The Best Disney Games

Disney has been a staple in the hearts and minds of kids and adults worldwide since the company was created in the 1920s. Disney has created some of the most beloved franchises and characters of all time, so it’s no surprise that there are a plethora of Disney video games across various platforms as well.

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We’re going to be looking at some of the absolute best Disney video games of all time that are memorable, iconic, and unique. These games are not only great licensed titles, but they also do justice to the behemoth that is the Disney brand.

10 Disney Mirrorverse

Fantastic Character Designs, But A Standard Mobile Game

• Developed and published by Kabam
• Released in 2022
• Action RPG

Disney Mirrorverse is a mobile game set in a parallel universe of the established worlds from the Disney canon. Players take on the role of various Disney and Pixar characters from alternate realities. These alternate Disney heroes are called Guardians, and can be unlocked via Crystals. Each character has special skills and falls under one of four categories: melee, ranged, tank, or support. This action RPG features fun and engaging gameplay, allowing players to create interesting combo attacks with the various characters in their team. However, Disney Mirrorverse is most notable for its fantastic character designs.

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All the Disney and Pixar characters get epic RPG makeovers in Mirrorverse, and the result is some truly creative and brilliant designs that deserve much more attention. From Rapunzel’s long blonde locks being wrapped around her body and weapon to Woody’s human sheriff form, the designs are unique and fantastical, but still true to each individual character. Although Mirrorverse has been criticized for its use of microtransactions (a common sin in mobile titles), the amazing character designs and surprisingly fun combat more than make up for it.

9 Hercules (PS1/PC Version)

A Heroic 2D Side Scrolling Platformer

Next up is the PlayStation 1 and PC version of the game Hercules, based on the Disney animated film of the same name. Hercules was a unique game in that, although it was mostly 2D, some elements of the game would switch to 3D when traveling to other planes, bridging the gap between the previous 2D Disney games and the upcoming future of 3D Disney games.

Not only was Hercules unique in this way, but it was also a highly enjoyable side-scrolling platformer. The animation and sprites are incredibly well-made, as are the elements of the game that utilize hand-drawn animation. Hercules was certainly one of the better-licensed games of the 90s, even if it was a little generic in certain places.

8 Epic Mickey (Wii)

A Platformer Starring A More Mischievous Mickey Mouse

• Developed by Junction Point Studios
• Published by Disney Interactive Studios
• Released in 2010
• Action adventure platformer

The Nintendo Wii game Epic Mickey was an interesting one, as it was an attempt by Disney to rebrand Mickey Mouse’s overtly cheerful persona and make him a little more mischievous and brave. The game intended to do this by making him a hero of epic proportions, hence the title. It succeeded in its different approach to Mickey’s character, though the change was only truly maintained in the game and its sequel.

Epic Mickey is a platforming action-adventure game that allows the player to think of creative solutions to work their way through levels. The game also features a morality system, with different quests and alliances only available through certain choices.

The decision to incorporate choice-based gameplay and give players some freedom in terms of how they complete levels was a change from the Disney games that came before, but it was well worth it. Epic Mickey is still remembered as a great Disney game, so much so that it got its own remake, Epic Mickey: Rebrushed.

7 The Disney Afternoon Collection

Six Games For The Price of One

• Includes Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers 2, Darkwing Duck, Ducktales, Ducktales 2, and TaleSpin
• Developed by Digital Eclipse
• Published by Capcom
• Released in 2017
• 2D Platformer

The Disney Afternoon Collection brings together six classic Disney games and puts them in one nostalgic package. The six games were originally released for the SNES between the years of 1989 and 1994 and are fondly remembered by gamers for their side-scrolling platforming fun.

The modern-day ports maintain the original styles of all six titles, as well as their gameplay mechanics. However, a time rewind feature was implemented to allow players to go back and correct any immediate mistakes. Classic games tended to be brutal when it came to do-overs, so this is certainly a positive new feature.

The collection also allowed players to compete in leaderboards online, and included behind-the-scenes features from the originals, such as additional assets and concept art. Kids who are getting into gaming and adults who have fond memories of playing these games are all sure to find something to enjoy with the Disney Afternoon Collection.

6 Disney Classic Games Collection

Three Classics Together Under One Title

Similar to the aforementioned Disney Afternoon Collection, the Disney Classic Games Collection is another trip down memory lane that brings together three Disney classics in one title. Originally released in 2019 — and only including The Lion King and Aladdin — the collection was re-released in 2021 to include the SNES version of The Jungle Book.

All three of these games were considered classics for the SNES when they first came out in the 90s, and this collection brings them back to life with updated visuals and modern features, such as the rewind mechanic used in the Disney Afternoon Collection. This is another great choice of Disney game for kids and adults alike, especially for those looking to get particularly nostalgic.

5 Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear To The Rescue (PC, PS1, N64, & Dreamcast Versions)

Laser Focused Adventures

Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue is a stylish 3D platformer that allows players to roam around various areas seen in the Toy Story 2 movie, such as Andy’s House and Al’s Toy Barn. Unseen areas are also explorable, such as the neighborhood around Andy’s home. While it wasn’t exactly a huge, bustling open world, it certainly had at least a semi-open-world feel to it, as each level has a uniqueness as well as plenty of ground to cover and explore.

