Is this one Disney collection worth nabbing?

Can you feel the buzz? Travel back to the ‘90s with your favorite characters from Disney Afternoon programming in this collection of retro Disney NES and SNES games, now available on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. This Switch-exclusive update to the original 2017 collection adds two new games – Bonkers and Goof Troop – to the lineup for a total of eight games, including Ducktales 1 & 2, Chip N’ Dale Rescue Rangers 1 & 2, Tailspin and Darkwing Duck. This is the first time that Goof Troop and Bonkers have been re-released anywhere.

I was sent the physical copy of The Disney Afternoon Collection for Switch 2 by Atari. It comes with physical goodies: 8 retro milk caps, 3 collectible cards, and 2 sticker sheets. All of which look incredible and are great for any Disney or Retro gamer fan.

I grew up playing a lot of these games, especially DuckTales and Tailspin. The original version of The Disney Afternoon Collection was a multiplatform entry in 2017, so I did wonder why suddenly Goof Troop and Bonkers have been added to this version and not the older versions. Maybe it’s a time-exclusive thing and it’ll be added to other versions as paid DLC in the future? I honestly don’t know, I’m just speculating at this point.

Here’s a quick summary of what you get in the collection:

• BONKERS (SNES): This wacky platformer is packed with Easter eggs for Disney fans. Navigate six levels of Toontown in search of items that have gone missing – the Sorcerer’s Hat, the Mermaid’s Voice, and the Magic Lamp.
• GOOF TROOP (SNES): A family, co-op adventure starring father-son duo, Goofy and Max. Solve puzzles as they try to rescue their friends from a pirate island. Goof Troop is one of game developer Shinji Mikami’s (Resident Evil, Dino Crisis) earliest games.
• DUCKTALES (NES) and DUCKTALES 2 (NES): DuckTales for NES (1989) was one of Capcom’s biggest hits. Play as Scrooge McDuck with a cane that doubles as a weapon and a pogo stick. The multi-path levels are packed with secrets and surprises, along with a great soundtrack. The sequel is just as fun.
• CHIP ‘N DALE RESCUE RANGERS (NES) and CHIP ‘N DALE RESCUE RANGERS 2 (NES): A duo of early 8-bit, co-op platformers featuring loveable chipmunk detectives. Work together to walk and jump through levels, picking up acorns, boxes, and other objects to throw at your enemies.
• TALESPIN (NES): A challenging, side-scrolling shooter, where you fly through the skies as Baloo in his plane, The Seaduck. Use your quick reflexes and ace piloting skills to make it through the variety of enemies and bosses.
• DARKWING DUCK (NES): Fight crime as the winged terror himself, Darkwing Duck, and battle a variety of enemies with your gas gun.

The new additions in Goof Troop and Bonkers are welcome and highly enjoyable. I wonder who has the license for the other classic Disney games like Mickey Mania or Castle of Illusion? I know the latter got a remake a while ago, but that has been delisted now so perhaps it’s a pipedream to hope for that….

The games come with save and rewind features, while including modes like Boss Rush and Time Attack and also including Gallery and Music Modes. It’s a good collection overall and there is something for everyone with the mixture of games here.

The Verdict

Goof Tropp and Bonkers are decent additions to The Disney Afternoon Collection, while the physical goodies makes the physical version worth picking up. It is an odd choice to make Switch 2 exclusive content for a 9 year old compilation game, but that aside it’s well worth picking up for retro and Disney fans alike.

Score: 7.5