Crash Bandicoot is one of those games I put up there with the original Super Mario and Sonic The Hedgehog as being a concept that must have been thought up by someone who was at least partially away with the fairies. An anthropomorphic bandicoot in surfer shorts has to save his girlfriend from an insane scientific genius dwarf by following the guidance of an ancient witch doctor whose spirit is trapped in a floating wooden mask. Right.
Anyways, just to show off how mental the idea of Crash Bandicoot actually is, a video has been uploaded of what is purported to be the animated intro and ending to the original PS One classic.
The clip was uploaded by David Siller, one of the producers on the original game. Although there was some speculation that the clip was a test for an animated series or something else along those line, Siller quickly put the rumours to bed.
It was based on ideas for where we were going with this IP at that time. It was probably too ambitious in nature and was also trying to be humorous. It was never used or even embedded in the game as a hidden “easter egg” treat.
Once UIS (Universal Interactive Studios) licensed the game to Sony for publication, Sony did not want it utilized since they were heavily pushing the “3D” agenda.
– David Siller
It’s almost a shame that this was the case. Because seeing this clip it almost looks like Crash Bandicoot was always destined to be a Saturday morning cartoon that just happened to have a video game spin off. Sort of like an alternate universe Earthworm Jim type situation.
This clip has all the makings of a nostalgia inducing 90’s kids favourite. In less than a minute it establishes the villain, the hero, the love interest and a snarky sense of humour. That said they do seem to paint Crash as more actively dumb than I remember him being in the games. Which is sort of impressive in its own right.
Now all we have to do is wait for the gritty Crash Bandicoot reboot that uses this clip as its origin story.
