Disney Pixel RPG is a retro take on a Disney gacha-focused mobile game, in which players summon and collect familiar characters. The game was launched by Disney and GungHo Online Entertainment (the same studio behind Ninjala) earlier this week. The game has generally been with met with excitement, with more than 700,000 users pre-registering prior to release.
In Disney Pixel RPG, players are introduced to a set of pixelated worlds, all of which are intended to represent retro Disney arcade style games. A Zootopia stealth action game, Micky & Friends carnival game, and a Winnie the Pooh farming sim, are just a few examples of these fictional games. The player discovers that these worlds are infected with little monsters called Mimics and “bug pixels.” Repixies, friendly pixels who keep the games functioning behind the scenes, entreat the player for help in solving the bug pixel mystery.
Some players express disappointment that Disney Pixel RPG doesn’t appear to have the rights to actual Disney games from 1980s and ’90s. Unless GungHo ends up collaborating with companies like Capcom to incorporate past Disney video games into Disney Pixel RPG, the game will continue to use its own hypothetical games, none of which are actually playable.
“It’s pretty hard to get excited about yanking on a slot machine all day while simultaneously being told that somewhere out there is a stealth-action game called Zootopia: Infiltration Mission,” Eric Switzer states in an article by The Gamer. “None of those games are real, but I sure wish they were.” Tomas Franzese shared similar sentiments in an article by Digital Trends, stating that the lack of actual Disney Games was “a bit disappointing” and that “for now, we’ll have to settle for fictional ideas.”
The timing of Disney Pixel RPG’s launch was fortuitous, however. The game entered app stores shortly after Square Enix announced that it would be shutting down the mobile RPG, Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius, at the end of October. This leaves an opportunity for Disney Pixel RPG to fill the gap and attract fans seeking a similar experience.
For anyone interested in the game, free loot accompanies its mobile launch. “To celebrate exceeding 700,000 pre-registered users, GungHo will be giving everyone who pre-registered 7,500 Crystals,” states Game Space. These crystals can be used on up to 25 gacha pulls, and there is also Mickey Mouse themed apparel for avatars awaiting them in the in-game mail system. For anyone who joins now, loot from in-game events await them, as well as Release Celebration Login Bonus crystals and collectables.