While the premise of collecting gems is hardly original, it is the general panache of Croc which ensures it isn't just another Floating Runner or Crash Bandicoot. The Mario influence works to the game's advantage, with the developers ensuring that the hero is equipped for every eventuality. Extra modes of transport are dripped into the game effortlessly, all the time prompting the player to hone their skills and attempt new tricks. Graphically Croc is excellent, with smooth 3D showing the gap between PSX and N64 in terms of polygon processing is not as wide as is perceived.

It would be impossible to contest in a court of law, so let’s be frank. Croc owes a lot to Mario 64. There, we’ve said it. However, as anyone who has played the N64 masterpiece will tell you, this is by no means a bad thing. Until now, the PlayStation's platform game crown has spent time with both Pandemonium! and Crash Bandicoot, neither of which can hold a candle to the Nintendo game. With Croc, however, Fox present a definite alternative. As with the Nintendo game, Croc is set within a 3D world, inhabited by all manner of cute but deadly adversaries. The similarities continue with the moves and modes of transport available to the reptilian hero. Following mastery of the basic running and jumping, Croc also possesses a spinning attack, a bum-bounce move, and swimming skills, balloons and climbing abilities for the player to master. Croc’s LaraCroft-style rucksac contains a small bird which acts as a link to the game’s six islands, split into more than sixty sub-levels. The scenario tells how these once peaceful islands have been taken over by Baron Dante. Dante, in the tradition of his Nintendo counterparts, Wario and Bowzer, has cast a spell over every animal across the six islands, turning them into vicious mutants. His wrath also extended to the island natives (Gobbos) who he has imprisoned Throughout the scrolling play area. Stepping into our scaly hero's shoes, the basic idea is to free as many Gobbos as possible and locate Dante’s base at the end of the sixth stage.

Croc uses every trick in the platforming book, and the trek to Dante's lair is fraught with danger. Moving and collapsing platforms, switch-operated ledges, ice stages, and boss creatures which swan around the final stage on each island. Croc is seen swinging from hand to hand, swimming, using balloons to fly, and clambering up sheer walls. Nothing new, admittedly, but each of many new strings to Croc’s bow is gently dropped into play and is a doddle to pick up.

8 OUT OF 10