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{{Short description|1999 video game}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Crash Team Racing
| image = CrashTeamRacingNACover.png
| caption = North American box art
| developer = [[Naughty Dog]]
| publisher = [[Sony Computer Entertainment]]
| director = [[Jason Rubin]]
| producer = Grady Hunt
| designer = [[Evan Wells]]
| programmer = [[Andy Gavin]]
| artist = [[Bob Rafei]] <br />[[Bruce Straley]]
| composer = [[Josh Mancell]]
| series = ''[[Crash Bandicoot]]''
| platforms = [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|October 19, 1999|EU|December 1999<!-- Do NOT add Japanese release date here per WP:VG/DATE; the developer of this game is American -->}}
| genre = [[Kart racing game|Kart racing]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
}}
'''''Crash Team Racing''''' (stylized as '''''CTR: Crash Team Racing''''') is a 1999 [[kart racing game]] developed by [[Naughty Dog]] and published by [[Sony Computer Entertainment]] for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]. It is the fourth installment in the [[Crash Bandicoot (series)|''Crash Bandicoot'' series]]. The game's story focuses on the efforts of [[Crash Bandicoot (character)|Crash Bandicoot]], [[Doctor Neo Cortex]], and other ragtag team of characters in the ''Crash Bandicoot'' series, who must race against the egomaniacal [[Nitros Oxide]] to save the [[Earth]] from destruction. In the game, players can take control of one of fifteen ''Crash Bandicoot'' series characters, though only eight are available at first. During the races, offensive and speed boosting power-ups can be used to gain an advantage.

''Crash Team Racing'' was met with critical acclaim upon release, being widely regarded as a highly polished and entertaining kart racing game that drew heavy inspiration from [[Nintendo]]'s ''[[Mario Kart]]'' and ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]''. Critics praised its execution, technical achievements, and engaging gameplay, often arguing it surpassed its competitors in several areas despite its lack of originality. A successor, ''[[Crash Nitro Kart]]'', was released in 2003 for the [[Game Boy Advance]], [[GameCube]], [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] and [[N-Gage (device)|N-Gage]]. A [[Video game remaster|remaster]] of the game developed by [[Beenox]], titled ''[[Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled]]'', was announced at [[The Game Awards 2018]] and was released on the [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Xbox One]] on June 21, 2019, by [[Activision]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Frank |first1=Allegra |title=Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is the PS1 fan favorite, remastered |url= https://www.polygon.com/game-awards-tga/2018/12/6/18130033/crash-team-racing-nitro-fueled-remaster-trailer-release-date-tga-2018 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=6 December 2018 |access-date=December 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Dornbush |first1=Jonathon |title=Crash Team Racing Remaster Announced, Release Date Revealed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/07/crash-team-racing-remaster-announced-release-date-revealed |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=December 6, 2018}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
[[File:CrashTeamRacingGameplay.jpg|200px|left|thumb|An example of a race in ''Crash Team Racing'']]
''Crash Team Racing'' is a [[kart racing game]] in which the player controls characters from the ''Crash Bandicoot'' series, [[kart racing]] on varied tracks to finish first.<ref name="GamePro"/> Characters are categorized into three types: large (slow acceleration, high top speed, poor handling), medium (balanced stats), and small (fast acceleration, great handling, low top speed).<ref name="ElecPlay"/> Players can accelerate, steer, reverse, brake, hop, and use power-ups, with an option for analog throttle control or digital button inputs.<ref name="ElecPlay"/>{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=3}}

Speed boosts can be obtained with the power slide; the player executes the slide by holding down one of the shoulder buttons to perform a hop, and steering before the kart lands.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=23}} While sliding, the "Turbo Boost Meter" on the lower-right corner of the screen fills up and goes from green to red.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=9}} At the same time, the [[exhaust gas]] from the player's kart turns black.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=23}} To get a speed boost, the player quickly presses the opposite shoulder button while the Turbo Boost Meter is red. The player can execute three speed boosts in a row during a power slide, with the third speed boost being more powerful than the previous two.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=9}} If the player waits too long into the power slide for a boost, the kart [[back-fire]]s and the chance for a speed boost is lost; power sliding for too long causes a spin-out.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=9}}{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=23}} Aside from power slides, speed boosts can be obtained by gathering [[wikt:hang time|hang time]] when leaping over gaps in the track. The longer the player is in the air, the bigger the speed boost will be when the kart lands.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=9}}<ref name="Allgame"/><ref name="IGN"/> Hitting the accelerator just before the race begins provides an initial speed boost.<ref name="GSpot"/>

