Every Crash Bandicoot Game On The PS2, Ranked (2024)

Crash Bandicoot went through something of an identity crisis on the PS2 after the original developer, Naughty Dog, dropped the series and went on to make Jak & Daxter. Crash started as the recognizable character from Naughty Dog's legendary PS1 games, but as the series tried to evolve, it arguably lost the charm that made the marsupial so special.

That's not to say that every Crash Bandicoot game from this generation was bad, but a lot of them just do not feel like Crash Bandicoot. Still, gamers can do a lot worse when it comes to platformers from this era, and though not every Crash Bandicoot game on the PS2 has withstood the test of time, some are still very easy to enjoy.

6 Crash: Mind Over Mutant

Metacritic Score: 60

• Platforms: PlayStation 2, Wii, Xbox 360, PSP, Nintendo DS
• Released: October 7, 2008
• Developer: Radical Entertainment

As far as rock bottoms go, Crash: Mind Over Mutant isn't that dire when compared to the worst games from other similar series. It works and will not frustrate players with bad design, glitches, or unfair challenges.

It strives to improve over its predecessor by taking place in freer environments, encouraging exploration and talking to NPCs instead of simply linearly progressing through levels. This wasn't seen as big enough of a jump to warrant better critical praise, however.

5 Crash Twinsanity

Metacritic Score: 64

Crash Twinsanity took a lot of swings and rarely managed to hit the ball. The game eschewed the traditional warp room structure that the series relied on for numerous entries in favor of an interconnected world with more open environments. It also puts a larger focus on writing, characters, and comedy.

The new gameplay felt unrefined and was hindered by an abysmal camera, but the writing was the absolute saving grace. Its humor is irreverent, self-referential, and, at times, bordering on too dirty for a kid's game. As time goes on, though, it is harder and harder to go through it as the already lackluster controls have aged poorly.

4 Crash Of The Titans

Metacritic Score: 65

• Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, PSP, Wii
• Released: October 2, 2007
• Developer: Radical Entertainment

Before Crash of the Titans, the series had always been mainly about the platforming challenge. This game added combat to the mix, allowing Crash to do more than just spin enemies into oblivion. The character and all of his companions saw a significant redesign. While the new look and gameplay might have alienated longtime fans, it wasn't a complete failure.

The 65 Metacritic score might be just sitting on average, but it was enough to warrant a sequel. The ability to play through the game in co-op was also a first for a main entry.

3 Crash Tag Team Racing

Metacritic Score: 66

• Platforms: PlayStation 2, PSP, GameCube, Xbox
• Released: October 21, 2005
• Developer: Radical Entertainment

Crash Tag Team Racing separates itself from the legacy of Crash Team Racing with a big injection of humor, new character designs, and the main gimmick of teaming up with competitors during a race. Players can combine karts with others and let one racer drive while the other uses a turret. Though it draws obvious comparisons to Mario Kart: Double-Dash, it is different since players join karts in the middle of a race and can separate at any time.

In fact, the player who separates first is given a boost, encouraging betrayal in these uneasy alliances. The story mode also includes an overworld where players control Crash on foot. It doesn't control as well as a mainline Crash Bandicoot, but it is a nice way to break up all of the racing action.

2 Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath Of Cortex

Metacritic Score: 66

Crash Bandicoot: Warped was the last platformer Naughty Dog developed in the series. When the task for a sequel was passed on to Traveller's Tales, the developer didn't mess with the formula. The Wrath Of Cortex feels almost like an expansion to Warped. The structure is identical, only with different levels.

Like a traditional expansion pack, levels here are longer, harder, and less forgiving. This doesn't make the game better than its predecessor, though. The Wrath of Cortex doesn't take any big risks. As a result, it doesn't overly impress. Still, it was more Crash Bandicoot, and some fans were happy just to have him back for the new generation.

1 Crash Nitro Kart

Metacritic Score: 69

As the follow-up to Crash Team Racing, Nitro Kart leaves a lot to be desired. Living up to the PS1 kart racer was no easy task, though. On its own, Nitro Kart is a fairly decent racing game. It does everything it can to recapture Crash Team Racing's magic, but it doesn't quite reach the same heights.

The tracks are decent enough, and there's plenty of content for the genre to keep one occupied, including team-based modes in addition to traditional every-racer-for-themselves competitions.