The PlayStation 5 version of Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time may be the definitive way to enjoy the latest installment in the series, but not by much. When comparing Crash Bandicoot 4 on PS5 to its release on the PlayStation 4, the biggest difference is the game's load times. Players who are expecting a huge difference in terms of performance or graphics may be disappointed, but the visuals from the vibrant cartoony platformer remain compelling even if they haven't been noticeably improved.
Crash Bandicoot 4 was released on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in October 2020, and recently released on the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S boasting a current-gen upgrade. Many reviews for Crash 4 sang the game's praises for its gorgeous visuals and unwavering difficulty. While the game's storyline is yet another battle between Crash Bandicoot and the franchise's iconic villains, it's still a must-play for fans of the series.
Now, with the PS5 upgrade, players can get right into the action quicker with almost non-existent loading screens. Hopping into a level on the PS4 version could take nearly 30 seconds, but on the PS5, load times rarely last more than five seconds. Booting up the game on PS5 takes a substantially shorter time than on PS4. With a fast-paced platformer like Crash Bandicoot 4, these minuscule load times allow players to continue their adventure without any halting black screens or never-ending blue spirals.
Even though the PS5 upgrade allows players to enjoy Crash Bandicoot 4 in 4K, there isn't a huge visual difference between the current and last-gen versions. Colors are a little more vibrant, shadows are a little sharper, and reflections are a little more detailed, but these are only truly noticeable in side-by-side comparisons. Even then, there really isn't anything too impressive that makes the PS5 version stand out compared to the PS4 version visually speaking.
The biggest letdown of the PS5 version is the lack of DualSense features. Crash Bandicoot 4 lends itself to utilizing the PS5 DualSense controller but doesn't take advantage of its features as well as it could. Some of the game's moments are enhanced through the use of the DualSense's adaptive triggers, but the haptic feedback is barely used when it could have been. Crashing through boxes, being chased by massive enemies, and phasing to different realities would be much more immersive if the controller responded better to the player's actions.
The only obvious upgrade for Crash Bandicoot 4 is the decreased load times, but they are shortened enough to say that the PS5 version is better than the PS4. While many gamers may not care about slight visual enhancements, they will definitely appreciate the time they are saved by playing Crash 4 on the PS5. It would have been awesome for the game to utilize the PS5's hardware a little better, but it's still the same great adventure - just a little faster, which is certainly an improvement, even if it's ultimately a pretty minor one.
Crash Bandicoot 4 is out now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S|X. Screen Rant was provided a digital PS5 code for the purpose of this review.