We are following up.

Future of Ghostbusters [Dtoid]

In this title, seminal antagonists Dr. Neo Cortex and N. Brio have invented some kind of technological device that has turned everyone into zombie-like obsessives, and Crash is the only one unaffected. To stop the evil scientists, Crash will have to liberate the area's mutants - not unselfishly, of course. The core mechanic relies on using the unique abilities of the beasties you save to fight other monsters, navigate areas and solve puzzles.

I watched the rep use Crash to knock some sense into a big, knuckle-dragging brute, and then ride on his back - once jacked onto one of the creatures, the player can use that creature's special ability - in this case, the player slowed down time enough to get through a fast-chomping skull obstacle safely (think God of War 2's Amulet of the Fates).

I actually haven't played a Crash Bandicoot game since the first PlayStation, so it was interesting to see what's changed - and what hasn't.

Even though, like I said, it's been a long time since I saw Crash, I noted many of his classic mechanics, like spinning around in a fluid rush to smash open boxes, are still intact, and you wiggle the Wii remote quickly to accomplish this move. Another thing I thought seemed promising was the drop-in-and-out two-player co-op; your friend can pick up a second Wii remote and try being Crash's friend Coco, and when your friend is finished playing, they can simply put it down and you can go back to your game.

Interestingly, though, the characters can be carried not only by monsters, but by one another. So let's say you and your friend are playing co-op and you want to get up to get a drink - you can hop on your buddy's back and they'll simply carry you through the level until you return.

The Wii visuals were decent and colorful, and the gameplay looked like it would be fun to try. When my colleague Flynn saw the Xbox 360 version a few months back, he thought it was a little "more of the same" in terms of the platforming and free-roaming, and suggested it might appeal to kids a little bit more.

Kids definitely are into it - one feature I saw was Crash's house, where you can try on skins for Crash from the monsters you've beaten and page through a concept art notebook. The rep told me that 6 kids were chosen from a big concept art contest to have their drawings appear in the game, and that they were very excited. Aww.

"Vivendi Games Mobile is one of the most respected publishers in mobile gaming," said Gregg Sauter, Nokia's director of third party publishing. "Crash Bandicoot is a gaming icon as well as a global powerhouse, having sold more than 33 million units worldwide. With its fun appeal to people of all ages and incredible graphics, the Crash Bandicoot franchise is the perfect fit for N-Gage."

Nokia Announces Vivendi Games Mobile's Popular Crash Bandicoot Franchise For N-Gage

Espoo, Finland - 27 August 2007 - Nokia, the world leader in mobile communications, announced today that they are teaming up with Vivendi Games Mobile, a division of Vivendi Games, to bring the legendary Crash Bandicoot ® franchise to Nokia's new N-Gage mobile gaming platform launching this fall.

"Vivendi Games Mobile is one of the most respected publishers in mobile gaming," said Gregg Sauter, Nokia's director of third party publishing. "Crash Bandicoot is a gaming icon as well as a global powerhouse, having sold more than 33 million units worldwide. With its fun appeal to people of all ages and incredible graphics, the Crash Bandicoot franchise is the perfect fit for N-Gage."

"We are excited to offer Nokia customers the opportunity to enter the thrilling world of Crash Bandicoot and play a number of award winning titles from the popular Crash® franchise," said Paul Maglione, president of Vivendi Games Mobile. "We look forward to working with Nokia to offer entertaining, innovative mobile games that tap into the performance and innovation of the N-Gage application and Nokia's mobile devices."

Crash Bandicoot follows the original storyline where the crazy marsupial must save the world. Jam packed with action and comedy, the player must take on the role of Crash to defeat the game's villain and mad scientist, Dr. Neo Cortex. More information about the Crash franchise can be found at the official Crash Bandicoot Web site at http://www.crashbandicoot.com

Has spinners, the works. All with a Wii on the inside that people can play. Opposite side of picture, staff weren't too keen of me getting a snap. Some man from Kodak stood there playing with it for about an hour so no children could have a go. Sadly as with most things Crash these days it didn't bring much attention to the franchise. To sum it up from the words of a trusty Nachos eating festival goer "So which of you lucky men gets to drive this bad boy?" And cue countless parents trying to introduce their kids to the wonderful world of spinners.

