Gaming: CRASH BANDICOOT 4

Words by Jose Alvarez

For Christmas 1995, I was given a PlayStation along with the original Crash Bandicoot. PlayStation intended for Crash to be their mascot, just like Sega had Sonic and Nintendo had Mario. This was the first game I had ever played on the PlayStation and thoroughly enjoyed it. I had also bought its two sequels, as well as the racing game Crash Team Racing. In recent years, they remastered these games for various new platforms after a five-year hiatus for the franchise. They have also added a new game to the franchise called Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time.

Crash is brought back for a new adventure alongside his sister Coco, his old girlfriend Tawna, and many returning characters as they encounter the Quantum Masks and must once again stop his old nemesis Dr. Neo Cortex as they travel through the multiverse. There are two play modes: Retro Mode, which uses limited lives much like in the classic games, and Modern Mode, which replaces lives with a death counter. Several levels also include two variations: the main story and the alternate timeline versions.

You can play as Crash and Coco on the main storyline, or as Dr. Cortex, Dingodile, and Tawna on alternate timeline levels. Each character has their own strengths: Crash and Coco maintain spinning and sliding move sets, but now add wall running. Dr. Cortex uses a ray gun which attacks and can turn enemies into types of platforms and can forward dash, while Dingodile can vacuum up and fire enemies and objects. Tawna uses the same move set as Crash and Coco, but can also use a grappling hook to hit things from long distances. In addition, special masks can help the characters traverse obstacles or even phase objects in and out of existence.

Gems can be collected in a number of ways—smashing all of the crates in a level, finding them hidden in the scenery, or collecting Wumpa fruit, and from not dying too much. Collecting all of the gems unlocks skins that Crash and Coco can use. There are 28 of them in the game. Players can also unlock bonus flashback levels through VHS tapes—these are levels that take place before and after the events of the original Crash Bandicoot, giving fans nostalgic value. You can even play levels in N. Verted Mode, which has levels taking place underwater or other properties.

You can now play with your friends in cooperative and competitive modes in Bandicoot Battle, where you can compete for the best times in Checkpoint Race or Crate Combo where you break the most crates in a certain time period. For cooperative multiplayer, you can do Pass N. Play Mode, where four players can complete the story mode.

This is a beautiful addition to the Crash Bandicoot franchise and definitely one you should check out. It brings the classic Crash Bandicoot experience with the updates it sorely needed. Yes, it’s about time we had a great Crash Bandicoot game.

DEVELOPER Toys for Bob | PUBLISHER Activision | PLATFORM PlayStation 4, Xbox