In the mid- to late 90’s, 3D platformers experienced big spikes in both quality and popularity. With the original PlayStation and Nintendo 64 just released, developers are now taking their feet to a whole new dimension that is almost unexplored with previous consoles.
This new technology has led to some really prolific titles for players to dive in. Something like Mario 64 and Crash Bandycoo 1996, followed by Spyro and Banjo Kazooie In 1998, I put 3D mascot platformers on the map for millions of gamers, but the media never became the same after that. These games were key moments in the games that have spread throughout history.
Smack-Dab, which is in the middle of other titles that follow to create a large, long-life, beloved franchise, was original Clock: The Legend of the Gobboss, Although dropped in 1997, the game ultimately attracts praise from several outlets and fans, Even back then, it was a bit of a polarizing experience overall..
CrocodileThe tank control and basic level design were not comparable. Mario 64 (An unreasonably high bar to follow), and while the game ended with one sequel, the Game Boy version of the couple, and a handful of mobile titles, the franchise eventually burns into flames and remains dormant for 20 years.
Because of all this, it was a bit surprising to learn that the original 1997 title remastered was back in 2025. Can a game left behind in the 90s really have a renaissance and gain a modern audience?
I jumped to find it.
Respect for the history
The most enjoyable experience I’ve had Crocodile The remaster was the same A truly lovely historical “Crocipedia” Developer must be included in the title. Like other retro remasters and collections we’ve seen in recent years, the team here took an extra distance to nostalgically look at the original heyday of the 90s series.
Read small snippets about everyone involved in the project, watch goofy and loving Japanese television commercials at the time, browse fun collections of products, and mess up old magazine coverage from long-deprecated publications.
There is also a step-by-step tutorial on how to crochet your own crocodile stuffed animalthis is really adorable. It was very clear that the team had so much love for the original title and the mascot they existed, and all this collected material was truly heartwarming.
Before I jumped into the real game, I went through the whole Crocipedia. I gave hope that this remaster would be translated in some way into the present day in a way that I didn’t expect. And I will ultimately have a good time with the title, even at events that are likely not at their best aged in the last 28 years.
I can sometimes be a little naive.
Mild modernization
Crocodile We took an interesting approach at the level of remastering. I’ve seen other throwback titles come back and look like recreation from the ground of previous iterations. Games like Spyro has rekindled and Crash Bandicoot N. Sane A trilogy clearly comes to mind as a great example of this.
In extreme comparisons, Crocodile I chose a much more modest approach to the term “remastered.” The game is still polygonal and basic, with a fresh luster that guides the game into the 4K era and runs Many Smoothier from start to finish.
Still, I couldn’t help but think that this also felt like a rather low effort in the end.
On the one hand, it’s a bit nice to see the game back on screen and look at the methods I always imagined as a kid in the 90s. Every gamer has the experience of going back to his childhood titles and thinking, “Oops, this looks much worse than I remember.” It’s cool in some respects Crocodile We really aim to guide the game to the standard of our memory.
On the other hand, I couldn’t help but think that this also felt like a rather low effort in the end. The game offers menu options to flip through the original and remastered versions of Graphics. You can really see how similar this game is still to the 1997 version.
It all feels like a remaster for a remaster. It is not necessary, and the results are largely overwhelmed by modern landscapes. From the historic preservation corner, this is a cool idea. However, seducing most players to give it is not enough Crocodile A different look.
Same boring gameplay and levels
Probably the most notable feature of the 1997 version Crocodile It was tank control in the game. The developers of the time were still thinking about how to move their characters around 3D space the most effective way. Crocodile Compared to most of the things at the time, it was a very cranky and easy to handle movement..
It’s great to be able to play in 2025 Crocodile A typical joystick control and a camera on the right side that rearranges as you like. Tank Control is available on D-PAD, even if you want to experience what the game is like back then, but… don’t.
The level’s design is very basic and painfully simple with modern controls.
This updated control scheme is obviously great, but it does nothing. Crocodile It wasn’t a really fun game Compared to… almost anything in this genre.
The level’s design is very basic and painfully simple with modern controls. Health System Sonic Ring-like crystals that scatter when taking damage feel bad when collecting about 80 and only recover twice on hits.
The enemy is very common, repeating annoying things after a short timer. That’s not usually fun either, except gaining access to short bonuses that end up at each level.
The clock skates a bit, as if he’s on the ice all the time. The platform is inaccurate and rarely fun or interesting. The puzzle not only pushes and hangs the box from the bottom of the chain link platform, but it also crosses the gap.
The boss fight is really badboring, basic, frustrating, oddly, lacking the sound effect for attack, landing a third nasty tail swipe on the enemy will simply reactivate on the “full of levels” screen.
At the end of the day, Crocodile Few things are really fun to complete or worth going back. Often we were skipping collectable gobos in our rooms completely.
I love platformers and I love the variations of many of those collections. I just want to be directly beelined to all levels of exits because it’s not just a good indication that the options are fun or worthless.
Just for very nostalgic people
I can’t see at the end of the day Crocodile Remastered with a handful of people who played as children in 1997, the landing requires a simple shot of nostalgia to make it throughout the day. For this audience, they’ll love what they packaged together to get back on time travel.
Long-time platformer fans who haven’t played yet Crocodile But by 2025, nothing is worth experiencing here. I don’t think the kids on the day will find much fun from a fast five- or six-hour journey. There are many other contemporary contemporaries as well.
That’s the worst It feels bad to come to these conclusions after playing the gametoo. I know there are people who loved this title as a child. I am proud of the product and would like to bring it in Crocodile Go back to celebrate the fun history they were part of. That’s all a shame to think about when you’re playing An ugly and boring platformer that doesn’t really need to exist in modern landscapes.
Not all retro games require or guarantee encore type remasters to return them to the spotlight. Exposing modern audiences to this title makes it hard to imagine people wanting a real reboot of the franchise. By the time I defeat the last boss, I waited for hours to finish the gameand I really don’t think I’m alone in those feelings.
Still, you may already know if this game is for you or not.
Unfortunately, the legend of Croc: Gobbos really didn’t have to come back. Even in 1997 it was a title plagued by the troublesome control, the general world, and the uninspired level of design left behind by more prolific contemporaries. The lovely luster of Poland and modernized movements will make this the best way to experience CROC in 2025, but you don’t really need it yet. Those who love the game of the time and know what to expect will be happy, but this is a remaster of someone who is truly hunger for nostalgia. It’s clear that the developer has a lot of love for the green reptile hero, but it’s not enough to make the clock a fun 3D platformer for anyone else.
