Nostalgia is a funny thing. Sometimes it takes you on a trip down memory lane, while other times, it slaps you with the realisation that you completely missed out on something awesome. For me, that something is Tomba!.
1997 was a landmark year for gaming, with heavyweights like Final Fantasy VII, GoldenEye 007, and Grand Theft Auto capturing the spotlight. Amid this crowd of classics, a quirky gem called Tomba! quietly released, flying under the radar for many, my seven-year-old self included.
Fast forward to 2024, and I’ve experienced Tomba! for the first time — thanks to the Tomba! Special Edition — and I can confidently say it’s one of the most enjoyable classics I’ve ever played.
Over the years, as my gaming tastes have matured, the Metroidvania genre has consistently scratched an itch in my brain. In this regard, Tomba! seamlessly blends its RPG elements into the genre, creating the kind of platformer I now wish I had grown up with. So, why didn’t I know more about this one sooner!?
A Whimsical World of Adventure
Tomba! is anything but ordinary. The game’s world and story are delightfully bizarre, featuring a pink haired wild child on a quest to kill bag some evil pigs and return a family heirloom.
The gameplay is a mix of platforming and puzzle solving, with an emphasis on exploration and discovery. The game doesn’t hold your hand, offering only simple clues to guide you. This design leads to numerous “Ohhh! Of course!” moments that make you feel clever when you finally piece together what to do next.
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The quest structure is built around “events,” that you can track in the menu; speaking with new characters and visiting new locations triggers new events. This system keeps things organised, but the game’s open ended nature can sometimes leave you scratching your head. These events may consist of finding a lost item, or rescuing a character – like a lovable dog with special abilities who you help nurse back to health.
Figuring things out on your own is well worth the occasional confusion, but if you’re really caught out… Google exists for a reason.
A Blast from the Past
While Tomba! Special Edition isn’t a full remaster, it’s a well-executed emulated port that still maintains the charm of the original. The graphics haven’t been dramatically overhauled — if at all — so don’t expect anything beyond the original PlayStation-era visuals.
The game runs very smoothly, and there’s a great sense of nostalgia in revisiting this colourful, 2.5D world.
Cutscenes are just as low resolution as the original, the only major visual difference seems to be the main menu has had an upgrade and you’re able to play the game at 16:9.
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One of the most valuable additions to the Special Edition is the ability to rewind gameplay by pressing the left trigger. This feature allows you to revert to a previous state from the last couple of minutes, which is a godsend for tricky segments.
I didn’t realise this feature existed until a few hours in, but it made challenges like getting gold in the kart race much more manageable. Without it, I’d have been stuck retracing my steps over and over.
Loading screens are still present, which can be a minor annoyance, but they don’t take too much from the overall experience – we’re bloody spoilt these days.
A Musical Throwback
The music in Tomba! is a nostalgic treat, reminiscent of other games from the late ’90s like Banjo-Kazooie. The Special Edition features a remastered soundtrack, but traditionalists can switch back to the classic tunes from the main menu.
The music complements the game’s quirky, adventurous spirit and adds to its nostalgia. As I played, listening to the various tracks throughout the game, I couldn’t help but think how much I would’ve loved Tomba! as a kid.
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A Surprise Hit
Despite its quirky premise, Tomba! is a surprisingly deep and satisfying game. While the story is neither here or there, the gameplay is engaging; the thrill of “bagging a pig” feels comparable to collecting a boss item in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
The rewind feature undoubtedly saved me countless hours, making the experience more enjoyable and less frustrating. Still, the game is packed with content, taking me around 16 hours to complete — this is without finishing every side event. Will I go back to do them all? Probably not, the ones I’ve left are either too far gone or I have no idea where to start.
Should I buy Tomba! Special Edition?
Tomba! Special Edition is a delightful blast from the past that still shines today. While the graphics may show their age, the gameplay remains timeless, delivering a unique blend of puzzles, platforming, and exploration that’s just as enjoyable now as it was in the nineties.
If you don’t mind the retro visuals and are up for a quirky adventure, Tomba! is well worth your time. For those who missed out on it the first time around, like I did, this special edition is the perfect opportunity to experience one of PlayStation’s hidden gems. It’s also available now on Nintendo Switch and PC.
Quest Daily Scores Tomba! Special Edition:
8/10
A review copy of Tomba! Special Edition on PlayStation was supplied to Quest Daily for the purpose of this review.
