The Best Crash Bandicoot Games (Ranked)

What are the best Crash Bandicoot games?

Crash Bandicoot has been entertaining players since 1996, and it is easily one of the most popular gaming series in history.

While there are many games in this series, including spin-offs and party games, not all of them have been as memorable as others.

Today, we’re looking at the best Crash Bandicoot games ever made so you can find the ones worth playing!

The Best Crash Bandicoot Games

To create this list, we considered the gameplay, reviews, popularity, and sales data of every game in the series.

Using this data, we’ve been able to pinpoint which games in the franchise have been the most impactful.

So, without further delay, let’s get into our list of the best Crash Bandicoot games:

12. Crash Of The Titans

Kicking off our list is Crash of the Titans, a 2007 platformer beat ’em up game.

The first in the series to lack a Japanese release, this game was also the last to be published by Vivendi Games.

This game centers on the discovery of Mojo, a substance that Doctor Cortex uses to turn the Wumpa Island folks into angry mutants called Titans.

As the protagonist of the game, it falls to Crash Bandicoot to stop Dr. Cortex and save the world!

When the game starts, players have four lives, and more can be gained by collecting 25k units of Mojo or a rare Golden Wumpa Fruit.

Deceptively difficult, some levels of this game can really trip you up if you’re not careful.

While not as tough as fighting the hardest bosses in Elden Ring, you’ll definitely die a handful of times in some of these levels!

Crash of the Titans is definitely a game that any fan of this series should play for themselves!

11. Crash Twinsanity

This 2004 platformer was released on the PS2, Xbox, and mobile devices as the 11th installment in the Crash Bandicoot franchise.

Set three years after The Wrath of Cortex, this game follows Crash and Dr. Cortex as they work together to stop the Evil Twins from destroying N. Sanity Island.

Crash Twinsanity differs from other games in the series in that it has free-roaming gameplay where players can explore different environments.

Throughout the course of the game, players get to control Crash, Dr. Cortex, and a new character, Nina Cortez, the Doctor’s niece.

The open-world setting of this game is a great improvement over the limited-level design of other games, as are the new gameplay styles.

Definitely, one of the best games in the Crash Bandicoot series, Crash Twinsanity is an epically fun time!

10. Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced

Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced was released in 2003 for the Game Boy Advance as a sequel to The Huge Adventure.

The second game to be released on a handheld console, N-Tranced centers around Crash trying to save his sister Coco and his friend Crunch.

Both have been captured by Doctor N. Tropy, who has brainwashed them to help him conquer the space-time continuum.

As a platformer, players have to control Crash through a series of levels, many of which take place in an interdimensional bubble.

Throughout the game, Crash can also improve his abilities of jumping and spinning as he wins boss battles.

The single-player campaign spans 30 levels with non-linear progression, but there is also a multiplayer mode, so you can play with your friends!

While N-Tranced isn’t the most original Crash Bandicoot game, it hits on all of the elements and gameplay mechanics that have made the series so popular!

9. Crash Nitro Kart

Easily one of the best GameCube games, Crash Nitro Kart was released in 2003, and many growing up at the time have fond memories of playing it!

The first game in the series to feature full motion videos, this game revolves around Crash being abducted, along with other popular characters.

Everyone has been captured by the dastardly dictator Emperor Velo XXVII, who has threatened to destroy the world if they don’t race for his entertainment.

As a racing game, players can control many classic Crash Bandicoot characters as they race around various tracks in karts.

Throughout the tracks, players can find item crates that give players unique items or power-ups.

There are also Wumpa crates, which give bonuses to weapons and power-ups that have already been obtained.

Crash Nitro Kart features 6 different racing modes, some of which are free-for-alls, while others have a team mechanic.

On top of this, there are also battle modes, in which players have to race around battle arenas grabbing weapons and attacking other players.

8. Crash Bash

Released in 2000, Crash Bash is a party game, the first of its kind in the franchise.

The fifth title in the overall series, Crash Bash is made up of a collection of 28 mini-games in three different gameplay modes.

These modes are Adventure, Battle, and Tournament, each of which comes with its own gameplay objectives.

For example, in Adventure Mode, players have to win all 28 mini-games, while Battle Mode is a quick match in any mini-game that has previously been beaten.

Similarly, Tournament Mode pits players against each other in four mini-games, and the one who earns the most points wins overall!

With eight playable characters to choose from, this game was noted for its similarity to Mario Party.

Although it doesn’t have a lot of depth, it really didn’t need to, as the whole point was to have fun playing a wide variety of games.

Crash Bash is certainly one of the best PS1 games ever created and one that is great to play with friends!  

7. Crash Tag Team Racing

Crash Tag Team Racing is another kart racing game, this time released in 2005 for the GameCube, PS2, PSP, and Xbox.

The story of this game revolves around the antics of Crash, who needs to win ownership of a broken-down theme park to stop Dr. Cortex from gaining its power gems.

In-game, players control Crash as he tries to find the black power gem, along with the gems hidden in each area of the park.

To do this, players have to compete in a series of races and mini-games to open up different areas.

As players explore the park, new platforming areas can be unlocked, giving players more to do.

What makes this game particularly fun is its clashing feature, which allows players to “clash” with other vehicles and merge with them to create a devastating turret.

This game was a must-have when it was first released, and it remains one of the best Crash Bandicoot games ever made!  

6. Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex

The Wrath of Cortex is one of the best original Xbox games, and it revolves around the sudden appearance of Crunch Bandicoot.

Crunch is a genetically altered bandicoot created by Cortex who seeks to use him as a destructive weapon for world domination.

Of course, Crash and his sister Coco aren’t about to let that happen, which is where this game kicks off.

In this game, players can control Crash and Coco as they rush to find 25 crystals in order to defeat Cortex and Crunch.

While some critics considered this game a poor final product, upon its release, it was a favorite of fans who enjoyed its mechanics and gameplay.

It is definitely a quirky and addictive game once you start playing, even if some fans weren’t keen on playing as Coco!

5. Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is one of the newest installments in the series, released in 2020 for the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and next-gen consoles.

The eighth entry in the main series, this game is a retcon of the games originally following Crash Bandicoot: Warped.

In It’s About Time, players follow Crash and Coco as they try to recover quantum masks to stop Cortex and Nefarious from taking over the multiverse.

While many of the series’ most well-known elements are included in this game, new features have also been added.

Some of the most notable include the use of quantum masks to alter levels and get past obstacles.

This, along with the overall physics tweaks, visuals, and replay value, were all highly praised by both critics and fans.

Although some found the levels to be difficult and sometimes frustrating, this challenge was welcomed by many fans.

With many Crash Bandicoot games following the same formula, the changes that made players stop and think were certainly very welcome!

4. Crash Bandicoot

The game that started it all back in 1996! Crash Bandicoot for the original PlayStation was developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony.

Along with introducing players to Crash for the first time, this game revolved around him foiling Dr. Cortex’s plans to take over the world.

However, aside from just stopping Crotex, players have to help Crash rescue his girlfriend Tawna!

Played from a third-person perspective, some levels are side-scrolling, while others feature forward-scrolling perspectives.

Upon release, the first Crash Bandicoot was praised for its difficulty, graphics, and overall presentation.

It went on to become one of the best-selling PlayStation games, selling over 6 million units overall.

If you miss the opportunity to play this game when it was first released, don’t worry because you can still check it out.

In 2017, this game was remasted as part of the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, which is available on PS4, Xbox One, and next-gen consoles!

Honestly, this is one of the best retro games of all time, and you owe it to yourself to experience it at least once!

3. Crash Team Racing

Speaking of classics, Crash Team Racing is another epic PS1 game that came out in 1999.

The story centers on Crash, Cortex, and other Bandicoot characters as they race against Nitros Oxide to save the world.

In this game, players can control any of the 15 playable characters, though only eight are initially available, with others unlocking over time.

As a classic kart racer, Crash Team Racing has all of the mechanics you would expect, along with crates that can be hit to provide bonuses and power-ups.

A bit like Mario Kart, this game is fast-paced and addicting, especially with its power-slide maneuver that lets players easily speed around corners.

There are also five racing modes; Adventure, Arcade, Time Trial, Versus, and Battle.

While some of these modes are only single-player, Versus allows two or more players to compete, while Battle Mode supports up to four.

Crash Team Racing is easily one of the best racing games to ever debut on the PS1, and it is definitely well worth checking out!

2. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

Cortex Strikes Back is a sequel to the first Crash Bandicoot game, and it was released in 1997 for the original PlayStation.

Set on a fictional land near Australia, this game follows Crash after he is abducted by Cortex and sent to N. Sanity Island.  

The goal of this game is to collect 25 crystals for Cortex that are scattered throughout 25 different levels.

After clearing five levels, you’ll have to prepare for a boss battle before you can progress further.

Cortex Strikes Back was met with critical acclaim, with many praising it as an all-time great platformer, even 25 years after its release.

It certainly stands out as one of the best video games of all time in our book, and we highly recommend it to all Crash Bandicoot fans!

1. Crash Bandicoot: Warped

Taking our number one spot is Crash Bandicoot: Warped, a 1998 platformer and the third game in the series.

Immediately set after the events of Cortex Strikes Back, this game sees the evil Uka Uka join forces with Cortex and Nefarious Tropy.

The evildoing trio planned to collect the powerful crystals that lay scattered across time in order to enslave the Earth for their purposes.

Fortunately, the Earth has Crash and Coco Bandicoot looking after it, and that is where players start off.

As Crash and Coco, players have to travel through time itself to stop the trio and keep the crystals out of their hands.

Warped is considered to be one of the best video games ever created, and it ended up selling over 6 million units upon release.

In Japan, it even became the first game made outside of the country to sell over a million copies.

Best of all, this amazing game was remastered in the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, so you can pick it up on any modern console!

Summary

We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of the best Crash Bandicoot games as much as we’ve enjoyed playing them!

Crash Bandicoot is one of the most well-known gaming series in history, and it is a franchise that many grew up playing.

While there are dozens of games with the Crash Bandicoot name, the ones on this list are the best of the best!

Here’s a quick recap of the best Crash Bandicoot games:

1. Crash Bandicoot: Warped
2. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
3. Crash Team Racing
4. Crash Bandicoot
5. Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time
6. Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex
7. Crash Tag Team Racing
8. Crash Bash
9. Crash Nitro Kart
10. Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced
11. Crash Twinsanity
12. Crash Of The Titans

Did you grow up playing Crash Bandicoot? Leave a comment below.