With the release of Croc: Legend of the Gobbos, Argonaut Games has created a new credit intro scene. Unlike most intros however, this short video is packed full of references!
So today we wanted to take a deeper look at this short scene, and point out everything we here at Netto’s Game Room noticed. Keep in mind that at this time it is not truly everything (Argonaut Games told us we have much left to find), but we will continue to update this article as more is uncovered.
The Croc Series
The first reference is no surprise at all. The room is packed full of Croc related throwbacks, and they can be seen in nearly every corner. You have the original Croc box art, Croc 2 on the door, Gobbos everywhere, a classic style lunch box featuring Croc 2, a magazine with Croc on the front cover, and then you have Croc himself in multiple places. We could fill this article listing every single one, but there is a lot more going on here as well.Star Fox
Speaking of the Super FX Chip, this technology allowed Argonaut Games to develop world world famous title Star Fox, and the previously unreleased Star Fox 2. The series is referenced twice during the opening, and not quite as obvious. The first reference is the name of the TV brand “McCloud.” This is the last name of the main protagonist of the series, Fox McCloud.
The second reference is on the right side of the room, where a paper replica of the Arwing can be seen crashed into the side of the radiator.
Vortex
After the release of Star Fox, the next game to use the Super FX Chip was none other than Vortex. Vortex allowed players to control a giant transforming red robot, and featured gameplay very similar to that of Star Fox. This very same robot can be seen just to the left of the TV.
Additionally, there is also a Vortex poster behind the TV.
FX Fighter
Sitting on the desk is a copy of Argonaut Games' 1995 PC release FX Fighter, one of the earliest 3D fighting games. It was originally designed to make use of the FX Chip on SNES, but development was shifted to the PC instead.
Alien Odyssey
A copy of the 1995 release Alien Odyssey is located next to FX Fighter.
Creature Shock
Directly left of Alien Odyssey appears to be the horror adventure game Creature Shock, which released in 1994, and was one of the first CD based games to use full motion video. Additionally the game contained on rail shooter sections, along side the classic point and click adventure gameplay.
ATAC
Next to the other PC games, on the very same desk, is a copy of the 1992 PC game ATAC.
Birds of Prey
Additionally, Birds of Prey appears to be located at the end of the stack. This game was released in 1991 for MS DOS.
Orchid
Sitting on the desk next to the PC is a pot of flowers, or rather, Orchids. There are many types of orchids such as the “lycaste” and the “Cattleya Argonaut,” however, there is a deeper meaning behind these flowers. Putting aside the fact they use the Argonaut logo’s color scheme, Orchid is actually the name of a canceled Xbox title from the early 2000s. It was going to be an action beat em up, that followed the story of a young girl who has forgotten her past after waking up from a coma. Little information exists about this title, but Unseen64 has collected every known screenshot and trailer for easy viewing.
Cheat Codes
The PC itself displays a standard DOS text editor, and appears to display "Cheat Codes." While Croc contains built in cheats, the text on the screen isn't clear enough to read. (We will investigate further to see which game these codes are referencing.)
Flight Stick
A classic 90s style Flight Stick controller can also be seen on the desk near the PC. This type of controller would've been perfect to play games such as ATAC.
Buck Bumble
The N64 game Buck Bumble also has a poster located behind the TV, which was a unique third person shooter where players controlled bees. Just to the right of the poster is also a hanging “toy” version of the player character.
SNES Game
Also near the TV is a full on Super Nintendo game cart. (We are currently investigating which game this is! Argonaut has confirmed it is not Stunt Race FX, nor is it Star Fox.)
King Arthur's World
Yet another SNES game makes an appearance in the form of King Arthur’s World. This title was a Real Time Strategy game released around the same time as Star Fox, and did not make use of the Super FX Chip.
Generic Console and Controller
A generic video game console with a controller that looks very similar to a PlayStation controller exists below the TV. A clear reference to the consoles Argonaut's games were released on.
Starglider
Near the console a copy of both Starglider and Starglider 2 can be seen. This is one of Argonaut Games’ earliest projects, releasing in 1988 for ST and Amiga. Additionally another reference can be seen to the right of the Star Fox paper Arwing, and a poster for the Airborne Ground Attack Vehicle can be seen above the Vortex poster. There is also a poster for the original Starglider hanging on the wall next to the window.
I-Ninja
The classic platforming game I-Ninja can be seen sitting on the floor in front of the TV. This was another original IP created by Argonaut Games, and was originally released on the Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, original Xbox, and PC.
Malice
Next to I-Ninja, the PlayStation 2 and Xbox title Malice can also be seen laying on the ground.
Carve
A copy of the Xbox water sports racing game Carve can also be seen under Malice.
Red Dog: Superior Firepower
Next to the TV the box art of Red Dog can be seen as a poster attached to the create with the Croc magazine. This was a DreamCast game originally released in 2000, and featured elements from past Argonaut Games; including Star Fox.
Code Books
Under the TV multiple code books can be seen. This reference material is what would’ve been used back in the day during early game development, and a clear throwback to the resources the development team would’ve used.
Get Fresh
Get Fresh, as seen on the VHS tape, was a Saturday morning children's TV show, which featured Starglider. You can learn more about this via the article published by Metro or watch the clip here (as linked to us by Argonaut Games)!
Aerobatic
The branding on the PC on the desk is "aerobatic." This is Jez San's (the founder of Argonaut Games) Twitter/X handle. (Thank you X user @Recycle_Bin_XP for pointing this out!)
Update: Argonaut Games has pointed out this was a coincidence... But we will keep it in the list!
Jez's Birthday
Jez San, the founder of Argonaut Games was born on March 29th, 1966. This is referenced via the clock on top of the computer screen.
Argonaut Games
There are multiple references to Argonaut Games directly as well. The orchid flowers use the Argonaut Game logo color scheme, a 1982 CD case is on the bed, which is the year they were founded, and the logo itself makes multiple appearances… Not to mention as a start-up credit scene, the TV does eventually turn on and zoom in on the logo itself. It is also during this zoom in that a VHS tape can be seen under the TV, with a label that reads Feb 23rd 1982. This is the exact date Argonaut Games was established.
Special Thanks:
Shout out to GlacialLeaf, Jeremy and Cat who helped point out the references. Also a big special thanks to Argonaut Games for encouraging us, and helping steer us in the right direction. (It sounds like you had just as much fun watching us as we had looking for all the references!)
I Ninja!!
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