Crash Team Racing PS1: Ranking EVERY Racer From Worst To Best

Dr Neo Cortex is the chief big bad in the Crash Bandicoot series, and the original Crash Team Racing marked the first time anybody could play as him. Naturally, he attracted many to the dark side, and was a very popular part of the game.

Like with N. Gin though, there just felt like there was something missing. Cortex had been at the centre of what little story there was in the Crash Bandicoot trilogy. Crash was a silent protagonist, most of the villains only had short lines; Cortex had monologues. That's why, despite this being the first time he was playable, it didn't exactly feel like we were getting to know him for the first time.

The main series games had already introduced us to him well enough. Crash Team Racing opened up the doors to the wider roster, and that meant while Cortex was an initial curiosity, a lot of players moved on.

He remains a great character and is an integral part of the game. Although a few big bads top him here, the game (and indeed, Crash as a whole) needs him to succeed. For those who did opt for him, he was a reliable character throughout gameplay.