Hello, I was the lead programmer of the Toy Story PC version and I wanted to say a few things. First, thanks for the video, it brings back memories. Some good, some bad. Now, I would like to address some of the overly harsh criticism people are posting. The Mega Drive (Genesis) and also the SNES were written in the assembly language for their specific machines (as all console games were at the time). This was written in C with a lot of x86 (PC) assembly language. The source code was not available to me, Travelers owned the code and Disney didn't want to pay $$$$ for using it as a reference. I literally had to sit and play the game over and over and 'try' to mimic the behavior of the game. Also, this had to run on a 486DX 33 MHZ processor. Earthworm Jim that was mentioned in a comment below required a minimum of a Pentium 133 with a 3D card (and was DOS based). In raw power, that's over 4 time faster. Please do some fact checking before you compare products that have completely different target specs! The 3D effects were in at one point but had to be taken out because of the limited horsepower of the target CPU, too much slowdown. Everything had to be done in software, no nice hardware blitters or DMA chips for PCs! This had to run on both Windows 3.1 and Windows 95, a double nightmare! I wish it had been DOS because it would have made things easier and it would probably still run (with DOSBox). The deadline to complete this was VERY tight. It had to be done so that it could be released the same day, and in kiosks side-by-side, with the video release of the movie. All of the graphics were taken from the SNES version and upgraded to 256 color. The music was redone and is CD quality, the best of any of the versions. NOTE: If you can get this to run on an emulator and it stutters, it's the emulators fault. This ran rock solid on a 486DX 33 with zero stutter ever. I'll always be proud of what I was able to achieve with the limited specs, time and resources available that I had to work with for this project.
Wow, that's actually really neat! Sorry if I came off brash and rude; hope I wasn't being completely demoralizing. Sometimes it just seems I never learn to think before I go full-on angry rage mode on the Internet, heh. So with what you were given, it seems like you did do a good job. I kinda wish the 3D effects had been left in as an option (with the default being "off" so it wouldn't hinder the less tech-savvy on a lower end computer), but I guess that would explain why Really Inside the Claw was left out. I had misinformation spread about that so I'm happy to hear that has been settled. Overall I kinda wish things had gone differently -- they really should have given you the source code, and I think raising the minimum specs even a small amount could have gone a long way. Sounds a lot like they were trying to have their cake and eat it too. Still, all circumstances considered, you did what you could, and with me knowing those circumstances I'd say the end product is something you have every right to be proud of. Again, I wish they had handled it a lot better, but I guess that's something that was out of you and I's control both, heh. Happy to provide nostalgia. And if you were curious, this is actually not an emulator, this is a real computer. It's a Pentium II laptop to be exact, obviously way beyond what was around even when the game was originally released. I need to give this a try on my 486 sometime though, I have a DX4-100MHz so maybe that'd be a good test bench. And I agree, having it on DOS would have probably worked wonders; sounds like they were asking way too much out of you guys, heh. So I guess I've changed my opinion a bit; now that I know the circumstances, I can appreciate it a lot more for what you were able to make, and really do commend you on it, though it also sounds like Disney was incredibly strenuous on how this was to be made which unfortunately led to some unavoidable caveats too. But hey, for what it's worth, everyone unanimously agrees this has the best soundtrack of any version of the game, and leaving Day-Toy-Na in was a nice touch too since that one wasn't in the SNES version. What are you up to now, career wise? It's such an honor to hear from you!
I didn't have the luxury of console gaming as a kid, so I know this PC version like the back of my hand. And while the Genesis version is an undeniable classic, the PC version actually plays better than the SNES port (we're not even going to talk about Game Boy). And it sounds like we were close to seeing the 3D claw machine level, the music was even on the disc. I'd love to see a remastered version of this game, but I know it'd be a licensing nightmare. Still, some of the best pre-rendered graphics of all time.
He explained all of this in the comment. I get the idea you only read the first sentence. I don't believe he's still checking the comments, but I'll relay everything he already said. * The 3D effects were in the game at one point but had to be scrapped because it bogged down performance too much on the target system requirements (a 486 DX4 processor). * Disney didn't want to pay royalties for the source code, so they had to basically re-code the whole thing from scratch. That's why the physics are totally different; and again, performance issues made it hard to keep it super close to the console versions. * The cut scenes part wasn't answered, but I feel there's any number of reasonable explanations for this, but I'm sure a lot of it boils down to the fact that they didn't want to spend the extra time putting in QuickTime video into the game. They were already tight on development time as it stood, and this was way before sticking movie clips into games was a thing anyway. Also, if you have to start a sentence with "no offense", you should probably quit talking. Just a little pointer.
