Croc (2000). Play online

Summary

Croc on the Game Boy Color collapses the 1997 3D platformer into a crisp 2-D side-scroll while keeping the classic moves - jump, sprint, tail-whip and a downward pounce to break crates and defeat foes. The controls feel tight, and the bright sprite art captures the original's charm.

You explore 30 short levels across jungles, deserts, ice fields and Baron Dante's castle, hunting hidden Gobbos and collecting blue crystals that restore health and grant extra lives at a hundred. Five multicolored letters spell 'bonus' in each stage; gathering them unlocks mini-games like a sliding puzzle or a whack-a-mole-style chase for an extra Gobbo. These hidden challenges add an arcade-feel that nudges you back for one more run.

Reviews were lukewarm, landing around 54% on GameRankings, but the 2025 anniversary re-release added a save system and refined controls, making the handheld experience much smoother. Seeing the cartridge pop up again reminds me why the Game Boy Color still houses underrated platform treasures.

Storyline

Croc (Game Boy Color) follows the titular crocodile on a daring mission to rescue the adorable Gobbos, a race of furry creatures, from the clutches of the villainous Baron Dante. As Croc journeys through varied levels, he must outwit traps and enemies to free the Gobbos and thwart Dante’s plans.