Disney trots out Bolt

By Tom Magrino, GameSpotPosted Jun 19, 2008 5:41 pm PT

Avalanche Software adapting upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated film for 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, DS, and PC this November.

The upcoming Toy Story 3 notwithstanding, Walt Disney Pictures has made a habit of outsourcing its Pixar subsidiary's film-to-game tie-ins to THQ. However, since Disney began creating CGI films without the aid of Pixar beginning with Chicken Little in 2005, the publisher has tapped its own internal Disney Interactive Studios label for game adaptations.

That trend will continue with the upcoming John Travolta- and Miley Cyrus-voiced canine film Bolt. Today, Disney Interactive Studios said it will be releasing a game tie-in to the theatrical release, slated to hit retail shelves during the height of the holiday shopping season this November. Bolt will be available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Wii, Nintendo DS, and PC.

Developed by Avalanche Software, Bolt lets players assume the role of the titular wayward TV star pooch as well as his owner, Penny. As the dog, players will have a number of superheroic abilities, including laser vision and a superbark, while Penny's skills will be tailored more toward stealth action gameplay.

Whereas the film sees Bolt undertake a Homeward Bound-style storyline to return to his native Hollywood after being mistakenly shipped to New York City, the game "uses the film as a springboard, expanding upon the action and dynamic story elements." As such, the game features a globe-trotting adventure, where players will journey to five international locales, including Russia and Italy.

Altron (Zoo Tycoon 2 DS) has been charged with developing the Nintendo DS edition of the game, and it will allow for both cooperative and competitive multiplayer and a variety of minigames. The game will also link up with DGamer, Disney's social networking service that makes use of the DS's Wi-Fi Connection capabilities.

25 Comments

  • daruniaz

    Posted Jun 23, 2008 11:35 pm PT

    I hope Altron makes more of it than Zoo Tycoon :p
    The superheroic abilities sounds attractive, but they better be good. Its devastating when it's not worked out properly I think. That's a lot of games' destiny lately, also Disneys'

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Jun 23, 2008 10:05 pm PT

    Disney will always be around nomatter what. I love disney and always will. My kids love disney and so does my wife. Disney is a family brand name kinda like wal mart.

  • leo363636

    Posted Jun 23, 2008 11:03 am PT

    @starcutter20000

    You know nothing...

  • metalgeekguy

    Posted Jun 23, 2008 2:59 am PT

    @starcutter20000

    Dude, Disney has been around since the 1920's and survived Michael Eisner and all his terrible straight-to-dvd sequels. Something tells me that even if this were an out and out fail, no amount of wishing is going to bring the company down.

    As for Bolt, the storyline sounds terrible but the animation looks gorgeous. 3D characters over 2D hand painted backgrounds. If the game could pull that off it should at least be fun to run around in on the PS3 or the 360.

  • raichudl

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 8:41 pm PT

    Home Down on the Range was a step back.

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 2:50 pm PT

    I love disney and always will.

  • WildfireFox

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 10:27 am PT

    You sure this dog's name isn't really Brain?

  • Bart247

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 8:35 am PT

    aka_hal: According to IMDB, Pixar is not being a part of this film. The whole film is made by Disney themselves.

  • aka_hal

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 7:53 am PT

    The're not entirely accurate about something in this article. Disney is still using Pixar to make its movies. Pixar is just now apart of Disney.

  • nickelarcade

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 7:21 am PT

    @anti-viper you said games with kids, not games for kids. are you a pedophile?

  • kos1085

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 7:13 am PT

    Even though I am grown now I would pay to see Toy Story 3.

  • Sagacious_Tien

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 5:25 am PT

    Apart from Pixar, there is really nothing about Disney that I truly enjoy anymore. They've bought and ruined a lot of things, and tankfully Pixar saw through this and made critical decisions which will help them give their independence. From what I've seen, Bolt is a little different and should hopefully be good. But Im not holding out hope. The Meet the Robinsons game and film were passable, but compared to the likes of other animated films, there is definitely improvement to be made.

  • Willy105

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 4:21 am PT

    Chicken Little and The Wild were garbage,

    But Meet the Robinsons was one of the best Disney movies I have seen....ever.

    Hopefully Bolt will be as good as that movie.

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 1:50 am PT

    I am a grown man that is married and have children. I love disney even now and my kids love it to. Disney movies are amazing and especially now that they really push the limits with a lot of adult content or hidden messages in the movies. Disney is great and offers a great family name to any home especially if your a parent. I understand everyone has opinions but if there is nothing good to say then dont say it at all. Shout out to Disney. Thankyou for all the years of offering good service to the whole world.

  • feds

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 1:22 am PT

    "starcutter20000

    disney is terrible at films and I can only hope they are just as bad at making games so they can fail and fall into obscurity and let real companies that don't outsource it's artist to china create our entertainment and our animated movies."

    are you serious? Some of the best anime movies have been from disney.

  • shaktisingh

    Posted Jun 19, 2008 11:09 pm PT

    Sigh, another game coming on every platform but the PSP. What's going on?

  • mashom

    Posted Jun 19, 2008 10:56 pm PT

    another animated series its been long since i play..

  • starcutter20000

    Posted Jun 19, 2008 10:31 pm PT

    disney is terrible at films and I can only hope they are just as bad at making games so they can fail and fall into obscurity and let real companies that don't outsource it's artist to china create our entertainment and our animated movies.

  • Mortal_Medic

    Posted Jun 19, 2008 8:40 pm PT

    More low quality video games to fleece the pockets of millions of children. Such a shame.

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Jun 19, 2008 7:11 pm PT

    @VenomRitual

    Why you asking Disney instead of SquareEnix?

Bolt Quick Links

Summary | Reviews | News | Previews & Features | Answers | Forum | Check Prices

advertisement
Click Here
Bolt Boxshot Enlarge the boxshot
Bolt

Game Stats

  • Rank:
    5,990 of 76,690
    (up by 1,253)
    PC Rank:
    2,104 of 12,544
    Highest Rank:
    42 in 2009
    Tracking:
    40 Track It»
    Wishlists:
    14 Wish It»
  • Player Reviews:
    2
    Player Ratings:
    43
    Users Now Playing:
    6
  • Top 5 User Tags:
    1. adventure
    2. animated film
    3. avalanche software
    4. bolt
    5. disney
  • Everyone 10+ Rating Description

    Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes. Learn more

Full Game Details »Close
Also on

Games you may like…

Users who looked at content for this game also looked at these games.

See More Similar Games
advertisement