A former Toys For Bob concept artist, Nicholas Kole, hinted on X (formerly Twitter) that a Crash Bandicoot 5 was in development but ultimately canceled. This revelation followed a discussion about Kole's scrapped "Project Dragon," a new IP he worked on with Phoenix Labs. Kole's comment, "It is not Spyro, but some day folks will hear about the Crash 5 that never was and it’s gonna break hearts," sparked significant fan disappointment.
The news comes amidst Toys For Bob's transition to an independent studio after its separation from Activision Blizzard earlier this year. While the studio is now partnering with Microsoft Xbox for future projects, details remain scarce.
The last mainline Crash Bandicoot game, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, launched in 2020 to considerable success, selling over five million copies. Subsequent releases included Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! (mobile) and Crash Team Rumble (online multiplayer), the latter of which concluded its live service in March 2024.
The cancellation of Crash Bandicoot 5 leaves fans uncertain about the future of the franchise. With Toys For Bob now operating independently, the possibility of a future installment remains open, though no official announcements have been made. The wait continues for any news regarding the potential revival of this beloved title.