Getting a gem was also the only way to save. Crash Bandicoot may be the only game series where each new game is easier than the one before it, and Crash 3 was still one of the most challenging games on the system.
I worked a night shift job for a couple of years and three of us would grab a case of beer, twist up some smoke, and jam on OG Playstation after work was done at 6 in the morning.
Tekken, Crash, and Metal Gear were the major mainstays of our play sessions. Man, that brings back some memories lol