Highlights
- Fans created a stunning Unreal Engine 5 remake of the PS1 Toy Story 2 game.
- The project took 600 days but will not be released publicly to avoid legal issues.
- It serves as a visual showcase, modernizing the game's iconic opening levels.
A dedicated group of developers has achieved a massive milestone by successfully remaking the first three levels of the cult classic PlayStation 1 game, Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue, using Unreal Engine 5. Known online as "Level reDesign", the team led by developer Zachary McPhink has spent approximately 600 days bringing this project to life. The remake, titled Toy Story 2: Reassembled, offers a stunning modern interpretation of the 1999 platformer, showcasing just how beautiful a licensed game can look with today’s technology.
However, there is a significant catch for eager fans hoping to download and play this nostalgic masterpiece. The creators have explicitly stated that the project is strictly for "education and entertainment purposes" and will not be released to the public.
This difficult decision was made to avoid potential legal conflicts with the copyright holders, Disney and Pixar. Much like the recent fan-made remake of The Simpsons: Hit and Run, this project serves as a visual showcase rather than a playable product, leaving nostalgia-driven gamers to admire the work through videos rather than firsthand experience.
322 Custom Models and New Lighting
The scope of the project is a comprehensive overhaul rather than a simple resolution upscale. According to data shared by the developers, the team created 322 custom 3D models, 192 unique blueprints, and spent over 40 hours just "baking lights" to ensure the atmosphere was perfect.
The remake covers the game’s iconic opening stages, including Andy’s House, the sprawling Andy’s Neighbourhood, and the "Bombs Away" boss fight. The visual style balances the charm of the original game with the high-fidelity lighting and textures of Unreal Engine 5, aiming for an aesthetic similar to the Spyro Reignited Trilogy.
Beyond the visuals, the team focused heavily on gameplay refinement to modernize the experience. Reports indicate that the developers smoothed out the platforming mechanics, specifically addressing the "mantling" system and depth perception issues that plagued the original Nintendo 64 and PS1 versions.
They also implemented significant quality-of-life improvements, including a modern health UI, more responsive controls, and updated enemy behaviours. The remake even features new particle and sound effects, ensuring the game feels as good as it looks.
The motivation behind the project began as a personal portfolio piece for McPhink but quickly evolved into a collaborative effort involving professional game designers, artists, and animators like Illia Mallyk and Kyle Metz.
Licensed games have historically had a reputation for being poor quality, but the original Toy Story 2 game by Traveller’s Tales was a rare exception, widely regarded as one of the best of its era. While fans cannot play this remake, the project stands as a testament to the enduring love for this classic and hopes to signal to publishers that players are ready for an official return of Buzz Lightyear.
