Crash Bandicoot Strategy Guide
Be Warned
What you are about to read is highly confidential, and if in the wrong hands,
a nightmare to the world. Below is a specific strategy guide which will help
you beat the game. Not all the level hints are complete, but it does tip you
in the right direction. This strategy guide will allow you to find between 95%
and 100% of the gems (if you're good enough). Good luck and may the mango be
with you!
Gems
The Gems are the most sought after item in Crash Bandicoot. If you find one,
you can consider yourself an avid gamer. However, if you happen to find them
all, you will be praised by whoever witnesses this feat, and be hailed among
the ranks of Zeus and Icarus as the ultimate gaming God.
There are two different kinds of Gems, the white and the multiple colored.
White Gems can be considered as the easy to find generic brand. These only
come into play at the very end of the game, forming a path to something
terrific. The colored Gems are one per color and are used as links to hidden
areas that will allow you to find certain boxes on specific levels. Example:
Let's say you find the Blue Gem on The High Road level. This Gem will open up
other areas in certain levels (such as Cortex Power) where it forms a bridge
across a slime pit. Before you find these colored Gems you may see a glimpse
of a placement piece which is the same color as the Gem. This means you need
that colored Gem to pass a certain feat on the level. Now, begin your hunt.
To find one Gem is a task in itself. You must pass a level without dying and
destroy every box on the level. Most boxes are easy to reach, although maybe
one or two are hidden. If you beat a level without dying, you'll be greeted
with either a Gem Screen (if you find all the boxes), or a Box Screen
(meaning you've missed one or more). This screen will show you how many boxes
you missed by dropping them on Crash's head. Do the level over, until you get
a perfect.
Bonus Level
The Bonus Level is the only point in the game where saves or passwords are
available. To find a Bonus Level you'll have to find three strange clown-like
icons hidden within a level. Once the third one is picked up, you'll instantly
be teleported to the hidden area where certain obstacles must be overcome
before a save can be managed.
There is also Boss Bonus Icons and Super Bonus World icons. Collecting three
Boss Icons brings you to a Bonus Level that doesn't allow you to save, though
it does offer many free lives. The Super Bonus Icon acts in the same manner,
but it holds a great surprise for those who find its three icons. These icons
are spread throughout the land. Three icons, three islands. Hint. Hint.
Aku Aku
Meet Crash's mighty sidekick. He not only journeys with Crash but also gives
him hit points. The hit point meter goes up to two (once two Aku Aku masks are
obtained). If you pick up three, Crash will throw on the Aku Aku mask and
promenade around with partial invincibility. Look for this mask in boxes,
around corners, and sometimes floating in the open.
Boxes
These are what you're looking for. Seek and destroy! The boxes come in all
different shapes and sizes. Some are damaging to your health, others are
bonuses that will put a smile on your face. Here's a breakdown of what to
look for.
Aku Aku
Smash one of these and Crash will gain a hit point.
1-Up
This box has a picture of Crash on it. Open it and add the 1-Up to your
arsenal.
Exclamation
This box will trigger all the clear silhouette boxes you see.
Breakable Arrow
Jump on this to reach new heights.
Question Mark What's inside is a mystery...?
Unlabeled These boxes always contain one mango.
Unlabeled With Stripes These boxes always contain ten mangos. Must be
jumped on or bumped from the bottom to access this delicious fruit.
Dynamite Ouch. These hurt Crash. Nonetheless, they come in handy for
destroying multiple boxes while on the run.
(Island 1 )
This island acts as both an introductory course for the gamer and an
essential base for Gem collecting. Learn how to move and pick up the
accessible Gems before you proceed to Island 2.
LEVEL 1 -- Sanity Beach (White Gem)
Hint: The only trouble on this level will probably occur at the exclamation
switch. The consecutive box jump is difficult but can easily be conquered
by timing the jumps. Watch Crash's shadow to see where you are going to
land.
LEVEL 2-- Jungle Rollers (White Gem -- requires Green Gem)
Access to Bonus World 1
Hint: It's impossible to find all the boxes without having the Green Gem
accessed (The Lost City - Island 2). The rest of the level is a walk in the
park.
LEVEL 3-- The Great Gate (White Gem -- requires Yellow Gem)
Access to Bonus World 2
Hint 1: Don't bother trying to find all the boxes on this level unless the
Yellow Gem is accessed (The Lab -Island 3).
Hint 2: When you approach a breakable arrow box that appears to lead nowhere
(sky background), jump on it and push towards the background. A hidden 1-up
is awaiting your arrival. Do the same on the next breakable arrow box to
find the hidden box on this level.
LEVEL 4 -- Boulders (White Gem)
Hint: Run like a mad dog! Use Crash's spin move to break the boxes on the
boulder paths. Don't try to jump on them, you'll die a horrible death.
