"Don't count on getting along with this one..."

'Kao the Kangaroo' is a mediocre platformer and does not contain much lasting appeal. Let me explain...

Story: 4/10

Um, this is one of the game's many faults. The story isn't exactly presented to you like most modern games, it's pretty much inferred by the opening...which isn't very good at all. Basically, you play as Kao, a boxing glove-wearing kangaroo (get it, Kao...K.O. hee hee....never mind), who wants to defeat a hunter that you never even encounter until the end, whoop-de-do.

Graphics: 9/10

The graphics are actually very good. They look very cartoony and the colors are vivid and bright. You'll have no problem telling what's what in this game, so all in all they're nearly perfect for the GBA. One thing that I didn't like about the graphics is the fact that they get old...fast. Sure, there's quite a bit of color and the landscape changes with every world, but there's just...something. This is probably a pet peeve that a very small amount of people may have, so don't let it discourage you too much in the graphics section.

Gameplay: 5/10

Well, this game definitely puts the ''platform'' in ''platformer''. That's just about all you do, jump from platform to platform. Like many platformers, you also collect items throughout the levels. In this game, you collect not only coins, but also flags and power-ups to name a few. However, the controls can be extremely difficult at times and may cause you to lose some lives. Also, when you're injured, Kao will literally be thrown into the air causing you to not be able to control him. Of course, that usually happens at the most inappropriate times and will more than likely send you hurling off of a cliff or something. Another thing is punching, one of two attacks you have with the exception of power-ups. Sometimes the controls will lag and you'll totally miss when throwing a punch, causing you to be injured and probably thrown off a cliff....it's a never-ending cycle. The game itself isn't supposed to be too difficult, but the controls make it nearly impossible in some areas.

Sound: 4/10

You have your sounds from the enemies (which, I may add, aren't too varied), Kao's reaction to injury, and background music...nope, none of it is too great either. The music is not catchy at all (and that might be a good thing for some people), and the sounds from most of the enemies are just plain annoying. I can't really say more than that, the sound is very easy to forget (thankfully).

Replay: 3/10

The only reason to ever replay this game is just to see if you can collect everything. There's no fun left after you complete it (and not much the first time through either).

Rent/Buy?

Rent, no question. If you like it then buy it, though I'll add that it's not too difficult to complete (once you get over the atrocious controls, that is), so you'll probably beat it in a rental's time and never want to look at it again. There are many great GBA platformers out there to buy that won't leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10 | Originally Posted: 12/01/02, Updated 12/01/02

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