Thanks tothe release ofCrash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Timein late 2020, series fans are more nostalgic than ever. Despite this enthusiasm, though, it’s impossible to deny that someCrash Bandicootgames are incredibly difficult at times. This is especially true when one considers that the series was originally marketed toward children.
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Beating these games 100% is a whole other story and will require an awful lot of skill and dedication from players. Of course, not everyCrash Bandicootgame can be beaten in the traditional sense, with the party and racing games being separate from the main series. With that in mind, here’s everyCrash Bandicootgame released for home consoles ranked from easiest to hardest.
Updated July 13, 2025, by Tom Bowen:Crash Bandicoot was one of the most popular video game mascots of the nineties and has seen something of a resurgence in recent years thanks to the release of the N. Sane Trilogy collection and the series' long-awaited fourth installment. Thanks to these titles, everyone’s favorite orange bandicoot now has upgraded looks, as well as an increased difficulty level to match. Like many of its predecessors, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is incredibly challenging, but whether or not it is the most difficult Crash Bandicoot game ever made is perhaps a matter for debate.
70
HowLongtoBeat
11 Hours
This tatted version ofCrash Bandicootdebuted in 2007, and its style is very different than previousCrashtitles. Due to this, it’s much simpler to play. Crash actually punches and kicks in this one, adding more combat than before. Spins are still present, but moves like these have to be unlocked.
This Bandicoot is a bit more violent than his previous iterations. Many fans don’t like it because the playing style breaks away from the original series, but one thing’s for sure:Crash of The Titansis one of the simplestCrashgames and one of the easiest to just pick up and play.
73
11½ Hours
Crash: Mind Over Mutantis the follow-up toCrash of the Titans, and it’s similar in gameplay style. Crash is able to fight giant beasts to take control of them and can even use their powers to become even stronger. This gives players a huge advantage, as these mutants are way larger than Crash and his buddies and can pack one hell of a punch.
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Part of what makesCrashgames so difficult lies in their level designs. ClassicCrashgames involve steep jumps, hidden gems, box collecting, and much more. Sadly,Crash of the TitansandCrash: Mind Over Mutantlack most of those classic aspects, which makes them both mucheasier, but also much less fun.
69
Crash Tag Team Racingis definitely one of the simpler bandicooting installments in the series. An odd hybrid between classicCrashandCrash Bandicootkart racing games, this game is childishly comedic, yet entertaining at the same time.
Racing in this game is very similar toMario Kart: Double Dash, with players able to either drive or act as gunners. The gameplay itself is simple and the controls are buttery smooth most of the time. The steering isn’t great on the racecourse, but it’s still pretty easy to win nonetheless.
66
13 Hours
The truth is thatCrash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortexis pretty much a carbon copy of the originalCrashtrilogy, but with different levels and its own storyline. There’s not anything that’s particularly hard about it in comparison to the earlier games.
The biggest complaint about this title lies in its graphics and controls. It’s definitely not the hardest in the series, but its mechanics pale in comparison to previousCrashtitles. To put it bluntly, most of the difficulty that the game poses stems from its weak design.
6½ Hours
Crash Twinsanityis pretty mediocre when it comes to difficulty. It’s not quite ridiculously easy, sure, but it is still one of the easier games in the franchise. In fact, the additional help from Cortex makes the gameplay less challenging overall.
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The controls are definitely better than they are inCrash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortexand the more open-world level design provides more maneuvering room. It’s quite goofy and has the same type of humor asCrash Tag Team Racing, so it’s definitely enjoyable.
80
43½ Hours
Granted,Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogyis technically a remaster of the first three games in the series, but its mechanics are very different from the originals. As a result, many view the trilogy as its own unique entity rather than a simple remastering of the originals.
The graphics are amazing and one of the most notable changes, but the hitboxes definitely make the game even more difficult than the original three platformers. This led to a bunch of memes comparing the trilogy toDark Souls, which should give those who’ve never played theCrash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogyan idea of what to expect.
89%
Out of the three original Crash Bandicoot games,Cortex Strikes Backis arguably the most forgiving. In many ways, it offers a nice balance betweenCrash 1andCrash 3. The gems and relics are still difficult to track down, but that’s just how everyCrashgame is.
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Cortex Strikes Backis actually a favorite among fansdue to its perfect difficulty level. Its controls are great and it doesn’t have any wonky mechanics. Overall, it’s definitely the easiest game from the original trilogy and is generally considered to be the best of the classicCrashgames.
91
14 Hours
The third installment in the original trilogy is more difficult than the second and that’s largely because of its additional level types. InCrash Bandicoot: Warped, there are motorcycle levels, underwater levels, aircraft levels, and levels where Coco and Crash ride Polar and Pure; all of which creates an added layer of difficulty in the game.
The motorcycle levels are especially challenging. The giant pits and difficult steering mechanics make these levels an absolute pain for many players. Sadly, this doesn’t get much easier in theN Sane Trilogycollection either. Crash needs a bike with better handling.
10½ Hours
Crash Nitro Kartwas released four years afterCrash Team Racingand is a bit simpler than its predecessor. However, it’s still not incredibly easy. This is because likeCrash Team Racing,Crash Nitro Kartinvolves several difficult game modes, including Gem Cup challenges, CNK Tokens, and more.
A cool fun fact about this game is that it was released for both home consoles and the Game Boy Advanced. Both versions were quite different and the GBA version actually includes an unlockable version of Spyro from theSpyro the Dragonseries. Neither version is the most difficultCrashgame around, but they’ll definitely keep players on their toes.
88
24½ Hours
Just because it’s a kart racer doesn’t make it any easier. InCrash Team Racing, players have to collect more than just trophies. There are also gems, relics, CTR tokens, and boss keys. It’s not just about getting first place, either.
In order to achieve 100% completion, all of these items must be collected. Plus, in arcade mode, there are several “battle” options that can also be a huge pain. However, there’s no doubt about it,Crash Team Racingis still a lot of fun despite its difficulty.
