When you think of Crash Bandicoot, your mind probably conjures up that orange marsupial spinning his way through crates, collecting Wumpa fruit, and battling the evil Doctor Neo Cortex. He's the face of the franchise, the PlayStation icon who went toe-to-toe with Mario and Sonic in the late '90s console wars.
But here's the thing nobody talks about enough: his younger sister Coco has been quietly carrying the entire franchise on her back for nearly three decades, and she deserves way more recognition than she gets. While Crash gets the glory, Coco's been the brains, the skill, and honestly, the better character all along.
The Genius Who Started As An Afterthought
The famous Coco Bandicoot made her debut in Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back in 1997, and she wasn't even playable in the main game. She was mainly relegated to cutscenes and holographic appearances, a side character who existed just to give Crash someone to save and provide technical support. But even in those limited appearances, something special was obvious. In front of us was a character who could hack computers, build gadgets, and outsmart villains while Crash was still figuring out which end of a TNT crate was dangerous.
By Crash Bandicoot: Warped, Naughty Dog realized what they had, making Coco fully playable in certain levels. She controlled better than Crash in many situations, had unique abilities, and brought actual personality to cutscenes instead of just goofy facial expressions. The real kicker? Coco was apparently designed to appeal to players who wanted more than just mindless platforming. While Crash represented pure chaos and instinct, Coco mirrored intelligence and capability.
She rode a tiger on the Great Wall of China levels, piloted an airplane, and jet-skied through prehistoric waters with more grace than her brother ever managed. The developers at Naughty Dog created her because they wanted female representation in the game, but they intentionally crafted a character who often appeared more competent than the protagonist. In every game since, Coco has proven she can do everything Crash can do, usually better, and with actual strategic thinking involved.
Sidekick To Full-Fledged Hero
Fast forward to modern entries like Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time and the Crash Team Racing remake, and Coco isn't just playable anymore—she's essential. In Crash 4, she's a fully alternate protagonist with her own story moments and abilities. The game treats both siblings as equals, yet when people discuss the franchise, it's still "Crash did this" and "Crash did that."
The marketing, the merchandise, the cultural conversation—it all centers on Crash. What makes this especially frustrating is that Coco wasn't a damsel in distress or a pink, "girl version" of the main character—she represents something genuinely progressive in gaming history.
