Follow TV Tropes

Following

Context VideoGame / CrashTwinsanity

Go To

1[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/crashtwinsanityps2cover.jpg]]
2[[caption-width-right:350:[[{{Tagline}} They're working together, but they]] '''[[{{Tagline}} don't]]''' [[{{Tagline}} have to like it.]]]]
3->''"You... have to help me Crash! You heard them! They want to destroy ''our'' island home! Humiliate, then enslave you, and steal my brain!"''
4-->-- '''Dr. Neo Cortex'''
5
6''Crash Twinsanity'' is an action platformer, developed by Creator/TravellersTales, and is the fifth game in the ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot'' series, released for the Platform/PlayStation2 and Platform/XBox.
7
8Designed as a departure from the usual ''Crash'' level style, ''Twinsanity'' greatly opens up levels, giving the game a more free-roaming feel. In lieu of totally linear levels, every stage flows seamlessly into the next, and are more open for exploration. There are hidden areas and collectibles scattered throughout the game, making many levels have small side paths or puzzles to complete.
9
10Despite these changes to form, the game manages to feel very ''Crash''-like.
11
12Three years after the events of ''VideoGame/CrashBandicootTheWrathOfCortex'', Crash has returned to his usual sedentary lifestyle of sleeping on the beach, with Dr. Neo Cortex stuck out in the antarctic wastes. But while [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext digging up an old shoe]], Crash hears his sister calling for him, following her into the jungle...
13
14Turns out, it's Cortex, still bitter about his last defeat, and has gathered most of Crash's [[RoguesGallery old foes]] together to watch his demise. Despite [[BossArenaIdiocy giving it his best shot]], and even bringing in a [[HumongousMecha giant robot version of Crash]], Cortex ends up defeated once again.
15
16Later, Crash and Cortex end up meeting the [[IncomingHam Evil Twins]] -- strange, bird-like creatures from the Tenth Dimension who've come to get some sort of strange revenge on Cortex, take over the dimension, and make everyone their slaves. This forces Crash and Cortex to set aside their differences, and form a very [[EnemyMine uneasy alliance]] against them, [[HilarityEnsues and make their way to the Tenth Dimension to stop their evil plans]].
17----
18!!''Crash Twinsanity'' contains examples of:
19* AbortedArc: At the end of the game's first world, the Evil Twins describe something called the "Vice-Versa Reversa Device", which is sucking the goodness out of Crash's dimension, and depositing it into the Tenth Dimension. This is brought up once, in a cutscene, and is never mentioned again, and never comes up in-game. This was supposed to be part of a cut undersea level in which Crash was to use the Mecha Bandicoot to walk underwater and destroy the device.
20* AbsurdlySpaciousSewer: Boiler Room Doom is technically a [[ShapedLikeItself boiler room]], but it has sewer elements, and certainly feels like a sewer.
21* AcademyOfEvil: Madame Amberly's Academy of Evil, Cortex's alma mater. Nina studied there too for a while, until she got expelled later (she's now stuck in a public school of evil).
22* AdvancingWallOfDoom: A giant, rising drill, pissed-off tribes people, angry rocket-wearing penguins, a walrus chef, ''deadly acid in a library'', and a ''swinging bus''.
23* AlliterativeName: Quite a few stages use this style of naming, such as:
24** High-Seas Hijinks
25** Classroom Chaos
26** Rockslide Rumble
27** Cavern Catastrophe
28** [[PunnyName Ant Agony]]
29* AndCallHimGeorge: [[AllThereInTheManual As stated in the game's manual]], Nina loved animals so much that Cortex replaced her hands with [[ArtificialLimbs mechanical ones]] so that she could no longer hug critters without crushing them to death. Fittingly, the grappling targets were originally supposed to be cute little birds and lizards she'd latch onto, painfully squeezing them in the process.
30* AndIMustScream: [[spoiler:Cortex accidently traps ''himself'' inside ''Crash's'' mind in the ending, where he screams upon the many clones of the bandicoot dance. Crash just picks his ear and smiles, not thinking anything about it.]]
31* AndShowItToYou: The Evil Twins prove just how dangerous they really are when they telekinetically pull Cortex's brain out of his head and chuck it into his face.
32* {{Angrish}}: A lot of Cortex's lines dissolve into this, including his reactions to being foiled.
33* AscendedExtra: Dingodile, N. Tropy, and N. Gin, at least compared to ''The Wrath of Cortex''. After having their roles massively shrunk in their first sixth-gen outing to only appearing in the opening cutscene and as stage hazards, all three are now proper bosses. Dingodile's role is comparable to his debut in ''Warped'', while N. Tropy and N. Gin, while not on the level of their respective debuts as major antagonists, still have their own plotline with Nitrus Brio.
34* AttackItsWeakPoint: Used in the Tikimon boss fight, where he exposes his mouth. A huge ''crosshair'' even shows up to tell you exactly where to toss Cortex.
35* AwesomeAussie: Dingodile:
36--> '''Dingodile:''' Cozy, ain't it? Rumor is you two chumps have got your mitts in some treasure, and I want a piece of that pie.\
37'''Cortex:''' I have no idea what you just said.
