Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

It’s a wonderful gift for Crash fans and platformer fans in general. When I heard the first beats of the reworked Crash Bandicoot 3 theme song, I was literally close to tears. It’s great to see you again, mate, I really missed you. [09/2017, p.40]

Forget all your fears. The 3D platforming games of PlayStation legend have never looked or played better. [September 2017, p83]

Staying faithful to the originals, N. Sane Trilogy brings a fresh new look and feel to everyone's favorite marsupial and his crazy adventures.

Simply put this is a superb remake of three of the most beloved platformers of the 90s and of the PlayStation One era. Vicarious Visions treated the original games with respect and offered a collection that will skyrocket your nostalgia.

Ultimately, there’s a whole lot to like about this release and very little to gripe about. My increasingly busy self would have loved some kind of realtime save or a rewind feature (Prince of Persia style) just to help getting through these games less painful, but even without that crutch these games are a lot of fun and provide a good challenge, the first game especially. Taking a step back from the games themselves, the job that Vicarious Visions and Activision have done here is really commendable; from top to bottom, they did a textbook job of reviving these classics for a whole new generation.

Crash Bandicoot‘s original trilogy appears to have stood the test of time better than most, and it’s great to see that Vicarious Visions didn’t fix what already wasn’t broken.

In Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, players familiar with the original Naughty Dog games will be welcome back into the vibrant world inhabited by Crash, Coco, and their journey to defeat Neo Cortex. However, developer Vicarious Visions has done more than slap a fresh coat of paint on the games by creating a cohesive platforming system and visual language across all three titles.

Its visuals are dynamite, the rebuilt cutscenes stoke excitement in any Crash fan, the music is higher-quality than ever, and the little alterations Vicarious Visions made make a huge difference.

So, does the original Crash Bandicoot trilogy hold up? Two-thirds of me says “heck yes.” The first Crash Bandicoot may not have aged well, and there are portions of Cortex Strikes Back and Warped that are frustrating, but I had a ridiculous amount of fun with them. I felt encouraged to go back to find the remaining gems, see my best time, and explore the secret warp rooms. Vicarious Visions did a great job with remastering the Crash Bandicoot trilogy. Maybe we can see our favorite purple dragon done with the same amount of justice?

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a delightful revisit with some of the best platform games from the nineties.

An excellent remaster of a trio of excellent games. If you loved the characters or the platforming genre, you should buy this pack.

As good as we dreamed about, remade respectfully from the original games, old-fashioned but enjoyable today's gamers young and old... Activision has finally given us what everyone was asking for, and the resulting game on PS4 has all those sensations, colourful scenarios and addictive things that make it stand tall among any other platform games. The game of the summer.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a fantastic remake of some of the best platformers of all time. The new visual polish looks great on PS4. Though you might get frustrated by the dated gameplay at times, powering through will show why these games were so beloved 20 years ago.

Crash N. Sane Trilogy is the remastered edition of the legendary Crash Bandicoot trilogy developed by Naughty Dog on the first Playstation in the 90's. Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back and Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped come back with the utmost beauty possible.

If you ever had any love for the originals, you’ll smile like an idiot seeing how good they look now.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is undoubtedly one of the most successful collections of recent years. The first three chapters of the Crash Bandicoot saga reach an amazing graphic splendor and the challenges of the past come back to PlayStation 4 along with various unpublished content.

Crash Bandicoot was the game that started many into a lifelong addiction with Sony’s home console, and the N. Sane Trilogy only helps to reinforce this.

As far as remakes go, you can’t get any better than this. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is exactly how fans envisioned it - an unadulterated celebration of a PlayStation pioneer. With such a weight on their shoulders, Vicarious Visions have pulled it off with such diligence, infused with a streak of their own creativity. Then there’s Naughty Dog original efforts, of course. Even those only acquainted with Uncharted and The Last of Us can appreciate how the studio first made its name, and the journey from Crash Bandicoot to Warped is one of continued innovation. Some two decades later, it’s great to see that some things never change.

When anything and everything isn't actively trying to kill you, being able to replay Crash Bandicoot's first three adventures is a nostalgic trip to when platformers were first exploring the possibilities of 3D and none were more experimental than the Bandicoot himself.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, sure keeps the core mechanics of the first three games and adds fancy graphics with intense remastered soundtracks. Gameplay might be problematic at first newcomers, but sure in no time, it can be mastered.

Vicarious Visions have fulfilled their promise and have brought back our favorite orange bandicut in a graphic quality far superior to the original, totally maintaining the classic essence and adding improvements that are to be appreciated, such as being able to control Coco in any of the three games.

A perfect example how the classic games should be re-adapted to the new hardware generation. Vicarious Visions did excellent work giving an excellent remake to the classic trilogy that will satisfy the classic Crash Bandicoot fans.

