Spyro, Crash tag-teaming consoles, handhelds again

Sierra's airborne-reptile trilogy wraps this fall with Dawn of the Dragon on 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, DS; marsupial practicing Mind Over Mutant on 360, PS2, PSP, Wii, DS.

In March, the writing appeared to be on the wall for Sierra Entertainment. According to a report on Variety's gaming blog, the long-standing publisher was in store for significant shake-up as a result of the impending $18.9 billion merger between its parent company, Vivendi Games, and Santa Monica-based megapublisher Activision. Two Sierra stalwarts evidently not to be affected by any reevaluation are Spyro and Crash Bandicoot, given that the publisher announced today a new game in each of the series.

Crash is quite literally out of his mind.

With Radical Entertainment looking to finish off the violent Prototype this fall, the developer is targeting the same release window for its family-friendly Crash Bandicoot: Mind Over Mutant. As is evident from the title, franchise antagonist Neo Cortex has devised a mind-control device, and is using it to dominate the will of monster and marsupial alike in a bid to take over the world.

Mind Over Mutant will introduce a number of new elements to the long-running platforming series. In addition to an open-world design, Crash can now climb and dig, and the bandicoot's sister, Coco, can be played in co-op mode. Mind Over Mutant will be released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii, and Nintendo DS.

Spyro, looking triumphant.

Etranges Libellules will be wrapping up its Legend of Spyro trilogy with Dawn of the Dragon on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PS2, and Wii, with a DS version also in development at Tantalus Interactive. In this final installment in the Legend of Spyro story arc, the titular purple dragon will face off against the nefarious Dark Master in a final showdown, allying with former adversary Cynder in the process. The series adds two new play mechanics: Spyro can now take to the sky at will, and players can now take advantage of two-player co-op as either Spyro or Cynder in the game's single-player mode.

As with previous installments in the series, Sierra has spared no expense landing celebrity voice talent for the series, and Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings, Flipper) and Gary Oldman (The Professional, Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night) will reprise their roles in the game. Wood and Oldman will be joined by a number of other Hollywood stars, including Christina Ricci (Monster, That Darn Cat), Blair Underwood (L.A. Law, Malibu's Most Wanted), Mark Hamill (Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, Guyver), and Wayne Brady (Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Don't Forget the Lyrics).

77 Comments

  • NYrockinlegend

    Posted Jul 26, 2008 8:36 am PT

    So is the Dawn of the Dragon the LAST Spyro game to be ever created?! As for Crash, his ending seems like it'll happen soon, but if Spyro doesn't go out with a BANG, it will probably be forgotten due to the next-gen games that now surpass it. As for these two games, Crash- not likely to succeed, and Spyro- well, third time may be the charm here, and hopefully, this time, they get it right. It had promising gameplay and storyline for the past two games, but alas, it just didn't work, or it was executed poorly. As for Crash Bandicoot, WHY is it STILL not for PS3?! IMO, they should remake the Crash Bandicoot series just like they did with Spyro, but I guess that's not going to happen, and Crash will probably die out soon.

  • DarkProwl

    Posted May 2, 2008 5:55 pm PT

    Okay, a few things. First: a reviewer's opinion is not your own, unless of course you are that reviewer. Second, if Crash went in the same direction it went all those years ago, it'd be stale as a one year old loaf of bread. You should give them props because they're trying to do something new. Third, your childhood is most likely long gone, so stop looking back on the old days (as good as they were) and look forward to the future. Fourth, A NEW CHARACTER DESIGN DOES NOT MAKE A GAME BAD. And lastly, have any of you already doubting this game played the last game? Or were you too close-minded and kept whining for Naughty Dog to come back? Guess what? THEY'RE NOT. GET OVER IT. Things can change in the blink of an eye, so just learn to adapt to them.

  • rannaru

    Posted May 2, 2008 8:10 am PT

    i think that the new spyro models gave him a braver face in the first games he seemed a bit cocky. and crash looks like a live roadkill. I don't care about their looks actually cuz ive been a spyro and crash fan for like my whole life

    ROCK ON SPYRO AND CRASH!!!

  • DJayMac7

    Posted May 1, 2008 1:44 pm PT

    wo

  • spider-manfan45

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 3:02 pm PT

    crash still has a chance to com clean. but syro's last three games really sucked. and the last bad crash game th@ sucked was boom bang.

  • s7aTyC

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 5:15 am PT

    you're just a bunch of haters ! We all know that Crash bandicoot isn't the same game anymore, but hey, Crash of the Titans was pretty solid game. Of course it' wasn't better than any PS1 crash game but it was atleast a FUN game. I didn't played any Spyro game on the PS2, but i also think they're quite good. Stop the hating, please !

  • is0lati0n

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 3:02 am PT

    Lol. A Crash Bandicoot re-make NOT with Naughty Dog? Count me out.

  • Gamer-XZ

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 10:05 pm PT

    It's really hard to see two great mascots slowly die out ever since the separation from their original creators, hopefully Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon will end up okay, as for Crash...I just dont know.

  • Artemios

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 7:28 pm PT

    spyro looks great, but crash bandicoot lost its touch. at least that's what i think. the character design isn't as funny as the first bandicoot games. it's too childish. spyro though, looks pretty good!

  • Kekira

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 7:12 pm PT

    Hopefully Spyro can go out with a bang...that design for hisl ast few games sucked compared with his original design.

  • Rhen_Var

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 3:06 pm PT

    Screw it, the good days are gone. The good Spyro and Crash games are a thing of the past! DAMN IT ALL!!!

  • Franzkill

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 2:49 pm PT

    @GANGSTASAN - Err sorry to say it but they kinda were lol.

    @mjc - You don't really have to state the obvious do you?

