Crash Team Rumble is aiming for a 2023 launch as a four-versus-four multiplayer game that expands the Crash Team moniker beyond just kart racing and into team-based arena matches. Likely spurred on by other successful multiplayer games capitalizing on uniting fan-favorite characters like MultiVersus and Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, Crash Team Rumble will see a host of characters from across the franchise joining forces. While the current roster consists of Crash Bandicoot staples, the game could open the door to other recurring characters not yet confirmed and even those more obscure. It also seems like it might introduce brand-new characters to the mix.

RELATED: 7 Platformers With The Most Replay Value

Crash Bandicoot

A Crash Bandicoot game would never be a Crash Bandicoot game without its titular protagonist, so Crash’s inclusion in Crash Team Rumble was always going to be a foregone conclusion. Featuring prominently within the announcement trailer, it’s possible that like the series’ other spin-offs, Crash Team Rumble could have its own underlying story alongside its multiplayer focus, and Crash would be the obvious choice of the game’s protagonist. Beyond this, fans of the series may just be happy and reassured that their favorite Bandicoot is still alive and well on the gaming scene.

Coco Bandicoot

Though it might not seem as obvious as Crash’s inclusion in Crash Team Rumble, a Crash Bandicoot game these days needs the titular hero’s sister along for the ride. Having featured in other games such as Crash Team Racing or as a playable character in the Crash Bandicoot N Sane Trilogy remaster and Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, it was inevitable that Coco would appear in Crash Team Rumble. It has been noted, though, that Coco was positioned on Cortex’s “villain” team, which seems to hint at the game’s amoral hero-villain angle.

Dingodile

From series antagonist to a retired villain and playable character in Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, fans are likely to be pleased to see a favorite Crash Bandicoot mutant join the roster of Crash Team Rumble. Last seen as a playable character in the series’ fourth numbered entry, Dingodile will similarly be playable in the upcoming multiplayer and will bring with him his new vacuum cannon as showcased by the trailer. A retired villain and potentially reformed, players might be eager to see if, like Coco, Dingodile will explore the game’s hero-villain theme.

Dr. Nefarious Tropy

While he wasn’t among Crash Bandicoot’s initial line-up of villains and antagonists, Dr. Nefarious Tropy better known as N. Tropy was introduced in the last of Naughty Dog’s original PlayStation trilogy with Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped. However, in spite of this, N. Tropy quickly became a fan-favorite and a classic villain in the series’ canon and even made his reappearance in the recent Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time. Alongside the menagerie of other evil characters with puns for names, N. Tropy is a welcome addition to the Crash Team Rumble roster.

RELATED: 6 Games That Let You Control The Villain For A Short Period

Dr. Neo Cortex

Much like Crash and Coco, a Crash Bandicoot game wouldn’t be complete without its classic villain. As the series’ main antagonist from its earliest beginnings to its most recent titles such as Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled, Dr. Neo Cortex has always been Crash’s long-standing adversary. His inclusion in Crash Team Rumble was also bound to happen, and naturally, both the promotional images and trailer pit Crash against the evil doctor. If there is a story to the game, then fans are eager to see how he might factor in as a potential antagonist or, if like other series-adjacent games, who might take his stead.

Dr. Nitrus Brio

The third member of Crash Team Rumble’s roster that is a part of Crash Bandicoot’s classic villain lineup is Dr. Nitrus Brio, better known by players as N. Brio. Introduced in the series’ first sequel Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back as Cortex’s partner and secondary antagonist, N. Brio would become a recurring character throughout the games, even including the most recent Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time. From the trailer footage, it seems that N. Brio’s moves will be informed by his characterization as a chemical-mixing mad scientist, resulting in monstrous transformations that see him hulk out.

Tawna

Though the original Tawna introduced to the Crash Bandicoot series has likely been relegated to the past for good reasons, the new and improved version of Tawna from an alternate universe will be returning for Crash Team Rumble. Technically making her debut in Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time and paying homage to the games’ legacy while correcting any problematic design choices, Tawna was the hero of her universe in place of Crash and Coco after losing them. To see her back for Crash Team Rumble could be welcomed by fans and could help pave a prospective future for the character in future games.

Unknown Bat Character

Despite the Crash Team Rumble roster being full of familiar characters from up and down the series’ history, one character in particular from the announcement stood out as a newcomer. With a very distinctive bat-like punk rock appearance and reminiscent of Crash Bandicoot’s many other mutants, it’s possible that this character could easily factor into the games’ lore as one of Neo Cortex’s or N. Brio’s creations. Not much is known at this stage about them, but a brand-new character does strongly support the theory that there could be a story mode in Crash Team Rumble that sets the stage for their official introduction.

Aku Aku & Uka Uka

As familiar as players are to Crash himself and the likes of Neo Cortex, the mystical masks Aku Aku and Uka Uka would have been a sore oversight had they not appeared in Crash Team Rumble. Though they are not traditional humanoid characters, which means their inclusion might have been an obstacle for Toys for Bob, the developer will be adding the mask twin brothers in a supporting role. Seen briefly in the announcement trailer, Uka Uka in particular is seen performing some kind of magical summon or blast, which means further characters might be confirmed later on in supporting roles.

Crash Team Rumble is set to release in 2023 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

MORE: Crash 4, Spyro Remaster Dev Teasing New Game