Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Sep 1, 2015
    70
    No one would expect that an elephant would manage to be an ideal character for precision platforming but Game Freak manages to pull it off. If only there were more than 18 stages.
  2. Aug 5, 2015
    70
    Overall, Tembo the Badass Elephant may be short and a bit cumbersome but it is also a fair amount of fun and keeps players interested by introducing new things at regular intervals.
  3. Jul 20, 2015
    70
    Tembo has an arsenal of flashy and destructive moves at his disposal, but he's a bit too stubborn to be considered a badass of the absolute highest order.
  4. Jul 29, 2015
    68
    Tembo is a nice character in an amazing world, but when he starts to move he shows he can be as clumsy as a real elephant.
  5. Jul 26, 2015
    68
    Playing the first levels in SEGA's new platformer makes us hope for a finally solid and funny Sonic successor, but our hopes get shattered when the difficulty rises, with serious control and level design problems that make it more a frustrating experience than challenging one. A real pity: Tembo is a real charmer, and he deserved a better game for its debut.
  6. Aug 3, 2015
    65
    Tembo is especially a most talked about subject because of its developer Game Freak. The makers of the Pokémon games should be able to come up with something fun? Think again, because this elephant does not offer more than standard platform action with a fun cartoon theme.
  7. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Sep 26, 2015
    60
    Fun in doses and has a great presentation, sadly, Tembo falters as Game Freak looked to increase the game length in the most obnoxious way possible. [Issue#128, p.81]
  8. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Aug 17, 2015
    60
    At worst frustrating, usually just reminiscent of better, more innovative platformers. [Sept 2015, p.99]
  9. Jul 23, 2015
    60
    It’s fun to furiously trumpet and get to smashin’ stuff as Tembo for a while, but before too long you’re reduced to hoping he makes his way over to a better sequel – or possibly the Virtua Fighter roster.
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 30
  2. Negative: 7 out of 30
  1. Aug 22, 2015
    0
    Theres no appeal to this game. Every level feels the same as the last, and is incredibly on-rails so theres no way to backtrack if you miss aTheres no appeal to this game. Every level feels the same as the last, and is incredibly on-rails so theres no way to backtrack if you miss a single collectible, and definitely no choice, freedom, or exploration. If you like these types of games, play Sonic, Yoshi or Mario, but pass on this. Full Review »
  2. Apr 14, 2020
    7
    I had fun with this game - especially the first half of the game where you are just learning to play it is very rewarding. It is somewhatI had fun with this game - especially the first half of the game where you are just learning to play it is very rewarding. It is somewhat reminiscent of Sonic the Hedgehog. However I only rate this as a 7 because it becomes a bit of a chore to finish. You are forced to replay levels you previously beat and scour them for collectibles and completion % in order to advance. Also there Is not much of a story to speak of and the music isn't anything special. Full Review »