Tomba! (NTSC-U) --- Ore Tomba (NTSC-J) --- Tombi (PAL)
Console - PSX
Developer - Whoopee Camp
Publisher - Sony Computer
Genre - Platformer
Year released - 1998
Released in 1998, Tomba is easily one of the finest examples of 2d platforming on the psx. Bright colourful graphics combined with exquisite gameplay and tight controls just go to show just how good the psx could be at 2d gaming. Created by the same person who brought us Ghost and Goblins (Tokuro Fujiwara) this game should be in anyone's collection if you enjoy 2d platformers.
You control Tomba, who must get back his magical bracelet which has been stolen by demon pigs (yes there are pigs in this game). As well as retrieve the bracelet you will also have to perform side adventures to further your progress. All the side adventures are unique - none of this get key A to fit lock B rubbish that bogs down many 3d action/adventures - in this game one side quest will be to rescue trapped villagers, whilst another will be to find a lost item. Successfully completing each side quest will result in you being awarded Adventure Points which are then used to progress further into the game - there are places you cannot past until you have the requisite number of AP. Each time you find an object which can be given to a villager its called an Event, and there are 130 events hidden in the game to find.
Combat in the game is varied from the usual jump on head to defeat enemies, to use of weapons (mace,boomerangs (wood and stone) - in fact anyone who has played the Ghost and Goblins series will instantly recognise the mechanics of the game. As i already said the control is very tight with the onscreen action responding immediately to joypad presses.
Graphics are bright and colourful and a mixture of 2d sprites with 3d backgrounds. Fans of Fujiwara's work will recognise his style immediately. The NTSC-U version has a few visual improvements over the NTSC-J version, Gouraud shading being the most notable. Cutscenes are in the cute anime fashion and go perfectly with the style of the game.
This game can become very difficult in places - but never too frustrating that you will want to stop playing it.
Console - PSX
Developer - Whoopee Camp
Publisher - Sony Computer
Genre - Platformer
Year released - 1998
Released in 1998, Tomba is easily one of the finest examples of 2d platforming on the psx. Bright colourful graphics combined with exquisite gameplay and tight controls just go to show just how good the psx could be at 2d gaming. Created by the same person who brought us Ghost and Goblins (Tokuro Fujiwara) this game should be in anyone's collection if you enjoy 2d platformers.
You control Tomba, who must get back his magical bracelet which has been stolen by demon pigs (yes there are pigs in this game). As well as retrieve the bracelet you will also have to perform side adventures to further your progress. All the side adventures are unique - none of this get key A to fit lock B rubbish that bogs down many 3d action/adventures - in this game one side quest will be to rescue trapped villagers, whilst another will be to find a lost item. Successfully completing each side quest will result in you being awarded Adventure Points which are then used to progress further into the game - there are places you cannot past until you have the requisite number of AP. Each time you find an object which can be given to a villager its called an Event, and there are 130 events hidden in the game to find.
Combat in the game is varied from the usual jump on head to defeat enemies, to use of weapons (mace,boomerangs (wood and stone) - in fact anyone who has played the Ghost and Goblins series will instantly recognise the mechanics of the game. As i already said the control is very tight with the onscreen action responding immediately to joypad presses.
Graphics are bright and colourful and a mixture of 2d sprites with 3d backgrounds. Fans of Fujiwara's work will recognise his style immediately. The NTSC-U version has a few visual improvements over the NTSC-J version, Gouraud shading being the most notable. Cutscenes are in the cute anime fashion and go perfectly with the style of the game.
This game can become very difficult in places - but never too frustrating that you will want to stop playing it.