TEMBO THE BADASS ELEPHANT similar games & best alternatives

TEMBO THE BADASS ELEPHANT

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One • 2015

Should you play it?

Shell City is plunged into a state of emergency after coming under attack from the devastating forces of PHANTOM. As the National Army struggle to contain the terrifying war machines, they call upon the only thing that stands between Shell City’s obliteration and its salvation; the peanut chompin’, villain stompin’, TEMBO THE BADASS...

What works
  • Fun and challenging platforming
  • Charismatic main character and art style
  • Well-designed levels with secrets
  • Balanced difficulty progression
  • Good value especially on sale
Things to keep in mind
  • Short game length
  • Some control imprecision
  • Minor bugs at launch
  • Limited story depth
  • No multiplayer or social features

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Freedom Fall

  • Press X to Not Die

  • Chop Goblins

  • Shadow Blade: Reload

  • RIVE

  • Electronic Super Joy: Groove City

  • Alien Removal Division

  • Savant - Ascent REMIX

  • UnderMine
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Freedom Fall

  • Shadow Blade: Reload

  • RIVE
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Competence

    Shadow Blade: Reload
  • Fantasy

    Go Home Dinosaurs!
  • Autonomy

    TTV2

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

TEMBO THE BADASS ELEPHANT: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Competition, Status. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    3

    "Players control their movement freely to navigate through levels, requiring personal decisions on timing and direction."

    Capsule for TTV2 TTV2

    "Players control Tembo with a variety of moves from the start, allowing freedom in approach, though level progression is somewhat directed."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "The game offers challenging platforming and combat mechanics that require skill mastery and precise execution, especially on higher difficulties."

    Capsule for Shadow Blade: Reload Shadow Blade: Reload

    "The game offers challenging platforming and combat requiring skill and mastery of controls, with difficulty ramping up."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    2

    "Includes leaderboards and score chasing, but competition is not the main focus."

    Capsule for Freebie Freebie

    "Includes leaderboards and score comparisons, encouraging competition but not the main focus."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    1

    "Short game length but some replay value through collectibles and achievements encourages return play."

    Capsule for Castle of Illusion Castle of Illusion

    "Short game length but some replayability through achievements and collectibles encourages continued play."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Single-player experience with no cooperative multiplayer elements."

    Capsule for Katamari Damacy REROLL Katamari Damacy REROLL

    "Single-player experience with no cooperative multiplayer elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players can experiment with movement and routes, but level design and challenges are predefined."

    Capsule for BZZZT BZZZT

    "Players can experiment with moves and strategies; however, no level creation or extensive customization."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; gameplay is individual and balanced."

    Capsule for Ziggurat Ziggurat

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; gameplay is individual and balanced."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    3

    "Players use the game as a fun, immersive distraction with engaging mechanics and colorful world."

    Capsule for Splasher Splasher

    "Players enjoy a colorful, cartoonish world and action-packed gameplay providing distraction and fun."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and nostalgia, not out of obligation."

    Capsule for LEGO® Harry Potter: Years 1-4 LEGO® Harry Potter: Years 1-4

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and nostalgia, not out of obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Game encourages trying different tactics, unit combinations, and strategies to overcome challenges."

    Capsule for Cossacks II: Battle for Europe Cossacks II: Battle for Europe

    "Game encourages trying different moves and approaches to overcome challenges."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    2

    "Levels have hidden areas and collectibles encouraging exploration beyond main paths."

    Capsule for Wolfenstein: The New Order Wolfenstein: The New Order

    "Levels contain hidden civilians and secrets encouraging exploration beyond the main path."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -5

    "No character customization or cosmetic expression reported."

    Capsule for Shadows Peak Shadows Peak

    "No character customization or cosmetic expression reported."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Cartoonish anthropomorphic animals and dinosaurs in a humorous fictional scenario provide strong fantasy elements."

    Capsule for Go Home Dinosaurs! Go Home Dinosaurs!

    "Features a fictional, cartoonish world with an anthropomorphic elephant hero and exaggerated action."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social interaction."

    Capsule for Return to Mysterious Island Return to Mysterious Island

    "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social interaction."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    1

    "Some learning curve and skill development, but many players focus on casual fun rather than mastery."

    Capsule for Bro Falls Bro Falls

    "Players develop skill mastery but character abilities remain static throughout."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Typical sedentary gaming experience with no physical activity elements."

    Capsule for Assassin's Creed® Odyssey Assassin's Creed® Odyssey

    "Typical sedentary gaming experience with no physical activity elements."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention and precise control; not suited for casual or background play."

    Capsule for Mr. Hopp's Playhouse 2 Mr. Hopp's Playhouse 2

    "Requires focused attention and precise control; not suited for casual or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing."

    Capsule for Pumped BMX + Pumped BMX +

    "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or management roles; purely individual gameplay."

    Capsule for LEGO® Bricktales LEGO® Bricktales

    "No leadership or management roles; purely individual gameplay."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players collect items to rescue animals and advance the story, showing clear progression."

    Capsule for Putt-Putt® Saves The Zoo Putt-Putt® Saves The Zoo

    "Progression through levels and collecting items like peanuts and rescuing civilians."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    1

    "Generally a lighthearted and fun experience, though some frustration from challenging levels."

    Capsule for Adventures of Shuggy Adventures of Shuggy

    "Generally fun and satisfying but includes challenging and sometimes frustrating moments."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Colorful visuals, satisfying animations, and sound effects provide sensory enjoyment."

    Capsule for Crown Trick Crown Trick

    "Colorful visuals, sound effects, and animations provide sensory enjoyment and excitement."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    1

    "Leaderboards provide some recognition but social status is not a major focus."

    Capsule for Sonic Generations Collection Sonic Generations Collection

    "Leaderboards provide some recognition but social status is not a major focus."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Simple narrative presented via comic-style cutscenes adds charm but is not deeply immersive."

    Capsule for Adventures of Shuggy Adventures of Shuggy

    "Narrative presented via comic-style cutscenes and simple story enhances immersion."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Requires planning and timing to navigate levels and defeat bosses."

    Capsule for PUSS! PUSS!

    "Requires planning and timing to navigate levels, defeat enemies, and complete objectives."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Boss fights and higher difficulties provide moments of suspense and challenge."

    Capsule for Sacred 2 Gold Sacred 2 Gold

    "Offers moments of suspense and challenge, especially in boss fights and difficult sections."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Generally considered good value for price, especially on sale, though some note short length."

    Capsule for Kingdom Eighties Kingdom Eighties

    "Generally considered good value especially on sale, though some note short length."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Combat and destruction of enemies are core gameplay elements."

    Capsule for Lost Castle / 失落城堡 Lost Castle / 失落城堡

    "Combat and destruction of enemies and objects are core gameplay elements."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    2

    "Players must avoid death and manage limited lives to progress through levels."

    Capsule for Micro Mages Micro Mages

    "Players must avoid death and manage limited lives to progress through levels."

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Last update: 01/06/2026