Toki Tori has been ported, tweaked and re-released a lot, with its blend of accessible but increasingly challenging puzzling appealing to gamers of various types on almost any platform you can name. Suitable for touch inputs or physical controls, it's playable on just about any system you want, though sadly we couldn't find a version for the Commodore 64.
Yet that shouldn't necessarily put people off Toki Tori 3D, especially as it's available for less than the price of a fancy coffee. What's important to note is that this isn't a 3D re-release of the Game Boy Color title already available on the portable's Virtual Console, but rather the fancier PC version - with entirely new content and level design - that then made its way to the Wii U eShop. It's a port of a remaster, if that makes sense. Even those with the WiiWare version will find new content in these eShop iterations.
If you've managed to avoid all of these versions, ports and re-releases, then let's summarise the basic gameplay. You play as the cute Two Tribes mascot which has very limited abilities - it can walk and flutter down long drops; that's about it. The chick also has limited-use items, however, starting with basics like bridges and evolving to more complicated contraptions / abilities like a hoover or bubble for moving around underwater. Each is carefully designed with strict limitations, as this is a puzzle game that demands you stop and think about a solution.
It's rather pure, un-distilled retro-style puzzling, then, as you're placed into dozens of fixed stages with limited items to complete your goal of claiming all of the eggs. Sometimes there are a few ways to reach a goal and you may finish with items to spare, while on other occasions it can take a while to figure out the one complex solution to move on. You're given a single wildcard to skip a stage which can only be reclaimed by beating the level later, and short of looking up walkthroughs the core campaign should take newcomers quite a while.
Solving the puzzles is pleasurable, though, as each version of this game has continued to streamline and improve the experience. You can hold X at any time and look around the stage, while there's an option to rewind as far as you like if you make a mistake or spot the solution after you've already passed the point of no return. This immediate rewind is particularly useful, and in this 3DS version you can access this and item swapping on the touch screen; the latter is also mapped to the shoulder buttons.
Overall the puzzles are often very clever, with a few that are reliant a little more on trial-and-error. There's little to complain about due to the tight, focused design, and this is a game ideal either for quick bursts of play or longer sessions. There's lots to do, too, with the 'Normal' campaign split into multiple worlds and a whole load of 'Hard' and Bonus levels also thrown in. For those of you sharing a 3DS there are also multiple save profiles. There's a lot of bang for your buck, and it's high quality if somewhat old-fashioned puzzle gameplay.
As for the 3DS port itself, Engine Software has done a fine job with the Two Tribes game - it has the same look as the Wii U eShop release, being sharp and colourful on the 3DS screen. Performance is solid and smooth with a pleasing 3D effect, and the only feature missing from the Wii U equivalent - which utilised the GamePad - is the option to play using touch controls on the bottom screen. Aside from that it's fully featured and is a well-produced release.
Conclusion
We were tempted to simply write 'this is Toki Tori, but with 3D' as a one-line review, as that's basically what we have here. That wouldn't have done justice to the quality of the port though, nor the fact that it recreates the version seen on platforms like PC and Wii U with a stylish 3D effect and on-the-go gaming. It's a lovely version of an enjoyable puzzle game, and courtesy of its budget price should be considered by Toki Tori veterans and newcomers alike.
Comments 30
definitely will be picking this up. just need to put money on the eShop first
Sounds OK' ish
It looks like a lot Penguin Land for Master System.
"and the only feature missing from the Wii U equivalent - which utilised the GamePad - is the option to play using touch controls on the bottom screen. Aside from that it's fully featured and is a well-produced release."
Why would something like that even be missing from this port? a New 3DS is quite literally a Wii U but with screens that are closer together.
I will pick this up for both the price and the 3d. I never got into the Wii U version but I never gave it a chance either. I tend to play games more on my 3ds anyways so that can help.
@gatorboi352
^
I enjoyed the GBC version but never got around to finishing it.
With a few enhancements and a rewind, and a cheap pricetag I reckon I'll give this a shot!
I think my kids might pick this up, along w/ something that went on sale yesterday. They always preferred Granny in Paradise on PC for the level editor but for $1.99 this will be a nice time killer for car rides. If it was $4.99 then no, but sane pricing should be rewarded.
Which reminds me, about time to go pick up Bayonetta 2 for $35 at Gamestop. Sane pricing. (Sane b/c its now a 1 year old game, I'm sure it was worth every penny of $60 at launch.)
Pleasing 3D effect? The whole scene is just set back into the screen with everything being on the same plane, it doesn't even use the 3D effect otherwise.
The Wii U version is fantastic
Meh, I'll just play the GBC version.
For two dollars, it's absolutely recommended.
Great puzzle design, ridiculous visual metaphors for explaining the mechanics.
Tunes that are so upbeat and happy they'll stay with you in spite of overstaying their welcome ever so slightly.
All around it feels like playing a new Amiga game.
@ThomasBW84 I am confused as to what is the difference between the GBC version and this.
Are all of the levels in the GBC version offered in the 3D version, along with many options not included in the GBC version?
I'm sold on the game regardless, I just want to know if I would be wasting money by buying the GBC version as well.
@Knuckles From what I understand the GBC game is essentially a different game, in that the levels and puzzles are different.
@ThomasBW84 Thank you. I was wanting to buy both games anyway, but I couldn't justify buying an inferior version like the GBC game if I owned the 3D version and everything was the same.
@Knuckles Well, Google it before spending money! But yeah, these modern ones are better and cheaper
Two things holding me back from getting this:
-I didn't finish Toki Tori on WiiWare (or Steam).
-I'm still working on Pushmo.
@ThomasBW84 I've been wanting the GBC version for a long time anyway, and I wasn't going to buy it today. I was however booting up the eShop for the 3D version because I was sold on a 2 dollar Toki Tori, I just was waiting for NL's review first to be sure the game wasn't littered with bugs and the coding was held together by duct tape. Not saying the developers aren't trustworthy, but no reason to waste money on a poor game.
@Pod I have Toki Tori on the Wii U and what drew me to it in the first place was definitely some sort of Amiga nostalgia feeling - kind of a cross between Lemmings and New Zealand Story.
Don't think I'll bother with this as the Wii U version is so polished looking, but it's a no-brainer for anyone with just a 3DS.
Lets please petition Nintendo for a similar 3ds remake of donkey kong 94 from the Gameboy
I already have this on PC and WiiU, but I think I'll pick it up for 3DS since the price is low and I never really did finish the entire game...would be neat if there were cloud-saves so I could pick up from where I played through on the WiiU though. That or cross-buy for loyal gamers
Finished on PC, did not think much of it.
Toki Tori is a good game
I picked this up as soon as I saw it at 1.99. It's a pretty good game especially at that price. I would still say that Gunman Clive is the best deal in the Eshop. This is close
I'm just glad to see someone else make a 3D classic.
Hopefully this will be a wake up call to Dev's that 3D Classics can be a lucrative option. Buy up people it's well worth the 1.99. No reason this game shouldn't sell about 50,000 copies.
Instant purchase for me since I own the Virtual Console version. Loved it then, and this is even better! Updated for the times and even better! Totally agree with the great review. Here's hoping a sequel is in the works! A+ Great value and a great game!
Next time I get eshop money I'll be picking it up!
"Aside from that it's fully featured..."
Not entirely correct. Afaik it doesn't come with the Portal themed extra "Test" world that the Wii U version had. Or at least I couldn't find it after completing all the levels...
This is now on sale for $0.67. Do yourself a favor and pick it up immediately. You will get 5 or so hours of fun for less than one dollar.
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