Top 12 Best Crash Bandicoot Games (June 2023)

Crash Bandicoot is a beloved gaming franchise that has captivated players since its inception in 1996. With numerous installments and spin-offs, the series has offered a wide variety of gameplay experiences. In this article, we will delve into the best Crash Bandicoot games, ranking them based on gameplay, reviews, popularity, and sales data.

The Best Crash Bandicoot Games

We considered each game’s gameplay, reviews, popularity, and sales information to come up with this ranking.

We have been able to determine which games in the franchise have had the biggest effects using this data.

Without further ado, here is our selection of the top Crash Bandicoot games:

1. Crash Bandicoot: Warped

Genre: Platformer
Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Metacritic score: 91

Crash Bandicoot: Warped, released in 1998, is a platforming game that stands as the third main installment in the series. Following the events of Cortex Strikes Back, the plot centers around the nefarious trio of Uka Uka, Cortex, and Nefarious Tropy, who aim to collect powerful crystals scattered across time. Players take on the roles of Crash and Coco Bandicoot, traveling through time to stop the villains and save the world.

Warped has been lauded as one of the finest video games ever created and sold over six million units upon release. The game’s success even extended to Japan, where it became the first non-Japanese game to sell over a million copies. Warped’s remastered version can be found in the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, available on modern consoles.

2. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

Genre: Platformer
Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Metacritic score: 75

The 1997 sequel to the original Crash Bandicoot, Cortex Strikes Back, takes place in a fictional land near Australia. After being abducted by Cortex, Crash is sent to N. Sanity Island and tasked with collecting 25 crystals. Players must navigate 25 levels and face off against boss battles every fifth level.

Cortex Strikes Back received widespread acclaim for its engaging platforming gameplay, even being hailed as an all-time great platformer 25 years after its release. The game also features in the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, allowing fans to relive the adventure on modern consoles.

3. Crash Team Racing

Genre: Kart racing
Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Metacritic score: 88

Crash Team Racing, a kart racing game released in 1999 for the original PlayStation, focuses on Crash, Cortex, and other iconic characters racing against Nitros Oxide to save the planet. Players can choose from 15 playable characters, with eight available initially and others unlocking as progress is made. The game features fast-paced racing gameplay, power-ups, and various modes, such as Adventure, Arcade, Time Trial, Versus, and Battle.

Crash Team Racing was highly regarded as one of the best racing games on the PlayStation and continues to be a fan favorite.

4. Crash Bandicoot

Genre: Kart racing
Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Metacritic score: 85

The game that started it all, Crash Bandicoot, was developed by Naughty Dog and released in 1996 for the original PlayStation. Introducing Crash and the villainous Dr. Cortex, players must navigate various levels and save Crash’s girlfriend, Tawna, while thwarting Cortex’s plans for world domination.

Upon release, the game received praise for its challenging gameplay, graphics, and overall presentation, selling over six million units. The remastered version can be found in the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, allowing fans to experience the classic game on modern consoles.

5. Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

Genre: Platform
Developer: Toys for Bob
Publisher: Activision
Metacritic score: 83

As the newest installment in the series, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, released in 2020, retcons the franchise’s timeline following Crash Bandicoot: Warped. Players control Crash and Coco as they recover quantum masks to stop Cortex and Nefarious from conquering the multiverse. The game introduces new features and gameplay mechanics, such as the use of quantum masks to alter levels and overcome obstacles.

Though some found the levels challenging and occasionally frustrating, many fans welcomed the game’s fresh take on the classic formula, making it a worthy addition to the franchise.

6. Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex

Genre: Platform
Developer: Traveller’s Tales
Publisher: Universal Interactive
Metacritic score: 70

The Wrath of Cortex, released on the original Xbox, centers around the emergence of Crunch Bandicoot, a genetically altered creation of Cortex. As Crash and Coco, players must collect 25 crystals to defeat Cortex and Crunch. While the game received mixed reviews, it remains a unique and enjoyable entry in the series.

7. Crash Tag Team Racing

Genre: Platform, kart racing, vehicular combat
Developer: Radical Entertainment
Publisher: Vivendi Universal Games
Metacritic score: 69

This 2005 kart racing game features Crash in a quest to win ownership of a rundown theme park and prevent Dr. Cortex from acquiring its power gems. Players can explore the park, unlock new areas, and compete in races and mini-games. The game’s clashing feature, which allows players to merge vehicles and create powerful turrets, adds a unique twist to the kart racing genre.

8. Crash Bash

Genre: Party
Developer: Eurocom, Entertainment Software, Cerny Games
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Metacritic score: 68

As the series’ first party game, Crash Bash, released in 2000, offers 28 mini-games across three gameplay modes: Adventure, Battle, and Tournament. With eight playable characters and a variety of objectives, Crash Bash provides hours of entertainment and is a great choice for multiplayer fun.

9. Crash Nitro Kart

Genre: Racing
Developer: Vicarious Visions, Kaolink (Mobile)
Publisher: Universal Interactive
Metacritic score: 77

Crash Nitro Kart, released in 2003, is a kart racing game that features full motion videos and an engaging storyline. Players control classic Crash Bandicoot characters as they race around various tracks, collecting power-ups and bonuses. With six racing modes and additional battle modes, Crash Nitro Kart offers a wealth of gameplay options for fans of the series.

10. Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced

Genre: Platformer
Developer: Vicarious Visions
Publisher: Universal Interactive
Metacritic score: 75

As the sequel to The Huge Adventure, Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced was released in 2003 for the Game Boy Advance. The platforming game follows Crash as he attempts to save his sister, Coco, and friend, Crunch, from the clutches of Doctor N. Tropy. Players can improve Crash’s abilities by winning boss battles and progressing through the game’s 30 levels.

11. Crash Twinsanity

Genre: Platform
Developer: Traveller’s Tales
Publisher: Vivendi Universal Games
Metacritic score: 66

This 2004 platformer, released on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, follows Crash and Dr. Cortex as they join forces to defeat the Evil Twins. Crash Twinsanity offers an open-world setting and new gameplay styles, making it a standout entry in the series.

12. Crash of the Titans

Genre: Platform, beat ’em up
Developer: Radical Entertainment
Publisher: Vivendi Games
Metacritic score: 70

As a 2007 platformer beat ’em up game, Crash of the Titans sees Crash battling Dr. Cortex and his army of mutated Titans. The game offers challenging gameplay and a unique storyline, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the series.

Conclusion

Crash Bandicoot has provided countless hours of entertainment for fans since its debut in 1996. With an array of games spanning various genres and platforms, the series has something to offer for everyone. We hope this comprehensive review of the best Crash Bandicoot games has provided valuable insights for both longtime fans and newcomers to the franchise.

An overview of the top Crash Bandicoot games is provided below:

Crash Bandicoot: Warped
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
Crash Team Racing
Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex
Crash Tag Team Racing
Crash Bash
Crash Nitro Kart
Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced
Crash Twinsanity
Crash of the Titans

Top Crash Bandicoot Games: A Comprehensive Review