Croc FULL SERIES Retrospective - The Most Influential* Games

Use code POGGOLDENMAY16 for up to 16 FREE MEALS + 3
surprise gifts across 6 HelloFresh boxes, plus free shipping at
strms.net/GoldenBoltHelloFres...
Would you believe me if I told you there were 13 Croc games? I wouldn't. Somehow, though, this oft-forgotten early PS1 platformer not only received a number of even more forgotten sequels - it may just be one of the most important games of all time, with its 1994 tech demo allegedly providing direct inspiration to Nintendo ahead of Super Mario 64. A game developed by the team responsible for Star Fox AND for creating the modern FPS control scheme on consoles, Croc's journey is a wild one that snakes its way through the paths of so many other series and companies. Join me today in this retrospective, as we journey down that winding path, exploring the lost 14th Croc game, the cancelled Croc TV series, and explore the entire Croc series.
Subscribe for more! bit.ly/TGBSub
Support future videos! / thegoldenbolt
Follow me on Twitter! / thegoldenbolt
Become a Channel Member! / @thegoldenbolt
"The Golden Bolt Theme" composed by AllHailBuckets. Show him some love on Spotify or your music service of choice! open.spotify.com/artist/2dWDm...
This video is not intended for viewers under 13 years of age, and may contain content inappropriate for such viewers. Parental guidance suggested.
0:00 Intro
1:49 Jez San and the Argonauts; Yoshi Racing
6:18 Everybody Clapped
10:50 Croc: Legend of the Gobbos
19:49 Croc 2
27:15 Croc
30:11 Croc 2
32:09 Argonaut's Collapse, Croc Mobile
37:33 The Croc Prequel* Saga
42:30 The Definitive* Croc Timeline; The Lost 14th Croc Game
#Croc #CrocWillReturn #ad

[@TheGoldenBolt]

THERE IS A FIFTEENTH CROC GAME, THIS IS NOT A DRILL. CROC'S WORLD 4 HAS RELEASED Original comment below: Give me what I want.

[@Drumpizza]

I would if I could.

[@RatTailSoup4]

im sorry sir please-

[@skilldev4444]

I can't tell if this is a threat or another WWE reference.

[@jumponeverything]

More croc?

[@KaiserMattTygore927]

Croc 14 IS ON THE WAY!

[@_CNT_]

A little known fact is that one time Hideo Kojima talked to the Croc devs, and thanked them for pitching Metal Gear Racing, which ended up inspiring him to create the first strand type game

[@surfacner5989]

Oh so that's how Konami Racer was made

[@mr_indie_fan]

Death stranding...?

[@jjoshi4858]

Metal Gear Racing? What the fu-

[@MilkieBeargames]

So many facts here

[@SH19922x]

This comment is written in true Kojima style, pure nonsense.

[@recorderdude]

This KZbin subscription was inspired by Croc.

[@hashtaglogic]

Everyone clapped

[@ChaosPootato]

This feels like a slow descent into madness, I can't tell when you're being sarcastic about Croc's influence anymore

[@ladyaceina]

croc inspired sarcasm by the way

[@whocares427]

Crocpilled

[@psychotheunsane7285]

@@ladyaceina Croc inspired the Gobbos to eventually evolve into humans and make games about him.

[@tipulsar85]

Wow, I can't believe that Croc almost helped inspire the mana system in Magic: the Gathering.

[@Hynotama]

And MTG went on to inspire Kazuki Takahashi to make the Yu-Gi-Oh! manga, which led to the creation of the final version of the card game, so if you think about it, Croc inspired the creation of Yu-Gi-Oh!

[@f4u5tus]

Don't forget when Richard Garfield walked up to Jez, at an orgy during dragon con, and thanked him personally for inspiring him to even make a card game in the first place... And then everyone clapped

[@JadeyedGrey]

@@f4u5tus d… did you make that up? Because that sounds like you made that up.

[@f4u5tus]

@@JadeyedGrey of course not. Why would I lie?

