Croc: Legend of the Gobbos’ Remaster Tries to Please Modern and Retro Gamers All At Once

Games like Mario and Sonic, which are part of the platformer series, have managed to stay popular over time. Other games had periods of relevance in video game history, but they eventually became niche favorites. One such example is the game Croc: Legend of the Gobbos, initially launched for PlayStation and Sega Saturn in 1997. Although tank controls make it less modern or beloved compared to other platformers from that time, a devoted group of fans has been asking for a remastered or re-released version for many years now.

Legend of the Gobbos”.

In simpler terms, “Croc” is a classic platform game named after its protagonist who is on a mission to rescue Gobbos, creatures who raised him, after they are abducted by a wicked magician called Baron Dante. The game consists of various worlds and levels, testing players as they navigate through obstacles, battle enemies and bosses, and collect items. It’s similar to other platform games from that era, but “Croc” distinguishes itself with its vibrant graphics, likable main character, and level designs that are neither too challenging nor unfair for the player.

The main issue with the original Croc game lies in its movement system, often referred to as “tank controls.” This can make maneuvering Croc a cumbersome and challenging task. While players can adapt to this over time, it makes replaying Croc more difficult compared to games like Super Mario 64. To address this, the most significant improvement in this remaster is the inclusion of modern analog controls. Now, moving and turning Croc feels smooth and intuitive, which slightly lowers the game’s difficulty but also makes it much easier for new players to pick up and enjoy.

If you’re a newer player who’s not accustomed to handling tank controls, I suggest opting for the contemporary control setup. Interestingly, Argonaut didn’t hide or make this a toggleable setting within the game; instead, both control systems are readily accessible. You can use the control stick for modern controls and the d-pad for tank controls, switching between them effortlessly. This way, it caters to both seasoned and novice players without compromise, which isn’t often seen in re-releases like this one.

In the same vein, you can modify the graphics during gameplay, whenever you like. On the Nintendo Switch, hitting the minus button toggles between updated and vintage graphics. This method proved effective for remakes with revamped graphics such as Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap, and it applies here. However, it’s worth noting that the game is consistently displayed in widescreen, meaning the authentic version of Croc is not playable in this format. This might be a downside for die-hard retro enthusiasts, but those individuals generally have the means to experience this game on its original hardware.

To the majority of novice gamers, the enhanced controls and graphics in this version offer an optimal experience playing ‘Croc: Legend of the Gobbos’. Furthermore, the included interviews and museum content make this compilation a valuable addition to any video game history enthusiast’s collection, including myself.

I’m eager to find out if Argonaut’s smoother design strategy for retro remasters becomes popular. If so, it’s possible that more games from Argonaut could receive this upgrade, as their opening title card suggests they own titles like Croc 2, Buck Bumble, Red Dog: Superior Firepower, Vortex, and Starglider 2. I support the idea of classic games – whether well-known or not – being remastered or re-released to keep them alive for contemporary audiences. So far, it seems that this revived version of Argonaut is handling the process with care for the original versions.

The adventure game “Croc: Legend of the Gobbos” can now be played on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.

2025-04-02 10:09

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