Disney Universe

Disney Universe will give parents and kids alike a fun and enjoyable experience. Without the little ones, however, there's not much to be excited about.

Overall, Disney Universe is one of the more charming games to arrive on the PS3 this holiday season. The game never takes itself too seriously and manages to effective accomplish what it set out to do and that is please Disney fans. While the game may lack some depth, it makes up for its shortcomings with some enjoyable co-op gameplay, slick visuals and lovable characters.

I think the best way to break Disney Universe down is like this: If you have kids aged nine or above they will no doubt get enjoyment from the game, especially in co-op, but the repetitive nature of the levels will start to grind a couple of hours in. If your kids are younger though there's a good chance they will think this is the best thing ever.

Disney Universe may be a calculated copy of the most prominent features in the LittleBigPlanet series and the LEGO games, but who cares when it's this fun? Not to be played alone, this game shines when experienced with another person, preferrably a younger family member.

Without its surreal mix of worlds and characters, Disney Universe would be little more than a fun, but forgettable LEGO game rip-off. However, with enough charm and personality to fill Cinderella's Castle, it's hard not to recommend it to those who make annual treks to Disneyland or catch every Pixar flick on opening day. If that doesn't describe you, but you're an adult looking for a fun interactive romp to take with your kids, Disney Universe is still a great place to visit.

A fun-filled affair, that more than compensates for its simplicity with strong multiplayer support and creative level design. A great title for all the family to enjoy together.

The ideal family game. It's quick and simple, but has charm, character and inventive little puzzles galore.

This is a pretty good platformer, but we are appalled about how shamelessly Disney rips of LittleBigPlanet. The characters you play with look exactly like Sackboys. A nice touch: you can dress them up with all kinds of costumes from the Disney-universe. [December 2011, p.97]

We finished this game in around 10 hours that I must admit was a very fun experience. It was nice interacting with all these Disney characters again (sort of) and although it's not the most original game, it's content, story and characters definitely makes up for its lack of originality.

A game specifically designed for the youngest ones from the family. Charming, well produced and full of Disney magic. However, the content feels a bit short and sometimes the game is too obsessed with helping, disrupting the natural flow of the enjoyment with it.

My expectations simply were too high. Disney Universe is a solid platformer but has nothing to justify the Disney in its name. For kids it's good fun, but gamers will find it lacking in variety, flair and themes.

Probably not a game for anyone born too far before the millennium. But it is sure to bring some joy for younger players this Christmas.

A mediocre game: Simple, accessible and fun gameplay in recognizable Disney settings, but way too chaotic and repetitive to leave a lasting impression.

With a host of exciting power-ups and a wealth of gruelling bosses, in addition to a selection of back-to-basics retro challenges, Disney Universe is a highly entertaining package. It might not encompass the hardcore appeal required to command a must-have purchase, but it's still a valuable diversion for families and younger demographics.

Disney Universe is a nostalgic trip through Disney's history that should provide a fair bit of enjoyment for all Disney fans, small or large, and promises of DLC have us eager for more. [Holiday 2011, p.79]

Disney Universe is the most enjoyable LEGO game I've played; it's fun and funnier than it often has any right to be, and it does a lot with the Disney licenses included.

Disney Universe is a pretty game for young gamers. Disney Interactive did a good job leaving from the classical tie-in structure and creating something simple but funny enough to entertain children.

While I would not recommend the title to older gamers (unless they were fanatical Disney fans) I strongly suspect that playing as a parent/child team would be of value, and having multiple children playing together would certainly be the optimal situation.

An entertaining game, that is only recommendable for young kids for its excessive simplicity. It uses Disney characters but doesn't make the most of the license, but can be very fun when four people play.

Has its problems, but it's a solid title bound to please its intended audience.

Quotation forthcoming.

Disney Universe gets more interesting when you grab three friends (or kids) and play together, but so does just about everything. There's a nice little competitive element in the game, and players can sabotage their friends' efforts by hoarding power-ups and triggering traps. That said, the game is so shallow and repetitive that only the most easily amused will be able to slog their way through to the end credits, with or without companionship.

Disney Universe is a great title to get your kids out of the rail-based kiddie-style games and start getting them into the meatier side of games.

This game lets you dress up as famous Disney characters and the suits are pretty charming. It has some funny mini games, but Disney Universe suffers from camera issues and doesn't really do anything new.

Bizarrely, Disney Universe offers up no incentive to not die. [Christmas 2011, p.103]

Disney Universe is a fun experience but only for a short period of time.

Disney Universe plays well, has got a lot of charm and welcomes you into the world of six great, classic movies. Still, the game is way too easy to beat, especially when playing on your own. Disney Universe stands out more as a children's game than an actual challenge for more experienced gamers.