Many are calling Pixar’s Toy Story 3 not just a great movie, but the year’s best.  The long-awaited second follow-up to the world’s first full-length has become not only the most popular movie of the year, but the most acclaimed, and in this industry such success could only mean that a videogame version was on the way.  Given the glut of shoddy ports and money-grab releases, it wouldn't be unreasonable to assume that a game based on the Toy Story franchise would be any different.  Think again, as Disney Interactive Studios (with a little help from Avalanche Software) have broken the mold - the toy mold - with one of the most surprisingly ambitious games ever made from a licensed film.  And while the Toy Story 3: The Videogame may not quite live up to the loftiest of lofts set by its cinematic brother, its reaches higher and achieves more than most thought it would.  You've definitely got a friend in this one.

Those who’ve yet to see the original movie needn’t worry that much about spoilers as the game doesn’t really follow the events of the actual movie that closely – and sometimes not at all.  Like most movies-to-videogame adaptations, Toy Story 3: The Videogame spans across several levels of varying and ever-changing gameplay styles as it charts its own course.  Instead, it concentrates on the adventures of Woody, Buzz, and Jesse, limiting other familiar faces to secondary roles while some major characters, like Ken and Barbie, are left out completely (probably for licensing reasons).

Other times it makes up entirely new scenarios, such as escaping a rising tide of coffee from a magical witch or hopping across intergalactic space rails while trying to retrieve missing batteries.  And then there’s the super-ambitious Toy Box mode, which may be the single greatest innovation in the history of the genre.  Yeah, there’s a lot of game here, which probably wasn’t what you were expecting from a ‘simple’ movie license.

As with last year’s excellent Monsters vs. Aliens videogame, the clear influence here on some of the more inspired moments was certainly Nintendo’s Super Mario Galaxy, with a dizzying level of creativity in the platforming segments more creative moments that will challenge not just the game’s intended target audience, but seasoned veterans.  Even better, an ingeniously implemented two-player co-op means that both can play together, which can often turn really good experiences into great ones.  The game features cooperative play, via split-screen, which can really change the dynamic of some of the more challenging missions.  Turn-based play (see below) becomes even more thrilling when you’ve got someone assisting, and many of the more action-oriented levels (i.e. Buzz Lightyear’s) suggest there’s a wicked experience just waiting to use this engine in a non-Toy Story game.

It’s worth noting that both the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions feature fairly standard controls, while the Wii version adds small motion-controls for some welcome variety.  Again, just as with Mario Galaxy, these are limited to small flicks of the wrist (to power-stomp), reticule aiming, and the odd floating scene (i.e. parachuting).  They work extremely well and actually give what is otherwise an ordinary control scheme some extra flavor.

Fans of the classic game The Lost Vikings will probably love the scenarios that require the player to keep tabs on Woody, Buzz, and Jessie in the same level, alternating between them as each uses their special abilities (i.e. Buzz can toss others, Woody can swing across chasms using his pull string) to work together as a team.  Others feel more traditional, such as mini-game collections and small action set-pieces, and while these can be fun – especially with split-screen cooperative play – it’s the odd moment that truly stands out from the pack.

One in particular, the incredible Buzz Lightyear ‘videogame’ sequence, features  a dazzling amount of action-oriented gameplay switches that could very well be the real highlight of the campaign as it effectively recreates the opening scene from Toy Story 2 (yes, Toy Story 2).  It starts off with an intense aerial combat chase and even includes light Gears of War-inspired action before morphing into a relentless underground race and, eventually, culminates with a fierce battle with Buzz’s nemesis, the evil Emperor Zerg.  Frankly, Disney Interactive Studios could slice this part off into a separate adventure if they wanted to help promote the game and I’d be tempted to pick it up.

If there are any problems with the campaign mode, apart from erratic camera angles and some wonky car/horse controls, it’s that these levels feel more like a collection of pieces than a true narrative whole.  They also vary wildly in difficulty, which ranges from predictably simple to curiously difficult, with little wiggle room in between.  One epic encounter involves battling magic witches (and giant cupcakes) while using Quake-like jumping to giant lasers and grenade launchers is far too difficult for the budding gamer who may have come into this thing cold.  Ditto for another that requires deftly switching between three characters while under a timer to help your captured friends evade certain doom; it’s tough stuff that may surprise those hoping for breezier experience through toy land.