With this N.Sane Trilogy, Vicarious Visions did a truly excellent job. Indeed, it is a remastered made with utmost skill and passion, and the respect shown to the original games is impressive. A collection that can't be missed, whether you are a long time fan of Crash Bandicoot or you're getting to know the series just now.

The orange smasher returns better than ever in this lovingly-crafted remaster. [Sept 2017, p.76]

Quotation forthcoming.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a must-have for nostalgic fans. Vicarious Visions' treatment of the games is impeccable as well as revitalizing but if you have never played an entry of the series, you may find this collection frustrating and even poorly designed.

A respectful and highly polished game which is sure to please nostalgic fans, but also hopefully introduce whole new generations to a game that came out in the mid-90’s. In an era where games are becoming more complicated and leaning towards epic storylines, it’s refreshing to hoon around as a crazy bandicoot and test those old-school platforming chops that I earned from my younger days all over again.

Crash Bandicoot comes back to PlayStation with a collection that is reminiscent of the classic and funny platforming games. With its graphics improved, the original trilogy its a must-buy for everyone who loves the genre.

Crash has aged well in Crash Bandicoot: N.Sane Trilogy as it is one of the best remasters we got to review this year. Even if the content of the three games included is the same, the graphics overhaul and new animations are worth your cash.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy provides an essential bang for the buck as it has an authentic experience in store for platformers and indeed the long time fans of Crash Bandicoot.

Crash trilogy is a pleasure for our eyes and our nostalgia: the Sony mascot has returned in the best way with the same gameplay as we experienced twenty years ago and the same success.

But it also results in the incredible visual and aural overhaul and the gameplay tweaks to earlier entries, like time trials and crate counters, that Naughty Dog added later in the series. Those additions make the overall package so much more cohesive while never forgetting what made, and what still makes, so much of Naughty Dog’s original trilogy a blast to play.

More than twenty years after the manic marsupial first graced the PlayStation, the return of Crash Bandicoot isn’t just welcome…it just feels right. A throwback to a more positive time, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a testament to timeless game design and an example of a remaster done right by two studios split across two eras.

The Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy serves as a time capsule of sorts before the series was ran into the ground.

Crash smashes his way back to relevance.

This is a great example of how a remake should be made. It brings the series to 2017 but it's extremely respectful with the original concept. The best news, though, is that the three games are still a lot of fun, and you can enjoy them again looking better than ever.

With fantastic remaster visuals and the same old gameplay (in both a good and a bad way), Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy can be enjoyed by everyone, but mostly those who grew up with the original games for the first PlayStation.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a phenomenal collection of games with incredible updated visuals and a few cool extras. It may have some retro baggage but there's no denying just how classic Crash's first three adventures are.

The trip to the past has been great and a famous reborn marsupial feels really good. Almost as good as you do when playing N. Sane Trilogy. [Issue#277]

It's just a bit of a shame about the occasional in authentic controls. [Issue#190, p.83]

All in all, the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a solid collection of games. They have their flaws, and some of the game design choices may feel too punishing for a modern audience. When you're playing them, it's easy to see why Crash maintained a solid audience despite years of neglect, and it's even easier to see why people are excited to play them again. The port is done well, and aside from a few flaws, the trilogy should be an enjoyable experience for anyone who's looking to replay the original PlayStation mascot's adventures.

The remastered versions now look like interactive animated movies, with familiar levels recreated in a completely new engine with real-time lighting, new models and animations, visual effects and re-recorded sounds. But still, keep in mind that classic Crash games were a product of their era, so if you played this trilogy on PS1 back in the 90s when you were a kid, you won't get that the same feeling again.

After several years of mistreatment and neglect Crash Bandicoot makes a grand comeback with Nsane Trilogy; a collection consisting of the Bandicoot's first three adventures carefully remade with shiny new graphics and a few other notable improvements. While the Crash Bandicoot games never came close to the quality of Nintendos Mario, this collection is still surprisingly enjoyable for both old and new players.

While mechanically the old school jump&run with the unofficial PSone mascot feels outdated at times, being thoroughly entertaining nonetheless, visually this is the benchmark for coming remakes.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a truly excellent remaster worth of every praise. The game not only brings back memories of what used to entertain PlayStation owners but it also presents a forgotten genre of 3D platformers in a cool way that should interest younger gamers.

Crash Bandicoot works well after twenty years, not only because we do not see many similar games today. With minor exceptions, the game is still a good, fun and stylish platformer that will catch also the audience not yet familiar with Crash.

