A platformer structured like a mystery. Wild boars stole the world's color. Tomba could catch them.
Tomba was developed by Whoopee Camp and released for PlayStation in November 1997 — a platformer with open-world and RPG elements in which the player collected and completed quests to restore color to a world drained by Evil Pigs. The game used a quest-log system before such systems were standard in action games, tracking dozens of objectives that could be completed in various orders. The non-linear structure made progress sometimes opaque — players needed to find and fulfill specific conditions before certain paths opened. Tomba sold poorly at release, producing few physical copies, and became one of the most expensive PlayStation games on the collector's market, with copies selling for several hundred dollars in the 2000s. A digital release in 2011 made it accessible without the price barrier.
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.
Gallery
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.
Maintenance Tips
The PS1's optical drive is the system's most vulnerable component after thirty years. Dust accumulation on the laser lens causes read errors before the laser itself fails; cleaning with a cotton swab lightly dampened with 90%+ isopropyl alcohol restores performance in many cases. The sled rails that carry the lens assembly need periodic lubrication—original factory grease hardens with age and increases friction, leading to tracking failures. White lithium grease on the rails (not WD-40) is the correct approach. Disc condition matters as much as the hardware: deep radial scratches near the data area cannot be read regardless of laser health, so always inspect the playing surface before diagnosing the console.
Going deeper
Explore the machine this game ran on, and what to check before you buy or care for one:
What to Watch Out For
Before buying, these are the points worth knowing — from someone who handles original Japanese Tomba! copies regularly.
Will this Japanese PlayStation disc work on a North American or European PlayStation?
No. The PlayStation enforces regional lockout through the disc region code and the console BIOS. Japanese discs (NTSC-J) will not play on North American (NTSC-U/C) or European (PAL) consoles without modification such as a mod chip or swap method. Playing Japanese PlayStation software requires a Japanese console or a modified unit. The disc format itself is standard CD-ROM — the incompatibility is entirely software-enforced.
Do I need a memory card to save progress?
Yes. The PlayStation has no internal save storage. A PlayStation Memory Card must be inserted into the console's memory card slot to save game data. Without a memory card, all progress is lost when the console powers off. Each memory card holds 15 blocks; check the game manual for how many blocks this title requires. Official Sony memory cards are recommended for reliability over third-party alternatives.
How should I inspect and care for a PlayStation disc?
Examine the data side (shiny underside) under light. Light surface scratches are generally readable; deep scratches running radially from the center outward are more damaging than circular ones. To clean, wipe from the center outward in straight radial strokes with a soft lint-free cloth — never in a circular motion. If the console struggles to read an otherwise intact disc, the PlayStation laser may need cleaning or adjustment, which is common in aging PS1 hardware.
Before You Buy
Things worth knowing before you buy Tomba!
A short checklist for buying a used PlayStation disc wisely — useful with any seller, anywhere.
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Choose a seller who tests it before shipping
A copy that has actually been powered on and checked is a known quantity. An untested one is a gamble you only settle after it arrives.
Look for a seller who states it was function-tested and says what they confirmed. A serious seller can tell you exactly what was checked.
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Check the disc for scratches
Deep scratches on the playing surface cause freezes and read errors. Light surface marks are usually fine.
Ask for a clear photo of the disc's underside. A seller who tested it will confirm it loads and plays through.
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Make sure it fits your console
This is a Japanese PlayStation disc. The PS1 is region-locked, so a Japanese disc needs a Japanese console or a region-free setup.
Play it on a matching Japanese console or a region-free system, and confirm the listing states the region.
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Saves use a memory card — no battery to worry about
PlayStation games save to a separate memory card, so there is no in-cartridge battery to fail.
Just make sure you have a memory card with free blocks for your saves.
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Read the seller's reviews and return policy
A 100% positive record across thousands of sales is close to a guarantee — packing, communication and problem-solving all work for everyone. A return policy protects you if something is off.
Read the feedback and confirm a clear return window before you buy.
The last step before buying anywhere is knowing what it's worth.
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Rooms this game lives in
Wander deeper — explore the themed rooms where Tomba! sits alongside its kin.
Memories from around the world
This is a young museum, and this page is still waiting for its first voices. The memories people send reach Taisei personally, and the ones that move him find a home here over time — always with the writer's blessing. Yours could be the very first for this game.
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