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Vicarious Visions has been receiving massive amounts of acclaim for their work on Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 to the Game Boy Advance, and now the developer will try their hands at platforming. Their task is to put together a brand-new adventure for Crash Bandicoot, once a mainstay on the PlayStation and widely considered to be the machine’s unofficial mascot, on the portable machine. Vicarious Visions’ solid handle on the GBA hardware should make Crash’s debut move along quickly. Previously known simply as Crash Bandicoot, Universal Interactive Studios has confirmed the title for Crash’s debut on the GBA: Crash Bandicoot X/S. On track for a release in First Quarter 2002, Crash’s arch nemesis, Dr. Nero Cortex, has been orbiting high above the planet, waiting for the right time to strike against the orange creature that has foiled his plans time and time again. Assembling a massive shrinking ray, Cortex fires it on the planet, shrinking it to a miniature size. In order to reverse the effects, Crash’s sister, Coco, must have all the planet’s crystals, a job well suited for mini-Crash.
"Crash is one of the most recognized characters in the world of video games," said Jim Wilson, president of Universal Interactive. "The franchise will continue to capture audiences of the action/platform genre as well as new fans of the Game Boy Advance." Crash Bandicoot X/S will mark the first time he has appeared in a handheld game. Crash will have to jump, spin and fight his way through a total of 20 levels that take place in six different locations. The stages will take him from the sweaty Mayan Jungle to the freeze cold wind in the Artic Caverns. His adventure will not even be limited to the norm of 2D platforming, either; the gameplay modes will include 3D chase levels and aerial dogfight combat sequences. The varying styles of gameplay were introduced from day one in the series, and will continue on in the GBA entry. Naughty Dog is not longer paying attention to the blockbuster series they spawned on the PlayStation, instead concentrating on the Sony-funded Jak & Daxter. With Crash in the hands of developers like Vicarious Visions, though, chances are the future is bright.
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