{{Short description|Video game franchise}} {{About|the video game franchise}} {{good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2018}} {{Infobox video game series | title = Crash Bandicoot | image = Crash_bandicoot_logo.png | caption =Logo used since 2020 | genre = {{hlist|Platform|Racing|Party|Endless runner}} | developer = {{Indented plainlist| * Naughty Dog {{Small|(1996–1999)}} * Traveller's Tales {{Small|(2001–2004)}} * Vicarious Visions {{Small|(2002–2004, 2017)}} * Radical Entertainment {{Small|(2005–2008)}} * Toys for Bob {{Small|(2020–2024)}} }} {{Collapsible list |title={{nobold|''Others:''}}|{{Indented plainlist| * Eurocom {{Small|(2000–2001)}} * Cerny Games {{Small|(2000)}} * Dimps {{Small|(2006)}} * SuperVillain Studios {{Small|(2007)}} * Amaze Entertainment {{Small|(2007)}} * Tose {{Small|(2008)}} * Virtuos {{Small|(2008)}} * Polarbit {{Small|(2008–2010)}} * Beenox {{Small|(2019)}} * King {{Small|(2021)}} }}}} | publisher = {{Indented plainlist| * Sony Computer Entertainment {{Small|(1996–2000)}} * Universal Interactive {{Small|(2001–2003)}} * Vivendi Games {{Small|(2004–2008)}} * Activision {{Small|(2008–present)}} }} {{Collapsible list |title={{nobold|''Others:''}}|{{Indented plainlist| * Konami {{Small|(2001–2003)}} * Vivendi Games Mobile {{Small|(2006–2009)}} * Glu Mobile {{Small|(2009)}} * King {{Small|(2021)}} }}}} | creator = {{ubl|Andy Gavin|Jason Rubin|Charles Zembillas|Joe Pearson}} | platforms = {{Hlist| |PlayStation |PlayStation 2 |Game Boy Advance |Xbox |GameCube |N-Gage |PlayStation Portable |Nintendo DS |Xbox 360 |Wii |Symbian |iOS |PlayStation 4 |Windows |Nintendo Switch |Xbox One |Android |PlayStation 5 |Xbox Series X/S }} | first release version = ''Crash Bandicoot'' | first release date = September 9, 1996 | latest release version = ''Crash Team Rumble'' | latest release date = June 20, 2023 }}
'''''Crash Bandicoot''''' is a video game franchise created by Naughty Dog as a flagship title for Sony's PlayStation console. The series began with the development of the first game in 1994, inspired by the emerging capabilities of 3D consoles and games like ''Donkey Kong Country'' (1994). The protagonist, initially conceived as "Willy the Wombat", evolved into Crash Bandicoot, a goofy, genetically mutated eastern barred bandicoot who escapes the clutches of the mad scientist Doctor Neo Cortex. The original trilogy—completed by ''Cortex Strikes Back'' (1997) and ''Warped'' (1998)—along with the kart racing game ''Crash Team Racing'' (1999), received critical praise for their vibrant visuals and polished gameplay. After Naughty Dog's departure following ''Crash Team Racing'' due to creative exhaustion and ownership issues, the franchise transitioned from Sony exclusivity to multiplatform releases under multiple developers and publishers, including Universal Interactive, Vivendi Games, and Activision.
Gameplay centers on 3D platforming with a linear or hub-based level progression. Players control Crash through linear, obstacle-filled levels viewed primarily from a third-person perspective, with occasional shifts to a side-scrolling perspective and levels in which Crash flees a pursuing hazard by running toward the screen. Core mechanics include jumping, spinning to defeat enemies, and collecting Wumpa fruit for extra lives, alongside breaking crates for bonuses and gathering crystals, gems, and relics to unlock content. Later entries introduce abilities granted by defeating bosses. Set in a fictional archipelago with diverse biomes, and including time-traveling and multiversal elements in later games, the series features a cast including Crash, his sister Coco, allies like the protective spirit Aku Aku, and villains including Cortex, Uka Uka, and various mutant henchmen.
After a period of declining critical reception during the multi-developer phase in the 2000s and a hiatus in the early 2010s, the series experienced a successful revival beginning with the ''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' (2017), a remastered collection of the original trilogy, followed by the remaster ''Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled'' (2019) and the new entry ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' (2020). ''Crash Bandicoot'' established Naughty Dog as a major video game developer and positioned the character as the PlayStation console's unofficial mascot. The series sold 40 million units across the series by 2007 and inspired merchandise, media adaptations, and scientific nomenclature.
== History == {{see also|List of Crash Bandicoot video games|l1=List of ''Crash Bandicoot'' video games}} {{multiple image | caption_align = center | footer = ''Crash Bandicoot'' co-creators Andy Gavin and Jason Rubin | image1 = AGHeadshot (cropped).jpg | alt1 = 39 year-old man with sunglasses looking towards the camera. | caption1 = Andy Gavin (2009) | total_width = 350 | image2 = Jason Rubin at Step into the Rift (cropped).jpg | alt2 = 44 year-old man looking towards something to the right of the camera. | caption2 = Jason Rubin (2015) }}
=== 1994–1996: Origins === Naughty Dog was founded as JAM Software in 1984 by childhood friends Andy Gavin and Jason Rubin, their first project being the educational game ''Math Jam'' (1985).<ref name="Rags">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/Game_Informer_Issue_066_October_1998/page/n19/mode/2up |title=From Rags to Riches: ''Way of the Warrior'' to ''Crash 3'' |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=Funco |location=United States |issue=66 |date=October 1998 |pages=18–19}}</ref><ref name=GameBiz>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-136-november-2000/page/223/mode/2up |title=In the Games Biz |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |volume=13 |issue=11 |date=November 2000 |page=224}}</ref><ref name=Rising>{{Cite web |language=en |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/10/04/rising-to-greatness-the-history-of-naughty-dog |title=Rising to Greatness: The History of Naughty Dog |first=Colin |last=Moriarty |website=IGN |date=October 4, 2013 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |archive-date=June 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606210127/https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/10/04/rising-to-greatness-the-history-of-naughty-dog |url-status=live}}</ref> Their following titles were ''Ski Crazed'' (1987), ''Dream Zone'' (1988), ''Keef the Thief'' (1989), and ''Rings of Power'' (1992).<ref name=Rising/> After completing ''Way of the Warrior'' (1994), Gavin and Rubin relocated from Boston to Los Angeles to work with publisher Universal Interactive. During the trip, they decided to create a 3D platformer to capitalize on emerging console capabilities, drawing inspiration from the pre-rendered visuals of ''Donkey Kong Country'' (1994).<ref name=Rising/><ref name="AndyGavin1">{{cite web |url=http://all-things-andy-gavin.com/2011/02/02/making-crash-bandicoot-part-1/ |title=Making ''Crash Bandicoot'' – part 1 |first=Andy |last=Gavin |author-link=Andy Gavin |date=February 2, 2011 |website=All Things Andy Gavin |access-date=February 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616081945/http://all-things-andy-gavin.com/2011/02/02/making-crash-bandicoot-part-1/ |archive-date=June 16, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The game would be developed for Sony's PlayStation, as the company did not yet have a competing mascot character.<ref name="AndyGavin1"/><ref name="AndyGavin2">{{cite web |url=http://all-things-andy-gavin.com/2011/02/03/making-crash-bandicoot-part-2/ |title=Making ''Crash Bandicoot'' – part 2 |first=Andy |last=Gavin |author-link=Andy Gavin |date=February 3, 2011 |website=All Things Andy Gavin |access-date=February 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707131011/http://all-things-andy-gavin.com/2011/02/03/making-crash-bandicoot-part-2/ |archive-date=July 7, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Production of the new project began in October 1994.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-bandicoot-the-official-strategy-guide |title=Crash Bandicoot: The Official Strategy Guide |last=Meston |first=Zach |year=1996 |publisher=Dimension Publishing |asin=B000OBI980 |oclc=809108080 |page=8}}</ref> To create the characters and setting, Naughty Dog contracted cartoonists Charles Zembillas and Joe Pearson.<ref name="Rags"/> The game's lead character was tentatively named "Willy the Wombat" and was envisioned as a goofy, Zorro-like Tasmanian marsupial.<ref name="PolygonOralHistory">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/22/15820540/crash-bandicoot-an-oral-history |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624112707/https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/22/15820540/crash-bandicoot-an-oral-history |title=''Crash Bandicoot'': An oral history |last=Hester |first=Blake |website=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |date=June 22, 2017 |archive-date=June 24, 2017 |access-date=November 4, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> The character would ultimately become a bandicoot for the species' appeal and relative obscurity.<ref name="AndyGavin2"/> During the game's production, Naughty Dog demonstrated the game to Sony Computer Entertainment to secure a publishing deal with them.<ref name=Rising/>
=== 1996–2000: PlayStation exclusivity === ''Crash Bandicoot'' was unveiled at E3 1996, where it quickly gained attention for its vibrant visuals.<ref name="PolygonOralHistory"/> The game was released on September 9, 1996,<ref>{{Cite press release |url=http://www.sepc.sony.com/SCEA/hot/press/crash_mar.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961027131708/http://www.sepc.sony.com/SCEA/hot/press/crash_mar.html |title=Sony Computer Entertainment America Launches ''Crash Bandicoot'' with Multi-Million Dollar Marketing Campaign |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment America |date=September 5, 1996 |archive-date=October 27, 1996 |access-date=May 9, 2023 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and by the end of the year it sold over {{nowrap|1 million}} units worldwide.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_28/page/n19/mode/2up |title=Who won the videogame wars of 1996? |magazine=Next Generation |publisher=Imagine Publishing |date=April 1997 |issue=28 |page=19 |access-date=October 21, 2021}}</ref> The game's sequel, ''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back'', was released on November 6, 1997 and also performed strongly, selling {{nowrap|1 million}} units in the United States by February 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.psxnation.com/news/1106a.html |title=Crash's Second Coming Has Arrived |work=PSX Nation |publisher=Imagine Games Network |date=November 6, 1997 |accessdate=May 9, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19980507001252/http://psxnation.com/news/1106a.html |archivedate=May 7, 1998 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-best-buy-game-sa/124295921/ |title=Game Sales |author=Best Buy |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |page=21 |date=November 2, 1997 |accessdate=May 9, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509051927/https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-best-buy-game-sa/124295921/ |archivedate=May 9, 2023 |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref><ref name=salesnumbers>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000306051515/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_03/03_crash/index.html |url=http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_03/03_crash/index.html |title=Five Million Bandicoots |last=Johnston |first=Chris |date=March 3, 1998 |work=GameSpot |archive-date=March 6, 2000 | url-status=dead}}</ref> The third game, ''Crash Bandicoot: Warped'', was released on November 3, 1998,<ref name=WarpedRelease>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-67-november-1998/page/n39/mode/2up |title=New Releases |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=FuncoLand |issue=67 |date=November 1998 |page=38}}</ref> and sold over 5.7 million units worldwide by 2002.<ref name="FFX">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=76588 |title=''Final Fantasy X'' hits 5 million, world quakes |date=July 9, 2002 |access-date=April 4, 2010 |magazine=Computer and Video Games |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011085043/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=76588 |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Crash Team Racing'', a kart racing game, was released on October 19, 1999,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://headline.gamespot.com/news/99_10/19_vg_crash/index.html |title=''Crash Team Racing'' Ships |last=Kennedy |first=Sam |work=GameSpot |publisher=ZDNet |date=October 19, 1999 |accessdate=April 11, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000617235512/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/99_10/19_vg_crash/index.html |archivedate=June 17, 2000 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and sold 1.9 million units in the United States.<ref name="magicboxus">{{cite web|url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |title=US Platinum Videogame Chart |publisher=The Magic Box |access-date=December 23, 2018|date=December 27, 2007 |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>
''Crash Team Racing'' was the final ''Crash Bandicoot'' game developed by Naughty Dog; the developers, creatively exhausted and disenchanted with their lack of control over the ''Crash Bandicoot'' intellectual property, began development on ''Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy'' (2001); during the game's production, Sony acquired Naughty Dog, with Universal retaining the ''Crash Bandicoot'' property.<ref name=Rising/><ref name=GIMaking>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-106-february-2002/page/58/mode/2up |title=Design & Development: The Art of Making a Game - ''Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy'' |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=Sunrise Publications |date=February 2002 |issue=106 |pages=58–61}}</ref> ''Crash Bash'', a party video game developed by Eurocom, was the first game in the series made without Naughty Dog's involvement.<ref name=IGNPreview>{{cite web |url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/134/134717p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020818082200/http://psx.ign.com/articles/134/134717p1.html |title=PlayStation: ''Crash Bash'' |last1=Smith |first1=David |last2=Nix |first2=Marc |website=IGN |date=July 28, 2000 |archive-date=August 18, 2002 |access-date=May 17, 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It was released on November 8, 2000, and was the final ''Crash Bandicoot'' game to be released exclusively for a Sony console.<ref name=Hurrah>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/puzzle/crashbash/news_2651752.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030802172834/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/puzzle/crashbash/news_2651752.html |title=Crash's Last Hurrah |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |date=November 8, 2000 |archive-date=August 2, 2003 |access-date=May 17, 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== 2001–2006: Multiplatform transition === {{Timeline of release years | range1 = 1996 - | range1_color = #ffa500 #cc8400 | 1996 = '''''Crash Bandicoot''''' | 1997 = '''''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back''''' | 1998 = '''''Crash Bandicoot: Warped''''' | 1999 = ''Crash Team Racing'' | 2000 = ''Crash Bash'' | 2001 = '''''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex''''' | 2002 = ''Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure'' | 2003a = ''Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced'' | 2003b = ''Crash Nitro Kart'' | 2004a = ''Crash Bandicoot Purple and Spyro Orange'' | 2004b = '''''Crash Twinsanity''''' | 2005 = ''Crash Tag Team Racing'' | 2006 = ''Crash Boom Bang!'' | 2007 = '''''Crash of the Titans''''' | 2008a = ''Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D'' | 2008b = '''''Crash: Mind over Mutant''''' | 2009 = ''Crash Bandicoot: Mutant Island'' | 2010 = ''Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2'' | 2017 = '''''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy''''' | 2019 = ''Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled'' | 2020 = '''''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time''''' | 2021 = ''Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!'' | 2023 = ''Crash Team Rumble'' }} Following the end of Sony and Universal's partnership, ''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex'' was developed by Traveller's Tales and released on October 30, 2001.<ref>{{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 |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=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/099/099522p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020220233556/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/099/099522p1.html |title=PlayStation 2: Now Shipping For PS2 |website=IGN |publisher=Snowball.com |date=October 31, 2001 |archive-date=February 20, 2002 |access-date=April 9, 2023 |url-status=live |language=en}}</ref> ''Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure'', developed by Vicarious Visions, was released for the Game Boy Advance on March 13, 2002, the first ''Crash Bandicoot'' game made for a handheld console.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gba/action/crashbandicoottheha/news_2854443.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031201033338/http://www.gamespot.com/gba/action/crashbandicoottheha/news_2854443.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure'' ships |last=Varanini |first=Giancarlo |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |date=March 13, 2002 |archive-date=December 1, 2003 |access-date=August 28, 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pocket.ign.com/articles/096/096642p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020812114735/http://pocket.ign.com/articles/096/096642p1.html |title=Game Boy: First GBA Shots of ''Crash Bandicoot'' |last=Harris |first=Craig |website=IGN |date=July 17, 2001 |archive-date=August 12, 2002 |access-date=August 27, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The game was followed by ''Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced'', which was released on January 7, 2003.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-117-january-2003/page/120/mode/2up |title=Reviews: ''Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced'' |first=Lisa |last=Mason |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=Sunrise Publications |date=January 2003 |issue=117 |pages=121}}</ref> For home consoles, Vicarious Visions released ''Crash Nitro Kart'' on November 11, 2003;<ref name="Helgeson 146">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-128-december-2003/page/146/mode/2up |first=Matt |last=Helgeson |title=Reviews: ''Crash Nitro Kart'' |magazine=Game Informer |issue=128 |date=December 2003 |page=146}}</ref> a handheld version by the same developer was released simultaneously.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/458/458926p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040510021534/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/458/458926p1.html |title=Game Boy: Don't Crash! |last=Scott |first=Jonathan |website=IGN |date=November 11, 2003 |archive-date=May 10, 2004 |access-date=June 17, 2025 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage'', a crossover with ''Spyro'', was released on June 1, 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/02/crash-bandicoot-purple-and-spyro-orange-ship |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603201248/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/520/520447p1.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot Purple'' and ''Spyro Orange'' Ship |last=Castro |first=Juan |website=IGN |date=June 1, 2004 |archive-date=June 3, 2004 |access-date=March 15, 2024 |url-status=dead |language=en}}</ref> Traveller's Tales's second ''Crash Bandicoot'' entry, ''Crash Twinsanity'', was released on September 28, 2004.<ref name=TwinsanityWhirls>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/crash-twinsanity-whirls-into-stores/1100-6109067/ |title=''Crash Twinsanity'' whirls into stores |website=GameSpot |first=Chris |last=Kohler |date=September 28, 2004 |access-date=August 9, 2016 |archive-date=September 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914023836/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/crash-twinsanity-whirls-into-stores/1100-6109067/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=TwinsanityShips>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/28/crash-twinsanity-ships |title=''Crash Twinsanity'' Ships |first=David |last=Adams |date=September 28, 2004 |website=IGN |access-date=October 27, 2017 |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621181021/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/28/crash-twinsanity-ships |url-status=live}}</ref>
