If you were a big fan of “Toy Story 2” and your kids felt the same, Disney’s Activity Center: Toy Story 2 CD-ROM is for you. Packed with games and featuring the entire computer-animated cast of Toy Story 2, it’s sure to provide hours of fun.
With Woody and Buzz Lightyear at your service, you click on the TV to make your way through the disc’s games and activities. The software is definitely for older kids, and the games have no real educational value; however, they offer multiple levels of difficulty.
You can play a Frogger-like game where you make your way across a busy street under a traffic cone, trying to safely get to the other side to save Woody. There’s also the Critter Corral, a chess-like game where you have to get your “critters” to the other side of the board, and the “luggage game,” where you carefully hop atop bags of luggage trying to find Woody. Another fun game — which does actually require some math skill — has you jumping up and down the shelves of the toy store to build a rocket and fight the evil Zurg. But be careful — you only have five laser shots to use!
The CD also features Woody’s Printing Press, which allows kids to print greeting cards, postcards and a poster that all feature stars from the movie, and stickers featuring Sheriff Woody and Buzz Lightyear.
Finally, there’s my personal favorite feature: Create a Comic Book. Here users can create comic books on the screen that feature their favorite “Toy Story 2” characters, various backgrounds, special effects, and props, not to mention what they want the characters to say. When finished, you can print your self-made creation to share with friends or hang on the refrigerator.
Macworld’s Buying AdviceThe Toy Story 2 CD-ROM’s games are fun, and well tied-in to the setting of the feature film. It’s not particularly educational, but who says every piece of children’s software necessarily has to teach something? For pure computer-game fun — but without any shooting or death — Toy Story 2 delivers for kids and parents alike.
RATING: 