Croc Legend of the Gobbos Review

Croc Legend of the Gobbos is one of the most nostalgic names from late '90s 3D platformers. The genre was quite creative back then, as the game industry was moving toward fully 3D environments. Collectathons were quite popular, and games like Super Mario 64, Spyro the Dragon, Banjo-Kazooie, and even Crash Bandicoot were very popular at the time. 

Croc stood out in a very memorable way among them. Croc Legend of the Gobbos was out in 1997 and wasn't just another platformer; it was a big hit, selling over three million copies. After a long period of dormancy, Croc has returned in a remastered version, and it's been brought back by the very team who created the original. 

Argonaut Games, a studio that faded out in the mid-2000s after creating Croc, Buck Bumble, and several other titles, has been revived. They didn't outsource this remaster to another studio—this is pure in-house craftsmanship from the people who originally designed the game. For anyone who grew up with Croc on the PlayStation 1, seeing this level of attention to detail and respect for the source material is just pure gold. 

The remaster is available on PC via GOG, as well as on all major consoles, and I've had the chance to play the Xbox version. Croc Legend of the Gobbos is a straightforward 3D platformer. The story explains that as a baby, you were floating in the water and were found by the Gobbos on an island. You play as Croc, a little crocodile with big expressive eyes and a backpack, navigating colorful worlds while rescuing the Gobbos.  

The evil Baron Dante kidnaps the Gobbos and the king, setting up Croc's quest to save them. Each level contains five Gobbos and five colored gems. Collecting them all unlocks a sixth Gobbo through a small puzzle or extra platforming sequence. This simple yet charming loop drives the gameplay. 

The game's structure is easy to understand. You move from room to room, completing platforming challenges in floating spaces, hitting a gong at the end of a stage, and then flying away with your little bird companion. It's not about flashy mechanics options; it's about enjoying the journey through simple, well-designed levels.  

One of the most impressive aspects of the remaster is the updated control scheme.  

The original Croc notoriously used tank controls, which made navigation challenging, particularly for players used to modern analog controls. The remaster replaces these with fully analog controls that feel smooth, allowing Croc to jump, spin, tail whip enemies, and ground pound. 

Also, the option to revert to the original tank controls using the D-pad is still available, locking the camera behind Croc as it did in 1997. This dual-option approach is brilliant because it caters to gameplay styles of both eras. 

Boss fights, a major source of frustration in the original, have been improved with visible life bars. In the original, you never knew how many hits a boss required, so you had to guess a lot. The sleek, contemporary UI now clearly shows the boss's health, so there is no more guessing. But the remaster preserves the charm of the original. The fundamental gameplay, level designs, and platforming sections are still the same, so the game still feels like it did when it first came out, but it's easier to use. 

In terms of gameplay, Croc remains approachable.  

Its core mechanics—running, jumping, tail-whipping, ground-pounding, and collecting Gobbos—are simple but fun. Each level is a carefully designed puzzle of platforming challenges, and while some stages can be frustrating if you miss collectibles, the short stage length keeps the game moving. 

The inclusion of six hidden Gobbos per level, collectible gems, and extra rooms is exactly the type of stuff that's a completionist's stuff of dreams. That said, some of the original quirks remain. Later stages still include some challenging sections, like the gem gathering mechanisms, where you may lose all the gems you've acquired if you are hurt. 

You have to get the Gobbos just right in several places, and if you miss them, you may have to play the level again. These little things keep the difficulty that you saw when you were a kid playing the game. The 100% completion boss, a final reward for diligent collectors, remains comically underwhelming. 

Levels are relatively short. The ice levels, for instance, incorporate slippery mechanics that remain fun and challenging, while some later puzzle-oriented levels haven't aged as gracefully. Despite minor inconsistencies, the experience is enjoyable, especially with Croc's fluid new movements. 

One of the standout additions in this remaster is the Crocopedia. This menu-driven archive is packed with interviews from original Argonaut employees, behind-the-scenes footage, design documents, early pitches for an animated series that never happened, merchandise photos, magazine ads, and even music files, including remixes by artists like The Living Tombstone. 

Crocopedia is a celebration of Croc and Argonaut Games' history, providing context and stories behind one of the '90s gaming's most famous characters. Now, let's talk about the remaster itself. Croc Legend of the Gobbos Remastered is more than a simple polish job.  

Argonaut Games rebuilt the game using a recently decompiled PC version, then enhanced it with smoother models. Players can switch between the old and new visual styles with the press of a button or even create a custom style. Doing this respects the original aesthetics while also adding a modern pizzazz. 

The graphics now run beautifully at 120 fps, and optional filters allow for pixelated visuals reminiscent of the original PS1 experience or a "retro TV" look. Visually, the remaster is stunning. The skyboxes, floating landscapes, and other places make you feel amazed. The music goes wonderfully with the pictures. Justin Charvona, Karen Griffin, and Martin Gwyn Jones wrote the songs. 

They are a fun collection of songs that wonderfully represent the feel of the 1990s. The songs are catchy and well-orchestrated, which makes exploring a lot of fun. The music shifts lightly from level to level, giving the impression of variety while maintaining a consistent thematic feel. Also, Croc's adorable noises, spins, and little "kaboom" exclamations are to die for because they are just so cute. 

Croc Legend of the Gobbos serves as both a historical artifact and a modern gaming experience. It's an excellent way to experience one of the highest-selling PS1 platformers, which originally sold millions of copies thanks to demo discs and the sheer charm of its gameplay. The story of Argonaut's revival is just as compelling as the game itself. Seeing the original creators return, handling the remaster with care and respect, is inspiring.  

The game retains its core gameplay DNA and charming story of Croc rescuing the Gobbos. It's not a revolutionary platformer by today's standards, but that's precisely why it works: it doesn't try to be anything it isn't. The simplicity is its strength. 

For those who grew up with Croc, the remaster is a delightful return.

From the opening CG sequence in an old bedroom, featuring posters of Croc and Buck Bumble, to revisiting the colorful worlds, the game exudes nostalgia while feeling perfectly playable in 2025. Overall, Croc Legend of the Gobbos is a love letter to fans of the original.