Crash Bandicoot: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Video game franchise}} |
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{{About|the video game franchise}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2018}} |
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{{Infobox video game series |
{{Infobox video game series |
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| width |
| width = 30% |
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| title |
| title = Crash Bandicoot |
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| image = Crash_bandicoot_logo.png |
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| collapsible = no |
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| caption =Logo since 2020 |
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| state = expanded |
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| genre = {{hlist|[[Platform game|Platform]]|[[Racing game|Racing]]|[[Party video game|Party]]|[[Hack and slash]]|[[Endless runner]]}} |
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| show image = yes |
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| developer = {{Indented plainlist| |
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| image = [[Image:CrashBandicootLogo.png|240px]] |
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* [[Naughty Dog]] {{Small|(1996–99)}} |
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| caption = The original ''Crash Bandicoot'' logo |
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* [[Traveller's Tales]] {{Small|(2001–04)}} |
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| platform of origin = [[PlayStation]] |
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* [[Vicarious Visions]] {{Small|(2002–04, 2017)}} |
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| developer = [[Naughty Dog]] (1996-1999)<br>[[Eurocom]] (2000)<br>[[Traveller's Tales]] (2001, 2004)<br>[[Vicarious Visions]] (2002-2004)<br>[[Dimps]] (2006)<br>[[Radical Entertainment]] (2005-2008) |
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* [[Radical Entertainment]] {{Small|(2005–08)}} |
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| publisher = [[Vivendi Games|Universal Interactive Studios]] (1996-2003)<br>[[Sony Computer Entertainment]] (1996-2000)<br>[[Konami]] (2001-2006) (Japanese marketing) <br/>[[Vivendi Games|Vivendi Universal Games]] (2003-2004)<br>[[Sierra Entertainment|Sierra]] (2005-2008)<br>[[Activision]] (2008-present) |
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* [[Toys for Bob]] {{Small|(2020–24)}} |
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| distributor = [[Sony Computer Entertainment]] (1996-2000)<br>[[Vivendi Games]] (2001-2004)<br>[[Sierra Entertainment]] (2005-2008)<br>[[Activision]] (2008-present) |
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}} |
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| creator = [[Andy Gavin]]<br>[[Jason Rubin]] |
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{{Collapsible list |title={{nobold|''Others:''}}|{{Indented plainlist| |
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| artist = Charles Zembillas (characters, 1996-1999, 2003)<br>Joe Pearson (environments, 1996-1999, 2003) |
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* [[Eurocom]] {{Small|(2000–01)}} |
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| writer = |
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* [[Cerny Games]] {{Small|(2000)}} |
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| composer = [[Mutato Muzika]] (1996-1999)<br>Steve Duckworth (2000)<br>Swallow Studios (2001)<br>[[Spiralmouth]] (2004-2005)<br>[[Marc Baril]] (2005-2008) |
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* Kaolink {{Small|(2004–05)}} |
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| genre = [[Platform game]]<br>[[Action game]]<br>[[Racing game]]<br>[[Party game]] |
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* Kuju Wireless {{Small|(2004)}} |
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| spinoffs = |
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* [[Vivendi Games Mobile]] {{Small|(2006)}} |
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| website = [http://village.crashbandicoot.com/us/index.php Crash Village] |
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* [[Dimps]] {{Small|(2006)}} |
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* [[SuperVillain Studios]] {{Small|(2007)}} |
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* [[Amaze Entertainment]] {{Small|(2007)}} |
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* DeValley {{Small|(2007)}} |
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* [[Tose (company)|Tose]] {{Small|(2008)}} |
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* [[Virtuos]] {{Small|(2008)}} |
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* IP4U {{Small|(2008)}} |
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* Polarbit {{Small|(2008–10)}} |
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* [[Glu Mobile]] {{Small|(2009)}} |
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* [[Beenox]] {{Small|(2019)}} |
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* [[King (company)|King]] {{Small|(2021)}} |
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}}}} |
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| publisher = {{Indented plainlist| |
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* [[Sony Computer Entertainment]] {{Small|(1996–2000)}} |
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* [[Universal Interactive]] {{Small|(2001–03)}} |
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* [[Vivendi Games]] {{Small|(2004–08)}} |
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* [[Activision]] {{Small|(2008–present)}} |
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}} |
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{{Collapsible list |title={{nobold|''Others:''}}|{{Indented plainlist| |
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* [[Konami]] {{Small|(2001–03)}} |
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* [[Coktel Vision|Coktel]] {{Small|(2004)}} |
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* WonderPhone {{Small|(2004–05)}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/wonderphone-announces-the-release-of-its-latest-java-game-crasht-racing-featuring-vivendi-universal-games-crash-bandicoot | title=WonderPhone announces the release of its latest java game - CrashT Racing - featuring Vivendi Universal Games' Crash Bandicoot® | date=November 28, 2005 }}</ref> |
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* Digital Bridges {{Small|(2004–2005)}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2004/05/e3-news-digital-bridges-brings-bandicoot-galleon-to-phones/ | title=E3 News Digital Bridges Brings Bandicoot, Galleon to Phones | date=May 13, 2004 }}</ref> |
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* In-Fusio {{Small|(2003–05)}} |
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* Vivendi Games Mobile {{Small|(2006–09)}} |
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* [[Glu Mobile]] {{Small|(2009)}} |
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* King {{Small|(2021)}} |
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}}}} |
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| creator = {{ubl|[[Andy Gavin]]|[[Jason Rubin]]|[[Charles Zembillas]]|Joe Pearson}} |
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| platforms = {{Hlist| |
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|[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] |
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|[[PlayStation 2]] |
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|[[Game Boy Advance]] |
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|[[Java Platform, Micro Edition|Java ME]] |
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|[[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] |
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|[[GameCube]] |
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|[[N-Gage (device)|N-Gage]] |
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|[[PlayStation Portable]] |
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|[[Nintendo DS]] |
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|[[Xbox 360]] |
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|[[Wii]] |
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|[[Symbian]] |
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|[[iOS]] |
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|[[Zeebo]] |
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|[[BlackBerry]] |
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|[[PlayStation 4]] |
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|[[Microsoft Windows]] |
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|[[Nintendo Switch]] |
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|[[Xbox One]] |
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|[[Android (operating system)|Android]] |
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|[[PlayStation 5]] |
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|[[Xbox Series X/S]] |
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}} |
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| first release version = ''[[Crash Bandicoot (video game)|Crash Bandicoot]]'' |
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| first release date = September 9, 1996 |
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| latest release version = ''[[Crash Team Rumble]]'' |
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| latest release date = June 20, 2023 |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''Crash Bandicoot''''' is a series of [[platform game|platform]] [[video game]]s [[video game developer|developed]] by [[Radical Entertainment]] and [[video game publisher|published]] by [[Activision]] after first being developed by [[Naughty Dog]] and published by [[Sony Computer Entertainment]]. Initially created by [[Andy Gavin]] and [[Jason Rubin]], the series was developed for its first four years by the video game company [[Naughty Dog]]. Since then, the series has been given to numerous developers before finally settling at Radical Entertainment. The series spans 18 games as of 2010. |
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'''''Crash Bandicoot''''' is a [[video game]] franchise originally developed by [[Naughty Dog]] as an exclusive for [[Sony Interactive Entertainment|Sony]]'s [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] console. It has seen numerous installments created by various developers and published on multiple platforms. The series consists predominantly of [[platform game]]s, but also includes [[spin-off (media)|spin-offs]] in the [[Kart racing game|kart racing]] and [[party game]] genres. The series was originally produced by [[Universal Interactive]], which later became known as [[Vivendi Games]]; in 2008, Vivendi merged with [[Activision]], which currently owns and publishes the franchise. |
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The games are mostly set in the fictitious Wumpa Islands, an archipelago situated to the south of [[Australia]], although other locations are common. The main games in the series are largely platformers, but several are spin-offs in different [[computer and video game genres|genres]]. The protagonist of the series is an [[Eastern Barred Bandicoot]] named [[Crash Bandicoot (character)|Crash]], whose quiet life on the Wumpa Islands is often interrupted by the games' main [[antagonist]], [[Doctor Neo Cortex]], who created Crash and now wants nothing more than his demise. It's usually up to Crash to defeat Cortex and foil any world domination plans he might have. |
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The games are mostly set on the fictitious Wumpa Islands, an archipelago situated to the south of Australia where humans and [[Mutants in fiction|mutant]] animals co-exist, although other locations are common. The protagonist of the series is a genetically enhanced [[bandicoot]] named [[Crash Bandicoot (character)|Crash]], whose quiet life on the Wumpa Islands is often interrupted by his creator and the games' main [[antagonist]], [[Doctor Neo Cortex]], who attempts to eliminate Crash as a constant hindrance to his plots for world domination. |
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The ''Crash Bandicoot'' series has been a commercial success, selling approximately 50 million units worldwide.<ref name="vivendi">{{cite web |url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/14894/Sierra-Ships-Crash-of-the-Titans/ |title=Sierra Ships ''Crash of the Titans'' |date=2007-10-23 |publisher=[[Vivendi]] |accessdate=2006-11-15 |format=[[PDF]]}}</ref> |
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== History == |
== History == |
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{{see also|List of Crash Bandicoot video games|List of Crash Bandicoot mobile games}} |
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===Naughty Dog=== |
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{{Video game timeline |
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====Crash Bandicoot==== |
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| range1 = 1996 - |
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After presenting ''[[Way of the Warrior (video game)|Way of the Warrior]]'' to [[Mark Cerny]] of Universal Interactive Studios, Naughty Dog was signed on to the company for three additional games.<ref name="Rags">{{cite journal |year=1998 |title=From Rags to Riches: ''Way of the Warrior'' to ''Crash 3'' |journal=[[Game Informer]] |volume=66 |issue=October 1998 |pages=18–19}}</ref> On August 1994, Jason Rubin and Andy Gavin began their move from [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]] to [[Los Angeles]], [[California]].<ref name="Timeline">{{cite web |url=http://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/timeline.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080729045219/www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/timeline.htm |archivedate=July 29, 2008 |title=<nowiki>[</nowiki> Crash Bandicoot - Time Line <nowiki>]</nowiki> |publisher=Naughty Dog |accessdate=March 8, 2010}}</ref> During the trip, Gavin and Rubin decided to create a 3D action-platform game. Because the player would be forced to constantly look at the character's rear, the game was jokingly codenamed "[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic]]'s Ass Game".<ref name="Rags"/> The basic technology for the game and the ''Crash Bandicoot'' series as a whole was created somewhere near [[Gary, Indiana]]. The rough game theory was designed by [[Colorado]]. Soon afterward, Gavin and Rubin threw out their previous game design for ''Al O. Saurus and Dinestein'', a [[side-scrolling video game]] based on [[time travel]] and scientists genetically merged with [[dinosaur]]s. After moving into the Universal Interactive Studios backlot, Gavin and Rubin met with Mark Cerny, discussed the design of the game and made an agreement to go into production.<ref name="Rags"/> On September 1994, Gavin and Rubin decided to develop their new game for the PlayStation, after which Rubin began character design.<ref name="Timeline"/> On November 1994, Naughty Dog hired Dave Baggett, their first employee and a friend of Gavin's from the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]].<ref name="Rags"/><ref name="Timeline"/> Together, Gavin and Baggett created the development tool "Game Oriented Object [[Lisp (programming language)|LISP]]" (GOOL), which would be used to create the characters and gameplay of the game.<ref name="Rags"/> On January 1995, Rubin became concerned about the programmer-to-artist ratio and hired Bob Rafei and Taylor Kurosaki as additional artists.<ref name="Rags"/><ref name="Timeline"/> |
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|range1_color = #ffa500 #cc8400 |
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| 1996 = '''''[[Crash Bandicoot (video game)|Crash Bandicoot]]''''' |
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| 1997 = '''''[[Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back]]''''' |
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| 1998 = '''''[[Crash Bandicoot: Warped]]''''' |
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| 1999 = ''[[Crash Team Racing]]'' |
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| 2000 = ''[[Crash Bash]]'' |
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| 2001 = '''''[[Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex]]''''' |
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| 2002 = ''[[Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure]]'' |
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| 2003a = ''[[Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced]]'' |
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| 2003b = ''[[Crash Nitro Kart]]'' |
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| 2004a = ''[[Crash Bandicoot Purple and Spyro Orange|Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage]]'' |
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| 2004b = '''''[[Crash Twinsanity]]''''' |
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| 2005 = ''[[Crash Tag Team Racing]]'' |
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| 2006 = ''[[Crash Boom Bang!]]'' |
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| 2007 = '''''[[Crash of the Titans]]''''' |
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| 2008a = ''[[Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D]]'' |
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| 2008b = '''''[[Crash: Mind over Mutant]]''''' |
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| 2009 = ''[[Crash Bandicoot: Mutant Island]]'' |
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| 2010 = ''[[Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2]]'' |
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| 2017 = '''''[[Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy]]''''' |
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| 2019 = ''[[Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled]]'' |
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| 2020 = '''''[[Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time]]''''' |
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| 2021 = ''[[Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!]]'' |
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| 2023 = ''[[Crash Team Rumble]]'' |
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}} |
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=== 1996–2000: PlayStation exclusivity === |
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Needing a lead character for the game, Naughty Dog recruited American Exitus artists Charles Zembillas and Joe Pearson and met with them weekly to create the characters and environments of the game,<ref name="Rags"/><ref name="Timeline"/> eventually creating a character named "Willy the [[Wombat]]".<ref name="CharlesInterview">{{cite web |url=http://crashmania.net/?page=interviewcharles |title=Interview with Charles Zembillas |accessdate=March 8, 2010 |publisher=Crash Mania |date=May 17, 2009}}</ref> The marketing director of Universal Interactive Studios insisted that the character be named "Wez", "Wuzzles" or "Wizzy the Wombat".<ref name="JasonInterview">{{cite web |url=http://crashmania.net/?page=interviewjason |title=Interview with Jason Rubin |accessdate=March 8, 2010 |publisher=Crash Mania |date=August 16, 2008}}</ref> On creating the levels for the game, Zembillas and Pearson first sketched each environment, designing and creating additional individual elements later. They aimed for an organic, overgrown look to the game and worked to completely avoid straight lines and 90-degree corners. A Naughty Dog artist sketched every single background object in the game before it was modeled. The artists were tasked with making the best use of textures and reducing the amount of geometry. Dark and light elements were juxtaposed to create visual interest and separate geometry. The Naughty Dog artists would squint when sketching, texturing and playing the levels to make sure they could be played by light value alone. Correct use of color was an important goal for Naughty Dog's artists; for example, mutually accentuating colors were chosen as the theme for the "Lost City" and "Sunset Vista" levels. The interior of Doctor Neo Cortex's castle was designed to reflect Cortex's twisted mind.<ref name="Backgrounds">{{cite web |url=http://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/c1-background.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080728232350/www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/c1-background.htm |archivedate=July 28, 2008 |title=<nowiki>[</nowiki> Crash Gallery - Background Studies - ''Crash 1'' <nowiki>]</nowiki> |publisher=Naughty Dog |accessdate=March 8, 2010}}</ref> |
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After presenting ''[[Way of the Warrior (video game)|Way of the Warrior]]'' to [[Mark Cerny]] of [[Universal Interactive Studios]], [[Naughty Dog]] was signed on to the company for three additional games.<ref name="Rags">{{cite magazine |year=1998 |title=From Rags to Riches: ''Way of the Warrior'' to ''Crash 3'' |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |volume=66 |issue=October 1998 |pages=18–19}}</ref> In August 1994, [[Andy Gavin]] and [[Jason Rubin]] began their move from [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]] to [[Los Angeles]], [[California]].<ref name="Timeline">{{cite web |url=https://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/timeline.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080729045219/http://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/timeline.htm |archive-date=July 29, 2008 |title=<nowiki>[</nowiki> Crash Bandicoot – Time Line <nowiki>]</nowiki> |publisher=Naughty Dog |access-date=March 8, 2010}}</ref> During the trip, Gavin and Rubin decided to create a 3D action-platform game, taking inspiration from 16-bit-era game series such as ''[[Donkey Kong Country (series)|Donkey Kong Country]]'', ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' and ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]]''.<ref>{{Citation|last=EPNdotTV|title=The First 3 years of E3 Exclusive Footage - S1:E1 - Electric Playground|date=November 26, 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrmBHPL5Kfc|access-date=August 21, 2018|archive-date=January 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114110019/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrmBHPL5Kfc|url-status=live}}</ref> Because the player would be forced to constantly look at the character's backside, the game was jokingly code-named "[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic]]'s Ass Game".<ref name="Rags"/> The basic technology for the game and the ''Crash Bandicoot'' series as a whole was created somewhere near [[Gary, Indiana|Gary]], [[Indiana]]. The rough game theory was designed near [[Colorado]]. Soon afterward, Gavin and Rubin discarded their previous game design for ''Al O. Saurus and Dinestein'', a [[side-scrolling video game]] based on [[time travel]] and scientists genetically merged with [[dinosaur]]s.<ref name="Timeline"/> After moving into the Universal Interactive backlot, Gavin and Rubin met with Mark Cerny, discussed the design of the game and made an agreement to go into production.<ref name="Rags"/> In September 1994, Gavin and Rubin decided to develop their new game for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], after which Rubin began character design.<ref name="Timeline"/> In November 1994, Naughty Dog hired Dave Baggett, their first employee and a friend of Gavin's from the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]].<ref name="Rags"/><ref name="Timeline"/> Together, Gavin and Baggett created the development tool "Game Oriented Object [[Lisp (programming language)|LISP]]" (GOOL), which would be used to create the characters and gameplay of the game.<ref name="Rags"/> In January 1995, Rubin became concerned about the programmer-to-artist ratio and hired [[Bob Rafei]] and Taylor Kurosaki as additional artists.<ref name="Rags"/><ref name="Timeline"/> |
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Needing a lead character for the game, Naughty Dog recruited artists [[Charles Zembillas]] and Joe Pearson and met with them weekly to create the characters and environments of the game,<ref name="Rags"/><ref name="Timeline"/> eventually creating a character named "Willy the [[Wombat]]".<ref name="CharlesInterview">{{cite web |url=https://www.crashmania.net/?page=interviewcharles |title=Interview with Charles Zembillas |access-date=March 8, 2010 |publisher=Crash Mania |date=May 17, 2009 |archive-date=September 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923190301/http://crashmania.net/?page=interviewcharles |url-status=live }}</ref> The marketing director of Universal Interactive insisted that the character be named "Wez", "Wuzzles" or "Wizzy the Wombat".<ref name="JasonInterview">{{cite web |url=https://www.crashmania.net/?page=interviewjason |title=Interview with Jason Rubin |access-date=March 8, 2010 |publisher=Crash Mania |date=August 16, 2008 |archive-date=September 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923194851/http://crashmania.net/?page=interviewjason |url-status=live }}</ref> On creating the levels for the game, Zembillas and Pearson first sketched each environment, designing and creating additional individual elements later. They aimed for an organic, overgrown look to the game and worked to completely avoid straight lines and 90-degree corners. A Naughty Dog artist sketched every single background object in the game before it was modeled. The artists were tasked with making the best use of textures and reducing the amount of geometry. Dark and light elements were juxtaposed to create visual interest and separate geometry. The Naughty Dog artists would squint when sketching, texturing and playing the levels to make sure they could be played by light value alone. Correct use of color was an important goal for Naughty Dog's artists; for example, mutually accentuating colors were chosen as the theme for the "Lost City" and "Sunset Vista" levels. The interior of Doctor Neo Cortex's castle was designed to reflect Cortex's twisted mind.<ref name="Backgrounds">{{cite web |url=https://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/c1-background.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728232350/http://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/c1-background.htm |archive-date=July 28, 2008 |title=<nowiki>[</nowiki> Crash Gallery – Background Studies – ''Crash 1'' <nowiki>]</nowiki> |publisher=Naughty Dog |access-date=March 8, 2010}}</ref> |
