Those old enough to have been watching TV commercials around the time of the original Crash Bandicoot games may be fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to remember a strange series of live action ads for the games. Starring a guy in all his mascot suit glory hanging out around in the real world, harassing people and businesses, the commercials were absurd and funny with a strange 90's gaming sensibility that doesn't really exist anymore. Or at least, so it seemed, because Japan has decided to dig up the old costume in anticipation for Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time.
The original commercials were, well... kind of bizarre. No matter what country or language they aired in, they typically involved a man dressed in a Crash Bandicoot mascot costume, usually with his face visible in Crash's smile, using a bullhorn to bother people just trying to go about their day. The American series featured the Playstation exclusive character standing outside of Nintendo's offices, shouting vague threats at "that plumber" about how Playstation was going to eat his lunch, another had Crash shouting at a man's house with a megaphone in the dead of night, trying to sell him on the Playstation brand. They were charming, weird, and kind of sinister all at the same time.
With the recent announcement of Crash Bandicoot 4, however, it seems that Japan has decided to bring back some of that classic advertising spirit as well. A recent Japanese commercial depicts a returned Crash mascot stalking a Japanese family who are eating apples, and when he is discovered everyone begins to celebrate his return. The family then does a frankly bizarre dance with the lovable mascot in various locations around Japan, ending with a teaser for the actual game.
Video game commercials aren't really like this anymore, and to be honest, that's probably for good reason. The ad assumes you are already familiar with the Crash Bandicoot games, and are excited for his return, which works for an iconic character like Crash, but doesn't do much to sell the actual game to anyone who may be left out of the nostalgia. That said, it's nice to see some of that offbeat, chaotic energy of 90's advertising make a return to our largely bland and predictable TV advertising landscape.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is releasing on October 2nd, 2020.
Source: Crunchyroll