We Almost Had A Crash Bandicoot Spyro Crossover But Activision Cancelled It 2025

The dream crossover that PlayStation fans have wanted for decades was actually in development at Toys for Bob. Crash Bandicoot 5, featuring a full Spyro the Dragon crossover, was greenlit by Activision before being cancelled very early in development.

Activision ultimately cancelled this dream game because Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time failed to meet the sales targets they had set based on the incredible reception fans gave the N.Sane Trilogy. The publisher wanted to focus more on live-service titles rather than single-player experiences.

I’ve followed both franchises since their PlayStation debut, and learning about this cancelled crossover hit me right in the nostalgia. As someone who spent countless hours with both characters, this would have been the ultimate fan service moment.

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What Was Crash Bandicoot 5 Going To Be?

Crash Bandicoot 5 was being developed as a single-player 3D platformer that would have featured both Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon as playable characters. The game would have used a multiverse concept to bring both worlds together.

The story concept involved Uka Uka opening a portal between Crash and Spyro’s worlds to save them from a cataclysmic event. Players would have been able to switch between the two iconic PlayStation mascots throughout the adventure.

According to Liam Robertson from Did You Know Gaming, who broke this story, the game was in early development when cancelled. Some concept art was created showing how both characters would appear together in the same game world.

The crossover would have allowed players to enter different characters’ minds, including Tiny Tiger’s, creating unique gameplay scenarios that combined elements from both franchises. This ambitious concept would have finally delivered the crossover fans have wanted since the 90s.

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Why Activision Cancelled The Dream?

The primary reason for Crash Bandicoot 5’s cancellation was Crash 4’s disappointing sales performance. Activision had set unrealistic sales targets based on the massive success of the N.Sane Trilogy remakes.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, while critically acclaimed, didn’t sell as well as expected. This led Activision to reconsider their investment in single-player platformer games.

The publisher was shifting focus toward live-service games like Call of Duty: Warzone, which provide ongoing revenue streams rather than one-time purchases. This strategic pivot away from single-player experiences directly impacted the future of both Crash and Spyro franchises under Activision.

Toys for Bob was then assigned to work on Crash Team Rumble instead, a multiplayer game that ultimately had a short lifespan. This decision highlights Activision’s prioritization of games with ongoing engagement potential.

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Toys For Bob’s Journey After Cancellation

Following the cancellation of Crash Bandicoot 5, Toys for Bob eventually became independent from Activision. This transition allowed them to pursue their own creative vision outside the constraints of a major publisher.

The studio announced a partnership with Microsoft to develop their next project, though details remain under wraps. This new chapter represents hope for fans who want to see both Crash and Spyro franchises return to their former glory.

Toys for Bob has a proven track record with both franchises, having developed the acclaimed N.Sane Trilogy and Spyro Reignited Trilogy remakes. Their independence could potentially lead to new opportunities for both characters.

The studio’s journey from Activision subsidiary to independent developer reflects broader trends in the gaming industry, where talented studios seek creative freedom outside major publisher control.

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A History of Crash and Spyro Connections (2025)

Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon have a long history of connections, even though this would have been their first full crossover game. Both characters were created during the same era and became iconic PlayStation mascots.

The two franchises have had minor crossovers in the past, including Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto’s Rampage and Spyro Orange: The Cortex Conspiracy for Game Boy Advance. These were relatively simple crossovers compared to what Crash 5 would have delivered.

Both series were originally developed by Insomniac Games and Universal Interactive Studios, respectively, before various developers took over the franchises through the years. Toys for Bob became the primary developer for both during the remake era.

Fans have long wanted a proper crossover that would do justice to both characters’ legacies. The cancelled Crash Bandicoot 5 would have been the fulfillment of this decades-long dream.

Gaming Community Reacts

The news of this cancelled crossover hit the gaming community hard. Reddit threads and gaming forums filled with disappointment from fans who had been waiting decades for this collaboration.

Many expressed frustration that Activision would cancel such a highly requested crossover in favor of live-service games. Some fans shared memories of growing up with both characters and how meaningful this crossover would have been to them.

Community members also showed support for Toys for Bob’s independence, hoping the studio might someday return to both franchises with the creative freedom they deserve.

The overall sentiment was one of disappointment mixed with hope that this crossover might still happen someday, perhaps with Toys for Bob now working with Microsoft.

Future Possibilities

While the Crash Bandicoot 5 crossover may be cancelled, the future isn’t entirely bleak for both franchises. Toys for Bob’s independence and partnership with Microsoft opens new possibilities.

Fans continue to hope that someday we’ll see these two iconic PlayStation mascots team up in a proper game. Until then, we can only imagine what could have been.

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