Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

PSM (5 out of 5) (100%)

You have to respect that the developers, despite the success of the first game, were humble enough to learn from their mistakes. With Crash 2, Sony finally has a true mascot game that can go up against the best the competition has to offer.

GamePro (US) (19 out of 20) (95%)

Crash 2 has more of the same hop-n-bop play mechanics as the first title, but its graphical enhancements and added moves catapult it to the top of the PlayStation action/platform heap.

Consoles Plus (94 out of 100) (94%)

Une suite excellente, mais un peu réchauffée. Le héros est accrocheur, les graphismes ravageurs, et la difficulté a été revue à la baisse...

Absolute Playstation (92 out of 100) (92%)

To be truthful I did not like the original game. I found it to be packed with frustrations that did not allow the gameplay to flow. Crash 2 on the other hand is much more appealing and I cannot remember one occasion where I wanted to throw the control pad in the direction of the furry freak. The tempo of the game is perfect. When the going gets tough - it eases off a little. When you are plodding along with ease - it moves up a notch.

Video Game Critic, The (A-) (91%)

Crash 2 is extremely fun but also very difficult. Not only is the basic gameplay far more challenging, but in order to complete the game you need to locate secret areas so elusive you'll probably need a cheat book to find them all.

Netjak (9 out of 10) (90%)

The gameplay in Cortex Strikes Back is polished, fun and flawless. When complimented by excellent visuals, ingenious controls, catchy music and Crash’s clownish charm, it’s no wonder that Crash Bandicoot 2 is the Playstation classic that it is.

VicioJuegos.com / uVeJuegos.com (90 out of 100) (90%)

La mascota más famosa de Sony vuelve a la carga con un título cargado de emoción, nuevas aventuras y humor. No te los pierdas.

Joystick (French) (90 out of 100) (90%)

Autant vous le dire tout de suite : vous ne trouverez sur PC aucun jeu du genre aussi délirant que ce Crash Bandicoot sur PlayStation.

Retro Spirit Games ( ) (90%)

Crash 2 is a great game that manages to improve on its predecessor in many ways, but for me, it holds the least appeal of the three due to the first game holding so much nostalgic appeal, and the third game being an even more improved game than this sequel. It's still an essential game for fans, however, and will give you hours of entertainment, and even more of a challenge than before. There are also additional types of special items to locate in the levels - the collection of which open new routes to secret stages, meaning there is far more replayability than before.

Retroage (9 out of 10) (90%)

Crash Bandicoot jest grą niezwykłą. Zawiera w sobie to niedefiniowalne coś, sprawiające, iż mimo krótkiego czasu potrzebnego na ukończenie gry (6h), pozycja cechuje się wysokim replayability. Próba definicji zarzewia owego faktu równoznaczna jest z próba określenia genezy powstania cywilizacyjnych aksjomatów. Być może to ten szalony pęd nadający sens pożeraniu nieskończonej ilości jabłek, rozbijaniu skrzynek, wyłączający nasze myślenie, a uaktywniający wewnętrzne dziecko tkwiące gdzieś tam głęboko pod grubymi warstwami dorosłego ego. Sekwencja otwierająca i zamykająca każdy poziom oraz towarzyszące temu efekty świetlne, rozbłyski, chęć osiągnięcia celu malującego się na horyzoncie budują wrażenie metafizycznego karharsis - pełnego oczyszczenia. Znam tylko jedną grę, z którą wiążą mnie podobne uczucia – przygody wąsatego hydraulika. Tego po prostu nie da się wyrazić werbalnie czy też graficznie.

GameTrip.net (9 out of 10) (90%)

On retrouve donc la même recette que l'opus précédent mais les défauts ont été corrigés tout en gardant tous les bons aspects, et surtout la bonne humeur et le fun omniprésent.

Ultra Game Players (89 out of 100) (89%)

Crash Bandicoot -- it was one of those games that you either love or hate. I just happen to have loved it, and my feeling towards its sequel are no different. So, why does it get me going? It plays great. It's tight platforming gameplay at its very best. Period. My only gripes are that the game really isn't markedly different to its forerunner. You're still running either into the screen, out of the screen, or side-to-side. But thankfully the depth of the game has increased many fold, with countless gems to uncover, and more levels than ever. Naughty Dog has upped the PlayStation ante once more with their very worthy sequel. Even if you didn't like the original, you should seriously give this one a go. Fans of the first game: you'll do nothing but love every last minute of it.

PSX Extreme (8.8 out of 10) (88%)

Crash 2 improves over the original in many ways. It has better graphics, better sound, and much improved gameplay. For fans of the original game, this one is a must have.

