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“Crash Crashes In” Crash Bandicoot Series Analysis Part 2

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Welcome to Part 2 of the Crash Bandicoot series analysis. This article takes a look at how Crash could be incorporated into Super Smash Bros.. Previously, we took a look at how the character would play along with his moveset, attributes, animations, and palette swaps. In Part 2, we will take a look at Crash Bandicoot content that could be included such as stages, Spirits and Spirit Battles, Mii Fighter Costumes, and more!

Crash Bandicoot Stage
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N. Sanity Beach

This stage is based off the first location found in Crash Bandicoot which was recently remastered in the N. Sane Trilogy. The stage is split into phases that are based on areas not only from the first level but on levels that come after. The stage moves similarly to the original game with it scrolling forward much like how Crash would run forward. The first phase is focused on the first portion of N. Sanity Beach which is… on the beach. It’s a floating tropical platform with two wooden platforms in the air. Occasionally a crate will spawn which contains an item that can be obtained when broken. Shortly after, the stage will move forward to a section that moves upwards. This section first consists of a single platform that moves upwards and the temple staircase from the original game. Once it starts moving, the platform vanishes and players are forced to jump from ledge to ledge as the screen automatically scrolls upwards. Like before, there are crates that can be broken which may yield an item. Once this section is finished, the public transport platform appears and will transition between each section much like Gran Mach Monastery and Delfino Plaza.

Timestamp: 2:22

The next section consists of several block platforms that span over a bottomless pit. The transport platform will set players down onto the block platforms. These platforms can be switched on and off by hitting an ! Crate. There are four platforms altogether but only one ! Crate, so hitting the ! Crate will cause one of the platforms to either appear or vanish. This is a reference to the games where hitting one of these crates causes the clear Ghost Crates to appear and become solid crates. The next section actually occurs in the next level of the regional game but, in Smash Ultimate, it progresses after the Ghost Crate section. This section is largely based off the area in Level 2: Jungle Rollers.


This section occurs on a curved platform like Green Hill Zone with walk-off blast zones on either side. A large stone wheel will appear and come rolling down from either side. It will deal a large amount of damage and knockback if it hits players, though there is a warning to alert players of the incoming peril. This wheel will keep rolling between three to five times.


The next section again occurs in the next level in the original games but, in Smash Ultimate, it behaves a bit differently. After the Jungle Rollers section, the transportation platform picks up players, rotates, and drops them off on a horizontal-panning platform stage based on Level 3: Great Gate. This consists of a side-scrolling stage forcing players to jump from platform to platform while dodging spike towers that move up and down. Once the stage reaches the end, the transportation platform will pick up players for the last phase.


The last phase is based on the “Boulders” level which places players in a single stone stage platform. On occasion, large boulders will roll down and collide with players while dealing high damage. There is a warning sign that indicates an approaching boulder is incoming. After some time, the stage will transition back to the beach via Time Warp.

Crash Bandicoot Mii Outfits

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While the series has a wide variety of characters to choose from, there aren’t that many iconic characters that would make sense as a Mii Outfit. That being said, this section will focus on two outfits and two hats.

Crash Bandicoot Mii Brawler

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Crash is the star of the show so it would be fitting to have him featured as a Mii Fighter Outfit as well as a playable character. While a Mii Gunner could work with the Fruit Bazooka, Crash feels more like a Mii Brawler. It would be awesome if Crash could do all these moves in his home game!


Dr. Neo Cortex Mii Gunner

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Dr. Neo Cortex is the creator of Crash, Coco, Tawna, and Crunch as well as other mutated animals that try to defeat Crash. He is your typical insane mad scientist. Together with his deranged minions such as N. Gin and Tiny Tiger, Dr. Cortex searches for a way to finally defeat his marsupial nemesis and rule the world.

Aku Aku Mask

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Aku Aku is a living mask that aids Crash and his companions in just about every game. This witch-doctor Spirit aids Crash and lends the Bandicoot his power in exchange for freeing him. He also has an evil brother called Uka Uka.

