Please support Game Informer. Print magazine subscriptions are less than $2 per issue
[Update] Castle Of Illusion Now Backwards Compatible On Xbox One, To Be Delisted On September 2
Update: Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse is being delisted this week, but as long as you act quickly, you will be able to play it on Xbox One.
It's odd the game is being made backwards compatible right as it leaves the Xbox Live Arcade, but the timing works out okay – as long as you start your download right away.
Forza Horizon (SEP #GamesWithGold) & Castle of Illusion are coming to Xbox Back Compat today https://t.co/qPMRNrLoTQ pic.twitter.com/l4sfn2IjQp
— \\ Larry Hryb \\ (@majornelson) August 30, 2016
Original story posted August 30, 7:50 a.m. CT:
Disney fans are no stranger to films going "back into the vault." It looks like gamers are going to need to get used to that, also.
Sega has confirmed to us that Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse will be removed from sale at the end of this week. The publisher says that those that have purchased the game will be able to redownload it without issue.
Castle of Illusion was re-released in 2013 on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, Mac, iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. The original was released in 1990 on the Sega Genesis. Both feature Mickey on a quest through the titular Castle to save Minnie Mouse from the witch Mizrabel.
Those of you who had PlayStation Plus in April 2014 had a shot at this game as part of your membership. You can read our review for more.
Our Take
Despite understanding how licensing works and why games are delisted, it's hard not to look at each one as a little tragedy. For the purposes of preservation, games that were only released digitally become precious artifacts as there's often no good way to capture them legally. If you have the slightest interest in this game, spend the money now lest you face regret later.
I’d like to ask you to support Game Informer’s continued coverage of games with a subscription. For less than two dollars per issue, we mail you a full year of 10 print magazines, each with cover stories and preview features filled with exclusive details about the most exciting upcoming games. We profile and interview game creators. We look back on the rich history of gaming, and we celebrate what’s next.
Here on the website, we offer much of our content for free, including game reviews, daily news, videos, event coverage, and more – all with minimal ads.
We do so with a small editorial team, alongside contributing paid writers from around the world – over 65 individuals from 9 countries around the world, just in the last couple of years.
It’s not possible without support.
In a time when game makers and games coverage have faced hard struggles and layoffs, the future of this 30+ year magazine and community is at risk. Our new standalone magazine subscription is the number one way you can keep us alive – and we believe you’ll get a pretty fantastic gaming magazine in your mailbox every few weeks for your trouble.
Thank you.
