History VideoGame / TheLionKing

The game appeared on a variety of platforms, including both the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis and the UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem; unlike with ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'', the two rival 16-bit consoles got what was essentially the same game, and telling which version was better [[http://www.retro-sanctuary.com/Comparisons-The-Lion-King.html could be]] [[http://www.animationsource.org/lion_king/en/articles/The_lion_king_Official_Game_1994/81739.html a very close call]]. Other versions tended to leave stages out. Interestingly enough, this game received a [[NoExportForYou PAL-exclusive]] port for the UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem of all platforms in 1995, with this port being the final game officially licensed and released for the system.

On October 29, 2019, Nighthawk Interactive and Creator/DigitalEclipse re-released the SNES, Genesis, and Game Boy[[note]]with the option for the palette when played through Game Boy Color hardware[[/note]] versions of the game alongside ''VideoGame/{{Aladdin|VirginGames}}'' (the Genesis and Game Boy[[note]]with the option for the palette when played through Game Boy Color hardware[[/note]] versions) as part of an HD compilation called ''Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and the Lion King'' for UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows (via UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}), UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, and UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch. Notably, this was released the same year as two widely successful [[Film/DisneyLiveActionRemakes live-action remakes]] of [[WesternAnimation/TheLionKing2019 both]] [[Film/Aladdin2019 films]]. Later, on September 23, 2021, Nighthawk Interactive announced that they would be releasing another compilation called ''Disney Classic Games Collection: Aladdin, The Lion King, and The Jungle Book'', which includes all the aforementioned games, as well as ''VideoGame/{{Aladdin|Capcom}}'' (the SNES Version), and the SNES, Sega Genesis, and Game Boy[[note]]No Game Boy Color palette option, unlike the other games[[/note]] versions of the ''VideoGame/TheJungleBook'' video game. (The initial compilation release will also have DLC adding ''The Jungle Book'' and Capcom's ''Aladdin''.) This compilation was released on the [=PS4=], Xbox One, Switch, and Windows on November 23, 2021.

* WritingAroundTrademarks: The ''Disney Classic Games'' collection refers to the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis, UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem, UsefulNotes/GameBoy, and UsefulNotes/GameBoyColor as "Console S", "Console N", "Handheld", and "Handheld Color", respectively, due to the consoles' names being trademarks of their respective manufacturers.

* KillerGorilla: The boss in the "Hakuna Matata" level is a gorilla. He's a {{downplayed}} example: he's not actively attacking Simba, only throwing coconuts at Simba because apparently he wants to be left alone. It doesn't stop him from being [[NintendoHard the toughest boss in the game]].

* FeatheredFiend: Besides hyenas, "The Elephant Graveyard" has vultures as enemies. Some stationed on the ground, others flying.

* DisneyVillainDeath: Invoked. In order to beat Scar in the final level, you have to toss him off of Pride Rock.

* TheSpiny: Porcupines cannot be pounced on unless Young Simba rolls into them or roars at them.

On October 29, 2019, Nighthawk Interactive and Creator/DigitalEclipse re-released the SNES, Genesis, and Game Boy versions of the game alongside ''VideoGame/{{Aladdin|VirginGames}}'' (the Genesis, Game Boy, and Super Game Boy versions) as part of an HD compilation called ''Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and the Lion King'' for UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows (via UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}), UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, and UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch. Notably, this was released the same year as two widely successful [[Film/DisneyLiveActionRemakes live-action remakes]] of [[WesternAnimation/TheLionKing2019 both]] [[Film/Aladdin2019 films]]. Later, on September 23, 2021, Nighthawk Interactive announced that they would be releasing another compilation called ''Disney Classic Games Collection: Aladdin, The Lion King, and The Jungle Book'', which includes all the aforementioned games, as well as ''VideoGame/{{Aladdin|Capcom}}'' (the SNES Version), and both the SNES and Sega Genesis versions of the ''VideoGame/TheJungleBook'' video game. (The initial compilation release will also have DLC adding ''The Jungle Book'' and Capcom's ''Aladdin''.) This compilation was released on the [=PS4=], Xbox One, Switch, and Windows on November 23, 2021.

* WritingAroundTrademarks: The ''Disney Classic Games'' collection refers to the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis and UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem as "Console S" and "Console N", respectively, due to the consoles' names being trademarks of their respective manufacturers.

* {{Antepiece}}: "The Elephant Graveyard" has three segments where Simba must climb upward by jumping back and forth between ledges jutting out of the wall. There's no pressure the first time. The second time, however, a bottomless pit awaits you if you fall. [[SerialEscalation The third time]], you're being chased by geyser eruptions that will spell instant death if you don't haul it.

* CheatCode: There is a code that lets you ''play the entire game upside down.'' [[https://youtu.be/H2QXuxCE7Rk Explained around 14:40]]

* DoubleJump: Used in the second level, during the two ostrich rides. The ostrich can jump, and while he is airborn Simba himself can likewise jump up from the ostrich' back.

* {{Antepiece}}: "The Elephant Graveyard" has three segments where Simba must climb upward by jumping back and forth between ledges jutting out of the wall. There's no pressure the first time. The second time, however, a bottomless pit awaits you if you fall. [[SerialEscalation The third time]], you're being chased by geyser eruptions that will spell instant death you if you don't haul it.

* DoubleJump: Used in the second level, during the two Ostrich rides. The ostrich can jump, and while he is airborn Simba himself can likewise jump up from the ostrich' back.

