Crash Bandicoot

Crash Bandicoot is a platform game, and as such contains all the familiar tricky split-second timing puzzles, weird monsters and wacky bonuses that define the genre. Whilst not giving the player total freedom of control like Mario 64, Crash Bandicoot uses a form of 3D more akin to essentially 2D levels with fancy graphics, but still leaves you pretty much convinced you are playing a true 3D title.

Crash Bandicoot is one of the most addictive platform games yet devised. The game is set on three Australian islands, each containing several levels of increasing difficulty. The first level serves as a kind of training ground where you learn to control your faithful bandicoot chum, making him jump over pits and attack monsters with his Tasmanian Devil-like spin move. Special power ups are available, along with bonuses and extra lives. Rumoured secret areas exist, too. Throughout the levels, the graphics and the attention to detail are nothing short of jaw-dropping, with all the characters in the game being large, well-animated polygonal creations, and backgrounds colourful and with clever touches such as the sun that streams through the trees in the first level, or the semi-transparent water in the 'Upstream' level.

On a negative note, Crash Bandicoot has one of the most bizarre and infuriating game save processes I have ever come across. In order to save, you must collect three like pictures from special 'save' crates to be whisked off to a bonus level. Reach the end of this short level and then - and only then - will you be given the chance to save. These bonus save levels become more and more tricky as the game progresses. Even when you have saved, loading that game will always result in you being placed right back at the start of the level you collected the third bonus picture in, even if you were within sight of the end. Infuriating, to say the least.

With stunning graphics, excellent sound effects and a keen sense of humour, Crash Bandicoot will appeal to all levels of platform game fans. Even the most dexterous will get their money's worth from this one!