thumb|right|300px|An example of a time trial (Crash 3- Orient Express) Time Trial is a mode that was first introduced in Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped, and was later featured in Crash Team Racing, Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex and Crash Nitro Kart.
In this mode, the player must race against the clock to the end of the level, and they will then earn a relic depending on how fast they managed to complete it. Touching the stopwatch at the beginning of a level (which becomes available once the power crystal has been collected) starts the time trial. There are also yellow boxes spread around the level, and if the player breaks one, depening on the number on it, will freeze for that many second. Based on the player's time, they will be awarded a relic, depending on how short the players time was. There are three different types of relics: Sapphire, Gold, and Platinum. Platinum relics are the most difficult to obtain, whilst Sapphire and Gold relics are easier. Depending on the level, time trials can vary from 18 seconds (Level 3: Orient Express, Platinum) to 3 minutes.
On some time trials it is possible to obtain a platinum relic without the Speed Shoes, but on other trials it is not possible without them. Therefore, a good tactic is to wait until the Crash Dash power becomes available, which makes getting the relics much easier. Another good strategy is to go ahead in the level slightly and shoot the stopwatch with the Fruit Bazooka, which can save the player a couple of seconds.
The time trials are also important to completing the game 100%, as to get all of the relics of each level. Beating all time trials get open up extra levels, and sometimes unlock new things. In Crash Team Racing, you MUST get all relics from all the races from the warp room in order to complete the game 100%. The time trials have been used since Crash Nitro Kart.
Time trials were the main replay abiltity for Crash Bandicoot 3: Warpedbecause Naughty Dog had thought that the gem wasn't worth what they wanted it to be.