Two distinct forms of [[crate]]s are scattered throughout the tracks and arenas of ''Crash Team Racing''. Crates with question marks on them hold power-ups, which can be obtained by driving through and breaking apart said crates.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=11}} When the player collects a power-up, it will appear in a box at the top of the screen.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=20}} The player can activate the power-up to hinder the other racers or supplement the player's own performance.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=11}} Fruit Crates carry Wumpa Fruit that increase the speed of the player's kart and strengthen the player's power-ups if ten of them are obtained.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=23}}{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=9}}{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=20}} Some power-ups can be dropped behind the player or fired forward.<ref name="ElecPlay"/>

===Modes===
''Crash Team Racing'' features 5 racing modes: Adventure, Time Trial, Arcade, Versus and Battle. In each mode, the player selects 1 from 8 characters to control.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=5}} The Adventure mode is a single-player campaign where the player must race through all of the tracks and arenas in the game and collect as many trophies, Relics, Boss Keys, CTR Tokens and Gems as possible.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=5}} The Adventure Mode's premise involves the antagonist Nitros Oxide, an ornery and arrogant extraterrestrial who threatens to turn Earth into a concrete parking lot if he defeats the planet's best driver in a race.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=4}} In the beginning of the game, the player only has access to two tracks. As the player wins more races, more tracks on multiple worlds become available.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=11}}{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=8}}{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=10}} In each level, the player must win a trophy by coming in first place.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=11}}{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=12}} When the player receives all four trophies in a world, the "Boss Garage" of that world can be accessed. In the Boss Garage, the player competes in a one-on-one race against a [[boss (video games)|boss character]]. If the boss character is defeated, the character will relinquish a Boss Key, which the player uses to access new worlds and ultimately to face Oxide inside his spaceship.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=14}}

After beating levels, new modes become available, such as the Relic Race, in which the player races through the track alone and completes three laps in the fastest time possible. "Time Crates" scattered throughout the level freeze the game timer when a player drives through them. If all of the Time Crates are destroyed, the player's final time is reduced by ten seconds. The player wins a Relic by beating the time indicated on the screen.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=12}} Another mode, the CTR Challenge, is played like a normal race, except that the player must also collect the letters C, T and R scattered throughout the track. If the player manages to collect all three letters and come in first place, a "CTR Token" is awarded. These tokens come in five different colors: Red, Green, Blue, Yellow and Purple. The Purple CTR tokens are awarded for beating the Crystal Bonus Round by collecting 20 crystals under a certain time limit. If the player collects four tokens of the same color, the player will be able to access the Gem Cup of the corresponding color. Gem Cups are racing tournaments held against computer-controlled opponents and are accessible in a secret area in the "Gemstone Valley" world. A Gem Cup consists of four tracks in a row, in which the player must race for points. If one of these cups is won, a Gem is awarded.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=13}} To win the game, the player must collect all trophies, Boss Keys, Relics, CTR Tokens and Gems before defeating Nitros Oxide in a one-on-one race.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=14}}

In Time Trial, the player races against the clock to set personal best times, with [[ghost data]] for replays.<ref name="IGN"/>{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=5}} The Arcade and Versus modes allow single or multiplayer racing (up to four players with a [[multitap]]) on individual tracks or cup circuits (four races for cumulative points).{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=6}}{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=7}} The Battle mode is a multiplayer arena mode in which players use weapons to eliminate opponents, with customizable settings such as time limit, kill limit, weapon selection, and teams.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|pp=18-19}}<ref name="OPM"/>

