You can always count on evil geniuses for two basic plans:

A) They'll do whatever it takes to stop the hero.
B) If that doesn't work, they'll resort to kidnapping the hero's friends and family.

Universal Interactive's Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced picks up where the first game (Crash Bandicoot: The Big Adventure) left off...at Plan B. In his latest desperate bid for world domination, Dr. Nefarious Tropy has kidnapped Crash's sister Coco and best friend Crunch. Crash must rescue Coco and Crunch before N. Tropy's plans become a horrible reality.

Doing What a Bandicoot Does Best

Rescuing his friends isn't as easy as heading from point A to point B. Crash must collect special crystals spread across a whopping 30 levels in eight unique environments. Unfortunately for Crash, Dr. N. Tropy has legions of faithful followers who intend to make life difficult for our fearless bandicoot.

Thankfully, Crash maintains all his signature moves while adding a few new skills along the way. Platforming mainstays running, jumping, crouching and sliding are all available from the outset. Crash's unique tornado spin ability allows him to spin like a top while flailing his arms at top speed.

Crash is fairly susceptible to damage. A single hit from an enemy or trap can cost a life. To help forfend instant splatitude, Crash can pick up Aku Aku Masks. Each mask will allow Crash to withstand an additional hit. To add an extra life to your reserves, simply pick up a Crash 1-Up icon or collect 100 colorful Whumpa fruit.

2D Or Not 2D

Much like Crash Bandicoot: The Big Adventure, most of the levels in N-Tranced are laid out in classic, side-scrolling fashion. Scattered throughout each stage are crates, TNT and Nitro boxes. Different crates react in different ways to being jumped on or spun through. New crates such as Ice, Copter and Magic Carpet grant Crash temporary special abilities. Experiment with different types of crates to help you reach difficult-to-access areas.

Also returning are the forced-perspective levels that have Crash advancing towards the screen. This time around, Crash goes wakeboarding through beautifully rendered water levels while being chased by a gigantic shark. Your objectives during these levels are to collect as many crates and Whumpa fruits as possible while jumping ramps and trying to avoid becoming the shark's next meal!

New to the handheld Crash Bandicoot series are the isometric Atlasphere challenges. Inspired by Sega's Super Monkey Ball, these levels encase Crash in a rolling steel cage. Crash must navigate through 3D levels filled with crates, traps and ramps. Developer Vicarious Visions has added helpful functions to speed up and brake.

Two Bandicoots Are Better Than One

The new Atlasphere levels not only add a fun gameplay twist, but they also allow the developers to incorporate some highly entertaining multiplayer modes. Two human players can go head-to-head in either battle or race modes.

By linking up your Game Pak with the original Crash Bandicoot: The Big Adventure, you can unlock new characters for use in multiplayer. Two GBAs, a GBA Game Link cable and two Game Paks are required for multiplayer action.

With Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced, Universal Interactive and Vicarious Visions have pieced together a hypnotizing platform game. Players of all ages will fall under its spell for hours on end.