The highly praised Crash Bandicoot franchise is officially making a mobile debut with a runner game genre.
Reports have it that Crash Bandicoot: On The Run—its official mobile game title—will be developed by a well-known mobile game hitmaker, King. The gaming community knows King as the developer behind the wildly popular mobile puzzle game Candy Crush Saga.
For those who didn’t know, Activision acquired King, the makers of the said mobile match-three puzzle hit title, in 2016 for a whopping US$5.8 billion. The announcement of On The Run reportedly came after Activision announced the fourth installment of the Crash Bandicoot franchise, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, for the gaming consoles and PC.
The era of runner game as a blockbuster genre
The runner game genre was a big hit back in the day. For some reason, the swiping left and right, and making the characters roll-over, jump, and slide in an endless running spree was quite the catch and not to mention, addictive.
The genre’s blockbuster era was highly noted in 2011 with Imangi Studios releasing Temple Run. iOS users were first to get exclusive access to the game, but the developers eventually released it to the Android community, which added more fuel to its already blazing hype.
Come 2013, Imangi Studios continued to ride the Temple Run hype train and released a game sequel—Temple Run 2. Just like its predecessor, the second runner game installment was well received by the mobile gaming community.
Then there’s Subway Surfers from Kiloo and SYBO Games that were released in 2012. This platformer and runner game was also a big hit for smartphone users, as the game, until now, continues to receive updates.
The Despicable Me Illumination Entertainment film franchise also developed a minion-centered runner game called Minion Rush, which was released during the genre’s peak of fame.
Now, King will need to come up with a great addicting tactic for Crash Bandicoot: On The Run to reprise the glory days of the runner game genre.
Will Crash Bandicoot: On The Run thrive?
There are a few factors that play in the Crash Bandicoot: On The Run game’s favor. First, the game’s development is in goods hands, as King is a highly noted blockbuster maker.
Most smartphone owners have played Candy Crush Saga, which eventually bred a few title successors. Some phones are sold with this addictive puzzle game already installed.
Second, there’s a strong and massive Crash Bandicoot fanbase. Its franchise has been around since 1996, with its first platformer title originally developed for Sony’s Playstation console. The game has since morphed into many titles that became its successor.
Infinite running games will likely not grow out of style, even if Temple Run and Subway Surfers players graduate from this genre. Due to its simple game mechanic—swipe left and right—and pair it with great game graphic quality, the younger age brackets will likely receive Crash Bandicoot: On The Run with open arms—it’ll be the Temple Run of this generation.
In fact, on Reddit, there is already an avid Crash Bandicoot fan who got a hold of an early-stage copy of the game. Overall, the player rated the game at 9 out of ten.
Crash Bandicoot on the run on android is fun
byu/StrongConclusion6 incrashbandicoot
Third, Activision has this game as its backer. Activision has made the mobile impact lately, with the release of Call of Duty: Mobile last year, which is now making headlines of surpassing other Battle Royale mobile games that came before it.
What will make Crash Bandicoot: On The Run different from the other runner classic is that there’s a story behind the running. The official trailer of the game is leading everyone to believe that Crash will not be the only character to be played. The play with friends’ promotion might even hint a multiplayer.
This just in! Crash Bandicoot is back and it's on mobile 🙌.
In the brand-new adventure @CrashOnTheRun, you’ll race across Wumpa Island in battle runs to save the multiverse from the evil Dr. Neo Cortex.
Check out the announcement trailer below. pic.twitter.com/flmA9aD7wK
— App Store (@AppStore) July 9, 2020
As for its release date, nothing is set in stones yet, but players are now welcomed to pre-register the game both in the App Store and in Google Play. Players who will pre-register will have the chance to receive a blue hyena Crash skin, as seen in the trailer.
Featured image courtesy of Crash Bandicoot: On The Run/Twitter