Croc: Legend of the Gobbos (1997). Play online

Summary

Croc: Legend of the Gobbos was one of the first true 3D platformers I played on the PlayStation. The world‑map opens more than forty varied levels across island, underground and water zones. Croc can run, jump, climb, swim, sidestep, quick‑turn with the analog stick, and use a tail swipe or hip‑drop to break crates. Collectibles include crystal orbs for health, hearts for extra lives, and the primary goal of freeing captured Gobbos before reaching the gong at each level’s end.

The Argonaut team crafted the stages in their CrocEd editor and even retro‑fitted analog support after the Dual Analog controller appeared. Reviewers praised the vibrant visuals and catchy soundtrack but lamented camera quirks and occasional clunky controls, yielding scores around 7–8 out of 10 and a 79 % aggregate. The game sold over a million copies in the U.S., topped UK charts for two months and moved more than three million worldwide, eventually earning a spot on Sony’s Greatest Hits.

Storyline

Set in Gobbo Valley, Croc: Legend of the Gobbos follows a young crocodile named Croc who was rescued as a hatchling by the Gobbos and raised as one of their own. The valley’s peaceful routine is shattered when the evil magician Baron Dante and his army of Dantinis invade, capturing the Gobbos and corrupting harmless creatures into monsters. Before the attack, King Rufus summons the magical yellow bird Beany, who whisks Croc to safety while the king is seized by Dante. Determined to rescue his adoptive family, Croc journeys across the valley’s varied landscapes, solving puzzles and battling Dantinis. His ultimate goal is to free the Gobbos, defeat Baron Dante, and restore peace to Gobbo Valley.