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After the main character's creation, the team went into three months of developing the game. The game first became functional on April 1995 and became playable on June 1995. The first three levels in the game were completed by August 1995. However, they were judged to be too difficult to appear so early in the game and were moved to the game's power plant area. Artist Charlotte Francis joined Naughty Dog at around this time.<ref name="Timeline"/> On September 1995, a videotape of ''Crash Bandicoot'' was shown to Sony Computer Entertainment behind closed doors.<ref name="Rags"/><ref name="Timeline"/> While playing the game during development, Rubin realized that there were many empty areas in the game due to the PlayStation's inability to process numerous on-screen enemy characters at the same time. Additionally, players were solving the game's puzzles too fast. Rubin soon came up with the idea of a box and putting various symbols on the sides to create puzzles. Breaking these boxes would serve to fill in the boring parts of the levels and give the player additional puzzles.<ref name="JasonInterview"/> The first "crate" was placed in the game on January 1996, and would become the primary gameplay element of the series.<ref name="Timeline"/> Willy the Wombat's destruction of the crates would eventually lead him to be renamed "Crash Bandicoot".<ref name="Timeline"/><ref name="JasonInterview"/> On March 1996, Sony agreed to publish ''Crash Bandicoot'', which went into the alpha stage on April 1996. ''Crash Bandicoot'' was first shown at the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]] on May 1996 and was met with enthusiastic reactions.<ref name="Rags"/><ref name="Timeline"/> |
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After the main character's creation, the team went into three months of developing the game. The game first became functional in April 1995 and became playable in June 1995. The first 3 levels in the game were completed by August 1995. However, they were judged to be too difficult to appear so early in the game and were moved to the game's power plant area. Artist Charlotte Francis joined Naughty Dog at around this time.<ref name="Timeline"/> In September 1995, a videotape of ''Crash Bandicoot'' was shown to [[Sony Computer Entertainment]] behind closed doors.<ref name="Rags"/><ref name="Timeline"/> While playing the game during development, Rubin realized that there were many empty areas in the game due to the PlayStation's inability to process numerous on-screen enemy characters at the same time. Additionally, players were solving the game's puzzles too fast. Rubin soon came up with the idea of a box and putting various symbols on the sides to create puzzles. Breaking these boxes would serve to fill in the boring parts of the levels and give the player additional puzzles.<ref name="JasonInterview"/> The first "crate" was placed in the game in January 1996, and would become the primary gameplay element of the series.<ref name="Timeline"/> Willy the Wombat's destruction of the crates would eventually lead him to be renamed "Crash Bandicoot".<ref name="Timeline"/><ref name="JasonInterview"/> In March 1996, Sony agreed to publish ''Crash Bandicoot'', which went into the alpha stage in April 1996. ''Crash Bandicoot'' was first shown at the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]] in May 1996. |
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====Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back==== |
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Due to the critically acclaimed response to the first game a second game was surely to come out. Development of ''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back'' began in October 1996. For the game, Andy Gavin perfected a new engine named "Game Oriented Object [[Lisp (programming language)|LISP]] 2" (GOOL 2) that was three times faster than the previous game's engine, could handle ten times the animation frames and twice the polygon count.<ref name="Rags">{{cite journal |year=1998 |title=From Rags to Riches: ''Way of the Warrior'' to ''Crash 3'' |journal=[[Game Informer]] |volume=66 |issue=October 1998 |pages=18–21}}</ref><ref name="Timeline">{{cite web |url=http://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/timeline.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080729045219/www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/timeline.htm |archivedate=July 29, 2008 |title=<nowiki>[</nowiki> Crash Bandicoot - Time Line <nowiki>]</nowiki> |publisher=Naughty Dog |accessdate=March 10, 2010}}</ref> The jungle levels were originally to have featured ground fog, but this was abandoned when magazines and the public began to brutalize other developers for using fog to hide polygon count. Sunlight and depth accentuation was experimented with for these levels. Wanting to have some "dirty" locations in the game, Naughty Dog worked in the sewer levels and added color contrast to the levels to show depth and break up the repetitive monotony of the endless sewer pipes.<ref name="Backgrounds">{{cite web |url=http://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/c2-background.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080728232903/www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/c2-background.htm |archivedate=July 28, 2008 |title=<nowiki>[</nowiki> Crash Gallery - Background Studies - ''Crash 2'' <nowiki>]</nowiki> |publisher=Naughty Dog |accessdate=March 10, 2010}}</ref> A flat plane [[z-buffering|z-buffer]] was created for the game; because the water surfaces and mud in the jungle had to be a flat plane and be exactly flat on the Y-axis, there could be no waves and the subdividing plane could not be at an odd angle. The effect only worked on objects in the foreground and was only used on Crash, some enemies and a few boxes at the same time.<ref name="Rags"/> The soundtrack of ''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back'' was provided by [[Mutato Muzika]] (consisting of [[Mark Mothersbaugh]] and [[Josh Mancell]]), while the sound effects were created by Universal Sound Studios (consisting of Mike Gollom, Ron Horwitz and Kevin Spears). The characters were designed by Charles Zembillas of American Exitus, Incorporated. [[Clancy Brown]] provided the voice of Doctor Neo Cortex, while [[Brendan O'Brien (voice actor)|Brendan O'Brien]] voiced the dual role of Doctor N. Gin and Doctor Nitrus Brio and Vicki Winters voiced Coco Bandicoot.<ref name="Manual145">[[#Crash|Universal]], pp. 14-15</ref> The game was unveiled at the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]] in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] on June 1997 to a positive response from the game industry. The game went into the alpha stage on August 1997. Around that time, Dan Arey, the lead designer of ''[[Gex: Enter the Gecko]]'', joined Naughty Dog and streamlined the level design.<ref name="Timeline"/> |
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Development of ''Cortex Strikes Back'' began in October 1996. For the game, Andy Gavin created a new engine and scripting language named "Game Oriented Object [[Lisp (programming language)|LISP]] 2" (GOOL 2) that was three times faster than the previous game's engine, could handle ten times the animation frames and twice the polygon count.<ref name="Rags"/><ref name="Timeline"/> The jungle levels were originally to have featured ground fog, but this was abandoned when magazines and the public began to heavily criticize other developers for using fog to hide polygon count. Sunlight and depth accentuation was experimented with for these levels. Wanting to have some "dirty" locations in the game, Naughty Dog worked in the sewer levels and added color contrast to the levels to show depth and break up the repetitive monotony of the endless sewer pipes.<ref name="Backgrounds"/> A flat plane [[z-buffering|z-buffer]] was created for the game; because the water surfaces and mud in the jungle had to be a flat plane and be exactly flat on the Y-axis, there could be no waves and the subdividing plane could not be at an odd angle. The effect only worked on objects in the foreground and was only used on Crash, some enemies and a few boxes at the same time.<ref name="Rags"/> The soundtrack of ''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back'' was provided by [[Mutato Muzika]] (consisting of [[Mark Mothersbaugh]] and [[Josh Mancell]]), while the sound effects were created by Universal Sound Studios (consisting of Mike Gollom, Ron Horwitz and Kevin Spears). The characters were designed by Charles Zembillas of American Exitus, Incorporated. [[Clancy Brown]] provided the voice of Doctor Neo Cortex, while [[Brendan O'Brien (voice actor)|Brendan O'Brien]] voiced the dual role of Doctor N. Gin and Doctor Nitrus Brio and Vicki Winters voiced Coco Bandicoot.<ref name="Manual145">[[#Crash|Universal]], pp. 14–15</ref> The game was unveiled at the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]] in [[Atlanta]], Georgia in June 1997 to a positive response from the game industry. The game went into the alpha stage in August 1997. Around that time, Dan Arey, the lead designer of ''[[Gex: Enter the Gecko]]'', joined Naughty Dog and streamlined the level design.<ref name="Timeline"/> |
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====Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped==== |
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Like the first |
Like the first, the second game was a commercial success, green-lighting a third game. Production of ''Crash Bandicoot: Warped'' began in January 1998, with Naughty Dog given only 10½ months to complete the game.<ref name="Rags"/><ref name="Timeline"/> Programmers Andy Gavin, Stephen White and Greg Omi created three new gameplay engines for the game. Two of the three new engines were three-dimensional in nature and were created for the airplane and jet-ski levels; the third new engine was created for the motorcycle levels in the style of a [[driving simulator]]. The new engines combined make up a third of the game, while the other two-thirds of the game consist of the tweaked engine used in the previous games. Jason Rubin explained that the "classic" engine and game style was preserved due to the success of the previous two games and went on to say that "were we to abandon that style of gameplay, that would mean that we would be abandoning a significant proportion of gamers out there". An arbitrary plane [[z-buffering|z-buffer]] was created for the jet-ski and flooded Egyptian hallway levels of the game.<ref name="Rags"/> To create a completely fluid feel for the water on these levels, an [[Reflection mapping|environment map]] that reflects the sky was fitted onto the surface of the water. A real [[Shadow mapping|shadow]] was given to the Crash character at the request of the [[Sony Computer Entertainment America]] producers, who were "sick of that little discus that's following him around." To create an "arcade" experience in the airplane levels and to differentiate them from flight simulators, the enemy planes were programmed to come out in front of the player and give the player ample time to shoot them before they turn around and shoot the player rather than come up behind the player and hit them from behind. The Relic system was introduced to give players a reason to return to the game after it has been completed.<ref name="Official2">{{cite web |url=https://www.crashbandicoot3.com/english/crashframe.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot: Warped'' |publisher=Naughty Dog |access-date=April 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209222345/http://www.crashbandicoot3.com/english/crashframe.html |archive-date=February 9, 2005 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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Also in 1998, [[Tiger Electronics#Standalone handhelds|Tiger Electronics]] released a series called ''99X'', each containing a black and white video game as opposed to the [[LCD games]] they were commonly known for. These were handhelds fitted with a dot-matrix screen, allowing for a wide variety of backgrounds and gameplay for a single game. Although [[Turing completeness|running a software program]] stored in ROM, the systems were [[dedicated console]]s, similar to the [[Handheld TV game|plug-and-play TV games]] of the 2000s decade.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19990504091742/http://208.206.88.84/99x/default.htm Official Tiger 99X Website (Archived)] Retrieved November 11, 2018.</ref> A Crash Bandicoot game, simply titled ''Crash Bandicoot'', was released as part of this series. Despite its name and being a platformer like its predecessors, it is not an adaptation of nor bears any relation to the 1996 game, instead featuring a plot of its own involving Crash retrieving treasure from a mansion haunted by a ghost named Mr. Crumb and his cronies.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/crash_bandicoot.pdf |title=Scan of the manual of Crash Bandicoot (Tiger 99X) |access-date=November 12, 2018 |archive-date=January 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117053619/http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/Crash_Bandicoot.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> This was the first handheld game to be released in the series, as well as the first to include a multiplayer mode. |
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====Crash Team Racing==== |
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While initially Naughty Dog was only signed on to make three games, the game was a possible Crash 3 as it started out in production after Crash 2 and the game which was finished first in production would be released first. However, Naughty Dog had already gotten far into the project and decided to finish it and release it. David Baggett produced the game's soundtrack, with [[Mark Mothersbaugh]] and [[Josh Mancell]] of [[Mutato Muzika]] composing the music. Sound effects were created by Mike Gollum, Ron Horwitz and Kevin Spears of Universal Sound Studios. The voices of Doctor Neo Cortex and Uka Uka were provided by [[Clancy Brown]], while the voices of Doctor N. Gin, Tiny Tiger and Pinstripe Potoroo were provided by voice actor [[Brendan O'Brien (voice actor)|Brendan O'Brien]]. Additional voices were provided by David A. Pizzuto, [[Mel Winkler]], [[Michael Ensign]], [[Hynden Walch]], Billy Pope, sound effects artist Mike Gollom, Michael Connor and Chip Chinery. This marked the end of Naughty Dog's Crash Bandicoot games. |
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While initially Naughty Dog was only signed on to make three games, ''Crash Team Racing'' was a possible ''Crash 3'' as it started out in production after ''Crash 2'' and the game which was finished first in production would be released first. However, Naughty Dog had already gotten far into the project and decided to finish it and release it. David Baggett produced the game's soundtrack, with [[Mark Mothersbaugh]] and [[Josh Mancell]] of [[Mutato Muzika]] composing the music. Sound effects were created by Mike Gollum, Ron Horwitz and Kevin Spears of Universal Sound Studios.<ref name="Manual26">Instruction Booklet, p. 26.</ref> This marked the end of Naughty Dog's Crash Bandicoot games. |
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===Traveller's Tales=== |
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====Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex==== |
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Although Naughty Dog was no longer developing the Crash Bandicoot series, it still continued. The series remained with the same publisher and was given to Traveller's Tales to develop. It was also the first Crash game for the PlayStation 2. The game received mixed reviews but nevertheless made the Greatest Hits lineup. Despite the rights of Crash Bandicoot going to Vivendi Universal, Sony still retained the rights for the distribution and porting of the original Crash Bandicoot game series. The Wrath of Cortex was one of the few games to sport enhancements in its PS2 Platinum/Greatest Hits re-releases, which basically consisted of much shorter loading times. It was also the best-selling platformer for the PS2. |
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With the release of ''[[Crash Bash]]'', Universal Interactive's publishing deal with SCE had ended. Crash's prominent status within the video game community prompted the company to make Crash a multiplatform series, giving the series to [[Mark Cerny]] and [[Vicarious Visions]] to develop two separate but connected games. |
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====Crash Twinsanity==== |
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The full motion videos of ''Crash Twinsanity'' were created by Red Eye Studios, who previously created the full motion videos for ''[[Crash Nitro Kart]]''. The soundtrack of ''Crash Twinsanity'' was composed performed, arranged and produced by [[a cappella]] band [[Spiralmouth]], while Gabriel Mann recorded and mixed the soundtrack at Asylum Recording Studios in [[Los Angeles]]. ''Crash Twinsanity'' marked the debut of [[Lex Lang]] as the voice of series antagonist Doctor Neo Cortex. When Lang was called in for an audition to replace previous voice actor [[Clancy Brown]], the voice director described Doctor Cortex to him and had him listen to signature samples of Brown's performance. When Lang was given the freedom to develop the character with the director, they eventually created a depiction of Cortex that was "master evil with a bit of a childish feminine side that leaks out in his tirades" that had everyone laughing at the lines and the character. As a result, that depiction of Cortex stuck.<ref name="LexInterview">{{cite web |url=http://crashmania.net/?page=interviewlex |title=Interview with Lex Lang |accessdate=September 1, 2010 |publisher=Crash Mania |date=March 10, 2009}}</ref> Other voice roles include [[Mel Winkler]] as Aku Aku and a tribesman, [[Michael Ensign]] as Doctor Nefarious Tropy and a tribesman, [[Susan Silo]] as Madame Amberley and Nina Cortex, [[Debi Derryberry]] as Coco Bandicoot and Neo Cortex as an eight-years-old, [[Alex Fernandez]] as Uka Uka and Farmer Ernest, [[Dwight Schultz]] as Dingodile, Rusty Walrus, a tribesman and Papu Papu and [[Quinton Flynn]] as Doctor N. Gin, Victor, Moritz and a penguin. |
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=== 2001–2006: Transition to third party === |
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They were also set to develop a racing game but this was picked up by Vicarious Visions. |
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''[[Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex]]'' was originally to be designed by Cerny and published by Sony. After a falling-out between Universal and the two entities, developer [[Traveller's Tales]] was forced to alter the game from a [[Nonlinear gameplay|free-roaming]] title to a standard ''Crash'' title. Traveller's Tales had to begin development of the game from scratch and were given only twelve months to complete it.<ref name="Burton">{{cite web |last=Wallis |first=Alistair |date=November 9, 2006 |title=Gamasutra – News – Playing Catch Up: Traveller's Tales' Jon Burton |publisher=Gamasutra |url=https://gamasutra.com/view/news/11640/Playing_Catch_Up_Travellers_Tales_Jon_Burton.php |access-date=May 25, 2011 |quote=This became even more clear in 2001, when the company worked with Universal Interactive for Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex. "[It] was meant to be designed by Mark Cerny, who designed all the others, and published by Sony", says Burton. "Universal Interactive fell out with them and we had to go from a free roaming game to a standard Crash game with a reduced time-line – 12 months – and having to design the game ourselves from scratch." |archive-date=May 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511064358/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/11640/Playing_Catch_Up_Travellers_Tales_Jon_Burton.php |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was released in 2001 by Universal and [[Konami]] (who would publish the game in Japan) for the [[PlayStation 2]], and was followed by ports for [[GameCube]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] in 2002; it received mixed reviews but made the Greatest Hits lineup due to strong sales. |
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The following year, Universal would release their first Crash Bandicoot game, a handheld exclusive called ''[[Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure|The Huge Adventure]]'' developed by Vicarious Visions for the [[Game Boy Advance]] and released to favorable reviews. It would warrant a sequel, ''[[Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced|N-Tranced]]'', which would also be met to similar reception. During this time Traveller's Tales' Oxford Studio were developing a new ''Crash'' game for consoles. This game was to be ''[[Crash Nitro Kart]]'' but due to unknown circumstances Universal moved development of ''Crash Nitro Kart'' over to Vicarious Visions. Traveller's Tales Oxford Studio then moved on to their next project, ''Crash Bandicoot Evolution''. |
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===Vicarious Visions=== |
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Vicarious Visions developed the handheld exclusive Crash Games whereas they were set to release two racing console games but only released one, the one they picked up from Traveller's Tales: Crash Nitro Kart. These games were released around the time the series was with Traveller's Tales. |
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''Crash Bandicoot Evolution'' was set to create a new form of gameplay for Crash, with the game planned to be a platformer/RPG with many different elements planned for the game; it eventually became ''[[Crash Twinsanity]]''. Although Traveller's Tales planned on creating a Crash Bandicoot game titled ''Cortex Chaos'' and a sequel to ''Crash Twinsanity'', Universal never picked up the games, effectively cancelling them. Vicarious Visions's fourth and final game was ''[[Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage]]'' for the Game Boy Advance, a crossover with the ''[[Spyro]]'' franchise and companion game to ''Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy''. |
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===Radical Entertainment=== |
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Although ''Cortex Chaos'' and the sequel to ''Crash Twinsanity'' were cancelled, Traveller's Tales was nonetheless commissioned to develop one final Crash Bandicoot game. It was to be a kart racing game titled ''Crash Clash Racing''. However, Traveller's Tales was taken off the project as it was given to [[Radical Entertainment]]. The new studio proceeded to change the project into an entirely new game, keeping only two core ideas, clashing and fusion. The game marked the first game published under Universal's [[Sierra Entertainment]] brand, and the first game to use Radical's Titanium Engine, receiving the title ''[[Crash Tag Team Racing]]''. |
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====Crash Tag Team Racing==== |
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Crash TTR was originally Traveller's Tales but was picked up by Radical Entertainment. It marked Radical's introduction into the series. |
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The following year [[Dimps]] developed ''[[Crash Boom Bang!]]'', which was released on July 20, 2006 for the [[Nintendo DS]]. Due to the game being developed in Japan it features redesigns of the characters originally used in Japanese promotion artwork of the original PlayStation games, though Crash's model was altered to resemble his ''Twinsanity'' model in international releases.<ref name="Staff credits">{{cite video game |title=Crash Boom Bang! |developer=Dimps |publisher=Sierra Entertainment |date=October 10, 2006 |platform=Nintendo DS |level=Credits}}</ref> The game received highly negative reviews from critics and is considered one of the worst ''Crash'' games of all time.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=October 18, 2006 |title=''Crash Boom Bang!'' Review |url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/740/740212p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026074143/http://ds.ign.com/articles/740/740212p1.html |archive-date=October 26, 2006 |access-date=April 7, 2007 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Lesley |date=November 19, 2006 |title=Review - ''Crash Boom Bang!'' |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=69920 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070617141640/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=69920 |archive-date=June 17, 2007 |access-date=October 14, 2007 |website=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref> |
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====Crash of the Titans==== |
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Development on ''Crash of the Titans'' began after the completion of ''[[Crash Tag Team Racing]]''.<ref name="radicalmania">{{cite web |publisher=Crash Mania |author=JumpButton |date=2007-04-24 |title=Crash Mania official interview with Radical Entertainment |url=http://hpzr.freeweb7.com/interviewtitans.htm |accessdate=2007-07-13}}</ref> The graphics of the [[Wii]] version of the game was one of [[Radical Entertainment]]'s main focuses in the game's development,<ref name="IGNPreview">{{cite web |date=2007-04-19 |last=Harris |first=Craig |title=IGN: ''Crash of the Titans'' Preview |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/782/782068p1.html |publisher=[[IGN]] |accessdate=2008-07-08}}</ref> with Radical stating that the [[Wii]] has "a lot of horsepower under the hood" and expressing their desire to make full use of it.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Codename Revolution |date=2007-03-02 |title=Wii has a lot of Horsepower says Radical |url=http://www.codenamerevolution.com/?p=4393 |accessdate=2007-07-13 |quote=The Wii has a lot of horsepower under the hood and we're making full use of it. We've overhauled our graphics engine to get the most out of the console by updating the shaders responsible for rendering the environment, vehicle, and characters. In many ways ''Scarface'' looks sharper on the Wii than it does on the PS2 and Xbox.}}</ref> They also considered implementing a feature to connect the Wii to DS during gameplay, but stopped due to technical issues and time.<ref name="amazemania">{{cite web |publisher=Crash Mania |author=JumpButton |date=2007-07-12 |title=Crash Mania official interview with Amaze Entertainment |url=http://hpzr.freeweb7.com/interviewamaze.htm |accessdate=2007-07-13}}</ref> The [[Xbox 360]] version got a few extra months of development time to improve its graphics before setting a final release date.<ref name="eurogamer">{{cite web |publisher=Eurogamer |last=Reed |first=Kristan |date=2007-04-26 |title=Eurogamer's preview of ''Crash of the Titans'' |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=75703 |accessdate=2007-07-13}}</ref> |
