The third generation of consoles was also known as the 8-bit era. Those consoles being the Sega Master System and the Nintendo Entertainment System. This was the golden age of Disney games, many of which were developed by Capcom and resided on the Nintendo Entertainment System but there were also some that were developed by Sega for their Sega Master System.

Some may find it odd that Disney games are so highly praised, especially with licensed games typically being lackluster in more recent years. However, back in the ’80s and ’90s, Disney delivered some of the best games consoles had to offer. To celebrate the wonderful 8-bit Disney games of old, these are 10 of the best so you can get just a small taste of why they were so great.

10 TaleSpin

TaleSpin is a very interesting take on the shoot em’ up genre. Rather than being forced to move in one direction, you are given full control and can move back, forth, up, and down, creating some interesting challenges for taking out enemies and gathering collectibles.

While not the best Capcom and Disney game on this list, it may just be the most unique and offers an experience you probably can not find anywhere else as it takes the classic shoot em’ up formula and gives it a platformer feel.

9 The Little Mermaid (NES)

While the gameplay is reminiscent of other platformers, The Little Mermaid’s entirely underwater levels give a different feel and provide some unique level design. The Little Mermaid is an above-average game, though some might be a little hesitant to let anyone know they enjoy it.

You attack by producing bubbles with your tail and capturing small enemies which can be used to attack bosses or break obstacles. The sprites in the game are true to the original 1989 film and the story also follows the movie closely as well.

8 Legend of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (SMS)

The Legend of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse is part of Sega’s fantastic Illusion series which saw entries on the Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, and Sega Game Gear. You play as Mickey Mouse as he travels through medieval-inspired levels to defeat King Pete.

The colors used in Legend of Illusion show that the Sega Master System was the more graphically impressive 8-bit console. Mickey’s sprite shows plenty of emotion as he taps his foot when idle or wags his tail in the air while crouching.

7 The Four Treasures of Donald Duck (SMS)

The Japanese exclusive The Four Treasures of Donald Duck is another fantastic showing of just how powerful the Sega Master System was, with highly detailed sprites and great use of color. Donald Duck is especially impressive as he has a unique animation for just about everything he does, from falling off a platform to kicking a block.

Similar to most other Donald Duck platformers, in The Four Treasures of Donald Duck you do basic platforming challenges, break and pick up blocks, and from time to time, collect hot peppers and destroy everything in your path.

6 Adventures in the Magic Kingdom (NES)

In Adventures in the Magic Kingdom, you play as a young boy going through different attractions in Disneyland and collecting six silver keys for Mickey Mouse so the Disney parade can begin. The game offers plenty of variety due to its structure as it is divided into different Disneyland attractions.

There is the Autopia ride which is a racing level, the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad where you control a train and avoid obstacles, two side-scrolling stages based on the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean, and Space Mountain which is a first-person stage.

5 The Lucky Dime Caper starring Donald Duck (SMS)

The Lucky Dime Caper Starring Donald Duck is very similar to The Four Treasures of Donald Duck as it offers a typical platformer experience with great sprites and animations. Unlike The Four Treasures of Donald Duck, your goal in this game is to save your three nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie.

You have the option to pick which nephew you save first and after saving them, more levels open up for you as you must still collect your nephews and Uncle Scrooge’s lucky dimes from Magica, the evil witch.

4 Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers (NES)

Chip ’n Dale Rescue Rangers is a platformer that features both single and 2-player co-op modes. A lot of the game consists of you running through stages and picking up objects to take out enemies all of which take place in a variety of levels that you can choose from Mega Man style.

This, along with DuckTales, DuckTales 2, TaleSpin, Darkwing Duck, Chip ’n Dale Rescue Rangers, and Chip ’n Dale Rescue Rangers 2 were all included in a compilation known as The Disney Afternoon Collection, released on PC, Xbox One and Playstation 4.

3 Little Nemo Adventure in Dreamland (NES)

While Little Nemo Adventure in Dreamland isn’t technically a Disney game, the movie was worked on by Disney and it also feels like a Disney movie, so it was worth including.

In Little Nemo Adventure in Dream Land, you play as Nemo as he goes through Dreamland, finding different animals to feed, befriend, ride, and in some cases, it would seem as though he skins and wears the animal, but it’s not certain. The game offers a lot of variety as each animal controls differently and offers unique platforming challenges.

2 Darkwing Duck (NES)

Darkwing Duck is structured and plays very similarly to a classic Mega Man game. You have multiple levels to select from the start, you can run and shoot like the Blue Bomber, and the level design is also very similar to a classic Mega Man game.

Unlike Mega Man, in Darkwing Duck, you can hang from and create platforms of your own which the game creates some great level design around. You also have the ability to wrap yourself in your cape which deflects enemy projectiles and looks super cool.

1 Ducktales (NES)

Ducktales, like many other games on this list, is based on a Disney cartoon. This may be the best outing Capcom and Disney had on the Nintendo Entertainment System, and looking over this list, that says a lot. This was recently remastered for countless consoles including the PlayStation 3, the Xbox 360, the Wii U, PC, and more as Ducktales: Remastered.

The game stars Scrooge McDuck as you use your cane to pogo stick through levels and take out obstacles. The level design and especially the music stand out as some of the best on the Nintendo Entertainment System.

NEXT: 5 Classic Disney Games That Deserve A Remake (& 5 That Don’t)