Crash of the Titans

🎮 Overview

• Title: Crash of the Titans

• Platform: PlayStation Portable (also on PS2, Wii, Xbox 360, DS)

• Developer: Radical Entertainment

• Publisher: Sierra Entertainment / Vivendi Games

• Release Year: 2007

• Genre: Action / Platformer / Beat ’em Up

• Mode: Single-player

🌴 Introduction and Setting

Crash of the Titans revitalizes the Crash Bandicoot franchise with a new, more combat-oriented approach while keeping its trademark humor and platforming roots.

This entry reimagines Crash’s world with a fresh visual style, modern controls, and an emphasis on fighting enemies and controlling powerful creatures called Titans. The PSP version offers a faithful handheld adaptation of the console game, streamlined for portable play.

📖 Story

The story begins with Doctor Neo Cortex and his niece Nina Cortex launching yet another evil plan: they capture Crash’s sister Coco and turn the creatures of Wumpa Island into hulking monsters using a strange chemical called Mojo.

Cortex’s ultimate goal is to build a massive army powered by Mojo and use it to take over the world.

However, his experiments have a side effect — they create Titans, huge mutant beasts that can be controlled by whoever can harness their power.

Crash Bandicoot sets out with his loyal companion Aku Aku, the mystical mask spirit, to rescue Coco, defeat the Titans, and stop Cortex’s schemes once and for all. Along the way, he faces off against familiar faces like Tiny Tiger, N. Gin, and Nina Cortex in a mix of slapstick humor and lighthearted chaos.

🧠 Gameplay Mechanics

Crash of the Titans is a blend of 3D platforming, beat ’em up combat, and creature control mechanics. It shifts the series’ focus from traditional jump-based levels to a more action-driven system.

🌀 1. Exploration and Platforming

• Levels are linear but packed with hidden collectibles, branching paths, and enemies.

• You’ll run, jump, spin, and wall-climb across 20+ stages spread across diverse environments (jungle ruins, volcanoes, labs, etc.).

• Platforming challenges include moving platforms, breakable crates, and puzzle elements that use Titan abilities.

Crash’s movements are fluid, with responsive controls on PSP, though the camera is semi-fixed to maintain good visibility on the smaller screen.

🥊 2. Combat System

Combat is deeper than in earlier Crash Bandicoot titles, featuring combo-based brawling:

• Crash can punch, kick, spin, and slide to build up combo points.

• Defeating enemies drops Mojo orbs, which act as experience points for upgrades.

• You can chain light and heavy attacks into combos to deal more damage.

Combat feels dynamic — more like an arcade fighter than a classic platformer — while still maintaining Crash’s quirky style.

💥 3. “Jack and Ride” — Controlling Titans

The main innovation in Crash of the Titans is the Jack and Ride system.

Throughout the game, Crash encounters large mutant enemies called Titans. Once weakened, Crash can jack (control) them using Aku Aku’s power, turning the enemy into an ally.

🔮 How It Works:

• Weaken a Titan with normal attacks.

• When it’s stunned, jump on its back.

• Control it to unleash devastating abilities unique to that Titan type.

• Use Titans to smash barriers, solve puzzles, or defeat stronger foes.

You can hop off a Titan at any time or swap between different ones depending on the situation.

🦴 Examples of Titan Types:

• Scorporilla: A huge ape-like creature with crushing melee attacks.

• Spike: A rock-covered Titan that can hurl boulders and create shockwaves.

• Shellephant: Uses its massive shell for defense and heavy charges.

• Magmadon: Lava-based Titan capable of fiery ground slams.

• Sludge: Poison-spewing creature that melts obstacles and enemies.

Each Titan feels distinct, giving the game variety and strategy during fights.

⚙️ 4. Upgrades and Collectibles

Crash can collect Mojo orbs dropped by enemies and crates to level up.
Upgrades unlock new combos, increase health, and improve attack strength.

You can also find:

• Hidden idols and action figures that unlock concept art and bonuses.

• Wumpa fruit, which restores health.

• Mojo Totems, which grant permanent boosts.

🌍 Environments and Levels

The adventure spans multiple themed regions, each with unique enemies and hazards:

• Wumpa Island Jungle – Bright and tropical, full of wild creatures and Cortex’s minions.

• Cortex’s Volcano Lair – A fiery mountain fortress filled with traps.

• Frozen Wastes – Icy peaks and caves with slippery surfaces.

• Tiki Village – Wooden bridges, waterfalls, and tribal enemies.

• The Evil Laboratories – High-tech platforms and robotic foes.

Each level ends with a boss battle, usually involving one of Cortex’s lieutenants or a super-sized Titan.

🎭 Characters

• Crash Bandicoot – The orange marsupial hero with a knack for spinning into chaos.

• Coco Bandicoot – Crash’s intelligent sister, captured early in the story.

• Doctor Neo Cortex – The returning villain with his usual blend of brilliance and stupidity.

• Nina Cortex – Cortex’s niece, cruel and sarcastic, with mechanical hands.

• Aku Aku – The magical mask who guides and protects Crash.

• Titans – Mutant beasts created by Cortex’s experiments, many of which Crash can control.

The humor is fast, silly, and self-aware — full of gags, banter, and fourth-wall jokes.

🎨 Graphics and Presentation

On the PSP, Crash of the Titans features:

• Bright, cartoon-like 3D visuals faithful to the console versions.

• Smooth animations for Crash’s attacks and Titan movements.

• Simplified textures and environments optimized for the handheld screen.

Cutscenes are presented as comic-style panels with voice-overs, adding charm while keeping the performance stable.

🔊 Sound and Music

• The soundtrack combines tribal drums, electric guitar riffs, and upbeat rhythms matching each level’s theme.

• Voice acting is energetic and humorous, with great performances for Crash’s supporting cast.

• Sound effects — spins, punches, Titan roars — are exaggerated and cartoonish, enhancing the fun tone.

✅ Highlights

• Fresh “jack and ride” mechanic adds strategy and variety.

• Fun, brawler-style combat system with upgrades and combos.

• Colorful and imaginative world design.

• Great humor and lively personality throughout.

• Excellent adaptation for portable play on PSP.

⚠️ Minor Drawbacks

• Combat can get repetitive after long sessions.

• Level structure is fairly linear compared to later games.

• Camera angles can sometimes obscure smaller enemies.

• PSP version lacks the co-op feature found in some console versions.

🏆 Legacy and Reception

Crash of the Titans was a reboot of sorts for the franchise — the first in the “Radical era” of Crash games.
It received positive to mixed reviews, with praise for its creativity, humor, and Titan mechanics, though some long-time fans missed the pure platforming focus of the original trilogy.

Still, it was widely appreciated for bringing Crash into a new era with a fresh art style and accessible, action-packed gameplay — especially impressive on the PSP.

🌟 Summary

Crash of the Titans for PSP is a colorful and energetic action-platformer that reimagines the classic Crash Bandicoot formula. Mixing fast-paced combat, platforming, and the inventive “jack and ride” mechanic, it delivers a fun, chaotic adventure bursting with personality and humor.

You’ll battle hordes of mutants, commandeer powerful Titans, and foil Cortex’s wildest schemes — all while collecting Mojo and enjoying the zany world of Wumpa Island.

It’s one of the most entertaining handheld Crash experiences, full of variety, color, and that unmistakable Crash Bandicoot charm.