The N.Sane Trilogy is the epitome of what is right with the gaming industry. Seeing Activision bring back a fan-favorite game, and giving it the proper work it deserves is awesome. The price of $40 for all three games is a bargain, and this isn’t just a quick and dirty port, Vicarious Visions really retained what made these games so special to us all those years ago. I really wish Crash Team Racing was included, but there is always hope it comes later down the line. Now about that Jak and Daxter remaster…

If you have a nostalgic love of Crash, then this game collection will certainly bring back a lot of memories. There were plenty of "hey, I remember this level" moments for me as I played. Like me, though, you might not remember the controls being quite like this, especially since you'll find that you've evolved along with platform games over the past twenty years. If you've never played a Crash game before, then you may find the level design constricted, the basic enemy movements somewhat simplistic, and the controls too unforgiving. The developers have done a really good job of bringing the game's visuals up to date while retaining all of the game's original charm and humor, but platform games have simply evolved over the past twenty years, and even though the game has a modern look its gameplay is strictly old school.

You will definitely enjoy Crash Bandicoot. There are 3 games to play and you will like them even if you haven't played the original games. There are a lot of different ways to play the game, and there is a lot of humor.

You don’t have to play the games in order (though the story may work a little better that way)… so if you get stuck in one you can always jump out and have a go at another and then come back later. The challenge starts low but increases at a decent pace as you go so you will feel like you are on top of things one moment only to find the urge to rage quit building as you are a few levels deep. But as tends to be the case with these games… perseverance pays off and that sense of victory is all the sweeter for having to really work for it. You really can’t go past the value, three full games for the price of one and a really top notch high def update. A great addition for the new initiate or for the nostalgic buff.

Playing through this trilogy made it clear to me why the Crash series burned out. It failed to reinvent itself. It budged only a little bit on its mechanics, and never embraced anything that fused the old with the new. That’s not to say that it fails overall, however. There are hits and misses here, but it’s a worthwhile experience. It works. It’s challenging, it’s frustrating, and sometimes, fun.

It would be easy to dismiss Crash Bandicoot N Sane Trilogy as a nostalgia play, but it's quite a bit more than that. This collection celebrates a franchise that was once a hallmark of a bygone console, and that hasn't been relevant for quite some time. Vicarious Visions has done a fantastic job recreating everything that made Crash Bandicoot such an appealing series, and it's done it with style and improvements that only this latest generation could provide. Crash Bandicoot N Sane Trilogy isn't for the impatient player, but it's a rewarding experience for anyone with the guts to get a little wild.

While so many retro revivals either just give the original game a coat of paint or completely remake it from the ground up, this is a return that feels like a perfect middle ground. On the one hand it does allow for some of the less good parts of the classic design to shine through (especially in the original game), but on the other hand the commitment to accuracy works to preserve a series that remains incredibly influential and often overlooked. Combined with smart touch-ups and a beautiful modern presentation, this is a blast for old Crash pros and newcomers alike.

Tough as nails but just as tight as you remember, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is tasty trip down memory lane. The visual upgrade is nothing short of spectacular, and while the design of these iconic platformers are firmly fixed in the 90s, they’re surprisingly playable today. This is a comprehensive compendium of a trilogy that set PlayStation on its way, and while not everyone will care for the old-school sensibilities, Vicarious Visions has pitched this package just right – doubters must now dine on Wumpa pie.

In almost every way, this is one remastered title that truly captures the magic of the original while also making meaningful improvements.

Significant replayability and an excellent entry price point make the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy a benchmark for how future classic game remakes should be handled, the originals left intact, imperfections and all.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy recovers the feeling of the original PlayStation titles, adding new graphics and music to sense the nostalgia of its 90s gameplay. It's more than a remaster, but it could maybe have more new features to become a more complete experience.

Vicarious Visions did a great job in preserving the original vibe of the Bandicoot saga while giving a brand new contemporary look to the games. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a great journey through the PSX age without the aging effect, and it's a solid comeback for Crash. The three platform games are still fun today, and Warped is as amazing as it was almost 20 years ago. Maybe the design of the first, iconic, chapter is a little bit old-fashioned, but overall the collection has a great value both for nostalgic players and newcomers.

Visually greatly-enhanced remake collection of three jump n run clssics. Recommended for vets and beginners alike.

For all three games, the feeling of repetition never sinks in, a factor that goes a long way in making this trilogy a blast to play. It's good to have Crash back in the limelight. I hope this isn't the last we see of him.

It's a real pleasure to play through three games that defined a console, and seeing Crash on PS4 is great. He's finally home, and right where he should be.

While the N. Sane Trilogy is by no means the perfect and/or flawless remaster fans and interested onlookers may have wanted, there's no denying that a lot of Vicarious' microscopic and macroscopic attention to detail alike is demonstrated sufficiently well in Crash's current-gen revisit.

