Disney Infinity delayed from June to August

Skylanders-like Disney Infinity will now reach store shelves in late August, a two-month delay from its original June release date.

The New York Times reports that the game, which features its own line of toys it can interact with, will be released in the US on August 18 and in the rest of the world on August 20.

Disney Infinity's original June release date was scheduled to coincide with the upcoming Pixar flick Monsters University, but was pushed back closer toward the lucrative holiday season at the request of retailers.

Speaking of conversations with retailers, Disney Interactive co-president John Pleasants said, "The [June] date became an issue in terms of them asking, 'Is there a better opportunity here?'"

"We could deliver in June if we wanted to," added Pleasants. "Will a two-month timing change help us? Sure, of course. It gives us a little more time to add bells and whistles and make sure it really sings and pops."

Disney Infinity--which is launching on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Wii U, PC, and 3DS--will hit shelves ahead of Activision's Skylanders Swap Force, with the two games in direct competition for a share of a clearly lucrative market: Activision has sold over 100 million Skylanders toys. Meanwhile, Nintendo's Japanese release of downloadable game Pokemon Rumble U is also coming with its own line of figurines.