==Development and release==
Development of ''Crash Team Racing'' started as an original [[intellectual property]] with block-headed characters. Naughty Dog pitched the title to Sony, to which Sony agreed after Naughty Dog showed willingness in making the title a ''Crash'' game. Sony made a deal with copyright owner [[Universal Interactive]] to publish the game. The game could have had original characters in case the deal did not come through.<ref>{{Cite web|author=DoubleFineProd|title=Devs Play S2E08 · "Jak and Daxter" with Jason Rubin and Tim Schafer|date=January 7, 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKc7TQq3kpU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/BKc7TQq3kpU| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=June 4, 2017|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Naughty Dog began production on ''Crash Team Racing'' after the completion of ''[[Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back]]''; the [[game engine]] for ''Crash Team Racing'' was created at the same time ''[[Crash Bandicoot: Warped]]'' was produced.<ref name="JRInterview">{{cite web |first=Douglass |last=Perry |title=IGN: Interview with Jason Rubin |url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/071/071342p1.html |website=IGN |date=October 19, 1999 |access-date=September 30, 2009}}</ref> Development took place over the course of eight months on a budget of $2.4 million<ref>{{cite web |url=https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.agdc.com.au%2F04presentations%2Fthu_jason_rubin.ppt |title=Fear: An Appropriate Response To The Future Of Video Game Development |author=Jason Rubin |publisher=Morgan Rose |date=2004 |access-date=November 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-make-a-big-video-game-1501413649 |title=How Much Does It Cost To Make A Big Video Game? |author=Superannuation |publisher=Kotaku |quote='''Crash Team Racing - $2.4 million''' - Jason Rubin said $2.4 million was spent developing this kart racer, which was Naughty Dog's last ''Crash Bandicoot'' game. |date=January 15, 2014 |access-date=November 23, 2015}}</ref> by a team of 16–18 staff.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Halverson|first=Dave|date=December 2001|title=Dynamic Duo - Jason Rubin interview|url=https://archive.org/details/UneditedPLAY_marktrade/page/n19/mode/2up|magazine=Play (US Magazine) Issue 1|page=17|access-date=30 March 2020}}</ref> The characters of the game were designed by Charles Zembillas and Joe Pearson, who designed the characters of the last three installments of the series.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=26}} Nitros Oxide was originally a mad scientist obsessed with speed who plotted to speed up the entire world until the end of time.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sam Kennedy |title=First Look at ''Crash Team Racing''&nbsp;– PlayStation News at GameSpot |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-look-at-crash-team-racing/1100-2451260/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=May 6, 1999 |access-date=September 30, 2009 |quote=Here's how the story goes... There's a new mad scientist in town named Nitros Oxide and he's about to wreak his own havoc on this little island paradise. He's absolutely obsessed with speed, so he concocts a crazy idea to speed the whole world up forever!}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Douglass |last=Perry |title=IGN: ''Crash Team Racing'' Preview |url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/131/131595p1.html |website=IGN |date=October 5, 1999 |access-date=September 30, 2009 |quote=Starring a new evil force of polygonal madness, a scientist named Nitrous Oxide, ''Crash Team Racing'' finds Crash immediately placed in dire straits. Obsessed with speed, Nitrous claims that "fast just isn't fast enough," and plots a strategy to tear down the little island paradise in which Crash and his friends live. Nitrous cooks up an experiment to "speed up" the entire world until the end of time, a rather edgy theory that physicists would certainly counter. In a classic case of videogame (read: cartoon) logic, Crash and his friends must race to save the planet from a premature death.}}</ref> However, having exhausted human, animal, machine, and various combinations for ''Crash Bandicoot'' bosses in the past, it was decided to have Nitros Oxide be an otherworldly character.<ref>{{cite web |title=<nowiki>[</nowiki> Crash Gallery&nbsp;– Character Sketches&nbsp;– ''Crash Team Racing'' <nowiki>]</nowiki> |url=http://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/ctr-character.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822123401/http://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/ctr-character.htm |publisher=Naughty Dog |archive-date=August 22, 2008 |access-date=October 1, 2009}}</ref> The original "speed up the world" plot is referenced in a promotional [[comics|comic]] (written by Glenn Herdling and drawn by Neal Sternecky) featured in the Winter 2000 issue of ''[[Disney Adventures]]''.<ref name="Comic">{{cite journal |last1=Herdling |first1=Glenn |last2=Sternecky |first2=Neal |year=2000 |title=''Crash Team Racing'': Turbo Time! |journal=[[Disney Adventures]] |issue=Winter 2000 |pages=61–64 |quote='''Doctor Neo Cortex:''' Of all the indignities! Having to ''"befriend"'' Crash so he'll help me ''steal'' the ''X Device'' from Nitros! But it will be worth it—for with the ''X Device'' I shall finally ''speed up'' the entire world! No more waiting—for anything!}}</ref>

