Disney Toys West Linn OR

By Jeff McKinney
Video Game Editor 
 

You Don’t Need 3D Glasses to Explore This Wonderland Adventure!

What It Is

Often I find that video games “based on” or “inspired by” movies are not a lot of fun to play. They usually do a great job of recreating the look and feel of the movie and it’s characters but that doesn’t automatically make a game fun. This usually isn’t the game developers fault as the production schedule for a video game is rarely the same as a movie and the game developers don’t have the time they need to make a great game. Which is why I was so surprised at how much I enjoyed Alice In Wonderland, the video game from the new Tim Burton, Disney film.

Possible spoilers ahead. I’m not sure because I haven’t seen the movie yet.

In the game, players are tasked with helping Alice find her way through Wonderland on a mission to face the Jabberwocky. Rather than playing as Alice, the player takes on the roles of five characters--the Mad Hatter, White Rabbit, March Hare, Dormouse and the Cheshire Cat--each with a unique and specific ability such as the White Rabbit’s ability to control time. Players can switch between characters at will (once they have been discovered in the game) and will rely on each characters’ ability to progress through the game and discover hidden items and treasures.

Why It’s Fun

Playing as the five different characters is more than just a clever way to inject the movie’s colorful cast into the game, it creates five different game experiences at once. The obvious application for the five characters is in the Boss battles, which can only be won by switching between the characters and their abilities. For example, the Cheshire Cat can make certain objects disappear, such as a boss’ sword, which then allows a character with more fighting skills to rush in and attack. Additionally, the game is filled with hidden items and puzzles in which using each character rewards the player, including treasure chests hidden throughout the world that can only be accessed by one character’s distinctive abilities. One of my favorite abilities is the Mad Hatter’s power of perspective, where players view the world through his eyes and have the ability to shift that view and create pathways through the game.

Who’s Going To Love It

This game is more challenging than I thought it would be and might be too difficult for kids under the age of 8. Older kids, teens and even experienced gamers will enjoy this Alice In Wonderland whether they have seen the movie or not.

What To Be Aware Of

Alice In Wonderland is also available in a DS/DSi version. This version has a different animation-style and overall look but is essentially the same game in which you play as multiple characters on a quest to help Alice. In the DS/DSi version you only play as four characters.

As much as I enjoyed th...

Toy Review:

Let there be magical music for every little princess! Lift up the cover of the keys and the Disney Princess Musical Vanity converts into a keyboard that plays four magical musical instruments (piano, guitar, violin, and kalimba), four additional royal rhythms (pop, waltz, 16 beat, and rock), and four different drum sounds. Featured Disney Princess songs include "Be Our Guest", "Beauty and the Beast", "Under the Sea", "Bibbidi, Bobbidi Boo", "A Whole New World", and "Part of Your World". Magical beauty accessories are also part of the fun and serve as musical instruments! They include a lipstick/whistle, nail polish/bell, mirror/tambourine, brush/play microphone, eye shadow compact/harmonica, and perfume bottle/maraca. Girls can even record and play back the music they compose as hearts above the mirror twinkle in sync to the music! In addition, their favorite princesses magically appear when the vanity is turned on. Girls can play along with their favorite songs or create their own musical masterpieces!

Manufacturer:
Jakks Pacific/Creative Designs International

Brand:
Disney Princess

Age Recommendation:
3 and up

MSRP:
$89.99

Intro Year:
2009

By Jeff McKinney
Video Game Editor 
 

Skip The Theme Park Lines And Bring The Carnival Fun Home With Toy Story Mania

What It Is

There has been a lot of Toy Story talk lately with details of the next animated film, Toy Story 3, slinking onto the Internet, despite the veil of secrecy that Disney and Pixar have drawn over it. Suffice it to say, that it’s going to be the entertainment event of next summer. But don’t let all the talk confuse you about the new game, Toy Story Mania, which is not a movie tie-in but rather a video game inspired by the attraction at the Disney theme Parks. This video game features the famous Toy Story characters, Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang in carnival style mini-games that up to four people can play together.

Why It’s Fun

The game contains 30 addictive and wacky mini-games that utilize the Wii’s motion-sensing capabilities to recreate the action, excitement and fun of a theme park midway. In the ring toss game for example, players compete against one another to see who can hit the most targets, which happen to be the aliens from the movie’s arcade claw-grab game. The targets pop in and out of view with over-the-top lights and visual displays splashing across the screen when players hit the targets. All the players play simultaneously, adding to the frenetic and fun pace of the game. After each game, prizes are awarded based on performance, which adds a level of good-natured competition to the game. Additionally, players can work together and team-up on certain mini-games to unlock hidden “Easter eggs” and collectibles.

Who’s Going To Love It

This is an ideal family-themed party game that gives adults and kids a video game that they can play and enjoy together. Fans of the movies and theme park attractions will really enjoy the game because they will get a lot of the “inside” jokes and movie references.

What To Be Aware Of

There are two modes to this game—Story and Free Play. You have to start the game in Story mode because as you complete mini-games in this mode you will unlock them in Free Play, which allows you to return and play the mini-game at any time.

Toy Story Mania is sold with two pairs of 3D glasses that can be used on the handful of 3D bonus games. This 3D feature is cute and works well enough, however, it isn’t necessary to play the game.

Some people report that they get headaches from pla...