Stormy Ascent

Stormy Ascent is a level that was cut from the original Crash Bandicoot. It is not accessible through normal means, but it can be played by using a GameShark code. Naughty Dog removed this level due to its extreme difficulty, as it is essentially a harder version of Slippery Climb (which is already considered one of the hardest levels in the game). It's also the last level of the Crash Bandicoot prototype. Also, if one tries to do the bonus round, it will crash the game because Naughty Dog never created a bonus room for it. This level was considered to be the hardest Crash Bandicoot level of all time; however, Sunset Vista in the Crash Bandicoot prototype has now claimed this title.

In response to a question that was asked on a blog article, some Naughty Dog members explained their thoughts about this level being cut. Andy Gavin said, "Stormy Ascent was just cut because it was too long and too hard and he ran out of time. I wish we had put it in as some kind of easter egg, as it was an awesome level, one of my favorite in the game. Long, a bit brutal, but it looked great, and had a real rhythm to it." Jason Rubin said, "There was never anything sadder than dropping a level that close to complete. The work that went into making a level like that is incredible. To see it on the cutting room floor was always a tragedy."

Enemies/Hazards that appear

 * Evil Hand
 * Iron Spikes
 * Lab Assistant
 * Birds
 * Retracting Steps
 * Falls
 * Moving platforms