A pink-haired freak from the past!

On 08/03/2013 at 10:08 AM by smartcelt

Tomba is a PS1 game I owned long ago that I've always regretted trading away. I had no idea it would become hard to find. But this week I got it off PSN and now I remember why it stood out so much. Much like Klonoa[which I never traded]it has a depth to the gameplay. Meaning you can move in and out of the background areas. Giving it a kind of 3D feel,which was sort of unique to this type of game back then. The colors are lush and environments are alive with movement. But it's the gameplay mechanics that made it a standout PS1 game at the time.

It's all about those horrible pigs! You jump on them,flip them,and then fling them to their doom. You also have a weapon which is sort of a mace. Like a small spiky ball on a chain that Tomba spins and bashes stuff with. The fruits you find give you health points. It's a simple but fun game that will often challenge you. But it never gets frustratingly hard,just a little bit. The only thing I don't understand is why they gave Tomba pink hair. Is that the fashion in his village? I wouldn't think so as everyone he encounters has to comment about it. Maybe they just wanted him to be different. That's all well and good,but he's a dude. Pink hair just doesn't look good on dudes. Allow me to prove my point on this issue............

Wow! Now that is some pink hair. Hayley Williams of Paramore tends to wear her hair in every color of the rainbow. But she always looks good in pink even when it's as loud as this photo.

Oh...Ramona Flowers. Has anyone in a movie ever rocked the pink hair as well. I think not. I thought Mary Elizabeth Winstead was a perfect choice for the character. Love that fim.

Jared Leto tried pink hair for a while. With him I think it was an accident. From what he said at the time he just got pissed at his hair one night and shaved a mohawk. Then dyed it pink so it would stand out onstage. While I think he's a fine musician/actor and a good singer....uh...no. Maybe that's why guys don't attempt pink hair often. Makes them look like a character from a bad 80's movie as in "generic punk rocker" or futuristic freak of nature. Maybe Tomba was just ahead of his time. Perhaps pink hair on men will be all the rage 20 years from now. I hope not.

What I'm listening to today..........................

Ranger1

08/03/2013 at 12:22 PM

I didn't realize Tomba was on PSN. will have to check it out. As for pink hair, I don't think it looks good on anyone! But I loathe the color pink anyway, so maybe not the right person to pass judgement on it.

smartcelt

08/04/2013 at 12:18 PM

Anytime I see someone with pink hair I think they are trying too hard to be noticed. Pink is not one of my favorite colors either. Now it just makes me think of Pinkie Pie and the brony onslaught.

BrokenH

08/03/2013 at 02:12 PM

I vaguely remember this game. Pretty damn fun for what it was! I always preferred Bonk though. As cavemen protagonists went, he was my little bald dude of choice!

08/04/2013 at 12:20 PM

I played Bonk once and it is very fun. Skull thumping enemies is always entertaining.

Super Step Contributing Writer

08/03/2013 at 03:37 PM

I remember this game, I am a bit surprised it is hard to find. I never played it, but it seemed to be advertised well enough.

I actually think Ramona Flowers looks hot, Jared Leto looks cool, and as far as the pictures you posted (cause I've seen her be attractive elsewhere), Hayley Williams looks a bit like a tranny. As in no joke, I thought that was your "pink hair looks bad on men" photo. I think that has more to do with the clown-level makeup, though.

I think I have mostly seen Neil Young with acoustics on Stephen Colbert, but damn, he is getting it in that video! Go Neil!

Liked the second one as well. I dig strings.

08/04/2013 at 12:24 PM

I think Hayley looks a lot better with sparse makeup and a redder tinge to her hair. The makeup is a bit on the tranny side,you're right. I give Jared Leto a pass because I do like the guy. He's a great singer and songwriter,as well as having a lot of stage prescence.

08/04/2013 at 02:36 PM

Yeah, according to at least one girl I went to high school with, he is Jesus, and most I knew who saw Thirty Seconds to Mars live talked up their and especially his stage presence; so apparently, he literally has the stage presence of God. Who knew?

At the time I heard all this, I wasn't that big a fan of Thirty. Still not a huge one, really. Maybe I need to see them live, and then I'll get it. I do like their new song you posted on one of your blogs, where the video had lions and stuff in it.

Cary Woodham

08/04/2013 at 12:31 AM

I loved Tomba! The sequel was great, too. Have you ever played it?

Here's my review of Tomba! on PSN!

And don't forget about another awesome pink-haired character: Ulala!

08/04/2013 at 10:46 AM

Ulala! Forgot about her,and I had that game back when I owned a Dreamcast. I have never played the sequel but I am going to find it now. Great review by the way.

daftman

08/04/2013 at 11:06 AM

Tomba was a great game! The whole game is kind of weird, so I guess I never gave the pink hair a second thought. Ramona Flowers is awesome, though, as is Hayley Williams...usually. I think she looks much better with her typical bright red hair. And as Joe wondered, what is up with that make up?

08/04/2013 at 11:10 AM

I agree about the makeup on Hayley. She is such a natural beauty she does not require all of that. Seems a bit over the top. Looks like she was at an awards gala where people sometimes get freaky looking!

NSonic79

08/07/2013 at 12:42 PM

Mystical Mist Loved this game back in the day. She misses it too. I forgot this game was on PSN. Methinks I might have to see about adding some wallet money into her PSN account and get it for her for our anniversary.

PixlBit