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A surprisingly fun game!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 20 / 20
Date: March 07, 2002
Author: Amazon User

After the "Crash" debacle on the Playstation 2, I was flat out suspicious when I learned that the same company would also be developing a Crash game for the GBA. My confidence wasn't lifted much when I also heard that it wouldn't have any boards with Crash running forward the way he does in the original titles.

But, thank heavens, this time Vivendi Universal got it right.

Sure, there aren't really any "running straight forward" levels on here, but who cares? Except for that one tiny little detail, the game is just a hairsbreath away from convincing you that you are playing Crash Bandicoot 2 or 3.

For the animation, Vivendi had the good sense to digitize the actual animation frames from the original games instead of trying to redesign them, so the action flows perfectly with the precise same liquid expression and energy as the Naughty Dog titles. And for warping, they took approximately five or six frames which would work the best and laid them against each other like animation frames to create the appearing/disappearing effect. Very clever, and an excellent way to guarantee that Crash would look every bit as charming in cartridge form!

They also have the promised "ride the polar bear towards you" boards, as well as such dizzyingly fun rides as the spacepack boards (the first one with you flying through the clouds is a LOT of fun and a lot more successful than the repetitive airplane boards from 3). So I guarantee anyone out there as much of a faithful conversion as possible here!

My only complaints are minor: here's hoping that by the next game they'll be able to put "run forward" boards in... and also, I was surprised that Crash apparently never does his famous victory dance! At least not that I've seen so far. Why, I have no idea. But both as minor considering the impressive amount that's been squeezed into the tiny cartridge.

A must buy!

Crash Bandicoot: The HUGE Adventure

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 12
Date: April 04, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I got this game for Easter. It's just like Crash for PSX. It has all like, "original" levels and scenery like in Crash Bandicoot Warped. The graphics are very real and they make you feel like you're really in them. A good thing is it's supposed to kind of be like Crash Bandicoot 5: The Wrath of Cortex and since I don't have PSX2, it makes it seem like the one for PSX2. Crash (as usual) has to find all the crystals, gems, and relics to gain back the power of the Earth from the evil (and a bit demented) Dr. Neo Cortex. He gets a little help from his little sister, Coco, his pet polar bear, Polar, and his friendly witch doctor mask, Aku-Aku. The game controls are easy to learn. In the first few Warp Chambers, the levels are not too challenging. I mean, I got 19% in only 31/2 days! And I'm all ready in Warp Chamber #2. It's good for kids 8 and up I'd say. It might be a bit too easy for adults (unless you've never played a Nintendo, Playstation, or a GameBoy game before!). There's the bosses from Warped, Dingodile, Dr. N. Gin, Tiny Tiger, and Dr. Neo Cortex himself. From deep diving to jet packs, you'll have tons of fun! See for yourself in Crash Bandicoot: The HUGE Adventure!

A MUST HAVE FOR YOUR GBA - BETTER THAN SONIC

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 15 / 19
Date: March 01, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I play a lot of GBA games - Rayman, Advance Wars, Mario I, Mario 2, Tony Hawk, Castlevania, Mario Kart...and the list goes on. I think it is one of the best platforms out there for pure enjoyment! Today I picked up a new title that makes me even more excited to own a GBA - CRASH BANDICOOT!

I was a big fan of Crash on the PlayStation and the GBA version really delivers that experience - more than I thought it would. There's the standard side-scroll stuff, but all the moves, enemies and level design is there and is tons of fun. There's also some stuff I've never seen on GBA before until now - 3D into the camera - Crash rides on a Polar Bear while being chased by a giant Snow Monster - it's awesome! The game isn't an old Crash game re-hashed for GBA like Sonic, Rayman or Mario it's a new story with new levels and some new game types, but it is all that you want a Crash Gameboy Advance game to be. So far I've played through about 30% of the game and really think it is one of the best platformers out there - graphics are much better than Mario (hands down)! Gameplay is on par with Mario (better than Sonic and Rayman) and overall appeal is better than all of them!!!

