Kao the Kangaroo

• Title — Kao the Kangaroo • Developer — Tate Multimedia • Publisher — Tate Multimedia • Producer — Józef Debecki • Designer — Joao Respeito Bartosz Maciejewski Piotr Gryko • Programmer — Piotr Gryko Paweł Rendaszka • Artist — Kornelia Błażyńska Monika Jaworska • Composer — Patryk Scelina • Series — Kao the Kangaroo • Engine — Unreal Engine 4 • Platforms — * Nintendo Switch • PlayStation 4 • PlayStation 5 • Windows • Xbox One • Xbox Series X/S • Released — May 27, 2022 • Genre — Platform • Modes — Single-player

Kao the Kangaroo is a third-person 3D action platformer where players control Kao as he moves and jumps across obstacles and suspended platforms in a variety of environments. He is able to attack enemies using his boxing gloves as well as explore hidden areas for collectibles.

Set in a world of anthropomorphic animals, a kangaroo fighter named Kao sets off on a journey to search for his missing sister, Kaia, and discover the secret of his long-lost father, Koby. To do this, he must battle the famous "fighting masters" who are being influenced by a dark power, and ultimately face the powerful Eternal Warrior who threatens the balance of the world.

Kao the Kangaroo is developed and published by Polish studio Tate Multimedia who previously created every other title in the Kao series. The game was announced in June 2020, which marked the 20th anniversary of the series, with the first concept art and information surfacing the following September. Development started shortly after the series' second game, Kao the Kangaroo: Round 2, was re-released on Steam in 2019 following a trending #BringKaoBack campaign on social media. Tate Multimedia was surprised by the games sales on the platform, which lead them to decide to create a new installment. The team prototyped a number of ideas, including a remake of the third game in the series, Mystery of the Volcano, and a combat-focused game starring a much older Kao. Eventually, the team decided to make the project a reboot, with Tate Multimedia publishing head Kaja Borówko saying that it is a completely different take on the story and on the character. The announcement was followed by a short gameplay clip showing early footage Kao in a jungle environment. Tate Multimedia developed Kao using Unreal Engine 4. Although the game was originally intended to be released in 2021, the developers later pushed the release to 2022. The game launched for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on May 27, 2022. On October 13, 2022, a paid expansion named Oh! Well was released as downloadable content (DLC) for all platforms. It features five new levels as well as five unlockable costumes for Kao. On May 4, 2023, the second DLC Bend the Roo’les was released, adding a new campaign and boss fight.