Other gameplay elements in the series include the ability to expand the player's health meter by collecting special hearts, and to shop for items using coins that are scattered throughout the game.
In the GBA version Minnie Mouse was added to the game as a playable character, though she is identical in gameplay to Mickey.
Notably, the GBA port also introduced a save feature and could connect to Disney's Magical Mirror Starring Mickey Mouse via the GameCube–Game Boy Advance link cable.
[15] The Super NES version of The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse was generally well received by critics.
[27] While the Super NES and Genesis versions were practically identical, the GBA re-release in 2003 included some new features.
When the bus arrives, a little late, Goofy appears and tells Mickey and Minnie that everyone in the circus tents has disappeared.
In a single-player game the player can choose to play as either Mickey or Minnie, but the choice makes no difference to gameplay and is purely aesthetic.
Similar to the first game in the series, the default outfit allows Mickey and Minnie to grab certain objects, including some enemies, and spin-throw them away.
The second unlockable outfit, the safari suit, allows Mickey and Minnie to climb walls, slide down from vines/ropes and swing from special circular blocks.
Additionally, the hobby horse allows Mickey and Minnie to use the move Desperado Dash, which sends them flying through the air but drains the power meter slightly.
No mini-games were added to this version, but the main adventure could be played by two players using the GBA link cable promo featured on the DVD Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers Sneak Peeks.
[34] The SNES, Genesis/Mega Drive and GBA version of The Great Circus Mystery Starring Mickey & Minnie received mixed to positive reviews.
On the negative side, some critics noted that The Great Circus Mystery was very similar to the previous game.
The GBA version was criticized for not pushing the system's limits and for not providing any new features beside link cable support.
[44] Unlike the two earlier games in the series, an outfit now behaves differently depending on whether Mickey or Donald are wearing it.
While hiding in the attic from their uncle Donald Duck, Huey, Dewey and Louie discover an old book.
Mickey and Donald are told what happened by the fairy of Storybook Land and therefore decide to enter the book in order to find the duckling brothers and stop Pete once more.
[46] The Game Boy Advance version allows two players to play together with a GBA link cable cooperatively as well as in some competitive mini-games.
As with the two previous games in the series, the default outfit allows Mickey and Donald to grab certain enemies and blocks and spin them away.
[44] The first unlockable costume for Mickey is a medieval knight's armour, including a shield and a lance with a boxing glove on the end.
Donald uses a wooden barrel as armour, a metal bowl for a helmet and wields a hammer as his weapon.
It allows Mickey and Donald to cast spells with which they can find secret areas, transform enemies and avoid traps.
Donald's costume, in which he holds a magical lamp, can summon a genie hand which can be used as a platform for Mickey to stand on in 2-player mode.
[43] The Game Boy Advance version of Disney's Magical Quest 3 Starring Mickey & Donald received mixed reviews.