In the late 1990s and early aughts, one beloved anthropomorphic marsupial spun, lept, slid, and ran his way into households worldwide. Despite being a critter of few words, Crash Bandicoot stole hearts—and fueled ragequits—across the U.S., introducing many millennial gamers to 3D platformers.
In the 30 years since the titular release, the Crash Bandicoot franchise comprises countless releases across home consoles and handhelds. Players still navigate Crash through flaming platforms, caustic containers, rolling boulders, and even tricky tracks in racing games featuring faves from the Crash cast.
These classic titles are our top picks:
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time (2020)
This aptly-named and long-awaited installment hit Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on Oct. 2, 2020, and ninth-gen consoles the following spring.
Developer Toys For Bob — the team behind the successful Skylanders IP and N. Sane Trilogy Nintendo Switch port — tackled the title, gifting the franchise and its loyalists a graceful return to its roots. In myriad challenging stages, gamers can utilize novel power-ups and play as new and old characters, each with their own unique abilities.
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back (1997)
This is one rare instance where a sequel manages to beat its predecessor. The second Crash title takes the first installation’s best elements — quirky stages, maddening maps, and a whole lotta character — and fleshes them out.
Like the first release, Cortex Strikes Back is a beefed-up platformer that panders to completionists and perfectionists, just…better.
Crash Bandicoot: Warped (1998)
The third Crash release spotlights our goofy protagonist’s supergenius sister, Coco Bandicoot, who is now playable in her own special stages. Franchise fans will immediately note this installment’s crispier, cleaner graphics and stellar sound design.
Additionally, Warped diverges from traditional Crash stages, allowing gamers to hop on motorcycles, jet skis, and tigers.
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Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy (2017)
N. Sane Trilogy is exactly that: an out-of-control remaster of the first three Crash releases. Each title receives an honest facelift, faithfully cleaning up the classics’ challenging gameplay with added checkpoints, new save features, and gorgeous graphics.
Though the source material’s been on shelves for decades, the remaster feels like three brand-new games.
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex (2001)
The Wrath of Cortex was the franchise’s sixth title but its first foray into non-Sony consoles. The title, released in 2001, received Xbox and GameCube ports the following year. Collect crystals, gather gems, evade enemies, and outwit Elementals in another tricky — and, at times, grueling — platformer.
Crash Team Racing (1999)
Franchise entry No. 4, Crash Team Racing, hit shelves just one year after Warped. Revved-up gamers select beloved Crash characters from previous releases, traversing dozens of level-inspired tracks. Like beloved racing releases from other franchises, players must avoid tricks, traps, and other hazards lest they let Doctor Neo Cortex take the lead.
Crash Bandicoot (1996)
The OG needs its flowers. In the premier platformer/sidescroller that took the mid-90s by storm, players propelled Crash Bandicoot through vicious baddies and diverse environments to reach precious Crystals. Returning to this title after modern releases is tough, considering Crash’s abilities were limited to running, jumping, and spinning. Bless the double jump.
Crash Bash (2000)
Crash Bash, the franchise’s first party game and first release without developer Naughty Dog, did what party games do best: challenge players and cause arguments. Choose from three modes — Adventure, Battle, and Tournament — at varying difficulties and try your hand at maddening minigames to earn the coveted trophy.
Crash Twinsanity (2004)
Ffith in the core releases and No. 11 overall, Twinsanity turns formerly-held alliances on their head. Play as both Crash Bandicoot and nemesis Neo Cortex to stop interdimensional evil twins from corroding and corrupting N. Sanity Island.
Gamers gather wumpa fruit, crush crates, and bodyslam baddies, rotating among the titular mammal, Neo, and Neo’s niece, Nina. I will say that Neo makes a pretty solid snowboard.
Crash Nitro Kart (2003)
Following the success of Crash Team Racing, 2003’s Nitro Kart masterfully incorporated well-liked mechanics from its predecessor, like boosts, smooth handling, and genuinely challenging gameplay.
Power through it — the frustration is temporary and makes your eventual dub all the more fulfilling. Take those turns tight and utilize drifts; you’ll take that podium in no time.
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A lifelong gamer raised on classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Croc, Stephanie brings her expertise of gaming and pop culture to deliver unique, refreshing views on the world of video games, complete with references to absurd and obscure media.
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