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=== 2007–2010: Redesign === |
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While the game was being developed, the title's main character, Crash Bandicoot, became the new mascot of the [[Leukemia & Lymphoma Society]]'s "School and Youth" programs in an effort to promote the battle against blood cancer.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=GoNintendo |date=2007-08-06 |title=Video Game Hero Crash Bandicoot Urges Kids to Join the Fight Against Leukemia |url=http://gonintendo.com/?p=22481 |accessdate=2007-08-19 |quote=The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Vivendi Games today announced that Crash Bandicoot, the valiant, action hero of the highly popular video game series, is the new national champion for the Societyfs School & Youth programs.}}</ref> In a bid to further promote the game, a [[Hummer]] (with a Wii inside) was painted with imagery from the game and displayed at the Annual Balloon Fiesta in [[Bristol]], United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |last=De Marco |first=Flynn |date=2007-08-12 |publisher=[[Kotaku]] |title=''Crash of the Titans'': The Hummer |url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/beer-and-tractor-pulls/crash-of-the-titans-the-hummer-288623.php |accessdate=2007-08-19 |quote=Has spinners, the works. All with a Wii on the inside that people can play.}}</ref> A "Monster Edition" of the game was released exclusively in Europe on October 12, 2007 for the PlayStation 2. This special edition of the game features "Making-of" videos, water-on tattoos, game hints, a cheat code list, and the game's E3 and theatrical trailers in multiple languages. Due to its "mild cartoon violence and language", the game received a PG rating from the [[British Board of Film Classification|BBFC]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |date=2007-07-31 |title=''Crash of the Titans: Monster Edition'' rated PG by the BBFC |url=http://www.bbfc.co.uk/website/Classified.nsf/0/5710805319AAAE5080257329003EA50B?OpenDocument |accessdate=2007-09-13}}</ref> |
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Development on ''[[Crash of the Titans]]'', Radical's second title, began after the completion of ''Crash Tag Team Racing''.<ref name="radicalmania">{{cite web |publisher=Crash Mania |author=JumpButton |date=April 24, 2007 |title=Crash Mania official interview with Radical Entertainment |url=http://hpzr.freeweb7.com/interviewtitans.htm |access-date=July 13, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070929120042/http://hpzr.freeweb7.com/interviewtitans.htm |archive-date=September 29, 2007 }}</ref> The graphics of the [[Wii]] version of the game was one of [[Radical Entertainment]]'s main focuses in the game's development,<ref name="IGNPreview">{{cite web |date=April 19, 2007 |last=Harris |first=Craig |title=IGN: ''Crash of the Titans'' Preview |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/782/782068p1.html |publisher=IGN |access-date=July 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081105065018/http://wii.ign.com/articles/782/782068p1.html |archive-date=November 5, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> with Radical stating that the Wii has "a lot of horsepower under the hood" and expressing their desire to make full use of it.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Codename Revolution |date=March 2, 2007 |title=Wii has a lot of Horsepower says Radical |url=http://www.codenamerevolution.com/?p=4393 |access-date=July 13, 2007 |quote=The Wii has a lot of horsepower under the hood and we're making full use of it. We've overhauled our graphics engine to get the most out of the console by updating the shaders responsible for rendering the environment, vehicle, and characters. In many ways ''Scarface'' looks sharper on the Wii than it does on the PS2 and Xbox. |archive-date=October 23, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023151242/http://www.codenamerevolution.com/?p=4393 |url-status=live }}</ref> They also considered implementing a feature to connect the Wii to DS during gameplay, but stopped due to technical issues and time limitations.<ref name="amazemania">{{cite web |author=JumpButton |date=July 12, 2007 |title=Crash Mania official interview with Amaze Entertainment |publisher=Crash Mania |url=http://hpzr.freeweb7.com/interviewamaze.htm |access-date=July 13, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070929103134/http://hpzr.freeweb7.com/interviewamaze.htm |archive-date=September 29, 2007}}</ref> The [[Xbox 360]] version got a few extra months of development time to improve its graphics before setting a final release date.<ref name="eurogamer">{{cite web |last=Reed |first=Kristan |date=April 26, 2007 |title=Eurogamer's preview of ''Crash of the Titans'' |publisher=Eurogamer |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/sierra-showcase-first-impressions |access-date=July 13, 2007 |archive-date=June 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629130846/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=75703 |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was the last of the series to be published by Vivendi Games before its merge with [[Activision]]. |
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While the game was being developed, the title's main character, Crash Bandicoot, became the new mascot of the [[Leukemia & Lymphoma Society]]'s "School and Youth" programs in an effort to promote the battle against blood cancer.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 6, 2007 |title=Video Game Hero Crash Bandicoot Urges Kids to Join the Fight Against Leukemia |publisher=GoNintendo |url=https://gonintendo.com/?p=22481 |access-date=August 19, 2007 |quote=The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Vivendi Games today announced that Crash Bandicoot, the valiant, action hero of the highly popular video game series, is the new national champion for the Society's School & Youth programs. |archive-date=August 30, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830122321/http://gonintendo.com/?p=22481 |url-status=live }}</ref> In a bid to further promote the game, a [[Hummer]] was painted with imagery from the game and displayed at the Annual Balloon Fiesta in [[Bristol]], United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |last=De Marco |first=Flynn |date=August 12, 2007 |title=''Crash of the Titans'': The Hummer |publisher=Kotaku |url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/beer-and-tractor-pulls/crash-of-the-titans-the-hummer-288623.php |access-date=August 19, 2007 |quote=Has spinners, the works. All with a Wii on the inside that people can play. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930224322/http://kotaku.com/gaming/beer-and-tractor-pulls/crash-of-the-titans-the-hummer-288623.php |archive-date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref> A "Monster Edition" of the game was released exclusively in Europe on October 12, 2007 for the PlayStation 2. This special edition of the game features "Making-of" videos, water-on tattoos, game hints, a cheat code list, and the game's E3 and theatrical trailers in multiple languages. Due to its "mild cartoon violence and language", the game received a PG rating from the [[BBFC]].<ref>{{cite web |date=July 31, 2007 |title=''Crash of the Titans: Monster Edition'' rated PG by the BBFC |publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/website/Classified.nsf/0/5710805319AAAE5080257329003EA50B?OpenDocument |access-date=September 13, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106085324/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/website/Classified.nsf/0/5710805319AAAE5080257329003EA50B?OpenDocument |archive-date=January 6, 2008 }}</ref> |
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====Crash: Mind over Mutant==== |
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Development on ''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' began immediately after the completion of ''Crash of the Titans''. The idea of preserving a Titan for later use came from the play testing sessions of ''Crash of the Titans'', in which the testers were found to be reluctant to leave the Titans behind after an epic battle was won. Fans of the series were also a source of inspiration for ''Crash: Mind over Mutant'', having such wishes as a free-roaming environment, Coco Bandicoot being a playable character and the return of the character Doctor Nitrus Brio. Full camera control was considered for the game, but was rejected for graphical reasons and to avoid having to insert a split-screen view in the cooperation mode.<ref name="ManiaInterview">{{cite web |url=http://crashmania.net/interviewradical-2.php |title=Crash Mania - Interview with Radical (''Mind Over Mutant'') |accessdate=November 14, 2008 |date=August 5, 2008 |month=May |publisher=Crash Mania}}</ref> Online gameplay was also considered as a feature in the finished game,<ref name="Kotaku">{{cite web |publisher=Kotaku |last=De Marco |first=Flynn |date=April 28, 2008 |title=''Crash Bandicoot: Mind Over Mutant'' Impressions |url=http://kotaku.com/384311/crash-bandicoot-mind-over-mutant-impressions |accessdate=April 28, 2008}}</ref> but was omitted due to the brief development schedule.<ref name="Gamershell">{{cite web |publisher=Gamer's Hell |title=Overview: ''Crash: Mind Over Mutant'' Q&A |url=http://www.gamershell.com/infosheets/454094.html |accessdate=July 7, 2008}}</ref> Coco Bandicoot as a playable character was omitted from the PlayStation 2 version of the game due to her distinct animations taking up much of the console's memory.<ref name="Gamershell"/> The Wii version of ''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' was created first, with the graphics scaled up for the Xbox 360, and scaled down for the PlayStation 2.<ref name="Joystiq">{{cite web |publisher=Joystiq |last=Stern |first=Zack |date=April 28, 2008 |title=Joystiq impressions: ''Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant'' (Wii) |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/joystiq-impressions-crash-bandicoot-mind-over-mutant/ |accessdate=April 28, 2008}}</ref> A [[PlayStation 3]] version of the game was rumored,<ref name="Joystiq"/> but was promptly debunked by Radical Entertainment as a mistake on many press sites' behalf.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=videogaming247 |last=Bowden |first=Mike |date=April 28, 2008 |title=Sierra Spring Break 08: Wii lead SKU on new ''Crash'' title |url=http://www.videogaming247.com/2008/04/28/sierra-spring-break-08-wii-lead-sku-on-new-crash-title/ |accessdate=April 29, 2008 |quote=We then asked her if there was going to be a PS3 version, to which she replied, “No”.}}</ref> |
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Development on ''[[Crash: Mind over Mutant]]'', Radical's third and final Crash title, began immediately after the completion of ''Crash of the Titans''. The idea of preserving a Titan for later use came from the play testing sessions of ''Crash of the Titans'', in which the testers were found to be reluctant to leave the Titans behind after an epic battle was won. Fans of the series were also a source of inspiration for ''Crash: Mind over Mutant'', having such wishes as a free-roaming environment, Coco Bandicoot being a playable character and the return of the character Doctor Nitrus Brio. Full camera control was considered for the game, but was rejected for graphical reasons and to avoid having to insert a split-screen view in the cooperation mode.<ref name="ManiaInterview">{{cite web |date=May 8, 2008 |title=Crash Mania - Interview with Radical (''Mind Over Mutant'') |publisher=Crash Mania |url=https://www.crashmania.net/interviewradical-2.php/ |access-date=November 14, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223142245/http://crashmania.net/interviewradical-2.php |archive-date=December 23, 2008}}</ref> Online gameplay was also considered as a feature in the finished game,<ref name="Kotaku">{{cite web |last=De Marco |first=Flynn |date=April 28, 2008 |title=''Crash Bandicoot: Mind Over Mutant'' Impressions |publisher=Kotaku |url=http://kotaku.com/384311/crash-bandicoot-mind-over-mutant-impressions |access-date=April 28, 2008 |archive-date=August 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080810075936/http://kotaku.com/384311/crash-bandicoot-mind-over-mutant-impressions |url-status=live }}</ref> but was omitted due to the brief development schedule.<ref name="Gamershell">{{cite web |title=Overview: ''Crash: Mind Over Mutant'' Q&A |publisher=Gamer's Hell |url=http://www.gamershell.com/infosheets/454094.html |access-date=July 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228065201/http://www.gamershell.com/infosheets/454094.html |archive-date=February 28, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Coco Bandicoot as a playable character was omitted from the PlayStation 2 version of the game due to her distinct animations taking up much of the console's memory.<ref name="Gamershell"/> The Wii version of ''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' was created first, with the graphics scaled up for the Xbox 360, and scaled down for the PlayStation 2.<ref name="Joystiq">{{cite web |last=Stern |first=Zack |date=April 28, 2008 |title=Joystiq impressions: ''Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant'' (Wii) |publisher=Joystiq |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/joystiq-impressions-crash-bandicoot-mind-over-mutant/ |access-date=April 28, 2008 |archive-date=May 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501080412/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/joystiq-impressions-crash-bandicoot-mind-over-mutant/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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There was an open call for fan art of Crash Bandicoot to be submitted as part of a contest. The contest was hosted at Kidzworld as part of a preview page and was aimed at fans under the age of 18. Selected artwork is included in the final build of the game either inside of a comic book in Crash's house or on a wall in the school attended by [[Characters of Crash Bandicoot#Nina Cortex|Nina Cortex]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Kidzworld |title=Kidzworld :: ''Crash Bandicoot: Mind Over Mutant'' :: Getting in the Game <nowiki>|</nowiki> Radical Entertainment |url=http://www.kidzworld.com/article/14054-crash-bandicoot-mind-over-mutant-getting-in-the-game |accessdate=2008-07-17}}</ref> In addition, winners had their names appear in the game's credits and received a free copy of the game when it was released.<ref name="kidzworld">{{cite web |publisher=Kidzworld |title=''Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant :: Game Preview'' |url=http://www.kidzworld.com/article/12511-crash-bandicoot-mind-over-mutant-game-preview |accessdate=May 7, 2008}}</ref> |
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In 2010, rumors appeared that Radical Entertainment was developing a fourth ''Crash Bandicoot'' title, under the name ''Crash Landed'', but due to large layoffs in the studio, the game was cancelled with all remaining developers put to work on ''[[Prototype 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.unseen64.net/2011/07/25/crash-bandicoot-2010-cancelled-xbox-360-ps3-wii/ |title=Crash Bandicoot 2010 [Cancelled - Xbox 360 / PS3 / Wii] | Unseen 64: Beta, Unreleased & Unseen Videogames! |publisher=Unseen 64 |date=July 25, 2011 |access-date=November 7, 2012 |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104185152/http://www.unseen64.net/2011/07/25/crash-bandicoot-2010-cancelled-xbox-360-ps3-wii/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The DS edition of this game would be in development by [[Renegade Kid]] for approximately two weeks before similarly being cancelled by Activision.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/32940/never-before-seen-renegade-kid-developed-crash-bandicoot-ds-demo-revealed |title=Never-Before-Seen Renegade Kid-Developed Crash Bandicoot DS Demo Revealed |access-date=February 15, 2014 |publisher=Nintendo World Report |date=January 10, 2013 |archive-date=November 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131124000653/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/32940 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/JoolsWatsham/status/289409822657507331|title=Jools Watsham on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=July 14, 2015|archive-date=February 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209043350/https://twitter.com/JoolsWatsham/status/289409822657507331|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/JoolsWatsham/status/289418982744788995|title=Jools Watsham on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=July 14, 2015|archive-date=February 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209043350/https://twitter.com/JoolsWatsham/status/289418982744788995|url-status=live}}</ref> [[High Impact Games]] was developing a reboot of ''Crash Team Racing'' for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii, but the game was cancelled by Activision before the initial prototype. Several ideas for the game eventually made it into ''[[DreamWorks Super Star Kartz]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/games/Crash-Team-Racing-2010-Screenshots-Show-Cancelled-Kart-Game-46448.html |title=Crash Team Racing 2010 Screenshots Show Cancelled Kart Game |publisher=Cinemablend.com |date=September 3, 2012 |access-date=November 7, 2012 |archive-date=September 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905043021/http://www.cinemablend.com/games/crash-team-racing-2010-screenshots-show-cancelled-kart-game-46448.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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==Common gameplay elements== |
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''Crash Bandicoot'' is a fairly obvious and straight forward platforming series (originally made by Naughty Dog). The goal of each level is to guide Crash from the beginning to the end, travelling either into the screen, towards the player or left and right in a [[Side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] manner. Several levels place Crash in unique situations which require the use of motorbikes, jet skis, submarines and various wild animals to reach the level's end. |
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=== 2011–2016: Hiatus === |
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In the original ''[[Crash Bandicoot (video game)|Crash Bandicoot]]'', Crash's moveset is rather limited; he can run, jump and spin his way through treacherous environments and hostile creatures. ''[[Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back|Cortex Strikes Back]]'' introduces several new moves for Crash to utilise, including a high jump, body slam and slide attack. ''[[Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped|Warped]]'' expands on this by awarding the player with new abilities after each [[Boss (video games)|boss]] is defeated, which is also used in ''[[Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex|The Wrath of Cortex]]''. |
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On a [[Kotaku]] interview with then-Activision CEO [[Eric Hirshberg]] regarding the future of the ''Crash'' series, he said, "I don't have anything official to announce, but I can speak as an individual, I love ''Crash Bandicoot''. Those were some of my favorite video games growing up. And I would love to find a way to bring him back, if we could."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/5857454/waiting-for-a-crash-bandicoot-comeback |title=Waiting for a Crash Bandicoot Comeback |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=November 8, 2011 |access-date=November 7, 2012 |archive-date=January 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117152648/https://kotaku.com/5857454/waiting-for-a-crash-bandicoot-comeback |url-status=live }}</ref> Andy Gavin, co-creator of Crash Bandicoot, has said that he would love to see an HD version of the marsupial's first four games, or even a full-blown reboot.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://beefjack.com/news/crash-bandicoot-co-creator-id-love-to-see-an-hd-version/ |title=Crash Bandicoot co-creator: 'I'd love to see an HD version' « BeefJack – The Gamer's Sauce |publisher=Beefjack.com |date=February 7, 2012 |access-date=November 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227063716/http://beefjack.com/news/crash-bandicoot-co-creator-id-love-to-see-an-hd-version/ |archive-date=December 27, 2012 }}</ref> Jason Rubin, co-creator of Crash Bandicoot, said he was hopeful that Activision would "bring Crash back to their glory days and that the character is still very dear to fans between 18–49 years".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.videogamer.com/news/naughty_dog_co-founder_hopeful_activision_can_return_crash_bandicoot_to_former_glory.html |title=Naughty Dog co-founder hopeful Activision can return Crash Bandicoot to former glory |date=June 28, 2012 |publisher=VideoGamer.com |access-date=November 7, 2012 |archive-date=October 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029032045/http://www.videogamer.com/news/naughty_dog_co-founder_hopeful_activision_can_return_crash_bandicoot_to_former_glory.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A new design of Crash Bandicoot was spotted in a photo from the [[Vicarious Visions]]'s studio, raising rumors that a new game might have been in development,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/4439-crash-bandicoot-sports-new-look-at-vicarious-visions |title=Crash Bandicoot Sports New Look At Vicarious Visions |access-date=February 15, 2014 |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |date=January 7, 2013 |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221225017/http://www.gamerevolution.com/news/crash-bandicoot-sports-new-look-at-vicarious-visions-16845 |url-status=live }}</ref> though this was later confirmed to be concept art from a previous Crash Bandicoot cancelled game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://metro.co.uk/2013/02/05/skylanders-swap-force-preview-and-interview-toy-story-3381219/ |title=Skylanders: Swap Force preview and interview – toy story |access-date=February 15, 2014 |publisher=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |date=February 5, 2013 |archive-date=February 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223011743/http://metro.co.uk/2013/02/05/skylanders-swap-force-preview-and-interview-toy-story-3381219/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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In June 2013, co-creator Andy Gavin suggested ways to revitalize the series. "Crash needs a total reboot. There's an opportunity to reset the history, and go back to his creation story and the original conflict with Cortex. In that context, you could reprise classic ''Crash'' 1 and 2's settings and villains. It would make sense to use a more modern, free-roaming style. I would concentrate on ''[[Looney Tunes]]''-esque animation and really addictive action. That's what we did with the original ''Crash'', and there's no reason it couldn't be done today. Given the current ''Crash'' games, people forget that he was once cool. Our Crash had a certain whimsical edge to him. Sure, it was goofy—but it wasn't dumb.".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialplaystationmagazine.co.uk/2013/05/07/the-other-naughty-dog-co-founder-of-the-uncharted-studio-chats-next-gen-the-last-of-us-and-how-hed-fix-crash-bandicoot/2/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614004826/http://www.officialplaystationmagazine.co.uk/2013/05/07/the-other-naughty-dog-co-founder-of-the-uncharted-studio-chats-next-gen-the-last-of-us-and-how-hed-fix-crash-bandicoot/2/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 14, 2013|title=The other Naughty Dog: co-founder of the Uncharted studio chats next-gen, The Last Of Us, and how he'd fix Crash Bandicoot|work=[[PlayStation Official Magazine - UK|PlayStation Official Magazine]]|date=May 7, 2013|access-date=June 5, 2013}}</ref> |
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===Collectibles=== |
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The most common collectible in the series is Wumpa Fruit, which is found on the main path of most levels, as well as inside most crates. Collecting 100 Wumpa Fruits will award the player an [[1-up|extra life]]. Wumpa Fruit takes on other uses in most spin-off titles, such as restoring [[Health (gaming)|health]] in certain ''[[Crash Bash]]'' levels and increasing weapon power in ''[[Crash Team Racing]]''. In recent titles, Wumpa Fruit is used to replenish Crash's health, with Mojo effectively replacing it as the new main collectible item. |
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In November 2013, rumours began circulating that Sony bought the rights to the franchise from Activision.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.justpushstart.com/2013/11/rumor-sony-buying-crash-bandicoot/ |title=Rumor: More On Sony Buying Crash Bandicoot |access-date=February 15, 2014 |publisher=Just Push Start |date=November 22, 2013 |archive-date=December 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228033921/http://www.justpushstart.com/2013/11/rumor-sony-buying-crash-bandicoot/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Speculations were fueled after the release of [[PlayStation 4]]'s #4ThePlayers campaign, featuring a road sign with a silhouette of ''Crash'', and an arrow pointing towards the orange diamond logo of [[Sony Computer Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/11/22/did-sony-buy-crash-bandicoot-from-activision |title=Did Sony Buy Crash Bandicoot From Activision? |access-date=December 8, 2020 |publisher=IGN |date=November 22, 2013 |archive-date=July 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701222008/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/11/22/did-sony-buy-crash-bandicoot-from-activision |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unleashthefanboy.com/video-games/crash-bandicoot-making-comeback/79392 |title=Is Crash Bandicoot Making a Comeback on the PS4? |access-date=February 15, 2014 |publisher=Unleash The Fanboy |date=November 22, 2013 |archive-date=December 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202230214/http://www.unleashthefanboy.com/video-games/crash-bandicoot-making-comeback/79392 |url-status=live }}</ref> Publications such as [[IGN]] reported that ''Crash'' was removed from [[Activision]]'s official website,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.activision.com/search?cc=US;i=1;q=crash%20bandicoot |title=Search for ''Crash Bandicoot'' on Activision's website |access-date=April 2, 2014 |archive-date=January 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105233611/https://www.activision.com/search?cc=US;i=1;q=crash%20bandicoot |url-status=live }}</ref> which seemed to add further credibility to the rumor. However, shortly after, this was proven false, as an Activision representative told ''[[Game Informer]]'' that "[Activision still owns] ''Crash Bandicoot'' and we continue to explore ways in which we could bring the beloved series to life".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/activision-states-it-still-owns-the-crash-bandicoot-ip-266399.phtml|title=Activision states it still owns the Crash Bandicoot IP|date=November 25, 2013|last=Zeidler|first=Brett|website=Destructoid|access-date=August 28, 2014|archive-date=August 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821195313/https://www.destructoid.com/activision-states-it-still-owns-the-crash-bandicoot-ip-266399.phtml|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The other major recurring valuables Crash finds on his adventures include Gems and Crystals. Most Gems in the series are won by breaking open every crate in a level. Starting with ''Cortex Strikes Back'', an additional five coloured Gems can be obtained by completing special tasks or finding hidden areas. ''[[Crash Twinsanity]]'' contains six colored Gems per level, most of which are earned by solving a small puzzle. Crystals play a key role in the plot of most ''Crash'' games, and are always found in plain sight (they must be collected in order to complete the level). |
