Few platformers have the charm and charisma of theCrash Bandicootgames. This quirky hero made his triumphant debut on thePlayStation 1, where he was as a solid rival toMarioandSonicand starred in some of thebest games in the genre. Part of what makes this series stand out from the competition is its unique sense of humor and personality, largely thanks to its colorful cast.
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Originally developed byNaughty Dog, the Crash Bandicoot series features some of the most creative and memorable characters in video games. This mix of eccentric heroes and goofy bad guys makes for some hilarious dynamics that will keep you smiling throughout your playthrough.
10Nina Cortex
The Crash series suffered a bit of a midlife crisis after the PS1 era. Nina was one of the better aspects of this dark era. While most people recognize her from Crash Twinsanity on thePlayStation 2andXbox, her first appearance was actually in theGameBoy Advancetitle Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto’s Revenge, where she was a boss during a chase sequence.
Nina is Dr. Cortex’s niece. Or daughter. He’s not entirely sure. Her distinguishing features are her bionic hands, which she can use as a grappling hook to hit enemies and reach faraway areas. The way she ruthlessly punches her opponents in the face before gracefully skipping away is delightfully charming and funny, further adding personality to this underrated villain.
9Tiny Tiger
This giant ball of rage is one of the series' most recurring villains. Tiny Tiger was first introduced in Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back and has been a fearsome adversary ever since.
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Acting as a spiritual successor to Koala Kong from the first game, Tiny’s defining trait is his superhuman strength which allows him to rip through metal like it’s paper. How he manages to carry all that muscle with such skinny legs is a mystery. His unique design and Hulk-like personality make him one of the bandicoot’s most memorable foes.
8Aku Aku
Aku Aku wears many hats. He’s a parental figure to Crash and Coco and a power-up for them to use on their adventures. This trope of a power-up acting as a character is popular in the Mario series with characters likeYoshiand F.L.U.D.D., and it adds a lot of personality to the Crash series as well.
While a floating mask containing the spirit of a witch doctor is one ofthe silliest ideas for a power-up, having Aku Aku by your side can often be the difference between a victory and a game over. This guy is a lifesaver and can really help you out during the tougher levels.
7N. Gin
N. Gin would fit perfectly in an old Universal monster movie. Everything from his creepy design to his distinct voice nails the feel of that era. This evil scientist cyborg is Cortex’s right-hand man throughout most of the series and has been tormenting the bandicoots ever since the PS1.
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N. Gin always has a bizarre invention during his boss battles, including a massive mechanical bandicoot with a chainsaw for a hand and a giant robot that can play the drums. He consistently invents creative ways to take on the heroes, making his fights some of the most memorable in the series.
6N. Tropy
Part of a good comedic duo is the straight man, whose calm and deadpan demeanor serves as nice contrast to the silly character. N. Tropy pulls this off well. While Cortex is a comedic villain, N. Tropy adds a more cold and serious personality to this dastardly pair, making for a great dynamic between the two of them.
This self-proclaimed master of time debuted in Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped and has acted as a main antagonist ever since. He wields a giant laser-shooting tuning fork and has the ability to teleport, making for some of the most unique boss battles in the series.
5Tawna Bandicoot
The damsel in distress trope has long since been outdated, so when Tawna returned for Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, they included a new fresh take on the character. She first appeared in Crash 1, acting as his version of Princess Peach. Her latest design breaths new life into the character, perfectly reflecting her new butt-kicking lone-wolf personality.
This version of Tawna is from an alternate universe, and under that tough exterior is a heart of gold that cares about her friends. She plays similarly to Crash and Coco, with the addition of a wall jump and a grappling hook. This was a much-needed update that made her one of the best characters in the series.
4Dingodile
Only the minds behind Crash can come up with a flamethrower-wielding, half-dingo, half-crocodile bounty hunter who runs a restaurant on the side. Just don’t eat there, since the things he serves can’t legally be called food and somehow give you the side effect of thinking too much about your uncle.
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This smug tough guy not only produced some of the best boss fights in the series, but he’s also one the greatest playable characters in Crash 4. His vacuum gun can suck up items and spit them back out. It also allows him to glide and the air and shoot a gust of wind for a make-shift double jump, leading to some incredibly satisfying gameplay.
3Coco Bandicoot
Coco and Crash are two halves of a team, each bringing something unique to the table. Coco is the perfect foil to Crash. While he’s goofy and over-the-top, his sister is more grounded, rational, and highly intelligent. Their personalities play well off of each other and make for a solid sibling relationship.
The Crash N. Sane Trilogy was anear-perfect remakeof the original PS1 games. Part of what made it so great was the addition of Coco as a playable character in Crash 1 and 2. She deserves medal for bravery, given that she carries her laptop with her while dodging fire, jumping over bottomless pits, and fighting bad guys. Let’s hope she backed up her files.
2Dr. Cortex
It’s no overstatement to say that Neo Cortex is one of themost iconic video game villains ever.Few other bad guys have such vivid personalities and instantly recognizable designs. He has some of the most iconic lines in the series, and his overabundance of confidence right before he falls on his face always makes for great comedy.
Crash and Cortex have one of the best rivalries in gaming. Whether he’s tricking Crash via hologram to bring him the power crystals or being used by the bandicoot as a snowboard, the dynamic between them is strong and never fails to deliver hilarious moments. Cortex brings all the charisma and quirkiness you’d expect from someone who decided to make a bandicoot the general of his army.
1Crash Bandicoot
There’s a reason why these games were able to stand their ground against platforming legends like Mario,Banjo-Kazooie, and Sonic. Crash is the glue that holds this series together, and he has one of the most distinct personalities out of any silent hero. He doesn’t need to talk because he conveys so much through his movements, facial expressions, and even his death animations.
Crash has nothing to prove. In fact, half the time, it seems like he has no idea what’s going on, yet he still manages to save the world time and time again. That is a prime example of the humor that makes this series shine. Crash’s charm is unique, making him one of the best platforming mascots of all time.
