Gadgetwise: With Disney Infinity, a Virtual Toy Box

When the executives at Disney conceived of Infinity, they imagined a video game that resembled a toy box: random toys could be pulled out for any adventure.

The Disney Infinity game, which was released last week, embraces that “anything goes” attitude with vigor. Initial properties include “The Lone Ranger,” “The Incredibles,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Monsters University” and “Cars 2,” and more are scheduled to follow. Disney has said that anything from its vault, including movies, TV shows, theme parks and animated shorts, could eventually show up in the evolving platform.

But Disney Infinity is more than just a video game. Like Skylanders from Activision, Disney Infinity incorporates physical toys, which unlock characters, powers, vehicles and other features when the toys are placed on the Infinity base, which is connected to a game console (Xbox 360, PS3 or Wii).

Once a figure is on the base, its digital doppelgänger appears in a “play set,” a virtual realm based on each character’s respective world. Changing characters and play sets is as easy as swapping the toys on the base. Or characters can come together in the “toy box” mode, in which players create worlds and adventures of their own.

The game itself is simple but engaging. The characters inhabit their worlds and can go on missions, collect objects, build energy and earn points, pretty much as in any video game. But the toy box mode offers the opportunity for real creativity, giving players the ability to design a 3-D world from scratch using landscapes, buildings, vehicles, characters and other objects from the Disney universe.

The Disney Infinity starter pack, which includes the game, three figures and three play sets, costs $75. Add-ons include single figures at $13 apiece, sets of three figures for $30 and a pack that includes two figures and a play set for $35. In addition, power discs, which provide special abilities, toys and themes, are sold in packs of two for $5 (but they are in blind packaging, which means you don’t know which discs you will get.)

Paying extra for additional characters and content is nothing new to video games. But Disney is starting with five play sets, 17 figures and 20 power discs, with much more to come. This game has the potential to fill up your toy box as quickly as it empties your wallet.