Reach for the sky; it’s time to check out the 10 best Toy Story games of all time.
Yes, strange things are happening, along with any other lines from Randy Newman songs that you can think of. I’m about to list 10 games based on one of the most famous film franchises of all time.
No pressure…
So many of us spent most of our childhoods wishing that our toys could talk after watching these films. I still think it would be cool if I turned around and saw Woody riding my dog Bilbo down the stairs, but sadly I must have missed it every time it’s happened so far.
From Disney party game collections to brand new adventures, this list has a little something for everyone. It’s perfect for every Toy Story fan, old or new, and gives players a chance to recreate their favourite scenes or just kick back with their favourite characters.
So, that’s enough from me. It’s time to hand over to Buzz, Woody, and the gang. I need to go and discover why somebody has poisoned the water hole and figure out who put this snake in my boot!
Table of Contents
1. Toy Story 3 (2010)
We’ve fallen with style down to the end of our article. Toy Story 3 is officially the best Toy Story game of all time!
If you’ve watched the movie, then you’ll know all about Sunnyside and the adventures the toys have along the way.
This game, however, adds in new concepts and ideas not from the film, letting the characters explore different elements of their backstories as as brand new levels.
Story mode, for example, gives players the chance to sneak out of Sunnyside and also reimagine Woody’s life in the Wild West. You can even take Buzz through the Buzz Lightyear video game that we all loved at the start of Toy Story 2.
That’s worth the game price alone!
The part that really makes this game shine, however, is Toy Box mode. Players can collect characters on cards hidden in Story mode, and there’s even the chance to play as Zurg himself.
Taking Zurg through Woody’s Roundup missions while catching bank robbers and collecting cows really makes me feel like he’s finally reformed into a good guy.
Must have been all that catch he played with the second Buzz at the end of Toy Story 2!
Yes, Toy Story 3 wins our best Toy Story games article. It’s more of a secret mission in the wild west than uncharted space, but I love it all the same!
2. Kingdom Hearts III (2019)
Kingdom Hearts III arrived in January 2019 and expanded the scope of the Square-Enix and Disney collaboration to include Disney/Pixar characters in the franchise for the first time.
While Disney animated classic characters such as Simba from The Lion King and Ariel from The Litte Mermaid returned to aid Sora, Donald and Goofy on their quest to stop the evil Xehanort, it was the inclusion of Woody, Buzz and several other toys from the Toy Story films that excited fans.
With the power of then next-gen hardware in the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Buzz, Woody, Rex, Hamm and other familiar faces were brought to life and looked closer to their movie counterparts than ever seen before, or indeed, since, in a video game.
Sora and Co. meet the child’s playthings in the Toy Box world a little way into the main plot of Kingdom Hearts 3, with the heroes of light taking on the form of action figures to fit in. There’s some meta commentary about video game characters with hardcore gamer Rex mistaking Sora for his favourite game character, while the action sees Sora teaming up with Buzz and Woody to take on some Heartless enemies and ultimately fight a giant toy UFO together in a thrilling finale.
3. Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear To The Rescue (1999)
Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue is up next, a game that follows the general plot of the second film with Buzz taking up rescue duties.
I guess you all know what happens in Toy Story 2, right? I mean, what would be the point in you being here if you didn’t like the films?
On the off chance you found your way here by mistake, Woody has been stolen and is about to be sold to a collector.
Buzz must lead a rescue mission out of the bedroom and into the wild to save his best buddy. The game is jam-packed full of familiar faces from the film, all there to aid Buzz on his journey.
The game kind of feels a little like the early Rugrats titles on the PS1 in feel and gameplay. Buzz’s actions mainly comprise of jumping (including a double jump with his wings), running, and blasting with his laser.
Collect coins, interact with objects, and save Woody. If you love Buzz and know the story like the back of your hand, then this game needs to be in your collection!
4. Toy Story (1995)
The original Toy Story game takes the 3rd spot in out best Toy Story games list. This title came out for both the Genesis and the SNES and undoubtedly looked better, but for me, the Game Boy version has the most nostalgic feels.
This side-scrolling masterpiece sees woody playing through levels based on scenes from the movie.
I’ll never forget the stage where you’re walking through Pizza Planet underneath a cup; that was hard!
Use Woody’s pull string to defeat enemies. Ham, and Mr. Potato Head are out to get you after you knocked Buzz out the window, but I’m sure they’ll come around in the end.
Ride around on Rex Mario & Yoshi style, and kick back as you watch stills from the movie after completing each level.
If you loved the first Toy Story film (still the best), then following in Woody and Buzz’s footsteps will feel like a trip down memory lane. Grab the SNES or Genesis copy to play in glorious colour too!
5. Buzz Lightyear Of Star Command (2000)
‘Buzz Lightyear to the rescue!’ That’s right, folks; Buzz Lightyear of Star Command is the second best Toy Story game of all time!
What isn’t there to love about a brand new adventure featuring everyone’s favourite pint-sized space ranger? Race villains while collecting coins to get new and exciting weapons.
A foot race with maximum futuristic firepower. Sign me up!
