Disney and Pixar release new Toy Story 2 kids' game

Disney Interactive and Pixar Animation Studios have announced their newest CD-ROM game for kids, called “Disney/Pixar’s Jessie’s Wild West Rodeo.” Developed for kids ages five and up, the title incorporates three different arcade-style games involving characters from the acclaimed computer-animated film, Toy Story 2.

Toy Story 2 is the most recent cinematic release from Pixar Animation Studios, which is, of course, Steve Jobs’ “other” company. Pixar and Disney have a far-reaching distribution and licensing franchise going — the companies’ next effort will be this fall’s release of Monsters, Inc. Past successes include the original Toy Story, as well as A Bug’s Life.

The games include:

Alien Round Up, where you can group the little green men at the UFO-K Corral and guide them into the mother ship before time runs out. The goal is to win the Critter Award, given when all the aliens are rounded up.

Toy Lasso, where you must rope and tag the loose toys, guiding Bullseye the toy horse around obstacles. This game features multiple levels of difficulty.

Barrel Racing, where kids can go head-to-head as Jessie or Woody (or ride solo against the clock). You’ll ride either Bullseye or Rex as you race around flashing barrels for points. This event is a 10-level mini game that awards kids who complete it a Barrel Badge.

The game ships on a hybrid CD-ROM compatible both with Mac OS and various flavors of Windows. It carries a suggested retail price of US$19.99 and should be available anywhere computer games and kids’ titles are sold.