Unlocking Crash Bandicoot 2: Secrets, 100% Completion, and Everything You Need to Know
You’re back in the world of Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back. Great choice! This platforming game is still amazing, even without nostalgia. Are you here to finish the game? Or do you want to explore every little detail? If you want full completion, you are in the right place. We will reveal how to achieve 100% and even 102% completion. Prepare for spinning, jumping, and a few explosions from Dr. Neo Cortex.
Mastering 100% Completion in Crash Bandicoot 2
Let’s address the numbers. Achieving 100% in Crash Bandicoot 2 is not just about seeing the end credits. It is more complex than that. Think of it as a badge, showing your skills and dedication to breaking boxes.
What Does 100% Really Mean?
To get that sweet 100%, you cannot just casually stroll through levels. You have a checklist to follow. First, collect all 25 Crystals scattered across the game. These are your main goal. But there’s more! You also must find all 42 Gems. These are just as important for a complete experience. Collecting all these will get you to the usual 100%, but we’re not finished yet.
Time Investment for 100% Completion
Wondering how long this journey will take? It varies with your console and skill. If you’re on PlayStation, veterans typically finish in about 12 hours and 45 minutes. PC players take about 15 hours and 19 minutes. Switch users usually need around 16 hours and 39 minutes due to portability and play style. These averages can differ. You may spend some time falling into pits. But hey, that’s part of the fun, right?
Achieving the Elusive 102%
Now for bragging rights: 102%. Yes, you heard that right. Crash Bandicoot 2 offers more. To reach this legendary figure, you need to gather all 25 Crystals, all 42 Gems, and all 27 Relics, specifically Gold or Platinum Relics. It’s like getting straight A’s. To unlock this path, you must find all 5 secret exits for a sixth Warp Room. Then defeat Dr. Neo Cortex again to trigger the secret ending that’s your reward for your dedication. It’s the ultimate flex in the Crash Bandicoot universe.
Unveiling Gameplay Secrets and Mechanics
Crash Bandicoot 2 is not just about running or hitting enemies. It hides secrets and gameplay mechanics that can improve your experience and completion percentage. Let’s uncover some juicy secrets the game has to offer.
The Secret Warp Room: Diggin’ It Deep
Think the regular Warp Rooms are too easy? Crash Bandicoot 2 has a secret one. You can find it in the “Diggin’ It” level. Watch for a seed-spitting plant on a round platform. This plant is crucial for your secret Warp Room access. Perform a belly-flop here to activate the portal. Yes, a belly-flop works! This secret Warp Room lets you enter hidden areas in “Road to Ruin.” Explore more dimensions.
Totally Fly: Accessing Secret Level 27
Do you believe you have seen all of Crash Bandicoot 2? Think again, because there’s a secret level, “Totally Fly,” also called level 27. To uncover it, go to level 16, “Hangin’ Out.” You’ll be in the water near a crystal. Instead of continuing, swim backwards. This will lead you to a hidden hole. Falling into this pit will take you to the secret Warp Room where “Totally Fly” awaits. Sometimes losing your way reveals the best items.
The Alternate Ending: Gem Power
Remember the 102% completion? Even if you only hit 100%, you still win a bonus. Crash Bandicoot 2 rewards gem collection with an alternate ending. This ending is distinct from the normal one. Collecting all Crystals leads you to a standard ending while collecting all Gems unlocks the “true ending.” It serves as a nice reward for thorough exploration. Shiny rocks have a larger role!
Mastering Movement: Sprinting and Higher Jumps
There are game mechanics that enhance your performance. Did you know Crash (or Coco) can sprint? You can run faster by holding down the button you use to switch characters in the Warp Room. This sprint is essential during time trials. To jump higher, master the “second sliding” technique by sliding then holding the jump button during the slide animation for better height. This skill is exciting for reaching boxes and platforms.
Gem Hunting: Box Breaking and Secret Paths
Gems add to your completion percentage and are critical for unlocking the true ending. How do you find them? Like the first Crash game, destroy boxes is a main method. Smash every crate, TNT box, and Nitro crate for a Gem at the end of many levels. It tests your thoroughness. However, some Gems hide along secret paths in levels. Exploring can reveal hidden Gems. You can collect 37 White Gems throughout the game. So go smash and explore!
Crash Bandicoot 2: More Than Just Wumpa Fruit
Crash Bandicoot 2 is more than a level collection. It has charisma, unique traits, and fun facts that make it distinct in platforming. Let’s cover some interesting facts that enhance its appeal.
The Perfect Difficulty Balance: Fan Favorite
Ask any Crash fan about their top game in the trilogy, and “Cortex Strikes Back” often comes up. Its balanced difficulty keeps players engaged without frustration. Mastering levels feels watchful. This balance has solidified Crash Bandicoot 2 as a fan favorite and a benchmark in platformers.
Coco Bandicoot: More Than Just a Sidekick
Coco Bandicoot is Crash’s smart sister. She’s not just a supportive character; she plays a role in gameplay.
Stats show she’s as capable as her brother. Her “Attack Potency” is “City Level.” This means she matches Crash in combat. She can defeat the same enemies. Her “Speed” is “Massively Hypersonic.” This aligns with Crash’s speed and dodging skills. Coco was only playable in parts of “Warped.” She became fully playable in “N. Sane Trilogy.” This recognizes her importance in the Crash Bandicoot universe.
Cheat Codes and Easter Eggs
Who likes cheat codes? Crash Bandicoot 2 has a few hidden gems. In Crash Bandicoot 3, you can unlock a Spyro demo. Enter a button sequence: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Square. It connects to another beloved franchise. In Crash Bandicoot 2, level 14, “Rock Slide,” features quirky easter eggs. Running into the alien sign sends you to level 31, which doesn’t exist. It hints at cut content. Letting the second pterodactyl capture you takes you to level 32, outside the usual order. These are not game-breaking cheats, just fun diversions.
Title Trivia: Cortex Strikes Back
The full title is “Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back.” The Japanese title is more dramatic: “Kurasshu Bandikū 2: Korutekkusu no Gyakushū!” Translated, it means “Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex’s Counterattack!” This emphasizes the villain’s role in the plot. It adds a menacing flavor to the title.
The Villainous Plot Twist: Cortex’s Deception
The game’s story begins with a villain’s deception. Crash is “abducted” by Doctor Neo Cortex. Cortex tricks Crash into thinking he wants to save the world. This sets up the game’s events. Crash unknowingly aids Cortex’s evil plans initially. It’s a classic cartoon villain plot, effective in the wacky world of Crash Bandicoot.
Bonus Point Secrets: Beating Elena’s Score
Remember Elena from the first game’s epilogue? She appears in Crash Bandicoot 2. Beating her high score in “A Normal Life” seems impossible. However, players can earn over 3500 points when Crash returns. The trick? The game’s second “A Normal Life” has an extra life that grants a 500-point boost. Grab that life, and Elena’s score becomes beatable. It’s a detail that completionists will like.
So there you have it. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, analyzed and secrets revealed. Whether you aim for 100% or just want to reevaluate this platform classic, this guide provides the needed knowledge. Now, jump, spin, and show those crates who’s the boss!