[@Bloodshade]

Croc actually helped during the second attack on the Death Star. Hey, if Disney can ret-con their stupid hotel into everything, Croc can too

[@No1TARDIS]

Wow, this game series was influential. Can't believe Croc's ending inspired Banjo Tooie's sequel-bait message

[@StuartSimon]

I don’t think people actually note as much similarity in design between Croc and Banjo-Kazooie as I do. Take a look at the level textures, the similar look of the low-poly arches, the abundance of stand-out eyes, and the designs (with backpacks) of Croc and Banjo. Honestly, I’m expecting a bird to come out of Croc’s rucksack.

[@BenjoCovers]

@@StuartSimon rucksack

[@Magitek1112]

If freaking BUBSY can have a second chance? Anyone deserves one. So yeah, Croc should.

[@FloofPuppy]

Bubsy didn't deserve that chance.

[@fieryembers4421]

And Croc does.

[@mr_indie_fan]

Bubsy got 5 second chances.

[@Metalwario64]

@@mr_indie_fan His nine lives are almost up.

[@larrymantic2635]

Croc’s got a second chance now

[@TheCrazyEven]

You know, Croc's origins actually go so far back, it's said that the Albert J Crocodillo, the inventor of crocodiles, wrote these words down in his research notes upon looking at his creation: "You shall inspire a new generation of art, my reptilian friend." And after the crocodile ate him, his words were rediscovered by Jez Sen during secondary school centuries later, prompting him to quit school and start the part that led us to Mario 64. Thank you Dr. Crocodillo.

[@arizona-hunter6684]

Just Yes

[@charleschamp9826]

Actually there's more games. You see the entire Devil May Cry series was a Croc Spin off created by Capcom, set in an alternate universe with the premise "What if it was Baron Von Vergil that wanted more power?"

[@jumponeverything]

I have to admit, this is the best all 14 croc games retrospective I've seen

[@josephwellens2178]

Finally someone to bring the attention to the similarity of Crocs theme and Mario 3d World!

[@samy29987]

Straight out plagiarism lol

[@illford6921]

@@samy29987 no it's normal. It happens all the time. People stumble across the same ones all the time. Plagiarism is hard to define if there's no singing. Also I doubt it since 3D world came out easy after everyone forgot about Croc. By your logic a lot of music now is plagiarism because they share the same chord progression.

[@diegomedina9637]

I hear more 'Price is Right' in there.

[@lamontyaboy718]

@@illford6921 Admittedly it does sound VERY similar. I actually had to listen to the actual music from both games to make sure Golden Bolt wasn't joking about something else Croc inspired but not really. But I do believe it was probably just a coincidence. Some music is just going to sound alike, plus it's not the most unique sounding song, it's seems fairly generic.

[@mayravixx25]

I thought it sounded familiar when I heard the theme for Super Mario 3D World. Now I know why

[@dragoncrashhero12]

You thought Breath of the Wild invented open world games or that Persona 5 invented Japan? Cute It was all done by the Crocster, baby

[@Vulnresati]

I love the story about how the Empress of Australia herself came to Argonauts and thanked them for the idea of crocodiles

[@samadams8533]

So Croc was a revolutionary series that was so influential it was often referred to as the bolt keeping 3d platforming together, along with its fame as a golden classic, it led to the series having the nickname of the golden bolt which is actually where this KZbin channel was inspired for its name from.

[@2funnyrockrs]

The stretch was so good and fluid this might be the best comment I’ve read on this channel hahaha

[@simonesabino3893]

Fun fact : God actually met with San and thanked him for the idea of creating crocodiles.

[@GameApologist]

Well now I want to put together a list of 3D platformers for the Saturn to remind myself how sad I was as a Sega kid. Absolutely AMAZING video, man

[@skibot9974]

Sonic 3D blast and the tomb raider games come to mind

[@TheGoldenBolt]

At least you got all those sick shmups, it evens out. It doesn't but let's just say it does.

[@Iaminsideofyourwalls]

Does Sonic Jam count?