During the game's prototypical stage, the team built a replica of the "Crescent Island" course from ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' to test whether a racetrack of the same scope and scale was possible on the PlayStation.<ref name="PopFiction">{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/full-episodes/zqni4r/pop-fiction-episode-27--crash-course |title=Pop-Fiction Episode 27: Crash Course |date=September 21, 2012 |publisher=GameTrailers |access-date=September 21, 2012}}</ref> To address the complication of potentially having up to 64 kart tires on a four-player split-screen, programmer Greg Omi developed a method of rendering the tires as camera-based two-dimensional sprites.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Art of Naughty Dog|author=Naughty Dog Staff|isbn=978-1-61655-477-4|publisher=Dark Horse Books|year=2014|page=38}}</ref> The turbo system that gives the player boosts of speed during power slides and by gathering hang time was added to make ''Crash Team Racing'' feel more interactive and involving than older kart-racing games.<ref name="JRInterview"/> The central antagonist character Oxide was never intended to be playable in the game due to the PlayStation console's memory limitations. Said limitations further affected the game's roster of playable characters; Polar and Pura were originally to ride in the same kart and be played as a single character, but were ultimately split into separate characters, and both Komodo Brothers were to appear in the game before Komodo Moe was omitted.<ref name="PopFiction"/>

David Baggett produced the game's soundtrack, with [[Josh Mancell]] of [[Mutato Muzika]] composing the music. Sound effects were created by Mike Gollum (who also provided some voice-acting), Ron Horwitz and Kevin Spears of Universal Sound Studios.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=26}} The voice of Crash was provided by [[Chip Chinery]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.delafont.com/comedians/chip-chinery.htm |title=CHIP CHINERY booking - Comedians - Corporate Entertainment Booking |publisher=Richard De La Font Agency |quote=Hear Chip Chinery's voice on . . . . The new "Crash Bandicoot" SONY Playstation CD-ROM, as "Crash" (Released Oct. 19, 1999. This game is "huge" with kids. Yes, kids, Crash now has a voice!) |access-date=July 2, 2019}}</ref> while [[Clancy Brown]] voiced Doctor Neo Cortex and Uka Uka, and [[Brendan O'Brien (voice actor)|Brendan O'Brien]] voiced Doctor N. Gin, Tiny Tiger and Pinstripe Potoroo. Additional voices were provided by [[David Anthony Pizzuto|David A. Pizzuto]], [[Mel Winkler]], [[Michael Ensign]], [[Hynden Walch]], Billy Pope and Michael Connor.{{sfn|Instruction Booklet|1999|p=26}}

