Verdict
Croc: Legend of the Gobbos Remastered is every bit as fun as the original, reminding people that it’s not just Crash, Mario, and Sonic who had great games in the ‘90s. The modern graphics are a delight, the controls are smooth, and the levels remain both difficult and joyful; this isn’t a game to sleep on if you enjoy platformers.
I am a ‘90s kid through and through. I grew up during the golden age of platformers, with characters like Sonic, Crash, Spyro, and Mario dominating my videogame collection. Then, one day, my mum came home with a new game, one with an adorable crocodile on the cover. Aptly, it’s named Croc, and to this day, I look back on those frustrating hours with a fond smile. Croc: Legend of the Gobbos is a big part of my childhood, along with the legends I already mentioned, so you can imagine my excitement at the thought of a remaster.
In 2017, the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy opened a door, showing that the platformers of the past still have a place today, something the Spyro Reignited Trilogy also demonstrated upon its release in 2018. Then there are the numerous Mario games and all of the other remakes and remasters that show how wonderful revisiting old games can be for both developers and players. Since the N. Sane trilogy, I often think about what other characters deserve that treatment, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t consider Croc.
Luckily for me, not only have my dreams come true, but I get to review the game on Nintendo Switch – baby Kayleigh wouldn’t believe it. In even better news for me, Croc: Legend of the Gobbos Remastered is every bit as good as I hoped it would be, proving to be yet another special experience, albeit perhaps even more frustrating at times than it used to be – it’s because I’m not so hot at platformers these days, not because the game is bad. It’s actually quite the opposite.
As soon as I fired up the game, the logos loaded, and the opening cut scene played, I was ready to do whatever it takes to rescue those adorable little Gobbos once more. Just look at them, with how adorable they are, you just have to help Croc save them. The second I took control of the titular green crocodile, I knew I was in for a treat, running and jumping through these old-school levels that look rather luscious after that slick coat of paint.
However, one of my favorite features is switching between the remastered and retro graphics, so you can experience Croc in all its original glory if you wish. Honestly, I think some of the levels look better in their original skin. There’s just something extra charming about those ‘90s winter tundras.
Like many platformers of the time, the story of Croc is simple (the performing hero saves his friends), as are the levels, but that doesn’t make them easy, even if acing the first couple does give you a false sense of security. Don’t worry, after you finish that first island, the game is quick to remind you that you’re not actually a platforming god.
Jumping, running, and all movement feel smooth, so I can’t really blame the game when I fail to make a jump – for the most part. I can still put some of the fault on the camera, as the remaster has camera issues like the original. For the remaster, it’s that the camera can be a bit of a pain, being slow to move and a bit clunky, but when you get used to it, it isn’t so bad.
The levels have great designs, featuring secret passageways, boxes to smash, walls to climb, holes to jump across, Gobbos to find, and gems to collect. Gems are your best friend, particularly as, like rings in Sonic games, they keep you alive when you get hit, but you lose every single one of them, so you need to be quick if you want to scrounge them up before they disappear. All too often, a level is going well for me, only for me to fall in lava, get hit, or make a silly mistake right at the finish line, costing me all those gems, and as getting 100 of them rewards you with a life, it’s more than a little annoying.
Colored gems are also hiding throughout each level, and collecting all five rewards you with something akin to bonus stages from the Crash Bandicoot games. At the end of each level, there’s a wooden door that only unlocks with the gems, giving you a chance to rescue more Gobbos, pick up some extra gems, or waste all your lives trying and failing to make the same jump repeatedly. Yes, I’m speaking from salty experience. Can you tell?
Sometimes, it’s not just platforming goodness in the stages; you also come across bosses occasionally, but they’re a breeze. I can honestly say I never died to any of them, but that hole over there? Yeah, I’m about to fall down that at least five times.
Performance-wise, I have nothing but praise for Croc Remastered on Nintendo Switch. It runs perfectly in both docked and handheld mode with no issues to speak of, the controls are fluid, and the game looks as wonderful now as it did back in 1997, whether you use the fancy new graphics or embrace the original.
While I can’t laud any Croc game for doing anything original, the remaster serves as a reminder of how good the series is and that the adorable crocodile deserves the spotlight once more. Be you an existing fan like me or someone who wants to experience the game after missing it the first time around, you won’t be sorry for buying it. Croc Remastered is a joy to play from start to finish, and I, for one, am thrilled to ride the nostalgia train.
For more platforming fun, you can hop, skip, and jump your way over to our lists of the best Switch platformers and the best mobile platformers.