This section will give you a general idea of what to look for and what to avoid.
Wampa Fruit
For every one hundred wampa fruits collected, this sour but tasty treat will reward Crash with one free life.
Aku Aku
Crash 2 wouldn't be complete without the return of Crash's sidekick Aku Aku. Obtaining this mask grants you one hit point. If you hold three Aku Akus at once, you will become partially invincible.
Tawna & Coco
Rumors surrounding the location of Crash's love interest have been hitting the tabloids for months, and the last sighting of this adorable Bandicoot was in Hollywood. Apparently, she's working on a motion picture entitled Nightmare on Bandicoot Street IV. Sadly, Tawna is not in Crash 2. She has been replaced by Crash's sister CoCo (as a helper, don't think evil!). His sister will continually contact you through the warp room transmitter, giving updates on strange developments and occurences.
Boxes
All the original boxes are present, and they are accompanied by an iron box, and the deadliest explosive around - nitro.
Exclamation points
The exclamation boxes are used to transform translucent box forms into solid boxes. Plus, the nitro exclamation destroys all nitro boxes on a level.
Enemies
Crash 2 features a cornucopia of new faces to send to the grave. Notables are the raging bears, who try to run you down in the same manner as the boulder, log-tossing gorillas, and electric hands Ted, who will shock you if you enter his domain. The majority of the enemies can be killed by spinning, but if you look closely at certain critters, you'll see that a different action must be used to take them down.
Bonus Levels
These secret zones are located in almost every level in Crash 2. They're easy to find (since they are all highlighted with a question mark icon), but many of them pose a difficult challenge.
Death Routes
Whenever you stumble across a floating platform with a skull and cross bones on it, then you know it's time to challenge a death route. These extra level portions are much more difficult and often hold extra Gems.
Obtaining More Lives
Most action/platform games have easy 1-Up loops. This also holds true in Crash 2. Find a level you like and grab as many lives as you need.
Crystals
Cortex wants 25 of these priceless pieces and you'll need to find them for him. At the beginning of the game Cortex will show you what they look like. There's one Crystal per level, and all of them are easy to spot. None of them are hidden.
The Gem Hunt and 100%
Only the best of the best will be able to gloat as a 100% king. There are 42 different Gems located all throughout the game. Five of these Gems are colored (Red, Green, Purple, Yellow, Blue). These colored Gems open up hidden sectors on certain levels. Unlocking these Gems first requires a difficult task to be executed. Destroying all of the boxes on a level is how the majority of the Gems are found, but don't be surprised if you need to beat a level within a certain amount of time, or not break any boxes at all. Some Gems are even sitting on the level itself. Of course, these are well hidden. If you want 100% you will need to beat every level, and find every Gem
and Crystal.
Ten Lives For Free (Strategy Extra)
Move up to the second warp room and belly flop the snow beaver five times in a row. Doing this will reward you with ten free lives. This can only be done once.
Warp Room 1 ||
Warp Room 2 ||
Warp Room 3
Warp Room 4 ||
Warp Room 5 ||
Warp Room 6
Secret Warps (Strategy Extra)
Level 0 - Crash Landing
This level serves as a prelude to the game. Use the time in this level to learn all the new moves. You can always do this in the warp room, but it's best to practice them in an actual level scenario with boxes and enemies. You won't need to break all of these boxes to obtain some sort of a reward. Nothing is given out in this pre-game session. This forward-scrolling level will show you just how different Crash 2 is compared to part one. After the mud hole and the first three pits you will run into a native face ornament on the ground. Use your belly flop move to punch through it. In this secret area there is only one trouble spot. When you come to the Nitro box field (below you), use the slide and super jump to get across. From here, slide and jump off the ostrich backs and proceed back to the normal level grounds. The rest of the level shouldn't be a problem. Make sure you nail each box and grab the first Crystal, which is located between a mud hole and the third mole pit. Unlocking the Blue Gem
Surprise, surprise! This level isn't quite done yet. To obtain the sacred Blue Gem, simply run through the level without destroying any boxes. To do so, don't enter the secret or bonus areas, and at the box stack (two high - five across), jump off the striped box (second to the left). Don't worry, you won't break it.
