Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast takes shape as a classic side-scrolling action platformer, placing you in control of the Beast as he pursues Belle through the castle’s perilous corridors. Movement feels deliberate: the Beast is somewhat slow on his feet, but his powerful claw strike and jump-stomp attack pack a serious punch. Players will quickly learn to time their strikes and stomps to dispatch rats, spiders, enchanted brooms, and even rogue candle monsters with satisfying impact.

One of the game’s standout mechanics is the Beast’s roar ability, which temporarily stuns certain enemies. This roar is more than just eye candy—it’s essential for progression. Some rooms are populated by swarms of bats that you cannot defeat outright. Instead, you stun them with your roar, then use their frozen bodies as stepping stones to access higher platforms, adding a clever puzzle-platforming layer to an otherwise straightforward action experience.

Adding extra urgency is the magical rose timer in the corner of the screen. As the petals fall, you’re reminded that time is running out, just as in the original film. Scattered throughout each level are collectible books (a nod to Belle’s love of reading) that boost your score, as well as magic mirrors that let you peek ahead into upcoming dangers. These subtle risk-reward choices—should you detour for a book, or press ahead to avoid a ticking clock?—keep the gameplay loop engaging from start to finish.

Graphics

On the graphical front, Beauty and the Beast embraces the limitations and charm of early-’90s console hardware. The richly colored backgrounds capture the Gothic elegance of the Beast’s castle—from the flickering torchlight in the dungeons to the sweeping arches of the grand hall. Each room feels hand-crafted, with layered foreground and background elements that give depth to the side-scrolling action.

Character sprites are well-animated for their era. The Beast’s lumbering gait, his retracting claws, and the photographic slide when he loses a life all bring personality to the hero. Enemy designs—giant spiders, animated candlesticks with mischievous grins, gargoyle statues that come to life—are distinct and memorable, ensuring each new foe presents a fresh visual treat.

Special effects, like the shimmering glow of the magic mirrors or the brief freeze frame when you stun bats, add polish without slowing the action. While you may spot occasional frame-rate dips when multiple enemies clutter the screen, the overall presentation remains crisp and evocative of the film’s art direction, immersing you in a familiar yet game-specific rendition of the Beast’s domain.

Story

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast opens with a faithful retelling of the animated classic: an enchantress curses the selfish prince, transforming him into the Beast until he can learn to love and earn love in return. From the very first moment, the game sets the emotional stakes high by mirroring the film’s prologue, complete with the doomed castle and the first flutter of hope found in Belle’s name.

As Belle inadvertently stumbles into the Beast’s realm, the game’s narrative motivation becomes clear—rescue and reconciliation. While the title is light on voiced cutscenes, it uses in-game visuals—the shifting rose petals, the broken hallways, the magic mirrors—to convey a sense of impending romance and redemption. Each level feels like another step toward that pivotal moment when Beast must prove he’s worthy of Belle’s affection.

Though brief, the story interludes are enough to keep fans of the film invested. Collecting books and magic mirrors ties back to key story elements—Belle’s love of literature, the power of seeing beyond outward appearances—reinforcing themes without lengthy dialogue. This ensures the pacing stays tight, with most narrative beats delivered through environmental storytelling and level design.

Overall Experience

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast offers a nostalgic trip for fans of the 1991 film and a solid challenge for platformer enthusiasts. Its deliberate pacing, combined with clever use of the Beast’s roar and environmental hazards, creates a gameplay loop that’s both strategic and action-packed. The magical rose timer provides constant motivation, turning each level into a race against time.

Visually, the game does justice to the movie’s Gothic atmosphere, presenting a richly detailed castle populated by imaginative enemies. The modest technical hiccups never detract from the overall charm, and the faithful art direction will resonate with anyone who remembers the film fondly. Sound effects and music—though limited—capture the spirit of the original score, rounding out the sensory experience.

For players seeking a platformer with bite, Beauty and the Beast delivers. Its mix of combat, platforming puzzles, and timed challenge offers enough variety to stay engaging through multiple playthroughs. Whether you’re a Disney collector or just someone after a well-designed side-scroller, Belle’s rescue mission is worth the trip down memory lane.

Retro Replay Score

5.8/10