Toy Story II

Overall: B-
Violence: B-
Sexual Content: A
Language: A
Drugs/Alcohol: A

Platform reviewed: Nintendo 64
Publisher: Activision
ESRB rating: E

I love the Toy Story movies, so I could hardly wait to review the corresponding single player video game from Activision. This interactive role-playing game lets you be Buzz Lightyear, the wisecracking space ranger who had an identity crisis when he discovered he was only a toy. Thanks to cowboy Woody, Buzz discovered this is the best thing anyone could be, because toys can make children happy.

Now it is Buzz's turn to rescue Woody from Big Al, the guy that stole the cowboy in the movie Toy Story 2. The game begins at Andy's house, then you work your way through the city to Big Al's apartment and finally to the airport. Along the way you're presented with opportunities to defeat enemies using Buzz's laser fire and spin-attacks, collect coins and other items, complete puzzles, and race RC the radio controlled car. That's right! The first thing I was expected to do in the game was to use Buzz's "fake" laser to destroy other toys. When did his laser become a real weapon? I thought Buzz Lightyear "came in peace". Of course, compared to other shooter games, this one's tame. You only shoot mechanical toys and they explode into bits and disappear. But why do we have to shoot anything?

Teaching yourself (and Buzz) how to jump, climb, and shimmy is the real challenge in this game. In the two levels I explored, it took great finger agility to collect the items required to earn tokens needed to change levels. Bo-Peep's sheep for instance were stuck in the strangest places, like the highest rafter of the attic. Buzz gets a real workout maneuvering around the beams and fighting off enemies. But even Buzz isn't invincible. His batteries eventually wear down and he dies. Extra lives are available to collect, but like Buzz, I found my enthusiasm weakening with each passing moment.

Comparing the game's mediocre 3D world graphics with the incredible animation offered by Pixar in the movie is also disappointing. Even the theme song, which was so enjoyable in the movie, gets a little tiring after repeated playing in computer quality sound. (Maybe I just need to learn how to play faster…) Parents should also note that on the Nintendo 64 version reviewed, many directions were only written on the screen and not read aloud by the characters, making game play for young children more difficult.

If Woody's right, and the real purpose of a child's toy is to bring happiness, you may want to consider renting this one first.

P.S. Check out our movie reviews of Toy Story and Toy Story 2.

Rod Gustafson

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