Disney Illusion Island

Disney Illusion Island is practically a unicorn, offering fulfilling, customizable co-op for the whole family in an endearingly charming cartoon coating.

With unrelenting charm, excellent writing and voice work, and an art style that is sure to put a smile on your face, Disney Illusion Island is the magical Mickey Metroidvania you didn’t know you needed.

Disney Illusion Island is an excellent choice for both parents and their children. It's certainly aimed to a younger audience but its low challenge doesn't hinder the utterly enjoyable coop experience.

I’m blown away by Disney Illusion Island. In a sea of hard-as-nails Metroidvanias like Hollow Knight or Metroid Dread, it stands out as being just as well-crafted but skewing towards a different, gentler experience. This is the platonic ideal for an entry-level platformer because it is filled with smartly designed gameplay that takes well-worn tropes and makes them more approachable for everyone while still providing a nice romp for those experienced with these types of games. If you’re a parent who wishes your child would cut the crap and start playing Symphony of the Night with you, maybe start them here and then work your way up to fighting Dracula with some pit stops like Ori and Guacamelee along the way. Here’s hoping the quality of this game leads to the Quackshot remake of my dreams.

Disney Illusion Island is the perfect introduction to the Metroidvania genre. Every moment of my time playing was fun, and I’ll admit there are some challenging moments, but the accessibility options for each player to fine-tune their experience make the adventure approachable to any who play. This is a game that could have easily coasted on the fact that it has Disney characters in it, but no, this is a fully fledge adventure that makes these Disney characters even cooler.

If you’re a seasoned fan of Metroidvanias and crave combat and action, Disney Illusion Island may not be for you. If you’re looking for a wholesome dose of Disney though, or an entryway into this genre, Illusion Island is a joyously fun gem with cross-generational appeal that I’ll be recommending non-stop to anyone who will listen. It’s undoubtedly one of the finest-looking games I’ve ever played on the Nintendo Switch and I had heaps of fun exploring Monoth’s expertly-designed sprawling biomes. In fact, while I’ve completed Illusion Island’s main story, I shall imminently be diving back in to scour this world for all the sneaky collectibles I may have missed. This is Disney’s best game to date.

Disney Illusion Island is a magnificent return to form for Mickey and friends. Though we wish that it was a bit more challenging, the excellent controls, relaxing vibes, whimsical world, and oodles of collectibles all come together to make for a cozy and enjoyable experience you won’t want to miss. We strongly recommend you pick up Illusion Island if you’re looking for another quality 2D platformer to add to your library, it’s full of that elusive Disney magic and is one of the best platformers to release on the Switch this year.

Disney Illusion Island is a pleasant surprise. The platform gameplay makes for a persistently engaging adventure, which is partly due to the game's fun characters and their abilities. The presentation is also very strong, where you can expect a lot of variety. It just could have been a bit more challenging now and then, but don't let that stop you from giving the game a chance.

With credits behind me, I’m excited to discover more of Monoth’s secrets and collectibles I haven’t yet found, and I’m especially thrilled to play more with my 7-year-old nephew. Illusion Island doesn’t overhaul the platformer genre, or the Metroidvania formula for that matter, but its distinctive no-combat focus on simply moving through Monoth keeps the trip amusing, brisk, and gratifying. I would have liked more challenge; this is a simple adventure that might not capture the interest of platformer enthusiasts with little to no preoccupation with Disney. But when met on its own terms, it’s hard to deny Illusion Island is a jubilant love letter to these characters and platforming.

A delightful co-op adventure set on an island brought beautifully to life by hand-drawn illustrations.

Disney Illusion Island is an accessible metroidvania that offers a great level of exploration. Although it can get a bit repetitive, its beautiful artwork and its great orchestral soundtrack make it worth giving it a chance, especially in local multiplayer with friends.

Disney illusion Island is an absolute success and a worthy addition to your gaming library.

