As Sony were gearing up to launch their first video game console, the PlayStation, they were in search of a mascot to help sell the system to families. Nintendo had Mario, Sega had Sonic, and Sony needed something that would resonate with their target audience of teens. It needed to be cooler, funnier, and edgier than Mario and Sonic. Meanwhile Universal had just signed a three game deal with a small development studio, Naughty Dog, to develop a family friendly platformer for the PlayStation. Development began on Willy the Wombat, but when Sony executives caught wind of the project a deal was struck to make Willy a bit edgier, and in return he would become the face of PlayStation. Today we know Willy the Wombat as Crash Bandicoot, and he went on to give Sony great success with the console, developer Naughty Dog became a household name and has gone from strength to strength ever since, and Crash became one of gaming’s most recognisable and beloved characters. Join me as I break some boxes and munch on a wumpa fruit, and look back at Crash Bandicoot.
When experimenting on local wildlife, Dr. Neo Cortex creates Crash Bandicoot to become the leader of his army. But when Crash escapes and Cortex takes his love interest Tawna prisoner, Crash must journey across the N. Sanity Islands, navigate the most hazardous terrain, and face down all of Cortex’s minions to save the bandicoot he loves.
I don’t think it’s any secret that Crash Bandicoot is hard, like really hard. A 3D platformer that requires pinpoint precision and absolute mastery of its limited gameplay mechanics. Set across three islands, the levels get more difficult and complex as you progress. Starting off simple enough with N. Sanity Beach, and hitting the peak of difficulty at levels like Slippery Climb as you scale the side of Cortex’s castle. Giving you an overview of the levels via the map screen gives you a real sense of place.
When experimenting on local wildlife, Dr. Neo Cortex creates Crash Bandicoot to become the leader of his army. But when Crash escapes and Cortex takes his love interest Tawna prisoner, Crash must journey across the N. Sanity Islands, navigate the most hazardous terrain, and face down all of Cortex’s minions to save the bandicoot he loves.
I don’t think it’s any secret that Crash Bandicoot is hard, like really hard. A 3D platformer that requires pinpoint precision and absolute mastery of its limited gameplay mechanics. Set across three islands, the levels get more difficult and complex as you progress. Starting off simple enough with N. Sanity Beach, and hitting the peak of difficulty at levels like Slippery Climb as you scale the side of Cortex’s castle. Giving you an overview of the levels via the map screen gives you a real sense of place.
The goal of missions is simple enough. Get to the end to unlock the next one. Along the way you’ll need to avoid various environmental hazards and enemy types that block your path. Despite all of Naughty Dog’s Crash games being made in the same engine (and all three titles of the N. Sane Trilogy from Vicarious Visions), movement in the first game feels considerably more rigid. This might just be me, but Crash doesn’t feel as agile and as a result it’s considerably more difficult to chain several moves together when you need to at times. The later levels are all considerably more difficult than anything the sequels offer up as a result, with the infamous Road to Nowhere and Slippery Climb being my own personal nightmare.
You have a limited life pool and dying sets you back to the last checkpoint. If you run out of lives, you’ll need to restart the level. Collecting one hundred wumpa fruit in a level earns you an extra life, plus if you’re lucky you can find them hidden around the level. As a bonus challenge, breaking every wooden box in a level can earn you a gem, collect every gem and you’ll unlock a secret ending.
You’ll also have boss battles to contend with every now and again. All of them able to be defeated simply by avoiding their attacks for long enough, but they will text your timing, reflexes, and attack patterns memory to its limits at times.
A large part of the game’s enduring legacy has been its visual design, and Crash as a character. Known by the prototype name ‘Sonic’s Ass’ whilst in development at Naughty Dog, the aim was always to create a competitor to the blue blur but with levels that saw you run away from or towards the screen, rather than side to side like the majority of other platformers.
The environments are highly detailed and extremely colourful, they just have so much life and personality.
Speaking of which, despite being an animal that doesn’t talk, Crash is such a big character. It can’t be understated how much his wacky personality sells the game.
The enduring popularity of Crash Bandicoot is a testament to the quality of the game. Whether you play the original PS1 classics, or the N. Sane Trilogy remakes, Crash appeals to all ages and abilities. Its greatest downfall is its own difficulty, but for those that persist the reward of completion is so satisfying. There’s no doubt about it, Crash Bandicoot is an incredible game, and the sequels only get better.
You have a limited life pool and dying sets you back to the last checkpoint. If you run out of lives, you’ll need to restart the level. Collecting one hundred wumpa fruit in a level earns you an extra life, plus if you’re lucky you can find them hidden around the level. As a bonus challenge, breaking every wooden box in a level can earn you a gem, collect every gem and you’ll unlock a secret ending.
You’ll also have boss battles to contend with every now and again. All of them able to be defeated simply by avoiding their attacks for long enough, but they will text your timing, reflexes, and attack patterns memory to its limits at times.
A large part of the game’s enduring legacy has been its visual design, and Crash as a character. Known by the prototype name ‘Sonic’s Ass’ whilst in development at Naughty Dog, the aim was always to create a competitor to the blue blur but with levels that saw you run away from or towards the screen, rather than side to side like the majority of other platformers.
The environments are highly detailed and extremely colourful, they just have so much life and personality.
Speaking of which, despite being an animal that doesn’t talk, Crash is such a big character. It can’t be understated how much his wacky personality sells the game.
The enduring popularity of Crash Bandicoot is a testament to the quality of the game. Whether you play the original PS1 classics, or the N. Sane Trilogy remakes, Crash appeals to all ages and abilities. Its greatest downfall is its own difficulty, but for those that persist the reward of completion is so satisfying. There’s no doubt about it, Crash Bandicoot is an incredible game, and the sequels only get better.