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Level 21: Piston it Away
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

Level 21: Piston it Away

Complete walkthrough for Level 21: Piston it Away in Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back. Find all boxes, gems, and the crystal with our guide.

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Complete walkthrough for Level 21: Piston it Away in Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back. Find all boxes, gems, and the crystal with our guide.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    From the start, break the four initial boxes.
  2. 2
    Avoid the ceiling piston by passing under it when safe.
  3. 3
    Jump to the next platforms and slide into the ring-necked enemy.
  4. 4
    Drop down to the right and slide into another ring-necked enemy.
  5. 5
    Jump over the pit to encounter a ground piston; use it as an elevator.
  6. 6
    Get off the piston, move right, and defeat the ring-necked enemy.
  7. 7
    Pass under the four ceiling pistons when they move up, proceeding to the other side.
  8. 8
    Jump over the next pit, break the box, and defeat the electrical enemy by jumping on it.
  9. 9
    Past the electrical enemy, use the ground piston to ascend.
  10. 10
    Jump onto the next ground piston when it lowers, using it to reach platforms on the right.
  11. 11
    Defeat the electrical enemy and enter the alcove with boxes.
  12. 12
    Break the arrow box, then bounce into the bounce box to break it.
  13. 13
    Bounce to the next arrow box and break all boxes above it.
  14. 14
    Break the two arrow boxes and continue right.
  15. 15
    Jump to the next platforms and slide into the ring-necked enemy.
  16. 16
    Pass under the piston when safe and jump on the electrical enemy.
  17. 17
    Go under the next piston and defeat the electrical enemy.
  18. 18
    Follow the path right to the checkpoint.
  19. 19
    Defeat the electrical enemy with arms up by sliding or spinning.
  20. 20
    Jump to the next platforms and defeat the electrical enemy with arms up.
  21. 21
    Drop down to the next platforms and defeat the electrical enemy that alternates arm positions.
  22. 22
    Go right to a pit with pistons on both sides; time your jumps to cross.
  23. 23
    Pass under the piston and jump to the next platforms.
  24. 24
    Defeat the electrical enemy that alternates arm positions.
  25. 25
    Pass under the next piston and slide into the ring-necked enemy.
  26. 26
    Break the box and slide/crawl under the pipe.
  27. 27
    Slide into the ring-necked enemy past the pipe.
  28. 28
    Slide/crawl under the next pipe, then slide into the electrical enemy on the other side.
  29. 29
    Jump over the next pit to the platforms on the right.
  30. 30
    Enter the alcove with three boxes, avoiding the Nitro.
  31. 31
    Jump over the first set of hot pipes and onto the electrical enemy when its arms are down.
  32. 32
    Jump over the next set of hot pipes and wait for the electrical enemy to approach.
  33. 33
    Slide or spin to defeat the electrical enemy when its arms are up.
  34. 34
    Go right to the next platforms and defeat the electrical enemy up there.
  35. 35
    Go right to a pit with pistons on both sides; jump across when they go up.
  36. 36
    Pass the second piston and go right to grab the CRYSTAL.
  37. 37
    Proceed forward to the next checkpoint.
  38. 38
    Slide into one of the two moving ring-necked enemies.
  39. 39
    Break the Aku Aku box and jump over the hot pipes on the right.
  40. 40
    Quickly slide into the ring-necked enemy and jump over the other hot pipes.
  41. 41
    (Optional for all boxes) Do not take the SKULL PLATFORM PATH yet; go to the end of the level and return later.
  42. 42
    Go right to pipes to slide under.
  43. 43
    On the other side, slide under the pipe and defeat the electrical enemy when its arms are away from the pipe.
  44. 44
    Jump on the contraption, then slide and jump to the metal platform with an arrow.
  45. 45
    Immediately jump off this platform to the next platform on the right.
  46. 46
    Break the box.
Tips
  • Enemies with ringed necks can be defeated with a slide attack.
  • Enemies with shock abilities require careful timing; jump on them when their arms are down or use slide/spin attacks when their arms are up.
  • Pistons on the ground act as elevators; use them to reach higher platforms.
  • Ceiling pistons will crush you if you are under them when they hit the floor; time your movement.
  • Be cautious of hot pipes, as they will burn you.
  • The SKULL PLATFORM PATH is necessary to collect all boxes in the level. If you miss it, you will need to backtrack.
  • 2 Silver Gems
  • 69 Boxes
  • 1 Crystal

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