On March 23, 2005, Universal Interactive, now Vivendi Universal Games, acquired developer Radical Entertainment,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/vu-games-acquires-simpsons-hit-run-developer-radical-entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601044656/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/vu-games-acquires-simpsons-hit-run-developer-radical-entertainment |title=VU Games acquires ''Simpsons: Hit & Run'' developer Radical Entertainment |last=Fahey |first=Rob |website=GamesIndustry.biz |publisher=IGN |date=March 23, 2005 |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |access-date=May 29, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> who released ''Crash Tag Team Racing'' on October 21.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bandicoot-based-racer-starts-its-engines/1100-6136300/ |title=Bandicoot-based racer starts its engines |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |date=October 21, 2005 |access-date=May 5, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> Japanese developer Dimps released ''Crash Boom Bang!'' (titled ''Crash Bandicoot Festival'' in Japan) for the Nintendo DS in Japan on July 20, 2006, with a North American release on October 10.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/720/720940p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018181800/http://ds.ign.com/articles/720/720940p1.html |title=Now Playing in Japan |website=IGN |date=July 25, 2006 |archive-date=October 18, 2006 |access-date=March 31, 2023 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-162-october-2006/page/44/mode/2up |title=Calendar |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |date=October 2006 |issue=162 |page=44}}</ref>
=== 2007–2015: Redesign and hiatus === Radical Entertainment's next ''Crash Bandicoot'' title, ''Crash of the Titans'', was released on October 2, 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/shippin-out-october-1-5-phantom-hourglass-pgr4-nba-quake-wars/1100-6180139/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011083008/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/shippin-out-october-1-5-phantom-hourglass-pgr4-nba-quake-wars/1100-6180139/ |title=Shippin' Out October 1–5: ''Phantom Hourglass'', ''PGR4'', ''NBA'', ''Quake Wars'' |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=October 1, 2007 |archive-date=October 11, 2013 |access-date=August 27, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Crash of the Titans'' marked a departure from traditional platforming by introducing an emphasis on combat and a "jacking" mechanic in which Crash defeats and controls large mutants called Titans.<ref name=AUInterview>{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/791/791802p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015173352/http://wii.ign.com/articles/791/791802p1.html |title=''Crash of the Titans'' AU Interview |last=Shea |first=Cam |website=IGN |date=May 24, 2007 |archive-date=October 15, 2007 |access-date=August 27, 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The characters were also redesigned with a "punk" edge to realign the characters into a unified style as well as make them more modern and distinct from other cartoon characters.<ref name=ForbesInterview>{{cite web |url=https://www.crashmania.net/en/backstage/interviews/kirsten-forbes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415202945/https://www.crashmania.net/en/backstage/interviews/kirsten-forbes/ |title=Interview with Kirsten Forbes (''Crash of the Titans'') |website=Crash Mania |date=April 24, 2007 |archive-date=April 15, 2017 |access-date=August 27, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Handheld versions of the game for the Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance were developed by Amaze Entertainment and released on the same date.<ref name=NinSys>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/whos-making-games-for-nintendo-systems-everyone-a |title=Who's Making Games For Nintendo Systems? Everyone! |website=GamesIndustry.biz |publisher=Gamer Network |date=October 12, 2007 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/782/782086p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011200646/http://ds.ign.com/articles/782/782086p1.html |title=''Crash of the Titans'' First Look |last=Harris |first=Craig |website=IGN |date=April 19, 2007 |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |access-date=August 19, 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=TitansGBA>{{cite web |url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00008113-crash-of-the-titans-test.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024101257/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00008113-crash-of-the-titans-test.htm |title=''Crash Of The Titans'' |language=French |author=Dharn |website=Jeuxvideo.com |publisher=L'Odyssée Interactive |date=October 22, 2007 |archive-date=October 24, 2007 |access-date=August 19, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In December 2007, Activision announced its acquisition of Vivendi Games, including the ''Crash Bandicoot'' intellectual property, and the merger was finalized on July 10, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/2007/12/02/vivendi-computer-guitar-tech-media-cx_rr_1202activision.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204152708/https://www.forbes.com/2007/12/02/vivendi-computer-guitar-tech-media-cx_rr_1202activision.html |title=Vivendi To Merge With Activision |first=Rachel |last=Rosmarin |website=Forbes |access-date=July 20, 2018 |date=December 2, 2007 |archive-date=December 4, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/vivendi-and-activision-complete-transaction-create-activision |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402162732/https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/vivendi-and-activision-complete-transaction-create-activision |title=Vivendi and Activision Complete Transaction to Create Activision Blizzard |publisher=Activision Blizzard |date=July 10, 2008 |archive-date=April 2, 2019 |access-date=December 7, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> The mobile kart racing game ''Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D'' was released by Polarbit on April 29, 2008,<ref name="Polarbit">{{cite web |url=http://www.polarbit.com/about/other-games/cbnk3d/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100121054406/http://www.polarbit.com/about/other-games/cbnk3d |title=''Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D'' << Polarbit |publisher=Polarbit |archive-date=January 21, 2010 |access-date=November 22, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/crash-bandicoot-nitro-kart-mobile-bandikarting-in-2d-and-3d-incarnations |title=''Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart'': Mobile bandikarting in 2D and 3D incarnations |access-date=July 15, 2020 |date=April 29, 2008 |publisher=GamesIndustry.biz |archive-date=July 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715192417/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/crash-bandicoot-nitro-kart-mobile-bandikarting-in-2d-and-3d-incarnations |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' was released by Radical Entertainment on October 7; a Nintendo DS version of the latter game was developed by Tose and released on the same date.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://investor.activision.com/static-files/f365e97c-db41-44ab-9f4d-3a11b2fc8a8e |title=Everyone's Favorite Bandicoot Crashes onto Store Shelves - ''Crash: Mind Over Mutant'' |publisher=Activision |date=October 7, 2008 |access-date=July 27, 2024 |archive-date=December 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207132711/https://investor.activision.com/static-files/f365e97c-db41-44ab-9f4d-3a11b2fc8a8e |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00009930-crash-generation-mutant-test.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081107091250/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00009930-crash-generation-mutant-test.htm |title=Test de ''Crash : Génération Mutant'' sur Nintendo DS |language=French |last=Le Hyaric |first=Clément |website=JV |publisher=L'Odyssée Interactive |date=November 4, 2008 |archive-date=November 7, 2008 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> The mobile game ''Crash Bandicoot: Mutant Island'' was released by Vivendi Games Mobile in July 2009.<ref name=MutantIsland>{{cite web |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Crash%2BBandicoot:%2BMutant%2BIsland/review.asp?c=14436 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719155515/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Crash+Bandicoot%3A+Mutant+Island/review.asp?c=14436 |title=''Crash Bandicoot: Mutant Island'' review |last=Mundy |first=Jon |website=Pocket Gamer |publisher=Steel Media |date=July 17, 2009 |archive-date=July 19, 2009 |access-date=August 20, 2025 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In February 2010, Activision laid off around 90 employees at Radical Entertainment, roughly half the studio's workforce, amid cost-cutting measures and project reevaluations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27213/Layoffs_Hit_Activision_Studios_Radical_Luxoflux_Neversoft_Affected.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214014941/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27213/Layoffs_Hit_Activision_Studios_Radical_Luxoflux_Neversoft_Affected.php |title=Layoffs Hit Activision Studios, Radical, Luxoflux, Neversoft Affected |last=Alexander |first=Leigh |website=Gamasutra |date=February 11, 2010 |archive-date=February 14, 2010 |access-date=December 7, 2025 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/layoffs-hit-multiple-activision-studios |title=Layoffs hit multiple Activision studios |first=Matt |last=Martin |date=February 12, 2010 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804170301/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/layoffs-hit-multiple-activision-studios |url-status=live}}</ref> Following the release of ''Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2'' on May 27, 2010,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/109/1093404p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602022152/http://wireless.ign.com/articles/109/1093404p1.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2'' Live for iPhone |website=IGN |date=May 27, 2010 |archive-date=June 2, 2010 |access-date=July 29, 2025 |url-status=dead}}</ref> the series went into dormancy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/activision-exploring-ways-to-resurrect-crash-bandicoot-series/1100-6416377/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126072824/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/activision-exploring-ways-to-resurrect-crash-bandicoot-series/1100-6416377/ |title=Activision exploring ways to resurrect ''Crash Bandicoot'' series |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=November 25, 2013 |archive-date=November 26, 2013 |access-date=July 29, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== 2016–present: Revival === The revival of the ''Crash Bandicoot'' series began with the announcement of the ''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' at Sony's E3 2016 press conference, as well as Crash and Cortex's appearance as playable characters in the toys-to-life game ''Skylanders: Imaginators''.<ref>{{Cite press release |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160613006571/en/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617134958/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160613006571/en |title=Crash Bandicoot is Back in ''Skylanders Imaginators'' and in Remastered Classics! |publisher=Business Wire |date=June 14, 2016 |archive-date=June 17, 2016 |access-date=June 14, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sony Interactive Entertainment America Unveils Extraordinary Gaming Experiences for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation VR at E3 2016 |url=http://www.sie.com/en/corporate/release/2016/160614b.html |publisher=Sony Interactive Entertainment |access-date=June 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616081942/http://www.sie.com/en/corporate/release/2016/160614b.html |archive-date=June 16, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/another-crash-bandicoot-character-is-playable-in-s/1100-6442694/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018091841/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/another-crash-bandicoot-character-is-playable-in-s/1100-6442694/ |title=Another ''Crash Bandicoot'' Character Is Playable in ''Skylanders Imaginators'' |first=Mat |last=Paget |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=August 16, 2016 |archive-date=October 18, 2016 |access-date=August 18, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The ''N. Sane Trilogy'' was developed by Vicarious Visions as a remastered compilation of the original three PlayStation games with updated graphics, recreated controls, and new content.<ref name="Nocode">{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/06/a-remaster-with-no-old-code-crash-bandicoot-was-rebuilt-nearly-from-scratch/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825102735/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/06/a-remaster-with-no-old-code-crash-bandicoot-was-rebuilt-nearly-from-scratch/ |title=A remaster with no old code: ''Crash Bandicoot'' was rebuilt nearly from scratch |last=Machkovech |first=Sam |website=Ars Technica |publisher=Condé Nast |date=June 21, 2017 |archive-date=August 25, 2017 |access-date=August 25, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=EngadgetMaking>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017-07-03-crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-remake.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422204645/https://www.engadget.com/2017-07-03-crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-remake.html |title=The (re)making of ''Crash Bandicoot'' |last=Kuhar |first=Andrew |website=Engadget |publisher=Verizon Media |date=July 3, 2017 |archive-date=April 22, 2020 |access-date=July 8, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> The compilation launched exclusively on PlayStation 4 on June 30, 2017,<ref name=WhyCoco>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/15/e3-2017-why-coco-is-playable-in-crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620205932/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/15/e3-2017-why-coco-is-playable-in-crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy |title=E3 2017: Why Coco Is Playable in ''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=June 15, 2017 |archive-date=June 20, 2017 |access-date=August 4, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> before expanding to the Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/05/10/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-coming-earlier-than-expected-on-pc-switch-and-xbox-one |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724012143/http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/05/10/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-coming-earlier-than-expected-on-pc-switch-and-xbox-one |title=''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' Coming Earlier Than Expected on PC, Switch and Xbox One |last=Gilyadov |first=Alex |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=May 10, 2018 |archive-date=July 24, 2018 |access-date=August 6, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> By June 2024, the ''N. Sane Trilogy'' had sold over 20 million units worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=June 20, 2024 |title=''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' sales top 20 million |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/06/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-sales-top-20-million |access-date=June 20, 2024 |website=Gematsu |archive-date=June 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620170649/https://www.gematsu.com/2024/06/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-sales-top-20-million |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled'', a remastered version of ''Crash Team Racing'', was developed by Beenox and released on June 19, 2019.<ref name="IGNReveal3">{{cite web |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |date=December 6, 2018 |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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207072356/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/07/crash-team-racing-remaster-announced-release-date-revealed |archive-date=December 7, 2018 |access-date=December 6, 2018 |website=IGN}}</ref> The game sold 10 million copies by June 2025.<ref name="Romano">{{Cite web |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2025/06/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled-sales-top-10-million |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250616204212/https://www.gematsu.com/2025/06/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled-sales-top-10-million |title=''Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled'' sales top 10 million |last=Romano |first=Sal |website=Gematsu |date=June 16, 2025 |archive-date=June 16, 2025 |access-date=June 17, 2025 |language=en-US |url-status=live}}</ref>
