Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced

"Naughty Dog, COME BAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!"

Graphics: In the game, the graphics are okay, but not beautiful; I have seen what the GBA can do and this isn't close. However, the water in the water-ski levels and the opening and ending movies look fantastic! They definitely push the GBA to its finest.

Score: 8/10

Sound: It a shame there are no voice actors. The music gives you a bit of a headache. When Crash spins, it doesn't sound very realistic. But wait, the GBA isn't known for its sound system, but even so, they could seriously improve the sound.

Score: 2/10

Gameplay: Why did Naughty Dog leave?! Ever since, the games have gotten worse! The gameplay is much worse than the PS games. There are no chase levels, and the water-ski level is not very fun. Not to mention the fact that on all levels except the ones in the atlasphere, it is 2D! Crash games aren't Crash games if they are not in 2D! I think it is lazy that Coco's levels are only in space, and Crunch's are only in the altasphere. Why can't they just walk around like Crash? Anyway, this gameplay is the worst I have seen in a long time!

Score: 1/10

Controls: These controls are terrible!!! It is so hard to double jump! You have to do it at a certain point in the jump, rather than when ever you want. Crash does have all his old abilities, but they are REALLY getting old. Sure, they came up with new ones, but only two, and they aren't that good. The rocket jump seems to be just like the high jump in Metroid Fusion.

Story: The plot takes a twist without Cortex, but Universal Interactive Studios always seems to recycle the plot. Something bad has happened and Crash has to save the world. Every game, it gets even more corny. And I have played the Crash games for as long as I can remember.

Score: 3/10

Replay Value: FINALLY! Something positive! The only thing that the Crash games continue to do well is their games last a long time. When you beat the last boss, you get to view the bad ending. You need to get all the gems and all relics to view the real ending, which would take some time.

Score: 10/10

Comments: Without Naughty Dog, the Crash games collapsed. It was a good idea to have a portable Crash game, but the game really stinks. Save your money for Metroid Fusion or Yoshi's Island instead.

Overall Score (not an average): 5/10

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 02/24/03, Updated 02/24/03