Lost “Crash Bandicoot” Animated Cutscene Discovered
Over the weekend a piece of animation depicting a deranged version of Crash Bandicoot appeared on Youtube and went viral. The short sequence tells the origin of Crash in song, using the unmistakable pipes of Jim Cummings who, in typical 90’s fourth-wall bashing, ends the tune by begging kids to buy the game.
Original speculation was that it was meant to be a pilot for a Crash Bandicoot animated series, but that has now been proven false by the original uploader: David Siller, who was a producer on the original game.
What you’re really seeing here is the prototype for the FMV sequence that would have played every time you loaded the game up (or hit the X button to skip it). This reel also includes the ending scene, which was originally planned to appear in animated form as well.
This was created at an early stage of development by Universal, so the resemblances in tone to the Earthworm Jim cartoon are no coincidence (though Siller also mentions Animaniacs was a huge influence here). Eventually Crash’s first game was bought exclusively by Sony, who wanted a greater emphasis on the Playstation’s 3D capabilities. Thus the 2D cutscenes had to go, even if they looked better.
If Crash seems a little out of character, that’s because it’s early footage. “It was based on ideas for where we were going with this IP at that time. It was probably too ambitious in nature and was also trying to be humorous,” said Siller.