Developer Toys For Bob has a long and storied history stretching back thirty years, although you may know them more recently for the Skylanders series and two excellent platformer compilations: the Switch version of Naughty Dog's (via Vicarious Visions) Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and the revival of Insomniac's Spyro platformers in Spyro Reignited Trilogy.
In a recent interview following the release of a brand new entry in the Crash series (sadly not yet confirmed for Switch, despite rumours), Creative Producer Louis Studdert has spoken of a cult classic N64 title that he's got on the brain. Chatting with Ewan Moore over at Lad Bible, Studdert had the following to say when asked about potential next moves for the studio:
I was trying to figure out what other mascots are there that would be worth going back to?... It was funny, because I kept thinking, the things that I like, are not necessarily what the world likes. I kept coming back to... there's a Nintendo 64 game called Space Station Silicon Valley."
"That's where my brain goes, because I'm very weird... So I actually think the Crash franchise is perfect for me, because it allows us to kind of weird and zany and crazy stuff. And I'm pretty happy with where we're at right now."
To be clear, this appears to be a personal wish of Studdert's and not a hint of any future project. Having been given the keys to the Crash franchise with a canonical fourth game, the logical assumption is that Toys For Bob might have similar plans for a particular purple dragon — the team appears very confortable with the Crash and Spyro series.
Still, it's very nice to see the cult favourite get namechecked *checks notes*... twenty-two years after release (almost to the day, in fact — it launched on N64 on 21st October 1998). Space Station Silicon Valley was developed by DMA Design, the team behind Lemmings, Body Harvest, and a little boutique series called Grand Theft Auto (before the studio rebranded as Rockstar North). The game saw you body-hop between animals and use their unique skills to solve a host of platforming puzzles and similar problems.
It's a little rough around the edges, but Space Station Silicon Valley is an enjoyably quirky experience with a wicked sense of humour, and definitely deserving of a little love and attention, if not a full-blown remaster. Throw Toys For Bob another set of keys, we say!
Coincidentally, we picked up a copy of Silicon Valley only a couple of weeks ago. Have you played it recently? Reckon it deserves its cult classic status? Let us know below.
[source ladbible.com]
Comments 42
First there was Avenging Spirit, then Silicon Valley, then Mario Odyssey, you have to wonder what'd be next. Not sure the possession formula would work for a linear 3D Crash game with generic enemies that usually only do one thing, but it'd be perfect for Spyro.
@Noid "First there was Avenging Spirit, then Silicon Valley, then Mario Odyssey, you have to wonder what'd be next"
Agony: "...And where did that bring you? Back to me"
@nhSnork Heh, literally never heard of that, not even in passing.
Silicon Valley is a good game! I've beaten it several times. I still listen to the soundtrack occasionally now so do all my kids 😄
I wish Body Harvest would get a remake. That's still one of my favorite games, despite its clunkiness. Heck, I'd be happy for a straight Switch port with nothing changed.
Is there anywere else I can play this game instead of a N64?
I loved that when I was a child!!!
I loved Space Station Silicon Valley! Never heard of that game " **Grant** Theft Auto"
@AndreyBoarao Sadly, no. There is a PS1 version but it's garbage.
Oh be still my beating heart. Please bring back Silicon Valley. even a Ropey port.. having sold all my 64 games and console earlier in the year, I'd love some of the old classics to be playable in current hardware. And Body Harvest too, why not.
@sketchturner Even the level that's literally unbeatable?
I think it was a decent game with some good ideas but - personally - I've never been a big fan of it. It's just badly made in places (exhibit A: collectables mandatory for progression that can't be collected) and some of the robots are just not fun to play as.
The central idea is very strong though. I know Mario Odyssey basically stole it outright but I think there's still a lot of untapped potential there in the whole "living" ecosystem. It felt like it they were caught between making a taut puzzle platformer and making a much more ambitious open world ecosystem that the N64 just wouldn't have been capable of.
be a great game to have a sequel assuming it is just as dark and crazy, and works
Bring this to switch. Loved it back in the day. And body harvest
SSSV is one of my favorites! Too bad a remasters wasn’t on the table!
Never got to play it and would love the chance to.
