Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex

"The defination of "underrated.""

Intro: Crash Bandicoot has been out for a while now (atleast a decade or so). This is actually the only CB game I have, so I can't give you much more info on it's past.

Graphics: 9/10 Spectacular. Stunning. I can't believe this is on my TV screen. The movements, and sprites, are very superb. From Crash running all the way to him spinning like a top, you can tell that the developers spent a lot of time in the silky movement department, letalone the graphics.

Story: 5/10 I've never been one to like a story that much. It's something about this Cortex guy wants to rule the world, or destroy it, or something. I don't know.

Audio: 7/10 Well, the sound is very good. The music is right up there with it. If it wasn't for one thing, this would have gotten an easy 10. The voiceovers. I'm not saying that they're bad, they are just low. Literally. OK, picture you just finished a level for the first time. Then some mad dog guy comes up and starts talking. By the time you get the TV remote in your hands, he is done, and you have no idea what he just said. Luckily, this isn't as important as it could be (i.e. somebody says something and you have to remember it three levels later). However, other than the low VOs, the sound and music is wonderful.

Gameplay: 8/10 Remember Sonic the Hedgehog? No, no, the earlier ones, a.k.a. the good ones. Well, instead of a 2-d side-scroller, you have here a 3-d world where you can go just about everywhere. I mean, I'm not saying this is a Spider-Man 2, but for what it is, I give it credit. OK, here's the rundown. You run through levels. Drive through the next. Swim through the next. Sound repetitive? Well, you are half right. First off, the first thing you want to do, is blow through the levels as fast as you can to get the *SPOILER!!* bazooka thing. THEN, the game starts to get good. You know those fruit you have been collecting? Well, this thing can pop 'em right outta the cannon. Good times. So now, instead of jumping and twirling on enemies, you can now shoot them! This may not seem like much, but go get the bazooka.....Got it yet? Good. Now go through levels with a bazooka. Eh? Good right? Well, now that that's out of the way (the bazooka needed it's own section; it's that good), let me explain a little bit more about gameplay. *END SPOILER!!* Well...um...that basically is gameplay. One level you will find yourself swimming, and the next your in a desert. Kind of weird, but I suppose it has to be. One of the two reasons (somewhat repetitive gameplay) that this only got an 8: YOU CAN ONLY GET HIT ONCE. I HATE that. It isn't far. The only exception is when you are flying on a bi-plane, and fighting a boss, but even then you don't get much health. Oh well, this game plus's out-weigh the minus's, so we'll just leave it at that.

Replayabiliy: 6/10 It....could be a little better. There aren't any minigames, so that is a definite minus right there. Besides the *SPOILER* bazooka, *END SPOILER* there isn't that much amusement here. Eventually, the levels get repetitive, and you find all of the crystals you are supposed to collect easily. Also, the only other thing besides the "B word" is a minigame that you can load up to your GBA. Basically, it's a little like Duck Hunt. You have to shoot the baddies with the "B word." Easy, but fun for awhile (it's effect wears off). However, there are a few flaws with this: 1. If you shut your GBA off, then you have to load up the game, and download it again. It's too bad it didn't save somehow. Like, maybe if you didn't have another game in there, that game would load up. And 2. The GBA is the ONLY thing you can play this game on. Got a SP/DS? Good luck playing it on there, buddy.

Final Verdict: Rent/Buy Buy only if it's under $15. If not, just rent. There is nothing you can't do in this game that you can't get done in the 5 day rental period. However, I think I would buy it if you have the choice. A very good game offset by a few flaws. Definitely give this game a go, no matter how your budget is.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/24/05