''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'', developed by Toys for Bob, was revealed on June 22, 2020 as a sequel to the original trilogy that returned to 3D platforming and featured new mechanics provided by the Quantum Masks.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hollis |first=Daniel |date=June 22, 2020 |title=Watch the ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' reveal trailer, coming this year |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/watch-the-crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-reveal-trailer-coming-this-year-2693260 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623065956/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/watch-the-crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-reveal-trailer-coming-this-year-2693260 |archive-date=June 23, 2020 |url-status=live |website=NME |language=en-GB |access-date=August 2, 2021}}</ref> The game was released for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on October 2,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/heres-crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-times-launch-trailer/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122005645/https://www.gamereactor.eu/heres-crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-times-launch-trailer/ |title=Here's ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time''{{'}}s launch trailer |last=Esteves |first=Ricardo C. |website=Gamereactor |publisher=Gamez Publishing A/S |date=September 22, 2020 |archive-date=November 22, 2020 |access-date=August 11, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> and for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch and Windows in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |date=February 9, 2021 |title=''Crash Bandicoot 4'' Coming to PS5, Xbox Series, Switch in March |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-4-release-date-ps5-xbox-series-x-switch-pc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209160837/https://www.ign.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-4-release-date-ps5-xbox-series-x-switch-pc |archive-date=February 9, 2021 |website=IGN |language=en-US |access-date=August 2, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Watts |first=Steve |date=March 12, 2021 |title=''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' Coming To PC March 26 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-coming-to-pc-march-26/1100-6488752/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312172718/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-coming-to-pc-march-26/1100-6488752/ |website=GameSpot |language=en-US |archive-date=March 12, 2021 |access-date=August 8, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!'', an endless runner developed by King, launched globally in March 2021 for Android and iOS,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/76116/crash-bandicoot-nsane-trilogy-was-too-detailed-and-noisy-to-work-on-the-small-mobile-screen-says-king/ |title=''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' was "too detailed and noisy to work on the small mobile screen," says King |last=Forde |first=Matthew |website=Pocket Gamer |publisher=Steel Media |date=March 23, 2021 |access-date=July 15, 2021 |archive-date=July 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715233043/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/76116/crash-bandicoot-nsane-trilogy-was-too-detailed-and-noisy-to-work-on-the-small-mobile-screen-says-king/ |url-status=live }}</ref><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/ |archive-url=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/ |title=''Crash Bandicoot: On the Run'' launches early on iOS, races to number one on App Store |last=Forde |first=Matthew |website=Pocket Gamer |publisher=Steel Media |date=March 24, 2021 |archive-date=March 27, 2021 |access-date=July 23, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> and was discontinued on February 16, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/crash-bandicoot-mobile-game-shutting-down-after-less-than-two-years |title=''Crash Bandicoot'' mobile game shutting down after less than two years |last=Kennedy |first=Victoria |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |date=December 19, 2022 |access-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219155633/https://www.eurogamer.net/crash-bandicoot-mobile-game-shutting-down-after-less-than-two-years |url-status=live}}</ref> Toys for Bob's ''Crash Team Rumble'', a 4v4 multiplayer game, was released on June 20, 2023.<ref name="VGC">{{cite web |last=Scullion |first=Chris |date=March 21, 2023 |title=''Crash Team Rumble'' release date and closed beta confirmed |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/crash-team-rumble-release-date-and-closed-beta-confirmed/ |access-date=March 21, 2023 |website=Video Games Chronicle |language=en-US |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321173221/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/crash-team-rumble-release-date-and-closed-beta-confirmed/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Following Toys for Bob's announcement of its impending spin-off from Activision,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/skylanders-and-crash-bandicoot-studio-toys-for-bob-is-leaving-activision-and-going-independent/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229190736/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/skylanders-and-crash-bandicoot-studio-toys-for-bob-is-leaving-activision-and-going-independent/ |title=''Skylanders'' and ''Crash Bandicoot'' studio Toys For Bob is leaving Activision and going independent |last=Scullion |first=Chris |website=Video Games Chronicle |publisher=1981 Media |date=February 29, 2024 |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |access-date=February 29, 2024 |url-status=live |language=en-GB}}</ref> content updates ceased after March 4, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/crash-team-rumble-will-be-getting-no-more-content-updates-after-next-week/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229221850/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/crash-team-rumble-will-be-getting-no-more-content-updates-after-next-week/ |title=''Crash Team Rumble'' will be getting no more content updates after next week |last=Scullion |first=Chris |website=Video Games Chronicle |publisher=1981 Media |date=February 29, 2024 |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |access-date=February 29, 2024 |language=en-GB}}</ref> A planned ''Crash Bandicoot 5'' by Toys for Bob was canceled due to the commercial underperformance of ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' and Activision's focus on live service games.<ref name=CB5Kotaku>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/crash-bandicoot-5-spyro-crossover-cancelled-activision-1851632213 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826223951/https://kotaku.com/crash-bandicoot-5-spyro-crossover-cancelled-activision-1851632213 |title=Report: Activision Canceled A ''Crash Bandicoot'' / ''Spyro'' Crossover Game |last=Zwiezen |first=Zack |website=Kotaku |date=August 26, 2024 |archive-date=August 26, 2024 |access-date=December 1, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Gameplay == === Mechanics and level progression === thumb|right|A ''Crash Bandicoot'' game typically features different third-person perspectives; while in most levels Crash moves into the screen (top), others feature side-scrolling perspectives (middle) or have Crash move toward the screen away from a trailing obstacle (bottom). The ''Crash Bandicoot'' series centers on 3D platforming gameplay, where players control the protagonist Crash in linear levels filled with obstacles, enemies, and environmental hazards.<ref name="WelcomeJungle">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20085%20%28August%201996%29/page/n57/mode/2up |title=Welcome to the Jungle |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |issue=85 |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=August 1996 |pages=56–59}}</ref> Crash can move in all directions, and the controls do not change with his position.<ref name=CB15>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/Crash_Bandicoot_1997_Sony_US_SCUS-94900/page/n5/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive |id=SCUS-94900 |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |year=1997 |page=5}}</ref> The majority of the games take place from a third-person perspective in which Crash moves into the screen. Certain levels are played from a traditional side-scrolling perspective, while other levels, in which Crash flees from a large obstacle such as a rolling boulder, angry polar bear or dinosaur require him to move toward the screen.<ref name="WelcomeJungle"/><ref name=GSpotCB2>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/crashbandicoot2csb/review.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back'' Review for PlayStation |first=John |last=Broady |date=November 25, 1997 |website=GameSpot |access-date=March 12, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203234800/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/crashbandicoot2csb/review.html |archive-date=February 3, 2009}}</ref><ref name=GameProCB3>{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/1/19/GamePro_US_124.pdf |title=ProReviews: ''Crash Bandicoot: Warped'' |author=Johnny Ballgame |magazine=GamePro |date=January 1999 |issue=124 |pages=98–99 |access-date=December 21, 2025 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829182130/https://retrocdn.net/images/1/19/GamePro_US_124.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Some levels involve Crash mounting and steering an animal that accelerates uncontrollably, requiring him to maneuver around obstacles and bypass enemies.<ref name="WelcomeJungle"/><ref name=GameProCB3/><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/NextGeneration37Jan1998/page/n147/mode/2up |title=Finals |magazine=Next Generation |issue=37 |publisher=Imagine Media |date=January 1998 |page=147}}</ref> Throughout the series, Crash commandeers a variety of vehicles, such as a rocket surfboard, jet pack, motorcycle and biplane.<ref name=GICB2>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-55-november-1997/page/n15/mode/2up |title=PlayStation Review: ''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back'' |last1=Anderson |first1=Paul |last2=Reiner |first2=Andrew |last3=McNamara |first3=Andy |magazine=Game Informer |date=November 1997 |issue=55 |pages=14–15}}</ref><ref name=EGMCB3>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-114-january-1999/page/224/mode/2up |title=Review Crew: ''Crash Bandicoot: Warped'' |last1=Smith |first1=Shawn |last2=Boyer |first2=Crispin |last3=Davison |first3=John |last4=Ricciardi |first4=John |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=114 |date=January 1999 |page=224}}</ref>
Crash's primary maneuvers include jumping and sliding.<ref name=CB15/><ref>{{cite book |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |url=https://archive.org/details/Crash_Bandicoot_2_Cortex_Strikes_Back_1998_Sony_US_SCUS-94154/page/n3/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive Staff |id=SCUS-94154 |year=1998 |page=3}}</ref> His trademark ability is the spin attack, a cyclone-like whirlwind motion which can defeat enemies by launching them off-screen; knocked enemies can strike other enemies in their path.<ref name=CB189>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/Crash_Bandicoot_1997_Sony_US_SCUS-94900/page/n9/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive |id=SCUS-94900 |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |year=1997 |pages=8–9}}</ref><ref name=TitansIGN>{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/919/919974p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017113135/http://wii.ign.com/articles/919/919974p1.html |title=''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' Review |last=Casamassina |first=Matt |author-link=Matt Casamassina |website=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment |date=October 14, 2008 |archive-date=October 17, 2008 |access-date=October 15, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In games starting with ''Crash Bandicoot: Warped'', Crash can earn new abilities by defeating bosses.<ref>{{cite book |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |url=https://archive.org/details/crashwarped/page/n5/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: Warped (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive Staff |id=SCUS-94244 |year=1999 |page=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Azeltine |first=Lauren |year=2001 |url=https://archive.org/details/ps2_Crash_Bandicoot-_The_Wrath_of_Cortex_USA/page/n15/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex Instruction Booklet |publisher=Universal Interactive |page=14}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-bandicoot-the-huge-adventure-agb-acqe-usa-manual/page/n11/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure instruction booklet |last=Azeltine |first=Lauren |publisher=Universal Interactive |year=2002 |page=11}}</ref> ''Crash of the Titans'' and ''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' feature combat mechanics as well as a "jacking" mechanic in which Crash can mount and control large mutant enemies called Titans.<ref name=TitansIGN/><ref name=TitansPALGN>{{cite web |url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=9307&sid=1b25de6236b392b85a142879a3dbb700 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112003909/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=9307&sid=1b25de6236b392b85a142879a3dbb700 |title=''Crash of the Titans'' Review - PlayStation 2 Review |last=Keller |first=Matt |website=PALGN |date=October 31, 2007 |archive-date=January 12, 2008 |access-date=August 27, 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
At a certain point within the levels, bonus areas are accessible via a platform bearing a question mark. In these areas, Crash must navigate to the end of the path while grabbing an assortment of collectibles. Dying in a Bonus area will not deplete a life, and results in the player respawning next to the Bonus platform within the level.<ref>{{cite book |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |url=https://archive.org/details/Crash_Bandicoot_2_Cortex_Strikes_Back_1998_Sony_US_SCUS-94154/page/n9/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive Staff |id=SCUS-94154 |year=1998 |page=8}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |url=https://archive.org/details/crashwarped/page/n5/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: Warped (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive Staff |id=SCUS-94244 |year=1999 |page=11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' Bonus Areas |url=https://support.activision.com/crash-bandicoot-4/articles/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-bonus-areas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122204119/https://support.activision.com/crash-bandicoot-4/articles/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-bonus-areas |website=Activision Support |publisher=Activision Publishing |language=en-US |date=October 2, 2020 |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |access-date=May 1, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the original game, bonus levels are accessed by collecting tokens in the likeness of Crash's girlfriend Tawna, Cortex, or Cortex's assistant Doctor Nitrus Brio. Tawna's bonus rounds are easy and plentiful, and enable the player to save their game. Brio's bonus rounds are more difficult, featuring more TNT crates and requiring more precise jumps. Cortex's bonus rounds, of which there are two, are the most difficult, and grant Crash a key that unlocks a secret level.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/Crash_Bandicoot_1997_Sony_US_SCUS-94900/page/n11/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive |id=SCUS-94900 |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |year=1997 |page=11}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-bandicoot-the-official-strategy-guide/page/n129/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: The Official Strategy Guide |last=Meston |first=Zach |year=1996 |publisher=Dimension Publishing |asin=B000OBI980 |oclc=809108080 |page=130}}</ref>
The levels in the original ''Crash Bandicoot'' are presented in a linear progression on a map. ''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back'' introduces a series of five hub areas, each granting access to five levels that can be played in any order. Crash must retrieve a crystal from each level and defeat a boss to progress to the next hub area.<ref name=GSpotCB2/><ref name=GICB2/><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/official-u.-s.-play-station-magazine-volume-1-issue-03-december-1997/page/n69/mode/2up |title=Reviews: ''Crash Bandicoot 2'' |last=Rybicki |first=Joe |magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine |date=December 1997 |volume=1 |issue=3 |pages=72–73}}</ref> This level progression system resurfaces in ''Crash Bandicoot: Warped'', ''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex'', and ''Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure''.<ref>{{cite book |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |url=https://archive.org/details/crashwarped/page/n3/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: Warped (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive Staff |id=SCUS-94244 |year=1999 |page=7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Azeltine |first=Lauren |year=2001 |url=https://archive.org/details/ps2_Crash_Bandicoot-_The_Wrath_of_Cortex_USA/page/n9/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex Instruction Booklet |publisher=Universal Interactive |page=9}}</ref><ref name=Huge8>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-bandicoot-the-huge-adventure-agb-acqe-usa-manual/page/n9/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure instruction booklet |last=Azeltine |first=Lauren |publisher=Universal Interactive |year=2002 |page=8}}</ref> Subsequent games showcase either a branching map (as in ''Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced'' and ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'') or open-world exploration (as in ''Crash Twinsanity'' and ''Crash: Mind over Mutant'').<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-bandicoot-2-n-tranced-usa_202502/page/n9/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced instruction booklet |last=Azeltine |first=Lauren |publisher=Universal Interactive |year=2003 |page=7}}</ref><ref name=TwinsanityIGN>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/06/crash-twinsanity-2 |title=''Crash Twinsanity'' |website=IGN |first=James B. |last=Pringle |date=October 5, 2004 |access-date=June 25, 2009 |archive-date=November 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114130756/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/06/crash-twinsanity-2 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r35286.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081103103608/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r35286.htm |title=''Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant'' Review - PlayStation 2 |last=Grabowski |first=Dakota |website=GameZone |date=October 7, 2008 |archive-date=November 3, 2008 |access-date=October 21, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/why-crash-bandicoot-4-uses-crash-1s-world-map-design |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006195542/https://www.ign.com/articles/why-crash-bandicoot-4-uses-crash-1s-world-map-design |title=Why ''Crash Bandicoot 4'' Uses ''Crash 1'''s World Map Design |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=October 6, 2020 |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |access-date=August 5, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Collectibles === Wumpa fruit is the primary collectible throughout the franchise, with 100 fruits granting an extra life;<ref name=CB278>{{cite book |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |url=https://archive.org/details/Crash_Bandicoot_2_Cortex_Strikes_Back_1998_Sony_US_SCUS-94154/page/n7/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive Staff |id=SCUS-94154 |year=1998 |pages=7–8}}</ref><ref name=WOC10>{{cite book |last=Azeltine |first=Lauren |year=2001 |url=https://archive.org/details/ps2_Crash_Bandicoot-_The_Wrath_of_Cortex_USA/page/n11/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex Instruction Booklet |publisher=Universal Interactive |page=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-bandicoot-the-huge-adventure-agb-acqe-usa-manual/page/n13/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure instruction booklet |last=Azeltine |first=Lauren |publisher=Universal Interactive |year=2002 |page=12}}</ref> in ''Crash of the Titans'' and ''Crash: Mind over Mutant'', Wumpa fruit is a means of restoring health, with golden versions granting an extra life in the former game and a permanent health upgrade in the latter game.<ref name=Titans6>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/ps2_Crash_of_the_Titans_USA/page/n7/mode/2up |title=Crash of the Titans instruction booklet |year=2007 |author=Radical Entertainment Staff |publisher=Vivendi Games |page=6}}</ref><ref name=MoM7>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-mind-over-mutant-wii-english-manual/page/n3/mode/2up |title=Crash: Mind over Mutant instruction booklet |year=2008 |author=Radical Entertainment Staff |publisher=Vivendi Games |page=7}}</ref> The two games also feature orbs of magic Mojo, which is released by defeating enemies or destroying objects and accumulates to unlock ability upgrades for Crash such as extended spins, headbutts, or combo chains.<ref name=TitansIGN/><ref name=TitansPALGN/><ref name=Titans6/><ref name=MoM7/> Crash can be protected from enemies and hazards by collecting Aku Aku masks; collecting one grants a single-hit shield, two offer double protection, and three grant temporary invincibility.<ref name=CB278/><ref name=CB1910>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/Crash_Bandicoot_1997_Sony_US_SCUS-94900/page/n9/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive |id=SCUS-94900 |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |year=1997 |pages=9–10}}</ref><ref name=CB313>{{cite book |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |url=https://archive.org/details/crashwarped/page/n7/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: Warped (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive Staff |id=SCUS-94244 |year=1999 |page=13}}</ref> ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' introduces the Quantum Masks, which are used in certain areas and grant special powers such as time manipulation and gravity reversal.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |date=September 21, 2020 |title=''Crash Bandicoot 4'': 'Akano Gameplay Shows Crash and Coco's New Spin Move |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-4-akano-gameplay-shows-crash-and-cocos-new-spin-move |website=IGN |language=en-US |access-date=September 19, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922002007/https://www.ign.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-4-akano-gameplay-shows-crash-and-cocos-new-spin-move |archive-date=September 22, 2020}}</ref>
