The Lion King (video game)
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| The Lion King | |
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| Developer(s) | Westwood Studios, Inc. |
| Publisher(s) | Virgin Interactive Entertainment (Europe) Ltd. |
| Designer(s) | Seth Mendelsohn |
| Release date(s) | 1994 |
| Genre(s) | Action, Childrens |
| Mode(s) | Platform, Side-Scrolling |
| Rating(s) | ELSPA Rating : 3+ |
| Platform(s) | Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Super NES, NES, Game Boy, PC, Amiga, Game Gear |
| Media | 8 Bit Cartridge, 16 Bit Cartridge, Floppy Disk |
| System requirements | Game controller |
| Input | 1 Player |
The Lion King, as well as being Disney's popular animated film, was released as a multi-platform video game. The title was published by Virgin in 1994 and was released on SNES, NES, Game Boy, PC, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Amiga, Master System and Game Gear. It followed Simba's journey from a young carefree cub to the battle with his uncle Scar as an adult.
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[edit] About the game
The game is a side-scrolling platform game, with the controlled character having to leap, climb, run and descend from platform to platform. There is an exception during the level The Stampede, where Simba is running towards the camera and has to dodge left and right and leap over rocks.
In most versions of the game two bars appear across the top of the screen. To the left is the roar meter, which must be fully charged for Simba's roar to be effective. To the right is the health bar which decreases when Simba is hurt. At the bottom left of the screen is a counter showing how many lives Simba has remaining.
The sound and graphic quality of the game varied greatly due to the differing capabilities of the consoles. The Amiga version omitted the Can't Wait to be King level, the bonus levels and some of the cutscenes, presumably to save disk space as the media was presented on floppy disks.[1] The NES version omitted content even further including the short Death Tag piece of music that plays when Simba dies. The level music continued on instead.
[edit] Powerups
Throughout the main levels are various items which can be collected. Most are benficial but some damage Simba's health.
- Bugs: Bugs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most restore Simba's health, but some damage it. The health-damaging bugs are rare.
- Continues: A swirling tribal sun, it gives the player an extra chance to continue the game once Simba's lives have been depleted.
- 1Ups: These give Simba an extra life.
[edit] Gameplay
The player controls Simba (first as a cub, then later as an adult) in the main levels and either Timon or Pumbaa in the bonus levels.
[edit] Cub Simba
Cub Simba can roar (fairly weakly, similiar to the roar he uses in the film), jump on enemies and roll. All three are used to combat enemies and have different effects. Rolling can also be used to access hidden areas and dodge.
If cub Simba is left alone for a while then a small white butterfly will fly past, catching Simba's attention. At first he watches it fly by. The second time two butterflies fly by. Simba crouches and then pounces on one of them, before letting it go and then chasing it in a circle.
[edit] Adult Simba
Adult Simba is stronger and can now slash and maul instead of defeating his enemies by jumping on them. He also has a more formidable roar. He can no longer roll.
Adult Simba constantly moves while not being controlled, alert to his surroundings.
[edit] Levels
[edit] The Pride Lands
Enemies:
- Chameleons
- Porcupines
- Bombardier Beetles
- Hyena (at the end of the level)
Music (Sega Megadrive): This Land (sample)
Music (NES): This Land (sample)
Level Summary: A fairly simple level. Simba ascends rocks and umbrella thorn acacia trees before tumbling down into a grassy area to fight a hyena and finish the level.
[edit] Can't Wait to be King
Enemies:
- None
Music (Sega Megadrive): Can't Wait to be King! (sample)
Level Summary: A fast paced level where Simba must leap on rhinoceroses' heads to be propelled upwards into the trees, where monkeys grab him and throw him around. There are also hippos and giraffe heads to jump on and two ostrich rides to navigate. The level's colourful and stylized design is based on the song I Just Can't Wait to Be King from the film.
This level was omitted from the Amiga version of the game.
[edit] The Elephant Graveyard
Enemies:
- Hyenas
- Vultures
Music (Sega Megadrive): Be Prepared (sample)
Level Summary: Two hyenas attack Simba almost immediately. Simba must then carefully swing on bones, bounce on elephant skin and leap quickly above rapidly rising geysers, all while avoiding and defeating vultures and hyenas. The level's design is based on the elephant graveyard in the film, which Simba and Nala visit.
[edit] The Stampede
Enemies:
Music (Sega Megadrive): To Die For (sample)
Level Summary: Simba must dodge rapidly approaching wildebeest and avoid crashing into rocks. This level is based on the stampede scene from the film.
