Summary

Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure stands as a significant achievement in mobile gaming, blending various gameplay styles into a cohesive and enjoyable adventure. Crash’s quest to save the Earth from Dr. Neo Cortex’s clutches offers hours of fun and challenges, solidifying its place in the series’ legacy.

• Release Year: 2002
• Genres: Platform
• Platforms: Game Boy Advance
• Developers: Vicarious Visions
• Publishers: Konami, Universal Interactive Studios

Introduction

In 2002, Crash Bandicoot returned to the gaming scene with The Huge Adventure, an ambitious title that pushed the boundaries of mobile platforming games. Featuring a blend of gameplay styles, the game tasks players with saving the world from Dr. Neo Cortex’s latest scheme.

Synopsis

“Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure”, also known as “Crash Bandicoot XS” in Europe, is a platform game developed by Vicarious Visions and published by Universal Interactive for the Game Boy Advance. This game marks the seventh installment in the Crash Bandicoot video game series and is the first to be released on a handheld console.

The game’s story revolves around a plot to shrink the Earth by the main antagonist, Doctor Neo Cortex, through the use of a gigantic weapon named the “Planetary Minimizer”. Tired of endlessly doing battle with meddling bandicoots, the nefarious Dr. Neo Cortex shrinks the entire Earth, and Crash and Coco along with it, to the size of a wumpa fruit.

The protagonist of the story, Crash Bandicoot, must gather 20 Crystals in order to power a device that will return the Earth to its proper size, defeating Doctor Cortex and his minions along the way. Luckily, Coco invents a machine to reverse the effects, but she needs crystals from around the world to power it.

Much of the game takes place in a series of hubs, from which Crash can teleport to various areas of the Earth. Initially, only the first of four hubs is available for play. Each hub features five levels and a boss level. The goal in each level is to find and obtain a hidden Crystal.

After completing all five levels in a hub, the boss level must be completed, in which Crash must defeat the boss character guarding the area. By defeating the boss, a new hub will be accessible for play. When all 20 Crystals are collected and the Earth has been enlarged to its proper size, the game is won.

“Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure” is a thrilling journey that takes players on an adventure across the globe, battling enemies and collecting crystals to save the Earth from the nefarious plans of Doctor Neo Cortex. With its engaging gameplay and captivating storyline, it’s no wonder that this game has left a lasting impact on the Crash Bandicoot franchise.

Characters

Crash Bandicoot, the adventurous and indefatigable protagonist; Coco Bandicoot, Crash’s sister and the brains behind the operation; Dr. Neo Cortex, the evil genius with a plan to dominate the world; and various minions and bosses that Crash encounters on his journey.

Gameplay

The Huge Adventure combines traditional Crash Bandicoot platforming with new gameplay elements. Players will navigate through levels filled with traps, enemies, and puzzles, switch to 3D chase sequences, and engage in aerial dogfight combat. The game emphasizes collecting crystals, defeating bosses, and using power-ups to enhance Crash’s abilities.

Conclusion

With its varied gameplay, rich level design, and classic Crash Bandicoot charm, The Huge Adventure is a standout title in the series. It successfully captures the essence of Crash’s console adventures and adapts it for on-the-go gaming, offering a satisfying experience for both longtime fans and newcomers.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Fan Art

Fan Art Style: Normal

Fan Art Style: Retro

Fan Art Style: Modern