to when Disney games were awesome. Literally some the best of their era, when it comes

to stuff like Duck Tales, Chip and Dale, Castle of Illusion...and even games like Aladdin

and The Lion King.

And unfortunately, that�s usually because...you have to say whatever game you�re discussing

isn�t anywhere near as good as those classics. The Lion King 1 1/2 isn�t anywhere near

as good as those classics. But surprisingly...it�s not bad, either.

Excuse me for not leaping for joy over it, though.

Bad back, you know.

Of course, that�s due in large part to its developer. Vicarious Visions always seems

to treat Nintendo handhelds like a challenge. Their GBA and DS work is usually�at the

very least�noteworthy. That�s why it makes a lot more sense than it should that this

game is as good as it is. It�s not groundbreaking or anything, but...it�s a damn fine licensed

platformer.

The game follows The Lion King�s Timon and Pumbaa. I�ve never seen The Lion King 1

1/2, because if it�s direct-to-video and doesn�t star Riley Steele, I�m not interested.

Nonetheless, it more or less tells the story of The Lion King from their eyes, which is

an interesting concept for a game if not a movie. And of course, that plays out with

some quality 2D platforming. Again, nothing spectacular, but...solid, and reliable.

The gameplay is divided into three basic parts. There are normal levels, where you�re playing

as one of the two. There are cooperative levels, where you have to switch back and forth between

the two and move them both through the level. And there are also these running levels, where

Timon rides Pumbaa and you make them jump.

There are two things that immediately stand out with this game. One, the platforming is

solid. It�s responsive, it�s fairly tight...other licensed games could really take note. Platformers

live and die based on their controls, and The Lion King 1 1/2 does a really nice job

with that. And two, the game looks great. The sprite work and animations...really good.

Another example of Vicarious Visions going the extra mile on GBA.

But, you know, it...it doesn�t look as good as Castle Of Illusion. And it doesn�t play

as well as Duck Tales. All you�re doing is running to the end and collecting bugs.

The Lion King 1 1/2 is not one of those great Disney games, but it is a pretty good one.

And it�s certainly a good game for kids. I mean...I know that their powers of retention

are as wet as a warthog�s backside. But thick as they are, The Lion King 1 1/2 is

a fun little ride.

Thanks to Dylan from Mississippi for sending it in.