Spyro the Dragon Mii Hat

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This purple dragon can attack baddies using rushing slam attacks and breathing fire. Spyro is still a young dragon so he can’t do the cool things many older dragons can do. While Spyro doesn’t belong to the Crash Bandicoot series, he has frequently crossed over with the Bandicoot and is also an Activision IP so having him as a Mii Outfit isn’t exactly crazy. Seeing as how it wouldn't make sense to have him as a Swordfighter or a Gunner, Spyro would best be represented through a Mii Hat.

Crash Bandicoot Spirit and Spirit Battles

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There are plent if colorful and unique characters in the world of Crash Bandicoot. So much so that it was hard to pinpoint who really deserved getting the Spirit treatment. It was ulmsteky decided the followings characters were both important enough to the series while also providing for fun Spirit Battles.

Crunch

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Crunch is a cyborg Bandicoot who served as an mind-controlled enemy in Crash Bandicoot: Wrath of Cortex. However, Crash freed him from Cortex’s mind control by defeating Cortex and the Elemental Masks. Since then, Crunch has dedicated himself to being a positive role model and helps Crash and Coco on their adventures while acting like a big brother to them.

Spirit Info
Type: Support
Class: :starman:
Ability: Slow Super Armor

Spirit Battle
Character: :ultdk: (Red)
Stage: Mario Galaxy
Rules:
Conditions:
  • Enhanced punching attacks
  • Comes equipped with a Drill Arm
  • Allies randomly appear

Inspiration: Crunch has super powers including his rocket arm and enhanced strength. In addition, his boss battles involve him using the power of the Element al Masks. These are represented by fire, earth, wind, and water. The allies that come to help Crunch are Incineroar for Fire, Villager for earth, Meta Knight for wind, and Greninja for water.

Komodo Brothers

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The Komodo Brothers are two rapt Ikina siblings who are quite adept by wielding and throwing sharp objects. They first appeared in Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back as bosses. Joe is the skinny brother who is quick and agile while Moe is large, burly and strong. They were hired by Dr. N. Brio to stop Crash Bandicoot from collecting crystals for Dr. Neo Cortex.

Spirit Info
Type: Primary/Attack
Class: :starman::starman:
Ability: Slow Super Armor

Spirit Battle
Character: :ultbowser: x2 (Default and Green)
Stage: Living Room
Rules: Stamina Match
Conditions:
  • Opponents come equipped with Beam Swords
  • Prefers throwing items
  • Prefers using Down Smash attacks and Up Special attacks

Inspiration: The battle draws from the boss battle against the Komodo Brothers who wield scimitars and will throw them. One of the Komodo Brothers, Joe, will spin rapidly while slashing on all sides during their boss fight. However, in this spirit battle both characters will spin using the down smash and up special attacks.


Dr. Neo Cortex

Dr. Neo Cortex is the psychotic mad scientist who often serves as the main antagonist (and occasional ally) to Crash. Dr. Cortex is anything but calm and collected, he has a fiery and childish personality with every failure due to Crash’s meddling further cracking his already damaged mind. Despite his shortcomings, he is still an innovative and brilliant scientist. One of his greatest scientific achievements is the Evolvo Ray which can mutate animals into monstrous creatures.

Spirit Info
Type: Primary/Grab
Class: :starman::starman::starman:
Ability: Fast Final Smash Meter

Spirit Battle
Character: :ultdoc: (Yellow)
Stage: Norfair
Rules: Stamina Match
Conditions:
  • Opponent comes equipped with a Rocket Belt
  • Opponent comes equipped with a Raygun
  • Opponent easily distracted by items
  • Projectile damage increases randomly

Inspiration: This Spirit Battle is based on a conglomerate of Dr. Cortex’s boss battles. The scientist often uses a variety of inventions including his hoverboard and blaster to try to damage Crash.

Tiny Tiger

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Tiny Tiger is one of Dr. Cortex’s creations and is based on the now-extinct Tasmanian Tiger. He is one of the enforcers working with Dr. Cortex and, unlike Crunch, has faithfully served his creator. Tiny Tiger is known for his violent behavior and low intelligence.

