Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is a bold, nostalgia-driven platformer that largely succeeds in delivering frantic, inventive levels while updating the series’ signature difficulty with modern polish. On the Nintendo Switch, the game preserves the core design—tight platforming, inventive level gimmicks, and packed collectibles—while making a few compromises in visuals and performance compared with console versions.
When Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time first launched on PlayStation and Xbox, it was celebrated as a triumphant return to form. It was difficult, beautiful, and packed with the exact kind of chaotic energy that fans had been craving since the original trilogy. But when Activision announced the game was heading to the Nintendo Switch, eyebrows were raised.
Could the Switch’s aging hardware handle a game that was designed with much more powerful consoles in mind? As it turns out, the answer is a resounding yes. While it isn't without a few compromises, the Switch port of Crash Bandicoot 4 is nothing short of a technical marvel.
Here is why this port deserves a spot in your digital library.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time on Nintendo Switch is a masterclass in porting. It proves that with the right care and optimization, even current-gen titles can find a happy home on Nintendo's hybrid console.
While it may lack the crispness of its next-gen counterparts, the trade-off for portability is well worth it. Whether you are a veteran looking to 100% the timeline or a newcomer curious about the marsupial's resurgence, this is an essential addition to your Switch library.
Rating: 9/10
Have you played Crash 4 on the Switch? Do you think the visual trade-offs are worth the portability? Let us know in the comments below!
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time Switch NSP - A Timely Release for a Platforming Legend
The Crash Bandicoot series has been a beloved staple of the gaming world for decades, with its lovable marsupial protagonist and challenging platforming gameplay. After a few years of anticipation, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time has finally arrived on the Nintendo Switch, and it's a game that's well worth the wait. In this article, we'll dive into the details of the game, its features, and what makes it a must-play experience for fans of the series and platforming enthusiasts alike.
A Brief History of Crash Bandicoot
For those who may be new to the series, Crash Bandicoot has been around since the late 1990s, with the first game released on the PlayStation in 1996. Developed by Naughty Dog, the game was a critical and commercial success, and it went on to spawn several sequels and spin-offs. The series followed Crash and his friends as they battled against the evil scientist Doctor Neo Cortex and his various schemes to take over the world.
The Return of Crash Bandicoot
After a few years of dormancy, the Crash Bandicoot series was revived with the release of Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, a remastered collection of the original three games. The trilogy was a huge success, and it paved the way for the development of Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time. The new game was developed by Toys for Bob, the same studio behind the Spyro Reignited Trilogy, and it's clear that they've brought a lot of love and care to the project.
Gameplay and Features
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time picks up where the previous games left off, with Crash and his friends facing off against Doctor Neo Cortex and his new partner-in-crime, the enigmatic Doctor Nefarious Tropy. The gameplay is similar to previous Crash Bandicoot games, with players controlling Crash and his friends as they navigate through challenging levels, collecting gems and other goodies while avoiding obstacles and enemies.
One of the new features in Crash Bandicoot 4 is the addition of two new playable characters: Tawna, a bandicoot who is a friend of Crash's, and Cortex, who can be played in certain levels. The game also introduces a new mechanic called the "Quantum Masks," which allow Crash and his friends to travel through different dimensions and interact with new objects and environments.
Visuals and Soundtrack
The visuals in Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time are stunning, with beautiful, colorful graphics that bring the game's world to life. The game's art style is reminiscent of classic platformers, with a focus on detailed environments and characters. The game's soundtrack, composed by Mark Mothersbaugh, is equally impressive, with catchy and upbeat tunes that complement the game's lighthearted tone.
The Switch NSP Release
The release of Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time on the Nintendo Switch is a significant one, as it marks the first time that a major third-party title has been released on the console in NSP (Nintendo Switch Package) format. The NSP format allows for easier distribution and updating of games, and it's a welcome change for Switch owners who have been clamoring for more games on the platform.
Performance and Controls
In terms of performance, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time runs smoothly on the Nintendo Switch, with minimal lag or framerate drops. The game's controls are also well-suited to the Switch, with intuitive button mapping and precise controls that make it easy to navigate the game's challenging levels.
Conclusion
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is a fantastic addition to the Nintendo Switch library, and it's a must-play experience for fans of platformers and the Crash Bandicoot series. With its challenging gameplay, beautiful visuals, and catchy soundtrack, it's a game that's sure to provide hours of entertainment. The NSP release is also a welcome change, making it easier for Switch owners to access and enjoy the game.
Technical Details
Recommendation
If you're a fan of platformers or the Crash Bandicoot series, do yourself a favor and pick up Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time on the Nintendo Switch. With its challenging gameplay, beautiful visuals, and catchy soundtrack, it's a game that's sure to provide hours of entertainment. Even if you're new to the series, the game is an excellent starting point, with intuitive controls and a gentle learning curve that makes it easy to get started.
Availability and Pricing
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is available on the Nintendo Switch eShop in NSP format, and it can be purchased for [insert price]. The game is also available in physical format at various retailers, with a suggested retail price of [insert price].
