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Crash's First Outing is Flawed

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 16, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Back when the Sony Playstation and Nintendo 64 were first released, people were getting all excited over Super Mario 64 in 1996. It was new, it was innovative. It had something. Meanwhile, the Sony Playstation got Crash Bandicoot, and this was described as a game that could take Mario on at his own game. That, of course, didn't happen, as Mario still holds the torch. However, Crash Bandicoot wasn't a bad game. It was, however, a bit more flawed than most other games out there for certain reasons, the main one seeming to be its unforgiving difficulty. There were, of course, other mitigating factors.

Crash Bandicoot carries the--even then--overdone save the damsel in distress storyline, ala Mario saving Princess Peach over and over. Much like Mario, however, Crash wasn't about storyline. It was about gameplay, and here it's just as simplistic as it is in your average 2D side-scroller. Crash only has two attacks. His spinning attack and a jump attack. You'll use this to take down your enemies. There are advantages to using one attack over the other. For example, the spinning attack can potentially send enemies flying into other enemies while the jump attack gives Crash some extra air, which is actually needed to access some of the games little secrets.

Throughout each level, Crash also has the ability to obtain Aki-Aki. A mask that serves to protect Crash. If you have one you can sustain two hits before you die. If you have two you can sustain three hits. If you have three you'll be temporarily invincible. The game also makes it a point to give you an Aki-Aki if you're dying too many times in a certain level, and believe me, that'll happen a lot. The good news is that Crash Bandicoot isn't shy about giving you extra lives. The bad news is that you'll still mow through a lot of them pretty quickly. A lot of the times things are just unfair. The camera is permanently fixed behind Crash, so sometimes it's hard to predict jumps, or sometimes even where some enemies are. Also, the amount of surprises they throw at you can be annoying as well. Like a bridge where the planks fall out and then you get to what is seemingly a dead end only to find out that you've no time to look because the plank your standing on is also lose. Thus, you've no choice but to go through a lot of trial and error in levels.

To its credit, though, Crash Bandicoot has a variety of levels. There's the basic 3D platforming where you basically run through the level in a straight line with the camera behind you, but there are some levels that make you go about the old fashioned way by these levels being 2D side-scrollers. There are also levels where you'll run from a boulder in Indiana Jones style, levels where you'll ride on a hog. You'll get your fill from these levels. Although, many level designs are also very simplistic and straightforward. There's not a whole lot of exploration to be done, and even when you can veer off course, you'll only be backtracking to get back on the right course. In short, many levels are just too linear.

Mastering the game is also fairly difficult. Throughout each level there are crates that you have to smash. If you smash all the crates, you score a perfect. Seems simple right? Well, the catch is you have to smash every crate in the level without dying. And again, with some unfair camera angles in some levels, and the trial and error, you'll be attempting to score a perfect on a level several times. Likewise, it seems strange that the levels are so difficult yet the games bosses are so easily taken down--including the final boss Dr. Neo Cortex. Most boss battles aren't a challenge, but getting to them sure as hell is.

Even the games save system is flawed. As you go through each and every level you'll find tokens that'll let you catch a glimpse of the girl Crash is out to save in this game. The problem is this token is hidden in crates throughout the level. The second problem is that you need three of them. The THIRD problem is that you have to go through some stupid mini-level in order for your game to actually be saved. They're played out in a 2D side-scroller like fashion with the exception that even in these levels there are some 3D elements, which again require trial and error to get through sometimes. At least you don't lose a life... just the chance to save your game. The FOURTH problem with this is that once you collect all three tokens, whether you were able to make it through the bonus round and save your game or not, you can't get them again. Thus in each level you're only given the chance to save once, and you may not even get it! This is inexcusable. The later installments of the series certainly did a better job with the save feature. There's also a password system here for those who don't have a memory card, and that's really nice to have. Again, however, it sucks that you only really get one chance to save. You can save after scoring a perfect on a level, but again, that's a one time deal. You can't go to an easy level, score a perfect and save again.

Despite its gameplay issues, Crash Bandicoot looked good at least. Especially for a game released in 1996. It runs fairly smoothly, and just looks great for the time of its release. It wasn't a launch title, but at least it was a game that was easy on the eyes. The levels also look good and even too this day the game still has a particular visual charm to it. It can't hold a candle up to today's graphics but in 1996 this was a charmer. The game also didn't sound so bad either. Some tunes do get annoying, but a lot of tunes really satisfy the levels, and the sound effects are brilliant. As far as presentation goes, Crash Bandicoot really knew how to hand it to us.

Unfortunately, it's unforgiving difficulty may actually be enough to turn some fans away after a while. Was it a good game? Sure it was. But the first installment just had a lot of unforgiving issues that thankfully were worked out in the second game. It's not bad for a first outing, but a game shouldn't be so unforgiving in its difficulty.

Pros:

+It's a good looking game
+It sounds good
+Simple gameplay that anyone can pick up and learn
+A variety of levels
+Tons of secrets and little things to do; you'll be busy just trying to complete the game 100%

Cons:

-The difficulty level of this game is unforgiving
-Bad camera angles
-The games levels are difficult yet the games bosses are disturbingly easy
-A lot of trial and error moments
-Many levels are too linear
-The save system set up is absolutely horrible

It's still a good game, but later games in the series do a far better job.

oldie but a goodie

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: May 12, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I played this game years ago and loved it. It was one of the first games I ever finished. I liked it because it was fun. It wasn't complicated with multiple buttons to mash just run, jump, smack a fiew things here and there, and collect fruit, beat a few bosses, just fun. Don't get me wrong I like the new stuff, but it's still fun playing the classics.