Spirit Info
Type: Primary/Attack
Class: :starman::starman:
Ability: Falling Immunity

Spirit Battle
Character: :ultincineroar:
Stage: Colosseum
Rules: Stamina Match
Conditions:
  • Opponents prefer jumping and aerial attacks
  • Certain pokeball Pokemon appears (Solgaleo)
  • Opponent prefers using Battering-type items.

Inspiration: The battle references Tiny Tiger’s boss battle in Crash Bandicoot: Warped. In this battle, he will jump around and try to stab Crash several times before releasing lions to attack Crash. The stage he fights Crash in is a Roman gladiator arena, so Colosseum fits perfectly.

Polar

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Polar is one of Crash and Coco’s many animal friends. This cuddly, young polar bear cub has helped Crash and Coco traverse over many slippery alpine and polar locales.

Spirit Info
Type: Support
Class: :starman::starman:
Ability: Ice Floor Immunity

Spirit Battle
Character: :ultbanjokazooie: (White) (If the Banjo & Kazooie Fighter Pack is present), :ultgunner: (Bear Suit) (if the above mention Fighter Pack isn’t present)
Stage: Pokemon Stadium 2 (Ice Version)
Rules: Stamina Match
Conditions:
  • Opponent has increased traction on ice
  • Opponent comes equipped with a Homerun Bat

Inspiration: Polar is often found on ice-theme stages. One small joke in Crash Twinsanity is that Polar, an often cute and cuddly character, can be seen holding a bat menacingly towards Crash at the start of the game as Cortex shows off the many villains that Crash will have to fight. This was later revealed by the developers to be a joke and shouldn’t be considered character canon.

Papu Papu

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Papu Papu is a village chieftain who resides on N. Sanity Island and serves as the very first boss in the series. He only seems concerned with protecting his village and maintaining traditional values, so he isn’t too keen on having marsupials and crazed doctors in his village.

Spirit Info
Type: Primary/Attack
Class: :starman::starman:
Ability:Stats After ↑↑ Eating

Spirit Battle
Character: :ultwario: (Classic Green)
Stage: N. Sanity Beach (Omega)
Rules: Stamina Match
Conditions:
Giant Form
  • Opponent prefers performing Down Special and Back Throw
  • Footstooling the opponent deals damage

Inspiration: This Spirit Battle references how Papu Papu is quite large in comparison to Crash and also spins while hitting Crash with his scepter. In addition, Crash was only able to damage Papu Papu by jumping on his head.

Dr. Nefarious Tropy

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This slender, menacing figure is a recurring villain in the series and, like every good mad doctor, he has a bone to pick with Crash and company. This villain has control over time and space. This villain has an aloof and snobbish personality and will even use influxes in time just to agitate his opponents.

Spirit Info
Type: Support
Class: :starman::starman:
Ability: Electric Resist ↑

Spirit Battle
Character: :ultganondorf: (Blue)
Stage: Unova Pokemon League (Omega)
Rules:
Conditions:
  • Equipped with Reaper’s Scythe
  • Timers appear frequently
  • Easily distracted by items

Inspiration: Based on Dr. N. Tropy’s boss battle where he uses his mastery of time and a tuner to unleash powerful attacks. Ganondorf’s appearance is also based on the Dr.’s own design.

Uka Uka

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Uka Uka is the evil brother of Aku Aku and is a floating enchanted mask. Befitting of an evil brother, Uka Uka is often at odds with his brother and Crash. Uka Uka often gathers other evil villains like Dr. Cortex and Dr. N. Tropy to destroy his Crash and his allies. He has a superiority complex and insists people call him “The Great Uka Uka”.

Spirit Info
Type: Primary/Shield
Class: :starman::starman::starman:
Ability: Shield Damage ↑

Spirit Battle
Character: :ultridley: (Blue)
Stage: Dracula’s Castle
Rules:
Conditions:
Giant
Comes equipped with Back Shield.
Ice-type Pokemon (Alolan Vulpix, Kyurem, Abomasnow, and Suicune)

Inspiration: This battle is based on Uka Uka’s boss battle in Crash Twinsanity where Uka Uka creates an ice titan to fight against the allied partnership between Crash and Dr. Cortex.

