Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex
🙂 7.1/10
(Playstation 2 - JP, Platformer)
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Complete
$7.99
Developed by:
Warner Bros.
Published by:
VU Games
Released On:
01 Nov 2001
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex is the first Crash Bandicoot game for a system other than the original PlayStation. The story is set sometime after Warped: Dr. Cortex wants revenge after being defeated by Crash (again). For this purpose, he creates Crunch, a super-bandicoot who can destroy everything that crosses his way. Crunch's power source is a set of magical masks known as the Elementals, each representing a different element, including Earth, Water, Fire, and Ice. The warp room splits levels into their respective elements, with the boss of each section being a battle against Crunch influenced by the Elemental mask of said section.
The game is a typical jump and run, with some other action passages, like air combat and a sequence where Crash is trapped inside a giant sphere rolling around in some sort of rollercoaster. All graphics are in 3D, and the sound is typical for cartoon games like this. The whole game is pretty straightforward in design, getting stuck on a puzzle is not really possible.
EAN-13:
4988602085198 (Japan)
EAN-13:
4988602094848 (Japan)
Sony PN:
SLPM-62114 (Japan)
Sony PN:
SLPM-74003 (Japan)
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Media Type:
CD-ROM
Input Devices Required:
Gamepad
Number of Offline Players:
1 Player
Input Device Features Supported:
Vibration
Gamepads Supported:
DualShock, DualShock 2
Save Game Methods:
Manual Save, External Storage
Controller Types Supported:
Analog Controller, Digital Controller
Prices as of 09 Oct 2026
Typical $36.77–$36.93 (last 90 days)
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Market activity: thin · about 1 sale a year
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
This is a 3D platformer where players control Crash Bandicoot, who, alongside his sister Coco, must travel through various environments using a VR device to collect crystals. Their goal is to re-imprison powerful elemental masks and prevent Dr. Cortex from completing his super-weapon, Crunch.
Story
Wrath is a Terrible Thing to Waste!
When we last saw Crash Bandicoot, he had just defeated Dr. Neo Cortex and Uka-Uka and was finally going to take some well-earned time off. So now here he is, with his super-smart sis, Coco, and friendly companion, Aku Aku, soaking up a few rays on the beach. But as we all know, diabolical evil always finds a way to ruin Crash's day.
Somewhere else in the galaxy, Uka Uka holds a "bad-guy convention" in a newly built space station. The attendees are Dingodile, N Tropy, Tiny, N. Gin and of course Dr. Neo Cortex. Uka Uka is furious, evil's productivity is way down and something has to be done.
Luckily, over the past couple of years, Dr. Cortex has been working on a super-secret weapon that will surely crush Crash forever—a super-bandicoot named Crunch. Unfortunately, he needs more power to finish it. Uka tells the group of baddies a story:
The Elementals
Several thousands of years ago the Ancient Ancestors fought a brave battle against the Elementals—a group of renegade masks who had control and power over the elements of Air, Earth, Fire and Water. Each mask reigned over a specific element and used these elements to ravage the globe.
The Ancient Ancestors were able to imprison the Elementals through the use of special crystals that put them in a state of hibernation. Uka Uka explains that if they can release these masks and harness their destructive power, Cortex can complete his super-secret weapon and rid themselves of Crash Bandicoot once and for all.
Back on Earth
Back on Earth, all heck breaks loose. A volcano erupts, showering the land with lava and charred rock. A tornado rages through the jungle and then a thundering earthquake shakes the Earth off of its hinges.
Aku Aku knows something is very wrong here. He knows the Elementals have been unleashed on the world once again. The only way to put an end to the Elementals is to find the Elemental crystals that are scattered all across the Earth.
Utilizing her brilliant technical savvy, Coco creates a Virtual Reality warp device that will take them to the different points on the globe to retrieve the crystals. Can Crash and Coco brave the elements and destroy Crunch? Or will Cortex finally have his day in the sun?
How to Play
PLAYSTATION®2 SETUP
•
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. Make sure the MAIN POWER switch (located in the back of the console) is turned ON.
Press the RESET button. When the power indicator lights up, press the open button and the disc tray will open. Place the Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex™ disc on the disc tray with the label side facing up. Press the open button again and the disc tray will close.
Attach game controllers and other peripherals, as appropriate. Follow the on-screen instructions and refer to this manual for information on using Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex™.
MEMORY CARD (8MB) (FOR PLAYSTATION®2)
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex™ lets you save games at their current level of play onto a Memory Card (8MB) (for PlayStation®2), and resume play on previously saved games. A Memory Card (8MB) (for PlayStation®2) is required.
Insert a Memory Card (8MB) (for PlayStation®2) into Memory Card slot 1 on the PlayStation®2 game console BEFORE starting play.
Important
Do not switch off the MAIN POWER switch, remove or insert a Memory Card (8MB) (for PlayStation®2), or Controllers while saving or loading games. Doing so could damage the game data.
