The first Crash Bandicoot game released for a console other than the original PlayStation, Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex, was released in 2004. The narrative events occur sometime after Warped, and Dr. Cortex seeks vengeance after being beaten by Crash (once again). To accomplish this, he devises Crunch, a super-bandicoot capable of destroying anything in his path. The source of Crunch’s strength is a collection of mystical masks referred to as the Elementals. Each act represents a distinct element, including earth, water, fire, and ice. The warp room subdivides the stages into various parts. The boss fight of each segment is a confrontation with Crunch, with the outcome of the battle being determined by the Elemental mask of the relevant section.
The gameplay consists primarily of jumping and running. However, there are other action sequences, such as aerial battle and a segment in which Crash is locked inside a giant sphere moving about like a rollercoaster. The sound is typical of cartoon-style games like this one, and the entire graphical presentation is in three dimensions. The game’s overall design is quite user-friendly, and there is very little chance of players becoming frustrated with any of the game’s puzzles.