You know, I have always thought of the British as a classy people, but it's good to know that they enjoy nachos, Hummers and spinners just as much as us classless Americans.

Yeah well at least it wasn't Bubsy.

"The Society and Vivendi Games anticipate that Crash's involvement will help attract more students to the Society's various youth programs due to his popularity with kids of all ages. More than 35 million Crash Bandicoot games have been sold worldwide since 1996, making Crash one of the most recognizable gaming and entertainment characters in the world."

Sure he is recognizable to an extent, in much the same way a failed prizefighter is recognized as he ducks into the local bar to drown his dreams of fame and fortune in booze like some 3rd-rate Rocky knockoff. We just shake our heads sadly and move along, remembering the good times.

Still, I applaud Vivendi for lending their character's image to such a worthy cause. Crash will be appearing on posters, pamphlets, clothing, and even the Society's website. Show your support for our plucky fallen icon by downloading some of the wallpapers and icons found at http://www.schoolandyouth.org.

Video Game Hero Crash Bandicoot Urges Kids to Join the Fight Against Leukemia

Crash is the New National Champion of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's School & Youth Programs

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ — The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Vivendi Games today announced that Crash Bandicoot, the valiant, action hero of the highly popular video game series, is the new national champion for the Society's School & Youth programs.

The partnership comes as Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games prepares for the launch of the latest incarnation of the top-selling Crash Bandicoot game franchise, "Crash of the Titans", available this October on the Xbox(TM) 360, PlayStation(R)2, Wii(TM), NintendoDS(TM), PSP(R), Game Boy(R) Advance and mobile phone platforms.

Throughout his video game adventures, Crash must battle the evil Dr. Neo Cortex and his no good ways. In joining forces with the Society, Crash now helps in the fight against leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Crash, the fun-loving, adventure seeking marsupial is always ready for a good fight and is a natural fit for the School & Youth programs, which are geared towards teaching kids about community service and helping kids with leukemia and other blood cancers. In the 2006-2007 school year, more than 21,000 schools participated in the program, raising more than $18 million for blood cancer research and patient services.

The Society and Vivendi Games anticipate that Crash's involvement will help attract more students to the Society's various youth programs due to his popularity with kids of all ages. More than 35 million Crash Bandicoot games have been sold worldwide since 1996, making Crash one of the most recognizable gaming and entertainment characters in the world.

"We are extremely honored to be partnering with the Society and in joining the battle against Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma," said Mark Halacy, executive vice president of Human Resources for Vivendi Games. "Crash is a bandicoot with a big heart; he's brave, he's loyal and he's always ready for a good fight and a great cause. We feel this is a winning combination for a tremendous cause."

Crash Bandicoot will appear on the School & Youth recruitment posters and other printed materials as well as on the School & Youth Web site, newsletters, apparel and other items. Free downloads of Crash wallpaper and icons are available at http://www.schoolandyouth.org.

"The Society is extremely excited about introducing Crash Bandicoot as the new national champion of School & Youth programs," said Nancy Klein, the Society's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications. "Crash is a fun, energetic character with tremendous appeal among kids and will help attract even wider interest in this life-saving campaign which has raised more than $100 million since its inception."

The game was to allegedly feature song-themed levels but never got off the ground due to Metallica's attempts at overreaching creative control. Bummer. I'd have loved to romp through a Cliff Burton memorial level or run from some Creeping Death.

Hell, it couldn't have been worse than Crüe Ball. Michael McWhertor

Exclusive: Rubin Talks Naughty Dog's Metallica Game [Game Set Watch]

This latest attempt at revitalizing the franchise sees Crash hijacking giant mutant abominations created by Neo and Nina Cortex in order to stop their nefarious plan to nefariously do some nefarious stuff. It's all very nefarious. It'll feature co-op action, an acrobatic fighting system, and a host of other features detailed in the press release following the jump, plus graphics that look very much like those in the gallery below. Michael Fahey

Crash Bandicoot To return This Fall In Sierra Entertainment's Crash Of The Titans

Crash's Latest Adventure Features Titanic Enemies, Acrobatic Combat and More Signature Bandicoot Humor

READING, ENGLAND (18, May 2007) - Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, today announced the upcoming return of everyone's favorite iconoclastic videogame hero, Crash Bandicoot, in Crash of the Titans - the latest installment of the best-selling Crash Bandicoot videogame franchise. Crash of the Titans is scheduled for release this autumn on the Wii Console, Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Nintendo DS system, the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, Game Boy Advance and on mobile phones.