Gems are rewarded if the player clears a level after breaking all the crates or by finding them in secret areas.<ref name=WOC10/><ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/Crash_Bandicoot_1997_Sony_US_SCUS-94900/page/n13/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive |id=SCUS-94900 |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |year=1997 |page=12}}</ref><ref name=CB38>{{cite book |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |url=https://archive.org/details/crashwarped/page/n5/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: Warped (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive Staff |id=SCUS-94244 |year=1999 |page=8}}</ref> Much of these gems are clear and colorless, while a small amount of colored gems can be found in special levels and can transport Crash to hidden areas.<ref name=Huge8/><ref name=WOC10/><ref name=CB38/> Several colored gems are featured in ''Crash Twinsanity'', and unlock bonus content when collected.<ref name="Twinsanity910">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/ps2_Crash_Bandicoot-_Twinsanity_USA/page/8/mode/2up |title=Crash Twinsanity Instruction Manual |year=2004 |publisher=Vivendi Universal Games |pages=9–10}}</ref> ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' increases the amount of objectives that can reward gems, which include collecting a certain amount of Wumpa fruit and clearing a level without losing more than three lives.<ref name="ActiCollectibles">{{cite web |title=''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' Collectibles |url=https://support.activision.com/crash-bandicoot-4/articles/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-collectibles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021110337/https://support.activision.com/crash-bandicoot-4/articles/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-collectibles |website=Activision Support |publisher=Activision Publishing |date=October 2, 2020 |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=May 1, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Crystals, introduced in ''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back'', are often an essential collectible, with one needing to be collected in each level to complete a game.<ref name=WOC10/><ref name=CB38/><ref>{{cite book |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |url=https://archive.org/details/Crash_Bandicoot_2_Cortex_Strikes_Back_1998_Sony_US_SCUS-94154/page/n5/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive Staff |id=SCUS-94154 |year=1998 |page=4}}</ref> ''Crash Bandicoot: Warped'' introduces Relics, which are earned through completing time trials. Relics are obtained by touching a stopwatch near the beginning of a previously completed level and speeding through the level as quickly as possible; sapphire, gold, and platinum relics are rewarded based on the player's performance.<ref name=WOC10/><ref name=CB39>{{cite book |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |url=https://archive.org/details/crashwarped/page/n5/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: Warped (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive Staff |id=SCUS-94244 |year=1999 |page=9}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-bandicoot-the-huge-adventure-agb-acqe-usa-manual/page/n9/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure instruction booklet |last=Azeltine |first=Lauren |publisher=Universal Interactive |year=2002 |page=9}}</ref> ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' features N. Sanely Perfect Relics, which are obtained by collecting all of a level's gems without losing a life.<ref>{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Leah |date=July 23, 2021 |title=Why ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' Is So Hard |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/07/crash-bandicoot-4-why-its-so-hard/ |website=Kotaku |language=en-US |access-date=August 7, 2021 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807210522/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/07/crash-bandicoot-4-why-its-so-hard/ |archive-date=August 7, 2021}}</ref>
Crates have served as a foundational element since the original game. Basic wooden crates require a single spin attack to destroy and often contain Wumpa fruit. Arrow crates augment Crash's jumping ability when bounced on. Crates with Aku Aku or Crash printed on them respectively grant an Aku Aku mask and an extra life. Metallic crates marked with an exclamation point change an element of the surrounding environment if they are struck. Checkpoint crates allow Crash to return to that point in a level upon losing a life. TNT crates detonate upon being spun into, but can be safely destroyed by bouncing on them, which triggers a three second fuse.<ref name=CB278/><ref name=CB1910/><ref name=CB313/> Nitro crates explode immediately upon contact, requiring Crash to trigger a special crate to detonate them all simultaneously.<ref name=CB278/><ref name=CB313/><ref name=WOC1112>{{cite book |last=Azeltine |first=Lauren |year=2001 |url=https://archive.org/details/ps2_Crash_Bandicoot-_The_Wrath_of_Cortex_USA/page/n11/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex Instruction Booklet |publisher=Universal Interactive |pages=11–12}}</ref> ''Crash Bandicoot: Warped'' introduces "slot crates" that shift between crate types at an increasingly rapid pace and must be broken before they turn to unbreakable steel.<ref name=CB313/><ref name=WOC1112/><ref name=Huge1315>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-bandicoot-the-huge-adventure-agb-acqe-usa-manual/page/n13/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure instruction booklet |last=Azeltine |first=Lauren |publisher=Universal Interactive |year=2002 |pages=13–15}}</ref> Time trials feature "time crates", which freeze the stopwatch for the amount of seconds printed on their sides.<ref name=CB39/><ref name=WOC1112/><ref name=Huge1315/> Some crates are reinforced, requiring Crash to use a stronger technique such as body slamming to break them.<ref name=WOC1112/><ref name=Huge1315/>
==Setting and characters== thumb|right|An assortment of characters from the ''Crash Bandicoot'' series. The left-hand side depicts (clockwise from top) Doctor Nefarious Tropy (female and male), Lani-Loli, Doctor Nitrus Brio, Kupuna-Wa, Doctor N. Gin, and Akano. The right-hand side depicts (clockwise from middle) Crash Bandicoot, Tawna, Doctor Neo Cortex, Aku Aku, Dingodile, Ika-Ika, Uka Uka, and Coco Bandicoot. Art by Nicola Saviori. The ''Crash Bandicoot'' series is primarily set in a secluded archipelago {{convert|300|mi|km}} west of Tasmania. The islands encompass diverse biomes such as sandy beaches and snowy terrains, and are littered with the remnants of the lost continent of Lemuria. The largest island is the lair of the villainous mad scientist Doctor Neo Cortex.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/willythewombat_concept/page/n25/mode/2up |title=Project Wombat |last=Pearson |first=Joe |publisher=Universal Interactive Studios |date=August 15, 1995 |pages=23–24}}</ref> ''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back'' establishes that the islands' ancient civilization built a series of "Warp Rooms" providing instant access to areas all over the world.<ref>{{cite book |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |url=https://archive.org/details/Crash_Bandicoot_2_Cortex_Strikes_Back_1998_Sony_US_SCUS-94154/page/n7/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive Staff |id=SCUS-94154 |year=1998 |page=6}}</ref> The time traveling premise of ''Crash Bandicoot: Warped'' introduces prehistoric, medieval, and futuristic locales.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/c3-background.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728232401/http://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/c3-background.htm |archive-date=July 28, 2008 |title=<nowiki>[</nowiki> Crash Gallery - Background Studies - ''Crash 3'' <nowiki>]</nowiki> |publisher=Naughty Dog |access-date=April 4, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' explores branches of the multiverse, depicting parallel dimensions and alternate timelines.<ref>{{cite web |last=Miranda |first=Felicia |date=July 24, 2020 |title=''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' Hands On Preview – When Past and Present Collide |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-hands-on-preview-when-past-and-present-collide |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725141438/https://www.ign.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-hands-on-preview-when-past-and-present-collide |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |website=IGN |language=en-US |access-date=August 9, 2021}}</ref>
Crash Bandicoot is the central protagonist throughout the series. He is depicted as an anthropomorphic eastern barred bandicoot genetically engineered by Cortex in an attempt to create a general who would lead his minions to world domination, only to escape his creator's laboratory.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/Crash_Bandicoot_1997_Sony_US_SCUS-94900/page/n3/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive |id=SCUS-94900 |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |year=1997 |pages=3–4}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=Naughty Dog |title=Crash Bandicoot – Twenty Questions |url=http://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/faqs.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822075840/http://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/faqs.htm |archive-date=August 22, 2008 |access-date=February 2, 2009}}</ref> Crash is characterized as a goofy and non-verbal "accidental hero";<ref name="PolygonOralHistory"/><ref name="AndyGavin2"/> Josh Nadelberg, art director of ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'', described Crash as "this dude who's always in the wrong place at the wrong time" who "just manages to get himself out of all these crazy situations in a heroic way, but he's not your classic hero".<ref>{{cite book |last=Neilson |first=Micky |year=2020 |title=The Art of Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time |publisher=Activision Publishing |isbn=978-1-950366-23-1 |pages=14–15}}</ref> Coco Bandicoot, Crash's tech-savvy younger sister, is a key ally and occasional playable character. Introduced in ''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back'' as a supporting character who uncovers Cortex's scheme,<ref name=CB2912>{{cite book |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |url=https://archive.org/details/Crash_Bandicoot_2_Cortex_Strikes_Back_1998_Sony_US_SCUS-94154/page/n9/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive Staff |id=SCUS-94154 |year=1998 |pages=9–12}}</ref> her role expands in subsequent entries, becoming playable in select levels of ''Crash Bandicoot: Warped'' and fully integrated across all games in the remastered trilogy.<ref name=WhyCoco/> Crash is protected and guided by Aku Aku, a floating wooden mask inhabited by the spirit of an ancient witch doctor.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/why-i-love-crash-bandicoots-wooden-buddy-aku-aku/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112162834/https://www.gamesradar.com/why-i-love-crash-bandicoots-wooden-buddy-aku-aku/ |title=Why I Love: Crash Bandicoot's wooden buddy Aku Aku |last=Sullivan |first=Lucas |website=GamesRadar+ |publisher=Future plc |date=November 11, 2016 |archive-date=November 12, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Tawna, Crash's girlfriend and fellow lab subject, is the damsel in distress of the original game;<ref name=CB11922>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/Crash_Bandicoot_1997_Sony_US_SCUS-94900/page/n19/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive |id=SCUS-94900 |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |year=1997 |pages=19–22}}</ref> ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' features an alternate-universe variant of Tawna as a playable character.<ref name=CB43839>{{cite book |last=Neilson |first=Micky |year=2020 |title=The Art of Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time |publisher=Activision Publishing |isbn=978-1-950366-23-1 |pages=38–39}}</ref><ref name=CortexDingoTawna>{{cite web |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |date=March 12, 2021 |title=''Crash Bandicoot 4'': The Story Behind Cortex, Dingodile, and Tawna as Playable Characters |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-4-the-story-behind-cortex-dingodile-and-tawna-as-playable-characters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312191312/https://www.ign.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-4-the-story-behind-cortex-dingodile-and-tawna-as-playable-characters |archive-date=March 12, 2021 |website=IGN |language=en-US |access-date=August 5, 2021}}</ref> Crunch Bandicoot, introduced in ''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex'', is a muscular, genetically engineered bandicoot created by Cortex to destroy Crash,<ref name=Wrath1617>{{cite book |last=Azeltine |first=Lauren |year=2001 |url=https://archive.org/details/ps2_Crash_Bandicoot-_The_Wrath_of_Cortex_USA/page/n17/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex Instruction Booklet |publisher=Universal Interactive |pages=16–17}}</ref> but after his defeat, he defects to join the protagonists as an ally and playable character in subsequent titles.<ref>{{cite web |first=Scott Alan |last=Marriott | title=''Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced'' - Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=41199&tab=review |website=AllGame |access-date=June 11, 2009 |archive-date=November 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115105213/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=41199&tab=review |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/ps2_Crash_Bandicoot-_Nitro_Kart_USA/page/n21/mode/2up |title=Crash Nitro Kart Instruction Booklet |last=Azeltine |first=Lauren |year=2003 |publisher=Universal Interactive |location=Fresno, California, United States of America |pages=20–21}}</ref> The Quantum Masks − consisting of Lani-Loli, Akano, Kupuna-Wa and Ika-Ika − are a group of extra-dimensional masks who appear in ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' and can grant Crash and Coco special powers.<ref name="GIExclusive">{{Cite magazine |last=Reiner |first=Andrew |date=September 11, 2020 |title=An Exclusive Look At ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/09/11/an-exclusive-look-at-crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=September 15, 2020 |archive-date=September 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915113948/https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/09/11/an-exclusive-look-at-crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time |url-status=live}}</ref>
Doctor Neo Cortex, the main antagonist of the series, is a mad scientist who seeks to achieve world domination through genetically enhanced soldiers.<ref name=CB11922/> He initially collaborates with Doctor Nitrus Brio, the inventor of the Evolvo-Ray used to mutate animals, but their partnership eventually sours;<ref name=CB2912/><ref name=CB11922/> the two reunite in ''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' and ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=17177 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113183726/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=17177 |title=Wii Review: ''Crash Bandicoot: Mind Over Mutant'' |last=Ronaghan |first=Neal |website=Nintendo World Report |date=November 12, 2008 |archive-date=January 13, 2009 |access-date=November 13, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Neilson |first=Micky |year=2020 |title=The Art of Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time |publisher=Activision Publishing |isbn=978-1-950366-23-1 |page=141}}</ref> Uka Uka, the evil twin brother of Aku Aku, is the malevolent overseer of Cortex's schemes. He was imprisoned underground by Aku Aku for his destructive pursuits until the wreckage of Cortex's space station inadvertently frees him.<ref name=Wrath1617/><ref name=CB345>{{cite book |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |url=https://archive.org/details/crashwarped/page/n3/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: Warped (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive Staff |id=SCUS-94244 |year=1999 |pages=4–5}}</ref> Cortex's loyal henchman is Doctor N. Gin, an unhinged cyborg engineer who survived an accident that has left an unexploded missile in his head. Other minions of Cortex include Tiny Tiger, a hulking, savage thylacine, and Dingodile, a dingo-crocodile hybrid who wields a flamethrower;<ref name=CB2912/><ref name=Wrath1617/><ref name=CB312>{{cite book |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |url=https://archive.org/details/crashwarped/page/n7/mode/2up |title=Crash Bandicoot: Warped (Greatest Hits) Instruction Booklet |author=Universal Interactive Staff |id=SCUS-94244 |year=1999 |page=12}}</ref> Dingodile appears as a playable character in ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time''.<ref name=CortexDingoTawna/> Doctor Nefarious Tropy, a time-manipulating scientist, is introduced in ''Crash Bandicoot: Warped'' as a co-conspirator of Uka Uka and Cortex who creates the Time Twister, enabling temporal excursions.<ref name=CB345/> He returns as a primary antagonist in ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'', partnering with Cortex to exploit space-time rifts for multiversal domination before teaming up with his female alternate-universe counterpart.<ref name=CB43839/> ''Crash Twinsanity'' introduces Cortex's niece Nina to the villain roster. She is equipped with bionic hands implanted by her uncle that can extend to grab faraway ledges.<ref name="Twinsanity67">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/ps2_Crash_Bandicoot-_Twinsanity_USA/page/6/mode/2up |title=Crash Twinsanity Instruction Manual |year=2004 |publisher=Vivendi Universal Games |pages=6–7}}</ref> She later appears as a primary antagonist in ''Crash of the Titans''.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-of-the-titans-prima-strategy-guide/page/n33/mode/2up |title=Crash of the Titans Official Strategy Guide |last=Knight |first=Michael |year=2007 |publisher=Prima Games |pages=32–33}}</ref>
