If you grew up in the 90s, you probably remember racing home from school to catch the Disney Afternoon. This One Gotta Go card brings back four of its biggest shows: DuckTales, Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, TaleSpin and Darkwing Duck. Just reading the names might get a theme song stuck in your head.
Three shows stay on your after-school lineup, and one gets canceled forever. Think about the theme songs you can still sing, the characters you loved and the show you used to change the channel on. Then make your pick and share your favorite memory from those afternoons in front of the TV.
DuckTales vs Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers vs TaleSpin vs Darkwing Duck
A. DuckTales
DuckTales followed Scrooge McDuck and his nephews on treasure hunts around the world, with one of the catchiest theme songs ever made. It was the flagship of the block. It also got a well loved reboot, so some people feel they can cut the original and still keep the story.
Keep it if: You can sing the whole theme song and still dream about diving into Scrooge's money bin.
B. Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers turned the two chipmunks into detectives who solved cases with their friends Monterey Jack, Gadget and Zipper. It was clever and fun. Next to DuckTales, though, it is often remembered less, which makes it a fair cut.
Keep it if: You loved the detective stories, Gadget's inventions and the idea of tiny heroes saving the day.
C. TaleSpin
TaleSpin took Baloo from The Jungle Book and made him a cargo pilot in a world of adventure and sky pirates. It had a unique setting. Some fans found it slower than the action packed shows, which makes it a candidate for the cut.
Keep it if: You loved the planes, the sky pirates and the friendship between Baloo and Kit.
D. Darkwing Duck
Darkwing Duck was a superhero parody with a dramatic hero who loved to announce his arrival. It was funny and full of action. Some fans see it as a spinoff of the DuckTales world, which makes it the easy pick to cut for them.
Keep it if: You still say let's get dangerous and think Darkwing was the funniest hero of the decade.
Our take
We would cut TaleSpin. It had great characters and a fun setting, but DuckTales was the heart of the Disney Afternoon, Rescue Rangers had the mysteries and Darkwing had the laughs. The most fun debate usually comes from DuckTales fans against Darkwing Duck fans, since both shows share the same world but very different energy. Try singing each theme song as a group before you vote and see which one everyone knows by heart.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which Disney Afternoon show had the best storytelling?
- What is the best cartoon theme song of the 90s?
- Which of these shows deserves a new reboot?
- What 90s cartoon would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
90s Cartoons (Disney Afternoon): quick answers
What was the Disney Afternoon?
The Disney Afternoon was a two hour block of animated shows that aired in syndication in the United States from 1990 to 1997. It included DuckTales, Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, TaleSpin, Darkwing Duck, Gargoyles and others, and became an after-school routine for many kids.
Is Darkwing Duck connected to DuckTales?
Yes. Darkwing Duck shares the same world as DuckTales, and characters like Launchpad McQuack appear in both shows. The 2017 DuckTales reboot also brought Darkwing Duck into its story, which delighted longtime fans. Fans loved seeing the two shows connect again after so many years.