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In July 2014, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Andrew House revealed that reviving the ''Crash Bandicoot'' series was something that they have been thinking about, saying "It's never off the table.", and Naughty Dog also revealed through an [[IGN]] interview the possibility that they may revive both series of ''Crash Bandicoot'' as well as ''Jak & Daxter''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Naughty Dog Talks New Crash Bandicoot, Jak 4 and Uncharted Remastering |date=July 22, 2014 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/07/22/naughty-dog-talks-new-crash-bandicoot-jak-4-and-uncharted-remastering |publisher=IGN |access-date=August 6, 2014 |archive-date=March 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315193614/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/07/22/naughty-dog-talks-new-crash-bandicoot-jak-4-and-uncharted-remastering |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2015, however, Naughty Dog's Josh Scherr stated in an interview with Game Informer that Naughty Dog did not miss working on either series and had no intention of bringing them back to life.<ref>{{cite web|title=Doesn't Look Like Crash Bandicoot PS4 Will happen|date=February 3, 2015|url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2015/02/02/doesnt-look-like-crash-bandicoot-ps4-will-happen/|publisher=PlayStation Lifestyle|access-date=May 17, 2015|archive-date=June 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608103045/http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2015/02/02/doesnt-look-like-crash-bandicoot-ps4-will-happen/|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite this, Naughty Dog co-president Evan Wells stated that the company would love to return to ''Crash Bandicoot'' but did not see it as viable.<ref>{{cite web |title=Naughty Dog 'Would Love' to Return to Crash Bandicoot |url=http://powerupgaming.co.uk/articles/667-naughty-dog-would-love-to-return |publisher=Power Up Gaming |access-date=May 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524011058/http://powerupgaming.co.uk/articles/667-naughty-dog-would-love-to-return |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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Less common collectibles of note are Trophies, which are the reward for completing a stage in ''Crash Team Racing'', ''Crash Bash'' and ''[[Crash Nitro Kart]]'', and Relics. Relics appear in ''Warped'' and ''Wrath of Cortex'' as the prize for beating a level's [[Time attack#Videogame|Time Trial]] mode. This mode is unlocked by re-entering a level after having completed it once. |
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On December 5, 2015, rumors of a possible ''Crash Bandicoot'' return flared up once again when [[SIE Worldwide Studios]] Chairman and SCEA President and CEO [[Shawn Layden]] appeared onstage at [[PlayStation Experience]] wearing a Crash Bandicoot shirt. Layden, however, never mentioned the series at the event, and has yet to address why he wore the shirt.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shawn Layden Trolled Us All with Crash Bandicoot Shirt|date=December 5, 2015|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2015/12/psx_2015_shawn_layden_trolled_us_all_with_crash_bandicoot_shirt|publisher=Push Square|access-date=May 4, 2016|archive-date=April 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414053638/http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2015/12/psx_2015_shawn_layden_trolled_us_all_with_crash_bandicoot_shirt|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2016, a new ''Crash'' game appeared to be on the horizon when [[National Entertainment Collectibles Association|NECA]] Director of Product Development Randy Falk stated in an interview with YouTuber Pixel Dan that the company had "a lot of stuff going on with Sony" before mentioning that "I see they're bringing Crash Bandicoot back, so there's some great stuff there."<ref>{{cite web|title=NECA Toys Says Sony is Bringing Back Crash Bandicoot|date=February 14, 2016|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/02/14/neca-toys-says-sony-is-bringing-back-crash-bandicoot|publisher=IGN|access-date=May 7, 2016|archive-date=May 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515231534/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/02/14/neca-toys-says-sony-is-bringing-back-crash-bandicoot|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly after, however, an NECA representative clarified with [[GameSpot]] that Falk's comments were misunderstood, and that Falk was only speaking of a hypothetical return of the series after seeing a fan-made Crash art just before being interviewed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Crash Bandicoot Revival Mentioned by Director of Toy Company [UPDATE]|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-revival-mentioned-by-director-of-t/1100-6434783/?ftag=GSS-05-10aaa0b|publisher=GameSpot|access-date=May 7, 2016|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310182355/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-revival-mentioned-by-director-of-t/1100-6434783/?ftag=GSS-05-10aaa0b|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===Crates=== |
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Crates come in several varieties and can be found in abundance across Crash's world. Most crates will assist the player's journey through the game, providing Wumpa Fruit, additional hit points in the form of [[Characters of Crash Bandicoot#Aku Aku|Aku Aku]] masks and extra lives. In most games, players will be awarded a gem if they break all the crates in a level. |
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Naughty Dog's 2016 game ''[[Uncharted 4: A Thief's End]]'' features protagonist [[Nathan Drake (Uncharted)|Nathan Drake]] playing a level from the original ''Crash Bandicoot'', further adding to the rumor that a return for the series was imminent.<ref>{{cite web|title=Uncharted 4 Easter Egg is the Best in Playstation History|date=May 2, 2016|url=https://segmentnext.com/2016/05/02/uncharted-4-easter-egg-best-playstation-history/|publisher=SegmentNext|access-date=May 4, 2016|archive-date=October 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012041630/http://segmentnext.com/2016/05/02/uncharted-4-easter-egg-best-playstation-history/|url-status=live}}</ref> Speculation was fueled even further when it was discovered that Activision's legal ownership of the franchise was not mentioned anywhere in the game's credits, sparking rumors that the franchise had been purchased by Sony.<ref>{{cite web|title=Does Sony Own Crash Now?|date=May 5, 2016 |url=https://www.crashmania.net/en/blog/does-sony-own-crash-now/|publisher=Crash Mania Blog|access-date=May 5, 2016|archive-date=May 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508140949/http://www.crashmania.net/blog/does-sony-own-crash-now/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Lex Lang]], the then-most-recent voice actor of Dr. Neo Cortex, also hinted on Facebook that he was asked to reprise his role.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lex (Cortex VA) rumored to be returning a role for Neo Cortex|date=May 6, 2016|url=https://crashynews.wordpress.com/2016/05/05/lex-cortex-va-rumored-to-be-returning-a-role-for-neo-cortex/|publisher=Crashy News|access-date=May 6, 2016|archive-date=October 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012104239/https://crashynews.wordpress.com/2016/05/05/lex-cortex-va-rumored-to-be-returning-a-role-for-neo-cortex/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, shortly after, the rumors and speculations were derailed when Sony VP of Publisher Relations [[Adam Boyes (entrepreneur)|Adam Boyes]] confirmed on Twitter that Activision still owns the rights to the franchise,<ref>{{cite web|title=Crash Bandicoot Rights Still Belong To Activision, Sony Confirms|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-rights-still-belong-to-activision-/1100-6439612/|publisher=GameSpot|access-date=May 9, 2016|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004091947/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-rights-still-belong-to-activision-/1100-6439612/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Lang clarified that he was not teasing a ''Crash Bandicoot'' revival, and that he had not been asked to return to the series, but would be open to potentially lending his voice to a new ''Crash'' game in the future.<ref>{{cite web|title=Voice Actor Says He Wasn't Teasing Crash Bandicoot Revival|date=May 7, 2016|url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2016/05/07/voice-actor-not-teasing-crash-bandicoot-revival/|publisher=PlayStation Lifestyle|access-date=May 9, 2016|archive-date=October 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022224236/http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2016/05/07/voice-actor-not-teasing-crash-bandicoot-revival/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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[[Trinitrotoluene|TNT]] and [[Nitroglycerin|Nitro]] Crates are the only boxes that can damage Crash. TNT Crates have a three second fuse when jumped on, but Nitro Crates will explode instantly upon any contact with Crash or anything else that runs into them. Switch Boxes (distinguished by an [[exclamation mark]]) are used to make previously invisible crates appear. A green Switch Box will detonate all Nitro Crates in the level. |
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=== 2016–present: Revival === |
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Crates marked with a "C" are [[Checkpoint (video gaming)#Checkpoints|checkpoints]] that Crash will return to if he is killed during play. Steel Crates are protected by a metal casing that can only be destroyed with the body slam move. Slot Boxes rapidly switch between multiple types of crates, and if they are not broken in time, will become metallic and indestructible. Time Boxes are a special crate found exclusively in Time Trial mode. They will freeze the clock for the number of seconds displayed on the box, increasing the player's chance of beating the time trial. Crates marked with an up arrow are called spring crates as they'll help crash reach places that would be normally out of reach. |
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At [[E3 2016]] during Sony's press conference, after years of rumors, speculation and outcry, Crash Bandicoot finally made his official return when it was announced, in a timed partnership with Activision, that the first three games from the original PlayStation would be remade from the ground up. Crash would also be a playable character in Activision's then-upcoming toys-to-life game ''[[Skylanders: Imaginators]]'', released on October 16, 2016. It was announced at [[Gamescom]] 2016 that Dr. Neo Cortex would also be playable in ''Imaginators'', and that a ''Crash''-themed level was created for the game, "Thumpin' Wumpa Islands".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160816005592/en/Skylanders-Imaginators-Unleashes-Kaos-Gamescom-2016|title=Skylanders Imaginators Unleashes Kaos at Gamescom 2016 - Business Wire|date=August 17, 2016|access-date=August 17, 2016|archive-date=July 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701144436/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160816005592/en/Skylanders-Imaginators-Unleashes-Kaos-Gamescom-2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''[[Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy]]'', a collection of remasters of the first three games in the series, was developed by [[Vicarious Visions]] and released for the PlayStation 4 on June 30, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Crash Bandicoot is Back in ''Skylanders Imaginators'' and in Remastered Classics!|date=June 14, 2016|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160613006571/en/|publisher=Business Wire|access-date=June 14, 2016|archive-date=June 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617134958/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160613006571/en|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA UNVEILS EXTRAORDINARY GAMING EXPERIENCES FOR PLAYSTATION 4 AND PLAYSTATION VR AT E3 2016|url=https://www.sie.com/en/corporate/release/2016/160614b.html|publisher=Sony Interactive Entertainment|access-date=June 14, 2016|archive-date=June 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616081942/http://www.sie.com/en/corporate/release/2016/160614b.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Vicarious Visions had also expressed interest in making a new ''Crash Bandicoot'' game following the ''N. Sane Trilogy''{{'}}s release.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 5, 2017 |title=New ''Crash Bandicoot'' game has not been ruled out |url=https://www.psu.com/news/new-crash-bandicoot-game-has-not-been-ruled-out/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710023740/http://www.psu.com/news/33133/new-crash-bandicoot-game-not-ruled-out- |archive-date=July 10, 2017 |access-date=July 25, 2017 |website=PSU.com}}</ref> Two additional levels were added as post-launch downloadable content, and the ''N. Sane Trilogy'' was eventually ported to the [[Nintendo Switch]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Microsoft Windows]] on June 29, 2018 with assistance from ''Skylanders'' developer [[Toys for Bob]]. |
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During an interview with Metro Game Central, Vicarious Visions producer Kara Massie refused to rule out the possibility of a remaster of ''Crash Team Racing'' for the PlayStation 4. Massie has also acknowledged that she was repeatedly asked about revivals of ''Crash Team Racing'' and ''Spyro the Dragon'' by fans.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} At the time, Massie had not confirmed if the games would be in the works following the release of ''N. Sane Trilogy''.<ref>{{cite web|title=''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' DLC Teased; 'Crash Team Racing' PS4 Remaster Coming Soon?|url=http://www.telegiz.com/articles/25781/20170626/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-dlc.htm|publisher=Telegiz|access-date=July 5, 2017|archive-date=July 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704075752/http://www.telegiz.com/articles/25781/20170626/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-dlc.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> A remake of ''Crash Team Racing'' was teased on December 4, 2018 when then-PlayStation Access presenter Hollie Bennett shared an image of two orange fuzzy dice on Twitter, with an announcement to come two days later at the 2018 Game Awards. The remaster, titled ''[[Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled]]'', was formally revealed at the awards show and released on June 21, 2019 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch<ref>{{cite web |last1=Frank |first1=Allegra |title=Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is the PS1 fan favorite, remastered |url=https://www.polygon.com/game-awards-tga/2018/12/6/18130033/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled-remaster-trailer-release-date-tga-2018 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=December 6, 2018 |access-date=December 6, 2018 |archive-date=December 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207071353/https://www.polygon.com/game-awards-tga/2018/12/6/18130033/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled-remaster-trailer-release-date-tga-2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Dornbush |first1=Jonathon |title=''Crash Team Racing'' Remaster Announced, Release Date Revealed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/07/crash-team-racing-remaster-announced-release-date-revealed |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=December 6, 2018 |archive-date=December 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207072356/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/07/crash-team-racing-remaster-announced-release-date-revealed |url-status=live }}</ref> with no current plans for a PC version. The remaster was developed from the ground up by [[Beenox]], another subsidiary of Activision, and also incorporates remastered characters, tracks & karts from ''[[Crash Nitro Kart]]'' (previously developed by Vicarious Visions)<ref>{{cite web |title=''Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled'' Gets a Turbo Boost with Remastered Racetracks, Arenas, Karts and Battle Modes from ''Crash Nitro Kart''! |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190325005801/en/4543189/Crash-Team-Racing-Nitro-Fueled-Turbo-Boost-Remastered |website=Business Wire |date=March 25, 2019 |access-date=25 March 2019 |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325231803/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190325005801/en/4543189/Crash-Team-Racing-Nitro-Fueled-Turbo-Boost-Remastered |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as remastered characters, karts, and skins from ''[[Crash Tag Team Racing]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2019/11/06/ctr-nitro-fueled-adds-the-neon-circus-grand-prix-this-friday/|title=''CTR Nitro-Fueled'' Adds the Neon Circus Grand Prix This Friday|last=Wilson|first=Thomas|website=PlayStation Blog|date=6 November 2019|access-date=2 January 2020|archive-date=November 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106164318/https://blog.us.playstation.com/2019/11/06/ctr-nitro-fueled-adds-the-neon-circus-grand-prix-this-friday/|url-status=live}}</ref> The game also features retro-themed content exclusive to the PlayStation 4 version and monthly timed Grand Prix races with additional unlockable characters at no extra charge.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kohler |first=Chris |date=2018-12-07 |title=''Crash Team Racing'' Remake Will Release In June 2019 |url=https://kotaku.com/crash-team-racing-remake-will-release-in-june-2019-1830921546 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled-has-a-ton-of-tracks-and-it-ll-keep-adding-more-556985.phtml|title=''Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled'' has a ton of tracks, and it'll keep adding more|last=Nakamura|first=Darren|website=Destructoid|date=15 June 2019|access-date=2 January 2020|archive-date=June 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626223419/https://www.destructoid.com/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled-has-a-ton-of-tracks-and-it-ll-keep-adding-more-556985.phtml|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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==Games== |
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===Main series=== |
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On June 21, 2020, the official ''Crash Bandicoot'' social media channels posted a teaser revealing the title of the next ''Crash Bandicoot'' game, ''[[Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time]]'';<ref>{{cite tweet |user=CrashBandicoot|number=1274759990193127424 |date=June 21, 2020 |title=🌀😮🌀 Tune in June 22 @ 8AM PDT / 4PM BST for Crash Bandicoot™ 4: It's About Time reveal. Official reveal > leaks, promise 😉}}</ref> the game was released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on October 2, 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/06/22/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-is-coming-october-2/ |title=''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' is coming October 2 |first=Dean |last=Takahashi |date=June 22, 2020 |website=VentureBeat |access-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622175642/https://venturebeat.com/2020/06/22/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-is-coming-october-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and for [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 5]], and [[Xbox Series X and Series S]] on March 12, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/crash-bandicoot-4-comes-to-ps5-xbox-series-x-s-and-swi-1846228890 |title=''Crash Bandicoot 4'' Comes To PS5, Xbox Series X{{!}}S And Switch March 12 |last=Fahey |first=Mike |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |date=February 9, 2021 |access-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210052257/https://kotaku.com/crash-bandicoot-4-comes-to-ps5-xbox-series-x-s-and-swi-1846228890 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!]]'', an [[Platform game#Endless running game|endless running game]] for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[iOS]], was announced in July 2020,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/9/21317994/crash-bandicoot-mobile-ios-android-candy-crush-saga-temple-run |title=''Crash Bandicoot'' is getting a new mobile game by the creators of Candy Crush Saga |last=Lyles |first=Taylor |work=The Verge |date=July 9, 2020 |access-date=July 9, 2020 |archive-date=July 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710081858/https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/9/21317994/crash-bandicoot-mobile-ios-android-candy-crush-saga-temple-run |url-status=live }}</ref> after [[soft launch]]ing on Android in select regions in [[Southeast Asia]] on April 22, 2020 under the title ''Crash Bandicoot Mobile''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-04-22-activisions-crash-bandicoot-mobile-auto-runner-has-soft-launched-across-select-regions |title=Activision's ''Crash Bandicoot'' mobile auto-runner has soft-launched across select regions |last=Wales |first=Matt |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=April 22, 2020 |access-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-date=April 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424084151/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-04-22-activisions-crash-bandicoot-mobile-auto-runner-has-soft-launched-across-select-regions |url-status=live }}</ref> The game, developed and published by [[King (company)|King]] in collaboration with Activision, was released on March 25, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/76133/crash-bandicoot-on-the-run-launches-early-on-ios-races-to-number-one-on-app-store/ |title=''Crash Bandicoot: On the Run'' launches early on iOS, races to number one on App Store |last=Forde |first=Matthew |work=[[Pocket Gamer]] |publisher=Steel Media |date=March 24, 2021 |accessdate=March 27, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327004631/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/76133/crash-bandicoot-on-the-run-launches-early-on-ios-races-to-number-one-on-app-store/ |archivedate=March 27, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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{{Video game titles| |
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{{Video game titles/item |
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|title= Crash Bandicoot |
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|article=Crash Bandicoot (video game) |
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|date=1996/2012 |
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|canceled= |
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|refs= |
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|release= |
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|platform= PlayStation, PlayStation 3 |
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|notes= *Original Edition Developed by Naughty Dog. |
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*Special Edition Developed by Namco Bandai Games. |
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}} |
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{{Video game titles/item |
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|title= Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back |
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|article=Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back |
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|date=1997/2012 |
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|canceled= |
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|refs= |
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|release= |
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|platform= PlayStation, PlayStation 3 |
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|notes= *Original Edition Developed by Naughty Dog. |
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*Special Edition Developed by Namco Bandai Games. |
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}} |
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{{Video game titles/item |
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|title= Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped |
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|article=Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped |
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|date=1998/2012 |
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|canceled= |
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|refs= |
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|release= |
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|platform= PlayStation, PlayStation 3 |
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|notes= *Original Edition Developed by Naughty Dog. |
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*Special Edition Developed by Namco Bandai Games. |
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}} |
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{{Video game titles/item |
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|title= Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex |
