When the firstCrash Bandicootgame was released on PS1 in 1996, players were introduced to a cartoonish world of platforming. The protagonist of the game is an animated marsupial, and the antics the player has to go through in the game are very similar to something from a Loony Tunes episode.Crash Bandicootwas instantly popular, and the series has received a number of likewise sequels and a remaster. However,Crashwasn’t the only platformer on the PS1.
The success of the firstCrash Bandicootled to a wave of similar platformers for the PS1 era. Some of these games functioned like this game, while others took inspiration from Crash and went in their own direction. Either way, these games started asCrash Bandicootclones.
“Clones” is being used loosely here; any PS2 platformers that were seemingly inspired byCrash Bandicootwill be considered.
There were very few ways toavoid the presence of Disney’sStitchin the early 2000s.This marketing juggernaut found its way into movies, toys, clothing, and even a PS1 game in 2002.
Lilo and Stitch: Trouble in Paradiseis a platformer that is loosely based on the pair’s first movie. Players can use Lilo or Stitch to smash boxes, jump on enemies, or run past them in this corridor-based platformer. Stitch even has a few humorous death animations like Crash does in his own game.
Gex the Gecko was already an established name in video games when the firstCrash Bandicootgame came out. Although, his previous games all took place in the 2D space. When it came time for Gex to make the jump to 3D inGex: Enter the Geckoin 1998, the developers would of course need to take inspiration from Crash.
The first 3DGexgame did have all the tight platformcontrols that were required for a game like this at the time.However,Gex: Enter the Geckobecomes unique in its premise of being sapped into a TV to participate in levels based on well-known TV shows and movies.
Any of Disney’s mascots could have been used in a PS1 platformer to rivalCrash Bandicoot. However, Donald Duck’s temper issues make him a great protagonist inDonald Duck: Goin' Quakers.This platform game seesthe titular duck on a mission to save Daisyfrom an evil warlock.
To achieve this, players must travel through a variety of corridor-based levels and collect prizes, There are also some signature chase levels and boss fights that make this PS1 title even more likeCrash Bandicootthan it needs to be. The controls are fun, even if some of the levels stretch on a bit longer than necessary.
There is a lot theToy Story 2for the PS1 could have done to make it the perfectCrash Bandicootclone. The platforming was tight and responsive, and the cast of characters from the film made the perfect group of things to collect down a narrow corridor platformer.
Instead, the developers took what worked inCrashandadded so much more inToy Story 2on the PS1.Players could explore fully realized locations like Andy’s house, Al’s Toy Barn, and an airport. These levels are all full of fast-paced platform challenges but also feature so much more. There are puzzles, races, and collectibles to find in this great adaptation of a film that is over twenty years old.
In many ways,Spyro the DragonandCrash Bandicootare direct counterparts. Both characters first appeared as platformers in the PS1 era and were both seen as mascots for that generation of PlayStation. If a player had one game, then the chances were they also played the other.
The main difference betweenSpyroandCrashis thatSpyrogames are more open-world. This means that players can explore more of these levels in more of a collectathon-style game, rather than dealing with faster enemies and traps inCrash Bandicoot.
There was a time when gamers could be discussingCroc: Legend of the Gobbosand its own PS1 clones. The game was expected to be released in early 1996 and would have beenthe world’s first 3D platformer,ahead of bothCrash BandicootandSuper Mario 64. Sadly, production delays meant that the game didn’t hit shelves until 1997.
The world had already seen great 3D platformers on the PS1 by this point, and Croc’s controls were seen as outdated compared to its earlier competitors. The 3D models and controls worked well on release, it was just a shame that other games had done these things before.
The firstRaymanon PS1 had already made waves among gamers. That meant the stage was set for another version of the 2D side-scroller. However, the developers weren’t happy to just rest on their laurels, andRayman made the jump to 3D inRayman 2,released in 1999.
The game follows a lot of whatCrash Bandicootdid well, with great controls and imaginative environments. Although,Rayman 2has to take things a step further by giving players the ability to glide, climb, and water ski. All these movements could have been a disaster had the developers not taken more inspiration from Crash and how he controls in new environments. The whole experience ended up feeling seamless, and it was great seeing another platformer run after Crash had done so well.
