The game deftly mixes sprite characters and polygon backgrounds to produce a beautiful and humorous romp. Tomba! is classic platforming but also throws in rich, adventure/RPG elements and balanced puzzle solving. With smooth exploration mechanics, satisfying graphics, stellar presentation and fantastic controls, it’s hard to find fault with this Japanese gem.
The unique levels and subquests of Tomba! will amaze you with their witty challenges, as no quest is ever the same. You’ll find yourself going back again and again to help your little pink-haired caveboy overcome his pig-enemies. Tomba! will take you on a ride that you won’t want to get off.
This is not your average platformer. It is our number one requested game from Japan.
Overview:
Ore! Tomba (known in the US as Tomba!) is a well-known cult classic by Whoopee Camp, released for the PS1 in 1998. Anyone who was around and gaming on the original PS1 back in the late 90s probably knows this game from the demo, whether they played the full game or not. Join the wild Tomba on his quest to retake his grandfathers heirloom bracelet from the Evil Pigs that stole it, and perhaps save the island while he’s at it.
Controls:
- Control pad: Move Tomba (in-game), change selection (in-menus)
- X Button: Jump (in action sequences), Cancel (in-menus)
- Circle Button: Talk/Read Signs (in-game), Confirm (in-menus)
- Square Button: Dash (in-game)
- Triangle Button: Access Item Screen
- Start Button: Pause
- L1/R1: Shift view up/down (not available in all areas)
Advanced Controls:
- Hold Up or Down on the Control pad and press the Jump button in order to leap into the foreground or background, respectively. If Tomba is capable of jumping in the indicated direction, he will turn to face that direction. When he reaches a ledge (or if his hands reach the edge of a ledge during a jump) , press Up to make him climb onto it. Tomba can also cling to poles and tree trunks in this manner. While clinging to a pole/tree trunk, he can still attack by pressing the relevant button and swing to the other side of the pole by pressing the appropriate directional button.
- Tomba can climb up/down vertical or near-vertical walls by jumping into them. He will grab on automatically and can climb up/down by pressing, well, Up or Down on the control pad.
- If Tomba grabs a tree branch (or other pole-y thing what he can swing on), he can, well, swing on it. Hold the directional button in which Tomba’s facing to speed up the swing, and hold the opposite button to slow down and/or change directions. To jump off, hold the directional pad in the direction you want to jump and press the Jump button. Note that the direction Tomba jumps in is based off the directional buttons you’re holding down rather than where in the loop he is, and his velocity is determined solely by how fast he’s swinging.
Pause Menu Translations:
- Item: Access the Item Screen (view current items)
- Event: Access the Event Screen (view completed and Incomplete events)
- Status: View the Status Screen (Tomba’s special abilities, equipped items, and such)
- Map: View the Map Screen (where you are, where you’re going, where you’ve been)
General Info:
There are 4 types of items, and you can tell the difference by the color of the text. Normal items have black text, and can be used at (almost) any time. Event items are in blue and can only be used in certain situations, usually something directly related to the item. Permenant items are in Red. These are things like the keys which stay with you and are used automatically whenever appropriate. Equipment is in green, and represents items that can be, well, Equipped. Generally speaking, Tomba can have one weapon and one pair of pants equipped at one time.
Event Screen Translations and General Info:
View: Get more detailed information on a specific event. Select the event you want to view with the directional pad and press Circle to view more info on it.
General Info: This screen shows us the events Tomba has discovered and completed. Events that Tomba has only discovered are displayed in red text, whereas events that Tomba has discovered AND completed are displayed in black text and have an icon off to the side.
Status Screen Translations and General Info: (starting from top-left):
- Status: Shows Tomba’s current Adventure Points (AP), Lives and Location
- Potential: Shows Tomba’s progress along the XP tracks. There are 3 tracks, one for Pigs and related enemies (pink), one for Bugs and related enemies (Green), and one for Everything Else (Blue)
- Current Status: Shows Tomba’s current/maximum Health, along with any Status Effect he’s currently suffering.
- Abilities (on the right): Shows any and all special abilities that Tomba has learned over the course of his adventure, such as the Animal Dash and the ability to speak Dwarf.
Tips and Tricks:
- When Tomba jumps and bites an enemy, he will gain 10 XP in one of 3 tracks depending on what he’s bitten. When a track hits level 10, one of Tomba’s special survival abilities will be unlocked… Once you’ve completed the OTHER necessary tasks, that is.
- For some reason, Tomba can learn Dwarf-ese by jumping and biting dwarf-heads. Don’t ask.
- Here’s some stuff they took out of the US version: on the Options Menu, Hold R1+L1+Select+Square and Press Left, Down, Right, Up, Up, Right, Down, Left. This will change Tomba’s hair color.
- Here’s something ELSE they cut out of the US version. Start a New Game and during the Loading Screen, Hold R1 and Press Select, Right, Left, Down, X, O, Start . Press Start again when the loading screen goes by and you’ll have some extra weaponry.
