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, a fun crime-fighting series starring chipmunks names after an 18th century cabinet maker. When Capcom went to follow-up their hugely successful DuckTales game, they decided to go a similar route, giving us a two-player NES title based on the much-loved Rescue Ranger series. This should have been a perfect match, but not every critic agreed.

This time around, Electronic Gaming Monthly was a bit more divided, giving Rescue Rangers an average score of 7.75 out of 10. Martin was one of the critics that gave it a 7, noting that “Capcom does it again with another Disney title that first looks like a kiddie game, but ends up turning into one of the better Super Mario-style action games available. Great cartoon graphics and superb gameplay blend together giving you a cart packed with fun.” Once again, Ed liked the game even more, going all the way up to a 9: “As a player's game, Rescue Rangers is outstanding because of its true-to-Disney animation and good control. The gameplay is challenging and proves to be more difficult than previous Disney entries from Capcom, and should prove appealing to those who can get past the kiddie-theme.”

If you're looking for the lowest score, then we need to take a trip across the Atlantic Ocean and check in with N-Force, who gave the game an average score of 66%. Carl noted that “Capcom and Disney rarely make a bad game, but unfortunately, Rescue Rangers doesn't quite measure up to their usual standards. Gameplay's nothing new, but what's wrong with that? Look at Rambo, Die Hard and Mario. There's no denying that with good presentation, a tested formula works. Unfortunately, that's where this offering falls down. Bad collision detection makes what should have been a visual feast a bit of an eyesore.”

While N-Force didn't care for Rescue Rangers, most of the other magazines did. Nintendo Power once again gave the game a 4 out of 5, while GameZone went with the equivalent 80%. Total UK went one tick higher, giving the game an 81%, but it's Mean Machines that gave Chip ‘N Dale their best scores, an 88%. If there's one thing the NES is definitely not short of, it's platform games. Nearly every licensed game converted to the Nintendo is a platform game. Still, Rescue Rangers is good enough to stop it getting lost in the crowd. What sets Rescue Rangers apart from the other NES platformers is the speed of gameplay and the level of challenge. The game is really fast-paced with Chip and Dale zipping around the screen at a great rate of knots. It's also one of the most difficult Nintendo platform games to date; the action never lets up and keeps you constantly on your toes. Chip and Dale is a recommended purchase, providing you're not yet tired of platform games.”

Despite some misgivings from N-Force, Rescue Rangers proved popular with the critics. Thanks to the zippy gameplay and multiplayer action, Chip ‘N Dale managed to earn an overall average of 78%, down only one tick from DuckTales. Not bad.

Of all the Disney Afternoon games featured in this collection, TaleSpin is probably the least known. There may be a reason for that. This 1991 release not only came hot on the heels of both DuckTales and Rescue Ranger, two well-regarded platformers that went on to define Capcom's Disney Afternoon series, but it was also completely overshadowed by the launch of the Super NES and the 16-bit console war. Compared to that, TaleSpin was a bit of a dud, with very few magazines taking the time to cover it. Here's how that went.

I have some good news and I have some bad news. The good news is that two English-language magazines bothered to review TaleSpin. Unfortunately, one of those magazines is Nintendo Power, who didn't say a single word about the game. They didn't even publish a multi-page spread with maps. They just issued the game a 3.2 out of 5 rating and called it a day. Lame.

Thankfully, N-Force once again comes through. Giving the game an average score of 73%, Nick concluded that “TaleSpin is another shoot ‘em up, thinly disguised as a cartoon license. There's a lot more to the cartoon series than flying through the skies shooting down planes; it's a pity the programmers didn't make use of this. I love the cartoon show, but this game doesn't do it proud. If you fancy a shoot ‘em up with some nicely drawn cartoon graphics, spin your tail with this. However, I think most TaleSpin fans will be disappointed.”

Considering how few magazines covered it, it wouldn't surprise me if most TaleSpin fans didn't even know this game existed. Sadly, with only two reviews to pull from, the overage average doesn't mean much. This game managed to pick up a score of 69%, making it the worst-reviewed Disney Afternoon game so far. Let's see how Darkwing Duck fairs.