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|article=Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex |
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|date=2001 |
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|canceled= |
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|refs= |
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|release= |
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|platform= PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube |
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|notes= *Developed by Traveller's Tales. |
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}} |
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{{Video game titles/item |
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|title= Crash Twinsanity |
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|article=Crash Twinsanity |
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|date=2004 |
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|canceled= |
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|refs= |
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|release= 2004 |
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|platform= PlayStation 2, Xbox |
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|notes= *Developed by Traveller's Tales. |
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}} |
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{{Video game titles/item |
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|title= Crash of the Titans |
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|article=Crash of the Titans |
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|date=2007 |
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|canceled= |
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|refs= |
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|release= |
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|platform= PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, Gameboy Advance |
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|notes= *Developed by Radical Entertainment. |
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}} |
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{{Video game titles/item |
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|title= Crash: Mind over Mutant |
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|article=Crash: Mind over Mutant |
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|date=2008 |
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|canceled= |
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|refs= |
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|release= |
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|platform= PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS |
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|notes= *Developed by Radical Entertainment. |
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}} |
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}} |
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In December 2022, multiplayer game ''[[Crash Team Rumble]]'' was announced for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, at [[The Game Awards 2022|The Game Awards]]. The game was released on 20 June 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/games/crash-team-rumble-gives-the-bandicoot-a-competitive-multiplayer-twist/|title=Crash Team Rumble gives the bandicoot a competitive multiplayer twist|last=Minotti|first=Mike|website=Venture Beat|date=December 8, 2022|access-date=December 8, 2022}}</ref> |
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===Racing=== |
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In 2024, video game leaker Liam Robertson claimed that Activision had cancelled what could have been a direct sequel to ''[[Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time|Crash Bandicoot 4]]'', submitting alleged artworks and story concepts as its proof. The project was pitched by ''Crash Bandicoot 4'' developer Toys For Bob, and was to feature [[multiverse]] elements and a crossover with ''[[Spyro]]''. Robertson argued that Activision canned the game in early stage of development because it considered ''Crash Bandicoot 4''{{'}}s sales underwhelming and found [[live service game]]s preferable.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/activision-cancelled-crash-bandicoot-5-to-make-room-for-more-online-live-service-games-claims-report |title= Activision cancelled Crash Bandicoot 5 to make room for more online live service games, claims report |last= Evans-Thirlwell |first= Edwin |website= [[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |date= August 27, 2024|access-date= September 10, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.eurogamer.net/crash-bandicoot-5-cancelled-in-favour-of-live-service-games-report-claims |title= Crash Bandicoot 5 cancelled in favour of live-service games, report claims |last= Kennedy |first= Victoria |website= [[Eurogamer]] |date= August 27, 2024|access-date= September 10, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.gamesradar.com/games/crash-bandicoot/activision-reportedly-canceled-a-crash-bandicoot-5-that-also-starred-spyro-because-it-wanted-more-live-service-games/ |title= Activision reportedly canceled a Crash Bandicoot 5 that also starred Spyro because it wanted more live-service games |last= Serin |first= Kaan |website= [[GamesRadar+]] |date= August 25, 2024|access-date= September 10, 2024}}</ref> |
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{{Video game titles| |
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{{Video game titles/item |
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|title= Crash Team Racing |
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|article=CTR: Crash Team Racing |
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|date=1999/2012 |
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|canceled= |
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|refs= |
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|release= |
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|platform= PlayStation, PlayStation 3 |
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|notes= *Original Edition Developed by Naughty Dog. |
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*Special Edition Developed by Namco Bandai Games. |
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}} |
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{{Video game titles/item |
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|title= Crash Nitro Kart |
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|article=Crash Nitro Kart |
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|date=2003 |
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|canceled= |
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|refs= |
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|release= |
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|platform= PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube, Game Boy Advance, N-Gage |
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|notes= *Developed by Vicarious Visions. |
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}} |
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{{Video game titles/item |
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|title= Crash Tag Team Racing |
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|article=Crash Tag Team Racing |
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|date=2005 |
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|canceled= |
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|refs= |
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|release= |
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|platform= PlayStation 2, Gamecube, Xbox, PlayStation Portable |
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|notes= *Developed by Radical Entertainment. |
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}} |
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}} |
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== Common gameplay elements == |
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===Party=== |
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''Crash Bandicoot'' is primarily a platforming series. The goal of each level is to guide Crash from the beginning to the end, travelling either into the screen, towards the player or left and right in a [[Side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] manner. Several levels place Crash in unique situations which require the use of motorbikes, jet skis, submarines and various wild animals to complete the level. |
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In the original ''[[Crash Bandicoot (video game)|Crash Bandicoot]]'', Crash's move-set is rather limited; he can run, jump and spin his way through treacherous environments and hostile creatures. ''[[Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back|Cortex Strikes Back]]'' introduces several new moves for Crash to utilize, including a high jump, high spin jump, body slam and slide attack. ''[[Crash Bandicoot: Warped|Warped]]'' expands on this by awarding the player with new abilities after each [[Boss (video games)|boss]] is defeated, which was carried over to ''[[The Wrath of Cortex]]''. The player can also spin and slide at the same time when pressing the right buttons. |
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{{Video game titles| |
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{{Video game titles/item |
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|title= Crash Bash |
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|article=Crash Bash |
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|date=2000/2012 |
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|canceled= |
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|refs= |
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|release= |
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|platform= PlayStation, PlayStation 3 |
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|notes= *Original Edition Developed by Eurocom, Cerny Games. |
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*Special Edition Developed by Namco Bandai Games. |
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}} |
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{{Video game titles/item |
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|title= Crash Boom Bang! |
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|article=Crash Boom Bang! |
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|date=2006 |
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|canceled= |
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|refs= |
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|release= |
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|platform= Nintendo DS |
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|notes= *Developed by Dimps. |
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}} |
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}} |
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=== |
=== Collectibles === |
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The most common collectible in the series is Wumpa Fruit, which is found on the main path of most levels, as well as inside most crates. Collecting 100 Wumpa Fruits will award the player an [[Life (video games)|extra life]]. Wumpa Fruit takes on other uses in most spin-off titles, such as restoring [[Health (game terminology)|health]] in certain ''[[Crash Bash]]'' levels and increasing weapon power in ''[[Crash Team Racing]]''. In recent titles, Wumpa Fruit is used to replenish Crash's health, with Mojo effectively replacing it as the new main collectible item. By collecting Aku Aku masks, Crash can be protected from harm from most enemies and obstacles (though certain elements such as bottomless pits will cause him to lose a life regardless). Crash can collect up to two masks for two extra hits of damage, with an additional mask granting him temporary invincibility. When Crash collects two masks, Aku Aku will turn gold in most games; however, in ''[[Crash Twinsanity]]'', Aku Aku will sparkle. |
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The other major recurring valuables Crash finds on his adventures include Gems and Crystals. Most Gems in the series are won by breaking open every crate in a level. Starting with ''Cortex Strikes Back'', an additional five colored Gems can be obtained by completing special tasks or finding hidden areas. ''Crash Twinsanity'' contains six colored Gems per level, most of which are earned by solving a small puzzle. Crystals, which play a key role in the plot of most ''Crash'' games following ''Cortex Strikes Back'', are usually required to make progress through most games. Relics, first introduced in ''Warped'', are earned in Time Trial modes, with more valuable relics earned for higher times. In the original game, players can also obtain two keys after completing two Cortex bonus rounds, which are used to unlock two extra levels. |
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{{Video game titles| |
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{{Video game titles/item |
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|title= Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure |
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|article=Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure |
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|date=2002 |
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|canceled= |
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|refs= |
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|release= |
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|platform= Game Boy Advance |
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|notes= *Developed by Vicarious Visions. |
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}} |
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{{Video game titles/item |
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|title= Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced |
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|article=Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced |
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|date=2003 |
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|canceled= |
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|refs= |
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|release= |
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|platform= Game Boy Advance |
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|notes= *Developed by Vicarious Visions. |
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}} |
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{{Video game titles/item |
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|title= Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage |
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|article=Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage |
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|date=2004 |
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|canceled= |
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|refs= |
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|release= |
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|platform= Game Boy Advance |
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|notes= *Developed by Vicarious Visions. |
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}} |
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}} |
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=== |
=== Crates === |
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Crates come in several varieties and can be found in abundance across Crash's world. Most crates will assist the player's journey through the game, providing Wumpa Fruit, additional hit points in the form of [[List of Crash Bandicoot characters#Aku Aku|Aku Aku]] masks and extra lives. In most games, players will be awarded a gem if they break all the crates in a level. |
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[[TNT]] and [[Nitroglycerin|Nitro]] Crates are the only boxes that can damage Crash. TNT Crates have a three-second fuse when jumped on, but Nitro Crates will explode instantly upon any contact with Crash or anything else that runs into them. Switch Boxes (distinguished by an [[exclamation mark]]) are used to make previously invisible crates appear. A green Switch Box will detonate all Nitro Crates in the level. |
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{{Video game titles| |
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{{Video game titles/item |
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|title= Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D |
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|article=Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D |
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|date=2008 |
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|canceled= |
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|refs= |
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|release= |
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|platform= iPhone, iPod Touch, Zeebo, N-Gage 2.0 |
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|notes= *Developed by Polarbit. |
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}} |
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{{Video game titles/item |
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|title= Crash Bandicoot: Mutant Island |
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|article=Crash Bandicoot: Mutant Island |
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|date=2009 |
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|canceled= |
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|refs= |
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|release= |
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|platform= BlackBerry |
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|notes= *Developed by Glu Mobile. |
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}} |
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{{Video game titles/item |
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|title= Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2 |
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|article=Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2 |
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|date=2010 |
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|canceled= |
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|refs= |
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|release= 26 May |
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|platform= iPhone, iPod Touch |
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|notes= *Developed by Polarbit. |
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}} |
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}} |
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Crates marked with a "C" are [[Saved game#Checkpoints|checkpoints]] that Crash will return to if he is killed during play. Locked Crates are protected by a metal casing that can only be destroyed with Crash's body slam move, while Spring Crates allow him to reach high up areas by bouncing on them. Slot Boxes rapidly switch between multiple types of crates, and if they are not broken in time, will become metallic and indestructible. Time Boxes are a special crate found exclusively in Time Trial mode. They will freeze the clock for the number of seconds displayed on the box, increasing the player's chance of beating the time trial. |
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==Publishers and developers== |
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The first four ''Crash Bandicoot'' games were developed by [[Naughty Dog]]. ''[[Crash Bash]]'' was developed by [[Eurocom]]. ''[[Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex]]'' and ''[[Crash Twinsanity]]'' were developed by [[Traveller's Tales]] and its division Traveller's Tales Oxford, respectively. ''[[Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure]]'' (''Crash Bandicoot XS'' in Europe), ''[[Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced]]'', ''[[Crash Nitro Kart]]'' and ''[[Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage and Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy|Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage]]'' (''Crash Bandicoot Fusion'' in Europe) have all been developed by [[Vicarious Visions]]. ''[[Crash Tag Team Racing]]'', ''[[Crash of the Titans]]'' and ''[[Crash: Mind Over Mutant]]'' were developed by [[Radical Entertainment]] and ''[[Crash Boom Bang!]]'' was developed by [[Dimps]]. The first five ''Crash'' titles were published by Sony Computer Entertainment as well as the games being produced by Universal Interactive Studios. [[Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex|Wrath of Cortex]] was published by [[Konami]] and Universal Interactive Studios. All of the other ''Crash'' titles were published by Universal Interactive Studios (now [[Activision Blizzard]]). [[Konami]] also published and distributed some [[Japan]]ese-released Crash Bandicoot games for the [[Japan]]ese Market. |
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=== Structure === |
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The first five ''Crash Bandicoot'' games were exclusives to the Sony PlayStation. Since then, multiple developers have worked with the property and games have been released for [[Nintendo]] and [[Microsoft]] [[video game console|consoles]], in addition to Sony. Although first exclusive to [[Sony]] consoles, no [[Crash Bandicoot]] game has been released on the [[PlayStation 3]] beyond the re-release of the digital copies of the original four [[Crash Bandicoot]] games on the [[PlayStation Network]] as of 2011. |
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The original ''[[Crash Bandicoot (video game)|Crash Bandicoot]]'' uses a fairly linear structure in which Crash clears through levels on a map, with some areas accessible by locating gems. Beginning with ''Cortex Strikes Back'', the game usually takes place in a hub world called a Warp Room, with levels divided up into sets of five. To progress, the player must find and collect a Crystal within each of the stages, which can be played in any order, before facing the boss of each room. From ''[[Twinsanity]]'' onwards, the games took a more free-roaming approach, with Crash travelling various areas on foot. |
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== |
=== Music === |
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Numerous composers have contributed [[video game music|music]] to the ''Crash Bandicoot'' series. [[Mutato Muzika]]'s [[Josh Mancell]] was responsible for the music of the first four games. After the fourth game, numerous other composers were responsible for the music in other games. Steve Duckworth composed music for ''Crash Bash'', [[Andy Blythe and Marten Joustra]] for ''The Wrath of Cortex'', Ashif Hakik and Todd Masten for ''Crash Nitro Kart'' and Spiralmouth composing [[a cappella]] for ''Twinsanity''. The music for ''Tag Team Racing'' was composed by both Spiralmouth and Marc Baril, while ''Crash of the Titans'' and ''Mind Over Mutant'' were composed by Baril alone. |
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== Developers and publishers == |
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The first four ''Crash Bandicoot'' games were developed by [[Naughty Dog]]. ''[[Crash Bash|Bash]]'' was developed by [[Eurocom|Eurocom Entertainment Software]]. ''[[Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex|The Wrath of Cortex]]'' and ''[[Crash Twinsanity|Twinsanity]]'' were respectively developed by [[Traveller's Tales]] and its Oxford studio. ''[[Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure|The Huge Adventure]]'' (''Crash Bandicoot XS'' in Europe), ''[[Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced|2: N-Tranced]]'', ''[[Crash Nitro Kart|Nitro Kart]]'', ''[[Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage and Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy|Purple: Ripto's Rampage]]'' (''Crash Bandicoot Fusion'' in Europe) and ''[[N. Sane Trilogy]]'' were developed by [[Vicarious Visions]]. ''[[Crash Tag Team Racing|Tag Team Racing]]'', ''[[Crash of the Titans]]'' and ''[[Mind over Mutant]]'' were developed by [[Radical Entertainment]]. ''[[Crash Boom Bang!|Boom Bang!]]'' was developed by [[Dimps]]. ''[[Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled|Team Racing Nitro-Fueled]]'' was developed by [[Beenox]]. ''[[Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time|It's About Time]]'' was developed by [[Toys for Bob]]. |
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The first five ''Crash'' titles were published worldwide by Sony Computer Entertainment. ''Wrath of Cortex'' up until ''Twinsanity'' were published by [[Universal Interactive]] (now the defunct [[Vivendi Games]]). ''[[Crash Tag Team Racing|Tag Team Racing]]'', ''[[Crash Boom Bang!|Boom Bang!]]'' and ''[[Crash of the Titans]]'' were published by Sierra Entertainment. All games since ''[[Mind over Mutant]]'' have been published by [[Activision]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Dealessandri |first1=Marie |title=Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy: Vicarious Visions talks history and return |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-vicarious-visions-talks-history-and-return/ |magazine=MCV/DEVELOP |date=30 June 2017 |access-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-date=June 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612122620/https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-vicarious-visions-talks-history-and-return/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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From ''Wrath of Cortex'' until ''Nitro Kart'', [[Konami]] handled publishing and distribution for the Japanese market and also co-published the worldwide release of ''The Wrath of Cortex'' for PS2. The Japanese versions of ''N. Sane Trilogy'' were published by [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] for PS4<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barker |first1=Sammy |title=N. Sane Trilogy Plots the Return of Japanese Crash Bandicoot |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2017/06/n_sane_trilogy_plots_the_return_of_japanese_crash_bandicoot |website=Push Square |access-date=28 June 2021 |date=23 June 2017}}</ref> and by [[Sega]] of Japan for Nintendo Switch;<ref>{{cite web |last1=Craddock |first1=Ryan |title=Sega To Publish The Former Sony Exclusive Crash Bandicoot On Nintendo Switch In Japan |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/07/sega_to_publish_the_former_sony_exclusive_crash_bandicoot_on_nintendo_switch_in_japan |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |access-date=July 25, 2018 |date=July 25, 2018 |archive-date=July 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725153619/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/07/sega_to_publish_the_former_sony_exclusive_crash_bandicoot_on_nintendo_switch_in_japan |url-status=live }}</ref> Sega subsequently handled ''Team Racing Nitro-Fueled'' for Japan as well.<ref>{{cite web |title=Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled hits Japan on Aug. 1st, 2019 |url=https://gonintendo.com/stories/336361-crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled-hits-japan-on-aug-1st-2019 |website=GoNintendo |access-date=28 June 2021 |date=29 May 2019}}</ref>{{clear}} |
