Editing Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

{{italic title}}
{{redirect|Crash Bandicoot 2|the Game Boy Advance game with "Crash Bandicoot 2" in its title|[[Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced]]}}
{{Game infobox
|image = [[File:Crash Bandicoot 2 PSX cover.jpg|250px]]
|developer = [[Naughty Dog]]
|publisher = [[Sony Computer Entertainment]]
|released = '''PlayStation:'''<br>{{released|USA|October 31, 1997<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20150710233841/http://www.naughtydog.com/timeline/ Naughty Dog - 30 Year Timeline]". Naughty Dog official website (Wayback Machine).</ref>|Europe|December 5, 1997|Japan|December 18, 1997}} '''PlayStation Network:'''<br>{{released|Japan|August 30, 2007|USA|January 10, 2008}}
|genre = Platformer
|ratings = {{ratings|esrb=K-A}}
|console = [[PlayStation]], [[PlayStation Network]]
|modes = Single player
|media = CD-ROM (PlayStation)<br>Digital download (PSN)
|input = PlayStation Network
}}
'''''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back''''' is the second title of the ''[[Crash Bandicoot (franchise)|Crash Bandicoot]]'' franchise and its main series. It is a direct sequel to ''[[Crash Bandicoot (video game)|Crash Bandicoot]]'', and was originally released for the [[Sony PlayStation]] in 1997. The game was developed by [[Naughty Dog]] and published by [[Sony Computer Entertainment]]. In 1998, a sequel to the game was released, ''[[Crash Bandicoot: Warped]]''.

In 2007, ''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back'' was re-released for the [[PlayStation Network]] in Japan and Europe and in 2008 in North America. This release was compatible with the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[PlayStation Portable]]. 

In 2017, the game was re-released as a remake on ''[[Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy]]'', along with ''Crash Bandicoot'' and ''Crash Bandicoot: Warped''.

==Story==
The game opens up where the first game left off. After being defeated by Crash, [[Doctor Neo Cortex]] falls out of his airship. He lands on an island where he discovers the [[Master Crystal]]. Convinced that they hold tremendous power, Cortex takes it back into his laboratory. One year later, Cortex and his new assistant, [[Dr. N. Gin]], have rebuilt an upgraded, crystal-powered [[Cortex Vortex]] in outer space. N. Gin says that they need 25 more [[crystal]]s to reach the Cortex Vortex's maximum capacity, and notes that none of their operatives are left on [[Earth]]. Cortex then devises a plan to trick Crash into retrieving the crystals for him.

Meanwhile, [[Coco Bandicoot|Coco]], asks Crash to retrieve a new battery for her laptop, but Crash is abducted along the way. He finds himself in an ancient [[Warp Room]]. Cortex appears as a holographic projection, and tells Crash that he discovered that the upcoming alignment of the planets will create a solar flux capable of catastrophic proportions. Cortex urges Crash to enter the portals and retrieve a Crystal in each area. According to Cortex, harnessing the crystal's energy would dissipate the massive power unleashed. Unbeknownst to Cortex, his former assistant, [[Dr. Nitrus Brio]], appears to Crash as a hologram form. He tells Crash that there are also [[Clear Gem]]s and [[Colored Gem]]s to collect; these gems are an alternative form of energy that Brio plans to use against Cortex.

Along the way, Crash encounters a few bosses, including [[Ripper Roo]], the [[Komodo Brothers]], and [[Tiny Tiger]], all returning from the first game. At one point, Coco uses her technology expertise to hack into Cortex's hologram communication to advise Crash to be careful trusting Cortex. Eventually, Cortex instructs Crash to return the Crystals to N. Gin, but when Crash defeats him in a battle, Cortex gets furious.

