The Lucky Dime Caper

Uncle Scrooge surely couldn't bear to lose even a single dime — and that's exactly what this game is about. The Lucky Dime Caper brings the world of Donald Duck and his famous uncle to the Game Gear in the form of a brisk and colorful platformer, launched on the 8-bit handheld by Sega in collaboration with the Disney license.

You take on the role of Donald, who sets out to rescue his kidnapped nephews and win back the family's good fortune in the shape of a magic dime. The gameplay rests on classic platforming action: you jump across levels, wipe out enemies and collect items. Donald defends himself with a hammer and other tools, so the fights have punch and the game flows along pleasantly fast.

Disney platformers of that era earned a fine reputation thanks to a combination of legible, distinctive graphics and finely tuned controls — and The Lucky Dime Caper fits well into that family. The characters are cute and recognizable, the environments varied, and the overall execution testifies to the care Sega devoted to its licensed titles. For younger players it was an ideal gateway into the genre, and for older ones a brisk and likable bit of on-the-road fun.

Culturally, it's part of the wave of Disney games that in the 1990s ranked among the best that licensed development had to offer. The union of familiar characters, quality craft and the proven platforming formula worked, building whole generations of children's bond with video games.

Don't expect a genre revolution — expect an honest, well-made and colorful platformer that bets on the tried-and-true and does it with grace. For Disney fans and pocket-jumping enthusiasts alike, it's a pleasant choice.

Why play: A brisk and colorful Disney platformer with Donald Duck, an honest representative of the beloved wave of licensed games on the Game Gear.