How does saving work in Crash Bandicoot?
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I'm currently playing the original Crash Bandicoot on the PS1. It turns out I only had the second and third one when I was a kid and not the original. I have found out that you are only allowed to save the game when you complete a bonus round. So it appears to me that, if I play through the game casually then I will save on most levels because they seem to normally have bonus rounds. However, when I return to a level the bonus round tokens do not reappear, so I wouldn't for example be able to just keep playing the bonus round on Jungle Rollers when I want to save.
Then it looks like if I want to return to a level and try and get the gem by smashing all the boxes, then I won't be able to save the game afterwards unless I beat the bonus round of a level I've not yet completed. Is this true? Maybe there is some other way of saving the game that comes later on that I'm not yet aware of?
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Long and short of it is yes, the bonus levels are the only place to save the game (emphasis mine):
When you get a gem or a key, the game only saves the fact that you've earned one. That means if you think you get LEVEL PROGRESS saved, it's goodbye to that progress if you quit. Even though you get a chance to save after Key Bonus Rounds, it only saves the fact that you got a key.
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Even the manuals state this thing:
PAL manual quotes: "BONUS ROUNDS - A CHANCE TO SAVE CRASH" -Talking about Tawna Bonus Round If Crash makes it to the end of the Bonus Round then the percentage of the adventure you've completed is displayed. You can then save your progress by making crash jump onto the Sparkling Transport Pad." -Only talk about saving
NTSC/U manual quotes: "An in-game Saving System allows you to record data to a memory card at certain SAVE POINTS during the game." -OK, good quote "The SAVE POINTS are located in the Tawna Bonus Rounds. At various other points you will be given the opportunity to record the fact that you've earned a gem or key." -See, even US manual says this "You can only save on Tawna Rounds." -This is seen later
https://sites.google.com/site/psxdriverplayerssite/My-stuff/FAQ/Crash-Bandicoot-Saving-FAQ#:%7E:text=The%20game%20remembers%20your%20progess,saving%20when%20getting%20the%20key.
I'd say the reason they introduced the manual saving system is due to this "partial" save system.
