Publisher Microids has announced that their retro arcade platformer Toki is coming to Nintendo Switch in November along with a special edition that features a physical arcade cabinet.

This remake published by Microids not only features upgraded visuals and re-orchestrated music, but there will also be the ‘Retrollector’ edition which includes a physical copy of the game, a comic book, art prints, stickers, and even an arcade cabinet-shaped housing for your Switch console. Philippe Dessoly, the artist for the Toki on the Amiga, is the artistic director for the remake and the special edition prints and the comic book feature his art.

The original Toki was an arcade platformer released in 1989 in which players controlled a warrior who had been turned into an ape that could spit fireballs from his mouth for some reason. The game received several home ports including on the Atari Lynx and the NES, while SEGA released a retooled spinoff? sequel? titled Toki: Going Ape Spit on the Genesis/Mega Drive.

An enhanced remake of the original Toki has been in development since at least 2009 and was originally slated for a digital release on Xbox 360, PS3, Steam and Wii as a frickin’ WiiWare title. The throngs of fans in the Toki fan community have been absolutely clamoring for news for nearly a decade, but it seems as though their prayers have been answered… as long as they own a Nintendo Switch (it’s an exclusive for now).

Unfortunately, Microids has not announced plans to release Toki, special edition or otherwise, outside of Europe, though importing is always an option thanks to the Switch being region-free. However, Microids did respond to our inquiry on the issue, stating that Toki was “not planned for the USA… for the moment. ;)” (Yes, they added a winking emoji at the end)* So, don’t abandon hope yet, yanks.

Now comes the part where I have to ask the most important question surrounding this crazy special edition: Who the holy hell has been asking for such an elaborate package for Toki? As someone who played the arcade original and owned Going Ape Spit on Genesis, even I don’t get it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for everyone who is excited for this release and Microids definitely gets a lot of credit for this unique special edition, but is it warranted? Is Toki‘s plot rich enough that we need a comic to dive into the deeper lore? Are those nostalgic for the three decades-old arcade game keen on getting sticker sheets? Is there some massive European Toki fan base that I’m completely unaware of?

Ok, that was several questions, but you know what? If the price is right, I might actually pick it up. It looks sweet.

Maybe that’s the strategy: buy an awesome collector’s edition, get the game along with it?

Toki is currently scheduled for release on November 22. Pricing details have not yet been announced.

Source: NintendoLife

*Update: This post has been updated following Microids’ hinting at a North American release

Thanks for reading!

Please consider following The Splintering on social media or bookmarking the site for more independent entertainment news, views, and commentary!

---

The Splintering’s TeePublic store has items for all budgets, great and small! If you like what we do & want to help keep our site 100% free of paid ads, go here!