The potential for an epic collaboration between gaming icons Spyro the Dragon and Crash Bandicoot was teased with the cancelled Crash Bandicoot 5. Revealed by video game historian Liam Robertson, the deep dive investigation into the plans for Crash 5 unveiled a plethora of exciting ideas that never came to fruition.
Toys for Bob, the developer behind Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, had ambitious plans for a sequel that would have included elements from the beloved Twinsanity game, such as the Academy of Evil and the villainous Uka Uka. Additionally, Crash was set to explore new territories with mind-bending gameplay inspired by Psychonauts.
One of the most thrilling ideas for fans was the inclusion of Spyro the Dragon in Crash 5. The plot would have seen Uka Uka opening a portal to the Dragon Realm, leading to a dynamic partnership between Spyro and Crash as they traversed dimensions to restore peace. Innovations such as collectibles and unique gameplay mechanics were in the works to shake up the traditional Crash Bandicoot formula.
Despite initial excitement and the success of Crash Bandicoot 4, lower-than-expected sales figures led to Activision pulling the plug on Crash 5 during pre-production. Even though the game sold millions of copies, it failed to meet early projections and underperformed compared to its predecessor, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy. The cancellation spelled the end of Toys for Bob’s aspirations for a groundbreaking Crash sequel.
Within a year of its release, Crash Bandicoot 4 stopped receiving updates, and Toys for Bob parted ways with Activision. The cancelled Crash Bandicoot 5 serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by developers in an ever-changing industry, where even the most promising projects can be derailed by market realities. Fans can only speculate about the untapped potential and missed opportunities of what could have been an unforgettable gaming experience.
Leave a Reply