Before Naughty Dog created one of the most celebrated and state of the art video-games of all time, Uncharted, they were responsible for creating a character that would change the face of gaming for its era.
However, though Sony Crash Bandicoot series is one of the most beloved franchises for 20-something millennials. The original trilogy of games are iconic for their luscious jungle visuals, dizzying soundtracks from Devo, and the enormous amount of secrets in each level. Though the series hasn’t always upheld that kind of quality, as there are just as many lows as there are highs and it’s the most yo-yo-ing series in of quality, when it works, it’s amazing.
Crash Bandicoot: Wrath Of Cortex (2001) - 70
Wrath of Cortex marked a dark time for the Crash Bandicoot series, as though it was the first Crash game to be released on the next generation after the original PlayStation, it was also the first game not developed by Naughty Dog.
Though it’s still a fun game for the most part, it’s the same gameplay it has always been - smashing boxes, spinning away boxes - but criticisms were drawn for exactly that, as it was too similar to Warped. As each previous Crash game had advanced the mechanics and the level design tenfold, Wrath of Cortex went one step backward.
Crash: Mind Over Mutant (2008) - 73
Being a sequel to Crash of the Titans, Mind Over Mutant works in the same way, as Crash controls various titans that have different abilities, such as telekinesis, and slowing down time. Given the fact that Mind Over Mutant was the last Crash game that fans saw for over 12 years until the release of Crash Bandicoot 4 in 2020 (not including the remakes of the originals), it left a bad taste in fans mouths for a long time.
The game was praised for being better than its predecessor, but most critics were disappointed due to its repetitiveness and treacherous camera. And given the fact that the cutscenes are a weird amalgam of different types of animations, fans would much prefer a cartoon.
Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced (2003) - 75
N-Tranced is the first game of the bunch to be released for handheld consoles. It featured a brand new story and introduced the new antagonist, N-Trance, and though it isn’t as funny, meta, or as interesting as the stories in the Crash games had become, it was worthy enough for the Game Boy Advance.
But more than anything, the volume of content in the game was impressive, with over 30 levels, including some fun ones taking place inside a hamster ball.
Crash Nitro Kart (2003) - 77
Crash Nitro Kart is the second kart racer in the Crash series after Crash Team Racing, and though it's vastly inferior to the first karter, the follow-up is still fun, and it actually features some tracks that are more exciting too.
The console versions of the game were heavily criticized for dropping frame rates and the tunnel vision, as the camera was way too narrow. However, the Game Boy Advance version was much more well-received, as it played a lot faster. And the game has since been redeemed, as most of the tracks found in the game were rebuilt for the 2018 remake of Crash Team Racing.
Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure (2002) - 78
As The Huge Adventure is yet another game released for the Game Boy Advance, it’s the best of the lot. It was the first game in the series not to be released on a PlayStation of any kind, and it was the first hint fans got of the whole Crash Bandicoot multiverse, as it features an alternate timeline after the events of Warped.
The layout and design of the game is extremely similar to the original trilogy, and some of the levels are the same, just reduced to 2D for the handheld console. Because of this, though it’s a more than worthy platformer, it was criticized for lacking innovation.
Crash Bandicoot (1996) - 80
Being the game that started it all, the idea of Crash Bandicoot was transparent, as it was clearly a cute animal mascot to boost the PlayStation’s sales. But that doesn’t mean the first game isn’t great by any means.
Crash Bandicoot may have its setbacks, as the controls are pretty limited and they wouldn’t be corrected until the follow-up, but most critics couldn’t resist the charm of the mascot. From the Aztec jungles, the creative bosses, and the layout of the three different worlds, everything about the original game is imprinted into the brains of every 20-something, and it’s such a classic that the game was even referenced in Uncharted 4.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time (2020) - 85
In what was the best move the new developer Toys For Bob could have possibly done, they completely ignored every single Crash game released since Wrath of Cortex, even if there are some hilarious references to those very games. It’s About Time is full of gratuitous fan service, but the jokes and references land every time, and the meta-jokes are one of the reasons why Lord and Miller should helm a Crash movie.
On top of that, the “fourth” entry in the series introduces multiverses, and Crash jumps from sea-creature riddled pirate towns to New Orleans-like fiestas to Cortex’s castle from the very first game. It’s so exciting, the graphics are spectacular, and the four additional quantum masks that allow Crash to defy gravity and slow down time, among other things, make the age-old platformer so fresh. The biggest criticism the game received was the fact that it’s so difficult, especially considering it’s essentially a kids’ game.
Crash Team Racing (1999) - 88
As something of a victory lap for Naughty Dog, the developer’s last affair with the Bandicoot after creating the original trilogy was the kart racer Crash Team Racing. Though it might not be the most iconic Kart racer of all time, it’s still up there as one of the most fun karters of all time, especially considering the 2018 remake was so well-received and is still being ed to this day.
The original game features 16 different tracks, which are all inventive and loosely based on levels from the main trilogy, and players can choose to play as most of the series’ previous characters. But, the game again suffers for being brutally difficult.
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back (1997) - 89
With Cortex Strikes Back being released in quick succession, following the original game by just a year, everything was expanded upon. First of all, the controls handled way better, as Naughty Dog added the much-needed double jump, the body slam, and the skid.
And in a move that hadn’t been done before, players could choose which levels they could do first in each Warp Room. Plus, where the boss levels left something to be desired in the first game, they are so creative in Cortex Strikes Back.
Crash Bandicoot: Warped (1998) - 91
Rounding out the original trilogy of Crash Bandicoot games developed by Naughty Dog, Warped was the best of them all. The game brought back the Warp Rooms, but this time the series introduced time-traveling so that levels could be set in different periods of time, whether it’s avoiding knights’ swords in medieval times or riding a tiger over the half-built Great Wall of China.
There’s even a surprisingly compelling story, as Uka Uka, an evil entity and Aku Aku’s brother, takes over for Cortex as the main antagonist, although Cortex is still present and trying to disrupt Crash at every chance. The only setback the game has is that it can be frustratingly difficult, especially the motorbike levels.