I had never played a Crash Bandicoot game before, despite having been a serious gamer for 20+ years.  Therefore, I wanted to play the original to get a sense of what the series is like.  I was expecting an easy, light and breezy adventure, but this game is a serious challenge.  A punishing save system is the main culprit, with very limited chances to save and frequent deaths with a limited number of lives.  However, this is what helps make the game so memorable.  I was on the edge of my seat, completely focused in a zen like state to beat the later levels.