After a lengthy nine-year wait since its original 2017 debut, The Disney Afternoon Collection has made a triumphant return—now available for the first time on Nintendo hardware.
Released for the Nintendo Switch via the eShop and published by Atari, this collection celebrates a golden era of platform gaming by uniting six beloved Capcom NES titles along with two classic SNES adventures.
For nostalgic fans and newcomers alike, the arrival marks a significant milestone for both retro gaming preservation and accessibility. The Disney Afternoon Collection is a tribute to the era when Capcom and Disney set new standards for licensed platformers.
The lineup includes fan favorites such as DuckTales, Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, DuckTales 2, Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 2, Darkwing Duck, TaleSpin, plus SNES classics Goof Troop and Bonkers.
Each game draws heavily from its animated television heritage, blending inventive level design, character-driven narratives, and genre-defining gameplay that has stood the test of time. DuckTales and Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers are the collection’s undisputed standouts.
Both titles achieved over a million in lifetime sales and inspired critically acclaimed sequels.
These NES gems were praised in their day for their innovative controls, vibrant graphics, and iconic musical scores.
DuckTales offers diverse difficulty options to cater to all skill levels, while Rescue Rangers features an engaging two-player co-op mode—an experience that’s as chaotic and fun today as ever. The collection brings renewed visibility to their underrated sequels.
DuckTales 2, while previously overshadowed by the waning NES market at the time of its release, now receives overdue recognition for refining platform mechanics, expanding replayability, and delivering tight controls.
However, the sequel’s music and slightly awkward dialogue hold it back from completely surpassing the original, due in part to inconsistencies in how characters refer to Uncle Scrooge. Conversely, Rescue Rangers 2 is generally seen as a step down from its predecessor.
It leans towards more linear level design, sparser environments, and less imaginative backdrops, although boss encounters do introduce increased (if sometimes gimmicky) challenge.
Nevertheless, its inclusion in the collection allows a wider audience to experience this now-rare title without requiring costly second-hand purchases. Darkwing Duck and TaleSpin round out the NES lineup.
Darkwing Duck, long considered a treasure among collectors, adheres closely to the Mega Man formula, offering a rewarding challenge.
TaleSpin stands out for its unique blend of shooter and platformer elements that demand precision and adaptability, offering deep replay value for those willing to master its controls. The SNES additions—Goof Troop and Bonkers—further diversify the package.
Goof Troop, a top-down puzzle adventure, shines particularly in local co-op, echoing the cooperative spirit of Rescue Rangers.
Bonkers, while competent as a platformer, suffers from sluggish controls and pacing, making it less memorable than other entries but still a noteworthy archival inclusion. In addition to the core games, The Disney Afternoon Collection enhances the experience with modern features such as a boss rush mode, time attack challenges with online leaderboards, a gallery of conceptual artwork, and a music player.
These extras, though modest compared to newer compilations, are faithful to the original Digital Eclipse release, focusing on authenticity and respectful preservation. Despite the long delay before reaching the Nintendo Switch, The Disney Afternoon Collection is an essential package for retro enthusiasts and anyone drawn to the heyday of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming.
For many, the DuckTales games alone justify the purchase, with strong support from titles like TaleSpin and the first Rescue Rangers for local co-op play.
The lack of additional bonus content and the higher difficulty curve back-to-back with nostalgia may reduce the appeal for some new players.
Yet, judged on its merits and historical significance, the collection scores an impressive 9 out of 10—successfully blending timeless fun with a respectful nod to gaming history.
Released for the Nintendo Switch via the eShop and published by Atari, this collection celebrates a golden era of platform gaming by uniting six beloved Capcom NES titles along with two classic SNES adventures.
For nostalgic fans and newcomers alike, the arrival marks a significant milestone for both retro gaming preservation and accessibility. The Disney Afternoon Collection is a tribute to the era when Capcom and Disney set new standards for licensed platformers.
The lineup includes fan favorites such as DuckTales, Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, DuckTales 2, Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 2, Darkwing Duck, TaleSpin, plus SNES classics Goof Troop and Bonkers.
Each game draws heavily from its animated television heritage, blending inventive level design, character-driven narratives, and genre-defining gameplay that has stood the test of time. DuckTales and Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers are the collection’s undisputed standouts.
Both titles achieved over a million in lifetime sales and inspired critically acclaimed sequels.
These NES gems were praised in their day for their innovative controls, vibrant graphics, and iconic musical scores.
DuckTales offers diverse difficulty options to cater to all skill levels, while Rescue Rangers features an engaging two-player co-op mode—an experience that’s as chaotic and fun today as ever. The collection brings renewed visibility to their underrated sequels.
DuckTales 2, while previously overshadowed by the waning NES market at the time of its release, now receives overdue recognition for refining platform mechanics, expanding replayability, and delivering tight controls.
However, the sequel’s music and slightly awkward dialogue hold it back from completely surpassing the original, due in part to inconsistencies in how characters refer to Uncle Scrooge. Conversely, Rescue Rangers 2 is generally seen as a step down from its predecessor.
It leans towards more linear level design, sparser environments, and less imaginative backdrops, although boss encounters do introduce increased (if sometimes gimmicky) challenge.
Nevertheless, its inclusion in the collection allows a wider audience to experience this now-rare title without requiring costly second-hand purchases. Darkwing Duck and TaleSpin round out the NES lineup.
Darkwing Duck, long considered a treasure among collectors, adheres closely to the Mega Man formula, offering a rewarding challenge.
TaleSpin stands out for its unique blend of shooter and platformer elements that demand precision and adaptability, offering deep replay value for those willing to master its controls. The SNES additions—Goof Troop and Bonkers—further diversify the package.
Goof Troop, a top-down puzzle adventure, shines particularly in local co-op, echoing the cooperative spirit of Rescue Rangers.
Bonkers, while competent as a platformer, suffers from sluggish controls and pacing, making it less memorable than other entries but still a noteworthy archival inclusion. In addition to the core games, The Disney Afternoon Collection enhances the experience with modern features such as a boss rush mode, time attack challenges with online leaderboards, a gallery of conceptual artwork, and a music player.
These extras, though modest compared to newer compilations, are faithful to the original Digital Eclipse release, focusing on authenticity and respectful preservation. Despite the long delay before reaching the Nintendo Switch, The Disney Afternoon Collection is an essential package for retro enthusiasts and anyone drawn to the heyday of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming.
For many, the DuckTales games alone justify the purchase, with strong support from titles like TaleSpin and the first Rescue Rangers for local co-op play.
The lack of additional bonus content and the higher difficulty curve back-to-back with nostalgia may reduce the appeal for some new players.
Yet, judged on its merits and historical significance, the collection scores an impressive 9 out of 10—successfully blending timeless fun with a respectful nod to gaming history.
