Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return Special Edition

Tomba! 2 returns in the latest re-release from Limited Run Games.

While in some instances going back to the classics in almost their original condition doesn’t feel terrible, in this case, it could feel much better.

Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return Special Edition brings back a beloved sequel with cleaner polygon visuals and some modern conveniences. However, it still carries outdated mechanics and lacks additional enhancements that prevent it from standing out as a top-notch port. It’s a nostalgic delight for fans but newcomers may have difficulty picking this one up.

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If you played this when you were eight years old, I get it, you have that emotional connection to the bright colours, the weird world, and the memories of playing something a little bit different. But coming into it fresh in 2026? It’s a clunky, confusing, and unattractive historic curiosity. I’m glad I played it just so I can finally tell my friend to shut up about it, and, perhaps more importantly, tell him that he’s been completely wrong about it all this time.

Almost as charming and whimsical as the first Tombi!, but that's not enough when controls are this frustrating. The 3D graphics haven't aged that well either, and the soundtrack is a bit of a let down compared to the first game. If your nostalgia is strong with this one, you might get some enjoyment from Tombi! 2, since it is rather faithful to the original release.

While Tomba’s floaty physics and obtuse objectives remain as stubborn as an evil swine, this Special Edition triumphs through generous QoL features and curated extras. It’s a nostalgic pig-pile of content that, despite its clunky combat, offers a definitive, legally sanctioned homecoming for our pink-haired hero.

Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return Special Edition is simply fun to play and easy to come back to. With its classic visuals, exploration-heavy design, constant missions, and colourful world, it remains a charming and enjoyable experience. Despite a few annoyances with saving and pausing, the game’s variety, characters, and sense of discovery make it a strong return for a cult favourite.

Immaculately restored, warts and all, Tomba! 2 is a wonderful throwback to a simpler era of platforming greatness.

Ultimately, Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return Special Edition is a product of its time – it’s full of heart, weirdness, and ambition, but it also looks and feels a little dated in design. It doesn’t hold your hand and it controls a bit like a bar of soap, but the core loop of exploring this colourful, silly world remains satisfying. And whilst it is a little limited on extras, this port provides an accessible way to play a cult classic on modern hardware – and thanks to the recent patch, it’s in a state worth recommending to those with a soft spot for the PlayStation era.