Where to Start · Crash Bandicoot
Where to Start with Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot is Naughty Dog's PS1 platformer franchise following an orange marsupial genetically enhanced by the mad scientist Dr. Neo Cortex — a deliberately absurd premise executed with extraordinary polish. The original trilogy (1996-1998) defined the PS1 platformer alongside Spyro and was Sony's answer to Nintendo's Mario. Crash spins, jumps, and belly-flops through linear levels with a camera perspective that was innovative at the time — behind the character rather than beside it for most levels, creating a pseudo-3D feel.
The N. Sane Trilogy remaster (2017) made the classics more accessible than ever.
If you only play one Crash game
Play Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back via the N. Sane Trilogy. It is the best game in the original trilogy — the polar bear levels, the jetpack levels, the baby T-Rex, and the warp room hub structure that gives more freedom than the first game. Crash 2 found the balance between the first game's precision difficulty and the third game's more accessible design. The N. Sane Trilogy on PS4/Xbox/Switch/PC includes all three remastered and is the recommended modern version.
The N. Sane Trilogy
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (2017) remasters Crash 1, Crash 2, and Crash 3: Warped with modern visuals while preserving the original level designs and difficulty. The remasters are faithful enough that speedrunning communities use them. Crash 1 is the hardest and most precise. Crash 2 is the most balanced. Crash 3 is the most mechanically varied with vehicles and time travel. Play them in order — the difficulty and design philosophy build across the trilogy.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
Crash 4 (2020) is the first new mainline Crash game since the PS2 era and a genuine quality entry — the Quantum Masks granting new abilities, alternate dimension Coco as a playable character, and a difficulty that matches the original trilogy. Crash 4 is the recommended modern entry and accessible without playing the original trilogy first. Available on PS4/PS5/Xbox/Switch/PC.
The PS2 era
After Naughty Dog sold the Crash license, the franchise continued under different developers. Crash Bash (2000, PS1) is a party game. The Wrath of Cortex (2001) is a competent but uninspired Crash 3 follow-up. Crash Twinsanity (2004) is the most creative post-Naughty Dog entry — Crash and Cortex forced to cooperate. Crash Nitro Kart (2003) is the kart racing spinoff. None are essential but Twinsanity has a dedicated fanbase for its ambition.
Modern default — For most people, N. Sane Trilogy replaces hunting PS1 discs — same levels and spirit with readable visuals and wide platform support. Original hardware is still valid for purists and speedrun splinter communities.
What platforms you need
N. Sane Trilogy (Crash 1-3 remastered) — PS4/Xbox/Switch/PC. Crash 4: It's About Time — PS4/PS5/Xbox/Switch/PC. Original PS1 trilogy — physical copies (superseded by N. Sane Trilogy for most players).
Recommended order
N. Sane Trilogy in order (1 → 2 → 3) for the complete classic experience. Crash 4 after the trilogy for the modern sequel. Twinsanity for the most interesting post-Naughty Dog entry.