The game just launched on current-gen platforms last week, but it seems we can already guarantee a next-gen release for Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is on the way too.
A listing on the United States' games ratings board's website, the ESRB, has recently indicated that Crash 4 will hit Xbox Series X in the future. Reliably, we can assume this means it will come to PS5 as well. Games ratings outings like this have historically been an excellent indicator of a future game's release plans, and it makes sense to bring your game from October 2, 2020 to the new platforms launching just over a month later. That's one of the major advantages of this generation as compared to those previous.
Activision hasn't announced next-gen plan itself yet, but there's really no reason to doubt it, especially after the warm reception the game has received. Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time has received a Mighty 85 average from 48 critics here on OpenCritic, with 91% of critics recommending the game for plays. For the most part, reviewers have praised Toys For Bob for their ability to recapture the magic of the original games in the Crash Bandicoot series, something arguably no sequel had done since Activision took over the series from Sony and Naughty Dog many years ago.
The move to next-gen for Crash Bandicoot 4 should be a good indicator that other late-gen games have similar intentions. Titles such as Mafia: Definitive Edition (September 25), Star Wars Squadrons (October 2), Amnesia: Rebirth (October 20), and more should all be expected to receive next-gen ports, and in some cases will even be enhanced for next-gen consoles.
The bigger question that remains is whether or not current buyers of games such as Crash 4 will get the next-gen version for free, or if they'll have to buy it again. It's been a lightning rod of praise or criticism for studios depending on which policy they implement, with games such as Cyberpunk 2077 getting massive praise for their free next-gen upgrade, while Control will require a re-purchase, upsetting many fans including early adopters. We should know about Activision's red shoe'd mascot's plans in the weeks, if not days, ahead.
