Kao the Kangaroo
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Kao the Kangaroo Trailers
Kao the Kangaroo - Launch Trailer
Kao the Kangaroo - Release the Power of the Gloves!
Critic Reviews for Kao the Kangaroo
Kao the Kangaroo makes no secret of its inspirations and while this isn't the toughest platformer going, it's refreshingly straightforward.
Kao the Kangaroo’s core mechanics are solid and some of the things it adds to the series, like the elemental gloves, help keep things interesting, but it’s nothing that the genre hasn’t seen before, and some of those changes end up actively taking away from the experience. There’s good to be found here, but it’s weighed down by so much jank and a lack of innovation that it doesn’t feel like the welcome back that Kao deserves.
I initially thought that Kao the Kangaroo would, at the very least, be a great recommendation for younger players. Then I remembered that I and generations of kids cut their teeth on games like Mario, Crash Bandicoot, or Ratchet & Clank – kid-friendly platformers that still offer plenty of mechanical depth, polish, and design creativity. Children are much more capable than we sometimes give credit for, and Kao’s by-the-numbers design would likely bore all but the most nascent of gamers. Kao the Kangaroo isn’t a total disaster by any means. It just feels aggressively average and forgettable which, sadly, has been the case for the mascot for years.
There's a lot of enjoyable gameplay in Kao the Kangaroo. The level design is easily the biggest highlight, and while combat is simple, it's fun and accessible for all ages to get a kick out of.
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 great time with Kao the Kangaroo despite its minor issues. If you're a bit tired of such games, however, this isn't going to do much to change your mind. Overall, we'd recommend investigating Kao the Kangaroo if you're the slightest bit interested; despite some rough edges, this is a charming platforming experience.
Kao the Kangaroo is a fun throwback to platformers of the noughties, but it has a few issues that really hold it back.
Simple and fun, Kao the Kangaroo is a platformer that despite having minor flaws is worth playing: it's a fine tribute to the 3D platformers of the heydays.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Solid and definitely have an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
