Lion King

The Lion King NES is a challenging platformer that puts players in the role of Simba, from his innocent cub days to his growth into the king of the Pride Lands. The game closely follows the storyline of the beloved Disney movie.

In the early stages, players control young Simba. His attacks are quite limited, primarily involving jumping on enemies to stun them or using a small roar to temporarily stun smaller foes. Players must navigate levels filled with obstacles and enemies like hyenas, vultures, and ostriches. Notable levels during this phase include 'Can't Wait to Be King' with light puzzle elements and the dramatic 'The Gorge' featuring the wildebeest stampede.

As Simba matures, the gameplay significantly changes. Adult Simba is more powerful with physical attacks like slashing and swiping. His roar as an adult is also much stronger, capable of dealing damage or repelling enemies. Levels in this phase are generally larger in scale and demand more combat skill. Players will face greater challenges, including the final confrontation with Scar.

Throughout the game, players need to collect bugs to restore health and paw prints for extra lives. While praised for its graphics and sound at the time of its release, The Lion King NES is renowned for being one of the most difficult NES titles, especially the early levels as young Simba, requiring significant patience and precise control from the player.