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is a fantastic game that's well worth the wait. With its challenging gameplay, beautiful visuals, and catchy soundtrack, it's a must-play experience for fans of platformers and the Crash Bandicoot series. The NSP release on the Nintendo Switch is a welcome change, making it easier for Switch owners to access and enjoy the game. If you're a fan of platformers or just looking for a fun and challenging game to play, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is an excellent choice.
Here’s a short story inspired by that title and format:
Title: Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time – Switch NSP – The Last Download
Logline: A broke game collector finds a mysterious Switch NSP file labeled “Crash 4 – It’s About Time,” but installing it doesn’t just load a game—it unravels time itself. Crash Bandicoot 4- It-s About Time Switch NSP -...
Leo stared at the blinking download bar on his PC. 97%... 98%... 99%. The file name glowed faintly on his cracked monitor: Crash_Bandicoot_4_It_s_About_Time_Switch_NSP.xci.
He’d found it buried on an old forum—no comments, no upvotes, just a single post from a user named Quantum_Mask_99. The file size was wrong, though. Too small. 4.2 GB instead of 12. A red flag, but Leo’s wallet was empty, and his itch for a new Crash game was desperate.
“It’s about time,” he muttered, double-clicking.
The installation took seven seconds. Not minutes. Seconds.
When he booted up his modded Switch, the home menu glitched. Icons scrambled. Then, a new tile appeared: not the usual Crash logo, but a spinning N. Sanity Island pixelated like an old VHS tape.
He pressed A.
The screen didn’t show gameplay. Instead, a command line appeared.
> TIME RIFT DETECTED. SOURCE: USER LEO_97.> DO YOU WISH TO PROCEED? (Y/N)
Leo laughed nervously. “Cute mod.” He pressed Y.
The room went cold. His Switch vibrated once—violently—then emitted a sound like a broken clock striking midnight. The world outside his window froze: birds mid-flight, a car’s headlights locked in a yellow beam, rain suspended like glass needles.
Leo stood up. Or tried to. His legs were… pixels. Blocky. Blue jeans rendered in low resolution.
He looked at his hands. Four fingers. No thumbs. Fur. Orange fur.
“Wumpa?” he tried to say, but only a muffled “Ooga-booga!” came out.
On the TV, the game had fully loaded now. Crash Bandicoot stood on the screen—except it wasn’t Crash. It was Leo, trapped inside the character model, staring back at his own empty gaming chair through the fourth wall.
The file description finally loaded in the corner of his vision:
“This NSP is not a game. It’s a vacancy. Someone has to fill the mask. It’s about time you learned: every copy of Crash 4 is personalized.”
Aku Aku’s mask floated beside him, but its eyes were hollow. Then it whispered in the forum user’s voice: “You wanted to play as Crash. Now you ARE Crash. Beat the game—every death, every perfect relic, every hidden gem—and you’ll get your body back. Die in the game? You reset. Die in real life?” Draft Review — Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About
The mask chuckled.
“You don’t get extra lives, Leo.”
The frozen rain outside began to fall again—but upward. Time wasn’t broken. It was remixing.
And somewhere in the distance, Neo Cortex’s laugh echoed from a Switch cartridge that hadn’t been manufactured yet.
To be continued… (unless Leo hits a bottomless pit first.)
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is a modernized platformer for the Nintendo Switch that offers a "time-shattered" adventure featuring new characters and reality-bending mechanics. If you are looking to purchase a legitimate copy, it is currently available for around $13.19 to $39.99 depending on the retailer and its condition. Key Game Features
Multiverse Adventure: Join Crash and Coco to reunite the four Quantum Masks and stop Neo Cortex and N. Tropy from conquering the entire multiverse.
Playable Characters: Beyond the classic marsupials, players can control characters like Tawna, who uses a grappling hook to navigate levels.
New Modes: Features like N. Verted mode offer alternate visual styles and inverted paths for increased challenge.
Flashback Tapes: Collect these in levels (without dying) to unlock side-scrolling Flashback Levels that provide backstory on the characters.
Multiplayer: Includes local cooperative "Pass N. Play" and competitive "Bandicoot Battle" for up to four players. Switch Performance Details
Resolution: Runs at 1080p in docked mode and 720p in handheld mode.
Frame Rate: Locked at a consistent 30 frames per second for stable gameplay.
Storage: The digital version requires approximately 10.3 GB of space. Purchase Options & Availability
Prices vary based on current sales and whether you buy new or used.
Nintendo eShop: Currently listed at approximately $13.19 for a digital copy. Walmart: Offers new physical copies for around $32.97.
GameStop: Provides used physical copies for approximately $37.99. Best Buy: Carries new physical copies for $39.95 - $39.99. Note on "NSP" Files Performance: Runs acceptably in docked and handheld modes
Every Flashback Tape Location in Crash 4 - Crash Bandicoot 4 - IGN