== Other media == A short comic promoting ''Crash Team Racing'' was published in the Winter 2000 issue of ''Disney Adventures'', written by Glenn Herdling and drawn by Neal Sternecky.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/DisneyAdventuresWinter2000/page/n61/mode/2up |last1=Herdling |first1=Glenn |last2=Sternecky |first2=Neal |title=''Crash Team Racing'': Turbo Time! |magazine=Disney Adventures |publisher=Disney Publishing Worldwide |date=Winter 2000 |pages=61–64}}</ref> Strategy guides have been published by Dimension Publishing, Prima Games and BradyGames, some containing interviews and lore expansions.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-bandicoot-the-official-strategy-guide |title=Crash Bandicoot: The Official Strategy Guide |last=Meston |first=Zach |year=1996 |publisher=Dimension Publishing |asin=B000OBI980 |oclc=809108080}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/crashteamracingctrprimastrategyguide |title=Prima's Official Strategy Guide: Crash Team Racing |last=Androvich |first=Mark |publisher=Prima Games |year=1999 |isbn=0-7615-2653-6}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/crash-bandicoot-the-wrath-of-cortex-game-guide |title=Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex Official Strategy Guide |last=Mooney |first=Shane |year=2001 |publisher=Brady Games |isbn=0-7440-0129-3}}</ref> In 2018, Dark Horse Books released the original developer's bible for ''Crash Bandicoot'' as a hardcover publication titled ''The Crash Bandicoot Files: How Willy the Wombat Sparked Marsupial Mania''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/3/22/17147436/dark-horse-crash-bandicoot-artbook-concept-art-willy-the-wombat |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322215259/https://www.polygon.com/2018/3/22/17147436/dark-horse-crash-bandicoot-artbook-concept-art-willy-the-wombat |title=Dark Horse publishing ''Crash Bandicoot Files'' artbook |last1=Polo |first1=Susana |last2=Oh |first2=Ashley |website=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |date=March 22, 2018 |archive-date=March 22, 2018 |access-date=April 19, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> An official art book for ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'', titled ''The Art of Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'', was published on October 26, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last=Reed |first=Chris |date=September 28, 2020 |title=Where to Preorder ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-release-date-preorder-guide |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005171843/https://www.ign.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-release-date-preorder-guide |website=IGN |language=en-US |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |url-status=live |access-date=August 3, 2021}}</ref>
During the development of ''Crash Bandicoot'', a pair of traditionally animated cutscenes 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 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 |publisher=Vox Media |date=July 19, 2015 |archive-date=July 21, 2015 |access-date=April 15, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Sega senior vice president Shuji Utsumi proposed the concept of a ''Crash Bandicoot'' film to a number of studios, but was declined.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/crash-bandicoot/long-before-the-super-mario-bros-movie-grossed-usd1-3-billion-segas-president-tried-making-a-crash-bandicoot-movie-but-was-told-video-games-is-like-a-toy-business/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250701192635/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/crash-bandicoot/long-before-the-super-mario-bros-movie-grossed-usd1-3-billion-segas-president-tried-making-a-crash-bandicoot-movie-but-was-told-video-games-is-like-a-toy-business/ |title=Long before the ''Super Mario Bros.'' movie grossed $1.3 billion, Sega's president tried making a ''Crash Bandicoot'' movie but was told "video games is like a toy business" |last=Gerblick |first=Jordan |website=GamesRadar+ |publisher=Future plc |date=July 1, 2025 |archive-date=July 1, 2025 |access-date=February 9, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> Crash is a recurring character in the animated series ''Skylanders Academy'' (2016–18), being transported from his own world into the world of Skylands. Unlike any of his other appearances, he speaks fluent English with an Australian accent, provided by showrunner Eric Rogers in the first season and by Rhys Darby in the third season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/skylanders-academy-showrunner-responds-to-crash-ge/1100-6445597/ |title=''Skylanders Academy'' Showrunner Responds to Crash Getting a Voice, Talks Season 2, and More |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=December 2, 2016 |access-date=October 18, 2017 |archive-date=October 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025115119/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/skylanders-academy-showrunner-responds-to-crash-ge/1100-6445597/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/skylanders-academy-season-3-interview/#netflix |title=New ''Skylanders Academy'' Showrunners Tease the Adventures Ahead in Season 3 |website=Collider |last=Trumbore |first=Dave |date=August 22, 2018 |access-date=February 13, 2021 |archive-date=August 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830043304/http://collider.com/skylanders-academy-season-3-interview/#netflix |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2021, alleged test footage of a canceled ''Crash Bandicoot'' animated series produced with Amazon Studios leaked online.<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 |last=Stockdale |first=Henry |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> On October 27, 2025, Netflix was reported to be developing an animated series. WildBrain was initially reported to be involved with the project, but the statement was later debunked.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2025 |title=''Crash Bandicoot'' Animated Series in the Works at Netflix |url=https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/crash-bandicoot-animated-series-in-the-works-at-netflix/ |access-date=October 28, 2025 |website=What's on Netflix |language=en |last=Moore |first=Kasey}}</ref>
Merchandise generated by the ''Crash Bandicoot'' franchise includes a line of action figures produced by Resaurus tying into ''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back'' and ''Crash Bandicoot: Warped''.<ref>{{cite web |title= ''Crash Bandicoot'' - Toys |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822075845/http://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/toys.htm |url=https://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/toys.htm |publisher=Naughty Dog |archive-date=August 22, 2008 |access-date=June 15, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The ''N. Sane Trilogy'' was promoted with various shirts, keychains, and other types of merchandise officially licensed from Activision with Numskull Product Design.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.numskull.co.uk/official-crash-bandicoot-merchandise/ |title=Officially Licensed ''Crash Bandicoot'' Merchandise & Clothing - Numskull |website=Numskull |date=May 16, 2018 |access-date=8 June 2017 |archive-date=6 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606030224/http://www.numskull.co.uk/official-crash-bandicoot-merchandise/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> Also tied to the ''N. Sane Trilogy'' was a series of vinyl figures by Funko, including retailer-specific variants of Crash and Cortex.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/funko-giving-crash-bandicoot-pops/ |title=Funko Is Giving Us All The ''Crash Bandicoot'' Pops We Can Handle |website=Bleeding Cool |date=September 13, 2017 |last=Konrad |first=Jeremy |access-date=October 6, 2020 |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921010255/https://bleedingcool.com/games/funko-giving-crash-bandicoot-pops/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2023, a ''Crash Bandicoot''-themed cosmetics bundle promoting the release of ''Crash Team Rumble'' was added to ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II'' and ''Warzone''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-and-cthulhu-are-coming-to-call-of-duty-plus-season-4-battle-pass-details/1100-6515188/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613184337/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-and-cthulhu-are-coming-to-call-of-duty-plus-season-4-battle-pass-details/1100-6515188/ |title=''Crash Bandicoot'' And Cthulhu Are Coming To ''Call Of Duty'', Plus Season 4 Battle Pass Details |last=Doster |first=S.E. |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |date=June 13, 2023 |archive-date=June 13, 2023 |access-date=December 11, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Reception and impact == {{Video game series reviews | title = Aggregate review scores (home console games) | game1 = Crash Bandicoot | year1 = 1996 | gr1 = 80%<ref name=CB1GR>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196986-crash-bandicoot/index.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot'' for PlayStation |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |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=dead}}</ref> | mc1 = — | game2 = Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back | year2 = 1997 | gr2 = 89%<ref name=CB2GR>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196987-crash-bandicoot-2-cortex-strikes-back/index.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back'' for PlayStation |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |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=dead}}</ref> | mc2 = — | game3 = Crash Bandicoot: Warped | year3 = 1998 | gr3 = 89%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196988-crash-bandicoot-3-warped/index.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped'' for PlayStation |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=November 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121105306/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196988-crash-bandicoot-3-warped/index.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> | mc3 = 91/100<ref name=CB3MC>{{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> | game4 = Crash Team Racing | year4 = 1999 | gr4 = 92%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196989-crash-team-racing/index.html |title=''Crash Team Racing'' for PlayStation |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205215019/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196989-crash-team-racing/index.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> | mc4 = 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> | game5 = Crash Bash | year5 = 2000 | gr5 = 71%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/914119-crash-bash/index.html |title=''Crash Bash'' for PlayStation |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205215246/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/914119-crash-bash/index.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> | mc5 = 68/100<ref name=BashMC>{{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=dead }}</ref> | game6 = Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex | year6 = 2001 | gr6 = (PS2) 70%<ref>{{cite web |title=''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex'' for PlayStation 2 |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/472571-crash-bandicoot-the-wrath-of-cortex/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205214221/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/472571-crash-bandicoot-the-wrath-of-cortex/index.html |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=May 31, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br>(Xbox) 70%<ref>{{cite web |title=''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex'' for Xbox |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/552471-crash-bandicoot-the-wrath-of-cortex/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205214119/https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/552471-crash-bandicoot-the-wrath-of-cortex/index.html |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=May 31, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br>(GC) 63%<ref>{{cite web |title=''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex'' for GameCube |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/478250-crash-bandicoot-the-wrath-of-cortex/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205214401/https://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/478250-crash-bandicoot-the-wrath-of-cortex/index.html |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=May 31, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | mc6 = (PS2) 66/100<ref name=WrathMC>{{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><br>(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> | game7 = Crash Nitro Kart | year7 = 2003 | gr7 = (PS2) 67%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/914685-crash-nitro-kart/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205214111/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/914685-crash-nitro-kart/index.html |title=''Crash Nitro Kart'' for PlayStation 2 |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=January 8, 2009 |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |url-status=dead}}</ref><br>(Xbox) 66%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/914686-crash-nitro-kart/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205214951/https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/914686-crash-nitro-kart/index.html |title=''Crash Nitro Kart'' for Xbox |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=January 8, 2009 |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |url-status=dead}}</ref><br>(GC) 63%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/914687-crash-nitro-kart/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205214554/https://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/914687-crash-nitro-kart/index.html |title=''Crash Nitro Kart'' for GameCube |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=January 8, 2009 |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |url-status=dead}}</ref> | mc7 = (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><br>(PS2) 69/100<ref name=NitroKartMC>{{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>(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> | game8 = Crash Twinsanity | year8 = 2004 | gr8 = (Xbox) 69%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/920120-crash-twinsanity/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205214228/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/920120-crash-twinsanity/index.html |title=''Crash Twinsanity'' for Xbox |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=August 14, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br>(PS2) 66%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/920119-crash-twinsanity/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205214532/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/920119-crash-twinsanity/index.html |title=''Crash Twinsanity'' for PlayStation 2 |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=August 14, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | mc8 = (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><br>(PS2) 64/100<ref name=TwinsanityMC>{{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> | game9 = Crash Tag Team Racing | year9 = 2005 | gr9 = (Xbox) 68%<ref>{{cite web |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |title=''Crash Tag Team Racing'' for Xbox |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/927301-crash-tag-team-racing/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209000908/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/927301-crash-tag-team-racing/index.html |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |access-date=January 27, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br>(PS2) 68%<ref>{{cite web |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |title=''Crash Tag Team Racing'' for PlayStation 2 |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/927300-crash-tag-team-racing/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209000824/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/927300-crash-tag-team-racing/index.html |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |access-date=January 27, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br>(GC) 67%<ref>{{cite web |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |title=''Crash Tag Team Racing'' for GameCube |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/927302-crash-tag-team-racing/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208234736/https://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/927302-crash-tag-team-racing/index.html |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |access-date=January 27, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | mc9 = (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><br>(PS2) 66/100<ref name=TagTeamMC>{{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>(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> | game10 = Crash of the Titans | year10 = 2007 | gr10 = (PS2) 72%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/939006-crash-of-the-titans/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205214851/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/939006-crash-of-the-titans/index.html |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |title=''Crash of the Titans'' for PlayStation 2 |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=October 24, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br>(Wii) 71%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/wii/939005-crash-of-the-titans/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205213544/https://www.gamerankings.com/wii/939005-crash-of-the-titans/index.html |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |title=''Crash of the Titans'' for Wii |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=October 1, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br>(X360) 65%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/939007-crash-of-the-titans/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205215440/https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/939007-crash-of-the-titans/index.html |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |title=''Crash of the Titans'' for Xbox 360 |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=October 24, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | mc10 = (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 name=TitansMC>{{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> | game11 = Crash: Mind over Mutant | year11 = 2008 | gr11 = (PS2) 75%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/945948-crash-mind-over-mutant/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205214130/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/945948-crash-mind-over-mutant/index.html |title=''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' for PlayStation 2 |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=October 26, 2008 |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |url-status=dead}}</ref><br>(Wii) 72%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/wii/945945-crash-mind-over-mutant/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205213643/https://www.gamerankings.com/wii/945945-crash-mind-over-mutant/index.html |title=''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' for Wii |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=October 7, 2008 |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |url-status=dead}}</ref><br>(X360) 62%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/945947-crash-mind-over-mutant/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205215714/https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/945947-crash-mind-over-mutant/index.html |title=''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' for Xbox 360 |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=October 9, 2008 |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |url-status=dead}}</ref> | mc11 = (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 name=MindOverMC>{{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> | game12 = Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy | year12 = 2017 | gr12 = (PS4) 81%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps4/191634-crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205212205/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps4/191634-crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy/index.