Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

I didn't want the Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy to break what wasn't broken. Thankfully, Vicarious Visions clearly didn't want to either, and the studio's reverence for the original maddening yet rewarding challenges that have stood the test of time is clearly on display. On one hand, that leads to the frustrating limitations of the original Crash Bandicoot persisting 20 years later. But it also results in the incredible visual and aural overhaul and the gameplay tweaks to earlier entries, like time trials and crate counters, that Naughty Dog added later in the series. Those additions make the overall package so much more cohesive while never forgetting what made, and what still makes, so much of Naughty Dog's original trilogy a blast to play.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy gives three classic games a fresh coat of paint, but there's no mistaking that they're old at heart.

A well-made remaster with beautiful modern visuals and outdated platforming rooted firmly in the past.

There's a golden glow around memories that gets brighter with age, but it also tends to distract from old frustrations. If you're ready for a quick trip — and I mean quick — down memory lane, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy doesn't disappoint. Vicarious Visions' faithfulness to the series satisfies some nostalgic cravings, but once the novelty wears off, the cracks can't help but show.

It's gorgeous, and a clear labour of love, but the controls might drive you, err, N.Sane

Whether you are running from a boulder or riding on a polar bear, these games have not lost their charm. They are a fascinating (and fun) look back at the early days of 3D platforming

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a nearly flawless remaster of a mixed bag that I'm still incredibly fond of, even after so many deaths.

It's a shame what happened to Crash Although Naughty Dog moved on to bigger things, I wouldn't necessarily call all of them better. The Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy serves as a time capsule of sorts before the series was ran into the ground, and my only major regret is that I wish it had CTR as the cherry on top.

Tough as nails but just as tight as you remember, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is tasty trip down memory lane. The visual upgrade is nothing short of spectacular, and while the design of these iconic platformers are firmly fixed in the 90s, they're surprisingly playable today. This is a comprehensive compendium of a trilogy that set PlayStation on its way, and while not everyone will care for the old-school sensibilities, Vicarious Visions has pitched this package just right – doubters must now dine on Wumpa pie.

All in all, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a ruthlessly faithful recreation of some of the earliest successes in 3D platforming. Levels are slick, gorgeous to look at, and recreate the feel of the originals superbly. However, newcomers to the series may be put off by the steep difficulty spikes and little to no explanation of some of the finer mechanics. All the fun and the foibles of the original three games are here, for better or for worse, and despite some odd design choices it still manages to be a really enjoyable retread of some old classics, warts and all. This is definitely worth a look if you're a fan of 3D platformers, but just as was the case back in the '90s, Crash isn't in quite the same league as Mario when it comes to playability, inventiveness and entertainment.