Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

FAQ's and Strategy Guides

For playing tips, move lists and other information, please read the Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back FAQ from www.GameFAQs.com.

Boss Warp

To go to the next or previous boss, press and hold L1, L2, R1, R2, and Triangle when standing on the middle platform of a warp room.

NOTE: This only works if you're already fought the boss you wish to visit.

Clear Gems

Here's how to get some of the clear gems!

Level     Instructions
3         Beat level in the given time (Hint: when
          you go to the bonus, die right away.
          This gives you more time.)

17        Take the death route.

21        Take the death route.

23        Take the death route.

Colored Gems

Here's how to get all the colored gems!

TURTLE WOODS (Blue): Get no boxes.
THE EEL DEAL (Green): Go past the dead end in the Nitro box filled room.
PLANT FOOD (Yellow): Get no boxes and beat the timer.
BEE-HAULING (Purple): Go up the stairs of Nitro boxes.

Extra Lives

In the second warp room, go to the barking bear and jump on him until 10 extra lives come out of him. This can only be done once.

Hidden Warps

Several warps are hidden througout this game. Here's how to find some of them.

1. BEAR DOWN: The small ice floe at the end of the stage.

2. AIR CRASH: The 2nd river. Don't jetski, but jump on the boxes to the platform.

3. UNBEARABLE: When the cub bucks you off, go back until you see him again.

4. HANGIN' OUT: when you drop down a hole into some eel-less water, go into the foreground and drop down the hole. (Pssst....use R1 to make Crash pull up his legs.)

5. DIGGIN' IT: Near the end there is a spitter plant on a circular platform. Bellyflop onto it.

6. TURTLE WOODS: When you find the stone face in the ground, belly flop on it to enter a bonus-type level. Be careful though as you can die in this one.

More Extra Lives

When you are on the 4th floor with the vortexes, get into the level with the bees. Instead of going underground to avoid the bees, hit all 5 of them away.(it takes practice) If done correctly, you should receive two lives, if done again, one more life will be given. Do this as much as you wish.

Playing Tip for Totally Bear

When playing Level 26, Totally Bear, use the long jump (O or R1 button and X button) when riding the bear. This allows you to jump farther than on regular bear levels like Bear It and Bear Down. Without out the long jump, you can't get past any of the jumps. Bueno Suerte!

Red Gem

To get the red colored gem, get the Air Crash warp (at 1st river, bounce off boxes to platform.) This should give you a Snow Go gate at the secret warp screen. Jump into it and beat the level to gain the red gem.

Secret Levels

When Crash's sister says "Make yourself useful and get batteries for my computer," wait and a bonus stage will appear.

Right before the first "Check Point" box in Turtle Woods there is an octagon on the ground with a menacing face. Belly-flop onto the face and Crash will fall right through it into a new level.

In the "UNBEARABLE" level, when the second bear falls off the bridge, go back and jump into the space where he fell. This should take you to a level with turtles and enemies who shoot at you.

Unlimited Lives

Go to the secret level in UNBEARABLE. At about the halfway point there is a bouncing box and an arc of fruit. Go to the highest step and super jump up to find two extra lives. Get both of them and kill yourself. Return to that spot for 2 more lives. Repeat as many times as you want!

Yellow Gem Time Saver

When trying to beat the clock on level 11 (PLANT FOOD), get to the bonus ? lifter. Start the bonus and fall down the first gap after the boxes and TNT. This will allow you to start at 1 minute, 24 seconds. Continue the level and if you finish in that time which is fairly easy, the yeallow gem is yours after entering the teleporter room that takes you back to the warp room. Don't forgot to grab it.