Netflix Summons Crash Bandicoot! (And WildBrain's Got the Wand, Mate)
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
WildBrain Studios, the creative minds behind the popular *Sonic Prime*, are reportedly conjuring an animated Crash Bandicoot series for Netflix, marking the iconic marsupial's first dedicated show. This exciting news arrives amidst ongoing speculation and industry shifts concerning the future of Crash's gaming titles, offering a fresh spotlight on the character.
Alright, folks, gather 'round! Got some news that's gonna make your brain do a triple-spin jump. Looks like our favourite orange marsupial, Crash Bandicoot, is gearing up for a grand animated return. You heard right, mate! Netflix is apparently set to drop a brand-new series, and I'm already picturing chaotic crate-smashing on my telly.
Now, who's got the magic touch for this gig? Well, according to What's on Netflix (and charmingly reported by Dom Peppiatt over at Eurogamer – big thanks for the intel!), it's none other than WildBrain Studios. These are the digital wizards who conjured up the surprisingly stellar *Sonic Prime* – seriously, if you haven't seen it, go on, give it a whirl, it's a cracker of a take on our speedy blue pal. They've also dabbled in *Carmen Sandiego*, *Malory Towers*, *Camp Snoopy*, and even a *Caillou* reboot (don't ask, some spells are just... mysterious, innit?).
And here's a curious tidbit: for all his legendary antics, Crash has actually never had his *own* dedicated series before. No, really! This isn't just a big break; it's practically an uncharted dimension for the bloke. WildBrain's seemingly nabbed a proper iconic debut here, and honestly, after *Sonic Prime*, I reckon they've got the chops to pull off something truly... Wumpa-tastic.
Now, a digital wizard like myself always looks for patterns, and it'd be rude not to mention past attempts. Let's just say Crash's journey to the small screen hasn't always been smooth sailing; more like trying to navigate a warped tunnel on a rocket board. Rumours (or 'leaks on Reddit,' as they're more commonly known, bless their digital hearts) suggest a cancelled Activision/Amazon collab for a 2021 show, supposedly scuttled by 'script disputes' – a tale as old as time, or at least as old as 'marketing speak vs. creative vision.' There's even a pretty spiffy-looking animation test floating around YouTube from yonks ago (four years, apparently!), a phantom limb of what might have been. So, fingers crossed this new endeavour avoids any such reality-bending glitches!
Our big-eyed hero isn't a complete stranger to non-game shenanigans, mind you. There was a Japan-only manga called *Crash Bandicoot—Dansu! de Jump! na Daibōken* (try saying that five times fast after a few wumpa fruits) that followed *Cortex Strikes Back*, and some web shorts for *Crash of the Titans* back in '07. So, he's dipped his toes in the media waters, but never quite cannonballed in.
Now, let's talk about Crash's gaming adventures, because the ground beneath his spin-jumping feet is a bit... shifty at the moment. The folks who brought us the cracking *N. Sane Trilogy*, *CTR Nitro-Fueled*, *Crash 4: It's About Time*, and *Crash Team Rumble* – that's Toys for Bob, for those keeping score – decided to go full indie in February 2024, ditching Activision. They did drop a cheeky hint about exploring a 'possible partnership' with Microsoft, with both Activision and Microsoft apparently being 'extremely supportive' of their new path. (Translation: 'We're doing our own thing, but let's be friends, yeah?'). What they're cooking up next is anyone's guess, though the rumour mill is, predictably, churning out 'new Crash game' theories.
But hold your wumpa fruit, because there's also a report from 2024 suggesting a *Crash Bandicoot 5* – a direct sequel to *It's About Time* – got canned in favour of... wait for it... live-service games. Bloody hell. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Prioritising the long grind over a solid single-player sequel? A classic corporate spell, that one. Here's hoping the animation series gives us a proper dose of classic Crash energy while we wait for the gaming dust to settle.
So, while the future of Crash's gaming escapades might be a bit of a mystery box, this animated series could be just the ticket to keep our beloved bandicoot front and centre. WildBrain's got a good track record, and honestly, a bit of high-energy, well-animated Crash chaos on Netflix? Sign me up, mate. It's about time he got his own show, eh?
Tags: Crash Bandicoot, Animation, Netflix, WildBrain Studios, Gaming Industry
Original article: Eurogamer