Crash Bandicoot 5 Allegedly Canceled After Studio Went Indie

A potential Crash Bandicoot 5 has reportedly been shelved, according to former Toys For Bob concept artist Nicholas Kole. Kole's revelation, shared on X (formerly Twitter) on July 12th, followed a discussion about another canceled project, "Project Dragon." While "Project Dragon" was initially speculated to be Spyro-related, Kole clarified it was an original IP developed with Phoenix Labs. He then hinted at the fate of a Crash Bandicoot 5, stating it "is gonna break hearts."

This news understandably upset fans. The cancellation comes after Toys For Bob's transition from Activision Blizzard to an independent studio earlier this year, coinciding with Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Interestingly, Toys For Bob is now collaborating with Microsoft Xbox for their first independent title, though specifics remain undisclosed.

The last mainline Crash Bandicoot game, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time (2020), achieved over five million sales. Subsequent releases included Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! (2021) and Crash Team Rumble (2023), the latter concluding its live service in March 2024.

With Toys For Bob's newfound independence, the possibility of a future Crash Bandicoot 5 remains open. However, the prolonged absence leaves fans anxiously awaiting any further announcements.