Crash Bandicoot is a retro platforming game developed by Naughty Dog. It is the original game from 1996 that spawned a popular franchise of video games that are still highly regarded even to this day. Initially published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation, the story follows Crash as he travels across the world to rescue his girlfriend, Tawna, a female bandicoot that is held captive by a mad scientist, Doctor Neo Cortex. Inadvertently, Crash will also end up having to foil the villain’s plans for world domination.

The core gameplay of Crash Bandicoot is that of an action, level-by-level platforming game where you traverse multiple areas filled with dangers using the main character’s agility and your own quick wits. The controls for the game on the keyboard are as follows: Use the arrow keys to move around, and the X key to jump. The S or Z keys will allow you to perform the iconic “Crash Spin”, which is useful for destroying boxes or smacking away enemies. You can also break the boxes and defeat the enemies by jumping right on top of them.

Essentially, your goal is to reach the destination safely by avoiding all the traps and enemies scattered throughout. There are all sorts of traps involved from pitfalls to deadly saws, and the enemies also come in all shapes and sizes. Aside from this, you can collect “Wumpa Fruit” across the various levels, and collecting 100 of them will actually grant you an extra life. One of the more memorable levels from the original game is the Indiana Jones-type level where you run away from a rolling boulder the entire level!

Graphics-wise, the game was phenomenal when it was first released, and the BGM was pretty catchy even if you had to sit there and listen to it for hours while trying to navigate the challenging platforming levels.

To sum things up, Crash Bandicoot is a really well-built game that has definitely aged well even in the era of modern gaming. If you want to relive the nostalgia, head on over to retrogames and play this one for free now.