Intro

Intro (はじまり lit. Beginning in Japanese) is the introductory level to Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back. Crash is trying to find an extra battery for Coco's laptop when Dr. Cortex sends him to the warp room. It shows players the basic gameplay mechanics of the game and features some enemies that would next appear in the first level of the game, Turtle Woods. It is so short, it can't even be classed as a proper level.

This level is completely optional in the original version of the game, as it does not contain a crystal or gem. It can be skipped by pressing the start button in the intro cutscene, or by pausing the game during it and exiting to the warp room. Also, if Crash runs out of lives and reaches the game over screen, he will be warped to the first warp room with no chance to return to this level. This level is like Turtle Woods and The Pits, except much shorter. Its purpose is to allow the player to become accustomed to the controls prior to playing a real level. It also allows the player to acquire one more life and an Aku Aku mask before beginning the game.

In N. Sane Trilogy, this level is no longer optional. It still cannot be returned to once completed, but it cannot be skipped anymore, as skipping the intro cutscene will put Crash at the beginning of this level. Getting a Game Over will replay the intro cutscene as well. Also, this level isn't named anymore: the space in the pause screen that normally displays a level's name is blank in this level. The Xbox One and Nintendo Switch versions can be skipped by quitting the level on the pause menu.

Translation of Aku Aku Hints in the Japanese Version

 * Yeah, Crash. I'm Aku Aku. I can protect you only once from harm.

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