Gamer Tuesday
May 10, 2011
Pap the Disney Gamer's
Highlights: Toy Story Mania!
System: Wii
Developed by: Papaya Studio
There have been games based on Disney
theme parks, like "Walt Disney World Quest: Magical
Racing Tour," and some Disney games feature references
to classic Disney attractions, like the recently
released, "Epic Mickey." But there has never been a
direct port of a Disney attraction! As in, there hasn't
been a game that looks and plays almost EXACTLY like the
original attraction...until now. Toy Story Mania for the
Wii is the first Disney video game to be created
directly from an original Disney attraction. For those
not in the know, Toy Story Mania is a shooting gallery
game in which theme park visitors ride a carnival style
car and use a gun to blast away at targets in different
scenes hosted by the Toy Story characters. On top of
this, the attraction is in digital 3D, and features an
amusing Potato Head audio-animatronic that delights
guests with songs and witty comments. The developers of
the Wii version took almost the exact same scenes fromt
he attraction and brought it over to the Wii system.
Using the Wii remote's pointer, you aim
and shoot at the targets on the screen. To aid you, an
aiming reticule will be present on the screen. It's as
simple as that. As previously stated, each scene is
hosted by a Toy Story character and features different
themes and challenges. Woody hosts the western style
shooting gallery along with Bullseye and Jessie, Buzz
Lightyear and the Green Men host the ring toss game in
outer space, and Bo has you popping balloons out in the
field, among more.
In addition to the stages seen in the
original attraction, Wii exclusive mini-games have been
added to this version. You'll be dancing with Hamm in
one of the mini-games, and Bo will test your sight in a
game of cups. Motion control has been added to the
stages, prompting you to shake your Wii remote in order
to gain more points and activate a secret hidden within
the stage. In order to re-create the 3D illusion some
stages are in anaglyphic 3D, and the game comes with two
pairs of 3D glasses. Much like the original attraction,
a second player can join in and aid you in your quest.
Finally, in order to extend the replay value of the
title, you can collect carnival tickets used towards the
purchase of stages to play in free play, mini-games, and
stickers for your collection.
Toy Story Mania for Wii may not
completely recreate the experience of going to a Disney
theme park, but it is a fun game that fans of any age
can play and enjoy, regardless of level of skill. in a
way, it's the best practice you can get before taking on
the real thing.
Return to Gamer Tuesday