''Crash Team Racing'' went into the alpha stage of development in August 1999, and the beta stage on September.<ref>{{cite web |title=<nowiki>[</nowiki> ''Crash Bandicoot''&nbsp;– Time Line <nowiki>]</nowiki> |url=http://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/timeline.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822005643/http://www.naughtydog.com/crash/crash/timeline.htm |publisher=Naughty Dog |archive-date=August 22, 2008 |access-date=September 30, 2009}}</ref> It was released on October 19, 1999, in North America,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://headline.gamespot.com/news/99_10/19_vg_crash/index.html |title=Crash Team Racing Ships |last=Kennedy |first=Sam |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[ZDNet]] |date=October 19, 1999 |accessdate=April 11, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000617235512/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/99_10/19_vg_crash/index.html |archivedate=June 17, 2000 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and in December 1999 in Europe.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=December 1999 |title=''Crash Team Racing'' |magazine=Playstation Plus |page=24 |quote=OUT DECEMBER}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=December 1999 |title=''Crash Team Racing'' |magazine=Games Master |page=16 |quote=In Uscita A: Dicembre}}</ref> [[NASCAR]] vehicle No. 98 was given a custom ''Crash Bandicoot''-themed paint job in promotion of the game.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Art of Naughty Dog|author=Naughty Dog Staff|isbn=978-1-61655-477-4|publisher=Dark Horse Books|year=2014|page=41}}</ref> A playable demonstration was included on a promotional compilation disc released by [[Pizza Hut]] on November 14, 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.game-rave.com/psx/playstation_perfect_guide/demodiscs/demo_pizza_1/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050320112609/http://www.game-rave.com/psx/playstation_perfect_guide/demodiscs/demo_pizza_1/index.html |title=Game Rave Presents: Pizza Hut: Disc 1 |publisher=Game Rave |archive-date=March 20, 2005 |access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 88/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/ctr-crash-team-racing/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation |title=Crash Team Racing for PlayStation Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=January 15, 2009}}</ref>
| Allgame = 4/5<ref name="Allgame">{{cite web |first=Joe |last=Ottoson |title=''CTR: Crash Team Racing'' Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20305&tab=review |website=[[Allgame]] |access-date=September 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114210059/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20305&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref>
| CP = 93%<ref name="CP">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/Console_Plus_Numero_095/page/n95/mode/2up |title=Test PlayStation: ''Crash Team Racing'' |language=French |magazine=Consoles+ |date=December 1999 |issue=95 |pages=96–98}}</ref>
| EGM = 37.5/40<ref name="EGM">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-125-december-1999/page/273/mode/2up |title=Review Crew: ''Crash Team Racing'' |last1=Smith |first1=Shawn |last2=Hager |first2=Dean |last3=Boyer |first3=Crispin |last4=Johnston |first4=Chris |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=December 1999 |issue=174 |page=271}}</ref>
| EPD = 9.5/10<ref name="ElecPlay">{{cite web |url=http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=1582&full=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020307074645/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=1582&full=1 |title=''Crash Team Racing'' |last=Lucas |first=Victor |website=[[EP Daily|The Electric Playground]] |date=November 16, 1999 |archive-date=March 7, 2002 |access-date=June 5, 2025 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Fam = 33/40<ref>''プレイステーション - クラッシュ・バンディクー レーシング''. Weekly Famitsu. No.915 Pt.2. Pg.14. 30 June 2006.</ref>
| GI = 9/10<ref name="GameInformer">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-79-november-1999/page/n53/mode/2up |title=PlayStation Review: ''Crash Team Racing'' |last1=Fitzloff |first1=Jay |last2=Anderson |first2=Paul |last3=Reiner |first3=Andrew |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |date=November 1999 |issue=79 |page=50}}</ref>
| GamePro = 5/5<ref name="GamePro">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/2609.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040702203645/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/2609.shtml |title=''Crash Team Racing'' Review for PlayStation |author=The D-Pad Destroyer |website=[[GamePro]] |date=January 1, 2000 |archive-date=July 2, 2004 |access-date=September 25, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GameRev = B+<ref name="GameRev">{{cite web |url=http://www.game-revolution.com/games/sony/racing/crash_team_racing.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991127111838/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/sony/racing/crash_team_racing.htm |title=''Crash Team Racing'' - PlayStation Review |first=Johnny |last=Liu |website=Game Revolution |date=October 1, 1999 |archive-date=November 27, 1999 |access-date=September 25, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GSpot = 8.4/10<ref name="GSpot">{{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0%2C10867%2C2547145%2C00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010418220506/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2547145,00.html |title=PlayStation Reviews: ''Crash Team Racing'' Review |first=Jeff |last=Gerstmann |author-link=Jeff Gerstmann |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CNET Networks]] |date=October 19, 1999 |archive-date=April 18, 2001 |access-date=January 15, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Hyper = 90%<ref name=Hyper>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/hyper-075/page/68/mode/2up |title=Review: ''Crash Team Racing'' |last=Shea |first=Cam |magazine=[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]] |date=January 2000 |issue=75 |pages=68–69}}</ref>
| IGN = 8.5/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/161/161595p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020612210940/http://psx.ign.com/articles/161/161595p1.html |title=PlayStation: ''Crash Team Racing'' |first=Doug |last=Perry |website=[[IGN]] |date=October 29, 1999 |archive-date=June 12, 2002 |access-date=January 15, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| NGen = 5/5<ref name="NG">{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/7/78/NextGeneration_US_61.pdf |last=Charla |first=Chris |title=Finals |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |volume=3 |issue=1 |publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]] |date=January 2000 |page=99}}</ref>
| OPM = 5/5<ref name="OPM">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/Official_US_PlayStation_Magazine_Volume_3_Issue_2_1999-11_Ziff_Davis_US/page/n123/mode/2up |title=''Crash Team Racing'' review |last=Rybicki |first=Joe |magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=November 1999 |pages=124–125}}</ref>
| PSM = 4.5/5<ref name="PSMRev">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/psm-issue-28-december-1999/page/n65/mode/2up |title=Reviews: ''Crash Team Racing'' |magazine=[[PlayStation: The Official Magazine]] |issue=28 |date=December 1999 |page=56}}</ref>
}}