    @ctg867 - Well you sure as hell cared enough to come to this news report and post a comment didn't you?

  • Dualmask

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 1:40 pm PT

    I guess Spyro and Crash games are more profitable than I thought.

  • ctg867

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 12:41 pm PT

    Anybody care anymore? I sure as hell don't.

  • LordGavo

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 7:28 am PT

    what happened to naughty dog?!?!?

  • mjc0961

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 6:46 am PT

    Crash and Spyro both started sucking when Naughty Dog and Insomniac stopped making the games.

  • daxternator64

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 6:42 am PT

    The new spyro with the hobbit guy sucks but crash is a little better. Naughty Dog and Insomniac 4ever!!

  • Gameboy2k

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 6:35 am PT

    Oh Yeah, Mark Hamil... he did the Joker on Batman: The Animated Series on Fox. I cant believe it was him until I read the credits. Oh, and Wayne Brady.... The funniest thing he ever did was on the Chappelle show where he made Dave C. cry like a beeeoch when taking him out on a nite on the town.

  • Gameboy2k

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 6:32 am PT

    Hopefully I have as much fun as I did with Ratchet and Clank.

  • Yo-gan

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 6:22 am PT

    @ sun_spirit, i really enjoy the Jak Trilogy, but other that them ive never even heard of a new game Naughty dog relased since they sold the rights to Crash

  • GANGSTASAN

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 5:59 am PT

    Hate it when people say that they were only good when Insomaniac had them

  • Marcster1994

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 5:08 am PT

    This better be Crash and Spyro's big break!

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 4:40 am PT

    spyro brings good childhood memories.

  • sun_spirit

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 3:16 am PT

    Crash & Spyro - always the best on PlayStation!

    Yeah! Playstation one, and nothing else.
    When Naughty Dog sold the rights to Crash, and Insomniac sold the rights to Spyro, they BOTH went downhill.
    Have you honestly enjoyed ANY of their new games???
    *silence*
    I thought so...

  • Sony_Loyalist

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 11:52 pm PT

    Crash & Spyro - always the best on PlayStation!

  • videogameking26

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 11:13 pm PT

    New Sypro and Crash awesome!!!!!...as a big platformer fan I'm really happy

  • karnovrpg

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 10:30 pm PT

    How dare they not mention Mark Hamill's most famous and unforgettable movie appearance:
    Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

  • FAcorp

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 9:00 pm PT

    I really don't think that Spyro or Crash well be any good with out Insomniac or Naughty dog, I just don't see it.

  • Maersyndel

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 8:48 pm PT

    Crash...... Prototype looks interesting.......with any luck they'll use a bit of their creativeness on Crash as well. Not since Naughty Dog were making them have they been that good.

  • Grim_Wolf88

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 8:47 pm PT

    Tis sad to see some of my favorite childhood favorites got down the drain. Crash was sweet in his first four games [counting the cart racer] and in Twinsanity he gave his last decent performance. Spyro was nice too and A Heros Tail was his last good game IMO.

  • bigJimguy

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 8:37 pm PT

    Spyro should of stay on playstation but ,anyway its good to see that they are making Spyro games still

  • Superdude475

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 8:25 pm PT

    Wow, I wonder how much they spent on those celebrities.

  • BloodMist

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 8:06 pm PT

    Wow, it's incredible that these constantly medicore series are still going on.They shoulda died a long, long time ago.

  • scubastevewilco

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 7:44 pm PT

    For me, Crash and Spyro ended after Naughty Dog and Insomniac let go of the titles respectively.

  • andrew_dueck

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 6:49 pm PT

    Crash is a bumdart, but I've always been a big Spyro fan (him second only to Ratchet & Clank in the adventure dept). I can't wait for the new Spyro!

  • Adam_the_Nerd

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 6:48 pm PT

    When the original developers left, so did the fun. I miss the old games.

  • yeah_write

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 6:42 pm PT

    Jak and Ratchet > Crash and Spyro

  • ULTIMATEZWARRIO

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 6:33 pm PT

    so basically they betrayed their native playstation but oh well they stopped being fun once insomniac and naughty dog left

  • Bren128

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 6:18 pm PT

    sierra go make a drakan sequel please, that was at least a good game

  • whackedjob213

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 5:25 pm PT

    how can the crash game not be on the ps3

  • sir_simon77

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 5:24 pm PT

    wow whos the idiot that didnt put star wars with mark hamill....im pretty sure thats a little bit bigger then some batman cartoon and guyver (?)

  • SethandJeremy

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 5:19 pm PT

    hopefully they will be good games

  • Latinbro1

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 4:59 pm PT

    spyro and crash stopped being fun for me after insomniac and naughty dog left universal and those properties behind.

  • Panzeram

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 4:46 pm PT

    The new Spyro will be on everything but the PSP, that sucks

  • Kenaue

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 4:30 pm PT

    Thank you Sierra for whoring out and absolutely destroying what used to be two phenomenal series.

  • supersonicGO

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 4:19 pm PT

    these games gotta help poor the poor little bandicoot and dragon, though crash may need more help.

  • thepwninator

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 4:05 pm PT

    Wow. It didn't list Star Wars in the things Hamill's acted in...

    Oh, the irony...

  • b1ack5nake

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 3:50 pm PT

    Indeed... Crash hasn't been the same since the Naughty Dog days

  • Bart247

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 3:46 pm PT

    Altair1337: I do agree. Back on the PS1, Crash and Spyro were big hits.

  • Altair1337

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 3:26 pm PT

    Crash Bandicoot and Spyro were some of my favorite games when I was a kid. And the newer games havent been very fun. Crash Bandicoot needs to return to how it was during the PS1 era. And same to Spyro.

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