What’s this? A licensed game that might actually be worth playing?

Disney Interactive Studios is bringing a popular theme park attraction from the Midway to the living room this fall with Toy Story Mania!, exclusively for the Wii—a collection of interactive shooting gallery and mini games for up to four players, hosted by characters from the Pixar classic (which just happens to be getting a Disney Digital 3D™ re-release in October). The good news: for less than the price of four day passes to Disneyland you can buy a Wii and a copy of Toy Story Mania! The bad news: there’s no way the Wii will be able to replicate the high-tech 3D experience of the actual attraction. Plus, no photo-op with Goofy. Still, considering the kind of licensed junk Wii owners have become accustomed to, there’s plenty of room for the very capable Disney to impress.

Read the full press release (courtesy of disneylandnewstoday.com) after the break.

BURBANK, Calif. – (March 24, 2009) – Disney Interactive Studios today announced Toy Story Mania!, inspired by the Disney/Pixar animated feature “Toy Story,” will be released exclusively for the Wii™ home video game console this fall. Toy Story Mania! showcases an array of entertaining games based on the new Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort attractions, while featuring the iconic characters and humor from the popular Disney/Pixar “Toy Story” franchise.

“The ‘Toy Story’ franchise is a fun, dynamic and heart-warming series containing characters and themes that connect with every age group,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Toy Story Mania! combines those popular elements with the unique antics of the new theme park attraction for the ultimate in family entertainment.”

In Toy Story Mania!, players experience the fast-paced, zany fun of the Toy Story Mania! theme park attraction, which is an interactive experience requiring 3D glasses and involving rapid or quick-firing shooting galleries. In addition to galleries adapted from the attraction, the game includes new and original galleries and a series of mini games, all hosted by beloved characters from the movies. The thematically-connected levels are designed for up to four players of all ages with competitive and co-operative multiplayer options. Toy Story Mania! also includes bonus 3D features, transforming the game experience with eye-popping visuals.

The Pixar-created “Toy Story” and ”Toy Story 2” have both had successful box office and DVD sales. The Disney Digital 3D™ theatrical re-release of “Toy Story” is in the works and will open in theatres on October 2, 2009, followed by the 3D re-release of “Toy Story 2” opening on February 12, 2010, leading up to the premiere of “Toy Story 3” in 3D summer 2010. Toy Story Mania! is the first video game to place characters from these films into a carnival game setting and is expected to resonate with fans of the films and the attraction, as well as gamers who like pick-up-and-play party games

Developed by Papaya Studio, Toy Story Mania! will be available this fall exclusively for Wii.

Tags: disney, toy story mania, Wii

This entry was posted on Friday, March 27th, 2009 at 10:33 am and is filed under News, Wii. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.