Systems: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, PlayStation Portable
Release Dates: PS2 / Xbox: 10/19/05 (NA), 11/4/05 (EU), 12/1/05 (JP)
GC: 10/19/05 (NA), 11/11/05 (EU), 12/1/05 (JP)
PSP: 11/10/05 (NA), 11/25/05 (EU), 12/1/05 (JP)
Developers: Radical Entertainment
Gotta Save That Amusement Park
Story: While driving around and fighting each other, Crash, Coco, Crunch, Dr. Cortex, N-Gin and Nina end up driving into Von Clutch's MotorWorld, a theme park that’s about to close due to the power gems being stolen. The gang decides to help out Von Clutch get the crystals back and fix the park!Platforming AND Racing AND Clashing?
Gameplay: The game is a mix of open world platformer and racing. You get to run around the theme park into different areas of the park that each have their own themes. From jungle island to fairy tales to dinosaurs and so much more. There are a total of 3 tracks per area and a total of 5 areas. So in short, a total of 15 tracks to race on. The open world part is pretty neat. It’s kind of different from the norm of the Crash Bandicoot series, but it works. It’s a big hub world basically. It's also pretty hard to get lost in, but they are fun to explore. And boy is there lots to do. All the characters you can play as during the driving parts are standing around the park. They each want something they need for their new unlockable car or upgraded weapon. Some require certain items hidden in one of the parks or a certain amount of coins or a power crystal. In the parks, you can buy outfits for characters and Crash. Everyone has one buyable outfit and many outfits for Crash. Park workers are all over the place and will sell you the outfits or power crystals.
Now for the driving! The racing part is pretty good. The new gimmick this time is clashing. Clashing is where your car collides with another to make a super car where one person is in the back using weapons and such while the other one drives. Think of it like Mario Kart: Double Dash!! but kind of in an optional sense. You can choose not to clash with cars. Heck, you can just race through the entire track without clashing. It’s up to you. Each character has a different set of weapons they use when clashed. You can upgrade them after unlocking everyones’ cars. Each character has 3 cars in total.
Not only that, but you can play mini games as well! (Good lord this gameplay section is huge). The only mini game I remember is bowling a park worker. Yeah you can do that. There is lots to do in this game.
2005 At It’s Finest
Graphics: The graphics here aren’t that bad. It’s pretty good, especially in the cutscenes. Granted, during the game it can look pretty blurry or a bit choppy in some areas. But hey, it still looks good.Hello? Can’t Hear You.
Music: The music is alright. During races it’s kind of hard to hear unless you turn down the sound effects and voices. But it’s still good.The voice acting is also good too. The little one liners during races are hilarious sometimes.
Music is composed by Spiralmouth and Marc Baril.
Which is Better?
Overall: Crash Tag Team Racing is a really fun game. I have a lot of nostalgia with it. And it’s always nice to go back to a game you used to play all the time as a little kid. Running around the hub worlds are fine, but sometimes you just want to race. So it can be a while before you can do a race and stuff. But nonetheless, an awesome game. Give it a try!4 / 5