The game historian Liam Robertson recently unveiled some intriguing information about the cancelled Switch version of Crash Team Rumble. According to the report, Toys for Bob had initially planned to develop a Switch version of the game. However, this plan was abruptly halted by Activision due to the lukewarm reception the game received on other platforms. This decision left many fans disappointed who were eagerly waiting to experience the game on the popular Nintendo console.
The Abandoned Crash 5 Project
Another shocking revelation made in the video was about the abandoned Crash Bandicoot 5 project. The game was set to feature Crash Twinsanity’s ‘Academy of Evil’ and was rumored to have a crossover with Spyro the Dragon. The plot involved the return of the main Crash antagonist ‘Uka Uka’ and both Crash and Spyro as playable characters. Interestingly, the developers even considered allowing players to control both characters separately and together, with Crash riding on Spyro’s back. Unfortunately, the project was scrapped by Activision when Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time failed to meet its “high sales targets” internally.
The Impact of the Decisions
The decisions made by Activision to cancel both the Switch version of Crash Team Rumble and Crash Bandicoot 5 had a significant impact on the gaming community. Former employees have criticized the lack of a Nintendo Switch version of Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time as a “critical mistake”. Many fans were left wondering about the future of the Crash Bandicoot and Spyro IPs, especially now that Microsoft owns Activision Blizzard. The potential for these beloved franchises to make a comeback in some form is a topic of great interest among gamers.
The rise and fall of Crash Bandicoot 5 and the cancelled Switch version of Crash Team Rumble serve as a cautionary tale for developers and publishers in the gaming industry. The decisions made by Activision to axe these projects have left a void in the hearts of many fans who were eagerly looking forward to experiencing these games. It remains to be seen if we will ever witness the resurrection of these iconic characters in the gaming world.