[@Carsonj13]

@@Iaminsideofyourwalls Not really? That was only one stage... But There was Burning Rangers, kinda... Ninpen Manmaru... Uh... That's about it in the way of exclusives?

[@ciprianmogosanu7169]

willy wombat?

[@Diphenhydra]

4:15 maybe I would’ve been asking “Johnathan, what does this have to do with Croc” if I knew your name was Johnathan. Instead, at that part I said, “that was a funny WWE quote, I’m adding it to my vernacular. Ty Goldy Boy.” Also, I know nothing about this series except there was a single game on the PlayStation but I always like learning about video games so I’m gonna watch it. And now that I’m done I will add that the through line joke of Croc inspiring every entertainment piece never failed to make me laugh.

[@over7532]

Well said my guy

[@mothersbasement]

Jokes were really on point in this one. The whole mobile section had me dying.

[@daveraschke]

Soup boi

[@js6698]

Well, one joke. He just made it 17 times.

[@scooberz2015]

"Gobbo dees nutritious meals". We officially have the greatest "sponsored by" transition of all time. (also it doesn't suck, it's just mediocrity personified)

[@bronag7415]

Ratchet and Clank thanked you for the inspiration for gold bolts, just trust me.

[@TheGoldenBolt]

My brand is actually inspired by Croc, thank you

[@bronag7415]

@@TheGoldenBolt you're welcome... Jonathan

[@gnbman]

If Croc comes back, they'd better not change his eyes like Kao the Kangaroo. Croc 1 has an analog control option though. It doesn't completely fix the control issues, but it's an improvement.

[@isaacargesmith8217]

the longer the video goes the harder it becomes to tell if Im learning the way of the croc or Im being gabboed

[@tonyhakston536]

Croc was raised in the way of the gobbo, so that’s to be expected.

[@Mace2.0]

A lost Croc game, huh.. Wait, 14TH? The hell did I miss?

[@spongebelt]

Some are on ps4 as just terrible pixel 2D games lol

[@demonbre]

Baron Dante's return in Croc 2 was better explained by miles than Palpatine's return.

[@KaiserMattTygore927]

"Everyone in the room clapped" Yeah that statement of his felt like some serious "that really happened" shit.

[@Mrnotpib]

Reminds me of the Facebook page “this didn’t happen so much it unhappended things that did”.

[@Gatorade69]

It really did. I was there and I was clapping too.

[@passingrando6457]

It's true. I was the Malaysian rent boy someone hid under the table when everyone walked in.

[@jumponeverything]

You can really feel the rapid descent into madness over the duration of the video

[@raikohzx4323]

While it's rude to admit having an ad-skipper, nothing quite matches hearing, "Let me tell you about how you can gobbo deez nu-"

[@TheGoldenBolt]

Oh thank god, it worked perfectly then

[@henryapplebottom7231]

This comment section is a fascinating, wholesome cursed.

[@kylespevak6781]

I honestly thought the Segway was gonna be deez nuts

[@joniivee]

you really got me by referring to the original croc as "croc prime" lmao

[@FedoraKirb]

Can’t believe Croc became the inspiration for Namco High! There’s even secret lore that says he’s its founder in the files, what a great way to honor him.

[@theshadowdirector]

Something I've learnt over time is that when you hear contradictory stories, especially those that are decades apart, is that it's very possible that neither side is lying or at least doesn't believe they are lying. Human memory is scary and unreliable.

[@emperorbooglitch8540]

Especially when your mind is disabled.

[@theshadowdirector]

@@emperorbooglitch8540 well I can't speak for any of the people involved in that regard.

[@emperorbooglitch8540]

@@theshadowdirector Can I as someone with Autism, Depression and ADHD?

[@theshadowdirector]

@@emperorbooglitch8540 I mean I have a high functioning autism as well. But inconsistency of memory is just something most people experience I believe.

[@emperorbooglitch8540]

@@theshadowdirector Yeah, I agree. Especially from what I've seen whenever I tell people things they themselves said and then tell me they have never heard of that and either praise me for my genius or criticize me for my madness.