Mega Fun (86 out of 100) (86%)

Vor einem Jahr als Mario-Konkurrent auf den Markt gebracht, hat sich das niedliche Beuteltier in die Herzen der Fans gespielt. Der zweite Teil der Bandicoot-Saga wird sicherlich dafür sorgen, daß das auch so bleibt. Der neue Crash hat nämlich alle Voraussetzungen für eine Kultfigur. Daß Crash 2 kaum Neuerungen aufweisen kann, sollte man Naughty Dog nicht zum Vorwurf machen. Schließlich hat sich das Konzept schon einmal bewährt. Die wenigen neuen Features runden das Spielvergnügen ab. Vor allem die Möglichkeit, nun nach jedem Level abzuspeichern, erleichtert das Game. Die knackigen Endgegner sorgen dafür, daß das Hüpfvergnügen nicht zu einfach wird. Pluspunkte sammelt Crash 2 auch mit der Supergrafik. Der australische Wirbelwind sieht jetzt einfach noch besser aus und hat es mit vielfältigen, toll animierten Gegnern zu tun. Crash-Fans und alle, die jetzt neugierig geworden sind, sollten unbedingt zugreifen. Ich werde mir das Ding auf jeden Fall zulegen.

GameSpot (8.6 out of 10) (86%)

In any event, these problems are balanced out by the game's excellent gameplay and intelligent design. Crash Bandicoot 2 is a topnotch platform game. If you're a fan of the genre, you owe it to yourself to check this title out.

IGN (8.5 out of 10) (85%)

Ultimately, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back is a splendid game. It's tremendous fun, but it also could've used a little more variety. On to Crash 3!

Gamezilla (85 out of 100) (85%)

Crash Bandicoot 2 is a very entertaining game. The superior graphics, playability and soundtrack made this a game that I found myself enjoying for hours on end. The level of difficulty increases slowly but enough to keep the game continually challenging. I heartily recommend this game, especially if you are a fan of the original Crash Bandicoot, because everything that you liked about the first game and more can be found in the sequel.

Video Games (82 out of 100) (82%)

Spielerisch werden Eure Erwartungen an den zweiten Teil der Crash-Saga sicherlich voll erfüllt. Die Level sind toll durchdacht, bergen jede Menge Extras und steigern sich im Schwierigkeitsgrad genau richtig. Unfaire Steilen sucht man vergebens, es gibt immer einen Trick zum Weiterkommen. Da haben die Designer wieder das richtige Fingerspitzengefühl gezeigt. Witzige Helden-Animationen, coole Begleitmusik und einige interessante Einfälle machen Laune auf mehr. Alles in allem legen sich Hüpffreunde mit dieser CD ein weiteres witziges Jump‘n‘Run zu, das immer noch absolut empfehlenswert ist.

Bravo Screenfun (2 out of 6) (80%)

(Budget release)
Die Kämpfe mit den Schergen des bösen Dr Neo Cortex sind auch nach über einem Jahr eine Runde wert. Auch wenn der Nachfolger in Sachen Grafik und Sound uneinholbar weit vorne liegt, muß sich „Crash Bandicoot 2“ nicht verstecken: Die detaillierten und bunten Welten nach versteckten Bonus- Passagen zu durchsuchen, macht auch heute noch einen Mordsspaß. Vor allem die facettenreiche Aufgabenstellung sorgt für viel Motivation.

Meristation (8 out of 10) (80%)

Estaba cantado, tenía que volver! Sony no nos podia dejar sin nuestro marsupial favorito. Si chicos (y chicas tambien, por supuesto) Crash vuelve con mas niveles, movimientos, secretos, y muchas más horas de diversión.

Game Revolution (B) (75%)

Still - the game is undeniably fun. Platform games have been favorites of legions of gamers ever since Super Mario Brothers in the early days of the NES. Running, jumping, and stomping on monsters has always, and still is, an enjoyable time. Crash Bandicoot 2 doesn't add anything to the genre, neither did Crash Bandicoot 1, but they're still fun and are a nostalgic blast for those of us whose Nintendo's broke years ago...

Computer and Video Games (CVG) ( ) (60%)

As sequels go, this is déjà vu city. I found myself rubbing my eyes in disbelief, and had to quickly play the original game again. Just to check this wasn't just the same thing with a big number 2 slapped on it. Upon closer inspection there are some marked improvements over the original. The graphics are better, and even more colourful (if you can believe that). Getting a perfect score on each level now takes a bit more work, and the jet-pack sections do add a bit of variety. The big question is how much did you like the original? If you thought it was the best thing since sliced bread you'll love this. It's more of the same, better designed and perhaps longer lasting. Everyone else though, will no doubt be wondering why real imagination was thrown out of the window.

Random Access (4.5 out of 10) (45%)

Crash Bandicoot 2 made me curse at the television more often than during the Grammy Awards. It still makes many of the design mistakes that its predecessor solidified as part of the bandicoot formula. This entry in the series does illustrate that the developers were slowly learning from their mistakes, but that there was still work to be done. I don't loathe this one as much, but there is still a long journey ahead before Crash Bandicoot could ever chance upon a truly epic adventure.