Sierra Entertainment announced today that it would be releasing yet another installment in the long-running Crash Bandicoot series, due out this holiday season. The new game, subtitled Mind Over Mutant, will feature many of the classic Crash heroes and villains, will the evil Neo Cortex once again trying to take over the world.

Personally, I don't think any of the Crash games that have come out recently even come close to matching the platforming brilliance that the original PS1 titles had. Actually, now that I think about it, I kind of want to go play the first Crash Bandicoot right now. Hopefully Mind Over Mutant will bring back some of that awesome gameplay. The full press release is below.

April 28, 2008 - Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, today announced the upcoming return of everyone's favorite marsupial hero, Crash Bandicoot, in Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant, the latest installment of the best-selling Crash Bandicoot video game franchise. Developed by Radical Entertainment, a Sierra Entertainment studio, Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant is scheduled for release this fall on the Wii home video game system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS and PSP (PlayStation Portable) system.

In Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant, a rejuvenated Neo Cortex is taking over the world one brain at a time! Cortex and N. Brio devise a new kind of evil – a text-messaging, do-anything device which controls both mutant and bandicoot minds. Armed with his quick-wits and lightening agility, Crash must free his friends, the titans and save the day!

"The Crash Bandicoot franchise has built a wide audience of loyal fans, appealing to both male and female gamers of all ages," said Al Simone, senior vice president, Global Marketing for Sierra Entertainment. "The Crash series remains one of the most recognizable franchises in our industry and we're excited to make this year's family-friendly title appear at the top of every gamer's wish list this holiday."

Key features in Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant include:

Mutant in your Pocket! - Not only does Crash gain the ability to control his enemies when he jacks them – now he can store his favorite monsters in his pocket, upgrade them and utilize their powers when they are most advantageous

"Free-Romping" World Design - Wumpa Island becomes a "free-romping" environment, allowing players to travel and explore through intersecting worlds, with different gameplay options available depending on what creature you've brought along for the ride

Girl Power! - Your co-op partner is Crash's sister, Coco, playable for the first time in the cooperative mode. Not only does Coco make the game that much more inviting for girls to pick up and play, she also brings with her a new tactile "treasure hunt" ability

New Abilities

Roll and Counter Combat System - Crash will have a fun, agile dodge move and "counter" move which will inflict extra damage on his enemies

Digging - Crash can now dig underground as real-life bandicoots really do; this will allow for Crash to unlock bonus items

Climbing - Crash can climb vertical surfaces and jump side-to-side to connected areas and dodge hazards

Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant is being developed by Radical Entertainment and will be available this fall at retail stores worldwide on Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 system and PSP system. For more information, please visit www.crashbandicoot.com.

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