38* BeeAfraid: The first third of Totem Hokum. All sympathy for Cortex in this part of the level is completely non-existent -- by the first checkpoint, the bees chasing him give him [[AmusingInjuries visible blisters]], a beehive gets dropped on him, and that eventually lures a [[BearsAreBadNews hungry bear]] into the chase!
39* BigBad:
40** The Evil Twins for the main plot, and a slip from Moritz ended up kick-starting the sub-plot.
41** In the sub-plot involving the other doctors and Dingodile trying to get the treasure, N. Tropy seems to be the dominant force, though it may be an Ensemble between him and Dingodile.
42* BigBallOfViolence: The Rollerbrawl segments of the game, where you control Crash and Cortex in a literal ball of violence through Marble Madness-like levels.
43* BigEater: Food is always on Moritz's mind:
44--> '''Moritz:''' Is it lunchtime yet?
45* BlatantLies: In the cutscene where Cortex tells the backstory of Victor and Moritz, he describes himself as having been the "most popular kid" in the academy. Mere seconds afterwards, a knife flies by from off-screen only barely missing him. Meanwhile, he drags on about "how they loved me."
46* BodySled: The Humiliskate minigames of [[SlippySlideyIceWorld Slip Slide Icecapades]] and [[DeathMountain Rockslide Rumble]]. In it, Crash slides on N. Cortex after Crash may or may not have pushed him down a hazardous course. In Rockslide Rumble, [[EvilTwin Evil]] Crash slides on Cortex's "daught... [[LastSecondWordSwap err]]... [[ChasteToons NIECE]]", though judging by the level's picture, it doesn't seem she minds.
47* BossArenaIdiocy:
48** Hey Uka Uka, next time you want to snuff out your worthless lackey and your most hated arch-nemesis, make sure you're not entirely made of ice in an area where fire shoots up from below...
49** Ditto for Dingodile. Although [[JustifiedTrope justified]], Crash keeps tricking him into shooting the fire-dousing switches.
50* BottomlessPit: Averted in Jungle Rumble, where the pits clearly have a bottom, it just happens to be covered with spikes. Played straight in basically every other stage, though.
51--> '''Cortex:''' ''(after being knocked into a pit)'' I-I'm okay! The... spikes broke my fall...
52* BreakingTheFourthWall: A few examples:
53** Cortex asking the player to throw him on the other side of the pit. Then again, he could've just been talking to Crash. [[spoiler:A [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuPunM8XiEE deleted alternative scene]] reveals that he was indeed talking to the player.]]
54** The mention of ''VideoGame/CrashBandicootTheWrathOfCortex'' in Ice Climb.
55** [[spoiler:Another [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoJw-Ew1U80 deleted scene]] has Cortex speaking as his voice actor Creator/LexLang.]]
56* BullyingADragon: Upon meeting the Evil Twins, Crash and Cortex are less than impressed.
57--> '''Victor:''' Cower you fools, before the awesome might of... The Evil Twins.
58--> '''Cortex:''' Aren't you two ''adorable''. Let me see, I might have some chocky treats here for you!
59--> '''Moritz:''' [[BigEater Chocky treats?! Ooh, ooh!]]
60* TheBusCameBack: With the exception of Cortex, every boss from the first game slowly declined in prominence before vanishing from ''Wrath of Cortex'' onwards. All of them reappear to some extent here:
61** Papu Papu, whose last appearance was as the first boss of ''Bash'', is an antagonist in Totem Hokum.
62** Ripper Roo makes his sixth-gen debut at the "birthday party" after being in every fifth-gen game save for ''Warped''.
63** Koala Kong only appeared in the original and ''Bash'', but attends the party.
64** Pintripe Potoroo, fourth boss of the original and ''Crash Team Racing'', is another guest.
65** Nitrus Brio, who, besides ''Bash'', vanished from the games after the second one, is one of the treasure hunters and assists N. Tropy in a boss fight.
66* ButtMonkey: Dr. Cortex. Used as a snowboard, chased by angry bees, thrown around by his hated enemy. [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential The list goes on.]]
67* TheCameo:
68** Every non-human Naughty Dog boss (including Oxide and [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg also Crunch and Polar]], but not the Komodo Bros) turn up at Crash's "birthday party", though Dingodile gets a boss fight later on. Tawna also appears on a sign for the Moulin Cortex.
69** Even [[spoiler:Franchise/SpyroTheDragon]] makes an appearance.
70* CharacterizationMarchesOn:
71** Nina in this game is a SilentProtagonist and a fairly docile little girl, a far cry from the conniving, loud-mouthed villainess she is in later games.
72** N Gin is implied to ditch Cortex without a second thought, and in original plans would have even turned on him in his alliance with Tropy and Brio. While Tropy and Brio's stop-and-go allegiance with Cortex remained in later games, N Gin in practically all later titles is conveyed as an extremely loyal sycophant to Cortex.
