I think it’s important to tell you that I didn’t get around to playing the original Toy Story 3 game when it came out back in 2010. I was far more interested in £1 sambuca shots at my university student bar. As is the threat, of course, of any of the iconic Toy Story movies – kids grow up and then they don’t want to play with their toys anymore. I’m sorry to say that Buzz was as dead to me as the chance of not having a hangover.
But, despite my lack of actual time in the game, I was still acutely aware of how well it performed, carving itself out as one of those rare movie tie-in games that actually made an impact and didn’t upset anyone along the way. In fact, some of my favourite games of all time fall in this category, like GoldenEye 007, The Matrix and The Warriors. Yet, I missed the boat, or should I say, the call from Star Command.
So, when the invitation came to play Toy Story 3 in 2026, sambuca shots long forgotten, all Toy Story movies thoroughly consumed, love of Buzz rekindled, and a trip with my two little kids to see Toy Story 5 in the cinema (as much for me as them), I jumped at the chance to recapture my youth. In fact, I can’t think of a better time to bring back TS3 than following the release of another Toy Story movie that has firmly reminded everyone who’s really in charge of the toy box.
Only this time round it’s got an extra bit of title – Complete Edition. Why? Well, because instead of any of the playable characters or features being locked away in exclusive editions like they once were, everything is here. Even the opportunity to play as Emperor Zurg – and I’m utterly thrilled by this alone.
As I start up this adventure, I’m lulled softly by the plinky-plonky introduction of ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me,’ so utterly iconic and, if you didn’t know, written in just one day specifically for Toy Story. Anyway, straight into a cutscene I went with, very fortunately, the voice-acting of the movie’s iconic characters and not some strange dubbing. Though Woody did have me worried for a moment.
Immediately, I’m throttling it down the side of a canyon on Bullseye to avoid mechanical UFO Ham, aka Evil Dr. Porkchop, as he shoots lasers at me whilst picking up Roundup cards and Al’s Toy Barn tokens to spend on, you guessed it, toys.
Granted, if you’ve played it before, you’ll remember all this. What impact has a remastering had on how it plays? Well, the controls certainly take a little getting used to, especially when it comes to aim which suffers from a case of soupiness (or latency), but it’s all fairly basic stuff. What I know is that I’m nestled nicely into a make-believe game, full to the brim with nostalgia and it all looks a little bit shinier. And this first mission is just the beginning of my time on the game board (before Rex stomps all over it).
The story missions make up eight sections on the board, ranging from traversing Andy’s house and basement to surviving the terrifying trash compactor. Though each mission isn’t an exact tie-in with the movie’s storyline, the majority manage to incorporate some of its finest moments, but still leaves plenty of room for imagination to thrive.
Because, ultimately, the Toy Story 3 Complete Edition is reminding you, 16 years on, that imagination is still a pillar of life and makes a game like this entirely playable for everybody, even now. Undoubtedly, they’d be remaking or even making standalone games for Toy Story 4 or Toy Story 5, if they hadn’t shut down the original developer studio, Avalanche Software.
But, what is different 16 years on? Well, developers of the Complete Edition, Digital Eclipse, have included all previously exclusive content, they’ve added local two player co-op to both story mode and Toy Box mode and like any good remaster they’ve upgraded graphics, supporting up to 4K resolution at 60 fps, if your setup can handle it.
With all these changes and new incorporations, story mode takes on a new charm that still sits firmly in the, oh the graphics look a little old compared to TS5 but they’re still lovely to look at, ilk. And while they’re utterly playable and easily completed, there was still one mission that gave me a bit of a challenge. Trash Thrash, I’m looking at you.
For this one (and a few others), you’re expected to switch between Buzz, Jesse and Woody to utilize their unique skillsets. Unfortunately, it isn’t as fluid as I might’ve wished for given the remaster and I’ll blame its delayed reaction on why I struggled with Trash Thrash, or maybe I’m just lacking some sweet couch co-op companion.
I also recently said to resident Wand Report writer, Ben Maxwell, that I never liked running away from things in games and that I’d always get my mum to do it, famously Crash Bandicoot’s dino chase. But in TS3, it turns out, I’ve grown up and running from spikes in Zurg’s fortress was fine, if a little reminiscently unsettling.
The best part about Toy Story 3 Complete Edition though, despite an enjoyable and very playable story mode, is the Toy Box mode. This is your sandbox, allowing you to demonstrate that you, too, have the power of imagination, customizing your Wild West town, dressing up townsfolk and taking on a large list of missions.
It’s simple gameplay, sure, and most adults may not feel entirely challenged even with an up-to-date remaster, but I also feel like you shouldn’t go into a game like this expecting that. Toy Story has always been fun and like any great Pixar movie, it finds a way to resonate with adults. But, it also has to be, above all, accessible and relatable for kids. For the Complete Edition, it’s about making it look better, play better and package up all the exclusives into one place. All three of which are thoroughly achieved.
The ultimate stress test on a game like this though? Bringing in my young daughter and avid Mario Party player to try it out. Today’s youth, Gen Alpha, part of the newest band of Toy Story fans. She’s educated in Toy Story, having watched all of the movies, but she’s less educated in tie-in games because, well, they just don’t make them like they used to (and even then, it was questionable for the most part).
But that didn’t stop her eyes from widening with excitement as I told her she could get up to whatever she wanted in the Toy Box. This quickly resulted in buying Bullseye from Al’s Toy Barn and trotting all over the place – and that’s when I really knew that bringing back TS3 almost two decades on was still going to capture the hearts of its audience, both old and new.
Missions across the sandbox mode aren’t hard, but they are fun. From racing Bullseye in timed challenges to mining gold for Stinky Pete, they’re easily achievable, but also push you to explore the environment in new ways without it feeling too teach-y. You’ll learn new ways to traverse, new features that you can unlock and all the fun of the Toy Box is at your disposal.
And, if you don’t fancy doing missions in the Toy Box, you can also just drop kick one of the townsfolk or pop a little hat on one of the Little Green Men. Or, add coloured trims to buildings, take wildly strange photos with your Pict-O-Matic and just have simply have the rootinest-tootenest of times. And yes, I may be a fully grown adult woman, but it doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the fireworks and celebration I’m awarded whenever I’ve successfully completed a mission.
So, how does it look? Like any good remaster, it’s had a facelift. The devs have ensured that the game has been enhanced and you can certainly tell. But, there’s only so much that can be done for a game made in 2010. At its core, it still appears the same way I feel when I rewatch Toy Story 3 now. It looks great, but something is still a bit off.
Toy Story 3 in its OG form was a hit amongst the movie tie-ins ‘back in the day’ and what Digital Eclipse proves with this well-thought-out remastering is that it can still take full advantage of its licence. Unlocking all the content with no limitations is a stroke of genius that means this title is oozing with fun, features, and some pretty smooth graphics.
While the game’s story mode is an enjoyable way to relive the movie’s iconic moments, aside from a rewatch, there’s some real fun to be found in the Toy Box for anyone who missed this game the first time around. Toy Story as a franchise has never shied away from addressing the passing of time – Andy grew up, Bonnie arrived, toys were passed over and given new life. And such is the case with Toy Story 3: Complete Edition, while I had plenty of fun playing it, now is the era for me to play it alongside my daughter, passing on the memories, and I’m happy to have it in the line-up.