Disney Illusion Island is the perfect family platformer. With inclusivity at the center of its design, you can select a suitable difficulty option that allows everyone to engage and more importantly, enjoy the game. Love and admiration for the history of Mickey are apparent. References to classic cartoons and previous video games are noticeable as you venture through a new world. At first, I was taken aback by the lack of combat and familiar gameplay loops, however, the slick platforming and delightful design shine through to make this a wonderful and memorable adventure.

It's a world so well-designed that the whole passage feels like a trip to a beautiful 2D environment. [Issue#330]

Disney Illusion Island might not appeal to those who want non-stop hardcore platforming thrills, but there’s more than enough challenge here for those who look for it.

Disney Illusion Island may not rewrite the Metroidvania handbook nor does it ever feel particularly challenging, but what it does, it does exceptionally well. Throughout the six-hour journey, my wife and I couldn’t stop smiling; between the colourful worlds and their light puzzly-platformy layouts, enchanting soundtrack and fun banter between its four main leads. Disney fans will adore everything about this game while those looking for a more laid-back, less demanding adventure will appreciate what’s on display too.

Disney Illusion Island is a well-crafted platformer that hides an equally-excellent Metroidvania underneath. Fans of the genre who might not be immediately taken in by the license shouldn’t let that dissuade them from giving this game a shot — this is a great one.

Disney Illusion Island is a marvelous action/platformer with its fair share of Metroidvania elements set in a Disney-themed world. While this is not a combat-rich experience, the game world is a positive surprise on account of its design and size, as well as the way entirely different parts link together, not to mention its immense wealth of collectionable objects that almost make a small museum of their own. Its cut scenes, delightfully animated, are perhaps a bit too long, but Disney Illusion Island easily becomes a very reliable companion for fans of 2D platformers on the Nintendo Switch who want something that just keeps growing.

Disney Illusion Island is a charming, enjoyable, easygoing platformer that should appeal to everyone regardless of how familiar you are with the genre or how skilled you are on the sticks.

Disney Illusion Island is an excellent metroidvania that not only kids will love, but also expert gamers. Its level design is so brilliant and smooth that it makes you fall in love immediately with the characters, world and gameplay.

While Disney Illusion Island isn't a particularly long game, it is one that feels instantly memorable. Dlala Studios has captured the charm that Disney has been missing for years and offered it up in an interactive medium that never fails to be fun and overflowing with charisma.

Disney Illusion Island is a great introduction to the world of Metroidvanias that will put a smile on anyone’s face. It might be simple in some ways but the design, writing, and fluid gameplay are solid enough that the experience rarely feels repetitive or uninteresting. Mickey and his friends have been mainstays of gaming culture for decades now, and Disney Illusion Island brings those characters to a new generation in a way that feels modern and approachable.

Disney Illusion Island is a great all-ages platform-adventure that works hard to appeal to players of any skill level. Even those finding it too easy should be able to enjoy kicking back with the Disney cast, all of which are well animated with their personality shining through in every movement. The large number of areas can feel a bit samey after a while, and a few more enemy types would have been appreciated, but the escalating difficulty and variety of rooms and secrets makes it hard to get bored. The map tracking of collectibles makes it hard to resist going back to explore and clean up an area, and even after beating the game there can easily be a few sections left half-done. It’s a huge amount of fun to get Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy together in a single large platforming adventure, and Illusion Island doesn’t waste the opportunity to play with its cast of beloved characters.

Disney Illusion Island is a fun, all-ages romp through a Disneyfied fantasy world. It doesn't do anything outside of what is expected, but what it does, it does well. The platforming is easy to pick up and fun to master, and there's a sense of progression and advancement to the game that helps keep it feeling like a true Metroidvania. It's a cute, charming and enjoyable adventure, and sometimes, that is all a game needs to be.

