Toy Story: Video Game CD-ROM

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Who remembers the original Toy Story "Power Play" video game? If you were a fan of the film in the 90's, you probably either had it, played it or at least seen it. This game was released on CD-ROM for Windows PC in October 1996 (which was the platform I played it on since I didn't grow up with video game consoles). Almost identical versions were also released for Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo and Game Boy as well.

I haven't played this game all the way through for many years, but I remember having a lot of fun with it as a kid. I still have the disc at home, but not with me; I'm not even sure if it works on today's computers. But thanks to YouTuber JohnnyDFox, I was able to capture gameplay screenshots and relive the old memories of playing the game. Hopefully this brings back some nostalgia for you as well!

The levels are as follows (there were 17 levels in the PC version and 18 in the Genesis/Nintendo versions):

Level 1: That Old Army Game

Level 2: Red Alert! 

Level 3: Ego Check 

Level 4: Nightmare Buzz

Level 5: A Buzz Clip

Level 6: Revenge of the Toys

Level 7: Run Rex, Run!

Level 8: Buzz Battle

Level 9: Food and Drink

Level 10: Inside the Claw Machine 

Level 11: Really Inside the Claw Machine (not on the Windows PC version)

Level 12: The Claw! 

Level 13: Sid's Workbench

Level 14: Battle of the Mutant Toys 

Level 15: Roller Bob

Level 16: Day-Toy-Na

Level 17: Light My Fire 

Level 18: Rocket Man

A Bug's Life: Active Play CD-ROM

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In November 1998, Disney Interactive released this very fun A Bug's Life Active Play CD-ROM computer game. I was eight years old when this game (and the film for that matter) came out. Though this game is recommended for ages three to seven, I remember still having a blast with it; especially since I was such a fan of the movie. 

Since I don't have the game currently with me (I do still have it though back home, but I'm not sure if it even works with computers these days), I was able to capture screen shots from gameplay videos on YouTube. Thanks to YouTubers GLYGames and TheGaiw for the uploads! Watching them  brought back a ton a great childhood memories.

Want an in depth review of the game? Read on!

The game starts on Ant Island (screen shot below). The story is that the grasshoppers are coming to ruin the ants' "harvest festival." When we meet Flik at the beginning of the game, he is busy trying to make a contraption to ward them off. In order to complete his invention though, he enlists your help. Your job is to find six items across six locations for Flik: a flower, a feather, a mushroom, a playing card, a thimble and a button. Each item is obtained by completing a mini game.

In the first game, you obtain the flower piece upon completion. The goal is to simply make sure that the blue and red berries end up on the correct side of the ant tunnels. 

We then move into the ant hill. In the game seen below, the objective is to arrange the leaf art in order. Simple as that! Once you complete this game multiple times, you're rewarded a feather.

Next it's time to head into the council chambers. In this scene, the queen's pet Aphie digs up the glowing mushroom and hides it in the dirt. Your job is to find it by digging around! 

Time to head off to the bustling city! In this activity, the goal is to help a lost little bug find his dad. When completed, you're given a playing card- essential for Flik's invention.

Ready to go to the circus? Well there's no other place like P.T. Flea's. I bet it would be the perfect location for finding a thimble, if you're willing to help P.T. get his act right!

The last location is the city's "bug bar". Here you help the server get his orders to the correct costumers. If done correctly, you're given a button as a thanks.

You now have all the pieces for the "anti-grasshopper" contraption! The story is complete after handing off the items to Flik and watching him defend the colony against the grasshoppers. Let the harvest festival commence!

In addition to completing the main tasks/story, there are also a couple of fun extra games- just for fun.

First off there's this bug board game. I remember it being super entertaining! Had a lot of fun with this one as a kid.

Then there's this cute Puppet Theater activity where you can decorate and populate your own animated scene and tell a customized story.

Another cool thing about this game is the camera feature. Choose the camera from leaf "backpack" and click on any bug you see during the game. A picture of the real life bug will appear in addition to some fun facts. The image is then saved into your bug portfolio where you can access it anytime. Pretty cool feature- and helps kids learn too!

There we have it... fun and timeless, just like the film itself! Like I mentioned though, I don't know if this game works on modern computer. If it does, then I totally recommend this to any young fan of A Bug's Life. I loved playing this as a kid as I'm sure kids today would as well.

Toy Story 2: Activity Center CD-ROM

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On November 28th, 1999, Disney Interactive released this Toy Story 2: Activity Center computer game to coincide with the film's release. I was nine years old when I received this game and, being such a huge fan of the movie, played it over and over again. I have a lot of great memories playing this game and would still recommend it to young Toy Story fans even today!

While I still have my original CD-ROM disc (in near perfect condition), I don't have it with me at school currently. With that said, a big thanks to YouTuber Brett Darien for uploading a good quality gameplay video that I was able to capture screen shots from for this post.

The game starts with a western themed sign in screen. From there, you jump right to the game's opening titles on the TV in Al's apartment where you join Woody and Buzz.

 

 The TV is used to navigate through the selection of the six included games/activities. The remote control on the bottom right hand corner is used to reset a game, quit the game, get help or to come back to this "TV Room."

The first game, Cone Chaos, is of course based on the memorable scene from the film when the toys hide under traffic cones as they cross the street to Al's Toy Barn. The object here is to cross the street without getting hit, while also avoiding obstacles like holes in the ground. There are three levels of difficulty.

Next up is Toy Shelf Showdown. I remember this being one of my favorites as a kid playing this game. The point of this one is to navigate Buzz through the toy shelves and collect the rocket ship pieces, all while avoiding Zurg's evil robot henchmen. Jumping on the balls helps you reach the higher shelves and Buzz's laser is used to temporarily disables the robots. Once the rocket ship is assembled, the game is completed and you get to watch as Buzz and Zurg have a brief confrontation (spoiler alert- Buzz always wins). Again, there are three levels of difficulty.

Critter Corral here is also a fun one. This game's easy to explain since it's ultimately just a western themed version of checkers featuring the critters from Woody's Roundrup. Here you have three levels of difficulty and the option to either play against the computer or a friend. 

This game, Luggage Lunacy (based on the epic airport climax in Toy Story 2), is also one I remembering enjoying immensely. Here you help navigate Buzz on top of the luggage in search for Woody- who's captive in Al's green suitcase. Be careful though! Some of the luggage is quite hazardous (in specific, avoid the suitcases that are over-packed and don't stand on the shipping boxes too long). "It's not suicide! It's a rescue!"

In Create a Comic Book, the sky's the limit. In this activity, you use the available backgrounds, characters, props, effects and quotations to make your own illustrated story. When you're done, you can even save it and print it! I remember spending hours playing this activity with my friends creating hilarious stories that we laughed out loud to. I'm sure kids today would get just as much of a kick out of it. 

Woody's Printing Press is not so much a game or activity so this was an area I hardly went to as a kid. Here you could pretty much just print things like postcards, greeting cards, posters and stickers featuring your favorite Toy Story 2 pals.

There we have it! The Toy Story 2: Activity Center. This is an entertaining, quality game for young kids to enjoy featuring simple yet fun activities, catchy music, good graphics and cute imagery. Even with the fact that it's 15 years old, I'd say this is a winner. If you're interested in picking this up (though be careful since it won't be compatible with most modern computers), you can pick it up on Amazon HERE.