With the announcement ofCrash Team Rumbleat The Game Awards 2022, it seems theCrash Bandicootfranchise still has plenty more to give fans. From its longstanding history since the days of the first Playstation to its struggling transition as a platformer within an industry trying to mature to better suit an older audience, theCrash Bandicootseries saw new life breathed into it by developer Toys For Bob. Following the success of remasters and long-awaited sequels, it seems Crash and friends will be venturing into yet another genre.
Crash Team Rumbleisaiming for a 2023launch as a four-versus-four multiplayer game that expands theCrash Teammoniker beyond just kart racing and into team-based arena matches. Likely spurred on by other successful multiplayer games capitalizing on uniting fan-favorite characters likeMultiVersusandNickelodeon All-Star Brawl, Crash Team Rumblewill see a host of characters from across the franchise joining forces. While the current roster consists ofCrash Bandicootstaples, the game could open the door to other recurring characters not yet confirmed and even those more obscure. It also seems like it might introduce brand-new characters to the mix.
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Crash Bandicoot
ACrash Bandicootgame would never be aCrash Bandicootgame without its titular protagonist, so Crash’s inclusion inCrash Team Rumblewas always going to be a foregone conclusion. Featuring prominently within the announcement trailer, it’s possible that like the series' other spin-offs,Crash Team Rumblecould have its own underlying story alongside its multiplayer focus, and Crash would be the obvious choice of the game’s protagonist. Beyond this, fans of the series may just be happy and reassured that their favorite Bandicoot is still alive and well on the gaming scene.
Coco Bandicoot
Though it might not seem as obvious as Crash’s inclusion inCrash Team Rumble, aCrash Bandicootgame these days needs the titular hero’s sister along for the ride. Having featured in other games such asCrash Team Racingor as aplayable character in theCrash Bandicoot N Sane Trilogyremaster andCrash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, it was inevitable that Coco would appear inCrash Team Rumble. It has been noted, though, that Coco was positioned on Cortex’s “villain” team, which seems to hint at the game’s amoral hero-villain angle.
Dingodile
From series antagonist to a retired villain andplayable character inCrash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, fans are likely to be pleased to see a favoriteCrash Bandicootmutant join the roster ofCrash Team Rumble. Last seen as a playable character in the series' fourth numbered entry, Dingodile will similarly be playable in the upcoming multiplayer and will bring with him his new vacuum cannon as showcased by the trailer. A retired villain and potentially reformed, players might be eager to see if, like Coco, Dingodile will explore the game’s hero-villain theme.
Dr. Nefarious Tropy
While he wasn’t amongCrash Bandicoot’sinitial line-up of villains and antagonists, Dr. Nefarious Tropy better known as N. Tropy was introduced in the last of Naughty Dog’s original PlayStation trilogy withCrash Bandicoot 3: Warped. However, in spite of this, N. Tropy quickly became a fan-favorite and a classic villain in the series' canon and even made his reappearance in the recentCrash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time.Alongside the menagerie of other evil characters with puns for names, N. Tropy is a welcome addition to theCrash Team Rumbleroster.
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Dr. Neo Cortex
Much like Crash and Coco, aCrash Bandicootgame wouldn’t be complete without its classic villain. As the series' main antagonist from its earliest beginnings to its most recent titles such asCrash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled, Dr. Neo Cortex has always been Crash’s long-standing adversary. His inclusion inCrash Team Rumblewas also bound to happen, and naturally, both the promotional images and trailer pit Crash against the evil doctor. If there is a story to the game, then fans are eager to see how he might factor in as a potential antagonist or, if like other series-adjacent games, who might take his stead.
Dr. Nitrus Brio
The third member ofCrash Team Rumble’sroster that is a part ofCrash Bandicoot’sclassic villain lineup is Dr. Nitrus Brio, better known by players as N. Brio. Introduced in the series' first sequelCrash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Backas Cortex’s partnerand secondary antagonist, N. Brio would become a recurring character throughout the games, even including the most recentCrash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time. From the trailer footage, it seems that N. Brio’s moves will be informed by his characterization as a chemical-mixing mad scientist, resulting in monstrous transformations that see him hulk out.
Tawna
Though the original Tawna introduced to theCrash Bandicootseries has likely been relegated to the past for good reasons, the new and improved version of Tawna from an alternate universe will be returning forCrash Team Rumble. Technically makingher debut inCrash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Timeand paying homage to the games' legacy while correcting any problematic design choices, Tawna was the hero of her universe in place of Crash and Coco after losing them. To see her back forCrash Team Rumblecould be welcomed by fans and could help pave a prospective future for the character in future games.
Unknown Bat Character
Despite theCrash Team Rumbleroster being full of familiar characters from up and down the series’history, one character in particular from the announcement stood out as a newcomer. With a very distinctive bat-like punk rock appearance and reminiscent ofCrash Bandicoot’smany other mutants, it’s possible that this character could easily factor into the games' lore as one of Neo Cortex’s or N. Brio’s creations. Not much is known at this stage about them, but a brand-new character does strongly support the theory that there could be a story mode inCrash Team Rumblethat sets the stage for their official introduction.
Aku Aku & Uka Uka
As familiar as players are to Crash himself and the likes of Neo Cortex,the mystical masks Aku Akuand Uka Uka would have been a sore oversight had they not appeared inCrash Team Rumble. Though they are not traditional humanoid characters, which means their inclusion might have been an obstacle for Toys for Bob, the developer will be adding the mask twin brothers in a supporting role. Seen briefly in the announcement trailer, Uka Uka in particular is seen performing some kind of magical summon or blast, which means further characters might be confirmed later on in supporting roles.
Crash Team Rumbleis set to release in 2023 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