We've had a great time playing Disney Illusion Island in multiplayer as a family, and I can't help but think that's the only "right" way to play it. It would be nice if there was a bit more voice acting, since the gameplay is simple enough that even kids who can't quite read yet are able to pick it up and play mostly effortlessly, but even considering these few flaws it's still one of the best family games of 2023. It's a well-made adventure that, despite the many assistance features and lack of combat, still manages to be entertaining and enjoyable to players of varying ages. While it probably won't be everyone's favorite Metroidvania of all time, it's absolutely worth playing if you have kids.

Disney Illusion Island is a sleek platformer aided by loveable characters, and a pristine animated world.

Disney Illusion Island plays things very safe at times, but sometimes that’s okay, and it’s worth celebrating nonetheless.

Disney Illusion Island can best be compared to the average Disneyland ride. It's short, doesn't outstay its welcome, and shouldn't be experienced alone.

Disney Illusion Island is a love letter to Mickey Mouse, offering a beautifully animated experience with great humor and a challenge level that's welcoming to experienced players and newcomers alike.

Disney Illusion Island is a delightful adventure that had me grinning from start to finish. It’s a colourful romp brimming with personality and charm that will warm the heart of anyone who had even somewhat of an affinity for the House of Mouse as a child. With fun platforming, gorgeous animation and a fantastic soundtrack, it is easy to recommend at its budget price despite its relatively brief length.

It never fully challenged me personally and isn’t an overly long experience, but with a few friends or Disney diehards, Disney Illusion Island is a worthy adventure and one of the better licensed titles to venture out from the Magic Kingdom of late.

Disney Illusion Island is an entertaining platformer with metroidvania vibes that will entertain both children and adults with its cooperative mode for four players. Visually it's a joy, almost like an animated TV series, but unfortunately it is very easy and short, and despite its abundant collectibles, it is not particularly replayable.

Disney Illusion Island is a good family entertainment title, with the addition of up to four player co-op making the experience even more immersive. On the other hand, the basic repetitiveness is very evident in the first part of the adventure, except to recover in the second part, at the end of the entire journey. The playful flatness of the four characters, net of the pleasant visual differentiations, weakens the inventiveness of a smooth and pleasant gameplay. With a little forethought and added depth, Disney Illusion Island could have been so much more magical.

Disney Illusion Island is an entertaining game, whether you play alone or with up to four friends. The platforming action is smooth and flawless from the start and you don't even miss defeating enemies. The only cons here are the small screen of the Switch and the little flaws in the co-op mode.

Given how nice the game looks and how well it’s put-together, there’s a very solid argument to be made that Disney Illusion Island is the perfect way to get kids of all ages hooked on this genre. It may be a well-worn genre, and Disney Illusion Island won’t win any awards for originality, but on the whole, this is a pretty polished game.

Disney Illusion Island brings several interesting ideas, a beautifully crafted and designed world, but the gameplay starts to feel a bit shallow over time, so it doesn't quite reach its potential. However, it won't be a complete waste of time, especially if you play it with kids.

Disney Illusion Island is a competent metroidvania with tons of collectibles for family and kids to look for.

Disney Illusion Island is a competent and approachable metroidvania-style platformer that does a great job at accommodating players of all skill levels and offers up a great take on Mickey and Friends, but a relatively short runtime combined with overly simple mechanics and some disappointing presentational choices means that it falls just short of true magic.

Despite its name, Disney Illusion Island is not a new game of the beloved "illusion series" for old SEGA consoles. It's a simple and well crafted metroidvania with a sweet and relaxed atmosphere that reminds the old good Walt Disney of twenty years ago.

Disney Illusion Island is a good introduction to the metroidvania genre for the uninitatied. It's a pity the iconic Disney heroes are so tiny on the screen.

Even though the magic of the old Disney platformers is somewhat lost, Illusion Island stands as a promise that it can be rekindled. Both experienced and less skilled players can enjoy this game cooperatively, and while it may not bring anything groundbreaking to the table, it’s great to see that the charm is still there. Seems that quality adventures starring Mickey Mouse won’t be just a thing of time past.

