Crash Bandicoot spun onto the PlayStation in 1996 and became the console's unofficial mascot. Naughty Dog's original trilogy is still some of the best platforming on PlayStation. Here is every main Crash game in release order, the spin-offs worth knowing and the best places to start.
Crash Bandicoot games in release order
| Year | Game | Original system |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Crash Bandicoot | PlayStation |
| 1997 | Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back | PlayStation |
| 1998 | Crash Bandicoot: Warped | PlayStation |
| 2001 | Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex | PS2 (Xbox and GameCube, 2002) |
| 2002 | Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure | Game Boy Advance |
| 2003 | Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced | Game Boy Advance |
| 2004 | Crash Twinsanity | PS2 and Xbox |
| 2007 | Crash of the Titans | PS2, Wii, Xbox 360, PSP and DS |
| 2008 | Crash: Mind over Mutant | PS2, Wii, Xbox 360, PSP and DS |
| 2017 | Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy | PS4 (Switch and Xbox One, 2018) |
| 2020 | Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time | PS4 and Xbox One |
Years are the first North American release. Racing and party spin-offs are left out of the table: Crash Team Racing (PlayStation, 1999), Crash Bash (PlayStation, 2000), Crash Nitro Kart (2003), Crash Tag Team Racing (2005), Crash Boom Bang! (DS, 2006) and Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled (2019). The N. Sane Trilogy is a remake of the first three games.
Crash Team Racing: the spin-off that's as good as the main games
If you buy one Crash spin-off, make it Crash Team Racing (1999). Naughty Dog made it after Warped, and it's often ranked alongside Mario Kart 64 as one of the best kart racers of its era, with a power-slide boost system that rewards skill and a full adventure mode. It supports four players with a PlayStation Multitap.
The Crash games worth owning
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back · $24.97
Bigger, smoother and friendlier than the first game. A great place to start.
Crash Bandicoot Warped · $21.97
The most polished of the original trilogy, with time-travel levels and vehicles.
Which Crash game should you play first?
Start with Crash Bandicoot: Warped or Crash 2 on PlayStation. Both are a bit more forgiving than the first game and show off what the series does best. The original Crash Bandicoot is great too, but it's noticeably harder. For multiplayer, add Crash Team Racing.
Crash on original hardware
The original trilogy and Crash Team Racing were made for the PlayStation 1. A PlayStation 2 plays them too, along with the PS2 Crash games, so it's the most flexible choice.
PlayStation 2 (PS2) Slim Console · $189.97
Plays the PS1 Crash games plus Wrath of Cortex and Twinsanity.
Frequently asked questions
What was the first Crash Bandicoot game?
Crash Bandicoot, released for the PlayStation in September 1996. It was made by Naughty Dog, the studio that later made Uncharted and The Last of Us.
What is the best Crash Bandicoot game?
Crash Bandicoot: Warped is the most common pick, with Crash 2 close behind. Crash Team Racing is the favorite spin-off.
Is Crash Bandicoot hard?
The first game is famously tough. Crash 2 and Warped are more forgiving, with more checkpoints and extra lives.
Does Crash Team Racing support four players?
Yes. You need a PlayStation Multitap adapter to connect four controllers to a PS1.
Who owns Crash Bandicoot?
Crash is owned by Activision, which is now part of Microsoft. He started as a PlayStation series made by Naughty Dog for Universal Interactive.
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