73* ComicallyMissingThePoint: Crunch shows up at Crash's "birthday party" with a cake and a party hat. He's clearly confused by all the villains that are there.
74* ContinuityPorn: It's obvious the developers played the Naughty Dog games. Within the first half hour of gameplay, you've already seen Crash's House, briefly glimpsed in ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot3Warped'', and seen a truckload of villains from the previous games. Probably the two greatest moments were the "birthday party guests," which included almost every villain other than the doctors from the fifth generation games, and the inside of Papu Papu's hut in the native village, which was a complete recreation of the hut he was fought in as the very first boss of the franchise. Even the "press start" screen indicates that Twinsanity picks up directly after ''VideoGame/CrashBandicootTheWrathOfCortex'', which gets directly mentioned in Ice Climb.
75* CowardlyMooks: The Shield-wielding Tribesmen in Jungle Bungle, once you knock off their shields.
76* CrateExpectations: As per usual for the ''Crash'' games, crates litter each stage with no explanation. Only this time, you don't need to break [[GottaCatchEmAll every single one]].
77* CrazyPrepared: Cortex just happened to have an InterdimensionalTravelDevice stashed away for such an occasion as this.
78* CreepyCrossdresser: Dr. Neo Cortex disguises himself as Coco in order to gain Crash's trust at the beginning.
79-->'''Cortex, in drag:''' It's true! Blondes ''do'' have more fun!
80* CringeComedy: A majority of the humor comes from Cortex placing himself in awkward or flat-out embarrassing situations. Of note...
81** Trying to open the Iceberg Lab's door.
82--->'''Cortex:''' Of course, only ''I'' have the key. Observe! ''(presses button; [[AntiClimax nothing happens]]; grunts and shakes remote)'' Rrraaagh! ''(slowly presses button)'' '''''[[SuddenlyShouting NNNRRRRRRRRRRGH!!!]]''''' Follow me! I know... ''(defeatedly)'' another way.
83** Crash throwing Cortex into a pipe chute.
84--->'''Cortex:''' I'm stuck! The greatest evil scientist in the world! ...Stuck in a pipe. [[TemptingFate How could things get any worse?]] ''([[ToiletHumour farts]]; lets out a miserable whine)''
85** Trying to save Nina from Evil Crash.
86--->'''Cortex:''' Let her go! TakeMeInstead! ''(Evil Crash glares at Cortex)'' [[ExplainExplainOhCrap GYAAH!]]
87* CrueltyIsTheOnlyOption: To get two of the gems in the N. Sanity Island hub, you are required to make some bystanding chickens run into nitro crates which explode on contact. Unlike most examples, though, there ''are'' ways to get them without killing anyone: the red one can be gotten by making a monkey throw a Wumpa fruit at one stack of crates, and you can spin a bundle of hay into the other to get the purple one, but you probably weren't supposed to.
88* CutscenePowerToTheMax: Cortex is a lot more invulnerable and can do a lot more in cutscenes. While playing as him... [[GameplayAndStorySegregation not so much.]]
89* DaddysLittleVillain: Cortex's [[BlatantLies adorable niece]], Nina. Though we're not informed of anyone else in the Cortex family, leaving the "niece" thing a little ambiguous.
90--> '''Cortex:''' My daught-err... [[{{Nephewism}} Niece!]]
91* DancePartyEnding: Err...[[SubvertedTrope sort of.]] [[ItMakesSenseInContext It was inside Crash's head,]] [[spoiler:and poor Cortex got trapped inside]].
92* DarkReprise: The theme of Twinsanity Island seems to be a reworking of the theme for N. Sanity Isle.
93* DarkWorld: The 10th dimension is a twisted, upside-down version of the regular universe the rest of the series takes place in.
94* DeanBitterman: Madame Amberly, head of the Academy of Evil, is definitely this. She's not above openly mocking her students, current or otherwise.
95--> '''Madame Amberly:''' So! Crybaby Cortex is all grown up! I see you've found employment as a barber.
96-->'''Cortex:''' ''(defensively)'' I'm an evil scientist!
97-->'''Madame Amberly:''' A scientist, are we? To me, you'll always be a ''little worm!''
98* DemotedToExtra: Many of the villains/bosses from prior games make an appearance early on. Out of them, only Dingodile and N. Gin show up as bosses. After his first few lines of dialogue, Aku-Aku is demoted until the Uka-Uka boss, after which they appear together in two more cutscenes, and from then on are only found in crates and say nothing. Coco, who was playable and a pivotal character in the previous game, makes cameos at the beginning, midway through the game, and at the very end, although she was originally going to be playable.
99* DenserAndWackier: While the games were always cartoony, this was the first game in the series to ''really'' up the ante in terms of cartoonish slapstick and (for the lack of a better term) insanity. Cortex goes from being a threatening villain to TheChewToy and a ButtMonkey, the world designs get a lot more outlandish, the game puts a lot more emphasis on humorous cut scenes, and as stated, there is a ''lot'' more slapstick to be found here. The next few installments would exaggerate this trope even more, but this was the first place where it really took its foothold.