Disney Illusion Island is an excellent choice for anyone who classes themselves as a gigantic Disney aficionado or anyone looking for a family-friendly game. However, the enchantment of the experience may start to dwindle like a fading dream due to the over-simplistic gameplay.

Disney Illusion Island is easy to play for both young and old gamers alike, making for a fun, colorful and slightly meandering platformer.

All I can really say is that the game is fine. Navigating the world was alright, there were some secrets to look for, the controls didn’t let me down, and it made me smile from time to time. If you have people to play it with, I think it’s definitely worth looking at. If you love these classic Disney characters, you’ll have a good time with the game. For anyone else, it’s a bit difficult to recommend Disney Illusion Island with too much vigor.

Disney Illusion Island is a great introduction to the metroidvania genere, but things like a slow pace and a very simple level design, stops it from being a better game.

Disney Illusion Island is both enjoyable and entertaining, but just as the action in the game zips by with slick efficiency, so too is your memory of the time with it going to be breezy. If you’re able to use it as a way to bond with family or friends, then it’s going to have much more value than as a single-player experience. For those playing solo, expect plenty of charm, but given that it has been developed so that the youngest of children can enjoy it, there just isn’t much substance to it.

Whether you're looking to pick this up and play it with the littles in your life or you're looking to play it for yourself, this is a quick and enjoyable platformer with a lot to offer. It's something that's an enjoyable, laid-back play. However, if you want a challenge you may want to turn to another title.

While not perfect, Disney Illusion Island is a game developed so that everyone can have a good time with Mickey and his friends.

It may not live up to the Illusion titles for Sega Genesis but what's here is good stuff nonetheless as Disney Illusion Island presents a wondrous game world that can be rather enjoyable to explore. Just don't expect much variety or any sense of challenge.

This is a fun and beautiful platformer that, even if it doesn’t really shine, it’s enjoyable and can be a good option to play with players who are not looking for a challenge.

Disney Illusion Island is a game where I can remember specific quips from characters and story beats, but actual adventuring runs together. It entertaining and well-paced, but doesn’t stick with me in the way something like Rayman Origins or Kirby Star Allies did. It is clever in its way though, and someone who runs through it alone or with friends will definitely have a pleasant time being a “hero” with Mickey and his friends. Especially since it’s more challenging than I expected in a good way, even if some enemies do get in some cheap hits in certain situations.

Disney Illusion Island won’t go down in history like the best Disney platformer classics have. But it’s still a fun, if not forgettable, romp starring Mickey and friends. Those who are newer to platformers or want to get someone in on the genre will be primed to enjoy this title. Also, while I don’t think the exploratory angle does the game any favors, it may appeal to collect-athon fans. Otherwise, Illusion Island is just a reliable game for a rainy day. A perfect seven if there ever was one.

A Disney-infused Metroidvania Jr., with a gradually increasing challenge that’s ideal for children and, in its latter stages, offers enough inventiveness for grown-up players as well.

Disney Illusion Island looks great, feels great and is full of heart. It is, however, held back by being way too easy for experienced gamers and devoid of any new ideas.

Disney Illusion Island is a charming all-ages platformer that acts as a breezy introduction to the Metroidvania genre.

Like with the platforming, the map exploration and Metroidvania mechanics can be a bit too simplistic in execution and mostly tell you where everything is and how to get it. Seasoned platformer fans might find things too easy, but if you can accept that lack of challenge and take Illusion Island for the joyful adventure that it is, then you'll find that it's a good, simple time, with satisfying mechanics, a love for Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy, and a gorgeous world to explore.

A cute My First Metroidvania with charming characters, wrapped up in some fairly basic and uninspired platforming levels. It's not Illusion at its best, but should entertain kids.