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== Other media == |
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=== Manga === |
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In 1998, [[Coro Coro Comics]] developed a [[manga]] series titled ''Crash Bandicoot—Dansu! de Jump! na Daibōken'', loosely based on the events of ''[[Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back]]''. The series was drawn and produced by Ari Kawashima, with only two manga volumes being published to date, leaving the total number of comics unknown. |
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=== Animation === |
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During the production of ''Crash Bandicoot'', a pair of cutscenes featuring [[Traditional animation|hand-drawn animation]] were produced by [[Universal Animation Studios]] to serve as the game's intro and outro, as well as act as source material for a potential animated series if the game was well-received and commercially successful. The hand-drawn cutscenes were dropped after [[Sony Computer Entertainment]] picked up ''Crash Bandicoot'' for publication, as Sony desired to push the PlayStation's 3D polygonal graphics. The cutscenes were uploaded to [[YouTube]] by producer David Siller in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/crash-bandicoot-could-have-had-these-sweet-animated-cut-1718880217 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721194615/http://kotaku.com/crash-bandicoot-could-have-had-these-sweet-animated-cut-1718880217 |title=''Crash Bandicoot'' Could Have Had These Sweet Animated Cutscenes |last=Fahey |first=Mike |website=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |date=July 19, 2015 |archive-date=July 21, 2015 |access-date=April 15, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/7/19/9000385/crash-bandicoot-cartoon-scenes-animation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721062329/http://www.polygon.com/2015/7/19/9000385/crash-bandicoot-cartoon-scenes-animation |title=Long-lost ''Crash Bandicoot'' animation was for the game first, a cartoon series second |last=Good |first=Owen S. |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=July 19, 2015 |archive-date=July 21, 2015 |access-date=April 15, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In 2007, [[The Animation Picture Company]] produced four web-short films, to promote the game ''[[Crash of the Titans]]'', titled ''Crash Bandicoot: No Use Crying'', ''Crash Bandicoot Monster Truck'', ''Crash Bandicoot – Titan Idol'' and ''Crash Bandicoot – Have Another'', all lasting for about three minutes. These are available for free download on the Xbox 360 video service or are available to watch on the web, originally available for viewing on the ''Crash Bandicoot'' official website. |
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Crash also makes a guest appearance in the ''[[Skylanders Academy]]'' animated series. At the end of the episode "The Skylands Are Falling!", due to the actions of the Skylanders, Crash is inadvertently pulled through a dimensional rift while battling Cortex, ending up in the Skylands. The episode "Crash Landing" features Crash allying with Spyro and the Skylanders to recover the dark relic needed to return him to the Wumpa Islands. Crash's appearance in ''Skylanders Academy'' differs from his appearance in ''Skylanders: Imaginators'', but unlike other appearances, he is capable of speaking full sentences with an Australian accent. The third season of ''Skylanders Academy'' brought the character back starring [[Rhys Darby]], who replaces Eric Rogers due to stepping down as a showrunner.<ref>Trumbore, Dave (August 22, 2018). [https://collider.com/skylanders-academy-season-3-interview/#netflix "New 'Skylanders Academy' Showrunners Tease the Adventures Ahead in Season 3"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830043304/http://collider.com/skylanders-academy-season-3-interview/#netflix |date=August 30, 2018 }}, ''Collider''. Retrieved on September 8, 2018.</ref> Crash returned in the episode "Days of Future Crash", in which Dark Spyro and Eruptor brought him to the future for different reasons, messing up their timeline in the process. After retrieving a new time travel device, they sent him home. Crash appeared again in the season finale, "Raiders of the Lost Arkus, Part II", where he and Coco (voiced by [[Tara Strong]]) were brought from the Wumpa Islands by the Skylanders and Flynn to stop Kaos from destroying the Core of Light. Coco's appearance in the series seems to be a combination of her ''Titans'' and ''Mind over Mutant'' design: like Crash, she also speaks in an Australian accent and seems to not only be capable of building her own weapons but able to control technology to the point of utilizing a thought-controlled boomerang in battle. |
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On January 13, 2021, test footage from a scrapped Crash Bandicoot series was leaked on [[Reddit]]. The series would have been a co-production between Activision and [[Amazon Studios]]. The series was allegedly canceled due to a script dispute.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/01/rumour_looks_like_crash_bandicoots_cartoon_series_has_been_cancelled|title=Rumour: Looks Like Crash Bandicoot's Cartoon Series Has Been Cancelled|date=January 13, 2021|website=Nintendo Life|access-date=January 13, 2021|archive-date=January 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113110022/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/01/rumour_looks_like_crash_bandicoots_cartoon_series_has_been_cancelled|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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== In science == |
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The earliest-known bandicoot fossil, from the Miocene of Australia, has been given the [[binomial nomenclature|binomial]] ''[[Crash bandicoot (species)|Crash bandicoot]]''.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Travouillon, K.J.| s2cid = 85622058 | year = 2014 | title= Earliest modern bandicoot and bilby (Marsupialia, Peramelidae and Thylacomyidae) from the Miocene of the Riversleigh World Heritage Area, northwestern Queensland, Australia | journal = Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology | volume = 34 | issue = 2 | pages = 375–382 | doi = 10.1080/02724634.2013.799071| bibcode = 2014JVPal..34..375T | url = https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Earliest_modern_bandicoot_and_bilby_Marsupialia_Peramelidae_and_Thylacomyidae_from_the_Miocene_of_the_Riversleigh_World_Heritage_Area_northwestern_Queensland_Australia/963509 |display-authors=etal}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://palaeoevolving.passle.net/post/vp38va/the-real-crash-bandicoot#|title=The real Crash bandicoot! (via Passle)|access-date=November 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213142717/http://palaeoevolving.passle.net/post/vp38va/the-real-crash-bandicoot|archive-date=February 13, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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== Reception == |
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{{VG Series Reviews |
{{VG Series Reviews |
||
| game1 = [[Crash Bandicoot (video game)|Crash Bandicoot]] |
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|updated = January 4, 2011 |
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| gr1 = (PS1) 80%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196986-crash-bandicoot/index.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot'' Reviews |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209012018/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196986-crash-bandicoot/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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|game1 = [[Crash Bandicoot (video game)|Crash Bandicoot]] |
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| game2 = [[Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back]] |
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|gr1 = (PS1) 80.40%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196986-crash-bandicoot/index.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot'' Reviews |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref> |
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| gr2 = (PS1) 89%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196987-crash-bandicoot-2-cortex-strikes-back/index.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back'' Reviews |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209012037/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196987-crash-bandicoot-2-cortex-strikes-back/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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|mc1 = - |
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| |
| game3 = [[Crash Bandicoot: Warped]] |
||
| |
| mc3 = (PS1) 91/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-warped/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation |title=''Crash Bandicoot: Warped'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=November 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124233546/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/crash-bandicoot-3-warped |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| game4 = [[Crash Team Racing]] |
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|mc2 = - |
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| mc4 = (PS1) 88/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/ctr-crash-team-racing/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation |title=''Crash Team Racing'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307084823/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/crash-team-racing |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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|game3 = [[Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped]] |
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| game5 = [[Crash Bash]] |
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|gr3 = (PS1) 89.07%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196988-crash-bandicoot-3-warped/index.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped'' Reviews |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref> |
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| |
| mc5 = (PS1) 68/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bash/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation |title=''Crash Bash'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303101137/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/crash-bash |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| |
| game6 = [[Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex]] |
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| |
| mc6 = (GC) 62/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-the-wrath-of-cortex/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303092612/https://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/crash-bandicoot-the-wrath-of-cortex |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(PS2) 66/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-the-wrath-of-cortex/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303092617/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/crash-bandicoot-the-wrath-of-cortex |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(Xbox) 70/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-the-wrath-of-cortex/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304042650/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/crash-bandicoot-the-wrath-of-cortex |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| game7 = [[Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure]] |
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|mc4 = (Xbox) 70<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/crash-bandicoot-the-wrath-of-cortex |title=''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex'' Reviews |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref><br />(PS2) 66<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/crash-bandicoot-the-wrath-of-cortex |title=''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex'' Reviews |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref><br />(GC) 62<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/crash-bandicoot-the-wrath-of-cortex |title=''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex'' Reviews |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref> |
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| mc7 = (GBA) 78/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-the-huge-adventure/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance |title=''Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=December 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231032543/https://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/crash-bandicoot-the-huge-adventure |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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|game5 = [[Crash Twinsanity]] |
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| game8 = [[Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced]] |
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|gr5 = (Mobile) 74.33%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/mobile/925347-crash-twinsanity/index.html |title=''Crash Twinsanity'' Reviews |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref><br />(Xbox) 68.84%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/920120-crash-twinsanity/index.html |title=''Crash Twinsanity'' Reviews |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref><br />(PS2) 66.38%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/920119-crash-twinsanity/index.html |title=''Crash Twinsanity'' Reviews |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref> |
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| |
| mc8 = (GBA) 75/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-2-n-tranced/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance |title=''Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304042656/https://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/crash-bandicoot-2-n-tranced |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| |
| game9 = [[Crash Nitro Kart]] |
||
| |
| mc9 = (GBA) 77/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-nitro-kart/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance |title=''Crash Nitro Kart'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304042647/https://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/crash-nitro-kart |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(GC) 66/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-nitro-kart/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=''Crash Nitro Kart'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304042659/https://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/crash-nitro-kart |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(PS2) 69/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-nitro-kart/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=''Crash Nitro Kart'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=February 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214181854/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/crash-nitro-kart |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(Xbox) 70/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-nitro-kart/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=''Crash Nitro Kart'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304042644/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/crash-nitro-kart |url-status=live }}</ref> |
||
| game10 = [[Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage and Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy|Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage]] |
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|mc6 = (NDS) 73<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/crash-of-the-titans |title=''Crash of the Titans'' Reviews |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref><br />(PS2) 70<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/crash-of-the-titans |title=''Crash of the Titans'' Reviews |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref><br />(Wii) 69<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/crash-of-the-titans |title=''Crash of the Titans'' Reviews |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref><br />(X360) 65<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/crash-of-the-titans |title=''Crash of the Titans'' Reviews |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref> |
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| mc10 = (GBA) 67/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-purple-riptos-rampage/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance |title=''Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307040229/https://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/crash-bandicoot-purple-riptos-rampage |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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|game7 = [[Crash: Mind over Mutant]] |
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| game11 = [[Crash Twinsanity]] |
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|gr7 = (PS2) 74.60%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/945948-crash-mind-over-mutant/index.html |title=''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' Reviews |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref><br />(Wii) 71.79%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/945945-crash-mind-over-mutant/index.html |title=''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' Reviews |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref><br />(X360) 61.86%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/945947-crash-mind-over-mutant/index.html |title=''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' Reviews |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref><br />(PSP) 54.75%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/psp/945949-crash-mind-over-mutant/index.html |title=''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' Reviews |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref><br />(NDS) 48.55%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/945946-crash-mind-over-mutant/index.html |title=''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' Reviews |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=}}</ref> |
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| |
| mc11 = (PS2) 64/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-twinsanity/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=''Crash Twinsanity'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307050245/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/crash-twinsanity |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(Xbox) 66/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-twinsanity/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=''Crash Twinsanity'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303092609/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/crash-twinsanity |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| game12 = [[Crash Tag Team Racing]] |
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| mc12 = (GC) 66/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-tag-team-racing/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=''Crash Tag Team Racing'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=February 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224161509/https://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/crash-tag-team-racing |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(PS2) 66/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-tag-team-racing/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=''Crash Tag Team Racing'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304042653/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/crash-tag-team-racing |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(PSP) 68/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-tag-team-racing/critic-reviews/?platform=psp |title=''Crash Tag Team Racing'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307084826/https://www.metacritic.com/game/psp/crash-tag-team-racing |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(Xbox) 69/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-tag-team-racing/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=''Crash Tag Team Racing'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=February 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190205194251/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/crash-tag-team-racing |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| game13 = [[Crash Boom Bang!]] |
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| mc13 = (NDS) 37/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-boom-bang/critic-reviews/?platform=ds |title=''Crash Boom Bang!'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331204955/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/crash-boom-bang! |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| game14 = [[Crash of the Titans]] |
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| mc14 = (NDS) 73/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-of-the-titans/critic-reviews/?platform=ds |title=''Crash of the Titans'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307044739/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/crash-of-the-titans |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(PS2) 70/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-of-the-titans/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=''Crash of the Titans'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303093823/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/crash-of-the-titans |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(Wii) 69/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-of-the-titans/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |title=''Crash of the Titans'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303092620/https://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/crash-of-the-titans |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(X360) 65/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-of-the-titans/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=''Crash of the Titans'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303092604/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/crash-of-the-titans |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| game15 = [[Crash: Mind over Mutant]] |
|||
| mc15 = (NDS) 45/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-mind-over-mutant/critic-reviews/?platform=ds |title=''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328235859/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/crash-mind-over-mutant |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(PS2) 73/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-mind-over-mutant/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303101143/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/crash-mind-over-mutant |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(Wii) 70/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-mind-over-mutant/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |title=''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303101140/https://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/crash-mind-over-mutant |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(X360) 60/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-mind-over-mutant/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306210114/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/crash-mind-over-mutant |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| game16 = [[Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2]] |
|||
| mc16 = (iOS) 77/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-nitro-kart-2/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad |title=''Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303092615/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/crash-bandicoot-nitro-kart-2 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| game17 = [[Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy]] |
|||
| mc17 = (NS) 78/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=February 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226041936/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(PC) 76/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307120358/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(PS4) 80/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310062448/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(XONE) 79/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303091059/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy |url-status=live }}</ref> |
|||
| game18 = [[Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled]] |
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| mc18 = (NS) 80/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=''Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=July 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730213255/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(PS4) 83/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=''Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=June 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624062422/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(XONE) 84/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=''Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626223417/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| game19 = [[Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time]] |
