In the United Kingdom, Aladdin was the top-selling SNES game in December 1993. Stages 1, 6 and 7 have a boss to defeat, stage 7 being the final stage stages 2, 3, 4 and 5 require reaching the end to complete. While in the Cave of Wonders the player must traverse up and down to avoid dangerous obstacles while outrunning waves of lava, the ride with Jasmine is a free-flying bonus stage (between stages 5 and 6) in which the player can collect gems the bonus stage ends when the melody to ' A Whole New World' ends. The escape from the Cave of Wonders and the carpet ride with Princess Jasmine are both stages in which the player rides the Magic Carpet through self-scrolling stages. These can be increased through pickups or through the bonus stages as well. Aladdin has a health meter of hearts, starting with 3, which will deplete each time he is hit. Most stages contain a treasure chest holding a scarab that flies about for a few seconds, if the player collects it before it disappears they will access a bonus stage in which they spin a wheel that allows Genie to grant them extra lives and other special bonuses. Gems can be collected to gain extra lives and points, and 10 red gems located within each stage will substantially increase the player's score.

Within each stage, Aladdin defeats foes by jumping on them or disorienting them by throwing apples while avoiding dangerous obstacles. Disney's Aladdin is a side-scrolling platform game in which the player controls the eponymous main character through several stages taking place throughout the city of Agrabah.

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