Crash Bandicoot Series' Comeback Interrupted

Word on the street is that Crash Bandicoot 5 was canceled, according to a former Toys For Bob concept artist. Let's dive into the details of Nicholas Kole's revelation.

Another Project Bites the Dust: "Project Dragon"

Former Toys For Bob concept artist Nicholas Kole hinted on X (formerly Twitter) on July 12th about a canceled Crash Bandicoot 5. This revelation came during a discussion about another scrapped project, "Project Dragon." Initial speculation pointed to a Spyro game, but Kole clarified it was a brand-new IP developed with Phoenix Labs. He then dropped the bombshell about Crash 5, predicting fan heartbreak – a prediction that proved accurate.

"It's not Spyro, but someday folks will hear about the Crash 5 that never was, and it's gonna break hearts," he tweeted.

The online response was exactly as Kole anticipated: a wave of disappointment and shock from fans.

Earlier this year, Crash developer Toys For Bob parted ways with Activision Blizzard to become an independent studio, following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Interestingly, Toys For Bob is now collaborating with Microsoft Xbox to publish their first independent title, though specifics remain under wraps.

The last mainline Crash Bandicoot game, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, launched in 2020 and sold over five million copies. This was followed by the mobile runner Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! in 2021 and the online multiplayer title Crash Team Rumble in 2023. Live support for Crash Team Rumble ended in March 2024 with a final content update, although the game remains playable.

With Toys For Bob now operating independently, the future of Crash Bandicoot 5 is uncertain. Only time will tell if this highly anticipated sequel will ever materialize, and hopefully, the wait won't stretch on for years.