Of all the Disney Afternoon cartoons, Darkwing Duck is the one that makes the most sense as a video game. Sure, Scrooge McDuck was fond of adventure and Chip 'n Dale fought crime, but Capcom had to basically turn them into superheroes in order to make an action game out of their exploits. Darkwing Duck, on the other hand, was already a superhero, so Capcom had no problem turning his game into a fun Mega Man knock-off. Let's see if the critics liked Darkwing Duck as much as Mega Man 5.

Much like TaleSpin, English-language magazines barely covered Darkwing Duck. When Nintendo Power reviewed the game, they gave it a 3.8 out of 5. Thankfully, this time around they actually had a couple of critics discuss the game. Rob said that “it should be no surprise that Darkwing Duck is from the same company that has released the Mega Man games. I think that it's a real solid effort by Capcom, with well-drawn graphics and some cool enemies.” George agreed, calling Darking Duck “a real winner. It's got a great character and that same cartoon-like style that has made the Mega Man series so fun to play.”

Over at N-Force, Gunns and Shades ended up on two different sides of the discussion. Guns gave it an 84%, concluding that “Darkwing Duck really fits the bill. Although breaking no ground gameplay-wise, it's challenging, light humored and smoothly animated – solid value-for-money entertainment and then some.” Shades, on the other hand, gave it a 69%. “Oh look. It's one of those NES platform action games. You know the type. Lots of cutesy characters, lots of weapons and lots of snoring. Okay, if you're a big fan of this genre, then I'm sure Darkwing Duck can keep you happy for hours. But anyone who already has umpteenth games identical to this in their collection will be bored in minutes.” N-Force gave the game an average score of 77%.

Continuing up the scale, we see Entertainment Weekly give the game a “B” in their 130th issue. However, the review I want to talk about comes from GamePro, who gave Darkwing Duck a perfect 5 out of 5. “Darkwing TV show fans will freak over the sharp, colorful graphics. Even our hero's oversized floppy hat and flashy outfits are intact. You'll even recognize the theme song, sorta. Much like his Disney video game predecessors, Darkwing's cart is great 8-bit action entertainment. The gameplay's solid, and the challenge is set for intermediate gamers. A two-player option, like in Chip ‘N Dale, would have been appreciated. But hey, those are the breaks. Capcom usually leads the charge into NES gaming fun, and Darkwing makes his move with flying colors.”

With only a few reviews, Darkwing Duck actually managed to come out looking good. The overall average is a superb 85%, making this the best-reviewed entry in the Disney Afternoon series. One has to wonder if that would remain the case if magazines like Electronic Gaming Monthly and Mean Machines chimed in.

Despite the massive success of DuckTales, it took Capcom four long years to check in with Scrooge McDuck and his globe-trotting adventures. While the publisher was busy releasing TaleSpin and Darkwing Duck, the Nintendo Entertainment System was starting to show its age, with most gamers enlisting in the 16-bit console war. To make matters worse, this 1993 sequel came out a full three years after the show wrapped, making it feel like old news. By this point, critics had largely moved on from the simplicity of 8-bit platformers, and thus were not as willing to overlook some of the game's more outdated problems.

After sitting out the last two games, Electronic Gaming Monthly returns to the Disney Afternoon beat. This time around they gave DuckTales 2 an average score of 7 out of 10, down a full point from the 8 out of 10 they gave the 1989 original. Sushi-X asked a question I doubt was on any of your minds: “Hey! Who said third-party companies should make games that justify holding onto your NES anyway? DuckTales 2 is one of those fun games with innovative techniques, cute graphics, and surprisingly fitting music. Just when you thought the NES was dead, leave it to Capcom to revive it once more!” Martin decided to use the review to make a different point: “DuckTales 2 is a great example that 16-bit graphics and high meg counts are not necessary for a great game. The gameplay is filled with technique, some old and some new. There are plenty of mysteries to solve and hidden levels to find. The graphics are cute, sound is bearable, and the gameplay is excellent.”

Believe it or not, EGM's score was the lowest of any English-language magazines. Video Games & Computer Entertainment ended up liking the game enough to give it a 7.4 out of 10, noting that “if you enjoyed the first DuckTales and are ready for more of the same, you might want to check out DuckTales 2. If you didn't play the first adventure but like Mario-type contests with lots of hidden treasures, tricky puzzles and secret rooms, you too may get a kick out of DuckTales 2. Others may find that DuckTales 2 isn't very different from dozens of other games derived from the same formula.”