PS2 Video Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: October 27, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This item was purchased as a gift for my Grandson, it was requested by him and his mother, they both love the game. It has worked flawless since they received it.

Can't go wrong

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: November 24, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Out of all the video games my 7 year old has, this one gets the most play time. It's got cool characters and enough levels to keep them busy for hours. Get prepared for a new vocabulary word or two. My favorite is "hootibigah". It's not only fun, it's funny.

crash bandicoot is awsome

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 26, 2008
Author: Amazon User

the first crash bandicoot game was one of the best games i have ever played in the series. it has 32 levels and it has 6 bosses and the levels that were hard for me is the high road, slippery climb, cortex power, and sunset vista. the graphics are perfect and the gems are hard to get and i think this is a game you should buy

Crash Bandicoot, a Game or a Torture Device?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 28, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I'm semi serious about this. This game is tough. It's an excellent platformer, one of the all time best for that matter, but some of the levels are rage inducing.

Crash is the perfect mascot/icon for Sony and they let him go. At the time when Sony needed one, Crash was there and sold systems. He was the face of Playstation and it's baffling why they didn't hang on to him. Just ask Nintendo or Sega what the advantages of a mascot are. Nintendo is dead without Mario and after many failed attempts, Sega is still trying to resurrect Sonic. Crash was perfect for Sony. He's funny, has attitude, likable and recognizable and the games we're the first, really good 3D platformers for the next generation. He also provided a stable franchise for the younger audience, which every company knows they want and need. What happened here? Man, I remember the commercials when a guy in a Crash outfit went to Nintendo headquarters and stood outside with a bullhorn and was taunting Mario, daring him to come out. Classic. That was Crash. Sony really dropped the ball here.

Crash has never been the same since Naughty Dog let him get away. Other developers have made some very uninspired sequels with him, changing his looks, alliances and even voice. I know you can't do the same thing forever but none have come close to the success of Naughty Dog, when they held the reins of this franchise. Today, Crash sits in a woeful state, being made to participate in very un-Crash-like games.

This game started it all though. This changed the platformer forever. While Mario and Sonic we're still going left to right in their side scrolling adventures, Crash took us into his world with glorious 3D. It said something about the future of games and consoles at the same time and it was only on Playstation. Even today, this is a very challenging platformer. Amidst the Ratchet's, Jak's, Sly's and 3D Mario's and Sonic's, the original Crash is about as tough as there is. But it's also compelling enough to want to keep going. You never don't know how your going to get through the level (they're linear afterall), it's getting the right timing and touch to do what needs to be done. There are some truly insane levels here that will test all your patience and nerve. But you'll just want to keep trying, at least till you get to your next save point so you know you don't have to do the level again that you just did. Fortunately, there's plenty of fruit and extra lives, but your gonna need them all.

The audio, video, and play mechanics in the original Crash trilogy are spot on. These games still look, sound and play great today. They're a very few of the only original PSone games I can bare to look at, let alone play anymore. The look is perfect with bright colors and varied enviornments and the music and sounds are catchy and perfect for each stage. These games have aged extremely well and are a real tribute to the developers at Naughty Dog.

There are a couple of downsides though. These games are really tough, maybe too tough for the average gamer or especially child. Some of this is intentional design and some I feel maybe the fact that 3D platforming was in it's infancy at this time. Some of the angles on jumps, just seem a little off. The perspective can make it really tricky. Another problem is that the save points can be a little far between. Not the check points during the levels, they are plentiful and life saving, but the save points. Sometimes, I just wanted to finish a level I'd been on for a while, save and quit. But then I'd find that I had to go through another whole level and a half, just to get the bonus round/save point. And even the bonus round was tricky sometimes as it's set up as a mini level requiring you to get from one side to the other but if you fell along the way, you'd have to restart the level to get back to it. Again, more challenge and patience testing. My final complaint is that sometimes you'd have a nice number of lives you've accumulated from previous levels, say 20 or so, you save, come back and you only start with 4!!! I want my lives, I earned them!!! On a final note, I downloaded Crash on my PS3 but cant save as it wont, even though PS2 games do, so I have to use passwords. It's a little annoying but if they didn't provide them, then I'd really never be able to save.

For anyone new to Crash, looking to try it out, don't let any of this put you off. These (the first 3) are fantastic games overall. They're among the tip top in the platforming genre and are some of the most challenging but rewarding at the same time. Crash is truly a gaming icon and I hope some way, somehow, that his original developers can one day give him and us another grand adventure worthy of the name Crash Bandicoot.

Crash Bandicoot

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: May 24, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I played this game when it first came out on the Playstation. It was Excellent! I stopped using my Playstation for a few years. This year, 2008, I missed "Crash Bandicoot" so I re-purchased the game. I have also purchased "Crash Bandicoot 2 and 3. If you like Platform Games give "Crash Bandicoot" 1, 2 or 3 a try. There was a "Crash Bandicoot" 4 but the loading times were very, very, very, ... long! Crash Bandicoot

CRASH BANDICOOT

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: May 28, 2008
Author: Amazon User

YOU CAN NOT MISS THE CHANCE TO OWN ONE OF THIS IF YOU LIKE CRASH BANDICOOT GAMES

Best PS1 Game Ever

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 27, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This video game is just great in every way. I am a huge Crash Bandicoot, and none of the Crash game I played beats the original. This game introduced a whole new way of video games and has great graphics for a PSone game. I would recommend this game to anyone old, or young, as anyone can just pick up this game and play it.

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