100* DisneyVillainDeath:
101** Madame Amberly, following the boss fight when all of her support cables have snapped, plummets to her death in the bottomless pit she dangled over.
102** The Mecha Bandicoot appeared to have had this happen, too. [[spoiler:Come the FinalBoss, [[UnexplainedRecovery he's back and ready to rumble.]]]]
103* {{Dissimile}}: Cortex's description of his gathering all the villains together.
104--> '''Cortex:''' And so I've organized a little gathering... Like a birthday party, except... The exact opposite!
105* TheDogBitesBack:
106** Judging by his appearance at Crash's birthday party, Polar has gotten sick of being ridden around by Crash.
107** After Uka Uka is freed from ice, he still has a bone to pick with [[YouHaveFailedMe Cortex]] and [[ArchEnemy Crash]] from before. They team up and force him into submission.
108* DoorToBefore: Being a more free-roaming game, there are passageways back to previous areas. Strangely, few of the "doors" actually are in fact doors; most of them are platforms that appear out of nowhere or start moving.
109* DroughtLevelOfDoom: High Seas Hi-Jinx starts fairly basic, but it goes through two rather long areas, then a boss fight against N. Gin, then a ChaseScene with Rusty Walrus, and finally a DualBoss against N. Tropy and N. Brio, all with no save points in-between.
110* DualBoss: N. Tropy and N. Brio show up [[GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere out of seemingly nowhere]] to confront Crash on a small floating landmass. N. Brio attacks Crash as a huge frog-like thing, and N. Tropy splits up the platform into bits and attacks Crash from a distance. N. Tropy is the only one you can actually attack, though.
111* EarlyBirdCameo: Nina showed up in ''Crash Purple'' during this game's creation. She had a completely different personality, and was used without Traveler's Tales permission.
112* EnemyMine: Crash and Cortex's shaky alliance, along with Aku Aku and Uka Uka's:
113-->'''Cortex:''' Crash, I've been like a father to you! I created you, nursed you... [[BreadEggsMilkSquick tried to destroy you]]. So what do you say? With my mighty intellect, [[StealthInsult and your vacuous stupidity]], we'll be ''unbeatable!''
114* EscortMission: Two of them, both involving Crash keeping Cortex safe as he blindly runs down a path in the background.
115* EvenEvilHasStandards:
116** Hinted to be the case with Cortex in the intro, as he briefly contemplates disintegrating Coco with his ray gun, only to quickly dial it back to merely paralysing her instead.
117** Uka Uka gets one, which is played with. He's against the Evil Twins ruling and enslaving the world... because that is ''his'' job.
118* EvilLaugh:
119** Cortex gives one a few times.
120** Laughter can be heard through theme for the Academy of Evil.
121* EvilMeScaresMe:
122** In the cut material, Cortex was going to be terrified by his good counterpart in the Tenth Dimension. In other bits of cut material, Cortex was going to ''be'' his good counterpart, and Crash his evil counterpart.
123** Turned right back around to EvilMeScaresMe with Evil Crash, who's scary to everybody.
124* EvilTeacher: Madame Amberly, who has no kind words for her students.
125* EvilTwin: Evil Crash in the Tenth Dimension, but ''not'' the [[BigBad Evil Twins]] themselves.
126* EvilVsEvil: Cortex vs the self proclaimed Evil Twins. The Twins are only paying back Cortex for his abuse and experiments on them in the past, though force him into an EnemyMine with Crash from their decision to [[MisplacedRetribution torch the rest of planet]] just for the spite of it. The final climax comes down to Cortex and the Twins basically trying to schoolyard bully each other into subsiding.
127* FatBastard: Madame Amberly is so fat she has to stay suspended by ropes, and has very, very visible jowls. Papu-Papu sort of counts, though the only bastardly thing he does is capture Cortex, and sic the villagers on Crash.
128* FoeRomanceSubtext: There is a bit of this between Crash and Cortex:
129** Just look at the idle animations during the brawling levels. One particularly infamous one features Cortex ''spanking'' Crash, who doesn't seem to entirely dislike it. [[https://www.mobygames.com/images/covers/l/123912-crash-twinsanity-xbox-back-cover.png On the back of the American cover,]] where a few of these animations are showcased, there is one hidden behind the rating labeled "Censored!"
130** [[https://youtu.be/Y_KlnigoSJU?t=889 The cutscene before the Humiliskate level.]] Cortex is leaning over the balcony, desperately trying to come up with a plan. Crash stares at his rear end. The camera alternates between zooming in on it and showing Crash's face - first neutral, then surprised, then smirking with his tongue hanging out. Finally he runs forward, reaches out, and... kicks Cortex off of the balcony.
131** [[https://www.crashmania.net/images/collectibles/scans/print-ads/crash-twinsanity-1-2.jpg Some promotional art]] features Crash and Cortex with arms linked, with Crash in a wedding dress and Cortex in a tux.
