Crash Team Rumble is an online multiplayer video game developed by Toys for Bob and published by Activision. It was released on June 20, 2023, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. The game is the third of the party genre released in the Crash Bandicoot series, and features several members of its cast as playable characters. The gameplay pits two teams of players against each other as they stockpile Wumpa Fruit while impeding the opposing team's efforts.
Gameplay
Crash Team Rumble is an online multiplayer "strategic platformer" with a competitive four-versus-four format. A number of Crash Bandicoot characters are playable, including Crash, Cortex, Coco, Dingodile, Brio, the female counterpart of N. Tropy and Tawna. Teams must capture more Wumpa Fruit than the other team to claim victory. In addition to depositing their own Wumpa Fruit at a drop-off zone, players must also defend their opponent's drop-off zone to prevent them from depositing their own supply. Each character has unique skills and abilities with which to battle the opposing team. The character roster is divided into three roles: "Blocker", "Booster", and "Scorer". The game features cross-platform play.
Marketing and release
On October 7, 2022, Activision delivered a package to influencers consisting of a pizza box with an attached receipt announcing the release of Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time via Steam on October 18. A message at the bottom of the receipt teased the announcement of a new Crash Bandicoot title on December 8, the date of The Game Awards 2022. At the awards ceremony, Crash Team Rumble was announced via a debut trailer, with a projected 2023 release for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. It is the latest Crash Bandicoot title to be developed by Toys for Bob after Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time.
On March 21, 2023, Activision announced a closed beta release from April 20 to 24 for those who pre-ordered the game, with a full release following on June 20. The game was released in a standard and deluxe edition; the standard edition includes a battle pass for the first season, while the deluxe edition includes an additional battle pass for the second season, a 25-tier instant unlock for the first season, and a pack of cosmetic skins and equipment.
Reception
Crash Team Rumble received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.
Game Informer felt like each character played like their mainline counterparts, writing, "Controlling Crash – or one of nine other starting characters from the franchise – feels wonderful". Destructoid criticized the game's monetization, but praised the focus on player agency: "I've seen plenty of matches where individual players can make the difference in a marked way, cleaning up an entire team or blowing a crucial cooldown to defend a base when the enemy has the fruit they need to dunk and win".