Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue

The home console and computer version puts the player in control of Buzz Lightyear as he goes across fifteen levels (consisting of ten main levels and five boss levels) based on and inspired by locations from the film in order to rescue Woody. Buzz can attack enemies with a wrist laser, which can be charged up for additional power, and can also be aimed through a first-person viewpoint. Buzz also has a spin attack, which can be charged up into a continuous spin. Buzz is also able to extend his wings to perform a double jump, and can perform a foot stomp to activate switches. The player can pick up a laser power-up that gives Buzz a limited supply of powered up laser shots, as well as health-replenishing batteries and extra lives. The main aim of the game is to collect Pizza Planet tokens which are located throughout stages. Each level has 5 Pizza Planet tokens, which are each collected by completing different objectives, such as fighting a mini-boss, solving a puzzle for getting a secret token, completing a timed challenge or winning a race against another character, or helping a character find 5 of a certain object which are hidden throughout a level. Each level also has a number of coins placed throughout it, 50 of which can be collected and given to Hamm for a token. Certain objectives require the use of a special power-up that must first be unlocked in a certain level by retrieving one of Mr. Potato Head's missing body parts. Power-ups include a barrier that protects Buzz from damage, rocket boots that launch him at high speeds, a disk launcher that homes in on enemies, a grappling hook for climbing up high ledges, and hover boots for floating up to high places. While only one Pizza Planet token is needed to clear a level, some levels require a certain number of tokens to unlock. With the exception of the Nintendo 64 version, progressing through each level unlocks FMV clips of scenes taken from the film. The Nintendo 64 version instead features screenshots from the film accompanied by text, shown in the beginning of the levels, due to storage limitations of the Nintendo 64 cartridge. ==Story==

The game's plot is relative to the Toy Story 2 film, and begins at Andy's house as Al McWhiggin steals Woody from the family's yard sale. Buzz Lightyear, Hamm, Rex, Slinky, and Mr. Potato Head venture out to find and rescue Woody. After leaving Andy's house, the toys enter the neighborhood in which Andy lives, then proceed to Al's Toy Barn, the penthouse where Al lives and finally the airport terminal and tarmac where the movie ends. Stinky Pete (a.k.a. the Prospector) appears as the game's final boss along with two of his in-game henchmen. ==Development and release==

In July 1998, Activision licensed the rights to create a video game based on Toy Story 2. The game was developed by Traveller's Tales and published by Activision. The PlayStation and Nintendo 64 versions were unveiled at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in May 1999. In the United States, the game was released for PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Windows, and Macintosh in November 1999, coinciding with the film's theatrical release. In Europe, the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 versions were released on 4 February 2000. This version was delayed and ultimately released in the U.S. in July 2000. It is a port of the PlayStation version, and was also developed by Traveller's Tales and published by Activision. In August 2012, it received a downloadable re-release for PlayStation Vita through the European PlayStation Store, while a U.S. Vita re-release followed in January 2013. In Asia, it was re-released in May 2022, as a downloadable game for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, via the PlayStation Plus service. Following its initial release, the game created controversy for its inclusion of a villain character whose design featured a mustache, a bullet bandolier and a sombrero. In late November 1999, a peaceful protest with more than 120 people was held outside Activision's headquarters by Mestizo activists who perceived the character as an offensive stereotype towards Mexicans. Activision and Disney stated that the character's appearance would be altered in future copies of the game; there were no plans to recall or amend current copies. ==Reception==

The PlayStation version of Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue! received positive reviews, while the Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast versions received "Mixed or average reviews", according to aggregating review website Metacritic. Dr. Zombie of GamePro felt the game "stands on its own merits as an entertaining platform game". The home console/computer version was criticized for its awkward camera, and the limited number of repetitive phrases used by non-playable characters. Critics praised the PlayStation version for its graphics and FMV clips, and considered it superior to the Nintendo 64 version, noting its lack of clips. John Marrin of CNET Gamecenter called the PlayStation version "a good 3D platformer that could have been better", enjoying the level design and cutscenes but criticizing the obstacles courses. Glenn Wigmore of AllGame also gave the Nintendo 64 version three-and-a-half stars out of five and praised it for its graphics, sound effects, and control, but was critical of the game's music, considering it to be repetitive. N64 Magazine gave the same console version 71% in two separate reviews, with Jes Bickham saying of the U.S. import, "It's probably more suited to the younger player, but Toy Story 2 is still a sweet little surprise" (#37, January 2000); and Tim Weaver later saying of the game in its verdict, "Likeable and imaginative, Toy Story 2 ranks along the ranks of Rayman 2 and 40 Winks as a solid, hard-working 3D adventure. Shame about the shocking PAL conversion, mind" (#39, March 2000). The Dreamcast version was criticized for its difficult controls, Jeremy Bell of AllGame gave the same console version one-and-a-half stars out of five, calling it a "generic-looking dud" and considering the cutscenes to be the game's only "quality graphics". Bell criticized the game graphics for monotonous scenery and bland surface textures and stated that the game had low resolution considering it was developed for the Dreamcast. Bell also criticized the unoriginal gameplay. PlanetDreamcast praised the game's film clips, but criticized its VMU interface, and stated that the game would only appeal to young children. Scott Steinberg of CNET Gamecenter gave a positive review, writing, "Marred by a dodgy interface, Toy Story 2 nonetheless knows how to flex its might like a championship weightlifter. Candy-coated, addictive platform escapades for both kids and grownups are the return on your investment. Especially when weighed against the cost of movie tickets for a family of four, this disc comes out smelling like a rose." The PlayStation version received a "Gold" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), indicating sales of at least 200,000 units in the UK. During the 3rd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Toy Story 2 for the "Console Children's/Family Title of the Year" award. ==See also==