One of the first platforming games I ever played on the PlayStation 1 happened to be the original Crash Bandicoot. It was the first time I ever experienced a platforming game in 3D space which made it all the more difficult to traverse since I was used to a side-scrolling platformer up until then. However, the series has come a long way by adding meaningful features to make the game a bit more accessible while keeping the 1996 formula and making it work in 2021. While many might see Crash’s movement as a bit out of date, for me it was the most important thing developer Toys for Bob could have retained. 

© Activision

Since the game is quite difficult to master, Toys for Bobs have given a “modern” difficulty setting where you essentially have unlimited lives to complete a level. However, there is a death counter that tells you how many times you’ve died on a level. It’s a page from modern platforms like ‘Celeste’ which makes the game more accessible to kids and newbies alike. If you want to play the game the classic way where you have a limited number of lives; you can do that too however we only recommend trying this out once you each level quite well.

© Activision

As for the performance on the Nintendo Switch, the game runs smoothly most of the time but we did notice some frame rate drops when there were many assets on the screen. Also, when traversing levels that require precision, we would recommend playing in docked mode with a controller as some precise jumps are harder to pull off in handheld mode. Overall, I played the game in handheld mode and didn’t face a difficult time on most levels. I do have to point out that the game does get a bit blurry as it implements a very aggressive motion blur effect which should be fixed in a future update. The game does look pretty thanks to its cartoonish art style. Overall, Crash 4 is a great game to experience on the Nintendo Switch however the game is also available on the PlayStation, PC and Xbox platforms. 

The Final Say 

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time brings back the old formula with new mechanics and updated graphics to give you an entertaining experience you would want from a great platforming game. The game may not have the desired resolution and frame rates in handheld mode, but to me, it felt more authentic and true to the original title. At its core, Crash 4 is a great addition to the franchise that has more to offer than ever before. 

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