''Crash Team Racing'' received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator [[Metacritic]].<ref name="Metacritic"/> It was frequently deemed the best kart racer on the PlayStation and, in some cases, superior to ''Mario Kart'' and ''Diddy Kong Racing'' due to its technical prowess and refined gameplay. Shawn Smith and Chris Johnston of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' (''EGM'') and Victor Lucas of ''[[EP Daily|The Electric Playground]]'' explicitly stated ''Crash Team Racing'' outshone ''Mario Kart'', citing better controls, graphics, and track design.<ref name="ElecPlay"/><ref name="EGM"/> Doug Perry of ''[[IGN]]'' compared it favorably to both ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' and ''Diddy Kong Racing'', noting its lack of slowdown and enhanced features.<ref name="IGN"/> Dean Hager of ''EGM'' called it the best mascot kart racer on the PlayStation,<ref name="EGM"/> while [[Jeff Gerstmann]] of ''[[GameSpot]]'' argued it succeeded where other clones (e.g., ''[[Mega Man Battle & Chase|Mega Man]]'', ''[[Chocobo Racing]]'') failed.<ref name="GSpot"/>

The controls were deemed tight, responsive, and intuitive, and the game was said to be accessible to newcomers yet rewarding of skill mastery through power sliding, jump boosts, and strategic weapon use. Lucas, Rybicki, and ''[[GamePro]]''{{'}}s The D-Pad Destroyer highlighted the precise controls and strategic depth, such as turbo boosts from power slides and jumps.<ref name="GamePro"/><ref name="ElecPlay"/><ref name="OPM"/> Perry and Smith emphasized the game's complex turbo system and realistic physics (e.g., icy patches), which added depth to the kart racing formula.<ref name="IGN"/><ref name="EGM"/> Johnny Liu of ''[[GameRevolution]]'' described the controls as natural,<ref name="GameRev"/> though a minor critique from Rybicki noted a less-than-ideal turning radius in reverse.<ref name="OPM"/> Joe Ottoson of ''[[Allgame]]'' cited the inability to reconfigure the controls as the sole drawback to the game's presentation.<ref name="Allgame"/>

The visuals were praised as impressive for a PlayStation title, with smooth, clean graphics, vibrant environments, and minimal technical issues like slowdown, draw-in, or texture warping. The D-Pad Destroyer and Rybicki praised the cartoony aesthetic, effective use of textures, and absence of graphical flaws, even in four-player mode.<ref name="GamePro"/><ref name="OPM"/> Perry noted the fully polygonal characters and environments, comparing the game favorably to ''Mario Kart 64'' and ''Diddy Kong Racing'' for its lack of slowdown.<ref name="IGN"/> Gerstmann and Ottoson commended the large, well-designed environments that maintained a cartoon-like charm without compromising performance.<ref name="GSpot"/><ref name="Allgame"/>

The tracks were described as ingeniously designed, diverse, and challenging, with shortcuts, obstacles, and varied themes enhancing replayability. Lucas highlighted standout tracks like Sewer Speedway and Cortex Castle for their creative design and replay value.<ref name="ElecPlay"/> Perry praised courses like Tiny Arena and Polar Pass for their obstacles and strategic elements.<ref name="IGN"/> Gerstmann and ''EGM''{{'}}s Crispin Boyer noted the tracks' superb design and surprises, requiring players to learn layouts to succeed.<ref name="GSpot"/><ref name="EGM"/>

The robust game modes, particularly Adventure and Battle, were said to provide substantial content and replay value, making ''Crash Team Racing'' a standout in the genre. The Adventure mode, likened to ''Diddy Kong Racing'', was lauded by Lucas, Gerstmann, and Smith for its hub-based structure, boss battles, and collectibles.<ref name="ElecPlay"/><ref name="GSpot"/><ref name="EGM"/> Rybicki and Hager emphasized the engaging single-player experience and the multiplayer modes' excellence, with four-player support via a multitap.<ref name="OPM"/><ref name="EGM"/> Rybicki highlighted the Battle mode for its customizable options like time limits and weapon selection.<ref name="OPM"/> Liu appreciated the variety of modes, though he found the Adventure mode's ending underwhelming.<ref name="GameRev"/>

The sound design was considered solid and fitting of the cartoon aesthetic, with enjoyable music and varied character voice lines, though some reviewers found the music repetitive or unmemorable. The D-Pad Destroyer praised the whimsical background music and fitting sound effects, while Lucas highlighted the high-quality voice acting and cartoonish sound effects.<ref name="GamePro"/><ref name="ElecPlay"/> Perry and Liu, however, found the music simplistic or kitschy, with Perry suggesting lowering the music volume. Liu noted some character voices, like Crash's, felt off or effeminate.<ref name="IGN"/><ref name="GameRev"/>

