Tomba! Special Edition Skipping Xbox Platform: The Full Story
The nostalgic wave of re-releases continues, but not without its hits and misses. Tomba! Special Edition, the beloved 1997 PS1 classic, will not be making its way to the Xbox platform when it launches this August. Limited Run Games, the publisher and developer, broke hearts by confirming the decision despite the rumors sparked by an ESRB rating that included Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.
The Showcase Excitement
Back in June, gaming fans were treated to a delightful array of announcements during Limited Run’s 2024 Showcase. Amidst the many surprises, gamers were thrilled to hear about the re-releases of unforgettable titles like the GEX Trilogy and Bubsy: In The Purrfect Collection. However, not all the nostalgic content revealed during the showcase would be available across all platforms. Notably absent from the Xbox lineup was Tomba! Special Edition and its sequel, Tomba! 2.
ESRB Rating Sparks Hope
Recently, a glimmer of hope emerged when an ESRB rating for Tomba! Special Edition included Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. This led to considerable speculation among fans that perhaps the game would eventually make its way to Microsoft’s consoles. Unfortunately, Limited Run Games shattered those hopes with an official statement clarifying that an Xbox release was never planned. But what could be the reason behind this choice?
Why Not Xbox?
As of now, no official explanation has been provided by Limited Run Games for the omission. However, industry insiders believe the decision may boil down to concerns over potential sales figures on Microsoft’s platform. Limited Run Games serves as both the publisher and developer for Tomba! Special Edition, which means they are solely responsible for the game’s distribution and marketing. In contrast, titles like the GEX Trilogy and Bubsy involve different publishing dynamics.
Hello! Xbox is currently not planned.
— Limited Run Games (@LimitedRunGames) July 22, 2024
What’s Next?
While this may come as disappointing news to Xbox owners eager to relive or discover Tomba! for the first time, there’s still hope. Limited Run Games has a history of listening to its fan base and responding to demand. If enough interest is shown, perhaps an Xbox release could be reconsidered in the future. Until then, gamers can look forward to experiencing Tomba! Special Edition on PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5 starting August 1st.
Community Reactions
The news has spurred varied reactions in the community. Fans have taken to social media platforms, forums, and comment sections to express their disappointment. Some feel it’s a missed opportunity, arguing that a cult classic like Tomba! deserves visibility across all current-generation platforms to reach the widest possible audience. Others understand the business decisions that developers and publishers sometimes have to make.
User Comments
Fraser, the News Editor at Pure Xbox, dedicated to keeping fans updated on the latest Xbox stories, summed up the sentiment well:
“It’s always sad to see a beloved classic like Tomba! not accessible to everyone who wants to play it. Still, we can’t help but remain optimistic that Limited Run Games might reconsider their decision someday. Don’t forget, the power of community voices has steered many decisions in gaming before.”
Your Thoughts?
How do you feel about Tomba! Special Edition skipping the Xbox platform? Could this affect your decision on whether to purchase the game? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Fraser Denton is the News Editor at Pure Xbox, where he spends his time reporting on the biggest stories in the world of Xbox and beyond. Follow him on Twitter to stay updated.
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