132** There's a bit in [[https://youtu.be/Y_KlnigoSJU?t=1455 Evil Crash's introduction cutscene.]] It starts with a close up of Cortex, who has his arms wrapped around "Crash". He rubs the bandicoot's chest and says "Your fur is so soft... and warm..." in a gentle voice. Unfortunately for Cortex, it is revealed that he has been snuggling up to Evil Crash, who doesn't take too kindly to being stroked by a scientist.
133* {{Foreshadowing}}: When the Evil Twins first appear, you can hear a theme with a precise melody in the background. [[spoiler:It's used later for the place they actually come from.]]
134* ForgotAboutHisPowers: During the FinalBoss, Cortex becomes so intimidated by the appearance of the Evil Twins' Deathbot he stands still out of cowardice. But when the 2nd phase of the boss comes, he remembers he still has his ray gun which he then uses to take on the Deathbot.
135* FreudianExcuse: Late in the game, it's explained why the Evil Twins want revenge. [[spoiler:They were Cortex's pet parrots, from when he was a child. He warped them to the Tenth Dimension due to a malfunction with the Evolve-O-Ray:]]
136-->'''Victor:''' [[spoiler:Your failed experiment sent two innocent parrots to the ''Tenth Dimension!'' The severe reversive radioactive conditions here sharpened our skills, and ''warped'' our fragile, eggshell minds.]]
137* GameBreakingBug: It's entirely possible to wipe out a significant amount of progress in the game by [[spoiler:going back through the pathway which leads to the Uka Uka boss battle]], which will reset the event flags of anything after.
138* GangplankGalleon: High Seas Hijinks takes place on N. Gin's battleship, full of pirates, rats, and missiles.
139* GrievousHarmWithABody: While paired up, Crash spins Cortex around, swinging him into enemies. He can also slam the flat top of his head down like a hammer, and toss him like a frisbee.
140* GroinAttack:
141** Coco shows up at Cortex's iceberg lab, and delivers a kick to his crystals:
142--->'''Coco:''' YouMonster! Let my brother go! ''(she delivers the aforementioned kick)''\
143'''Cortex:''' ''(wheezing)'' My crystals!
144** In Slip Slide Icecapades and Rockslide Rumble, skating into the railings grinds Cortex's groin.
145* HellIsThatNoise: The sounds Dingodile makes in his boss fight, particularly when you hit him, sound a bit ''too'' realistic.
146* HeroicMime: Crash in this game doesn't even exclaim "Whoa!" when he dies as he did in previous games.
147* HumanPopsicle: Cortex is seen this way just before the title screen, frozen with Uka-Uka chasing him. Later on in the game, Crash and Cortex find Uka-Uka frozen in a different block of ice, and break him free:
148-->'''Uka-Uka:''' ''Free!'' '''''[[IncomingHam Again!]]'''''\
149'''Cortex:''' Mighty Uka-Uka!\
150'''Uka-Uka:''' Who has released me from my icy tomb? My, my, can it be? Crash and Cortex? I don't know whether to kiss you, or ''kill you!''\
151''[[ComicallyMissingThePoint [Crash purses his lips, expecting the former.]]]''
152* HumanSnowball: Crash and Cortex end up in one of these near the end of Slip Slide Icecapades.
153* HumongousMecha: The Mecha Bandicoot. [[spoiler:Also the Evil Twins' four-legged robot that serves as the final boss:]]
154--> '''Cortex:''' Meet your brand new, hydraulically-operated twin brother... Mecha Bandicoot!
155* IgnoredEpiphany: [[spoiler:After stopping the Evil Twins, Cortex laments that while he still hates Crash, he can't hide from his mistakes...so he'll bury them instead, and proceeds once again to try and get rid of his ArchEnemy.]]
156* ImplacableMan:
157** Cortex himself proves to be one of these, even more than in the previous games. He manages to come back from a deep freeze, survives pits of spikes, can be thrown into explosive crates, tossed into freezing water, into bottomless pits, into enemies, and all manner of other things that would kill Crash himself:
158--> '''Cortex:''' Like the fleas in your fur, I keep coming back!
159** Subverted in that while playing as him, you're just as vulnerable as Crash is, and he can be killed in the Doc Amok stages. Also if he's left standing somewhere, waiting for Crash to join up with him again, he'll be instantly killed by any hazard that comes into contact with him. Thankfully, if only Cortex dies, Crash doesn't lose a life.
160* IncomingHam:
161** "Cower you fools before the awesome might of...The Evil Twins!"
162** Dr. Cortex displays this as well:
163--> '''Cortex:''' ''(after removing his PaperThinDisguise)'' Surprised to see me, Crash? Like the fleas in your fur, I keep coming back! Three ''years'' I spent ''alone'' in the ''frozen antarctic wastes!'' ...[[SarcasmMode And I missed you!]]
164* InterdimensionalTravelDevice: The Psychetron, Cortex's gigantic interdimensional portal generating machine. Also the technology the Evil Twins use to warp reality, letting them pass through dimensions.
165* JigglePhysics:
166** Humourously shown with Papu Papu rolling his belly fat to the audience of some easily amused tribes men.
167** Madame Amberly's huge breasts also have high jiggle physics, which is played as FanDisservice.
