Equal parts whimsy and charm,Disney Illusion Islandis a platformer that makes it nearly impossible not to love. Designed with a staggering amount of reverence and care by Dlala Studios,Illusion Islandputs the “Fab Four” of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy in players’ control and sends them off on a platforming adventure that is a treat for both the eyes and the reflexes.
In ourearlier encounters withDisney Illusion Island, Dlala Studios was effusive in its praise for the Disney brand. The developers were careful to ensure that their new game honored the legacy of these iconic characters while still existing as its own thing. From the very first frame, it’s clear thatDisney Illusion Islandhas the spirit of classic Mickey cartoons, from the characterization of each Fab Four member to the humor in the writing, but it also has a modern aesthetic that is colorful and full of carefully placed details.
The story inDisney Illusion Islandsees Mickey and Friends journeying to the land of Monoth to help its denizens reclaim three stolen Tomes. Our reluctant heroes are willing to help out of the goodness of their hearts – Donald is a bit less enthused – and what follows is a semi-Metroidvania adventure that includes three main biomes (with smaller unique areas within them) and a lot of jumping, wall-kicking, groundpounding, and more.
Disney Illusion Island’s writing is strong enough that this could have worked as a movie or series all on its own. The introductory cutscene is genuinely hilarious and will put a smile on any Disney fan’s face. As well, any break in the action to get a little more story, to meet a new character, or just to have the Fab Four interact is a treat. Dlala has ensured that a game built in the shadow ofDisney’s storied historytakes time to let its characters shine through, even the original creations.
Of course, it’s the design and the gameplay ofDisney Illusion Islandthat are what set it apart from a movie. The game is stunning to look at, with a beautiful blend of colorful foreground and background elements married with creative creatures and obstacles.Illusion Island’s animation is fluid and thoughtful, ensuring that, no matter if the player is controlling Mickey or Goofy, their personalities shine through. Like with the writing and the story, the visuals are strong enough to put the controller down and take in.
As a platformer with no combat,Disney Illusion Islandcreates a sense of momentum that is instantly engaging. Players are rarely standing still in the game; they are constantly bouncing from place to place and avoiding hazards along the way. The kinetics of the game are fluid and the responsiveness of the Switch controls ensure precision with every jump. It just feels good to play and that is essential for a platformer like this.
Dlala knows that its audience is going to be broad, so it has made a game that is moderately challenging but never punishing. Nothing about the game’s design ever feels cheap or trying to trick the player – every platformer section is fairly clear in its design. Obviously, there is a puzzle-solving element built into figuring out how to get from point A to point B, butDisney Illusion Islandisn’t ever trying to make its players frustrated. Seasoned gamers might find the game a bit easy, but the experience is never dull.
The game does build on itself as anygood Metroidvania gamedoes, offering Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy new abilities like a ground pound and a wall jump. However,Illusion Islandputs its own tiny spin on those concepts by giving each character a personalized tool for completing those actions. For example, Donald uses a rocket to double jump and Goofy uses a donut to groundpound. It’s those little Disney-fied touches that take what might seem like an otherwise standard side-scrolling platformer and makeIllusion Islandan easy recommendation for fans of these characters.
As players progress they will find themselves putting all their skills together and even backtracking to unlock new areas for collectibles. Boss fights build on those skills even further and can get quite complex in their construction. It all fits well together in a way that any great Metroidvania does. However, one criticism is that the game frequently relies on the same progress-blocking locked door that requires the player to find three keys. It would have been nice to see some variety there.
Disney Illusion Islandis a joy to play solo but it’s made all the better in co-op with up to three friends or family members. Jumping around as all four members of the team is somewhat chaotic visually, but it better fits the spirit of the narrative journey. Crucially, though, the co-op allows for younger and novice gamers to intermix with platforming pros and enjoy an experience that never panders to them. Dlala has smartly added tools to help less skilled players enjoy the game, without others feeling held back. For example, each player can set their heart count (or even make themselves invincible) for a greater or lesser challenge. Any player can also send down a rope to lower platforms for players that might be struggling with a certain jumping sequence. The characters can even hug to give each other a little health boost.
Forgiving checkpoints and clear design are essential in makingDisney Illusion Islandas approachable as can be. It can be difficult to land on a design that meets a broad range of skill levels but Dlala has smartly empowered players with options that make it easier or harder on themselves while also giving them ways to assist others. Playing in a group also helps cut down on the time needed to complete some of the more involved platforming sequences and will make everyone feel like they are contributing to the team’s success.
Disney Illusion Islandis 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 friendshave been mainstays of gaming culture for decades now, andDisney Illusion Islandbrings those characters to a new generation in a way that feels modern and approachable.
WHERE TO PLAY
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy embark on a new adventure to find three magical books and save the mysterious island of Monoth. You’ll meet unusual allies and dangerous foes as you play solo or with up to three friends as the Fab Four in local co-op*. Work together as you run, jump, swim, and swing your way to victory!
Experience a brand-new Mickey & Friends adventure with hand-drawn animation, a fully orchestrated original score, and featuring performances from the authentic voice talents.
Disney Illusion Islandreleases June 18, 2025 for Nintendo Switch. Game Rant was provided a code for this review.