An excellent and accurate remaster that lacks only of a couple of fixes in the gameplay mechanics to truly shine.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy may not win over new or younger players with its occasionally frustrating but faithful recreation of Crash’s original platforming mechanics, but older fans will gobble this collection up, and rightfully so. It’s a wonderful remaster featuring beautifully updated visuals, scrumptious sound and hours and hours of memories to relive.

While ultimately for the fans, Activision and Vicarious Visions successfully bring nostalgic PS One classic romping back into relevance, while including some extra bells and whistles that (save for some control slips) allow the originals a greater depth.

For fans of 90's icons it is great to see Crash again. This trilogy respects history while adding a few minor improvements. Great fun, it brings you back to twenty years ago.

If you haven't played the original games, definitely go for this remaster. The visual update is great and it really makes the environment come to life. The gameplay feels a bit too old-school at some point, but it is awesome to have Crash back.

While no amount of remastering can eradicate the more frustrating elements of Crash Bandicoot at its core – the too-easy deaths, the restrictive linearity, the antiquated sense of decades old games exploring a then-new third dimension – the N.Sane Trilogy packs in enough refinements and new content to make these the definitive editions of the classic trilogy. Younger players in particular will lap this collection up, while those nostalgic for the games of their youth will get a kick out of these contemporary spins.

There's no doubting Crash's place in history, but this restoration shows its age a little too much at times. One for reliving, rather than creating, memories. [September 2017, p.79]

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a reverent and imperfect resurrection of an icon. This furry oddball creature could have been left in the past, but I'm pleased that he was revived for a new generation. I say this in full awareness of the fact that Vicarious Visions could have done more in the technical and gameplay departments. Here we have two great games, and one that could have been great if given the update it truly needed. They look stunning, too, but resolution, framerates, and load times are all at an average standard when at least one of the three should be better. And yet, whether you find yourself zooming down a desert highway, running from a gigantic bear, or just bouncing over a bridge of crates, you can't help but smile and know that, at the end of the day, Crash is still a whole lot of fun.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is bittersweet. Having the unmissable marsupial back is a great throwback the 3D platformers of the late 90s, but for all of the nostalgia, the trilogy highlights some of the genre's weakest elements. A must play for original fans, and one new players should take with a pinch of salt.

I had fun going back to Crash Bandicoot, even if I found myself wanting to toss my controller at certain points and that notorious sky bridge level is still one of the absolute worst pieces of interactive crap you could ever suffer.

The Crash Bandicoot N-Sane Trilogy has been remastered beautifully and truthfully to the original releases, with a few minor extras and improvements that are welcome. Despite that, the controls and gameplay feel outdated, and despite the Crash PS4 trilogy doing well to stir pangs of nostalgia, the games don’t hold up to 2017 standards of excellence.

Vicarious Visions dresses Crash up with a swanky new outfit that looks and sounds superb in the N.Sane Trilogy, but this dogged commitment to recreating the franchise’s authenticity comes at the expense of some much-needed modernization.

Naughty Dog has been done proud. These games demonstrate how innovative the developer was even decades ago with its unique approach to camera-work, level design and overall tone. It is Vicarious Visions that's at fault for this collection's pitfall. Its decision to leave gameplay largely untouched is questionable, but the overall lack of polish on the package itself is inexcusable.

It's gorgeous, and a clear labour of love, but the controls might drive you, err, N.Sane.

No matter what you think of the original games these are an excellent trio of remasters, that will please existing fans and help to create new ones.

Crash Bandicoot fans can rest easy, Vicarious Visions didn't deface Naughty Dog's work. The three games look better than they ever have and play just as good as they used to. The NSane Trilogy is both fun and challenging and offers a good time to longtime fans of the original PlayStation's unofficial mascot. That said, people who didn't enjoy Crash Bandicoot games back in the 90s won't fall in love with the franchise thanks to this compilation.

I’m sure these games are great for anyone who grew up with them, but I honestly don’t get why.

Crash Bandicoot N Sane Trilogy proves that some games should remain as they once was. Vicarious Visions did everything in their power to deliver a pleasant Crash Bandicoot remaster, and while they did a pretty good job in terms of visuals, N Sane trilogy’s gameplay and controls are poor and outdated.

The original Crash Bandicoot is better remembered for what it was and what it meant than what it is.

There’s a golden glow around memories that gets brighter with age, but it also tends to distract from old frustrations. If you’re ready for a quick trip — and I mean quick — down memory lane, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy doesn’t disappoint. Vicarious Visions’ faithfulness to the series satisfies some nostalgic cravings, but once the novelty wears off, the cracks can’t help but show.

It's no big surprise to say that the N. Sane trilogy is another pleasant form of fan service from Sony, which does seem keen on this kind of thing when you remember it’s doing the same with Final Fantasy 7 and Shenmue 3. And the intended audience will love it...If you don't fall into this group, though, I don't think you should take the plunge now. Probably best to find something that was developed a bit more recently.