[@Wayneisboss]

I feel like I've been subjected to knowledge I wasn't allowed to possess

[@jollyjep]

I always liked Croc legend of the gobbos, even though it plays atrociously, i always found it really charming. A new croc could possibly do the impossible and actually be good!

[@lenarmangum8630]

It doesn’t play “atrociously” it’s actually pretty fun once you get past the tank controls, it’s a fun charming little platformer. Also you haven’t played Croc 2 have you, that games controls smoothly.

[@RandomStuf69]

My Family and I watched this video in awe. We thanked you for making this video, everyone applaused

[@FrankCosbyNo-Relation]

_Croc's reptilian design was actually the inspiration for Alduin, the dragon from Skyrim._ Todd Howard actually thanked the croc devs and gave them 100% of skyrims profits

[@BlaxxShadow]

Bolt, you've got me questioning my own sanity with this one.

[@playbossthebest936]

40:47 croc even managed to inspire super mario maker 2. I'm impressed

[@reallycool]

I'm not a completionist, you know this, but leaving the gem at 1:01 made me feel so hollow

[@TheGoldenBolt]

That's exactly why I did it.

[@RawrX32009]

@@TheGoldenBolt Devious asf😈😈😈

[@jagenigma]

Now my headcannon of how Croc came to be was Croc is a manifestation of Argonaut and the gobbos rescue Argonaut in the beginning of the game series.

[@bigmclargehuge8219]

Oh boy, let's get this started!!!

[@TyJax]

I wonder if my birth was inspired by croc in some way. One could hope.

[@TheGoldenBolt]

I can't see any other explanation

[@TeamSoraPresents]

[when he starts talking about mobile shovelware] Welp. It's official: you've lost your goddamn mind.

[@derpybubblez7746]

I like how Super Mario 3D World, intentionally or not, has part of the Croc theme in it.

[@patrickholt8782]

The argonaut developers would later go up to the core developers and thank them for having a character with tank controls and a backpack.

[@SylvesterAshcroft88]

Croc 3 would be amazing, THQ Nordic are you listening?

[@Gatorade69]

They can't hear you. They are being embraced in a hug of death.

[@LeoYoshi54321]

I can't believe George Lucas got inspirationg for the two suns on Tatooine from Croc's World 1. Absolutely incredible

[@SdudyoyO]

As I grew up with Sega, the Saturn being my first 3D console, this was my first 3D Platformer. I haven't played it since I was like four, but I remember very fondly. I remember it being the first game I ever played that brought up a message when your controller was unplugged. And I thought that was so cool.

[@RatTailSoup4]

so far the most amazing thing I've seen in the video was the power glove working

[@t0xcn253]

As I pulled up this video, having just subbed to you and looked at your last few uploads, I just so happened to have Croc: Legend of the Gobbos running its "attract mode" on the TV behind me, because my gf has been in the process of playing through it this week after beating all of the Spyro games. EDIT: OMG she was just saying how much she loved his little backpack earlier today, and I absolutely got it in the first place because it was "something I could play with my girlfriend" That was some solid market research!

[@hellotherefriendss]

I remember playing world 1 of this game and thinking “ damn everyone was too hard on this game -it’s great” Then I got to world 2

[@DeviousPie2]

Miyamoto is an unparalleled genius and the greatest mind in the video game industry. That said, if he were anyone else, we would say that he kind of has a track record of taking other people's ideas without giving proper credit.

[@nothinginteresting7558]

To be fair, the dude pretty much invented the platfomer genre both in 2d and 3d, yet you don't see him credited for every sidescroller ever made post Super Mario Bros.

[@untalkativeowl6774]

@@nothinginteresting7558 because side scroller platformers existed way before Super Mario Bros on the NES

[@BAIGAMING]

Imagine Jez San taking a trip to Japan and everyone calling him San-san because in their culture they call business associates by their last names and they add a "-san" suffix to add respect.

[@TimGaukerToons]

He goes to an arcade and everyone's calling his name... but they're actually talking about Capcom's "Sonson"

[@PervertedNovaxc3]

For as stiff as the controls were, I remember loving this game back in the day. I haven't played the original Croc in so long though. This video is giving me the desire to go back and play it again to see how my opinion has changed.

