Crash Bandicoot 2 Cortex Strikes Back
β 23%
(Playstation - PAL, Platformer)
Other Editions:
Platinum
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Complete
$14.65
Loose $10.82
Developed by:
Sony
Published by:
Sony
Released On:
30 Aug 1998
Crash Bandicoot 2 Cortex Strikes Back , a classic platformer released for the PlayStation in December 1997, follows the adventures of Crash Bandicoot as he attempts to save his home world from the evil forces of Doctor Neo Cortex. With the help of his friends Aku Aku and Uka Uka, Crash must navigate through treacherous terrain, fight against fierce enemies, and solve puzzles to ultimately stop Cortex's sinister plans.
Gameplay is fast-paced and action-packed, with an emphasis on precise platforming and exploration. Players control Crash as he jumps, punches, and spins his way through levels, collecting crystals and defeating bosses along the way. The game features a variety of environments, from lush jungles to icy tundras, each with its own unique challenges and obstacles.
UPC-A:
711719415428 (USA)
Part #:
SCUS-94154 (USA)
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Prices as of 09 Oct 2026
Typical $14.65β$14.86 (last 90 days)
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Market activity: active Β· about 160 sales a year
Activity is a 12-month sales count. Dashed segments rest on two sales a year or fewer.
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
This is a 3D platformer where players control Crash Bandicoot, tasked by his former nemesis Dr. Neo Cortex, to collect 25 crystals across various levels. These crystals are crucial to power a device that will prevent a catastrophic solar flux and save the world. Along the way, players can also find hidden gems that may have unforeseen consequences for Cortex.
Story
A WHOLE NEW ADVENTURE!
Thanks to Crash, the evil Dr. Neo Cortex finds himself hurtling earthward at terminal velocity, his maniacal bid for world-domination thwarted. But, as it turns out, the world's problems are really only beginning.
Cortex awakens to find himself in a dark cavern filled with glowing crystals. Convinced that they hold tremendous power, he retrieves one and crawls back to his laboratory to examine it.
The crystal leads him to a terrible discovery: soon the planets will align to create a catastrophic solar flux. Only the crystals provide a means to contain this incredible force.
Determined to redeem himself for his past evil deeds, Cortex sets out to develop a new, crystal-powered Cortex Vortex. This device will capture the stellar energy and harmlessly dissipate it. He enlists the aid of his old colleague and infamous physicist, Dr. N. Gin, to help him design such a device.
25 crystals are needed to provide the necessary power matrix. Cortex knows there's only one hero with any chance of success: Crash Bandicoot! Crash saved the planet from Cortex before, but can he save it again, this time for Cortex?
WELCOME TO THE WARP ROOM!
Totally oblivious to Cortex's discoveries, Crash is laying out soaking up the sun. His little hacker sister Coco is typing furiously on her laptop, trying to finish her program before the battery runs down.
She yelps - her screen has gone black - and she pleads with Crash to get her a new battery. On his way home to get her power pack, Crash is suddenly blinded by a flash of light. Next thing he knows, a holographic projection of Cortex is talking to him in an ancient Warp Room!
Cortex tells him about the impending disaster, and urges Crash to help him find the 25 crystals needed to power the only means of survival the Earth has left - the new Cortex Vortex. He explains that an ancient civilization built the Warp Rooms centuries ago.
Their doors provide instant access to points all over the world - places hiding the coveted crystals! Of course, Cortex doesn't know that the Earth also contains valuable gems - 42 clear and 5 colored - which may hold the key to his downfall!!
How to Play
RESET BUTTON
POWER BUTTON
GETTING STARTED
POWER INDICATOR
SONY disc PlayStationβ’
OPEN MEMORY CARD SLOT 1
DISC COVER OPEN BUTTON
CONTROLLER PORT 1
Set up your PlayStationβ’ game console according to the instructions in its Instruction Manual. Make sure the power is OFF before inserting or removing a compact disc.
Insert the Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Backβ’ disc and close the CD door. Insert a game controller, turn ON the PlayStation game console and AWAY we go!
