1996 was an important year in video game history filled with significant milestones. “Super Mario 64” became a groundbreaking phenomenon perfecting three-dimensional exploration as a blueprint for open-world games. “Resident Evil” introduced survival-horror. “Pokémon Red and Green/Blue” launched an ongoing franchise juggernaut as one of the biggest monkey makers. During a meeting a Disney, art director, Terry Dobson pitched a video game idea, “Virtual Magic Kingdom.” A multi-disc game where bad guys take over Magic Kingdom. It’s up to the player to save the day.
Two Years Later, the project was revamped as “Disney Villians’ Revenge.” Instead of taking place in Disneyland, the game’s set in a bedroom. The player and Jiminy Cricket mess around tearing up pages from a storybook. Suddenly, the endings from Fairy Tales are rewritten by antagonists. The Blue Fairy informs Jiminy he can’t staple the pages back in. It’s a magic book. The player and Jiminy must transport themselves into the stories in order to properly restore the pages.
Released in 1999 (same year Toy Story 2 came out) on Microsoft Windows and Mac, it received good review from critics. Speaking of Disney, “Kingdom Hearts IV” is currently in development. It’ll be released sometime around 2027. May or may not get delayed in 2028.
Good & Evil Aspects
Good: Voice Actors did a solid job for their respective voiceover performances.
Graphics blend 2D and 3D animation. Environmental locations have a sinister atmosphere reflecting the villains rewriting the endings.
Gameplay/Mechanics
- Presented as a point-and-click puzzle game, you help Jiminy undo the damage by transporting into the storybook restoring a fairy tale’s true ending. You click and drag objects with your mouse.
- Each level has its own style. Organize a circus performance to let Dumbo escape. Traverse in a maze to find Alice. A one-on-one sword fight with Captain Hook. Concoct potions in Evil Queen’s place leading up to brew True Love potion. Yes that really is a solution. The last level is just using a book to deflect projectiles. Send them back to the villain.
- After you finish a level, you unlock the ending of the movie. It’s footage from any of the four movies.
- You square off with Ringleader from Dumbo, Evil Queen, Captain Hook & Queen of Hearts. Rounding up four bosses.
- Completing a level unlocks a mini-game.
- If you screw up, Blue Fairy will encourage you to make things right.
Random Thoughts
- When I was 6, I used to play this game. Back then, I had a hard time on the Snow White level. Now that I’m older, it’s easy.
- Alice in Wonderland & Peter Pan are the only two solid animated movies I like. Dumbo & Snow White are didn’t aged well.
- I never played a lot games on PC. Playing on home console is my bread and butter.
- My favorite level’s the one with Captain Hook. Reminds me of fighting Darth Vader in “Star Wars Trilogy Arcade.” I remember playing it at Chuck E. Cheese. Before “The Forced Unleashed” and Lego games, it was mind blowing dueling with Darth Vader.
Fun Fact: Disney’s Villains’ Revenge contains a bonus game, “Nightmare Ned.” I used to play it as a young lad.
A diss at “Looney Tunes.” When you find Doc the Dwarf on the cover of the storybook, Doorknob 1 says, “What’s up Doc?” Doorknob 2 responds, “Try to remember who we work for.” It’s funny because “Bugs Bunny: Lost in Time” also came out in 1999.
An Easter Egg featuring Mickey Mouse as a black-and-white toy. His first appearance, “Steamboat Willie.” Makes me wanna replay “Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix Edition.
Evil: 2D animation is obviously stiff. Even the frame rate’s slow.
In every level, Jiminy acts like an annoying backseat driver constantly giving you hints. We get it, we’re following your instructions. Will you please shut up for five minutes!
Although his face is pictured on the cover of the storybook, Pinocchio himself doesn’t appear in game.
The game can be completed in one hour. Not enough content like additional levels featuring “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty” & “Robin Hood.”
The Final Verdict: C, FOR CLUNKER!
Hate to break it to ya. Disney’s Villains’ Revenge doesn’t hold up. I used to like it. Nowadays, it has problems listed above. Don’t waste your time on this one hour game. Buy “Kingdom Hearts: All in One.” It’s got all the games in the series so far. Lots and lots of content in one package worth every dollar. That’ll keep you busy until Kingdom Hearts IV comes out.