- Tomba gets Adventure Points (AP) from discovering AND completing events. If he discovers AND completes the event at the same time (by talking to the relevant NPC with the items he was supposed to bring, for example), he only gets the AP for completing the event.
Great news! I loved this game and I’m waiting so much long for any game company to hold this title. So, are you going to make some sequel to this beautiful game, of Tomba 2? Thanks and keep it this way!
This is one of the best Playstation games out there, and one of my all time favorites (along with the sequel).
I wish they would figure out a way to allow the PS3 to turn on the “fast loading” option for PS1 games like PS2 systems could. Tomba has some pretty annoying load times when going between areas that were basically eliminated by playing the game on a PS2. I really don’t understand why the PS3 has the “smoothing” option but not “fast loading”, it’s really irritating on some games.
I am so glad monkey paw games got the rights to this game, I rented the game years ago loved it,and tried to find a copy but 65 dollars not really a good price
Game comes out June 19th for $9.99:
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/01/tomba-arrives-on-psn-june-19-for-10/
10 bucks is not bad can’t wait for june 19
Finally! The sequel to this game wasn’t too bad either although not in 2D. The original is the best. Thank you!
Will there be a European release of it in PlayStation’s online store?
I have an original PS1 and a PS2. I had this original game until my kids broke it about 4 years ago but I still have the case and insert and have been looking for a reasonable price…will this be in disc format or is there some sort of club that I have to join to have this game?
We hope so. Actually depends on US sales. But we think its going to go over well. Watch here for more announcements.
I’ve been hearing for a good while that Tombi! “is coming” to the PAL PSN Store but it has been a loooong time now without any updates. You’re saying that You’re hoping to bring it to Europe. Does it mean that Sony bailed on Tombi! somewhere along the line without telling us on the PlayStation Blog? And does it mean that You’d be giving us the US NTSC version?
I don’t know what I should hope for. I want Tombi!, that’s for damn sure. It’s been on my list for like ever but since there was a PAL version, I want that one if I can have it.
The EU psn wants this game!!!!!!!!. I have never been more immersed in a PS1 game than I was with tombi 1 and 2. PS1 it was tombi, PS2 it was Devil May Cry. I’ve got one, now gimme the other please!. Assuming US sales go well (which if the internet buzz is anything to go by, they will) how long before the U.K can expect a release. Just a ballpark estimate would be great, weeks, months? Also why can’t you just do an EU release alongside the U.S?
Thanks for the support. We hope to get it to EU fans in a timely manner. But it will take some time. My best ballpark would be within this year. Hopefully closer to this fall but I’m trying to be realistic. US and EU releases are done in different silos. We have to submit into two unique systems. There are different licenses as well. Wish it were more simple.
Hey Big Paja,
There was some confusion on who had rights and when it would launch in Europe. I think that’s because Ross mentioned it in one of his blog posts. He was just trying to say he thought it would eventually come. But we had the rights to license when he made that comment so it was just a tip/slip on his part. One thing for sure, when we get the game to Europe, it will be Tomba, as opposed to Tombi. Hope that doesn’t deter our fans.
Yep. We plan to release at approximately the same date in US/EU.
One little vowel won’t change the gameplay, characters, graphics and overall fun. I’m still buying. I’m confused though, does the EU now get a parallel release with the US?
“Tomba! 2 is a possibility but we need to really sell Tomba! 1 well before we can extend our relationship” – Greiner
I know Tomba! is an absolute Day 1 buy for me. I hope enough of you guys support this so we can also get Tomba! 2. Both are my most wanted PS Classic games.
Can expect to see him in Playstation All Stars Battle Royale?
You say that in Europe it will be Tomba! but, will it be like original PAL edition? will it be translated into Spanish, french, italian, german, … ?
I love this Game!!! (and his sequel)
Will PAL version be like original PAL? Translated into Spanish and other languages?
But i don’t care, i’m going to buy it on release day.
heh heh borrowed me friends us account and brought it with a psn card i got online .. no waiting for eu release for me =p
Hey, I loved this game. I live in the UK so could you keep me informed when this comes out in EU?
Probably not. We think this is just a rumor. But wouldn’t that be cool!?!
It will be like the US version, operating under PAL. There are tech/emulation issues with running the PAL Tombi version so we hope you’ll be okay with Tombi!
So;
- Tomba! was causing issues running under PAL, so it’ll be Tombi! instead? Or still Tomba! ? Doesn’t really matter just curious.
- Your comments about an EU release conflict themselves as you say “We hope to get it to EU fans in a timely manner. But it will take some time. My best ballpark would be within this year.” followed by “We plan to release at approximately the same date in US/EU.”, so my question is, are we getting it soon, or just by year end, can you clarify?
Hopefully you sell enough when it is released to release Tombi 2, and maybe you can get the rights to Jade Cocoon too?
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE TELL ME WE CAN GET THIS IN AUSTRALIA SOON AFTER?! EMAIL ME YOUR RESPONSE PLEASE, AS I AM NOT ONLINE OFTEN, IT WOULD MEAN THE WORLD TO ME! THANKYOU JOHN YOU LORD!
