Crash is back… again, but now wreaking havoc on Switch and Xbox One, invoking the same nostalgic sense of frustration that’ll have you turning every shade of a piece of wumpa fruit.
Venturing back a year, avid fans of the PS1 classic were delirious as the Crash Bandicoot: N’Sane trilogy docked on current-gen consoles, boasting an overhaul that tried it’s best to disguise the trilogy’s age.
The commendable success of the 2.5D platformer has since encouraged it to leave its iconic home of PlayStation, seizing new audiences across other platforms and completely captivating them with the trilogy’s antagonising yet addictive platforming finesse.
For this review we’ll keep eyes firmly fixed on the Nintendo Switch version, assessing how the remaster’s voyage to the previously uncharted waters of Nintendo’s handheld fares against its performance on its more powerful competitors.
Switch’s version of the menacing marsupial’s comeback radiates all the same excellence that was present in the PS4 version of the title from 2017.
Crash’s revamp flaunts new animations and levels that reflect graphics in line with more modern platformers. Our eccentric bandicoot lead has also had a total rework that’ll have you desperate to reach into your screen and ruffle his fluffy orange tuft.
A flamboyant sense of vibrancy is emitted throughout each of the games in the trilogy. Levels practically exhibit the same wild colours of an Aku Aku mask that are pleasantly in keeping with the overall Crash Bandicoot vibe.
The alluring visuals of the outlandish levels of the trilogy aren’t necessarily compromised on the Switch however, some blur is present in the resolution slip from it’s PS4 forbear. Fortunately, ferrying crash over to the big screen rectifies this issue.
Regardless of whether you are spinning away pesky crabs on N’Sanity Beach on the big screen or teetering on the edge of the rickety bridge in Road To Nowhere from the handheld itself, the trilogy still manages to preserve all its outrageous charm.
Although revitalised, the Crash N’Sane trilogy does not rid the original games of their finicky platforming mechanics, something that’s especially evident in the first instalment. Missing a jump you quite clearly landed will not only have you tearing your hair out, but also showcases the game’s age in huge flashing lights.
Gorgeous new graphics may have you googly-eyed at the screen in awe, but only augment this dissatisfaction. Bright colours and a more 3D style world all but add new dimension to the once more linear title, making judging jumps and general spatial awareness a real chore.
The Verdict – 4/5
Crash’s voyage to Switch has ferried with it the same success and nostalgia as the PS4 release before it, successfully engrossing both ardent Crash fans and newcomers alike. Extravagant levels sporting a banquet of colours are brought to life with updated graphics and a soundtrack brimming with charisma. The excessive need to overcome difficult levels that have you overwhelmed with frustration is still well intact, paying homage to this timeless classic. Button-mapping may take some adjustment but doesn’t deter focus from the trilogy’s overall stellar gameplay that feels right at home on Nintendo’s handheld.
The Good:
- Vibrant, bouncy levels will have you revelling in nostalgia.
- New levels offer a breath of fresh-air.
- A pick-up-and-play well suited for the Switch.
The Bad:
- Games show their age in comparison to more recent 3D platformers.
- Questionable button-mapping.
- A noticeable dip in resolution when playing handheld.
Latest Game Reviews
- Nintendo
- Crash Bandicoot
Source: Read Full Article