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| mc19 = (PS5) 86/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |title=Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time for PlayStation 5 Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=June 11, 2021 |archive-date=April 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429005836/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-5/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(PS4) 85/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time for PlayStation 4 Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=October 1, 2020 |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006173523/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(XSXS) 86/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |title=Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time for Xbox Series X Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=June 11, 2021 |archive-date=May 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503032605/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-series-x/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(XONE) 83/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time for Xbox One Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=October 1, 2020 |archive-date=October 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004112849/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(PC) 83/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time for PC Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=June 11, 2021 |archive-date=June 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611110042/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(NS) 80/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time for Switch Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=June 11, 2021 |archive-date=June 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611110032/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time |url-status=live }}</ref> |
|||
| game20 = [[Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!]] |
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| mc20 = (iOS) 68/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-bandicoot-on-the-run/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad |title=Crash Bandicoot: On the Run for ios Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 30, 2021 |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418062146/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/crash-bandicoot-on-the-run! |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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}} |
}} |
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The ''Crash Bandicoot'' series has been a commercial success. As of 2007, the series altogether has sold over 40 million units worldwide |
The ''Crash Bandicoot'' series has been a commercial success. As of 2007, the series altogether has sold over 40 million units worldwide<ref name="vivendi">{{cite web |url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/14894/Sierra-Ships-Crash-of-the-Titans/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304110424/http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/14894/Sierra-Ships-Crash-of-the-Titans/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2008|title=Sierra Ships ''Crash of the Titans'' |date=October 23, 2007 |publisher=[[Vivendi]]|access-date=December 9, 2018}}</ref> and grossed over $1 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/crash-bandicoot-returns-to-mobile-phones-in-the-exciting-new-adventure-crash-of-the-titans|title=Crash Bandicoot Returns to Mobile Phones in the Exciting New Adventure Crash of the Titans|website=[[Gamesindustry.biz]]|date=October 25, 2007|accessdate=November 21, 2022}}</ref> According to ''[[Gamasutra]]'', the first ''Crash Bandicoot'' game had sold 6.8 million units as of November 2003,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamasutra.com/features/20060804/boutros_06.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018132300/http://gamasutra.com/features/20060804/boutros_06.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 18, 2006|title=Crash Bandicoot |work=A Detailed Cross-Examination of Yesterday and Today's Best-Selling Platform Games |page=6 |author=Daniel Boutros |date=August 4, 2006 |access-date=December 23, 2018}}</ref> making it the tenth-[[List of best-selling PlayStation video games|best-selling PlayStation game of all time]]. ''Cortex Strikes Back'' sold 3.85 million units in the U.S.,<ref name="magicbox">{{cite web|date=December 27, 2007 |publisher=The Magic Box |title=US Platinum Videogame Chart |url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |access-date=December 23, 2018|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421003854/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |archive-date=April 21, 2007 }}</ref> while ''Warped'' sold 3.74 million.<ref name="magicbox"/> The last 2 games on the PlayStation console, ''Crash Team Racing'' and ''Crash Bash'', sold 1.9 and 1.1 million units in the U.S., respectively.<ref name="magicbox"/> According to a Sony press release, the first four titles had sold over 20 million units altogether worldwide by July 2000.<ref>{{cite press release |date=July 18, 2000 |title=Naughty Dog Inc.'s Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy™ Provides the Next Generation in Action-Adventure Gaming |url=https://www.sony.com/content/sony/en/en_us/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-computer-entertainment-america-inc/2000/naughty-dog-incs-jak-and-daxter-the-precursor-legacy-provides-the-next-generation-in-actionadventure-gaming.html |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. |access-date=2023-05-16}}</ref> ''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex'' has sold 1.56 million units in the U.S.<ref name="magicbox"/> |
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On February 12, 2019, Activision announced in a press release for its "4th quarter and 2018 Financial Results", that ''N. Sane Trilogy'' has sold-in over 10 million units since its initial release in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/activision-blizzard-announces-fourth-quarter-and-2018-financial|title=Activision Blizzard Announces Fourth-Quarter and 2018 Financial Results|website=Activision Blizzard, Inc.|language=en|access-date=2019-02-13|archive-date=February 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213123824/https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/activision-blizzard-announces-fourth-quarter-and-2018-financial|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The ''Crash Bandicoot'' series is one of the few Western video game series to find blockbuster success in [[Japan]]. ''Cortex Strikes Back'' and ''Warped'' sold 1.3 and 1.4 million units in the country respectively,<ref name="magicboxjapan">{{cite web |publisher=The Magic Box |title=Japan Platinum Game Chart |url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/topten2.htm |accessdate=2008-05-10}}</ref> while the PlayStation 2 version of ''Wrath of Cortex'' sold 203,000 units.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Japan Game Charts |title=Sony PS2 Japanese Ranking |url=http://www.japan-gamecharts.com/ps2.php |accessdate=2008-05-10}}</ref> |
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The ''Crash Bandicoot'' series is one of the few Western video game series to find blockbuster success in Japan. ''Cortex Strikes Back'' and ''Warped'' sold 1.3 and 1.4 million units in the country, respectively,<ref name="magicboxjapan">{{cite web |publisher=The Magic Box |title=Japan Platinum Game Chart |url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/topten2.htm |access-date=December 23, 2018 |archive-date=December 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213230402/http://www.the-magicbox.com/topten2.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> while the PlayStation 2 version of ''Wrath of Cortex'' sold 212,000 units.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Japan Game Charts |title=Sony PS2 Japanese Ranking |url=http://japan-gamecharts.com/ps2.php |access-date=December 23, 2018|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230005343/http://www.japan-gamecharts.com/ps2.php |archive-date=December 30, 2008 }}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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*[[Characters of Crash Bandicoot]] |
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*''[[Spyro (series)|Spyro the Dragon]]'' |
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*''[[Jak & Daxter (series)|Jak & Daxter]]'' |
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*''[[Sly Cooper (series)|Sly Cooper]]'' |
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*''[[Ratchet & Clank (series)|Ratchet & Clank]]'' |
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*[[Naughty Dog]] |
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*[[Sony Computer Entertainment]] |
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*[[Konami]] |
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*[[Vivendi Games|Vivendi Universal Games]] |
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*[[Traveller's Tales]] |
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*[[Sierra Entertainment]] |
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*[[Radical Entertainment]] |
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{{clear}} |
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==References== |
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{{reflist|2}} |
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== |
== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
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{{wiktionary|Appendix:Crash Bandicoot}} |
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;Official websites (in gaming order) |
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*[http://www.crashbandicoot.com/ Activision's Official Crash Bandicoot Site] |
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*[http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=285005463&mt=8 Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D in App Store] |
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== Further reading == |
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;General resources |
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*{{Cite magazine|last=Vincent |first=Brittany |date=2016-09-09 |title='Crash Bandicoot' at 20: An Oral History |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/crash-bandicoot-at-20-an-oral-history-127814/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} |
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*[http://crashmania.net/ Crash Mania, thinking outside the Crate] |
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*{{moby game|id=-group/crash-bandicoot-series|name=''Crash Bandicoot'' series}} |
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== External links == |
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*[http://crashban.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page Bandipedia, the Crash Bandicoot Wiki] |
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{{Commons category}} |
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*[http://www.gamemobile.co.uk/crashbandicootmutantisland.htm Crash Bandicoot Mutant Island] |
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* {{Official website|https://www.crashbandicoot.com/}} |
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* {{moby game|-group/crash-bandicoot-series|''Crash Bandicoot'' series}} |
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{{Crash Bandicoot series}} |
{{Crash Bandicoot series}} |
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{{Naughty Dog}} |
{{Naughty Dog}} |
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{{Activision}} |
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{{Universal Interactive}} |
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Latest revision as of 20:49, 4 December 2024
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First release | Crash Bandicoot September 9, 1996 |
Latest release | Crash Team Rumble June 20, 2023 |
Crash Bandicoot is a video game franchise originally developed by Naughty Dog as an exclusive for Sony's PlayStation console. It has seen numerous installments created by various developers and published on multiple platforms. The series consists predominantly of platform games, but also includes spin-offs in the kart racing and party game genres. The series was originally produced by Universal Interactive, which later became known as Vivendi Games; in 2008, Vivendi merged with Activision, which currently owns and publishes the franchise.
The games are mostly set on the fictitious Wumpa Islands, an archipelago situated to the south of Australia where humans and mutant animals co-exist, although other locations are common. The protagonist of the series is a genetically enhanced bandicoot named Crash, whose quiet life on the Wumpa Islands is often interrupted by his creator and the games' main antagonist, Doctor Neo Cortex, who attempts to eliminate Crash as a constant hindrance to his plots for world domination.
History
[edit]1996–2000: PlayStation exclusivity
[edit]After presenting Way of the Warrior to Mark Cerny of Universal Interactive Studios, Naughty Dog was signed on to the company for three additional games.[3] In August 1994, Andy Gavin and Jason Rubin began their move from Boston, Massachusetts to Los Angeles, California.[4] During the trip, Gavin and Rubin decided to create a 3D action-platform game, taking inspiration from 16-bit-era game series such as Donkey Kong Country, Mario and Sonic.[5] Because the player would be forced to constantly look at the character's backside, the game was jokingly code-named "Sonic's Ass Game".[3] The basic technology for the game and the Crash Bandicoot series as a whole was created somewhere near Gary, Indiana. The rough game theory was designed near Colorado. Soon afterward, Gavin and Rubin discarded their previous game design for Al O. Saurus and Dinestein, a side-scrolling video game based on time travel and scientists genetically merged with dinosaurs.[4] After moving into the Universal Interactive backlot, Gavin and Rubin met with Mark Cerny, discussed the design of the game and made an agreement to go into production.[3] In September 1994, Gavin and Rubin decided to develop their new game for the PlayStation, after which Rubin began character design.[4] In November 1994, Naughty Dog hired Dave Baggett, their first employee and a friend of Gavin's from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.[3][4] Together, Gavin and Baggett created the development tool "Game Oriented Object LISP" (GOOL), which would be used to create the characters and gameplay of the game.[3] In January 1995, Rubin became concerned about the programmer-to-artist ratio and hired Bob Rafei and Taylor Kurosaki as additional artists.[3][4]
Needing a lead character for the game, Naughty Dog recruited artists Charles Zembillas and Joe Pearson and met with them weekly to create the characters and environments of the game,[3][4] eventually creating a character named "Willy the Wombat".[6] The marketing director of Universal Interactive insisted that the character be named "Wez", "Wuzzles" or "Wizzy the Wombat".[7] On creating the levels for the game, Zembillas and Pearson first sketched each environment, designing and creating additional individual elements later. They aimed for an organic, overgrown look to the game and worked to completely avoid straight lines and 90-degree corners. A Naughty Dog artist sketched every single background object in the game before it was modeled. The artists were tasked with making the best use of textures and reducing the amount of geometry. Dark and light elements were juxtaposed to create visual interest and separate geometry. The Naughty Dog artists would squint when sketching, texturing and playing the levels to make sure they could be played by light value alone. Correct use of color was an important goal for Naughty Dog's artists; for example, mutually accentuating colors were chosen as the theme for the "Lost City" and "Sunset Vista" levels. The interior of Doctor Neo Cortex's castle was designed to reflect Cortex's twisted mind.[8]
After the main character's creation, the team went into three months of developing the game. The game first became functional in April 1995 and became playable in June 1995. The first 3 levels in the game were completed by August 1995. However, they were judged to be too difficult to appear so early in the game and were moved to the game's power plant area. Artist Charlotte Francis joined Naughty Dog at around this time.[4] In September 1995, a videotape of Crash Bandicoot was shown to Sony Computer Entertainment behind closed doors.[3][4] While playing the game during development, Rubin realized that there were many empty areas in the game due to the PlayStation's inability to process numerous on-screen enemy characters at the same time. Additionally, players were solving the game's puzzles too fast. Rubin soon came up with the idea of a box and putting various symbols on the sides to create puzzles. Breaking these boxes would serve to fill in the boring parts of the levels and give the player additional puzzles.[7] The first "crate" was placed in the game in January 1996, and would become the primary gameplay element of the series.[4] Willy the Wombat's destruction of the crates would eventually lead him to be renamed "Crash Bandicoot".[4][7] In March 1996, Sony agreed to publish Crash Bandicoot, which went into the alpha stage in April 1996. Crash Bandicoot was first shown at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in May 1996.
Development of Cortex Strikes Back began in October 1996. For the game, Andy Gavin created a new engine and scripting language named "Game Oriented Object LISP 2" (GOOL 2) that was three times faster than the previous game's engine, could handle ten times the animation frames and twice the polygon count.[3][4] The jungle levels were originally to have featured ground fog, but this was abandoned when magazines and the public began to heavily criticize other developers for using fog to hide polygon count. Sunlight and depth accentuation was experimented with for these levels. Wanting to have some "dirty" locations in the game, Naughty Dog worked in the sewer levels and added color contrast to the levels to show depth and break up the repetitive monotony of the endless sewer pipes.[8] A flat plane z-buffer was created for the game; because the water surfaces and mud in the jungle had to be a flat plane and be exactly flat on the Y-axis, there could be no waves and the subdividing plane could not be at an odd angle. The effect only worked on objects in the foreground and was only used on Crash, some enemies and a few boxes at the same time.[3] The soundtrack of Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back was provided by Mutato Muzika (consisting of Mark Mothersbaugh and Josh Mancell), while the sound effects were created by Universal Sound Studios (consisting of Mike Gollom, Ron Horwitz and Kevin Spears). The characters were designed by Charles Zembillas of American Exitus, Incorporated. Clancy Brown provided the voice of Doctor Neo Cortex, while Brendan O'Brien voiced the dual role of Doctor N. Gin and Doctor Nitrus Brio and Vicki Winters voiced Coco Bandicoot.[9] The game was unveiled at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Atlanta, Georgia in June 1997 to a positive response from the game industry. The game went into the alpha stage in August 1997. Around that time, Dan Arey, the lead designer of Gex: Enter the Gecko, joined Naughty Dog and streamlined the level design.[4]
Like the first, the second game was a commercial success, green-lighting a third game. Production of Crash Bandicoot: Warped began in January 1998, with Naughty Dog given only 10½ months to complete the game.[3][4] Programmers Andy Gavin, Stephen White and Greg Omi created three new gameplay engines for the game. Two of the three new engines were three-dimensional in nature and were created for the airplane and jet-ski levels; the third new engine was created for the motorcycle levels in the style of a driving simulator. The new engines combined make up a third of the game, while the other two-thirds of the game consist of the tweaked engine used in the previous games. Jason Rubin explained that the "classic" engine and game style was preserved due to the success of the previous two games and went on to say that "were we to abandon that style of gameplay, that would mean that we would be abandoning a significant proportion of gamers out there". An arbitrary plane z-buffer was created for the jet-ski and flooded Egyptian hallway levels of the game.[3] To create a completely fluid feel for the water on these levels, an environment map that reflects the sky was fitted onto the surface of the water. A real shadow was given to the Crash character at the request of the Sony Computer Entertainment America producers, who were "sick of that little discus that's following him around." To create an "arcade" experience in the airplane levels and to differentiate them from flight simulators, the enemy planes were programmed to come out in front of the player and give the player ample time to shoot them before they turn around and shoot the player rather than come up behind the player and hit them from behind. The Relic system was introduced to give players a reason to return to the game after it has been completed.[10]
Also in 1998, Tiger Electronics released a series called 99X, each containing a black and white video game as opposed to the LCD games they were commonly known for. These were handhelds fitted with a dot-matrix screen, allowing for a wide variety of backgrounds and gameplay for a single game. Although running a software program stored in ROM, the systems were dedicated consoles, similar to the plug-and-play TV games of the 2000s decade.[11] A Crash Bandicoot game, simply titled Crash Bandicoot, was released as part of this series. Despite its name and being a platformer like its predecessors, it is not an adaptation of nor bears any relation to the 1996 game, instead featuring a plot of its own involving Crash retrieving treasure from a mansion haunted by a ghost named Mr. Crumb and his cronies.[12] This was the first handheld game to be released in the series, as well as the first to include a multiplayer mode.
While initially Naughty Dog was only signed on to make three games, Crash Team Racing was a possible Crash 3 as it started out in production after Crash 2 and the game which was finished first in production would be released first. However, Naughty Dog had already gotten far into the project and decided to finish it and release it. David Baggett produced the game's soundtrack, with Mark Mothersbaugh and Josh Mancell of Mutato Muzika composing the music. Sound effects were created by Mike Gollum, Ron Horwitz and Kevin Spears of Universal Sound Studios.[13] This marked the end of Naughty Dog's Crash Bandicoot games.
With the release of Crash Bash, Universal Interactive's publishing deal with SCE had ended. Crash's prominent status within the video game community prompted the company to make Crash a multiplatform series, giving the series to Mark Cerny and Vicarious Visions to develop two separate but connected games.
2001–2006: Transition to third party
[edit]Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex was originally to be designed by Cerny and published by Sony. After a falling-out between Universal and the two entities, developer Traveller's Tales was forced to alter the game from a free-roaming title to a standard Crash title. Traveller's Tales had to begin development of the game from scratch and were given only twelve months to complete it.[14] The game was released in 2001 by Universal and Konami (who would publish the game in Japan) for the PlayStation 2, and was followed by ports for GameCube and Xbox in 2002; it received mixed reviews but made the Greatest Hits lineup due to strong sales.
The following year, Universal would release their first Crash Bandicoot game, a handheld exclusive called The Huge Adventure developed by Vicarious Visions for the Game Boy Advance and released to favorable reviews. It would warrant a sequel, N-Tranced, which would also be met to similar reception. During this time Traveller's Tales' Oxford Studio were developing a new Crash game for consoles. This game was to be Crash Nitro Kart but due to unknown circumstances Universal moved development of Crash Nitro Kart over to Vicarious Visions. Traveller's Tales Oxford Studio then moved on to their next project, Crash Bandicoot Evolution.
Crash Bandicoot Evolution was set to create a new form of gameplay for Crash, with the game planned to be a platformer/RPG with many different elements planned for the game; it eventually became Crash Twinsanity. Although Traveller's Tales planned on creating a Crash Bandicoot game titled Cortex Chaos and a sequel to Crash Twinsanity, Universal never picked up the games, effectively cancelling them. Vicarious Visions's fourth and final game was Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage for the Game Boy Advance, a crossover with the Spyro franchise and companion game to Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy.
Although Cortex Chaos and the sequel to Crash Twinsanity were cancelled, Traveller's Tales was nonetheless commissioned to develop one final Crash Bandicoot game. It was to be a kart racing game titled Crash Clash Racing. However, Traveller's Tales was taken off the project as it was given to Radical Entertainment. The new studio proceeded to change the project into an entirely new game, keeping only two core ideas, clashing and fusion. The game marked the first game published under Universal's Sierra Entertainment brand, and the first game to use Radical's Titanium Engine, receiving the title Crash Tag Team Racing.
The following year Dimps developed Crash Boom Bang!, which was released on July 20, 2006 for the Nintendo DS. Due to the game being developed in Japan it features redesigns of the characters originally used in Japanese promotion artwork of the original PlayStation games, though Crash's model was altered to resemble his Twinsanity model in international releases.[15] The game received highly negative reviews from critics and is considered one of the worst Crash games of all time.[16][17]
2007–2010: Redesign
[edit]Development on Crash of the Titans, Radical's second title, began after the completion of Crash Tag Team Racing.[18] The graphics of the Wii version of the game was one of Radical Entertainment's main focuses in the game's development,[19] with Radical stating that the Wii has "a lot of horsepower under the hood" and expressing their desire to make full use of it.[20] They also considered implementing a feature to connect the Wii to DS during gameplay, but stopped due to technical issues and time limitations.[21] The Xbox 360 version got a few extra months of development time to improve its graphics before setting a final release date.[22] The game was the last of the series to be published by Vivendi Games before its merge with Activision.
