Croc (2000 video game)
| Industry | Video game development |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
Croc is a 2D side-scrolling platformer created for the Game Boy Color by the UK-based developer Virtucraft, with assistance from Argonaut Games. It was published by THQ under license from Fox Interactive. Launched on 6 June 2000, this title serves as a remake of the 1997 3D platform game Croc: Legend of the Gobbos, maintaining similar gameplay mechanics. The storyline centers on Croc, a crocodile protagonist, who embarks on a mission to rescue the Gobbos from the antagonist Baron Dante. The game received a range of critical responses. A follow-up, Croc 2, adapted from the 1999 sequel, was released for the Game Boy Color in 2001.
Gameplay
Players navigate Croc through brief levels in this 2D platform game, accessed via a top-down style world map. The goal in each stage is to reach and strike a gong located at the end to advance further. Each world culminates with a boss encounter that must be defeated to unlock subsequent areas. Throughout levels, players can collect blue crystals which function as health indicators and grant extra lives upon reaching a total of 100. Additional collectibles include hearts that provide extra lives and breakable crates containing various items. Hidden within every stage are three Gobbos and five colored letters spelling out "bonus"; gathering all these letters unlocks access to a minigame at the level’s conclusion. These minigames feature activities such as slider puzzles, Whac-a-Mole-inspired challenges, catching games, and slot machines, all offering chances to earn more Gobbos. Collecting every Gobbo before facing bosses opens secret stages where players can find hidden jigsaw puzzle pieces; completing these puzzles unlocks themed minigame rooms within each world.
The control scheme closely resembles that of Croc: Legend of the Gobbos: movement includes walking, climbing, and swimming using the directional pad; jumping is performed with the "A" button; running is activated by holding "B". Offensive moves consist of a circular tail swipe used to defeat enemies and strike gongs, alongside a downward smash attack for breaking crates. Health is tracked through collected crystals; taking damage causes crystal loss, and if all crystals are depleted, sustaining another hit results in losing a life.
Development and Release
Virtucraft led development on this project with collaboration from Argonaut Games. In March 2000, Fox Interactive, known for publishing the console entries in the Croc series, entered into a partnership with THQ to release multiple titles for the Game Boy Color platform, including this installment.
Reception
The reception to Croc was mixed, reflected by an aggregate score of 54% on GameRankings. While critics acknowledged its straightforward gameplay, many considered it less engaging compared to its console counterparts.
2025 Re-release
In October 2024, Argonaut Games revealed plans to commemorate the game's 25th anniversary in 2025 independently from the remaster of Croc: Legend of the Gobbos. On June 6, 2025, Argonaut confirmed both digital and physical reissues featuring enhancements such as a battery save option and modernized controls.
External links
- Articles with short description
- 2000 video games
- Argonaut Games games
- Croc (series)
- Fox Interactive games
- Game Boy Color games
- Game Boy Color-only games
- Side-scrolling platformers
- Single-player video games
- THQ games
- Video games developed in the United Kingdom
- Video games set on fictional islands
- Video game spinoffs
- Virtucraft games