Excellent but with some faults

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: March 04, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Crash Bandicoot for Game Boy Advance was a very pleasant suprise. It took ideas from all the crash games, mostly from the third. Even though there are only 20 levels, the replayability of them is large with time travel mode and get all the boxes mode. The boses are a big improvement in that they are more challenging. Yet, you will recognize the similarities between these boses and the ones from the third crash. A new bose would have been a good idea for this game, but they still are very fun to play against. The graphics are excellent in the normal sidescrolling modes but get a little blurry when you play the boses.
There are many differences between this and the other crash games, though. Crash does not take the crystals out of his pocket after a level and dance after getting a gem. Thats just a small problem. The time trial mode contains way less boxes that stop the clock. And the ones that there are you mine as well not bother getting. For example, a 2 second box will take 2 seconds to get. Lastly, the level selection was weak. There are four of those dreadful swimming boards, three snowboards, three blimp boards, three space boards, three sewer boards, and the remaining are normal ground levels. They had so many other choices than just repeating the same boards over again. The car racing boards, the pyramid boards, and plenty of others. Lastly, the story is lacking like all crashes. no big problem there
Besides a few mistakes, crash is extremly fun and one of the best game boy games ive ever played. this may not be very exciting for cash fans but for anyone else, it is a sure hit. the save mode is easy and you could load a game through a link. The music is great and really sets the mood of each level. Overall out of five: Graphics-4.5, Sound-5, Control-5, Fun Factor-4.5

Crash is back, in black! Well, not really...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 9 / 12
Date: August 04, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Crash Bandicoot, the bandicoot that was created on the PSone. How does this port fair compared to the PSone games? Fairly well, surprisingly. Sharp graphics, and good replay value makes it a great game for the Gameboy Advance. Crash Bandicoot has had rough life recently, with people saying he's now "dead" because the creator's have moved on to Jak and Daxter. I deem them ignorant, because Crash Bandicoot shall live on!

Groundbreaking graphics aren't expected on portable consoles. But I have to say this game does gives off some sharp graphics, more then expected. It's as good as Rayman's graphics, with even more detail incorporated into the background. Crash looks excellent, and his moves are very fluent. The enemy character designs are also remarkable, and can look cartoony at times. The sharks and penguins are just some of the enemies in the game, but they look the best. Levels are designed profoundly well, with applicable surroundings according to various areas. I honestly haven't been more graphically impressed from a GBA side-scroller to date.

Level variety is very important in side-scrollers adventure games, and you won't be let down here. This game even surpasses Rayman in the level of variety. To name a few, you'll find yourself in the jungle, underwater, getting chased by an Abominable Snowman, and crossing icy tundra. In every level the main goal usually remains the same; collect all the boxes and try to find some of the bonus items hidden in the level. Each level can also reward you with a time icon after trying the level a second time, if you complete it in a certain time limit.

Smashing hundreds of boxes and getting weird shaped fruits equals fun right? If it doesn't sound like fun, don't be disappointed even though that's the main basis of the gameplay. For some weird unexplainable reason, it doesn't even start to feel repetitive. Along the way you'll fight off enemies, jump over gaps, and avoid objects that can move and hurt you. You'll want to progress in this game, hoping to see what the next level brings. After completing a level, you'll have the option to replay any level you want that's already been completed. After a set of levels, you'll find yourself up against a boss. They're not to hard, and can easily be beaten once you figure out their pattern. Fans of the series will recognize the characters, and all of them are back in this sequel.

The story is the Evil Mask, Uka Uka, is talking to Neo Cortex, obviously tired of his plans to destroy Crash failing. Neo reassures Uka Uka that this time Crash won't be able to do anything, with his special machine. What's Cortex's plan you ask? Shrink the world into the size of a melon, which is exactly what he does. Now Crash Bandicoot sets out once again to save the world. Why he ends up crossing arctic tundra one day and the jungle the next? What do you want, the world's a size of a melon!

Boodaga! If you think you've heard this before, you probably have in past Crash games. It is the sound you get after getting a mask power-up, which is very catchy. The sounds in this game are excellent, easily beating any other game in the genre. Various effects include Crash's spins, jumps, breaking boxes, and TNT boxes going off and counting down. Make sure you have the sound on in this game, or you won't know what you're missing.

Some level you'll know when you've missed a box, by accidentally starting a TNT countdown or by breaking a box without trying to get the box on top. Also, sometimes you are required to jump on an enemy and bounce off their backs to get to a box. If you can get all the boxes in the level, then a special diamond is awarded. These are needed for 100% completion, and it might be hard trying to find all the boxes. Special boxes can be found sometimes that spin faster, and give different opportunities to get a different item. The longer you wait, the faster the box spins, until it self-destructs. Lastly, don't forget about the nitro boxes, which explode immediately upon impact. They're green in colour so you can't miss them.

Power-ups can help a lot in this game, but you will mostly rely on lives. The first time you find a mask power-up, a little mask will hover around you. This gives you protection from one hit, upon which it will then disappear. These power-ups will stay with you as you progress through levels, and you will lose them when you die. The second time you find this power-up, a gold mask hovers around you. This guy will now give you two hits from an enemy until he disappears. If your lucky enough to get a third power-up while still having the gold mask, invincible mode begins! For about 20 seconds, you can just run straight through the level, over nitro boxes, TNT boxes, and any enemies in your way. Be careful to not be near an enemy when you think invincibility is about to end, because you can take a hit rather abruptly.