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' for PlayStation 4 |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=February 18, 2026 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br>(XONE) 79%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/xboxone/234552-crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205221348/https://www.gamerankings.com/xboxone/234552-crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy/index.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' for Xbox One |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=February 18, 2026 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br>(NS) 77%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/switch/234540-crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205200428/https://www.gamerankings.com/switch/234540-crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy/index.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' for Nintendo Switch |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=February 18, 2026 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | mc12 = (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><br>(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> | game13 = Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled | year13 = 2019 | gr13 = (PS4) 84%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps4/253551-crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205212443/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps4/253551-crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled/index.html |title=''Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled'' for PlayStation 4 |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=February 18, 2026 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br>(XONE) 83%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/xboxone/253553-crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205220455/https://www.gamerankings.com/xboxone/253553-crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled/index.html |title=''Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled'' for Xbox One |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=February 18, 2026 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br>(NS) 82%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/switch/253552-crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205224450/https://www.gamerankings.com/switch/253552-crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled/index.html |title=''Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled'' for Nintendo Switch |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=February 18, 2026 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | mc13 = (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><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>(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> | game14 = Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time | year14 = 2020 | gr14 = — | mc14 = (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>(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>(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>(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>(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> | game15 = Crash Team Rumble | year15 = 2023 | gr15 = — | mc15 = (XSXS) 71/100<ref name="MCXSXS">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-team-rumble/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |title=''Crash Team Rumble'' for Xbox Series X Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=June 29, 2023}}</ref><br>(PS5) 67/100<ref name="MCPS5">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crash-team-rumble/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |title=''Crash Team Rumble'' for PlayStation 5 Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=June 29, 2023}}</ref> }}
===Critical commentary=== The original ''Crash Bandicoot'' trilogy developed by Naughty Dog for the PlayStation was positively received, with aggregate review scores ranging between the 80s and 90s,<ref name=CB1GR/><ref name=CB2GR/><ref name=CB3MC/> and the games have since been considered some of the PlayStation's best.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/best-psx-games/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910035129/http://www.gamesradar.com/best-psx-games/ |title=25 Best PS1 Games of All Time |last=Thorpe |first=Nick |website=GamesRadar+ |publisher=Future plc |date=April 18, 2012 |archive-date=September 10, 2012 |access-date=February 9, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/best-ps1-games-playstation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529032855/https://www.ign.com/articles/best-ps1-games-playstation |title=The Best PlayStation Games of All Time |website=IGN |date=May 28, 2020 |archive-date=May 29, 2020 |access-date=February 9, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-gaming-lists/best-playstation-games-of-all-time-1235183233/crash-bandicoot-warped-1235183272/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202055054/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-gaming-lists/best-playstation-games-of-all-time-1235183233/crash-bandicoot-warped-1235183272/ |title=The 20 Best PlayStation Games of All Time |last=Cruz |first=Christopher |website=Rolling Stone |date=November 28, 2024 |archive-date=December 2, 2024 |access-date=February 9, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> The first ''Crash Bandicoot'' title was praised for its graphics (said to be the fifth generation's best yet) and challenge, while its gameplay was regarded as standard if enjoyable and polished.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Smith |first1=Shawn |last2=Hsu |first2=Dan |last3=Boyer |first3=Crispin |author4=Sushi-X |url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20087%20%28October%201996%29/page/n59/mode/2up |title=Review Crew: ''Crash Bandicoot'' |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |issue=87 |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=October 1996 |page=60}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/Game_Informer_Issue_041_September_1996/page/n9/mode/2up |title=Cover Story – ''Crash Bandicoot'' |last1=Reiner |first1=Andrew |last2=Storm |first2=Jon |last3=McNamara |first3=Andrew |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=Funco |issue=41 |date=September 1996 |pages=8–9 |access-date=April 8, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/crashbandicoot/review.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031011101715/https://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/crashbandicoot/review.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot'' Review for PlayStation at ''GameSpot'' |last=Meston |first=Zach |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |date=December 1, 1996 |archive-date=October 11, 2003 |access-date=April 22, 2021 |url-status=live |ref=none}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1996/11/22/crash-bandicoot |title=PlayStation: ''Crash Bandicoot'' |date=November 21, 1996 |website=IGN |publisher=Imagine Media |access-date=April 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020612062826/http://psx.ign.com/articles/150/150603p1.html |archive-date=June 12, 2002 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back'' was lauded for its gameplay improvements and vibrant graphics, which were described as among the console's best.<ref name=GSpotCB2/><ref name=GICB2/><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-101-december-1997/page/n213/mode/2up |title=Review Crew: ''Crash Bandicoot 2'' |last1=Smith |first1=Shawn |last2=Hsu |first2=Dan |last3=Rickards |first3=Kelly |last4=Kujawa |first4=Kraig |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |issue=101 |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=December 1997 |page=202}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/152/152037p1.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back'' - PlayStation Review at IGN |date=November 4, 1997 |website=IGN |access-date=March 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620210155/http://psx.ign.com/articles/152/152037p1.html |archive-date=June 20, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Crash Bandicoot: Warped'' received acclaim for its gameplay variety and presentation,<ref name=EGMCB3/><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-68-december-1998/page/n67/mode/2up |title=PlayStation Review: ''Crash Bandicoot: Warped'' |last1=Storm |first1=Jon |last2=Anderson |first2=Paul |last3=Reiner |first3=Andrew |magazine=Game Informer |date=December 1998 |issue=68 |page=66}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0%2C10867%2C2545936%2C00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010707140027/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2545936,00.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot: Warped'' Review for PlayStation - GameSpot |first=Ryan |last=MacDonald |website=GameSpot |date=November 5, 1998 |archive-date=July 7, 2001 |access-date=July 8, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://psx.ign.com/reviews/3919.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990204012506/http://psx.ign.com/reviews/3919.html |title=Reviews: ''Crash Bandicoot: Warped'' |first=Randy |last=Nelson |website=IGN |date=November 4, 1998 |archive-date=February 4, 1999 |access-date=July 8, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and has subsequently been considered among the best video games of all time.<ref> * {{cite web |title=The 50 Best Video games: A Legend In Your Own Living-Room |website=The Independent |date=February 6, 1999 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/the-50-best-video-games-a-legend-in-your-own-livingroom-1068932.html|access-date=May 5, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018134016/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/the-50-best-video-games-a-legend-in-your-own-living-room-1068932.html |archive-date=October 18, 2017}} * {{cite web|title=GameSpot's 100 Games of the Millennium|url=http://www.gamespot.co.uk/pc.gamespot/features/gotm_uk/|website=GameSpot|access-date=September 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000815090929/http://www.gamespot.co.uk/pc.gamespot/features/gotm_uk/|archive-date=August 15, 2000|date=January 2, 2000}} * {{cite magazine|title=We rank the 100 greatest videogames|date=May 13, 2003|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2003/05/13/we-rank-100-greatest-videogames/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=March 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309120251/http://www.ew.com/article/2003/05/13/we-rank-100-greatest-videogames/|archive-date=March 9, 2018|url-status=live}} * {{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-200-december-2009/page/44/mode/2up |magazine=Game Informer |title=The Top 200 Games of All Time |date=December 2009 |issue=200 |pages=44–79}} * {{cite magazine |magazine=Game Informer |title=The Top 300 Games of All Time |date=April 2018 |issue=300}} * {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6uoO3csitWN_KHRByq0eyPagW2z9FKYW |title=Reviews on the Run - Top 100 Games & Movies Of All Time! |date=August 14, 2013 |publisher=Electric Playground Network |website=YouTube |access-date=May 28, 2021 |archive-date=August 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831151720/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6uoO3csitWN_KHRByq0eyPagW2z9FKYW |url-status=live}} * {{cite web |title=HG101 Presents: The 200 Best Video Games of All Time |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/books/hg101-presents-the-200-best-video-games-of-all-time/ |website=Hardcore Gaming 101 |access-date=October 28, 2017 |date=December 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029065018/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/books/hg101-presents-the-200-best-video-games-of-all-time/ |archive-date=October 29, 2017 |url-status=live}} * {{cite web |url=https://www.gamereactor.dk/artikler/438333/Gamereactors+Top+100+bedste+spil+nogensinde+101/ |title=Gamereactor's Top 100 bedste spil nogensinde |date=January 16, 2017|website=Gamereactor |access-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528114503/https://www.gamereactor.dk/artikler/438333/Gamereactors+Top+100+bedste+spil+nogensinde+101/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The kart racing game ''Crash Team Racing'', Naughty Dog's final game in the series, was regarded as a highly polished entry in the genre that surpassed its inspirations ''Mario Kart'' and ''Diddy Kong Racing'' in some aspects.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-125-december-1999/page/273/mode/2up |title=Review Crew: ''Crash Team Racing'' |last1=Smith |first1=Shawn |last2=Hager |first2=Dean |last3=Boyer |first3=Crispin |last4=Johnston |first4=Chris |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=December 1999 |issue=174 |page=271}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-79-november-1999/page/n53/mode/2up |title=PlayStation Review: ''Crash Team Racing'' |last1=Fitzloff |first1=Jay |last2=Anderson |first2=Paul |last3=Reiner |first3=Andrew |magazine=Game Informer |date=November 1999 |issue=79 |page=50}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0%2C10867%2C2547145%2C00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010418220506/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2547145,00.html |title=PlayStation Reviews: ''Crash Team Racing'' Review |first=Jeff |last=Gerstmann |author-link=Jeff Gerstmann |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |date=October 19, 1999 |archive-date=April 18, 2001 |access-date=January 15, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/161/161595p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020612210940/http://psx.ign.com/articles/161/161595p1.html |title=PlayStation: ''Crash Team Racing'' |first=Doug |last=Perry |website=IGN |date=October 29, 1999 |archive-date=June 12, 2002 |access-date=January 15, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
In the following era of differing developers, the series saw declining critical reception, with aggregate scores typically in the 60s.<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 }} * {{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 }} * {{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 }} * {{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 }} * {{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 }} * {{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 }} * {{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> Eurocom's ''Crash Bash'', a party game, was said to lack depth or originality, but was considered an enjoyable multiplayer experience.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Sewart |first1=Greg |last2=Hager |first2=Dean |last3=Funk |first3=Joe |url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20137%20%28December%202000%29/page/n219/mode/2up |title=Review Crew: ''Crash Bash'' |date=December 2000 |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |page=213}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/1349E90D-BA34-4E0D-B22B-2BEF9D550F4C.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915050913/https://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/1349E90D-BA34-4E0D-B22B-2BEF9D550F4C.htm |title=The Bandicoot Shuffle |last=Helgeson |first=Matt |magazine=Game Informer |date=December 2000 |archive-date=September 15, 2008 |access-date=June 13, 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/puzzle/crashbash/review.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030802110925/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/puzzle/crashbash/review.html |title=''Crash Bash'' Review for PlayStation at ''GameSpot'' |first=Ryan T. |last=Davis |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET |date=November 7, 2000 |archive-date=August 2, 2003 |access-date=August 31, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/164/164717p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020614172715/http://psx.ign.com/articles/164/164717p1.html |title=PlayStation: ''Crash Bash'' |first=Doug |last=Perry |website=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment |date=November 7, 2000 |archive-date=June 14, 2002 |access-date=August 31, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex'', the first post-Naughty Dog mainline game, was regarded as a rehash of the formula established by the original trilogy, and was criticized for its fixed camera angles and long loading times.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-149-december-2001_20220814/page/238/mode/2up |last1=Mielke |first1=James |last2=Kim |first2=Jeanne |last3=Johnston |first3=Chris |title=Review Crew: ''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex'' |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=December 2001 |issue=149 |page=238}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-105-january-2002/page/80/mode/2up |title=Reviews: ''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex'' |last=McNamara |first=Andrew |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=FuncoLand |date=January 2002 |volume=12 |issue=105 |page=81}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2821868,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011203062632/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2821868,00.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex'' Review |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |last=Satterfield |first=Shane |date=November 1, 2001 |archive-date=December 3, 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Doug |last=Perry |title=IGN: ''Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex'' Review |url=https://ps2.ign.com/articles/165/165616p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020405073531/https://ps2.ign.com/articles/165/165616p1.html |website=IGN |date=November 1, 2001 |archive-date=April 5, 2002 |access-date=May 31, 2009}}</ref> The Game Boy Advance platformers by Vicarious Visions were positively received for their hardware-pushing graphics, though were also deemed lacking in innovation.<ref> * {{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-153-april-2002/page/146/mode/2up |title=Review Crew: ''Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure'' |last1=Kim |first1=Jeanne |last2=Bettenhausen |first2=Shane |last3=Mielke |first3=James |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=153 |date=April 2002 |page=146}} * {{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-108-april-2002_202409/page/n91/mode/2up |title=Reviews: ''Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure'' |last1=Reiner |first1=Andrew |last2=Helgeson |first2=Matt |date=April 2002 |magazine=Game Informer |issue=108 |page=89}} * {{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0%2C10867%2C2856380%2C00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020405213855/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2856380,00.html |title=Game Boy Advance Reviews: ''Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure'' Review |last=Varanini |first=Giancarlo |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |date=March 19, 2002 |archive-date=April 5, 2002 |access-date=June 10, 2009 |url-status=dead}} * {{cite web |url=http://pocket.ign.com/articles/354/354697p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020306001808/http://pocket.ign.com/articles/354/354697p1.html |title=Game Boy: ''Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure'' |last=Harris |first=Craig |website=IGN |publisher=Snowball.com |date=March 1, 2002 |archive-date=March 6, 2002 |access-date=June 10, 2009 |url-status=dead}} * {{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-164-march-2003/page/134/mode/2up |title=Review Crew: ''Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced'' |last=MacDonald |first=Mark |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=164 |date=March 2003 |page=134}} * {{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-117-january-2003/page/120/mode/2up |title=Reviews: ''Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced'' |first=Lisa |last=Mason |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=Sunrise Publications |date=January 2003 |issue=117 |pages=121}} * {{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0%2C10867%2C2909498%2C00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030202095605/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2909498,00.