Cortex Castle

Cortex Castle is Dr. Cortex's first base in the Crash Bandicoot series. Even though it was set on fire at the end of the first game, it did survive and can still be seen in Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back in the level Road to Ruin. A track based on it appeared in Crash Team Racing, as well as the Citadel City section of the same game, as you can clearly see many aspects of the castle within this area. Also, he used it as his base in Crash Nitro Kart before being abducted by Emperor Velo XXVII.

Development
During Crash Bandicoot's development, Cortex Castle was concieved more as a fortress than a castle tower. It was to be set atop a snowy mountain on Cortex Island. Atop the castle, Cortex's boss would take place.

Overview
The castle is located on Cortex Island, and debuted in the original Crash Bandicoot as the residence and base of operations of the game's main antagonist, Dr. Neo Cortex. According to the game, the castle was powered by the Cortex Power factory, a factory powered by a gargantuan nuclear chamber and owned by Cortex's minion, Pinstripe Potoroo. Crash's main goal in the game is to make his way to the castle and rescue his girlfriend, Tawna, from Cortex, who plans to use her for genetic experimenting in his Cortex Commando army. Inside the castle, the player battles Cortex's assistant, Dr. Nitrus Brio, as well as Cortex himself. After defeating Brio, some of the chemicals he was using to combat Crash set the castle alight, leaving Crash to flee through Cortex's lab and onto his airship where the final battle takes place.

However, the castle also appears in the beginning of Crash Nitro Kart and as a track in Crash Team Racing, indicating Cortex rebuilt it. It has not been seen since.

Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
In the alternate ending epilogue for the original Crash Bandicoot, it is stated that Papu Papu sold the ruins of the castle to a resort developer and used his newfound wealth to create a souvenir shop on the island, implying the fire destroyed the castle. However, the ending is most likely non-canon, as the castle is shown to be intact in the sequel, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back. The castle can be seen in the ruin levels and the introduction in Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back. The instruction manual implies that Cortex examined his discovered crystal in his laboratory, implying he resided in the castle for a short period before leaving to create the Cortex Vortex. In addition, the castle also appears to contain the secret warp room housing levels 26 and 27. During the end of the game, the castle is also shown to contain N. Brio's base of operations where he destroys Cortex's space station with his laser beam. It is possible that Cortex regained his castle from the resort developers and rebuilt certain parts of the castle before leaving. This is supported by the fact that certain parts of the secret warp room appear to be destroyed, indicating that N. Brio secretly used the castle as his base of operations after Cortex left.

Crash Nitro Kart
Cortex Castle is seen in the Intro, where it is again Cortex's base of operations, where Cortex, N. Gin, Tiny, and Dingodile are seen. The Evolvo-Ray is again seen when N. Gin attempts to zap a Kart with it, but Tiny accidentally flattens Dingodile who was about to activate it. Then the Tower that their in gets abducted by Velo and later sent back to earth when Team Cortex accepts Velo's challenge.

Interior
Inside the castle is really dark. It requires Aku Aku to lights the castle. Some parts of the castle is a prison and Nitrus Brio's lab.

Hallway
Inside the hallways, there are many symbols like spiders (resemble Cortex Comandos' power), skull (resemble Cortex's demonic plans on world domination), lightning bolt under N (resemble how Neo Cortex hates humanity). The hallways inhabited by spiders and rats. The castle pillars decorated with spikes and gargoyles. Inside The Lab, there are many generators. Evolvo-Ray Room The Evolvo-Ray Room is a room that contains the Evolvo-Ray, as well as a small Lamp, a Window, and a Table for zapping Animals with the Evolvo-Ray. It appears in Crash Bandicoot and Crash Nitro Kart.

Cortex Vortex Room
The Cortex Vortex Room is the room that contains the Cortex Vortex mach I., as well as its controls, and a window. There is another area of this Room with various Cages for the Animal subjects.

Machinery Room
This is a room that contains various Robots and devices, and this Room is in the level Castle Machinery.

Nitrus Brio's Laboratory
N. Brio's Laboratory is a small Lab where N. Brio does his experiments, it also has two desk portions and a fenced opening.

Laboratory
A set of hallways with Technology and Lab Assistants. There is also areas of this room/hallway that contain several Spiked Pillars in a dark pit.

Imprisonment Room
A Room where Prisoners such as Tawna are kept, there are also two Balconies and an Picture of Tawna. Most of it is covered with Pits.

Inhabitants

 * Doctor Neo Cortex (semi-formerly)
 * Doctor N. Gin (semi-formerly)
 * Tiny Tiger (semi-formerly)
 * Dingodile (semi-formerly)
 * Lab Assistants)
 * Doctor Nitrus Brio (formerly)
 * Koala Kong (formerly)
 * Ripper Roo (formerly)
 * Pinstripe Potoroo (formerly)
 * Evil Hands (formerly)

Levels
Crash Bandicoot
 * Dr. Nitrus Brio(boss)
 * Dr. Neo Cortex (boss) (background)
 * Lights Out
 * Fumbling in the Dark (secret level)
 * Slippery Climb(exterior)
 * Stormy Ascent(cut level)
 * The Lab