LEVEL 5-- Upstream (White Gem -- requires Gold Gem)
Access to Bonus World 3
Hint 1: The first waterfall holds a box with a 1-Up behind it. Carefully
jump across the Gold Gem path to find it. The Gold Gem is found in The
Generator Room - Island 3.
Hint 2: The second Gold Gem path is at the very end of the level. Two boxes
are found through this path.
Papu Papu (Boss)
Dodge Papu Papu's swinging stick attack and jump on his head. Do this
procedure three times and he'll be beaten.
LEVEL 6-- Rolling Stones (White Gem -- requires Blue Gem)
Access to Bonus World 4
Access to Boss Bonus World 1
Hint: Half-way through the level you'll encounter an unstable platform
with a rolling rock in front. If you look closely you'll see the Blue Gem
(The High Road - Island 3). Jump down the Blue Gem path to uncover the
missing level boxes and three extra lives.
LEVEL 7 -- Hog Wild (White Gem)
Hint: Get on your hog and ride! Utilizing skillful jumps and accurate
timing is the only way to be a flawless victor in Hog Wild.
LEVEL 8-- Native Fortress (White Gem -- requires Pink Gem)
Access to Bonus World 5
Hint 1: Once on the top screen (sky background), locate a ledge with a
turtle, a plant and an unmarked box. Jump on the turtle so it flips on
its back, exposing the bouncy stomach. Jump on the stomach and break the
unmarked box. On the second bounce, flip yourself up to the ledge in the
background. Walk on the path to find one of the hidden boxes.
Hint 2: As in hint one there are two more "bounce into the background"
spots. Both are on the same plain as the first and are accessed by jumping
off of a fire ledge.
Hint 3: The majority of hidden boxes on this level are hidden in the clouds.
The Pink Gem (Slippery Climb - Island 3) needs to be accessed in order to
find these.
(Island 2 )
Island 2 holds the first key and the first colored Gem. The stages are tough
but not unbeatable.
LEVEL 9-- Up the Creek (White Gem)
Access to Bonus World 6
Hint: Once you've located and accessed the Exclamation Box, trek back across
the lily pad path to the waterfall. You'll notice that four lily pads are
constructing a path across to the two boxes sitting on the ledge. You can
either walk the lily path and collect an extra life, or simply jump from the
log towards to the two boxes. Set the timer on the dynamite and use the
breakable arrow box to shoot back up to the log. The dynamite will destroy
the last boxes for you.
Ripper Roo (Boss)
The objective here is to detonate the TNT boxes when Ripper Roo is on a
nearby square. Memorize his patterns and time your jumps. Hit him three
times and he's a goner.
LEVEL 10-- The Lost City (Green Gem)
Access to Bonus World 7
Access to Boss Bonus World 2
Hint 1: To destroy the first two boxes behind the steel girder at the level
entrance you simply must jump from the background ledge. Then, to return to
the playing field, jump around the girder.
Hint 2: There is an Exclamation box hidden in the fourth cubby hole on this
level. To activate it, simply jump on top of the unmarked crate and hit the
jump button for a bigger boost.
Hint 3: As you start to ascend to the top of this level, look closely to your
left. A second Exclamation box is waiting to be activated. Once active six
boxes will appear at the beginning of the top part of the level.
LEVEL 11-- Temple Ruins (White Gem)
Hint 1: When you see a mango dangling off to the left side of a platform,
make a gigantic leap into the empty void. You'll land on invisible boxes
that will appear as you step on them. Several boxes are located here.
Hint 2: The rest of the level should be a cake walk. Be sure to check behind
every pillar.
LEVEL 12-- Road to Nowhere (White Gem-- requires Red Gem)
Access to Bonus World 8
Hint: At one of the checkpoints you'll notice that a Red Gem is near. Jump
on it and allow it to take you to a hidden area. The first order of business
here is to activate the Exclamation box to the right. Use the box that
appears to activate the one to the left. The last feat is to activate the
box in the middle. Jump off the box that appears (from activation #2) and
land in the middle of the floating metal. Four boxes will appear in the
background. Easy taking!
LEVEL 13-- Boulder Dash (Key and White Gem-- requires Red Gem)
Hint: Find all the boxes to access the Key which will open the Island 2
Bonus level (Whole Hog). Smash all the boxes on Whole Hog to receive the
White Gem for Boulder Dash.
LEVEL 14-- Sunset Vista (White Gem)
Access to Bonus World 9
Access to Boss Bonus World 3
Access to Super Bonus Icon-- Obtaining this icon is fairly self explanatory.
Follow the box stairs on the top level and jump onto the moving wall
containing the icon.
Hint 1: At the top of the level you'll see an Exclamation box that is out
of reach. Lure the goon from the right to stand underneath the box. Jump off
its back and propeller yourself into the box. The boxes you are looking for
are directly behind you in the background.
Hint 2: Always look in the background on this level. Boxes are hidden all about.
