Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced

 Game Boy Advance
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 92 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 66 out of 92
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 92
  3. Negative: 7 out of 92
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  1. Neo010390
    Jan 18, 2011
    7
    If you enjoyed Crash Bandicoot XS, then you may get a kick out of the sequel but its unoriginal gameplay, similar plotline and same characters will put you in a rollercoaster of mixed emotions. Crash 2: N-Tranced starts straight after the events of XS, where you stopped Cortex and brought the Earth back to its original size. Fed up of Cortex's failed attempts, Uka Uka entrusts DoctorIf you enjoyed Crash Bandicoot XS, then you may get a kick out of the sequel but its unoriginal gameplay, similar plotline and same characters will put you in a rollercoaster of mixed emotions. Crash 2: N-Tranced starts straight after the events of XS, where you stopped Cortex and brought the Earth back to its original size. Fed up of Cortex's failed attempts, Uka Uka entrusts Doctor Nefarious Tropy (master of time) in aid to try and bring world domination. N. Tropy looks into the future and attempts to lure Crash, Coco and Crunch into the vortex and turn them into their side, since they are always defeating them in every battle. Coco and Crunch are lured into the vortex, with Crash almost along with them but is pulled out by Aku Aku, however because Crash's body was halfway in the vortex it creates this sort of fake Crash but Uka Uka and N. Tropy don't seem to notice. With all three Bandicoots captures, N. Tropy uses his new creation N. Trance (master of hypnotism) and hypnotises them. Now it's up to you to try and rescue them and stop Uka Uka, N. Tropy and N. Trance. Gameplay is still the same as before - You are in a roaming hub which consists of over 40 levels but only the first few are selectable, the others will become available when you have collected enough crystals. There are also gems and relics to collect too. Gems can be found by destroying all the crates or searching in hidden areas, and relics are awarded by completing a level in the fastest time possible. Most of the levels still have the same side scrolling 2d effect, but there is some free roaming this time round i.e. the atlaspheres levels. Others require to ride a wakeboard, zooming in space and (my personal favourite) rolling in an atlaspheres. As well as that you can ride a magic carpet and use a copter, so it's not all just running left to right from one point to another. You gain new powers each time you defeat a boss and there are some brand new ones too like the rocket jump. These powers are very helpful and will help you get through the game much easier, as well as accessing those hidden areas you couldn't get to before. Coco and Crunch become playable characters too, however you don't actually use them for running around and spinning through enemies and crates like Crash does. The graphics haven't really improved that much. The colour textures and pixels are pretty much the same and there isn't much variation at all, but as this is a GBA title, it is acceptable. The bosses are more challenging this time round, especially the last 2 which I will not spoil. Overall Crash 2: N Tranced has stepped up from its predecessor and the gameplay is more enjoyable, but it is still the same as before. The first Crash game for the PS1 was a great taste into the world of next gen plat forming and its sequels were even better, however that was years ago and games are changing all the time. So if the next Crash game is the same as before, then I fear the Crash series is in jeopardy.… Expand
  2. KendylKlownfish
    Apr 30, 2011
    7
    It's not a "huge adventure" (see Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure), but will you play more than 1 level? Most certainly. Pros: Better graphics than The Huge Adventure; variety of levels and moves; overall, it's solid platforming. Cons: The difficulty can be frustrating; poor controls.
  3. Speed4Runs
    Jan 3, 2013
    7
    This game is the perfection for Game Boy Advance. Perfect performance, great graphics, very funny gameplay and good plot & longevity. These are the factors that make of this, an amazing game. You can do any Crash Bandicoot 3 action, so the gameplay is now complete, and it's also competitive. Funny, nice and mind blowing. 100% recommended to anyone. Graphics and performance: 8- (7.75);This game is the perfection for Game Boy Advance. Perfect performance, great graphics, very funny gameplay and good plot & longevity. These are the factors that make of this, an amazing game. You can do any Crash Bandicoot 3 action, so the gameplay is now complete, and it's also competitive. Funny, nice and mind blowing. 100% recommended to anyone. Graphics and performance: 8- (7.75); Gameplay: 7; Longevity: 6; Plot: 6. OVERALL SCORE: 7- [6.69] (6.75 out of 10 [Amazing!])… Expand
  4. Xrayplayer
    Dec 4, 2020
    6
    It's a decent game but I don't like it as much as the huge adventure there's no big improvements other than the new moves which they didn't had that much use by the way and the terrible camera and the controls issues like the slide jump are still present and the worst thing this game added was the vehicle sections they were a lot of gameplay styles and gimmicks that don't controls thatIt's a decent game but I don't like it as much as the huge adventure there's no big improvements other than the new moves which they didn't had that much use by the way and the terrible camera and the controls issues like the slide jump are still present and the worst thing this game added was the vehicle sections they were a lot of gameplay styles and gimmicks that don't controls that well and made the game more frustrating than it needed to be especially the ball stages...
    At least you don't need to do the time relics to unlock the real ending that's a plus, but the secret final boss is a joke.

    Overall it's a fine game.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

42
#42 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2003
25
#25 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2003
14
#14 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. Eurogamer
    60
    Given its high price tag and scant innovation Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced is unlikely to win over any new converts by playing it so safe and so young.
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  2. GMR Magazine
    50
    The short of it is -- you've played it before. N-d of story. [Mar 2003, p.72]
  3. Gamestyle
    40
    Repeated playthoughs are marginally less frustrating as you already know what's coming, but hardly counter for the sloppiness of level design.
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