“You are a sad strange little man and you have my pity.” “Farewell.” – Buzz Lightyear
During development of “Toy Story 2,” Disney Interactive and Traveler’s Tales worked on a video game tie-in to promote the movie. Rather than a 2D platformer like the first movie’s game tie-in on Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis, they completely revamped the sequel in three-dimensional territory inspired by Nintendo’s groundbreaking “Super Mario 64.” Released in 1999 (same year Ape Escape came out) around the same time as the movie on the PlayStation and Nintendo 64, “Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue” became a commercial hit.
Anyway, Tim Allen will reprise his role as Buzz Lightyear in “Toy Story 5.” The fifth main installment of the Toy Story series will be released on June 19, 2026. I’m not planning on see the fifth entry. I refuse to sit in a movie theater filled with kids. I’ll watch it on Disney Plus. I’m very selective when it comes to going to see a movie. I’m on a budget saving up some cash for Fan Expo Dallas 2026. It’s scheduled to commence on September 11-13.
It doesn’t matter if SPOILERS are listed. It’s basically the plot of the second movie, but in video game format. Don’t forget to check out my reviews on Toy Story 1-4. Plus, the direct-to-video pilot movie, “Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins.” By the way, Traveler’s Tales’ next game is “Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight” will be released on May 29, 2026.
Polished & Rusty Elements
Polished: Most of the Voice Actors including Tim Allen, John Ratzenberger and the late Jim Varney reprise their roles and they all did a decent job for their respective voiceover performances.
Graphics for a PS1 game look decent.
Gameplay/Mechanics
- Presented as a third-person platform game, you play as Buzz Lightyear navigating his way through obstacles and partaking in objectives.
- Double jump and climb from Point A to Point B.
- Battery represents a health bar. If you’re running out of health, find a battery to replenish.
- Buzz’s move set consists of a laser (not a lightbulb that blinks) and spin. If you charge up Buzz’s attack, his laser will instantly defeat an enemy. As for the spin attack, he spins like a tornado. It would’ve been a nice addition if he can karate chop like in the first movie.
- If you find a green stick, Buzz’s laser modifies to limit ammo. Rapid fire on any target.
- Lock-On to first-person by targeting enemies or object and proceed to fire your laser.
- A level features five objectives. Fight a boss, collecting 50 coins for Hamm, look for five items, compete in a race/time trial and solving a puzzle.
- Completing an objective grants you a Pizza Planet token. The equivalent of a star in Super Mario.
- Whenever you obtain Mr. Potato Head’s missing part, he’ll give you a power up. Keep your eyes peeled (no pun intended) for a missing part.
- Boss Battles are pretty good. You get to fight Prospector/Stinky Pete and of course, Evil Emperor Zurg. Sword enemy of the Galactic Alliance.
- Before you start a level for the first time unlocks a clip from the movie. Finishing a level unlocks yet another clip from the movie. We all know about the plot. Buzz and the toys embark on an adventure to find Woody after Al kidnapped him.
Buzz often says a line from the first movie. It would’ve been funny if he shouts this line whenever his health bar’s empty. “I am Mrs. Nesbit!”
Random Thought: I probably got this game on PlayStation as a Christmas present. I was six at the time.
Rusty: The game’s surprisingly short. It took me less than four hours to beat the final level. Revisiting previous levels to achieve 100% didn’t help extending more hours.
Camera can be janky at times.
The Final Verdict: B, FOR BENEVOLENT!
Although a short game and a camera problem, Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue” still holds up. I used to play it all the time growing up. Replaying it as an adult made me feel like a kid again. If you wanna introduce yours kids to this gem, buy it on the PlayStation Store.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 