Koala Kong (Boss)
Hint1: Dodge the four boulders that Koala Kong throws. The fourth one
will roll in front of you. Use your spin attack to send it back for a
definite hit. Repeat this process four times to advance to the next stage.
(Island 3 )
All but one of the colored Gems are located on this island. If you want to
conquer the game thoroughly, you'll need to find all the boxes on each of these
difficult levels.
LEVEL 15-- Heavy Machinery (White Gem)
Access to Bonus World 10
Access to Boss Bonus World 4
Hint: To find the first Boss Icon, locate two steam and two ice pipes right
next to each other. To the right should be a pit with two flying spike bots.
Drop between them and proceed to the left to receive your prize. Several
boxes are also hidden down here. Beating the level should be a breeze.
LEVEL 16-- Cortex Power (White Gem-- requires Blue Gem)
Hint: Take the path to the right all the way until it ends (be sure to hit
the exclamation box). Now backtrack down the stairs to the second fork in
the road on this level. Take the left route (you'll see a Checkpoint box)
and go up. Collect all the boxes until the next fork in the road (you'll
see a breakable arrow box). Now go back to the right (where you just where)
and go to the first fork in the road on this level. Go left and take the
Blue Gem path even further to the left until you reach a breakable arrow
box. This is the final run and a tough one at that. Break all the boxes
from here on out and you'll receive your White Gem.
LEVEL 17-- Generator Room (Gold Gem)
Access to Bonus World 11
Hint: There's only one troublesome area in the Generator Room. At the
beginning of the level you'll run into an area where the Exclamation box
is needed (you should have already activated it). Time your jumps and make
sure you get the boxes on the platform first (don't spend too much time
here or the platform will fall). Now go back and take out the boxes on the
path. The rest of the boxes are easy to get to.
LEVEL 18-- Toxic Waste (White Gem)
Access to Bonus World 12
Hint: This level will pull a Bandicoot on you time after time. Basically,
all you have to do is run the straight line and hope for the best. Taking
two Aku Aku's with you is a good idea
Pinstripe (Boss)
Beating this guy is fairly easy, you just have to keep your eyes peeled.
Hide behind the couch until he jumps off the table. Wait until he stops
shooting and spin into him. The only way to dodge his shoots is to hide
behind the two couches in the foreground. Duck out and spin in is a great
strategy for this smelly mouse.
LEVEL 19-- The High Road (Blue Gem)
Access to Bonus World 13
Hint: At the beginning of the level, walk back and you will see a floating
mango. Jump directly over the mango and two boards will appear to catch
your fall. Continue on taking giant leaps towards the screen. You'll
eventually get past the ghost boards and land on solid land with four
hidden boxes at your disposal.
LEVEL 20-- Slippery Climb (Red Gem)
Access to Boss Bonus World 5
Hint: Pushing Crash to the limit and making accurate jumps is the only
way to solve this level. Patience is the key.
LEVEL 21-- Lights Out (Purple Gem and Key #2 -- requires Yellow Gem)
Hint 1: Once the Yellow Gem is activated (The Lab - Island 3) you will
find a alternative level end. Using this will give you the key to Fumbling
in the Dark. Note: The Yellow Gem is placed half-way through the level.
Hint 2: Break all the boxes on Fumbling in the Dark and you will receive
the Purple Gem for Lights out.
LEVEL 22-- Jaws of Darkness (White Gem-- requires Blue Gem)
Access to Bonus World Icon 13-- Located in the bottom box in the pillar at
the first Checkpoint.
Hint: The Blue Gem is located right after the Checkpoint. This is the
longest bonus area in the game and careful jumps are a must.
LEVEL 23-- Castel Machinery (White Gem -- Needs Green Gem)
Hint: The Green Gem will only give you access to twenty-five free lives.
This level can be defeated without any gems. None of the boxes are hidden
on this level.
Nitrus Brio (Boss)
Hint: Defeating this mad scientist is an easy task. Dodge all of the red
and green beaker bombs. The green ones will turn into moving blobs, jump
on their top to send them flying into Nitrus Brio. Once his hit points
are down to three, Brio will transform into a repulsive demon. Jump off
the platform and whack him in the head. Repeat this process until he
collapses.
LEVEL 24-- The Lab (Yellow Gem)
Hint: All the jumping skills of classic platformers are combined into
this fairly perplexing level. Time your jumps and don't be afraid to
veer off to the side when you're in trouble. Get to the end of this
level without dying and you'll receive the Yellow Gem.
LEVEL 25-- The Great Hall (requires all White Gems)
Hint: Choose your path. Go straight to the deadly Dr. Neo Cortex; or if
you've collected all the White Gems, go for the super bonus! What awaits
is a super bonus!
LEVEL 26-- Dr. Neo Cortex (Boss)
Hint: It's the last battle! Dodge his red and blue attacks and send the
green ones back at him! Enjoy the ending!
©1996 Game Informer Magazine/Sunrise Publications, All Rights Reserved
