(SNES) Lion King… are the controls really this poor?

[Zing]

I am trying to play through The Lion King on the Super NES. It seems pretty fun… except for the platforming. More specifically, the "swings". For example, when you need to swing on hippo tails, or bones sticking out of the wall. It is so incredibly unreliable. I still can't figure out which part of Simba's body is used to determine if you hit or not.

There is no reason I should be losing several lives on the easy as hell hippo part. I have tested grabbing the tails over and over, and it literally seems random whether you grab on or not. The bones section is even more ridiculous.

If these swinging sections were more consistent, the game would be really fun to play, and one of the better games on the system. I just can't figure this out. Anyone here master this game and have some tips?

[alienjesus]

I am trying to play through The Lion King on the Super NES. It seems pretty fun… except for the platforming. More specifically, the "swings". For example, when you need to swing on hippo tails, or bones sticking out of the wall. It is so incredibly unreliable. I still can't figure out which part of Simba's body is used to determine if you hit or not.

There is no reason I should be losing several lives on the easy as hell hippo part. I have tested grabbing the tails over and over, and it literally seems random whether you grab on or not. The bones section is even more ridiculous.

If these swinging sections were more consistent, the game would be really fun to play, and one of the better games on the system. I just can't figure this out. Anyone here master this game and have some tips?

I've beaten this games several times over on the Mega Drive. I seem to remember you actually want to make it so simbas paws hit the centre of whatever you want to swing on. I know the hippo tails can be problematic, but I never had too many issues with the bones in the Graveyard. You'll want to master it though, it's a pretty major mechanic in a few other levels too, particularly level 5 and level 10.

[Zing]

That is my concern… that this sloppy platforming is throughout the whole game.

[alienjesus]

That is my concern… that this sloppy platforming is throughout the whole game.

I found I became accustomed to it pretty quickly myself

The game is a favourite of mine.

[Xeogred]

I've managed to beat it a few times myself, but it no doubt has the weirdest control mechanics ever sometimes. Just wait until you fight Scar ... if you can get that far.

Isn't the hippo stage the second level? I remember that one being one of the hardest. The entire game has weird design, lots of trial and error stuff. Guess I put up with it back in the day, but I probably wouldn't thesedays. Capcom's Aladdin is much better.

[Overload]

Oh boy, this game...
A friend and I dedicated two nights over two weeks to mastering this game. He'd do certain levels and I'd do the others. We ended up beating it.

The game gets a little easier once you're Adult Simba, except for the lava level. FUCK THAT PLACE.

[Zing]

I have surrendered. The controls are just too flaky. I tried again tonight to get consistent swings and grabs but it is seemingly random. If this gets worse in later levels, then I don't want to bother.

I decided to start up DKC3 instead.

[o.pwuaioc]

I never played the SNES version, but I don't remember the Genesis version being that god-awful.

[KDub]

I never played the SNES version, but I don't remember the Genesis version being that god-awful.

I always liked the Genesis version, it can be super frustrating at times but I never felt like it was because something was broken.

[Dylan]

I decided to start up DKC3 instead.

A wise decision.