Summary
Activision delighted Bandicoot fans in October 2020 when the company released Toys for Bob’sCrash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time.The game took the series back to its roots, with linear platforming and box collecting making a welcome return. The series also bought back the original trilogy’s punishing difficulty. CompletingCrash 4normally isn’t too taxing, but beating it 100% can be an absolute nightmare. Grueling flashback tapes,developer time trials, and longer levels with more boxes to break are among the new challenges.
Fans who have been around since the original games and new fans of the series will likely be searching for similar platforminggames likeCrash Bandicootto play next. These games embody the goodness of the series' 3D platforming, the challenge it brings with every level, and the infectious charm that is present in every single game featuring this beloved marsupial.
Updated on July 20, 2025 by Ritwik Mitra:Players were elated to find out that Crash Bandicoot received a brand new game after fans had lost hope. Controlling the original PlayStation mascot across a host of challenging levels that bring new levels of challenge and creativity to the table is an unforgettable experience for players with a nostalgic connection to this marsupial. It’s easy to see why players who check out It’s About Time would love to play through moregames like Crash Bandicoot, and they’ll have several amazing options to choose from if they want to scratch the itch the fourth game left behind.
No one expectedAstro Botto establish itself as one of the best 3D platformers of the current generation. The sheer creativity on display in every level coupled with smart callbacks to previous PlayStation classics make it clear why so many fans hailAstro Botas an excellent evolution of the gameplay loops seen inAstro’s Playroom.
Players who want to check out moregames likeCrash Bandicootwill love playing through this love letter to the PlayStation brand. As one would expect, there are more than enough references to this iconic marsupial in the game, making some of its levels stand out in the eyes of fans that pay homage to the series' legacy.
It was clear that the Nintendo Switch needed to hit the ground running after the disastrous failure of the Wii U. The ingenious design of this console was a step in the right direction, but what helped the Switch enjoy one of the best launches for a Nintendo console were the games jam-packed in this experience.
BothBreath of the WildandSuper Mario Odysseycame out in the same year, which turned the Switch into a must-have console.Odysseywas praised to the moon and back for letting players enjoy the smoothest platforming in aMariogame to date, coupled with an open-ended structure and excellent level design that is perfect for players who want to check out moregames likeCrash Bandicoot.
It Takes Twocame out of nowhere and cemented itself as one of the best co-op video games ever made. The story may not be its strongest suit, but the imaginative gameplay of this charming 2-player title does a great job of selling the experience, with the gameplay loop changing constantly to let players enjoy a fresh and stimulating experience.
However, throughout this adventure, the 3D platforming base that the other gameplay loops build up on is as solid as they come. This means that players can always look forward to fun, snappy platforming that never overstays its welcome and lets players traverse the world in style when paired with the abilities Cody and May have in every level.
Sackboy: A Big Adventureis a spinoff to theLittleBigPlanetseries that was released on PlayStation 4 and as alaunch title for the PlayStation 5in November 2020.
The gameditches the 2.5D perspective of theLittleBigPlanetgames in favor of 3D and gives Sackboy far more moves than ever before to create an enjoyable and fleshed-out platforming experience. The game isn’t the strongest platformer on the market by any means, but it still offers a thoroughly enjoyable time for fans of the genre and carries over the charm andunique visualsof theLittleBigPlanetgames.
October 2019’sYooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lairis the sequel to 2017’sYooka-Laylee, which tried to be a modern take on the classic ’90s collect-a-thonBanjo-Kazooiebut struggled to impress.
Playtonic Games went a completely different route withYooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lairby shifting from 3D to 2D, withDonkey Kong Countrybeing the new source of inspiration. The game was far better received than its predecessor and is one ofthe strongest side-scrolling platformersof the 2010s. Interestingly, the game lets players tackle the final level at any point during the game; however, the stage is brutally difficult unless players collect members of the “Beetalion” by completing levels.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Furywas released in February 2021 on the Nintendo Switch and bundled the Wii U’sSuper Mario 3D Worldwith a new game titledBowser’s Fury.
Super Mario 3D Worldwas originally released in 2013 and offered an interesting combination of 3D exploration with classic 2D-level design and gameplay mechanics of earlierSuperMariogames. Meanwhile,Bowser’s Furyis an open-world platformer that draws inspiration fromSuper Mario Odysseyby offering enormous explorable spaces packed with things to do and collect.
For those who relished inCrash 4’s difficulty, Maddy Makes Games’Celestemay be the best option. The platformer requires players to make countless precise jumps and dashes, especially if they want to grab all of the hidden strawberries. Despite this,Celestenever gets too frustrating, which is a testament to the quality of its gameplay and level design. The game has a generous checkpoint system of resetting players at the start of each screen, and the playable character’s movement feels tight and responsive, ensuring that mistakes always feel like the fault of the player and not the developers.
New Super Lucky’s Taleis an excellent choice for fans of classic collectathons likeBanjo-KazooieandSuperMario 64.The platformer differentiates itself fromCrash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Timewith its difficulty, as Playful Studios' game is aimed at more casual players.New Super Lucky’s Talemay not be up to scratch with some of the top games on this list in terms of sheer quality,but it’s still an enjoyable6-10 hour adventure.
As the name suggests,New Super Lucky’s Taleis an enhanced version ofSuper Lucky’s Tale.The game comesequipped with an improved camera angle and remixed levels.
Spyro Reignited Trilogyshould jump out to fans ofCrash 4as Toys For Bob developed both games. Similar to theN. Sane Trilogy,Reignited Trilogyis a remaster of the franchise’s three PS1 games. Spyro is comparable to Crash in many ways, with one of the most prominent being how both games' levels are simple to complete but challenging to 100%.
The main difference betweenSpyro Reignited TrilogyandCrash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Timeis thatSpyroleans more into the collectathon side of the genre than tricky platforming gameplay. Across the threeSpyrogames, players will need to collect Dragon Eggs, Orbs, Talismans, Gems, and more.
There’s a reason whyBanjo-Kazooiehas been mentioned so many times in this list. The game is one of the most influential platformers of all time, with its open levels packed with collectibles to find being a blueprint for many of the genre’s releases. Collectibles inBanjo-Kazooieinclude musical notes, Jinjos, Honey Comb Pieces, jigsaw pieces known as Jiggies, and more.
Although fans have been crying out for a modern sequel or remake for years now, the classic game still holds up and can be played on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S thanks to backward compatibility andRare Replay.