"The deadline to complete this was VERY tight. It had to be done so that it could be released the same day, and in kiosks side-by-side, with the video release of the movie." --the original comment that you clearly did not read
Yeah they just keep shitting about SNES and the Genesis version, While I prefer this version, the soundtrack is made with better instruments, and some clean voice lines of buzz and woody, Its better enough than the SNES and Sega Genesis Version. Edit: I really wish to play this version someday.
I remember playing this game when I was little before I even used the Internet, and although my computer at the time didn't have any speakers, I still enjoyed playing this game so much. ☺
I don’t see anyone “overly harshly criticizing” the game, and I scrolled through nearly all the comments. Sometimes you only find hate and negativity if you look for it.
It's a bit of a relic of when I initially uploaded this, something I accept full blame for -- I initially was really critical on this version in the description and a lot of people joined in on that. After the developer stepped in and set the record straight, I rewrote a lot of the description and the comments are a lot more positive on this version now (although I still do think it's the weakest version of the bunch still, but it's not something I blame the development staff for).
I used to play this GREAT Game in my Packard Bell when I was a kid Great Game and great soundtrack "Roller Bob" scene is one of my favourites themes in my opinion. Thank you to bring back some memories x3
I didn't know Matt "hello hacker fucker heres the deal." Furniss (apparently) worked on this game. Huh. Nice video, and I love your notes in the description. I'm amazed at your detailed reviews that honestly deserve a video of their own, really. Nice work!
No idea who that guy is, never heard of him. Care to fill me in? Also, aw, thank you! People say I have a very analytical mind; unfortunately I just don't have the patience to really make proper video reviews. They take up a lot of time and effort, a lot more than it would initially seem. But I'm happy you enjoy reading through my opinions! Makes me feel a bit better about writing overly long descriptions, heh.
Mr. Eight-Three-One do you think you could play Huggly Saves the Turtles if there's a possibility? I loved that game when I was really young and it would be nice to take a trip down Memory Lane.
Funny thing is I remember back when I was a kid, when we still had a functioning VCR, we had a VHS copy of Toy Story. It advertised the video game version within that tape. I distinctly remember the advertising narrator saying how “the hit game” for SNES and Genesis is “now on the computer”. But now that I happen to own the Genesis version of the game, and now I know what this version looks and sounds like, they definitely were showing the Genesis version in that commercial. It’s almost like they were ashamed to show how janky the PC version was, and insinuating the Genesis is the best version. lol
I want to guess that at the time the trailer was made, this version wasn't ready. As stated by the lead programmer below, they actually had to complete this version in time to coincide with said VHS release, and he also said it was under a really strict deadline. Read his comment about it, it's pretty interesting though also a bit tragic.
Whoever made this, I must admit - great job ye sir! Considering all the time constraints and technical limitations, linescrolling floors alone look impressive (to the side: never mind seeing the floors behind flat solid objects like arcade machines or furniture...).
This looks perfectly good for a game designed to run on a 486 DX 33 in a windows environment. (I feel extremely sorry for anyone that was using said CPU with Windows 95 though lol!) The best example of games which run beautifully and smoothly on crappy hardware would be the original Prince of Persia games, but this is much more colourful and it sounds like the devs on this were extremely pressed for time. Similar arcade ports released around the same time were Pitfall: Mayan Adventure and Earthworm Jim which were quite good but still a bit sluggish even on the 486 DX4 100Mhz I had at the time.
Thanks for finally uploading a walkthrough of this game! I grew up with the SNES version, and I have a lot of memories with it, despite the fact it is not even close to being a perfect game. As a whole I wanted to ask what do you think of this game? As in, have you played the console ports and what is your opinion on those?
I have not extensively played the console versions, only up through the first few levels or so. From the perspective of someone who didn't grow up playing this game (it was a little before my time), I'll say it's a fairly solid platformer and certainly has a lot of good variety, but it also is way too difficult considering its target audience and the game really doesn't offer a whole lot of leeway for any mistakes (after the first few levels, they pretty much quit giving you any health refills). Still, it's a fun little platformer and while I wouldn't say it's a must play, it's still worth a try.