While the game was being developed, the title's main character, Crash Bandicoot, became the new mascot of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's "School and Youth" programs in an effort to promote the battle against blood cancer.[23] In a bid to further promote the game, a Hummer was painted with imagery from the game and displayed at the Annual Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, United Kingdom.[24] A "Monster Edition" of the game was released exclusively in Europe on October 12, 2007 for the PlayStation 2. This special edition of the game features "Making-of" videos, water-on tattoos, game hints, a cheat code list, and the game's E3 and theatrical trailers in multiple languages. Due to its "mild cartoon violence and language", the game received a PG rating from the BBFC.[25]
Development on Crash: Mind over Mutant, Radical's third and final Crash title, began immediately after the completion of Crash of the Titans. The idea of preserving a Titan for later use came from the play testing sessions of Crash of the Titans, in which the testers were found to be reluctant to leave the Titans behind after an epic battle was won. Fans of the series were also a source of inspiration for Crash: Mind over Mutant, having such wishes as a free-roaming environment, Coco Bandicoot being a playable character and the return of the character Doctor Nitrus Brio. Full camera control was considered for the game, but was rejected for graphical reasons and to avoid having to insert a split-screen view in the cooperation mode.[26] Online gameplay was also considered as a feature in the finished game,[27] but was omitted due to the brief development schedule.[28] Coco Bandicoot as a playable character was omitted from the PlayStation 2 version of the game due to her distinct animations taking up much of the console's memory.[28] The Wii version of Crash: Mind over Mutant was created first, with the graphics scaled up for the Xbox 360, and scaled down for the PlayStation 2.[29]
In 2010, rumors appeared that Radical Entertainment was developing a fourth Crash Bandicoot title, under the name Crash Landed, but due to large layoffs in the studio, the game was cancelled with all remaining developers put to work on Prototype 2.[30] The DS edition of this game would be in development by Renegade Kid for approximately two weeks before similarly being cancelled by Activision.[31][32][33] High Impact Games was developing a reboot of Crash Team Racing for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii, but the game was cancelled by Activision before the initial prototype. Several ideas for the game eventually made it into DreamWorks Super Star Kartz.[34]
2011–2016: Hiatus
[edit]On a Kotaku interview with then-Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg regarding the future of the Crash series, he said, "I don't have anything official to announce, but I can speak as an individual, I love Crash Bandicoot. Those were some of my favorite video games growing up. And I would love to find a way to bring him back, if we could."[35] Andy Gavin, co-creator of Crash Bandicoot, has said that he would love to see an HD version of the marsupial's first four games, or even a full-blown reboot.[36] Jason Rubin, co-creator of Crash Bandicoot, said he was hopeful that Activision would "bring Crash back to their glory days and that the character is still very dear to fans between 18–49 years".[37] A new design of Crash Bandicoot was spotted in a photo from the Vicarious Visions's studio, raising rumors that a new game might have been in development,[38] though this was later confirmed to be concept art from a previous Crash Bandicoot cancelled game.[39]
In June 2013, co-creator Andy Gavin suggested ways to revitalize the series. "Crash needs a total reboot. There's an opportunity to reset the history, and go back to his creation story and the original conflict with Cortex. In that context, you could reprise classic Crash 1 and 2's settings and villains. It would make sense to use a more modern, free-roaming style. I would concentrate on Looney Tunes-esque animation and really addictive action. That's what we did with the original Crash, and there's no reason it couldn't be done today. Given the current Crash games, people forget that he was once cool. Our Crash had a certain whimsical edge to him. Sure, it was goofy—but it wasn't dumb.".[40]
In November 2013, rumours began circulating that Sony bought the rights to the franchise from Activision.[41] Speculations were fueled after the release of PlayStation 4's #4ThePlayers campaign, featuring a road sign with a silhouette of Crash, and an arrow pointing towards the orange diamond logo of Sony Computer Entertainment.[42][43] Publications such as IGN reported that Crash was removed from Activision's official website,[44] which seemed to add further credibility to the rumor. However, shortly after, this was proven false, as an Activision representative told Game Informer that "[Activision still owns] Crash Bandicoot and we continue to explore ways in which we could bring the beloved series to life".[45]
In July 2014, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Andrew House revealed that reviving the Crash Bandicoot series was something that they have been thinking about, saying "It's never off the table.", and Naughty Dog also revealed through an IGN interview the possibility that they may revive both series of Crash Bandicoot as well as Jak & Daxter.[46] In January 2015, however, Naughty Dog's Josh Scherr stated in an interview with Game Informer that Naughty Dog did not miss working on either series and had no intention of bringing them back to life.[47] Despite this, Naughty Dog co-president Evan Wells stated that the company would love to return to Crash Bandicoot but did not see it as viable.[48]
On December 5, 2015, rumors of a possible Crash Bandicoot return flared up once again when SIE Worldwide Studios Chairman and SCEA President and CEO Shawn Layden appeared onstage at PlayStation Experience wearing a Crash Bandicoot shirt. Layden, however, never mentioned the series at the event, and has yet to address why he wore the shirt.[49] In February 2016, a new Crash game appeared to be on the horizon when NECA Director of Product Development Randy Falk stated in an interview with YouTuber Pixel Dan that the company had "a lot of stuff going on with Sony" before mentioning that "I see they're bringing Crash Bandicoot back, so there's some great stuff there."[50] Shortly after, however, an NECA representative clarified with GameSpot that Falk's comments were misunderstood, and that Falk was only speaking of a hypothetical return of the series after seeing a fan-made Crash art just before being interviewed.[51]
Naughty Dog's 2016 game Uncharted 4: A Thief's End features protagonist Nathan Drake playing a level from the original Crash Bandicoot, further adding to the rumor that a return for the series was imminent.[52] Speculation was fueled even further when it was discovered that Activision's legal ownership of the franchise was not mentioned anywhere in the game's credits, sparking rumors that the franchise had been purchased by Sony.[53] Lex Lang, the then-most-recent voice actor of Dr. Neo Cortex, also hinted on Facebook that he was asked to reprise his role.[54] However, shortly after, the rumors and speculations were derailed when Sony VP of Publisher Relations Adam Boyes confirmed on Twitter that Activision still owns the rights to the franchise,[55] and Lang clarified that he was not teasing a Crash Bandicoot revival, and that he had not been asked to return to the series, but would be open to potentially lending his voice to a new Crash game in the future.[56]
2016–present: Revival
[edit]At E3 2016 during Sony's press conference, after years of rumors, speculation and outcry, Crash Bandicoot finally made his official return when it was announced, in a timed partnership with Activision, that the first three games from the original PlayStation would be remade from the ground up. Crash would also be a playable character in Activision's then-upcoming toys-to-life game Skylanders: Imaginators, released on October 16, 2016. It was announced at Gamescom 2016 that Dr. Neo Cortex would also be playable in Imaginators, and that a Crash-themed level was created for the game, "Thumpin' Wumpa Islands".[57] The Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, a collection of remasters of the first three games in the series, was developed by Vicarious Visions and released for the PlayStation 4 on June 30, 2017.[58][59] Vicarious Visions had also expressed interest in making a new Crash Bandicoot game following the N. Sane Trilogy's release.[60] Two additional levels were added as post-launch downloadable content, and the N. Sane Trilogy was eventually ported to the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows on June 29, 2018 with assistance from Skylanders developer Toys for Bob.
During an interview with Metro Game Central, Vicarious Visions producer Kara Massie refused to rule out the possibility of a remaster of Crash Team Racing for the PlayStation 4. Massie has also acknowledged that she was repeatedly asked about revivals of Crash Team Racing and Spyro the Dragon by fans.[citation needed] At the time, Massie had not confirmed if the games would be in the works following the release of N. Sane Trilogy.[61] A remake of Crash Team Racing was teased on December 4, 2018 when then-PlayStation Access presenter Hollie Bennett shared an image of two orange fuzzy dice on Twitter, with an announcement to come two days later at the 2018 Game Awards. The remaster, titled Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, was formally revealed at the awards show and released on June 21, 2019 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch[62][63] with no current plans for a PC version. The remaster was developed from the ground up by Beenox, another subsidiary of Activision, and also incorporates remastered characters, tracks & karts from Crash Nitro Kart (previously developed by Vicarious Visions)[64] as well as remastered characters, karts, and skins from Crash Tag Team Racing.[65] The game also features retro-themed content exclusive to the PlayStation 4 version and monthly timed Grand Prix races with additional unlockable characters at no extra charge.[66][67]
On June 21, 2020, the official Crash Bandicoot social media channels posted a teaser revealing the title of the next Crash Bandicoot game, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time;[68] the game was released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on October 2, 2020,[69] and for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and Series S on March 12, 2021.[70] Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!, an endless running game for Android and iOS, was announced in July 2020,[71] after soft launching on Android in select regions in Southeast Asia on April 22, 2020 under the title Crash Bandicoot Mobile.[72] The game, developed and published by King in collaboration with Activision, was released on March 25, 2021.[73]
In December 2022, multiplayer game Crash Team Rumble was announced for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, at The Game Awards. The game was released on 20 June 2023.[74]
In 2024, video game leaker Liam Robertson claimed that Activision had cancelled what could have been a direct sequel to Crash Bandicoot 4, submitting alleged artworks and story concepts as its proof. The project was pitched by Crash Bandicoot 4 developer Toys For Bob, and was to feature multiverse elements and a crossover with Spyro. Robertson argued that Activision canned the game in early stage of development because it considered Crash Bandicoot 4's sales underwhelming and found live service games preferable.[75][76][77]
Common gameplay elements
[edit]Crash Bandicoot is primarily a platforming series. The goal of each level is to guide Crash from the beginning to the end, travelling either into the screen, towards the player or left and right in a side-scrolling manner. Several levels place Crash in unique situations which require the use of motorbikes, jet skis, submarines and various wild animals to complete the level.
In the original Crash Bandicoot, Crash's move-set is rather limited; he can run, jump and spin his way through treacherous environments and hostile creatures. Cortex Strikes Back introduces several new moves for Crash to utilize, including a high jump, high spin jump, body slam and slide attack. Warped expands on this by awarding the player with new abilities after each boss is defeated, which was carried over to The Wrath of Cortex. The player can also spin and slide at the same time when pressing the right buttons.
Collectibles
[edit]The most common collectible in the series is Wumpa Fruit, which is found on the main path of most levels, as well as inside most crates. Collecting 100 Wumpa Fruits will award the player an extra life. Wumpa Fruit takes on other uses in most spin-off titles, such as restoring health in certain Crash Bash levels and increasing weapon power in Crash Team Racing. In recent titles, Wumpa Fruit is used to replenish Crash's health, with Mojo effectively replacing it as the new main collectible item. By collecting Aku Aku masks, Crash can be protected from harm from most enemies and obstacles (though certain elements such as bottomless pits will cause him to lose a life regardless). Crash can collect up to two masks for two extra hits of damage, with an additional mask granting him temporary invincibility. When Crash collects two masks, Aku Aku will turn gold in most games; however, in Crash Twinsanity, Aku Aku will sparkle.
The other major recurring valuables Crash finds on his adventures include Gems and Crystals. Most Gems in the series are won by breaking open every crate in a level. Starting with Cortex Strikes Back, an additional five colored Gems can be obtained by completing special tasks or finding hidden areas. Crash Twinsanity contains six colored Gems per level, most of which are earned by solving a small puzzle. Crystals, which play a key role in the plot of most Crash games following Cortex Strikes Back, are usually required to make progress through most games. Relics, first introduced in Warped, are earned in Time Trial modes, with more valuable relics earned for higher times. In the original game, players can also obtain two keys after completing two Cortex bonus rounds, which are used to unlock two extra levels.
Crates
[edit]Crates come in several varieties and can be found in abundance across Crash's world. Most crates will assist the player's journey through the game, providing Wumpa Fruit, additional hit points in the form of Aku Aku masks and extra lives. In most games, players will be awarded a gem if they break all the crates in a level.
TNT and Nitro Crates are the only boxes that can damage Crash. TNT Crates have a three-second fuse when jumped on, but Nitro Crates will explode instantly upon any contact with Crash or anything else that runs into them. Switch Boxes (distinguished by an exclamation mark) are used to make previously invisible crates appear. A green Switch Box will detonate all Nitro Crates in the level.
Crates marked with a "C" are checkpoints that Crash will return to if he is killed during play. Locked Crates are protected by a metal casing that can only be destroyed with Crash's body slam move, while Spring Crates allow him to reach high up areas by bouncing on them. Slot Boxes rapidly switch between multiple types of crates, and if they are not broken in time, will become metallic and indestructible. Time Boxes are a special crate found exclusively in Time Trial mode. They will freeze the clock for the number of seconds displayed on the box, increasing the player's chance of beating the time trial.
Structure
[edit]The original Crash Bandicoot uses a fairly linear structure in which Crash clears through levels on a map, with some areas accessible by locating gems. Beginning with Cortex Strikes Back, the game usually takes place in a hub world called a Warp Room, with levels divided up into sets of five. To progress, the player must find and collect a Crystal within each of the stages, which can be played in any order, before facing the boss of each room. From Twinsanity onwards, the games took a more free-roaming approach, with Crash travelling various areas on foot.
Music
[edit]Numerous composers have contributed music to the Crash Bandicoot series. Mutato Muzika's Josh Mancell was responsible for the music of the first four games. After the fourth game, numerous other composers were responsible for the music in other games. Steve Duckworth composed music for Crash Bash, Andy Blythe and Marten Joustra for The Wrath of Cortex, Ashif Hakik and Todd Masten for Crash Nitro Kart and Spiralmouth composing a cappella for Twinsanity. The music for Tag Team Racing was composed by both Spiralmouth and Marc Baril, while Crash of the Titans and Mind Over Mutant were composed by Baril alone.
Developers and publishers
[edit]The first four Crash Bandicoot games were developed by Naughty Dog. Bash was developed by Eurocom Entertainment Software. The Wrath of Cortex and Twinsanity were respectively developed by Traveller's Tales and its Oxford studio. The Huge Adventure (Crash Bandicoot XS in Europe), 2: N-Tranced, Nitro Kart, Purple: Ripto's Rampage (Crash Bandicoot Fusion in Europe) and N. Sane Trilogy were developed by Vicarious Visions. Tag Team Racing, Crash of the Titans and Mind over Mutant were developed by Radical Entertainment. Boom Bang! was developed by Dimps. Team Racing Nitro-Fueled was developed by Beenox. It's About Time was developed by Toys for Bob.
The first five Crash titles were published worldwide by Sony Computer Entertainment. Wrath of Cortex up until Twinsanity were published by Universal Interactive (now the defunct Vivendi Games). Tag Team Racing, Boom Bang! and Crash of the Titans were published by Sierra Entertainment. All games since Mind over Mutant have been published by Activision.[78]
From Wrath of Cortex until Nitro Kart, Konami handled publishing and distribution for the Japanese market and also co-published the worldwide release of The Wrath of Cortex for PS2. The Japanese versions of N. Sane Trilogy were published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for PS4[79] and by Sega of Japan for Nintendo Switch;[80] Sega subsequently handled Team Racing Nitro-Fueled for Japan as well.[81]
Other media
[edit]Manga
[edit]In 1998, Coro Coro Comics developed a manga series titled Crash Bandicoot—Dansu! de Jump! na Daibōken, loosely based on the events of Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back. The series was drawn and produced by Ari Kawashima, with only two manga volumes being published to date, leaving the total number of comics unknown.
Animation
[edit]During the production of Crash Bandicoot, a pair of cutscenes featuring hand-drawn animation were produced by Universal Animation Studios to serve as the game's intro and outro, as well as act as source material for a potential animated series if the game was well-received and commercially successful. The hand-drawn cutscenes were dropped after Sony Computer Entertainment picked up Crash Bandicoot for publication, as Sony desired to push the PlayStation's 3D polygonal graphics. The cutscenes were uploaded to YouTube by producer David Siller in 2015.[82][83]
In 2007, The Animation Picture Company produced four web-short films, to promote the game Crash of the Titans, titled Crash Bandicoot: No Use Crying, Crash Bandicoot Monster Truck, Crash Bandicoot – Titan Idol and Crash Bandicoot – Have Another, all lasting for about three minutes. These are available for free download on the Xbox 360 video service or are available to watch on the web, originally available for viewing on the Crash Bandicoot official website.
Crash also makes a guest appearance in the Skylanders Academy animated series. At the end of the episode "The Skylands Are Falling!", due to the actions of the Skylanders, Crash is inadvertently pulled through a dimensional rift while battling Cortex, ending up in the Skylands. The episode "Crash Landing" features Crash allying with Spyro and the Skylanders to recover the dark relic needed to return him to the Wumpa Islands. Crash's appearance in Skylanders Academy differs from his appearance in Skylanders: Imaginators, but unlike other appearances, he is capable of speaking full sentences with an Australian accent. The third season of Skylanders Academy brought the character back starring Rhys Darby, who replaces Eric Rogers due to stepping down as a showrunner.[84] Crash returned in the episode "Days of Future Crash", in which Dark Spyro and Eruptor brought him to the future for different reasons, messing up their timeline in the process. After retrieving a new time travel device, they sent him home. Crash appeared again in the season finale, "Raiders of the Lost Arkus, Part II", where he and Coco (voiced by Tara Strong) were brought from the Wumpa Islands by the Skylanders and Flynn to stop Kaos from destroying the Core of Light. Coco's appearance in the series seems to be a combination of her Titans and Mind over Mutant design: like Crash, she also speaks in an Australian accent and seems to not only be capable of building her own weapons but able to control technology to the point of utilizing a thought-controlled boomerang in battle.
On January 13, 2021, test footage from a scrapped Crash Bandicoot series was leaked on Reddit. The series would have been a co-production between Activision and Amazon Studios. The series was allegedly canceled due to a script dispute.[85]
In science
[edit]The earliest-known bandicoot fossil, from the Miocene of Australia, has been given the binomial Crash bandicoot.[86][87]
Reception
[edit]The Crash Bandicoot series has been a commercial success. As of 2007, the series altogether has sold over 40 million units worldwide[133] and grossed over $1 billion.[134] According to Gamasutra, the first Crash Bandicoot game had sold 6.8 million units as of November 2003,[135] making it the tenth-best-selling PlayStation game of all time. Cortex Strikes Back sold 3.85 million units in the U.S.,[136] while Warped sold 3.74 million.[136] The last 2 games on the PlayStation console, Crash Team Racing and Crash Bash, sold 1.9 and 1.1 million units in the U.S., respectively.[136] According to a Sony press release, the first four titles had sold over 20 million units altogether worldwide by July 2000.[137] Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex has sold 1.56 million units in the U.S.[136]
On February 12, 2019, Activision announced in a press release for its "4th quarter and 2018 Financial Results", that N. Sane Trilogy has sold-in over 10 million units since its initial release in 2017.[138]
The Crash Bandicoot series is one of the few Western video game series to find blockbuster success in Japan. Cortex Strikes Back and Warped sold 1.3 and 1.4 million units in the country, respectively,[139] while the PlayStation 2 version of Wrath of Cortex sold 212,000 units.[140]
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Further reading
[edit]- Vincent, Brittany (September 9, 2016). "'Crash Bandicoot' at 20: An Oral History". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 1, 2023.