On the higher end, we have Nintendo Power giving DuckTales 2 a score of 3.8 out of 5. GamePro, on the other hand, ended up giving the game its highest marks, going all the way up to a solid 4 out of 5. The score may be higher, but this review sure sounds like what Clayton Walnum said in Video Games & Computer Entertainment. “If it's more of the same you want, DuckTales 2 delivers. For better or worse, Capcom's got a knack for introducing an eye-opening 8-bit cart and then essentially recasting the gameplay with a few minor tweaks in sequel after sequel. DuckTales 2 is fun while it lasts, but it's too short. It's recommended without hesitation, though, for first-time players and DuckTales fans.”

Maybe it's appropriate that a game being described as “more of the same” is coming from reviews that are impossible to tell apart. It's clear that the enthusiasm is down across the board. Is the problem the license or the aging 8-bit hardware? We'll have to see what happens when the Disney Afternoon goes 16-bit. For now, DuckTales 2 earns an overall average of 75%.

After ringing just about everything out of the aging Nintendo Entertainment System, Capcom knew that it was time to give the Disney Afternoon a 16-bit makeover. But instead of updating Scrooge McDuck or giving Rescue Rangers fans their long-overdue sequel, the developer brought us Goof Troop, a two-player overhead adventure game starring Goofy and his son, Max. This was a big departure from the side-scrolling platformers we were so used to with the Disney Afternoon, but perhaps it was the breath of fresh air the series needed. Let's see where the critics landed.

We're going to kick things off with Electronic Gaming Monthly, who ended up giving Goof Troop an average score of 7.75 out of 10. That's right in line with how they scored the 8-bit Disney Afternoon games. Ed called it a “fun action/adventure game that will entice almost any player. Goofy has an assortment of wacky animations. The puzzles, strewn throughout the game, are not too tough – nor are they too easy. A welcome challenge that works particularly well. It can be a bit repetitive after a while, however. Overall, it's a fun game with all around good features.” Martin liked it even more, comparing it to another surprising game: “Not since Zelda: A Link to the Past have I played an action/adventure game this good. The play mechanics and overhead view are reminiscent of Zelda, but the theme and story are truly Disney. There are plenty of cool scenes to find, with little tasks and puzzles to keep it interesting. Goofy, his son, Max, and other Disney characters are hilarious to watch. It's fun.”

Despite the shift to 16-bit, most of the magazines were down on Goof Troop. Video Games & Computer Entertainment gave the adventure game a 7.2 out of 10, while Nintendo Power went with a very similar 3.6 out of 5. Super Action is technically the magazine with the lowest score, with a 67%, but I want to focus on Super Play. Giving Goof Troop a 69%, James Leach said: “Gather round, Goofy-lovers, and hear the news. Goof Troop is fun for a while, has some neat puzzles and will fill your breast with a minor swelling of enjoyment in two-player mode. But it's too easy, too short and your Super Nintendo won't blow up through over-exertion.”

Now, to be fair, there were a few critics who liked the game. The resurrected zombie version of Electronic Games gave it an 81% in their tenth issue, while SNES Force went with an even better 88% in issue six. Once again, GamePro ended up being the most generous, giving Goof Troop an impressive 4.5 out of 5. “This game is not easy by any means. With some adult guidance, however, even the youngest gamers will enjoy it. Experienced gamers beware! You'll think you can bust Goof Trrop in no time, but some of the puzzles are harder than they look. It's a lot like Goofy himself ... not good to look at, but a key player nonetheless.”

Hey! There's nothing wrong with Goofy's look. At he wears pants, which is more than I can say about most Disney characters. Unfortunately, his fashion sense couldn't save Goof Troop from earning a 77%, putting it right in the middle of the pack. A slightly disappointing start for the 16-bit series, but Capcom would take another stab at the Disney Afternoon on the Super NES in 1994. But before we get to Bonkers, we first need to go back to the Nintendo Entertainment System ...

Much like DuckTales 2, the sequel to Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers came out four years after the original. Not only was this an eternity for an 8-bit licensed platformer, but it also meant that it was one of the very last games released on the Nintendo Entertainment System. To put it in perspective, Rescue Rangers 2 came out only a year before the PlayStation and Saturn hit the market. As a result, very few people had a chance to play this game, making it something of a collector's item these days.