If they tried that back in the day I guarantee all they would have done is taken the original Genesis version and just add the music from the PC/SNES version with some FMV scenes lol.
Imagine a Sega Saturn port and PS1 port of this game with FMVs, CD Audio, and steady fps. They would be the best versions if those ports ever did come out.
2:00 As a kid when I played this I always thought that Army Men bucket looked like a bucket of chicken you'd get from a restaurant or something, and I thought it was weird there was Army Men toys coming out of it instead of something like some chicken to restore your health. XD
alright,the GameBoy version d'osent have the really inside the claw machine 3d stage and the claw boss...but the pc version also d'osent have the 3D stage ?
It's best version of this game for me because it's have longer win dance, better voices, music, sound effects, good color palette, better pictures in story, 60 fps, and more! So the pc version is best for me
I STILL think this should've gotten ported to PlayStation & Sega Saturn to tie-in with the film's home media release. Ditto for Toy Story 2 being ported to the PS2 in 2000. And Toy Story 4 should've had a video game PERIOD!
After listening to most of the OST for years and hoping one day good footage of this version of the game would surface, I finally get to see only for the port to actually seem pretty crappy? What the heck happened here with the porting process?!
Your guess is as good as mine. Well, okay, not really. I don't know if this is completely true because it's uncited (not to mention it's hearsay, coming from me), but apparently an Internet friend of mine got in contact with the guy who was Travelers Tales' CEO at the time, and he said the reason Really Inside the Claw Machine wasn't included in this version was because it was done by a totally different dev team and they felt putting in a 3D engine was a "waste of time" when it was only for one level. Though that only speaks for one part of the port, it still is a pretty good indicator for the kind of effort that was put in.
One other detail I noticed was that no special music played when Woody got set on fire in Sid's Workbench....even though that music IS in the files for the game. Even then, as much as I love a fraction of the OST, the other fraction has the barest minimum of effort possible.....I don't get it. They should've gotten a more competent team to do the process.
Yeah, I noticed that too. Though in all fairness, it actually has at least some reason to have not been used: * On games like this that used CD audio for the music, the game had to pause for a brief moment in order to queue it up. Normally this isn't an issue while the level is loading, but if you look carefully, any time the music loops in this walkthrough, there's a small pause while the game queues it up again. It's a problem that plagued a lot of 90s games that used CD audio -- I assume they wanted to avoid more pauses, especially since they can be disruptive to the flow of the game. * CD audio can't loop cleanly like synthesized music can. The piece in question is only 20 seconds long, five of which are complete silence. This would mean while you're at these sections, you'd be hearing nothing but silence for a good chunk of it. And again, it exasperates the problem of the stutter every time the music restarts. It wasn't totally out of the question though. Had I been working on this port, I would have circumvented the issue by making it a WAV audio file just like all the other sounds in the game -- sure, the music would have been low quality, but it's better than outright not having it. Plus, you could easily make it cleanly loop, and the only pause we'd have to deal with would be while Woody dumps his head in the cereal bowl, a moment in time where the player has no control over him. Everyone wins. But yeah, to really hammer this point into the floor, Sonic CD for Windows 95 came out this exact same year and was a metric ton better than this port. It's completely faithful to the original game (the worst part about it is the lower quality audio, a downside I can deal with), and the new save system ain't too shabby. Earthwrom Jim for Windows 95 is also a good example of how you do a port like this right -- again, very faithful to the original game, but has the kick-butt CD audio score that the Sega CD version features, the same type of save system as this game (where you can skip to any level you want after reaching it), and even a few new features. And they didn't forego including the more visually stunning levels either, like Andy Asteroids. I agree, they really should have gotten a better team for this; you could have easily had the definitive experience for this game had they put in any sort of effort. It's really a shame it turned out so mediocre.
Yeah, I'm familiar with Sonic CD's port. I mean, Sonic Gems Collection was how I experienced the game at all prior to the remake (it used the PC port instead of the SEGA CD version).
