Battle.net users may have noticed a new game available on the launcher and Blizzard Shop, as Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time has been added to the Activision section under All Games. Released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One last October, the first true sequel in over a decade received critical acclaim, with Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X versions coming in March. A PC release on Battle.net has been officially confirmed, although a release date has yet to be revealed.
This means you can now buy Crash Bandicoot with Battle.net balance via WoW gold, which is a cross-over we never expected! What's next, Crash Bandicoot in Heroes of the Storm?
The Crash Bandicoot series has had a long history in gaming, starting with the original three Naughty Dog releases on the Playstation from 1996-1998. After gaining critical acclaim, the series would go on with nearly two dozen sequels released across 21 different PC, console, and mobile platforms by developers Eurocom, Traveller's Tales, Vicarious Visions, Radical Entertainment, Dimps, Polarbit, and Beenox. Despite success in the mobile markets however, the series fell into a 7 year hiatus, until Vicarious Visions revitalized it by releasing the N. Sane Trilogy remaster of the original three games. Toys for Bob followed up with Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time this past October, indicating a return to form with the first direct sequel to the original three hit games in over a decade.
Interestingly, the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy remaster also brought the series to PC, but only available through Steam rather than Battle.net, despite also being made by Activision sub-studio Vicarious Visions and both being published by Activision Blizzard. Last month, we learned that the studio would be merged into Blizzard Entertainment, all but confirming their role in remaking Diablo 2: Resurrected, and although the move upset many who were hoping Vicarious Visions would make a brand new game, most of the studio's successes over the last decade have been remasters and support work. Many PC players had never even heard of Vicarious Visions before their work on Destiny 2 and the Warmind expansion, while the remaster of Crash Bandicoot and follow up with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater cemented the studio's reputation as a top tier remaster studio, mentioned frequently alongside Bluepoint's Demon Souls - whatever the opinion of Activision or Blizzard, putting a talented studio so well known for spectacular remakes in charge of bringing Diablo 2 back to life seems to be a very good move to ensure its success.