The aim of the game is to catch and fight big bosses trying to get away from Buzz. There are other enemies to contend with along the way, but you’ll need to make sure that you either win the race or keep close behind the boss to stop them from getting away.
Obviously, it goes without saying that the fight with Buzz’s dad, aka Emperor Zurg at the end of the game is one heck of a showdown.
I think that, while this might not be them most technically impressive game out there, it’s one of the most inventive Toy Story games with arguably one of the best Disney characters ever created (sorry Rex).
6. Disney Dreamlight Valley (2022)
Disney Dreamlight Valley, the life-sim starring a roster of classic and beloved Disney characters, added Buzz and Woody to the cosy collect-athon in the second major gameplay update at the end of 2022.
The endless potential for Dreamlight Valley to expand its cast of characters saw intrepid players discovering the Toy Story realm within the Dream Castle and making friends with Buzz Lightyear and Woody as they helped the playful duo with basic quests.
Once Buzz was fully charged with new batteries and Woody was content that owner Bonnie would be safe without them, the pair could venture into Dreamlight Valley proper and take up residence within the players magical landscape.
From their, the toys offer quests to help make their staycation an enjoyable one and help players with all manner of tasks including fishing, mining and cooking, although how useful a toy without tastebuds is in a kitchen environment is up for debate.
7. Toy Story Racer (2001)
The sixth spot in our best Toy Story games goes to the fast and furious Toy Story Racer!
This GBC port of the PS1 games might not be as action packed as the home console title, but it’s certainly one of the best racers for Ninty’s iconic handheld.
So the question you’re all wanting to ask is ‘who can you race as?’
Well, the PS1 has 12 characters, but the GBC only gives you 4; Woody, Bo Peep, Mr Potato Head, and Buzz. Take them through 10 pre-rendered FMV tracks including everyone’s favourite Toy Story scene, Pizza Planet.
Some of you might be thinking this is a little tame compared to Mario Kart. But don’t forget that we didn’t have a handheld Mario Kart title until the GBA dropped.
Toy Story Racer kept me occupied back in the day when I was catching trains with my parents. It’s fun, simple, and doesn’t take a lot of thinking about… which is also how many people describe me.
So it didn’t get great reviews, but if you’re a Toy Story fan, percentages don’t exactly matter. All that matters is racing to infinity and beyond, via Andy’s bedroom, of course.
8. Disney’s Extreme Skate Adventure (2003)
Who doesn’t want to see Buzz and Woody trying their skills on skateboards? Like Kinect Rush, Disney’s Extreme Skate Adventure takes multiple Disney movies and puts the key characters into cool skating situations.
If I tell you that the game is built on the game engine used for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, then you should get an idea of how well it plays. It essentially feels like you’ve entered a cheat code to turn Tony into Woody and Rodney Mullen into Buzz.
To be fair, Jango Fett was an unlockable character on THPS4 before Star Wars became a Disney franchise, so technically these two games are now more interlinked than we could have ever known.
Seeing Timon, Pumba, Young Tarzan, Zurg, and more characters from The Lion King, Tarzan, and Toy Story pulling off pro moves never gets old.
In adventure mode, players complete challenges and levels with specific characters in their respective worlds. It’s also possible to pick a human character and play in any of the worlds at any time.
The multiplayer mode lets you mix things up, taking Timon into Andy’s bedroom and Tarzan into Simba’s savanna. With current bands to the time period providing the soundtrack, it’s a great alternative to THPS and one that all Toy Story fans should love.
9. Toy Story Mania! (2009)
I know Randy Newman told us all that ‘you’ve got a friend in me’, but I have no friends when it comes to Toy Story Mania!
It’s all out war!
That’s a strong statement about a fun and friendly game where Toy Story characters compete in colourful challenges, but I’m sticking with it!
Ever frequented the Midway Mania ride at Disneyland? Well, this game is influenced by said ride, with the Toy Story gang choosing the activities that you play!
If any of you have have been to a fair or the boardwalk at some point in your lives, then you’re bound to have tried your hand at shooting ranges, skee ball, and the likes. Proper carnival fun, bagging those huge teddybears that take up so much chair space.
Uncover mysterious secrets by hitting targets. Throw, shoot, and cause general carnival chaos with your Wiimote.
In terms of graphics and gameplay, it still stands up to other party games too.
Ok, so it’s not in the same calibre as Mario Party, but having multiple Toy Story characters up on the screen is always a sure-fire way of ensuring a good day!
10. Kinect Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure (2012)
As the name might suggest, Kinect Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure required players to own one of the best Xbox 360 accessories – Xbox Kinect.
Microsoft’s rival offering to the Nintendo Wii might not have been as much of a success, but it had some exciting games, this one included.
And, if you’re a Disney fan, it’s basically a ‘5 for the price of 1’ adventure!
Play exciting mini games based on some epic Disney films; Ratatouille, Up!, Cars, The Incredibles! and course, Toy Story.
Your body is the controller, so swinging arms and tilting shoulders moves your character.
Jump, tilt, and turn imaginary steering wheels as you dive into Disney’s world, all with a custom face-scanned Avatar!
