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| In all its portable glory! |
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| Ah, crate puzzle! Expect to see a lot more of these! |
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| The "3d" level. There is no denying that they look great. |
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| Dingodile, complete with derivative Australian accent. |
Ah Crash Bandicoot. I have many memories wrangling this little bugger through perilous bridges, hazardous creeks and derivative "native temple" levels. Unoriginal though it was, the first three games were challenging and fun. The later games have just screwed up everything, they're that godawful. Old Crash Bandicoot must be spinning in his grave.
On the GBA, however, the designers have stayed true to the original three 1990s games. Crash: XS is terrific fun. The traditional levels are there (i.e. snow level, derivative "native temple" etc) and many enemies make return appearances, albeit in excellently rendered sprite form. The game is a side-scrolling platformer, but the variety of levels (and the occasional "fake 3d" polar bear escapes) keep a good level of variety and therefore hold interest.
The primary issue is the game's length. But it is so much fun that this ceases to be an issue. Plus there are the time trial relics that encourage replayability. Crash rules on the GBA, and is worth finding on whatever auction site you fancy.
