Us Crash Bandicoot fans have been on a wild rollercoaster of emotions over the years. From the glorious days of the original trilogy on PlayStation 1 to the ups and downs with different developers, it’s been a ride filled with nostalgia and frustration. But here we are, in 2024, and many of us are still asking: What happened to Crash Bandicoot 5? Should we just give up and assume it’s never coming?
Who Owns Crash Bandicoot?
To understand what’s happening, we first need to know who’s holding the reins of Crash right now. Even though the franchise was born from Naughty Dog (yep, the same folks who created The Last of Us and Uncharted), they’re no longer involved with the marsupial. The rights to Crash Bandicoot passed through several hands, finally landing with Activision, the current owner of the IP. And after months of negotiation, a few billion dollars, and a twist of fate, Activision is now part of Microsoft.
This is a big deal because when a franchise changes hands, its future is entirely in the new company’s control.
Is Crash Bandicoot 5 on the horizon?
After years of dormancy, we saw Crash return with the N. Sane Trilogy, and the gaming world exploded with joy. It was like seeing an old friend after years, with nostalgia hitting us like a TNT crate. Crash was back, and not just as a fleeting memory.
After the remake’s success, Activision launched Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time in 2020. And no, Crash 4 wasn’t just a rehash of the old games; it was a completely new title that followed the story of the original trilogy, ignoring the games that many consider side entries. While the game was a hit with critics, it was unfortunately a sales disappointment for Activision.
So…What happened to Crash Bandicoot 5?
A few months ago, the popular YouTuber Did You Know Gaming, known for dropping exclusive gaming industry news, claimed that Crash Bandicoot 5 was in development but got canceled due to low expectations from the higher-ups.
The theories, rumors, and hopes keeping the flame alive
Even with the lack of official news, the rumor mill never stops. Some believe that the next Crash could be waiting for the perfect moment to return, maybe with the next-gen consoles or a new twist on the formula. Social media is flooded with theories about potential secret developments. Some even dream of a multiplayer Crash Bandicoot or one with open-world elements. Despite the doubts, hope is still alive, though it’s slowly fading.
Should we forget about Crash 5?
Honestly, I don’t think we should give up… just yet. Crash is still a beloved franchise.
That said, we can’t ignore the fact that Activision’s priorities seem to be more focused on their heavy hitters like Call of Duty. And with the recent Activision-Microsoft merger, things could shift. Microsoft, now the owner of Crash, has its own interest in keeping the franchise alive, and they might have surprises in store.
So, will Crash 5 happen?
In short: Will Crash Bandicoot 5 happen? Probably not, but hope dies last, as they say where I’m from. The truth is, don’t expect news anytime soon. With the franchise now in Microsoft’s hands and the success of other titles, it feels more like a “pray to the gaming gods” kind of situation. In the meantime, I suggest enjoying the current titles like Crash Bandicoot 4 and keeping an eye out for any major industry event announcements.
Nostalgia is powerful, and if the video game industry has taught us anything, it’s that classics always find a way to come back. It might just be a matter of time (I’m being super optimistic here, haha).
I’m GeekGamer, and until next time…