Toki Tori (USA, Europe) (GBC)

In Toki Tori, players control a charming little chicken named Toki Tori, whose primary mission is to rescue his lost eggs. What sets Toki Tori apart from many traditional platformers is that the protagonist cannot jump. Instead, the gameplay revolves around solving intricate puzzles within each single-screen level.

Each level in Toki Tori is a self-contained puzzle filled with obstacles, enemies, and the eggs that need to be collected. Players must utilize a limited set of tools that Toki Tori carries. These tools include a bridge builder to cross gaps, a telewarp device to reach inaccessible areas, a freeze gun to temporarily incapacitate enemies, or a suck up device to remove certain blocks. The usage count for each tool is often very limited, forcing players to think carefully and plan every move.

The challenge in Toki Tori stems from strategic planning and resource management. Players need to figure out the precise order in which to use their tools, sometimes activating switches or moving blocks to create a path. Enemies in the game are not meant to be fought but rather are obstacles to avoid or bypass using the available tools. If Toki Tori touches an enemy or falls into a pit, the level fails, and the player must restart. The game encourages experimentation and learning from mistakes to find the optimal solution for each puzzle. With a series of cleverly designed levels, Toki Tori offers a challenging and rewarding puzzle-solving experience.