Back in the SNES days, Aladdin was overshadowed by the hundreds of other platforming games available for the system. All kinds of different gameplay experiences took root from the SNES, and changed gaming entirely. However, now it is time for Aladdin to stand out from the rest of the crowd and show gamers a fun gaming experience. Well, not entirely.

Aladdin's age shows like a sore thumb, as the adventure brings nothing new to the genre that we've played ever since the SNES days. Here is some information to get you started in this game:

The Facts:

• A port of the SNES game of the same name.
  
• Delayed release to go alongside the Special Edition Aladdin DVD.
  
• 3-5 hours to complete
  
• Rated E for Everyone
  
• Developed by Capcom... hmm... Capcom...

A Prince's Destiny
As a humble young man with big dreams, Aladdin finds himself in the streets of Agrabah striding through while causing turmoil. Unaware of what is ahead of him, Aladdin simply roams these streets and jumps on his enemies. While he does this, the evil Jafar has set a plan to find the "diamond in the rough" who is coincidentally our hero, Aladdin. Another coincidence is that the Princess Jasmine is also roaming the streets of Agrabah, so these two's encounter is expected. It is Aladdin's destiny to face off against Jafar and pursue the Sultan to allow his daughter to marry him. But will Aladdin be victorious? It is up to you to make it happen.

Jafar's Evil Plan
The Sultan's evil advisor Jafar wishes to be the ruler of the kingdom, and he will stop at nothing to get his way. Sending Gazeen, a thief, to retrieve the lamp which will grant him his dream, Jafar soon finds out that only the "diamond in the rough" may enter the Cave of Wonders, where the lamp resides. Disappointed by his failure, Jafar sets his plan to force Aladdin to enter the Cave of Wonders to retrieve the lamp for him. With the ironical aid of the Sultan, Jafar will soon achieve his goal.

Forebidden Love
The Sultan has prearranged Princess Jasmine's marriage, and like any other prearranged marriage, the bride isn't too happy about it. So, doing what any other saddened Princess would do, she goes out into the dangerous streets of a marketplace and gets herself in trouble with a greedy merchant. Luckily for this Princess, a boy named Aladdin is there just in time to rescue her, making her fall deeply in love with the lad. However, this love angers the Sultan who sends Aladdin deep into the cell dungeon below his palace to die. Thankfully, Jafar, cleverly disguised as an old man, goes to help Aladdin, promising him his freedom in exchange for his promise to get him the lamp. Jafar will soon accomplish his goal, which you are unwillingly forced to fulfill.

The Game Itself
Aladdin can be very fun to play, but it can also be very frustrating. There are many instant-death situations in which you will find yourself angrily shaking your GBA. These moments can occur unexpectedly, and can occur by simply missing a jump and falling to death. These instant-deaths distract from the enjoyment of the game, and make you restart a level from the beginning. Another thing that is subpar in this game is the level variety. Most of the game's levels are listed on Page 11 of its Instruction Booklet, leaving only a couple of unmentioned levels. Each level consists of undistinguished sublevels that vary slightly from one another. There really isn't much to these levels, as the game is just another typical "walking from left to right until you reach the end" kind of game.