Illusion Island has a lot going for it: It looks great, controls wonderfully, is packed with charm and character, offers enjoyable exploration, and features a memorable multiplayer experience. If you're a big fan of the genre, you'll get a kick seeing little references to other all-time classics, too. However, the slow start and the blase boss battles put a bit of a damper on the whole thing, especially if you plan on going on this trip solo. It's well worth playing provided you can get over the initial hump, and even better if you've got a younger family member to share the journey with. It may fall short of being an all-time gem, but Illusion Island's still earned its place in the Disney Vault of Gaming Goodness.

Disney Illusion Island’s platforming may be extremely polished but it’s not particularly inventive, and nor is it likely to appeal to anyone who favours a more combat-oriented Metroidvania experience – its enemies are strictly for dodging rather than destroying, and its small assortment of boss fights are mostly anticlimactic. Where it excels, though, is in providing a wholesome co-operative journey through a charismatic cartoon world that’s well-suited to pairings of parents and their children, or perhaps older and younger siblings. It effectively gives every member of the party the means to happily bound along on the ride without ever being made to feel like a burden. If you’re after a frictionless, family-friendly platforming adventure that’s heavy on charm and light on challenge, then Disney Illusion Island fits the bill better than a muzzle on Donald Duck.

Disney Illusion Island’s dazzling presentation, tight platforming, and kid-friendly approach to nonlinear design will amaze young gamers, but its shallow mechanics may make less of an impression on Metroidvania veterans.

Disney Illusion Island is a fantastic opportunity to introduce younger players to the Metroidvania genre, but it’s too light-on for content for players already versed in the genre.

As far as games for kids go, Disney’s Illusion Island provides a quality and challenge rarely seen in modern games for younger players. But if you’re an older gamer looking to play an interesting and unique Metroidvania, you’re more than likely going to find yourself disappointed by the bland stage design and the swarms of copy and pasted enemies.

It’s not until the last level that it takes off the training wheels and offers much of a challenge for older audiences, but it’s disappointing that it’s game over just as the campaign is getting a head of steam up.

An expressive, characterful entry point for metroidvanias.

Disney Illusion Island is not a bad game, but it is also not outstanding by any means. Compared to other 2D platformers, the game doesn't try to surprise and doesn't bring anything new to the genre. As a product aimed at children, it will work perfectly well, as it is free of violence and negative themes, but adults are unlikely to spend too much time with it.

Disney Illusion Island looks and sounds incredible and doesn't do much wrong in terms of gameplay. It doesn't really do much to advance the Metroidvania genre, though, and while it's clearly designed to appeal to younger players the convoluted ending and hit-and-miss jokes mean we ended simply enjoying it, rather than loving it.

Disney Illusion Island has a special value for being a Metroidvania-style game with multiplayer mode for up to four people, but the incorrect camera setup and uninspired artistic design and level design make it an adventure that doesn't live up to Disney's most important character.

A metroidvania short of ideas that doesn’t live up to the legacy of the mouse.

As an introduction to metroidvanias, Disney Illusion Island is fine. At its very best, it is only barely serviceable, and there are far better games to start with if you want to dip your toes into the genre.

Ilusion Island brings some unconvincing and lukewarm modern mix of indie platformer and Metroidvania where things are often so simple that you get the impression that the very existence of this title is forced. Mickey and friends had much better platformer adventures 30 years ago.

Even considering it is intended for the casual public, Disney Illusion Island does not manage to be sufficiently convincing.

Disney Illusion Island may be striving to be a flashy and exciting 2D Metroidvania experience, but its depth remains one-dimensional. It starts at a snail’s pace with its drip-feeding of basic and essential abilities and from there it never really picks up. This is unfortunately thanks to floaty platforming that will disinterest most along with the most uninspired Metroidvania-level design I’ve seen in some time. Though there are classic and picturesque Disney flourishes aplenty, it’s not enough to make the game an enjoyable experience to investigate every nook and cranny for secrets. Be warned, this is an island voyage not all that worth taking.