The Rise and Fall of Crash Bandicoot 5: Insights from Game Historian Liam Robertson

In a recent video from ‘DidYouKnowGaming’, game historian Liam Robertson delved into the intriguing world of ‘Crash Bandicoot 5’ and the development of a Switch version of Crash Team Rumble. According to Robertson, Toys for Bob had ambitious plans for a Switch edition of Crash Team Rumble, which unfortunately never saw the light of day. The project was reportedly in the works but was ultimately scrapped by Activision due to the lukewarm reception that the game had received on other platforms.

The Abandoned Plot of Crash Bandicoot 5

Furthermore, Robertson revealed that Crash Bandicoot 5 was set to feature the iconic ‘Academy of Evil’ from Crash Twinsanity, promising an exciting new storyline for fans of the franchise. Notably, the game was also supposed to explore a crossover with another beloved character – Spyro the Dragon. The main antagonist ‘Uka Uka’ was set to make a triumphant return, with both Crash and Spyro serving as the main playable characters. The development team even toyed with the idea of allowing players to control both characters separately or together, with Crash hitching a ride on Spyro’s back.

Tragically, the promising project was abruptly halted by Activision, only a few months into development. The decision to cancel Crash 5 came on the heels of disappointing sales figures for Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, which failed to meet the company’s internal sales targets. Former employees lamented the absence of a Nintendo Switch version of the game at launch, labeling it as a “critical mistake” on the part of the development team.

With Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard, fans are left wondering if there is still a chance for the beloved Crash Bandicoot (and Spyro) IP to make a triumphant return in the gaming world. As nostalgia for classic franchises continues to grow, perhaps there is a glimmer of hope for the revival of these iconic characters in some shape or form. Only time will tell if Crash Bandicoot 5 will ever see the light of day, but for now, fans can only speculate on what could have been.