Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex

GameZone

Any Crash Bandicoot fan would be a fool not to go out and buy this game. I started playing at 2am one night and did not stop until three in the afternoon!

Total Video Games

We could [have] really enjoyed this game however after a while it just gets too repetitive and frustrating to play for more than 30 minutes.

Hot Games

If platform-hopping and coin-collection isn't your bag, you'll want to avoid Crash before he gets on your last nerve.

Core Magazine

The graphics and sound are excellent, but the most constricting drawback is the extremely long gameplay-disrupting load times.

GamerWeb Sony

The non-stop action can get a bit repetitive and ultimately tiresome, and the sound effects may begin to wear on the nerves after a few hours of playing.

IGN

A decent playing and pretty looking Crash Bandicoot game. It's nothing terribly special, but it's not bad, not bad at all.

Cloudchaser

The control is tight, the graphics don't look too shabby, and the sub-stages that break up the platforming action are second-to-none.

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

When the strongest feeling I get from a game is the desire to play its predecessors, something's not quite right. [Dec 2001, p.162]

GameShark

The same old stuff in a new skin and THE WORLD'S WORST LOADING TIME EVER.

Game Informer

The outrageously bad load times keep the game from being average. [Jan 2002, p.81]

GameSpot

Maintains the status quo and fails to deliver a fresh, compelling experience.

GameSpy

It’s got average graphics and average level design. This game is as average as games can get.

FHM

The platform game grows up.

PSX Nation

A by the books sequel that takes playing it safe to a new level. Come on guys this easily could have been done on the PS One and it probably should have.

GamePro

If you were hoping the new management would give Crash a big kick in the pants, however, this is one pair of pants you will find quite unkicked.

Maxim Online

This confrontation between Crash and his massively noggined nemesis, Dr. Cortex, is the most innovative yet.

All Game Guide

Those looking for revolutionary gameplay or a game that pushes the envelope of the latest generation of gaming systems will most certainly be disappointed.

Next Generation Magazine

Worst of all, the load times are horrendous. [Dec 2001, p.100]

Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

[Games Radar Rating = Miss] fans of the series deserve more than a shiny retread. Although the legend remains intact for now, it'd be a crime if Crash was still spinning along the same narrow path next year.

Yahoo! Games

More of the same from the Crash series, albeit wrapped up in nice new PS2 visuals. If you want innovation, try elsewhere.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

When forced to blindly jump, die, then discover what you missed, where I come from, that’s just cheating. [Dec 2001, p.238]

Electric Playground

Not only is the gameplay un-revised on this much more powerful platform, but much of the former joy in the series has been drained away. The characters, levels and gameplay are essentially flat.