Carmen Sandiego The Secret of the Stolen Drums
↗ 24%
(Playstation 2 - PAL, Action & Adventure)
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Complete
$12.08
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Developed_By:
Artificial Mind and Movement
Published_By:
Bam Entertainment
Released On:
08 Sep 2004
Carmen Sandiego The Secret of the Stolen Drums is an action-packed adventure game that follows Carmen Sandiego, a master thief with a penchant for stealing priceless treasures. She's been caught and imprisoned by ACME detectives, but she has one last trick up her sleeve - a magical drum that will set her free.
As Carmen's loyal sidekick, you must use your skills to track down Carmen and retrieve the stolen drums, which have the power to control the world's music. The game takes you on an epic journey around the globe, from the streets of Tokyo to the canals of Venice, as you navigate through challenging levels and face off against ACME's top agents.
Carmen Sandiego The Secret of the Stolen Drums is available exclusively for the Playstation 2 console, where it was released on November 24, 2000 . With its unique blend of action and adventure gameplay, this game is a must-play for fans of the series.
UPC-A:
682384620182 (USA)
Part #:
SLUS-20849 (USA)
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Prices as of 09 Oct 2026
Typical $8.02–$12.11 (last 90 days)
New
Complete
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Manual
Smoothed
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Market activity: active · about 11 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 detective adventure game where players, as an ACME agent, must track Carmen Sandiego across the globe. The goal is to recover stolen artifacts and prevent her from finding a legendary enchanted diamond hidden in a jungle temple. Players will solve clues related to ancient drums to uncover the diamond's location before Carmen does.
Story
PROLOGUE
It had been a while since anyone had seen or heard from the mysterious Carmen Sandiego. But the ACME agency has recently received a few tips that the world's most notorious thief is on the prowl again!
ACME has picked up her trail in New York City, where one of the last descendants from a line of African Kings recently revealed a secret that had previously only been passed down from one generation to the next in his family. On his death bed, he spoke of an ancient tale.
A gathering of kings from around the world had long ago hidden an enchanted diamond, containing the knowledge of all nations, in a temple deep in the jungle. When the kings assembled, each of them was given a Drum. Each Drum reveals a section of the path leading to the secret temple.
If each Drum is properly placed, and then each Drum is played in the correct order, the entrance to the temple will be revealed.
Well, no one believed this old folktale... except one person. That's right, Carmen Sandiego. Ever since learning of the myth, she has been the perpetrator in a string of robberies; African relics and rare pieces of art have gone missing from art galleries and museums around the world.
It seems that she is trying to pinpoint the location of the temple and recover the lost treasure before anyone else.
It's up to ACME's agents to stop her, and this time, new agent trainee Cole Gannon is on the case. Carmen is the best there is, so it's not going to be easy...get ready for action and adventure around the globe!
CARMEN SANDIEGO
The Secret of the Stolen Drums
How to Play
Setting Up
•
MEMORY CARD slot 2
•
MEMORY CARD slot 1
•
disc tray
•
RESET button
•
(OPEN) button
•
USB connector
•
S400 i.LINK connector
•
controller port 1
•
controller port 2
Set up your PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system according to its Instruction Manual. Ensure the MAIN POWER switch (on the back of the console) is ON.
Press the RESET button. When the power indicator lights up, press the OPEN button to open the disc tray. Place the Carmen Sandiego™ disc label-side up on the tray. Press the OPEN button again to close the disc tray.
Attach game controllers and other peripherals as needed. Follow on-screen instructions and refer to this manual for software usage.
Magic Circles and Targets
Wherever you see a Magic Circle on the ground, a Magic Shield will be nearby. Collect the Magic Shield and return to the Magic Circle quickly, as the Circle is only active while the Magic Shield's power lasts.
When standing on an active Magic Circle, press the L1 or L2 button to use the Blowgun and look around. You will see Magic Targets on the walls. Shoot them quickly by pressing the button; they will turn blue when successfully shot. You must shoot all Magic Targets before the Magic Shield's power runs out.
Some Magic Targets glow orange without a nearby Magic Circle. You can shoot and activate these without standing on a Magic Circle.
