| Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue! | |
|---|---|
 Promotional artwork | |
| Developer | Traveller's Tales |
| Publisher | Activision[a] |
| Director | Jon Burton[b] |
| Producer | Peter Wyse[b] |
| Designers | |
| Programmer | Jon Burton[b] |
| Writers | |
| Composer | Andy Blythe Marten Joustra[b] |
| Series | Toy Story |
| Platforms | |
| Release | |
| Genres | Platform,action-adventure |
| Mode | Single-player |
Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue is a 1999platform game developed byTraveller's Tales and published byActivision andDisney Interactive. Based onDisney/Pixar's 1999 computer animated filmToy Story 2, it was released for theNintendo 64,PlayStation,Microsoft Windows, andMacintosh in late 1999, while aDreamcast version followed in 2000. The computer versions were released under the titleDisney/Pixar's Action Game, Toy Story 2. A different version, a side-scrolling platform game titledToy Story 2, was also released for theGame Boy Color in 1999.
Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue! has been re-released several times as a downloadable game for PlayStation consoles, including thePlayStation 3 andPlayStation Portable in 2011, thePlayStation Vita in 2012, and thePlayStation 4 andPlayStation 5 in 2022.
Thehome console and computer version puts the player in control of Buzz Lightyear as he goes across fifteen levels (consisting of ten main levels and five boss levels) based on and inspired by locations from the film in order to rescue Woody. Buzz can attack enemies with a wrist laser, which can be charged up for additional power, and can also be aimed through a first-person viewpoint. Buzz also has a spin attack, which can be charged up into a continuous spin. Buzz is also able to extend his wings to perform a double jump, and can perform a foot stomp to activate switches. The player can pick up a laser power-up that gives Buzz a limited supply of powered up laser shots, as well as health-replenishing batteries and extra lives.[9][10][11][12][13][8]
The main aim of the game is to collectPizza Planet tokens which are located throughout stages. Each level has 5 Pizza Planet tokens, which are each collected by completing different objectives, such as fighting a mini-boss, solving a puzzle for getting a secret token, completing a timed challenge or winning a race against another character, or helping a character find 5 of a certain object which are hidden throughout a level. Each level also has a number of coins placed throughout it, 50 of which can be collected and given to Hamm for a token. Certain objectives require the use of a special power-up that must first be unlocked in a certain level by retrieving one of Mr. Potato Head's missing body parts. Power-ups include a barrier that protects Buzz from damage, rocket boots that launch him at high speeds, a disk launcher that homes in on enemies, a grappling hook for climbing up high ledges, and hover boots for floating up to high places. While only one Pizza Planet token is needed to clear a level, some levels require a certain number of tokens to unlock.[9][14][11][13][8] With the exception of theNintendo 64 version, progressing through each level unlocksFMV clips of scenes taken from the film.[15][16][17] The Nintendo 64 version instead features screenshots from the film accompanied by text, shown in between levels, due to storage limitations of the Nintendo 64 cartridge.[9][18]
The game's plot is relative to theToy Story 2 film, and begins at Andy's house asAl McWhiggin stealsWoody from the family's yard sale.Buzz Lightyear,Hamm,Rex,Slinky, andMr. Potato Head venture out to find and rescue Woody. After leaving Andy's house, the toys enter the neighborhood in which Andy lives, then proceed to Al's Toy Barn, the penthouse where Al lives and finally the airport terminal and tarmac where the movie ends.Stinky Pete (a.k.a. the Prospector) appears as the game's final boss along with two of his in-game henchmen.
