Bee-Having

Rewards: Clear Gem—smash all 94 boxes. Purple Gem—access a secret stage.

Crash is back in the forest and facing lots of threat and challenges. Since the secret stage with the Purple Gem doesn’t skip part of the level, you can get it and the Clear Gem during the same playthrough. But that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy.

Right at the start, you have a hammer guy coming at you. Run toward him and spin-attack to get him before he gets you. Jump over a gap. A plant shoots projectiles at you. Either dodge them or dig into the dirt and move underground until you reach the next gap, which you must jump across. Grab a mask, then jump across to the next area and deal with another hammer guy.

As you pass by some large beehives, several bees come after you. Keep moving, and after jumping over a gap, dig into the dirt to escape them. Dodge the nitro boxes, or you’ll set them off even if you’re underground. Pop up and jump over a gap to reach a checkpoint. Run past another beehive, then slide underneath an electric barrier before quickly jumping a gap. There’s a box hidden behind some nitro boxes. Carefully jump on it, then cross the gap. Carefully pass a beehive and some nitro boxes before jumping over the gap.

Avoid a totem that makes sudden and quick movements. Stop before you reach the next beehive. There’s an intermittent electric barrier up ahead. Wait until it’s been active for a bit, then rush toward it. You should get to it just at the power goes down. If you move past the beehive and then wait, you end up fighting off bees. Slide underneath the next barrier, then jump a gap to reach the next checkpoint.

After passing the next beehive and jumping across a gap, don’t dig in until after you hit the hammer guy—he can pound you while you’re underground. Repeat this tactic with more bees and another hammer guy. Continue until you see a group of nitro boxes stacked like steps.

As you pass by the fake nitro boxes, maneuver around a totem and jump over a gap. Now you deal with bees and a couple of spitting plants—dodge the projectiles since you can’t dig in here, and get past the plants to reach a checkpoint. Time your jump over to a platform in the middle of a gap to avoid getting hit by plant projectiles. Slide under a barrier, then continue past bees and plants until you reach the circular platform that carries you to the bonus stage.

Run past a beehive and jump across a gap to attack a hammer guy. Across the next gap, pick up the crystal. There are more bees in the next area, followed by another hammer guy. Rush to the hammer guy and spin-attack him, then dig in until the bees leave. Get across a gap with a platform in the middle while avoiding plant projectiles. Once you find dirt, dig in and move past a beehive and nitro boxes. Jump across a gap and hit the green switch to blow up all the nitro boxes, including those in the bonus stage, then continue into the portal room to claim the Clear Gem and return to the warp room.

Time Trial

Time Requirements

Sapphire: 2:00:00

Gold: 1:22:00

Platinum: 1:13:42

There’s a lot of ground to cover in this time trial. However, you’re mostly running and jumping over gaps. As long as you keep moving, the bees can’t catch you and usually only follow across one gap. The hammer guys are the only real threats, but since you’re moving fast, you can hit them before they have a chance to use their hammers. Watch out for the nitro boxes. Consider slowing down when jumping around them. The intermittent electric barrier may also require you to pause. When you reach the end, be sure to hit the green switch to clear your way to the portal of any nitro boxes. There aren’t many time boxes, so hit any you find.