Platforming games are still quite popular among gamers, despite the earliest examples of the genre appearing around 30 years ago. Some of the progenitors of the genre include the 1980 gameSpace Panicand the 1981 gameDonkey Kong, withDonkey Kongoften considered the innovator of jump-based movement many platformers are known for. Platforming games can also be quite difficult, especially older games that relied heavily on precise movements with clunky controls. The release of the SEGA Genesis console in 1989 kicked off a wave of90’s platforming games, many of which were difficult, and one of them was 1994’sThe Lion King.
The Lion Kingwas released in the same year as the Disney film after which it is named, and it contains many of the hallmark game mechanics associated with platforming games. Players control Simba and move throughout the game by jumping from platform to platform while also trying to land on top of enemies and find collectibles. Developer Virgin Software made another game,Disney’s Aladdin, though it isn’t as difficult asThe Lion King. Both games were released as a collection calledDisney Classics: Aladdin and The Lion Kingin 2019 for several consoles, including the PS4.
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Twitch streamer Storymodebae decided recently to playThe Lion Kingby taking advantage of thePS5’s backward compatibility, but she quickly realizes she might be in over her head. While she seems pleased with the artwork and the film-faithful soundtrack, the precise platforming causes her to die frequently. Eventually, she manages to pass the first level and move on. However, when she runs out of lives on the second level and the game sends her back to the start, she has a hilarious reaction.
She uploaded this clip to Twitter, where it went viral and gained over 4 million views during the past few days. Other gamers quickly responded with their own stories of playing difficult platforming games from the 90s. Some even compared the difficulty ofThe Lion KingtotheDark Soulsseries, which is known for its unforgiving combat. Though not all 90s platforming games are notoriously difficult, many are much shorter than modern games and therefore rely more on difficulty to keep gamers from mastering them too quickly.
Despite its difficulty,The Lion Kingwas considered to be a decent game for theSEGA Genesis, with many reviewers giving it an overall positive rating at the time of its release. Now that Storymodebae’s clip has reintroducedThe Lion Kingto millions of gamers, there may be more that download the game on modern consoles to take a stab at conquering its notorious challenge.
The Lion Kingre-release is available to play on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, Xbox One, and PS5 and Xbox Series X via backward compatibility.
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