Top 10 Crash Bandicoot Levels

“Crash Bandicoot” (1996)

N. Sanity Beach is where it all begins as our dazed hero washes up on the coastline. From the second the player smashes open a crate of wumpa fruit, it’s hard not to get hooked. With catchy music, an enriching environment, and controls that are easy to master, this sandy shore is simply platforming bliss. While not the most ambitious or challenging level in the franchise, it did provided a great launching point for Crash. This was a good way to make your friends that had an N64 jealous.

“Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back” (1997)

Polar bears are so adorable… except when they’re the size of King Kong and furiously chase you. Prepare to hit the ground running from the second this level starts, as a giant beast is ready to trample over Crash. It doesn’t help that several other obstacles lie ahead throughout the snowy jungle. Packing in the adventurous thrills of an “Indiana Jones” movie, Un-Bearable is an exhilarating escapade that just keeps building. Eventually, Crash can’t outrun his pursuers on foot anymore. Fortunately, he gets a lift from a much smaller, cuter polar bear and rides to the finish line.

“Crash Bandicoot” (1996)

Whenever Crash raises those mischievous eyebrows of his, you know that something wild is about to happen. Rather than controlling a polar bear, this level finds Crash hopping aboard a hog. For the record, we’re talking about an actual warthog and not a motorcycle. Don’t bother trying to hit the breaks because this animal doesn’t know how to stop. It makes for a crazy ride with possible calamity waiting around every corner. Avoiding every obstacle isn’t easy, but you know what they say. When you fall off the hog, you have to get back on… assuming you have an extra life.

“Crash Bandicoot” (1996)

This stage is like something out of a classic horror picture. Granted, it’s not particularly frightening, but the environment is dripping with gothic atmosphere. Given its challenging nature, Slippery Climb will also overwhelm the player with crimpling paranoia and vertigo. As the title suggests, this level finds Crash climbing to the top floor of a castle on a dark and stormy night. Navigating through a series of shifting platforms, the player can fall to their demise at any time. Just keep on your toes and whatever you do, don’t look down.

“Crash Bandicoot: Warped” (1998)

This scurvy level almost feels like a trial run for “Crash Team Racing.” Instead of getting behind the wheel of a kart, though,Crash’s kid sister Coco takes control of a jet ski. The course is something of a treasure hunt with the player searching the area for a crystal. Plenty of bombs and cutthroat enemies also populate the bay, ready to send Coco to Davy Jones' Locker. With more than enough high sea adventure to go around here, it’s definitely a pirate’s life for us.

“Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back” (1997)

Arguably the finest winter wonderland level in the series, Snow Go puts Crash’s skating skills to the ultimate test. Keeping balanced on the ice is much trickier than it looks. Be careful around those explosive crates and don’t slip into a pit. Also, those penguins and seals may seem innocent and cuddly, but they’re much deadlier than meets the eye. Complete with icy art direction and slick gameplay mechanics, Snow Go is cooler than Crash Bandicoot himself. If only our little polar bear pal made an appearance here.

“Crash Bandicoot: Warped” (1998)

In this desert level, Crash must avoid a number of sword-swinging guards and keep one jump ahead of the breadline. With its Middle Eastern landscape and magic carpets aplenty, Hang’em High clearly drew some inspiration from “Aladdin.” Of course that’s not at all a bad thing. As a matter of fact, this stage wonderfully captures the spirit of an Arabian Night. Jumping across rooftops and hanging from monkey bars, it feels as if Crash is making his way through a Saudi Arabian jungle gym. It’s the perfect place for a street rat, or a street bandicoot in this case.

“Crash Bandicoot: Warped” (1998)

The first level in which we get to play as Coco, Orient Express is a lot like Hog Wild in some respects. There are several key differences that make it slightly superior, though. Instead of riding a hog, you get to tame a tiger cub named Pura. As if that’s not awesome enough, you get to ride him across the Great Wall of China! Since it’s still under construction, however, you might encounter some big trouble in little China. Thoroughly exciting throughout, this stage makes us wish that the wall never ended.

“Crash Bandicoot: Warped” (1998)

Like “Crash Bandicoot,” “Tomb Raider” is one of the most iconic early franchises that helped launch the PlayStation into mainstream popularity. This level both satirizes and pays homage to Lara Croft, guiding Crash through an Egyptian pyramid. In addition to being among the most well designed stages in the series, Tomb Wader just has old school adventure written all over it. Featuring mummies, giant bugs, and rooms full of rising water, just watching gameplay footage of this exhilarating level will make you want to pick up a controller.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Up the Creek
“Crash Bandicoot” (1996)

Temple Ruins
“Crash Bandicoot” (1996)

Heavy Machinery
“Crash Bandicoot” (1996)

Cold Hard Crash
“Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back” (1997)

Hang Eight
“Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back” (1997)

Academy of Evil
“Crash Twinsanity” (2004)

“Crash Twinsanity” (2004)

“Crash Twinsanity” isn’t quite up there with the original PlayStation trilogy. This PS2 follow-up is still well worth playing, though, to experience the single greatest Crash Bandicoot level ever with one of the most amazing set pieces to come out of the series.Rolling down a cavern, Crash gets into a scuffle with his old nemesis Dr. Neo Cortex. What ensues is reminiscent of a giant pinball game while the two engaged in a heated brawl. Eventually, however, the bitter enemies are forced to work together. Inventive, humorous, and without a single dull moment, Cavern Catastrophe makes us all wish Crash Bandicoot would make a comeback.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite Crash Bandicoot level? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.