Following the critical and commercial success of Toy Story and its sequel, Disney produced an 2D animated direct-to-video spin-off film titled, “Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins” with Tim Allen reprising his role as the titular character. The story involves Buzz and his pals watch a VHS tape of the titular film based on the character’s mythology. It centers on Buzz who refuses to a partner after his own sacrificed himself. When Evil Emperor Zurg brainwashes the galaxy as his pawns, Buzz reluctantly team-up with former princess turned rookie Mira Nova, gentle giant fanboy Booster and pint-sized robot, XR.
Unlike Pixar’s acclaimed installments, this one wasn’t well received. That didn’t stop Disney from putting a halt to air a follow-up television show on ABC’s former block, “One Saturday Morning.” It spanned a grand total of 62 episodes in one season from 2000-2001. Although I wasn’t a big Disney fan growing up, I used to watch the cartoon on Toon Disney. A darn shame it never ended with a proper resolution. Buzz is not alone. Woody’s TV show ended on a cliffhanger. How ironic. A sci-fi show got uncalled lacking a grand finale. In Toy Story 2, Sputnik caused Woody’s Roundup to get cancelled due to kids becoming fascinated with space toys.
“Buzz Lightyear of Star Command“ was released around the same time as the cartoon on PlayStation and Dreamcast. It received mixed reviews from critics. Anyway, “Toy Story 5” will be released in June 19. 2026. Tom Hanks & Tim Allen will reprise their roles as Woody & Buzz. I have no plans to see it in theaters. I don’t wanna sit next to a bunch of rowdy kids. I’ll wait til it streams on Disney Plus. Before I see the fifth installment sometime in the future, I wanna share my thoughts on the video game based on Buzz’s cartoon.
Full & Empty Aspects
Full: Like the cartoon, Patrick Warburton (Kronk from The Emperor’s New Groove) takes over Tim Allen’s role as Buzz Lightyear. He did a decent job for his voiceover performance.
Voice Actors from the cartoon including Nicole Sullivan, Larry Miller & Adam Carolla all did a solid job for their respective voiceover performances. Too bad the latter remains in touch with Jimmy “Jerkass” Kimmel. An ungodly man who poked fun at Charlie Kirk after his tragic death. I do not condone this kind of mockery smack talking about a person who recently died. I don’t care if I do or do not agree with anybody’s political stance, you can’t be a prick saying negative comments on recently deceased people. Jimmy should’ve been permanently banished from Hollywood. If I were the CEO of Disney, I would’ve canned him immediately. I refuse to accept his apology.
Graphics for a PS1 game look alright.
Random Thought: I may have gotten this game for Christmas along with Spider-Man on PS1.
Gameplay/Mechanics
- Presented as a third-person platform/racing hybrid shooter, you play as Buzz racing his through Zurg’s forces. His goal is to prevent a villain from escaping. If the perp makes it first, Buzz has 15 seconds or it’s game over. If Buzz makes it first, Mira will weaken the perp’s shields and health.
- Once you beat the boss, you earn a medal. In order to move on to the next planet, you need to earn more from time trials and collecting XR’s missing parts.
- Each level is set in a planet. Besides, racing to the villain’s getaway spot, Buzz must collect Little Green Men or LGM for short. Collecting ‘em will grant you a medal. You can earn obtain money on the floor, depleting a boss’ shield, destroying bombs and taking out Zurg’s soldiers.
- You equip with a gun that shoots green lasers. Some guns have a color coded laser. A specific one can weaken a boss’ shields. Use ‘em to your advantage.
- Spend money on weapons, vehicles, teleporters, temporary shieldand jump pads.
- If you activate a token of Booster, he’ll ground pound foes. Plus, they leave some extra change.
Most of the bosses are from the cartoon.
Empty: The game doesn’t feature an original storyline. To paraphrase George Costanza off of “Seinfeld,” “It’s a game about… nothing!”
Before and after completing a level features a clip from the cartoon. They feel disconnected to the game.
Mira always repeats her lines. “I got this one Buzz.” “Always willing to lend a helping hand.” Her dialogue gets old pretty fast.
After collecting all of XR missing parts in any level, it only plays the exact same cutscene from the cartoon.
Controls are clunky. It was difficult for me to collect one of the LGMs on an icy environment.
One of the worst levels is racing the robotic werewolf. He leaves trapped in different rooms with various enemies. You have a limited time to stop the bombs. It also makes it hard to gain on the robotic werewolf. When I was seven, it was frustrating. Replaying it as an adult felt agonizing.
The game is so short it took me four hours to beat game. Revisiting all fourteen levels couldn’t resolve this flaw.
The Final Verdict: D-
Unlike “Toy Story 2: “Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue,” Buzz Lightyear of Star Command doesn’t really hold up. This game was rushed not giving the developing team a chance to craft an original storyline. Do not waste your money and spare time on this piece of crud. Play the aforementioned Toy Story 2 game and the third entry based on the threequel.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 