Space Station Silicon Valley was such a good game. It was the N64's Paradroid in my book
Enjoyed the heck out of this game! Warm memories playing it as a child. Not sure if the same appeal will be there as an adult though. The mechnica of hopping between Animals was the USP I hope they expand greatly on then (yeah yeah; IF they would ever start a project on such).
@StuTwo Every level was beatable but there was a bug in one where you could not pick up the collectible once it spawned. Unfortunately this meant that you could never access the final bonus level. As a kid I used to fully complete the game with all collectibles before i permitted myself to enter the cheat code that unlocked the bonus level.
Really enjoyable game but rough around the edges. Great ideas, but so-so execution. Still, I loved it.
@Lone_Beagle Ha, zapped. I've got Grant Kirkhope on the brain. Cheers
I would LOVE for SSSV to make a comeback! Sadly, it doesn't fit Rockstar/Take 2's current MO. :/
I had this game as a kid. For some reason it scared me despite it not being meant as a scary game. I have weird memories with this one.
Dunno if I'd be waiting for a reboot or remake though.
Bring back Body Harvest, you cowards!
Spacestation silicon valley is one of my favourite games of all time. It's so zany and creative and brimming with whacky imagination. Love all the animal robots, full of personality and the puzzle style gameplay.
A remaster would be awesome to fix the rubbish graphics and the inability to 100% the original game thanks to an annoying glitch
On the topic of N64 I wish Toys for Bob could do a collab with Rare to remake Bango Kazooie and Tooie. Before any of you say Microsoft would would have to be a part of it Phil Spencer said that Rare has the power to make remasters/new games for the Banjo games not Microsoft. https://gamerant.com/new-banjo-kazooie-conker-games-xbox-series-x/
Space Station Silicon Valley makes me nauseous... in a good way? It's that deep-seated feeling of nostalgia and something else. No, I don't think I can explain
I had a N64 back in the day, and have literally no memory of this game existing, even as something that was discussed among my friends. Happy to give this a look if it gets a 2nd crack at the spotlight.
Loved this game!!!!
Love this game! Not many seem to have heard of it either.
@Noid there is also Geist for the gamecube.
I recall SSSV having a bad bug glitch. One of the trophies you couldn't collect (you would just walk through it). The final bonus section you couldn't get to (as you needed to collect all the trophies) Luckily there was a password to get to the final bonus section.
Still have the original cartridge. Plays OK using emulation once you've tweaked it a little. Fun game with a great soundtrack.
My first N64 game was Silicon valley! After getting the goldeneye N64 bundle for £129.99 for Christmas then that was it for an entire year! Absolutely would love a remake / sequel to Silicon Valley!
Never heard of this game but started playing it a bit today. Enjoying it so far. Wish I had this as a kid. Definitely going to be playing this over the weekend. A remaster would be so cool!
@Yosher
I also found SSSV to be a little bit scary. A bit like the "uncanny valley" when you look at one of those Japanese robots made to look like a girl. You have all these "natural" environments which are clearly a thin layer of grass on top of metal frames. The little microchip that you actually play as, constantly takes damage if it's walking around unprotected. And what are all these robot animals for?
It's a great, classic game but playing it always gave me a knot in my stomach...
@N64-ROX Wow, and here I thought I was the only one. Here here mate! The robot animals aren't real, the robot animals can't hurt us.
....... never mind me seeing something about a realistic looking robot dolphin having been made.
I would LOVE a sequel or remake of SSSV! Its been one of my favorite N64 games for many years!
I always thought SSSV was a hidden gem on the N64. Love that game. Ever recognized you can feel the bass when standing near a speaker in a level and using the rumble pack? - The GBC version unfortunately was not half as good. Too hard shooter levels...
Good memories of this game
If that's the case, I hope they fix that one unobtainable souvenir in Fat Bear Mountain(the one where you herd four sheep to pull the four levers)in the first world of the game.
"and a little boutique series called Grant Theft Auto"
?
Fun fact: If you play this game with a expansion pack in your N64, they crash.
You need to play without the expansion.
I view it as a spiritual successor to Capcom’s Little Nemo: Dream Master.
Ohh, I remember this game.
I still have my copy. Only beaten it a couple times though.
I think the internet helps with games like this, though I had never heard of it when I was a kid playing on my 64, I did however learn about this game through people on internet mentioning it
It's good to google things like "n64 hidden gems" and stuff to find less talked about games
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