Summary
Crash Bandicootwent through something of an identity crisis on the PS2 after the original developer, Naughty Dog, dropped the series and went on to makeJak & Daxter. Crash started as the recognizable character from Naughty Dog’s legendary PS1 games, but as the series tried to evolve, it arguably lost the charm that made the marsupial so special.
That’s not to say that everyCrash Bandicootgame from this generation was bad, but a lot of them just do not feel likeCrash Bandicoot. Still, gamers can do a lot worse when it comes toplatformers from this era, and though not everyCrash Bandicootgame on the PS2 has withstood the test of time, some are still very easy to enjoy.
Unlike the original PlayStation games, all of the games below came out on multiple consoles. While the character was an unofficial PS1 mascot, these days, he has been under the Xbox umbrella since Microsoft purchased Activision.
6Crash: Mind Over Mutant
Metacritic Score: 60
As far as rock bottoms go,Crash: Mind Over Mutantisn’t that dire when compared to the worst games from other similar series. It works and will not frustrate players with bad design, glitches, or unfair challenges.
It strives to improve over its predecessor by taking place in freer environments, encouraging exploration andtalking to NPCsinstead of simply linearly progressing through levels. This wasn’t seen as big enough of a jump to warrant better critical praise, however.
Mind Over Mutantwent into hibernation before coming out with theN. Sane Trilogyin 2017, which featured full-fledged remakes.
Crash Twinsanitytook a lot of swings and rarely managed to hit the ball. The game eschewed the traditional warp room structure that the series relied on for numerous entries in favor of an interconnected world with more open environments. It also puts a larger focus on writing, characters, and comedy.
The new gameplay felt unrefined and was hindered by an abysmal camera, but the writing was the absolute saving grace. Its humor is irreverent, self-referential, and, at times, bordering ontoo dirty for a kid’s game. As time goes on, though, it is harder and harder to go through it as the already lackluster controls have aged poorly.
4Crash Of The Titans
Metacritic Score: 65
BeforeCrash of the Titans,the series had always been mainly about the platforming challenge. This game added combat to the mix, allowing Crash to do more than just spin enemies into oblivion. The character and all of his companions saw a significant redesign. While the new look and gameplay might have alienated longtime fans, it wasn’t a complete failure.
The 65 Metacritic score might be just sitting on average, but it was enough to warrant a sequel. The ability toplay through the game in co-opwas also a first for a main entry.
3Crash Tag Team Racing
Metacritic Score: 66
Crash Tag Team Racingseparates itself from the legacy ofCrash Team Racingwith a big injection of humor, new character designs, and the main gimmick of teaming up with competitors during a race. Players can combine karts with others and let one racer drive while the other uses a turret. Though it draws obviouscomparisons toMario Kart: Double-Dash,it is different since players join karts in the middle of a race and can separate at any time.
In fact, the player who separates first is given a boost, encouraging betrayal in these uneasy alliances. The story mode also includes an overworld where players control Crash on foot. It doesn’t control as well as a mainlineCrash Bandicoot, but it is a nice way to break up all of the racing action.
Crash Bandicoot: Warpedwas the last platformerNaughty Dog developed in the series. When the task for a sequel was passed on to Traveller’s Tales, the developer didn’t mess with the formula.The Wrath Of Cortexfeels almost like an expansion toWarped. The structure is identical, only with different levels.
Like a traditional expansion pack, levels here are longer, harder, and less forgiving. This doesn’t make the game better than its predecessor, though.The Wrath of Cortexdoesn’t take any big risks. As a result, it doesn’t overly impress. Still, it was moreCrash Bandicoot, and some fans were happy just to have him back for the new generation.
As the follow-up toCrash Team Racing,Nitro Kartleaves a lot to be desired. Living up to the PS1 kart racer was no easy task, though. On its own,Nitro Kartis a fairly decent racing game. It does everything it can to recaptureCrash Team Racing’s magic, but it doesn’t quite reach the same heights.
The tracks are decent enough, and there’s plenty of content for the genre to keep one occupied, including team-based modes in addition to traditional every-racer-for-themselves competitions.
The thirteen tracks fromNitro Kartwere included inCrash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, an enhanced remake ofCrash Team Racing.
