Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex

Game Overview

In Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex, Dr. Neo Cortex unleashes his ultimate biological weapon: Crunch Bandicoot, a super-powered bandicoot created to destroy Crash once and for all. To power Crunch, Cortex frees the Elementals—four ancient, evil masks representing Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. Crash and Coco must travel across dimensions via the Warp Room to collect Power Crystals and defeat Crunch and the Elementals in high-stakes boss confrontations. Gameplay retains the classic linear 3D platforming style of the original trilogy while introducing exciting new elements: players can now play as Coco Bandicoot across designated platforming stages, pilot new vehicles like the 4x4 Jeep, Submarine, and Mech Suit, and maneuver through inventive rolling-ball levels reminiscent of classic puzzle action.

Quick Specifications

• Platform: Nintendo GameCube

• Developer: Traveller's Tales

• Publisher: Universal Interactive / Vivendi Universal Games

• Release Date: September 17, 2002 (North America)

• Genre: 3D Platformer / Action

• Players: 1 Player (Single-player)

• ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Key Features

• Classic Warp Room Gameplay: Traverse 30 main action levels and 5 secret levels accessed via a centralized VR Hub, collecting Power Crystals, Gems, and Relics.

• Playable Coco Bandicoot: Control Crash's tech-savvy sister Coco in select platforming levels, featuring her own unique martial arts kick moves.

• Diverse Vehicle Roster: Drive and pilot over 8 vehicle types, including a Mech Suit, Gyrocopter, Glider, 4x4 Jeep, Submarine, and Crash's sphere-like Atlasphere.

• Elemental Boss Battles: Face off against Crunch Bandicoot in epic boss fights powered by the Elemental masks Rok-Ko (Earth), Wa-Wa (Water), Py-Ro (Fire), and Lo-Lo (Air).

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Is Coco Bandicoot fully playable in platforming levels?

Yes! Unlike previous entries where Coco was primarily limited to watercraft or vehicle stages, The Wrath of Cortex features dedicated on-foot platforming levels where you play as Coco, utilizing her spin and kick attacks.

What are the Atlasphere levels?

The Atlasphere levels place Crash inside a giant transparent rolling sphere. Players control Crash by tilting and rolling the ball across winding, roller-coaster-like platforms filled with ramps, hazards, and nitro crates.

What are the differences between the GameCube and PS2 versions?

The GameCube version was released after the original PlayStation 2 version and includes significantly faster loading times, refined character models, improved texture shading, and smoother particle effects.

How do you unlock special move abilities?

Defeating Crunch at the end of each of the five Warp Room hubs unlocks classic power-up moves, including the Super Belly Flop, Double Jump, Death Tornado Spin, Fruit Bazooka, and Speed Shoes.