Pap the Disney Gamer's Highlights: Disney Infinity Holiday Guide

Having just talked about the Frozen toy set for Disney Infinity, I think it is high time that we finally discussed what may be one of the most ambitious Disney titles in quite some time. Disney Infinity launched last August to great reviews and warm reception from the Disney audience. Many copies of the game were sold, and the collecting aspect of the game was so huge that many sites were created for the sole reason of discussing latest releases. It comes as no surprise that with all of these facts in its favor, Disney Infinity is sure to become one of the most wanted, if not THE most wanted, present this holiday season not just for children but older Disney fans as well. Disney Infinity, however, is more than just your typical game release. It is both surprisingly complex as well as easy to get into once you figure everything out. Not to mention that a lot has happened since the game's release back in the Summer, so as either a parent or a fan that wants the title either for yourself or for someone, today's Gamer Tuesday will detailed the important aspects about the game before you head out and buy it.

Let us start with the most basic info...

Currently, you can buy it for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, Wii and 3DS.

The PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii U releases are nearly identical and contain the same amount of features. The Wii, however, lacks the major online components that allows players to connect and play together. The 3DS version is a mini-game based collection akin to the Mario Party series, and lacks the gameplay seen in the console versions.

At the moment, there are no plans to bring Disney Infinity to these two new consoles. However, if a sequel is coming down the line, there is a chance it will appear on those systems.

This is where it gets tricky. The game originally sold for $74.95, and included three figures (Captain Jack Sparrow, Sulley and Mr. Incredible) and the components to get the game to work. Since then, the price has varied through various retailers. Wal-Mart, for example, had the game in their Black Friday specials for $38.00, while online retailers like Amazon have it for either 50 or 60 dollars. This means you will have to do a little bit of research before buying the game from a retailer.

If you want to understand better how it all works, here is an official video from the developers of the game:

Play Sets are additional missions that take place in another Disney universe, as well as add even more characters to the repertoire. Toy Sets are additional elements that can be used exclusively in Disney Infinity's toy box mode. These will not have any missions, but to add playable characters as well as content that can be used in the creation of toy boxes.

Four have been released so far; The Lone Ranger set, the Cars set, the Toy Story in Space set and the Frozen set. Each contain two character figures for use in the game.

The suggested retail price for these sets is $29.99, though the price may vary depending on the retailer you get them from.

The character figures that have been released outside of the sets include Woody (Toy Story), Jack Skellington (The Nightmare Before Christmas), Rapunzel (Tangled), Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope Von Schweetz (Wreck-It Ralph). The last three have been released exclusively through various retailers, though they will be widely available come 2014.

Currently, the only ones we know of are Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey Mouse (which was given away for free to D23 attendees), and the Phineas and Ferb toy set (which will include Phineas and Perry the Platypus). No other characters or sets have been announced, but it is expected and teased that more are coming our way.

Yes you can. If you bought the game on one system, and want to use the figures and sets on another, you can freely do so.

Definitely yes! The stand is how you can transfer the characters and contents to the game, so if you lose it, you won't be able to play the game?

Not necessarily. The basic set features hours of gameplay and content that should satisfy your desires should you decide to not invest further in figures and play sets. It is up to you what sets and figures to buy should Disney Infinity be of your delight. Getting figures and play sets does extend the replay value even further, but it is not a requirement for the enjoyment of the core game.

However, it should be noted that in order to play co-op in a play set, you need the figure of a character from that play set. So for example, if you want to play the Monsters University play set, you need to buy either Mike Wazowski or Randy Boggs in order to play alongside Sulley. But again, this is if you absolutely need to.

There is a lot more to know about Disney Infinity, but these are the most important things one should know when obtaining the game. Disney Infinity promises to have a very expansive gameplay life, so expect to hear more about it in the near future. In the meantime, here are some amusing Disney Infinity videos to wet your appetite for the creative open world that is the Disney universe: