Cold Hard Crash

Cold Hard Crash is the eighteenth level and is the third level of the fourth warp room in Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back and the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy remake of the second game. It is the final Arctic themed level in this game. This level features the highest crate count in the game, the highest in the original Naughty Dog trilogy, and one of the highest in the series, at 155. This level also features a death route where Crash can collect an additional gem.

Level design
Cold Hard Crash is split into three different parts: two outdoor and one indoor part. The first part of the level begins outdoor and features various enemies like penguins and seals. In addition, there is also icy terrain that Crash will skate across, making it harder for him to maneuver. Eventually, he will take a lift that will lead him into the interior portion of the level.

The indoor portion of the level features different obstacles including falling icicles and log crushers. There is also a skull platform that the player can ride to the death route portion of the level, if he reaches it without dying. The death route features a tougher path with more obstacles, more ice, and a bunch of Nitro crates. It is highly recommended for the player to have two Aku-Aku masks before entering the death route, as Crash can get a third one inside. At the end of the path, there is a clear gem that Crash can collect. In addition, the player must traverse the death route and return to the skull platform in order to collect every crate. At the end of the death route and indoor area, it will take Crash back outside to the final portion of the level.

The final portion of the level is similar to the first portion of it where Crash is in an outdoor environment. This time around though, Crash must avoid rollers as he jumps across gaps. At the end of the level, Crash will reach the portal to return to the Warp Room.

Walkthrough
 Cold Hard Crash - Both Gems - Crash Bandicoot 2 Cortex Strikes Back - 100% Playthrough (Part 24) Crash Bandicoot 2 - "Cold Hard Crash" 100% 1st Clear Gem and All Boxes (PS4 N Sane Trilogy) Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy - Cold Hard Crash Death Route Crash Bandicoot 2 Cold Hard Crash Platinum Relic 

Trivia

 * This level has the most crates of any level in the original trilogy.
 * This level's name is a pun on the phrase "cold hard cash".
 * The death route contains a basic crate with a standalone Aku Aku mask inside. This is the only such crate in the game. Other crates with Aku Aku masks inside have a picture of Aku Aku on them and the mask is automatically obtained.
 * In the N. Sane Trilogy, the crate has been replaced with an Aku Aku Crate.
 * Fake Crash cannot be seen in the Nintendo Switch version of the N. Sane Trilogy, as ice walls do not have reflections.
 * In the N. Sane Trilogy, the alternate route music continues when the death route platform is used to return to the normal route, up until the third checkpoint past the platform.

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