If you’re a Crash Bandicoot fan, you might want to sit down for this one. Beenox, the studio that brought us the excellent Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled remake back in 2019, just updated their social media banner with something very interesting. And then they removed it. That combination of “exciting new art” plus “quickly deleted” is basically the internet’s favorite recipe for speculation.
What Did the Banner Actually Show?
The now-deleted banner showcased various projects Beenox has worked on over the years, which makes sense for a studio updating their social media presence. But here’s where it gets juicy. The banner included concept art of Crash Bandicoot in his kart, and this wasn’t recycled art from the 2019 game. Instead, it featured Crash with his design from Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, which came out after Nitro-Fueled.
Why does that matter? Because it suggests Beenox has been working on something new involving Crash and kart racing, using the more recent character design. You don’t commission new concept art of Crash in a kart just for fun. That costs money and artist time, which means there’s likely a project attached to it.
The Timing Is Pretty Suspicious
Here’s the thing about game development and social media. When a studio accidentally reveals something they shouldn’t have, they remove it fast. That’s exactly what happened here. The banner went up, fans noticed the new Crash kart art, started talking about it, and then poof, the banner disappeared. That’s not the behavior of a company showing off old work. That’s damage control.
Adding fuel to the fire, there have been rumors floating around for months about Crash Team Racing getting some kind of new release. Back in June 2025, a leaker claimed that a “Grand Prix Edition” was in development for current-gen consoles and PC. The original Nitro-Fueled sold over 10 million copies but never made it to PC, which always seemed like leaving money on the table. Microsoft now owns Activision, and they love putting games on Game Pass and releasing on multiple platforms.
What Could Beenox Actually Be Working On?
There are a few possibilities here, and fans are debating all of them. The most straightforward option is a current-gen port of Nitro-Fueled. The game came out in 2019 for PS4, Xbox One, and Switch, which means it’s technically last-gen now. A PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC release with improved graphics and performance would make sense, especially since the game performed so well commercially.
But the new concept art featuring the Crash 4 design suggests something more ambitious might be happening. Could we be looking at a full sequel? Crash Team Racing 2, or whatever they’d call it, using the Crash 4 aesthetic throughout? That would be a bigger deal, potentially including new tracks, new mechanics, and a fresh roster of characters based on the expanded Crash universe.
There’s also the possibility of a middle ground, something like an expanded edition that brings the original Nitro-Fueled content to new platforms while adding substantial new content. Think new tracks, characters, and modes built around the Crash 4 timeline and visual style.
Why Crash Team Racing Deserves Another Shot
If you never played Nitro-Fueled, you missed out on one of the best kart racers not made by Nintendo. Beenox absolutely nailed the remake, staying faithful to the original 1999 game’s mechanics while updating everything else. The handling was tight, the track design was creative, and the drift-boosting system had real depth for competitive players.
The game also received eight months of free post-launch content through seasonal Grand Prix events, adding new tracks, characters, and cosmetics without charging players extra. It was a genuinely consumer-friendly approach in an era where most racing games charge for every little addition. Then they wrapped up support to work on other projects, and the community has been waiting for a follow-up ever since.
The lack of a PC version was always the biggest missed opportunity. Mario Kart isn’t on PC, which leaves that entire platform without a top-tier kart racer. A Crash Team Racing release on Steam would have minimal competition and a built-in audience of PC gamers who grew up with Crash but don’t own consoles anymore.
The Microsoft Factor Nobody’s Talking About
Let’s not forget that Microsoft acquired Activision in late 2023, which means Beenox is now under the Xbox umbrella. Microsoft has been very aggressive about multiplatform releases and getting games onto Game Pass. They’ve also shown interest in reviving dormant franchises and supporting studios with beloved properties.
In fact, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled was added to Xbox Game Pass in December 2024, introducing the game to a whole new audience. If Microsoft saw strong engagement numbers from that, it would give them even more reason to greenlight a sequel or enhanced edition. They’re in the business of content now, and Crash Team Racing is proven content that sells.
What Happens Next?
As of right now, Beenox hasn’t said a word officially. The banner is gone, and the studio is back to radio silence. But the internet never forgets, and enough people captured screenshots of the banner before it disappeared. The concept art is out there, and fans have already dissected every pixel looking for clues.
If something is actually in development, we might see an official announcement at The Game Awards in December, or possibly during a future Xbox showcase. Microsoft tends to save big announcements for major events, and a new Crash Team Racing would definitely qualify as big news.
For now, all we can do is wait and speculate. But between the new concept art, the deleted banner, the previous port rumors, and Microsoft’s involvement, something definitely seems to be cooking. Whether it’s a simple port, an expanded edition, or a full sequel remains to be seen.
FAQs
What did Beenox reveal in their banner?
Beenox updated their X (formerly Twitter) banner to showcase various projects, including new concept art of Crash Bandicoot in a kart using his Crash Bandicoot 4 design. The banner was quickly removed, sparking speculation about a new game in development.
Is a new Crash Team Racing game confirmed?
No, Beenox and Activision have not officially announced anything. The evidence comes from the briefly displayed banner featuring new concept art and previous rumors about a current-gen port or sequel being in development.
When did Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled come out?
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled was released in June 2019 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. It was a remake of the original 1999 PlayStation game developed by Naughty Dog.
Why was the original Nitro-Fueled never released on PC?
According to director Thomas Wilson, the decision came down to resource constraints, security concerns about cheating, and a focus on the console-focused audience. The team prioritized console releases where the Crash fanbase was strongest at the time.
Could this be a sequel or just a port?
It’s unclear. The new concept art featuring Crash’s updated design from Crash Bandicoot 4 suggests either a sequel, an expanded edition, or a current-gen port with new content. Previous leaks mentioned a “Grand Prix Edition” coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
How successful was Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled?
The game was a commercial success, selling over 10 million copies by June 2025. It received positive reviews for its faithful recreation of the original, vibrant visuals, and substantial free post-launch content through seasonal Grand Prix events.
Does Microsoft’s ownership of Activision affect this?
Possibly. Since Microsoft acquired Activision in late 2023, they’ve been focused on multiplatform releases and Game Pass content. A new or updated Crash Team Racing would fit their strategy of bringing popular franchises to more platforms, including PC.
When might we hear an official announcement?
If something is in development, major gaming events like The Game Awards in December or future Xbox/PlayStation showcases would be logical venues for an announcement. However, no timeline has been confirmed or hinted at officially.
Conclusion
The mysterious Beenox banner update has Crash Bandicoot fans buzzing with anticipation, and for good reason. Between the new concept art, the suspicious deletion, previous port rumors, and Microsoft’s current strategy, all signs point to something Crash Team Racing-related being in the works. Whether it’s a simple current-gen upgrade, a PC release, or a full-blown sequel, fans of the series have plenty of reasons to be excited. The original Nitro-Fueled proved there’s still massive demand for quality kart racers outside of Mario Kart, and Beenox demonstrated they know exactly how to deliver. Keep your eyes on Beenox’s social channels and major gaming events for official news, because if this leak tells us anything, an announcement probably isn’t too far away.