Crash Bandicoot is the first installment in the Crash Bandicoot series that established Naughty Dog's reputation in the video game industry. Its premises chronicle the creation of the titular Crash, a bandicoot who has been uplifted by the mad scientist Doctor Neo Cortex. The goal of Crash Bandicoot is to traverse several levels in sequence in order to progress. The game is played from a third-person perspective in which the camera trails behind Crash, though some levels showcase forward-scrolling and side-scrolling perspectives. Crash is able to defeat enemies by either jumping on them or using a spinning attack that launches them.

Crash Bandicoot is the first installment in the Crash Bandicoot series that established Naughty Dog's reputation in the video game industry. Its premises chronicle the creation of the titular Crash, a bandicoot who has been uplifted by the mad scientist Doctor Neo Cortex. The goal of Crash Bandicoot is to traverse several levels in sequence in order to progress. The game is played from a third-person perspective in which the camera trails behind Crash, though some levels showcase forward-scrolling and side-scrolling perspectives. Crash is able to defeat enemies by either jumping on them or using a spinning attack that launches them.