Players control Buzz on his mission to rescue Woody from toy collector Al. There’s plenty of platforming to be had, but Buzz can also attack enemies with the laser on his wrist and with his spin attack. When using his laser, Buzz can aim more precisely via a first-person view. Extending Buzz’s wings also allows him to double jump.

With a surprising amount of exploration possibilities, appearances from familiar characters, and genuinely engaging and challenging gameplay, Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue is a particularly memorable Disney and Pixar game.

4 Toy Story 3 (Xbox 360 & PS3 Versions)

Terrific Toy Box Mode

• Developed by Avalanche Software
• Published by Disney Interactive Studios
• Released in 2010
• Action adventure platformer and town management sim

Video game adaptations of movies were a dime a dozen in the 2000s, and Toy Story 3 was a game adaptation that came around right at the very end of that era in 2010. The story mode was good, but didn’t really offer anything to write home about. It was the Toy Box Mode where the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Toy Story 3 truly shined.

Toy Box Mode is essentially a town management sim that puts players in charge of a western-style town. Players can roam the town freely and customize it to their liking while also engaging in missions. Completing missions allows players to buy new toys and expand the gameplay. With a surprising amount of customization, fun missions, and plenty of unlockable items — such as toys and costumes — the Toy Box Mode from Toy Story 3 is more than enough to earn the game a spot on this list.

3 Disney Infinity

A Creative Spectacle That Came At A Cost

The sandbox game Disney Infinity was a massively ambitious project when it was released in 2013. The game was essentially a huge sandbox-like world where players could play as their favorite Disney characters, so long as they had the corresponding action figures.

The core selling point of Disney Infinity were the aforementioned figures, as well as discs that were used to bring characters into the game by placing them on the Infinity Base. There were two ways to play with Disney Infinity: Play Sets and Toy Box Mode.

Play Sets were purchasable game worlds themed around particular franchises. When placed on the Infinity Base, users could play through a story mode that incorporated the chosen franchise and characters. Players couldn’t mix and match characters in Play Sets, unlike in Toy Box Mode, where any character could be used within the sandbox world. Toy Box Mode was particularly innovative, allowing players to create their own worlds with any character they wanted.

The downfall of Disney Infinity came from the costly nature of the figurines and discs needed to access all the available content. It was officially retired in 2016, although the game and all figurines and discs released are still available to purchase today. The innovative nature of Disney Infinity, along with the engaging and creative content, make for an awesome — and frustratingly expensive — Disney game.

2 Disney Dreamlight Valley

A Cozy Life Sim, But Make It Disney

Cozy games have become more and more popular in recent years, and Disney got in on this trend with Disney Dreamlight Valley. Dreamlight Valley tasks players with restoring a cursed valley inhabited by Disney and Pixar characters to its former glory. The player can befriend characters and accompany them as they work throughout the valley. Characters can level up as they travel with the player, with each character level unlocking themed items, such as outfits and furniture. The valley can be customized to the players liking too, as can their house and clothing.

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There are plenty of missions to complete in Disney Dreamlight Valley, as each character has their own tasks and challenges, but there are also plenty of story missions that are not character-specific. There are a lot of great interactions between characters too, such as expert chefs Tiana and Remy the Rat debating over how they are going to split the valley’s cuisine services. Of course, there is also the standard cozy game fare to be found here too, such as gardening, fishing, and cooking. Disney Dreamlight Valley might not be complex or revolutionary, but it is a great take on the cozy genre that has the potential to continue for years to come.

1 The Kingdom Hearts Series

Confusing Plots, But Epic Gameplay

• Developed by Square (KH1), Square Enix Product (KH2) and Square Enix Business Division 3 (KH3)
• Published by Square (KH1, Japan), Square Electronic Arts (KH1, North America), Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (KH1, EU) and Square Enix (KH2 and KH3).
• Various games were released between 2002 and 2019.

When it comes to the best Disney games, the crown has to go to the Kingdom Hearts series, a crossover game between Disney and several Square Enix franchises (mainly Final Fantasy). The game follows a young boy named Sora, who goes on an epic journey with classic Disney characters Donald Duck and Goofy to find his friends — Riku and Kairi — and save the world from dark beings called the Heartless.

The plot expands into a complex, lengthy, and confusing narrative, but despite this, the gameplay is incredibly engaging, and the worlds that Sora explores are fantastically designed and esthetically gorgeous. Throughout the thirteen games available — and the three mainline games — players explore various Disney worlds. Not only that, but Sora, Goofy, and Donald’s designs will change depending on the world they are in, such as turning into animals when in The Lion King world in Kingdom Hearts 2 or becoming toys when in the Toy Story world in Kingdom Hearts 3.

Despite the plot being a bit of a head scratcher at times, the depth of the individual Disney worlds, the well-designed combat, and the seriously fun gameplay make the Kingdom Hearts series some of the absolute best Disney games around.

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