Rings Uranus1

Back in 2005 Sierra released Crash Tag Team Racing on a variety of formats, including the Nintendo GameCube. The game was a sequel of sorts to the well-received PlayStation classic Crash Team Racing and its follow-up Crash Nitro Kart, and was also due to hit the Nintendo DS at the same time.

That port was being handled by the now-defunct Sensory Sweep Studios, and had apparently been in development for around 9 to 10 months when the plug was pulled, with completion only a couple of months away. The official reason for the cancellation was supposedly the impending launch of Mario Kart DS, with Sierra apparently doubtful that the zany bandicoot would sell in the face of such stuff competition.

Crash

Despite being almost finished, no screenshots for the DS version ever saw the light of day back in 2005. However, thanks to the efforts of a devoted Crash fan — and the fact that one of the character artists held onto some of his efforts — we can now see what this title might have looked like had it actually made it to retail.

As well as the selected shots we've posted below, you'll also find some track designs and character artwork here.

Uranus Mine1

[source crashmania.net, via gonintendo.com]