Level 2 - Snow Go
(Unlock Clear Gem, Red Gem)
Take your time and be careful around the Nitro and TNT boxes. If you find yourself sliding out of control on the ice, use the belly flop to come to a complete stop. It'll save your life. Right after the checkpoint you'll come across the Red Gem lodged in the ceiling. Ignore it for now. You'll need to warp to the bonus portion of this level to get to it. Now continue on, fall down the bonus area, and when you come back to the forward-scrolling segment, run straight back and hit the green exclamation box. Shortly after this you will run into two translucent boxes that require an exclamation box. You will find the exclamation box just a few feet further down the road. It's hidden above the air-mounted striped brown box. Use the concrete spring to bounce you up to it. Unlocking the Red Gem
First check out the Secret Warps - Warp 1 section to find out how to get to this unexpected hidden area. Then, when inside the Hidden Warp Room, enter the secret level that says Snow Go. In this somewhat lengthy segment, race to the right as fast as you can and be sure to hit the exclamation box or you're screwed. This extra portion of Snow Go is tough, but the outcome is well worth it. When you come to the end of the path follow the wampa fruit trail down to the Red Gem.
Level 3 - Hang Eight
(Unlock Clear Gem, Blue Gem)
The only trouble spot on this level occurs in the hidden Blue Gem area. While riding the rocket board you'll see that a series of boxes is translucent. The exclamation box that will change these boxes into solids is located at the end of this rocketing segment. Cautiously, backtrack after you hit it. After this bonus extra you will find the crystal located halfway through the level between two hippos. To unlock the second Clear Gem you won't need to take the Blue Gem lift. Simply race to the end of the level before the timer (in the lower right hand corner) expires.
Level 4 - The Pits
(Unlock Clear Gem)
Halfway through this level you'll come to a fork in the road. Take the right path up to the checkpoint. Now, head back and take the left track. Stay on this until you come to the end of the fork in the road, and head back up the right track. Not very far up this track you will run into a little structure. Break the four boxes in here, and the two behind it, then head back down from where you were. Hit the bonus round, break the rest of the boxes, and this level is history.
Level 5 - Crash Dash
(Unlock Clear Gem)
The majority of this level is easy, but after the third checkpoint make sure that you hit the box sitting on a narrow ledge surrounded by two pits. If you get a good enough jump on the boulder, the boxes behind the energy fields can be approached at almost any speed. You won't need to panic and spin frantically.
Area 1 Boss - Ripper Roo
This kangaroo has retained his wacky charm from the last game, and once again he's easy to beat. Stay in the lower right-hand corner (on the Roo picture facing upward), and hit him in the head after he activates the Nitro boxes. Do this again for his second pass, and then to finish him, dodge the dynamite and head over to the lower left corner. Stay here until he begins his Nitro run. Now, move over to the right a few steps, and jump when he sets the Nitros off. Clobber him in the head and he's toast!
Level 6 - Snow Biz
(Unlock Clear Gem, Red Gem)
Before you try to get the Gem on this level make sure you have the Red Gem. The Red Gem area is the only troublesome spot on this level. Make sure you hit all the dynamite boxes. Sometimes this is hard to remember. At the end of this level, you can raise your head high, because you've just collected 124 boxes. Wow!
Shortly after the bonus round section, there is a box floating in the water to the right that is extremely hard to hit. What you'll need to do is jump from the first square of the platform, angle over to the box, hit it, and then fling back to the left. Next, take the death route (skull-marked floating platform) to obtain the first Gem on this level. The second Gem is much more difficult. Don't enter the stage from the main entrance. You'll need to enter it through the hidden warp entrance (see Secret Warps - Warp 2 strategy). After entering through the back door, destroy all the boxes with the rocket board then hit the exit warp at the end of this segment. From here destroy all the boxes up to the next rocket board segment. Use the super jump to hit the platform over to the left. Use the super jump two more times so that you land on the platform holding four boxes. Destroy these then head back to the rocket board. Proceed on through the level in a normal fashion. The gem is yours.
Level 8 - Bear It
(Unlock Clear Gem)
You'll find the crystal just behind the first checkpoint. This level is one of the easiest, and the only strategy you'll need is to jump in the same spot as the last whale diving. Don't try and go around them, otherwise you will run into the next one coming up, and bang! No more Crash or snow beaver.
