Some games from the ‘90s exist in a strange, rose-tinted limbo where you remember them feeling a certain way, but replaying them now feels, well… clunky. Croc: Legend of the Gobbos was one of those games, a charming 3D platformer with tank controls that made precise jumps a nightmare. But now, thanks to its remaster, Croc has returned, and he’s feeling better than ever. Well, mostly.

Reliving the 90s with Croc

Originally released in 1997 for the PlayStation, Croc: Legend of the Gobbos was a formative experience for many, myself included. It was likely one of the first video games I ever played. The iconic “ka-splat!”, the whimsical soundtrack, and the clunky tank-style movement are all deeply ingrained in my memory.

At its core, Croc is a straightforward 3D platformer. You play as the titular orphaned baby crocodile raised by the small, furry Gobbos. When the evil Baron Dante kidnaps the Gobbos, Croc embarks on a quest to save them through colourful, enemy-filled worlds that challenge you with jumps, puzzles, and collectible-driven progression. At the time of its release, Croc was part of the early 3D platformer wave that followed Super Mario 64, but it distinguished itself with its adorable protagonist, quirky enemies, and simple gameplay accessible to anyone.

“…behind-the-scenes content, concept art, and character models expand on the game’s legacy.”

Now, over 25 years later, the remaster brings back those same feelings with updated graphics and controls while keeping the essence of the game intact. It’s a reminder of a different time in gaming before open worlds, deep narratives, and complex mechanics, when reaching a tricky platform or collecting a hidden Gobbo was enough to keep us engaged for hours.

Beyond the core game, the remaster introduces the Crocipedia. The behind-the-scenes content, concept art, and character models expand on the game’s legacy. This feature provides additional information for fans interested in the lore and development history of Croc. The inclusion of a documentary video section is my favourite, featuring interviews with key figures such as Jez San, the Founder of Argonaut Games, and Lead Designer Nic Cusworth. It also includes perspectives from video game media like James Batchelor of Gamesindustry.biz and Jack Yarwood of Time Extension. While the production budget isn’t nearly as good as something similar like Tetris Forever and most of these interviews are also available on the Argonaut Games YouTube channel, these videos elevate the package and offer insight into the game’s creation and impact.

Croc: Legend of the Gobbos Review – Bigger, better, Croc-ier

A Gobbo-grabbin’ good time, mostly

Like any good ‘90s platformer, Croc: Legend of the Gobbos is all about grabbing gems, freeing the Gobbos, and bonking baddies with a tail-attack. Each level still features a set number of the adorable creatures that must be freed from their cages. In addition, Croc collects five optional coloured gems that unlock special bonus areas at the end of each level. This extra challenge provides a greater incentive to fully complete each stage, pushing you to go for 100% completion.

In terms of gameplay, Argonuat Games has smoothed out some of the rougher edges. Gone are the tank controls, replaced with something a lot more manageable. Croc’s movement is now much easier, giving you the precision you need to tackle those risky platforming sections. His signature tail-spin attack has a charming clunkiness to it, but that’s part of the appeal. The levels are varied, with lush green, cold caverns, castle corridors, or the final mixed-big that is the Crystal Island. Each is packed with obstacles that test timing and patience.

“Gone are the tank controls, replaced with something a lot more manageable.”

Croc: Legend of the Gobbos keeps things interesting by introducing a fresh mechanic with each island. Whether it’s icy platforms that send Croc sliding or tornadoes spinning around that force you to think quickly, each world has a little twist. These changes keep the game from feeling too repetitive, though sometimes they are blatant biome swaps. On one level, you’ll have lava pools that damage you; the next they’ll be murky water pools and pretty underwhelming. Still, the environment variety means each level looks new, with different music and enemies to enjoy.

When it comes to the enemies, Croc keeps things nice and simple. They range from goofy Dantinis, Baron Dante’s bumbling minions, to trickier threats like the penguins that jump out of icy water or the infamous worm in a well. Some enemies are more of a nuisance than a danger, but their designs are delightfully weird, adding to the game’s oddball charm. Most go down in one hit, which keeps the game feeling quick and breezy. The real kicker is the hit detection, which can sometimes be a little… off. You’ll swear Croc should’ve avoided an attack, but nope, he gets knocked back. Or you’ll think you’ve lined up a perfect strike, only for the enemy to just slide on by. It’s not game-breaking, but it can break your flow and leave you scratching your head at times.

Boss fights are just as formulaic: dodge, wait for the right moment, hit. Rinse and repeat. They come with a cute intro, though! Each boss has an adorable animation showing how they were cursed and transformed by the evil Baron Dante. These little cutscenes bring personality to the bosses and inject some fun lore into what would otherwise be bland encounters. It’s a cute way to give the bosses some backstory. At the end of the day, they still end up feeling like punching bags with little substance or challenge.

Vibrant and colourful as ever

The remaster’s graphics are a breath of fresh air, breathing new life into Croc: Legend of the Gobbos while keeping its nostalgic charm alive. The environments pop with vibrant colours, giving the whole world a brighter, more dynamic look. Croc himself has been redesigned with updated models, adding a sleekness to his appearance without losing his signature cuteness. The lighting is sharper and more realistic, making the game look more polished than ever before, but it doesn’t detract from the cartoony style that made the original so memorable.

“Shout-out to the team at Titanium Studios in Perth and their Zetta Engine powering this remaster…”

The real magic, though, comes in the option to toggle between the remastered visuals and the retro graphics. Want to relive the PlayStation 1 era? Just switch back to the old-school graphics with the funky pixelated textures and blocky models. While this inclusion is fairly standard for remasters nowadays, it’s still thoughtful for fans who want to switch between the past and present, especially with the added CRT and VGA filters to give that nostalgic feeling of playing on a tube TV.

Justin Scharvona’s original soundtrack remains intact with music duo The Living Tombstone’s remix, still giving you those catchy, upbeat tunes we all remember. Shout-out to the team at Titanium Studios in Perth and their Zetta Engine powering this remaster which deserves a ton of credit. The work from Jayeson Lee-Steere, Hadyn Lander, and Naomi Hermans shines through in how Croc feels today.

7

Good

Positive:

Nostalgic appeal for fans
Vibrant, updated visuals
Crocipedia adds historical depth
Improved, manageable controls
Catchy, iconic soundtrack

Negative:

Simplistic combat and boss fights
Lacks modern platforming depth
Limited appeal for newcomers

While the Croc: Legend of the Gobbos remaster is a love letter to the original, packed with passionate behind-the-scenes features and a beautiful visual update, it’s hard to ignore that platforming has come a long way since 1997. The gameplay is clunky and simplistic compared to the experiences we’ve come to expect today. But for those who remember the days of tail-whipping, saving Gobbos, and hopping around the colourful worlds of Croc, this remaster is pure nostalgia gold.