Perhaps the most talked about (and deservedly so) part of Toy Story 3: The Videogame is the ambitious Toy Box mode, which repositions elements of the campaign into a sprawling, open-world environment, based on Woody’s Round-Up western theme.  Some have likened it to being Grand Theft Auto-lite, and apart from not being able to pick up prostitutes or gun down drug lords, they’re not far off.  Toy Box lets players take control of Woody, Buzz, and Jesse in a fully interactive western sandbox, and take part in a number of mini-missions to gain money (gold) to purchase, unlock, expand, and in several ways totally customize the town and its inhabitants.  None of these are particularly challenging, and few rise above simply following instructions (i.e. get Stinky Pete’s pickaxe, race Bullseye), but they’re often short and fun enough to keep you playing, and coming back, for hours at a time.  Earning more gold means having more variety to dress up the townsfolk and add new missions (and earn even more gold), and there’s even multiple nods to Pixar’s other films, like Wall-E and The Incredibles, that are scattered throughout for you to collect and add to the already gigantic box of customizable costumes to ‘toy’ around with.

While you’ll still need to complete the campaign mode (to collect all the various in-game treasures) to really get the most out of your own virtual playground, it’s worth the effort.  This virtual western villa is huge, and it’ll take even the most dedicated Toy Story fans some time to unlock and populate it with every available costume and additional housing structure (most of which can be customized, too).  Also, two players can take part (on the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions) to double the fun at the same time, with each participating in their own challenges.

When talking about the game’s Toy Box mode, it’s worth bringing up the most acclaimed movie-to-game adaptation of all-time, GoldenEye 007 for the Nintendo64. Rare’s seminal take on the first-person shooter genre broke the mold by offering a comprehensive gameplay experience that went far beyond simply recreating its 1995 celluloid namesake, and took full advantage of the James Bond franchise to offer a compulsively playable experience that lasted long after the movie faded away.  Toy Story 3’s Toy Box mode comes close to that, and while it may not take the crown from GoldenEye’s pistol-clutching fingers, it rightfully earns its place among the very best movie-to-game adaptations ever made.  Believe it.

The differences between the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii versions pretty much fall where you’d expect them to, although all three share the same basic content in both the campaign and Toy Boy modes.  Admittedly, the game looks a lot better on the Xbox 360 and PS3, with extremely detailed visuals that look a lot closer to the in-game cinemas and sport lighting effects that really pop.  All three share the same audio, which includes a mixture off the original movie’s voice actors (including Pixar regular John Ratzenberger as Hamm), although Tom Hanks and Tim Allen have been replaced with so-so imitators.  Expect to hear “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” more than once, which is fine, but how awesome would it have been to include the amazing Spanish cover by The Gypsy Kings?

But that’s not to say the Wii version doesn’t look great, because it often does (especially during the Buzz Lightyear sequence) and brings a few motion-control elements that actually make the game more fun to play.  It’s also worth noting the Wii version of the Toy Box mode isn’t as full-featured as either the Xbox 360 or PS3 versions, as the co-op gameplay has been removed (sadness) and there’s far less customization on individual characters and the buildings, which means less variety in your personal toy box’s populace.  Those coming to the game for the most comprehensive and playable version of the Toy Box feature might want to opt for one of the HD versions over the Wii’s abbreviated – but still fun – version.

Although I can’t confirm it firsthand, word has the PlayStation 3 version packed extra content, most of which centers on Emperor Zerg and his hot ride (no joking), complete with new missions and gameplay.  It also seems the game will receive a post-release update to allow new control and mini-games designed for use with Sony’s new Move motion-controller.  So if you’re a PlayStation 3 it looks like you’ve got a bit more saving the galaxy - or destroying it - to look forward to.

Toy Story 3: The Videogame is easily one of the best and most accomplished movie-to-game adaptations ever made, and should please fans of Pixar’s latest epic with the greatest of ease.  While the story mode may not follow the actual movie that closely (if at all), there’s plethora of changing gameplay styles and challenge for a satisfying solo and cooperative experience. Toy Box mode may be the most ambitious thing ever attempted in a movie-adaptation yet, and adds potentially hundreds of hours of new customizable Pixar fun to the package.  Erratic control and fluctuating difficult levels aside, this is certainly one of the most surprising - and enjoyable - games of the year.