We’re working on it now. Pretty sure the fan reaction will be strong enough to get this game around the PS world. Just give us some time as we work out the details and get the emulation ready for PAL release. I think fans don’t realize that the PAL release needs this kind of time/effort. Please be patient. In the meantime, we’ll be releasing some cool Tomba! treats. Stay tuned!
That’s fine John. We do understand it takes time.
I’m just confused as to the timescale you’re suggesting.
Thanks for response though.
Hi Liam, I think there was confusion on the reply there. US and EU parallel release comment was for Class of Heroes 2, not Tomba.
You guys at monkeypaw really need to push the idea to sony of Tomba/tombi getting in the character roster for Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale, or is that not how it works? He would be the best character, i would definatley main him lol
When will Tomba! be out in Europe? Will it ever make it to euro psn stores? I want STRAIGHT answers and FACTS! I really want this game i love it.
Thank-you.
where i live it hasnt came out yet
i live in new zealand and its not out on psn here yet. :’( i missed this game will in come out in eurpoe yet??????????????????????
sometimes we would like to know some news about developments on the PAL game please, I like many other Europeans are waiting patiently, but not take it anymore! strong guys!
It was the best game i ever played!!!! I want it in EU ps store..i am from Portugal…I have the two original games, can we wait for a tombi!3??? it seems a great idea!!!I think…
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I’m still holding out here for the EU release, any news yet on a possible release date?
Shame we’re not gonna get the localised Tombi version, but I’m sure I can live without listening to North and South’s “No Sweat” during the intro.
Any update on when Tomba will be released in EU store? Really keen to play it again!
Any more news on the PAL version John?
any news on the UK release yet?
You guys have the controls listed incorrectly. Confirm is X and cancel is O. The American version DID change the controls to accomodate Sony’s official/unofficial confirm/cancel Western controls. Seeing as how you used the Japanese version, it is something that could be mistaken.
You also read signs using the Square button in the first game- you use the O button in Tomba! 2. Were you possibly mistaken with your other project of bringing over Tomba! 2 to the PSN by mistake? It’s pretty obvious now you’re working on it now!
So, as I understood, after all this non-sense wait (sorry but the all we-wait-to-get-good-sales-in-USA-before-releasing-in-Europe was bull to everyone), we only get the NTSC/USA version and not the PAL/EU one (which means English-only I believe), is that right?.
Sorry to say that, but if you only release the USA version on the European PSN store, I will refuse to buy it, as I feel the whole case as an insult to the European community of fans and players. Not only we waited a whole month for the same version USA has, but also it will cost twice the price of an usual PS1 classic on the PSN only because the game sold poorly back at the end of the 90s (using this to put any price on it is the same as putting 100€ on the original boxed edition, lucky us you didn’t put it at 15-25$).
In the end, I prefer to wait and pay a fortune for an original PAL copy of the game instead of paying you for your awful work, as I believe you don’t deserve it. It is also sad to realize the number of non-English speaking fans who only knew the demo of the game so far and will either buy the game on the PSN store, believing it features their language and just spend 10€ for a game they can’t understand, or just directly turn to the emulation option, as the EU version iso is available since long.
The dude above is silly and complaining about nothing.
The USA version is just as awesome and i for one cannot wait until its released. Almost cried because of the wait, but all in all i feel like a child waiting for Christmas.
Also i prefer the Tomba intro music.
The guy above is obviously a word which i shall not say in my good nature of being awesome.
Please let this be released on the Australian PSN. Unfortunately my original copy broken and $200 on eBay is a bit of a rip off. I’ve gotten all my friends addicted too and now they are angry at me because they can’t play it. Tombi should definately be in Battle Royale as well and why the hell isn’t Cole there?
The PSN port was awesome! But I wanted to ask…It’s been a couple of months since Tomba 1 was released. Did it do well enough to cement the re-release of the sequel? Because I’m dying to see the re-release of tomba 2 and there plenty of people who are just as eager.
Daniel, Cole got a full reveal over a month ago. Seriously instead of insisting Tombi be in thr game, spend 30 seconds to actually look at the current roster.
I can’t wait til Kratos is added to PS All stars
Hi – I know its the same question over and over again but as we are still awaiting further comment …… Are we any closer to knowing when will Tomba! be available for download on europe’s PSN?
I’ve been after this game for about 6 years now and paitently watching the PSN release threads since for over a year…. I know the last comment released was that it would be “sooner than you might think” but I would have thought it would match the US date (probably my naivity there) so it is not sooner than I would think….
come on guys we need to keep flooding this thread untilsomeone replies with something tangible
Whooooooo!!!!!! September 5th! Just announced via twitter
£6.99 ouch! Exploit fans much?
6.99 is nothing compared to what people are asking for a copy of it online
I’m not disagreeing about that – people were outrageous with the prices they wanted- just seems to have justified them charging more than the average – I was expecting 4.99