Evaluation: Croc: Tale Of The Gobbos (Switch)
By During the mid to late ‘90s, when the fifth generation of consoles was steadily gaining momentum, mascot platformers were extremely popular. Aiming to capitalize on this burgeoning trend, Argonaut Software—previously recognized for its contributions to Star Fox and the Super FX chip for the SNES—proposed a new 3D platformer featuring Yoshi to Nintendo.
Nintendo rejected their proposal, but Argonaut was not ready to abandon the concept, leading the team to reshape it into an original title called Croc: Legend of the Gobbos, which was later launched on multiple platforms. Now, the studio has decided to reintroduce Croc to modern audiences with a new remaster. While this release definitely shows its age, it remains a delightful adventure.
Croc employs a level-based approach to gameplay, guiding players through themed worlds filled with obstacles to overcome and collectibles to discover.
The objective of each level is straightforward: reach the end and give a gong a solid hit with your tail swipe attack. However, there are also six of the titular gobbos concealed throughout each level, along with five colored gems that unlock access to a sixth gobbo. Collecting them all is technically optional, but to face the final boss and witness the true ending, you’ll need to gather them all.
Level designs are relatively linear and lack the expansive environments seen in contemporaries like Super Mario 64 and Spyro the Dragon, yet there are still plenty of secrets and alternate paths to divert you from the main trail. That said, it can sometimes feel like obstacles have been placed haphazardly, and the levels tend to be somewhat winding—Croc is still a fun platformer, but the stages don’t ‘flow’ quite as well as some of its genre peers.
Additionally, there’s the issue of stages becoming too repetitive over time, especially if you’re progressing through a series of levels within the same world. There are only so many times you can defeat the same enemies and interact with similar obstacles before you start to notice how few new mechanics Croc offers; it’s the kind of game that seems more focused on recycling familiar elements than continually introducing new gameplay concepts. This isn’t necessarily a huge flaw, but it does indicate that Croc runs out of steam sooner than one might hope.
Still, there’s something charmingly simple about Croc’s approach to 3D platforming that makes it genuinely enjoyable. Each level lasts only a short time, giving gameplay a quick pace, and the straightforward nature of Croc’s moveset prevents the action from becoming overly complicated, unlike the problematic mechanics seen in Donkey Kong 64. While it may not leave a lasting impression due to its general lack of creativity and spectacle, the fundamental mechanics ensure it feels worthwhile.
As a modernized remaster, the visuals have undoubtedly received a significant boost in quality, enhancing the gameplay experience considerably. By default, the game showcases updated models and textures, but with the press of a button, you can also switch to retro models if you’re seeking a more nostalgic appearance. This can be further improved by enabling filters that mimic a CRT display. Regardless of your visual preference, the game operates at a smooth 60fps.
The gameplay enhancements don’t end there, as Croc now also features full analog control to align with contemporary platforming expectations. Although the original game did receive Dualshock support added later in development, it was ultimately designed around D-pad input, resulting in a rather clunky tank-like control scheme where you couldn’t move forward and change direction simultaneously.
If you’re particularly fond of that control scheme, this remaster still allows you to utilize the original D-pad setup.