168* JungleJapes: The first few levels are this, when they're not PalmTreePanic, to invoke the feel of the original ''Crash Bandicoot''.
169* JustDesserts: [[spoiler:Victor and Moritz manage to escape after the final boss fight and seek refuge in a hut. Unfortunately for them, it's Evil Crash's hut, and he's hungry.]]
170* LargeHam: Cortex has always been somewhat hammy, but in this game, he really goes [[{{Pun}} whole hog]].
171* LaserBlade: The robotic ants encountered throughout the game sometimes wield [[Franchise/StarWars lightsaber-like]] swords.
172* LighterAndSofter: While the ''Crash'' games have never been particularly dark, ''Twinsanity'' places a greater emphasis on humor which would continue throughout the Radical games.
173* LivingStatue: The Tikimon boss. A huge, invincible, four-armed totem god, who coincidentally has [[AttackItsWeakPoint bad indigestion]].
174* LoadBearingBoss: After Mecha Bandicoot's defeat, the floor drops out from under it, taking Crash and Cortex with it into an UndergroundLevel.
175* LongSongShortScene: Quite a few songs didn't make it in, or had the stage they belonged to cut. Some found use in the trailers, but others were just left on the soundtrack. An even stranger example of one is the music for Uka Uka's boss fight, due to the boss being so pitifully easy and short, you won't hear much of the song unless you wait around forever.
176* MarathonLevel: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4a-Nht6iA0 High-Seas Hijinks]]. First, you have to get through an artillery factory with a lot of tricky platform jumping. Then you have to face mini-boss N. Gin. Then you're dropped into a ship where you're chased by a walrus chef. Finally, you face the main boss of this section, N. Brio. You have to complete all four sections in one sitting; if you get game over or save and come back to it later, it sends you back to the artillery factory. And certain areas are ''very'' easy to die on. Hope you have a lot of lives saved up...
177* MisplacedRetribution: The Evil Twins' vendetta is mostly with Cortex for mistreating them, though they decide the best way about this is ''destroying the entire planet''. Naturally the masks are a bit peeved with Cortex for getting everyone else in hot water.
178* MotiveDecay: We first see N. Gin piloting the Mecha Bandicoot. The next time we see him, he has gone from being Cortex's loyal right hand man to being a pirate. No explanation is given, at least not in the final version as presented. Earlier plans would have taken it further, with him [[TheStarscream outright betraying and trying to attack Cortex with his artillery]] after he allies with N. Tropy for the Evil Twins' treasure.
179* MotorMouth: Cortex is one of these momentarily, thanks to the Evil Twins' reality-warping powers:
180--> '''Cortex''': I will-
181--> '''Moritz:''' ''(dismissively)'' Bo-riiing!
182--> '''Cortex:''' ''(speaking too fast to be intelligible)'' Ishallcrushyoulikethepunyruntsyouare, youarenothingtomeforIamthegreatandallpowerfulNeoCortex! Youinfantilevermin! Howdareyoumock, manhandleandmanipulateme! Restassured, Iwilltakemyterriblevengeanceupon... ''(stops, panting heavily)''
183--> '''Victor''': Yeah, yeah, whatever. Skip to the good bit.
184* NameTron: The device used to take Crash and Cortex to the tenth dimension is called... The Psychetron. [[RuleOfCool For some reason]]:
185--> '''Cortex:''' ''This''... is the Psychetron. Gateway to the infinite dimensions, beyond our universe!
186* NiceMeanAndInBetween: The three playable characters: Crash (nice) is a good-hearted hero, Cortex (mean) is a VillainProtagonist and Nina (in-between) doesn't get much characterization and so tends towards neutral.
187* NoSidepathsNoExplorationNoFreedom: Handily averted by greatly opening up the stages and adding secret areas.
188* NostalgiaLevel: Most of the first world counts, specifically Jungle Rumble and Totem Hokem. The first is a throwback to the first stages of the original ''Crash Bandicoot'', and the second is a throwback to the native fortress stages, complete with a recreation of Papu Papu's hut, [[ContinuityPorn down to the textures]]. The ice level is reminiscent of levels like Snow Go, penguins included. While the final level resembles how Crash would normally navigate a hazardous lab.
189* NotAfraidOfYouAnymore: Zigzagged. When Cortex remembers his past with the Evil Twins he faces them fearlessly....and reverts them back to the abused pets they were in earlier days. When the Evil Twins catch themselves on this, they angrily turn this ''onto'' Cortex and convert the cage into a HumongousMecha, cowing Cortex again until he and the others fight back. Essentially, the entire final climax is game of who can out-bully the other.
190* NoticeThis: In the first half of Classroom Chaos, there are sections where you need to get to a hall monitor without being spotted. The game helps you by putting massive sparkles on the objects you need to hide behind.
191* NumberedSequels: Like with ''The Wrath of Cortex'', this only applies to the Japanese version; there, the game is simply called ''Crash Bandicoot 5''.
192* OminousLatinChanting: Used during the Tikimon boss' theme. While not really Latin, it's certainly ominous.