Critics acknowledged the game's lack of originality, being heavily derivative of ''Mario Kart'' and ''Diddy Kong Racing'', but praised its superior execution. Perry and Gerstmann explicitly called ''Crash Team Racing'' a "''Mario Kart'' clone", with Perry noting near-identical elements like course structure and power-ups.<ref name="IGN"/><ref name="GSpot"/> Lucas and Smith drew parallels to Nintendo's titles but argued ''Crash Team Racing'' surpassed them in polish and technical execution.<ref name="ElecPlay"/><ref name="EGM"/> Rybicki and Boyer asserted that ''Crash Team Racing''{{'}}s quality made its derivative nature irrelevant, as it refined the kart racing formula.<ref name="OPM"/><ref name="EGM"/>

The multiplayer modes, especially four-player racing and Battle Mode, were a major strength, offering high replayability and fun for groups. Critics emphasized the seamless four-player experience, with no performance drops.<ref name="ElecPlay"/><ref name="OPM"/><ref name="EGM"/> Rybicki highlighted the Battle Mode's customization options.<ref name="OPM"/> Perry and Ottoson stressed its party game appeal, making it ideal for group play.<ref name="Allgame"/><ref name="IGN"/>

''Crash Team Racing'' was nominated for [[D.I.C.E. Award for Racing Game of the Year|Console Racing Game of the Year]] at the [[3rd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2000&idGame=521 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Detail Crash Team Racing |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref>

===Sales===
In the first full month of its release, ''Crash Team Racing'' was the third highest selling PlayStation game and tenth best-selling home and handheld console game in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-127-february-2000/page/n41/mode/2up |title=The Top 20 Best-Selling Games of November 1999 |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=February 2000 |issue=127 |page=42}}</ref> It remained on the best selling home and handheld console game list the following month.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-129-april-2000/page/n45/mode/2up |title=The Top 20 Best-Selling Games of December 1999 |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=April 2000 |issue=129 |page=46}}</ref> Overall, the game sold 1.9&nbsp;million units in the United States and over 300,000 units in Japan.<ref name="magicboxus">{{cite web|url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |title=US Platinum Videogame Chart |publisher=The Magic Box |access-date=December 23, 2018|date=December 27, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421003854/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |archive-date=April 21, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="elspap">{{cite web|url=http://www.elspa.com/?i=3944 |access-date=December 23, 2018|publisher=[[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Platinum |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515224703/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3944 |archive-date=May 15, 2009}}</ref> As a result of its success, the game was re-released for the [[Sony Greatest Hit]]s line-up in 2000 and for the [[Platinum Range]] on January 12, 2001.<ref>{{cite web |title=''Crash Team Racing'' for PlayStation&nbsp;– ''Crash Team Racing'' |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/driving/crashteamracing/similar.html?mode=versions |website=GameSpot |access-date=August 29, 2007}}</ref>

==Legacy==
A follow-up titled ''[[Crash Nitro Kart]]'' was released in 2003 for the [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], [[GameCube]], [[Game Boy Advance]] and [[N-Gage (device)|N-Gage]] and was the first game in the ''Crash Bandicoot'' series to feature [[full motion video]].<ref name="CGW">{{cite web |publisher=Computer Graphics World |author=Martin McEachern |date=April 2004 |title=Crash Course |url=http://www.cgw.com/Publications/CGW/2004/Volume-27-Issue-4-April-2004-/Crash-Course.aspx |access-date=February 27, 2010}}</ref>

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/Crash_Team_Racing_1999_Sony_US_SCUS-94426 |title=Crash Team Racing Instruction Booklet |year=1999 |publisher=[[Sony Computer Entertainment]] |ref={{harvid|Instruction Booklet|1999}}}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Video games|1990s|United States}}
* {{MobyGames|/ctr-crash-team-racing}}

{{Crash Bandicoot series}}
{{Naughty Dog}}
{{Universal Interactive}}

[[Category:1999 video games]]
[[Category:Crash Bandicoot racing games]]
[[Category:Kart racing video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Naughty Dog games]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Network games]]
[[Category:Racing video games]]
[[Category:Sony Interactive Entertainment games]]
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[[Category:Vehicular combat games]]
[[Category:Video games about alien visitations]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Josh Mancell]]
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