Tomba!: Back to the PlayStation

   Tomba! was a platforming adventure game that was released on June 30, 1998, for the original PlayStation. Taking inspiration from Zelda games and a neon color wheel, the main character and namesake of the game, Tomba, explores a vibrant world in search of his grandfather's bracelet. All the while, the Evil Pigs that stole said bracelet try to stop him.

   Developed by Tokuro Fujiwara, the director of Ghosts N' Goblins, Tomba! received highly positive scores from multiple reviewers. Mixing solid gameplay, sound design, a bright and unique art style, it's strange just how badly Tomba! sold. In fact there is no apparent cause for its meager sales. Tomba! 2 hoped to make up for it but ended up suffering the same fate.

   The arrival of the PlayStation may have contributed to Tomba!'s lack of fame as well. While most of the original PS1 games could still be played on a PS2, Tomba! could not. The game would freeze within seconds of turning on the console. While a fairly large amount of PS1 games were still being bought and played by PS2 owners, Tomba! was pushed aside.

   Due to its low sales and high quality, people looking for Tomba! should expect to spend quite a bit of money if they plan on buying an original copy. Current prices range anywhere from $50, to $250 on websites like Ebay.  There is some good news though. PSN now sells a downloadable version of the game for those who have a PS3.

   Until next time.



Sources:

    Johnathan Carter (May 23, 2012). Chew your way Through Tomba! On PSN. Retrieved from http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/117411-Chew-Your-Way-Through-Tomba-on-PSN

   IGN Staff (1998). Tomba!. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/08/25/tomba. [Last Accessed April 2, 2013].

   Tomba!. [ONLINE] Available at: http://monkeypawgames.com/games/tomba/. [Last Accessed April 2, 2013].

   John Broady (1998). Tomba! Review. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.gamespot.com/tomba/reviews/tomba-review-2546092/. [Last Accessed April 2, 2013].