193* OneHitKill: Exploding Nitro and TNT crates automatically cost the player a life in this game, no matter how many Aku masks you have. Naturally most puzzles and hidden areas are littered with them.
194* OneWingedAngel: N. Brio, as usual, only this time he turns into some sort of giant frog.
195* PalmTreePanic: The first world of the game, N. Sanity Isle, is this when it isn't JungleJapes.
196* PaperThinDisguise:
197** Cortex dresses up as Coco to lure Crash through the jungle. Crash doesn't really seem to notice that his sister suddenly has a man's voice, a completely different body shape, a giant triangular head, and a beard. Of course, this ''[[CloudCuckoolander is]]'' [[IdiotHero Crash Bandicoot]] we're talking about...
198** [[spoiler:In a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Yn0ED0akoU deleted scene]], he wears the disguise again in order to board N Gin's ship, only for [[StupidEvil N Gin]] to instantly fall in love with his disguise, somehow abduct him then proclaim to make him his sea bride. It is only when Cortex giggles does he realize who it really is.]]
199* PlotCoupon: The Power Crystals serve as these, as mentioned below. There's only twelve in the entire game, and it's impossible ''not'' to get them.
200* PointOfNoReturn: Once you enter the Academy of Evil for the first time, you need to complete the area before returning to the previous two areas, but Slip Slide Icecapades is locked off until you beat the game. Once you enter Twinsanity Island, you can't return to the other three areas until you beat the FinalBoss, even if you enter after beating the game.
201* PowerCrystal: The [[PlotCoupon plot coupons]] of the game, as mentioned above. [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment There's only twelve in the entire game, and it's impossible]] ''[[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment not]]'' [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment to get them.]]
202* PublicDomainSoundtrack: The walrus chase theme is an acapella version of the first section of the Hebrides Overture, the Doc Amok theme is, quite fittingly, a rendition of Flight of the Bumblebees, and the worm chase theme is a rather hilarious rendition of Blue Danube.
203* PunnyName: Quite a few levels have pun names, like Ant Agony, which takes place in the Evil Twins' lair, and predominately features their ant-like {{Mooks}}.
204* QuestGiver: Subverted with Farmer Ernest, who offers to give Crash a crystal if he defeats the worms stopping his Wumpa Trees from growing. Cortex shoots him and steals the crystal.
205-->'''Cortex:''' I'm an evil scientist, what did you expect? [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall This isn't a game.]]
206* RageBreakingPoint:
207** Cortex completely ''loses his shit'' after the destruction of the Mecha Bandicoot, and ditches all of his technology entirety to leap at Crash and tangle them both in a BigBallOfViolence.
208** In the final showdown. After Cortex uses ReflexiveResponse to briefly cow the Evil Twins, a seething Victor vows he is done playing around with abusive owner and decides to just attack him and the others full-power.
209* ReflexiveResponse: After Cortex, his memories restored, bellows at the Evil Twins to get back in their cage. The Twins flutter in terrified, only for an infuriated Victor to catch himself.
210-->'''Victor:''' What am I DOING??? Curse my regimented upbringing!
211* {{Retcon}}: Cortex did in fact create the Evolve-O-Ray. Since later games still give Nitrus Brio credit for the invention, it would suggest he only perfected it.
212* SadistTeacher: Madame Amberly, who wears gloves that apparently generate lightning, used to great effect in her boss battle.
213* SayYourPrayers: When Crash and Cortex fall into a bottomless pit, the duo have enough time to react before gravity kicks in. Cortex starts praying while Crash struggles to fly.
214* SceneryGorn: ''Twinsanity Island'' is pretty grim compared to it's counterpart. With dead trees, scary looking tiki carvings, red sky, and set near a volcano.
215* SceneryPorn: ''Twinsanity'' is very, very pretty, filled to the brim with little details throughout the game.
216* SelfDeprecation: Comes up when a bunch of Cortex's penguin mooks, who're unhappy about not being paid, appear:
217-->'''Cortex:''' The check bounced!? Are you sure? Well, the past few years have been awfully slow. ''[[VideoGame/CrashBandicootTheWrathOfCortex Wrath of Cortex]]'' didn't do as well as we hoped and--
218* ShoutOut:
219** In High Seas Hijinks, there's a slanted path where a rhino goon [[VideoGame/DonkeyKong keeps throwing barrels at you from above.]]
220** The last part of the FinalBoss: The boss itself is protected by a circular force field. [[VideoGame/MetroidPrime The only way to damage it is by shooting missiles in between the gaps...]]
221* SlideLevel: There are two levels where Crash [[BodySled rides Dr. Cortex like a snowboard]] in order to descend a snowy mountain and its parallel dimension counterpart (that's not snowy at all).
222* SlippySlideyIceWorld: The Iceberg Lab and its stages are this, although one is a GangplankGalleon stage.
223* SmartJerkAndNiceMoron: Crash is an IdiotHero and is often pretty friendly, so is the nice moron. Cortex, who was the BigBad of most of the other Crash Bandicoot game and EvilGenius, is the smart jerk.
