Disney's The Lion King (Sega Game Gear review)

Developer: Syrox Developments
Publisher: Sega
Released: 1994

Disney's The Lion King is an action-platformer that was also released on the Sega Mega Drive in 1994.

+ Stage 2's swing mechanics are improved from the 16-bit version and there's some joy to be had once you get into a flow.

+ Despite the clear power disparity against the Mega Drive, the Stampede level holds up well in its adapted side-scrolling view.

+ Difficulty is much better balanced with less death pits, and the vexing enemy placement is dialled back to a fair degree.

- Missing lots of end-game stages, so the lead-up to the final boss feels somewhat anti-climactic.

- Inordinate amount of slowdown that's not present in the Master System version (1994), leading to ignored button presses.

- It's not always clear which platform ledges are part of the foreground / background, and lives will be lost as a result.

- Boss battles don't differ from regular fights to any meaningful degree, and come across as rather half-baked.