In July 1998,Activision licensed the rights to create a video game based onToy Story 2.[19] The game was developed byTraveller's Tales and published by Activision.[16][4] Traveller's Tales had previously developed the originalToy Story video game.[16] Thehome console versions were released asToy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue!, while versions forMicrosoft Windows andMacintosh were released under the titleDisney/Pixar's Action Game, Toy Story 2.[20]
Development had been underway for some time as of March 1999.[21] The PlayStation and Nintendo 64 versions were unveiled at theElectronic Entertainment Expo in May 1999.[22] In the United States, the game was released forPlayStation, Nintendo 64, Windows, and Macintosh in November 1999, coinciding with the film's theatrical release.[23][2][20][24] In Europe, the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 versions were released on 4 February 2000.[1]
Activision also released aDreamcast version.[25][26] This version was delayed and ultimately released in the U.S. in July 2000.[27][4] It is a port of the PlayStation version,[28] and was also developed by Traveller's Tales and published by Activision.[4]
In March 2011,Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue! was re-released through thePlayStation Network as aPS one Classic, available for download onPlayStation 3 andPlayStation Portable consoles.[29][30] In August 2012, it received a downloadable re-release forPlayStation Vita through the EuropeanPlayStation Store,[31] while a U.S. Vita re-release followed in January 2013.[32] In Asia, it was re-released in May 2022, as a downloadable game forPlayStation 4 andPlayStation 5, via thePlayStation Plus service.[33]
Following its initial release, the game created controversy for its inclusion of a villain character whose design featured a mustache, a bulletbandolier and a sombrero. In late November 1999, a peaceful protest with more than 120 people was held outside Activision's headquarters byMestizo activists who perceived the character as an offensive stereotype towardsMexicans.[34][35] Activision and Disney stated that the character's appearance would be altered in future copies of the game; there were no plans to recall or amend current copies.[34][35][36]
| Aggregator | Score | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dreamcast | N64 | PC | PS | |
| Metacritic | 57/100[37] | 58/100[38] | 75/100[39] | |
| Publication | Score | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dreamcast | N64 | PC | PS | |
| CNET Gamecenter | 7/10[40] | 5/10[41] | 6/10[42] | 6/10[43] |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 5/10[44] | 7.88/10[45][c] | ||
| EP Daily | 5/10[46] | 6.5/10[47] | ||
| Game Informer | 7/10[48] | 7.5/10[49] | 8/10[16] | |
| GameFan | 47%[50] | 70%[51][d] (L.B.) 57%[52] | ||
| GameRevolution | C[53] | D[54] | C+[55] | |
| GameSpot | 5.9/10[56] | 6.5/10[14] | 7.1/10[18] | |
| GameSpy | 6.5/10[12] | |||
| IGN | 6/10[57] | 5.9/10[11] | 7/10[10] | |
| Next Generation | 1/5[58] | |||
| Nintendo Power | 7.1/10[59] | |||
| Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine | 3/5[60] | |||
| PC Zone | 55%[17] | |||
| Entertainment Weekly | C[20] | A[20] | ||
The PlayStation version ofToy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue! received positive reviews, while the Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast versions received "Mixed or average reviews", according to aggregating review websiteMetacritic.[37][38][39]Nintendo Official Magazine, reviewing the Nintendo 64 release, called it "a smart platformer that's packed with wacky worlds and cool bosses", but also stated its low difficulty level may deter experienced gamers of the platform genre.[61] Dr. Zombie ofGamePro felt the game "stands on its own merits as an entertaining platform game".[62][63]
The home console/computer version was criticized for its awkward camera,[e] and the limited number of repetitive phrases used by non-playable characters.[f] Critics praised the PlayStation version for its graphics and FMV clips, and considered it superior to the Nintendo 64 version, noting its lack of clips.[g] John Marrin ofCNET Gamecenter called the PlayStation version "a good 3D platformer that could have been better", enjoying the level design and cutscenes but criticizing the obstacles courses.[43] Levi Buchanan ofGameFan called the PlayStation version "a wonderfully detailed" game with "bright, crisp graphics, incredible audio, and some fantastic movie cutscenes", and criticized the Nintendo 64 version for blurry textures, "abysmal"pop-up, and theframe rate affecting character animations, as well as the sounds, music, and sluggish camera.[52]Nintendo Official Magazine appreciated the Nintendo 64 release's upbeat music, vibrant color palette of the levels as well as the "smart" boss design, but admitted the graphics looked "grainy" in some areas.[61] Matt Casamassina ofIGN also criticized the Nintendo 64 version's pop-up and frame rate, and felt it had "washed out visuals and a decidedly blurry look" as well as inferior controls.[11] Chris Hudak ofThe Electric Playground praised the game's large levels but criticized them for not being interactive enough.[47]
