Coco's VR Hub System

Coco's VR Hub System is a machine built by Coco Bandicoot and functions as a level selection mechanic in Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex.

Overview
The VR Hub System is most likely based on the Time Twister used by Crash and Coco in Crash Bandicoot: Warped. However, the Hub System cannot travel through time, only through space. Like the time twister, the VR Hub System has five areas with six warp portals, each of these five areas representing a different theme based on the mask that inhabits that area such as the first area being Earth-themed. It also has a load/save screen and can receive holographic transmissions similar to the warp rooms  from Cortex Strikes Back. Also akin to the Time Twister, the Hub System's primary function is to carry Crash through levels that have Elemental Crystals, Gems, Relics, or Colored Gems located in them, however the latter three are optional to collect. Once all five Elemental Crystals in that area are collected, then Crash may access the boss level of that area. Until Crunch and the mask in that area is defeated, Crash cannot go back to the normal levels of that area until the boss is beaten. Once Crash successfully defeates the boss for the first time, he is rewarded with that area's power-up and can enter a new area. All of the areas apart from one, assuming "WOMBAT" has not been inputted as a name in a save file (for the Nintendo GameCube and Xbox version of the game only), are locked behind electric fences with hitboxes so high that Crash cannot jump over them without being booted back out. These fences shut down once Crash defeats the boss within the previous area. The VR Hub also has a hidden area which can only be accessed via a platform in the center of the Hub once Cortex has been defeated at least once. As this area has no boss, it has no Elemental Crystals to collect, only Relics and Gems. In order to access the levels within this area, at least five Relics from each of the main areas must be collected first.

Background
Between the events of Crash Bandicoot: Warped and before the start of The Wrath of Cortex, Coco had been working on developing the VR Hub System underneath the bandicoot house. After Uka Uka releases the Elementals, Aku Aku asks if she's finished work on the VR Hub System as it would most likely be needed in order to stop the Elementals. Coco makes her final adjustments and the system is ready to go. Crash and Coco enter the VR Hub System and use it to find crystals to defeat the Elementals and Cortex's new super weapon, Crunch Bandicoot. Most of the events of The Wrath of Cortex take place in the VR Hub System.

Appearances

 * Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex