Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, etc., are among the most recognizable around, and Disney Magical World puts them all in a customizable universe full of mini-adventures. Published by Nintendo for the 3DS, the game lets players create their own avatars and explore worlds inspired by classic animated features such as Alice in Wonderland. Along the way, players can personalize their avatars with different items of clothing and accessories, unlock new skills, and, of course, interact with members of the famous House of Mouse, all of whom are well-rendered versions of their iconic selves.
Disney Magical World is reminiscent of another 3DS title, Lego Friends, in which the game play also revolved around mini-quests. In the prologue level, which takes place in a plaza featuring a huge castle, as well as a pond shaped like Mickey Mouse’s head, the player is asked to find items for Daisy Duck’s recently-opened boutique, or to locate a picture card dropped by the king. These tasks don’t take a lot of time to complete—at least, not in the early levels. In my opinion, this is one of the strongest features of the game besides the highly immersive, 3-D visuals: A casual gamer can pick up Disney Magical World, and a few minutes later, set it back down with a feeling of accomplishment. On the other hand, if I were a more serious gamer, I could invest more time and complete multiple quests during a single session.
Along with being a fun diversion, Disney Magical World takes advantage of the 3DS’ special abilities. There are AR Cards available online and in-store, which players can scan to unlock new clothes, accessories, and other items. Players can also use the 3DS’ StreetPass to connect with other players and explore their respective universes. I didn’t get to try any of those features myself, but more importantly, I didn’t have to in order to enjoy the game. The bottom line is Disney Magical World is ambitious, fun, yet accessible, too. It’s a worthy ambassador for the Disney brand.
