Ty the Tasmanian Tiger first appeared on our screens more than 20 years ago. Created by Krome Studios, an Australian video game company, the game was released in 2002 and was available on various platforms, including PlayStation 2 and Xbox. In the game, you play as Ty, a Tasmanian Tiger on a mission to rescue his family from the clutches of the evil Boss Cass.
Since its initial release, this platformer game has sold over a million copies, leading to the development of several additional versions. Its most recent release was the remastered version of the original game, which hit the stores in late 2021. However, it seems that the Ty the Tasmanian Tiger franchise is not finished yet. Rumors suggest that there may be additional games in the works, and there is even talk of Ty-inspired slot machines appearing in Australia’s online casinos. These rumors may prove to be true, as the game still enjoys a devoted following in the gaming community.
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger Remains Popular 20+ Years After Release
Upon release, Ty the Tasmanian Tiger drew comparisons with Super Mario, but with superior visuals and more dynamic gameplay. It was an instant success in 2002, especially in Australia. It’s not just because this is one of the not-too-many video games created by Australian developers, but also because its gameplay is set in Australia.
Ty is the character the players control in this game. He’s a Tasmanian tiger whose mission is to save his family and defeat his nemesis Boss Cass who wants to put all mammals on Earth in captivity. To achieve that, Ty needs to collect mystical Thunder Eggs that allow him to teleport from one level to another. Ty the Tasmanian Tiger is rated E (Everyone), meaning that it’s suitable for children. In fact, pre-teens were the ones who made the core of this game’s fan base in the early 2000s. Well, those kids have grown, which explains a renewed interest in the game some two decades after its first release.
It was 2019 when Krome Studios launched a fundraising campaign on Kickstarter for a remastered version of the original that would work on platforms that weren’t around in 2002 – Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. A total of 2,553 backers raised more than $130,000 to help the project. A year later, the project was complete, and the game was released both online and in a physical version. It holds the approval of both gamers and critics, with a 10/10 rating on Stream. Plus, 96% of Google reviewers have given it a like.
Other Sequels Not Doing That Great
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 4 was released by the game’s developers six years prior to the fan-funded remastered version of the original game. Unlike the first three installments, this game did not perform well. It was not a 3D game and was only available for Microsoft Windows, which further compounded its problems. While it would be unfair to say that Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 4 was a complete failure, it did receive less recognition than its predecessor.
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 3: Night of the Quinkan, which was released in 2005, performed decently but not as well as the second installment, Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue. Despite selling fewer copies than the original game, Bush Rescue remains the most successful edition of the franchise, gaining a substantial global following since its release in 2004. The game’s popularity is evident as it recently received a Kickstarter-funded version, further demonstrating the love that players have for it.
What’s Next for Ty?
There have been no official announcements from Krome Studios regarding the future of the Ty the Tasmanian Tiger franchise. The developer made headlines recently when they announced that they were working on a Nintendo Switch project unrelated to their most famous games. Although Krome Studios’ developers are not currently working on a new Ty the Tasmanian Tiger game, it does not necessarily mean that they won’t in the future. With the game’s cult status among retro video game enthusiasts, it has significant potential for revenue.
It is possible that the next major development in the Ty the Tasmanian Tiger saga will be a smartphone version of the original game. Other game developers have already created iOS/Android versions of their classic releases, and we believe that Krome Studios may follow suit in the years to come.
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