The originalCrash Bandicootwas created in an attempt to make a game likeSonic the Hedgehogbut from a new, 3D perspective.The game was a huge successfor the original PlayStation and helped to launch the then young Naughty Dog into the lexicon of gaming. It did so well that it practically made Crash the unofficial mascot of Sony, perhaps only rivaled on that system by the likes of Spyro. Iteven gave Mario 64 a run for its moneyin the race to embrace 3D technology in games. It was somewhat odd then to see the games fall out of favor in the subsequent decade. Part of this had to do with the fact that Naughty Dogmoved on to other franchiseslikeUnchartedandThe Last of Us. There was a period of time that followed this where Crash was still seeing games get released, but they failed to gain the same audience and attention as the original trilogy.
Recently, with the remastered release of the original threeCrash Bandicootgames in the N. Sane Trilogy,Crash has begun to gain popularity once more. The series has continued to gain momentum with this comeback with the even more recent release ofCrash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time.It only makes sense then that now would be the opportune time for a cartoon adaptation of the franchise to be released. While there are indications that a serieswas being produced and may have been canceled, there are still many reasons why this property would be a great fit for a kid’s show.
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First, the cast of characters within the series is diverse while also being playful. The names typically include wordplay or clever jokes. N. Cortex has a large forehead while usually fumbling his evil plans. Dingo Dile is a dingo that is mixed with a crocodile. Tiny is a tiger that is actually enormous with immense brute strength. The trend continues across all of the games and makes for an incredibly memorable set of characters that fit a particular theme while also being good for a chuckle.
There are also the many different locales that Crash and friends visit throughout their adventures. Crash has faced off against twins in medieval times, taken tail dives in airship battles, and gone scuba diving in the depths of the ocean.His sister Cocohas levels that are set against pirate ships as well as fast-paced rides on the back of a tiger over the Great Wall of China. This variety would allow for a great level of different plots in a cartoon series as well as a more visually diverse show.
Any show also needs a central conflict, and the powerful sentient masks that the world of Crash Bandicoot has are a fantastic representation of a classic battle of good versus evil. Aku Aku is the mask that represents the power of good. He serves to inform Crash of the different challenges that he will be facing, butalso helps Crash gain periods of invincibilitydue to his witch doctor powers. Then there’s Ooga Booga, the evil opposite of Aku Aku that helps Cortex carry out his more nefarious plans. The inclusion of these masks introduces an entire undercurrent of magic on top of the many sci-fi elements of the series.
Speaking of sci-fi elements, the series is ripe with different sci-fi tropes thatcould be brought along for a cartoon adaptation.Crash Bandicoot 3: Warpedis especially influenced by sci-fi, as it includes warping portals that allow Crash and his friends to immediately teleport to different areas and even time periods. There’s even a boss called N. Tropy, which is a clear pun on the scientific term entropy. With the most recent release in the series,It’s About Time, this trend has continued and the plot clearly has elements of time travel that it brings to the table.
There are also the many items of the Crash Bandicoot universe that would be great catalysts for many different stories. The crystals, the relics, and even the apple-esque wumpa fruits are all pieces of the Crash puzzle that should be brought along. It could even be said that the wumpa fruits are Crash’s favorite food. Maybe he gets a natural sugar rush when he eats them and moves around faster as a result. That could be a fun character trait to add, sort of like how the classic Sonic the Hedgehog cartoon made Sonic obsessed with chili dogs.
Most importantly, the series is zany. Many children’s cartoons benefit from wacky, larger-than-life characters. Series likeSpongeBob, Adventure Time,and even classics likeRen and Stimpyhave benefited from having hyperactive charactersthat move around in crazy fashions. Crash’s crazy spin move would allow him to zip around like the Tasmanian Devil. When he wears Aku Aku on his face he could gain super speed and strength. The point is that all of these aspects of the games if brought together in the right way would be like lightning in a bottle. It would help the game series gain more popularity as well as provide for some highly entertaining television.
