

The story line, such as it is, revolves around the rivalry between Aku Aku and Uka Uka, who call a contest to determine whether the forces of light or dark are more powerful. In Adventure Mode, one or two players compete against computer-controlled opponents and four Bosses. Play modes include Adventure, Battle and Tournament Battle. There are also plenty of familiar pick-ups, which offer speed and health boosts, weapons, etc. Whereas Super Smash Bros, was filled with plenty of Mario-esque butt-bouncing and block-busting, Crash Bash contains plenty of Crash's signature moves, including spinning, jumping, nitro box tossing and animal riding.

Among other tasks, you'll drive tanks, bounce on pogo sticks and even ride polar bears-whatever it takes to annihilate the opposition. Brio and Koala Kong-gamers face off in more than 28 high-impact events. Playing as one of eight characters from previous Crash titles-including Crash, Coco, Dingodile, Tiny, Dr. Sony calls Crash Bash a '3D arena-based battle' game, but it's basically Mario Party without the board game elements. Sony, with a little help from Eurocom and Cerny Games, hopes to remedy this situation with Crash Bash.

While the N64 has amassed quite a library of awesome party games-Mary Party 1 & 2, Super Smash Bros, and GoldenEye 007 spring immediately to mind-PlayStation fans haven't been quite as lucky.
