Crash Bandicoot 5: A Development Tragedy?
Former Toys for Bob concept artist Nicholas Kole recently hinted on X (formerly Twitter) that a Crash Bandicoot 5 was in development but ultimately canceled. This revelation followed a discussion about Kole's other canceled project, "Project Dragon," a new IP with Phoenix Labs. Kole's comment, "It is not Spyro, but some day folks will hear about the Crash 5 that never was and it’s gonna break hearts," sparked considerable fan disappointment. Many expressed their heartbreak at the news of a potentially lost Crash Bandicoot title.
The cancellation news comes amidst significant changes for Toys for Bob. Earlier this year, the studio transitioned from Activision Blizzard to an independent entity, coinciding with Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Interestingly, Toys for Bob is now partnering with Microsoft Xbox to publish its first independent game, though details remain scarce.
The last major Crash Bandicoot release was Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time in 2020, a title that achieved over five million copies sold. Subsequent releases included the mobile runner Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! (2021) and the multiplayer game Crash Team Rumble (2023), the latter ending its live service in March 2024. Despite this, Crash Team Rumble remains playable on current-generation consoles.
With Toys for Bob now operating independently, the possibility of a future Crash Bandicoot 5 remains open. Whether this canceled project will ever be revived, or if a new iteration will emerge, is a question only time can answer. For now, fans eagerly await further news from the studio.
