Product Info

Platform

Switch, PlayStation 5, PC

Publisher

Limited Run Games

Developer

Limited Run Games

Series

Tomba!

Genre

Action, Platform

Players

1

File Size (Minimum)

3.5 GB

Release Date (NA)

Aug 1, 2024

Purchase From

eShop

PSN Store

Steam

Official Store

Tomba! Special Edition brings back the original 1997 PlayStation 2.5D adventure game for veterans and newcomers to experience. It’s also the cheapest way to experience the game as the original copies sell for over $100. Players should expect this is not a remaster of the classic gem but a re-release for other consoles and PC.

Preserving the Classic

The Special Edition doesn’t touch the original experience. Keeping the original ‘90s graphics, cutscenes and gameplay. There is some learning curve to figure out the game’s mechanics, such as swinging and the direction to fly when letting go. Players control Tomba by leaping on enemies or throwing a weapon at them. You’ll adventure through levels in a side scrolling view but what makes Tomba! special is the ability to leap into the background to uncover secrets. Once players figured it out and become familiar with the depth of field styled gameplay, you’ll see why Tomba! is a treasure for many gamers.

This re-release also gives extra content outside the game for fans of the classic. Artwork, sketches, advertisement scans and music library. It’s a neat library of content to navigate through.

While the Special Edition doesn’t modify the original gameplay, there is an extra option that’ll benefit everyone, including veterans of the game. Players can now save anywhere in the game than specific save points. This gives less headaches of having to re-run to areas you had trouble with. Additionally, players can “rewind” to retry specific areas if you don’t want to go through the quit and re-open save file.

A Lot of Hiking

Backtracking is still a problem for many in Tomba! Yes, it’s necessary to backtrack to finish quests and pick up any items and secrets you couldn’t get yet. There isn’t an easy way to navigate between stages unless you find a specific feather item called the “Charity Wings” to let you teleport to areas you’ve already visited. Unfortunately this is a limited amount you can find and really it shouldn’t be a limited item.

You can also find another item called the “100 Year Old Bell” that let’s Tomba teleport to the 100 Year Old Man’s hut where the old man can heal you. This can be used an unlimited amount. Good luck adventuring back if you ran out of feathers.

Ideally, the Tomba! Special Edition could have added some cheats to give an unlimited amount of the feathers and infinite lives but it seems the team behind this version wanted to leave the game untouched.

The ‘90s Making a Comeback

Tomba!’s style screams ‘90s with its graphics and animated cutscenes. These hand drawn cutscenes give the classic look as they aren’t redrawn and stay with the original 4:3 format. Players will also encounter loading screens between stages, giving players the experience when playing on the original PlayStation but with less waiting times.

Players also have the ability to change between the original and remastered soundtrack. A great option that many re-released games like Tomba! Special Edition and Super Mario RPG should always carry.

If that wasn’t enough, players can also change the display with or without the CRT filter, change the display from 4:3 to widescreen and change the color bars that’s displayed on the left and right of the screen. Giving a more ‘90s authentic look. Those who are playing on the PlayStation 5 version, you’ll notice the color on your DualSense is pink. It’s a neat little extra for players.

The Final Toss

Tomba! Special Edition is a must-buy for fans of classic PlayStation titles. With extra content and the ability to save anywhere makes it an upgrade from the original.

A PlayStation 5 code provided for this review.