In 1995, Sony created and released the PlayStation to the public to compete with Nintendo and Sega’s wide variety of recognizable titles. Many mainstay franchises would continue to live on in multiple generations of PlayStation consoles, such as Gran Turismo, Spyro, and Tomb Raider. However, none of the popular franchises for the original PlayStation would be as distinct and popular as Crash Bandicoot. Initially created by Naughty Dog and published by Universal Interactive Studios, Crash Bandicoot hit the video game market with its wild and wacky cartoony world and its impressive platforming level design that brought on a challenge but also a good deal of fun. It wasn’t the first 3D platformer, but much like Super Mario 64, it would pave the way for many similar games that try the 3D platform genre. Even looking at this game years later, while not everything about it holds up, it's still one heck of a fun experience.
When Dr. Neo Cortex’s plans to raise a bandicoot army fail, one of the test bandicoots named Crash, manages to escape from Cortex’s laboratory. Unfortunately, a female bandicoot named Tawna is left behind in Cortex’s hands. Its up to crash to travel through jungles and factories to reach Cortex’s lair and save Tawna from the mad evil scientist and his goons.
The Story is as standard as it gets. It's another strong male character saving a hot, damsel female. Much like the Super Mario formula, this game works thanks to its crazy, zany, cartoony atmosphere and fun, wacky tone. The narrative is straightforward and short, only to make room for essential things such as gameplay. This straightforward narrative is timeless, and the tone and style help give the game a unique flair to stand out from the competition.
The Characters are recognizable even if we only know a little about them from their limited dialogue. That is anything but a bad thing. These characters still carry many qualities expressed mainly through action to make their personalities shine, such as Crash’s wild persona and the Evil Doctor Cortex’s mad scientist characteristics. These characters are given little to work with but shine in their personalities.
The Gameplay is challenging but fair. One thing that makes this game fun but also surprisingly tricky is using the D'Pad instead of an analog stick (probably because early PS1 controllers didn't have analog sticks then). I died a lot, but it’s rewarding when you finally figure out how to navigate the levels. Most levels are linear, as the player must travel from point A to point B while using a spin attack and double jumping to avoid obstacles, platforming, or attacking enemies. Sometimes, the game will break things up with levels, such as running away to avoid being squished by boulders or riding on warthogs to reach a level's end. Then there are the boss battles, which at first pose a challenge, but once you figure out a boss’s pattern of attack, defeating them becomes more manageable. Despite some stiff motions due to the limitation of the PS1 controller, Crash primarily controls very well. He starts off with a limited number of lives, but can gang more thanks to smashing crates with his face on them or by collecting one hundred wumpa fruits found in other crates or along the designated level path. Crash can also take damage from enemies by finding Aku Aku masks along the route. Crash will become invincible for a limited time if Crash gangs three Aku Aku masks. For players looking for more of a challenge, if you can make it through the level without dying and breaking all the crates in the area, you’ll receive a gem (although it is easier said than done, thanks to the game's difficulty.) Fully completing the game and collecting 26 gems will unlock a secret epilogue. My only big gripe with the gameplay is the saving option and how you can only access it through the bonus levels. It would have been better if you could save at the level select screen instead of completing bonus challenges that are easy to miss or sometimes fail. It may have some dated elements, but the gameplay, for the most part, is very impressive for its time, making it no wonder why this game captured the attention of so many gamers across the globe.
The Graphics were revolutionary at the time. Nowadays, it's relatively easy to pass on this game, as its low-poly designs reflect the limitations of the technology at the time. Still, for 1996, these graphics create a colorful world with lush forests, techno laboratories, and much more. The levels are laid out beautifully, and it's easy to tell a lot of thought and care was put into making them exciting and colorful to match the game’s overall cartoony atmosphere. The character designs may look a little uncanny by today’s standards. Still, their motions and facial expressions make them fun and recognizable. Even though the graphics have a low poly feel, there is something still enticing about how the characters and environments are designed that, in the end, still makes for a pleasant retro throwback experience that few future Crash titles could ever reproduce.
The Music was produced by Mark Mothersbaugh, who later composed the music for many Hollywood features. At the same time, Josh Mancell conducted the actual score. I can’t say anything new about this soundtrack that most people haven’t said. It's iconic, and each melody can range from jungle tune-based to factory tune-based, depending on the location. Many other crash games would try and replicate the soundtrack the first game made so famous, but even the ones who come close still can’t top what the music crew di for the first outing.
Crash Bandicoot is a game that has flaws that sadly don’t hold up by today’s standards. Yet the game succeeds immensely with its persistent level design that offers excitement and a good challenge, as well as a charming zany tone throughout the game’s narrative. It may be better for casual players to try the first Crash game in the N-Sane Trilogy released for multiple modern-day consoles, as many of the issues in the original 1996 game have been fixed or altered. Still, if you're looking for a game to challenge you, trying your hand at the original low poly classic would not be a bad idea. As for my thoughts, I think this game is heralded as a classic for a reason. It was nice to see Crash Bandicoot’s origins and to play a game that provided a fair challenge that tested me but was also satisfying to beat. There are more Crash games to play, but this first game, even despite its faults, was still a solid game to start with.
(Final Grade: A-)