[edit] Simba's Exile
Enemies:
- Porcupines
- Chameleons
- Bombardier beetles
Music (Sega Megadrive): King of Pride Rock (sample)
Level Summary: Simba runs away from the Pride Lands at the insistence of his Uncle Scar. Rocks tumble from above if Simba stands still, hurting him. Larger boulders roll after Simba Indiana Jones-style in some parts of the level. This level features the return of many of the insects in the first level, but in greater numbers. This level is based on the barren area that Simba travelled through as the hyenas - following Scar's orders - chased him in an attempt to kill him.
[edit] Hakuna Matata
Enemies:
Music (Sega Megadrive): Hakuna Matata (sample)
Level Summary: A slippery, fast-paced level. Simba slides down wet, grassy slopes and ascends logs floating down a waterfall. At the end of the level a gorilla throws coconuts at Simba and must be defeated or avoided to finish the level. This level is designed around the jungle where Timon and Pumbaa live and where they introduce Simba to their "Hakuna Matata - no worries!" lifestyle.
[edit] Simba's Destiny
Enemies:
Music (Sega Megadrive): Under The Stars (sample)
Level Summary: Simba is now an adult lion. Instead of jumping on his enemies he must now maul, slash and pounce. He also has a much more formidable roar. Simba must slash vines, avoid rocks and defeat cheetahs so that Rafiki can slash larger vines away. This level is based on the area through which Simba travels when he is following Rafiki to Mufasa's supposed location.
[edit] Be Prepared
Enemies:
- Hyenas
- Cheetahs
- Bats
Music (Sega Megadrive): Continue Long (sample)
Level Summary: A level set in an area of high volcanic activity, based on the song of the same name from the film. Simba has to dodge lava drips and ride floating rocks along rivers of lava, avoiding bats.
[edit] Simba's Return
Enemies:
- Hyenas
Music (Sega Megadrive): Hoo Hah Remix (sample)
Level Summary: Simba must defeat the hyenas and pass through a maze of caves before he can reach Pride Rock and confront Scar. This level shows the state of drought that the Pride Lands have descended into during Scar's tyrannical reign.
[edit] Pride Rock
Enemies:
- Scar
- Hyenas
Music (SNES): Return to Pride Rock (sample)
Level Summary: The final level of the game where you must defeat Simba's uncle Scar. Simba must battle with Scar three times as well as ascending Pride Rock and avoiding lightning, which sets the ground ablaze. This level is loosely based on the final scenes of the film in which the same battle takes place.
[edit] Bonus levels
These levels featured Timon and Pumbaa and an opportunity to receive extra lives and continues should the player do well. The levels were omitted from some versions of the game, such as the Amiga version.
[edit] Bug Hunt
Music (SNES): Bug Hunt (sample)
Level Summary: Players control Timon as he runs around a level collecting bugs. Collecting a "bad bug" (i.e. a large spider) ends the level.
[edit] Bug Toss
Music (SNES): Bug Toss (sample)
Level Summary: Timon throws bugs down from above. The player controls Pumbaa and has to catch the bugs before they hit the ground.
[edit] References
| The Lion King | |
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| Films | The Lion King | The Lion King II: Simba's Pride | The Lion King 1½ |
| Characters | Ahadi | Kiara | Kopa | Kovu | Ma | Mohatu | Mufasa | Nala | Nuka | Rafiki | Sarabi | Sarafina | Scar | Shenzi, Banzai and Ed | Simba | Timon and Pumbaa | Tojo | Uncle Max | Uru | Vitani | Zazu | Zira |
| Songs | "Circle of Life" | "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" | "Be Prepared" | "Hakuna Matata" | "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" |
| Books | The Lion King: Six New Adventures | The Lion King: The Brightest Star |
| Games | The Lion King | Timon & Pumbaa's Jungle Games |
| Other media | Original motion picture soundtrack | Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable | Rhythm of the Pride Lands | The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa | Broadway musical | Festival of the Lion King | Festival of the Lion King soundtrack |
| Misc | Kings of the Pride Lands | The Lion King family |
| See also | "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" | Kingdom Hearts II | Kimba the White Lion controversy |
Categories: Wikipedia articles needing style editing | 1994 computer and video games | Amiga games | Disney computer and video games | DOS games | Game Boy games | Game Gear games | Mobile phone games | Nintendo Entertainment System games | Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis games | Sega Master System games | Super NES games | The Lion King
