Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back cover art for PlayStation 1

PlayStation 1 · 1997

Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back refines Naughty Dog’s 3D platforming with the Warp Room hub, slide-jump mechanics, and elusive colored gem secrets.

Platform
PlayStation 1
Genre
Action
Release year
1997
Developer
Naughty Dog
Players
1 Player
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About Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back — PlayStation 1 edition
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back · PlayStation 1 · 1997

Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back refines Naughty Dog’s 3D platforming with the Warp Room hub, slide-jump mechanics, and elusive colored gem secrets.

The Warp Room hub and expanded movement mechanics

Crash journeys across five Warp Rooms containing five levels each, hunting for 25 Power Crystals demanded by Dr. Neo Cortex and hologram Coco. Movement expands dramatically over the first game with a fluid slide, high-leaping slide jump, and a downward body slam that crushes reinforced crates and reveals subterranean platforms. Navigating dynamic terrain requires mastering polar bear riding, jetpack anti-gravity propulsion, and treacherous icy footing.

Mastering the slide jump and colored gem conditions

The slide jump (Crouch while running, then immediately Jump) is the most critical maneuver in the game. It grants higher vertical altitude and further horizontal leap distance than a normal jump, allowing you to reach high nitro-hopping ledges and secret warp portals. To collect the elusive Blue Gem in Turtle Woods, complete the entire stage without breaking a single wooden or metal crate.

Naughty Dog’s quintessential 3D platformer

This is the PlayStation original sequel. It overhauls the linear map and save system of the first game with open Warp Room level selection and non-linear gem exploration, establishing the gameplay mechanics perfected in Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped.

Background and mechanics: Wikipedia game reference.

Naughty Dog Crash Bandicoot 2 production retrospective · Details the creation of the Warp Room structure and expanded move set.

Secret Codes & Cheats

Check the edition and timing requirements before entering a code. Button names refer to the emulated controller; use your assigned keyboard or controller inputs.

10 Free Extra Lives in Warp Room 2
Jump repeatedly on baby Polar Bear in Warp Room 2

Enter Warp Room 2 and repeatedly jump directly onto the head of the sleeping baby polar bear sitting beside the level portals. After several bounces, he awards you 10 free reserve lives.

Unlock Secret Warp Room 6 Portals
Find hidden exit teleporters in Bear Down, Air Crash & Un-Bearable

Step on the floating snow platforms at the end of Bear Down, jump across floating boxes before the surfboard in Air Crash, and backtrack after jumping the baby bear in Un-Bearable to unlock Warp Room 6 levels.

The Secret Blue Gem (Zero Crate Challenge)
Turtle Woods without breaking any crates

Complete the entire Turtle Woods stage from start to goal without detonating or breaking any wooden or bouncing boxes to spawn the Blue Gem at the stage exit.

Playing this edition

Where are the controls?

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How do I save or change controls?

Open the player menu for the options available in this emulator. Save support varies by game and player; see the playing help for more guidance.

Where can I find more games like this?

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