Crash Bandicoot from Universal Interactive Studios & Naughty Dog

     Ohmigawd!  That's about the first thing that comes to mind in playing
     this great 3D side/platform scroller, new from SCEA/Universal
     Interactive Studios & Naughty Dog.
     Fans of this genre (side/platform scroller), and even those that don't
     particularly like the platform games, will find this game will still
     keep them entertained and easily amused, and easily worth the few
     pennies that it will cost them at their favorite retailer or rental
     store.
     Beautiful graphics and scenery, great soundtracks, easily performed
     moves, and just plain fun are all wrapped up nicely in this package.
     Read on for more details, or better yet, get your butt off that PC and
     go grab this cart while you can!


     What the heck is a "Bandicoot"?

     Hey, who cares.  All you need to know is that he's the hero in this 3D
     side scrolling/platform adventure game.  He's fighting the evil Doctor
     Neo Cortex that helped to create him, and now has a female Bandicoot
     that Crash is head over heels over held captive.
     There's a lot of symbolism in this game, and the evil doctor's head
     for some reason has a huge "N" on it that might remind some folks of
     the "Nintendo 64" logo.
     The graphics in the game are all great, with animations and rendering
     that might remind folks of Donkey Kong Country (DKC) on the Super
     Nintendo.  (Why not borrow from the former champ?!)


     How tough is it to play?

     The game starts out fairly easily, and gets you used to the moves that
     Crash can do (a great spin kick move, or jump move).   You may find
     the game a bit easy in the first stage or two, but don't let that fool
     you.  It gets tougher as you go, and you'll be wishing for a break in
     the later levels.
     The game is made a little easier by providing check points as you
     play, where you will start over at should you lose a precious life.
     There is also a nice save game feature that is available, but isn't
     just a simple pause, and select save before taking on the baddies!
     (You must play through the levels correctly, and collect the necessary
     tokens to make it to bonus and save levels that will allow you to save
     your game).
     Also on the plus side is that there are ample opportunities given to
     earn extra lives as you go, and you'll surely need them sooner or
     later.
     The 3D controls are simple, made easy by the general design of the
     game  (it is more like a 2D game turned sideways).  It's very cool
     though to be able to move your character forward and back into the
     foreground or background.  (Very reminiscent of SEGA's Bug! on the
     Saturn, but not nearly as good in implementing the 3D environment as
     Bug! was).


     But once I play it through....

     The one problem that some folks might have with the game is that once
     you play through it, it's not as fun to play it again.  That might be
     true with this game, but it shouldn't stop you from getting the game
     and playing it through completely, whether you rent the game, or
     purchase it.
     The game is good enough to warrant a purchase, but if you're money's
     tight, and you're good at this sort of game, it might be better as a
     rental.   Either way, it deserves several hours in your PSX.
     Crash also features over 300 megs worth of pure game to begin with,
     and it will certainly take folks a little while to play it completely
     through.  (It also has lots of hidden bonuses, short cuts, and more,
     so you may have to replay it to try to improve your score.)


     Would I need a manual with it?

     The manual for the game is nice, with details of the story behind the
     game (why are you doing what you are doing?) and quick bios of all of
     your enemies and opponents.  The print in the manual is a bit hard to
     read (written in a form of "native scrawl"),  but still interesting,
     and worth a few seconds of your time.
     The game itself doesn't need much, if any, instructions.  Someone that
     rents the game from Blockbuster for instance won't have to worry if
     they get it without the manual.


     Are you still here?

     What's holding you up?  Can't you get out to the store now and get
     this great cart?!  Don't wait long, as it will be selling out quickly
     as retailers near you, and will likely be at the top of the rental
     charts for some time to come.


     Rating: 9/10

     Barry C. Dowell (9/5/96)


     Vital Statistics:

          Genre: 3D side/platform scrolling adventure
          Players: 1 only
          Save Feature: Yes
          Rating: K-A Kids to Adult
          Price: $59 MSP