Toki Preview (Xbox Live, PSN, WiiWare)

Toki is an old school platform game that debuted in 1989/1991 on a variety of systems, including the NES, Lynx and Amiga.  Now it’s ready to make a comeback on WiiWare, Xbox Live and PSN, courtesy of Golgoth Studio.  This talented group of programmers took the old and dusty looking version and spruced it up with gorgeous visuals, making it one of our latest must haves. 

There's a huge different between the original (on left) and the snazzy new version (on right).

In the game, you play as a Tarzan inspired guy named Toki, who enjoys a primitive life on some island in the South Seas.  Naturally, you can’t have a game like this without some form of conflict, so along comes the witch doctor Vookimedlo, who kidnaps Princess Miho and transforms the rest of the island’s human inhabitants into animals.  In Toki’s case, he turns into an ape-like creature.  Although he doesn’t look nearly as handsome, he somehow acquired the ability to shoot projectiles and fire from his mouth.  Thus begins a treacherous journey to rescue Miho and put an end to the shaman’s treachery. 

Although details are scarce, it appears that Golgoth Studio’s Toki closely follows the original, as you complete different levels, each of which has a boss at the end.  You’ll jump across platforms and take out all sorts of enemies (including zombies, ghosts, spiders and piranhas) while trying to beat a timer that constantly ticks down.  Along the way, you’ll snag power-ups to aid Toki on his quest, including a football helmet that temporarily shields his noggin.  In addition, you can collect gold coins and fruit to increase your score.  Furthermore, Toki and the game’s enemies move much quicker, something that should please gamers who slowly made their way through the original. 

With bosses, you’ll battle a variety of bizarre looking creatures and contraptions.  One fight, for example, challenges you to destroy this hulking piece of machinery operated by two monkey-like characters wearing goggles.  First, you’ll need to safely avoid six boxing gloves and destroy gargoyle heads shooting steam.  Then it’s just a matter of climbing a vine and taking out the twosome from a relatively safe distance; this could be a mini boss, since it looks pathetically easy.

The graphics, of course, are the biggest change.  Golgoth has thus far done a remarkable job with Toki’s visuals, reviving an old school classic for a new generation.  Backgrounds look gorgeous, as you explore a jungle, a lake (yes, he can swim), a canyon and volcano.  Animations look surprisingly fluid, especially when you land on zombie’s head and watch its body fall to the ground like a silky cloak.  You’ll also see Toki change facial expressions whenever he fires projectiles, as well as enemies when they croak.  It’s without question one of the prettier remakes we’ve seen.

Now all it needs is a release date.  Golgoth hasn’t updated its official website since June 16th, leading us to believe [crosses fingers] that it’s hard at work prepping Toki for a fall/winter 2010 release.  We certainly hope so, because its newest creation should make an impact on retro gamers eager for their next fix.  Besides, Princess Miho can’t save herself.