First DS screens from Crash of the Titans

Let's face it, we have an uneasy relationship with Crash Bandicoot. Back in the day he was cool, but lately we don't think he's been treating us very seriously. (What was Crash Boom Bang! all about?)

At least Crash of the Titans seems like it could be a return to form for the all-action, platforming marsipual.

For one thing, it's based around a nefarious plot from Neo and Nina Cortex, and that's always a good starting point. This time the evil geniuses are attempting to mutate creatures into titanic abominations. Combined with his new 'Jack to Attack' ability, this sees Crash switch bodies with such bizarre experimental names as Scorporilla, Ratcicle, Magamadon and Shellephant.

Such body morphing means Crash gains access to the freaks' special attributes, naturally, with the available armoury including firing laser beams from your eyes, calling down lightning from the sky, impaling enemies on your venom-tipped tail and, erm, throwing stink bombs. (Maybe there's a mutant ASBO-carrying scally hidden in the menagerie?)

Still, thanks to a battle upgrade, Crash has some new tricks of his own, too. His acrobatic fighting system includes punches, flying kicks, combos and special counters, and extra moves will be unlocked as you progress through the game; Crash's moveset will include wall-runs, the ability to swing from ropes and flip off springboards, and even use your trusty mate – ancient voodoo mask Aku Aku – as a skate-cum-surfboard. Seems a bit disrespectful, somehow but heck, he is Australian.

What we're less sure about is how the touchscreen will be linked into these controls. One of the two DS screens so far released shows what looks like some sort of mini-game, where you have to scratch your stylus back and forth. The other displays a normal game screen, where the screen is just used for selecting inventory items and deploying Aku Aku.

We'll wait and see: Crash of the Titans is due for release in the autumn.