Magic Circles are also located directly in front of Main Statues. They glow orange when Cole has destroyed all Statues in the level and are not affected by Magic Shields. To activate one, stand on it, and the Main Statue will release the Compass.
Water
Water can be very troublesome. Cole's Staff sinks in the mud, preventing Pole Vaulting, and Double Jumping from water is impossible. Water Spirits are also a problem, so use extreme caution around water.
Birds
Be careful! Getting close to a pigeon will startle it and cause it to fly, often attracting unwanted attention from nearby enemies. Alternatively, you can use your Blowgun to startle a bird and momentarily distract an enemy.
Starting the Game
Starting a New Game
You may begin a new game by selecting New Game.
Load Game
Continue a previously saved game by selecting Load Game.
Vibration
Turn the Vibration function ON or OFF.
Credits
Allows you to view the game credits.
Cole's PDA
Press the START button to pause the game and open Cole's PDA.
Options
Open the Options Menu.
Atlas
The Atlas screen provides useful geographical information about your current Location.
Map Screen
Use the Map Screen for an overhead view of the area. The Map reveals your current Location. In each level, you can find an ACME Pod that updates your map.
After your map is updated, it reveals the locations of: Robots, Statues, the Main Statue, Puzzle Pieces, and the Door to the next level.
The right side of the screen indicates the status of your collectibles. It shows what you have collected over the total number available, from top to bottom.
Communications
As you progress, Shadow and Jules will periodically send you video mail with information about Carmen or your current Location. The PDA Alert appears in the upper-right corner of the screen and beeps to indicate an incoming message.
These video mails are saved in this portion of your PDA, so you can view them anytime. You can open this menu by opening your PDA, or you can jump straight to your Communications Screen by pressing the SELECT Button.
Options Menu
Save
Save your game at your current Location.
Audio Setup
Allows you to adjust the Music and Sound Effects volumes.
Vibration
Turn the Vibration function on your controller ON or OFF.
Camera
Choose settings for your First Person View and your Third Person View.
Quit
End the game.
Memory Card
Save or load files on your memory card (8MB) (for PlayStation®2).
Saving a Game
If a memory card with available space is present, you can save your game in the Options Menu at any time.
Multiple Saved Games
You get three save slots to save your games. Make sure you use them wisely. The flag representing the country you are in will appear in the window of your save slot.
Loading a Saved Game
If a Memory Card with a previously saved Carmen Sandiego file is present when the game begins, that game becomes available when you select Load Game from the Main Menu.
Locations
Cole's mission to catch Carmen Sandiego will take him around the globe to nine Locations. Each Location contains multiple Sub-Locations. For example, while scouring New York City, you may visit Sub-Locations such as Back Alley, Museum Office, Exhibition Hall, and Docks. Each of the following objectives must be completed to move on to the next Location.
Puzzles
Each Location contains one 2-D Puzzle or mini-game. To activate the Puzzle, you must find and collect all of the Puzzle Pieces in that Location. You can check the total number of Puzzle Pieces required and collected on the Map Screen, as well as see the Location of the Puzzle Activation Point.
Once you've collected all the pieces in a Location, bring them to a Puzzle Activation Point. Each Puzzle is unique, and instructions will be given at the Activation Point.
Spirit Statues
The Spirits want to protect the Drums and will do so at any cost. The Spirit Statue's
Controls
SELECT
Jump straight to the Communications Screen
Enemies & Characters
Cole Gannon
A 17-year-old computer genius and martial arts expert, Cole is an ACME trainee on his first mission to chase Carmen Sandiego.
Jules Argent
A 27-year-old ACME agent and former partner of Carmen Sandiego, Jules provides Cole with useful information during his chase.
Shadow Hawkins
A self-confident and quick-learning ACME agent, Shadow helps Cole by sending him useful information via his PDA.
The Chief
An independent professional with a PhD in Criminology, The Chief is Cole's mentor and boss, known for her calm demeanor and sensitivity to her agents' needs.
Carmen Sandiego
A former ACME agent who turned to thievery at age 30, Carmen's past is mysterious, and she seems to enjoy being chased.
