Donald in Maui Mallard is a platforming video game developed and published by Disney Interactive Studios. The game was released in Europe on December 8, 1995, and in Brazil in spring 1997 for the Sega Mega Drive. It was also ported by Eurocom Entertainment Software to the SNES and released in North America in January 1997, in Europe mostly in autumn 1996 (although the SNES version was released in Germany at the end of 1995[3]), and in Japan on December 20, 1996. A Microsoft Windows port was released in North America in November 1996.[4] It was ported one last time to the Game Boy by Bonsai Entertainment Corp., released in North America in August 1998.
The Mega Drive version was released in Brazil and Europe, while the Genesis version was only available on the Sega Channel in North America.[5] The original game was not released on Genesis in North America, because Disney Interactive was not a publisher in the console games market at that time and it did not have a North American publishing partner to release the game there.[6] The European and Brazilian versions for Mega Drive have dozens of gameplay differences, both graphical (some sprites were added or changed, for example, dust appeared under Maui’s feet) and software (bugs fixed, all passwords changed, etc.). In fact, an NTSC version of the Genesis game was released in Brazil, which the developers refined after the PAL version was released and were still going to be released in North America in early 1996.[6] It was this late version (not the European ROM) that served as the basis for the port on the PC. The game was one of the first games to be released under the Disney Interactive Studios label.
Gameplay
Besides typical platform game gameplay (running around, jumping from platform to platform), one of the game’s most distinctive gameplay features is allowing to switch the player character’s form to suit one’s needs. The player begins the game as Maui, whose only means of self-defence is an insect-launching pistol that can launch several forms of bugs, some of them combined for greater effect. However, once the player reaches the second level, Maui transforms into Cold Shadow, his ninja alter ego, who defends himself with short-range attacks using a bo staff.
Plot
Maui Mallard is a “medium-boiled” detective visiting a tropical island when the mysterious Shabuhm Shabuhm idol goes missing. Shabuhm Shabuhm is considered the island’s native guardian spirit, and unless the idol is recovered, the whole island will explode. Maui is put on the case, and his investigations lead him through a creepy mansion to ancient ninja training grounds -where he gains the ability to change into Cold Shadow- and a native village, where Maui is thrown into a volcano as a sacrifice to the native gods. Maui survives the volcano, and the islanders put him through the “test of duckhood”, which Maui passes, gaining the natives’ trust. The natives tell Maui that the only one who knows the location of Shabuhm Shabuhm has long since died, and Maui goes to recover his remains from the bottom of the sea before going through the land of the dead to escort his soul into rest. Ultimately, the location of Shabuhm Shabuhm is revealed, and Maui goes head-to-head with the witch doctor at his Mojo Stronghold over the idol. Maui is triumphant, and as a sign of their gratitude, the islanders name their island after their hero, despite their misgivings that the name “Mallard” has little potential for attracting tourists.
Reception
Reception
Maui Mallard received positive reviews. Shawn Smith wrote in Electronic Gaming Monthly that it “has all the qualities of a great side-scroller”,[12] Mark East of GameSpot hailed it as “quite possibly the best low-tech title to come out this year”,[13] and GamePro‘s Bonehead deemed it “well-crafted entertainment for novice and veteran gamers who are looking for great run-n-gun action”.[14] Critics praised the large, non-linear levels[12][14] and detailed graphics,[12][13][14][15] and said that the ability to change between detective and ninja personas makes the gameplay both deeper and more fun.[12][13][14]
References
- ^ Arneson, Erik (August 5, 1996). “CD-ROM Corner”. The Daily News. p. 9. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
Other upcoming CD-ROM releases from Disney include a PC version of the Toy Story video game and Maui Mallard in Cold Shadow…Those titles are expected in October.
- ^ “The 16-Bit Gamer’s Survival Guide”. GamePro. No. 101. IDG. February 1997. p. 87.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d Nasikan, Maxim (September 25, 2020). “Maui Mallard Interview with John Fiorito”. VK. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c Nasikan, Maxim (December 27, 2020). “Maui Mallard Story: A Giant Interview with the Creators (part 1)”. VK. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
