Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: Roar of the Beast embraces classic side-scrolling platform mechanics, placing players directly in the paws of the Beast as they navigate his enchanted castle and the surrounding woods. The control scheme is straightforward yet varied; Beast can crouch, stand tall or leap to execute different melee attacks, while a limited but satisfying “roar” ability briefly stuns enemies in his path. This layering of stances and roars keeps the combat dynamic without overwhelming newcomers, but still offers enough depth to require strategic timing against tougher foes.

Each stage typically culminates in a boss encounter, which pits Beast against a stronger, more resilient adversary—be it a corrupted creature of the forest or a determined villager in heavy armor. Between these intense battles, the game features light puzzle mini-games and collectible rosebud chases that break up the action and test players’ reflexes under time constraints. These diversions are simple yet engaging, injecting variety and giving a sense of exploration beyond the straightforward punch-and-jump formula.

Scoring in Roar of the Beast is based on defeated enemies and gathered treasures, encouraging replayability for completionists hoping to maximize their points. An unlimited continue system ensures that the experience remains accessible, even to less skilled players, although some time-limited events add a subtle layer of pressure. Overall, the gameplay strikes a solid balance between challenge and accessibility, making it suitable for younger fans of the franchise as well as retro platformer enthusiasts.

Graphics

Visually, Roar of the Beast captures the distinct hand-drawn charm of Disney’s animated classic, translated onto the Genesis hardware with impressive fidelity. Backgrounds showcase lush, dark wood textures outside the castle walls, contrasted with ornate interior scenes that highlight stained glass windows, flickering torches and richly patterned carpets. The color palette is vibrant when fitting, yet appropriately somber in moments of tension, reinforcing the enchanted atmosphere of the Beast’s domain.

Character sprites are well-animated, particularly Beast himself, whose movements—from his thunderous roar to his pouncing attack—feel weighty and animated. Enemies are varied and recognizable, ranging from enchanted woodland critters to hostile villagers, each bearing distinctive designs that read clearly on the screen. While the frame rate can dip slightly during the busiest on-screen moments, it rarely distracts from the overall visual appeal or disrupts gameplay responsiveness.

Static, hand-drawn cut-scenes tie the levels together with story beats directly lifted from the film’s narrative, offering a nostalgic delight for Disney fans. Though these images lack motion, the art quality and faithful character likenesses deliver enough emotional weight to underscore critical plot points. Altogether, the graphics succeed in weaving a cohesive fairy-tale world that remains engaging across multiple play sessions.

Story

Roar of the Beast retells the familiar Beauty and the Beast tale from an intriguing new angle—Beast’s own perspective. Rather than controlling Belle, players experience the curse’s fallout firsthand as they protect the enchanted rose from rampaging creatures summoned by a sudden storm. This shift in viewpoint offers fresh insight into Beast’s struggles, showcasing his protective instincts and inner turmoil without relying heavily on dialogue.

The narrative unfolds through static cut-scenes between missions, effectively summarizing key plot developments: the initial chaos wrought by the storm, Belle and Maurice’s arrival, and the escalating threat posed by suspicious villagers. While the story doesn’t introduce new characters or radically diverge from the animated film, it deepens engagement by framing each level as a direct reaction to Beast’s emotional state—fear, anger and ultimately hope. This structure gives each stage narrative purpose beyond mere obstacle traversal.

Despite sparse in-game dialogue, the emotional core remains intact, thanks to evocative artwork and well-timed musical cues drawn from the film’s score. Fans will appreciate the way familiar moments—such as Belle’s entry into the castle—are recontextualized through Beast’s eyes. Although the plot pacing can feel brisk at times, especially during the rapid succession of boss fights, the overall storytelling approach is both coherent and faithful to Disney’s original vision.

Overall Experience

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: Roar of the Beast is a commendable adaptation that successfully translates a beloved animated tale into a solid platform adventure. The gameplay is approachable yet layered, offering enough variety through combat stances, roars and mini-games to keep players engaged. The generous continue system ensures that newcomers and younger gamers can appreciate the story without being hampered by repeated failures.

Graphically, the game stands out among its Genesis peers, delivering detailed backgrounds and fluid character animations that capture the essence of the Disney art style. Though occasionally strained by on-screen action, the visuals and static cut-scenes combine to tell a cohesive, emotionally resonant story from Beast’s perspective. Audio cues and musical motifs further enrich the experience, albeit within the limitations of the console’s sound hardware.

While Roar of the Beast may not reinvent platformers, it offers a polished, faithful game for fans of the film and retro gaming aficionados alike. Its blend of action, light puzzle-solving and narrative moments strikes the right balance for a family-friendly title. If you’re seeking a charming journey through a familiar fairy tale world, guided by one of Disney’s most iconic characters, this Genesis entry is well worth your time.

Retro Replay Score

5.7/10