Game review: Tomba! Special Edition (PS5)

Back in the ‘90s, when consoles were not connected to the internet, people were only able to preview some video games by obtaining free physical demo discs. Many demo discs were included for free in magazines, and some were packaged in full-priced video games. 

The only reason I am talking about demo discs is because this was my first introduction to a then-little-known 2.5D platform game called Tombi. Tombi! was the name of the game in Europe, but Americans may know it as Tomba!

I remember playing the demo to death as a kid because the game was rare and hard to obtain. If you want a copy of the PSOne original, it will set you back around $500. I was only lucky enough to finally play the full game of Tomba! when it was re-released as a PSOne classic on the online PS3 store. 

Well, it’s now 2024, and more people have a chance to play the game with the release of Tomba! Special Edition for PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch platforms. Sadly, this classic game will not be available on Xbox consoles. 

It’s worth mentioning Tomba! Special Edition isn’t a remake so it still retains the old-school-looking graphics that fans of the game will still recognise. You can play the game in its original resolution, or you can stretch the screen to 16:9 to fill out your modern TV. The game also includes a CRT filter to fully take you back to the ‘90s. 

Some other new features that Tomba! Special Edition includes the ability to save anytime as well as a rewind feature. The rewind feature is really helpful because there is one level in this game where it’s really windy and I remember my brother dying a lot in this stage!

Aside from the game itself, Tomba! Special Edition also comes with some cool extra features. One of the features includes an art gallery with advertisements, artwork, original in-game manuals, and more. All of the pictures are available at the start of the game, so you don’t need to unlock them all!

The music of Tomba! was always memorable to me and you can listen to the jukebox that features the entire original soundtrack. The new version also comes with a remastered soundtrack from the game’s original composer. Lastly, the game also has interviews with Tomba’s creator, Tokuro Fujiwara. 

As for the game itself, Tomba’s main character is a pink-haired boy named Tomba. Tomba used to live in a beautiful world until seven evil pigs come and ruin the land. Not only is the land ruined, but Tomba’s bracelet is stolen so this prompts him to go out and make things right again. 

One of the things I liked most about Tomba! is its unique and fun style of gameplay. At the start of the game, Tomba is only armed with a mace-like weapon called a Blackjack. This mace has some range, and it can knock out the pigs that stand in Tomba’s way. Tomba can also get rid of the pigs by literally jumping on top of them and throwing them away. You will laugh out loud the first time you get to see this for yourself!

When you progress further in Tomba! more weapons and special abilities become available. Two of my other favourite weapons in the game include a boomerang as well as a grappling hook. The latter item is really helpful because you can save yourself from falling because this is an instant death!

Other things that Tomba can use are different coloured trunks that give him better abilities. The purple trunks allow him to jump higher, while the grey ones make him run faster. There are other trunks to collect, but I won’t spoil all the fun here. 

Later on in the game, Tomba will also learn how to swim from a helpful cute monkey teaching him. Swimming gives him access to a new level that was previously locked because Tomba wasn’t able to travel there before. 

Even though this game features a ton of jumping and platform-style action, the Tomba! also has seven boss battles with the evil pigs. Unlike Elden Ring, these boss battles are fairly easy because the main goal is to capture the pigs and throw them inside special bags. Using the rewind feature makes the boss battles really easy, but it’s still funny to see the pigs getting trapped!

Another thing I liked about the game is that there are several side quests that Tomba can do if you want to fully 100% the game. If you follow the main story, the game is only around seven and a half hours long. If you want to get the platinum trophy, this should increase your playing time up to 10 hours. 

While the game might be considered short by today’s standards, I cannot really find any other flaws with Tomba! Special Edition. Several other players have encountered some bugs here and there, but I haven’t discovered anything game-breaking playing the PS5 version. 

Overall, Tomba! Special Edition is a really great re-release for a game that several people may not even know about. If you are like me and played it as a kid, you will want to revisit the game to make you feel young again. Newer kids will also be charmed by its bright aesthetic and humorous gameplay. 

Verdict: 9/10