Crash Tag Team Racing announced

Crash Bandicoot will return this autumn on PS2, Xbox, Cube and Nintendo DS with a new racing game from Radical Entertainment, the studio behind The Simpsons: Hit & Run.

Crash Tag Team Racing features "all-new 'clashing' technology" so that, "for the first time ever in a racing game, players will be able to fuse two cars together on the fly to for a super-vehicle."

It works like this: you can link up your car with an opponent's in the middle of a race to create one uber-vehicle equipped with an extra-powerful turret gun. One player does the driving, while the other lets rip with the death nuggets.

The game offers split-screen multiplayer for up to eight opponents, system link on all consoles and wireless support for up to four players on the DS. There's also an on-foot mode which lets you explore the entire world as a pedestrian, collecting upgrades and unlocking bonus tracks as you go.

The script is being penned by Crash Twinsanity writer Jordan Reichek, best known for his work on Ren & Stimpy. It's all about how Dr. Neo Cortex has hatched a sinister plan and is challenging Crash to a seemingly friendly etc. etc.

You can find some screenshots here.