Kao the Kangaroo Is A Knockout 3D Platformer – PAX East 2022 Hands-On Preview

I have a confession to make. I’m having something of a ‘glove’ affair with Kao the Kangaroo. All it took was one look into those bright, blue eyes and it was an instant KO – my heart was his. Now I have to admit, I really wasn’t expecting to be dazzled by the Dreamcast-era marsupial. It’s been 20+ years since Kao and I last saw each other, and in those two decades, he’s really done well for himself – especially in the looks/gameplay department. Kao was – without a doubt – the most unexpected surprise of PAX East and I cannot begin to thank Tate Multimedia along with the grassroots efforts of Kao’s adoring (and vocal fans), to bring this overlooked mascot back into the ring for a brand new adventure.

In the moments leading up to my demo time with Kao the Kangaroo, one question lingered at the forefront of my mind: why? Why after 20+ years does a team decide to revive a 3D platform mascot that does not have the same impact as a Banjo-Kazooie, a Conker, or even a Gex? Would people even remember Kao? Even if they did, would those memories even be good ones? Kao’s debut title wasn’t a bad game – not in the least. I actually look back on it with found memories. It understood what a 3D platformer should be, but didn’t exactly take the genre to any new places. Tate Multimedia knew that if Kao was to make a return, then it would have to come out swinging. The result is some of – if not the most – entertaining 3D platforming I’ve played in years. For starters, Kao is beautifully animated. As he punches, double jumps, and belly flops his way across a vibrant and colorful world, Kao is an absolute stunner. He has a ‘how could you not like him?’, quality about him that makes him irresistible to love. And he handles just as good as he looks.

While the gameplay demo was brief, it gave me enough time to tear into Kao’s mechanics and let me tell you, the experience was just sublime. Maybe it was the muscle memory of decades of 3D platformers saved on my hands, but playing Kao the Kangaroo felt as comfortable as slipping into a warm bath. It was cozy and familiar. Punching giant enemy crabs in the face has real weight to it, and its so damn entertaining. To spice things up, you can imbue Kao’s boxing gloves with various elemental properties. For the demo, a Fire Ability was available to take for a spin. This can be used to set enemies ablaze, or to remove environmental obstacles like a cobweb…which you can’t just walk through for some reason. You can even pass on that fire trait to an object like a boomerang and use it to burn something from a distance. These abilities are finite though, as Kao can only store up to three charges of an elemental ability at a time. It’s a great design choice as it helps strike a perfect balance. And speaking design, that is another arena that Kao the Kangaroo excels in.

The world that Kao inhabits is expertly designed. Your path is always clear, and the secrets – because what would a 3D platformer be without a few secrets – are just hidden enough that you feel such a great rush of satisfaction for going off the beaten path. The same can be said about the game’s puzzles. One I encountered towards the end of the demo featured a bunch of lasers that had to be reflected off a mirror to destroy a large contraption. It wasn’t demanding on the ol’ noggin, but I did have to think…a little bit. Level design can make or break a platformer and Tate Multimedia really knows how to design a 3D platformer.

Kao the Kangaroo takes what is best from the iconic Dreamcast title, and completely transforms it for the modern age. It might be a bit of a hot take, but I had a lot more fun with my half hour of Kao the Kangaroo than I had with most of Crash Bandicoot 4 – and I LOVED Crash Bandicoot 4. If the demo is any indication, than we are in for a real treat when the game launches on May 27th.