Tomba! (1997). Play online

Summary

Tomba! blends classic side‑scrolling action with Metroidvania freedom, letting you guide the feral child through a vibrant island dotted with both 2D platforms and occasional foreground‑background swaps or isometric sections. The core loop revolves around a quirky event system: you receive tasks—from rescuing villagers to clearing blockades—and earn Adventure Points that open new areas, hidden chests, or extra gear. With 130 optional missions, not every quest is required for the main story, but completing them rewards an avalanche of points, items and the satisfaction of total completion. Combat is fluid, letting you hop onto foes, bite their backs, fling them, or fire maces and boomerangs. Vitality depletes from damage, spikes, or deep water, and fresh fruit restores health and points. Created by Tokuro Fujiwara after his Capcom departure, the game’s non‑linear design set it apart from contemporaries and earned a cult following. It later resurfaced on PlayStation Network and an enhanced Limited Run Games Special Edition for PS5/PS4, complete with remastered soundtrack and museum mode for nostalgic fans.

Storyline

Tomba! takes place on an uncharted archipelago of islands that never appear on any map, with larger provinces in the north and smaller ones in the south. The islands were once a beautiful, peaceful home to birds and plantations.

The hero is a pink‑haired youngster named Tomba (called Tombi in Europe). While guarding his grandfather’s grave he wears a gold heirloom bracelet, which is stolen by the Koma Pigs, the underlings of the Seven Evil Pigs.

Guided by the 100‑Year‑Old Wise Man and later a Dwarf Elder, Tomba learns that each Evil Pig hides behind a magical Evil Pig Bag. Collecting the bags reveals the entrances to the seven Evil Pig realms, and side missions provide the items needed to obtain them.

After defeating the seven Evil Pigs and breaking their spells, an eighth bag appears, pointing to the Real Evil Pig who created the gold hoard that powers the villains. Tomba defeats the Real Evil Pig, recovers his bracelet and returns it to his grandfather’s grave, restoring peace to the islands.