Tackling a double game review is always a balancing act, but when one half of the bill is an archival compilation spanning multiple hardware generations and regional variants, the scope widens considerably. Digital Eclipse and Atari have returned to Pixar’s foundational toy chest with two distinct releases: Toy Story: Retro Roundup!, a colossal curation of 16-bit and early-generation console classics bolstered by documentary-grade historical archives, and Toy Story 3 Complete Edition, a definitive remaster blending narrative adaptation with an expansive sandbox.

“Step back into Andy’s room with Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and more classic characters in Toy Story: Retro Roundup! This five-game collection features four Toy Story titles and A Bug’s Life. All the games have been upgraded with quality-of-life improvements and behind-the-scenes content.”

Digital Eclipse has built a formidable reputation for turning retro compilations into interactive museums, and Toy Story: Retro Roundup! represents one of their most robust offerings yet. Billed simply as a “five-game collection” in its marketing blurb, the reality is far more generous. Players are treated to a staggering lineup: Toy Story (1995), A Bug’s Life (1998), Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue! (1999), Toy Story 2 (1999), Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000), and Toy Story Racer (2001). Oh, marketing team, that six games, not five.

When factoring in the hardware ports, such as the distinct Mega Drive, Super Nintendo, and Game Boy iterations of the original Toy Story, the total tally swells to eleven games, not counting regional permutations. Naturally, the collection includes standard modern quality-of-life conveniences: rewind functionality, customizable save states, adjustable screen sizes, optional CRT scan lines, cheat codes, and an integrated music player.

Yet, the true crown jewel of Retro Roundup! is its behind-the-scenes treasure trove. For gaming historians and preservationists, the wealth of archival photography, internal design documents, early prototypes, and candid developer interviews elevates the package far above a standard ROM compilation. It contextualises the engineering hurdles of early 3D graphics and licensed game development in a way few other packages manage.

As expected from any multi-title anthology spanning the tumultuous technological leap of the late 20th century, the gameplay is a mixed bag.

• Toy Story (1995): Revisiting the 16-bit iterations on the Mega Drive and SNES proves surprisingly rewarding. While 16-bit licensed platformers carry a reputation for unforgiving difficulty, the level design remains punchy, inventive, and visually faithful to the film’s iconic set pieces.
  
• A Bug’s Life (1998) & Early 3D Titles: This is where the ravages of time become starkly apparent. As an early foray into polygonal 3D, A Bug’s Life struggles mightily under the weight of erratic camera movements and stiff, unyielding controls. The handheld ports of other games across the collection similarly suffer; squeezed down onto constrained hardware layouts, they rarely feel better to play now than they did upon initial release.
  
• Toy Story 2 & Buzz Lightyear Adventures, etc: Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue!, its sibling release, and Buzz Lightyear of Star Command are thoroughly playable, capturing the adventurous spirit of their respective sources, though they still bear the charmingly awkward hallmarks of early console 3D mechanics. Meanwhile, Toy Story Racer functions as a perfectly serviceable, if thoroughly average, kart racer that provides a harmless diversion for a handful of races.

Some of these titles are pushing past thirty years of age (one is older then thirty), meaning modern expectations of fluid gameplay must be appropriately tempered. But viewed through the lens of history, Toy Story: Retro Roundup! justifies its entrance fee many times over. Between the sheer volume of software ports and the immaculate archival framing, it is an exemplary triumph of digital preservation.

As for game number two on this review, Toy Story 3 Complete Edition also comes from from Digital Eclipse and Atari.

“Reopen the toy chest and saddle up as Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie in Toy Story 3 Complete Edition, a 3D adventure based on the hit 2010 animated film, Toy Story 3. Play through authentic movie moments in Story Mode, or drop into the wild west sandbox of Woody’s Roundup in Toy Box Mode.”

Originally launched in 2010 across virtually every active gaming platform at the time, Toy Story 3 makes its triumphant return in this definitive, all-inclusive remaster with all previously released DLC. For players who missed out on the initial release, the experience is split into two distinct pillars.

The Story Mode acts as an interactive companion piece to Pixar’s celebrate animated feature. Rather than serving as a strict beat-for-beat retelling, individual levels capture the emotional and kinetic essence of key cinematic sequences while smartly deviating to accommodate active gameplay. While the narrative campaign is relatively brisk and can be completed in a single afternoon, the variety injected into each scenario keeps the pacing lively, even if mechanical quality occasionally fluctuates between inspired set pieces and standard platforming fare.

Where the package truly shines, however, is in the sprawling Toy Box mode. Abandoning linear constraints, this semi-open world invites players to construct, customise, and populate their own wild-west frontier township. By tackling idiosyncratic, bite-sized missions, players unlock new buildings, characters, and customisation options.

While the occasional side quest can veer into vague or mildly tedious territory, the sheer tactile satisfaction of shaping a sprawling sandbox environment far outshines the narrative campaign. It is entirely possible to pour dozens of hours into the Toy Box without ever touching the main story.

The sole missed opportunity here is the absence of a dedicated archival documentary suite akin to the one found in Retro Roundup!. Exploring the conceptualisation and production pipeline behind the 2010 game would have added a valuable layer of depth. Even so, Toy Story 3 Complete Edition stands as a thoroughly entertaining package that proves Andy’s toy chest still holds plenty of magic.

Both games are out now for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch. They’re well worth a purchase for some retro enjoyment.