Thanks to a certain blue hedgehog, the Nineties was filled with no end of anthropomorphised platforming protagonists (say that last bit fast three times). One of my personal favourites from this transformative era was Crash Bandicoot and not just because he was once known as Sonic’s Ass during development.
Originally created by Naughty Dog, Crash personified everything that felt fresh and exciting during those early days of the PlayStation and you can still see elements of his adventures in later Naughty Dog games like Jak And Daxter: The Precursor Legacy and even Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. It’s a real treat then to speak to some of the geniuses involved with his early adventures on the first two PlayStation consoles.
If high-speed bandicoots aren’t to your liking, there’s plenty more to enjoy this issue, including a look behind the scenes of The 7th Guest and Yes, Prime Minister as well as Digital Eclipse’s new project celebrating the works of Jeff Minter. We also chat to Richard Browne and Jonathan Griffiths about their fascinating careers in games, celebrate Takumi’s excellent Buggy Boy and even find time to review Mike Chi’s RetroTink 4K and Ubisoft’s latest Prince Of Persia release.
Stay safe and enjoy the magazine.
THE RETROBATES
DARRAN JONES
I’m going with Crash Bandicoot: Warped. There’s lots of variety and it builds significantly on Crash’s first two adventures.
Expertise: Juggling a gorgeous wife, two beautiful girls and an award-winning magazine, all under one roof!
Currently playing: Ori And The Blind Forest
Favourite game of all time: OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast
TIM EMPEY
The first Crash Bandicoot game. Actually, I think I only played the demo from some cover disc. God, I’m cheap.
Expertise: Finishing Game Pass games before they go
Currently playing: Yakuza 5
Favourite game of all time: God Hand
NICK THORPE
I’ll always have the softest spot for Crash Bandicoot 2, since it was one of the games that I received along with my PlayStation in 1998.
Expertise: Owning five Master Systems and a Mark III
Currently playing: Super Magnetic Neo
Favourite game of all time: Sonic The Hedgehog
ANDY SALTER
Never played one.
Expertise: Modding games, no ‘vanilla’ versions for me, thanks!
Currently modding: TotalWar:Ro