Critics forGame Informer reviewed the PlayStation version and praised the FMV cutscenes and levels, but criticism was directed at the repetitive gameplay.[16]Game Informer praised the "enjoyable" gameplay of the Nintendo 64 version, but also considered it to be monotonous and too easy, while criticizing the lack of cutscenes.[49]AllGame's Brett Alan Weiss gave the PlayStation version three-and-a-half stars out of five, praising it for the camera, controls, level design, and the cutscenes, and stated that the character voices, "though redundant, are a plus". However, he considered the game too easy forhardcore gamers.[66] Glenn Wigmore ofAllGame also gave the Nintendo 64 version three-and-a-half stars out of five and praised it for its graphics, sound effects, and control, but was critical of the game's music, considering it to be repetitive.[9]N64 Magazine gave the same console version 71% in two separate reviews, with Jes Bickham saying of the U.S. import, "It's probably more suited to the younger player, butToy Story 2 is still a sweet little surprise" (#37, January 2000);[67] and Tim Weaver later saying of the game in its verdict, "Likeable and imaginative,Toy Story 2 ranks along the ranks ofRayman 2 and40 Winks as a solid, hard-working 3D adventure. Shame about the shocking PAL conversion, mind" (#39, March 2000).[68]
The Dreamcast version was criticized for its difficult controls,[15][64][69][58] including the overly sensitive analog stick, making it difficult to move Buzz in a straight line.[56][57] Miguel Lopez ofGameSpot believed the Dreamcast version had "cleaner-looking" FMV clips but was disappointed that it was essentially the same game as the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation versions,[56] whileIGN's Jeremy Dunham believed that the Dreamcast version had better graphics than the previous versions.[57] 2 Barrel Fugue ofGamePro criticized the Dreamcast version for its graphics and monotonous music.[64][h] Jeremy Bell ofAllGame gave the same console version one-and-a-half stars out of five, calling it a "generic-looking dud" and considering the cutscenes to be the game's only "quality graphics". Bell criticized the game graphics for monotonous scenery and bland surface textures and stated that the game had low resolution considering it was developed for the Dreamcast. Bell also criticized the unoriginal gameplay.[15]PlanetDreamcast praised the game's film clips, but criticized itsVMU interface, and stated that the game would only appeal to young children.[12] Greg Orlando ofNextGen called the Dreamcast version a "shoddy port" with graphics "barely better" than the PlayStation version,[58] while Shaun Conlin ofThe Electric Playground called it "a port of a game that wasn't very good in the first place".[46] Scott Steinberg ofCNET Gamecenter gave a positive review, writing, "Marred by a dodgy interface,Toy Story 2 nonetheless knows how to flex its might like a championship weightlifter. Candy-coated, addictive platform escapades for both kids and grownups are the return on your investment. Especially when weighed against the cost of movie tickets for a family of four, this disc comes out smelling like a rose."[40]
Noah Robischon ofEntertainment Weekly criticized the Windows version for installation problems.[20]PC Zone wrote that while the game did not reinvigorate the platform genre, it was "definitely a cut above most merchandising tie-ins".[17] Peyton Gaudiosi ofCNET Gamecenter wrote that the same PC version, "with all its gadgets and gizmos, is all about fun, and with some patience on your part, this game will deliver on that score. It may not be worth a second replay, but this game has enough packed into it to make it worth a first adventure."[42] Cathy Lu ofMacADDICT reviewed the Macintosh version and considered it to be addictive. Lu praised the graphics but criticizedclipping problems and the jerky camera, as well as high system requirements to play the game.[65]
It was among the top 10 best-selling PlayStation games of December 1999.[70] The PlayStation version received a "Gold" sales award from theEntertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),[71] indicating sales of at least 200,000 units in the UK.[72] During the3rd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, theAcademy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominatedToy Story 2 for the "Console Children's/Family Title of the Year" award.[73]
Toy Story 2 Ships: The official title of this one is a little humorless -- "Disney/Pixar's Action Game, Toy Story 2." Sort of leaps off the page at you, doesn't it?
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