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CRASH BANDICOOT N. SANE TRILOGY Review for Xbox One

CRASH BANDICOOT N. SANE TRILOGY Review for Xbox One

A smashing blast from the past – Crash Bandicoot! If you haven’t heard that name before now, then we might have a problem. This N.Sane Trilogy is a remaster of the first three games in the series. I took the time to reminisce and replay the first title in the trilogy, and I am not disappointed. Let’s hop right into it!

The cinematics and the character designs of CRASH BANDICOOT N. SANE TRILOGY have been upgraded to the point that my nostalgic mind was blown and my jaw dropped into my lap. The only part that felt sacrilegious to me was that I was playing Crash Bandicoot on Xbox! May the Playstation gods forgive me. The sound effects and the animations are so much cleaner, but they’re definitely still the good old audio, like Crash’s iconic Whoa and Aku Aku when you pick him up after smashing a crate.

Even the boulder chase mission is back! Platforming for dear life and praying I don’t get crushed. That’s the good stuff! They even animate Crash to look over his shoulder in fear of this massive rock. It’s been such a long time, and I can’t remember if the original game included bonuses in each level. We are able to access these short bonus mini-levels by collecting three Tawna Bandicoot tokens.

CRASH BANDICOOT N. SANE TRILOGY Review for Xbox One

Even hopping from stage to stage on Wumpa Island is pretty cool. I feel as though if you have experienced this game in its previous glory, you will very much know how things work. You don’t necessarily have much choice in which direction you run, and you platform as best you can while smashing crates and killing enemies via mini tornados. The game has not changed much aside from the really good graphical overhaul.

I do feel like jumping changed, however. This might just be another famous example of the Mandela Effect, but I could have sworn there was a double jump feature. If you want to jump higher in some instances, all you need to do it hold down the jumping button (A).

And just because the game was remastered, that does not mean it is any easier. I am a grown man still getting frustrated at the same platforming mistakes from my youth. I am not even mad when I see the death animations. We can get burnt to a crisp, get crushed by boulders, fall down crevices, get eaten by venus flytraps, drown, or – worst of all – accidentally touch a turtle (or any enemy). No matter what, Crash’s shoes always survive.

I don’t think there is much more to be said about Mr. Bandicoot. If you are feeling nostalgic, or if you have not had the chance to play Crash before, this is definitely the best way to share in the experience. This remaster (Yes, remaster not remake! Check the steam description) has all three iconic platformers in one. I think Activision did a really good job here. I believe this title deserves a 9.5 out of 10. Well done, guys!

Check Out the CRASH BANDICOOT N. SANE TRILOGY Launch Trailer:

For more information about the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy follow @CrashBandicoot on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The trilogy is available for the suggested retail price of $39.99. The game is available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

Xbox One Review
  • 9.5/10
    Overall Score - 9.5/10
9.5/10
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I like to think of myself as the average Joe who grew up alongside video games. I have fun playing strategy games, RPGs, shooters, sandboxes, the whole shebang! Every game provides an experience whether it strikes you as profound, mundane, or someplace in between. I'd like to weigh in my two cents before you spend a single penny.