Level 9 - Crash Crush
(Unlock Clear Gem)
After the first checkpoint keep an eye to your right. The track will split in two - one going down and another going up. Take the one heading up, and smash all of the boxes. Make sure you slide then jump when engaging the second energy field. After you do this, the game will graciously plop you back on the downward track. Continue on, but don't miss the bonus zone. Then, the crystal is located just a few steps down the path from this bonus zone. Before you know it, the level will be done, and you'll have a shiny new Gem in your hands.
Level 10 - The Eel Deal
(Unlock Clear Gem, Green Gem)
All of the boxes are easy to find. On the other hand, finding the Green Gem is extremely difficult. In fact, finding it is just dumb luck. It's hidden through the back wall in the Nitro-filled room just after the first fork in the road.
Area 2 Boss - Komodo Bros.
These guys are tough. Dodge the spinning Komodo until he stops and lands on the floor. Whack him with a spin, then stand behind the Komodo in the center of the arena. He will begin to throw sabers counterclockwise. To avoid them, stay behind him at all times. After he's done he will spin his little buddy again. This time he will be throwing sabers as well. Dodge, dodge, dodge is the only strategy we can give. It may take a while to beat these goons. Don't get flustered, you'll get the hang of it.
Level 11 - Plant Food
(Unlock Clear Gem, Yellow Gem)
You'll need to perform a series of amazing moves on the rocket board to beat this level. Bringing two Aku Akus will help. On the last rocket board segment, walk down the path to the right and kill all the plants before you jump on the rocket board. Doing this will clear a straight path with no dangerous spots whatsoever. Unlocking the Yellow Gem requires level completion before the timer runs out.
On the Yellow Gem segment you will find a Clear Gem sitting in one of the hallways. The rest of the level should be easy to walk through. Just as a mental reminder, don't forget to hit the exclamation box and break the two boxes down the other hall.
Level 13 - Bear Down
(Unlock Clear Gem)
Just ride, ride, ride that snow beaver, and break, break, break those boxes down.
Level 14 - Road to Ruin
(Unlock 2 Clear Gem)
Before you start this level check out the Secret Warps - Warp 3 strategy. Run through this new segment breaking all the boxes (including dynamite - don't forget). This section will then collide with the normal game route. You should know what to do next. The second Gem is in the difficult path which is located in the foreground on the second side-scrolling segment after the first checkpoint. Avoid the log-chucking gorillas and after a few turns or two, you'll find your Clear prize.
Level 15 - Un-bearable
(Unlock Clear Gem)
Halfway through this course the bear will fall through a bridge. Follow him down to a secret area. This zone is difficult, but luckily it does have plenty of Aku Akus and continue points. The rest of the level should not be too much of a problem. Now, gimme that Gem!
Area 3 Boss - Tiny
This cat is simple to take down. Just make him jump on a red platform. Do this three times and then head to the far central platform.
Level 16 - Hangin' Out
(Unlock Clear Gem)
Quickly moving across the monkey bars and avoiding the spiky rats is your best bet for winning this level. Don't backtrack when you fall into the water. Make continual forward progress and this level will be over before you know it.
Near the beginning of the level you will run into an alternate death route. Take it, and you will find the first Clear Gem lying in the middle of a path. To unlock the second Gem simply explore all the unseen land and break the boxes that occupy it.
Level 18 - Cold Hard Crash
(Unlock 2 Clear Gem)
In the bonus sector, at the two dark brown boxes which are parallel with each other, jump on the top one to uncover a hidden box. Shortly after this bonus room you'll see a death route in the foreground. On this track you will need to backtrack after you find the exclamation box so that you can destroy the one box that was not visible before. At the end of this icy run a Clear Gem awaits. After destroying the death route boxes, smash all of the remaining boxes on the regular course to unlock the second Gem. Obtaining both of these Gems is one of the hardest feats in the game.
Level 19 - Ruination
(Unlock 2 Clear Gem, Requires Green Gem)
At the very end of the Green Gem section lies the Clear Gem. After you grab this continue on the regular course, and seek out all the boxes. None of them are hidden, but the bonus level will take a few tries to figure out how a couple of the chain reactions work.
