Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time

A brilliant, content-packed platformer that feels like a natural evolution of the classic Crash games, with around 30 stages, gems, time trials, inverted mode, and plenty of replay value, though it is genuinely challenging. The Switch port makes expected concessions to frame rate, resolution, and lighting, but if it is your main version those cutbacks aren't a dealbreaker.

An exceptional Switch port that hits native resolution and a locked 30fps in both docked and handheld modes with excellent input latency, impressive reflections, soft shadows and high-fidelity audio. As a game it is platforming at its purest, a brilliant and much better entry than the prior remasters, with clever boss fights and a fun Coco-switching mechanic, though the difficulty fluctuates and chasing every collectible can get grim. One of the best ports on the system overall.

A faithful but punishing recreation of the classic PS1-style linear platformer, complete with the depth-perception headaches of fixed-camera 3D platforming and frustrating contextual grappling. New masks add slow-mo, gravity flips and extra characters, but the story is thin and reaching real value demands grinding every level repeatedly for boxes, gems and inverted modes. It nails the old-school spirit while skipping the modern conveniences.

A genuinely fun, ambitious new entry that keeps the traditional running, jumping and crate-smashing while remixing it with creative quantum masks, alternate playable characters and inventive level design. The difficulty is high but feels fair rather than cheap, and meaningful replayability through skins, secrets and multiplayer modes adds value. A strong recommendation for platformer and Crash fans.

A triumphant return to form that feels like the genuine article while tastefully working in clever new mechanics like the four ability masks, wall running and distinct playable characters. The difficulty can be frustrating and depth perception falters in on-rails and chase segments, but a modern mode eases the punishment. It marks a new high point for the series even if it doesn't reinvent the genre.

Perfectionist delight balancing nostalgia with innovation. Creative level design, fresh platforming. Why we come back to long-dormant franchises.