I’m going to look over the three games in the trilogy in the remasters for each of these. Both of these are amazing platformers with great mechanics, but which one is better. I need to disclose something both of these games original release are some of the first video games I have ever played so I may be biased in some regard.

Level Design

This is sad to say, but Crash Bandicoot wins this point. Levels are more compact and linear in Crash Bandicoot, but there is something always going on either the challenges or visuals. Spyros levels are big and the largest draw to them is you can go anywhere without restrictions, but while you are rewarded with treasure and collectables the areas are still relatively empty. The good news is that Spyro will add more npcs and challenges in games after this.

Point: Crash Bandicoot

Gameplay

With both these games being platformers the gameplay is relatively the same so the objective is going to be how to jump from area to area and is it fun to do so. The point actually goes to Spyro mostly because to clear challenges it isn’t as limited. Since both these characters get more moves and powerups in later games it is easy to forget how their base move set is different. Spyro has a glide to get across gaps, flame breath and charge to take out enemies and collect gems, and it feels good to look around for the bonuses. Crash is limited to a jump to clear gaps, a spin to take out enemies, and a slide to clear lower areas and in this version of the game a lot of jumps feel heavier and harder to make. This limits Crash and he would get more abilities later along with more challenges supporting that moveset.

Point: Spyro the Dragon

Bosses and Challenges

This goes to Crash Bandicoot a lot of Spyros bosses tend to be holding down the charge button until you hit them or can use your flame breath while they have good designs for them the problem is even with how limited Crash can be his bosses rely on precision and the players skill rather than anything else and are relatively engaging to fight. Challenges for both are great, but arguably Crash is more difficult, breaking all the boxes and staying alive in this game between the newly added Stormy Ascent to the exceedingly difficult clearing Bridge to Nowhere legitimately rather than using the rope glitch it can be close to luck to actually do this. Plus with the Gem challenges theres a lot to do. Spyro is a collectithon to clear this game you need every piece of treasure and all the dragons. You can technically clear the game without all the treasure, but will not get the bonus cutscene Dragons are obtained by clearing challenges and will give advice or just leave.

Point: Crash Bandicoot

So the winner is clear while both games are fun and I’d highly recommend both. Crash Bandicoot is more if you enjoy clear hard challenges, but both follow the fact anyone can clear these games. Fun to play hard to master defines these games and neither are shy about those mechanics needing specific skill to clear challenges. Spyro may fall behind, but only slightly and most of my complaints were near absent in later games.