And here I thought the Tomba! games would be stuck on the original PlayStation. They made their debut way long ago, when the original PSX ruled the land. Last year, Limited Run Games finally gave fans what they wanted by bringing the original Tomba! to newer consoles, and with plenty of features. Now, as expected, Tomba! 2 is following suit, having arrived just in time for Xmas last month.

If you’re a fan of the Whoopee Camp series, you know what to expect. Pigs are bad, and it’s up to Tomba and his buddies to clean house. There’s a lot of side quests and even a kidnapping (Tomba’s girlfriend, yep) that you need to solve. But it’s all a matter of throwing enemies, taking part in platforming, and living to tell the tale.

There are some interesting choices with this Special Edition that some fans may need to accept, like the defaulting of the Japanese soundtrack (though snippets of the U.S. one are included) and certain screen settings to adjust. You’ll also need to accept the fact that there is some tough platforming here. Be prepared to come back to checkpoints often.

That said, though, it is a delight to see this Tomba adventure get wider exposure. And with extras that include some cool video snippets and an explorable museum, no less. Plus the $20 price tag isn’t bad at all. If you’re a fan of Tomba, consider Tomba! 2 another serving to add to your plate.

Tomba! 2 Gives You More Pigs To Throw Around

What is it about pigs and their need to dominate the world? Oh, well. In Tomba! 2: Special Edition, they do just that, unleashing a dangerous curse that could pretty much destroy everything. And if that’s not enough, they also kidnapped Tomba’s girlfriend. So of course he needs to set out and save the day.

If you recall the Tomba series at all, this is all about platforming. And it’s done relatively well, though there are some caveats.

First off, the enemy throwing technique is excellent, and well implemented here as the devs at Whoopee Camp intended. There are also grabbing tools that can help you get around a little easier, especially when it comes to higher platforms. And of course, there’s an array of weapons and costumes that come in handy.

The game features a variety of missions, though there are some where a lot of people require you to do stuff. That means wandering around the level trying to find whatever it is to complete that certain objective. That sounds tiring at first, but once you get used to the first couple, it’s not bad at all.

That said, the platforming a bit challenging in spots. There are times that Tomba and crew will miss certain grabs, or maybe something’s just outside of reach. Luckily, continuing is relatively easy (even though you only have one life, grumble). And it’s nice to have Limited Run Games throw in rewind and save anywhere features, so you don’t have to go through it again.

Not everyone will get into Tomba! 2’s quirkiness. It definitely feels a slight bit “off” compared to other games, particularly the superior Klonoa: Door To Phantomile. But it’s still a blast from the past that some folks won’t mind enduring – especially given the cheap price tag. $20 ain’t bad compared to what the original game goes for.

How Does Tomba! 2’s Presentation Hold Up?

Limited Run Games has proven that it can remaster like the best of them, as it has with Gex Trilogy and even the Bubsygames (to a degree). Tomba! 2 is as good as it’s ever looked, thanks to crisp level design and some neat looking characters. I do like the included filter options. You can even go old-school CRT if you prefer. That said, the perspective of the original game can be a bit off, so be prepared for a small bit of disorientation. (Not too much, mind you.)

As for the sound, the game defaults to the Japanese soundtrack rather than the U.S. one, which is on the lesser side. There are snippets from the U.S. soundtrack, and you can try a switch, though sometimes it defaults. Still, the game sounds all right, and the voice acting is surprisingly good (and in English, I should note).

I think you’ll get the most mileage out of the game’s overall art design. And you’ll truly come to appreciate that with the included museum, which features some fine artwork from Whoopee Camp. This is well worth exploring, particularly if you grew up on either of the games in the PSX era.

Tomba! Is a Pig Pummeling Blast From the Past

Though there are better retro compilations on the market (surprisingly, a good portion from Limited Run themselves), Tomba! 2 Special Edition is a welcome addition to anyone’s game library. The original title definitely had its flaws, but the treatment given here to its remaster is very nice. I wish there were more choices with the presentation, but maybe that’ll be fixed with a patch.

Throw in a packed museum filled with goodies and a more-than-acceptable price tag, and you’ve got a game that’ll have you hurling pigs well into the night. Tomba! 2 Special Edition may not be the ultimate platformer, but it’s one worth going hog wild with.

GAMERHUB RATING: 3.5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS

Thanks to Overload PR for providing us with a review code! Tomba! 2 Special Edition is available now for PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC/Steam.

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Don’t forget to check out our review of Limited Run Games’ Gex Trilogy as well!