Software:Kao the Kangaroo

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Kao the Kangaroo
Developer(s)X-Ray Interactive
Titus Interactive (GBA)
Publisher(s)PL: Licomp Empik Multimedia
WW: Titus Interactive
Platform(s)Windows, Dreamcast, Game Boy Advance
ReleaseWindows
  • POL: November 23, 2000
  • EU: December 8, 2000
  • NA: February 20, 2001
Dreamcast
  • EU: December 8, 2000
  • NA: February 13, 2001
Game Boy Advance
  • NA: December 11, 2001
  • EU: December 14, 2001
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player

Kao the Kangaroo (Polish: Kangurek Kao) is a platform video game developed by X-Ray Interactive and published by Titus Interactive for Microsoft Windows, Dreamcast and Game Boy Advance. During development it was known as Denis the Kangaroo.[1]

Plot

Kao is a young kangaroo living with his family in the jungle when they are one day captured by a ruthless hunter and his goons. It's up to Kao to drive the invaders from his home and save his family.

The game is divided into 5 sections "worlds" each with a distinctive theme (winter, space, tropic etc.) however, the sequence of levels often makes little to no sense, for example, a battle with some kind of Greek god (Zeus, probably) transitions into a level in outer space.

Release

The game was marketed worldwide by Titus Interactive, both for PCs and for Sega Dreamcast console, although in Poland the game was exclusively released on the PC, where it was released by Licomp Empik Multimedia. It scored a major success, exceeding 45,000 copies in Poland alone where it remained in the Top 10 for a considerable time.

On February 15, 2021 the game, alongside its sequels, were added to GOG.com.[2]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(DC) 63/100[3]
(PC) 60/100[4]
(GBA) 52/100[5]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGame(DC) StarStarHalf star[6]
StarStar[7][8]
CVG(DC) 6/10[9]
(GBA) 5/10[10]
EGM6/10[11]
Game Informer7/10[12]
GameRevolutionD−[13]
GameSpot(PC) 7.4/10[14]
(DC) 7.1/10[15]
(GBA) 2.7/10[16]
GameZone7.5/10[17]
IGN(DC) 6.2/10[18]
(PC) 5.2/10[19]
(GBA) 5/10[20]
Next GenerationStarStarStar[21]
Nintendo PowerStarStarStarStar[22]

Kao the Kangaroo received "mixed" reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3][5][4] Greg Orlando of Next Generation called the Dreamcast version "a marsuperior adventure. Pardon the horrible pun – please."[21]

Sequels

The game was released for the Sega Dreamcast and Windows on December 8, 2000. A sequel called Kao the Kangaroo was released for the Xbox, GameCube, PS2, and Windows on April 15, 2005. About 5 months later, a second sequel called Kao Challengers was released on October 28, 2005 only for the PSP. Later in 2005, a third sequel called Kao the Kangaroo was released only for Windows. On June 9, 2020, a new game was announced by Tate Multimedia.[23]

A GBA game was released on December 11, 2001, which is an entirely different game, despite having the same title.

References

  1. ↑ "Kao the Kangaroo". 19 September 2021. http://segaretro.org/Kao_the_Kangaroo. 
  2. ↑ @Kaothekangaroo (15 February 2021). "Today is the day that most of you've been waiting for!Thanks to we are very excited to ann…". https://twitter.com/Kaothekangaroo/status/1361322251912695811. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "KAO the Kangaroo Critic Reviews for Dreamcast". http://www.metacritic.com/game/dreamcast/kao-the-kangaroo/critic-reviews. Retrieved 2014-02-07. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "KAO the Kangaroo (2000) for PC Reviews". http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/kao-the-kangaroo-2000. Retrieved 2021-09-02. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "KAO the Kangaroo Critic Reviews for Game Boy Advance". http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/kao-the-kangaroo/critic-reviews. Retrieved 2014-02-07. 
  6. ↑ Thompson, Jon. "Kao the Kangaroo (DC) - Review". Allgame. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=25743&tab=review. Retrieved 2014-02-07. 
  7. ↑ Deci, T.J.. "Kao the Kangaroo (PC) - Overview". Allgame. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=25744. Retrieved 2014-02-07. 
  8. ↑ Frankle, Gavin. "Kao the Kangaroo (GBA) - Overview". Allgame. http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=35280. Retrieved 2014-02-07. 
  9. ↑ Key, Steve (2001). "Dreamcast Review: Kao The Kangaroo". Computer and Video Games (Official Dreamcast Magazine UK). Archived from the original on 2007-06-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20070624090605/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=1996. Retrieved 2014-02-07. 
  10. ↑ CVG Staff (2001-12-08). "GBA Review: Kao The Kangaroo". Computer and Video Games. Archived from the original on 2007-01-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20070124164942/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=22032. Retrieved 2014-02-07. 
  11. ↑ "KAO the Kangaroo (DC)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. April 2001. 
  12. ↑ "Kao the Kangaroo (DC)". Game Informer (96). April 2001. 
  13. ↑ Liu, Johnny (February 2001). "Kao the Kangaroo Review (DC)". Game Revolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/kao-the-kangaroo. Retrieved 2014-02-07. 
  14. ↑ Walker, Trey (2001-03-09). "KAO the Kangaroo Review (PC)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/kao-the-kangaroo-review/1900-2694543/. Retrieved 2014-02-07. 
  15. ↑ Provo, Frank (2001-02-27). "KAO the Kangaroo Review (DC)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/kao-the-kangaroo-review/1900-2690762/. Retrieved 2014-02-07. 
  16. ↑ Provo, Frank (2002-01-31). "KAO the Kangaroo Review (GBA)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/kao-the-kangaroo-review/1900-2844406/. Retrieved 2014-02-07. 
  17. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (2001-12-31). "KAO the Kangaroo Review on Game Boy Advance". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2004-09-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20040901175917/http://gameboy.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r17420_GBA.htm. Retrieved 2014-02-07. 
  18. ↑ Chau, Anthony (2001-02-13). "Kao the Kangaroo (DC)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/02/14/kao-the-kangaroo-5. Retrieved 2014-02-07. 
  19. ↑ Chau, Anthony (2001-03-08). "Kao the Kangaroo (PC)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/03/09/kao-the-kangaroo-4. Retrieved 2014-02-07. 
  20. ↑ Harris, Craig (2002-01-30). "Kao the Kangaroo (GBA)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/31/kao-the-kangaroo. Retrieved 2014-02-07. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Orlando, Greg (April 2001). "Kao the Kangaroo (DC)". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (76): 83. https://archive.org/stream/NextGen76Apr2001#page/n83/mode/2up. Retrieved 2020-03-28. 
  22. ↑ "Kao the Kangaroo". Nintendo Power 150: 148. November 2001. 
  23. ↑ "Kao the Kangaroo: Round 2 (2003 re-release) - Kao the Kangaroo is back! - Steam News". 9 June 2020. https://store.steampowered.com/newshub/app/1048540/view/2235421525045462889. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari





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