For an adventure game, it does a great job of pulling you back to want to play more. After all, if you want to get 100% completion then you have to get all the special items from each level. With over 25 levels all different from the last, this game won't get boring. If you want, rent it first and try it out. However, if you already have played Crash games and you know you like them, you'll have a great time with this game.

Crash Bandicoot tried to become to PSone what Sonic was to SEGA. The attempts failed, but he's still known fairly well as a video-game character. Crash has been dismissed lately by a lot of people, moving on to the PS2 and 3-D adventure games. Luckily, we've been treated to another great Crash game, and it's on a portable device. It can't get any better then this for fans of the genre.

Crash Translates well to the GBA

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: July 29, 2002
Author: Amazon User

If you have enjoyed any of the numerous incarnations of Sony's most popular marsupial, then you will not be disappointed by his adventure on the Game Boy Advance. The graphics are pretty good for a handheld game, the control is decent, and it just works very well on the GBA. I have been disappointed by so many games that just do not translate well to a handheld, so this was a pleasant surprise.

The only part of this game that may disappoint you is that you are not getting nearly as much variety in your levels as you do in some of Crash's other adventures. To me, this has always been one of the great things about Crash Bandicoot. Sometimes the game is sidescrolling, sometimes it is a third person view from behind, sometimes a third person view from the front where you have to run from something behind you. Then there were different types of levels to break up the monotony--riding scooters, cart racing, riding a tiger, etc. You will find none of that here. There are four worlds with a total of twenty levels. In each world, you will have one underwater level, one hang-gliding level where you have to shoot blimps down, and three standard side-scrolling levels. You cannot help but get the feeling after awhile that you are just playing the same levels over and over, just with increased difficulty. Also, the bosses are not nearly as difficult as they are in the console games. The final boss was actually the easiest one for me to beat. I really did not mind this too much however, since I do not like difficult bosses anyway.

Most of Crash's trademark moves are here as well. As usual, you earn them after defeating bosses. However, the bazooka is notably absent here. That would have been a fun addition. You will also notice that there are fewer levels than your standard Crash game, which would have 25 levels rather than twenty, I assume because they would not have fit.

Overall, this game gave me what I wanted from it--a simple pick-up-and-play platformer with classic Crash environments. This is by far the easiest Crash game I have ever played, so it was a nice way to relax and numb my mind when I needed to. Despite the fewer levels, the full Crash experience of trying to earn 100% completion by time-attacking the levels and collecting the boxes is still there. This game could easily give you dozens of hours of gameplay, which is not bad for a GBA game.

Crash gets hand-held

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 7
Date: June 05, 2002
Author: Amazon User

1st impresson- great game, 2nd impression- see 1st. This game was ONE OF THE BEST GAMES I HAVE PLAYED FOR GBA, and I have played a few. The graphics were pretty good as far as GBA goes. I was a bit dissapointed that it only had 20 levels and UNLIKE PAST CRASH GAMES, THERE SEEMED NO POINT IN COLLECTING TIME RELICS. But that aside it was extremely fun. It didnt really offer anything new, per say, beside 2d gameplay. But I HEARTLY RECOMMEND IT TO EVERYONE, CRASH FAN OR NOT.

So worth the wait!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: March 03, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I just got this game yesterday, but I am already hooked! It is really easy to control and it is really fun! Just like Crash on Playstation. However, It is only easy to really see in the dark with a clipped on light. Oh well. This game is definitely a must-have for gamers!!

Crash's BIGGEST FAN

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: September 09, 2002
Author: Amazon User

When I got my PSOne (2years ago) my first game was Crash Bandicoot 1! It's amazing!!!!! From that day on i kept imagining a PORTABLE Crash Bandicoot and here it is!!!!!!! For GRAPHICS i say it is the BEST!!!!!!!! BACKGROUNDS 100% Gameplay 2D ON NORMAL LEVELS and 3D CHASES!!! If i were you i would buy this game STRAIGHT AWAY!!!! It has exellent SOUND 100% Don't let soom bad review trick you!! If you are a Crash fan and doesn't have this game you must be ashamed of yourself!! IF YOUR MU DOESN'T LET YOU BUY IT THAN CRY UNTIL SHE SAYS "ALL RIGHT ALL RIGHT ALREADY!!!" It is the BEST platformer game OH YEH!!!!!!!!!

Crash is on Nintendo

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 12
Date: February 07, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Look out Playstation 1 users, 'cause crash is on gameboy advance now! If you don't have a gameboy advance nows the time to get one because not only does GBA have 32-bit graphics, it's also portable! So enjoy crash wherever you go by getting this game. It has great graphics, great story line, and if your a crash fan it's a must-have!

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