GAME OVER
If you see this screen, you've used up all your lives and gone to the great Bandicoot beyond. Select YES to continue at the last Warp Room door you entered with five brand new lives.
SAVING THE GAME/MEMORY CARD
The in-game save system lets you record data to a memory card any time you go to a SAVE WALL. Each Warp Room has one Save Wall.
Pause to get to the Warp Room, then just stand in front of a Save Wall to activate the save system.
STAGE CLEAR
Once you collect each crystal, go to the end of the path and transport back to the Warp Room where Dr. Cortex may give you hints to help you in your travels.
BOXES
β’
Green! Boxes - Spin or jump on these boxes to detonate ALL of the Nitro Boxes on that level. This is important for Box Completion.
β’
TNT Boxes - Jump on these to start the 3 second fuse. Don't hang around for the explosion or Crash will need more than glue to be reassembled.
β’
Nitro Boxes - NEVER EVER touch a NITRO box. (Just a suggestion).
β’
β’
C Boxes - Check Point. Allows you to return to the stage where you opened the first C Box. If you opened more than one C Box in a stage, you'll return to the location of the last opened C Box.
BONUS PATHS
Bonus paths (marked by a ?) lead Crash to secret regions of that path. In these areas, you can earn lots of goodies if you carefully navigate to the end of the path, but only if you're successful.
If you don't, then you won't get to keep any of your hard-earned bonuses.
Controls
β
Move Crash forwards
β
Move Crash backwards
β
Move Crash right
β
Move Crash left
Button
Jump
Hold down the Button
to jump higher
Button or R1
Crouch/Duck while standing
Run + R1 or Run + Button
Slide
Button + R1 or Button + Button
Body Slam
R1 + Button or Button + Button
High Jump
R1 or Button + β, β, β, or β
Combine with direction (β, β, β, or β) for Long Jump
Start Button
Pauses the action at any time. Once paused, the game will let you choose between resuming from where you are and returning to the Warp Room.
Items & Weapons
Wumpa Fruit
Collect 100 pieces of Wumpa Fruit and earn a free life (1-up).
Aku Aku (Witch Doctor's Mask)
When possessing a Mask, Crash is shielded from one enemy's attack or contact. Collect three Masks to earn a temporary invulnerability from all minor dangers.
Arrow Crates
Boxes with arrows (pointing "up"), let you know that there is something good waiting for you when you Jump on top of this box. You can only open an Arrow box by using the Spin Attack.
Bounce Boxes
Like Arrow Boxes, Bounce Boxes can be jumped upon several times to earn multiple prizes. They look almost like regular boxes except...
? Boxes
Who can say what's in these boxes? You'll just have to find out for yourself.
! Boxes
These boxes may cause something in the background to change.
Enemies & Characters
Crash Bandicoot
He's a marsupial on a mission! He's cool, he's brave and he's ready for action!
Dr. Neo Cortex
Cortex claims to have learned his lesson and says he's out to save the world, but he's not to be trusted.
Dr. N. Gin
Once a world-renowned physicist, Dr. N. Gin was taken in by Cortex after a missile accident left him with a cyber life support system that is still live.
Coco Bandicoot
Coco is Crash's spirited and intelligent younger sister who often hacks into Cortex's plans to warn Crash.
Ripper Roo
Ripper Roo is back and madder than ever, having perfected his attack.
Komodo Joe & Komodo Moe
These cold-hearted and cold-blooded brothers form a dangerous combination of brains and brawn, with Joe being the cunning swordsman and Moe providing unbelievable strength.
Tiny
A fearsome opponent with a few tricks up his enormous sleeves, Tiny can crush you if you're not careful.
N. Brio
Doublecrossed by Cortex, this one-time partner in crime will now do anything to stop Cortex and his fiendish plans.
Tips & Maps
Enemies with deadly topsides
Only spin or slide attacks will conquer these guys.
Enemies with side spikes or those that attack from the front
Jumping on these enemies may be your only chance.
Enemies with sharp necklines
Sliding into these enemies is highly recommended.
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