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced'' Review |first=Frank |last=Provo |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |date=January 23, 2003 |archive-date=February 2, 2003 |access-date=June 11, 2009 |url-status=dead}} * {{cite web |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/383/383291p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040429034539/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/383/383291p1.html |title=Game Boy: ''Crash 2: N-Tranced'' |website=IGN |date=January 21, 2003 |archive-date=April 29, 2004 |access-date=June 11, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Likewise, their racing game ''Crash Nitro Kart'' was commended for its visuals but faulted for its failure to sufficiently expand on the design of ''Crash Team Racing''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-174-january-2004/page/110/mode/2up |last1=Ford |first1=Greg |last2=Linn |first2=Demian |last3=Orlando |first3=Greg |date=January 2004 |title=Review Crew: ''Crash Nitro Kart'' |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |issue=174 |page=110}}</ref><ref name="Helgeson 146"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/driving/crashnitrokart/review.html |title=''Crash Nitro Kart'' for PlayStation 2 Review |access-date=January 8, 2009 |first=Ryan |last=Davis |date=November 10, 2003 |website=GameSpot |archive-date=September 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926142036/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/driving/crashnitrokart/review.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/440/440263p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040618054552/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/440/440263p1.html |title=PlayStation 2: ''Crash Nitro Kart'' |first=Ed |last=Lewis |website=IGN |date=November 12, 2003 |archive-date=June 18, 2004 |access-date=January 8, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> The crossover title ''Crash Bandicoot Purple'' was praised for its variety of minigames but criticized for its weak platforming, short length and underwhelming trading card feature.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-134-june-2004/page/138/mode/2up |title=Game Boy Advance Quickies: ''Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage'' / ''Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy'' |last=Mason |first=Lisa |magazine=Game Informer |date=June 2004 |issue=134 |page=139}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gba/action/crashbandicootpurpleriptosrevenge/review.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040626015459/http://www.gamespot.com/gba/action/crashbandicootpurpleriptosrevenge/review.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage'' Review for Game Boy Advance |first=Frank |last=Provo |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |date=June 23, 2004 |archive-date=June 26, 2004 |access-date=September 28, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/519/519708p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040706021257/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/519/519708p1.html |title=Game Boy: ''Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage'' |first=Craig |last=Harris |website=IGN |date=June 1, 2004 |archive-date=July 6, 2004 |access-date=September 28, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> Traveller's Tales's second game, ''Crash Twinsanity'', was commended for its humor and gameplay variety, though its uncooperative camera and formulaic platforming sections were criticized.<ref name=TwinsanityIGN/><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-139-november-2004/page/146/mode/2up |title=Reviews: ''Crash Twinsanity'' |magazine=Game Informer |first1=Andrew |last1=Reiner |first2=Lisa |last2=Mason |issue=139 |date=November 2004 |page=146}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Ryan |last=Davis |title=''Crash Twinsanity'' Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/crash-twinsanity-review/1900-6109742/ |website=GameSpot |date=October 5, 2004 |access-date=June 27, 2009 |archive-date=June 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610231323/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/crash-twinsanity-review/1900-6109742/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Radical Entertainment's first game in the series, ''Crash Tag Team Racing'', was praised for its clashing mechanic, genre-blending approach and humor, while criticism went to its lack of depth, low difficulty, and the execution of its platforming elements.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-198-december-2005/page/142/mode/2up |title=Review Crew: ''Crash Tag Team Racing'' |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |last1=Ford |first1=Greg |last2=Sanders |first2=Kathleen |last3=Ashley |first3=Robert |date=December 2005 |issue=198 |page=143}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/driving/crashtagteamracing/review.html?sid=6136740 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060321064206/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/driving/crashtagteamracing/review.html?sid=6136740 |title=''Crash Tag Team Racing'' for PlayStation 2 Review |last=Navarro |first=Alex |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |date=October 27, 2005 |archive-date=March 21, 2006 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/660/660492p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051024054307/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/660/660492p1.html |title=''Crash Tag Team Racing'' Review |last=Onyett |first=Charles |website=IGN |date=October 21, 2005 |archive-date=October 24, 2005 |access-date=December 26, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Crash Boom Bang!'', a party game by Dimps, was derided for its dull and simplistic minigames and tedious board game designs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ds/puzzle/crashboombang/review.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220113333/http://www.gamespot.com/ds/puzzle/crashboombang/review.html |title=''Crash Boom Bang!'' for DS Review |last=Provo |first=Frank |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=October 10, 2006 |archive-date=February 20, 2009 |access-date=April 7, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/740/740212p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026074143/http://ds.ign.com/articles/740/740212p1.html |title=''Crash Boom Bang!'' Review |last=Harris |first=Craig |website=IGN |date=October 18, 2006 |archive-date=October 26, 2006 |access-date=April 7, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Crash of the Titans'' and ''Crash: Mind over Mutant'', two platformer entries by Radical Entertainment, were met with mixed receptions; critics appreciated the jacking mechanic, visuals and humor, but the fixed camera was a recurring frustration, and the games were respectively undermined by repetitive combat and extensive backtracking.<ref> * {{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-175-november-2007/page/142/mode/2up |title=Reviews: ''Crash of the Titans'' |last=Reeves |first=Ben |magazine=Game Informer |date=November 2007 |page=142}} * {{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/crashofthetitans/review.html?sid=6181136 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021233603/http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/crashofthetitans/review.html?sid=6181136 |title=''Crash of the Titans'' for Wii Review |last=Davis |first=Ryan |author-link=Ryan Davis (journalist) |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |date=October 16, 2007 |archive-date=October 21, 2007 |access-date=October 17, 2007 |url-status=live}} * {{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/827/827903p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017165944/http://wii.ign.com/articles/827/827903p1.html |title=''Crash of the Titans'' Review |last=Periera |first=Michael |website=IGN |date=October 16, 2007 |archive-date=October 17, 2007 |access-date=October 17, 2007 |url-status=dead}} * {{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-188-december-2008/page/110/mode/2up |title=Multi Quickies: ''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' |last=Reiner |first=Andrew |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |volume=28 |issue=188 |date=December 2008 |page=110}} * {{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/crashbandicootmindovermutant/review.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207025516/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/crashbandicootmindovermutant/review.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot: Mind Over Mutant'' for Xbox 360 Review |first=Justin |last=Calvert |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=October 14, 2008 |archive-date=December 7, 2008 |access-date=October 15, 2008 |url-status=dead}} * {{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/919/919974p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017113135/http://wii.ign.com/articles/919/919974p1.html |title=''Crash: Mind over Mutant'' Review |last=Casamassina |first=Matt |author-link=Matt Casamassina |website=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment |date=October 14, 2008 |archive-date=October 17, 2008 |access-date=October 15, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> A pair of mobile racing games developed by Polarbit were received positively; ''Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D'' was praised its engaging gameplay and responsive controls, but faced criticism for lacking multiplayer features and occasionally simplistic visuals and track designs;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/892/892453p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725041929/http://wireless.ign.com/articles/892/892453p1.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D'' Review |first=Levi |last=Buchanan |website=IGN |date=July 21, 2008 |archive-date=July 25, 2008 |access-date=November 22, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/199344/crashbandicoot.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623221725/https://www.macworld.com/article/199344/crashbandicoot.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D'' for iPhone |last=Barylick |first=Chris |website=Macworld |publisher=International Data Group |date=July 31, 2009 |archive-date=June 23, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/007856/crash-bandicoot-nitro-kart-3d-iphone/ |title=''Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D'' (iPhone) |last=Spencer |first=Spanner |work=Pocket Gamer |date=July 18, 2008 |access-date=December 19, 2018 |archive-date=December 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219230233/https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/007856/crash-bandicoot-nitro-kart-3d-iphone/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.appspy.com/review/3738/crash-bandicoot-nitro-kart-3d |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403051808/http://www.appspy.com/review/3738/crash-bandicoot-nitro-kart-3d |title=''Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D'' Review |last=Chiappara |first=Damian |website=AppSpy |publisher=Steel Media |date=July 13, 2009 |archive-date=April 3, 2013 |access-date=December 19, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2'' was praised for its visuals, track design and gameplay modes, but was criticized for unforgiving gameplay mechanics and lack of innovation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamezebo.com/games/crash-bandicoot-nitro-kart-2/review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727144117/http://www.gamezebo.com/games/crash-bandicoot-nitro-kart-2/review |title=''Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2'' Review: Buckle up for awesome! |last=Squires |first=Jim |website=Gamezebo |date=May 30, 2010 |archive-date=July 27, 2013 |access-date=December 19, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/109/1093915p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604083824/http://wireless.ign.com/articles/109/1093915p1.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2'' iPhone Review |last=Buchanan |first=Levi |website=IGN |date=June 1, 2010 |archive-date=June 4, 2010 |access-date=December 19, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://toucharcade.com/2010/05/31/crash-bandicoot-nitro-kart-2-review-wild-kart-racing-action-with-online-multiplayer/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603015928/http://toucharcade.com/2010/05/31/crash-bandicoot-nitro-kart-2-review-wild-kart-racing-action-with-online-multiplayer/ |title=''Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2'' Review – Wild Kart Racing Action With Online Multiplayer |last=Nelson |first=Jared |website=TouchArcade |date=May 31, 2010 |archive-date=June 3, 2010 |access-date=December 19, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.appspy.com/review/4279/crash-bandicoot-nitro-kart-2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403085555/https://www.appspy.com/review/4279/crash-bandicoot-nitro-kart-2 |title=''Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 2'' Review |last=Nesvadba |first=Andrew |website=AppSpy |publisher=Steel Media |date=May 28, 2010 |archive-date=April 3, 2013 |access-date=July 20, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
The series' revival marked a return to critical favor. The ''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'', a remastered collection of the original three games, was commended for its faithful yet visually improved recreation.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Slead |first=Evan |date=July 3, 2017 |url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-review |title=''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' review |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |access-date=July 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904144235/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-review/ |archive-date=September 4, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Reiner |first=Andrew |date=June 29, 2017 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/crash_bandicoot_n_sane_trilogy/b/playstation4/archive/2017/06/29/aged-like-a-fine-orange-wine.aspx |title=Aged Like A Fine, Orange Wine – ''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' – PlayStation 4 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=June 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629210600/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/crash_bandicoot_n_sane_trilogy/b/playstation4/archive/2017/06/29/aged-like-a-fine-orange-wine.aspx |archive-date=June 29, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Peter |date=June 29, 2017 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-review/1900-6416709/ |title=''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' Review |website=GameSpot |access-date=June 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701135632/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-review/1900-6416709/ |archive-date=July 1, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |date=June 29, 2017 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/29/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-review |title=''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' Review |website=IGN |access-date=June 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629144411/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/29/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-review |archive-date=June 29, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> The remaster of ''Crash Team Racing'', ''Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled'', was similarly praised for its recreation and presentation as well as its robust content.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Goroff |first=Michael |date=June 26, 2019 |title=''Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled'' review |url=https://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled-review/ |magazine=EGMNow |access-date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627121337/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled-review/ |archive-date=June 27, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Reiner |first=Andrew |date=June 20, 2019 |title=''Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled'' - No Rust On This Ride |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled/no-rust-on-this-ride |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622001233/https://www.gameinformer.com/index.php/review/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled/no-rust-on-this-ride |archive-date=June 22, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Dayus |first=Oscar |date=June 21, 2019 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled-review-back-with-a-/1900-6417174/ |title=''Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled'' Review - Back With A Bang |publisher=GameSpot |access-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621175032/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled-review-back-with-a-/1900-6417174/ |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Garcia |first=Janet |date=June 20, 2019 |title=''Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled'' Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/06/21/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled-review |website=IGN |access-date=June 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621085023/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/06/21/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled-review |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'', a new platforming entry, was praised for its preservation and refinement of the series' classic formula, implementation of new gameplay mechanics, and vibrant visuals and audio.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-review-precision |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004013623/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-review-precision |title=''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' Review – Precision Platforming |last=Reeves |first=Ben |magazine=Game Informer |date=October 1, 2020 |archive-date=October 4, 2020 |access-date=October 1, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/crash-bandicoot-4-review-/1900-6417574/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311184355/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/crash-bandicoot-4-review-/1900-6417574/ |title=''Crash Bandicoot 4'' Review – Platformer's Delight |last=Epstein |first=Mike |website=GameSpot |publisher=Red Ventures |date=March 11, 2021 |archive-date=March 11, 2021 |access-date=August 11, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001135522/https://www.ign.com/articles/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-review |title=''Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time'' Review |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathan |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=October 1, 2020 |archive-date=October 1, 2020 |access-date=October 1, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> The mobile endless runner ''Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!'' was met with mixed reviews, being praised for its presentation and accessibility but faulted for its repetitive gameplay, lack of challenge, and pervasive microtransactions.