Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy

Marsupial's return sticks the landing

- Ben Tyrer

Think of the great PlayStation reunion of 2017 as a summer festival. While the likes of Parappa The Rapper and WipEout are great to see on the bill, there is only one headliner everyone is here for. Naughty Dog’s famous furry creation launches himself onto the stage and, let’s be honest, how can the years have been this kind?

Well, Crash has the sorcerers at Vicarious Visions to thank for that. Considering they built this almost entirely from the ground up, they’ve done an utterly astonishing job of giving the trilogy a makeover that drags it up to 2017 standards yet still feels authentic. From levels that are instantly familiar yet look like they were designed only yesterday, to the somehow adorable Crash 2.0 whose mohawk sways as he gambols through levels, this is a Wumpa banquet for the eyes.

Just as impressive is the remastered and rerecorded audio. Classic tunes sound crisper and punchier – admit it, you’re already humming the intro themes – and while not all the actors reprise their roles (our fave Dr Neo Cortex actor Clancy Brown is MIA), you never really notice.

Essentially, there’s very little fault to find in the scrubbing up Crash has received, and that plays a huge part in the appeal. This is the way your mind’s eye remembers PS1 Crash: a smooth and gorgeous game. A trip to YouTube will remind you that was very much not the case. So, why does this only get a 7?