Collection essentials #352: Crash Bandicoot: Warped (PS1)

And here we have Crash number 3, probably the most popular Crash game of all time. A cool thing about this game is that the story starts literally right after the end of the previous game. When Cortex’s space station crashes into earth, it happens to fall right in a spot to free the evil “Uka Uka”. One thing I neglected to mention in the previous posts is that Crash has an ally who is basically a floating, sentient Polynesian-style mask named Aku Aku. Uka Uka is his twin brother. The game’s villains hatch a plot to travel through time to collect a series of crystals to achieve world domination, and it’s up to Crash and friends to stop them.

Due to the time travel theme, this game has the most varied aesthetic design of the three games as levels take place in a variety of different times and places and that’s pretty cool. The boss battles are definitely the best of the three Crash games too. There’s a lot of levels that mix up the gameplay, such as levels that have you riding a motorcycle or a dogfighting plane. 

Otherwise, the game follows the same basic formula as Crash 2, which is not a bad thing. You can go back and read previous posts to learn how Crash Bandicoot works.

I think Crash Bandicoot Warped was the first game in the series that I played, as I knew people who owned it. I specifically remember seeing two of the major boss battles in particular, those being Tiny Tiger and Dingodile. I didn’t own and play the game for myself until many years later. I still have yet to try for 100% completion…maybe someday.

Again, a full remake of this game was included in the “N. Sane Trilogy” released on modern platforms. You could argue that the original version is actually better, but it comes down to preference and the remake is certainly at least an adequate version. It’s a great time no matter which one you play, and a deserving PS1 essential.