Crash Bandicoot

クラッシュ・バンディクー (Kurasshu Bandikū)PlayStation, PlayStation 31996

  1. JP1996
  2. NA1996
  3. EU1996
  4. RU—

Crash Bandicoot kept its name everywhere (クラッシュ・バンディクー in Japan), but the Japanese version is noticeably different: easier, with reordered stages, hint pop-ups and some new music. The original PlayStation game was re-released digitally as a PSone Classic on PlayStation Network in 2006 (Europe 2007).

Crash Bandicoot is a platform game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. It launched in North America on 9 September 1996, in Europe in November and in Japan in December of that year.

Andy Gavin and Jason Rubin came up with the idea during a 1994 drive from Boston to Los Angeles. Development began in October 1994 with a budget of US$1.7 million and took 18 months. The hero was tentatively called "Willy the Wombat" until he was renamed Crash Bandicoot ahead of E3 1996; the name comes from his habit of smashing crates. The Aku Aku mask was added as a low-polygon alternative to a translucent shield suggested by Mark Cerny.

The game did especially well in Japan: in May 1997 it became the first non-Japanese game to receive a Gold Prize there for selling over 500,000 copies.1

Names and releases

RegionTitle on the boxPlatformDatePublisherSrc
NA Crash Bandicoot PlayStation Sep 9, 1996 Sony Computer Entertainment 1
NA Crash BandicootPlayStation Network (PSone Classics); Europe 22 June 2007 PlayStation 3 Dec 4, 2006 Sony Computer Entertainment 1
EU Crash Bandicoot PlayStation Nov 8, 1996 Sony Computer Entertainment 1
JP クラッシュ・バンディクーJapanese Wikipedia gives 6 December 1996, English Wikipedia 9 December 1996 PlayStation December 1996 Sony Computer Entertainment 2
JP クラッシュ・バンディクーThe Best for Family budget re-release PlayStation May 28, 1998 Sony Computer Entertainment 1
JP クラッシュ・バンディクーPS one Books re-release PlayStation Oct 12, 2001 Sony Computer Entertainment 1

Also known as: クラッシュ・バンディクー JP2Willy the Wombat WW1

Box art by region

  • Crash Bandicoot box art, North America release
    NA Crash Bandicoot
  • Crash Bandicoot box art, Europe release
    EU Crash Bandicoot
  • クラッシュ・バンディクー box art, Japan release
    JP クラッシュ・バンディクー

Box art © its publishers, shown to identify each release. Scans: libretro-thumbnails.

Version differences

  • DifficultyPS1 (JP)

    At Sony Japan's request the Japanese version is easier: 'The High Road' was shortened, platforms in 'Upstream' and 'Up the Creek' were resized, and Aku Aku masks show hint pop-ups.1

  • ContentPS1 (JP)

    The Japanese version swaps the order of two stages, drops the password feature of the Western release, renames Wumpa Fruit to "apples" and raises boss Papu Papu's health from 3 to 5 hits.2

  • GraphicsPS1 (JP)

    Roman letters were removed in Japan, and a screen showing crates falling on Crash was changed after Japanese children said it upset them; Andy Gavin also adjusted Crash's face to appeal to Sony Japan.1

All differences (5)

Reception

Critics praised the visuals and audio but criticized the linear design and fixed camera (80% on GameRankings). The game shipped 4.49 million copies by February 1999 and became the first non-Japanese game to win a Gold Prize in Japan.1

In lists

Sources

  1. 1en.wikipedia.org
  2. 2ja.wikipedia.org

Checked: 2026-10-13Text reviewed: 2026-10-13

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