At which event was Crash Bandicoot unveiled in 1996?

Crash Bandicoot was unveiled at E3 1996. Naughty Dog’s colorful PlayStation platformer made its first major public showing at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in May 1996, where it attracted enthusiastic attention for its vibrant visuals and distinctive 3D presentation.

The E3 demonstration marked an important moment in the game’s development. While preparing the presentation, the team finalized the title “Crash Bandicoot”; earlier working names included “Willy the Wombat,” and alternatives such as “Dash,” “Smash,” and “Bash” had also been considered. Crash was displayed prominently at Sony’s booth, replacing the company’s original choice of Twisted Metal.

The event helped establish Crash as a major PlayStation character before the finished game reached stores. Sony Computer Entertainment published the game, while Naughty Dog developed it and Universal Interactive retained the property. The North American release followed on September 9, 1996.

The answer is sometimes confused with a release date or a later trade show. E3 1996 identifies the unveiling event, not the game’s retail launch. Crash Bandicoot later became one of the best-selling PlayStation titles, selling more than six million copies worldwide.