Kao the Kangaroo

Kao the Kangaroo is a well-meaning game, and despite some missteps, it is in my opinion one of the better 3D platformers of modern gaming. Heck, I’ll go as far as to say that I enjoyed Kao far more than I did the recent Crash 4, which was an incredible disappointment to me. For what Tate Multimedia is charging for this game, I say Kao the Kangaroo is easily worth buying for any 3D platforming enthusiast.

3D platformer fans may recognize Kao the Kangaroo from the golden age of the genre and he's finally back and ready to wallop again.

This is the sort of game that’s easy-going, relaxing and enjoyable to play. You don’t need to think too much about it; simply turn the game on, switch yourself off and enjoy. And right now, that’s something we all need more of in our lives. If you’re looking for a platforming game that breaks the mould, this isn’t it. But if you simply want a solid entry into the genre, one that sticks to the rules but does so with finesse, you’ll love Kao the Kangaroo.

Short and extremely easy, Kao the Kangaroo won't win over anyone that isn't itching for a new 3D platformer. But it's still fairly enjoyable and a solid way to spend a few hours for anyone looking for a collection-based throwback.

Kao the Kangaroo may have been on hiatus for a while, but we’re glad to see that he’s back in good form. Well-paced level design, an appealing art style, surprisingly satisfying combat, and lots of collectibles to snag all come together to make for a thrillingly retro 3D platforming experience. That said, elements like an occasionally misbehaving camera and performance issues hold this adventure back from being the really excellent revival it could have been. If you still find a lot to love about games like A Hat in Time, Demon Turf, or Banjo-Kazooie, then we’re confident that you’ll have a gr...

“Kao the Kangaroo is a fun 3D platformer franchise revival with solid platforming and less-than-solid narrative.”

Kao the Kangaroo makes a valiant effort in this reboot, but it still feels like half the game it should be. Many mechanics feel unexplored, the final world is a single level with a boss fight, and it’s very glitchy. Still, it’s a fun enough romp for what it is and I hope we see more of this marsupial in the future.

Do any of you guys remember a game called Kao the Kangaroo? The original Kao, one of the first console games to ever be developed by a Polish company, was released at the end of the reign of mascot platformers, originally for the Dreamcast. It was alright, amassing a small cult following and some sequels, but it quickly faded out of existence once the mascot fad was replaced by military shooters in the mid-2000s. Its developer would then shift its focus towards other titles, such as the Urban...

Kao the Kangaroo succeeds in delivering a nostalgic platformer vibe with everything you’d expect from that mixed in, including coins and collectibles that encourage exploration, along with a bright, cheerful atmosphere. With some of these issues fixed, the bugs and glitches especially, I could easily see this game scoring closer to a 7 or 8. However, because of the number of bugs I encountered and how disruptive some of them were, I can’t in good conscience give this game anything higher than a 6, much as it pains me to do so.

For decades, Kao the Kangaroo has languished in the purgatory of platforming mascot obscurity. Unfortunately, his big comeback does little to change this status quo. His latest adventure is competent, but uninspired design and noticeable technical problems make for a hollow excursion that inspires mild indifference at best.

Put simply: Kao The Kangaroo gets creatively weak at the knees by the third round.

It’s been a long time since Kao the Kangaroo jumped onto the 3D platformer scene, with classic games released throughout the early 2000’s before a long hiatus. Fans enjoyed Kao enough that they started a hashtag movement to bring a new Kao game into the modern era, and that’s exactly what happened. Bouncing into the new game and it’s clear that while the 3D platformer is easy to pick up, the story and voice acting have left a lot to be desired.