In Crash of the Titans, players will fight a nefarious plot hatched by Crash's arch nemeses Neo and Nina Cortex to mutate the local creatures into titanic abominations. Using Crash's legendary mix of outrageous antics and daredevil bravado, players will 'hijack' enemies in order to take control of their actions and use their fearsome powers against all manner of enemies.

"Crash Bandicoot - one of the most popular videogame characters of all time - is back and his all-new adventure brings with it more irreverent humor, family-friendly action, a wild cast of characters and amazing new titanic enemies to discover," said Cindy Cook, chief marketing and strategy officer for Vivendi Games. "Featuring advanced acrobatic combat and incredible co-op multiplayer, Crash of the Titans will be a fun and adventurous title for gamers of all ages."

Key Features in Crash of the Titans include:

* 'Jack to Attack!' - Control, play and battle as 15 outrageous, original enemies, including titanic creatures such as Scorporilla, Ratcicle, Magamadon and Shellephant. While in control of a monster in 'jacked' mode, players can throw toxic stink bombs, call lightning down from the sky, fire laser beams from their eyes or even impale enemies with a massive scorpion tail. It's up to you to use all of the creatures' special abilities to defeat Neo and Nina Cortex.
* Hyper-Dynamic Combat - For the first time ever, Crash now has a powerful acrobatic fighting system that includes punches and flying kicks, multiple attacks and special counter moves. Players can power-up skills to unlock new attacks and blazing combos.
* Exploration and Adventure - With an amazingly expanded move set, Crash can now interact with his world in totally new ways. Players will be able to wall-run, swing from ropes and flip off springboards - Crash can even toss Aku Aku on the ground to surf, skate, grind and shred.
* Wacky Co-Op Action - At any point in the game, a second player can join in the fun and play as Carbon-Crash to help unleash total chaos! In a totally innovative twist to co-op action gaming, Crash can even jack Carbon-Crash (or vice versa) for some hysterical Crash 'jacked' mayhem.

Crash of the Titans is expected to be available this Autumn at retail stores worldwide on the Wii , Xbox 360 , PlayStation 2 system, Nintendo DS , PSP system, and Game Boy Advance. Vivendi Games Mobile is also making Crash of the Titans available for mobile phones throughout Europe and North America. For more information, please visit www.crashbandicoot.com.

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Go Nintendo got their hands on this scan from an unnamed gaming magazine written in Spanish. It shows what appears to be a new Crash Bandicoot, perhaps Crash of the Titans, which will be heading to the Wii, DS and GBA this October. GBA? I thought that was dead. Brian Crecente

Crash of the Titans IS a new Crash Bandicoot game! [Go Nintendo]

The latest PSone titles to hit the Japanese store include:

• Rally Cross
• Crash Bandicoot
• Spectral Force
• A.IV.Evolution GLOBAL
• Logic Mahjong Soryu
• Resurgence of the Vampire Nightmare

At only 525 yen, how can you go wrong? By downloading Logic Mahjong Soryu, of course! Michael McWhertor

Titles range from 157MB (for Hot Shots Golf 2) to 535MB (for Tekken 2) with each setting you back a cheap ass $5.99 (US). These are currently only playable on your PSP and require a PlayStation 3 for the download, but expect updates soon to make them playable on the PS3 and downloadable from the PSP. Michael McWhertor

PS1 games for PSP (US) [E-mpire Forums]

I'm not sure whether to classify this as good news or bad news: Crash Bandicoot is coming to the Wii and DS.
The one-time Playstation spokesman has two new Nintendo-centric games in development, according to WhoDigs.

The site reports that during a promotion for DS title Crash Boom Bang, Vivendi announced that they are also working on a Wii title.

The game will use "party mechanics", which likely means it will be pick-up-and-play and will be "tailored" for Nintendo's next-gen console.

The game is expected to hit sometime next year. Brian Crecente

Crash Bandicoot on Wii Confirmed [WhoDigs]