Once Crash has collected all 25 Crystals, Coco reveals to him that Cortex's ultimate plan is to harness energy from the planetary alignment to power the Cortex Vortex, which he would then use to brainwash everyone on Earth into serving his army. Crash reaches Cortex in outer space and stops him before the Crystals can be used. Cortex is sent drifting through outer space, although the Cortex Vortex is left intact. With N. Brio's help, Crash uses all of the gems that he gathered as an energy source for N. Brio's laser beam machine. The laser beam breaks the Cortex Vortex apart, with one of the pieces falling back to Earth. This scene segues into the opening cutscene of ''Crash Bandicoot: Warped''.

==Gameplay==
''Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back'' is a platform game in which the player controls and plays as [[Crash Bandicoot]]. The objective is for Crash to collect 25 crystals for his nemesis, [[Doctor Neo Cortex]]. Crash has to access the levels through a series of [[Warp Room]]s, which are the hub areas. Each Warp Room consists of five portals. The goal of each level is to obtain its Crystal. A level is cleared by collecting the crystal and reaching a portal at the end, which returns Crash to the Warp Room. The retrieved crystal then automatically inserts itself into the slot above the level's portal Room. When all five crystals of a Warp Room are obtained, the player must ride the platform in the center of the room to move to the next Warp Room. When riding the platform, the player must fight and defeat a boss character before gaining access to a new Warp Room. The player is given a certain amount of lives, which are lost when Crash is attacked by an enemy or falls into water or a pit. If all lives are lost at any point in the game, the "Game Over" screen will appear, in which the player can continue from the last level played by selecting "Yes".

Crash has the ability to [[jump]], perform a [[Spin Attack]], [[slide]] across the ground, and perform a [[Body Slam]]. Crash must jump over enemies, pits, and other obstacles along the way. The Spin Attack allows Crash to spin away enemies, although it can also spin away Wumpa Fruit, preventing Crash from collecting them. By sliding, Crash can quickly dash through tight gaps or obstacles placed slightly above the ground, and it is also the only way for him to defeat some of the enemies. Crash can perform a higher jump if followed immediately after a slide or a crouch. The Body Slam also allows Crash to defeat certain enemies. A lot of [[Wumpa Fruit]] is found along the way, and collecting 100 of them earns Crash an [[extra life]].

There are [[Bonus Path]]s, which are signified by platforms with a question mark on them, and they lead Crash to a [[Bonus Room]]. In these areas, Crash can collect numerous Wumpa Fruit and extra lives. If Crash reaches the end, any items that he has collected carries over into the main level. If Crash falls off-screen, he loses any of the collected items, and is returned into the main level from which the Bonus Path was accessed. Even if he fails at a Bonus Room, Crash can re-enter it to try again.

===Crates===
Returning from the first ''Crash Bandicoot'' game are Crates. Crates are composed of either wood or iron, and the latter ones cannot be broken. Crash can obtain a Clear Gem by breaking every wooden crate in a level. Regular Crates contain a Wumpa Fruit, which Crash can obtain by breaking the Crate.

*[[Aku Aku Crate]]s: These contain [[Aku Aku]], who shields Crash from an enemy's attack (two if collected twice in a row). If Crash breaks three Aku Aku Crates in a row, he is given temporary invincibility.

*[[Arrow Crate]]s: Crash can jump on one to propel himself further into the air than he can ordinarily reach. These crates can only be broken from a Spin Attack.

*[[Checkpoint Crate]]s: By breaking one, Crash can restart from it if he loses a life in a level. If more than one Checkpoint Crate has been opened, Crash starts from the one that he most recently opened.

*[[Iron Switch Crate]]: These cause Outline Crates to solidify into Crates.

*[[Nitro Crate]]s: These explode upon physical contact, which causes Crash to take damage.

*[[Nitro Switch Crate]]: Crash can spin into it for every Nitro Crate to explode simultaneously.

*[[TNT Crate]]: When Crash jumps on one, a three-second fuse is activated, followed by an explosion.

==Levels==
The game starts with a basic tutorial level named [[Intro]] before Crash enters the Warp Room.