Crash Bandicoot Music


Title Theme/Map/N. Sanity Beach (Outer) Crash Bandicoot N. Sanity Trilogy
https://youtu.be/leA26KuN9UI

It would make sense to see the Outer Version and the song down below, the Inner Version, included in a sort of remixed version.

N. Sanity Beach (Inner) Crash Bandicoot N. Sanity Trilogy
https://youtu.be/0iUvfS1gZQs

Snow Go, Snow Biz, Cold Hard Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
https://youtu.be/fLz32SNL_RM

Warp Room Theme Crash Bandicoot Warped
https://youtu.be/NaDrcT3UxZw

Tawna Bandicoot (Bonus Round) Crash Bandicoot N. Sanity Trilogy
https://youtu.be/KW4oBK-rChI

Hog Wild / Wild Hog Crash Bandicoot N. Sanity Trilogy
https://youtu.be/21okPZM3w8Y

Coco Park Crash Team Racing: Nitro Fueled
https://youtu.be/Wv3PcHGUtD4

Vs Cortex/Mechabandicoot Crash Twinsanity
https://youtu.be/VA2hsXi0HQg

Outside the Fighter’s Pass

There’s a wealth of content that could be outside of what’s offered in the Fighter’s Pack such as assist trophies, boss battles, items, and so on. Crash Bandicoot certainly has lots of content to include so this section will focus on three of them.

Item: Aku Aku

Aside from appearing in Crash’s Special Moveset, it would make sense for Aku Aku to appear as an item. What he would actually do is open for interpretation as he could just simply rotate around the player and protect them from damage. However, allowing players to don the mask and become invincible in the front would be an excellent way to represent the character. After putting on the mask, players cannot be damaged from their front, have increased speed and, like the Impact Run ability, deal damage by running or colliding with other players.

Assist Trophy: Dr. Neo Cortex

The psychotic Dr. Neo Cortex would aid the summoner by attacking opponents. He would ride his hoverboard around the stage and fire at opponents using his blaster. This blaster would function similar to Zero Suit’s Samus’s blaster which would deliver a small shock animation before launching the opponent. However, Dr. Cortex’s best asset is his stat-altering lasers blasts. One hit from these leather beams and it will add a random status to the person who gets hit by it. These include:
  • Giant Form
  • Metal Form
  • Superspicy Curry Effect
  • Power Enhance
  • Speed Enhance
  • Jump Enhance
  • Defense Enhance
  • Defense Enhance
  • Instant Meter-leveled Final Smash

Echo Fighter: Coco Bandicoot

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Echo Fighters were a well-received rebranding of clones: a character classification that was often subject to criticism and complaints.There hasn’t been any indication that there will be any downloadable Echo Fighters but, for fun, let’s take a look at a potential Echo Fighter to include in the Crash Bandicoot Fighter’s Pass.

Coco Bandicoot would be much like Richter and Daisy with being little more than a reskinned Crash with a few added effects to differentiate herself from Crash. Technically speaking, Coco is smaller than Crash within canon but, to keep things consistent for gameplay purposes, she would be the same size as Crash if not a couple centimeters smaller than Crash. Here are some things that would make her different from Crash:
  • Her Fruit Bazooka has cuter and more expressive exploding effects.
  • Her Neutral special features hearts and stars that shoot out but don’t have any added effect.
  • Instead of Polar coming out and Coco hitching a ride; it’s the tiger, Pura. Beyond that, there’s no changes.
  • Her up taunt makes her front bangs fall in front of her face. She looks up and blows them out of her face. After this, she folds her arms and taps her foot on the ground three times as if she is impatient.
  • Her side taunt causes her to make a silly face while taking a picture with her smartphone.
  • Her down taunt is her Coco Dance that she performs after defeating a boss.
  • Her idle animation is like Crash but more animated where she looks right or left.
  • Her other idle animation consists of leaning on one side of her foot to shift her weight.
  • One victory animation is her performing the Down Taunt Coco Dance.
  • The second victory animation starts with her smartphone ringing and then ends with her pulling it out to answer it.
  • The final victory animation is where Coco sits down, pulls out her laptop, and then begins quickly typing on it as Aku Aku looks over her shoulder.
Finally, her Classic Mode would be “Blondie Battle” which is against other fighter’s with blonde hair highlighting Coco’s own blonde hair. Each round will have two characters to contrast how Coco often teamed up with Crash during his adventures in the N. Sane Trilogy. Each stage is based on the level found in the original game.