224* SpectacularSpinning: Naturally, as it is a ''Crash'' game, but Nina gets in on the spinny fun as well.
225* TheStarscream: Almost ''every'' prominent ally of Cortex turns on him after hearing of the Twins' supposed treasure. Dingodile even directly attacks the doctor at one point.
226* StealthPun: The walrus chase in Highseas Hijinks is accompanied by a rendition of "Fingal's Cave" from "Hebrides Overture". Seems out of place until you note that the level takes place in a tight, enclosed area. A cave, if you will.
227* SupervillainLair: Cortex's massive Iceberg Lab.
228-->'''Cortex:''' Before you rises a cathedral of diabolical genius! Scary, but in the wrong hands this iceberg lair could do much... ''[[BadIsGoodAndGoodIsBad goodness]]'' in the world.
229* TacticalSuicideBoss:
230** Cortex seems to have forgotten about the first game, and continues to fire [[TennisBoss returnable plasma balls]] at Crash.
231-->'''Cortex:''' [[TooDumbtoLive Here's one gift you can return!]]
232** Madame Amberly. Her tactics (keep throwing out electrified balls for you to shoot back at her, [[AttackItsWeakPoint to expose her blinking harness]]) aren't much better. It implies that Cortex learned his tactics at her institution.
233* TakeMeInstead: Cortex says this word for word to Evil Crash when he kidnaps Nina... and then proceeds to run for his life when Evil Crash takes him up on the offer.
234* TeethClenchedTeamwork: As the game's tagline suggests, Crash and Cortex's EnemyMine is very much this.
235* ThisIsADrill: The Evil Twins' ant minions seem to like drills a lot. In Cavern Catastrophe, you meet up with one of their gigantic drill crawlers, the sides of which come down to let out troops. There are also ant minions with drills on their heads, letting them tunnel underground, or charge at Crash.
236* ThisIsThePartWhere: Spoken word-for-word by Victor.
237* ToiletHumour: To be expected, as the script was written mostly by former ''WesternAnimation/TheRenAndStimpyShow'' animator Jordan Reichek, but this also means it's funny.
238-->'''Cortex:''' ''(stuck in a pipe)'' I'm stuck! The ''greatest evil scientist in the world!'' ...Stuck in a pipe. [[TemptingFate How could things get any worse?]] ''(He farts, letting out a whine soon after)''
239* TookALevelInDumbass: Crash was always somewhat air brained, but fairly aware of his surroundings and in cases such as ''Crash Nitro Kart'' could [[SimpleMindedWisdom show pivotal insight]]. Here Crash is a grinning imbecile, completely vacuous and oblivious to Cortex's treatment of him.
240* {{Uberwald}}: The Academy of Evil is designed like this.
241* UndergroundLevel: Cavern Catastrophe, which takes place deep underground N. Sanity Isle. It serves mostly as a tutorial level for the Crash-Cortex team gameplay, when you're not controlling the both of them in a BigBallOfViolence.
242* UnexpectedGameplayChange: During the final boss, Crash runs away, leaving Nina and Cortex to fight it themselves. [[spoiler:He comes back in the final stage of the boss, driving the Mecha Bandicoot, which he uses to defeat the Evil Twins' HumongousMecha.]]
243* UngratefulBastard: [[spoiler:After helping him against the Evil Twins, Cortex seems gracious towards Crash, and claims he was wrong about him. Oh no, he still thinks he's a bitter mistake, just he went about getting rid of him the wrong way, and gets ready to use the Psychatron on the bandicoot while roaring he never wants to see his ridiculous face again. [[LaserGuidedKarma The Psychatron immediately malfunctions onto Cortex.]]]]
244* TheUnfought: Subverted this time around: Uka Uka is finally fought as a boss in this game.
245* TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon: Twinsanity Island as a whole, but Ant Agony in particular. Much like Hi-Seas Hijinx, it's a brutally long level with CheckpointStarvation, and it features all of the Evil Twins' forces trying to stop you before fighting the Twins themselves at the end.
246* VideoGameCaringPotential: Utilized as an entire part of the game, ''Doc Amok'', in which Cortex runs full tilt into hazards and pits, unless Crash does something to get rid of them. Later, you do the same when Evil Crash is chasing him.
247* VideoGameCrueltyPotential: While dragging him around, Crash can toss Cortex into hazards and enemies, with little regard for the doctor's safety. He keeps coming back, though.
248* VideoGameCrueltyPunishment: Attacking Coco while she is frozen at any point will cause Crash to die instantly and be sent back to the last checkpoint.
249* TheVoiceless: Crash, who's even more voiceless than usual, and Nina, save for a few grunts. Also Dr. Nitrus Brio.
250* WillReturnCaption: One of these finishes off the credits.
251-->''Crash Bandicoot will return...''
252* WilyWalrus: One level has Crash [[AdvancingBossOfDoom running away from a hungry walrus cook]].
253----
254->'''Moritz:''' Oh, boy! I love roast chicken!\
255'''Victor:''' Well, ''this'' is one heck of an ending...

Top