<ref name=EuroG>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.it/articles/2021-04-12-crash-on-the-run-recensione |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412080114/https://www.eurogamer.it/articles/2021-04-12-crash-on-the-run-recensione |title=''Crash On The Run'' - recensione |language=Italian |last=Cucchiarelli |first=Daniele |website=Eurogamer |date=April 12, 2021 |archive-date=April 12, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2025 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamezebo.com/2021/03/24/crash-bandicoot-on-the-run-review-rose-tinted-marsupials/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324120126/https://www.gamezebo.com/2021/03/24/crash-bandicoot-on-the-run-review-rose-tinted-marsupials/ |title=''Crash Bandicoot: On The Run'' Review – Rose-Tinted Marsupials |last=Slater |first=Harry |website=Gamezebo |publisher=Gamezebo, Inc. |date=March 24, 2021 |archive-date=March 24, 2021 |access-date=April 28, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/crash-bandicoot-on-the-run-review/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401160143/https://www.gamereactor.eu/crash-bandicoot-on-the-run-review/ |title=''Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!'' |last=Harris |first=Kieran |website=Gamereactor |publisher=Gamez Publishing A/S |date=March 31, 2021 |archive-date=April 1, 2021 |access-date=July 26, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pockettactics.com/crash-bandicoot-on-the-run/review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325144746/https://www.pockettactics.com/crash-bandicoot-on-the-run/review |title=''Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!'' review – more like a leisurely stroll |last=Fox |first=Glen |website=Pocket Tactics |publisher=Network N |date=March 25, 2021 |archive-date=March 25, 2021 |access-date=July 16, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://multiplayer.it/recensioni/crash-bandicoot-on-the-run-recensione.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325104534/https://multiplayer.it/recensioni/crash-bandicoot-on-the-run-recensione.html |title=''Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!'', la recensione: Crash corre su mobile |last=Pugliese |first=Tommaso |website=Multiplayer.it |publisher=Netaddiction |date=March 25, 2021 |archive-date=March 25, 2021 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> The online multiplayer game ''Crash Team Rumble'' also had a mixed reception, with reviewers highlighting its gameplay, map design and presentation but decrying its content variety, live-service elements and pricing.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Garst |first=Aron |date=June 21, 2023 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/crash-team-rumble/a-bandicoot-bash |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622010150/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/crash-team-rumble/a-bandicoot-bash |url-status=live |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |title=''Crash Team Rumble'' Review - A Bandicoot Bash |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=June 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Delaney |first=Mark |date=June 28, 2023 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/crash-team-rumble-review-a-fresh-spin/1900-6418083/ |title=''Crash Team Rumble'' Review - A Fresh Spin |website=GameSpot |access-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-date=June 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628223646/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/crash-team-rumble-review-a-fresh-spin/1900-6418083/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Borger |first=Will |date=June 30, 2023 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/crash-team-rumble-review |title=''Crash Team Rumble'' Review |website=IGN |access-date=June 30, 2023 |archive-date=June 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630181144/https://www.ign.com/articles/crash-team-rumble-review |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Commercial performance=== The ''Crash Bandicoot'' series achieved commercial success. Naughty Dog's four games in the series sold over 20 million units altogether worldwide by July 2000,<ref>{{cite press release |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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516173907/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 |title=Naughty Dog Inc.'s ''Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy''™ Provides the Next Generation in Action-Adventure Gaming |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment |date=July 18, 2000 |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the series saw continued success into 2007, selling over 40 million units worldwide across all titles and grossing over $1 billion.<ref>{{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/ |title=Sierra Ships ''Crash of the Titans'' |last=Berardini |first=César A. |website=TeamXbox |publisher=IGN |date=October 23, 2007 |archive-date=March 4, 2008 |access-date=December 9, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref><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 |archive-date=November 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121103442/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/crash-bandicoot-returns-to-mobile-phones-in-the-exciting-new-adventure-crash-of-the-titans |url-status=live }}</ref> By 2025, the ''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' and ''Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled'' respectively added 20 and 10 million sold units to the series' figure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=June 20, 2024 |title=''Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy'' sales top 20 million |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/06/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-sales-top-20-million |access-date=June 20, 2024 |website=Gematsu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250907091008/https://www.gematsu.com/2024/06/crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-sales-top-20-million |archive-date=September 7, 2025}}</ref><ref name="Romano"/> The mobile entry, ''Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!'', garnered over 60 million downloads between its 2021 launch and the announcement of its closure the following year but generated only about $4 million in in-app purchase revenue.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mobilegamer.biz/crash-bandicoot-on-the-run-to-close-after-60m-downloads-and-4m-in-iap-revenue/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219151637/https://mobilegamer.biz/crash-bandicoot-on-the-run-to-close-after-60m-downloads-and-4m-in-iap-revenue/ |title=''Crash Bandicoot: On The Run'' to close after 60m downloads and $4m in IAP revenue |last=Long |first=Neil |website=mobilegamer.biz |date=December 19, 2022 |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |access-date=December 22, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
''Crash Bandicoot'' became the first non-Japanese game to sell over 500,000 units in the country.<ref name="Timeline">{{cite web |url=http://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/timeline.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040604103557/http://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/timeline.htm |archive-date=June 4, 2004 |title=''Crash Bandicoot'' – Time Line |publisher=Naughty Dog |access-date=March 8, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''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=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230005343/http://www.japan-gamecharts.com/ps2.php |archive-date=December 30, 2008 }}</ref>
=== Cultural legacy === The original ''Crash Bandicoot'' was a flagship title for the PlayStation, and the character became the console's unofficial mascot.<ref name="PolygonOralHistory"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-game-creators/96 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208201840/https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-game-creators/96 |title=Top 100 Game Creators: Jason Rubin |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=January 25, 2017 |archive-date=February 8, 2017 |access-date=December 18, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> The series established Naughty Dog's reputation in the video game industry, and they achieved further success with the ''Jak and Daxter'', ''Uncharted'' and ''The Last of Us'' series.<ref name="PolygonOralHistory"/> The success of ''Crash Team Racing'' in particular inspired a kart racing game boom in the early 2000s, with Jason Rubin noting that Naughty Dog was pitched wrestling-themed kart games twice by different publishers.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-146-september-2001/page/n47/mode/2up |title=Ever Wondered...? |last=Baker |first=Chris |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=146 |date=September 2001 |page=48}}</ref> The series has been cited as an influence on other games, including ''Rayman 2: The Great Escape'' (1999),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/14/rayman-2-the-great-escape-7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306121607/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/14/rayman-2-the-great-escape-7 |title=''Rayman 2: The Great Escape'' |website=IGN |date=August 13, 1999 |archive-date=March 6, 2013 |access-date=January 15, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Knack'' (2014),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/4/10/4208718/shuhei-yoshida-knack-was-pitched-as-crash-bandicoot-for-ps4 |title=Shuhei Yoshida: ''Knack'' was pitched as {{'}}''Crash Bandicoot'' for PS4' |first=Griffin |last=McElroy |website=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |date=April 10, 2014 |access-date=September 16, 2015 |archive-date=October 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006203903/http://www.polygon.com/2013/4/10/4208718/shuhei-yoshida-knack-was-pitched-as-crash-bandicoot-for-ps4 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''PsiloSybil'' (2024),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/platformer/the-spirit-of-crash-bandicoot-lives-on-in-the-most-ruthless-indie-linear-3d-platformer-ever-made-which-has-already-killed-me-71-times-in-a-single-level/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009225541/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/platformer/the-spirit-of-crash-bandicoot-lives-on-in-the-most-ruthless-indie-linear-3d-platformer-ever-made-which-has-already-killed-me-71-times-in-a-single-level/ |title=The spirit of ''Crash Bandicoot'' lives on in "the most ruthless indie linear 3D platformer ever made," which has already killed me 71 times in a single level |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |website=GamesRadar+ |publisher=Future plc |date=October 9, 2024 |archive-date=October 9, 2024 |access-date=January 12, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Antonblast'' (2024).<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/tony-grayson-chats-about-antonblast-and-the-design-philosophy-behind-the-beloved-indie-game-interview/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241224213104/https://www.vice.com/en/article/tony-grayson-chats-about-antonblast-and-the-design-philosophy-behind-the-beloved-indie-game-interview/ |title=Tony Grayson Chats About ''Antonblast'' and the Design Philosophy Behind the Beloved Indie Game (Interview) |last=Cichacki |first=Shaun |website=Vice |publisher=Vice Media |date=December 24, 2024 |archive-date=December 24, 2024 |access-date=January 12, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> Games that have drawn comparisons to ''Crash Bandicoot'' include ''Jersey Devil'' (1997),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/06/17/jersey-devil-2 |title=Jersey Devil (PS) |first=Douglass C. |last=Perry |date=June 17, 1998 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501052948/https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/06/17/jersey-devil-2 |archive-date=May 1, 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=September 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/jersey-devil-review/1900-2547951/ |title=Jersey Devil Review |first=James |last=Mielke |date=July 7, 1998 |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825143620/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/jersey-devil-review/1900-2547951/ |archive-date=August 25, 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=September 10, 2023}}</ref> ''Super Magnetic Neo'' (2000),<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-88-august-2000/page/74/mode/2up |title=Dreamcast Review: ''Super Magnetic Neo'' |last1=McNamara |first1=Andy |last2=Fitzloff |first2=Jay |last3=Reiner |first3=Andrew |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=Sunrise Publications |issue=88 |date=August 2000 |page=75}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Kujawa |first1=Kraig |last2=Johnston |first2=Chris |last3=Mielke |first3=James "Milkman" |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-133-august-2000/page/146/mode/2up |title=Review Crew: ''Super Magnetic Neo'' |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=133 |date=August 2000 |page=146}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Gantayat|first=Anoop|date=June 19, 2000|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/20/super-magnetic-neo|title=''Super Magnetic Neo''|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=January 31, 2021|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125215049/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/20/super-magnetic-neo|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Burn|first=Xavier|date=March 21, 2000|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-magnetic-neo-review/1900-2540459/|title=''Super Magnetic Neo'' Review [Import]|website=GameSpot|publisher=Red Ventures|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041230000121/http://www.gamespot.com/dreamcast/action/supermagneticneo/review.html|archive-date=December 30, 2004|url-status=live|access-date=January 31, 2021}}</ref> ''Walt Disney World Quest: Magical Racing Tour'' (2000),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/walt-disney-world-magical-racing-quest-review/1900-2547334/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401122250/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/walt-disney-world-magical-racing-quest-review/1900-2547334/ |title=''Walt Disney World: Magical Racing Quest'' Review |last=MacDonald |first=Ryan |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |date=April 4, 2000 |archive-date=April 1, 2014 |access-date=January 15, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-131-june-2000/page/168/mode/2up |title=Review Crew: ''Walt Disney World: Magical Racing Tour'' |last=Smith |first=Shawn |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=131 |date=June 2000 |page=169}}</ref> ''Donald Duck: Goin' Quackers'' (2000),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://psx.ign.com/reviews/14452.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001109024300/http://psx.ign.com/reviews/14452.html |title=''Disney's Donald Duck: Goin' Quackers'' |last=Cleveland |first=Adam |website=IGN |publisher=Snowball.com |date=October 25, 2000 |archive-date=November 9, 2000 |access-date=January 15, 2026 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0%2C10867%2C2662015%2C00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010611195134/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2662015,00.html |title=PlayStation Reviews: ''Disney's Donald Duck: Goin' Quackers'' Review |last=Villoria |first=Gerald |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |date=December 6, 2000 |archive-date=June 11, 2001 |access-date=January 15, 2026 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-93-january-2001/page/102/mode/2up |title=PlayStation Quickies: ''Donald Duck: Goin' Quackers'' |last=Fitzloff |first=Jay |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=Sunrise Publications |issue=93 |date=January 2001 |page=103}}</ref> ''Woody Woodpecker Racing'' (2000),<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-93-january-2001/page/102/mode/2up |title=PlayStation Quickies: ''Woody Woodpecker Racing'' |last=Helgeson |first=Matt |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=Sunrise Publications |issue=93 |date=January 2001 |page=103}}</ref> ''Kao the Kangaroo'' (2000),<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-96-april-2001/page/76/mode/2up |title=Reviews: ''Kao the Kangaroo'' |last=Helgeson |first=Matt |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=Sunrise Publications |issue=96 |date=April 2001 |page=77}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-141-april-2001/page/102/mode/2up |title=Review Crew: ''Kao the Kangaroo'' |last=Mielke |first=James |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=141 |date=April 2001 |page=103}}</ref> and ''Ty the Tasmanian Tiger'' (2002).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/16/ty-the-tasmanian-tiger-2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408230639/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/16/ty-the-tasmanian-tiger-2 |title=''Ty the Tasmanian Tiger'' |last1=Dunham |first1=Jeremy |last2=Hwang |first2=Kaiser |website=IGN |date=October 16, 2002 |archive-date=April 8, 2014 |access-date=January 15, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-161-december-2002/page/235/mode/2up |title=Review Crew: ''Ty the Tasmanian Tiger'' |last1=Johnston |first1=Chris |last2=Gladstone |first2=Darren |last3=Einhorn |first3=Ethan |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=161 |date=December 2002 |page=236}}</ref>
A parody of ''Crash Bandicoot'' plays a central part of the storyline of the ''Simpsons'' episode "Lisa Gets an "A"".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/retro-gamer-uk-2013/Retro%20Gamer%20UK%20117/page/66/mode/2up |title=From the Archives: Naughty Dog |magazine=Retro Gamer |publisher=Imagine Publishing |issue=117 |date=July 2013 |page=66}}</ref> A 1999 episode of the WB TV series ''Felicity'' features a storyline in which the characters Elena and Noel become obsessed with completing ''Crash Bandicoot: Warped''.<ref name="Timeline"/> In 2014, paleontologists formally described an extinct Miocene-era bandicoot species from fossils at Australia's Riversleigh World Heritage Area, naming it ''Crash bandicoot'' in homage to the game's character.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Travouillon |first=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 |url-access=subscription |hdl=1959.4/unsworks_36968 |hdl-access=free |archive-date=September 11, 2022 |access-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911185947/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 |url-status=live }}</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> In 2017, the character's signature "whoa!" exclamation inspired internet memes incorporating his yelp into songs and video game music.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/8/3/16089454/crash-bandicoot-woah-meme/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803205823/https://www.polygon.com/2017/8/3/16089454/crash-bandicoot-woah-meme/ |title=Crash Bandicoot's 'woah' is the internet's new obsession |last=Frank |first=Allegra |website=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |date=August 3, 2017 |archive-date=August 3, 2017 |access-date=December 18, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category}} * {{Official website|https://www.crashbandicoot.com/}} * {{MobyGames|-group/crash-bandicoot-series|''Crash Bandicoot'' series}}
{{Crash Bandicoot series}} {{Naughty Dog}} {{Activision}} {{Universal Interactive}}
Category:Crash Bandicoot Category:Activision Blizzard franchises Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1996 Category:Video game franchises