PAUSING AND OPTIONS
If Dr. Cortex's wrath is getting the better of you, you can pause at any time. On the Pause screen, check your progress through the game and set your game play options.
PAUSE SCREEN
•
Player Name
•
Name of saved game
•
Options: Choose between three options, Resume Game, Game Options, Return to the Warp Room
•
Crystals, Gems, Relics & Powers: Runs in a cycle, shows the number of collected items, total items found throughout the game, and any special powers in use
•
% Completed: Percentage of game completed
OPTIONS
To change or select game options from the Pause screen, press the Directional Buttons or Left Analog Stick to select an option and then to make adjustments. Press the Button to confirm options.
•
Vibration ON/OFF: Turn Vibration ON or OFF.
•
Sound Option: Select MONO or STEREO sound, and adjust the MUSIC and SOUND FX volume.
•
Adjust Screen: Adjust screen LEFT or Right.
HOW TO GO VIRTUALLY ANYWHERE
The Virtual Reality Hub System
Coco has created a Virtual Reality Hub System to aid you in finding all the crystals. There are five VR Hubs. Each VR Hub has five teleportation portals to different levels.
After completing all five levels, a sixth teleportation portal will appear, opening a portal to a Boss level. Defeat Crunch and the Elemental at the end of each hub to unlock the next VR Hub.
LOADING AND SAVING
Saving a game
1. To save a game, walk up to the Load/Save terminal to activate it.
2. If you are saving a game for the first time, select a save slot to save your game into (there are 4 possible save slots).
3. Select the slot where you want your game saved and press the ✘ Button.
•
EMPTY
•
EMPTY
•
SAVE GAME
•
CANCEL
Loading a game
1. To Load a Saved Game, walk up to the Load/Save terminal to activate it.
2. Select a previously saved game from the games available by pressing the ✘ Button.
•
EMPTY
•
EMPTY
•
EMPTY
•
EMPTY
•
LOAD GAME
•
CANCEL
TIME TRIAL
Fastest Marsupial Gets a Prize
After you finish a level the first time, race through it again in Time Trial mode. You can win a Sapphire, Gold, or Platinum Relic depending on how fast you go.
Sapphires and Gold relics are easy to win; but Platinum means you really “hauled bandicoot.” (Total 30 Relics)
To Make a Time Trial Run
The pre-designated time appears in the virtual display when standing next to the level portal. This is the time you must beat.
Touch the stopwatch near the beginning of a level to activate the timer; otherwise you'll play the level in regular mode. Speed through the level as fast as you can.
When you break a box with a number on it, the clock freezes for that amount of time. In Trial mode you do not lose lives, so play through as many times as you like. When you finish the level, the Name screen appears so you can register your best time.
SO YOU THINK YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES...
THE BARE MINIMUM
Just make it through all the levels. When you've collected all 25 Crystals and defeated Dr. Cortex and Crunch, you win.
DO IT ALL
You can go through a level without getting 100% of the collectibles it holds, BUT to win the real prize of this elemental world, scour each Warp Portal and dig up everything there is in each level—including the secret areas.
Go for It, Champ!
You begin the game with four lives for Crash and Coco. To earn more lives: Collect 100 Wumpa Fruits. Break open a Crash Crate and collect a Crash 1-UP.
Controls
START OR BUTTON
Start Game/Begin Play
START BUTTON
Pause
DIRECTIONAL BUTTONS OR LEFT ANALOG STICK
Select Options
Directional Buttons or Left Analog Stick UP
Move Forwards
Directional Buttons or Left Analog Stick DOWN
Move Backwards
Directional Buttons or Left Analog Stick RIGHT
Move Right
Directional Buttons or Left Analog Stick LEFT
Move Left
BUTTON
Show Status Panel
BUTTON or [R1] BUTTON
Spin Crash/Coco's Karate Kick
HOLD BUTTON THEN MOVE , , or
Crawl
+ or + [R1] (in mid-air)
Body Slam Crash/Coco's Stomp
or [R1] BUTTON WHILE RUNNING , , or
Slide
+ or [R1] BUTTON + WHILE RUNNING , , or
Super Slide High Jump
Firefly BUTTON
Hold to lock onto enemies. Release to fire when lock-on is complete.
Glider / Space Fighter BUTTON
Fire Cannon and Lasers
[R2] BUTTON
Barrel Roll Right
[L2] BUTTON
Barrel Roll Left
Copter-Pak ↑UP
Moves Crash down
Copter-Pak DOWN
Moves Crash up
Copter-Pak BUTTON
Moves Crash forward
Copter-Pak ◉ BUTTON
Moves Crash backwards
Copter-Pak </⇨
Moves Crash left/right
Jeep BUTTON
Accelerate
Coco's Scooter/Snowboard BUTTON
Jump
Sub BUTTON
Shoot Torpedoes
Mech Directional Buttons
move/aim bazooka/water cannon when active
Mech BUTTON
Jump
Items & Weapons
Wumpa Fruit
Collect 100 pieces of Wumpa Fruit to earn a free life (1-up).
