7 /10 18

Kao the Kangaroo stands as a notable revival of the franchise, delivering a genuine love letter to the 3D platformers of the 1990s and early 2000s. This 2022 reboot demonstrates that there is still substantial appetite for traditional platforming design, mixing exploration, combat, and vibrant art direction into a cohesive package. The game has achieved moderate critical success, with reviewers praising its technical execution and visual charm while noting narrative and performance inconsistencies. This review explores what makes Kao work as a modern platformer and identifies areas where it falls short of contemporary expectations.

How to Play Kao the Kangaroo

Kao the Kangaroo embraces traditional platformer mechanics with a focus on tight movement and responsive controls. Players navigate through colorful, multi-layered levels while collecting items, solving light puzzles, and engaging in combat encounters. The progression system encourages exploration through hidden areas and optional challenges.

1. Controls – Kao responds precisely to directional inputs, with smooth jumping and dodging mechanics. The learning curve is gentle, making it accessible to new players while offering depth for experienced platformer fans.
2. Progression – Levels contain main paths and hidden routes filled with collectibles. Gather coins, hearts, and challenge tokens to unlock content and power-ups within each world.
3. Combat and Mechanics – Combat uses magical gloves for combat encounters, with both melee attacks and elemental abilities. Master parrying and timing to defeat diverse enemy types across eight distinct boss battles.
4. Tips – Explore thoroughly before rushing forward; hidden passages reward patient players. Use elemental abilities strategically during boss fights, and prioritize collecting health containers early in each level.

Who Should Play Kao the Kangaroo

Kao appeals to dedicated platformer fans seeking a budget-friendly alternative to AAA releases. The game balances accessibility with traditional mechanics, creating an experience suitable for both nostalgic veterans and younger players discovering the genre. However, it demands patience with dated design philosophy and occasional technical quirks.

• Platformer Enthusiasts – Those who cherish Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and similar collectathons will find familiar satisfaction here, despite its lower production values.
• Budget-Conscious Gamers – At $29.99, Kao offers 30-40 hours of content without premium pricing, appealing to those seeking value.
• Family Gamers – The bright visuals and forgiving difficulty accommodate younger players while retaining challenge for skilled players.
• Skip If – Modern platformers like Elden Ring or Stellar Blade will feel dated by comparison. Performance-sensitive players should research platform-specific reviews before purchasing.

Kao the Kangaroo Platform Performance

Performance varies significantly across platforms. PC offers the best experience with stable 60+ frames on high-end hardware. Console versions maintain 60fps on Series X but experience occasional frame drops on PS5 and Switch. The game is optimized for 1080p/60fps on lower-tier systems, with 4K support on high-end PCs.

Kao the Kangaroo System Requirements

PC requirements are modest, reflecting the game’s stylized graphics over cutting-edge visuals. The game runs on hardware from 2012 onwards, though recommended specs ensure optimal performance. SSD storage is not mandatory but improves loading times significantly compared to traditional drives.

Similar Games to Kao the Kangaroo

Kao occupies a unique space among modern platformers. Unlike Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, which refines dated mechanics with contemporary polish, Kao intentionally embraces its retro DNA. The comparison landscape includes budget platformers, indie revivals, and established franchises returning to their roots.

• Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy – Higher production values but similar nostalgic premise; significantly more polished presentation and tighter controls.
• Spyro Reignited Trilogy – Similar collectathon structure with superior graphics and level design; substantially more expensive.
• A Hat in Time – Modern indie platformer with charm; offers 15-20 hours of comparable quality at similar price point.
• Ratchet and Clank – Contemporary 3D platformer with combat; significantly higher production budget and cinematic presentation.

Kao the Kangaroo vs Competitors

Kao positions itself as an affordable, uncompromised platformer. Compared to modern alternatives, it emphasizes value and nostalgia over cutting-edge presentation. The following comparison examines how Kao measures against three directly competing titles in the 3D platformer space, considering price, content volume, critical reception, and player investment hours.

Kao the Kangaroo Story and World

The narrative follows Kao’s quest to rescue his missing sister Kaia and uncover the truth about his long-lost father, Koby. The story serves primarily as scaffolding for level progression, with minimal development between worlds. A dark power has corrupted legendary fighting masters who now guard ancient secrets. While the plot framework exists, the writing lacks sophistication and voice acting ranges from serviceable to distracting. The world-building compensates through vibrant environment design, with each level feeling like a lived-in location rather than an abstract arena. Levels contain environmental storytelling through props and architecture that ground the adventure in cohesive geography, even if the narrative itself feels like a nostalgic throwback to 90s platformer conventions.

Kao the Kangaroo Multiplayer and Online

Kao the Kangaroo is fundamentally a single-player experience with no competitive or cooperative multiplayer modes. The game does not support online connectivity, local couch co-op, or asynchronous multiplayer features. This design decision reflects the game’s target audience of platformer enthusiasts seeking a solo adventure with personal achievement and exploration satisfaction.

• Single Player Campaign – Full story mode designed exclusively for solo play with optional difficulty settings that scale challenge appropriately.
• Local Leaderboards – Time trial challenges on individual levels create personal competition without online connectivity requirements.
• No Online Features – The game lacks traditional online multiplayer, avoiding server dependency and enabling perpetual playability.
• Cross-Play – Not applicable; single-player only design eliminates need for platform compatibility.

Kao the Kangaroo DLC and Expansions

Tate Multimedia released two substantial DLC packs following launch. The first expansion, Oh! Well, arrived in October 2022 with five additional levels and five new character costumes. The second expansion, Bend the Roo’les, released in May 2023 with a new campaign featuring the Crab King boss and additional boss fight content. Multiple cosmetic DLC items and free updates have expanded the base game’s content library significantly since 2022.

• Oh! Well DLC – Released October 13, 2022 for $4.99; includes five new challenging levels and five cosmetic costumes.
• Bend the Roo’les Campaign – Released May 4, 2023 for $7.99; features new campaign chapter with the Crab King as final antagonist plus additional story content.
• Free Updates – Top of the Class and Summer Drip costumes released at no cost; ongoing patches address technical issues and improve performance.
• Cosmetic Content – Artbook ($1.99) and Soundtrack ($1.99) available for collectors interested in behind-the-scenes content and music.

Kao the Kangaroo Community and Support

Tate Multimedia maintains active community engagement through official channels and supports modding on Steam. The developer continues releasing patches addressing reported bugs and performance concerns across all platforms. Official forums and social media remain responsive to player feedback, contributing to a supportive environment for both new and experienced players. Community members share speedruns, challenge completions, and creative content regularly.

• Official Forums – Tate Multimedia hosts dedicated community discussion boards with developer participation and regular updates on patches.
• Reddit and Discord – The r/platformers community maintains active Kao discussions; fan Discord servers aggregate speedrunning data and speedrunning techniques.
• Mod Support – Steam Workshop integration enables cosmetic mods and minor gameplay adjustments through community contributions.
• Updates – Monthly patches address reported bugs; development roadmap released publicly showing planned improvements and content additions.