Crash Bandicoot and Spyro were my childhood. I grew up playing these games on the PS1, so revisiting Crash through the N. Sane Trilogy was always going to be a nostalgic experience. Thankfully, after finishing all 3 games I can say that this is one of the best remasters I've played.
The trilogy contains all three original games with beautifully updated visuals while somehow keeping the gameplay feeling almost identical to the originals. Even the soundtrack stays incredibly faithful, and I loved the opening sequence showing the original PS1 Crash being transformed into his modern counterpart. It immediately sets the tone that this is a celebration of a classic rather than an attempt to reinvent it.
I finished all three stories, collected every crystal in Crash 2 and 3, earned every relic in Crash 2, and spent plenty of time chasing gems before finally accepting that some completionist challenges simply weren't worth the frustration anymore.
[h3]The Good[/h3]
The gameplay is the biggest reason these games have remained relevant for nearly 30 years. On paper it's incredibly simple; move, jump and spin, but there's something unbelievably addictive about slowly making your way through each level, smashing every box, discovering hidden paths and finally reaching that crystal at the end. Simplicity is exactly what makes Crash so easy to return to.
Replayability is another huge strength. You're constantly encouraged to revisit earlier levels after unlocking new abilities or coloured gems, with bonus routes, gem routes, death routes and hidden warp rooms giving you reasons to come back. It feels rewarding rather than repetitive for much of the game.
Crash 2 is still the standout entry for me, just as it was when I was a kid. It takes everything the first game introduced and expands on it in every possible way. The addition of warp rooms makes progression far more enjoyable, the level variety is excellent, and the difficulty feels much fairer while still offering a satisfying challenge. Whether it's the jungle, snow, sewer or jetpack levels, there's an incredible amount of memorable design throughout.
Crash 3 continues that excellent level design, particularly with the Egyptian and fairytale-themed stages that feel closest to Crash's core identity, although it does start moving a little too far away from traditional platforming for my taste.
The remaster itself also deserves a lot of credit. Controls feel much more consistent across all three games while still preserving the feel of the originals. Anyone who played the original PS1 releases will remember just how much better Crash controlled in Crash 2 compared to Crash 1. Here, all three games benefit from that tighter feel without losing their identity.
[h3]The Bad[/h3]
While the replayability is one of the trilogy's greatest strengths, it eventually becomes its biggest weakness.
Going for full completion can become incredibly tedious. Levels like Cold Hard Crash in Crash 2 expect so much backtracking and precision that they stopped being enjoyable and started feeling like a chore. That's ultimately where I drew the line. I don't mind difficult games, but I do mind when difficulty comes from excessive repetition rather than testing skill.
The hidden boxes can also be frustrating. There were multiple occasions where I'd finish a level with 1 or 2 boxes missing, only to discover they were hidden completely off-screen with almost no indication they even existed. I don't enjoy having to leave the game and Google a solution just to achieve 100%.
Crash 3 also introduces more vehicle sections than I'd like. The plane, bike and water levels provide some welcome variety, but they also take away from what Crash does best: tight platforming.
Finally, while I absolutely love these games, I found they're best enjoyed in shorter sessions. After around 45 minutes to an hour, I'd usually feel ready to play something else. I think Crash works perfectly as a "second game" alongside a larger RPG or story-driven title that you can sink hours into.
[h3]Final Thoughts[/h3]
The N. Sane Trilogy is an incredible tribute to a childhood classic. It modernises three legendary platformers without sacrificing what made them special in the first place, and the core gameplay loop is just as addictive today as it was back on the PS1.
If you simply want to finish each story, you'll have an amazing time. If you're determined to achieve 100% (or beyond), just be prepared for a challenge that occasionally borders on obsession.
And from what I've heard... Crash 4 somehow manages to make this trilogy look forgiving.
[h2]Verdict: 8.38/10 [/h2]
