Compactor Reactor

Compactor Reactor is the fifth level and the last level of the first warp room in Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex. The level is set in a nuclear reactor owned by Dr. Cortex and is the first level in which Crash rides in a minecart. For the second gem, the yellow gem must first be obtained from Gold Rush.

Of the four main elemental factories, this factory represents the element of earth.

Level Design
The level initiates with a minecart section, where the mine tracks lead to the entrance of the factory. At two points before the factory entrance, the mine tracks deviate, and in both cases, there is only one path viable for breaking all of the crates to obtain one of the clear gems. At the beginning of the section, there is an alternate, and more difficult minecart route, which bears a blockage and leads to the other clear gem. This path may only be accessed if the player has obtained the yellow gem.

Entering the nuclear reactor, there are various hazards and enemies, such as lab assistants in lab coats that pitch chemical-filled vials and other lab assistants that wear what appear to be hazmat suits and spray radioactive chemicals, in addition to massive screws that screw either vertically or horizontally, flaming boulders on conveyor belts on their way to a grinder, pressure crushers, and strange screw-like beams as well as laser beams. The level concludes with a large conveyor belt that is strewn with laser beams and leads to the portal.

The player can influence the speed and balance of the mine cart Crash rides in by tilting the control stick or using the directional pad.

Trivia

 * Crash was originally going to use the Jeep in this level instead of a mine cart.
 * Proximity crates were originally going to appear on this level.
 * Interestingly, every fifth level in the game (not counting boss or secret levels) has the same theme as this level (factory).