Level 20 - Bee-Having
(Unlock Clear Gem, Purple Gem)
None of the boxes are hidden on this level either. It's just rather difficult to break them all in a sprint. Be sure to master the timing of diving into the ground and hitting the bees at the same time. Practice makes perfect. The Purple Gem is hidden well, and you must really look to see the secret that will unlock it. A good portion of the way through this level you will see a staircase of Nitro boxes. But, if you look closey enough you will see that they are not Nitros, since they are not bouncing. Jump off of these fake boxes and you'll warp to a hidden bonus realm holding the Purple Gem.
Area 4 Boss - N. Gin
The relentless Bandicoot squares off against the most hostile of baddies - N. Gin. To beat this cybernetic goon simply throw your wampa fruits at his guns when they open up. Then, go for the shoulders and finally the hull. When he attacks with lasers or missiles, jump them, and this menace should be nothing but a smoldering pile of circuits before you know it.Warp Room 4
Level 21 - Piston It Away
(Unlock 2 Clear Gem)
At the beginning of this rockin' stage is a death route. Take it up to the hidden sector and after a series of difficult jumps you'll run into the first Clear Gem. The second Clear Gem will require breaking the rest of the boxes on the level. What you'll need to do is go all the way to the end of the level, and then head back and take care of the death route.
Just fly into all the boxes. Yes, while this stage looks great and plays tremendously, it's actually really, really easy.
Level 22 - Rock It
(Unlock Clear Gem)
Level 23 - Night Fight
(Unlock 2 Clear Gem)
Partway into the course you'll have the chance to switch routes. To the left is the death route which contains a Gem. Grab it and beat the level. To get the second Gem re-enter this level and stay on the normal course. At the bonus round don't grab the second firefly until you've broken the two boxes next to it. Now, go back to the main course and at the fork in the road go back to the left. Hit the two boxes, grab the firefly, and finish the level. The second Gem is now in your possession.
Level 24 - Pack Attack
(Unlock Clear Gem)
Double check the top and bottom of each doorway and you shouldn't run into a problem on this Gem run.
Level 25 - Spaced Out
(Unlock 2 Clear Gem, Requires All Colored Gems)
The colored Gem path begins right after the first turn on this level. If you beat this section you will end up at a different goal with a Gem awaiting. For the second Gem, use the strategy you know so well - run through the level destroying all of
the boxes.
Area 5 Boss - N. Cortex
Simply fly at this guy and spin into him three times to bring him down for the second time in two games. The ending will follow. If you have 100%, enter this room and watch the super-secret surprise ending.Warp Room 5
Level 26 - Totally Bear
(Unlock Clear Gem)
This hidden level is only available after you use a hidden warp (see Secret Warps - Warp 4). There isn't a solid strategy that will work well. Memorizing this level's every niche and turn will ensure victory. Be sure to bring a bucket of lives with you.
There's only one trouble zone on this level. When you come to the steel-coated boxes, don't grab the nearby firefly. First, break all of the boxes, then grab the fly and proceed to the end of the level.
Warp 1 - Accessed Through Air Crash
Maneuver your Bandicoot butt up to the first checkpoint, but instead of hopping on the rocket board, jump across the boxes to the right and veer over to the small platform which is also on the right. Beam me up!
Warp 2 - Accessed Through Bear Down
At the very end of this level (after Crash flies off of the snow beaver) walk back and jump across the icebergs so that you land on the largest one in the field.
Warp 3 - Accessed Through Diggin' It
This warp is hidden almost all the way through Diggin' It. Keep your eyes peeled for a plant shooter on a pillar of its own to the left of the screen. There should be another plant a few feet ahead. Jump over onto the pillar with the plant and use a belly flop to destroy it. Walk into the green section and you'll warp ahead.
Warp 4 - Accessed Through
Un-bearable
At the end of Un-bearable, backtrack up the course and touch the baby snow beaver sitting in the upper left-hand corner.
Warp 5 - Accessed Through Hangin' Out
Go down whenever you can. And when you fall into a pool of water, head backwards. From here, fall down the hole and continue on straight. Eventually, you will run into the invisible warp hidden in a path of wampa fruits.