Retrospective: Crashback

In this weeks gaming throwback, our childhood hero Crash Bandicoot is going under the microscope. This classic gaming figure provided many with endless hours of fun in an age where consoles such as Sony Playstation, PS2 and Xbox were the main platforms in gaming. The main series alongside the Crash Team Racing (CTR) games are thought to be some of the most innovative productions of an era.

In recently brushing the dust off my Crash Bandicoot games, it was obvious where the foundations for some of the titles we have inherited today come from. Games such as Mario Kart have flourished in the absence of CTR, which was once the Italian adventurer’s rival and better in racing formats.

Sadly however, the comparisons between the Crash games and those we have today seem to falter here as the genre of first person shooters and online role playing games have taken centre stage in gaming.

This does not take anything away from the Bandicoot experience however, which is still both thoroughly entertaining, and as imaginative as the first time the Australian rat embarked on his initial adventure. If omitting the aspect of competitive online gaming, which has fuelled the multi-million pound industry today, the Bandicoot games are just as exciting as many titles in today’s market.

Originally a normal bandicoot, this genetically modified character was too lazy for his master’s quest for world domination, but the maverick did take pleasure in thwarting Cortex’s plans. As the game continues, Crash gains superpowers as he develops such as the ‘super charged body slam attack’ and ‘crash dash’. These may seem straightforward, but they allow an audience to develop and hone their skills as the bandicoot does. Who wouldn’t take pleasure in Crash’s ‘Death Tornado’ spin?

In what seems to be a feature characteristic of classics such as Crash Bandicoot, the worlds which players are invited into are both diverse and challenging. Crash and his sister Coco travel to underwater worlds, hurricane riddled towns and the Roman Coliseum in their quest to defeat Cortex and his evil minions. Triumphing over Cortex in his aims to take over the world may seem trivial, but indulging in outsmarting Crash’s nemesis provides a very satisfying nostalgic experience.

What’s more, the levels are able to maintain their difficulty and longevity through the collection of crystals, gems and relics, which can only be awarded after completing time trials and gathering all collectible boxes in the stage. Levels become a whole new, hilarious playing field when being chased by a dinosaur under time constraints, alongside Crash’s noble, wooden-headed sidekick, Aku-Aku.

Crash Bandicoot games may never match up to the increasingly advanced titles in terms of graphics and plot or character development. However, it is fair to say that the Crash series was a golden nugget in an era of games which cemented the foundations for generations to come, while providing our childhood selves with hours of enjoyment in the meantime. The Bandicoot games are definitely worth revisiting if you have the time.