* GameOverMan: Rafiki in the SNES and Genesis versions; the 8-bit versions have Scar instead.
* GetBackHereBoss: The gorilla and Scar both go up higher in their respective levels, every time they suffer enough damage. A bit more annoying in the latter case, since you have to go through perilous platforming segments in "Pride Rock" before you can even get a chance to continue your battle.
* GoombaStomp: Young Simba's main method to defeat enemies is to jump over them. Adult Simba's version is different; it knocks him back, but it allows to do multiple damage to its target.

* MinecartMadness: Or, rather, ostrich madness.

* MoodWhiplash: Mirroring the film, going from the Somber "Simba's Exile" stage to the lush bright jungle and music of "Hakuna Matata". Or the bonus levels between the Adult Simba levels.

* TheSpiny: Porcupines cannot be jumped over unless Young Simba rolls into them or roars at them.

* InstantlyDefeatheredBird: The vultures from Elephant Graveyard are rendered completely bald when Simba pounces on them.

* ConvectionSchmonvection: “Be Prepared” has Simba surfing on a stalactite internet a lava river.

* AcrophobicBird: Zigzagged with the vultures in "Elephant Graveyard", which come in two variations: those that only walk back and forth on the ground, never taking flight, and those that do fly.

* LedgeBats: These appear in the [[LethalLavaLand "Be Prepared" lava level]]: at one point you have to ride a river of lava on a floating rock. A very small rock. Any wrong move, and you fall in the lava. As you float further across the river, several bats awaken and try to hurt you. Being hurt pushes Simba back by about a meter, which is more than enough to make him fall into the lava.

** A brief cutscene has Scar ordering Simba's death, like he does in the movie: "Kill him."
** Banzai yells "if you ever come back, we'll kill ya!" in another cutscene.

* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: Played with; the American and Japanese cover art use the same illustration of Adult Simba glaring angrily at Scar, Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed, who all laugh wickedly at him as the cover art. It's the European cover art that's LighterAndSofter than its American and Japanese counterparts, as it depicts silhouettes of the film's characters in front of the rising sun.

** Of the main cast, Nala is nowhere to be found in the game. Oddly her and Simba's romantic song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" is still used in the end credits. [[note]]Averted in the DOS and Amiga version which used "Circle of Life" from the main menu instead.[[/note]]

[[quoteright:256:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/the_lion_king_coverart.png]] A PlatformGame based on Creator/{{Disney}}'s ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994'', developed by Creator/WestwoodStudios and released by Virgin Interactive in 1994. The game has ten levels loosely following the plot (and the soundtrack) of the movie, the first six with Simba as a cub and the other four with the adult Simba.

* AbsenteeActor:

* AcrophobicBird: Zigzagged with the vultures in "Elephant Graveyard", which come in two variations: those that only walk back and forth on the ground, never taking flight, and those that do fly.

* EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys: [[NintendoHard Horribly,]] ''[[GuideDangit horribly]]'' subverted by the second level, "Can't Wait to Be King". Figuring out just which way the pink monkeys have to be facing in order to get flung into the right direction is an exercise in patience. Also, (while technically not a monkey) the gorilla boss in "Hakuna Matata" is abusively difficult. And then there are those stone-throwing monkeys in the level ''Simba' s Destiny''...

On October 29, 2019, Nighthawk Interactive and Creator/DigitalEclipse re-released the SNES, Genesis, and Game Boy versions of the game alongside ''VideoGame/{{Aladdin|VirginGames}}'' (the Genesis, Game Boy, and Super Game Boy versions) as part of an HD compilation called ''Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and the Lion King'' for UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows (via UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}), UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, and UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch. Notably, this was released the same year as two widely successful [[Film/DisneyLiveActionRemakes live-action remakes]] of [[WesternAnimation/TheLionKing2019 both]] [[Film/Aladdin2019 films]]. Later, on September 23, 2021, Nighthawk Interactive announced that they would be releasing another compilation called ''Disney Classic Games Collection: Aladdin, The Lion King, and The Jungle Book'', which includes all the aforementioned games, as well as ''VideoGame/{{Aladdin|Capcom}}'' (the SNES Version), and both the SNES and Sega Genesis versions of the ''VideoGame/TheJungleBook'' video game. (The initial compilation release will also have DLC adding ''The Jungle Book'' and Capcom's ''Aladdin''.) This compilation is set for a Fall 2021 release on the [=PS4=], Xbox One, Switch, and Windows.

* UnintentionallyUnwinnable: It's more than possible to accidentally softlock the game on the [[ThatOneLevel Can't Wait to be King]] level. If Simba doesn't land on the Ostrich pixel-perfectly, both he and the Ostrich run side-by-side together instead of the cub riding his feathery mount. It plays as hilariously as it looks until you [[GameBreakingBug reach the end]] of the Ostrich section.

On October 29, 2019, Nighthawk Interactive and Creator/DigitalEclipse re-released the SNES, Genesis, and Game Boy versions of the game alongside ''VideoGame/{{Aladdin|VirginGames}}'' (the Genesis, Game Boy, and Super Game Boy versions) as part of an HD compilation called ''Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and the Lion King'' for UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows (via UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}), UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/XboxOne, and UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch. Notably, this was released the same year as two widely successful [[Film/DisneyLiveActionRemakes live-action remakes]] of [[WesternAnimation/TheLionKing2019 both]] [[Film/Aladdin2019 films]]. Later, on September 23, 2021, Nighthawk Interactive announced that they would be releasing another compilation called ''Disney Classic Games Collection'', which includes all the aforementioned games, as well as ''VideoGame/{{Aladdin|Capcom}}'' (the SNES Version), and both the SNES and Sega Genesis versions of the ''VideoGame/TheJungleBook'' video game. (The initial compilation release will also have DLC adding ''The Jungle Book'' and Capcom's ''Aladdin''.) This compilation is set for a Fall 2021 release on the [=PS4=], Xbox One, Switch, and Windows.