Aku Aku (Witch Doctor Mask)
When possessing an Aku Aku Mask, Crash is shielded from one enemy's attack or contact. Collect three Aku Aku Masks to earn temporary invulnerability from all minor dangers.
Crystals
Crystals are the most important items in the game. Find all 25 Crystals (there's one hidden in every level except the Boss levels) to finish the game.
Gems
Gems are more difficult to find than Crystals, but well worth the effort. There are two types: Clear Gems for breaking all boxes or completing a secret area, and Colored Gems found in special levels that transport you to hidden areas.
Relics
You can win Relics by re-entering a level after collecting the Crystal and beating the pre-designated time in Time Trial mode. The first five Relics open a secret level necessary for 100% completion.
Crate
This is your everyday, garden-variety box. Crack these open to get at those delicious Wumpa fruit.
Bouncy Box
Always good for a boost to reach those high areas, and they give fruit if you keep jumping on them.
Surprise Box
You never know what you'll find; there's a surprise in every box.
Aku Aku Box
Smash these crates to release the Aku Aku spirit, who will aid Crash and Coco by protecting them.
Checkpoint Crate
Busting these crates open will allow you to restart from that point if you happen to lose a life, instead of restarting at the beginning of the level.
Crash Crate
An extra life in every box! On levels with Coco these crates will be replaced with Coco Crates.
TNT Crate
Hop on these to trigger the 3-second delay fuse, but stand clear before they blow and be careful not to spin them.
Slot Box
Watch them change faster and faster, then spin them to win your prize before they quickly turn into an unbreakable iron crate.
Outline Box
These strange boxes appear only if the Switch Box hidden in that level is activated.
Switch Box
Hit these to turn on those silly Outline Boxes.
Nitro Crate
Caution should be used when close to these highly volatile boxes, as many a bandicoot has been vaporized by these green meanies.
Nitro Switch Box
Smacking these will detonate every Nitro Crate in the level.
Spring Crate
Jump on these wooden crates to give you that extra height on jumps.
Iron Spring Crate
These hard-to-reach crates will spring you to those hard to reach places.
Steel Crates
These are stronger than your average crate. Try some of Crash's or Coco's other moves to crack these bad boys open.
Time Box
Found only in Time Trial Mode, these boxes will freeze the timer for the number of seconds listed on the side.
Invisibility Crate
When spun, Crash becomes invisible for a limited time, appearing as an outline, and certain objects may not detect you.
Tips & Maps
Tip Toe
Use the [L2] Button to activate this power.
Super Double Jump
Press the + Buttons at the top of the first jump to perform a Super Double Jump.
Death Tornado
Tap the Button repeatedly to unleash the Death Tornado.
Crash Dash
Press the Left Analog Stick or Directional Buttons + [R2] to perform a Crash Dash.
Bazooka
Hold [L1] then press the Button to fire the Bazooka.
Enemies & Characters
Crash Bandicoot
Crash was genetically manipulated by Dr. Neo Cortex but was thrown out for being a nice guy. He thwarts Cortex's World Domination plans.
Coco Bandicoot
Coco, Crash's little sister, is a super-smart computer expert and scooter rider, always ready to back up her big brother.
Aku Aku
A kindly omnipotent witch doctor mask, Aku Aku guides and aids Crash and Coco in stopping Cortex's and Uka Uka's devious plans.
Crunch
Cortex's most radical weapon, Crunch is a perfectly tuned Super-Bandicoot created to destroy Crash Bandicoot.
Tiny the Tiger
Tiny is a hulking ferocious beast, possibly Dr. Cortex's first genetic alteration, who is muscle-bound but not dimwitted.
Dingodile
A half dingo-half crocodile monstrosity created by Cortex, Dingodile enjoys reading Shakespeare, playing croquet, and roasting marsupials with his flamethrower.
Dr. N. (Nefarious) Tropy
Known for his work in quantum warp technology and his Time Twister device, Dr. N. Tropy disturbs temporal flow by creating time paradoxes for laughs.
Dr. N. Gin
Half man, half machine, with half a missile sticking out of his head, Dr. N. Gin is Cortex's right-hand man and a scientific genius in robotics and cybernetics.
Uka Uka
The evil twin mask of Aku Aku, Uka Uka is the controlling force behind Cortex's obsession with conquering the world.
Rok-Ko
Quick to anger with a head full of rocks, Rok-Ko is the elemental mask of Earth, controlling forces like earthquakes and landslides.
Wa-Wa
The elemental mask of Water, Wa-Wa is out to flush the world clean and rebuild it as he remembers it.
Lo-Lo
This crazy joker is the elemental mask of Air and has dominion over the forces of wind, known for blowing houses down.
Py-Ro
The strongest and most evil of the ancient elemental masks, Py-Ro controls the element of fire and has a temper that goes off like a volcano.
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