Yeah, from what I hear the Sega CD version suffered a case of lost source code, which is why they opted to port the PC version instead. I have played both the SCD and PC versions and can pretty much attest that it's a completely identical experience (again, only downside being the sound effects are lower quality; they're wave files that use a really low sampling rate), and everything I've witnessed with the Gems Collection port is that it's exactly the same, though the one messup they made is that the special stages run too fast (the PC version doesn't have this issue). Overall though it's a pretty good port and it runs quite well on pretty much any mid-90s computer you throw at it, so long as you're running it on a Pentium; I'd doubt it would do well on a 486, but I could always try.
Thanks for posting, I loved this game. I remember 'inside the claw machine' and Sids bedroom levels being rock hard, this was the era where they made games properly challenging; sooo satisfying to beat :-)
Do you think you can also upload the level complete and game over themes from this version? I recall them being lumped with the sound effects in this version so they are not redbook audio like the rest which is why nobody has uploaded it yet.
As someone who only ever played this game on PC as a kid, I thought it was pretty good. I'm sure it is inferior to console versions, but on its own, for a PC platformer in 1996, there isn't much to complain about except the more frustrating levels.
Awesome play through, I really enjoyed it! I’m sorry if this question seems a bit random but I’ve always wanted to know what your opinion is on Fatty Bear’s Birthday Surprise. Personally, it’s one of my favourite Junior Adventures but it seems lots of people disagree and say it’s one of the worst, what do you think?
Pretty impressive port. Even if one or two levels had to be cut. The soundtrack reminds me a lot of Rayman PS1 in how they redid the entier soundtrack in CD quality. If the game ever got anything like a PS1 port then this soundtrack could of easily have been used for said port
Ah, the PC version, the good ol' PC version. I honestly thought I would never find gameplay footage for this version of the game. This is the one I remember playing at age 6 or 7. I'll admit that the music was probably the best thing about this version. But I like this game overall. I really wish there was a way to play it again. Someone should make a Windows 98 drive or emulator or something (probably not easy...). I'd certainly play through this game again if such software (or hardware) existed. 😍
Several ways of emulating Windows 9x exist; by far, the most developed one is PCem, but it requires fairly powerful hardware to run smooth, and it can be a headache if you're not familiar with old computer hardware. DOSBox is also a good option as this game will run on Windows 3.1, which DOSBox is really good at emulating with any kind of hardware.
I remember I had the VHS tape for Toy Story, and they had a trailer for the PC version of the game, and I always thought it looked better than the SNES or Sega versions. I always wanted it but never even got to see it, til now I guess lol
My only complaint with this port is that some of the character animations are limited while on the Genesis and SNES version the animations are smoother and it's missing the really inside the claw machine level but overall it's a good port of the game.
If the first Toy Story movie had a PS1 game, it would've had all the levels from the Genesis but with the sounds and graphics from the PC game and could've added cut scenes from the movie in addition to more levels
No it's not. The music and the save feature are the only edge this version has over the console ones; it's otherwise weaker in every way (which isn't the fault of the developers mind you; the executives refused to give this the resources it needed).
Nope. No bonus games in this version. The stars aren't cumulative either; if you get all 50 you simply get a health refill and an extra life, I think at some lower number you only get one of those two but I forget which.
Mr. Eight-Three-One The Genesis/Mega Drive version of this game is superior because all of the levels are in the game (Including "Really Inside the Claw Machine", "Day-Toy-Na" and the "Shooting Stars" bonus round). Like in the Genesis/Mega Drive version, in the PC version of Toy Story, Woody's soda cup lid's straw is missing in the Pizza Planet level called "Food and Drink". Sure, the sound, voices and music sound crappy in the Genesis/Mega Drive version of this game, but the Genesis/Mega Drive version is superior. In the Super Nintendo version, the straw in Woody's soda cup lid is shown and the level, "Day-Toy-Na" is missing.
I have the old PC CDROM but can't seem to find any manner of getting the background music to work. I guess I'll have to find period specific hardware...
I did this on real retro hardware! This was played on a Pentium 2 laptop running Windows 95. I don't even bother trying to run old game on modern computers anymore, so I'm afraid I won't be of much help. Sorry!
Makes we wonder if there were to be an Europe-exclusive PlayStation port of Toy Story with the music and sound from the PC version (and maybe Really Inside the Claw Machine level) published by SCEE in 1996.
When Sid is called downstairs by his mother, it gives Woody a chance to look around the bedroom for Buzz... What could have happened to him? And unkown to Woody, lurking in the dark shadows, something was watching his every move very closely...