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;width:55%"
!colspan="6"|Jungle Warp Room
|-style="background-color:#FFE5CC;font-weight:bold"
| No. || Level || Boxes || Collectibles || Theme
|-
|1
|[[Turtle Woods]]
|62
|Crystal, Clear Gem, Blue Gem
|Jungle
|-
|2
|[[Snow Go]]
|74
|Crystal, Clear Gem, Red Gem
|Snow
|-
|3
|[[Hang Eight]]
|74
|Crystal, Clear Gem (x2)
|River
|-
|4
|[[The Pits]]
|53
|Crystal, Clear Gem
|Jungle
|-
|5
|[[Crash Dash]]
|44
|Crystal, Clear Gem
|Chase
|-
|6
|'''Boss level:''' [[Ripper Roo]]
|N/A
|N/A
|Waterfall
|-
!colspan="6"|Ice Warp Room
|-
|7
|[[Snow Biz]]
|124
|Crystal, Clear Gem
|Snow
|-
|8
|[[Air Crash]]
|102
|Crystal, Clear Gem (x2)
|River
|-
|9
|[[Bear It]]
|48
|Crystal, Clear Gem
|Snow
|-
|10
|[[Crash Crush]]
|57
|Crystal, Clear Gem
|Chase
|-
|11
|[[The Eel Deal]]
|79
|Crystal, Clear Gem, Green Gem
|Sewer
|-
|12
|'''Boss level:''' [[Komodo Brothers]]
|N/A
|N/A
|Circus tent
|-
!colspan="6"|Sewer Warp Room
|-
|13
|[[Plant Food]]
|53
|Crystal, Clear Gem, Yellow Gem
|River
|-
|14
|[[Sewer or Later]]
|57
|Crystal, Clear Gem (x2)
|Sewer
|-
|15
|[[Bear Down]]
|42
|Crystal, Clear Gem
|Snow
|-
|16
|[[Road to Ruin]]
|89
|Crystal, Clear Gem (x2)
|Ruins
|-
|17
|[[Un-Bearable]]
|58
|Crystal, Clear Gem
|Chase
|-
|18
|'''Boss level:''' [[Tiny Tiger]]
|N/A
|N/A
|Space laboratory
|-
!colspan="6"|Alpine Warp Room
|-
|19
|[[Hangin' Out]]
|93
|Crystal, Clear Gem
|Sewer
|-
|20
|[[Diggin' It]]
|95
|Crystal, Clear Gem (x2)
|Mountain
|-
|21
|[[Cold Hard Crash]]
|155
|Crystal, Clear Gem (x2)
|Snow
|-
|22
|[[Ruination]]
|84
|Crystal, Clear Gem (x2)
|Ruins
|-
|23
|[[Bee-Having]]
|92
|Crystal, Clear Gem, Purple Gem
|Mountain
|-
|24
|'''Boss level:''' [[Dr. N. Gin]]
|N/A
|N/A
|Space laboratory
|-
!colspan="6"|High-Tech Warp Room
|-
|25
|[[Piston It Away]]
|69
|Crystal, Clear Gem (x2)
|Space
|-
|26
|[[Rock It]]
|39
|Crystal, Clear Gem
|Jetpack
|-
|27
|[[Night Fight]]
|46
|Crystal, Clear Gem (x2)
|Jungle
|-
|28
|[[Pack Attack]]
|46
|Crystal, Clear Gem
|Jetpack
|-
|29
|[[Spaced Out]]
|60
|Crystal, Clear Gem (x2)
|Space
|-
|30
|'''Boss level:''' [[Dr. Neo Cortex]]
|N/A
|N/A
|Space
|-
!colspan="6"|Secret levels
|-
|31
|[[Totally Bear]]
|40
|Clear Gem
|Snow
|-
|32
|[[Totally Fly]]
|44
|Clear Gem
|Jungle
|}

==Gallery==
{{main-gallery}}

==References==
<references/>
{{Stub}}
{{CB2}}
{{Crash Bandicoot franchise}}
[[Category:PlayStation games]]
[[Category:Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back|*]]