What we have here then is a collection of video games based on the Disney and Pixar IP ‘Toy Story’. And for some reason, ‘A Bugs Life’ is also here. Of course, you have probably figured the majority of this out already.

Harking back to the Game Boy Color, PS1, SNES, ‘Genesis’ (Mega Drive) and the like and now including familiar ‘retro collection’ staples such as rewinds, save states, practicse modes and even cheats, there’s a couple of them that are still worth your attention, even if the majority of what’s included seems only here for an effort in preservation. 

The highs in the collection include the cracking Buzz Lightyear To The Rescue from the PS1 days. A full on video game cartoon, it evokes the nostalgia you would expect, and offers plenty of gameplay. I remember playing this one for weeks, it was super fun to jump back into.

Another highlight for me, surprisingly, was Toy Story Racer. Now it doesn’t hold a candle to Mario Kart it’s a surprisingly addictive kart racer that had me playing far more than I was expecting. It was certainly the game I kept going back to next to Buzz Lightyear To The Rescue. It’s simplification of just racing around well designed courses and fun power-ups put a smile on my face, and is a nice inclusion. The PS1 version at least. The Game Boy version is dire. 

And that’s where the problems arise with literally everything else in this collection. Whilst there’s certainly nostalgic fun to be had with the original 2D/3D Toy Story platformer from the Mega Drive/SNES era, it’s bastard hard and as such, retains its reputation in comparison to Aladdin and The Lion King. Disney platformers of the time weren’t for the faint of heart, and this still rings true. Of course, the additional rewinds and saves certainly help progress, but there’s a feeling that it simply isn’t all that fun plays out as you slog through the weirdly designed levels. 

Buzz Lightyear of Star Command was generally recognised as a cheap cash-in when it was released and it hasn’t changed a lick in 2026. It remains a deeply boring stain on the history of Toy Story video games, and adds nothing to this collection other than to flesh it out a bit. 

Then there’s the odd inclusion of A Bug’s Life. It’s not terrible, and certainly has its charm and has fun voiceovers, but it doesn’t hold a candle to Buzz Lightyear TTR. Worth a try though, even if you are curious like me, who had never played it before.

Mind you, if you pick up the full package, you get the Complete Edition of Toy Story 3, and that’s an absolute gem.

Toy Story: Retro Round-Up is available now on PS4, PS5 (reviewed), Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC

Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: ATARI

Disclaimer: In order to complete this review, we were provided with a promotional copy of the game. For our full review policy, please go here.

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