Finally, another Amiga article, this time about the Brazilian game Skinny Marley and I have decided to do a full unboxing of it.
Skinny Marley is a love letter to the developer’s dog—a delightful puzzle game hailing all the way from Brazil, a country that has produced very few Amiga titles. Its rarity and origin make it an especially exciting addition for Amiga collectors, proving that great boxed games can come from anywhere in the world.
We’ll start this deep-dive review with a first look at the game itself, which was originally released last year for $3 via the online itch.io website.
The Game, The Story And The Tribute…
Skinny Marley is, at its core, a heartfelt tribute to the developer Rodrigo Vertulo’s now-deceased dog. The gameplay is simple but charming: you guide Skinny through various levels, arranging his toys—socks, rubber ducks, balls, and more—next to the doghouse.
To do this, you often need to push blocks around to make space, creating a light puzzle element that works surprisingly well. The idea feels somewhat original, thanks to its quirky setting. The graphics are simple but effective—far from impressive, yet far from bad. The sound is probably the weakest part of the game, with an early-80s vibe that’s repetitive at times, though it’s never intrusive or game-breaking.
No Enemies, No Time Limit And Move Limit?…
It’s interesting how a game without enemies can still be engaging—and Skinny Marley takes it a step further. There’s not even a time limit, and get this: no move limit either. Despite the simplicity, I ended up playing much longer than I expected.
I’m not usually a dog person, but I can really appreciate that this game is a heartfelt tribute. The developer clearly put his all into making something worthy of it—over 100 hours of work, learning as he went, to bring this project to life.
I’ll never disrespect anyone putting their heart into making a game—creating a game is no small feat, even for a small project like this. What makes Skinny Marley particularly special is that no pre-made game engine was used. Whether it’s AMOS, Blitz Basic, or something else, the developer built it himself. Honestly, many wouldn’t even attempt it if it were on something like the Scorpion Engine.
So, is it a great game, or just passable? It’s a bit rough around the edges and may not appeal to everyone, but I encourage you to give it a try. Knowing that this game was created with genuine feelings and true passion might just change your perspective.
Now for the big surprise: Toolzzi went ahead and created a boxed Collector’s Edition as well—a proper tribute that truly takes it to the next level!
Skinny Marley Collector’s Box Review…
A fellow collector reached out to let me know that Toolzzi was planning a very limited boxed edition, so naturally, I kept an eye on various sites and social media for the announcement. Only 20 boxes were to be made, and you could expect them to be snapped up in no time.
The box itself is B5-sized, though not in a traditional B5 format. Its design is reminiscent of those classic NES boxes from the 80s—the ones with flaps that collectors pay big money for if they’re intact. The box is shiny, well-crafted, and the printing quality is above average. Some of the text is slightly lower resolution, making it a little blurry in spots, but it’s never intrusive or indicative of poor quality.
What’s Inside The Box Then?…
The box wasn’t just well-produced on the outside—the contents were equally impressive. Let’s start with a few highlights. Inside, there’s a small folded manual, just four pages long, with a blank back. Despite its size, the quality is solid, and it includes the game’s story, a guide on how to play, and even some background information about the developer.
Also included is a postcard-style art card featuring the box’s front cover design, again printed to a high standard. And then there’s the real surprise: a certificate of authenticity, marking exactly which copy I own (06 out of 20). That’s a first for me—never in my 40 years of collecting have I seen something like this in a fan-made release (outside of publisher-exclusive editions for AAA game launch campaigns).
The Floppy And The Dog…
The box also included a small black bag and a single floppy disk. Inside the bag was a 3D-printed figurine of Skinny Marley, the dog himself. Both the floppy disk and the figurine are surprisingly well-made—not just a cheap label stuck on a disk or a throwaway trinket. The floppy looks authentic, and the Skinny Marley figure is actually quite charming and adds a really personal touch to the whole package.
Summary Of The Collector’s Edition:
Here’s everything included in the box, all laid out in one picture—a fantastic addition to any collector’s shelf. Only 20 copies exist, making it incredibly rare. Admittedly, the game itself feels more like a public-domain title than a polished release, but that’s missing the point. This is a deeply personal project: a game about the developer’s own dog, his very first completed title, and astonishingly, it comes all the way from Brazil—a country not exactly known for its Amiga game output. That alone makes it something special and worth supporting, even if the gameplay isn’t to everyone’s taste.
The box itself is well-made, and the same goes for everything inside. The Skinny Marley figurine is unique, and the certificate of authenticity is something I’ve never seen before in 40 years of collecting. My guess is that its inclusion also serves as a safeguard against piracy, which is unfortunately still rampant in parts of the world.
Want to grab one of these collector boxes? As far as I know, only five are still available—so if you’re interested, then make sure to reach out to the developer right now.
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Author: 360 Technology Group