[@chimpmasterflex]

I'm not afraid to say, the enemies in croc 1 scared me as a child lol. In particular the kind of "devil" ones. I recall them making weird sounds too.

[@9aracna.]

I really enjoy playing the first Croc, I also like how it has a few secret levels scattered about, like that platform you see at 8:43 below the gear to the left

[@Orcbrother13]

This was a game from my childhood. my sisterand I loved it. We did not have a nintendo 64 to compare it to other games so for us it was great.

[@Iaminsideofyourwalls]

Did you know that Yuji Naka thanked the creator of croc's world for the idea of a blue ball doing a homing attack?

[@Sandgamedude]

Did you know that Steven Spielberg thanked the creator's of croc for the idea of Jurassic park

[@ScradeCottontail]

@@Sandgamedude did you know that God credited the Croc creators for the idea of dinosaurs

[@RedSoul001]

37:38 I thought this opening joke was going to be the highlight of this segment. I was not prepared to laugh throughout the all 10 minutes of it. Comedy Gold 🥇. 😂

[@GottaFistDemAll]

Croc is the only game I described as a strange hybrid combining some elements from Mario, Sonic, and Crash Bandicoot when I was young. And really? *14 games??* Good lord...

[@andreworders7305]

28:11 damn, Argonaut just constantly puts out revolutionary games

[@syles0003]

This was fantastic, funny and informative! Really good work dude!

[@WelshGiraffa]

Back in my day there was only 2 Croc games

[@DMofPuppets]

Little known fact, Dave Batista not only made the decision to try his hand at Hollywood because of Croc's brave jump to mobile gaming but also gained the inspiration to leave Evolution after see Argonauts go out on their own and creating Croc.

[@DoonGhard]

I knew there was a good reason why Croc: Legend of the Gobbos is one of my childhood beloveds.

[@toonman5099]

Croc seems to be the embodiment of the origin for the saying "Nothing is original, everything is derivative" for the entertainment industry.

[@SineN0mine3]

It's a good example of why that criticism should be ignored. Croc 1 and 2 were great fun when they came out and if they were worried about it being too similar to other things they never would have made it. It might not be the best platformer from the era but a lot of people had fun playing it and I would think that's why most people make games and entertainment. Don't worry so much about making it original, just make it good!

[@toonman5099]

@@SineN0mine3 Fair.

[@0boro]

I'm inclined to believe that Miyamoto took inspiration because he always says that nothing inspires him. As if Breath of the wild didn't take inspiration from games like Skyrim...

[@vladalexan]

also literally having ubisoft towers

[@N.i.E.M.O]

Well, he essentially claims to have no respect for anything gaming other than what he himself creates, so... Yeah. He's a pompous asshole.

[@hotpawsmathsandscience3124]

to this day i still love croc, he's just so adorable, even though his games aren't very pleasant to play

[@nicoloenricorimoldi7425]

I’ve been watching your videos for a while and I have to say that your sense of humour is exquisite.

[@TheGoldenBolt]

That's very kind of you to say, thank you - I'm glad you think so!

[@TheMoonRover]

I was quite surprised when I replayed Croc 1 a couple of years ago and discovered that you can use the right analog stick to control the camera. There can't be many earlier games which do that.

[@minty9245]

Knowing that croc was the inspiration behind one of the movies of all time : Morbius, I’m in awe.

[@GelberDracheLP]

I never finished Croc as a kid I was so terrible in platforms as a kid, it was crazy

[@crait]

This video is freaking hilarious. Never saw any of your videos, before, but I'll subscribe. Thanks for the great video. :)

[@SparkzEnt]

I swear.... Fox was among the Saturn's biggest supporters

[@celesticnova]

"Meaning that this series is alive and not well" killed me.

[@a-law]

I can’t get enough of this channel, solid content all around

[@spookygravez]

Croc has always been one of my favorite games! I grew up playing with my mom on her PS1 and still own it to this day. Glad to see it get recognition!

