Word on the street is that a Crash Bandicoot 5 was put on ice, according to hints dropped by former Toys For Bob concept artist, Nicholas Kole. Let's delve into what Kole revealed!
Another Project Bites the Dust: "Project Dragon"
Former Toys For Bob concept artist Nicholas Kole, in a July 12th X (formerly Twitter) post, alluded to a potential Crash Bandicoot 5 that never saw the light of day. The post initially focused on Kole's canceled project, "Project Dragon," sparking speculation (even from Sonic comic writer Daniel Barnes) that it was Spyro-related. Kole clarified it was a completely new IP with Phoenix Labs, but used the opportunity to mention a similarly shelved Crash title.
"It's not Spyro, but someday folks will hear about the Crash 5 that never was, and it's gonna break hearts," he stated.
As Kole predicted, fans reacted with disappointment and shock, with many expressing their heartbreak over the news.
Earlier this year, Crash developer Toys For Bob transitioned from Activision Blizzard to an independent studio, following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Interestingly, Toys For Bob is now collaborating with Microsoft Xbox to publish their debut independent game, though details remain scarce.
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 title Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! (2021) and the online multiplayer game Crash Team Rumble (2023), the latter ending its live service in March 2024. However, the game remains playable on current-gen consoles.
With Toys For Bob now operating independently, the future of Crash Bandicoot 5 remains uncertain. Only time will tell if this potential sequel will ever materialize, hopefully without subjecting fans to a prolonged wait.