Round 1 - Vs. :ultshulk: & :ultrosalina:
N. Sanity Beach

Round 2 - Vs. :ultcloud: & :ultisabelle:
Kongo Jungle (Based on “ The Lost City”)

Round 3 - Vs. :ultpeach: & :ultsimon:
Bridge of Eldin (Based on “Road to Nowhere”)

Round 4 - Vs. :ultzss: & :ultzelda:
Midgard (Based on “Heavy Machinery”)

Round 5- Vs. :ultlucas: & :ultken:
Luigi’s Mansion (Based on “Lights Out”)

Round 6 - Vs. :ultlink:, :ulttoonlink: & :ultyounglink:
Space Frigate Orpheon (Based on “The Lab”)

Final Round - Vs. Master Hand & Crazy Hand
Final Destination

Crash, in his Coco color swap, appears as an ally for Coco in this final battle.

Palette Swap

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Coco’s palette swaps largely focuses on female characters from the Crash series.

Yellow - Default
Brown - Based on her brother, Crash.
Pink -Based on Crash’s girlfriend, Tawna Bandicoot.
Green - Based on Baby T.
White - Based on Megumi Bandicoot
Orange - Based on Pasadena O’Possum
Black -Based on Evil Coco.
Blue - Based on Nina Cortex, the beloved niece of Dr. Cortex.

Coco would be a great character to include not only to serve as an Echo Fighter for Crash but also as an additional representative of the Crash Bandicoot series. Coco is just as expressive and humorous as Crash but contains a bit more of a feminine flair and a cuter charm that would look great rendered into Smash Ultimate.

Closing

The Crash Bandicoot series may seem to have more in common with the Sony PlayStation era and is considered a Playstation icon but that in no way means Crash can’t be included. He is an extremely popular character from a series that has branched out onto many consoles. Crash in Smash would bring in tons of amazing content including his trademark silliness. Everything from his goofy expressions to his Crash dance would be an excellent addition to the Smash roster. Hopefully, Crash will crash into the biggest crossover bash, Smash!
 
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Venus of the Desert Bloom

Comments

N Sanity Beach? That's not the bridge from Crash 1, you know, the most memorable location in the Crash trilogy. "Play the High Road again"/10
 
Definitely a fun read.
By the way, sometimes in this article it is accidentaly written Dr. Neo CorteZ, instead of Dr. Neo Cortex.
 
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D
Awesome great ideas for music stages and assist trophies and the like.

Hoping more then ever Crash gets in.
 
Shouldn't Cortex be a Legend Class Spirit, since all Fighter's Pass characters have come with a Legend Spirit?
 
Crash without Coco would be a tragedy of a missed opportunity. Coco perfectly encapsulates what an Echo Fighter is.
But then again, so did Proto Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Dry Bowser, Jeanne, Funky Kong, Zack Fair, and Shadow the Hedgehog.
 
...Why would you make two of Coco's alts her brother's love interests?

And why wouldn't you call the Classic Mode Route "Blondes do have more fun!" ??
 
I always figured Nsane beach should change differently. Instead it should have Nefarius Tropy coming in and changing it to Future Tense, and then Coco changes it to a CTR track, and N Tropy changes it into something else until Coco reverts it back to the beach, could transition more maps like some of the Mario stages or Fire Emblem stages work, and would flesh out more characters.
 
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