Carmen's Robots
Robot Sentries left behind by Carmen to attack anyone on her trail; they can only be destroyed by striking them in the back with a Staff.
Security Cameras
These devices automatically reveal your presence and set off an alarm if they see you.
Laser Security Devices
These devices will automatically reveal your presence if you trip their sensors, so exercise extreme caution and avoid touching the beams.
Security Floor Panels
If glowing red, stepping on these panels will trigger an alarm.
Elemental Spirits
Creatures sent to protect the Drums from man's desire for power, they dissipate into butterflies when defeated.
Spirit Statues
These statues create an endless flow of Spirits to attack and distract you; they must be destroyed to stop the Spirits and take their Mask.
Air Spirits
Flying creatures that attack from above, best defended against with a Blowgun.
Earth Spirits
Spirits that roam the Earth and underground, capable of creating earthquakes and controlling minerals, they attack with rolling boulders.
Water Spirits
These spirits control liquid elements and emerge from mud puddles or other water sources.
Fire Spirits
The most powerful Elemental Spirits, associated with combustion, they can only be damaged by knocking their own fireballs back at them with your Staff.
Items & Weapons
Compasses
There are 5 in each Level. When you get all 5, you can use your GPS to track down Carmen.
Masks
You get these by destroying Spirit Statues. When you have them all, go to the Main Statue to receive a Compass.
Puzzle Pieces
When you collect the last one, you will see a short movie of the Puzzle Tile unlocking. Head to the Puzzle Tile to solve the Puzzle.
Amulets
For every 100 amulets collected your staff gets an increase in power.
GPS
As you collect Compasses, you can use the GPS system to narrow down Carmen's current whereabouts. When you collect the 5th Compass in the level, it will automatically search for Carmen.
Transport
If you need to return to a previous Sub-Location, use the Transport option to appear back at the beginning of that Sub-Location. To activate it, find the ACME Pod with the Map data in the level.
Health
Your Health Meter is represented by Yin-Yang symbols. You are at full health when you have three Yin-Yang symbols in your Health Meter.
Magic Shields
Magic Shields give the power of invulnerability for a very short time. They also give power to Magic Circles and their Targets.
Pellet Cartridges
Gives you 5 pellets to use with your blowgun.
Tips & Maps
ACME Gadgets are Very Helpful
If you are lost, press the START button and check out your Map. If you find the hidden ACME Map Pod, your map will show you everything that you need to collect.
Why Walk when you can Teleport?
If you forgot to get a Puzzle Piece or a Mask, use your Transport Feature to go back to any previous areas you have been.
Scouting Ahead
Use the L1 or L2 button to view the area in first-person perspective, then use the right analog stick to zoom in and out for a better view.
Silence is Golden
Sneaking, crouching, and rolling are great ways to get the drop on any foe. You can also land silently from any height by holding R1 or R2 and rolling off a ledge.
Distraction
If you can't sneak up on a Robot, use your Blowgun to shoot a spot close to it to distract it, or startle a bird to draw its attention away from you.
Hang Around and See What's Up
If there's an enemy below you, lower yourself down, hang from a ledge, and shimmy closer silently to get a better view or avoid the enemy altogether.
Double Jump High
Pressing the button twice quickly will allow Cole to Jump higher.
Double Jump Far
While running, pressing the button, pausing briefly, then pressing it again will cause Cole to Jump farther.
Double Jump Dodge
Your High Double Jump will allow you to Jump over and dodge enemy's horizontal attacks and charging enemies.
Double Jump Counter-Attack
If you perform the Double Jump Dodge and attack while in mid-air, you'll hit enemies for extra damage.
4-Hit Combo
To finish enemies off in style, perform your 3-Hit Combo, then immediately Pole Vault into them for extra damage.
Friendly Fire
Lead enemies toward each other, as any shots fired or punches thrown at each other mean less work for you.
Smash and Bash
Look for doors with Yield Signs, cracked floors, and anything you can bust through using the Overhead Smash or Pole Vault to find secret paths and hidden collectibles.
Hollywood Ending
When you finish the game, save your game and start again for a special surprise.
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