When it came to the critics, only a few magazines bothered to even acknowledge that Rescue Rangers 2 was a thing. For their part, Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game a 7.2 out of 10, up slightly from DuckTales 2, but down slightly from the original Rescue Rangers. Getting a capsule review, EGM said that “for an 8-bit platform, Rescue Rangers 2 comes off rather well and, if anything, makes me wish for a 16-bit version. Capcom has always done well with cartoony characters and themes, and this is certainly no exception.”

For what it's worth, the lowest score comes from Video Games: The Ultimate Gaming Magazine (their boast, not mine). Giving it a 7 out of 10, they explained that “though Disney's Chip ‘N Dale Rescue Rangers 2 may not live up to the high standards of its predecessor, it's not bad for an all-new NES title – hey, in these days of 16-bit dominance, beggars can't be choosers. The fact that the game's ending hints at yet another sequel is definitely worth noting.”

Much like the other Disney Afternoon games, there were a couple of magazines that liked and defended this late-generation NES game. GamePlayers went with a solid 84%, while GamePro went all the way up to a 4.5 out of 5. “The charm of Rescue Rangers is definitely its excellent Mario-style action, which is mixed with a cast of zany, personable characters. This cart definitely isn't Cheap ‘N Dull.”

GamePro was right about one thing, Rescue Rangers 2 certainly isn't cheap. It's also not dull, at least according to the reviews. While EGM and Video Games may have pegged it as being more of the same, the overall average sits at 79%. That's one point higher than the original and on par with the original DuckTales. Not bad for an NES game released in 1994.

With the early mainstays like DuckTales, Rescue Rangers and TaleSpin winding down, it was time for Disney to find its next afternoon star, this time inspired by ... Who Framed Roger Rabbit? It's true, Bonkers, a show about a bobcat cop solving cartoon crimes, was a less than subtle nod to the 1988 blockbuster film directed by Robert Zemeckis. After mixing things up with Goof Troop, Capcom returned to their tried-and-true approach of turning these Disney cartoons into side-scrolling platformers. Was that enough to win back the critics? Let's find out.

We're going to start with Electronic Gaming Monthly, who once again gave the Disney Afternoon short shrift by reducing Bonkers to a short capsule review. Giving it a 6.8 out of 10, EGM called it “another good Disney entry from Capcom that isn't quite as good as the others. Nevertheless, Bonkers has cartoon-like graphics, decent control, but the sound is a little subtle.”

EGM wasn't the only magazine to yadda-yadda-yadda their way through a Bonkers review. Video Games: The Ultimate Gaming Magazine also gave the game a capsule review, explaining that “if you're a fan of Disney's Bonkers TV show, you might very well want to check this game out, but if Bonkers doesn't float your boat, the game probably won't either. The graphics and sounds are nice, but it just ends up being another platform game. Go right, jump, maybe throw a couple of bombs. It's okay.” They gave it a 6 out of 10.

On a more positive note, GamePro ended up giving Bonkers a so-so 3.5 out of 5. Super Play went a little bit higher, going with 74%. However, we have to go all the way to Australia to find Bonkers' biggest fans – Hyper. Giving it an 80%, Eliot Fish argued that “the game is visually almost cartoon perfect, except that Bonkers doesn't animate or control as well as other Disney game characters have. The timing is a bit sluggish and takes a bit of getting used to, but soon you'll be wrapped up in solving the tricks and conquering the levels that it will be second nature. There seem to be a lot of hidden depths to this game that you'll no doubt plunge after you've finished it, secrets that are not obvious at first but need a bit of experimentation to be solved. There's enough fun and games in this platforming experience to keep you happy for days, maybe weeks. Definitely give it a rent, you might even want it for keeps.”

Despite rallying at the end with Super Play and Hyper, Bonkers just didn't have enough going for it. The overall average is a mere 70%, which makes this the second worst-reviewed game in the Disney Afternoon library, ahead of only TaleSpin (which barely had any reviews). After so many great games, this is a frustrating way to leave the Disney Afternoon. Fans deserved Rescue Rangers 3 on Super NES.