[@tat3rs]

Instantly subscribed as soon as i saw the title. God bless you for making this endaeavor of documentaries.

[@paragonjones13]

I love to think that the devs had a revolving door of thank yous at one singular convention 😅

[@AC_Philosopher]

You helped me find the game I played when I was literally a small toddler. Had vague memories of a ps 1 game about a crocodile character and that’s pretty much it. Awesome man

[@xanastarYT]

So Croc 1 controls like Tomb Raider but without the level design of Tomb Raider that makes it work. NEAT.

[@takeyourpills3979]

I'm so glad I've discovered this video and this channel, you are SO funny 😂❤

[@TheDanTheManShow]

Imagine if we lived in the timeline where we got that Yoshi racing game and Croc never existed. It sounds awful.

[@borederlands5387]

The first person shooter as we know it wouldn't exist

[@roonkolos]

Don't know which I love more: The "Croc Inspired X" jooe or the "I'm a little teapot" joke ♡

[@spinballwhizzkids]

Amazing video! I can't wait for Croc 14

[@OrionXIXI]

28:14 Partly correct, but worth noting Rare had a fairly modern style of dual analog FPS control scheme available in Goldeneye and Perfect Dark, both earlier than Alien Resurrection, that let you plug in a second controller and hold one in each hand. A weird and pretty experimental idea, but the end result is essentially very similar to what you'd expect from a modern FPS on controller, all the way back in 1997.

[@0ctopusComp1etely]

You know, I always wondered where the idea for Sequels came from. I never would have guessed Croc 2 was the very first one. So inspiring. Thanks Argonauts.

[@MegaAmpster]

As someone who grew up playing both the PC and GBC versions of Croc 2, it was absolutely fascinating learning there were so many games! (I might still have some rose-tinted nostalgic glasses when viewing these games...) Awesome and hilarious video, great job!

[@snailgirl6]

*finally sits down to watch new video* Ah. I see. So Croc inadvertently inspired the world as we know it. But seriously though, awesome documentary as always. I always come back for well researched, voiced, and edited content!!!

[@Metalmadness24]

"But befor we get into Croc Legend of the Gobbo let me tell you how you can Gobbo Deez-" Me: "Mother fu-" "Nutritious meals, from hello fresh"

[@TheGoldenBolt]

😉

[@Guzuma]

“who else would it be, vergil?” lmfao

[@u.dplaythroughs8486]

Here that Mario Croc revolutionized and innovated the 3D collectathon genre.

[@tatertot64]

Life truly does imitate art. Well, at the very least life imitates Croc.

[@SuperMac2007]

I can't believe you referenced that Batista promo!!! When you paused I said "they're allowed" to myself and chuckled. I lost my *mind* when you said it too!

[@Legoluigi26]

Yet another excellent GoldenBolt video, let's give him a round of applause! *And everyone clapped

[@JomasterTheSecond]

Man, Argo got done so dirty back in the day. We need Croc back!

[@jeridon6081]

It is insane just how easily you hook my attention at the start of your videos and get me so interested in a story I had no connection to Like I never owned a Playstation as a kid and thus never played Croc, hell I didn't even own any major home consoles until the Wii so I didn't even play star fox growing up, so I have no connection to any of this story But by minute 2 I was already fully glued to this video to see how this story evolved Excellent video 👏

[@IkesDaddelbox]

A moment of silence for the unsung hero, who helped shaping the landscape of gaming as we know it, without anyone giving a piss about it.

[@Professor_SpaceTime]

Played a shit ton of Croc and Croc 2 as a kid. Good memories getting lost in those worlds. When you're a kid everything seems so much bigger, but Croc's world just felt so...alive? So organic? The atmosphere was just so engrossing, definitely super impressive for the time.

[@jameshasbeenjammin]

I want a remake so much! Or even just give us the original... loved this game, was very sweet

[@Oldnoname]

Croc was my favorite game as a little kid. I think you undersell how fun the game was.

[@alexoholo]

cleanest ad transition in my lifetime