My first experience with came from an old demo disc. What I discovered was a weird mish-mash of genres. However, my adventure ended there. Now, in 2024, has released Tomba! Special Edition. Let’s take a jog down memory lane.
What is the Special Edition?
If you were hoping for updated graphics, I have bad news. Visually and mechanically, this is almost exactly the 1997 game. The emulator simply upscales the graphics slightly.
Nevertheless, a few useful things have been added. Most notably, there is a handy rewind ability. This lets you jump backwards in time. Consequently, it is a great addition for frustrating platforming sections. Furthermore, you can now save the game at any time.
Additionally, the music has been remastered. You can also play in different aspect ratios. However, I highly recommend sticking to the original . Finally, the package includes cool extras. You can explore a museum with developer notes and an interview with creator .
Is this worth the $19.99 price tag? For some, this faithful recreation is exactly what they want. In contrast, others might find paying for a simple emulation too steep.
The Game Itself: Pure Weirdness
Tomba! is incredibly weird. It combines 2D and 3D environments, side-quests, and RPG-style leveling. Fujiwara, who left to form , wanted to create an accessible platformer.
You play as the titular cave child with inexplicably pink hair. One day, a bunch of evil pigs mug him. Furthermore, they steal his grandfather’s bracelet. Enraged, Tomba follows them to a nearby village. There, he learns about the 7 Evil Pigs. Ultimately, he must travel the land, defeat the pigs, and reclaim his heirloom.
Floaty Jumps and Frustrating Mushrooms
Tomba! is primarily a platformer. However, it is a very floaty one. Tomba can leap high into the air with decent control, much like from . He dispatches enemies by jumping on them and biting them. Alternatively, he can hurl a throwing weapon.
For the most part, the game is forgiving. Yet, there are immensely frustrating sequences. The aerial controls take some getting used to. Additionally, the noticeably iffy hit-boxes do not help.
The game also features some obtuse retro design. There is a touch of backtracking. Sometimes, the game leaves you scratching your head. For example, one section involves special mushrooms. These mushrooms make Tomba laugh or cry uncontrollably. As a result, they cause a bunch of annoying, random deaths.
The Verdict: A Charming Relic
I sound somewhat negative about this game. Admittedly, I sometimes struggle to go backwards in time.
But despite its flaws, Tomba! retains a quirky charm. Even now, it feels completely unique. There is truly nothing quite like it. Therefore, I am eager to try out the upcoming sequel. Fortunately, is already confirmed to be getting the exact same treatment and recently launched on December 15, 2025.
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