About this game
Created by Tokuro Fujiwara — the Capcom producer behind Mega Man, Ghosts 'n Goblins, and Bionic Commando — Tomba! is a 1997 PlayStation action-adventure that blends platforming with a mission-based RPG structure built around collecting Adventure Points. Players guide the feral pink-haired boy Tomba across a large interconnected world, completing dozens of tasks ranging from simple fetch quests to elaborate environmental puzzles. The game was developed and published by Whoopee Camp, a studio Fujiwara founded after leaving Capcom; the studio's subsequent closure dramatically reduced available copies, making Tomba one of the most sought-after PlayStation collectibles.
Key Features
Tomba's world is large and non-linear — many missions can be approached in multiple orders, and some require items or knowledge gained from other quests before they can be completed. The Adventure Point system tracks completed missions and unlocks new story beats; collecting enough points opens new areas. Tomba can grab and throw enemies by jumping on them from above. The world reuses areas creatively as new tools and access options become available, in a manner reminiscent of Metroidvania progression before the term existed.
The Story Behind
Tokuro Fujiwara left Capcom to found Whoopee Camp specifically to make Tomba — a project he could not have pursued within a large publisher's commercial structure. The game received critical acclaim but sold modestly. Whoopee Camp closed after developing Tomba 2, and the combination of limited original print runs, critical praise, and no subsequent re-releases created the conditions for extreme collector scarcity. Tomba was not made available digitally until 2024, when it appeared on PlayStation Network.
Tricks & Tales
Tomba! is one of the most expensive PlayStation games on the collector's market, with complete-in-box copies regularly selling for over $150 and sealed copies reaching much higher. The European version was retitled Tombi! because 'tomba' means 'grave' in Italian — one of the more charming localisation adjustments in PlayStation history. Tokuro Fujiwara's post-Capcom career is inseparable from this game: Whoopee Camp's closure after Tomba 2 effectively ended his studio-founding chapter.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
Released in Japan in December 1997, North America in June 1998, and Europe in September 1998 (as Tombi!). Original PlayStation copies are among the most sought-after in the collector's market. A digital release finally arrived on PlayStation Network in 2024.
Available in our shop
Hand-cleaned and tested units shipped worldwide from Toyohashi, Japan. HP direct purchase exclusive: we include a printed shop owner's note card with every order.
Direct purchase supports this museum directly. eBay Top Rated Seller · 1,750+ reviews · 100% positive feedback.
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