Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy brought a completely rebuilt trio of the original bandicoot Crash's adventures from the late nineties to PlayStation 4. Studio Vicarious Visions didn't just smooth out the textures; it rebuilt the games on a modern foundation while trying to preserve the level layouts and pacing of the originals. The result is a collection that looks like a current game but plays like a title from the first PlayStation era, demands included.

The gameplay sticks to the tried-and-true formula. Levels mostly lead forward into the depth of the screen, or from right to left, or take the form of chases toward the camera, and the player smashes crates, jumps on enemies' heads, and collects Wumpa fruit along the way. Landing precision is crucial, since the shadow beneath the character is often the only clue as to where you'll actually land. The second and third games add sliding, a double jump, and bonus levels on a motorbike, underwater, or riding a tiger. Collecting gems requires smashing every single crate in a level without losing a life, which turns what originally looked like a children's game into a tough challenge. The collection later added a playable Coco and several entirely new levels.

Visually, it's a very accomplished piece of work; environments are full of detail, characters have expressive faces, and enemy animations give the world a comedic edge. The music draws on the original scores and feels nostalgic without sounding dated. The reception was good, with the most common complaint being that the jump physics feel somewhat stricter than in the originals, which raises the difficulty especially in the first game. The collection was a huge commercial success and kickstarted a wave of returning classic platformer franchises that arrived on the same console in the following years. For old fans it's a nostalgic return to the games that once defined the first PlayStation, and for new players it's a solid, content-rich package offering dozens of hours of jumping. It's precisely this combination of faithfulness and a modern coat of paint that's why N. Sane Trilogy is still cited today as one of the better-executed attempts to revive an old franchise.